Reports Report 397h (Event 397-2012)

Observer
Name Blair B
Experience Level 3/5
Remarks I didn\'t realize what it was right away. I thought, wow, that must be a very low jet, to be soo bright and it seemed soo close, but it just burned out, without any sound. I,ve seen many shooting stars, and watched quite a few meteor showers, but never saw anything this bright. The sky in the west was still light enough that you could still see the blue sky, though the sun had set below the horizon. Now, we are down in a slight valley, so the horizon pages may be a bit off. It wasn\'t moving completely left to right, nor was it coming straight towards me, but was in between those two, at an angle, but didn\'t lose much altitude, maybe a very slight dip. Pretty much level in it\'s path. I think there was a dark trail, but I was soo focused on the fireball that, like I said, I didn\'t realize what it was at first, or I would have paid more attention to the rest of it. Just awesome, in the true sense of the word. Could you let me know if others reported anything? Thanks, Blair
Location
Address Smithton, PA
Latitude 40° 8' 4.3'' N (40.134528°)
Longitude 79° 42' 31.5'' W (-79.70875°)
Elevation -
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time 2012-03-16 20:05 EDT
UT Date & Time 2012-03-17 00:05 UT
Duration ≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction From right to left
Descent Angle 270°
Moving
Facing azimuth 310.49571°
First azimuth 296.94037°
First elevation 40°
Last azimuth 325.05474°
Last elevation 38°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude -7
Color bright bluish white
Concurrent Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Delayed Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Persistent train
Observation No
Duration -1s
Length -1°
Remarks -
Terminal flash
Observation No
Remarks -
Fragmentation
Observation No
Remarks -