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National UFO Reporting Center
Sighting Report
Occurred : 11/5/2003 20:26 (Entered as : 11/05/2003 20:26)
Reported: 11/6/2003 1:14:19 PM 13:14
Posted: 11/8/2003
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Shape: Fireball
Duration:1 - 2 seconds
Brilliant green fireball was seen falling and trailing debris near Mt. Pilchuck

My daughter and I were northbound on Mountain Loop Highway near Granite Falls Middle School when we observed a large, brilliant green fireball fall into view through the windshield. Burning debris was visible breaking away from the main fireball. A slight trail was seen. The fireball either burned out, but did not break up, or was obscured by Mt. Pilchuck.

Fireball was first seen 30-40 degrees above horizon and traveled in a path about 20 degrees from vertical. No sound was heard. The color was so brilliant that we first thought it was fireworks. Apparent diameter half that of #2 pencil held at arms length viewed end-on.

I contacted a rifle range that is located in the direction of where the fireball was observed and verified that no signal flares were fired. I contacted Snohomish County Search and Rescue and the Granite Falls Police Department and no reports of signal flares were received by either agency.

I am a beginner amateur astronomer and avid aircraft enthusiast with 25 years experience in technical field. My daughter is a 16 year old student.

((NUFORC Note: Several reports received of this incident. We suspect that it was a meteor, but that is only a guess. PD))