NUFORC Sighting 65078

Occurred: 2008-08-04 19:01 Local
Reported: 2008-08-07 17:30 Pacific
Duration: 60 seconds
No of observers: 6

Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Shape: Disk
Characteristics: Changed Color, Aircraft nearby

Notched disc with slow wobbly movement at O'hare Terminal 3 observed at close range in daylight.

While waiting in the lobby at AA Gate K-7 at Chicago O'hare my wife noticed a disc-shaped object hovering at an altitude of several hundred feet outside the terminal's large glass windows to the WSW at 7:01 pm. She called my attention to it and several other people rushed to observe the estimated 30-40 foot in diameter object as it wobbled but deliberately moved to our left (NNE) between Concourse K and L toward the main body of Terminal 3. It took about 60 seconds to enter and exit our field of view.

Its destinctive peripherial protrusions, like notches on a gear, were its primary identifying feature to me. It was dull gray (my wife noticed orange/rust) with an undulating movement. It traveled low under the cloud ceiling.

We laughed and moved closer to the windows and I told my wife to try for a phone camera shot but she couldn't manage it in time. Another lady asked "what in the world is such a big flying hubcap doing out there". Others looked and turned their heads in disbelief.

Prior to the sighting there was very little aircraft activity in this wing of O'hare. There was a burst of aircraft activity after the object departed and a large storm moved in at 7:30 pm. An aircraft appeared to be disabled during the 7:00-8:00 pm period. Tornado warnings and high winds followed and passengers took shelter in the tunnels of O'hare. We finally departed on AA 1058 to Orlando from Gate K-15 at about midnight.

I am a 61 year old geologist with 30 years of international experience, an amateur astronomer, and IUFOC attendee for many years.

Posted 2008-08-12