2015-09-15 - Park Forest, IL - Oval

I spotted, then observed the large bright light for 40 minutes before going back to bed. I selected "oval" from the drop-down

I spotted, then observed the large bright light for 40 minutes before going back to bed. I selected "oval" from the drop-down, but its outline was more precisely shaped like the number 8, but with the top circle slightly into the bottom circle, and solid white light.

It was motionless, did not flash or change color, but did slightly dim on occasion, as if being covered shortly by clouds. It was at least twice the size and brightness of Venus (when its at its brightest in the summer, but nowhere close to where Venus is actually located in our sky.) It was directly east from us, located about 40 degrees from the horizon from my perspective.

There are stars in that region of sky and airplanes flying way off in the distance (toward Lake Michigan and IN), but this was not either of those or a meteor (40 minute observation) and huge in comparison. I did get the impression it was quite a distance eastward and at a substantial high altitude, but I had! no reference point to be certain about those aspects. I know the normal sky geography in that region well... I walk my dog every night between 9:30 and 11;00 PM and look out my kitchen window in that direction often several times a night between midnight and 5:00 AM. Whatever this was, it should not have been there, was not seen days before my sighting and nothing now several days after, extremely extraordinary and not even remotely similar to anything seen in that region of sky or anywhere else!

I have no way of knowing if it could have been from this planet or not, but I can absolutely attest to the fact that it was there, and it wasn't a natural object. Even at that time of night I'd bet other people also saw it, as it was that obvious.