Posted on 11/25/2004 5:03:25 AM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets
NORTHERN Territory scientists were last night studying what could be the first photograph of a meteorite hitting Earth.
The chances of an impact being captured on film are millions to one. "If this is true, it's one of the most remarkable pictures ever taken," astronomy tutor Geoff Carr said yesterday. The photograph was taken by keen amateur photographer Wayne Pryde as he stood near the Darwin Cenotaph on The Esplanade and looked down to Fort Hill Wharf on Monday evening.
The meteorite, which could have been as small as a grain of sand, would have been travelling about 30,000km/h. Mr Pryde believes a tiny piece of space rock hit the top of a 20m lamp post on the wharf. He said the explosion on impact could be seen clearly in the photograph. The "tube" created by the meteorite as it hurtled towards Earth is harder to pick out. "I was taking a series of time-lapse pictures of the build-up of clouds," Mr Pryde said. "I did not realise I had snapped the meteorite until later." The wharf lamp bulb was yesterday found to be blown but the top of the post will not be checked for damage until today.
Experts believe the meteorite may not have hit the lamp post, but metal elsewhere on the wharf. Mr Pryde, 31, is an IT expert but he denied the photograph had been digitally altered. Photographic experts also said the shot had not been doctored. Mr Carr, who teaches at Charles Darwin University, said the picture would create interest among astronomers worldwide.
He said most of the thousands of meteors heading towards Earth burnt up before landing. "Nobody has ever photographed one hitting Earth," he said. Mr Carr said the explosion could have been caused by lightning.
"But I doubt this very much - the trajectory is too straight," he said.
Already posted:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287055/posts
And yes, it is almost impossible to see the trail. I don't know why they think it's a meteorite when you can hardly see anything.
There was an earlier thread on this story with better quality photos in which the trail was visible (barely).
so where's the meteor? That big circle on the right? Kewl.
Thanks, I searched on the exact title and didn't find anything.
From now on, I'll be watching out for candy-striped, pointy lines in the sky.
Not altered? Funny, none of my photos have ever had a big circle and an arrow shooting out of the sky.
Aw, someone's been lighting farts again.
No, the most remarkable picture ever taken was the one of Tara Reid's "wardrobe malfunction".
Actually the trail is quite easy to see in the photograph...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287055/posts
Here is the link again to the unmarked photo...
Post #2 has a link to a better picture.
Interesting. The trail seems to disappear behind the horizon, it doesn't appear in front of the water. It does not quite line up with the "flash" either (try a ruler.) Could simply be a contrail in the distance and glint of the setting sun on the water.
I could sooner believe...
This was before the evaporation/condensation cycle of rocks was well known.
Henny Penny was right! Everybody duck!
I'd like to know what kind of camera they used. It would seem to me that the "meteorite" would be a long blur given the incredible speed that it likely was moving at.
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