Event Overview
A very large fireball was reported by the public and first noticed by our Church Crookham station at 3:16 AM on 17 March 2016. The intense brightness momentarily overloaded the camera, but a second video will enable us to triangulate and calculate the orbit soon. Preliminary calculations estimate the brightness to be around -7 magnitude, with the explosion reaching -14 magnitude. The event lasted only a few seconds.
Camera Observations
Eight UKMON cameras captured the fireball, more than initially thought. These recordings are crucial for detailed analysis and orbit calculation.
Preliminary Analysis
The estimated terminal altitude of the fireball is between 30-34 km. This low altitude indicates a significant atmospheric entry, providing valuable data for further research.
Detailed Data and Analysis
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brightness (initial) | -7 magnitude |
| Brightness (explosion) | -14 magnitude |
| Duration | A few seconds |
| Cameras Captured | 8 UKMON cameras |
| Terminal Altitude | 30-34 km |
Significance of the Event
This event highlights the importance of our extensive camera network in capturing and analyzing meteor events. The data gathered from this fireball will contribute to our understanding of meteoroid behavior and atmospheric entry dynamics.
Next Steps
Further analysis will be conducted using the triangulated data from multiple cameras to calculate the precise orbit of the meteoroid. This will help us understand its origin and potential future paths.
Stay tuned for more detailed findings as our team continues to analyze this remarkable event.