* Astronomy

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Home -> Astronomy News -> Meteorite News -> Auckland Meteor (13.12.08)
Post Info
TOPIC: Auckland Meteor (13.12.08)
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
RE: Auckland Meteor (13.12.08)
Permalink  
 

I saw the meteorite from the top of Mount Eden and I have a BSc in Geology so have a good understanding of what I saw. The blinding green flash was the meteorite entering our atmosphere, it didn't seem to break the sound barrier as it entered. It looked like it was burning out and left a vapour trail that hung for about five minutes. It was going very fast and would have been burning at about 2,000 degrees, the same as basaltic magma. To clarify, a meteorite is smaller than a metre in diameter and they are not that rare. The meteorite was travelling towards the Ponsonby area and I am not at all surprised that it caused a building to ignite. - Melissa
Source

Ed ~ Just a note to say that the compressed air in front of the meteor, rather than the meteoroid itself, would not have been at the temperature of magma.

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

Anyone heading home late at night during the weekend who saw strange lights in the sky could have witnessed visitors from space.
Well, not visitors perhaps, but certainly passers-by. They were from the annual Geminid meteor shower, which peaked on December 14 and often produces spectacular sightings of large and slower-moving meteors.
Read more

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

I will almost guarantee a meteorite did not start this fire! Why not?
Meteors are chunks of rock or debris that enter the Earths atmosphere. They violently compress the air, heating it up its not friction that does the heating, contrary to common belief. But common wisdom also says that meteorites would hit the ground still burning hot, and cause fires wherever they land. And after all, weve seen it in countless movies!
Read more

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

A brilliant flash of light reported in the sky above Auckland at the weekend is believed to be due to Earth passing through a meteor shower.
Gregory Wood watched the light on Saturday night to the west of Orewa and said the meteor's tail resembled a vapour trail.
Read more

__________________
Anonymous

Date:
Permalink  
 

We saw both a huge flash and then a smoke/vapour trail in AKL. Biggest meteor I've ever seen.

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

Skygazers north of Auckland have reported a meteor trail crossing the sky last night.

Read more

__________________
Blobrana


L

Posts: 131433
Date:
Permalink  
 

Some people were convinced the fire was caused by what may have been a meteorite, which was seen from various parts of the upper North Island streaking across the sky just after 10 o'clock.
Several callers claim the light in the sky was very bright, and it was described by some as a blinding flash. Others said it was trailing smoke.
Read more

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Home -> Astronomy News -> Meteorite News -> Auckland Meteor (13.12.08)


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard