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Remarks |
I could clearly distinguish the actual flames on the meteor in bright red, oranges and yellow tongues: burning bright to in white in the front, peeling back in color (extremely reminiscent of a campfire's progression of air to wood), and the rear-facing portion left as seeming black or very burnt umber. Unfortunately, I did not see full details or can report true colors, as my sighting was as garnered from a peek through a window behind a curtain -- and immediately saw this where I had expected to see stars. Peripheral vision first identified it as a plane due to the usually low altitude and brightness, followed by identification of failed fireworks, then suddenly realized neither was the case as it flew on, swallowed by flames, and became blocked by silhouettes of trees. I highly expect there to have been a smoke trail, though from my poor viewing area it could not be readily identified. Rather, worried about a sonic boom, I bolted the other direction, just in case window damages and bodily harm followed. (No noticable boom or shock wave was heard in the end, though I remained indoors and enveloped by indoor ambiance.) I was vert surprised it did not disappear from view for the full duration it flew overhead: rather, it appeared it disappeared from view solely on the basis our horizon line is curved and thus dove (still fluttering with tongues of light) beyond the arc.
I generally watch meteor showers several times a year for several hours apiece, or when weather (and bug season) suitable. I have been a fan of them since I was very young, currently post college, and am extremely startled by this event. If the average shooting star is a white streak or razor-fine zing across the sky, and a previous fireball of mine comparable to a rich white pastel mark on black paper, this one was neither: a legitimate solidified object whose front was flaming real fire and rear left in shadow. I wondered where it would land, or ideally, burn up before it did. |
