Reports Report 1561ahd (Event 1561-2019)

Observer
Name Rick H
Experience Level 4/5
Remarks This was the most spectacular heavenly sighting I have ever experienced, and I have seen some amazing meteor showers in the past. This eclipsed them all! On my way to school (I'm a teacher) I saw this object streaking across the morning sky. I first thought, "Wow! What a treat, a random shooting star bright enough for me to see at early dawn. However, this was quickly looking a lot different! The head of the streaking object increased in its glowing brilliance!! It was so different from anything I had ever seen, so I kind of dismissed it as maybe a fast flying jet whose wing was catching the early sun at just the right angle to make this spectacular display. After it vanished near the horizon, I looked around and didn't see the sun, so I thought it must be just below the horizon but at an angle to catch the supposed plane's wing, and I thought the trailing streak was contrail. I am so thrilled to know it was not just a plane but an astronomical event!! Thank You, Lord!! What an unexpected treat!!
Location
Address Greenville, SC
Latitude 34° 52' 20.7'' N (34.872418°)
Longitude 82° 28' 13.81'' W (-82.470502°)
Elevation 308.266693m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time 2019-04-04 06:50 EDT
UT Date & Time 2019-04-04 10:50 UT
Duration ≈7.5s
Direction
Moving direction From up right to down left
Descent Angle 258°
Moving
Facing azimuth 96.79°
First azimuth 103.8°
First elevation 24°
Last azimuth 71.36°
Last elevation 12°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude -18
Color Blue, Green, White
Concurrent Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Delayed Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Persistent train
Observation Yes
Duration 1s
Length 20°
Remarks I saw a glowing train which dimmed quickly to a haze.
Terminal flash
Observation No
Remarks -
Fragmentation
Observation No
Remarks -