The catalog
Sightings
Witness reports, held as-reported. Each entry keeps its source, its coordinates where the record has them, and its place in the larger pattern.
27,433 entries
December 26, 2016 · 9:30 PM · LIGHT
Philadelphia (100 naut. miles E of; over water), PA
December 26, 2016. While on a routine flight from New York to Miami, we saw a very unusual light. We were in cruise at FL410, Mach .80, unlimited visibility with a temp of -55c, approximately 100NM off the coast near Atlantic City (close to Philadelphia), and on a true course of around 160. Between 2130-2200 EST. I looked up I saw a very large and bright flashing light, which I brought to the other pilot’s attention. His response when seeing it was pretty much the same as mine…. “What in the hell”… “What is that?” The size of course is hard to tell. The other pilot explains it as 3-4 times the size of the largest star around. I think it was 4-5x. The object was approximately 25-30 degrees up from our line of sight when I first saw it. Its range of motion was between the horizon (from what I could see) to around 35 degrees up from our line of sight. At first sight the light was approximately at our 1 o’clock position. It moved to 12, 10, 11, back to 12. At that time, the light appeared to move North, then south, at a pretty rapid rate. Or I would describe it as closer and further from our position as the size seemed to get larger and smaller. The light ended in the 1st position and then moved out east and once at our 10 o’clock position disappeared. The other pilot stated he could see an! orange/red flash in between the white flashes. We did flash our lights at it a few times and the other pilot believes it flashed back in sequence, I felt the return flashes were probably coincidental, but possible. The flashing didn’t really appear to have any pattern. The whole incident lasted a minimum of 10 minutes. Neither one of use have ever seen and/or heard of an occurrence like this. We were going to report it to ATC, but mutually decided to let it be. I have no explanation for what we saw nor does the other pilot. We did try to video the incident, but it wasn't possible. Captain We spoke twice via telephone with the source of the report, and he sounded to us to be both sincere, and sober-minded. We suspect that he is a superlative, and highly reliable, witness. PD
December 25, 2016 · 9:30 PM · LIGHT
Lincoln City, OR
I was on a friend's front porch, at the extreme Northern edge of Lincoln City, OR, around 9:30 p.m Dec. 25th, 2016. I saw a blue-white light in the distance. It appeared to be a couple of miles or so away. The direction of the light from me was about Northeast. I could see the outer most two stars in the Big Dipper above the light. The other Big Dipper stars were hidden by some fir trees. What caught my attention was the light looked like two lights very close together, then they seemed to be moving right and left very slowly. Also, it seemed much too bright to be a star that low above the horizon. I saw the light for about a minute and then it zipped off extremely fast towards the Pacific Ocean. I was astounded at the speed that this thing moved!
December 25, 2016 · 6:50 PM · LIGHT
Belfair, WA
At 18:49 I was surprised to see what I at first believed to be red flares in the low east sky from my residence. It wasn't until 9 of the came into view and went from a straight line into a shape that resembled the Little Dipper that I realized these craft were flying. They proceeded to change to a southward direction, as well as gained more altitude. I ran for my camera and had someone else come and see what was going on. In less than 5 minutes time they had again changed formation and were disappearing into the sky as they changed direction and went straight up into the sky.
December 24, 2016 · 11:45 PM · LIGHT
Christhcurch · New Zealand
Two white mercy lights changing in size bigger and smaller and moving around in an irregular pattern
December 24, 2016 · 8:04 PM · LIGHT
Lake Umatilla; John Day Dam (~30 mi. E of; approximate), WA
My girlfriend and I were traveling home for Christmas on Highway 14 in Walla Walla County, Washington. The area around was vast open fields. There were only three vehicles on the road that night, a semi in front of us and one behind us. We were just driving along when suddenly a bright turquoise light lit up the sky. The light didn’t seem to have a location where it was coming from. It lasted about 3 seconds then stopped. My girlfriend and I were completely tripped out. Then it happened again. This time the time length was shorter but it lit up the entire sky. I looked above us and it seemed apparent that it was coming from right above us. When I say it lit up the entire sky, I mean it lit up the sky for miles upon miles. There was no airports near us and no towns for another 60 miles. Witness is going to try to establish the exact location of the event, and send the information as an addendum. He first reported that the sighting had occurred near Walla Walla, but the location cited above is more accurate, he now believes. PD
December 23, 2016 · 9:00 PM · LIGHT
Aberdeen, SD
The object moved at a seemingly high rate of speed before slowing and starting to fade, though it would pulsate a bit while fading. Eventually the momentum stopped altogether and the light faded out while stationary. I observed this for about 3 minutes between first looking up and noticing the light, and when it faded completely from sight.
December 23, 2016 · 7:30 PM · LIGHT
Woodridge, IL
((ADDENDUM FROM Mr. Gene Weed, photo analyst.)) Peter, Woodridge, Illinois, Friday, December 23rd, 2016, @ 19:30 hrs. (CST) ANALYSIS First Impressions Photo did not include the source of light. Why take just one photo? Description does not match photo. DETAILS Sharp edges of white on tree indicate overlay; Multiple white images on left of beam (opacity of second image layers not adjusted correctly); Roof gable (peak) can be seen through beam (impossible) indicate opacity settings of ~ 60% of second layer; Multiple blue colors on top and bottom of beam (not pure white); No shadow from' Bright Beam', which normally accompanies such sightings; Light Beam does not touch ground (impossible); Background shadows under cars from 'dimmer garage light, is brighter than 'Beam' (impossible), and additionally, shadow angle does not match the beam object. i.e. No shadows or illumination on any object in photo are stemming from this 'Bright Beam' can be detected. All light shadows are from house. Using the camera exposure recorded ( see settings below) the 'Beam' would have saturated the entire photograph, or would have automatically adjusted the exposure settings. SUMMARY Authentic photograph with apparent overlay characteristic; multiple points as described.. REFERENCES http://www.verexif.com/en/ver.php?foto_file=&foto_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nuforc.org%2FS131906.jpg Hoax Regards, Gene Weed ((END ADDENDUM)) We posted the photo provided by the witness, but with reservation, given the bizarre appearance of the "shaft of light." Subsequent analysis of the photo suggests that the photo is a montage, created by overlays. It appears to have been "PhotoShopped," and we are unable to reach the source of the photo via telephone. NUFORC apologizes for having posted the misleading data on December 31st, 2016. PD
December 22, 2016 · 9:30 PM · LIGHT
Girard, OH
We seen a light far off in the distance, looked like it dropped something and then was gone, was wondering if there was a comet or meteor in my area tonight possibly, just very intrested in it.
December 22, 2016 · 9:30 PM · LIGHT
New Brockton, AL
I went outside to walk my dogs and I looked up just as a glowing green light darted across the sky over the highway parallel to my home silently, and in a matter of seconds. Witness elects to remain totally anonymous; provides no contact information. PD
December 22, 2016 · 6:40 PM · LIGHT
Garland, TX
i went out at 1840 pm to have a smoke and noticed a big bright light in the southwest sky. I first thought it was a aircraft of sometime but it wasnt moving. i watched it for 7-10 minutes and it was stationary in the sky. This light was huge compared to stars and other lights in the sky. I put my little finger on my right hand over the light to try and gauge its size. The lights size was that about halve the size of a pencil eraser. It was very bright and to be honest the closest thing I could compare it too and i know this sound hokey but it's shape reminded me of "the star of Bethlehem"...just a big bright light with a four point star look. I came inside house to grab camcorder and it's battery was dead so i started charging my camera. I then went to google and googled astronomy events and all i could find was that Jupiter was near waning crescent moon at 1am this morning. I could find nothing about what I was seeing. I went back out and watched some more and it was just a big stationary light. At no time did i think this was a Helicopter as I see those all the time with there spot lights on. Since it was dark I couldnt tell if this was a celestial or terrestrial light...i believe it was celestial. I came back outside at 1950 and the light is completely gone!! it is just gone...we do have some clouds but I can still see the stars that are much dimmer than this light in the southwest sky. I have no idea what I saw. I wanted to submit this report in case someone else witnessed the same thing. I just googled star drawings and the image that fits what I saw is the "christmas star"...that's the closest i can describe for you.
December 22, 2016 · 6:30 PM · LIGHT
Deer River, MN
Craft changed direction many times hovered for long periods, very bright light
December 21, 2016 · 7:30 PM · LIGHT
Cheltenham, PA
3 bright white lights in vertical line apparently stationary in night sky then moving down seemingly towards ground - as we drove in direction of the lights they appeared to sink lower and eventually final light seemed to fly away and appeared to have additional flashing lights om sides, green and red. Witness elects to remain totally anonymous; provides no contact information. PD
December 19, 2016 · 9:50 PM · LIGHT
Redding, CA
For about the last twenty years, I usually go out for ten to twenty minutes before I go to bed each night to have a look at the stars. I usually look very carefully for areas that are darker than the night sky, hoping to see one of the black triangle craft. I was only out for a few minutes looking at the area of Taurus, and a reddish orange star just appeared. It was almost in the middle between the two stars that make the horns of Taurus. It was a little brighter than Aldebaran, and then got slightly brighter. I was watching it for a few seconds not sure if it was a star or not when I could see that it was wavering slightly side to side. It then started moving slowly in an arc heading east. I knew then it was not a star and started to walk to my door to get a camera and binoculars when it gradually began to fade out. I went in, noted the time, and got the binoculars. I checked the area with the binoculars and could see nothing. The only thing I can think of is that I saw a meteor directly end on.
December 19, 2016 · 8:02 PM · LIGHT
Gilbert, AZ
It was not craft, but a swarm of undulating blinking lights in a ribbon like formation, almost straight overhead, heading in a east to west direction. They were multi colored, blinking on and off, thousands of them. There were three of us in my backyard, and 7 neighbors reported the phenomena on our neighborhood Facebook page. I was able to get some grainy video on my smartphone. It was an incredible site, I thought I must be dreaming, so I slapped my own face, but it was real. They looked to be about 25,000 feet up, as that was the lowest cloud cover at the time, and they were above that. Please tell me where to submit video. Thank you. Witness followed up to state that the objects were helium-filled balloons with flashing LED lights, which had been released at a church celebration. PD
December 19, 2016 · 6:50 AM · LIGHT
Town and Country, MO
Most prominent colour was green and reg with lots of yellow and blue. All different colours. Same thing I saw over SAFB. soo many colours Witness elects to remain totally anonymous; provides little contact information. PD
December 18, 2016 · 10:00 PM · LIGHT
Wetaskiwin (Canada), AB · Canada
Bright red light almost spherical flew across the dark night from West to East, North of our Apartment. Did not see any strobe light that is common to aircraft. There was no sound, an roommate said it almost looked like a diamond shape a top of red light. I couldn't see any real shape other then a bright red light smoothly traveling West to East. It seemed to move a lot faster then any commercial aircraft would move. It was not a comet it did not burn out or go in a downward spiral. I tried to take a picture, but my camera wouldn't pick it up in the dark.
December 18, 2016 · 9:15 PM · LIGHT
Honolulu, HI
I observed what appeared to be 7-10 red lights in the shape of an egg moving West to East over Honolulu and Waikiki. It paused twice and hovered silently for about half a min each then floated slowly off away over diamond head and kept on going out to sea.
December 18, 2016 · 7:30 PM · LIGHT
Mission, KS
We were just driving home and saw strange lights in the sky. Yellow or orange in color moving from the south to north in a line. When we reached our home they were no longer visible. They were spaced a long distance apart.
December 18, 2016 · 7:00 PM · LIGHT
Lancaster, OH
I thought they were plane lights at first but in a umbrella formation they never moved. Just a yellowish white lights that looked 5 ft apart so for planes it didn't not add up but then they left 4 then 2 until they all disappeared.my wife was heading to work and I stopped her in her car to show her...we are not sure what we saw...it was toward Pleasantville, Ohio
December 16, 2016 · 7:30 PM · LIGHT
La Veta, CO
In the western sky.There was a cloud bank that was approaching fast. Above the cloud mass was a huge light. The light reflected off the cloud edges. I have seen approaching jets/airplanes with approach lights. There was a single light. The light suddenly went out. The cloud passed overhead. I saw no contrails . This light and cloud came from over La Veta Pass so it was very high in the sky.
December 16, 2016 · 6:00 PM · LIGHT
Skiatook, OK
Object in the western sky. Flashing dense, bright blue and white lights. Moving North to South and made 180 degree turn moving very fast from South to North. Another 180 degree turn and quickly came back and hovered for several seconds. Then quickly moved west and out of sight.
December 15, 2016 · 7:00 PM · LIGHT
Middlefield, CT
I was waiting for my daughter to get out of work and noticed a very bright white light midsky. No noise, no movement just hovering. A few minutes later I noticed two aircraft things following each other. One was glowing red the other white. They went east to west. Once out of sight, two more appeared, both white and followed the same path. Meanwhile, the brightest light was becoming dimmer until it was no longer in sight. Very strange.
December 14, 2016 · 8:15 PM · LIGHT
Cumming, GA
Witness elects to remain totally anonymous; provides no contact information. PD
December 14, 2016 · 7:15 PM · LIGHT
Chesapeake, VA
Date: late 2016 Observation conditions: Night, clear, moonless, mild weather. Location: Greenbrier section of Chesapeake, VA. (approx. 10 miles NNW of NAS Fentress Air Field) Visibility: No leaves on trees, open areas of night sky. Witness sighting: I was looking up to the sky facing south when I noticed a point of light appearing and descending from the east at a 45* angle. It fell slower than a meteor but much faster than a jet. (I was raised at Sandbridge where F-104s practiced bomb runs at Dam Neck, so I know their capabilities). I watched it descend for roughly 4 seconds when suddenly it ‘bounced’ into a due south trajectory at apparent level flight for another 4 or 5 seconds, then faded out. When it made the sharp left turn, I did not observe an explosion, nor any debris that would warrant the change of direction. The object made no sound or sonic boom. Its brightness was similar to the planet Venus (which had already set). At no time did it increase or diminish its brightness, except when it faded out while traveling south. I estimate its altitude was in the stratosphere, and the redirection probably just south of NAS Fentress. I would also ad that at no time was I impaired or under any influence. My glasses were on giving my sight clarity enough to see stars as points of light (though twinkling), and this object was brighter than any of the stars out that night.