Krupp

“You’re seeing a glowing tunnel of hot air that might be 10 miles in diameter produced by this very tiny little pebble that’s passing through the atmosphere and burns up,” Krupp said.

It was unclear from that phrasing whether Krupp considered himself to be among the deceived.

The planets “are always more or less on the same path, and occasionally a few more of them are visible in the night sky,” Krupp said.

By 3 a.m. the showers will be nearly overhead, Krupp said.

They are known as gantry cranes - meaning they straddle and overlook their workspace - and are of Krupp Ardelt design, modified to meet Harland and Wolff's special requirements.