Light over Goleta (Goleta Beach Park), CA

The report, as filed

Thanks for this service. Surroundings: Goleta Beach State Park, between 10:10 pm PST and perhaps 10:30 – not sure of the exact time. (No watch.) This park is on the ocean, and also within approx. 1 or 2 miles of the local airport. I was facing the ocean, which is southerly here, looking towards the west. I was on a bicycle and riding slowly. There was – I’m not sure now – I believe a small plane behind me; it was headed out toward the ocean, away from the airport, which is in the northern direction from the beach and the ocean. I believe this plane had flashing lights. Suddenly, directly above the horizon and relatively near - a bright light came into view. It was travelling at an unusual speed – not extremely fast and yet…steady, i.e., not slow. This light flashed on very bright and NOT on a plane. It then went out. It then – within seconds – came on again. And then…went out again. This was from my left to my right – it travelled. And also, it was headed north to south, towards the ocean. At first I thought the lights from the small plane had illuminated a seagull. But it could not possibly have been. It was flying too fast, and it was emitting its own light. Then, I thought perhaps it was a comet. However, it went out – which may have been like a comet. But then it came on again. And then went out again. This happened the night before last night. I was tired and did not have your call in number at home, when I arrived home. Also, my tendency was to explain it away. However, at the time, I kept telling myself. “Look – this is different. You have seen something that you don’t know what it is.” Also, the lights from the plane…I don’t think they could have lit up a seagull. Also, it was a little too fast for a seagull. To me, it was completely anomalous. So, I made a note to write to you. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep all of the details in my mind. There was no visible craft – but it was its own light. Anyway, if it was an object – such as a small meteor – I don’t understand how it could have gone out and then turned on again. It was just not normal. Thank you.

Held as-reported from National UFO Reporting Center (record NUFORC #121088). Witness text is preserved verbatim, including its spelling; nothing is edited beyond formatting.