Over the last two weeks I have seen 5 similar meteors (the first was on March 12th) but none as bright or long as this fireball which is the first of the 5 with fragmentation. All five were seen in the first three hours after sunset, traveled in a nearly straight downward path from about 55-60° up at the start and had a distinct yellow/orange/gold coloration. The first was seen to the west southwest and they have appeared in progression up to this brightest one seen to the west northwest.
Location
Address
, VA
Latitude
37° 39' 4.61'' N (37.651281°)
Longitude
78° 53' 34.76'' W (-78.892988°)
Elevation
210.769012m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2013-03-22 19:55 EDT
UT Date & Time
2013-03-22 23:55 UT
Duration
≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up to down
Descent Angle
180°
Moving
Facing azimuth
308.79°
First azimuth
309.13°
First elevation
58°
Last azimuth
323.15°
Last elevation
19°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-12
Color
Orange, Yellow, Light Yellow
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
1.5s
Length
8°
Remarks
There was a glowing train.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
The flash was only slightly brighter than the magnitude of the fireball itself and occurred right after the last fragmentation.
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
Two or three pieces fragmented off near the end of the fireball, the largest was the last fragment that broke off right before the fireball flared out and this last fragment remained for a split second after the main body.
