[capitan_refugio]

I remember in the mid-1960s, a large fireball passing over Ventura County one "summer" evening. I was visiting my grandfather's ranch and laying outside in a sleeping bag. The fireball suddenly arced over much of the sky, with a strong, persistent trail, that was visible for several seconds, and ended with a audible "pop" (although the sound was delayed from the naked-eye event). I always wondered if it may have been a satellite re-entering the atmosphere.

[cogitator]

Maybe, but I saw the same effect with a large Perseid about five years ago. It was the only audible terminating explosion I've ever heard for a meteor. A couple of years ago I saw a naked-eye fireball -- I thought it was a flare, because it was BRIGHT red and white.