NUFORC Sighting 53764

Occurred: 2006-11-30 17:55 Local
Reported: 2006-12-02 10:33 Pacific
Duration: 3-4 minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Salem, OR, USA

Shape: Light

Bright planet type light that went nova and shrunk to nothing. Hurt my skin and eyes.

Went outside to have a smoke. Was sitting looking due south. Somewhat clear night. I immediately was what I thought was Jupiter, but very bright and larger than ususal. Then I though, wait a minute, Jupiter should be in the east. The moon was out 2/3 full to the left/east of this light. A jetliner was passing to the left of the moon and the object.

Light/large star continued to just be there for a minute or so. Then all of a sudden it started to grow large, very large, about 1/3 the size of the moon. Very,very bright. The brightest white light I have ever seen.

My mind was racing looking for any other lights around it-like landing lights-or sound, no sound, it was dead silent. As this light reached its maximum.

It shrunk down to nothing very rapidly and --nothing.

Later that night my eyes were very uncomfortable and my face cream burned when I put it on.

The next morning, fog had come in, and the oncoming headlights of traffic hurt my eyes badly.

I had to wear sunglasses half the entire day. Felt weird. My nextdoor neighbors porch lights went out.

Did anyone else see this? I don't wear glasses, I have excellent vision, I worked in aviation for 5 years.

Posted 2006-12-07