[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

(meteorobs) Daytime Bolide



Guys -

I am cross-posting this from our RASC list.  This is from an observer in Toronto, southern Ontario.

- Cathy
  Great White North

---------- Forwarded Message ----------

From:	B. Cheaney, INTERNET:bcheaney@globedirect.com
DATE:	3/7/97 8:16 PM

RE:	RASC List: Daytime Bolide

Hi All

What a way to start the weekend.

At 3:52pm EST while driving home I saw my first ever daytime Bolide. It was simply FANTASTIC.

The bolide moved from SW to N on a small downward angle approx. 55 degree above the horizon. It lasted
for only 2 to 3 seconds and covered about 40 degrees of the sky.

It's started as a single bright white streak and then it turned blue as it broke apart.  I watched carefully for
the colour change to orange or red but it never happened . After turning blue it disappeared.

It broke up similar to the fireball depicted in the Feb/97 issue of S & T (page 104) with a large chunk on the
main stream and smaller bits falling off below.  There was a small smoke trail but it disappeared very quickly.

What was really astonishing was how bright it was.  That area of the sky was a bright light blue due to the
sun location. The bolide had the brillance of a welders arc again light blue background.  It was if the meteor
was made of magnesium. It also burned ! very clean leaving a very sharp streak.

I always wished I would see a daytime fireball, now after 30 years of looking up my wish came true.

Keep looking up.

Brian Cheaney
Toronto Centre