A slow and bright sighting in New York

Summary

A witness in Hankins, New York, observed for an hour an object that changed color between white, red, and blue. Its unusual brightness caught attention, though no sound or details were seen. The object moved very slowly, only about 20 feet in an hour, and disappeared behind clouds and trees. A senior navigator at Stewart AFB suggested it was the star Arcturus. The observation was made with binoculars, and although the witness was a garage mechanic, the analysis pointed to an astronomical explanation.

The exact location and direction of the object were unclear, but the long observation time and slow movement support the idea of a celestial body. Weather conditions were favorable, with visibility over 15 miles and clear skies. Despite the witness appearing more interested in media attention than in details, the official conclusion points to an astronomical identification.