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Credit & Copyright: Mohamed Elhassan Abdelatif Mahir (Noub NGO),
Dr. Muawia H. Shaddad
(Univ. Khartoum),
Dr. Peter Jenniskens (SETI Institute/NASA Ames)
Explanation:
On October 7, the early dawn over northern Sudan revealed this
twisted, high altitude trail.
Captured in a video frame, the long-lasting
persistent train is
from the impact of a small asteroid cataloged as 2008 TC3.
That event was remarkable because it was the first time an asteroid
was detected in space
before
crashing into planet Earth's atmosphere.
In fact, after astronomers discovered
2008 TC3,
the time and location
of its impact were predicted based on follow-up observations.
Later, the impact predictions were confirmed by sensors, including a
Meteosat-8 image of a bright flash in the atmosphere.
Astronomers are now
hoping for more reports of
local ground-based observations of what must have
been a brilliant meteor
streaking through
Sudan's night sky.
Additional reports
could improve the chances of recovering
meteorites.
Take a survey on
Aesthetics and Astronomy.
Dr. Peter Jenniskens (SETI Institute/NASA Ames)
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: asteroid - 2008 TC3 - persistent train - impact
Publications with words: asteroid - 2008 TC3 - persistent train - impact
See also: