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Remarks |
Began low over ocean in west. Went directly overhead. As trail dissapated fragments flamed and sparked off behind in c. 15 degree dispersal fan. Object head grew to c. 15 min. of arc diameter flaming, yes flaming head when near zenith at c. -7 magnitude. Slowest re-entering object I've ever seen. I spotted it first, all in a group of ten people had time to turn and see about half of the display. I turned from facing due west to southeast to follow it. It "felt" like it was very low, aircraft altitude, of course probably much higher. Incredible amount of visual detail. Progressed from very large, bright but typical meteor with short bright trail to large flaming object with amazing sparks and tiny trails flying off behind. By then the normal meteor trail had dissipated. Object simply faded out after passing zenith with no terminal flash. Very slow object if it indeed was a meteor or re-entering artificial debris.Truly a once-in-your life event for this amateur astronomer of 50 years. I was the only astronomer in the group all of whom were flabbergasted by the shared experience. |
