Bolide Meteor Exploded Over Penang Island On 21 July, Says Astronomical Society
The Perseid meteors are still ongoing until mid-August.
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Residents of Penang Island were in for a shock when a loud boom could be heard in the night sky on 21 July 2021 at around 5am.
Members of the Astronomical Society of Penang (ASP) living in Balik Pulau, Tanjung Bungah, Jelutong, Sungai Ara, and Teluk Kumbar reported seeing a bright flash of light and hearing a loud boom.
Other netizens living in other parts of Penang Island such as Batu Ferringhi and Balik Pulau also reported hearing the noise, as well as dogs that were barking non-stop, disturbed by the explosion. Most people otherwise assumed it was thunder instead, while some originally speculated it to be military drills.
(Credit: Ain Aidiyna/Facebook)
After careful analysis and calculations performed by the ASP, they determined that the phenomenon was caused by a bolide meteor flying through space coming into contact with the Eath’s atmosphere. Under the high pressures of great speed and friction, the bolide meteor then exploded, resulting in the bright light (from burning up in our atmosphere) and the loud boom (from exploding).
ASP reports that this bolide meteor was flying in at great speed from Southwest of Penang Island, and then exploded in space at approximately 49km north of Tanjung Bunga.
Bolides here refer to a very bright meteor of an apparent magnitude of -14 or brighter which then explodes in the atmosphere.
The bolide is speculated to be part of the Perseid meteor shower, which is running from now until mid-August and can be seen all over the world. The Perseid meteor shower is most well known for its reliable meteor showers and potential for explosive “fireworks”.
(Credit: TRP)
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