FWD: possible decay observation?

Bart De Pontieu (bdp@cds.plasma.mpe-garching.mpg.de)
Thu, 13 Feb 1997 18:27:58 +0100 (MET)

I'm forwarding this message I just got in my mailbox,
since I think it might interest some of you. Please
reply to Keith at the following address:
Hillier@athena.nwafc.nf.ca

Cheers,
     Bart

On Thu, 13 Feb 1997, Keith Hillier wrote:

> February 13, 1997.
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I=m looking for information, or whether someone can put me in touch with
> someone else, who can provide the information, concerning the launch from
> Russia of ASoyuz TM-25", on February 10, 1997.  
> 
> I live in Newfoundland, Canada, and on Monday, Feb. 10, at approximately
> 5:15 PM, NST, (10:45 Greenwich Time, ? ), we were driving east to west, when
> we saw an unusual bright spot in the sky, which appeared slightly elongated
> and pointed upward.  While watching this for a minute or so, something
> detached itself from the larger bright spot we saw, and fell what appeared
> to be slowly towards the horizon.  The sun was nearly set, at this time, and
> these objects were near where the sun was setting, and appeared very bright.
> The object which appeared to detach itself, fell and was quite obvious until
> it diasppeared behind a hill, while what appeared to be the larger object,
> diasppeared into what may have been a cloud of smoke or gases, which
> eventually faded away.
> 
> What I am wondering, is whether we may have seen something related to the
> launch of ASoyuz- TM-25", from Russia.  Knowing the launch time, flight path
> or direction, and whether the path was over or near Newfoundland, Canada,
> would help determine whether this is what we saw.  
> 
> This sighting was quite a phenominal thing, and I would like to have better
> confirmation of what I think we may have seen.    
> 
> If someone can assist me in determining what we may have seen or can put me
> in touch with someone who may be of help here, would you please e-mail me.
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Keith G. Hillier
>