Reports Report 2351l (Event 2351-2023)

This report has been linked to the following event: Event 2351-2023
Observer
NameRichard C
Experience Level3/5
RemarksWas speaking with someone in the parking lot when it first appeared almost directly overhead coming in from just south of due east. It was so bright I thought it was a helicopter with a searchlight on. When I finally looked up directly at it, after about a full second, it was crossing almost straight up over our heads, very white, very bright. My friend and I watched it zoom past overhead and "break apart" into pieces, including one fairly large chunk, before burning out and vanishing. It was noteworthy for being so exceptionally bright, so clear, lasted so long (5 secs or so) and passed directly overhead, practically straight up.
Location
AddressWinston-Salem, NC
Latitude36° 4' 42.42'' N (36.08°)
Longitude 80° 15' 29.29'' W (-80.26°)
Elevation236.9m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time2023-04-25 21:50 EDT
UT Date & Time2023-04-26 01:50 UT
Duration≈3.5s
Direction
Moving directionFrom down left to up right
Descent Angle85°
Moving
Facing azimuth170°
First azimuth120°
First elevation70°
Last azimuth290°
Last elevation60°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude-16
ColorLight Yellow with organ framents
Concurrent Sound
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Delayed Sound
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Persistent train
ObservationYes
Duration2s
Length35°
RemarksLike a comet's tail but irregular in width, especially near the end, as fragments broke apart
Terminal flash
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Fragmentation
ObservationYes
RemarksLeft am irregular fragmentation trail and near the end, just before it went out, a piece about 1/3 the total size seemed to break off with a lot of other smaller pieces that all then rapidly burn out and went dark along with the main fireball.