2015-12-30 - Orient, OR - Cylinder

While driving at sunset, I saw a hovering, vertical, cylindrical object glowing in the sun, which then separated into two objects.

While driving SE on Orient Drive, SE of Orient, OR, I saw a stationary, vertical object off to my right, which was illuminated by the setting sun. The object was about 10 or 15 degrees above the horizon. Its height was nearly the same visual size as the visual diameter of the moon (~0.5 degrees).

I continued driving for some distance along Orient Drive watching the object and looking for a place to park. I turned onto SE 312th and parked near Hwy 26. I watched the object, which was SW of my position, for several minutes.

The better view that I now had showed the object to have the appearance of a vertical cylinder. It was drifting extremely slowly to the south and began to separate into two cylinders one above the other, each with the proportions of a soup can. The upper cylinder began leading the lower as they moved southward, but they never completely separated.

After watching the object for several minutes, I decided to drive through Boring, OR, to try to get a closer look. I kept looking at it, as I drove, but then I lost sight of it before reaching Boring and never saw it again. I returned to my prior vantage point, but it was gone.

Since the object was in my view for the better part of a mile or more, it had to have been at least three or four miles distant and, given that distance, I would estimate the diameter of the cylinders to be 30 feet or more--perhaps much more.

I cannot venture a good guess as to what the object was. I have seen large tethered balloons used to call attention to sales, grand openings, etc. But unlike tethered balloons this object was moving, albeit slowly, and I saw no other indication of such an event taking place.

I work seasonally as a biologist or a biological science technician. My observational skills have to be very good for me to do my job.