NUFORC Sighting 174204

Occurred: 2023-01-28 18:47 Local
Reported: 2023-01-29 21:17 Pacific
Duration: approx. 1 minute
No of observers: 2

Location: Ventura, CA, USA
Location details: Near Wells Rd. 1 mile North of Hwy. 126

Shape: Fireball


Orange "orb", seen at 90 degrees above horizon; appeared stationary at least 10-15 seconds, then moved and faded out.

Looked directly overhead approx. 6:50 p.m. and saw what I assumed to be an aircraft, but it appeared to glow orange like a rocket exaust and remain motionless; my wife agreed that it was stationary. After observing for 10-15 seconds I ran into the house to fetch my camera with zoom lens. When I came back out the object was now definitely moving South into the Orion consellation and I managed to get one shot off on autofocus setting, but before I could re-adjust for a sharper image the object faded as if a booster burned out.

Checked launch schedule from Vandenberg SFB but next Space X launch not scheduled until today or tomorrow; in addition, I have seen many launches from Vandenberg and they are always about 30 degrees from the Western horizon. ISS was over New York that night and the color seemed wrong as well for ISS. Apologies for not getting a sharper photo.

Thank you.



Posted 2023-03-06

© 2023 National UFO Reporting Center. All rights reserved. Use or reproduction within any application without written consent is prohibited.