Greenland superbolide event of 1997 December 9

Data on the trajectory and orbit of an extremely bright bolide (superbolide ) over Greenland on 1997 December 9 are given, and circumstances of the phe nomenon and its observations are described. A surveillance video camera and satellite-based records enabled computing the trajectory and orbit indepen dently of visual sightings of casual observers. The superbolide body of abo ut 36 000 kg penetrated the atmosphere with an initial velocity of 30.5 +/- 1.7 km s(-1). Its orbit was a long-period orbit and seems to be at varianc e with the low value of ablation coefficient (0.017 kg MJ(-1)) derived from modeling the atmospheric trajectory. However, such an event has been docum ented previously. Also the intensity and brevity of the satellite-detected light flares are highly unusual. The impact area of the main hypothetical r emnant of the body is given. Search for meteorites was performed. No meteor ites were recovered. Also analysis of snow samples gave no hint of meteorit ic dust.