2015-03-06 - Gladewater, TX

Hesitant to post, since not a UFO, but what could cause Sirius to appear to move?

Tonight, March 6, 2014, I walked outside and was looking at the stars, and saw one that appeared to move, only short distances at a time. It is possible that my eyes are playing tricks on me, especially since when I walked 20 feet to make sure my viewing was not affected by a tree, I saw Orion and realized I was looking at Sirius (just out from the right foot of Orion).

Sirius did not appear to move more than the viewable distance between two of the stars of Orion's belt at a time. It would move to the side, up or down, sometimes in a circular motion, for a portion of or one full circle. While focusing on it, 2 or 3 times I did see a streak of light similar to that seen in a meteor shower, in my peripheral vision.

I quite often look specifically in the sky for Sirius, usually by locating Orion first. What caught my eye tonight was that it appeared to be moving. I attempted to rule out movement of my body as causing the perception of the movement of the star, but leaning up against a vehicle did not eliminate the movement. I realize that does not mean that the appearance of movement was not caused by movement of my body, or possibly by movement of my soft contacts.

I am aware of how Sirius appears to flicker and shimmer, and that it may appear to have blue or rainbow colors in the flickering. As many times as I have admired Sirius in the past in the night sky, I have never had any perception of movement, simply admired the various colors or the flickering.

Weather details: The Weather Channel statements and radar show no clouds, 34 degrees F, 34 degree wind chill, last night was the full moon. Viewing time: 10:15 thru 10:45 PM CST.

I am quite disappointed , as I initially thought I had seen my first UFO. Not having expertise or training in climatology, I am curious to know how Sirius could appear to be moving? Ockham's Razor would dictate that it is 34 degrees outside (34 degree wind chill) and that it is impossible to keep my body from tensing up against the cold, thus the appearance of movement in Sirius is actually my own.