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(meteorobs) Unique Fireball sighting



Hi!

With the recent discussions on Iridium satellite flares, I was reminded 
of a special event occuring back several years ago.

Being new to meteor watching back then, I attempted my first meteor 
shower watch on August 20 1988, hoping to see the Kappa Cygnids I was 
reading about in a book. It was a beautiful summer evening and perfect to 
go out and try to make up for my disapointment missing the awesome 
Perseid max. 

I observed during the evening and enjoyed seeing satellites zip by and a 
few faint meteors. Around 11:00 EDT (perhaps earlier??), a huge fireball 
appeared 50 degrees over the south and travelled very slowly descending 
toward the south-east. Path lenght approx 20 degrees. I can only say it 
was probably brighter than Venus. The most interesting features was its 
very long duration of 8-10 secondes!! and an unusual "ball of fire" from 
which small pieces could be seen fragmenting from it. A thin but bright 
tail followed the path. Since the meteor originated from near Cygnus, I 
figured it was a mighty awesome Kappa-Cyg ! 

I have never seen anything quite like this ever since. I remember vaguely 
about hearing news that a satellite (or space junk) was scheduled to 
reenter atmosphere somewhere over the East coast of North America on that 
same night.(?)  Could my fireball be a possible satellite reentry?

My coordinates are: (Ottawa)
LAT = 45.42 N
LONG= 75.67 W

(I apologize for the lack of precise information. I was only 12 years old 
back then)


Pierre Martin
Ottawa, Ontario, Great White North
Meteor observing and Graphic design


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