Have you noticed an Increase in Meteorites?

Like most on this site I watch the sky. I spend at least 2 hours every night gazing.

I have a pretty good vantage point with limited polution.

Most nights there are dozens of meteorites from all directions. Most are in the upper atmosphere.

In the last month I would say, there has been 1 per night that is very close. Originating from the NNE

Every second or so nights they are very close. So close that you can hear them.

They are very flat in trajectory and burn up in my estimate about 1000ft above the ground.

I have been watching and they seem to be getting larger with a flatter trajectory.

I am posting this because the last one, about 10 minutes ago was almost horizontal and the burn up streak was about 1500 feet long. Altitude was about 200 feet. It was so close that I could smell it.

Has anyone noticed an increase in meteorites?

What have you noticed about trajectory?

I am in Cairns, QLD, Australia about 200 feet above sea level

I was out on the beach a couple nights ago, and saw at least 30 of them over a couple hours.
One appeared really big for a meteor. It looked almost pea sized in the sky.
I didn't notice anything trajectory-wise, though.

i unfortunatly live in the city where i can barely make out tbe north star

but im planning to take a trip to do some long exposure shots

If you are seeing meteorites, you should pick them up (wearing gloves of course) and put them up for sale.

You are probably seeing more meteors lately.

Meteoroids

A meteoroid is a suggested term for a sand- to boulder-sized particle of debris in the Solar System. The visible path of a meteoroid that enters Earth's (or another body's) atmosphere is called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star or falling star. If a meteoroid reaches the ground and survives impact, then it is called a meteorite.

Oh good lord people, have you never looked at the sky this time every year...
It's normal...

earthsky.org...

Always my favourite time of year...I get a birthday and a beautiful sky show!

reply to post by guessing


Right now is the time of year for the Persid meteorite shower. Usually Aug 1st to 13th. Don't know if that helps, but maybe an explanation of the last couple of nights.

reply to post by butcherguy



Ok, meteroids. you suggest I should be seeing more. Why?

These do not make it to earth, they just burn up, but they are getting closer.

reply to post by Yahm16


that helps....

nothing to see here move on.

always wanted to say that....

Originally posted by Suspiria
Oh good lord people, have you never looked at the sky this time every year...
It's normal...

earthsky.org...

Always my favourite time of year...I get a birthday and a beautiful sky show!

Where is the best place to see your birthday surprise?

Originally posted by Suspiria
Oh good lord people, have you never looked at the sky this time every year...
It's normal...

earthsky.org...

Always my favourite time of year...I get a birthday and a beautiful sky show!

Agreed. I look forward to this time every year. In fact my friends and I have already planned a camping/sky watching trip.

Triple?!?!? What the hell... sorry

Double Dribble.

I saw something last night. A very bright shooting light that seemed to be at a very low altitude. The trajectory didnt seem right. Being a smoker, most nights I am outside looking at the sky. This did not appear to be like the normal shooting star/meteorite that I usually see. Glad to see that someone else has noticed how low they appear to be and not the normal falling appearance but more of a flatter trajectory.
Adelaide South Australia.

reply to post by guessing


I've seen my fair share of meteors and I've never heard or smelled one before. That seems strange to me though maybe it is perfectly normal I am not really sure.

reply to post by cluckerspud



Does that mean you will see things 3 times?

Where is the best place to view these? casue I have lived here for a while and if they get any bigger it will be impacts and news.

Originally posted by okeydokeydo
I saw something last night. A very bright shooting light that seemed to be at a very low altitude. The trajectory didnt seem right. Being a smoker, most nights I am outside looking at the sky. This did not appear to be like the normal shooting star/meteorite that I usually see. Glad to see that someone else has noticed how low they appear to be and not the normal falling appearance but more of a flatter trajectory.
Adelaide South Australia.

which direction did it come from?

reply to post by cluckerspud



better wipe your chin....

Originally posted by cluckerspud
Double Dribble.

edit on 3-8-2011 by cluckerspud because: (no reason given)

I'll fetch a mop..

reply to post by iforget


kinda like a firecracker sound without the bang, smells like welding

if that helps

Originally posted by okeydokeydo
I saw something last night. A very bright shooting light that seemed to be at a very low altitude. The trajectory didnt seem right. Being a smoker, most nights I am outside looking at the sky. This did not appear to be like the normal shooting star/meteorite that I usually see. Glad to see that someone else has noticed how low they appear to be and not the normal falling appearance but more of a flatter trajectory.
Adelaide South Australia.

My link should give you the explaination for that..