* Astronomy

Fireballs Seen by Day. 1929

The Government Astronomer (Mr. H. B. Curlewis) said yesterday that during the previous three weeks, several very bright meteors had been noticed at night, showing that the earth was evidently passing through a scattered stream of meteoric particles. In addition to these, however, meteors had been seen in broad daylight and must, therefore, have been of more than ordinary brilliancy and size. The first meteor was seen from Miling, near Toodyay, on June 24 [1929] and Mr. Arkell, who reported its occurrence, stated that he first observed it at 3.51 p.m. at an elevation of about 40degrees above the northern horizon, and about 10 degrees west of the meridian, roughly at the sun's 1 p.m. position. The meteor travelled down towards the sinking sun and evidently burst, for there was a loud and prolonged rumbling, followed by a clap like thunder.
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