NUFORC Sighting 95259

Occurred: 2012-12-14 23:29 Local
Reported: 2012-12-14 20:50 Pacific
Duration: 1 minute
No of observers: 1

Location: Alexandria, VA, USA

Shape: Light


Orange Flickering Light Moving and Motionless near Washington, D.C.

Witnessed a bright orange light to the southeast, it had no blinking lights (like an airplane would), but flickered like a candle. It appeared to be moving very slowly from south to north, then slowed to an apparent stop about 30 seconds after first appearing.

It remained motionless in the sky for another 30 seconds, then quickly faded out. Aircraft taking off from Reagan National Airport fly north to south in this part of the sky, but they're close enough to identify the airline and could not be mistaken for anything else; the object observed appeared farther away (perhaps southeast of Washington), made no sound, and moved essentially toward the airport before stopping and fading away.

I'm also aware of the meteor shower--if this was a meteor it was travelling extraordinarily slowly (being visible for about a minute and appearing motionless for a time).

There was no trail. It could have been an aerial flare.

Posted 2012-12-20

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