Fiery streak in Maritime night sky Sunday likely rocket launch debris
For those lucky enough to look up Sunday evening near 6 p.m., a lengthy and fiery looking streak briefly lit up a portion of the dark sky.
I’ve had a number of reports and some video of the object sent in and shared over the last few days. I myself was lucky enough to see it as I was walking down to the Christmas parade in Bedford, N.S., Sunday evening.
My first thought was that it was a fireball -- a rocky meteor that hits the earth’s atmosphere and burns up.
There are after all several active meteor showers this time of the year.
I wanted some more information though, so I reached out to Robert Thacker of the Astronomy and Physics Faculty of Science with Saint Mary’s University.
He responded that: “There were 12 reported sightings of the event on the American Meteor Society fireball report page, but because it was moving comparatively slowly and breaking up fairly easily, this was likely a piece of space debris, i.e. an old satellite or piece of a rocket coming back down,” said Thacker.
“While it isn't always easy to associate a flight path of debris with events like this, a clever bit of sleuthing by local amateur astronomers has already linked it directly to the Rocket Lab launch from Nov. 4. Both the track prediction by the AMS and the ground track on aerospace.org coincide really well.”
So there you have it! Likely not a meteor at all but debris from a launch a few weeks ago and a hemisphere away.
Robert also noted that this may become a more frequent phenomenon.
“There are going to be more and more reported sightings of space debris in the next few years and confusing them with fireballs is likely going to be more common. It can sometimes be tricky to properly determine whether something is one or the other.”
“That said, there are good general guidelines: If something is moving fairly slowly across the night sky, being visible for 20 seconds, or more say, then you very likely have a piece of space debris. True fireballs usually come in much faster -- perhaps three or more times faster -- and are visible only for five seconds or so.”
I want to thank all those who sent in a report and media of the event some of which is included in this article.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.