Perseid Bolide

by William K. Foster

> Of particular note during that evening was a spectacular Perseid bolide. > > It dropped quickly from about 40 degrees elevation to the southern > > horizon, intensely bright, illuminating everything as if someone briefly > > switched on a klieg light, then turned brilliant yellow green, changing > > to a florescent orange just as it broke into pieces as it disappeared > > behind a mountain to our south. Wow, I saw this one too Friday night after at least 11:30pm! I was at Glacier Point for the PAS sponsored public night. I was looking at the ground and suddenly I had a shadow. Turning around, I saw a bright streak traveling from south to north almost directly overhead destroying my night vision, but well worth the sight! The color was a superb green glow. I picked it up at around 60 degrees above the horizon and to the southwest towards the direction of the Glacier Point road. It traveled overhead reaching a top elevation of around 80 degrees. After continuing to around 60 degrees above the horizon, it broke up into about five pieces which briefly expanded outward in all directions from the point of break up giving a fireworks like display. After breaking up to the northwest in the direction of Yosemite valley, it was quickly consumed in less than a quarter of a second. I believe we may have been able to hear it traveling overhead too, but the sight being so impressive, my memory on this point is less reliable. This was by far the most amazing meteor I have ever seen!

Observing Reports	Observing Sites	GSSP 2010, July 10 - 14 Frosty Acres Ranch Adin, CA OMG! Its full of stars. Golden State Star Party	Join Mailing List	Mailing List Archives
Current Observing Intents Click here for more details.