How in the name?? Atmospheric conditions must have been just perfect, in just the right way?? It's incredible to think such a small thing launching would be seen from SO far away. By that, you'd think people in Miami could watch the tail end of the Shuttle Launches or something....

I'd love to hear one of the better educated climate people around here explain how this happens? I'm sure there's a fascinating science based explanation...?

Obviously the men in Black have shot down a space terrorist. The news of this has been slightly modified. In this age of paranoia we are no longer notified of missile launches and many of my friends think these are astronomical events, like meteors. I was invited to look for a meteorite where it appeared to land and warned my friend that it might be a man made object. When I was a kid we were more aware of missile tests, they made the news.

I'm in great falls mt...last Sunday night ( could have been Saturday...but I don't think so..) I went to bed...10 mins later there was a huge white flash that lit up my whole room. There was no rain, thunder, lightening...I even went outside to see if I could see anything..nothing.

It was not car lights...I know the difference. This lit up my whole room and I was blinded by it...

Anyone have any suggestions?

Originally posted by tracehd1
I'm in great falls mt...last Sunday night ( could have been Saturday...but I don't think so..) I went to bed...10 mins later there was a huge white flash that lit up my whole room. There was no rain, thunder, lightening...I even went outside to see if I could see anything..nothing.

It was not car lights...I know the difference. This lit up my whole room and I was blinded by it...

Anyone have any suggestions?

I have none, sorry.

In thinking more on this.... A thought came to mind to share.

Unannounced missile tests that can be seen from 2 states away and with as much force and power as that appeared to have for size? Or..maybe just the same atmospheric effect that made it visible also making it larger? Either way though..... It makes about as much sense as a Hydrogen Bomb test during the 2 weeks of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Some ask...why is history important to know, why should it matter at all? Times like these are why..... Trial and Error as well as deliberate underhandedness have all been done before. In the Cuban Missile Crisis I think it was part empty headed stupidity and part the Joint Chiefs letting an happy coincidence of pre-planned testing run it's course.

It does strike me as odd for timing though... Why this, such a visible one, and why now??? WHY of all things, one that seemed to blow up high in the atmosphere? Anyone in Eastern New Mexico or maybe Northern Mexico who got beaned by scrap metal from the heavens knows who to sue now. This stuff is usually done far out in the Pacific test ranges for good reasons. Like...it all comes down somewhere and even a large bolt at terminal velocity would be more than a headache for Mr. Unlucky.