Distinguishing Fireballs

Thomas Ashcraft (72632.1427@CompuServe.COM)
Tue, 9 Jul 1996 09:15:24 -0400

Dear Satellite Observers,

I have two questions.

Question 1:     Does a re-entering spacecraft like the Space Shuttle
"flash" initially upon re-entry into earth's atmosphere or would there just
be a slowly building incandescence? 

Question 2:     I am looking for visual ways to distinguish natural
meteoric fireballs from re-entering man-made debris fireballs. Does anyone
know references for this information?

Thank you.

Tom Ashcraft
72632.1427@compuserve.com 
New Mexico