NUFORC Sighting 32106

Occurred: 2003-10-07 06:20 Local
Reported: 2003-10-07 18:44 Pacific
Duration: 15 minutes
No of observers: 2

Location: Las Cruces, NM, USA

Shape: Triangle
Characteristics: Lights on object

Along I-10 about 15 miles south of Las Cruces, large triangular craft outlined with very bright, white, lights. There was a lighted dome in the center. The craft was moving slowly from SE to NNW at about 5,000 feet. Over the Franklin Mountains, this area is just east of Ft. Bliss and slightly southwest of White Sands Missle Range.

I have a background in science, masters degree, and work at one of the military installations, I am familiar with many types of aircraft. This was very different. From observing the crafts speed, size, etc. I would say it traveling just slightly faster than stall speed, the craft was more or less 300 feet lateral and 100 feet front to back. Both of us are trained scientists working in our disiplines, there is no question about what we observed.

NUFORC Note:

We have received several similar reports from this area in the recent past. We wonder whether the object may be a high-altitude, helium-filled research balloon. PD

Posted 2003-10-07