Meteor or what?

[spacermike007]

Ok I realize I am in the wrong posting for the topic, but this whole site is as slow as molasses, all I want to do is post an odd sighting. At 1020pm on August 7th 2010, I was naked eye star gazing as usual in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Overhead I observed a large ( the size of a dime held at arms length), glowing object cross the sky from west to east. It appeared to be on fire as a meteor might, but this object moved slowly (est 600 mph?, faster than any of the many planes I observe) but nowhere near meteor speeds. I called my fiancee to come out and see and she was stunned and awed by the spectacle as well! Does anyone know who to report this type of thing to and/or what it was?

[BMAONE23]

Could have been one of these
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/perseid ... 00809.html

[alter-ego]

.. Overhead I observed a large ( the size of a dime held at arms length), glowing object cross the sky from west to east. It appeared to be on fire as a meteor might, but this object moved slowly (est 600 mph?, faster than any of the many planes I observe) but nowhere near meteor speeds. I called my fiancee to come out and see and she was stunned and awed by the spectacle as well! Does anyone know who to report this type of thing to and/or what it was?

One possibility is satellite or orbital debris re-entering the atmosphere -- it does happen. Other than the huge angular size you described (~2x full moon), it could fit. My wife called me outside to witness a well observed (and identified) satellite/debri reentry over the NW a number of years ago. It did seem noticeably slow, and a lot of spark- and flame-like appearance as pieces came off the primary body. The fact you called your fiancee out and she still had time to observe it indicates a different than normal event.

Did you see it burn out, or did it traverse the whole sky then disappear? High in the sky?

Space junk may typically travel much longer and larger fraction of the sky than a meteor, but a a relatively much slower speed. An exception is a fireball (bolide) class meteor that may not burn out until it hits the earth or exits the atmosphere back into space. It is traveling fast but it could be skimming the atmosphere and therefore capable of travelling a long time and appearing to travel slowly.

[BMAONE23]

Best advice to everyone,
If you go outside to gaze at the sky, bring a digital camera that can take MPG files with you. You never know what you might see and a movie file will help others in this situation

[alter-ego]

So true..if only we had that stuff on hand when we really need it. To live long enough to upload terabyte, full-resolution retinal recordings to a smart device for just those kinds of moments

[elizabeth]

My husband and I were in our home, in Manorbier South West Wales UK, two weeks ago and we saw a huge glowing object skimming the skyline! It was huge looked black in colour with a burning effect around it! Sounds very similar to your siting! It came across our sky from the west and took 20 seconds to disapear over the horizon! Very scary! We wondered if it was a small meteor burning up and going into the ocean?

[spacermike007]

In Jan. 2011 I noticed a new ?star? almost dead centre of the bucket of the big dipper. I t remained bright for about 10 days...can anyone check what it was, it is now not naked eye visible.

[Chris Peterson]

In Jan. 2011 I noticed a new ?star? almost dead centre of the bucket of the big dipper. I t remained bright for about 10 days...can anyone check what it was, it is now not naked eye visible.

There was no astronomical phenomenon that would explain what you saw.

[owlice]

In Jan. 2011 I noticed a new ?star? almost dead centre of the bucket of the big dipper. I t remained bright for about 10 days...can anyone check what it was, it is now not naked eye visible.

What a pity you didn't report this the same evening you saw it!

[Meteor Wayne]

In Jan. 2011 I noticed a new ?star? almost dead centre of the bucket of the big dipper. I t remained bright for about 10 days...can anyone check what it was, it is now not naked eye visible.

There was no astronomical phenomenon that would explain what you saw.

Hi Chris, know you from meteorobs.

To all, if you see a bright meteor, report it here:

http://www.amsmeteors.org/fireball2/form2.php

Meteor Wayne