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Bright fireball seen over the US 'most likely a Russian spy satellite' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A bright fireball that flashed across the night sky in the US earlier this month was more than likely a Russian spy satellite falling from orbit, meteorologists say. | A bright fireball that flashed across the night sky in the US earlier this month was more than likely a Russian spy satellite falling from orbit, meteorologists say. |
As it flew over the Rockies at roughly 10.30pm on 2 September (UTC: 3 September at 4.25am), 38 people reported witnessing the “slowest and brightest” meteor shower they’d ever seen. | As it flew over the Rockies at roughly 10.30pm on 2 September (UTC: 3 September at 4.25am), 38 people reported witnessing the “slowest and brightest” meteor shower they’d ever seen. |
However, not all is as it appears, after Mike Hankey, the American Meteor Society’s Operations Manager explains that it was probably pieces of a spy satellite that had fallen from orbit and had broken up over Colorado and Wyoming – something the Russians deny. | However, not all is as it appears, after Mike Hankey, the American Meteor Society’s Operations Manager explains that it was probably pieces of a spy satellite that had fallen from orbit and had broken up over Colorado and Wyoming – something the Russians deny. |
In an investigation by the Associated Press, Mr Hankey said an actual meteor would have burned up too fast to be seen over such a large stretch of land – having also received sightings from Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota. | In an investigation by the Associated Press, Mr Hankey said an actual meteor would have burned up too fast to be seen over such a large stretch of land – having also received sightings from Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota. |
One person described seeing “3 ‘Rocks’ that fell from the sky were large in size. They were vibrant in color and speed. Never seen anything like it.” | One person described seeing “3 ‘Rocks’ that fell from the sky were large in size. They were vibrant in color and speed. Never seen anything like it.” |
It was also described as being low in the sky, with another observer noting: “This is the biggest meteor/viewing event I have ever witnessed. I thought it may have been a satellite breaking up upon re-entry, but it was moving extremely fast across the sky. Definitely a once in a lifetime event.” | It was also described as being low in the sky, with another observer noting: “This is the biggest meteor/viewing event I have ever witnessed. I thought it may have been a satellite breaking up upon re-entry, but it was moving extremely fast across the sky. Definitely a once in a lifetime event.” |
Aerospace Analyst Charles Vick, from Globalsecurity.org, said that it could have been parts of Russia’s Cosmos 2495 photo-reconnaissance satellite, which was sent into orbit in May. | Aerospace Analyst Charles Vick, from Globalsecurity.org, said that it could have been parts of Russia’s Cosmos 2495 photo-reconnaissance satellite, which was sent into orbit in May. |
According to the AP, it completed its intended mission to deliver photos to Russia. | According to the AP, it completed its intended mission to deliver photos to Russia. |
John Pike, Director of Globalsecurity.org, said the Russians would want to keep an on “deployed hardware, airplanes, ships, tanks, factories, new intelligence facilities, all that stuff. | John Pike, Director of Globalsecurity.org, said the Russians would want to keep an on “deployed hardware, airplanes, ships, tanks, factories, new intelligence facilities, all that stuff. |
“They're looking for the same things that our spy satellites are looking for.” | “They're looking for the same things that our spy satellites are looking for.” |
A video purporting to show the re-entry of the satellite into the atmosphere was posted to Vimeo by Thomas Ashcraft, who is an amateur recorder of meteorological events. | A video purporting to show the re-entry of the satellite into the atmosphere was posted to Vimeo by Thomas Ashcraft, who is an amateur recorder of meteorological events. |
A spokesman for Russia’s Defence Ministry reportedly told the ITAR-TASS news agency that nothing unexpected had happened to their satellites. | A spokesman for Russia’s Defence Ministry reportedly told the ITAR-TASS news agency that nothing unexpected had happened to their satellites. |
“One can only guess about the condition representatives of the so-called American Meteor Society were in when they identified a luminescent phenomenon high up in the sky as a Russian military satellite,” Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on 9 September. | “One can only guess about the condition representatives of the so-called American Meteor Society were in when they identified a luminescent phenomenon high up in the sky as a Russian military satellite,” Spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on 9 September. |
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