THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 769 1993 Aug 18 18.30UT Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise, Basingstoke, Hants, RG22 4PP,England. Telephone/FAX(0256)471074 Int:+44256471074 TELEX: 9312111261 Answerback: TA G TELECOM GOLD: 10074:MIK2885 GMH at UK.AC.RUTHERFORD.STARLINK.ASTROPHYSICS STARLINK: RLSAC::GMH GMH at UK.AC.CAM.ASTRONOMY.STARLINK STARLINK: CAVAD::GMH ------------------------------------------------------------------- FIREBALLS In response to the appeal on E768 further reports have been received relating to fireballs seen on August 16: E.Pettarin, Italy e-mails: Farra d'Isonzo, 1993 Aug 16. Observatory of the Circolo Culturale Astronomico di Farra d'Isonzo, Italy. We received a visual observation report of a bright fireball. The observer has no astronomical experience, and so we have poor information. The object was seen in the South-West, from North-East Italy, approx 19.45UT on Aug 16., Moving straight down to the horizon, and of bright orange colour, the fireball flared up in three pieces, one orange and two blue. The observer noted an enduring train. Some members of our observatory noted, at the same time, only a blue flash. Korado Korlevic, West Croatia e-mails: Probable connection with the fireball of E768 circular. From the Visnjan, peninsular of Istria, West Croatia, many eyewitnesses saw a very bright, slow fireball -10 mag, with a duration of about 4 seconds, at 19.45 UT (August 16-Ed), very similar to that described in the your circular. The fireball started near eta UMa, in the middle of the path suffered some fragmentation producing red sparks and ended in a terminal flare near the horizon in Coma Berenices.(Data by Roberto Passuello). The fireball was green in colour. No sound was heard. It was not a Perseid. Neil Bone e-mails that a Mr.Acott of Herne Bay, Kent, UK observed a fireball at about 19.45UT on August 16 which was 'brighter than Venus'. Path was quoted as starting a little to the east of south, moving through the zenith and on to about 30 degrees south of the zenith along the meridian. The head of the meteor was greenish, surrounded by a 'halo' and leaving a trail. Given the distance involved it appears unlikely that the objects seen in the UK, West Croatia and Italy can all relate to the same object but the co-incidence of times is noted, especially as Terry Platt, independently of the above reports, advises a correction to the time of the observation on E768 to 19.45UT. Any further reports would be welcomed but in the meantime we would appreciate it if the above contributors could report back the longitude and latitude of the location from which the object was seen, the precise time seen if known and the start point and end point of the trail. The latter can be expressed by reference to the nearest bright star or, if not possible, then the direction and altitude of start and end would still be helpful.