And i saw a big red glowing ball.

[jpatrick79]

Two nights ago i was driving home in Lockport New York "8-14-2010"...It was around 2.00am
And i saw a big red glowing ball...It was visible for like 20 to 40 seconds...Then there was a curve in the road...And a bunch of trees obstructed my view of it...When the trees stopped i was hoping to see it again...But no such luck...It looked like it was about the size of the moon...I't didn't seem to be moving...Someone said it might have been a supernova...But i doubt that!...Could it of had something to do with the meteor shower the previous night...

Thanks in advance for any explanation Jim,

 

[FawkesCa]

most likely, it was a meteor... or Luke Skywalker was landing thinking this was Degoba

 

[Radrook]

If it was the size of the moon and not moving I would classify that as a UFO. If indeed it had been a supernova astronomers would have told us by now. Furthermore a supernova that would cause such a large phenomenon in Earth's sky would definitely be detrimental to life on earth. Meteor showers consist of small fast moving objects which don't produce a circular solid stationary light you describe. So UFO is the best category.

BTW
A UFO I saw in Miami at close range was 100 times weirder. So you were lucky.

 

[Bobbywhy]

jpatrick79,
Welcome to Physics Forum! You may have seen Ball Lightning. Google it and also check Wikipedia for great overviews of this natural (and so far, unexplained) wonder!

 

[sardar]

I cannot provide a definitive answer without more information and evidence. However, based on the description provided, it is possible that what you saw was a meteor, also known as a shooting star. Meteors are pieces of debris that enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up, causing a bright streak of light. The fact that it was visible for a short period of time and did not seem to be moving could indicate that it was a meteor.

It is also possible that it was a part of the Perseid meteor shower, which occurs every year in August. This meteor shower is known for producing a high number of bright and visible meteors. However, without more specific details, it is difficult to confirm if this was the case.

While it is possible that what you saw was a supernova, it is highly unlikely. Supernovas are extremely rare and typically occur in distant galaxies, making them difficult to observe with the naked eye. Additionally, they usually last for several weeks or months, rather than a brief 20-40 seconds.

In summary, based on the information provided, it is most likely that what you saw was a meteor, potentially a part of the Perseid meteor shower. However, without more information, it is impossible to determine with certainty. If you would like to report your sighting or learn more about meteor showers, I recommend contacting a local astronomy club or observatory.