NUFORC Sighting 27984

Occurred: 2003-03-04 02:40 Local
Reported: 2003-03-03 22:30 Pacific
Duration: 3 - 5 minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), , Brazil

Shape: Cigar
Characteristics: Lights on object, Emitted beams

slow moving cigar shaped craft that flashed a large area intense bright white/blue light every few seconds

The sky was clear with stars showing. I saw one craft moving slowly, I estimate at the speed a dirigible ballon (eg Goodyear ballon) would travel or a helicopter. I estimate it was 2 miles from me ( I was at home, I live 22 floors up and have a good estimate of relevant distances to surroundings). It was cigar shaped, 1 flashing white light on top centre, a red light at each "point" of cigar and a red light at bottom below the white light. What made the craft strange was that every few seconds there would be a blaze of extremely bright intense white/blue light that would stay lit for a few seconds. It covered a very large area of the craft, at least 50% I would say. When it switched off you could see some darker "yellowish" lights as if interior lights. I lost sight of it as it passed beyond my apartment building.

((FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATION FOR READER))

Dear Sirs,

After reading the report from Rio de Janeiro (3/4/2003), I am positively sure that what the witness really saw was a Goodyear blimp.

During Carnival, starting on sunday 3/2/2003, this improved blimp flew over the city at night and it had a new bright LED display (a novelty for us here in Brazil), hence the witness surprise.

I was involved in its deployment and to further clarify matters, I have attached a photo of it.

Best regards,

((deleted))
Globo TV Network
Research & Development Dept.

((END))

NUFORC Note:

We have invited the witness to inquire at a local airport whether there might have been one, or more, blimps in the area on the date indicated. PD

Posted 2003-03-11