Fireball in night sky over New York 1/2/2009?

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bre242

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While driving back from the Catskills to Manhattan around 8:00 PM on Friday night I saw a bright ball of drop sharply across the sky in the southern direction. Does anyone here happen to know what this might of been? In articles I've read regarding the Quadrantid Meteor Shower seem to imply that the shower would not have been likely to be visible at this time and location, however I can't be too sure. Can anyone shed some light on this phenomenon? Any references in the media too would be really great.
 
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bre242

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While driving back from the Catskills to Manhattan around 8:00 PM on Friday night I saw a bright ball of drop sharply across the sky in the southern direction. Does anyone here happen to know what this might of been? In articles I've read regarding the Quadrantid Meteor Shower seem to imply that the shower would not have been likely to be visible at this time and location, however I can't be too sure. Can anyone shed some light on this phenomenon? Any references in the media too would be really great.
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>While driving back from the Catskills to Manhattan around 8:00 PM on Friday night I saw a bright ball of drop sharply across the sky in the southern direction. Does anyone here happen to know what this might of been? In articles I've read regarding the Quadrantid Meteor Shower seem to imply that the shower would not have been likely to be visible at this time and location, however I can't be too sure. Can anyone shed some light on this phenomenon? Any references in the media too would be really great. <br />Posted by bre242</DIV><br /><br />It almost certainly not a Quadrantid at that hour; how far north were you at the time. I assume you were on the NY Thruway?</p><p>OI'll check the fireball reports, but this is the first I've heard of it. How bright was it? As bright as Venus? The Moon?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>While driving back from the Catskills to Manhattan around 8:00 PM on Friday night I saw a bright ball of drop sharply across the sky in the southern direction. Does anyone here happen to know what this might of been? In articles I've read regarding the Quadrantid Meteor Shower seem to imply that the shower would not have been likely to be visible at this time and location, however I can't be too sure. Can anyone shed some light on this phenomenon? Any references in the media too would be really great. <br />Posted by bre242</DIV><br /><br />It almost certainly not a Quadrantid at that hour; how far north were you at the time. I assume you were on the NY Thruway?</p><p>OI'll check the fireball reports, but this is the first I've heard of it. How bright was it? As bright as Venus? The Moon?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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bre242

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It almost certainly not a Quadrantid at that hour; how far north were you at the time. I assume you were on the NY Thruway?OI'll check the fireball reports, but this is the first I've heard of it. How bright was it? As bright as Venus? The Moon? <br /> Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;I was around 50 miles north of the city. The object was certainly as bright as the Moon. </p>
 
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bre242

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It almost certainly not a Quadrantid at that hour; how far north were you at the time. I assume you were on the NY Thruway?OI'll check the fireball reports, but this is the first I've heard of it. How bright was it? As bright as Venus? The Moon? <br /> Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>&nbsp;I was around 50 miles north of the city. The object was certainly as bright as the Moon. </p>
 
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jim48

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<strong><font size="2">Probably a UFO. Happens all the time. You lucky guy! Next time get a picture of it!</font></strong> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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jim48

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<strong><font size="2">Probably a UFO. Happens all the time. You lucky guy! Next time get a picture of it!</font></strong> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><br />Since this was really an astronomy question, and you were looking for an answer seriously, &nbsp;you should have posted it is Ask the Astronomer. Then I could yell at jim for his stupid, worthless (for you)&nbsp;post. Here in "The Unexplained" it's fair game... :(</p><p>BTW, I am checking fireball reports, but have heard no others of this event yet. The AMS Fireball log hasn't been updated in a while; I know Bob is swamped with reports, so he will finish up 2008 before starting on 2009.</p><p>Here is the log:</p><p>&nbsp;http://www.amsmeteors.org/fireball/fireball_log2008.html</p><p>Perhaps you can file a report on what you saw here:</p><p>http://www.amsmeteors.org/fireball/report.html</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><br />Since this was really an astronomy question, and you were looking for an answer seriously, &nbsp;you should have posted it is Ask the Astronomer. Then I could yell at jim for his stupid, worthless (for you)&nbsp;post. Here in "The Unexplained" it's fair game... :(</p><p>BTW, I am checking fireball reports, but have heard no others of this event yet. The AMS Fireball log hasn't been updated in a while; I know Bob is swamped with reports, so he will finish up 2008 before starting on 2009.</p><p>Here is the log:</p><p>&nbsp;http://www.amsmeteors.org/fireball/fireball_log2008.html</p><p>Perhaps you can file a report on what you saw here:</p><p>http://www.amsmeteors.org/fireball/report.html</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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DrRocket

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;I was around 50 miles north of the city. The object was certainly as bright as the Moon. <br />Posted by bre242</DIV></p><p>When you say that it was as bright as the moon do you mean that the intensity per unit area was as high as that of the moon or do you mean that the total light reaching your location was a great as that received from a full moon ?</p><p>I.E. did this thing provide meaningful illumination of the countryside ?</p><p>In one sense, to me, a star is as bright as the moon, it just isn't very big. </p><p>&nbsp;Edit:&nbsp; Wayne, is there any reason not to move this to Ask the Astronomer or another legitimate hard science forum, since as you noted earlier the question is really a serious one ?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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DrRocket

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;I was around 50 miles north of the city. The object was certainly as bright as the Moon. <br />Posted by bre242</DIV></p><p>When you say that it was as bright as the moon do you mean that the intensity per unit area was as high as that of the moon or do you mean that the total light reaching your location was a great as that received from a full moon ?</p><p>I.E. did this thing provide meaningful illumination of the countryside ?</p><p>In one sense, to me, a star is as bright as the moon, it just isn't very big. </p><p>&nbsp;Edit:&nbsp; Wayne, is there any reason not to move this to Ask the Astronomer or another legitimate hard science forum, since as you noted earlier the question is really a serious one ?</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;Edit:&nbsp; Wayne, is there any reason not to move this to Ask the Astronomer or another legitimate hard science forum, since as you noted earlier the question is really a serious one ? <br />Posted by DrRocket</DIV><br /><br />I'm <em>inclined</em> to do that, just want to think about it for a few minutes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>&nbsp;Edit:&nbsp; Wayne, is there any reason not to move this to Ask the Astronomer or another legitimate hard science forum, since as you noted earlier the question is really a serious one ? <br />Posted by DrRocket</DIV><br /><br />I'm <em>inclined</em> to do that, just want to think about it for a few minutes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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a_lost_packet_

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I'm inclined to do that, just want to think about it for a few minutes. <br /> Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>It's a legitimate question IF/UNTIL the OP begins to insist it was a flying saucer and that can't really be deduced from the discussion so far.</p><p>In ref to the OP:</p><p>Would fireworks be completely out of the question as a source for the observed effect?&nbsp; It was the season, after all... </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
 
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a_lost_packet_

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>I'm inclined to do that, just want to think about it for a few minutes. <br /> Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV></p><p>It's a legitimate question IF/UNTIL the OP begins to insist it was a flying saucer and that can't really be deduced from the discussion so far.</p><p>In ref to the OP:</p><p>Would fireworks be completely out of the question as a source for the observed effect?&nbsp; It was the season, after all... </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="1">I put on my robe and wizard hat...</font> </div>
 
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bre242

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<p>To respond to earlier questions, I would say yes that this fireball, per unit square inch did produce an illumination as intense as the Moon, but did not produce an illumination of the landscape from my vantage point.</p><p>No, I'm not looking for a UFO explaination either. I am looking for a real astronomical explaination for what I saw. </p>
 
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bre242

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<p>To respond to earlier questions, I would say yes that this fireball, per unit square inch did produce an illumination as intense as the Moon, but did not produce an illumination of the landscape from my vantage point.</p><p>No, I'm not looking for a UFO explaination either. I am looking for a real astronomical explaination for what I saw. </p>
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>To respond to earlier questions, I would say yes that this fireball, per unit square inch did produce an illumination as intense as the Moon, but did not produce an illumination of the landscape from my vantage point.No, I'm not looking for a UFO explaination either. I am looking for a real astronomical explaination for what I saw. <br />Posted by bre242</DIV><br /><br />OK, with that in mind, I am going to move this thread to a more science oriented forum, Ask the Astronomer. I hope you don't object, it's just that the "Unexplained" (while valid for you looking for an explanation) is not really a place where serious science is discussed. As you can see if you look at some of the other threads.</p><p>Wayne</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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MeteorWayne

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<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>To respond to earlier questions, I would say yes that this fireball, per unit square inch did produce an illumination as intense as the Moon, but did not produce an illumination of the landscape from my vantage point.No, I'm not looking for a UFO explaination either. I am looking for a real astronomical explaination for what I saw. <br />Posted by bre242</DIV><br /><br />OK, with that in mind, I am going to move this thread to a more science oriented forum, Ask the Astronomer. I hope you don't object, it's just that the "Unexplained" (while valid for you looking for an explanation) is not really a place where serious science is discussed. As you can see if you look at some of the other threads.</p><p>Wayne</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>
 
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thnkrx

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<p>Was it cloudy?&nbsp; Were you able to see other stars, ect?</p><p>&nbsp;I'm thinking along the lines of a reflection from a powerful light on the ground off of low lying clouds.&nbsp; Think very powerful truck headlights, maybe.&nbsp; I seem to recollect this being put forth as an explanation for such things before...a long time ago.</p>
 
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thnkrx

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<p>Was it cloudy?&nbsp; Were you able to see other stars, ect?</p><p>&nbsp;I'm thinking along the lines of a reflection from a powerful light on the ground off of low lying clouds.&nbsp; Think very powerful truck headlights, maybe.&nbsp; I seem to recollect this being put forth as an explanation for such things before...a long time ago.</p>
 
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bre242

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It wasn't cloudy at all. Even the Orion Nebula was visible to the naked eye.
 
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bre242

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It wasn't cloudy at all. Even the Orion Nebula was visible to the naked eye.
 
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onesmallstep

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<p>&nbsp;</p><p>No, it wasn't a UFO, it was just an unidentified object, flying through the sky.<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-undecided.gif" border="0" alt="Undecided" title="Undecided" /></p><p>How about we call it....A UOF<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>
 
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