I was standing in driveway (rural area no exterior lighting) taking a smoke break, it was dark, no moon, very quiet, when i noticed it starting to gradually getting lighter around my area. It was a slow process, and I didnt notice it at first as i was thinking of other things. It reached the intesity of a bright moonlight night in a area about the 1 acre in size. I noticed a bright light over head the intensity of a landing light on a plan at about 1 mile. When i looked up the light started to fade as if on a reastat. There was absolutly no sound, and it was very still, and I am used to looking and hearing all forms of aircraft. There is nothing that could produce the intesity of light and not be heard.