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Very bright fireball over central Finland, sonic boom reported

very-bright-fireball-over-central-finland-sonic-boom-reported

A very bright fireball streaked across the sky over Finland around 18:06 UTC (20:06 local time) on Friday, December 22, 2017. The phenomenon was visible on the northernmost side of Lapp and southernmost coast of Finland. Experts said fireballs as bright and eye-catching as this one occur over Finland every 2 or 3 years. However, this is the second such event in 39 days.

According to Ursa Astronomical Associaton, the impressive fireball moved from east two west and disintegrated during entry. The analysis based on over 250 received reports placed the object in the northern parts of central Finland.

 

 

"The object had few tens of pounds," mathematician Esko Lyytinen said. Although it was largely destroyed in the atmosphere, small fragments are believed to have fallen over Pihtiputaan and Kinnula municipalities, he added.

 

The event was associated with sonic booms, suggesting it managed to penetrate deep into the atmosphere.

Fireball over Finland on December 22, 2017 - Trajectory

Fireball over Finland on December 22, 2017 – Trajectory. Credit: Ursa Astronomical Society

Ursa said such bright and eye-catching fireballs are observed over Finland every 2 or 3 years.

The last such case was on November 16, the association added. See videos below:

YouTube video

Fireball over Finland on November 16, 2017. Video courtesy Johannes Karhula

YouTube video

Fireball over Finland on November 16, 2017. Video courtesy Aurora Borealis (LIVE!)

YouTube video

Fireball over Finland on November 16, 2017. Video courtesy RT

Featured image: Fireball over Finland on December 22, 2017. Credit: Markku Paaso, YLE

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