This extraordinary fireball was witnessed by dozens of people with me. My exercise group was finishing just at dawn. As we walked to our cars this bright object came into view in over the NNW horizon. At first we thought it might be an aircraft or launched rocket. The speed and direction (N to S) soon showed it couldn’t be either of those. As it broke apart toward the mid and Southern part of the flight it became clear that it must have been a meteor.
Location
Address
Richmond Hill, GA
Latitude
31° 52' 51.67'' N (31.88102°)
Longitude
81° 15' 3.71'' W (-81.251031°)
Elevation
4.091552m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2025-11-08 06:15 EST
UT Date & Time
2025-11-08 11:15 UT
Duration
≈45s
Direction
Moving direction
From down right to up left
Descent Angle
272°
Moving
Facing azimuth
270°
First azimuth
322.35°
First elevation
10°
Last azimuth
197.13°
Last elevation
20°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-16
Color
White
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
99.99s
Length
99.99°
Remarks
The fireball left a smoke tail across the entire sky that was visible long after the fireball passed. The smoke trail looked much like an aircraft contrail.
Terminal flash
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
At first a single object glowing brightly, then fragments left behind, then numerous fragments as the object passed out of sight to the South
