Large Fireball Witnessed over Ireland

At approx 6pm this evening (3rd Feb 2010) a large object was observed travelling through the air across the country. Several witnesses have reported it as "burning up" and some described a "hissing sound". Radio stations and the emergency services have received hundreds of calls re the object. Many witnesses described it as a fireball, with some believing it landed near them. Due to the nature and scale of large fireballs, their apparent size & brightness can lead to confusion re. distance. However, what is clear is that something spectacular was witnessed.

If you have witnessed this event, please reply to this thread or send me a PM.

Ideally we would like the know the following:
- Where did you see it from?
- What direction did you see it travelling?
- How bright was it? (Moon, Planet, Star?)
- What colour was it?
- How long did your view of it last for?
- How high up was it over the horizon?
- Did you hear any sounds?
- Did you see anything land?
- Any other info you might have would be most useful.

Regards & Thanks,

Michael.

This has been posted on RTE website in past hour

www.rte.ie/news/2010/0203/meteorite.html

It states that "There are reports that the fireball has landed in a field near Crimlin in Co Cavan."

Mark

Lots of interest tonight on the phone fromthe public. Even got an interview on Midlands 103 in the morning on it. It's a shame there's yet no photo of the pass or a decent confirmation of a landing site. I mean, a field near Crimlin in Co Cavan just doesn't sound credible!













Who's up for an expedition?

Seanie.

Folks,

I'm sitting here with Carl O'Beirnes. Carl saw this event this evening with his own two eyes and in his opinion (and mine too) this event is being grossly exaggerated. The event was a pretty nice fireball around mag -1 or -2 and broke in several pieces (maybe around 7 pieces). What is interesting is the event lasted no more than 10 seconds. If you look at the youtube video shown on RTE it lasts 41 seconds. Have any of you ever heard of a meteor last that long? The video looks to me like a rocket launch at night. Perhaps turned upside down.

I must admit we were both a bit disguisted by the claims being made on the RTE piece. I really think that overstatement only helps to fuel dissapointment.

In the end judge for yourself.

Dave and Carl.

If you find it, dont give it to anyone, it could be worth its weight in gold !

In fact I can now categorically confirm that the video used in the RTE peice is in fact a hoax.

Look at this video posted on December 1st 2008.




Now I'm really annoyed. That bit of research took all of 3.2 seconds.