NUFORC Sighting 31746

Occurred: 1976-06-15 02:00 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2003-09-22 21:24 Pacific
Duration: 15 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Midland, TX, USA

Shape: Light

A 'dancing' star

While sleeping in the backyard, with my brother and two visiting friends, I noticed a small bright light moving very high above. It was a clear night and at first glance I thought it was either an airplane, or better yet, maybe a satellite passing overhead. It was neither. It was a tiny dot of medium brightness that moved rather quickly, in a straight line, for a seemingly short distance before coming to an abrupt halt. It remained stationary for 1-2 seconds, then darted off in a direction close to that in which I first saw it move from. There was no accelleration. It went from nothing to all out speed instantly, then once aqain stopped suddenly and remained motionless for another second or two. This display of short bursts of speed, in different directions, followed by abrupt stops continued for maybe fifteen seconds, give or take, then the little dancing dot zipped away and vanished, looking somewhat like a meteor. While this was going on, I asked if anyone saw what I was seeing, but there was no answer. They were sound asleep. The next morning, I told them about what I saw... and it took me quite a while to live it down. Should have kept my mouth shut.

I have no idea of the size or shape. It was the same color and intensity as a high flying aircraft's white tail light, or a satellite. It blended in well with the stars and I'd have not even noticed it, at all, had I not happened to be looking up, in the right place, at just the right time. If I were to hold a ruler out at arms length, while this object was darting around, it would have been viewed as performing all of its maneuvers within about a two inch square window before 'zipping' away and vanishing. Not very spectacular, but noteworthy.

NUFORC Note:

Date is approximate. PD

Posted 2003-09-24