A Large and Brilliant Fire-ball Meteor

Abstract

ON Sunday night, December 14, between 9h. 40m., and 9h. 45m. G.M.T., I had the good fortune to witness the display of a most magnificent fire-ball meteor. It rose rapidly with a bright blue trail from an altitude of 6° above the horizon, at a point 7° south of west, and in about 7 seconds of time attained a culminating altitude of 55° at a point 19° north of west. Two large trees interlaced prevented me from seeing the head of the meteor till shortly before its culmination, but the light given out by it soon after its first appearance was equal to that of the full moon, and at culmination if much surpassed the light of a full moon in a cloudless sky. The ball seemed to be of a most dazzling bluish-grey colour, and it had a diameter of at least three-quarters of a degree. The disk presented a nebulous appearance with radiations within it as from a centre, but was well defined, except on its lower edge. The glare was almost too much for eyesight, and although the night was very frosty, calm, and clear, all the stars in the west became invisible. I turned to look again very shortly after, and at 5 seconds from culmination found the meteor had become a small yellow ball only one-twelfth of a degree in diameter, and was dropping ruddy sparks. It then disappeared at an altitude of 23° towards a point about 51° north of west. My impression was that this meteor was at no great distance from this place in any part of its course (lat. 51° 20 N., long, 3m. os. E.). I noted the positions relatively to trees and tall shrubs, and measured them exactly with a theodolite this morning. To-day I hear that the fire-ball was seen to fall by a man in Chestnut Street, a hamlet on the Maidstone road, and then appeared quite close to him. The direction of fall accords fairly well with my own observation, and would make it descend about two and one-third miles from me. At culmination I should say it seemed very much nearer to me, considering especially its great apparent size at that time. I heard not the slightest noise either of rushing or bursting.