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(meteorobs) "Unusually large fireball observed"
Below is a copy of email I have received about a possible fireball sighting
made last week in Canada. If anyone has any additional information on this
event, please let me know.
Thanks!
Mark Davis
NAMN Coordinator
.................
<begin quote>
>I am writing to you on the advice of Mr. Bob MacDonald, of the Canadian
>Broadcasting Corporation's science program "Quirks & Quarks."
>Last Friday night (October 24, 1997), my wife and I were driving home in a
>southerly direction just south of Quebec City when we observed a brilliant
>fireball directly within our field of vision and just in front of us. The
>object, which had an apparent width of about one-half the full moon, gave
>off an intensely brilliant light; it became visible at an approximate
>elevation of 60 degrees plus above the southern horizon. The fireball
>burned itself out at what I would estimate to be about 20 degrees above the
>horizon, giving off a slightly greenish light just before it disappeared.
>The time of the occurrence, which could not have lasted more than two
>seconds at the outside, was exactly 2142 hrs EDT (9:42 p.m.) by my watch.
>Since I have not read or heard in the media about a fireball (or the
>reentry of any man-made satellite, etc.) having been observed at this time,
>I am wondering whether you may have come across any report of this
>occurrence. I have contacted the Astrophysics divison of the National
>Research Council, in Victoria, B.C., but they have not yet got back to me
>concerning my sighting. I would appreciate receiving any information you
>might have on the phenomenon. Having seen numerous meteor showers of the
>Perseid type, I can testify that this occurrence was most unusual and
>spectacular -- incomparably brighter and more impressive than any I had
>ever seen.
>Any info you might have on the object would be appreciated. Alternatively,
>I will be pleased to provide you with any further information I can
>concerning the sighting.
>Best wishes,
>
>Thomas A. Reisner,
>Professor, Department of Literature
>Faculty of Letters
>Université Laval, Québec
>G1K 7P4
<end quote>