(meteorobs) Correction to previous Trig.calculation.

[Chris Peterson]

Thomas-

I make no claim of knowing the trajectory of this fireball beyond an 
approximate ground path. I have recorded a number of similar fireballs 
over the years which had typical descent angles (that is, weren't 
grazers). The light curve of this event was typical of many meteors- 
nothing about it suggests to me that it skimmed the atmosphere. There 
seems to me very little reason to suggest that possibility. The absence 
of images from the Colorado cameras proves nothing, but has to be 
considered seriously. These cameras routinely record high meteors as far 
south as Albuquerque; since the weather was apparently clear that 
morning, the fact that none of the cameras caught it is evidence that 
the meteor was quite low at the end of its path. Furthermore, the camera 
evidence indicates that the total ground path of this fireball was 
fairly short- probably less than 500 km. That is far too short to 
explain the light curve if this was an Earth skimmer, given that over 
that distance the height difference between the endpoints and center 
amounts to only about 4 km. Compare that with a known Earth grazer, the 
Grand Teton fireball, which had a ground path of at least 1500 km- 
enough to get it deep enough into the atmosphere to experience strong 
ablation.

Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Thomas Dorman" <drygulch_99 at yahoo.com>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 7:47 AM
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Correction to previous Trig.calculation.


Chris
As I stated before the true story will only be told on
this event only after the calculation are done.Your
argument seems to be based on no more,in my view,that
your station did not record the event.There could be
many other reason why it was not recorded at your
location.Mr.Gamble at the El Paso all sky camera
station has had events in the past that were recorded
by Albuquerque station that one would think he should
have recorded at his station but found nothing in his
records.
As to the statement the meteor lost mass in the
event.True, but without knowing how deep the meteor
came into the atmosphere any guess on the mass of this
beast at this time is just that a guess. I believe no
one at this time can make a true statement to if this
meteor had the mass to survive the passage through the
atmosphere back into space.
Just my view on this matter.Not an expert,just a
skywatcher.
Thomas Dorman
Horizon City,Texas