The people of Stamford were alarmed by a very bright light in the sky and a rumbling noise. They thought it might be an earthquake, but it turned out to be a meteor.
“A curious phenomenon was witnessed in Stamford and the country for many miles round at ½ past 10 o’clock on Monday night last. At a time when the atmosphere was beautifully clear, the heavens were suddenly illuminated with an intensely vivid light, which lasted for several seconds, and eclipsed the effect of gas and candles: this was followed by a hollow rumbling sound, which gradually increased to a report like thunder: it vibrated in the air, and shook buildings to their foundations. The alarm was general. Domestics who were in underground kitchens describe the noise as a seemingly proceeding from the bowels of the earth; and many thought their neighbours’ houses has fallen in. There was no repetition of either the light or the sound: hence some attribute the phenomenon to an earthquake, and others to meteoric agency.
– A gentleman who devotes much attention to scientific pursuits, has supplied us with the following account:- A meteor passed over Stamford on Monday night, its course being from west to east. The splendour of its light far exceeded that of the full moon : and in brilliancy it surpassed the electric light. Its shape was that of a ball surrounded by a dazzling light of a pale blue colour: from the nucleus, or head, proceeded an elongated stream of tortuous light, which displayed magnificently all the colours of the rainbow, and throughout its extent continued to throw off bright sparks, or rather masses of incandescent matter, resembling in appearance the effect produced by the discharge of a ticket. It was visible for three or four seconds. In about three or four minutes after it disappeared, a loud heavy noise resembling distant thunder was heard, producing the effects usually resulting from an earthquake. The altitude of meteors of this character is estimated to be about 90 miles, and the velocity of their motion is about 1000 miles in a minutes: their origin, as well as the matter of which they consist, have in all ages been subjects of debate, but their appearance has seldom failed to produce considerable alarm, and as ‘blazing stars’ they no doubt constitute on part of the ancient prodigies.”
The Stamford Mercury, 15th February, 1850.