NUFORC Sighting 94985

Occurred: 2012-12-05 17:00 Local
Reported: 2012-12-05 16:29 Pacific
Duration: 1/2 second
No of observers: 1

Location: Westerly, RI, USA

Shape: Fireball

Intense yellowish white fireball with greenish tint.

Driving west on Route 1 in Westerly approaching Dunn’s Corners. Sky to the west beautiful late evening sunset with band of clouds in the distance.

Intense object the size of an M&M held at arm’s length appears about 70-degrees off the western horizon and shoots due west and disappears behind the band of clouds about 30-degrees off the western horizon. Light a very bright yellowish white with distinct green tint. Incredibly fast and visible for a second or less. Looked like a Roman Candle, but much faster and if it was, it blinked out in an instant just as it aligned with the edge of the cloud band. Seemed to me like it was a long way off and disappeared behind the cloud band, which I would estimate to be 20 to 30 miles away.

Have seen a lot of shooting stars, but this was faster, brighter and the light was very constant - no flaring or sparkling. No tail noticed.

Posted 2012-12-20