What did I see?

This is a litle off topic, but maybe someone here knows what this was.
Several years ago (5 maybe) in February, I was stargazing with a
friend. He was looking through his Dob & I was laying on my back
scanning the zenith with binoculars when a black delta winged aircraft
of some sort came into view. It had no running lights, made no
detectable sound & was flying at a lowish altitude (maybe about the
size of the moon in 7X50's), so I got a fairly decent view. I followed
it for as long as I could on its northerly flight path. I told my
friend what I had seen & he had no idea. I live 40 miles North of
Tampa...... Blackbird maybe?

More like a Nighthalk F-117A. SR-71's, blackbirds, are extremely noisy, and
unless you were near an airforce base you won't see one flying a low
altitude or speed; these planes are designed to fly high and fast, and are
not particularly good at low speed and altitude.
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pinprick holes in a colorless sky
Let inspired figures of light pass by
The Mightly Light of ten thousand suns
Challenges infinity, and is soon gone




"Jerry" wrote in message
om...
This is a litle off topic, but maybe someone here knows what this was.
Several years ago (5 maybe) in February, I was stargazing with a
friend. He was looking through his Dob & I was laying on my back
scanning the zenith with binoculars when a black delta winged aircraft
of some sort came into view. It had no running lights, made no
detectable sound & was flying at a lowish altitude (maybe about the
size of the moon in 7X50's), so I got a fairly decent view. I followed
it for as long as I could on its northerly flight path. I told my
friend what I had seen & he had no idea. I live 40 miles North of
Tampa...... Blackbird maybe?

You could have seen anything from a F117 to a B1, depending upon the shape
of the craft. Both of those craft are a bit quieter than most of the jets
about. I'll also note that they probably will be completely silent
approaching and only have a low rumble as they leave if at a really low
altitude.

--
There are more Democrats on the Calif. Special Election than Republicans!
Go count if you don't believe me!
Bob May

Bob May wrote:

You could have seen anything from a F117 to a B1, depending upon the shape
of the craft. Both of those craft are a bit quieter than most of the jets
about. I'll also note that they probably will be completely silent
approaching and only have a low rumble as they leave if at a really low
altitude.

--
There are more Democrats on the Calif. Special Election than Republicans!
Go count if you don't believe me!
Bob May

Last summer here in Tucson I saw a B1 during the day and it was loud ! It came
in over us at about
15,000 ft and went west making a turn towards the Airfield where a show was
going on.
My wife was talking about her garden and this and that about flowers and such.

you could here a big rumble all the time and she said pay attention to the
garden, not now dear
i need to see this, the B1 folded its wings and went in to dive where it
disappeared in to the tree line.
a few seconds later I saw it going all most vertical at a very high speed
where it opened its wings again
and flew off to the north. The most impressive display of raw power i have
ever witnessed.

It was loud, split the earth open loud.

Dan

In article ,
"Bob May" wrote:

You could have seen anything from a F117 to a B1, depending upon the shape
of the craft.

I think you mean B2, it's a flying wing.

Both of those craft are a bit quieter than most of the jets
about.

Definitely not a B1...they are very loud.

I'll also note that they probably will be completely silent
approaching and only have a low rumble as they leave if at a really low
altitude.

Bob May wrote:

You could have seen anything from a F117 to a B1, depending upon the shape
of the craft. Both of those craft are a bit quieter than most of the jets
about.

I think that he meant the "B2". That's the delta shaped quiet one.
..
Tony

"Steve Hix" wrote in message
...

Definitely not a B1...they are very loud.

Steve--

yeah. living under the downwind leg for the depot for the b-1, i can assure
you that you know when they're flying. i also know when a b-2 is flying
about, but they are more quiet. but i'd never describe a b-2 as delta
winged (op). i'd guess an f-117 stealth fighter. distinct delta wing shape
when viewed from below.

of course, all of them are a **whole** lot more quiet than the old kc-135
water burners. now there was a noisy rascal!

clear, dark skies--

mark d.

In article ,
"mark d. doiron" wrote:

"Steve Hix" wrote in message
...

Definitely not a B1...they are very loud.

Steve--

yeah. living under the downwind leg for the depot for the b-1, i can assure
you that you know when they're flying. i also know when a b-2 is flying
about, but they are more quiet. but i'd never describe a b-2 as delta
winged (op). i'd guess an f-117 stealth fighter. distinct delta wing shape
when viewed from below.

I get to spend a week/ten days at an historical reenactment near the
southern part of Sequoia Nat'l park each summer. The site is a couple
miles west of the canyon of the Kern river, and occasionally fast things
transit the area, usually along the canyon. The B-1s are *loud*, but it
is a little strange to see an F-117 circle the site a couple of times,
perhaps wondering what all the tents are about. About 1756 is about
right.

Wonderful dark site at about 5500'. There must be some way to slip a
telescope in that wouldn't clash with the 1750-1840 ambiance...

Next year. Maybe.

of course, all of them are a **whole** lot more quiet than the old kc-135
water burners. now there was a noisy rascal!

Never heard one, although they are often invoke as the criterion for
LOUD.

clear, dark skies--

mark d.

"Steve Hix" wrote in message
...

The site is a couple miles west of the canyon of
the Kern river

Steve--

my son and i camped at buckeye flat campground in southern sequoia np this
past summer during our annual 3-4 week extended camping trip. beautiful
place. an especial joy was the backpacking part of the trip when we pitched
out tent under the sequoias (in king's canyon). heh-heh. in the photo
collage at this link . . .

http://members.cox.net/mdoiron/per_vac2003.htm

.. . . i call the picture of our tent by the tree the "sometimes you just
don't have enough rope to hang your backpack from the nearest tree". :-)

clear, dark skies--

mark d.