May 22nd Fireball

To: meteorobs@latradedot com
Subject: May 22nd Fireball
From: LUNRO.IMO.USA@prodigydot com (MR ROBERT D LUNSFORD)
Date: Wed, 22 May 1996 08:41:52, -0500

It was a pretty dull observing session until a very bright sporadic 
fireball occurred at 9:26:20 (2:26 AM PDT)
The meteor first appeared in eastern Cygnus moving northward and 
brightened from +2 to -2 during the first 30 degrees. It had a blue 
color and had a similar appearance of a typical Eta Aquarid (which it 
definitely wasn't). A tremendous surge in brightness occurred during 
the final 15 degrees with an estimated maximum magnitude of -11. It 
appeared pure white but left a distinct burnt orange train that 
quickly began to twist and contort. The orange color faded rapidly 
but the train lasted 45 seconds until  it could no longer be seen 
against the Milky Way in Cepheus. Back tracking the path before 
visibility places it directly through Delphinus, just east of the 
star Theta Aquilae, and on to the Capricorn-Sagittarius border. 

This is probably the 3rd brightest meteor I have witnessed. The two 
brighter fireballs were a -15 to -18 Perseid in 1982 and a -15 
sporadic seen during the Geminid maximum in 1992. 

A complete report will be forwarded to FIDAC.

Bob Lunsford