NUFORC Sighting 29498

Occurred: 2003-06-14 20:00 Local
Reported: 2003-07-02 11:00 Pacific
Duration: 12 minutes
No of observers: 2

Location: Paphos (Cyprus), , Cyprus

Shape: Cigar

Intensely brilliant objects accompany a Cyprus sunset.

I was recently on vacation near Paphos on the island of Cyprus, and at sunset on June 14 (approx 20.00hrs local time) I witnessed an unusual event in the proximity of the setting sun. The sky was completely clear and free of cloud, and the horizon in my view was the calm Mediterranean Sea to the West of my hotel balcony.

The event itself took the form of two intensely bright lights (one a pinpoint and the other a streak or slim cigar shape). Both were located a few degrees to the upper-right of the setting sun. The pinpoint was at approx "2 o'clock" to the sun. The bright streak (slim cigar shape) of light, was situated a few degrees to the right of the pinpoint (also at around "2 o'clock") with its left end slightly inclined toward the horizon. Both lights remained stationery and continued to emit an intensely brilliant white light for several minutes, both before and after the sunset. The pinpoint then suddenly dimmed and disappeared. Approx two minutes later, the streak of light dimmed suddenly and disappeared, leaving behind it for a few millisceonds a brownish streak of exactly the same proportions.

However, some ten seconds later, the brilliant streak of light reappeared in roughly the same position (possibly a few degrees to the right), and it remained intensely bright for approx. half a minute more. At this point, the streak of brilliant white light suddenly dimmed and disappearing as before, leaving for a fleeting moment, a brownish imprint of itself against the turquoise sky.

Soon after first noticing the lights, I attempted to film them using my camcorder. However, the camcorder refused to give me a clear picture, even though it was switched to auto-focus. I therefore switched it to manual focus, but the image didn't improve. Frustrated, I then discarded the camera and decided to watch the event with the naked eye.

As a point of interest, my partner Jenny also saw the above mentioned lights and, without prompting from me, she independently described them in exactly the way I have described them to you.

I reported my sighting by telephone to the Cyrpus Mail newspaper office in Nicosia on the following Tusday morning (I spoke to a reporter called George). However, he'd had no other reports at that time. I gave him my hotel address and invited him to contact me if he required additional information. I had no further contact from him.

Nearly three weeks on, I am now back home in England, but I am still deeply puzzled as to the nature of what I witnessed on June 14. I am a writer by profession, and I'm always keen to get to the bottom of a mystery.

Yours faithfully ((name deleted))

NUFORC Note:

We wonder whether the witnesses observed a distant aircraft, with contrail behind it, being illuminated by the setting Sun in the west. We will invite his comment. PD

Posted 2003-07-16