Satelites don't "zig zag", so what did I see?
At 23:01 hours, Friday July 5, 2002, while walking alone in my residential neighbourhood I sighted a small bright point of light at approximately 60 % above the horizon moving rapidly from the north west (below the Big Dipper) and disappearing in the north behind a tree and the glare of a street light.
Initially I thought the object was a shooting star, but because there was no tail and its course and brightness remained steady for about 3 seconds, I felt it must be a satelite.
Then,to my amazement, the object made several instant course changes (i.e., 60% right, 60% left, 60% right then continuing on its original vector until disappearing). I have never seen such a thing. I immediately recorded the time of the event and documented my observations on arriving home.
The atmospheric conditions on July 5 were ideal for night viewing: temperatures were cool and the sky was moonless, cloudless and hazeless.
I hold B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, I've authoured papers in reputable scientific journals, and worked for many years as a researh scientist (field biologist).
At 23:01 hours, Friday July 5, 2002, while walking alone in my residential neighbourhood I sighted a small bright point of light at approximately 60 % above the horizon moving rapidly from the north west (below the Big Dipper) and disappearing in the north behind a tree and the glare of a street light.
Initially I thought the object was a shooting star, but because there was no tail and its course and brightness remained steady for about 3 seconds, I felt it must be a satelite.
Then,to my amazement, the object made several instant course changes (i.e., 60% right, 60% left, 60% right then continuing on its original vector until disappearing). I have never seen such a thing. I immediately recorded the time of the event and documented my observations on arriving home.
The atmospheric conditions on July 5 were ideal for night viewing: temperatures were cool and the sky was moonless, cloudless and hazeless.
I hold B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, I've authoured papers in reputable scientific journals, and worked for many years as a researh scientist (field biologist).
No
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No
No
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Off
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No
Saint Catharines
Canada
5-6 seconds
5-6 seconds
light
ON
Occurred : 7/5/2002 23:01 (Entered as : 07/05/02 23:01) Reported: 7/12/2002 10:15:50 AM 10:15 Posted: 7/26/2002 Location: St. Catharines (Canada), ON Shape: Light Duration: 5-6 seconds
Satelites don't "zig zag", so what did I see?