2015 Kerala meteoroid
| Date | 27 February 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time | 22:00 PM IST (UTC +5.30 hours) |
| Location | Valamboor and Kuruppampady, in Ernakulam, Kerala |
| Coordinates | 9°59′N 76°17′E / 9.98°N 76.28°E |
| Type | Fireball |
| Cause | Air burst of small meteor |
The 2015 Kerala fireball was a meteor air burst that occurred over Kerala state in India on 27 February 2015.[1]
Initial reports[edit]
The fireball, reportedly accompanied by a sonic boom, was noticed across the sky in parts of Thrissur, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts of Kerala at around 22:00 PM IST(local time, UTC +5.30 hours) for about 5 to 6 seconds.[2]
Initial reports suggested that it may have been a part of a rocket body used to launch the Yaogan Weixing-26, a Chinese satellite launched in December 2014.[citation needed] Later, the Meteorology Department and Disaster Management Authority of Kerala refuted the theory stating that if this was the case, it should have been spotted by the meteorology radars.[3]
Impact sites[edit]
Meteorites (meteoroid debris) hit multiple places in Ernakulam district. Small fragments which are believed to be parts of the meteoroid were recovered from Valamboor, near Kolenchery, and Kuruppampady, near Perumbavoor.[4]
A team of scientists from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and Geological Survey of India visited the impact sites and collected samples for analysis. A preliminary report indicated that the fragments' chemical composition consist of nickel and iron ore.[5]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "'Fireball in sky' triggers panic in city" (updated 2015-03-01). The Hindu. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ "Panic among residents as fireballs light up Kerala sky". Hindustan Times. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ^ "Many Theories as Fireballs Light Up Kerala Sky". New Indian Express. 28 February 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015.
- ^ "It was a meteoroid, experts conclude". The Hindu. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
- ^ "Scientists Examine 'Rocks', Confirm Kerala Meteor Fall". The New Indian Express. 2 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
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