Fireball report

Reports Report 667apv (Event 667-2013)

Observer
Name	Mike B
Experience Level	1/5
Remarks	It was a pretty cool experience. I enjoy watching the stars on a clear night, like anyone else, but don't often do so. I have never seen anything like this, except on TV, but I recognized it clearly as an astronomical event (no FAA or 911 calls). I was in the car, on the phone (hands free) with my brother at the time.

Location
Address	Frederick, MD
Latitude	39° 19' 30.33'' N (39.325091°)
Longitude	77° 21' 12.4'' W (-77.353444°)
Elevation	139.148239m

Time and Duration
Local Date & Time	2013-03-22 19:55 EDT
UT Date & Time	2013-03-22 23:55 UT
Duration	≈7.5s

Direction
Moving direction	From up left to down right
Descent Angle	135°

Moving
Facing azimuth	45.89°
First azimuth	41.09°
First elevation	31°
Last azimuth	53.13°
Last elevation	27°

Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude	-13
Color	Green, Light Green, White

Concurrent Sound
Observation	No
Remarks	-

Delayed Sound
Observation	No
Remarks	-

Persistent train
Observation	Unknown
Duration	-1s
Length	-1°
Remarks	-

Terminal flash
Observation	Yes
Remarks	I couldn't discern the meteor/fireball itself, only the tail, which was exceedingly bright and long. The tail changed colors from solid green to light green and white (smoke?) as the object moved from left to right. It was similar to some of the videos I saw of the February meteor in Russia, but smaller in size, of shorter duration (five to ten seconds from sighting to fragmentation) and with different colors. Finally, the object burst apart in a small orange flash, like a firework.

Terminal flash

Observation

Yes

Remarks

I couldn't discern the meteor/fireball itself, only the tail, which was exceedingly bright and long. The tail changed colors from solid green to light green and white (smoke?) as the object moved from left to right. It was similar to some of the videos I saw of the February meteor in Russia, but smaller in size, of shorter duration (five to ten seconds from sighting to fragmentation) and with different colors. Finally, the object burst apart in a small orange flash, like a firework.

Fragmentation
Observation	Yes
Remarks	The flash was quick and orange-yellow in color, like a small pyrotechnic. It was only after the explosion that the ball itself, or, rather, its fragments became clear to me. The fragments/burst seemed to have a symmetrical pattern to it, if that makes any sense. The pieces broke into five or six balls of yellow light in a circular pattern, densly packed, but distinct; it was very much like a firework. The fragments disappeared/dissipated rapidly, along with the tail.

Fragmentation

Observation

Yes

Remarks

The flash was quick and orange-yellow in color, like a small pyrotechnic. It was only after the explosion that the ball itself, or, rather, its fragments became clear to me. The fragments/burst seemed to have a symmetrical pattern to it, if that makes any sense. The pieces broke into five or six balls of yellow light in a circular pattern, densly packed, but distinct; it was very much like a firework. The fragments disappeared/dissipated rapidly, along with the tail.