We were flying a Gulfstream G280 at 45,000 ft, with very dark skies. Our position information is based upon the nearest town under our flight path at the time of the event.
Location
Address
Donnellson, IA
Latitude
40° 38' 34.13'' N (40.642815°)
Longitude
91° 33' 52.57'' W (-91.564603°)
Elevation
215.406479m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2015-11-04 22:20 CST
UT Date & Time
2015-11-05 04:20 UT
Duration
≈45s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
105°
Moving
Facing azimuth
200°
First azimuth
165°
First elevation
65°
Last azimuth
225°
Last elevation
40°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-24
Color
Purple, Light Blue, Light Green, White
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
5s
Length
15°
Remarks
It slowly faded, staying most persistent at the center of the train.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
We were at 45,000 ft, flying our aircraft and our first indication of the fireball was that the entire cockpit lit up with a green flash.
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
There were small fragments that separated and then moved parallel to the primary object.
