Observer | |
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Name | Adam E |
Experience Level | 3/5 |
Remarks | Fireball appeared in north-eastern sky over US Naval Observatory and appeared rather close in distance and low in the sky. It moved in an south-easterly direction towards Rock Creek Park and the Tidal Basin (from observation point). It moved somewhat slowly and was barely over the tree line when it appeared to grow in size & brilliance just before erupting in a series of flashes and fragments. Some fragments appeared to drop/float downward while others followed trajectory and arced downward. It was a bright, lighter green (almost parakeet) and I estimate I saw it for approximately 6-7 seconds total though total duration was likely longer as I just glanced by chance and was surprised to see something like this. Because it appeared low & slow, my initial thought was wondering if it was a flare gun or firework, but the flashes, fragments and lack of noise countered this thought. More importantly, this appeared over the vice presidential residence so highly unlikely it was man made and there was no residual smoke or trails. |
Location | |
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Address | Washington, DC |
Latitude | 38° 55' 11.29'' N (38.92°) |
Longitude | 77° 3' 58.98'' W (-77.07°) |
Elevation | 76.94m |
Time and Duration | |
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Local Date & Time | 2019-04-16 22:58 EDT |
UT Date & Time | 2019-04-17 02:58 UT |
Duration | ≈7.5s |
Direction | |
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Moving direction | From up left to down right |
Descent Angle | 107° |
Moving | |
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Facing azimuth | 34.85° |
First azimuth | 9° |
First elevation | 17° |
Last azimuth | 62.71° |
Last elevation | 7° |
Brightness and color | |
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Stellar Magnitude | -16 |
Color | Green, Light Green |
Concurrent Sound | |
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Observation | No |
Remarks | - |
Delayed Sound | |
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Observation | No |
Remarks | - |
Persistent train | |
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Observation | Unknown |
Duration | - |
Length | - |
Remarks | - |
Terminal flash | |
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Observation | Yes |
Remarks | The fireball traveled easterly and quite brilliant and then was low over tree-line before it emitted a series of multiple flashes & separations before flaming out. Speed was rather slow. It seemed to grow in brilliance just before flashes began. |
Fragmentation | |
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Observation | Yes |
Remarks | I would estimate 7 or more flashes & the separations became smaller as the progressed. Most separations stayed in similar trajectory, At least two or three appeared drift downward like a flare-gun rather than maintain the original trajectory. |