NUFORC Sighting 23724

Occurred: 2002-07-05 23:01 Local
Reported: 2002-07-12 10:15 Pacific
Duration: 5-6 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: St. Catharines (Canada), ON, Canada

Shape: Light

Satelites don't "zig zag", so what did I see?

At 23:01 hours, Friday July 5, 2002, while walking alone in my residential neighbourhood I sighted a small bright point of light at approximately 60 % above the horizon moving rapidly from the north west (below the Big Dipper) and disappearing in the north behind a tree and the glare of a street light.

Initially I thought the object was a shooting star, but because there was no tail and its course and brightness remained steady for about 3 seconds, I felt it must be a satelite.

Then,to my amazement, the object made several instant course changes (i.e., 60% right, 60% left, 60% right then continuing on its original vector until disappearing). I have never seen such a thing. I immediately recorded the time of the event and documented my observations on arriving home.

The atmospheric conditions on July 5 were ideal for night viewing: temperatures were cool and the sky was moonless, cloudless and hazeless.

I hold B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees, I've authoured papers in reputable scientific journals, and worked for many years as a researh scientist (field biologist).

Posted 2002-07-26