NUFORC Sighting 40383

Occurred: 2004-11-01 11:40 Local
Reported: 2004-11-01 14:33 Pacific
Duration: 30 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Riverside, CA, USA

Shape: Cylinder
Characteristics: Left a trail, Aircraft nearby

White object seen flying north to south, reflecting sunlight.

On 11/01/04 I was going for my daily walk. The sky was blue and clear, with strong, gusty winds. About 11:40, I noticed a white object appear above the treeline in front of me. At first, I thought it was a toy balloon or maybe a plastic bag that had been blown aloft by the wind. It became apparent that the object was not being tossed about by the wind, but was proceeding from north to south, straight as an arrow and contrary to the wind direction. It passed almost directly overhead, reflecting the sunlight as it passed. It appeared to be shiny, opaque white, not self-luminous. There were no wings, fins or other protrusions visible. The shape was a short tube with rounded ends, like a vitamin capsule or maybe an aircraft drop tank. I watched it until it disappeared in the distance to the south. I estimate that it was at least several tbousand feet high, as there were jetliners visible in the sky at the same time on approach to LAX and Ontario airport. The airliners appeared much higher that the object. The speed of the object reminded me of a military jet making a pass at an airshow, fast but not supersonic. There was no noticeable noise from the object, but there was a lot of background noise due to the wind in the trees. At one point, the object passed over, or maybe through, a cloud of dust which has been carried aloft by the wind, and it appeared to either make a wake throught it or cast a shadow on it as it passed. I am a law enforcement officer with 18 years experience, and have been an airplane buff since childhood.



Posted 2004-11-02

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