NUFORC Sighting 03996

Occurred: 1998-09-23 21:10 Local
Reported: 1998-09-23 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 5 seconds
No of observers: 2

Location: Bothell, WA, USA

Shape: Fireball

Viewed a brightly green shooting-star like fireball. It started about in the southeast sky at a downward angle and traveled west before it disappeared.

My wife went out to walk the dog at 8:50 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 1998 in Bothell, WA. Right around 9:10 PM we were walking in a SE direction when I noticed a bright light in the sky but partially obscured by a tree. The light appeared to be about the size and brightness of (Jupiter?), the bright planet currently visible in the southward sky, but pale green in color. I soon noticed the light moving toward Seattle (west) and at a downward angle. I told my wife to look. We both witnessed it as it streaked into full view for about three more seconds. The light appeard to get bigger and brighter as it moved and had a small orange-red tail. The largest the light ever got was about the size of an eraser held at arms length. It seemed to disappear or burn out about 30 degrees in the horizon. My wife's first thought was that it was a firework because of its color and brightness. I believed it was too far and too low in the horizon plus moved too far and fast to a Roman Candle. It basically looked like a very bright shooting star - but green.

Posted 1998-09-26