Sounds like an iridium flare from a dim satellite. If you've never seen one, satellites are visible all night long. They look like a star moving accross the sky. When the Sun catches them just right the iridium panels flare for a second or longer. Sound like you saw an iridium flare from a satellite to dim for the naked eye but the flare was bright enough.
And by the way, you are correct. I say it all the time. UFO stand for Unidentified Flying Object not Alien Space Ship, that's Language Removed.

That's it;
BOB SAL

• Thanks a lot - virgile - February 24, 2003 - 18:32 UTC