USAF NEWS RELEASE

Date: June 8, 1998

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On 30 September 1997 at 12:31:18 UT, sensors aboard U.S. Department of
Defense satellites recorded the bright flash of an apparent meteoroid
disintegrating in the atmosphere. Location of the flash was approximately
38.2S, 63.2 E. Peak flash intensity recorded (assuming a 6000K blackbody
(BB)
radiation model) was 9.0E9 watts per steradian (W/Sr), corresponding to
a visual magnitude of -18.9. Total radiated energy, using the same
6000K BB model, was 2.3E10 Joules.

Previously, on 5 September 1997 at 11:41:54 UT, another bright flash was
similarly recorded. Location was approximately 31.2S, 56.3E. Peak recorded
intensity (6000K BB model) was 2.4E10 W/Sr, corresponding to a visual
magnitude of -19.95. Total radiated energy (6000K BB model) was 1.9E11
Joules.

On 1 October 1997 at 14:27:13 UT, sensors aboard U.S. Department of Defense

satellites recorded another bright flash. Location of the flash was
approximately 47.1N, 109.0E. Peak flash intensity recorded (assuming a
6000K blackbody (BB) radiation model) was 1.7E10 watts per steradian,
corresponding to a visual magnitude of -19.6. Total radiated energy, using
the same 6000K BB model, was 6.2E10 Joules.

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