A sky lantern moving with the wind is one possibility, but really it's impossible to know. There simply isn't enough information.
Semi-thought:
A stop-start motion could be a zig-zag path where one leg is towards you. During that leg you would see it as stopped.
Whatever it was; with its light on; flying high and far; like a plane.
It seemed to move in a straight line across the sky stopping and starting, but still moving in the same direction.
It seemed to move in a straight line across the sky stopping and starting, but still moving in the same direction.
Exactly my point. Perspective would render approach towards your eyes as stationary.
But, whatever. It's Calvinball without the charm.
Given it was so faint I'm surprised you were able to even track it, never mind judge how far or what its trajectory was.
Especially given it was so faint. Say it was a plane, you'd consider normally you'd see the flashing lights as separate sources but at a distance such flashing lights would blend into one another and again given how faint it was it makes it even more likely it was simply an aircraft at quite a distance.
But I am sure the additional details will soon be added to explain away mundane explanations. That's what usually happens with fabulists.
Exactly my point. Perspective would render approach towards your eyes as stationary.
Then I slightly retract my previous post. Only slightly because (1) it could still have been coming toward you despite your assertions otherwise, and (2) you still insist on a perfect memory.It moved diagonally across the sky above me, but if it were a high flying plane like a U2 it could have been descending or ascending when it appeared stationary.
I have to accept that as a possible explanation and the best one yet, because it had to be something, I just don't know what.
Then I slightly retract my previous post. Only slightly because (1) it could still have been coming toward you despite your assertions otherwise, and (2) you still insist on a perfect memory.
How old were you 59 years ago?
I do not think so, I discounted a weather balloon for the same reason. The object moved and stopped at regular intervals.
When you say regular, do you mean that you were checking the period against some objective measure, like looking at your watch?
I was eleven.
When you say regular, do you mean that you were checking the period against some objective measure, like looking at your watch?
57 year old memory of an eleven year old child admittedly not using any objective measure and yet the memory must be trusted.No ! but to my recollection the time it appeared stationary was between one and two minutes.
No ! but to my recollection the time it appeared stationary was between one and two minutes.
Planes don't stop in the sky for a minute or two then move off again.
I was eleven.
It moved diagonally across the sky above me, but if it were a high flying plane like a U2 it could have been descending or ascending when it appeared stationary.
I have to accept that as a possible explanation and the best one yet, because it had to be something, I just don't know what.