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No. 38: Mar-Apr 1985

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Unidentified Object

April 9, 1983. North Atlantic Ocean. From the n.v. Dorsetshire.

"At 2304 GMT, Mr. Haney pointed out a bright white object in the sky. It was bearing approximately 360° (T) at an elevation of about 40°. It was moving rapidly southwards across the sky, leaving a bright trail behind it, like an afterglow. Also trailing astern of the object was a light trail of sparks (possibly large solid particles). The object disappeared behind clouds, bearing about 170° (T) at an elevation of approximately 35°, and lighting the edges of the clouds. The time taken for the passage was around 20 seconds. It was obviously a very large object, judging from its apparent size as seen from sea level. The impression given was that of an object within the atmosphere, easily showing around a one-penny piece held at arm's length."

(Edwards, R.A.F.; "Unidentified Flying Object," Marine Observer, 54:82, 1984)

Comment. This seems to be a description of a large fireball, but the direction of flight (north-south) is unusual and the time of passage (20 seconds) extremely long for a meteor.

Fireabll trailing sparks over the North Atlantic Large, very sluggish fireball trailing sparks over the North Atlantic.

From Science Frontiers #38, MAR-APR 1985. © 1985-2000 William R. Corliss

Science Frontiers Sourcebook Project Reviewed in:

Quotes

  • "Before opening the book, I set certain standards that a volume which treads into dangerous grounds grounds like this must meet. The author scrupulously met, or even exceeded those standards. Each phenomenon is exhaustively documented, with references to scientific journals [..] and extensive quotations" -- "Book Review: The moon and planets: a catalog of astronomical anomalies", The Sourcebook Project, 1985., Corliss, W. R., Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada>, Vol. 81, no. 1 (1987), p. 24., 02/1987