Reports Report 6872aw (Event 6872-2021)

This report has been linked to the following event: Event 6872-2021
Observer
NameJay K
Experience Level2/5
RemarksThis was the most spectacular thing I've ever seen in the night sky. I actually did a Google search that night to see if a satellite had crashed. It was so large and bright, and the fragmentation was so great, that I thought that was the only explanation. Doing research for an article about the Geminid meteor shower (for a small local magazine) I found this site about fireballs, so I thought I'd submit our experience. We were on a boat in Lake Murray and we had an amateur astronomer with us who also saw it. The reaction from the kids and adults was pure joy and awe, and it was truly one of the most beautiful things we've ever seen. The time of 9:15pm may be off, but that is my best guess. We were returning to the dock after leaving the dock at around 7:30pm for a night sky tour with the astronomer. It was one of the most exciting 2-3 seconds we've ever had.
Location
AddressChapin, SC
Latitude34° 4' 20.72'' N (34.07°)
Longitude 81° 22' 34.62'' W (-81.38°)
Elevation108m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time2021-10-23 21:15 EDT
UT Date & Time2021-10-24 01:15 UT
Duration≈3.5s
Direction
Moving directionFrom up left to down right
Descent Angle134°
Moving
Facing azimuth296.57°
First azimuth288.59°
First elevation26°
Last azimuth313.07°
Last elevation15°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude-7
ColorIt seemed like a combination of colors; maybe light blue, green, yellow, and white. It was beautiful.
Concurrent Sound
ObservationUnknown
Remarks-
Delayed Sound
ObservationUnknown
Remarks-
Persistent train
ObservationUnknown
Duration-
Length-
Remarks-
Terminal flash
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Fragmentation
ObservationYes
RemarksIt was as if a huge downward falling Roman candle firework was breaking up in the night sky. It seemed as if there were multiple pieces falling in the 2-3 seconds we saw it.