NUFORC Sighting 100749

Occurred: 2013-07-17 21:05 Local
Reported: 2013-08-04 12:55 Pacific
Duration: 10 minutes
No of observers: 2

Location: Ash Springs (near), NV, USA

Shape: Light
Characteristics: Emitted other objects

What seemed to be a satellite suddenly reversed course as a second object separated from it.

My girlfriend and I were camping just off of Nevada State Highway 375 on the evening of July 17, 2013. (Yes, I know, this is the so-called Extra-Terrestrial Highway, but it is also a great place to stargaze, boasting some of the darkest skies in the US. Also, neither of us had ever seen a UFO in our lives).

Shortly after dark, we were sitting in our camp chairs gazing up at the sky. We had a pair of tripod mounted Meade 9/63 binoculars, which we were using to study the half-moon. At around 9pm, I noticed a satellite traveling across the sky from North to South. This object’s behavior was similar to many satellites I have seen in my life… with the exception of its slightly orange-reddish color. I pointed it out to my girlfriend, who also saw it. For the next few minutes, we tracked its progress across the sky, both with our naked eyes and our binoculars. As the satellite reached about 20 degrees above the southern horizon, it suddenly REVERSED COURSE. At the same time, a second object seemed to separate from the main object. The second object was slightly dimmer and silver colored, like a typical satellite. It continued heading south for about 30 seconds, until we lost track of it. The original object then RETRACED its track, this time heading from south to north, un! til we lost sight of it near Polaris, the north star.

I estimate the entire event took between five and ten minutes. We had time to discuss and verify to each other what we were seeing.

I have never seen a satellite – or the International Space Station or the Space shuttle, for that matter– suddenly reverse course. I have no explanation for what we saw, and I hope that other researchers might have some ideas or input.

Thank you.

Posted 2013-08-30