An amazing sight. Was just exiting the toll plaza coming off of the NJ Turnpike to enter the GSP northbound...and this thing lit up the sky with amazing intensity. Both my wife and I saw it. It fell almost vertical.
Location
Address
Bethesda (but sighted in New Jersey), MD
Latitude
40° 32' 15.17'' N (40.537547°)
Longitude
74° 18' 17.54'' W (-74.304872°)
Elevation
-
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2010-12-28 18:45 EST
UT Date & Time
2010-12-28 23:45 UT
Duration
≈2s
Direction
Moving direction
From right to left
Descent Angle
270°
Moving
Facing azimuth
225°
First azimuth
180°
First elevation
75°
Last azimuth
189°
Last elevation
50°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
1
Color
white and blue
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
NA
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
2s
Length
17.5°
Remarks
Imagine a very large firework that produces multiple trails. This meteor looked like one trail. It was very bright.
Terminal flash
Observation
No
Remarks
There were definitely fragments peeling off the lead portion. The fragments also burned brightly.
