[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
re: (meteorobs) Ecuador - possible Fire Ball
>The main question that I have is regarding a preceived change in the
>horizontal direction of the object along the flight path. Most witnesses
>reported that the cloud curved towards the left of the apparent flight
>path. I had supposed that a meteorite would travel in a straight direction
>and only change the angle of its fall. Could the apparent change in flight
>direction be just the result of where the observer was in respect to the
>"smoke trail" or could the gravitational forces of such an entre actually
>pull the flight to one side or another?
Only a very slight amount.
>Could this actually be a meteorite or some other object?
Sure!
>No one saw the actual fire ball, only the smoke trail it left behind.
Their
>attention was called to the event by the explosion so there could have be
>several minutes delay from the passing of the fire ball and the sound
>reaching the observer. Could high altitute winds have caused the smoke
>trail to have deformed in a few minutes time?
Yes, this is quite likely. The deformation can be quite rapid.
Somewhere on the Web there are pictures of a Leonid meteor train with time
marks...if I can find it. I'll post the URL
Wayne
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the 'meteorobs' email list, use the Web form at:
http://www.tiacdot net/users/lewkaren/meteorobs/subscribe.html