It was an amazing and awe inspiring moment. But - as noted - at first I thought it was a manned space craft of some sort that had exploded - like the space station. The light flash and smoke trail was that large
Location
Address
Chagrin Falls, OH
Latitude
41° 25' 42.66'' N (41.428518°)
Longitude
81° 21' 13.06'' W (-81.353627°)
Elevation
333.942688m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2020-09-30 06:18 EDT
UT Date & Time
2020-09-30 10:18 UT
Duration
≈7.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up right to down left
Descent Angle
182°
Moving
Facing azimuth
-
First azimuth
145°
First elevation
80°
Last azimuth
145°
Last elevation
70°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-13
Color
Yellow
Concurrent Sound
Observation
Unknown
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
15s
Length
40°
Remarks
After the light explosion and long light flash - the smoke train lasted 15-20 seconds. When the Flash dissipated , the smoke train was clearly visible for approx 15-20 seconds. It was a dark sky - but the smoke train was very large and very visible. Very Large in length and width. Almost thought it was the space station that exploded. The smoke train was heavy - long - wide and billowy.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
The original explosion of light lit up the dark morning sky immensely. What was dark - was lit up like late morning light. That light explosion was a few seconds long. Then the post explosion light / fireball lasted another 3-5 seconds. It was quite powerful.
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
As noted above - the residual light lasted another 3-5 seconds. Large illuminating flash (few seconds) ... followed by light from a fireball For an additional 3-5 seconds
