British Astronomical Association ask for eyewitness account

People across Devon and Cornwall inundated police yesterday and today with calls saying they had experienced an earth tremor. However, enquiry to the British Geological Survey revealed that it was much more likely to be caused by a meteoroid entering the Earth's atmosphere from a meteor shower or passing space junk.

 

Douglas Rice from the Tiverton & Mid-Devon Astronomy Society told The Exeter Daily, "It is very likely that it was a piece of space matter, possibly left over from a passing comet. If it was a loud bang, it would probably have been about the size of a small stone that has exploded upon entering the Earth's atmosphere. It is unlikely to be more than a pound or two in weight. It is a very good time of the year for meteor showers."

 

The Police have reported that the calls came in from far afield, from Harrowbarrow in south east Cornwall, as well as the South Hams and Teignbridge areas of south Devon, the Tamar Valley and Dartmoor.

 

Further to this report, The Exeter Daily spoke to Dr John Mason of the British Astronomical Association regarding the mystery:

"For one thing, it is unlikely to be anything to do with the Orionid meteor shower, which is due to peak this weekend, but is far more likely to be a rocky chunk or space rock that has entered the Earth's atmosphere. Unless we have a visual on what caused the sound we are unable to confirm any more information. Reports of lound bangs don't help us, but we would be most interested to hear from any commercial or private pilots flying at around 4pm yesterday who spotted anything rock-like in the air at that time. Our email address for information on any actual sightings is meteor@britastro.org"

 

 

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