Reports Report 980a (Event 980-2012)
| Observer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jeff C |
| Experience Level | 3/5 |
| Remarks | This fireball, or more like a plasma ball was coming down while I was on my way to work. I at first thought it was some sort of professional firework left over from the 4th of July. Knowing that fireworks are banned in Colorado, I thought somebody is going to be in trouble if this started a fire. Observing it more closely, I noticed that it was coming down behind some clouds. Wow, is that a meteor? I work with many vendors who deliver to my store and I asked each one if they observed any that morning. I found one Coca Cola driver who observed the same object, but fifteen miles north of my location. Finally, proof that I wasn't the only one who observed this! |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Address | Highlands Ranch, CO |
| Latitude | 39° 31' 26.59'' N (39.524054°) |
| Longitude | 104° 57' 40.59'' W (-104.961276°) |
| Elevation | - |
| Time and Duration | |
|---|---|
| Local Date & Time | 2012-07-17 04:45 MDT |
| UT Date & Time | 2012-07-17 10:45 UT |
| Duration | ≈3.5s |
| Direction | |
|---|---|
| Moving direction | From up right to down left |
| Descent Angle | 225° |
| Moving | |
|---|---|
| Facing azimuth | 112.47026° |
| First azimuth | 110.88082° |
| First elevation | 50° |
| Last azimuth | 108.74827° |
| Last elevation | 20° |
| Brightness and color | |
|---|---|
| Stellar Magnitude | -13 |
| Color | Green |
| Concurrent Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Delayed Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Persistent train | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Duration | -1s |
| Length | -1° |
| Remarks | - |
| Terminal flash | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | I have seen the break up of a second stage Russian rocket as it crossed over Wyoming, Colorado and parts of New Mexico. This rocket had at least 100 fragments as it broke up. The fireball I saw had a few fragments that broke off, but burned out immediately. |
| Fragmentation | |
|---|---|
| Observation | Yes |
| Remarks | - |