[meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1143829.htm] Meteorite reported in southern WA Australian Broadcasting Corporation June 30, 2004 The Perth Observatory says it has had reports a meteor has crashed near Walpole in Western Australia's south. Witnesses say they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through the sky at about 5:30pm yesterday. The witnesses say the object left a trail of thick smoke and then they heard a bang. The observatory says it appears the object was travelling somewhere between Perth and Albany in a south-south easterly direction. Walpole resident Heather Burton was in her backyard when she saw the object. She says it was unlike a normal shooting star. A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down - this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down, she said. Alex Bevan from the WA Museum says the reports indicate the sightings were the result of a fireball generated by a meteorite. We're certainly picking up reports of a bright fireball and sonic phenomena associated - I'm absolutely sure - with the fall of a meteorite, Dr Bevan said. Dr Bevan says it will be difficult to find where the meteorite landed. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as many observations, so actually pinning down where the object landed might be a bit difficult and in that area, the vegetation might mean searching for it would be difficult, he said. __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
Zig-zagging = tumbling space junk? MDF http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1143829.htm] Meteorite reported in southern WA Australian Broadcasting Corporation June 30, 2004 The Perth Observatory says it has had reports a meteor has crashed near Walpole in Western Australia's south. Witnesses say they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through the sky at about 5:30pm yesterday. The witnesses say the object left a trail of thick smoke and then they heard a bang. The observatory says it appears the object was travelling somewhere between Perth and Albany in a south-south easterly direction. Walpole resident Heather Burton was in her backyard when she saw the object. She says it was unlike a normal shooting star. A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down - this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down, she said. Alex Bevan from the WA Museum says the reports indicate the sightings were the result of a fireball generated by a meteorite. We're certainly picking up reports of a bright fireball and sonic phenomena associated - I'm absolutely sure - with the fall of a meteorite, Dr Bevan said. Dr Bevan says it will be difficult to find where the meteorite landed. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as many observations, so actually pinning down where the object landed might be a bit difficult and in that area, the vegetation might mean searching for it would be difficult, he said. __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- Marc D. Fries, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Carnegie Institution of Washington Geophysical Laboratory 5251 Broad Branch Rd. NW Washington, DC 20015 PH: 202 478 7970 FAX: 202 478 8901 __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
Portales Valley was spinning when it fell, so I think that if the body has a strange angled shape, that it can tumble, or spin while falling, I doubt that it was zig zagging as in changing directions like they suggest. Mike Farmer - Original Message - From: Marc D. Fries [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Meteorite Mailing List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 10:53 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia Zig-zagging = tumbling space junk? MDF http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1143829.htm] Meteorite reported in southern WA Australian Broadcasting Corporation June 30, 2004 The Perth Observatory says it has had reports a meteor has crashed near Walpole in Western Australia's south. Witnesses say they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through the sky at about 5:30pm yesterday. The witnesses say the object left a trail of thick smoke and then they heard a bang. The observatory says it appears the object was travelling somewhere between Perth and Albany in a south-south easterly direction. Walpole resident Heather Burton was in her backyard when she saw the object. She says it was unlike a normal shooting star. A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down - this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down, she said. Alex Bevan from the WA Museum says the reports indicate the sightings were the result of a fireball generated by a meteorite. We're certainly picking up reports of a bright fireball and sonic phenomena associated - I'm absolutely sure - with the fall of a meteorite, Dr Bevan said. Dr Bevan says it will be difficult to find where the meteorite landed. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as many observations, so actually pinning down where the object landed might be a bit difficult and in that area, the vegetation might mean searching for it would be difficult, he said. __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- Marc D. Fries, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Carnegie Institution of Washington Geophysical Laboratory 5251 Broad Branch Rd. NW Washington, DC 20015 PH: 202 478 7970 FAX: 202 478 8901 __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
In a message dated 6/30/2004 11:57:38 AM Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Portales Valley was spinning when it fell, so I think that if the body has astrange angled shape, that it can tumble, or spin while falling, I doubtthat it was zig zagging as in changing directions like they suggest.Mike Farmer Hello Mike and List Members: I have seen my fair share of meteors - and can only once remember one deviating from a straight path. It had the SLIGHTEST of ziggs to one side about half way through its flight. This meteor was one of two that were a couple of seconds apart, in parallel paths almost right on top of each other. These are also the only two meteors I have ever heard - with a distinct "woosh" after they passed. They left a trail that lingered about for 30 seconds or so. Now in all fairness, this event happened 30 or so years ago I do have one witness. My sister was there with me and remembers the two meteors. Further details however are lacking in her memory. Juris Breikss [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
Juris, indeed, most meteors we all know are moving so fast and burn up. These large ones that drop meteorites slow down enough that the air pressures on the body can move it around. I think it would be extremely rare anyway, but with an odd shaped meteorite, and a hard one like an iron, when it slows down enough, I would think that the air can easily force it to rotate and spin. Mike Farmer - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:13 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia In a message dated 6/30/2004 11:57:38 AM Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Portales Valley was spinning when it fell, so I think that if the body has astrange angled shape, that it can tumble, or spin while falling, I doubtthat it was zig zagging as in changing directions like they suggest.Mike Farmer Hello Mike and List Members: I have seen my fair share of meteors - and can only once remember one deviating from a straight path. It had the SLIGHTEST of ziggs to one side about half way through its flight. This meteor was one of two that were a couple of seconds apart, in parallel paths almost right on top of each other. These are also the only two meteors I have ever heard - with a distinct "woosh" after they passed. They left a trail that lingered about for 30 seconds or so. Now in all fairness, this event happened 30 or so years ago I do have one witness. My sister was there with me and remembers the two meteors. Further details however are lacking in her memory. Juris Breikss [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
I guess it comes down to what the eyewitness meant by zig zagging. If we're talking about some corkscrewing motion through the sky then I can believe it was a tumbling meteorite, but if it rapidly changed direction then my vote is for a large, tumbling, very-low-density-by-comparison chunk of expended rocket stage or the like. Cheers, MDF Juris, indeed, most meteors we all know are moving so fast and burn up. These large ones that drop meteorites slow down enough that the air pressures on the body can move it around. I think it would be extremely rare anyway, but with an odd shaped meteorite, and a hard one like an iron, when it slows down enough, I would think that the air can easily force it to rotate and spin. Mike Farmer - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2004 11:13 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia In a message dated 6/30/2004 11:57:38 AM Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Portales Valley was spinning when it fell, so I think that if the body has a strange angled shape, that it can tumble, or spin while falling, I doubt that it was zig zagging as in changing directions like they suggest. Mike Farmer Hello Mike and List Members: I have seen my fair share of meteors - and can only once remember one deviating from a straight path. It had the SLIGHTEST of ziggs to one side about half way through its flight. This meteor was one of two that were a couple of seconds apart, in parallel paths almost right on top of each other. These are also the only two meteors I have ever heard - with a distinct woosh after they passed. They left a trail that lingered about for 30 seconds or so. Now in all fairness, this event happened 30 or so years ago I do have one witness. My sister was there with me and remembers the two meteors. Further details however are lacking in her memory. Juris Breikss [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Marc D. Fries, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Carnegie Institution of Washington Geophysical Laboratory 5251 Broad Branch Rd. NW Washington, DC 20015 PH: 202 478 7970 FAX: 202 478 8901 __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re-2: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
Hello Juris, Mike, and List, with an odd shaped meteorite, and a hard one like an iron, when it slows down enough, I would think that the air can easily force it to rotate and spin. Noblesville (H4) - oriented with well-developed flight markings, 483.7 grams. B.Kinzie saw the meteorite spinning as it passed them, watched it thud into the lawn 3.56 in in front of them and saw the meteorite rock a little as it impacted the lawn. Best regards, Bernd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
... they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through the sky at about 5:30pm yesterday. Zig-zagging = tumbling space junk? comes down to what the eyewitness meant by zig zagging if it rapidly changed direction ... a large, tumbling, very-low- density-by-comparison chunk of expended rocket stage ... Hello again, As it was about 5:30 p.m., the sun was already low on the horizon. This might support Marc D. Fries's assumption that it was space junk - maybe something metallic that reflected the sunlight at more or less regular intervals while it was tumbling into and out of the incident sunlight. This tumbling motion may have led to the illusion that it was zigzagging. Cheers, Bernd __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
Mike Farmer wondered: I think it would be extremely rare anyway, but with an odd shaped meteorite, and a hard one like an iron, when it slows down enough, I would think that the air can easily force it to rotate and spin. Hi All, I remember reading about a meteorite that fell through the trunk of a car in Japan a number of years ago. The meteorite was spinning and as it punched through the metal of the trunk lid, it was scored or somehow marked with a screw-thread pattern that was later used to hypothesize about the spin rate of the falling stone. Anyone else remember this and know more about it? Martin __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re-2: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
Martin writes: I remember reading about a meteorite that fell through the trunk of a car in Japan a number of years ago. The meteorite was spinning and as it punched through the metal of the trunk lid, it was scored or somehow marked with a screw-thread pattern that was later used to hypothesize about the spin rate of the falling stone. Anyone else remember this and know more about it? This one? Another Car Conker (Sky Telescope, September 1995, p. 12): Kciichi Sasatani didn't hear the loud bang that announced the arrival of a small stony meteorite outside his home on the night of February 18th. But the retired school director from Neagari, Japan, had no trouble finding the cosmic intruder the next day: it was lying squarely in the deeply punctured trunk cover of his car. Eyewitnesses saw a bright bolide near midnight (14:55 Universal Time) prior to the stone's abrupt landing. The fireball appeared high above the Sea of Japan and traced a steep, south-southeast trajectory toward the coast. About the size of a chicken's egg, the Neagari meteorite broke into at least four pieces upon impact. The largest of these weighs 325 grams. According to Akira lshiwatari (Kanazawa University), the stone is an L6 chondrite, one of the most common types to fall on Earth. But it is very special to Sasatani, who now owns one of only three meteorites known to have struck a vehicle. The most famous predecessor fell in Peekskill, New York, in October 1992 (ST, February 1993, page 26). Less well known is the unfortunate meeting of a 1.8-kilogram stone and a Pontiac coupé in Benld, Illinois, on September 29, 1938 (The Sky, June 1939, page 11). A fourth collision, reported last year near Madrid, Spain, may not have involved a meteorite after all. Cheers, Bernd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia
G'day List, The way I interpreted this is that it was probably a meteor fragmenting before 'burn-out'. Read this line: A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down - this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down," she said. The resultant fragments could be seen as "zig-zags"; kind of like fireworks. I've seen this phenomena a few times myself. Cheers, Jeff KuykenI.M.C.A. #3085www.meteorites.com.au - Original Message - From: Ron Baalke To: Meteorite Mailing List Sent: Thursday, July 01, 2004 3:35 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] Meteor Reported in Australia http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1143829.htm]Meteorite reported in southern WAAustralian Broadcasting CorporationJune 30, 2004The Perth Observatory says it has had reports a meteor has crashednear Walpole in Western Australia's south.Witnesses say they saw a large, fiery object zigzagging through thesky at about 5:30pm yesterday.The witnesses say the object left a trail of thick smoke and thenthey heard a bang.The observatory says it appears the object was travelling somewherebetween Perth and Albany in a south-south easterly direction.Walpole resident Heather Burton was in her backyard when she saw theobject.She says it was unlike a normal shooting star."A shooting star usually just goes straight across or straight down- this one had these gradual zigzags just coming down," she said.Alex Bevan from the WA Museum says the reports indicate thesightings were the result of a fireball generated by a meteorite."We're certainly picking up reports of a bright fireball and sonicphenomena associated - I'm absolutely sure - with the fall of ameteorite," Dr Bevan said.Dr Bevan says it will be difficult to find where the meteorite landed."Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as many observations, soactually pinning down where the object landed might be a bitdifficult and in that area, the vegetation might mean searching forit would be difficult," he said.__Meteorite-list mailing list[EMAIL PROTECTED]http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
