Meteor

I was in my backyard checking out the weather and viewing
conditions a few minutes ago and just happened to be looking
towards Mars when off to my right (to the SSW) I saw the
largest and brightest meteor that I have ever witnessed.
Most meteors are very quickly into and then out of sight,
often with less than one second's duration. This one
streaked across the sky with a duration of 4-5 seconds.
It was approximately the same brightness and color (but
slightly smaller in apparent size) as Mars. As it
traversed the sky there were 3 rather large flares or
orange color bursts and it left a trail visible for about
2-3 seconds after it burned out. Here is a data description
that is as accurate as I can make it. I first viewed it
to the SSE in approximately Scutum (about 190 deg AZ and
an ALT of 45 deg). It traveled NE (as I percieved it)
through Capricornus (under Mars - which gave me a good shot
at comparing it's visible size and color) and continued
to the NE and burned out at about 120 deg. AZ / 10 deg. ALT.
Time of viewing was 1943 hrs PDT (UT-7) and my location is
Las Vegas, Nevada - Lat.36.19N x Lon.115.02W.
Just wondering if by chance any one else witnessed this very
beautiful display. I have seen dozens (nay hundreds) of
meteors in my lifetime but for me this was the best one.
OK - sorry for rambling but I am still excited. It really
made my day!!!
Tony

"Tony Vinci" wrote in message
om...
I was in my backyard checking out the weather and viewing
conditions a few minutes ago and just happened to be looking
towards Mars when off to my right (to the SSW) I saw the
largest and brightest meteor that I have ever witnessed.
Most meteors are very quickly into and then out of sight,
often with less than one second's duration. This one
streaked across the sky with a duration of 4-5 seconds.
It was approximately the same brightness and color (but
slightly smaller in apparent size) as Mars. As it
traversed the sky there were 3 rather large flares or
orange color bursts and it left a trail visible for about
2-3 seconds after it burned out. Here is a data description
that is as accurate as I can make it. I first viewed it
to the SSE in approximately Scutum (about 190 deg AZ and
an ALT of 45 deg). It traveled NE (as I percieved it)
through Capricornus (under Mars - which gave me a good shot
at comparing it's visible size and color) and continued
to the NE and burned out at about 120 deg. AZ / 10 deg. ALT.
Time of viewing was 1943 hrs PDT (UT-7) and my location is
Las Vegas, Nevada - Lat.36.19N x Lon.115.02W.
Just wondering if by chance any one else witnessed this very
beautiful display. I have seen dozens (nay hundreds) of
meteors in my lifetime but for me this was the best one.
OK - sorry for rambling but I am still excited. It really
made my day!!!
Tony

Been watching outside all week, I have to say it has been very busy up
there. I didn't see that one tonight but one almost like it this morning
about 2:AM MT. Slow moving, bright and appeared to break up. Have to say it
was the slowest moving meteor I've witnessed, also in the same area, SSE to
NE. Saw a good one Tuesday night which was the opposite, fastest meteor I
think I've ever seen. It traveled about due E to NW. Bright very "silvery"
color, almost seemed it bounced off the atmosphere like a rock skipping over
a pond. Total this week about 15, 3 or so a night, some very impressive.
Location, Denver, CO.

Thanks for your great description, nice to know I'm not the only one that
gets excited about meteors.

Steve

On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 22:24:45 -0600, "Steve Little"
wrote:

Been watching outside all week, I have to say it has been very busy up
there. I didn't see that one tonight but one almost like it this morning
about 2:AM MT. Slow moving, bright and appeared to break up. Have to say it
was the slowest moving meteor I've witnessed, also in the same area, SSE to
NE. Saw a good one Tuesday night which was the opposite, fastest meteor I
think I've ever seen. It traveled about due E to NW. Bright very "silvery"
color, almost seemed it bounced off the atmosphere like a rock skipping over
a pond. Total this week about 15, 3 or so a night, some very impressive.
Location, Denver, CO.

Thanks for your great description, nice to know I'm not the only one that
gets excited about meteors.

Hi Steve-

I head up a group actively studying meteors over Colorado. The one you saw on
Thursday morning was caught on our allsky camera network at 02:05:53, with a
path east of Denver. I've also seen an increase of activity in the last week,
although there are really no showers that could explain it. Just a statistical
fluctuation I guess.

Although the camera network provides excellent detail, it is very valuable to
supplement this quantitative information with good quality witness reports. When
you see a bright meteor, please consider making a report at
http://www.cloudbait.com/science/fireballs.html .

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Hi Steve-

I head up a group actively studying meteors over Colorado. The one you saw
on
Thursday morning was caught on our allsky camera network at 02:05:53, with
a
path east of Denver. I've also seen an increase of activity in the last
week,
although there are really no showers that could explain it. Just a
statistical
fluctuation I guess.

Although the camera network provides excellent detail, it is very valuable
to
supplement this quantitative information with good quality witness
reports. When
you see a bright meteor, please consider making a report at
http://www.cloudbait.com/science/fireballs.html .

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Chris,

I'll sure do that! I only pull the scope out a couple times a week weather
permitting. But, I'm a smoker and don't smoke in the house, LOL. So when I
go out for a cigarette (more often than I like to admit) I'm always scanning
the sky.

Have to say it's been a busy week in my little 10 minute trips outside. I
normally only catch about one meteor a night, at least 3 a night this week.
Yes, I looked for info on maybe an obscure shower this week but couldn't
find anything. Maybe this is a new one! I'll mark my calendar and be sure to
check it out next year.

Thanks,
Steve