Luminous object seen in Roanoke Rapids

Summary

A bright object with alternating orange, red, and white flashes was observed five times near the horizon in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. The object, five times larger than a star, remained visible for 15 minutes and moved in a northerly direction. Initially thought to possibly be a balloon, aircraft, or astronomical phenomenon, the observers concluded that the object's characteristics did not match any known categories. The description, duration, and flight path led to the consideration that it might be Venus, though other possibilities were not ruled out.