UNT astronomers find samples of "fireball"

A week ago, following news of twin expanding debris clouds, left over from the Cosmos-Iridium satellite collision over Siberia, in an apparent coincidence, a meteor shattered in the upper atmosphere and quickly expanded into a daylight fireball witnessed by thousands from north to south central Texas. Such events are more common than is generally known, but increased population density and the proliferation of digital camera devices speed "news" of such events, spread by dazzled witnesses. Fortunately, cameras capturing such an event are very useful in locating where the burned out remains of meteorites can then be located and collected.

Astronomers at the University of North Texas in Denton traced through the countryside south of Dallas-Fort Worth during the past week, along with private collectors, and claim to have collected "pecan-sized" remnants.

Regina L. Burns of Physorg.com has the Story.