Reports Report 1973g (Event 1973-2014)

This report has been linked to the following event: Event 1973-2014
Observer
NameStephen R
Experience Level4/5
Remarks-
Location
AddressEnglewood, CO
Latitude39° 39' 0.24'' N (39.65°)
Longitude 104° 59' 51.4'' W (-105°)
Elevation1620.64m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time2014-09-02 22:38 MDT
UT Date & Time2014-09-03 04:38 UT
Duration≈20s
Direction
Moving directionFrom right to left
Descent Angle270°
Moving
Facing azimuth90.3°
First azimuth125.09°
First elevation85°
Last azimuth7.07°
Last elevation85°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude-7
ColorLight Yellow
Concurrent Sound
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Delayed Sound
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Persistent train
ObservationYes
Duration3s
Length12°
RemarksI am not certain if it was smoke or debris or heat glow as I perceive it from the ground, although if it was skimming the atmosphere it had to be moving I would guess in excess of 30,000 mph as I have observed the I.S.S. traveling speeds exceeding 17,000 mph. It seemed like a comet skimming the atmosphere to me due to the fact it was almost colorless compared to meteoroids which usually have color due to mineral content as well as space junk composition. I witnessed it come in from the south of the Denver metro area all the way to the north of the city with a tail that stretched for miles although the tail would dissipate about 2-3 seconds after object. The object actually seemed to get brighter as it moved farther north towards the direction of Cheyenne Wyoming causing me to believe that it was entering the atmosphere. I observed the object for approximately 20-30 seconds.
Terminal flash
ObservationNo
Remarks-
Fragmentation
ObservationNo
Remarks-