NUFORC Sighting 37046

Occurred: 2004-05-14 21:40 Local
Reported: 2004-05-19 21:10 Pacific
Duration: 45 sec
No of observers: 1

Location: Santa Rosa, CA, USA

Shape: Orb
Characteristics: Changed Colo

Orange circular object moved quickly to NE and was followed almost to the horizon.

While walking my dog, noticed directly overhead a moving yellow-orange circular object that looked like Jupiter but was 50% larger. Jupiter was nearby, a little more to the west, and just below the constellation of Leo. This moving object headed straight NE at a speed that convinced me that it had to be a satellite. It had the same deliberate and steady motion. I was able to follow it to within a few degrees above the NE horizon. As it receded, it not only became smaller but also decidedly more orange. Since it still had considerable angular speed when it approached the horizon, it convinced me that it was following the earth in a circular orbit. Based on these observations, I would have to conclude that I had seen an unknown satellite. What puzzles me though is the fact that about 1.5 hours after sunset, it should have blinked out at an elevation of about 22.5 degress as it entered the Earth's shadow. It did not do that and I could follow it almost to the horizon to within about 2 degrees.

Posted 2004-06-04