2013-07-03 - Tumwater, WA - Flash

Two bright flashes of light that appeared not to be a meteor.

I often take my night vision monocular and binoculars out into my backyard to look at the sky during breaks when I'm working late at night. I have seen many planes, helicopters, meteors and satellites. Even zig-zagging points of light high up that I can only assume were meteors, as I have read that meteors can zig-zag. I have never seen anything like this. It was very surprising.

Looking east from Tumwater, WA, west of I-5 looking towards the Olympia airport about 25 degrees up from the horizon, I saw a bright flash followed immediately by another bright flash and then nothing. If it was a meteor it was extremely bright, as I was watching this through my regular vision, without the binoculars or the NV.

As there was no streak, it would have had to been directly at me if it were a meteor, and based on the brightness, I would assume it would have lasted longer than the second that it took to make two flashes that bright.

Immediately afterward, I grabbed! my NV and there was nothing in the sky.

There was no sound associated with this flash, and no sound following.

I can't say I saw anything beyond just the flash, but it was definitely interesting.

I am very skeptical by nature, I would not have written this report unless it was something that I felt I couldn't explain.

((ADDENDUM FROM WITNESS))

Hi Peter,

I made a report last night, and after I reported it, I learned about satellite iridium flaring. I suppose it could have been that, but every website I can find that has satellite tracking says there was nothing in that direction, nor at that time. I just thought that was interesting, and should be noted on the report.

It was two bright flashes, the animation on wikipedia under Satellite flares does not look like what I saw.

Thanks!
((name deleted))

((END ADDENDUM))