[Chaos-l] Fwd: Fwd: What did I see in the sky last night?

[Jim Scarborough]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bolide

I saw one of these circa 1996 from Huntsville, Alabama.  I discussed it with
the Alabama Space Grant Consortium chair, who, being in Huntsville, knows
quite a bit about rocket science and matters of reentry.  I remarked that it
appeared to be very close - just a mile or two away.  He said it was most
likely high in the atmosphere at quite a distance because the things usually
slow down when they get to the denser air.  Fascinating stuff!

Jim

On Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 3:53 PM, Breivogel, Christopher <
breivogel at campbell.edu> wrote:

>  What’s a bolide?
>
>
>
> Chris
>
>
>
> *From:* chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Johnson, Nicholas L. (JSC-KX111)
>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 19, 2010 3:31 PM
> *To:* Peter Smith; Jim Scarborough
> *Cc:* chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Chaos-l] Fwd: Fwd: What did I see in the sky last night?
>
>
>
> No cataloged space objects which could have produced such a visual show
> reentered the atmosphere last night.  Therefore, the sighting was very
> possibly a bolide.
>
>
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Nicholas L. Johnson
>
> NASA Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Peter Smith [mailto:psmith at leaptec.com]
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 19, 2010 12:46 PM
> *To:* Jim Scarborough; Johnson, Nicholas L. (JSC-KX111)
> *Cc:* chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> *Subject:* RE: [Chaos-l] Fwd: Fwd: What did I see in the sky last night?
>
>
>
> Yes, I was fortunate enough to see this event last night, or at least the
> last few seconds of it.
>
>
>
> I stepped out onto my deck to admire the clear sky. As I was looking
> downwards negotiating some steps in the dark, there was a sudden flash. I
> thought it was lightening at first and glanced up to see the trailing tail
> of what I thought must be a bolide streaking north. Amy’s description was
> very accurate, it looked like the tail of a firework, obviously an object
> disintegrating at high speed. It lasted all but a couple of seconds and left
> a feint trail.
>
>
>
> This is only the second time I have seen such a thing and feel very
> fortunate to do so. I was wondering if there would  be any other sightings
> reported, glad to hear there was.
>
>
>
> Peter Smith - Hillsborough
>
> * *
>
>
>
> *From:* chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org [mailto:chaos-l-bounces at rtpnet.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Jim Scarborough
> *Sent:* Tuesday, January 19, 2010 1:25 PM
> *To:* nicholas.l.johnson at nasa.gov
> *Cc:* chaos-l at rtpnet.org
> *Subject:* [Chaos-l] Fwd: Fwd: What did I see in the sky last night?
>
>
>
> Dear Dr. Johnson:
>
>
>
> Amy Kasten, below, saw something burn up as it entered the atmosphere,
> near 35.906864 N 79.088343W at about 2010-01-19 01:53 GMT.  Since you
> track orbital debris, perhaps you were expecting something to reenter?  Any
> insight would be much appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim Scarborough
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: *Jon Stewart-Taylor* <joncst at earthlink.net>
> Date: Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 12:40 PM
> Subject: [Chaos-l] Fwd: What did I see in the sky last night?
> To: chaos-l at rtpnet.org
>
> Hi all.  Received the following from Ms. Kasten.  Did anyone else see this,
> or read about it?  My first guess is a bit of space junk, but i'm open to
> suggestions.
>
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
> J.
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>
>
> *From: *"Amy Kasten" <amy.kasten[...]>
>
> *Date: *January 19, 2010 11:44:05 AM EST
>
> *To: *<chaos at rtpnet.org>
>
> *Subject: **What did I see in the sky last night?*
>
>
>
> To Whom it May Concern:
>
>
>
> I live in Carrboro off 54 and Smith Level road.  I took my dogs for a walk
> last night around 8:45/9:00pm and as I looked up in the northern sky, right
> before me, maybe 30 degrees above the horizon, fell a burning object.  I’m
> not sure if it was a meteor or something else, but it felt very close.  I
> saw it start falling and then it grew in intensity and it continued to fall
> very slowly for about 5 seconds (not like in a meteor shower where it
> streaks far across the sky in a flash).  Also, unlike a shower, the light
> path was not just a fine streak in the distance--I saw the grainy, sparkly
> fire in the object’s trail.  It reminded me of those fireworks that burn as
> they fall (they look like hair, or weeping willows maybe).
>
>
>
> I’m not sure if anyone captured this event, but if your club or other
> astronomical unit you know can speak to this, I would really like to know
> what I saw.
>
>
>
> Thanks so much,
>
>
>
>
>
> *Amy Kasten*
>
> *Research Analyst*
>
>
>
>
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