Mystery Object

[Khan]

g'day,

Got a question about an object we've noticed in the sky over Perth. It's been there every day for the past 2-3 weeks between 23:00 and at least 23:45 (haven't looked any later than that). We haven't got any fancy equipment beyond a small pair of binoculars, so the best I can give you is that it's in the sky to the west of Wanneroo and has flashing green and red lights.

At first we thought it may be a plane, but it seemed far too high, and certainly higher than what the planes usually fly at. It occurred to us that it may be star, but it had the flashing lights. The next thought was a satellite, but I reasoned there was no point for a satellite to waste power on flashing lights given the lack of human traffic. I try and keep up on science news and 've not heard of any shuttles going up, so it can't be that.

It's become quite an interesting little mystery here, any ideas you could provide would be much appreciated.

[ving]

i'd still say its a plane, just a very high one. but thats just a guess... possibly not commercial?

[JohnG]

What time is Sirius setting over there. Has all the symptoms of a bright star setting.

JohnG

EDIT: Hi and welcome as well.

[toetoe]

G'day Khan and welcome to IIS :thumbsup:
It sounds pretty much like a star to me.

[ving]

oh yeah! and welcome aboard! :D

[Robby]

What direction is the object? How close to the horizon is it. Probably a star, perhaps Arctaurus or Regulus.
Cheers

[robagar]

3 weeks waiting for in air delivery of lemon scented napkins perhaps..?

[[1ponders]]

At that time of night to the west/northwest Regulus will be getting close to setting. That would be my guess

[ving]

not lemon, but perhaps some other citrus scent?

[vespine]

I was out in the country recently and saw some very high flying planes. Typical cruising altitude for a jumbo is 35,000 feet but can be as high as 50,000 feet! That's 10 - 15 kilometes. Most planes that you see near the cities (the ones you actually "see" flying in the sky, withing several hundred kilometers of an airport) are descending approaching landing or yet to reach cruising altitude and probably closer to 10,000 feet or less.

[mickoking]

G,day Khan, good to see another west Aussie on the forum :thumbsup: What you might be seeing are planes from Pearce RAAF base particually if there are FA/18's on attachment from RAAF Williamtown.

[circumpolar]

The location of this object is important.



Regulus is in the prime position but to my eyes appears whitish.
Arctaurus is my first thought but it would be culminating (due North) at this time of night. To my eyes it always seems to flash red, especially when it is closer to the horizon.

[Blue Skies]

I've seen them flying right over Perth in a kind of stealth mode and all they had were orange lights on. But then memory is not always good... But that far north I would be thinking of the Pearce planes as well.

We really need more info - how low to the horizon and roughly what compass direction? Are you looking directly out over the sea? - they could be navigation makers.

[vindictive666]

Capella Anyone ?

[Robby]

Of course! That'll be the bugger...!

[jjjnettie]

I had the binos out last night and I reckon it is either Sirius or more likely Canopus. Canopus sets in the south west , and it certainly was flashing red and green at me last night. Extraordinary.

[Khan]

wow, lots of replies, thanks all.

Forgot some details in my post. We discounted the plane option because it was moving far too slowly, it barely moves over a half hour period.

A friend of a friend has seen it as well and contacted Perth Observatory and they said it was a GPS satellite that had been moved in to stationary orbit. That certainly fits the very slow movement, but why would a satellite have lights or be that low? Doesn't seem to make total sense. We get planes from Pearce going over on and off when they're not training (don't believe they are at the moment), but 'd see no reason for them to hover around one spot for so long.

It'll well above the horizon, you've got to tilt your head to look directly at it. It's at roughly West South West. I'll hunt out a compass and see if I can get anything more precise.

[Vermin]

My bet's on Canopus.

[Starcrazzy]

Hi, doubt very much that its an aircraft..if it were f/18's or even commerc airline and is cruising as high as you say, you would still detect movement and also, if it is that high 10-15 klm you wouldn't be able to seperate the red and green wingtip lights from each other..and the nav lights on most planes i have flown blink similtaneously..at a guess i'd say a setting star..

[Robby]

Canopus. Every year Canopus get's the UFO freaks going with it's colour display when nearing the horizon.

[Starcrazzy]

lol...not that robby is calling anyone a UFO freak hey..:whistle: