Reports Report 4480dw (Event 4480-2020)

Observer
Name Patrick E
Experience Level 1/5
Remarks Very brief streak across completely dark night sky, south to north across my forward facing field of vision as I was driving eastbound on I-90 about a mile west of Exit 18 (Sterettania Rd.) I saw very faint green and yellow colors that seemed more akin to a sparkler rather than a traditional fireball. The object was very small with very brief light emission lasting about 5 seconds from moment of visibility to disappearance. Too dark to notice any smoke trail behind it. At first I thought it was some kind of firework discharge, but the angle was across the sky and slightly more downward than straight up like a traditional firework launch. I did not hear or feel any kind of sonic boom with the observation but it was hard to hear anything over the traffic noise plus the vehicle engine noise at top speed as I was driving a tractor-trailer.
Location
Address Erie, PA
Latitude 42° 0' 49.49'' N (42.013748°)
Longitude 80° 12' 59.25'' W (-80.216459°)
Elevation 290.216919m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time 2020-08-18 21:45 EDT
UT Date & Time 2020-08-19 01:45 UT
Duration ≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction From up right to down left
Descent Angle 260°
Moving
Facing azimuth 69°
First azimuth 69°
First elevation 30°
Last azimuth 60°
Last elevation 28°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude -5
Color Light Green, Yellow
Concurrent Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Delayed Sound
Observation No
Remarks -
Persistent train
Observation No
Duration -
Length -
Remarks -
Terminal flash
Observation No
Remarks -
Fragmentation
Observation No
Remarks -