I witnessed this event this evening, 4/26/05 but your form would not let me enter today's date.
I believe what I witnessed was a satellite but I'll enter it here and let you be the judge. I was sitting in my hottub in the back yard looking up at the Eastern sky when very suddenly a bright light appeared out of nowhere. It appeared to be quite high (like a star) was traveling slowly, in a straight line, from North to South, and passed, from my perspective, just below the tail of the Big Dipper.
It was dim at first, just a dim star-like dot, then suddenly and very briefly (1-3 seconds) became very bright - brighter than the brightest planet in the sky. Then it dimmed and disappeared from view.
My theory is that it was a satellite that perhaps reflected some sunlight briefly. It did not zig or zag or change directions. I often see satellites in the night sky from our back yard, traveling in straight lines, but this kind of "flash" is unusual, so figured I'd report it. I enjoy your site. Thanks for your honest and serious attempt to investigate these phenomenon.
((NUFORC Note: Probably Iridium satellite #29 or 95, we suspect. Schedule from
I believe what I witnessed was a satellite but I'll enter it here and let you be the judge. I was sitting in my hottub in the back yard looking up at the Eastern sky when very suddenly a bright light appeared out of nowhere. It appeared to be quite high (like a star) was traveling slowly, in a straight line, from North to South, and passed, from my perspective, just below the tail of the Big Dipper.
It was dim at first, just a dim star-like dot, then suddenly and very briefly (1-3 seconds) became very bright - brighter than the brightest planet in the sky. Then it dimmed and disappeared from view.
My theory is that it was a satellite that perhaps reflected some sunlight briefly. It did not zig or zag or change directions. I often see satellites in the night sky from our back yard, traveling in straight lines, but this kind of "flash" is unusual, so figured I'd report it. I enjoy your site. Thanks for your honest and serious attempt to investigate these phenomenon.
((NUFORC Note: Probably Iridium satellite #29 or 95, we suspect. Schedule from
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Off
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Lewiston
USA
3 seconds
3 seconds
44.10
-70.19
ME
Occurred : 4/26/2005 20:30 (Entered as : 20:30) Reported: 4/26/2005 7:28:32 PM 19:28 Posted: 5/11/2005 Location: Lewiston, ME Shape: Duration: 3 seconds
I witnessed this event this evening, 4/26/05 but your form would not let me enter today's date. ((NUFORC Note: Iridium flare. PD))