I've witnessed many shooting stars as I've been taking walks in the early morning hours before the sun rises every day for years. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the Geminids. This was the most spectacular meteor I have ever seen in my life (63 years old) and quite remarkable.
Location
Address
Coon Rapids, MN
Latitude
45° 12' 3.94'' N (45.201095°)
Longitude
93° 18' 10.01'' W (-93.302781°)
Elevation
272.180756m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2020-12-16 06:51 CST
UT Date & Time
2020-12-16 12:51 UT
Duration
≈7.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
144°
Moving
Facing azimuth
61.77°
First azimuth
47.93°
First elevation
64°
Last azimuth
69.86°
Last elevation
-
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-18
Color
Blue, Light Yellow, White
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
5s
Length
20°
Remarks
It left a sparkling glowing trail about 10 degrees long which remained as an extinguished whitish lingering trail
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
That's what got my attention, When I looked over and saw the bright blue mass flashing and spitting white and yellow flames.
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
It looked to be breaking up with smaller fragments near the main body sparking and shooting flames too.
