I was setting up to use my telescope as I saw this. I also work in aviation and feel like I have a pretty good idea of what I saw/that it wasn’t somehow some sort of aviation-related illusion caused by nearby Randolph AFB.
Location
Address
Selma, TX
Latitude
29° 34' 41.42'' N (29.578172°)
Longitude
98° 17' 49.59'' W (-98.297109°)
Elevation
226.956207m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2021-01-13 19:51 CST
UT Date & Time
2021-01-14 01:51 UT
Duration
≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
106°
Moving
Facing azimuth
95°
First azimuth
90°
First elevation
35°
Last azimuth
95°
Last elevation
32°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-7
Color
Orange, Yellow
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
3s
Length
10°
Remarks
This was a glowing train. It was thick and almost appeared as though it was billowing behind the fireball. It reminded me of what a flare would look like, but it was traveling quickly in a straight line and was yellow/orange.
Length was comparable to the distance of halfway between
Betelgeuse and Orion’s Belt. I believe object flew past the area of the Gemini twins
Terminal flash
Observation
Unknown
Remarks
-
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
Could clearly see what looked like fire “chunks” breaking off of the main fire ball
