[AZ-Observing] Re: Fireball? Iridium Flare?

On 2003-11-20 6:41 PM, "CLEARSKIES@xxxxxxx" <DERRICK.LIM@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
> A friend of mine reported seeing a fireball over the Tempe area around 5:50pm
> travelling from southwest to northeast. She didn't describe how bright it was,
> but she just said that its really bright. Just wondering is it an Iridium
> flare or a fireball. Any one see anything to confirm this? Thank you! Clear
> Skies!

I gotta tell you, I have goose bumps as I type this!

On my way home from work, I saw something, and made it a point to take
mental notes so I could report it to the list. Well, you beat me - but I'm
pleased I'm not the only one who saw it.

Here's what I saw. It was 5:41 PM (that's a very accurate time) and was just
barely into twilight. I was heading south on 48th St. in Phoenix, at
Broadway I think. (Well, it might've been Southern.) I caught something out
of the corner of my eye, and looked to the east - and there it was!  It was
virtually due east, and I could see it clearly as I crossed the
intersection. It was only ~20-30 degrees above the horizon. It seemed very
large (close?) and was streaking down, nearly vertically. From my
perspective, it was heading just slightly north-to-south. It certainly
seemed like a fireball, multi-colored, I think white, with some yellow, but
I'm not certain. Considering how bright the sky still was, it was a very
bright object, indeed!

I'm eager to hear from others, and hopefully some explanation.

Derrick, if your friend can say more specifically where she was at the time,
perhaps someone with more experience than I have could triangulate and get a
better idea of its actual position.

Enjoy!

-- Jim


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