Possible Supernova!!! Need answers

Dear fellow astronomers,
I have a question which has been bugging me for some time now. About 2 years ago I was looking up at the night sky and just the instant i looked up i seen a small explosion. the explosion was probably about as bright as betelguese in Orion and had an apparent size of a pea if you was to hold it at arms length above your head. the explosion only lasted a second or less, and then disappeard. Im certain it was in space and not in our atmosphere. Im somewhat knowledable in astronomy but i dont know a whole lot when it comes to supernovae. Im hoping someone can help me out.
Thanks!!

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Most likely it was a meteor that exploded coming staight at you. That makes no trail and it does last a second or two.

I suspect it was an Iridium Flare. They can get quite bright, and even be seen during the day. Check the Heavens-above website for predictions and see if it matches what you saw.

You should have been able to track it move as it brightened, which is a clue that it is something close rather than a star. The last supernovae seen in our galaxy was over 400 years ago, so we all would have heard about it if that is what it was! The other disqualifying feature was its duration. Supernovae brighten over a period of days, and then diminish gradually in brightness over several months.

Keep looking up!
Hugh Bartlett

I don't buy the Iridium Flare unless Nick says he saw a streak with some movement. He says it was a starburst.

I vote an incoming meteor--or perhaps a warhead detonating on an alien spacecraft.

Alex

Thanks alot people now i feel like a big idiot. I would guess than it might have been a meteorite because i didnt see no satillite it was just an explosion effect. dangit i thought i may have discovered a nova! 8O haha
thanks for your help