A report of an effort to find the extra-terrestrial visitor, by members of the German Meteorite Forum.

Meteor Over Germany 8/01/11
© Hermann Koberger, Fornach (Austria)
On Jan. 8th, 2011, at 17:51h local time, a bolide stroke across the evening sky in southern Germany. The bolide was witnessed by many, and captured by at least two cameras in Switzerland and Austria. Also roaring sounds and thunder were reported. Especially the reports of sound being heard made (potential) meteorite hunter hearts beat faster...

One of the two known photographs of the bolide was made in Switzerland by one of Mark Vornhusen's meteor-camera-network cameras. Being a member of the German Meteorite Forum, Mark posted his photo on the Forum, and soon after other reports were shared, including a beautiful second photograph, made by Hermann Koberger in Fornach (Austria).

As both photographs captured the bolide at angles almost perpendicular to each other, this yielded a perfect opportunity to determine the location of the track across the sky, and it's projection on the earth's surface. The exact location of both cameras was known, and because stars were visible in both photographs, combined with the know time of exposure, directions could be determined fairly precise. Track ends in both photos could be calculated at about the same high above the earth's surface (28 km). Track beginnings showed a difference. The Swiss photo seemed to have captured the bolide somewhat earlier in its flight. This could be explained by the larger distance to the track in the Austrian photo, and the lower sensitivity of this camera. The Austrian track was extrapolated to the Swiss photo's high at the beginning.

From the two photographs, Mark Vornhusen calculated the location of the bolide's start and end point and their highs above the earth's surface. He also collected wind speed information for different highs, and came up with a first prediction of a possible fall area. It was situated near the German city Geislingen an der Steige.

Forum members became excited about the idea to go out, and try to find meteorites that might have reached the ground.

With a calculated bolide end high of 28 km (17.4 miles), there was expected to be little chance of material being found however.

On the other hand, this looked to be an ideal opportunity to meet fellow Forum members, and have a great time "talking meteorite" with the equal minded.

German Meteor_1
© German Meteorite Forum
A video of the bolide can be found here (2MB) (c) Mark Vornhusen.

Wind data showed that the wind had been blowing almost exactly in the direction of the track. Many variables were still unknown, and had to estimated. Fourteen Forum members agreed to meet on Friday evening, the weekend after the Bolide sighting. Mark produced his final estimate for the strewn field shown below, and the hunt was on!

German Meteor_4
© Mark Vornhusen
The day of the bolide, the possible fall area had been covered with snow. Thaw removed the snow the week after, and conditions were ideal for a hunt. Grass and leaves in the mostly farm land covered area were flattened by the snow, and possible meteorites could be expected lying on top of this flattened surface.

Geislingen Street Sign
© German Meteorite Forum
When we arrived at the hotel, we appeared to have booked about the whole hotel! The bolide appeared to have boosted tourism. Next to our team, also others were active in the area.

Article in German Paper
© German Meteorite Forum
For instance "team Svend Buhl", a French team and solo hunter Thomas Grau. I counted people from five different European countries, and from all over Germany. A local newspaper posted an article about the tourism boost.

Article in German Paper_2
© German Meteorite Forum
We had planned a first meeting for Friday evening at 22:00h.

In the hotel we had a room for ourselves, that was used for discussions and planning. The ones who arrived late were having their diner simultaneously.

Although most Forum members had never met, it was as if we had known each other for years. Great camaraderie!

Meteor Team_1
© Hanno Strufe
Forum member Martin had coordinated the preparations in the days before the trip. Hanno provided a large detailed map, three teams were formed and search areas were agreed upon.

Meteor Team_2
© Hanno Strufe
The aim for the next day was to search the beginning, the mid and the end of Mark's predicted strewn field.

We had a lot of meteorite talks, laughs, beer, and it was much too late when I finally went to bed...

Meteor Team_3
© Hanno Strufe
The next day, a quick group photo in front of the hotel, and off we went to the fields. We arrived in farmland with endless meadows.

More pictures of the field trip can be viewed here.