I was at a stop light at the intersection of Bandera Road and Cedar Trail facing South. As I looked toward Cedar Trail (east) I noticed a very bright light that was large. It seemed at first to move slowly and as soon as I saw it I said something out loud. My 8 and 11 year old boys were with me and looked and were amazed as well.
As we watched it the color changed from white to blue and seemed to pick up speed. Then the train appeared and the ball seemed to get brighter and smaller. The train was very long and then seemed to break apart as the color changed on the fireball.
It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. I wish I had my camera with me because this thing was very bright. Please note that at the intersection there is plenty of light. I noticed the fireball even with the bright lights at the intersection. Wow. Helotes, TX is just outside San Antonio.
Location
Address
Helotes, TX
Latitude
29° 33' 31.9'' N (29.558862°)
Longitude
98° 40' 29.2'' W (-98.674779°)
Elevation
-
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2012-02-01 20:00 CST
UT Date & Time
2012-02-02 02:00 UT
Duration
≈10s
Direction
Moving direction
From right to left
Descent Angle
270°
Moving
Facing azimuth
18.83828°
First azimuth
16.69916°
First elevation
45°
Last azimuth
33.91722°
Last elevation
45°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
1
Color
bright white then bright
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
none
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
5s
Length
-1°
Remarks
glowing train and then there were parts of the train that seemed to break off like it was falling apart
