[meteorite-list] Meteor Explodes Over Sri Lanka

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:16:07 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200706112116.OAA11175_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/June11135831JV.html

Mysterious noise creates a tense situation in Sri Lanka
Colombo Page
June 11, 2007

Colombo: A tense situation was created in some areas in the
Gampaha and Kurunegala districts last night following a
mysterious noise similar to an explosion.

However later it was revealed that the noise and the light
could be from a falling meteorite of some magnitude. The
Arthur C. Clark Center also claimed that the sound may
have been caused by a meteorite explosion.

Police and the military confirmed there had been a loud
sound of an explosion and a simultaneous glow in the sky
but the cause of the noise is not known yet.

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http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/12/front/02.asp

Sunday night blast - it was a meteoroid
By Yohan Perera
Daily Mirror
June 12, 2007

A meteorite explosion in the air above Sri Lanka rocked many
areas on Sunday night and caused panic among people who
feared it was another bomb blast or air attack.

The Astronomy Unit of Colombo University and Arthur C. Clarke
Centre confirmed the loud bang heard on Sunday night was a
meteorite explosion.

According to Colombo University senior lecturer Chandana
Jayaratne the explosion had taken place over Nattandiya and
the size of the meteoroid was around one meter. "It had
exploded in the air, illuminating the night sky," he said.
Eyewitnesses confirmed they saw the night sky being
illuminated with the explosion.

The professor said the telephone lines in Andiambalama and
Mirigama areas had undergone disturbance at the time of the
explosion. "This usually happens when a meteorite draws
iron from the air," he explained.

Professor Jayaratne said this was a usual phenomenon as many
meteorites fall throughout the year. The astronomy unit of
the Colombo University is reported to have a large
collection of meteorite samples collected from many parts
of the country.

Meanwhile Arthur C. Clarke Centre said it had received from
many areas information on the explosion and the sighting of
a bright object streaking through the night sky. A Centre
spokesman said a moving bright object was seen from as far
as Hambantota. The sound of the explosion had been heard in
Mirigama, Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya and Kotadeniyawa, he said.

According to the spokesman there may have been a meteorite
shower which caused several explosions. The Centre is to
send its research teams to Nattandiya and Kuliyapitiya
areas.
Received on Mon 11 Jun 2007 05:16:07 PM PDT