9/1/04 8:55:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Kent:
Saw an interesting object entering the atmosphere this evg. Dunno what it
was specifically, likely space junk tho. Have seen thousands of meteors over
the years (backyard astronomer) but this was unique. Lot's of 'hang time'
and a very steep angle. When I first saw it, thought it was an aircraft
landing light because it was so bright and was barely moving. Then
noticed a very liesurely downward track as the brightness increased. Color
much like an arc-welder --- brilliant (tungsten) blue-white. It fell
more like a flare, so slow initially, then quickly faded as meteors do.
Incandescent area also quite large, roughly the size of a jet landing light.
Entry angle was easily 60deg. The hang time was sufficient for me to point
it out to my daughter (who was in the back of the car), have her find it
and watch it herself. As you know, meteors are gone so fast. it is
almost impossible to point them out to someone who isn't already looking
there.
I was just north of Toronto at the time, facing due north. Object was in
NNE at approx 030 and approx 35deg azimuth. Object track: roughly 090. Descent
angle approx 60deg. Time 21:36 Local (02:26 UTC).
I suspect space junk because that stuff 'falls' comparatively slow and the
decent angle steepens as aerodynamic drag slows it down. Also, the arc-welder
color would be consistent with a white-hot (tungsten type) metal burning
up.
Grist for the mill.
Regards