This sighting was very exciting and slightly creepy at the same time. I was alone at the time but live in a very populated area. There is an airport near by.....this was no airplane!
Location
Address
Alexandria, VA
Latitude
38° 46' 18.55'' N (38.771819°)
Longitude
77° 3' 23'' W (-77.056389°)
Elevation
-
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2010-12-28 18:45 EDT
UT Date & Time
2010-12-28 23:45 UT
Duration
≈3s
Direction
Moving direction
From right to left
Descent Angle
270°
Moving
Facing azimuth
180°
First azimuth
63°
First elevation
53°
Last azimuth
38°
Last elevation
42°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
1
Color
white and orange
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
The sequence I witnessed was silent.
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
1s
Length
-1°
Remarks
The train was a sparking white dust that was very shirt lived.
Terminal flash
Observation
Yes
Remarks
As the object moved closer to the earth in it grew brighter and then burst in to a handful of fragments. The fragments were white and then turned to orange and then dissipated in to the dark sky.
