Gallery: Tempel 1 (2004-2005)
Observation made by Rick Mark
| Image Parameter | Details |
| Comments: | My wife and I, watching through binoculars, both saw a peculiar thing at the time of impact. We were watching a fuzzy star NE of Spica, thinking it was the comet (probably not). At almost exactly 10:52, we both exclaimed as a light, heading from west to southwest, raced toward the "comet," seemed to hit it, and then continued on at a very quick pace, faster than any satellite we've ever seen (we often notice satellites). My wife is sure she saw the light break apart in two directions. At first, we actually thought we were witnessing the impact. On second thought we realized how absurd that was. So the question is: What did we see? And did anyone else see anything similar? I assume this light we saw was in our atmosphere or close to it. Any ideas?
[NOTE: Probably a meteor aka "shooting star". They are quite common, but most people don't notice them because they are not looking up!] |
| Image Date/Time: | 2005-07-03/10:52 p.m. PDT |
| Observing Site: | Washougal, Washington, northeast of Portland, Oregon, at 45.35 degrees north latitude and 122.21 degress west longitude Washougal, WA, US |
| Weather: | very clear and dry |
| Telescope: | binoculars, handheld, about 8x42 |
Table 1: Data about observation.
Updated: 30-Jul-2013