NUFORC Sighting 05065

Occurred: 1998-12-05 18:15 Local
Reported: 1998-12-10 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 60 secs
No of observers: 2

Location: Glendale, AZ, USA

Shape: Other
Characteristics: Left a trail

Object appeared from behind mesa, ascended at about a 70 degree angle, taking maybe a minute to ascend 8-10,000 ft, passing into cloud. Object resembled typical comet with rounded head and long vaporous trail.

My wife and I finally had our first UFO experience while visiting relatives in Phoenix last weekend. The event happened about 6:15 PM just at dusk as we turned off I-17 and drove west on Happy Valley Road on the extreme northern edge of Phoenix. The sky was partially overcast but clear to the west. I first spotted what I thought was a comet just above one of the local mesas. I don't know its name, but it forms the northern rim of the little valley just north of Thunderbird Park. The object had a rounded head similar to photos of comets and as it rose from behind the mesa its "tail" also appeared. The tail flaired out slightly as a comet might and even appeared to have a stream of particles "glittering" inside it. Being just at dusk, it was difficult to judge size and distance, but from where the object disappeared into the cloud (lighting it brightly as it passed through) it'd guess it was between 10-20 miles away. From our perspective the object was about the size of my thumb extended at arms length. It took about a minute to reach what I'd guess is an altitude of 8-10,000 feet before disappearing into the cloud. It ascended at about a 70 degree angle. It appeared a whitish blue color to me and was brightest at the "head." I cannot explain what it is we saw. I have a knowledge of astronomy, spent 9 years in the airline business, hold a private pilot license, and regard myself as a rational man. This didn't resemble a rocket trail or anything else with which I am familiar.

Posted 1999-01-28