Incredible Impact Photo: First Ever Recorded Image

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a recently released photo claimed to be the first recorded image of a meteor impact on Earth. Participants explore various interpretations of the image, including its authenticity and potential explanations for the observed phenomena, with a focus on the implications of the image's details.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights the photo's quality and mentions that experts believe it has not been digitally altered, raising questions about its authenticity.
  • Another participant humorously suggests the possibility of the image depicting a "frozen poop-cicle" from an airliner, but later argues that the trajectory indicates it is coming in too fast for that explanation.
  • A participant cites BadAstronomy's claim that the streak is likely a bug flying across the camera, providing reasons such as the shallow angle of the streak and the lack of damage to a nearby light pole.
  • One participant speculates that the light blur around the pole could indicate a light bulb burning out, or alternatively, suggests it might be a USAF energy weapon accidentally fired during target practice.
  • Another participant proposes the idea of a failed step leader from a lightning strike, discussing the characteristics of such strikes and referencing past observations of similar phenomena.
  • A participant questions whether any remnants of the alleged meteor were found, suggesting that evidence would be expected if it were indeed a meteor impact.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of competing views regarding the nature of the image and its implications. There is no consensus on what the image depicts, with various hypotheses being proposed and debated.

Contextual Notes

Participants note several assumptions and uncertainties, such as the interpretation of the trajectory, the characteristics of lightning strikes, and the lack of physical evidence for a meteor impact. These factors contribute to the ongoing debate without resolution.

DaveC426913
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Hey, anyone seen this incredible photo??


Impact pic

Much larger pic

APOD article

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11480527%255E13569,00.html

It appears to be the first ever recorded image of a meteor impacting the Earth (though for some reason, they're saying they don't think it was a meteor).

Note the impact and surrounding cloud of debris.

It is a very high-quality pic. There are before-and-after shots too (see APOD article). I've been digitally playing with them to find more clues. Experts have examined the pic and believe the image has not been digitally altered.

The APOD article mentions an online discussion about it, but the link's rotted. Anyone know where to read more about this?
 
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frozen poop-cicle from an airliner?
 
setAI said:
frozen poop-cicle from an airliner?

:smile:

but seriously, slant trajectory shows it
coming in much too fast for dropped poop
 
BadAstronomy says its likely a bug flying across the front of the camera. There are several reasons why its probably not a meteor:

-Angle too shallow
-Light pole was inspected and wasn't damaged
-Streak does not intersect the light pole
 
I don't know how to account for the apparent smoke trail or the light blur around the pole, but to me it looks like we may be seeing the light burn out; perhaps just as it starts to turns on. The lightbulb was found to be failed and it appears that other lights nearby are already on.

Either that or a USAF energy weapon accidently fired during target practice. :biggrin:
 
In fact, looking at this a little more... What strikes me also is the possiblity of a failed step leader from a lightning strike. In addition the main strike which might be a good distance away, many tendrils can exist that carry relatively little current but that do actually count as small strikes - certainly energy enough to blow a lighbulb. I have seen footage of one storm chaser who was hit by such a strike. Due to the relatively small current involved he was able to walk away and talk about it. I have also seen that puffs of smoke can be seen in some daytime strikes; in fact on rare occasion large smoke rings can appear and cause quite a fuss [I have posted a BBC picture of one in the past]. Finally, step leaders travel in straight lines for jumps of about 50 meters and at about 1/6 C, so a straight dark line over the distance shown seems possible for a failed step leader.
 
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Was a remnant of the alleged meteor found at all? Because if that's what it was wouldn't you have something left over for evidence?
 

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