This was a very impressive event for a novice sky gaizer. While the tail was neat the sound was most impressive: I suspect it would be similar to the distant thunder of a nuc explosion. One way or the other I was expecting to come home today and read about a very large hole in the ground!
Location
Address
Norton, MA
Latitude
41° 56' 30.18'' N (41.941716°)
Longitude
70° 45' 46.64'' W (-70.762956°)
Elevation
-
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2011-01-29 22:00 EST
UT Date & Time
2011-01-30 03:00 UT
Duration
≈1.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up to down
Descent Angle
180°
Moving
Facing azimuth
-1°
First azimuth
-1°
First elevation
30°
Last azimuth
-1°
Last elevation
18°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
1
Color
Orange with sparks-Looked
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
Yes
Remarks
For maybe 2-3 minutes we discussed what we just saw then heard a distant but very impressive sound coming from the direction of travel. The sound was deep and long, a full-grown mature boom-not quick like a gunshot or firewor\\\'k. We could tell it was far off but it was impressive enough that we started to call family to see what was going on. With the recent \\
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
1.5s
Length
9°
Remarks
I first thought this was a large mortar type firework and almost declared that to the others but then realized it was something else. The tail was very sparkly, orange/yellow in color.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
Huge, brite flash in sky and reflecting off snow. I thought it was lightning. Flash was blue/white.
