[meteorite-list] Meteors Seen in England

Ron Baalke baalke at zagami.jpl.nasa.gov
Mon Feb 28 16:40:28 EST 2005



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/4305175.stm

Meteor shower seen in South West
BBC News
February 28, 2005

People living in Cornwall have reported sightings of meteors falling
from the sky on Sunday night.

An object described as a white hot meteor with a yellow edge was seen in
the sky, and is thought to have landed in the sea off St Ives.

A second meteor was reported in the Torrington area of Devon.

The sightings are believed to be part of the Virginids meteor shower
which happens every year from mid-February and lasts about three weeks.

Meteor showers happen when the earth passes through the tail of a comet,
and debris burns up in the atmosphere. From the ground, they can be seen
as jets of bright light, shooting across the sky.

Because the Earth follows the same path around the Sun each year, it
always crosses a comet trail at the same point in its orbit, resulting
in regular meteor showers.

Devon and Cornwall Police say there have been no reports of any damage
or injury as a result of the objects.




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