This event was truly breathtaking. I wanted to share this because I am under the assumption that Earth grazing fireballs are a rare event. I would like to confirm that I have seen one but I'm not sure if anyone else had the pleasure of observing this. I read that they happen when the radiant is rising or setting. What really struck me was the horizontal direction in which the object travelled. I have never seen anything like it. Just amazing.
Location
Address
Macungie, PA
Latitude
40° 30' 58.97'' N (40.516381°)
Longitude
75° 33' 24.72'' W (-75.556867°)
Elevation
-1m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2013-05-04 03:00 EDT
UT Date & Time
2013-05-04 07:00 UT
Duration
?
Direction
Moving direction
From left to right
Descent Angle
90°
Moving
Facing azimuth
135°
First azimuth
135°
First elevation
15°
Last azimuth
225°
Last elevation
15°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-9
Color
Burnt orange. The color of the Moon at date and time.
Concurrent Sound
Observation
Unknown
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
Yes
Remarks
It may have been just chance but I heard an unfamiliar boom from the south west a few seconds after first glimpsing object. Possibly unrelated due to living on a Main Street with truck traffic. Just a single boom.
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
5s
Length
10°
Remarks
Glowing train. Little smoke. Like spent fireworks. Right where the radiant had peaked.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
Meteor was cruising and upon taking notice of it it was brighter and then gradually got darker while breaking up. Individual pieces were seen trailing behind. It looked like a damaged plane going down.
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
Flash was brightest when first coming into view from the south east side. Appeared as one larger piece. Moved from left to right and that's when fragments were clearly evident. A very burnt looking orange color that looked like it was going to send fragments to somewhere nearby. Individual fragments were easily resolved. Appeared to happen in slow motion.
