Hey folks.
Just last night Thursday Oct. 9, 2008 around 9:07PM Central Time, I saw a large meteor come through. It was brighter than the moon but had no tail to it like a regular meteor. It looked like a white flare and lasted for at least 5-7 seconds or so. I thought it was a helicopter police light or a firework or even a plane coming in for landing (I live near O'Hare). But it was a meteor. Size about 1/8 the size of a full moon and MUCH brighter. It traveled from the west towards the east-southeast before it burned out. It was crazy. I wonder if anyone else saw it as well? It made my night!

hmmm...didn't see it sorry, I live in the Elgin area but I'm always traveling to the North shore. I was on the highway westbound to Elgin around 9:30 was that when it hit? With no trail it sounds like a UFO, how fast was it moving?

I live in the city at Leavitt & Addison and saw it. My wife and I were on our back balcony facing west when she pointed it out. It definitely had a tail when we saw it and seemed very low (though I have no background or experience with these things). I don't recall what your post said, but facing west, it was travelling east and slightly southbound. It was easily one of the coolest things I've ever seen in the sky (by the by, definitely not anything but a meteor) and I would love to know or find out where it wound up!!

I was actually on my way home from school that night, and I was headed west on I-96 and I sar the same light. I thought I was seeing things, but my wife saw it as well. It lasted for about 7 seconds, and I saw it on from the west. This would have been about 10 o'clock. I thought I would see something on the news, and I searched for "Meteor" and added the date, and you popped up. Thanks!!!! P.S., i'm in south lyon, MI

I saw it in Mount Zion Illinois. I reported it online at amsmeteors.org. At least 10 other people reported on that site what would appear to be the same thing.

I live about 80 miles south of Chicago out in corn country (very low background lighting). IMHO it was the international space station. I have been a sky watcher most of my life and have seen the ISS many times before. It did not burn or spark out, it just continued on out of view as it always does. It is always neat to see when it comes through, very bright. There is a NASA web site that tells where it can be viewed from but I don't have a link - Sorry.

In regards to the moon situation, in my case at least, that is not possible. The moon was to my back as I watched the meteor cross the sky.

On our way home me and my brother seen a bright white light it seemed like it could be just a plane or something it was that close but in a second or 2 it shot downwards like a falling star and disappeared but what was odd is that the light didn't fade and it had no trail it was there and then it was gone, but it was cool either way whatever it was. sounds similar to what you guys seen. I'm from fayetteville ga