Event epoch : 28th August 2021 18:54 BRT = 21:54 UT
Bramon trajectory solution : ENE to WSW
Estimated relative velocity : 16.7 Km/s

BRAMON production video

Translated and adapted from Marcelo Zurita’s original article in Portuguese at
http://www.bramonmeteor.org/bramon/meteoro-explode-sobre-o-piaui-e-pode-ter-deixado-meteoritos-em-solo 
and Bramon partner Climaaovivo’s article at
https://climaaovivo.com.br/noticias/8-cameras-do-nordeste-registraram-meteoro-que-pode-ter-deixado-meteoritos-em-solo-30-08-21

There are different kinds of meteor observation networks, some sporting low resolution, low light, high sensitivity monochrome cameras and then there are the enthralling high definition colour cameras hosted by the Climaaovivo network. Both contribute to meteor science, but the beauty of such an event is well represented by HD camera and software captures. 

The passage of a large meteor caught the attention of residents of several states in  Northeast Brazil on the early evening of 28th August 2021 18:54 BRT. Many of those who reported the incident, through social networks and in message groups, reported seeing a flash in the sky, followed by a loud explosion heard in some cities. Some also reported seeing night turn to day for a few seconds.

The passage of the meteor was recorded by 8 Live Weather cameras in Pernambuco, Paraíba, Bahia and Ceará.

From the  videos and reports filed at bramon.imo.net , BRAMON – Brazilian Meteor Watch Network analyzed the phenomenon and concluded that it was a bolide, a very luminous meteor that ends explosively. It occurs when a fragment of space rock, also called a meteoroid, hits the Earth’s atmosphere at a high speed, causing atmospheric gases to heat up, which generate the luminous phenomenon. Depending on the size of the meteoroid and other physical factors, in addition to glowing intensely, it can reach the lower and denser layers of the atmosphere, where air resistance ends up causing rock fragmentation and generating a shock wave, which can be heard and felt on the ground as an explosion.

Capture locations and credit

– Forest/PE – Atel Telecom
– Salgueiro/PE – Atel Telecom

– Várzea Nova/BA – Virtual Net
– Lajedinho/BA – IBSOL Telecom

– Piancó/PB  –  Eduart Brito
– Serra Branca/PB  –  CaririWeb

– Penaforte/CE  –  LinKCariri
– Juazeiro do Norte/CE  –  LinkCariri

 

TRAJECTORY

From the analysis of images captured by Climaaovivo, BRAMON calculated the meteoroid’s trajectory through the atmosphere. According to calculations, the meteoroid reached the Earth’s atmosphere at an angle of 35.3°, with respect to the ground, and began to shine at an altitude of 67.3 km over the Pimenteiras Rural Area, in Piauí. It traveled at 60200 km/h (16.7 Km/s) , covering 74.7 km in 4.5 seconds, and extinguished at an altitude of  24.1 km over the municipality of Lagoa do Sítio, also in Piauí.
https://i2.wp.com/www.bramonmeteor.org/bramon/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/mapa3d001.jpg?resize=768%2C432

LIKELY METEORITES ON THE GROUND

According to a preliminary analysis by BRAMON, it is likely that part of the meteoroid was not completely consumed during it’s fiery atmospheric passage. If so, there is a possibility that meteorite fragments have reached the ground intact in the region close to Valença do Piauí.
BRAMON is working on calculating the meteoroid’s mass and determining the dispersion area of ​​possible meteorites. Good luck meteorite hunters!.