What the heck did I see last night?

I went to a small star party last night in Greenbelt Maryland. At about
8:45pm local time (+-10min) in the region of Cap/Aql/Sgr (sorry I can't be
more precise) I saw what looked like an Iridium flare. It behaved exactly
like a flare easily reaching mag -8 or -9 and lasted about 5 or 6 seconds.
But, It was completely stationary. One other person saw this. The heavens
above site lists no flares for that time/location. The only satellite even
close was cosmos 1703. The president of the club suggested a head on meteor
(he didn't see it). I don't think so. What else could it have been? I've
never seen anything like this and it is really bothering me.

Visit the visual Satellite Observers page
http://www.satellite.eu.org/satintro.html
and ask the folks there.
Please report back!
Unexpected flares -- I've seen a few! -- are real treats,
and a reward for diligent sky-watching and good luck.
Sometimes I've seen Iridium flares that appear to have no motion as well -
might have been an illusion of a high viewing angle and dim background
starfield?



"glathrem" wrote in message
...
I went to a small star party last night in Greenbelt Maryland. At about
8:45pm local time (+-10min) in the region of Cap/Aql/Sgr (sorry I can't be
more precise) I saw what looked like an Iridium flare. It behaved exactly
like a flare easily reaching mag -8 or -9 and lasted about 5 or 6 seconds.
But, It was completely stationary. One other person saw this. The heavens
above site lists no flares for that time/location. The only satellite even
close was cosmos 1703. The president of the club suggested a head on
meteor
(he didn't see it). I don't think so. What else could it have been? I've
never seen anything like this and it is really bothering me.