Orange To Yellow Object Over Iowa City, Iowa

Date: August 26, 2010
Time: Approx: 9:35 p.m.

I came across your website while searching for information about the following:
While running tonight, I observed an object in the night sky, which tracked from southeast to northeast, while reaching a maximum apparent altitude of 30 to 40 degrees towards the east from my location in Iowa City, IA. The apparent speed was comparable to that of a jetliner at cruse altitude or of a satellite. The trajectory appeared to be more like that of a satellite. The time was about 9:35 PM CDT, 08/26/10. It was about as bright as Jupiter (the bright “star” under the Moon tonight).

This object was different from either an aircraft or orbiting satellite (I see both of those all of the time and know what they look like) in that it was flickering like a flame, with an orange to yellow color. It disappeared about 15 degrees above northeast. There was neither a trail nor noise associated with it. I’m sure there must be a simple explanation.

Another Witness For The Orange To Yellow Object Over Iowa City, Iowa

Date: August 26, 2010
Time: Approx: 9:35 p.m.

Yes, I saw this object while leaving my mother's residence at about this time on this date.
See the attached (crude) drawing based on my recollection.

I saw an orange light or orange circular object, traveling roughly from south to north in the northeast sky, on a course that was very regular and smooth, at a speed that would be consistent with a satellite. The diameter of the orange object was 2-3 diameters larger than Jupiter, which was also visible. There were no associated twinkling lights of any other color. There was no "trail" or sound associated with it. I have seen many satellites at night in the sky, and I know the difference between a satellite and a airplane. This caught my eye because it was not clearly one or the other. A guy who was walking his dog at the time (at about the intersection of Mormon Treck Avenue and Walden Road) also stopped to look at it, so it was clearly something unusual. I could not track it all the way across the sky. In other words, I did not see it from horizon to horizon. I lost it (or it "disappeared") while it was still high in the sky.

My guess is that this was some sort of atmospheric lensing of a bright satellite.

If you have seen anything like this in the same area please be kind enough to contact Brian Vike at: sighting@telus.net with the details of your sighting. All personal information is kept confidential.

Credit: Sightings.com