Reports Report 206aj (Event 206-2013)
| Observer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jonathan J |
| Experience Level | 2/5 |
| Remarks | I'm a pilot for a large airline. I first noticed the event out of the right window as it was overtaking us. We were in a 500 fpm climb at 35.5 thousand feet and were unable to see the main event as we passed through 37.5, but were still able to observe the train. The object was first noticed as it went through about a 280 degree bearing to the aircraft, to which I had initially remarked to the other pilot that "I wonder if that guy knows he's on fire." The event was very similar to video footage of the Columbia breakup in terms of colors and debris separation. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Address | Modena, PA |
| Latitude | 39° 57' 43.74'' N (39.96215°) |
| Longitude | 75° 48' 8.96'' W (-75.802489°) |
| Elevation | 81.458809m |
| Time and Duration | |
|---|---|
| Local Date & Time | 2013-01-27 21:35 EST |
| UT Date & Time | 2013-01-28 02:35 UT |
| Duration | ≈10s |
| Direction | |
|---|---|
| Moving direction | From right to left |
| Descent Angle | 270° |
| Moving | |
|---|---|
| Facing azimuth | 200° |
| First azimuth | 270° |
| First elevation | 15° |
| Last azimuth | 180° |
| Last elevation | 5° |
| Brightness and color | |
|---|---|
| Stellar Magnitude | -15 |
| Color | Light Blue, Orange, White |
| Concurrent Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Delayed Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Persistent train | |
|---|---|
| Observation | Yes |
| Duration | 99.99s |
| Length | 60° |
| Remarks | There were four distinct trails closely grouped together glowing a very faint blue. As burning debris fell away they each had their own glowing trail which lasted for a shorter period of time |
| Terminal flash | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Fragmentation | |
|---|---|
| Observation | Yes |
| Remarks | Approximately 30 seconds from when I noticed the fireball, debris began falling away from the main event. I noticed a minimum of 10 separate fragments depart the event. |