A single star-like object moved in straight line, west to east, traversing overhead from horizon begining to horizon ending within 18-20 seconds. Object stopped suddenly on 4-5 occassions for 1-2 seconds intervals and resumed course. Est. speed 25-30,000 mph. Similar witnessing by 4 Nat'l Guard members of 184th Air Assault while on patrol within 80 miles of this location apx 8-9 weeks early. Saw 4 similar lights that departed in opposing directions after travelling for some distance in a high speed straight line formation. Radical high speed 90 degree turn.
I was setting up my telescope ( huge 12.5 Meade light bucket ) with 20 year old son-in-law. Night was especially clear and we were using my wide angle lense for moon viewing. While I was focused on moon, SIL said, "Hey whats that!" I turned, followed his pointing and coming overhead was a fast moving object. It appeared slightly slower than a falling comet, but faster than any jet. It was a single dot of white light that went in a straight line, but stopped, started and repeated this several times while I wheeled my telescope around to catch a glimps of it. My SIL kept it in constant view by his naked eye and I aligned the Dobson mount and pointed the scope skyward at the object. It was nearly at the end of the horizon when I believe I caught a glimps of it. It was only a fraction of a second, but I believe it was longer than it was wide and bright metalic. No other detail could be determined. While explaining this to a friend the next day I was advised he was 1 of 4 on patrol at apx 0400 hrs. in foothills about 90 miles away. All 4 guardsmen observed 4 star-like objects flying high overhead until they shot away in different directions. The were stunned. In both cases we believe the object/s was extraordinarely high and there was no noise. Sorry no other detail, just the pin point appearance of a distant start moving fast! Very fast. FYI: Beale AFB close by both sightings. Also I am former pilot. This was not a comet, strongly doubt it was a satellite, NOT a balloon or aircraft. Served aboard navy missile tracker. I know what rockets and sats look like. Have no idea what this was. I am not at all interested in having my name linked to some UFO sighting... no thanks, but I will at least share this story for what its worth. Its 100% true, unembellished fact. In closing I would not have believed the Guard story if I had not seen this first, even though the witness its extremely credible. He seemed as astonished as I was. He was in Nevada county at the time, just above Yuba County! where Beale AFB is located. Beale is a U-2 base and former SR-71 base.
I was setting up my telescope ( huge 12.5 Meade light bucket ) with 20 year old son-in-law. Night was especially clear and we were using my wide angle lense for moon viewing. While I was focused on moon, SIL said, "Hey whats that!" I turned, followed his pointing and coming overhead was a fast moving object. It appeared slightly slower than a falling comet, but faster than any jet. It was a single dot of white light that went in a straight line, but stopped, started and repeated this several times while I wheeled my telescope around to catch a glimps of it. My SIL kept it in constant view by his naked eye and I aligned the Dobson mount and pointed the scope skyward at the object. It was nearly at the end of the horizon when I believe I caught a glimps of it. It was only a fraction of a second, but I believe it was longer than it was wide and bright metalic. No other detail could be determined. While explaining this to a friend the next day I was advised he was 1 of 4 on patrol at apx 0400 hrs. in foothills about 90 miles away. All 4 guardsmen observed 4 star-like objects flying high overhead until they shot away in different directions. The were stunned. In both cases we believe the object/s was extraordinarely high and there was no noise. Sorry no other detail, just the pin point appearance of a distant start moving fast! Very fast. FYI: Beale AFB close by both sightings. Also I am former pilot. This was not a comet, strongly doubt it was a satellite, NOT a balloon or aircraft. Served aboard navy missile tracker. I know what rockets and sats look like. Have no idea what this was. I am not at all interested in having my name linked to some UFO sighting... no thanks, but I will at least share this story for what its worth. Its 100% true, unembellished fact. In closing I would not have believed the Guard story if I had not seen this first, even though the witness its extremely credible. He seemed as astonished as I was. He was in Nevada county at the time, just above Yuba County! where Beale AFB is located. Beale is a U-2 base and former SR-71 base.
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Butte County
USA
20 seconds
20 seconds
light
CA
Occurred : 3/9/1998 19:40 (Entered as : 03/09/98 19:40) Reported: 3/11/1998 23:45 Posted: 1/28/1999 Location: Butte County, CA Shape: Light Duration: 20 seconds
A single star-like object moved in straight line, west to east, traversing overhead from horizon begining to horizon ending within 18-2