I knew right away this was a once-in-a-lifetime event. It was definitely not fireworks. I've watched the Perseids from a wilderness location where there was zero light pollution and have also observed the moon through a telescope from the same location in the middle of nowhere in B.C. -- this was nothing at all like them. It lasted just over ten seconds by my estimation. There was a trail behind it but I don't think it would qualify as persistent.
Location
Address
Plainfield, VT
Latitude
44° 16' 41.07'' N (44.278075°)
Longitude
72° 25' 51.79'' W (-72.431054°)
Elevation
233.237915m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2014-12-29 18:35 EST
UT Date & Time
2014-12-29 23:35 UT
Duration
≈20s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
135°
Moving
Facing azimuth
193.51°
First azimuth
179.19°
First elevation
21°
Last azimuth
223.9°
Last elevation
15°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-20
Color
White
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Unknown
Duration
-
Length
-
Remarks
-
Terminal flash
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
At least one fairly big piece definitely split off just before it all disappeared -- like the main ball, it was bright white
