Expert: Philip Stahl - 1/29/2009

Question
Hi Philip

I live in Windhoek, Namibia (22°35'41" S 17°05'36" E).
On the night of Tuesday, 27 Jan 2009 at 21h09 local time (19h09 GMT) I was outside (2h after sunset) when from the north came orange coloured flare-like lights. There were about 6-8 of them all traveling together with tails of at least 1 deg (pinky at arms length) behind them. It was difficult to determine whether it was the same 6-8 that remained visible as it passed by or whether they "burned out" and new ones appeared. From where I was I could see about 120 deg of the sky and it took 10 sec for them to move across the sky from what seems to be perfectly north to south. I could be mistaken, but their paths (tails) may have been not exactly straight (hence flare-like). It was slightly overcast so the lights disappear behind some clouds for short periods. No other stars were visible, so these lights were very bright.

Any ideas on what it was would be appreciated. It was a spectacular sight. I called my wife and she saw the last second as it vanished in the south. I also spoke to two other people that heard from different sources of these lights.  

Answer
Hello,

Alas, without a detailed report (much more info than what you have provided) there is little that can be concluded other than you saw 6-8 transient optical phenomena in the atmosphere.

If you complete the report below, and send it back - I may be able to provide further insight - the accent being on "may":


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Revised Form: Unknown Optical-Atmospheric Phenomena


1.Provide the date and time (if possible GMT, but otherwise local time) of your observation:




2. Give the latitude and longitude of your location:


Lat. =                         Long.  =      


3. Give the estimated duration of the observation in minutes (or seconds as the case may be):


4. Give the duration of any pauses in the motion and, if possible, when these occurred in relation to the initial time of sighting:


5. Give the initial brightness of object (use magnitude scale by estimating in comparison to known magnitudes of nearby stars if possible, e.g. 1st magnitude, as bright as Antares)

6.  Give the initial size of object when first sighted (use angular measure, arc seconds or degrees, e.g. the full Moon is one-half degree across. The width of your pinky finger at arm’s length ~  1 degree.)



7.Describe all color or size changes and the times they occurred in relation to the initial time (t0)  of sighting :


Color changes:


Time correlation:


Size changes:


Time correlation:

-----

Example:

Color changes:  Orange to blue


Time correlation: t0 + 2 mins.


Size changes: ½ degree to 1 degree


Time correlation  t0 +  3 ½ mins


8. Draw-sketch the shape, appearance of the object(s) over the time(s) you indicated (if using a computer – scan the drawing then attach with report) or give a meticulous verbal description ensuring NO details however small are omitted!


9. Estimate the velocity of the object-phenomenon in angular measure per second. (e.g. 1 degree per second, ½ degree per second etc.)


10. Identify if possible all known astronomical objects  (stars, planets etc.) in the vicinity of your observational interlude:



11.How many other observers saw the phenomenon and to what extent did their observations conform to your own?



12. Describe as carefully as you can any ancillary physical effects that accompanied the visual sighting (e.g. sounds made, electrostatic disturbances, etc.)