© American Meteor Society
AMS Event#2824-2015 – Heatmap.
AMS Event#2824-2015 – Heatmap.
Fire in the Sky
The American Meteor Society and the International Meteor Association received over 60 reports so far about a fireball event over the Eastern Poland on Saturday, October 31st 2015 around 18:05UT. Observers from as far the Netherlands and Austria reported seeing a bright light in the sky. Below is a heat map of the witness reports.
The preliminary estimated trajectory plotted from the witness reports shows the meteor was traveling from the SE-NW and ended its (visible) flight few miles east of the German Border.
"We strongly suspect that it was a meteorite," head of LAPAN Thomas Djamaluddin said as quoted by tribunnews.com.
When locals in the area reported the object, Thomas said that researchers at LAPAN said that it could have been falling space junk.
"But just like what happened in 2003, we found no indication that the object was man-made," he said.
Locals in Rejang Lebong reported on Monday sighting a fiery alien object that blazed across the night sky.
Others reported that they heard a loud bang and that some windows in local houses were shattered.
LAPAN said it would not immediately send a team to the area.
"We have not sent a team because it could have fallen into a forest. We don't know the exact location," Thomas said.
This awesome picture was captured on October 30, 2015 in Slovenia...
© Marko Korosec
© AMS website / google maps
Map showing over 230 meteor/fireball sightings reported in the California region on the AMS website (screen capture)
Map showing over 230 meteor/fireball sightings reported in the California region on the AMS website (screen capture)
According to the American Meteor Society (AMS) website, there were over 230 separate reports of meteor/fireballs over California and nearby states on 23/24 October 2015.
Something wicked this way comes!
© Youtube/tvoyirkutsk
Although the meteorite fell on October 22, the Astronomical Observatory of the University published its report on Wednesday.
"The piece of meteorite was first observed at the height of 67.2 meters, but then was quickly lost out of sight at the height of 62.1 meters," the ISU statement said.
Comment: There must be some confusion on the university's part: what was observed was a 'meteor fireball'. A 'meteorite' is the actual piece(s) of rock/metal that is later found on the ground or in the water.
The meteorite didn't have as much hitting power due to the celestial body catching up with the Earth. That's why the speed of the meteorite didn't exceed 13 km/s when it hit the lake.
Comment: Hmm, well that's pure guess-work on their part. And it doesn't sound plausible. The more likely reason for its slow speed is related to electrical interaction with the atmosphere/local region.
According to ISU scientists, the meteorite landed one kilometer away from the shore of Baikal near the village of Bolshoe Goloustnoe. Local residents noticed the meteorite fall and actively discussed the event in online forums.
The peak of the 2015 Orionid meteor shower has passed now. Here are some awesome photos from the Earthsky community!
Barry Simmons said: "Caught this Orionid fireball on the morning of October 22. It's the BEST meteor shot I've gotten since I started shooting meteors several years ago." Captured at Lake Martin, Alabama. Thank you, Barry, and thanks Nanette Estes Simmons!
John Ashely took this photo in Makoshika State Park, near Glendive, Montana on October 20, 2015. He told EarthSky: "Nice amount of moonlight to start off last night's portion of the Orionid meteor shower. Only saw about a dozen bright ones but they were spectacular as always. Shot at Makoshika State Park, which derives its name from the Lakota phrase for bad land."
© Barry Simmons
© John Ashely
The Ursa Astronomical Association's online observation system lit up with reports of a large bright object streaking across the sky on Friday evening. The apparent fireball stirred consternation in neighbouring Sweden.
Finland's main Astronomical Association, Ursa, says that dozens of people reported spotting a light phenomenon in the western skies just before 8 pm Friday. According to the Swedish newspaper Expressen, the apparent meteor startled some residents in the Stockholm area.
Most of the Finnish sightings were from the Turku region, with others ranging from southernmost Hanko to Merikarvia on the Ostrobothnian coast and Mariehamn in the Åland Islands.
Those reporting observations said the object was seen in the west-south-west sky, close to the horizon.
The streak of light lasted for several seconds, says Jukka-Pekka Teitto, coordinator of Ursa's Artjärvi observation centre in Orimattila.
"This object from space has mostly moved across Sweden," he tells Yle.
© Aki Taavitsainen
This fireball was photographed over Mikkeli in 2013.
This fireball was photographed over Mikkeli in 2013.
Most of the Finnish sightings were from the Turku region, with others ranging from southernmost Hanko to Merikarvia on the Ostrobothnian coast and Mariehamn in the Åland Islands.
Those reporting observations said the object was seen in the west-south-west sky, close to the horizon.
The streak of light lasted for several seconds, says Jukka-Pekka Teitto, coordinator of Ursa's Artjärvi observation centre in Orimattila.
"This object from space has mostly moved across Sweden," he tells Yle.
Comment: There are in fact observations of meteors or fireballs nearly every single day. For more information, see:
Celestial Intentions: Comets and the Horns of Moses
© Screenshot via YouTube
© Prensa Latina
On September 18, the fireball, of an estimated weight of 700 grams, perforated the light roof of the house and destroyed a bed and a television set, according to experts of the Faculty of Science at the University of the Republic.
The reason why the unusual fact was hidden until now is unknown, although the owners of the house and their neighbors reported to researchers at the Department of Astronomy of the Faculty of Sciences.
However, the experts confirmed, that the 'space rock' is indeed a meteorite, since it has slight magnetism and black crust due to the high temperatures generated while entering the atmosphere.
It also presents marks simulating fingerprints, called regmaglypts, on the surface, produced by the molding of hot air on the rock.
Comment: The reason they initially hushed it up is because they feared a public panic.
© CBS
Los Angeles skyline
Los Angeles skyline
There were tweets from all the way from Ventura to San Diego counties.
The tweets all described the same bright green flash.
CBS Los Angeles also received several calls from those inquiring about the possible meteor.
There was no word yet on exactly what caused this show in the sky, but it certainly had people talking.
Comment: Something wicked this way comes!
Comment: The Hazard to Civilization from Fireballs and Comets