From: Cal Mowrer <calmowrer [at] tx.rr.com>
Date: January 28, 2008
Subject: Personal description of Leonid meteor storm Fall 1966


I was 19 years old and new on the job at Collins Radio Co in Richardson, TX, New to the Dallas suburb, new to Texas. I always remembered it as Oct. I assume from reading other accounts it must have been Nov.

I had an interest in astronomy since first learning about the planets in early grade school. I devoured everything I could find in numerous libraries on the subject.

During the previous three years of jobs, girls, high School, & trade school I had little time to even think about astronomy.

Two roommates and myself worked the 2nd shift, getting off at 12:45 am. Possibly we had been on a midnight swim. That was a new and novel thing for kids from the Midwest, heated pools & moderate climate.

For whatever the reason, we were on the second floor balcony outside our apartment when someone noticed a meteor streak overhead. The show of meteors increased to almost a crescendo in frequency. It was fascinating and kept us on the balcony for at least 3 hours. Not until reading of this on the Internet in 2006 did realize I should write this down.

Up until this point in my life, I could probably count all the meteors I had seen on both hands. I spent many an hour stargazing with a book and a flashlight as a youngster. To see them streaking across the sky at an uncountable rate was a memorable moment.

This was highlighted by a single meteor of which IÕve yet to hear anyone describe. Time was probably between 2:30 & 4:00 am.

It started the same as any of them, but instantly it was different. The trajectory seemed to be from overhead directly toward our location! It grew in size rapidly until it appeared to be the size of the sun! The surrounding area, as far as one could see, was lit up just like noon! I must state that being on the 2nd floor in a building that was on side of a rise gave a view much further than at ground level.

The brainÕs first and immediate reaction was that it was going to hit the ground! IÕm sure we were all gasping. I do not recall any specific words spoken in the group. When even with the horizon, as if it were about to impact, there was a loud bang and it winked out as rapidly as it appeared. Often wondered if the fact that it was audible gave a clue to the distance. I know about the speed of sound versus that of light. I do not recall if there was any discernable delay between the wink-out and the bang.

Never having observed any such thing, I realize that sizes and distances were illusionary at best. It remains one of my favorite stories to tell. The event was so brief it seemed as if someone just set off a flashbulb. Sure burned the image into my brain!