When you're tired and jetlagged, you do stupid things like take your camera gear out to film star trails on a very windy night. I set up to take about an hour's worth of star trails, which came out rubbish, but noticed that I had caught a very bright meteor in one particular time frame. This shot is the image that captured it, which is a 30 second exposure at ISO1250, using my Sigma 10-20mm HSM at 10mm, F4. It's obvious where the meteor is. Maybe you can pick out the Big Dipper at upper left, too?
I guess doing silly things when jetlagged pays off sometimes. I have been trying to get a meteor shot like this for years.
Below is the actual star trail shot, ruined by the wind.
Below is the actual star trail shot, ruined by the wind.
11 comments:
Good catch! Too bad about the wind. I don't see many south pole star trails images, though. Such an alien sky to me!
I saw this also in my mom and dads back yard saturday 6/25/11.approx 9:40-9:45 It was the most exciting thing ever. it was red-glowing ball with flames going very fast from the s-e to the west. it then got overhead and seemed to go up and then got smaller and disappeared. I presumed it burned out.I hollered for my mom and dad and they were able to see it also. they are in their 80"s I live in Lexington ky 40504
Thanks, folks! I have reason to suspect that this is actually an iridium flare, and not a meteor. The pattern looks about right, however I can't find a prediction for a flare at this specific time. Hmm...
Linda - I didn't actually see it myself, my camera just caught it. What you describe sounds like a brilliant fireball, probably something else that I didn't capture as my camera was facing north. Any other reports of it in your town?
I watched the 11:00 news didn't hear any other reports. I know what we saw and I was glad my parents saw it also otherwise I don't think anyone would have believed me. I have no idea what it really was but know I have never seen anything like it before. I do however keep a schedule of the ISS (space station) and try to observe it as it flys over. That is very fascinating to me also. I just know that what we saw had to be witnessed by other people too..it was too big and bright not to have been noticed..can you tell I am very excited about this..
Well, I'd be very excited given your description. Have you tried contacting a local astronomy club and reporting to them what you saw? There's a good chance someone else saw it, for sure!
Good idea. I will research and see what I can find. thanks I will keep you up on what I may find out.
Linda - try this:
http://www.ms.uky.edu/~bgaac/
Good luck!
Hello Phil, No luck on finding anyone else in my area seeing the fireball. I am just glad I did. I have found your blog site very interesting. I think in doing my first search yours popped up. I am such an amateur but you have given me some ideas on looking in the night sky. Last night the ISS went over at 11:09. I went out walking my little dog about 30 minutes earlier and I took my binoculars and laid in the yard and just observed. I think I have found myself a new hobby. Have a nice day. Thanks
Glad to hear it, Linda. It's a fun hobby that can be relaxing and sometimes intriguing, which you have already discovered. Feel free to drop by again. Cheers!
Wow! Two amazing pictures. Personally, I like the windy picture because it sort of like a Time Warp capture - symbolic in how I feel about my life lately.
Anyway, I have a close friend that is doing an exchange program in Argentina for the past week and a half. He has asked me to help him figure out how to find the Southern Cross - and low and behold your next picture features this!
I am a new at looking at the stars and finding constellations. I enjoy the moon and planets a little bit more because you can track them easier. However, all of your pictures and information is great!
I will pass along this information to my friend. Again - Thanks!
Please visit me at:
http://5penniesaday.blogspot.com/
"What have you done for someone else today?"
Thanks for visiting the blog, Amanda! I appreciate your feedback. Try downloading Stellarium. It's free software that does a great job of showing you the constellations, passage of moon and planets over time etc. I highly recommend it to folks just getting started. Enjoy the night skies and let me know if I can help out.
Cheers,
Phil
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