Meteorite object appears after what I thought an aircraft dissappeared.8:53 PM 1/1/2009 exact time- observer location on ground approx 34deg.-38min.N, 080deg.-52min.W (Hartsville, SC) duration 20-30 secs In NW sky about 45deg up from horizon: Appearing to be high in altitude, I saw a few short irregular flashes of what looked like a small moving object. It appeared in the one spot, I do not think I just found it as it was moving. It was moving from North to South nearly directly. I would guess it could have been 10 to 20 miles from me. Its speed was like that of a high flying jet. I was not sure but I thought it looked as if it was slowing down! It looked like it may be an airplane very high up, but it quit flashing after about (4)four flashes (dull-bright-dull-dull flashes), and then I could not see it.About 3 seconds or so after I could not see it any longer, an object that acted like a meteorite shot to the NE from the same spot the flashes quit. The meteorite object was very brushy in its halo and tail, as if a lot of material was burning up very quickly, but it was not very bright. It had a reddish center with a yellowish corona and was very wide,also the tail was very long.The trajectory lasted about 3 seconds and had a pronounced arc as if it was slowing quickly. I estimate it traveled about 30 degrees in arc from the point it appeared before it disappeared.