An exceptionally luminous meteor, described as a “bolide” and brighter than the planet Venus, was recently captured on camera in eastern France during a period of ideal viewing conditions for the Geminid meteor shower [[2]]. The sighting, recorded by an automated camera operated by the Dole astronomy club, underscores the increasing role of citizen science and technological advancements in the study of near-Earth objects [[1]]. Astronomers are now working to determine if the bolide, observed December 12th, 2023, resulted in a meteorite landing in the region, possibly triggering a recovery effort.
A remarkably bright meteor, described as brighter than the planet Venus, was captured by an automated camera in eastern France on the night of December 12th, 2023. The sighting highlights the growing field of amateur astronomy and the use of technology to track and study celestial events.
A “Bolide” Brighter Than Venus Spotted Over France
Nicolas Rossetto, a member of the Dole astronomy club, explained that conditions were ideal for observing the Geminid meteor shower. “That night, the sky was clear in northern Jura, while the entire plain of the Saône was in fog,” he said. The last quarter moon didn’t rise until 1:00 AM, creating a dark sky conducive to meteor viewing.
Rossetto had positioned a camera on a rooftop the previous night, anticipating the Geminids, but due to cloud cover, he wasn’t actively observing. At 12:05 AM, the camera recorded what astronomers call a “bolide” near Jouhe. “A bolide is a meteor that is brighter than Venus, also known as the shepherd’s star,” Rossetto explained. Venus is the brightest object in the sky after the Sun and the Moon.
“I didn’t expect a bolide to appear in that location,” Rossetto continued, “so I reported it to Vigie Ciel.” Vigie Ciel is a citizen science program dedicated to observing meteors, searching for meteorites, and identifying impact craters. The program is linked to Fripon, which detects bolides entering the atmosphere, traces their origins, and pinpoints potential meteorite landing zones.
Possible Meteorite Fall in Jura in 2020
Based on its altitude, Rossetto believes the bolide likely burned up over Haute-Saône or Côte d’Or. However, if an object reaches the ground, a search campaign can be initiated. A similar event potentially occurred in the Jura region in February 2020, prompting a search near Gendrey that was ultimately halted with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another celestial event is expected in January, though visibility may be reduced. “We will be passing through a cloud of dust, but with the full moon at the beginning of January, it will be less visible.”
The Dole astronomy club holds regular meetings and observation sessions. Contact: [email protected]
