NUFORC Sighting 77900

Occurred: 2010-09-19 00:05 Local
Reported: 2010-09-19 10:17 Pacific
Duration: 00:40
No of observers: 1

Location: Vero Beach, FL, USA

Shape: Circle

Erratic object, looked similar to a star, never moved more than 10 - 20 degrees during my entire 35 minute viewing period.

On September 20, 2010, about 0005 AM, I went out on our lanai to get the cat in for the evening. The moon was 3 days before full-moon, the skies were clear and I looked up at the stars. A single unidentified object was seen moving in an erratic fashion to the Northwest of Vero Beach, FL. It was about the size and color of a bright star, but I could not determine the distance or actual size of the object. It is unknown what produced the light of this object (whether it was light, the propulsive portion of the object, or if it was a reflection from the light of the moon).

My gaze was at an elevation of 30-35 degrees, so it was easy to observe without straining my neck. I would estimate it was over central Florida, in the direction of Kissimmee/Orlando but it could have been closer or farther away.

For almost 35 minutes, I watched this object. At times it appeared to be stationary although it might have been moving directly toward or away from me. Movement consisted of circles (sometimes clockwise, other times counter clockwise). It also moved in a straight line at times and sometimes moved with a sudden forward motion, then slowing, then pulsing forward again. The movements I observed were more suggestive of how a boat might move in the water, rather than any kind of plane, helicopter, or other aircraft. It was also able to move in one direction, stop briefly, and then move at an angle varying from 20-270 degrees.

What was particularly interesting was that this object never moved any further than about 10 to 20 degrees in the sky from the area where I first observed it. It remained in that area until I left with the cat for the evening, at about 0040 AM.

There were no other observers with me during this time.

NUFORC Note:

We have corrected the date above. The sighting occurred on Sunday, September 19, 2010. We spoke via telephone with the witness, and he sounded to us to be an exceptional witness. PD

Posted 2010-11-21