NUFORC Sighting 24957

Occurred: 2002-09-03 21:10 Local
Reported: 2002-09-09 07:11 Pacific
Duration: 5 minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA

Shape: Fireball
Characteristics: Aura or haze around object

Red Glow Streaks Across Southwest -- Crashes to Earth

I was working last Tuesday night in Las Vegas. While I was standing outside I saw a strange red glowing object moving southwest to northeast. The object appeared to be spherical but was slightly irregular and it's intensity varied. It looked like it was spinning or burning but maintained it's trajectory. After watching it for about 5 minutes it suddenly stopped and fell directly to earth. I watched it fall until it disappeared over the horizon above the surrounding buildings. As it fell it got even brighter, like a large fireball 500-3000 miles away? I have flown small aircraft and know airplanes. I have also spent many nights camping in Nevada's desert and know the difference between airplanes, satellites and meteors. When I saw this I was standing in a brightly lit parking lot in the middle of Las Vegas, certainly someone in Northern Nevada must have seen this? I have not seen anything on the news or in the paper? I'm not sure exactly what it was but it was very unusual. Any information concerning this or news of a related sighting would be greatly appreciated.

Posted 2002-09-13