help

Large Meteor Streaking Through the Atmosphere Over the Mediterranean in 2012?

-- joe | October 21, 2020

Question:

Hello,
In the summer of 2012 we were on deployment in the Mediterranean. One night, about 1AM-2AM I was standing outside with the Aft lookout of our ship. While we talked, there was a super bright flash that lit up everything around us. When we looked in the sky, there was a light trail, about 3inches long compared to my outstretched hand, that was perfectly straight. It lasted for over 10min and slowly faded away. I figure it was a meteor that burn up but I cant find anything about light trails, only smoke trails. But this was a bright turquoise colored light trail. Any idea what it could have been?

-- joe

Answer:

What you saw could have been a large meteor which produced a fireball like the one caught on camera in Poland in 2015. The fact that what you saw lasted for 10 minutes, though, is hard to explain. The light trails associated with meteors streaking through the sky don’t normally last that long.

-- Jeff Mangum

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a facility of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.
	Founded in 1956, the NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.
	The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."
	AUI collaborates with the scientific community and research sponsors to plan, build, and operate cutting-edge facilities. We cultivate excellence, deliver value, enhance education, and engage the public.