N. Californians startled by 2nd bright light

February 12, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- For the second time this month, Northern Californians have spotted a bright light in the sky.

People from San Francisco to Sacramento reported seeing the light about 7 p.m. Thursday night.

One Sacramento resident said the object was "flying higher than the tops of trees" and appeared to have "rocket fins above the tail."

An astronomer who did not see the light says it was most likely a fireball or meteor. Officials at nearby Air Force bases say the military launched no missiles in the area last night.

Last Tuesday, a meteor estimated at the size of a Volkswagen streaked across the Western sky, startling people from Las Vegas to San Francisco.