Cape Canaveral launched rocket likeliest source of bright light over SW Nova

The source of the spectacle is most likely connected with the launch of a satellite rocket from Cape Canaveral at 5:03 p.m. E.T.

The device was carrying a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.

“We started receiving reports around 20 after 6 and there were close to a dozen calls between New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI,” said an officer at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax.

Tim Malone, aboard the FV Jill Marie says he was one of many who reported the light, which fishermen thought might be a flare.

“At least 10 different fisherman reported it,” he said. “It was so high and bright.”

Astronomers at the Department of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary's University were notified of the upcoming launch and possible fuel dump from the NROL-24 satellite.

Technician Dave Lane forwarded the following information he received in an email:

Fellow observers, “Tomorrow evening at 17:04 EST the US National Reconnaisance Office is scheduled to launch a satellite into an unusual orbit that may take it over Eastern Canada less than two hours later.”

Calls to the National Reconnaisance Office by the Coast Guard to determine the actual flight path of the rocket and were not returned by deadline.

The annual Geminid Meteor Shower is also peaking over the region Dec. 13 and 14.