This was unlike anything I have ever seen related to night time "shooting stars". I have seen some slow down and of course seen most burn up before reaching the horizon. But this was something spectacular and the level of detail of the fragmenting tail makes me believe it was the closest I have ever witnessed. I would believe it if someone told me it was within a couple hundred yards of me when observing.
Location
Address
, AZ
Latitude
32° 3' 3.07'' N (32.050854°)
Longitude
110° 3' 14.15'' W (-110.053931°)
Elevation
1443.316284m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2024-06-17 23:07 MST
UT Date & Time
2024-06-18 06:07 UT
Duration
≈7.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
94°
Moving
Facing azimuth
62.15°
First azimuth
348.98°
First elevation
21°
Last azimuth
92.19°
Last elevation
15°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-21
Color
Golden white, with a tail like a sparkler that grew longer the further it went as it slowed down until it burned out to what appeared to be around 50 feet above the surrounding hill.
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
1s
Length
7°
Remarks
As it burned, it slowed down. I appeared to burn to ash as it nearly stopped as it burned out.
Terminal flash
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
In the tail, fragments were breaking off, burning like a sparkler
