Size of Object(s)

Very small

Distance to Object(s) & Altitude

Too subjective. Can't determine.

Shape of Object(s)

Pinpoint with the lead object trailing what seemed a veil

Color of Object(s):

Pale Gold

Full Description & Details

While waiting for 24Z, I was seeing a few lights (airplanes) in the sky and thinking if I knew the trajectory and the timing of the ISS, it was dark enough from this vantage point I could witness its crossing. Almost before I could finish that thought, I saw an eerie light; no, it was lights moving out of the northwest sky leisurely toward the southeast. UFO? I dismissed that thought immediately and got out of the car for a better look and thought I heard a swishing sound. Could I have heard anything? About that time the scanner announced EB 24Z had cleared the detector and several cars crossed the tracks so background noise was suddenly higher than it had been. About that time I saw the headlights of 24Z and he started sounding his 14L so further listening was out of the question.

As I was casually gazing toward the NW I was seeing a couple planes and then a light which looked different started toward the SE. It started as one light but as it was getting in front of me, it appeared as several including a separate one, same track, same speed but trailing a second or two of arc behind the first (cluster.) One or two pieces brightened temporarily as if a match were being struck but then returned to the original ephemeral glow. I kept my eyes on this phenomenon until it disappeared.The phenomenon reminded me of pictures of the space shuttle disintegrating on re-entry. This event occurred at 10:52 PM and lasted about 30 seconds and covered about 60 seconds of arc from just north of west to just south of east.

Was this a high altitude earth-grazing meteor cluster from the Bootids? Or possibly a tow plane with a pennant glowing with St Elmo’s fire? Perhaps I’ll never know.

[I copied and pasted from my daily journal.]

Witness Background

AAA Calltaker, Member Services (formerly Emergency Road Service call taker). Penn State, General Arts and Sciences, completed 3 years (no degree). US Navy veteran, 4 years. Interested in trains and astronomy. At Penn State wrote an article for the Daily Collegian about a bolide which exploded over central PA in the 1960's

Other Comments

The fact I thought I heard a "swishing" sound (which ambient noise levels prevented me from being sure of) led me to think a small plane pulling an advertising banner might have been returning late (after dark) to a nearby private airport. Since small craft can operate without filing a flight plan (I think) there may be no way of determining this. However, after reading a couple posts on your site (which I was Googled to), the date and time of the phenomenon led me to send this report. The similarities were compelling. Over the years I have seen many sights in the night sky which a non-critical or inexperienced observer might find unexplained but I know how illusory normal things can at times appear. In this case, I'm kind of leaning toward the Bootids.

Reported Sighting? 

Name: 

Your Location: 

Age: