What are the chances of seeing two shooting stars at exactly the same time traveling right next to each other in the same exact direction, appearing at the same time and disappearing at the same time? The chances of this happening seems slim to me, and it happened to have happened after asking G-d for a sign, i don't care whether you believe me or not, but just tell me, is it likely?
2007-11-06 11:02:25 · 6 answers · asked by xdivineknightx 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It's very likely. A meteoroid can break up as it approaches earth, resulting in two or more meteors striking the atmosphere at almost the same place, and traveling in the same direction. I have seen this myself, three meteors at one time shooting in close formation like they were mirror images of each other, appearing and fading at the same time, keeping the exact same distance from each other.
2007-11-06 11:13:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, it's very unlikely, but it does depend a bit on the time of year. If we're in the middle of a meteor shower, the odds would be a bit higher.
A meteor shower happens when the earth in its orbit moves through the trail of dust and debris from a comet or broken up meteor. Some meteor showers in history have been so dense that it actually appears that the earth was moving through a starry tunnel in the sky, like a natural IMAX theater! But this is extremely rare. If you've seen what you describe, consider yourself very lucky and appreciate the memory.
2007-11-06 19:07:31 · answer #2 · answered by ansrdog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's very likely. In fact, what you saw was almost certainly a single meteor that broke into two pieces high in the atmosphere or in space due to local solar heating on one side or the other or both. Happens all the time. I have seen several meteors that broke apart as I watched them. As to whether or not it was a sign, that is still up to you and I do believe you.
2007-11-06 19:17:10 · answer #3 · answered by Larry454 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
if by your description you mean parallel, then extremely unlikely, and you were very lucky to witness such a thing. i'm an amateur astronomer, seen countless meteor showers, and have NEVER witnessed two shooting stars fitting your description. typical, of course... :)
er, when was this? it was almost certainly during one of the annual meteor showers. why did you not provide a date to this very pertinent information in an astronomy & space question, but chose instead to include a reference to religion?
sorry, but if G_d was giving you a sign, i'm afraid it was with nothing more than debris after the formation of the solar system.
or G_d's waste if you prefer...
i prefer the scientific approach to watching meteor showers personally:
http://www.imo.net/calendar/2007
2007-11-06 19:40:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not likely, but its not impossible.
A meteor can split into 2 or more pieces as it enters the atmosphere, and they would continue to travel side by side as they burned up from friction.
If they were about the same size they would travel the same distance and burn out at the same time.
2007-11-06 20:34:25 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is everyone's "o" key out of order?
2007-11-06 22:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by Choose a bloody best answer. It's not hard. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋