Gigantic ‘Fireball’ Scorches through the Sky over Hampshire
The UK Meteor Network has recorded incredible pictures of a “fireball” lighting up the skies over Hampshire.
Stargazers took advantage of the clear weather to snap the meteor from four different locations at about 2am last night.
The group’s camera network recorded black and white images of the astonishing fireball, which would have made a dramatic sight on a dark night.
It shone with an “intense” light which may even been bright enough to cast a shadow.
N. Lockyer and Basingstoke cameras also captured this #fireball pic.twitter.com/qPJcoYWk3g
— UK Meteor Network (@UKMeteorNetwork) April 20, 2016
The #fireball last night from Clanfield camera pic.twitter.com/WNA4jrWRtC
— UK Meteor Network (@UKMeteorNetwork) April 20, 2016
Peter Campbell-Burns, a volunteer with the Meteor Network, told The Mirror that it was unusual to see such a bright meteor.
“We’re catching meteors every single night, but it’s rare we see one as bright as this,” he said.
“It’s a fairly exceptional event which generally happens once every two or three years.”
UKMON'S station in Church Crookham caught most of the #fireball as it crossed the sky at 1.51am this morning. pic.twitter.com/6Qrlwn4Q7v
— UK Meteor Network (@UKMeteorNetwork) April 20, 2016
This massive fireball was visible from the Network’s outposts in Church Crookham, Clanfield and Basingstoke, which are all in Hampshire. It was also spotted from the Norman Lockyer Observatory in Sidmouth, Devon.
The meteor-spotters recently published images of a blue and green meteor which coincided with St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 and shone as bright as a full moon.
It is believed the unusual spectacle was caused by magnesium in the meteor.
“It’s quiet rare to see one meteor this bright,” Campbell-Burns added.
“To get two in the space of about a month is even more unusual.”
