<p>Several satellites (but most notably Iridium) have large reflective panels.  If aligned with the sun properly, it can shine with sufficient brightness to be visible in the daytime.  </p>

<p>An <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Iridium_flares" rel="nofollow">Iridium Flare</a> usually lasts only a few seconds.  It sounds quite consistent with your description.</p>

<p>It can be hard to tell in a blue sky with no nearby references, but an Iridium satellite would also be moving while fading out.  </p>

<p>There are sites that can show you upcoming flares for your area.  If you knew the exact date in the past, they could probably even "post-dict" what flares were available then and see if it matched.  </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-14T20:22:39.610Z
2016-04-14T20:22:39.610Z
BowlOfRed
<p>I saw a similar "ufo" several decades ago, before there were Iridium satellites.  Possibly it was another type of satellite with large reflective panels.</p>

<p>Thinking it over, I later decided that if an airplane reflected the sunlight directly toward me at one moment of a turn, it might make a similar flash.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-29T03:16:14.057Z
2016-05-29T03:16:14.057Z
M.A. Golding
<p>Some years ago I looked up to the blue sky, around 2 PM, and I saw, for 2 or 3 seconds, something like a star fading out.
Could it be a Supernova or another phenomena? Is it highly possible?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-04-14T17:44:17.423Z
Unlikely to be a supernova! Not had one in our vicinity since the medieval times (perhaps, barring SN1987A)
MichaelJRoberts
<supernova>
What could be a star-like object that shines at daytime for few seconds? What's the probability to see it?
Leandros López
# What could be a star-like object that shines at daytime for few seconds? What's the probability to see it?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-04-14)

Some years ago I looked up to the blue sky, around 2 PM, and I saw, for 2 or 3 seconds, something like a star fading out.
Could it be a Supernova or another phenomena? Is it highly possible?

**Tags:** supernova

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Unlikely to be a supernova! Not had one in our vicinity since the medieval times (perhaps, barring SN1987A)  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-04-14. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Several satellites (but most notably Iridium) have large reflective panels. If aligned with the sun properly, it can shine with sufficient brightness to be visible in the daytime.

An [Iridium Flare](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare#Iridium_flares) usually lasts only a few seconds. It sounds quite consistent with your description.

It can be hard to tell in a blue sky with no nearby references, but an Iridium satellite would also be moving while fading out.

There are sites that can show you upcoming flares for your area. If you knew the exact date in the past, they could probably even "post-dict" what flares were available then and see if it matched.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-05-29. Score: 0

I saw a similar "ufo" several decades ago, before there were Iridium satellites. Possibly it was another type of satellite with large reflective panels.

Thinking it over, I later decided that if an airplane reflected the sunlight directly toward me at one moment of a turn, it might make a similar flash.


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