Two objects, each a set of triangular lights, moving due East at 20:50 on 4/16/07 in Rolla, Missouri.
(N97.56.616 W91.45.873) I was in my front yard observing iridium flares, having just watched one flash at 28 degrees Alt. and 354 degrees Azimuth when one in the party whose attention I was directing said "look, the big dipper."
As I averted my attention toward the dipper at her response, I could see what appeared to be two objects passing West to East. Each object was a triangular arrangement of lights; white in color, not blinking, and about second magnitude. They passed very near Mizar and Alcor, the southernmost object within a degree north.
The separation of the base lights of the triangle shape was almost equal to these previously mentioned stars, with the forward light about twice that separation. Each object was about 4 degrees apart on a north-south line, and maintained that arrangement during the 45 seconds of observation. They became too faint to track as they passed from 25 Boo to 36 Boo in Bootes.
There were no associated sounds.
I am an amateur astronomer, 50 years old. The other observer was my wife, who realized the significance of the sighting and drew a diagram independently to compare to mine for accuracy.
Others present could not find the objects until the objects were nearly gone.
((NUFORC Note: We spoke with this witness via telephone, shortly after his sighting, and we found him to be quite sober-minded. We suspect that he probably is an exceptionally good witness. PD))
(N97.56.616 W91.45.873) I was in my front yard observing iridium flares, having just watched one flash at 28 degrees Alt. and 354 degrees Azimuth when one in the party whose attention I was directing said "look, the big dipper."
As I averted my attention toward the dipper at her response, I could see what appeared to be two objects passing West to East. Each object was a triangular arrangement of lights; white in color, not blinking, and about second magnitude. They passed very near Mizar and Alcor, the southernmost object within a degree north.
The separation of the base lights of the triangle shape was almost equal to these previously mentioned stars, with the forward light about twice that separation. Each object was about 4 degrees apart on a north-south line, and maintained that arrangement during the 45 seconds of observation. They became too faint to track as they passed from 25 Boo to 36 Boo in Bootes.
There were no associated sounds.
I am an amateur astronomer, 50 years old. The other observer was my wife, who realized the significance of the sighting and drew a diagram independently to compare to mine for accuracy.
Others present could not find the objects until the objects were nearly gone.
((NUFORC Note: We spoke with this witness via telephone, shortly after his sighting, and we found him to be quite sober-minded. We suspect that he probably is an exceptionally good witness. PD))
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Yes
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Off
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Yes
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Rolla
USA
45 seconds
45 seconds
37.95
-91.76
triangle
MO
Occurred : 4/16/2007 20:50 (Entered as : 04/16/07 20:50) Reported: 4/16/2007 8:22:12 PM 20:22 Posted: 4/27/2007 Location: Rolla, MO Shape: Triangle Duration: 45 seconds Characteristics: There were lights on the object, There were aircraft in the vicinity or aircraft chasing the object
Two objects, each a set of triangular lights, moving due East at 20:50 on 4/16/07 in Rolla, Missouri.