Reports Report 2248n (Event 2248-2017)
| Observer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mark F |
| Experience Level | 3/5 |
| Remarks | Estimated position at mile marker 59 on I-81 southbound while driving at highway speed. Entirely viewed through windshield. Started as bright illumination of the light cloud cover, dimming momentarily during its traversal, then continuing to be a powerful illumination moving behind the clouds. Direct observation of light source as separating fragments though a break in the clouds for the last 1/2 to 3/4 second of traversal observation. Definite bolide in my opinion. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Address | Rural Retreat, VA |
| Latitude | 36° 54' 38.75'' N (36.910764°) |
| Longitude | 81° 17' 40.56'' W (-81.294599°) |
| Elevation | 763.052m |
| Time and Duration | |
|---|---|
| Local Date & Time | 2017-07-15 02:40 EDT |
| UT Date & Time | 2017-07-15 06:40 UT |
| Duration | ≈3.5s |
| Direction | |
|---|---|
| Moving direction | From up right to down left |
| Descent Angle | 259° |
| Moving | |
|---|---|
| Facing azimuth | 251.11° |
| First azimuth | 255.68° |
| First elevation | 37° |
| Last azimuth | 208.27° |
| Last elevation | 25° |
| Brightness and color | |
|---|---|
| Stellar Magnitude | -13 |
| Color | Light Blue |
| Concurrent Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Delayed Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Persistent train | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Duration | - |
| Length | - |
| Remarks | - |
| Terminal flash | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Fragmentation | |
|---|---|
| Observation | Yes |
| Remarks | At tail end of traversal across the sky, through a break in the light clouds, the fireball was directly visible. Roughly ear-outline shaped distribution of fragments, biggest fragments at top of ear. Gave an impression of falling, fading embers from a large firework. Bright blue-white color. |