NUFORC Sighting 177185

Occurred: 1996-08-21 21:45 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2023-07-31 17:30 Pacific
Duration: 45 minutes
No of observers: 5

Location: Austin, MN, USA
Location details: 1706 4TH Avenue SW (my childhood home)

Shape: Unknown
Characteristics: Lights on object

My parents, brothers, and I all witnessed what remains a UAP to us. A star sized shape that maneuvered in low orbit.

My parents, brothers, and I all witnessed what remains a UAP to us.

It was a very clear night, and light pollution wasn't terrible in our town at this point. It was summer vacation, and we often spent the evenings outside up to an hour or so past dark. I don't know what specifically brought us all out, but stargazing was not an uncommon activity for us. My father was an avid stargazer from his youth, and taught me from a young age to know the difference between satellites and celestial bodies.

I noticed something that didn't fit the bill, and excitedly tried to get my parents to notice it.

What we saw was a star sized pin prick of light that appeared to be at significant altitude. It would light up and move in a straight line about 6° of the horizon and wink out. It would reappear 6-10° further out from its last visible position, but would be moving at nearly a right angle to its previous trajectory. Again, it would stay lit for a second or two, traversing a few degrees of the horizon and go dark. It continued this for nearly an hour, and all of my family members were watching it for periods of time. Skittering across the sky like a water bug that would light up each time it changed directions.

On a few rare occasions, it would cross a star while unlit, and it was large enough to black out the star behind it briefly as it passed.

Posted 2023-09-10