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(meteorobs) Re:Troy Simpson Fireball Obs.
Hello Troy, welcome to the group. You are fortunate to have seen so many
beautiful objects. One thing that I noted from your observations is the
perception of distance... Usually most meteors (even the most spectacular)
burn up at around 100 - 70 kilometres (60 - 40 miles) above the surface.
However, due to the curve of the earth and surrounding atmosphere, the
objects can often appear as only just missing the ground. (I have been
tricked by this myself) If any object doing meteor speeds got to within a
few kilometres of the ground, there would be one or more sonic booms, and
going by what you say, these were not observed.
The colours you observed are due to the chemical composition of the objects.
Going by your description, it sounds like the second one was a bit of old
rocket casing or something similar. Such objects are notable for their
'slow' motion across the sky, and long duration.
Keep up the observing but try to get used to measuring things like
brightness (magnitude), speed (scale of 1 - 5), and duration. Also try and
note the movement across background stars, this will help determine if what
you see is part of a shower, or a sporadic...
Hope this is of some help, Graham.
PS: On the subject of the Columbia tragedy, I was at a starparty in New
Zealand a few hours before the accident. I was treated to a nice view of the
orbiter through my telescope. So to hear of the news when I woke next day,
was just numbing. I still have trouble realising she is lost. My sympathies
go to all affected, and may her crew be honoured, by the continuation of the
space programme.
Graham Palmer
1/622 Nelson St. North,
Mahora.
Hastings, New Zealand.
Home phone: 06-8735951
Graham's cell No: 021-2650487
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