Strange object 'burning' up last night in Wicklow

Hi there,

Just picked up my first scope (a lidl skylux special) second hand.
I'm completely new to the whole activity of observation but have long been fascinated by astronomy.

When I was setting up last night, I saw an object coming from the west, heading east and breaking up into several pieces over the wicklow mountains (from my perspective).
I actually heard a 'rumble' like faint thunder as it broke up.

Time was approx 20:45 (07/02/05).

I'm flabbergasted that the first time I went out to observe, I saw somthing I can't explain with my naked eyes!

I'm hoping someone else out there saw it as my wife thinks that the coincidence is too fantastic.

Thanks,
Pete

Firstly, welcome aborad!

Secondly, it sounds like you saw a particularly bright fireball. I have heard that they can make thundery sounds but have nev er been lucky enogh ot observe a big enough one to hear them. I have seen fireballs break up before and it really does look very cool!

Could you estimate how bright it was and hoe fast it was moving across the sky?

Bart.

Pete,

You seem to have seen a fireball, and by the sound of it, quite a spectacular one too! A nice bit of beginner's luck! Anyone else see it?

We in the South Dublin Astronomical Society (SDAS) are planning an observing night in the carpark at Cloon Wood, Co. Wicklow (between Enniskerry and Glencree) on either Friday or Saturday night, if you want to come along. Which night we pick will depend on weather, and at this stage may turn out to be Saturday, as rain is forecast for Friday night.

Hi Bart,

Thanks for replying...
At first I thought it was an aircraft breaking up and got a bit of a fright.
So it was larger than any star, bright orange and moving I would say at about 200 to 300 miles an hour. I'm sorry that information isn't very helpful...

Excuse my ignorance, but can you direct me to more info on the phenomenon of fireballs?

Thanks again.
Pete

hi Pete,

welcome to the board and congrats on getting the 'scope.

to catch a fireball like that was very lucky. Normally, anomalous sounds associated with fireballs would indicate they were likely to have dropped some fragments because they would need to be close to the ground to see and hear the object simultaneously. Most meteors burn out about 60-80km up where it's unlikely you'd see/hear the thing at the same time.

more on meteors and fireballs are at the web site of the International Meteor Organisation www.imo.net or at Gary Kronk's site comets.amsmeteors.org/

all the best,

John

more on meteors and fireballs are at the web site of the International Meteor Organisation www.imo.net
John

Specifically www.imo.net/fireball/

You are luck to see that. I've seen several really bright meteors, some with trails that lasted for several seconds, but nothing that visibly was breaking up.

Cheers,
~Al