NUFORC Sighting 157578

Occurred: 2020-07-12 22:30 Local
Reported: 2020-07-13 23:18 Pacific
Duration: 10-15 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Shape: Chevron
Characteristics: Lights on object

moving and silent V-shaped formation of lights in binocular field of view while stargazing

At 10:30 on the night of 7/12/2020, I was in my backyard on the east part of the Salt Lake Valley stargazing with my 10 x 50 binoculars. I was looking at about 75 to 80 degrees from north, so almost due east and about 45 degrees up from ground level in the east (well above the mountain skyline). I notice movement across my field of view and quickly moved to find it. I tracked it to about 130 degrees from north. At that point I lowered my binoculars to see if I could see it with unaided eyes and could not see it. I tried to find it again with the binoculars without success. I estimate the time viewed in the binoculars was 10 – 15 seconds.

I immediately had the feeling that I was seeing something unusual. I had no perspective of how far away it was as I was looking into stars and blackness of night. It could have been several blocks away or several miles. I also could not discern the size of what I saw. I did not even see a solid shape. It was just the V formation of lights and moving south. The object fit into approximately 50% of the field of view of the binoculars. Added to the strangeness of the event was that there was no noise. It was very silent. To me, it was a surreal sight and nothing I have remotely seen before. I am always looking to the night skies and that night gave me a moment I will not forget.

The first impression I had upon seeing it was that it resembled the formation of a flock of geese flying In a V formation. But this was definitely not that. It was a moving formation of lights that did not vary from formation or direction. Once I realized I saw something unusual, I went inside to tell my wife who was in bed. Due to my reaction, she did not question that I had seen what I saw. I only hope to know of others who may have seen this or something similar.

Posted 2020-07-23