NUFORC Sighting 19399

Occurred: 2001-08-26 04:45 Local
Reported: 2001-09-03 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 4 - 5 min
No of observers: 1

Location: Ashtabula, OH, USA

Shape: Orb

Lights traveling from North to South.

I looked up at the sky while standing in my back yard waiting for my dog (to do her thing) and saw a small, steady light traveling from north to south, just west of where I stood. It looked like the Space Station in regard to speed and height. As I continued to watch, the light reached a point directly overhead and then began to glow very brightly (or appeared to increase several times in size). I thought I was seeing the beginning of a shooting star, but then its brightness diminished to its former level. This all took but a few moments. Around the same time, I noticed a second light trailing behind the first at the same distance and speed. When it reached the same point in its path, it too, glowed and then faded. I continued to watch both lights until I could no longer make them out. Throughout the observation, the lights traveled some 35 - 40 degrees.

NUFORC Note:

We observe that the first object is not inconsistent with the flare caused by an Iridium satellite. The second event sounds similar, but we do not know if multiple Iridium satellites can be that close in orbit. PD

Posted 2001-10-12