NUFORC Sighting 16170

Occurred: 2001-02-04 10:51 Local
Reported: 2001-02-05 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 5 minutes
No of observers: 0

Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA

Shape: Rectangle
Characteristics: Aircraft nearby

Chrome garbage can in my field of view of high flying jet.

I noticed a high flying jet -single vapor trail(short) very high over me in beautiful clear blue skies.It was heading south to north.I went to find my binocs since it was so high-just a speck I was curious.It was right straight up. By the time I got back it was at 1100 if I were in the clock center. I trained on it and saw clean wings with vertical attachments at the very end. It was a plane. As I moved the binocs to the left a silvery object was just sitting in the sky-looked like a chrome garbage can tipped a bit.It seemed to be as high as the jet maybe lower to the west a bit. It was motionless and then it made two like surges to the south equal to 3/4s of my viewing lens.(These were 7x50 Tasco). Then it was stationary and either went poof or straight up-it seemed like both. My friend says it was a weather balloon.Whatever-it was real cool to see.

NUFORC Note:

We have responded to the witness to inquire whether it might have been a refueling operation. Aircraft do, indeed, fly "in tandem" for refueling operations. PD

Posted 2001-02-18