Incredible falling debris

[Rod66]

Last night pirateofskies and myself were at Canungra getting some great dark sky viewing when all of a sudden an incredibly bright shooting star lit up the sky. It was 10.40pm and looking SE from our location, I happened to be looking straight at it when it happened so i saw its entire journey and I yelled out to him as soon as I saw it and he looked up to see it as well.
Let me describe it. This thing was absolutely huge and appeared to be in two pieces. It streaked acros the sky from the east to the South, so was travelling in a SW direction. It would have been the size of my fingernail at arms length and appeared and dissappeared in the space of a good full 2 seconds. Its speed was far slower than a normal meteorite, but the brightness was enough to cast a shadow where we were standing.
Now here is the really exciting thing. It made a whoosh sound. A distinct whoosh about midway through its journey and until it dissappeared. It didn't disintegrate, it just appeared to burn up and dissappear.
It also left a trail. There were two distinct thin trails across the sky from where it had travelled. We both had the bino's and watched the trails as they slowly broke up from the air currents but we soaked up every bit of detail as it lasted.
I can only speculate as to what it was, I suspect some man made satellite or large debris given its speed, but to say its etched in my memory is an understatement. It was a very distinct yellow colour. We both got the wow factor from that one last night.

I am interested if anyone else caught a glimpse of this? Given I heard a sound, I also speculate its distance my have been reasonably near to us. That may have been my one in a lifetime shooting star experience. :)

Rod

[pirate of skies]

Hey Rod,
I agree, it was truly a unique sight !, I have never seen anything like this before. Its size and speed was rather unusual.

I am also very suprised you wrote this post up as soon as you did. You bet me to it. What, you would of gotten home at 1am ? A few hours sleep and then back into the forums ?
Truly devoted.

Rob.

[PeterM]

Rod thanks indeed for starting a thread on this.

I was just heading back into the observatory last night and caught this breathtaking site, just stunning wasn't it. I rang the guys at Leyburn (160km away) and they all saw it said it lit the ground up like no other. Many were still viewing the twisting trail in 'scopes well after the event. Even 5 minutes after I could still pick it up in binoculars from Loganholme. These are really special events, how lucky were we.
It is very interesting that you heard the sound you did.
Another reason I love this hobby, so unpredictable, yet beautiful.

PeterM.

[Rod66]

I'm glad others experienced this. I wonder if anyone was actually lucky enough to capture an image. That would be astounding.

Rob - I'm an early riser no matter what time I get to bed, although 6.50am is a pretty good sleep in for me. But you have to admit, it was a pretty damn good event.

Rod

[Dennis]

Nice reports guys – thanks for sharing your experiences. Whilst a 2nd hand account isn’t quite the same as being there, it is very nice to be able to read about such exciting events through the words of others.

Cheers

Dennis

[Rod66]

Hey I just thought of something, do I get to name it since I reported it first here? :D:D:D But then I guess i need some sort of proof it existed. sigh..

[pirate of skies]

You can call it Rod's Rock !
The canungra wunder ?
The night terror !

Shall I keep going ?

Peter,
Did yourself or the Leybourn observers hear this mighty matter ?
I would assume if we were the only ones who heard it, then we were the closest at Canungra ? Is that how it works ?
We really haven't heard from anyone further south than us tho.

I really enjoyed watching the vapour trail for the next 5minutes. It was moving slightly (bending in the wind) and had a luminous green glow.

:)

[jjjnettie]

:eyepop: Wowee guys!
What a fantastic experience.
I've seen 2 really really good ones on my own and it's just not the same unless you've got someone to share it with. Don't you agree?

[DavidU]

That would have been awesome.

[multiweb]

I saw a "big one" once at Ilford. Very quickly but it left an orange trail that dissipated like sparks after a fire work and some whitish smoking trail. Lasted probably not even one second but the trail stayed for about 4 or 5s until it disappeared in turn. I think it's just a matter of looking up at the right spot at the right time. These things happen too fast. But I don't mind. I'd rather still see small ones occasionaly than stirring at a big one for days coming right at us. :)

[PeterM]

Hi Rob,
Unfortunately I didn't hear any sound from Loganholme.
When I went out to Leyburn yesterday they were still talking about the great show, they also noted that it was lower to the horizon than from my home. Seems that even though most were imaging some part of the sky none imaged the Fireball. - no doubt this was a Fireball (as defined - "a meteor brighter than any of the Planets"). While I didn't hear any sound I have heard reports of such events over the years and the link below might be of interest. Also included a link to The International Meteor Organisation. You certainly experienced something special.
As you and Rod live so close to me you might like to head out to Leyburn one weekend, skies are great and a great bunch of talented amateur astronomers.
PeterM.
http://www.meteorblog.com/2008/10/do-meteors-make-a-sound/

http://www.imo.net/imo/wgn

[Rod66]

Hi Peter,

I was almost going to head up to Leyburn this weekend but circumstances changed my plans and we ended up at Canungra.
I use a laser pointer to adjust my scope so I suspect I will be looked upon with leprosy if I did go. If I was going to make a movie about meteorites falling to earth, now I know exactly how to make it real, including the sound effects :)
Interesting article, but there were certainly no crackles sharp noises.
But yes, an experience I shall treasure for a lifetime as an amateur astronomer.

cheers

Rod

[mickkk]

Could it have been this?

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap091015.html

[Rod66]

Definitely not. The time and location are completely wrong, but it is a slightly similar colour...

[mickkk]

I couldnt work out the time difference but two similar objects within 24 hours being observed is a bit spooky.

[QWake]

I live in Carrara and was seeing off friends in front of my house when we all turned to see this amazing sight. I wasn’t looking directly at it when it appeared but we all swung to see it - Im not exactly sure why - but I guess it was the flash. I was glad we had all seen it as it was so spectacular (and since I was a few beers down I’m sure I would not have been believed if I had only seen it myself).

I actually just bought my first telescope yesterday, a Saxon 8" dob. We mentioned it to Lex at Star Optics here on the coast and he said we where the 2nd people to mention it to him.

I wanted to get into the hobby for a long time and partially because of this sight I guess I have my telescope today. Now I just would like some clear skies!

Q

[erick]

Probably a nice bright sporadic meteor, Q! Nice to see such a chance thing.

Tell us how you go with your new scope. 8" of reflector on a dob base? - you're laughin! :thumbsup: