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(meteorobs) RASC List: Fireball over SK, AB, Jan. 20

I am cross-posting this from the Canadian RASC list....

- Cathy Hall
  Ottawa, Canada

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From:	Richard Huziak, INTERNET:huziak@SEDSystemsdot ca
TO:	Multiple recipients of list rasclist, INTERNET:RASCLIST@ASTROTECH.STMARYSdot ca
DATE:	1/20/97 6:43 PM

RE:	RASC List: Fireball over SK, AB, Jan. 20

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From: Richard Huziak <huziak@SEDSystemsdot ca>
Subject: RASC List: Fireball over SK, AB, Jan. 20
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Date: Mon, 20 Jan 1997 17:36:23 -0500 (EST)
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Hi there,

We have a report of a fireball seen to the west of 
Saskatoon on January 16, ~20:30 CST.  (Jan 17, 02:30UT).
This fireball was quite bright, showing blue/green at the 
beginning.  At the end, the head may have turned orange, 
but at least two fragments were ejected to the sides while 
the head travelled onward.  It was visible for 2-3 seconds 
(though neither of my observers believe they saw the 
beginning, probably due to the bright lights of 
Saskatoon to their right). 

From Saskatoon, the 'beginning' was at approx PA 280 deg, 
alt 20 deg, the end at approx PA 255 deg, alt 15 deg.  The 
fireball travelled near our W horizon, generally N to S.

I've been told that fireballs that are seen to fragment are 
more likely to drop meteorites, as fragmentation shows that 
enough mass lasted to the lower atmosphere to become 
meteorites.

Since fireballs are generally visible for 300 to 700 kms, 
it's possible that Edmonton, Calgary or Regina saw a 
fireball that this time.  Anyone out there see it?

----------------------
Richard Huziak, Saskatoon Centre, and MIAC guy.
huziak@sedsystemsdot ca