bright white slowly moving 'star' or 'planet'

I happened to wake up early today, and since I live on the fourth floor of a building that gives me a great view of the skies over Manhattan, as well as of planes descending/ascending from local airports, I am always looking out my windows (that have no shades or blinds) to see what the sky is doing.

I happened to notice (looking in the sky somewhat Southwestward from my home in Astoria, Queens) a large bright white 'star'. It then occurred to me that it was probably not a star but in fact a planet, as I know in the past I one time thought something was a star when in fact it was a particular planet that was appearing in the sky at that time of year. In any case, as I looked at this bright white 'planet', it seemed to me that I was also seeing a bit of a white 'glow' around the bright white solid light in the center. I then thought "am I imagining things, or is this light somewhat moving?" I watched it on and off for the next 15 minutes or so and during that time it remained in my view in the skies over Manhattan, and was indeed moving. The manner in which it moved was very subtle (at least from my perspective) but it was moving more or less in a vertical manner...while at the same time almost making slight little 'jumps' up and down....and while it was moving vertically, at the same time it was moving a bit to either side... In addition, as I was watching the bright light, it also seemed to be turning at some point....the angle of the light would change a bit...as if the overall direction of this UFO were changing....

I thought to myself 'well what if this IS some type of plane...or helicopter?'....but then...it was not moving as a helicopter would...nor would a helcopter that far away have had such a brightness to it. And if it were a plane, well not only was it not moving as a plane would, but it didn't have any of the flashing lights typical of a plane....Eventually the UFO did seem to be moving further and further away from my view. I finally just want back to sleep...

By the way, during this time I did see other traditional planes in the sky....