As a lifelong stargazer, I have a tendency to keep up with basic stuff like “for several days this summer, Jupiter was closer to Earth than it will ever be again in my lifetime.”  Three of it’s moons were visible with just the aid of inexpensive binoculars and… it was truly an impressive sight!

The simple version of my UFO sighting (and I use the term loosely) is that I noticed a bright planet-looking light in the sky. I probably would not have noticed it if it hadn’t been so completely out of place in a constellation that I know well.  Puzzled, I looked behind me to confirm that the moon and Jupiter were where I expected them to me.  Looking back to the object, I immediately spotted it again and briefly thought that it must be the International Space Station.  (I’ve been fortunate to have seen the ISS several times.)  But this object could not be the International Space Station because it was completely stationary.  I was about to go into the house to get my binoculars when I realized that the object was steadily getting dimmer.  As I tried to very accurately memorize its position, it faded completely away.

Viewing From Amarillo Texas, Latitude 35 N, Longitude 102 W, Elevation 3300′
Moon nearly full Azimuth 129, Altitude 34.

In the constellation Cassiopeia, Azimuth 30, Altitude 34, I saw a very bright, completely stationary light about the size and brightness of Jupiter (at its largest). There was no flickering or pulsating. After a few seconds, I realized that it was gradually getting dimmer.  In less than a minute it faded completely away and did not reappear.

Apparently a geostationary (geosynchronous) satellite flare?  I couldn’t find much on the web about it and so assume that it’s a fairly rare occurrence.