04-22-2016, 02:02 PM
Paul - I'm talking about orbital debris, not stuff re-entering the atmosphere. Some of this debris can be very large (e.g., rocket bodies, dead satellites etc). Some of these larger pieces are tumbling and as they tumble can reflect sunlight to an observer on the ground. It's generally a very narrow beam of light which may be observed in one location but not in another a few miles away. This is what I suspect we saw last night.
As for what it was, I've asked some friends and colleagues at NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office for an ID. Hopefully they'll be able to help.
As for what it was, I've asked some friends and colleagues at NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office for an ID. Hopefully they'll be able to help.