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(meteorobs) Re: Huan Meng's -10 Perseid of August 12/13

Interesting idea Mark but are we 100 percent certain this was a Perseid?
Another interesting point is that the other -10 Perseid seen at 13:37 UT
on the 14th left no sound whatsoever. 

It's also interesting that the trains on these fireballs possessed such
a short duration. My experience with Perseids that bright is that they
will leave a persistent train visible to the naked eye for 3-4 minutes.

Finally, I interpreted Huan Meng's description to mean that the sound
was heard 200 seconds after the meteor itself was seen.

Regardless it sounds as if Huan and his friend had an unforgettable
experience. I appreciate that he took the time to share it with us!

Clear Skies!

Bob Lunsford


Mark Fox wrote:
> 
> August 16, 2001
> 
> Greetings Meteor Enthusiasts!
> 
> Forgive me fellow meteor hunters if the following
> seems a bit off topic at most; but I feel it to be
> highly important for all enthusiasts in the hobby to
> know, as it does relate to meteors more than you may
> think.
> 
> I was simply stunned by the huge Perseid (-10 mag.)
> fireball witnessed by Huan Meng on the night of August
> 12/13 from Xinglong, Hebei, China.  It detonated in
> the sky and was reported, if I read Mr. Meng's report
> correctly, to have produced a sound like a train after
> appearing about 200 sec, although I do not know if
> Huan meant 200 sec. after it was first spotted or 200
> sec. after it disappeared.  Nevertheless, this
> sighting is very significant.  It has the possibility
> of braking the popular theory that most meteor
> showers, such as the Perseids, are only composed of
> cometary material.  The fireball reported shows
> evidence that the Perseids are not just composed of
> "dirty snow", but rather in my opinion, stronger
> material, possibly chondritic.   The brightness,
> duration, and the sound which could have been a sonic
> boom of some sort, is rather typical of meteorite
> falls.  Investigation of this bolide may actually
> recover possible, surviving fragments.  It should be
> noted that China has a very good fall recovery record
> and fireballs of -10 mag., if I'm not mistaking, often
> produce surviving meteorites.  If I am not picking
> apples too far on a limb, I think some major surprises
> are in store if any specimens from this bolide are
> discovered.
> 
> I would be very appreciative if this post could be
> forwarded to Meteorite Central's mailing list or the
> like.
> 
> My e-mail is marktfoxvdb@yahoo.com. or
> unclefireballmtf@yahoo.com.
> 
> Hope to hear a sonic boom (not too close though!),
> 
> Mark Fox
> Newaygo, MI
> 
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