Private Pilot/Amateur Astronomer Witnesses Satellite-like Object Make 2 Course Corrections
Not too long after sunset, with a very few broken clouds illuminated by street lights, a bright white light was noticed overhead while stargazing.
It was similar to a typical satellite in its appearance and speed and it tracked rapidly on a heading of about 100 degrees; just a little to the right of due east. The brightness was steady and there were no rotating beacons, sound, nor change of colors noticed.
The object tracked at about 100 degrees for approximately one minute, then angled to a new heading of approximately 120 degrees. It remained on this heading for only about 30 seconds when it made another angular change to a heading of about 140 degrees, where it was at an elevation of about 45 degrees or thereabout.
The object dimmed after about 15 seconds and was no longer visible. It did not go behind a cloud. From this, I gathered that it was a reflected light and the object dimmed as it moved into the earth's shadow. This meant that the object was at considerable altitude and, by the short duration, was traveling rapidly.
Being a private pilot, an amateur astronomer and general skeptic, I chose to report this sighting as something truly beyond anything I have ever witnessed in the sky at night.
((NUFORC Note: Witness indicates that the date of the incident is approximate. PD))
Not too long after sunset, with a very few broken clouds illuminated by street lights, a bright white light was noticed overhead while stargazing.
It was similar to a typical satellite in its appearance and speed and it tracked rapidly on a heading of about 100 degrees; just a little to the right of due east. The brightness was steady and there were no rotating beacons, sound, nor change of colors noticed.
The object tracked at about 100 degrees for approximately one minute, then angled to a new heading of approximately 120 degrees. It remained on this heading for only about 30 seconds when it made another angular change to a heading of about 140 degrees, where it was at an elevation of about 45 degrees or thereabout.
The object dimmed after about 15 seconds and was no longer visible. It did not go behind a cloud. From this, I gathered that it was a reflected light and the object dimmed as it moved into the earth's shadow. This meant that the object was at considerable altitude and, by the short duration, was traveling rapidly.
Being a private pilot, an amateur astronomer and general skeptic, I chose to report this sighting as something truly beyond anything I have ever witnessed in the sky at night.
((NUFORC Note: Witness indicates that the date of the incident is approximate. PD))
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Cleveland
USA
5 Min
5 Min
41.47
-81.64
light
OH
Occurred : 11/8/2007 21:30 (Entered as : 11/08/07 21:30) Reported: 11/12/2007 10:29:04 AM 10:29 Posted: 11/28/2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Shape: Light Duration: 5 Min
Private Pilot/Amateur Astronomer Witnesses Satellite-like Object Make 2 Course Corrections