(meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for September 27-October 3, 2008

[Chris Peterson]

I'm not aware of any case where a meteor was tracked by aviation radar. 
They're generally way too high.

When you see a fireball that explodes or fizzles out more or less overhead, 
that's the time to consider nearby meteorites. When you see a low-angle 
meteor, where it disappears behind the local horizon (including buildings), 
it's likely that any meteorites are hundreds of kilometers away. That's 
because the lowest a meteor is likely to burn is perhaps 15km high, and most 
often its much higher than that. Simple math: large height and small angle 
equals long distance.

Chris

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


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "marci.duncan" <marcik_duncan at msn.com>
To: "Global Meteor Observing Forum" <meteorobs at meteorobs.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:14 PM
Subject: Re: (meteorobs) Meteor Activity Outlook for September 27-October 
3,2008


>I reported the fireball I saw last night - very large brilliant whit
> with blusih trail. Low in sky tracked from east Tampa to Brdadenton
> fl. Daughter and her frinds saw it in Tampa and I saw it in Bradenton
> fl, Someone else YaHOO saw it in WInter Haven Area and couple others
> mentioned. I was near Sarasota Bradenton airport and its trajectory
> should have put it across or near airport. Could they have tracked
> it? As close as it was, could have landed nearby... though it landed
> in the trailer park next door - it was that close. Took Astronomy
> class and talked to people and know distance can be disceptive.
> But angle was so low and it disappeared behind buildiings. Could
> reports indicate more than one? Sheriff and newspaper in Bradenton
> had no report. Is there any way to tell where this originated?
>
> Would hope you coud have enough reports to track and obtain landin
> site. Know that sounds unlikely - but still hopoeful. Letting folks
> know to file reports.
>
> Now I could be addicted!
> Marci K. Duncan, Professional Geologist
> Duncan Resource COnsultants, Inc.
> 941-751-3681
> Cell 941-730-5303