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Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but cometsdon't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 7th 18, 11:35 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Uncle Bob[_2_]
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but cometsdon't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

Last evening I was in Vallejo, CA (38n,122W) at 1830 pst and observed, to my astonishment, a naked-eye comet-like object moving across the sky about 20deg S of Orion. It appeared to be a barely visible "nucleus" trailing a distinct triangular "tail" appearing about 1/2 degree (full moon sized)in diameter. I observed it (and confirmed it by asking a passer by if he could see it, and he said it appeared to be a "comet") for about 2-3 minutes before it moved east and faded from view--much like a satellite flying into the earth's shadow.

It was much dimmer than the ISS and really did resemble a "comet". I've observed many real comets in my days, so I'm no stranger to their appearance, but this appeared to be some orbiting object, perhaps venting propellant. Any ideas what it might be?
  #2  
Old February 7th 18, 02:27 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
[email protected]
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but cometsdon't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

Falcon Heavy?
  #3  
Old February 7th 18, 06:09 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Mike_Duffy
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

On Wed, 7 Feb 2018 02:35:48 -0800 (PST), Uncle Bob wrote:

[...] this appeared to be some orbiting object,
perhaps venting propellant. Any ideas what it might be?


Occam's razor says you nailed it. Perhaps it was a military high-altitude
hypersonic surveillance aircraft. At their extremem speed & altitude, their
trails differ somewhat from other aircraft.
  #4  
Old February 7th 18, 09:58 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Davoud[_1_]
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

Mike_Duffy:
...Perhaps it was a military high-altitude
hypersonic surveillance aircraft....


Can you name such an aircraft?

--
I agree with almost everything that you have said and almost everything that
you will say in your entire life.

usenet *at* davidillig dawt cawm
  #5  
Old February 8th 18, 01:36 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Chris L Peterson
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

On Wed, 7 Feb 2018 02:35:48 -0800 (PST), Uncle Bob
wrote:

Last evening I was in Vallejo, CA (38n,122W) at 1830 pst and observed, to my astonishment, a naked-eye comet-like object moving across the sky about 20deg S of Orion. It appeared to be a barely visible "nucleus" trailing a distinct triangular "tail" appearing about 1/2 degree (full moon sized)in diameter. I observed it (and confirmed it by asking a passer by if he could see it, and he said it appeared to be a "comet") for about 2-3 minutes before it moved east and faded from view--much like a satellite flying into the earth's shadow.

It was much dimmer than the ISS and really did resemble a "comet". I've observed many real comets in my days, so I'm no stranger to their appearance, but this appeared to be some orbiting object, perhaps venting propellant. Any ideas what it might be?


Timing was correct for the Falcon Heavy third-stage burn.
  #6  
Old February 8th 18, 03:18 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Mike_Duffy
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

On Wed, 07 Feb 2018 15:58:17 -0500, Davoud wrote:

Mike_Duffy:
...Perhaps it was a military high-altitude
hypersonic surveillance aircraft....


Can you name such an aircraft?


If I told you, then I'd have to kill you.
  #7  
Old February 8th 18, 04:59 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Uncle Bob[_2_]
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but cometsdon't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

I had checked heavens-above but saw no mention of it yesterday. It was most peculiar, and with the level of light pollution in the bay area, I was lucky to get a glimpse of it. I owe it all to my years of scanning the skies as an amateur astronomer. Now I think down the road I'll be exploring amateur radio and satellite monitoring.
Thanks Chris for your help.

UB
  #8  
Old February 8th 18, 06:08 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Davoud[_1_]
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

Mike_Duffy:
...Perhaps it was a military high-altitude
hypersonic surveillance aircraft....


Davoud:
Can you name such an aircraft?


Mike_Duffy:
If I told you, then I'd have to kill you.


More likely the other way around
https://www.flickr.com/photos/primeval/13024995215

My point is that the reason you can't name a "high-altitude hypersonic
surveillance aircraft" is that there are no such aircraft in existence.
(Outside the fevered minds of a few conspiracy theorists, that is.)

--
I agree with almost everything that you have said and almost everything that
you will say in your entire life.

usenet *at* davidillig dawt cawm
  #9  
Old February 8th 18, 08:11 AM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Mike_Duffy
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

On Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:08:18 -0500, Davoud wrote:

My point is that the reason you can't name a "high-altitude hypersonic
surveillance aircraft" is that there are no such aircraft in existence.
(Outside the fevered minds of a few conspiracy theorists, that is.)


Maybe you should update the wiki entry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockhe...bird#Successor

Para 1 Sentence4: [...] Thus, there are doubts that the US has abandoned
the concept of spy planes to complement reconnaissance satellites.
  #10  
Old February 8th 18, 04:04 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Davoud[_1_]
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Default Comet-like object seen moving across the evening sky (but comets don't move a few degrees in a few minutes!)

In article , Mike_Duffy
wrote:
Davoud wrote:

My point is that the reason you can't name a "high-altitude hypersonic
surveillance aircraft" is that there are no such aircraft in existence.
(Outside the fevered minds of a few conspiracy theorists, that is.)


Mike_Duffy:
Maybe you should update the wiki entry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockhe...bird#Successor

Para 1 Sentence4: [...] Thus, there are doubts that the US has abandoned
the concept of spy planes to complement reconnaissance satellites.


Someone should update the wiki. The so-called "Aurora" is a myth from
start to finish. The SR-72 is a myth, a "concept" that isn't going
anywhere. Satellites and UAVs have proved entirely adequate for the
job. There are no "high-altitude hypersonic surveillance aircraft" in
existence because there is no need for such an aircraft.

--
I agree with almost everything that you have said and almost everything that
you will say in your entire life.

usenet *at* davidillig dawt cawm
 




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