NUFORC Sighting 179692

Occurred: 2023-12-12 20:15 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2023-12-12 21:30 Pacific
Duration: 12 seconds
No of observers: 2

Location: West Harrison, IN, USA

Shape: Unknown
Color: Red/blue/white
Estimated Size: Not possible to tell
Viewed From: Land
Direction from Viewer: East
Angle of Elevation: 20
Closest Distance: Not possible to tell, but far away
Estimated Speed: Crossed the sky in ~
Characteristics: Aura or haze around object, Left a trail

Fast moving object with glittering trail

Approximate Coordinates: 39°13'N 84°51'W

Approximate Time: 20:15-20:25 (UTC-5:00) EST

Direction of Travel: Northeasterly to Southeasterly

Approximate Length of Sighting: 12 seconds

Viewers: Myself and my wife once I got her attention towards it

Facing the eastern sky from my driveway as we were getting out of our vehicle coming home from dinner when I noticed a fast moving "glittering" trail of red/white/blue moving from Beta Tauri in the Taurus constellation towards the Orion constellation between Alnitak & Mintaka of Orion's belt and down towards the horizon.

In front of the moving "glittering" trail was something that was not possible to make out. The trail extended out in the sky about what would be a 9in. or 22.86cm length if holding a ruler at arm's length towards the sky, and followed whatever object was moving through the sky. This object and trail moved past the horizon.

I wish I had the time to have pulled out my Galaxy S23 Ultra to try and capture pictures/video of this event but it went too fast and I was too excited to see something new in the sky. I could not find any satellite or Starlink trackers that would show any potential sightings at that time as they only provide me with the upcoming sightings. This did not resemble any meteor we have ever seen before but it was beautiful and fascinating.

Anybody able to help determine if what we saw was something prosaic? I would love to know what it might have been and if we can track it to see it again.

Posted 2023-12-20