Geminid Meteor Fireball Image Captured From North Carolina 14DEC2011

ELPALLSKY Reader Ken Christison Captures GEMINID Fireball Over Conway, NC 2:23 A.M. EST-07:23 UTC 14DEC2011

Thank you Ken for this great shot. Congrats!

image courtesy and (c) Ken Christison-Conway, NC-click image to enlarge

Possible North Texas Daylight Meteor Fireball 07DEC2011

Email From:

Kristy J.-Richardson, TX-11:50 A.M. CST:
Driving south on Waterford and  Synergy Park Blvd. area of Richardson, TX, I spotted a meteor streaking through the sky. It was headed just to the southeast. Then it broke into two parts with one seeming to drop straight down, while the other continued until out of sight. The meteors had short white tails, fanned out at the end. The streak was much like a jet airplane leaves, only much shorter and slightly fanned out at the end of the tail.  Did anyone else see this?  Thanks Kristy! So this event occured in broad daylight? Great catch!

READERS...If you witnessed this apparent daylight fireball over N Texas, Please submit your sighting descriptions to wxtx01@gmail.com for confirmation. THANK YOU!

UPDATE!!!.....4TH Meteor Fireball Reported From North Carolina In 24 HRS 03DEC2011...Also Seen In Virginia, Tennessee

Email From:
Parks A.-Charlotte, NC:
Tonight in the southern horizon south of my location in Charlotte, NC about 630 or so. Fragmenting as it fell. Lasted about three seconds from my viewpoint.  Blueish green in color. An aquaintance in Winston Salem also spotted it also so I'm not sure how far south from Charlotte it was in reality. Heading from west to east.  Thank You Parks!!

UPDATE !!!!!! This event captured by NASA All Sky Fireball Camera
6:46 P.M. EST 03DEC2011

image above and video below courtesy NASA and Tellus Science Museum-Cartersville, GA

ADDITIONAL REPORTS

Jason W.

Saw the same thing as everyone else about the same time.   We were between Aurora and New Bern NC.

Patricia R.

Heading up Highway 86North, just crossed into Caswell County (NC) saw a very bright blue meteor.

Ramsey J.-Knoxville, TN

While driving southwards I saw a huge fireball fall from about 40 degrees above the horizon almost directly south (slightest towards the east) towards the horizon. It made it to about 10 degrees above the horizon before it blinked out. I live in the city and it was a little hazy last night, but it was hard to miss, so must have been a bright one! It was a sea green color.

Michele B.

I came across your sight trying to research what I may have seen last night. I tried to sign up so I could post, but wasn't able to do that. Approximately 7 p.m. EST in Frankfort, Kentucky on Saturday December 3, 2011, I was walking my dog and saw what looked like a small bright white burning particle falling down vertically (very much at an angle) from apprx. east to west. This was about 1/4 a mile from I-64. Where I live has no street lights and this was right across the street in a field. It appeared to burn out before it hit the ground. This is fascinating - any idea what it was that I saw?

Stanley G.
Atlanta,I85 northbound about 6:45 pm. My first  thought was an airliner was falling out of the sky, but it was way too fast. Very bright  with a comet like tail, lasting a few seconds before flaming out. Seen lots of sho oting stars in my 72 years, never anything this bright or large. Expected to here on news about space debris of some sort. NOTA!

Carolyn J.-Ft. Blackmore, VA-~7:00 P.M. EST Saw a huge green fireball falling very quickly in the eastern sky, probably lasted about 3 seconds before it went out of sight over the mountains.  Very impressive! Brenda-Panther Stadium-Charlotte, NC: Hi.  Friend and I both saw fireball while standing outside Panther Stadium Saturday evening a little before 7pm.  It was quite large and orange, not a typical shooting star.  Quite exciting! Andy & Laurel B.-Dacula, GA-6:45 P.M. EST: Driving on Hamilton Mill Road and saw it trailing downward in the southern sky... Very bright and moving very fast... Left like a dotted illuminated line in the sky toward the end of it... Lasted for at least 3 seconds... I haven't seen anything that bright in the sky since the soviet missile back in the late 80's... But this was moving much faster than that. Samantha C.-Del Rio, TN: We saw a very bright sparkly orange light appearing to be larger than a normal shooting star Dec 3, 2011 at around 6:40 pm. We were driving on Old 15th Road, Del Rio TN. We were heading east. It appeared to be headed in an easterly direction. This light was bigger then anything I have ever seen. It was sparkly in nature, and did not have any trailing light than I am used to seeing. It looked like a mixture of orange and white sparkles. And it was so fast it only stayed in our view for less then a second. But so big it was very hard to miss. Pamela M.-Irmo, SC: Hi: My children age 11  and 14, where the very luck viewers of the meteroite that was seen by others in the SC, NC, VR, TN area!  I believe we may have been the closest viewers as my kids remarked that this meterorite was shockingly large!  It frieghtened them!  I'd like to ask you about sites or further information on estimating distance when viewing a meterorite falling! Here's a description for posting on your site! According to Amelia who is 14 and witnessed this amazing site with 11 year old brother John. On December 3, 2011 about 6:40 PM, Amelia and John had just exited the front door of our home to go to a neighbors house.  I have carefully determined they were facing south-south west, looking up into the sky, a very large fire ball traveling north-west to south-east became visible. The fire ball appeared enormous to them and was a large glowing white ball ringed in red fire.  The ball was followed by a large long thick bright tail, that gradiated from red to orange and then yellow towards the end of the tail.  It entered their vision on a diagonal in relation to them (over the shoulder feeling) traveling sort of paralell to the horizon as they viewed it.  Using the horizon as a parallel (arm stretched straight forward fingers pointing straight and over head being 90 degrees, the meteor was at 50 degrees in the sky.  The meteor appeared large in size seeming slightly smaller than the moon would appear if that low in the sky on nights when it is full (though the moon was not full that night).  The tail was unusually thick and extremely and surprisingly long, being about 20 times longer than the meteor. The meteor traveled a short distance and stalled in forward momentum as a result of breaking into two fiery pieces and the tail dissipated.  Then it broke into two more pieces and fizzled and disappeared. From The ELPALLSKY Chatbox: Dec 3 2011, 6:37 PM Zebrology (guest): I'm in Concord, NC and I saw a huge ball in the sky with fire tracking behind it. It was only in the sky for a few seconds and it just disappeared. Dec 4 2011, 3:41 PM Guest99 (guest): Last night, Dec 3rd, at 6:40 pm, while traveling out of Salisbury, Nc headed towards Charlotte, South on I85, my Mom & I saw what looked like a large fireball falling from the sky. At first I was certain it was a plane crashing, it was very bright (white) with obvious flames streaming behind it, traveling too fast for any plane in retrospect. It was about a 5 second lapse before it started to break apart & at least one large portion fell off and disintegrated as it fell. My son was very frightened (he is 6  Dec 4 2011, 5:37 AM Dan Parker: witnessed a large green meteor/fireball on Dec 3rd 2011 in Greenville SC. It was traveling roughly east to west with a duration of 2-3 seconds. It broke into 2-3 large pieces. I have never seen such a large and beautiful meteor in my life! Between 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm EST

A Third North Carolina Meteor Fireball Within 24 Hrs. 03DEC2011

Email From:
Brian W.-Coleridge, NC:
Hi. I saw one at around 1am in Coleridge NC very bright and wide  trail seemed almost smokey and it flashed like it broke up or exploded part way appeared towards the west sky. I never seen one like it before so I searched online and seen the earlier reports of one and wanted to add this one. Thank you Brian...Others see this third event? email wxtx01@gmail.com w/ your report! Thanks.

Another North Carolina Meteor Fireball 02DEC2011

Email From:

Bruce H.-Bath, NC-~4:00pm EST:
Just saw something fall out of sky. I'm near Bath N.C. looking South. Long streak of light then fizzeled out above tree line  Thanks for the heads up Bruce...OTHERS SEE THIS EVENT? Email wxtx01@gmail.com with your reports. THANK YOU!

Diane H.-Darlington, SC:

I saw what my daughter & I think was a shooting star. Well something falling from the sky.

It was tonight 12/2/11 around 6-6:30pm here in Darlington, SC. Maybe East/South east. But it was bright as a white LED light with sparlles that fizzled out on the way out. It was almost horizontal but slightly going down. Way too high for fireworks & surely not a plane. I wonder what it was?

Stacey M.-Wake Forest, NC:

Hello! Got to your blog from Google after seeing a large fiery object moving quickly across the sky. It was exactly how I pictured Haley's comet back when I was a child. It had a long trail or tail.  I actually thought for a moment "this is the end," since I've never seen anything like it. It was a little after 6pm here in Wake Forest, NC; I had just finished a jog.

Ben H.-Raleigh, NC:
I saw your posting on a website and Im wondering if we saw the same thing. I was heading south into Raleigh about 6:00pm tonight when I saw a bright meteor go across the sky that seemed to travel from northeast to southwest. It obviously broke apart and disintegrated and you could see that happen really well from where I was sitting in my car.

Paula B.-Raleigh, NC:

I saw the same thing described by Ben H. in Raleigh. I am in Raleigh, was travelling south just after 6:00 when I saw the “fireball”. Any word on what it was?

 

Maari C.-Unknown Location:
I saw this too. Last night 12-2 around 6:15ish. It was a bright ball of light, like a close-up shooting star. I could see it breaking apart with little bits burning off the back as it fell. I thought for sure it would hit the ground. It seemed  so close. I kept waiting to hear it hit the ground somewhere. It seemed like the dogs in our neighborhood started barking around the same time. It was really cool. I've never seen something like that.

R. Peters-Greenwood, SC:
At just-past-6 pm local (maybe 6:08), I was driving into my neighborhood (eastward) and saw a bright bluish-white trail begin on the sky from left to right (north to south).  It at first appeared to me to be the flame from the engine of a single-engine military fighter aircraft but then as it elongated, I realized it was something coming in to the earth's atmospheres.  It began to break apart, I assume, as I saw a few bits come away and quickly disintegrate.  Finally as it reached the right side of my windshield it fizzled out.  Very neat, I've never seen anything like it before.

"Arizona Dewdrop"-Columbia, SC:
around 6pm last night I saw a bright white shooting star. Larger than any I've ever seen. It also had a tail that was thick and white, but not as bright as the star itself. It seemed to travel the. Entire length of the sky than fizzeled.  What was it? 

North Carolina Meteor Fireball 06:08 A.M. EST 02DEC2011

This Was A Widely Seen Event And We Need Additional Reports !!!

Please Email Your Reports To ELPALLSKY (click)

Email From:

Phil M.-Wilmington, NC-06:08 A.M. EST:
Large glowing fireball, aprox 2 seconds, moving from NE to SW across the sky. Yellow, white then green in color with increasing sparks near the end then disappearing with a slight flash. Witnessed with a friend after our early morning run. I have seen “shooting stars”, this was much larger and with intense color.Thanks,

Kerry B.-Clayton, NC-06:08 A.M. EST:
Approx ½ in in diameter. White fireball with red perimeter. Observed dropping from about 120 deg above horizon to 50 deg when lost in treeline. Moving on a S/SW direction viewed from 35.652703 -78.400872. Approx 2 second view. Strong long tail that immediately disappeared. Maintained diameter from where viewed consistent with rapid altitude drop vs shooting across (away) the sky. KB – Clayton NC

Christy H.-Shelby, NC:
My husband and coworkers also saw this on the way in to work (approx. 6:10 am./ Dec. 2.) They were traveling on hwy.74 in from Shelby, NC toward neighboring Kings Mountain, NC. They described it as bright with changing colors, green orange, and blue.  Duration was estimated 4-5 secs. and pretty awesome because so many saw it.  Said it looked as if it streaked and then descended quickly.

Gayle-Grandfather Mountain, NC:

I saw something fall out of the sky at approximately 6:10 this morning.  I live near Grandfather Mountain.  It was blue/green and as it disappeared, it has gold/yellow sparks trailing it.  Do you know what it was???? December 2^nd, 6:08am, Grandfather Mountain area.

Blue/green ball, I saw it for about 3-4 seconds, as it disappeared, it has gold/yellow sparks coming from the back end.

Thanks

Pablo R.-Lillington, NC:
I witnessed this sighting on my way to work while I was driving south on NC210 in Lillington NC at 06:08 AM. It appeared to be large in diameter (between baseball and basketball).  It was big with a large bright white with green  tail and lasted around 5 seconds.  I saw it out of my driver side window and it was parallel to the top of my car; seemed like if I was driving along side of it.  It startled me because it was so close, possibly landed in my area; it was huge.

Jan R.-Winston Salem, NC:
I also saw what I guess to be a fireball Dec. 2, 2011 around 6:15 in the a.m. It shot across highway 52 and over the treetops, still flaming - yellowy-green. My first close encounter! 

North Carolina Meteor Fireball 22nov2011

Email From:
Sally B.-Raleigh, NC:-7:30 P.M. EST:
Traveling by car from Raleigh, North Carolina towards Wilmington on I-40 East, near an area called Rose Hill.  Saw a large round lighted object arch across the sky, northeast to south west, approx.  It was several seconds and had a trail illuminated behind it... Like an oversized shooting star.  Seemed really close.  Looked for news today but did not find anything so did a few searches, found your site and thought I'd share this.
It was not like anything I'd ever seen.  Thanks for your report Sally!

A Pair Of North Carolina Fireballs 23OCT2011

Email From:

Ken C.-Conway, NC:
Hi Jim,
Attached is a cropped image of a pair of meteors I shot this
evening here in North Carolina.  Shot from near the same
place as the fireball I sent you a couple weeks ago.
Is this very common?  They are in the same 30 second frame.
I don't know if they occurred simultaneously, or not since I
was in  the house when it was recorded.
Take care.     Thank you Ken! We are in multiple simultaneous meteor showers right now. While not very common to see two so close together, certainly not unheard of either. Thanks again! Very nice shot.

image courtesy of and (c) 2011-Ken Christison-Conway, NC

North Dakota Meteor Fireball 17OCT2011

Email From:

Dave B.-Watford City, ND:
Watford City. Oct17 am My car clock was on eastern time: it was about 4:30 on that clock. I was not sure what direction I was going Big green fireball sparkler-like gold looking stream behind it. Straight down

North Carolina Meteor Fireball 16OCT2011

Email From:
Diane B.-Raleigh, NC-8:00 p.m EDT:
Saw a large green meteor fireball orginated in east across whole sky to west.  It was after dark but not sure of exact time.

Raleigh, North Carolina Large Green Meteor Fireball 16OCT2011

Email From:

Diane B.-Raleigh, NC:
Saw a large green meteor fireball orginated in east across whole sky to west.  It was after dark but not sure of exact time.  Thanks Diane! Any others who saw this? Please post to wxtx01@gmail.com

North Texas Meteor Fireball 23SEP2011...UPDATE...Event Captured By Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera In OKC 23SEP2011

UPDATE...Fireball Captured !!!
23SEP2011 06:30:22 UTC - 01:30:22 CDT

image above and movie below courtesy and (c) 2011-James Beauchamp-Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera Network-Oklahoma City, OK

More Eyewitnesses Needed !!!

From The ELPALLSKY Chatbox:

Sep 23 2011, 9:21 AM Guest847 (guest):  

I was driving last night heading north on I35 in Dallas Texas and i saw a fireball to the west of me in the sky it was large and low, heading North at a very fast speed, i have no idea what it was and it didnt look like a comet because it didnt have as long of a tail, it was a strong orange reddish color... i seen it at 1:30 AM....What was it, please email me at (email on file) and let me know what i have seen.



Gregg S.Cristian County, MO:My brother and I experienced something which may be related to the TX fireball. Last night we were camping out in an area of southern Christian County Missouri miles from any towns or cities. On September 23, 2011 at approximately 10:30 p.m. CDT we saw repeated bright flashes of light in the night sky and heard what sounded like sonic booms repeatedly for approximately 5 or 10 minutes. The flashes seemed to come from over the horizon and were not viewed directly. They were bright white light and seemed to strobe somewhat. It appeared to be orignating from an area directly north of our location. We first suspected that a fireworks display was occuring in or near the town of Ozark, Missouri but we discounted that explanation because we were many miles south of Ozark and likely wouldn't see or hear fireworks from such a distance. We also considered whether it might be the NASA UARS satellite reentering earths atmosphere. It was quite a unique experience. I questioned others about the event and was told that a friend's child experienced the same event along with a group of other highschool students while attending an outdoor highschool function in Springfield, MO. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions.

***If you are searching for information about this fireball and/or 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.***  

Another North Texas Meteor Fireball 10SEP2011 ~8:30-8:45 P.M. CDT

Email From:

Theresa W.-Sachse, TX:
I saw a huge fireball tonight in north Texas at about 8:30 p.m. It was bright, larger than a shooting star. It was clearly seen in Sachse, Texas.

Anita E.-Plano, TX:
Walking my dog at 8:42 pm when I say a shooting star. Strange to see something so bright fall so close to a city like Plano, Texas. Funny before I saw it I was thinking about me being out of work and when I used to teach.  I was musing about the lesson of gratitude and how I made each student keep a gratitude journal.  I had passed out little notebooks and pencils attached.  I asked them to keep it at their bedside and every night before the went to sleep to write three things they were grateful for that day. Sometimes nature works miracles in our lives.

Jim P.-Allen, TX:
At an Allen, TX restaurant last night and saw a very bright white fireball streaking across the sky around 8:39pm. It was extremely bright white with an orange tail trailing behind. The venue was loud so sound was impossible to discern. My wife and I both saw it and we looked around for confirmation from the others around us but no one appeared to have seen it. I called 911 to report it and was told no one else had called it in. I was facing north and the light was travelling in a north western direction as if it was falling to the earth it may have landed in McKinney. I've seen a meteorite while in Austin before and it turned up landing near the town of West, TX. If that holds true here then what we saw last night could have landed in OK

Greg-Longview, TX:
White falling star witnessed at 8:39pm. I was in my vehicle driving NNW on Loop 281 in Longview Texas near the Alpine St exit. There were no visible stars in the sky and this was very bright and appeared to be falling straight down north of town. Largest one I have ever witnessed.
 

Cherish F.-Plano/McKinney, TX:
Hello, I saw your blog this morning. I was searching google after seeing a bright blue streak in the night sky. My family and I were headed home from Plano,TX to McKinney,TX.

We were headed North on Hwy 75 Central Expressway. We had passed Parker Rd. and I believe that is when I first saw it. It was so bright and bluish. It left a long streak in its trail. I was dumbfounded! I have NEVER seen anything like it. My husband did not see it unfortunately. He didn't look in time. It was on the West side of the highway. It streaked from South to North. It was amazing to say the least and very impressive!

Hopefully this is helpful information! So glad to see others saw it!

Thanks, Cherish F.

Robert M.-Tyler, TX:

Driving north just north of Tyler, TX on Hwy 69, about 8:40 PM, though I didn't think to look at the clock at the time. Green fireball, flickering and small trail visible. Plummeting straight down from my perspective. Visible through the top left of my windshield for about 3-4 seconds. Could not tell if it burned out or disappeared behind the treeline. As an aside, this is the third similar fireball I've witnessed over the past month or so. First was in Longview, tx, early am about a month ago. Second was just after sunset at my home in Nacogdoches, tx about 2 weeks ago. Are these certainly meteors? I ask because I've never seen anything like them before now.

Suzanne-Unknown Location:

My husband and I also saw the large fireball. We were facing north, and the trajectory was to the west. Larger than any we've ever seen. It was approx 30 degrees above the horizon. Very startling.
YC Bell-Unknown Location:
I saw the falling star between 8:30 pm and 9pm Sept. 10, 2011.
It was by far the brightest meteor I have ever seen.  It continued to burn past my line of vision which was obstructed by a two story house directly behind my home. I would estimate that  if it would have landed it would be just north near the soil conservation site 3rd reservoir just east of Hardin in McKinney and south of Virginia - Unless it was just so bright that it appeared closer than it actually was.  Also we reasoned that if it actually landed, conditions are so dry that it would have started a grass fire which none happened near here. It was falling east to west.


Kandice D.-Livingston, TX:
Around 8:30 or 9:00 last night I was headed to livingston tx down highway 59 when a friend a I seen this strange rather large green blue light falling absolutely straight down and then disappear.. Any reports on what it could had been?


Jennifer H.-Plano, TX:
Yes I saw the same thing and I live in Plano. It was huge….

***If you are searching for information about this fireball and/or 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.*** 

Large Long Duration North Texas Meteor Fireball ~5:40 A.M. 04SEP2011

Email From:

Steve J.-Richardson, TX:
(I found your email address from goggling fireball sighting)
I was sitting out on my back patio cooling down from my morning jog. It's darker then heck outside at 5:40 in the morning.... My whole backyard lit up... It lit up so much I thought a police helicopter might be over head even though I didn't hear it...
My patio is covered so I had stand up and walk a couple feet to look into the sky. I looked to the east and could see the falling meteor... It did another explosion and I watched the trail of falling debris a bit longer. AND this is after seeing my whole backyard light up.
As I'm facing East - it went from right to left....(south to north)
It would be interesting to know if anyone else saw it.
Steve R J.     thank you Steve! Any particular color? Thanks.

Billie Jean D.-Brookston, TX:
I live in Brookston, TX ( about 4 to 6 miles west of Paris,TX) I was outside around 5:30 am helping my mom and sister load stuff in the truck because they were going to set up at the flea market. I was standing next to my sister while she was talking to her husband when something caught my eye. I looked up and at first I thought I was watching a falling star but then I thought to myself falling stars are not green in color. Then my next thought was someone was shooting a firework off because it kind of had that look. But then I realized that it was to far up in the shy for a firework plus it never exploded. Like I said we live West of Paris, TX and I was facing west (I am not good with directions but I believe this is correct) and the object fell from western sky to the south. All I could say was "look look look look" and I think by the 4th to 5th look my sister, her husband, and my dad all saw it falling. From the time I saw it was about halfway across the sky when it looked like there was an explosion or something..... none of us could explain it. Also about 30 sec to 45 sec after it disappeared we saw another green light fall but it was much smaller ( or farther away) and it fell straight down. I know that sounds crazy but that is what we saw. By the time we went inside it was close to 6 am because I turned the TV on to CNN to see if something was going on. I would love to know what it was so if you find out please email me back..... Thanks       thank you Billie Jean! Will post any other info/imagery if it becomes available.

Mark M.-Fort Worth, TX:
I saw the same fireball that Steve J. witnessed.
I live south of Ft. Worth, and had just stepped onto my east porch when this extremely bright image on my deck came racing towards me. I looked up and saw this very large "green" meteor through my trees at about 60 degree elevation, just about due East. It continued downward for about 5 seconds (a long time) and broke into two pieces at about 25 degrees elevation. I waited for a sonic boom, but did not hear one.
This was the largest and brightest meteor I can recall seeing. Mark     excellent! thank you Mark!

Additional Reports Needed !!!

***If you are searching for information about this fireball and/or 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.*** 

Very Bright Meteor Fireball Bolide Over North Texas 31AUG2011

Two Sentinel Fireball Cameras Capture Very Bright Bolide Over N TX 08:51:45 UTC (03:51:45 CDT)

From The OKC Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera

image above and video below courtesy and (c) 2011 James Beauchamp-OKC Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera Network

From The Hawley, TX Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera

image above and video below courtesy and (c) 2011 Kevin Palivec-Hawley, TX Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera Network

For The 4th Consecutive Night!!..Significant Fragmenting Meteor Fireball Event North Texas 25JUL2011...Also Seen From Oklahoma

...UPDATE 29JUL2011...Finnish Meteor Physicist Calculates Orbit, Trajectory, and Potential Impact Site For Event Below...

By: ELPALLSKY...Finland based Astronomer and meteor physics expert Esko Lyytinen has plotted a single camera capture solution of the widely seen North Texas fireball of 25JUL2011 at the request of ELPALLSKY. Lyytinen warns that the data is SUBJECTIVE in that it is based upon an assumed beginning height, and that upper level winds were not factored into dark flight calculations (continuation of flight after illumination ends). THE GRAPHICS BELOW DEPICT A ROUGH ESTIMATE!

Esko Lyytinen: 

"This arrived from direction 134 or 135 with the slope of 28 degrees.
IF assumed to have the beginning height to be 80 km, then the entry velocity would be 17.7 km/s. The corresponding end height is at 28 km. The end velocity is about 4 km/s. This (with the deceleration derived) would correspond the end mass of about 0.5 to 1 kg. But this is highly sensitive to what the real "height scale" is. I have not tried to calculate the dark flight wind effects, but without this, the rough landing area with the above solution is 33.92 N, 99.36 W. The flight was at a distance of roughly 140 kilometers (or a little more) from the Hawley camera."

click images to enlarge

Significant Fireballs Over North & Central Texas July...13th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd,Two On The 24th, And Two On The 25th !!!!

click on dates for individual reports published by ELPALLSKY

***UPDATE !!! Fragmenting Fireball Northwest TX / Western Oklahoma Captured By Hawley, TX Sandia Sentinel Allsky Fireball Cameras at 9:20:59 P.M. CDT 25JUL2011 (02:20:59 UTC 26JUL2011)***

image above and movie below courtesy & (c) Kevin Palivec-Hawley, TX-center of image looks N toward Oklahoma City, OK

image above and movie below courtesy & (c) 2011 Kevin Palivec-Hawley, TX Station-Sandia Sentinel Fireball Network-in image, North is up and East is left

This Latest Event Occurred At ~9:20 P.M. CDT 25JUL2011 Reported To ELPALLSKY In The Following E-Mails...

Ken R.-Highland Village, TX:
I just witnessed a really bright - and apparently VERY CLOSE – fireball in the North Texas sky at approx 9:20pm. I was facing west northwest when I saw it; it appeared to hit the ground just a few blocks from me (yes, it WAS that close). The fireball/meteorite(?) was a very bright orange’ish-red, with a yellowish-orange trail; fragments of it were breaking off while it fell to the ground. I’ve not seen anything like this before, so I began searching the web immediately to see if anyone else had seen the same fireball in my area (Highland Village, TX ~ just north of FM407 on the Highland Village/Flower Mound border, just west of Sellmeyer Blvd). Very cool!!

Geri H.-South Fort Worth TX:
Large fireball NW sky seen from backyard looking above the house about 9:30 pm. Fell at a 10 degree angle from left to right.  Glowing white with a red tail.

Patti M.-Dallas, TX:
I was sitting outside by the pool talking on my cell phone. At about 9:15 pm CST I saw a fireball arc through the sky, fall rapidly and burnout.

Margo D.-Midwest City, OK:
I was on my computer late tonight searching to see if I could find anyone who saw a large green perfectly round object falling from the sky as I was looking southwesterly and I came upon your website. I live in Midwest City, OK. I could see glowing near the left/top side of it. It disappeared behind some trees near my home. At first, I thought it was a falling star but it was much too large and it was glowing green. I expected to hear a loud boom and to see the sky light up when it hit the Earth but there was nothing. I watched the news tonight at 10PM hoping to hear something but there was nothing reported. I have never seen anything like this in my life and I am 65 years old. I was sitting outback in our swing, talking on the phone when I saw this object. I am hoping someone somewhere saw this or something similar.

Margie S.-Spring, TX:
We were south of Spring, Texas on I-45 North at dusk when we saw this meteor. It was visible for 3-4 seconds, long enough for us to discuss it, then disappeared - presumably burnt out. The direction seemed to be heading due north. I imagine it confused a lot of people who may have thought it was an aircraft, even though it  was travelling quite fast. Pretty cool. Third one I’ve seen – the other two were on I-10 at night years ago.

LK.-Near Kerville, TX:
On Monday July 25, 2011 at dusk, while seated on my front porch facing north, I saw a brilliant light speed from a point about 45 degrees above the horizon in the north and drop to the northwest at about a 30 degree (or greater) angle to the horizon. It moved fast and didn't seem to decrease in intensity as it dropped to the horizon. It was about 1/4 in diameter relative to its length, bright blue with a yellow edge all around it. I have never before seen anything as unusual. I looked at a clock about 9:20 pm, CDT, and estimate I saw it about 9:16 pm. It was a night where the stars could be seen with no moon light.
I saw it from Kerr County, Texas about 7 miles west of downtown Kerrville and 1 mile south of Interstate 10.

Priscilla M.-Dallas, TX:
I was driving down 635 West, around 9:30 or 10pm. I was driving past the intersection of 75 and 635 when I saw a bright green fireball fall from the sky at a very steep angle!!

I was driving so couldn't see where it landed but I was curious to find out what it could be! Any information on what it could've been would be great! Thanks,

Sorry, I was excited and forgot to state location fireball was headed!!

I was in Dallas, on 635 West and the fireball was headed North from where I was!

It darted across, right in front of me!

Thanks,

Priscilla

From The "Chatbox":

Jul 25 2011, 10:05 PM Andrew H. North Texas bollide spotted at 9:20 pm. Northwest sky from Dallas Hampton Street at I-30. Long tail, turned green at tree line. Spotters in Highland Village sounded dead on for landing spot. Amazing light!

Jul 25 2011, 9:14 PM Kenster (guest):

I just witnessed a really bright - and apparently VERY CLOSE – fireball in the North Texas sky at approx 9:20pm. I was facing west northwest when I saw it; it appeared to hit the ground just a few blocks from me (yes, it WAS that close). The fireball/meteorite(?) was a very bright orange’ish-red, with a yellowish-orange trail; fragments of it were breaking off while it fell to the ground. I’ve not seen anything like this before, so I began searching the web immediately to see if anyone else had seen theI’ve not seen anything like this before, so I began searching the web immediately to see if anyone else had seen the same fireball in my area (Highland Village, TX ~ just north of FM407 on the Highland Village/Flower Mound border, just west of Sellmeyer Blvd). Very cool!!

Jul 25 2011, 9:05 PM Tasha J. (guest): 

Hey I*m Tasha and about 20 mins ago I saw some burning object falling from the sky in the South Arlington/Mansfield/Ft. Worth, TX area. It was blue with a reddish orange tail.

***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.*** 

Bright Exploding Meteor Fireball Over North Texas 24JUL2011

Captured By Kevin Palivec-Hawley, TX Station-Sandia Sentinel Fireball Network at 07:27:09 UTC (02:27:09 CDT) 24JUL2011

image above & video below courtesy/(c) 2011 Kevin Palivec-Hawley, TX Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera...in image, up is North & left is E

***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.***  

BREAKING METEOR FIREBALL NEWS...Fragmenting Blue/Green Bolide Central And North Texas ~11:40pm CDT 14JUN2011

Bright Fireball North And Central Texas Fragments As Skywatchers Describe

***If you witnessed this fireball, please email wxtx01@gmail.com with details. Please include time, date, your location, which way you were facing, direction the object traveled (left to right etc.), color, any fragmentation, sounds (booms, sizzles, hisses etc.). Thank you!***

Email From:

Kent M.-On The Road-TX:

So, it took me a while, but here is the info:

I left the Hertz garage at George Bush Int. at 11:08, says my receipt.  About half an hour later, heading toward Woodlands on I45, just south of Spring.  So driving  about 5 degrees west of north, I spotted the lit object falling slightly eastward from straight down.  I recall it being an orange color before it disappeared behind trees or a freeway ramp.

Best regards,

Kent

Joe C.-Baird, TX:

I was traveling east towards Weatherford,Tx on June14,2011 around 11:30 pm on I-20 when me and my wife both saw what appeared to be a meteor streak across the sky directly in front of us and break apart right before impacting the ground. It was traveling from the SE to NW. We were around mile marker 290 around Baird,Texas . I've seen meteors/falling stars before but  they were always streaking across the sky. This was the closest i've ever seen one and it appeared to actually impact the earth not burn out in the night sky like the ones i'd seen before.It was an amazing sight. We were traveling back from Colorado on vacation and i decided to search the internet and see if anyone else saw what we saw and thats when i ran across your site.   thank you Joe!

Gerry-Chandler, TX:

Sent from my iPod chandler Texas 75758 it was 11:40 ish it was almost baby blue it looked to me to break into 3 pieces saw out of the corner of my eye turned my head and saw it once in a lifetime Gerry cool   thank you Gerry!

Julie-Conroe, TX:
11:34 PM Central Standard time Tuesday June 14, just saw a pretty good sized fire ball come from the south heading North North West. I am located 30 miles north of George Bush Intercontinental Airport. I am just slightly west of city limits of Conroe, TX. Looked as though it fell in-line with the south/north route of I-45. White orange in color. Clear FLAME trail behind it, made no sound.   excellent report Julie. Thank you!
followup from Julie: Was slightly above tress in sky from south, lost it in tree line to my NNW. Hope it helps!     indeed it does! Thanks again.

From FITS Inquiries:

Spring, Texas arrived from google.com on "elp allsky: Two Central-Southeast Texas Green Fireballs ~11:45pm 28MAY2011-~12:15am CDT 29MAY2011" by searching for flash in sky woodlands tx june 2011.
23:12:05 -- 49 minutes ago

Woodway, Texas arrived from google.com on "elp allsky: Breaking Meteor News Texas...Major Bright Green Fireball Bolide Seen Over Dallas-Fort Worth And Central TX ~10:30 pm CST 12 Mar 2011" by searching for What is a green meteor made out of.
23:04:42 -- 57 minutes ago

Dallas, Texas arrived from google.com on "elp allsky: Jan 14, 2011" by searching for green lights in sky 11:30 pm tx june 14 2011.
23:00:50 -- 1 hour 1 min ago

Mabank, Texas arrived from google.com on "elp allsky" by searching for 6-14-2011 meteor 5 min ago.
22:43:04 -- 1 hour 20 mins ago

Austin, Texas arrived from google.com on "elp allsky: Two Central-Southeast Texas Green Fireballs ~11:45pm 28MAY2011-~12:15am CDT 29MAY2011" by searching for green light austin sky.
23:54:30 -- 18 minutes ago

Meteor Fireball Central New Mexico 06:51:59 UTC 01MAY2011...Captured By ELPALLSKY...

Long Slow Flashing Fireball 06:51:59 UTC (00:51:59 MDT)

images posted by ELPALLSKY-Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera-El Paso, TX

same event co-captured by Thomas Ashcraft near Santa Fe, NM-Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera Network

From Albuquerque NM-Academy2 Sentinel All Sky Camera

 

From New Mexico State University-Sentinel All Sky Camera

 

Meteor Fireball N TX Early A.M. 05apr2011...Indicated By Inquiry

We are requesting reports on a possible fireball over/near Arlington TX early on the morning of 05APR2011. If you saw this event, please email wxtx01@gmail.com with your observation including time, date, direction you were facing, direction object was moving (right to left etc. is ok) and a brief description of what you saw. Thank you!

Arlington, Texas arrived from google.com on "elp allsky" by searching for Object seen falling from sky in TX April 5, 2011.
12:18:40 -- 10 hours 47 mins ago