Looks like what I saw was a satelite launch fuel dump.
From this description: “The spectacular sight which keen South African sky-watchers were privileged enough to witness during the evening of Sunday the 18th of October, from approximately 8:45 to 9:30pm, – a spectacle resembling something out of a big budget UFO movie – turned out to be a great visual demonstration of experimental rocket science in action. From Hermanus to Jo’burg and even Nambia, reports started to flood into the South African Astronomical Observatory’s field station in Sutherland, as two bright objects were seen to be passing overhead from South-East to North-West at rapid speed. What made the reports so sensational was the repeated description of the leading object emitting bright, spiralling pulses of light which ‘looked like the kind of ripples you get when you throw a stone into a pond’ radiating over the whole sky.” Emphasis mine.
Pictures can be found here. It was quite a sight, and good to know what it was.
Hat tip: Mom, for finding the description.
Was Paul Simon prophetic when he wrote “Boy in the Bubble?” There you are in a village in Lesotho, observing an amazing human-made astronomical phenomenon. And its source is discovered using the internet, a technology still in its relative infancy. This is “an age of miracle and wonder.” Thanks for sharing it with us Oscar.
Tom’s response reminds me of how often I’ve wondered whether the Graceland album sparked an early interest in Africa. This is indeed an age of miracle and wonder — oh, and this is long distance call.
Milt
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OSCAR!!
Hope you are enjoying the day. Will you have cake?
Love,
Adrienne
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve been thinking about you today–I hope you’re having a good birthday!!!!!
P.S. You can enjoy being 7 years older than me for 6 months