I was taking pictures from off my patio of the New Crescent Moon setting beyond the Horizon When I I heard a animal moving around the hill below. It was dark so I leaned over to look and it was my neighbors cat running back to its house, when my eyes were drawn upward to the large bright light flying through the sky. I honestly am not sure if I would have seen it if the cat hadnt gotten scared from it and drawn my attention to it. Amazing!
Location
Address
San Rafael, CA
Latitude
38° 1' 9.45'' N (38.019292°)
Longitude
122° 31' 55.43'' W (-122.532063°)
Elevation
-
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2012-10-17 19:45 CDT
UT Date & Time
2012-10-18 02:45 UT
Duration
≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From down to up
Descent Angle
-
Moving
Facing azimuth
-1°
First azimuth
-1°
First elevation
90°
Last azimuth
-1°
Last elevation
90°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-27
Color
white to yellow with brig
Concurrent Sound
Observation
Yes
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
Yes
Remarks
Within 5 seconds after seeing the bright light fly through the sky there was 2 very loud booming sounds. I am still unsure if it was related or possibly nearby neighbor, but definitely seemed like it was related to it.
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
1.5s
Length
-1°
Remarks
Very bright white like lightening with orange trains at the tips sort of breaking apart as it flew through the sky.
