Mason-Dixon meteor turns up on security cam
The big fireball meteor that startled residents in Central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania early Monday morning was captured on a security camera video in York Pa. It's about 18 seconds into the 70-second video. Meteorite hunters hope this will be a first clue to guide them to the spot where surviving bits of the meteor - if there are any - may have landed.
The camera was one of about 50 that protect the various facilities of the York Water Company. The president and CEO, Jeffrey R. Hines, said he and his wife live in York and heard the sonic boom touched off by the meteor as it entered the atmosphere at about 1:10 a.m. Monday. But they didn't see anything.
It wasn't until late on Monday that he decided to check the security video to see what the cameras might have seen.
"It didn't take long," he said. The quality isn't great. "It's a security camera, at night."
But the meteor is unmistakable, he said. "You can see the fireball, and see it all ready to burn out, and a number of pieces of meteorite. Probably four or five frames is all it captures."
Even so, Hines said, "It's pretty cool." With two or three more images like this, meteorite hunters hope to be able to triangulate on the meteor's trajectory, and its final seconds before any surviving pieces fell to Earth.
Comments
That was pretty cool. Give Norm Lewis a call....he likes to acquire pieces of meteorites from around the world. This one was just north of the MD border.
Posted by: Chris | July 9, 2009 3:30 AM
This was so neat. Glad that some footage has become available. Hope to hear more details abt findings (if any).
Posted by: ruth | July 9, 2009 8:24 AM
hello landowners, great video, there is a very high probability there are meteorites on the ground. Look for black rocks different from any others in the area, most will be on top of the ground and they will attract a strong magnet. If the rock has broken or if pieces of the black surface are missing the rock inside is usually white in color. Fresh material picked up before rain is very valuable. The meteorite begins to rust as it sits out doors, fresh is better. Rough handling or breaking the stones will greatly reduce the value.
Did you know that meteorites that fall on your land belong to you? For more information check out: Kansas Meteorite Museum .
These happy folks never found a meteorite before in their lives: Landowners Find Fresh Meteorite
have a happy cosmic Easter Egg Hunt, best wishes, don stimpson
Posted by: don stimpson | July 9, 2009 12:20 PM
Thanks for the info, Don! I will be looking for some meteorites on my property this evening! Maybe I will be lucky. :-)
Posted by: Jenny Gresock | July 9, 2009 12:30 PM
Check out:
http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-...
for an insiders view of meteorites, values, etc. Most members are dealers or collectors.
Note that most hunters = dealers and will sell much of what they find. The price of what they offer you will be much less than what they will sell it for. Look up Park Forest meteorite, Peekskill meteorite and see what these have gone for (ebay, or do a web search). Educate yourself.
Posted by: don smith | July 10, 2009 3:15 PM
I saw the meteor come straight towords me and pass over head pure white from all sides with no trail or sound. It then passed over the tree line. I find it hard to believe it was only the size of a small ball.I was in my hammock watching faling stars this was my third for the night named the mason dixon metor
Posted by: david | July 15, 2009 7:59 AM