Researchers from Western University have released footage of a basketball-sized fireball that was seen widely by observers throughout southern Ontario and adjacent areas early Friday morning (Oct. 7).
Peter Brown, Canada Research Chair in Meteor Astronomy and a professor in Western’s Department of Physics & Astronomy, says that six all-sky cameras from Western’s Southern Ontario Meteor Network (SOMN) recorded a bright, long lasting fireball in the morning sky over Georgian Bay, moving on an easterly path across Parry Sound at 6:46 a.m. on Friday morning. The fireball was last detected in bright twilight by SOMN cameras over Algonquin Park at a height of 45 km.
Western University’s Southern Ontario Meteor Network Oct. 7, 2016 Fireball Footage
Ground Map (cropped view)
First detected by Western camera systems at an altitude of 90km over Tobermory moving eastwards at 24 km/s, the meteoroid was initially roughly the size of a basketball. At its brightest, the fireball was almost as bright as the full moon. The long duration of the fireball (almost 10 seconds) was due to its very low entry angle (only 8 degrees from the horizontal). Small meteorites are possible from this fireball, but will be difficult to find in the terrain of Algonquin Park.
Western University’s Southern Ontario Meteor Network Oct. 7, 2016 Fireball Footage
Ground Map (wide view)
VIDEO: Western University’s Southern Ontario Meteor Network Oct. 7, 2016 Fireball Footage #1
VIDEO: Western University’s Southern Ontario Meteor Network Oct. 7, 2006 Fireball Footage #2
VIDEO: Western University’s Southern Ontario Meteor Network Oct. 7, 2016 Fireball Footage #3
For NASA coverage of the event, including Western video, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/NasaMeteorWatch/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf
MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Renaud, Senior Media Relations Officer, 519-661-2111, ext. 85165, jrenaud9@uwo.ca, @jeffrenaud99
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