American Meteor Society

Reports Report 3371aq (Event 3371-2017)

Observer
Name Helmut B
Experience Level 3/5
Remarks Moving west to east, likely something falling out of orbit? It had a big shock semi circle around it. Never seen anything like it. Turns out it was most likely an Atlas V rocket launch out of vandenberg. The crescent shape around the object was likely the expanded rocket exhaust as it flew in a vacuum. I should have known this last night given I am a rocket propulsion Engineer!
Location
Address Los Angeles, CA
Latitude 34° 12' 4.86'' N (34.20135°)
Longitude 118° 33' 3.02'' W (-118.55084°)
Elevation 227.82m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time 2017-09-23 23:05 PDT
UT Date & Time 2017-09-24 06:05 UT
Duration ≈20s
Direction
Moving direction From up right to down left
Descent Angle 242°
Moving
Facing azimuth 181.25°
First azimuth 188.33°
First elevation 46°
Last azimuth 178.42°
Last elevation 39°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude -
Color Red
Concurrent Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Delayed Sound
Observation Unknown
Remarks -
Persistent train
Observation No
Duration -
Length -
Remarks -
Terminal flash
Observation No
Remarks -
Fragmentation
Observation No
Remarks -