[meteorite-list] NPA 11-21-1951 New Fireball Crosses Sky, Lincoln La Paz

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: Traverse City Record Eagle
City: Traverse City, Michigan
Date: Wednesday, November 21, 1951
Page: 11

New Fireball Crosses Sky

     ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Nov. 21 - (UP) - A bright green fireball sizzled 
across southwestern skies last night, displaying "all the characteristics" 
of eight other flaming objects that have puzzled meteorologists and 
residents of four states during the past three weeks.
     Dr. Lincoln La Paz, head of the New Mexico University Institute of 
Meteoritics, said the latest fireball was sighted about 8:42 p.m.
     Pilots of two air force planes and a Transworld Airliner pilot first 
reported the latest phenomenon. But the meteorologist said a later check 
revealed the object had been sighted from points as distant as Dodge City, 
Kan., and Lubbock and Big Springs, Texas.
     The fireball, La Paz said, gave off an intense light and was described 
as being "livid green" in color.
     During the past three weeks, eight others have whizzed over the states 
of Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and New Mexico. Severla of them were sighted in 
two or three states at the same time.
     Search paries sent out to find the poit of impact of the meteors have 
failed to turn up anything.
     "Those things seem to know when to go out," La Paz said.
     He explained that he thought the fireballs either vaporized or 
disintegrated before striking earth.
     Institute officials termed the recent display "without parallel in the 
whole of recorded history."
     La Paz said the normal rate of firebals was one every three or four 
months, and added, "In the whole of recorded history, I've never heard 
anything like it."

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