I initially thought it was a really fast plane or drone until it broke up at the end of my observation. The pieces that broke up were also illuminated. If I had to guess I would say it was a piece of space debris re entering the earth but the angle and trajectory did not seem right for this to be the case.
Location
Address
Auburn, CA
Latitude
38° 52' 16.72'' N (38.871311°)
Longitude
121° 4' 4.5'' W (-121.067918°)
Elevation
426.600586m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2025-08-21 20:15 PDT
UT Date & Time
2025-08-22 03:15 UT
Duration
≈3.5s
Direction
Moving direction
From up left to down right
Descent Angle
95°
Moving
Facing azimuth
91.97°
First azimuth
191.31°
First elevation
17°
Last azimuth
94.06°
Last elevation
8°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-10
Color
Blue, Green
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
1s
Length
-
Remarks
A piece or pieces broke off that were also illuminated blue green at the very end of the sighting.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
At least 2 pieces broke off at the end of my field of view.
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
2 pieces broke off at the end of my ability to see the fireball.
