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Remarks |
I would estimate that the sighting was approximately 3 fingers off of the horizon. I didn't measure it when it happened, as I was shocked and it was over so fast. But I remembered close to where I saw it, as it was partially obscured by my neighbors large tree. But that tree had no leaves, and had been recently tree-trinmed for power line safety, so I still had a really good view. I went back and and measured with my fingers approximately where I saw it at.
The angle seemed so steep, but that could also just be my physical location perspective, and the distance away it was.
I've seen many shooting stars and meteor showers in the last 20 years. This is the first time I have ever seen anything like this. And I seen one really amazing shower when I was in the military, back in 2002, in Kansas. It had so many, and some quite large ones. The largest I have ever seen...until tonight. I would not even describe it as a shooting star. It was a yellowish/light orange fireball. Perfect word for it, fireball.
As it was so low on the horizon, I'm assuming it was very far away. This likely explains why I heard no sonic boom?
I didn't really understand the brightest chart. So maybe I can better explain. So if this makes more sense, ignore the chart selection that I chose. The head (? Not sure what to call it...the leading edge, the largest radius?) was literally as bright and as large as 4 or 5 times the size of Venus right now. The tail was maybe 2-3 finger widths (from my position with the outstretched arm) long? Hard to say for sure, but it wasn't as long as most smaller shooting stars' tails are.
The tail didn't seem to leave a faded streak behind it. The tip of the tail seemed as bright as the front. I did not see anything break up/off of it. It just faded out of sight.
I am so elated I saw such a thing to ight. I'll never forget it. |
