NUFORC Sighting 83558

Occurred: 2011-08-29 22:50 Local
Reported: 2011-08-29 21:18 Pacific
Duration: 20 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Morgantown, WV, USA

Shape: Triangle
Characteristics: Lights on object

I took my dog outside and stood on my deck shortly before 11:00 PM. While looking at the stars I observed a Y-shaped or triangular object in the sky overhead, traveling westward.

The object had four lights, one at each tip and one in the center. The lights were not particularly bright but they were steady, not blinking, and appeared white-yellow in color. The lights were on a solid object that blocked out stars as it passed. The individual lights were not separate objects. The object made no sound. It was difficult to accurately judge size, altitude and speed, but it appeared to be very high and larger than a jetliner. The speed was faster than a normal jet aircraft but slower than a satellite, and much slower than a meteor. The object did not leave a contrail.

I observed the object for about 15 to 20 seconds, then went in the door and grabbed binoculars from the table. I was back outside in less than ten seconds but the object was gone. There were some scattered clouds but that portion of the sky was clear. The moon was in its new phase and was not visible.

I am a scientist and an avid stargazer. I often watch meteor showers and watch for flyovers of the space station and other spacecraft. This was something unusual that I have not seen before.

Posted 2011-10-10