Expert: Philip Stahl - 8/12/2009

Question
Hello!  Last night at roughly 10:45 pm My family and I were out watching the meteor shower.  While watching I saw something I didn't understand.  It looked as though a star grew brighter and then flashed out.  I am not totally sure if there was a star there or what since it didn't attract my attention until it flashed.  I am sure though that it didn't move.  It was a stationary flash.  My husband didn't see it directly but did see it out of the corner of his eye.  Could you maybe have an idea of what it could have been?  If it helps at all I am in southeast Kansas and it was in the general south west direction.  More west than south.  I wish I had more info to give you.

Answer
Hello,

Unfortunately, without a lot more information, it simply isn't possible to provide an unambiguous idea of what you might have observed.

To help you, I am appending a form I now used for all such similar sightings. If you can fill it out as completely as possible or practical, then send it back to me as part of a follow-up, I might be able to help:

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Form: Unknown Transient 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 seconds- minutes:


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:

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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)

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.)