Fragmenting Bright White California Meteor Fireball ~9:40pm 17JUL2011

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Cynthia N.-Laguna Niguel CA (near Laguna   Beach CA):
I witnessed a HUGE white fire ball from the south sky toward north @ a down ward angle. At first I thought it was a large airline plane afire,however,our near by John Wayne Airport here in Orange County CA has their flight pattern from the west sky toward the east.This HUGE ball of white fire was angled @ an approx 20 degree downward angle.Before it "went out" I saw a large particle fall behind it then the entire HUGE fire ball went out.It looked approx a 20th size of a full moon.What was this?     likely a fragmenting meteor called a "bolide". Thanks for your report!

gerry kirkpatrick said...

I live out in the back country of San Diego. Its near Ramona called San Diego Country Estates. I was looking out the window, westward and saw the same white ball falling from the sky. My first thought was this is the largest falling star I have ever seen. I was thinking of my girlfriend that died last August at the exact time it fell from the sky. I took the shooting star as a confirmation that all is well with Jullya!  https://sites.google.com/site/jullyaindeed/ 

thank you Gerry! for an inspiring story.

***If you are searching for information about this fireball and witnessed it, please leave a report of what you saw at wxtx01@gmail.com Please include the date and time, the direction you were facing/driving, the direction in which the object moved (upper left to lower right etc.) approximate size and brightness compared to a full moon, color, any flashes, streaks, fragmentation and any sounds or delayed sounds such as sonic booms, hisses, sizzles etc. Thank you! Your information is vital to research/recovery efforts so please take time to report.***