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Dr. Marcelo Souza, professor of physics in Campos Dos Goytacazes, called me and reported that witnesses had just seen this event from Campos Dos Goytacazes, Vitoria, and Cabo Frio, in Rio de Janeiro State, Brasil approximately 20 minutes prior. It has now been confirmed that there was a single bolide seen by many persons in north Rio de Janeiro State, Brasil.

Campos Dos Goytacazes Brasil Sentinel Allsky Network is currently checking for video capture.

Dirk Ross, LunarMeteorite*Hunter, Tokyo, Japan, Dr. Marcelo Souza, IFF-R.J. and Sentinel Allsky established the Brasil Allsky Network, the FIRST in South America, last year.

Ross says, “This event, along with the recent Russia and other large events demonstrates that Brasil needs to take the threat of an asteroid impact more seriously and expand the Brasil Allsky Network nationwide for detection”.

Ross is hoping that Sao Paulo State will soon establish the second network.

Eyewitness Report

“Avistei hoje, às 1312 UTC, em vitória, es, um metero cruzando o céu, sentido norte para sul. O meteoro foi visto por cerca de 5 segundos por mim. Mais 4 testemunhas, que estavam no local, também avistaram. Uma das testemunhas, que avistou um pouco antes, deve ter visto o mesmo por cerca de 12 segundos antes dele se desintegrar na atmosfera.

O que vi foi basicamente um rastro iluminado, amarelado, cruzando o céu numa trajetória descendente e se desintegrando completamente.”

Google translation

“I saw today at 1312 UTC, in victory, es, a metero across the sky, north to south. The meteor was seen by about 5 seconds for me. More 4 witnesses who were at the scene also spotted. One witnesses who saw a little before, must have seen it for about 12 seconds before it disintegrates in the atmosphere.

What I saw was basically a trail illuminated, yellow, streaking across the sky in a downward trend and disintegrating completely. ”

Verified by Dr. Marcelo Souza – Name of eyewitness withheld as requested.

Marcelo de Oliveira Souza

D.Sc. in Physics – Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense

Louis Cruls Astronomy Club General Coordinator

Astronomers Without Borders National Coordinator in Brazil

UNAWE Program Coordinator in Brazil

Sidewalk Astronomers – Brazil National Contact

StarPeace Ambassador in Brazil

Another Witness: Thank you John!

20 February 2013 – “John”JB, Campos Basin, Brazil @ 10:30 approx local time

4-5 seconds duration. North to South direction. Orange colour. As bright as the Sun. Fragmentation: 3 or 4 large pieces. I did not note the time, but between 09:30 and 10:30 local time. Ship position: 22 – 09.0 S, 039 – 57.1 W. I was looking directly West and saw the whole event.