Friday the 13th, 2023 - Sighting

Location: Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma (eastern). On 1-40 Interstate heading west, just past the merger of I-40 and Kickapoo Turnpike. Traveling to Texas to observe the Solar Eclipse. 

Time: Approx 7:25 a.m.

Date: Friday, Oct. 13, 2023

Conditions: Mostly clear sky with some low, scattered and thin clouds. Heavier clouds further east obscuring sunrise slightly but sky was bright.

Observer was in the passenger seat with a clear view of the north and west skies. An intensely bright white light caught her attention. At first she thought it was either a planet or star but then decided it was too large and too bright. Second was the idea it might be a plane with landing lights on but as the object appeared to be moving in the same general westerly direction she was able to closely note that the object did not reflect light but rather created its own light. No landing lights were seen. No other colors than that intense bright light. 

When she observed the object, the shape was cube-like or square. When she saw it pass in front of one of those low clouds, she realized it was not a satellite, ISS, or a planet/star.

Her phone, at the time, was turned off and she knew she could not turn it on and focus in time to probably catch a clear image. So, she concentrated on watching it.  As she watched, she observed the initial "square" like seem to double, as if one was on the other side, only slightly off to the side. Then she observed that it elongated to become more "rectangular" than square or cube. Then it seemed to become almost elastic-like and appeared to stretch and reform itself. Finally, it was another cube or square, only slightly larger. 

At that time, the object disappeared. It was there one minute and then gone the next. Scanning the skies revealed no objects anywhere in any direction. 

Color: Self-illuminating brilliant white light. Not a reflection but light.

Size: Its apparent size ranged from the size of a BB to a small pea, if held at arm's length.

Lights: Despite long observation (3-5 minutes) no other colors could be seen. No regulation reds, greens, blues, or amber lights. No required dangling flags for low altitude drones.

Research: In trying to determine what it was the tracking information on ISS was checked with information the space station was not in the area to be seen (and was larger than an earlier experience seeing the space station pass), the BLUEWALKER3 satellite. yet examining their tracker info and viewing online videos of its movements it was large but too slow for the object observed. Additionally, Falcon 9/Starlink had no launches the day before or that morning (they had one that night...SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites on its second Friday launch – Spaceflight Now)

The following sketch was made after the sighting.

1. The initial square or cube form

2. The doubling image

3. The elongating image

4. The twisting like movement  image

5. The final and larger square.