Atlas 5 Fuel Dump?

A group of fellow ASH members and I saw a "cloud" from the Naylor
Observatory last night (2003/7/18 UT) between approximately 1:50 and
2:30 UT. First seen low in the southwest it moved eastward rapidly
northeastward. Through binoculars and a 5" f/5 finder scope the
object initially appeared to be roughly triangular with a somewhat
condensed head. Later we viewed it with a 12.5" Newtonian and a 17"
classical Cassegrain. Its speed was striking. I noticed two
bifurcated "tails" through the large telescopes. The cloud became
increasingly difficult to see when it passed underneath Arcturus.

A satellite was launched that evening by an Atlas 5 (see
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches...ch_030717.html ). We
assumed the cloud was the result of an orbital fuel dump by that
vehicle. I saw such a fuel dump some time ago during an Ariane
launch.

Was it in fact a fuel dump from that launch or another or a TMA
release perhaps?

Dave Mitsky
Harrisburg, PA