Reports Report 146a (Event 146-2011)

Observer
Name Lori
Experience Level 1/5
Remarks I had never seen anything like it and in my excitement/ignorance called 911 and reported that I thought I\'d seen a plane crash or something - reported it just as I\'ve described here. I pulled off I-80 at exit 149 to make the 911 call. After talking to my husband I am sure it was a meteor I saw. Huge & very bright red fireball that arc\'d from high in the sky to the north of I-80 downward to the south of I-80 and exploded in two (unequal) pieces not far above the horizon. From my position it appeared get larger, as if it were headed my direction so I think it was actually moving from NW to SE. I\'m not sure exactly of the time but it was near 7:30 pm.
Location
Address Mitchellville, IA
Latitude 41° 41' 12.33'' N (41.686758°)
Longitude 93° 16' 16.24'' W (-93.271179°)
Elevation -
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time 2011-01-29 19:30 CST
UT Date & Time 2011-01-30 01:30 UT
Duration ≈10s
Direction
Moving direction From up right to down left
Descent Angle 225°
Moving
Facing azimuth 265.74859°
First azimuth 297.40757°
First elevation 73°
Last azimuth 247.19671°
Last elevation 17°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude 1
Color bright red
Concurrent Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Delayed Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Persistent train
Observation No
Duration -1s
Length -1°
Remarks -
Terminal flash
Observation Yes
Remarks it did appear to explode, a piece split off.
Fragmentation
Observation Yes
Remarks -