Space debris maybe?

[RayD]

I was just sat on the terrace last night looking up at the stars whilst my kit was gathering subs, and spotted what looked like a regular satellite.  Speed, size and magnitude made it look like one of dozens I saw passing.  However, after a minute or so watching this one, there was a very bright elongated flash and then it was no more.

Do you reckon this was some space debris burning up?  Don't believe I've seen this before so was quite interesting for me to see (assuming that's the likely event witnessed).

[Kyle Allen]

If you know the approximate time you could check Heavens Above to see if it matches anything listed under Daily predictions for brighter satellites. Just change the drop down box at the top to the correct day. Some satellites do flare occasionally. Link here...

https://www.heavens-above.com/

[RayD]

2 minutes ago, Kyle Allen said:

If you know the approximate time you could check Heavens Above to see if it matches anything listed under Daily predictions for brighter satellites. Just change the drop down box at the top to the correct day. Some satellites do flare occasionally. Link here...

https://www.heavens-above.com/

I have heavens above so can have a look, but it didn't seem bright particularly until there was a long what I can only describe as flare, and then I couldn't see it any more.  I guess it could have been a rotating satellite as I saw a couple of those, which went bright and dim periodically.

[Kyle Allen]

I wonder if it would be possible for it to enter Earth’s shadow while it was flaring or just after or would that not be possible?

[RayD]

Yes, that would be entirely possible I expect.  Thanks.

[maw lod qan]

A few days ago I was out in the am looking at the planets. To the SW I watched what I thought was a very bright satellite crossing near Jupiter and Saturn. At about the zenith it just disappeared. 

Heading to the East, it should have stayed visible all the way to the horizon.

(This is where you mentally insert the close encounters sounds)!