The bolide was observed and reported by about a hundred witnesses from the whole of France, in regions ranging from the Somme to the Hérault, and the Gironde to Alsace.
It was also photographed by 4 cameras of the Fripon network, which enabled one to determine more accurately the physical parameters of the meteoroïde, which subsequently became a meteor.
An analysis of the videos indicates that the meteoroïde which gave birth to the bolide must have had an initial mass of 1,1 kg (assuming a density of 3,5).
It entered the terrestrial atmosphere at a speed of 16,2 km/s. It became luminous while it was at an altitude of 75 km, 35 km to the north west of Montluçon (close to Vesdun, and so very close to the bary-center of France).
It then flew for 4 seconds to the north-west, after which it "switched off" while it was at an altitude of 30km, 20km to the south-east of Châteauroux.
It reached its maximum luminosity when it was at an altitude of about 45 km d’altitude : its magneitude was than close to -9 ! Unfortunately, the mass which is estimated to have survived atmospheric entry is only about 5 gm, out of the original 1 100 gm…
An so no hunt for the meteorite is likely to be organized.
Scientists are eager to have your accounts
The accounts of eyewitnesses of this phenomenon are eagerly awaited : they may be sent to the Vigie-Ciel site, the participative science program, using the online form : https://vigie-ciel.imo.net/members/...
It is easy to do, it is fun, and it can be done in a few minutes, requiring no special knowledge in science or astronomy.
Know more
- The October 9th 2019 bolide ->https://www.vigie-ciel.org/2019/10/09/bolide-du-9-octobre-19h47/?fbclid=IwAR0ZzTa4saAx4CWCMLO2EY5CQCLLIan69Ybg23Z86kJSUllJ064ldA8jORQ]
- Vigie-Ciel
- On FRIPON, the sky surveillance network
Dernière modification le 21 décembre 2021