Shooting Stars

[Dakota]

I live in the North of Scotland and, on a clear night, frequently see a normal star travelling at the speed of, say an aeroplane, (as apposed to star staying still) then suddenly taking off at a very high speed until I can no longer see it as if it were a shooting star - but with no normal characteristics of a shooting star, i.e. the tail. I have been told by my friend, who lives in the Midlands, that this is very unusual and he has never seen nor heard of this. Can anyone else confirm my sightings and enlighten us as to what it may be?

[gen2]

I see similar sights from where I live in Fife.  What I see actually are aeroplanes.  When at low altitude and approacking landing, aeroplanes display a strong forward and downwad directed light.  When they are approaching at a small angle to the observer, the light moves slowly across the sky.  As they reach the end of their holding pattern or as they approach the airport, they turn to the right and the light moves very much faster to the right and the light gets fainter as it is no longer shining directly towards the observer.  This faster movement and fading can easily be interpreted as rapid movement off into the distance.  It does not need to be aircraft approaching an airport.  The North of Scotland is often used for military aircraft training and these are not limited to daylight hours.

A point of light against a black sky can be difficult to focus on and speed and distance can easily be misinterpreted.  Many such sightings have been mistakenly been reported as UFOs.

This is my interpretation if what you described as having seen.

[MargeB]

They may be iridium flares, low orbit telecoms satellites.

[gen2]

Iridium flares don't change speed, they just go from being extremely faint (invisible) to very bright and back again to invisible.  I don't thing they explain Dakota's description of a change in speed.

[B00]

Aliens!!

[charliep88]

IVE often seen these sights when ,, after Avin a draught or two followed by a cognac or 2 then falling on my head and havin a concussion or 2

[thebigchill]

It seems clear to me that gen2 works for the government and is trying to cast doubt on what was obviously a UFO. A cover up is in progress methinks...

[meesha]

It is friday 23rd and I just saw a moving star as you have discribed and my three children saw it too, this is the first time I have saw this and I am sure it was a star moving and not a plane,