NUFORC Sighting 68514

Occurred: 2009-02-04 20:00 Local
Reported: 2009-02-08 13:23 Pacific
Duration: 15 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Earp, CA, USA

Shape: Formation
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aircraft nearby

A momentary string of orange-yellow lights near CA-AZ border

On February 4 around 8pm Pacific I was traveling east on CA-62 just outside Earp, CA about to cross into Arizona when I saw a line of orange-yellow lights high in the sky toward the southeast. I'm sure it was an odd number (7 to 9) because first there was only one light, then more turned on two at a time on either side of the first light until there was a line of them. Then they went out 2 at a time in the opposite order until they were all gone. After maybe 5 seconds they repeated the pattern and then disappeared. Whatever it was, it appeared to be either hovering or moving very slowly. I had no reference point to establish size, but it was definitely an airborne object (or objects).

The whole thing lasted about 10 to 15 seconds.

I pulled over a few minutes later after crossing into AZ and stood outside on the side of the road looking up at the sky. I could make out airplanes and their faint smoke trails but no sign of anything unusual.

NUFORC Note:

A string of lights makes us wonder whether the objects might have been some type of flare, released from an aircraft. However, flares usually burn for more that 15 seconds, we believe. PD

Posted 2009-03-19