A Remarkable Meteor

Abstract

A METEOR was seen at Hendon on the 6th inst., at 8.53 p.m., in a clear sky, and broad daylight. The course by compass was from north-east to east, at an altitude of about 27° above the horizon when first seen, and 22° when it disappeared, after being visible six or seven seconds. I drew the attention of a friend, in whose garden we were standing, to it. He saw it about three seconds, and compared it to a stream of fire. I learnt later that it was also seen by parties boating on the waters at the Welsh Harp, but could not get any particulars beyond the fact that it was seen. Its passage appeared attended by intense-combustion. It first appeared as a circular ball of fire, but speedily lost a spherical shape, and became pointed, resembling somewhat a spear head, as though the change in appearance were due to the resistance of the atmosphere. From a deep red at first it became of a decided golden colour, to change to a brilliant white just before or as it disappeared. There was nothing special about the disappearance.