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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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