I was initially facing down as I was setting up my telescope when the brilliant flash of light began. I looked up and behind me to see the last 3-4 seconds, approximately the last 40% of the meteor based on what I could see of the drifting smoke tail.
Location
Address
, MO
Latitude
37° 37' 28.16'' N (37.624489°)
Longitude
90° 16' 8.24'' W (-90.268955°)
Elevation
274.45752m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2012-12-04 21:33 CST
UT Date & Time
2012-12-05 03:33 UT
Duration
≈7.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
135°
Moving
Facing azimuth
117.16°
First azimuth
160.58°
First elevation
62°
Last azimuth
258.52°
Last elevation
36°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-14
Color
Orange, Yellow, Red, White
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
30s
Length
60°
Remarks
The train appeared very distinctly as a smoke or gas that was relatively stable that seemed to slowly dissipate.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
I'm not 100% certain on this but I do think that I saw a flash before it disappeared from the sky.
