Meteor moment...

[jamieren]

My two sons and I were at a boy scouts' campout at a local hall (we got to sleep inside thankfully) and as I was setting up my scope I looked up and saw something. To my amazement a meteor streaked across from the northeast to the northwest at about 30 degrees off the horizon. I would guess it to be about magnitude -8, not nearly enough to cast shadows, but quite noticeably brighter than any star and it left a trail behind. In appearance it was red and almost looked as if there were 'sparks' flying off behind it -similar to a sparkler on a birthday cake. It lasted at least a full two seconds and I would guess the distance which I was able to observe it for was around 60 degrees.

At that point, I started yelling like a madman at the scouts & leaders standing by the campfire about it but alas, it was already gone. They were silent for a moment and said "That's nice." Obviously they didn't share my enthusiasm. The funny part is that the other day I was reading (in The Backyard Astronomer's Handbook) that such an occurrence is so rare it will only be observed once or twice in a lifetime! I'm supposing us astronomy types have it a little better though, right?

Spent a good hour afterwards outside swapping out groups of two scouts and beavers (young scouts) at a time giving them abbreviated tours of the moon, star clusters & nebulas. To be honest, that portion of the night was the more edifying of the two. Any other similar experiences?

[Brinders]

Well first, lucky you had the clear sky - no such luck in Blackpool. But yes, anyone outside after dark is likely to see a bright meteor from time to time, but isn't it great when you do see one? Keep up the enthusiasm: you are in charge of a group of young people with whom we must instill the wonder and grandeur of the night sky, keep up the good work and best wishes.

Brinders

[661-pete]

I would class a 'very bright' meteor as anything brighter than Venus - mag. -4 and up. I've seen quite a lot of those. Not wishing to belittle your mag. -8 one, sounds like it was a spectacular sight (hope it wasn't merely an offering of the estimable Mr Fawkes) - but fireballs and super-bright meteors are more common than some might suppose. You just have to be in the right place at the right time!

I know this isn't the best time of year to suggest this, but being out in the small hours for a long stretch is best - hopefully a warm summer night, in a reclining chair (so you don't get a crick in the neck!). The period leading up the the Perseids (July/August) is a good time, but you don't have to hit the Perseid maximum. With luck you should get a decent fireball every few nights.

Good luck and happy meteor-hunting!

[ChrisEdu]

I've seen a couple of things (can't be certain what) that appeared really bright with a red / yellow colour and an appearane of a firey tail behind them. One was a few weeks ago and the other would have been about 1986ish.

[Tohrazer]

this one time i saw something sparkle really brightly, then dim out... have you ever seen star trek (the new series), after they have gone to warp, they leave a starburst flash type thing, it was practically exactly like that.

no idea what it was, though im sure you guys may have some clues?

[ChrisEdu]

USS Enterprise, of course!

[Talitha]

i saw something sparkle really brightly, then dim out...

Hi Tohrazer, it was just a glittery meteor.. beautiful, aren't they? Most meteors are like grains of sand and look like thin streaks of light as they enter our atmosphere and burn up. But some are slightly larger and 'break up' (for lack of a better term) as they enter, and they leave beautiful glittery trails behind them. I'm guessing what you saw was a head-on entry of one of these glittery meteors... it would explain why you saw the starburst flash and not the trail.

[jamieren]

this one time i saw something sparkle really brightly, then dim out... have you ever seen star trek (the new series), after they have gone to warp, they leave a starburst flash type thing, it was practically exactly like that.

no idea what it was, though im sure you guys may have some clues?

It may also have been a satellite. Sometimes the solar panels catch the sunlight at just the right angle and reflect it directly at you for a split second, not unlike someone at a distance using a mirror to attract attention (we've all seen that in the movies, I'm sure). There's been a couple I've seen in such a fashion, but then was unable to see afterwards.