NUFORC Sighting 02980

Occurred: 1997-12-16 23:23 Local
Reported: 1997-12-17 00:00 Pacific
Duration: apx. one second
No of observers: 0

Location: North San Diego, CA, USA

Shape: Fireball


Summary : Green fireball. Seemed to be too low for a celestial event. Definitely not fireworks.

I'm an engineer. See myself as a careful, objective observer. Know planes, seen lots of meteors, fireworks, and the like. This brief phenomenon defied my logic. It was a light green "fireball" lasting about a second. It showed a short-persistance trail (1/4-1/2 sec). I'm 5-10 miles north of downtown San Diego. It was south of my observation point, maybe 30 deg. above horizon. It faded out at about 15-20 deg. It may have been visible higher in the sky, but my view was restricted. The object seemed to be falling, moving towards the southwest. It showed a straight, fast trajectory - like a meteor. Quite bright but not extremely so. It left me with the distinct impression that it was generated within the atmosphere, that it was not a celestial event. However, because of its motion and the characteristics of its luminance, it was definitely not fireworks. It seemed like it could have been only a few thousand feet away. Seeing a meteor is much different than was seeing this. Interesting too, it occurred right where I was looking, but not expecting anything. Would be interested to know if anybody else saw a similar thing it this time. Email me if you could use or provide further information. Please keep my last name, address, phone, and email address confidential. Thanks.

Posted 1998-03-07

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