[meteorite-list] Intense bright light seen over the skies of Portugal
Hi again List, A while ago, the portuguese TV SIC presented a portion of an amateur video made by a portuguese woman from the Algarve, showing the bright object reported on my previous email to the List. From what I could see in this video, the object appeared to be moving almost paralled to the horizon, several degrees above local tree level, and moving fast "from right to left". It portrayed an almost straight, a few degrees long, luminous "trail". I don't know in which direction was the video-camera facing. From this video clip, I did notice that the object did not show a bright "head". A Mr. José Miguel Reis, who witnessed the phenomenon from Penodeno, Portugal, mentioned that it appeared to move as a luminous point coming from the north, on a slight curved path moving fast towards the west; he claimed that neither its speed or its trajectory were constant. (???) and that it did not move like an aircraft. SIC TV also reported that the object was noticed by the portuguese air force ground radar and thata spoke person for the Air Force said that it lasted for about 3 minutes, moving at some 800 km/h and that during its path it was detected at heights of 50.000 feet, 30.000 and 7.000 feet. Astronomer José Matos said that it might have been the reflex (flash) of an Iridium satellite, orbiting at some 780 km height. He suggested that it might be seen again tonight (Wed.) at about the same time as last night (23h15 Lisbon time). Certainly, the air force ground radar would not be able to pick up satellites at that height, and the several witnesses over the country, would not mention seen a smoke trail, if it was in fact, a flash of an Iridium satelitte. It appears to me that it was, most probably, a satellite re-entry. Can any List member confirm if there was any satellite/space debris predicted for a re-entry over Portugal around that time/date? José Campos Portugal Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 7.0.245 / Virus Database: 262.10.7 - Release Date: 31-05-2004 __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Intense bright light seen over the skies of Portugal
Hi List and Marco Langbroek, This morning, on the 07h00 am news, I heard the portuguese TV RTP1 news reader talking about an intense bright light that was seen last night, Tuesday, 01 June/2004, after 11:00 PM (Lisbon time), by hundreds of people from several towns: Penafiel, Évora and the Algarve. The luminous object was described as "very bright, fast, leaving behind a trail of smoke and moving with no sound". A "Civil Protection Unit" representative, as well as the Civil Aviation Authority, were both contacted by the TV station but they could not offer an explanation. An astronomer said that it could have been either a meteor or a satellite entering the Earth's atmosphere. Then followed the "usual story" of it being an UFO, etc. This morning's local newspaper "CORREIO DA MANHÃ" 02/June/2004, has the following news about it, on its back page: My own translation from Portuguese to English: "Phenomenon with no explanation Unknown Light A very intense, smoking light, of an unknown origin, was last night seen from several places in Portugal but local authorities do not have an answer to this phenomenon. The "Civil Protection Unit" received phonecalls from several places, from Penafiel, Vendas Novas, Évora or the Algarve. Also, the Portuguese Airforce confirmed this happening to Lusa (port. news agency), to have taken place around 23h15 (Lisbon time) but they do not have an explanation for it" So far, no information has been given about its direction or its flight path. Note that Lisbon time = London time. When I have more news, will let you all know. José Campos Portugal Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 7.0.245 / Virus Database: 262.10.7 - Release Date: 31-05-2004 __ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
