NUFORC Sighting 09688

Occurred: 1991-09-12 19:35 Local
Reported: 1999-09-12 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 5-10 MINS.
No of observers: 4

Location: Renton, WA, USA

Shape: Fireball
Characteristics: Left a trail, Changed Color, Aircraft nearby

At 7:35 P.M. this evening I witnessed an object traveling from S.E to N.W. It appeared to be similar to a "shooting star" with a bright, white head and an orange firey tale. It traveled across the sky in a straight direction until it was out of sight.

This evening while barbequeing in the backyard, I was on my 2nd story deck facing westward when I looked up and noticed an orange tail behind an object traveling at a fairly high rate of speed.(faster than a commercial jet) I stood there for a few seconds watching this thing heading towards the sunset. It reminded me of a high-flying jet with a vapor trail, except this trail stayed the same length as it traveled. The 'head' of the object looked like a very bright whitish color, kind of flashy while it was close, then only the bright orange tail was visible as it moved further away. It seemed to be turning gently more westward as it moved further away. I would say it took maybe 4-6 minutes before it was completely out of sight, which I am guessing over the Olympic Mountains. My brother saw it through his binoculars and his best guess was that of a piece of space junk re-entering the atmosphere at a very shallow pitch. Or a metoer. He said he thought there might be a 'chaser' plane, too. He said it was hard to tell because the trees were in the way. He is an engineer at Boeing in Everett and has some pretty good knowledge about aerodynamics. I finally got my wits and grabbed my 35mm camera! Took 2 photos at the 90mm telephoto setting. It was pretty far off in the distance when I took the pictures. I will get the film developed this week and scan them for you if they turn out! Wow! How exciting to see it. (I work at Boeing also, 41 yrs, lived in the Seattle area all my life.)

Posted 1999-10-02

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