Occurred: 2001-05-12 22:00 Local
Reported: 2001-05-12 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 2 minutes
No of observers: 3

Location: Franklin, TN, USA

Shape: Formation
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aircraft nearby

Triangular formation viewed in franklin, tn. Arc shaped flight path, than dissapeared.

We went out star gazing to the Natchez Trace. A nice rural area to get away from the city lights. My wife and two boys, ages 6 and 11 went along. We were lying on cots when I noticed a three "stars" in a triangular fashion. They were very high, like a satellite in distance as far as how high they appeared. Difficult to judge. Regardless, I felt dizzy because it appeared that the "stars" were moving. Kind of like when you lay back and watch the clouds move and get disorientated. I realized, however, by watching other stars that the objects were indeed moving. I basically freaked out. From the distance that they appeared to be away the objects had to be MILES apart. Possibly 10 miles each? I would have to ask someone who is an expert on it. They moved slowly, from the distance we were seeing, and in an arc. Certainly NOTHING man made could make the arc shape movement at that height and with such an abnormal movement. They didn not go in a perfect arc. Rather the formation somewhat lumbered along. I didn't notice and cannot say for sure that the object was not a whole oject rather than a formation. I was to excited to pay attention if it blocked out stars as it moved. It didn't appear that it did. It was an arc overall but no apparent path that they were going. Everyone watched it in amazement. The formation was not an even sided triangular. Easy to draw but harder to explain. The object literally faded into the night after, what seemed like, about two minutes in view. Not going fast, just disappearing. I personally am a ((deleted in computer networking and an ((deleted books. My spouse is an aspiring ((deleted in Nashville, TN. Two ((children, typical ((children I suppose. They didn't really understand the significance other than dad getting so excited. There was absolutely no sound from the objects at all, and it is quiet there. Too far up to hear a sound though, as it was more at a satellite height or higher.

((

NUFORC Note:

We spoke with this witness, and we found him to be serious minded, and seemingly quite credible. Our first suspicion was that the witnesses may have been witnessing three satellites flying in unwavering formation, but his impression was that they did not move in a straight line. Moreover, they all appeared to disappear from their view at the same instant. Satellites probably would have disappeared sequentially, as each of them entered the Earth's terminator, I.e. shadowed side, away from the Sun.

Please see other reports for this same date from all across the U. S., e.g. NY, OK, and OR. PD))


Posted 2001-08-05

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