NUFORC Sighting 23753

Occurred: 1989-10-11 21:00 Local
Reported: 2002-07-13 16:53 Pacific
Duration: 5 minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Kewanee, IL, USA

Shape: Sphere
Characteristics: Aura or haze around object, Changed Color, Electrical or magnetic effects

Reddish-orange sphere seen outside Kewanee, IL

On the night of October 11th 1989, I left Kewanee, Illinois and was driving home after a meeting. I was alone and driving west on IL Route 81. At a few minutes after 9:00pm I was approximately 4 miles west of Kewanee on a section of Route 81 running north (near the intersection of Tower Road). On the right (east) are hills and broken timbers amongst pastures and on the left (west) are flat open tilled farm fields. I would have been traveling north. I suddenly noticed a reddish-orange flashing light. At the time, I thought an emergency vehicle or deputy sheriff had suddenly come up behind me. This happened without warning and I thought a vehicle had approached me without any headlights. I had not been drinking or using any drugs. I do recall being somewhat fatigued after a long and busy day. I slowed down and moved the vehicle over to the shoulder of the road. As I came to a stop on the shoulder of the road, I was still thinking I was being pulled over for some reason. I stepped out of the open driver’s side door and realized that a large glowing sphere was positioned almost directly overhead. I estimated the object to be approx 50-70ft above the ground and approximately 20-25ft in diameter. It was smooth and glassy appearing on its surface, which was most noticeable between the brighter intensity pulses. I want to emphasize that these "pulses" were not flashes as in on-off but were pulsations of brighter-dimmer, never shutting off completely. I also noticed a strong definite static field that increased in unison with the pulses of brighter light. I could not visualize the surface of the object when the light pulses were at peak intensity. During the less intense/dim phase of the light pulses the surface was clearly visible and totally featureless from my point of view. The surface was very smooth and glass-like transparent and within appeared a swirling, smoky, or viscous liquid type substance against the inner surface. From what was visible to me, I would insist this object was a perfect globe or sphe! re and e mitted light from its entire outside surface. Over the next 1-2 minutes the quality and duration of the bright/dim light cycle changed to a longer bright and shorter dim but the frequency of the light cycle seemed constant. It did not pulse faster, just longer and brighter pulses with shorter dim intervals until it became a constant steady light. I hope I can make this clearly understood. I could feel the intensity of the static field intensify also. I did not move from my position next to the truck between the open door and cab. I had the feeling that something was going to happen with the changes in the light emissions and static field but did not know what to expect. When the light pulses became a steady light, the object very suddenly shot west with a departure so rapid that there was a loud “pop.” I can only describe it as being like a huge cork violently pulled from a bottle. I was aware of no noise prior to this moment. The object stopped very suddenly in the western sky for a few seconds (3-5 miles away?) then seemed to change direction approximately 90 degrees to due north a couple miles, stopping suddenly again for only a moment then disappearing to the western horizon. My next recollection was the realization that I was sitting in my parked truck in my backyard (approximately 2 miles north of the site described) with the truck pointing west and watching the western sky where the object disappeared. This was not an area where I would typically park. I walked into the house a few minutes before 11:00pm. Evidently, I was in the truck for some time. It was a very pleasant evening and I recall an overall feeling of "stunned amazement". I do not recall ever feeling fear or apprehension. I realize that some time is unaccounted for. I have attributed that to some kind of emotional shock. I have remained in excellent health.

Posted 2002-07-26