2012-04-22 - Everett, WA - Triangle

Swiftly moving triangle with brighter lights at all three corners, plus one in the center.

I was watching for, and had observed the listed ISS sightings as posted on the NASA website for sightings, as it was a clear mild night here in Everett, Snohomish, WA. Although I have never heard of “PROGRESS46P”, it was also included in the NASA listings, so I thought I would see what I could see of that, too. I didn’t really know what I was looking for, but it was a nice evening and decided to watch the sky for that.

Instead, what I saw was a thing shaped like a perfect triangle with all three points a bit brighter, plus another point of light in the center equally bright. There were “lines” connecting all 3 sides, but nothing to the center light. It moved swiftly across the sky, but slow enough for me to focus upon it. It moved much faster than the ISS I had just observed. It was a very pale amber color overall. It followed a path similar to what I was expecting from both the ISS and PROGRESS46P, as their times were similar, as follows: [9:26PM--ISS tonight viewing duration was supposed to be for 3 minutes, 87 degrees maximum elevation, with an approach of 36 degrees WNW, and a departure of 23 degrees ESE.] A few minutes later, PROGRESS was to be as follows: [9:34PM—PROGRESS46P viewing duration was supposed to be for 3 minutes, 83 degrees maximum elevation, with an approach of 34 degrees above WNW, and a departure of 31 degrees above ESE.] I never saw PROGRESS—not sure what it looks like. I have seen the ISS many times if the sky is clear. But I have never seen a fast-moving “Triangle On a Mission”! How interesting!!