NUFORC Sighting 76104

Occurred: 2010-07-03 22:42 Local
Reported: 2010-07-04 09:16 Pacific
Duration: 1 minute approx.
No of observers: 1

Location: Riverside, CA, USA

Shape: Orb
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aircraft nearby

Dull orange orb suddenly appears

On 07/03/2010 at 2242 hours, I was sitting on my back porch looking at the sky. The sky was clear, with stars, satellites and aircraft visible. A dull orange colored orb suddenly "switched on" about 30 degrees above the southern horizon. It was large in comparison to the stars and planets, I would estimate it was the size of a pea at arm's length. It was moving quickly in an arc heading towards the northeast, faster than any of the aircraft that were visible but too slow to be a meteor.

The orb had an appearance similar to a circular charcoal briquet, with the center slightly flickering as it moved. It was not very bright at all, as a landing light on a plane would be, and its circular shape was sharply defined.

It did not leave a trail of any type or make any sound.

I watched it until it disappeared behind the roof of my house. I ran to the front yard, but was unable to locate it again.

I cannot say how high it might have been except that it did not seem to be as high as a satellite.

There were numerous commercial and general aviation aircraft in the sky at the same time and I could clearly hear the sounds they made.

A lot of neighbors were shooting off skyrockets, but the orb was clearly not any type of firework.

Posted 2010-07-06