I have been fortunate to see several fireballs in my life. This however was the most impressive. Due to the colors, length of time in the sky, and the vivid fragmentation I felt a necessity to report it.
Location
Address
Asheville, NC
Latitude
35° 35' 11.08'' N (35.58641°)
Longitude
82° 31' 31.57'' W (-82.525435°)
Elevation
-
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2012-08-29 22:00 EDT
UT Date & Time
2012-08-30 02:00 UT
Duration
≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From right to left
Descent Angle
270°
Moving
Facing azimuth
-1°
First azimuth
-1°
First elevation
45°
Last azimuth
245.70974°
Last elevation
45°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-9
Color
Bright blue, green
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
2s
Length
10°
Remarks
A glowing train that was white fading to yellow. It then broke into several distinct pieces which continued on moving from southeast to southwest. The fireball itself crossed just under the tip of the moon.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
It was several colors with the spectrum starting red yellow bright white, bright blue and green. As it fragmented it turned i. To yellow and red again.
