It was visible in half the country so it’s unlikely that it was projected from the ground.
Some videos:
http://www.vgtv.no/?id=27559&category=1
http://www.vgtv.no/?id=27558&category=1
http://www.vgtv.no/?id=27553&category=1
I would guess another Russian missile launch, but the Russians deny it. And so do the rocket stations in Kiruna (Sweden) and Andøya (Norway). Another Baluva test gone wrong I would think. But it would be nice if our new overlord have arrived...
There was also a launch warning on the maritime warning system Navtex:
http://www.frisnit.com/cgi-bin/navtex/view.cgi?id=1159919&lan=en&type=24H&message_filter=&search=ROCKET&station_filter=&date=2009-12-09&source=a4f7a470329caf85e2488355c7e88328&offset=0
(probably intercepted from Russian coastguard radio traffic)
Reminds me of a comment a friend made after seeing what the sky looked like after a spectacular late evening test launch at Vandenburg.
“You will be happy to know that the end of the world will be accompanied by beautiful sunsets.”
bttt