Blue Sprite Lightning with Meteor in photo ?

[Groovy2]

a while ago I trying to get a picture of Telstar1 satellite and i saw a big flash in sky -
lasted maybe 2 seconds -flash was about size of small marble at arms length
turned cam to aprox area and took 3 - 10 second time lapse photos -
2 photos only stars - 1 photo has what looks like 6 areas of Blue Sprit lightning and a big red Meteor looking object-

meteor object is fairly big in photo but lightning stuff has to be zoomed in on -

sky was very clear - no storms - morning -

would like for others to look at photo and see what you think is in photo -

where would I post this picture on forum ??
- Thanks Jay

[Graeme1858]

Hello Jay

You could put together a bit of a report of where, when and your equipment, thoughts and feelings etc. Then post it here:

viewforum.php?f=6

With your photo too!

Regards

Graeme

[turboscrew]

Waiting for the photo impatiently.

[Groovy2]

Hi
I have a photo I would like for you to look at and get your thoughts on what is in picture -

On 12/21/20 at 6.15am Parker AZ
Very clear sky - No clouds - No storms -

I was out trying to get a picture of Telstar 1 satellite that was launched in 1962 - Mag 8

in western sky at about 40degrees I saw a Very Bright flash that lasted about 2 seconds -
was the size of a marble at arms length - yellow white in color - satellite I was looking for was in the north
so I saw the flash in corner of my vision - so not a good look at it -

quickly Turned camera to that area in sky and took 3 - Ten second time lapse photos of that area in sky -
By eye the area looked like it had a small ball of slightly glowing fuzz but it was Super faint - lasted maybe 3 seconds ish -
Did not move camera between shots -
I figured what ever it was I missed it and went back to satellite -

a day later when reviewing photos I noticed a big red ball in photo -
after zooming in and looking closer I could see what looks like 6 areas of Blue Sprit Lighting
and also what looks like it could be a red meteor ?

when flashing thru these 3 photos the 6 areas of Sprits? are fairly easy to see -
2 photos normal stars then 3rd photo has stars plus stuff -

when zoomed in it looks like globs of blue purple lightening -
they seem to all be oriented the same with thicker glob at bottom and feathery at top -
they are scattered around photo but brightest one towards bottom - one close to red ball

Red Ball is what first got my attention - Zoomed in on it and Wow what is that ?
to me it looks like a meteor just entering atmosphere from the right ? -

On my camera time is in minutes only - so Im not 100% sure which picture was first -
but they are in order - im pretty sure the red ball picture was last -

My guess on what went on -
the flash was a meteor that headed directly at me - so I saw round fire ball and No Streak of light -

I think what ever flash was it caused the lightning type stuff and the red ball seems to be part
of what is going on and it appears to be moving to the right -

My guess is the All of this stuff appeared in the Last Split Second to the time lapse photo -
3 photos were shot contentious no break -

the red ball I have seen a few time in photos but not this clear -

was using a Canon 70d with a Canon 75x300 zoom lens wide open on tripod - remote trigger -
not sure what gain was set at but high ish

because many satellites are very dim I have to scan complete photos to see them -
many are just a whisper going across the sky - Hard to see -
i shoot about 125 photos on a good night -

I would like for you all to look at these photos and see what you think this is ?
Im including 2 photos so that you can flash them and see that stuff Appears -

the photos are jpeg 3mb each - and I can send them to you if you PM me -
I am new to this site and dont know if photos can be Zoomed in on -

PS
I posted 2 photos below but as far as I can see photos have been degraded a Huge amount
and cant be flashed threw -
any help on posting better photos is appreciated - Jay

[Groovy2]

Hi All
I uploaded photos and quality has been reduced so much photos are basically useless -
on my laptop I can zoom in and see lightning structure - and a Meteor -

I take about 125 photos a night and look threw them carefully -
this is a WoW What is that picture -

I will send to you that wants to look at photo - Jay

[MistrBadgr]

I see a red dot toward the upper right and a yellowish white one with a fuzzy tail about half way up and a little to the left of middle.
Cool!

[John Baars]

This is what Astrometry.net can make of it.
Can you post your screenshots?

When zoomed in one can see a coma (sort of short tail) on the red dot, which is missing on stars.

[MistrBadgr]

Looking at your modified image from the software, John, I am seeing the first sprite straight up from Pherkad, forming almost an equilateral triangle with Kochab. Then, about half way from that sprite and Pherkad, and to the right, are two more. Those three and the red dot appear and disappear from one of Jay's images to the other.

I am not a sprite expert, but I cannot think of anything else they could be. As far as the red dot goes...Wow!
Jay, I am impressed! Those are really interesting.