The extraordinary meteor of 22nd February 1909...

Weather-history · May 16, 2008

Here are reports of a remarkable meteor that was widely in the SE parts of England on the evening of the 22nd February 1909. What is remarkable is that the trail was seen long after the meteor had vanished.

Chiddingford (Surrey): Meteor seen at 7.35pm, the track being visible being visible for an hour and a half.

Abinger Hall: A wonderful meteor seen at 7.30pm. It shot across the sky from E to W with a comet like track which remained visible for an hour.

Potters Bar: Remarkable fine blue meteor seen at 7.30pm

Milton Bryant: Brilliant meteor seen at 7.30pm. The trail could still be seen at 8.30pm

Hawkedon: A distant luminous streak appeared in the sky in the evening. It at first appeared as a perfectly straight line somewhat thicker in the middle than at the ends, but latter assumed a curious curved shape.

Bury St Edmunds: A fine meteor was seen at about 7.35pm in the SW. The trail like a comet's was visible until 10pm

Broadwindsor: About 7pm, a bluish green meteor was seen. It traversed the sky low down from NE to SW leaving behind a luminous track which grew broader and was visible for more than 3 hours.

Evershot: Meteor seen at 7.30pm It left a luminous train from east to west, which lasted until 9pm and appeared like a streak of electric light across the sky.

Tavistock: A large meteor crossed the sky south of the zenith fom east to west at about 7.20pm. It left a trail which was seen until 8.30pm.

North Cadbury: About 7.35pm, a brilliant meteor shot across the sky and broke into all colours. At 8.00pm, there was a luminous band in the sky with two sharp bends, one exactly on Orion's foot. It was quite as clear and bright at 8.15pm, but fainter at 8.30pm and at 9 o'clock could not be discerned at all.

Edited May 16, 2008 by Mr_Data