Astronomy Picture of the Day · December 17, 2009

Mojave Desert Fireball

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 17, 2009 is “Mojave Desert Fireball,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Credit & Copyright: Wally Pacholka ( AstroPics.com , TWAN )). The original explanation runs about 129 words.

From the explanation

“Monstrously bright, this fireball meteor lit up the Mojave Desert sky Monday morning, part of this year’s impressive Geminid meteor shower . Seen toward the southwest over rock formations near Victorville, California, a more familiar celestial background was momentarily washed out by the meteor’s flash.”

— APOD editors, December 17, 2009

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date: December 17, 2009
Type: Image
Credit: Credit & Copyright: Wally Pacholka ( AstroPics.com , TWAN )
Copyright: Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length: About 129 words

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Topics in this entry

Meteors

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On this day: December 17 in other years

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Source

Astronomy Picture of the Day, December 17, 2009 — science.nasa.gov/image-article/apod-2009-december-17-mojave-desert-fireball

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.