Space

Large, bright meteor seen by many over UK on March 3, 2012

Many of the commenters at EarthSky.org tonight are reporting a “giant meteor” visible in the skies over the UK. The comments are appearing mostly on our post about the planet Mars, which is at its best and brightest tonight. If you saw the meteor, you can report it at the American Meteor Society’s website. You can also view meteor sightings there. There is no particular major meteor shower going on at this time. Also, meteors are not comets. They are usually chunks of space debris that can strike Earth’s atmosphere at any time. They vaporize due to friction with the air, creating the spectacular streak across the night sky.

EarthSky meteor shower guide 2012

See Mars at its best in March 2012

Illustrated guide to Venus and Jupiter conjunction in March 2012

Meanwhile, here at EarthSky.org, Emma McCann said:

Just seen a meteor, has anyone else seen it ?!!!!

R said:

Yes, in scotland

Andy & Sara said:

Yes. We saw it pass over our house in North Yorkshire…it was huge! Never experienced anything like it before.

Ian Southwood said:

Can anyone identify the meteor or comet which has just passed east to west over /shaw greater manchester at aprox 2145

Victoria Ferguson said:

My freind and me have just seen it aswel we r in loch lomond Scotland it was amazin x

Ian, Limekilns said:

I saw the meteor, or comet over Limekilns fife at about same time

R said:

It passed the west coast of Scotland, Argyll, at 21.37

Laura said:

Seen it in Ardross, Alness, IV17 just before half past 9.

The Kielder Observatory also reported the sighting of a ‘huge fireball’ traveling from north to south over Northumberland, and is still talking about this event on its website. The Observatory posted on Twitter: ‘Of 30 years observing the sky, fireball best thing I have ever seen period.’

Bottom line: Many in the UK saw a bright meteor – or shooting star – streak across the night sky on March 3, 2012. It is not a comet. It is likely a chunk of debris that struck Earth’s atmosphere and vaporized due to friction with the air.

Posted 
March 3, 2012
 in 
Space

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