I am a retired Air Force weapon system officer (navigator in fighter aircraft). I was picking up mail at my mailbox when I notice a light about as bright as a street light shining through a tree while looking west. I took a few steps to get a better view. The trail across the sky until it broke up looked very much like the trail of a yellow fireworks (like sparks trailing the object). This lasted much longer and was lower and larger than the typical "shooting star".
Location
Address
Las Vegas, NV
Latitude
36° 19' 45.9'' N (36.329416°)
Longitude
115° 15' 56.49'' W (-115.265692°)
Elevation
751.331m
Time and Duration
Local Date & Time
2015-12-22 18:07 PST
UT Date & Time
2015-12-23 02:07 UT
Duration
≈20s
Direction
Moving direction
From up right to down left
Descent Angle
263°
Moving
Facing azimuth
180°
First azimuth
260°
First elevation
28°
Last azimuth
150°
Last elevation
23°
Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude
-14
Color
Orange, Yellow
Concurrent Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Delayed Sound
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Persistent train
Observation
Yes
Duration
5s
Length
10°
Remarks
The trail looked somewhat like one of those yellow fireworks that leaves a trail of sparks. There appeared to be a sort of smoke trail visible in the moonlight behind the object.
Terminal flash
Observation
No
Remarks
-
Fragmentation
Observation
Yes
Remarks
The single object broke into about 5 or 6 smaller pieces and then vanished into the sky.
