NUFORC Sighting 22910

Occurred: 2002-05-12 22:00 Local
Reported: 2002-05-18 11:58 Pacific
Duration: 15-20 min.
No of observers: 3

Location: Clarkston, WA, USA

Shape: Light
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

very slow moving very bright light, disappeared after 15-20 min.

I live on the Snake River at the north end of Hells Canyon on the WA-ID border. When leaving store to go home, my 16 yo. daughter and I saw an orange light in the southern sky (SSW) moving VERY slowly. It was VERY bright, much brighter than any stars or planes and moving much slower than the satellites we often see. We drove the two blocks home, still watching the light move in a northerly direction and at varying but still very slow speed. I called my husband to come out and look. He thought it was odd also, not like a satellite. After 5-7 minutes it began moving more to the northwest then west. During this time we also saw a satellite for about one minute (moving much faster that the orange light) and a plane quite high in the sky. We all noted that the plane had the green and red side lights and white strobe lights that all registered aircraft are required to have.

During this time I also attempted to call the tower at the local airport (about 2 air miles away to the east). The tower was closed as there are no scheduled flights that late in our area.

I remained outside with my husband and daughter while using the phone and watched the light. After about 15-20 minutes it began to fade and appeared to drop lower in sky in relation to the horizon before disappearing from site. We noted that it was moving too slowly for an aircraft to remain airborne and was completely silent.

The following day, I contacted the local airport tower and was informed that our facility does not have RADAR. I was given the number for the flight control center in Boise, which does not have the Lewiston, ID,-Clarkston, WA area on its RADAR.

Posted 2002-06-12