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(meteorobs) Unusual Fireball
I took a walk outside tinight just before midnight
local time to see if it was clear enought to try and spot aurora.
It was still hazt to the north, so I turned to look at Mars
and the rest of the southern sky when I saw a -3.5 fireball traveling
roughly northeast. It was unusual in that the main fireball was red in
color, but was surrounded by a yellow ball with a contrail-like yellow
trail. The trail disappeared about at its closest approach to
Polaris and the main red central area continued another 15 to 20 degrees
before slowing fading from view. Plotting the trail backward shows it
began at about 12 h RA, +30 deg Dec and faded away at about 22 h RA,
+70 deg Dec (Canes Venatici to Cepheus) Approximately 1 minute later, I heard
a faint rumble, but it could have been traffic. I don't believe it was
associated with any major shower.
The color, red with yellow, and the slow fade were certainly
unusual. I am in the process of preparing a report to NAMN, which
for as many years I've been watching the sky, is a first for me.
Mike
--
41.087N 80.714W 305 meters
Mike DiMuzio mdimuzio@cisnet.com
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