[sac-forum] Re: Possible nutcase email....

> I generally give them the "seeing stars through lots of atmosphere" or "an
> airplane with interesting landing lights".  I also say " if you honestly
> think that this is an instance of creatures from another planet then
report
> it to the FBI, I am not the person to gather this report".


Thanks for the tip Steve.  Here's the full Email and how I replied.....

I was referred to your web site by Kathie Coil, Public Affairs Program
Coordinator at the Kitt Peak National Observatory.  The following is a
letter I recently sent to her.  I hope you may have an answer.  Lee
Anderson, Quartzsite, AZ

Subj: Can You Help?
Date: 11/22/2003
To: kpno@xxxxxxxx

My name is Lee Anderson, and I live in Quartzsite, AZ.  Over the past few
months my neighbors and myself have been observing a light in the night sky
that we cannot identify.  During the summer months it was seen in the West
about 30 degrees above the horizon just after sunset.  It would then go
below the horizon around one hour later.  Now the same light can be seen in
the North eastern sky after sunset, moving in a southerly direction during
the night.  At around 10 PM it appears due east, towards Phoenix, about 50
degrees above the eastern horizon.
       This light shines very bright, mainly a white light, with red and
green colors also visible with the naked eye.  Using binoculars it appears
to rotate at a high speed.  It is not an aircraft. Could this be a satellite
in low orbit, and if so would you know which one?  I have tried various NASA
websites without success.  Hope you can give me and my neighbors some
insight as to what we are seeing.


The reply was.....

  Hello Lee,

  Having observed for many years in Western Az alongside many experienced
observers, I can assure you that most likely you are seeing some of the
brighter stars or planets through turbulent atmosphere.  The colors you
describe, and even the "rotating" aspect, all jives with the effects of the
atmosphere when unsteady.  The same effects can affect the appearance of
airplane lights at a distance, and given you live practically under the
flight path between LA and Phx, I would fully expect this to be the case.
Bright objects like flares, airplanes, planets, bright stars, and even a
car's highbeams can have some very confusing appearances at distances. I
wish I could help definitively identify your objects, but my and the club's
collective experience is that you are seeing something of what is described
above.
  Thad

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