Probably space junk or something that's classified...

Pretty sure if it's big our satellite defense systems know of it.

Coooooool! Yeah, we're safe. 😯

From ContrailScience.com:

http://uncinus.wordpress.com/2010/11/09/4/

He even goes so far as to analyze which flight likely caused it: US Airways flight 808 from Hawaii to Phoenix.

Very cool. I was hoping upon hopes it was an upscale mosquito off
of a small row boat.

Having watched several videos of this event (maybe all from the same source), it is apparent that it is not a jet. You can clearly see the white-hot exhaust at the tip of the plume, something you'd only see on a military jet on full afterburners. Another still shot shows the angle of the flight to be very steep in comparison to any plane.

Personally, I think somebody hit the wrong button. Maybe a launch simulation on one of ours or an accidental launch by a Chinese or Russian sub just off the coast, perhaps a Patriot or a Standard Missile. In the end, I bet it comes out.

W

I watch enough television to know that it is usually the guy who reports the incident who is guilty of it. So John Wilke, where were you at the time of the mysterious streak? I just know you have a CTI 10 XL grain 75mm casing and I bet you were testing that rumored N motor in it... weren't you.

Was listening to Fox News Radio out of Ft. Collins/Wellington this am. Heard "Bear" call in and talk about California off shore launch and our Club and our launches. Anyone else hear it? ❓ Now I hear Rush talking about it on same station.
My theory is it was a military test launch. Any bets? 🙄

I have heard report that a NOTMAR (notice to mariners) was issued, speculation on whether a NOTAM was issued. This would point to a planned NAVY operation.

😯 I heard that also about a mariners warning. I still think it was a missle of some variety.
Or, one heck of an atmospheric condition to create a contrail to last that long while a jet plane crosses over the Pacific and you can see it's running light as it nears coastal area.
Maybe we will never find out. 🙄

Pretty convincing logic that it was an aircraft contrail:

http://thailandaviation.blogspot.com/2010/11/us-california-mystery-contrailmissile.html

On a semi-related note, a buddy of mine from New Zealand is totally captivated by contrails. I teased him about it, and he pointed out that they rarely see them in NZ - not that many flights at high altitude (where condensation occurs)... many of the aircraft they see are flying much lower.

We counted almost 30 contrails from the north site one day. I'm talking 30 visible at the same time. Funny how we don't give them a second glance.

I did some looking and there are many cryptic warning in the area. I was surprised sort of to find out how many different military test areas there are along that coast. I dont know the terminology so do always know what I am reading. There was a large area to the north of Catalina Island that was warning of testing that would be ongoing. Is it hard to believe their test somehow got off course and THAT is what was seen????

I wondered about Catalina... but there is no way that was a contrail... temps too high at launch for contrails, 30 miles out? No amateur would do that... though it was in International waters, legally, they could. Why?

Everyone has missed the truth behind this episode - visiting aliens have left for home.