Odd sighting over NE Alabama 12/10/09

We were on the road tonight, at about 8:35pm, when I noticed a very bright yellowish light in the sky. It was travelling in a straight line, to the NorthEast. It was brighter than anything I had ever seen in orbit. I`m thinking ISS, but need one of you space experts to confirm that for me, or help me figure out what it was.

I think there have been multiple posts about similar sightings. Sometimes when I'm outside I see these lights, a pale yellow/white color moving slowly in a straight direction. I've also seen these lights turn off and start flashing red like a normal commercial aircraft too. Not sure why they do it though.

Originally posted by beaverg
I think there have been multiple posts about similar sightings. Sometimes when I'm outside I see these lights, a pale yellow/white color moving slowly in a straight direction. I've also seen these lights turn off and start flashing red like a normal commercial aircraft too. Not sure why they do it though.

I've also seen these lights turn off and start flashing red like a normal commercial aircraft too. Not sure why they do it though.

flashing red like a normal commercial aircraft too. Not sure why they do it though.

commercial aircraft

There were a couple of flashes that looked like aircraft lights, but this was definitely NOT an aircraft. It was moving WAY too fast, and the light wasn`t the right color either.

reply to post by Zaphod58


Zap..ISS just passed over N. Europe about an hour ago.

around LAT 60...I can check orbitron to find any sats. that may have been in view at 8:35PM EST. Not It.

Stand bye a moment...I'll check and get back with you in a moment.

reply to post by Zeptepi

Thanks! But it would have been CST, not EST. If you use EST it would be 9:35.

reply to post by Zaphod58


I use this www.n2yo.com...

Is there anything better available?

reply to post by whaaa

I used to use that site a lot. Unfortunately I`m on a phone for my internet, so I lose a lot of the good stuff.

reply to post by Zaphod58


This is the only thing I can see that was possibly in your view. Orbitron says it was eclipsed from view. fast mover..ing N and slightly W ..Thats it so far. It is the 11th brightest in the sky.

reply to post by Zeptepi

Geeze, I didn`t think that it was this much of a mystery. That`s definitely not it if it was heading West. This one was going West to East.

Sorry for the long time it took. I had to download fresh TLE'S from NORAD for about 6000 sats.

I dont think you would have noticed any Dimmer than this unless it caught a good reflection from a solar panel.

So, Really no Sat that I can tell caused your sighting.

reply to post by Zeptepi

I appreciate the attempt though. This is the first time I`ve ever seen one from the car. I see quite a few of them from my front porch (very dark area, perfect for seeing them). The "strobe" flashes must have been from the panels.

This is the top 115 sats (by brightness) positions at
0037UTC (8:37PMCST). Unusually sparse overhead at that time.
Good luck and now I want to know what it was. I'll keep an eye on this one.