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[roadsmoker]

I am not an amateur astronomer. I am an over-the-road truckdriver. I was wondering if anyone either observed or heard reports of a large meteor? in the sky west of chicago on the morning of 11/12/4 about (a guess) 0400CST? It's path appeared to be from north to south. It was very bright for a "shooting star"! When it burnt out there appeared to be a blue? tangental flash which was chased by several bright red objects. Other drivers saw it because we discussed it on the "CB" radio for several minutes. I was westbound on I88 somewhere east of I39. It appeared to burn out at about 15 degrees above the horizon. I wondered if this could have been space junk reentering the atmosphere(the blue flash)?
RGB r=139 g=204 b=243 (color hue of blue flash,approximate)
Roadsmoker

[stargazer]

Roadsmoker

What you most likely saw was called a "Fireball". They are large Meteors that have a tendancy to end in a blaze of color. They break up in the Earth's atmosphere with long trails and end of flashes of color. I have seen some in the recent weeks that are quite large with all sorts of color, and most do burn out with a Blue hue to them. Its these that sometimes hit Earth and leave damage. just last night while looking at Orion I saw the same thing. The only time you really have to worry about them is if they dont burn out in the sky and land.

Becky

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Roadsmoker,

Thank you for registering as a member of the Chicago Astronomer and posting your first inquiry.

We are in the midst of prime meteor showers. Being we are at the tail end of the Taurids and just starting out in the Leonids. The Leonids have been known for bright fireballs and leave great trails behind them in their wake. Last year we had a great show here in Chicago, but this year it is predicted that we won't run right smack into them, but just graze the main debris stream.

I have never seen blue ones, mainly yellow, gold, white or red are the norm. The trails are normally yellowish - like embers from a campfire.

Nor have I heard of any fireballs or reports on bright meteors recently, but if this is any indication of what's to come our way, we are in for a good meteor storm!

By the way, how did you manage to find the Chicago Astronomer?

[dewayne]

I've never seen a blue one either.
That would be a real treat.
I was out last nite observing at our dark sire observatory, and saw four very bright meteors, and six smaller dimmer ones.
What I have seen occur that sometimes has a blue hue to it is an Iridium Flare.
They can be quite bright as well.