Unusual predawn sighting.
About 5:45 a.m. Wednesday February 11,2004, I was out with my dog before leaving for work. I happened to look up at the moon and noticed, what at first, looked like two planets (one over the other). I recall thinking how unusual this would be without any pomp and circumstance in the news. They appeared to be planet-like instead of stars because their light was steady - not winking. I just couldn't believe the closeness of these two celestial bodies.
They were below the half-moon by about a hand width at anns length and very bright - similar to Venus and Jupiter. It was too high above the horizon to be Venus (approximate location of the sun at high noon), but there wasn't any other explanation in my opinion. The objects weren't moving - they were stationary. While standing there frozen in my gaze, the top one began fading in strength much like a variable star but happening so fast it couldn't have been.
I thought perhaps it might be a cloud or mist rolling across my view of this planet like object, but when I checked the sky, there wasn't a cloud or mist of any kind whatsoever. The stars and the moon were crystal clear and there was a faint star just below the moon that remained the same brightness throughout my observation.
Within less than 20 seconds the light from the first object had disappeared completely. I was flabbergasted. And then shortly afterward the second source began fading until within a short period of time, it too was gone.
It couldn't have been two stationary satellites reflecting the rising sun, because the sun would be shining on them (rising within the hour) - not setting on them.
(NOTE: This note is not for publication - I have included my work phone - not home phone number.)
((NUFORC Note: Possible sighting of planets?? PD))
About 5:45 a.m. Wednesday February 11,2004, I was out with my dog before leaving for work. I happened to look up at the moon and noticed, what at first, looked like two planets (one over the other). I recall thinking how unusual this would be without any pomp and circumstance in the news. They appeared to be planet-like instead of stars because their light was steady - not winking. I just couldn't believe the closeness of these two celestial bodies.
They were below the half-moon by about a hand width at anns length and very bright - similar to Venus and Jupiter. It was too high above the horizon to be Venus (approximate location of the sun at high noon), but there wasn't any other explanation in my opinion. The objects weren't moving - they were stationary. While standing there frozen in my gaze, the top one began fading in strength much like a variable star but happening so fast it couldn't have been.
I thought perhaps it might be a cloud or mist rolling across my view of this planet like object, but when I checked the sky, there wasn't a cloud or mist of any kind whatsoever. The stars and the moon were crystal clear and there was a faint star just below the moon that remained the same brightness throughout my observation.
Within less than 20 seconds the light from the first object had disappeared completely. I was flabbergasted. And then shortly afterward the second source began fading until within a short period of time, it too was gone.
It couldn't have been two stationary satellites reflecting the rising sun, because the sun would be shining on them (rising within the hour) - not setting on them.
(NOTE: This note is not for publication - I have included my work phone - not home phone number.)
((NUFORC Note: Possible sighting of planets?? PD))
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Off
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
West Roxbury
USA
3-5 Minutes
3-5 Minutes
42.28
-71.16
light
MA
Occurred : 2/11/2004 05:45 (Entered as : 02/11/2004 05:45) Reported: 2/26/2005 7:09:05 AM 07:09 Posted: 5/24/2005 Location: West Roxbury (subtown of Boston), MA Shape: Light Duration: 3-5 Minutes
((NUFORC Note: Possible sighting of planets?? PD)) Unusual pre-dawn sighting.