NUFORC Sighting 33537

Occurred: 2003-12-01 19:30 Local
Reported: 2003-12-01 20:39 Pacific
Duration: 10 Minutes or more

Location: Stevens Point, WI, USA

Shape: Light
Characteristics: Aura or haze around object

Goldish orange light in the southeast sky.

Driving south on I39, I noticed a bright light in the southeast sky. It was the brightest thing in the sky, but no brighter than mars was at it's full intensity. I was trying to figure out if it could possibly be an airplane going for a landing or a planet (not sure what is going on astronomically these days) and driving and trying to watch for deer. The object didn't appear to be moving, but the light (goldish orangish)did vary in intensity. I calculated it to be in almost a direct line with Orions dagger which was pointing in a southerly ground direction so I could go home and see what planet it might be. It suddenly disappeared. No clouds in the sky...half moon in the other half of the sky. Strange.

NUFORC Note:

A perfect description of the dramatically bright, twinkling star, Sirius. PD

Posted 2003-12-09