NUFORC Sighting 34927

Occurred: 2004-02-07 18:05 Local
Reported: 2004-02-08 18:42 Pacific
Duration: about 45 sec
No of observers: 1

Location: Riverside, CA, USA

Shape: Light
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aircraft nearby

Bright white light moving west to east, faster than commercial jet

I was stading on my back porch looking at the evening sky, when my attention was drawn to a bright light almost directly overhead. The light was slightly to the west when I first noticed it. It looked like a bluish white large planet (I don't know anything about astronomy, I just like to look at the sky), but I noticed that it was moving to the east. It appeared to be quite high, and was moving quite a bit faster than a commercial aircraft, but definitely slower than a meteor. The light continued going east, and I watched it until it disappeared behind some trees in the distance (almost to the eastern horizon.) The light did not flash or flicker like an exhaust or reflected light, it seemed to be self-luminous. It did not leave a trail behind like a missile or meteor. I did not see any red or green navigation lights as it departed to the east, which I would have expected it it were an aircraft. It is unusual to see any air traffic going directly west to east from this location. Riverside is under the approach for LA and Orange County airports, and there were numerous jetliners in the sky at the same time, all going from east to west, or from NE to SW for Orange County. All had easily seen red and green navigation lights and strobing white lights in addition to their landing lights. The object was noticeably different that the jetliners in appearance. There were faint jet engine noise heard, but it was probably related to the commercial aircraft going overhead at the same time.

Posted 2004-02-12