Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-01-16
Saw Aero|ite Explode.
Great Phenomenon Lights Up
Sky Sunday Evening.

Many persons in this vicinity were
more or less startled Sunday evening
last by several flashes of light in the
sky much like that of lightning. An
explosion followed, which shook many
buildings around town.
The light was flashed from an aerolite
or meteor. and Mr.. Paul Fleagle, of this
office, was one who had the pleasure to
to see the meteor explode and send forth
hundreds of starlike particles.
Speaking of tneaerolite, the Monday
morning Baltimore American says:
Descending apparently to an altitude
of no more than.75 miles from the earth's
surface, an aerolte, more popularity
called an explosive meteor, shortly after
uightfall yesterday afforded the north
western section of Maryland and other
places, including Baltimore, magnif-
cent display of celestial disturbance, eli
making it with an explosion, the force
of which rocked two signal towers and
momentarily paralyzed the aerials of
numerous wireless stations and electric
plants.
wholly distinct from the numerous
star showers which normally occur in
November, the display last night resulted
from the wild plunge of single heaven
derelict, but was more vivid than a hun
dred shooting stars. The trail of the
giant body mad" blue white by friction al
agitation, was visible for period of Is
seconds and was then blotted out by
white and gold flash as the final blast
was seen. Blackness except where
Pickering star pierced it then spread ov-
er the sky like qnickly drawn curtain,
The lurid ncandescenoe faded intq tene-
brous haze more quickly than it came.
First appearance of the brilliant mass
came at about $40 p m. 1t was all
over in minute-or less The frst Wis
Utility was possible from the fireba|l, so
to speak, constituted the prov of the
giant derelict. This quickly flattened out
into an arc trail, becoming more intense
as to vividness as the semicircle was de-
scribed. The apparent fame. ascintil-
lating white, then became tinged with
blue, which continued to dominate the
phenomenon until the final burst.
Instead of causing shower Of frag-
ments, the detonation seemingly marked
the entire destruction of the body. The
fact classified the monster, to scientists,
as of the boide variety. which is to say
that it was of the species that destroys
itself instead of causing shower of bril-
liant debris. This classification disposes
of any idea that the meteor might have
buried itself in the earths surface.
Judging from the bulk of the brilliance
and the marked absence of atoms, the
aerolite is thought to have been about
1000 feet in diameter and perhaps twice
as long.
"In Frederick last night there was
much excitement and likewise in Carroll
County, particularly at Westminster. At
Union Bridge the aviator theory prevail
ed in spite Of the circumstances. Balti
more, too, had splendid view. Bnt it
remained for G. S. Snyder, the signal
towerman at Adamstown, to get real
thrill out of the big show. Mr.. Snyder
spotted the aerolite as soon as it appear
ed, and while he was gaping at it the de-
detonation came and rocked his tower
with vehemence. Mr.. S yder required
several minutes to recover"