A Brilliant Meteor

Abstract

I SAW here this evening a splendid meteor; time, by London and North-Western Railway, 8.19. Its apparent point of origin was nearly south, and altitude 45° from the zenith; its path from east to west; finishing about west-south-west, some 30° from the horizon; duration at least four seconds. It increased in brilliancy until near extinction, when it quickly faded in a dull red glow, like that of the residuum from the fire-ball of a rocket. The head, of an apparent brilliancy three times that of a star of the first magnitude, had precisely the appearance of the incandescent spot of the oxy-hydrogen light, and the tail, very long, exhibited a red glow. Some neighbouring trees and the chimney of a house enabled me with a pocket compass to get the altitude and bearings approximately.