NUFORC Sighting 16691

Occurred: 2001-02-10 21:50 Local
Reported: 2001-03-01 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 45 min
No of observers: 5

Location: Rockford, IL, USA

Shape: Formation
Characteristics: Left a trail, Aircraft nearby

9-11 orange-red lights in formation appear twice in 1 hour which can remain perfectly still then travel exceedingly fast.

At about 21:50, my 9 yr old son said "Wow, the little dipper sure is bright tonight!" We looked out our W windows and looked NW. There we saw about 9-11 orange-red mostly motionless lights in the sky. They changed formation slightly. About 2 then flew off and disappeared, then another 2 or so until there were only 2 left which then traveled directly S, at first close together and then more apart. They were able to make pin point stops and continue. We couldn't see them after they had traveled so far S. Then at about 22:30 they reappeared in the same spot in a diamond formation. I phoned a neighbor. A plane flew past and behind the formation.They disappeared as before but only 1 traveled S, stopped directly W, disappeared and I saw a white shooting star straight from sky to earth where the light was last.

Posted 2001-03-06