Thursday 17 March 2016

'Green flash' meteor sighting reports across Britain

A bright meteor has been sighted in the early hours above Britain.
Witnesses have described the object as a green flash moving south to north for a few seconds, leaving a magnesium-white trail.
Sightings have been reported in locations including London, Hampshire, Stafford and on the east coast of England at about at 03:16 GMT.
Its colour has prompted people on Twitter to describe it as the St Patrick's Day meteor.
Footage captured on a dashcam and posted on Twitter by DJ Paul Gilbert appears to show the meteor over Battersea in London.
Richard Kacerek, from the UK Meteor Observation Network, told the BBC it had received reports from across the country.
He said the network's camera at Church Crookham in Hampshire had captured the meteor from the west.
"This is the biggest meteor sighting we have recorded," Mr Kacerek said.
"It lasted for a few seconds. It was seen for hundreds of miles. We have received a number of emails."
He said the network of astronomy enthusiasts recorded about 10 to 15 meteors every year.
Mr Kacerek added: "It's still very early to say where it came from but later we will be looking at footage from our other camera in the north of the country and analysing the data to determine more about its origins and intensity."