NUFORC Sighting 20604

Occurred: 2001-11-18 16:00 Local
Reported: 2001-11-29 10:39 Pacific
Duration: 1 minute
No of observers: 3

Location: Cross River, NY, USA

Shape: Triangle
Characteristics: Lights on object

The night of the Leonids meteor shower some friends and I (one of which was an Earth Science teacher) were watching the showers in front of my home, crystal clear very dark (as there are no lights here at all). About the time indicated we were looking due west when appeared a triangular shaped craft perhaps the size of a large commercial jet. It was a triangle with lights all around the edge between 7 and 10 alltogether. It moved form east to west at a high rate of speed, I have good experience with military craft and this thing moved too quick for any conventional jet. In addition, it was perfectly quiet, no sound no blinking lights and it appeared to be somewhat opaque in the center but yet retained some translucent effect as well, if it passed under a star it seemed as if the star would fade but not dissappear.

After a it dissappeared to the west and we regained our ability to actually talk, my 2 friends went inside to warm up but I stayed, EXACTLY 11 minutes after this sighting 2 military jets possibly F-15 or F-16 fighters came from the southwest and rocketed passed my home heading northwest at a high rate of speed, the classic sonic boom trailing behind, blinking lights etc... I have seen them many times, they were defenitely fighter jets scrambled probably from Newburgh Stewart Air Base.

I know this is lengthy but keep in mind, the only commercial airport in the area is Westchester County airport and they are RESTRICTED from flying between 11pm and 5:00am that is the law. And that is why the jets were scrambled.

NUFORC Note:

The date of the Leonid Meteor shower was 18NO01. We have amended the date here. PD

Posted 2001-12-05