NUFORC Sighting 121088

Occurred: 2015-08-10 22:15 Local
Reported: 2015-08-12 19:54 Pacific
Duration: Seconds to minutes
No of observers: 1

Location: Goleta (Goleta Beach Park), CA, USA

Shape: Light

Bright light: - no visible object - near skyline - travellilng north to south. One observer, night. the light went out and on again.

Thanks for this service.

Surroundings: Goleta Beach State Park, between 10:10 pm PST and perhaps 10:30 – not sure of the exact time. (No watch.) This park is on the ocean, and also within approx. 1 or 2 miles of the local airport.

I was facing the ocean, which is southerly here, looking towards the west. I was on a bicycle and riding slowly.

There was – I’m not sure now – I believe a small plane behind me; it was headed out toward the ocean, away from the airport, which is in the northern direction from the beach and the ocean. I believe this plane had flashing lights.

Suddenly, directly above the horizon and relatively near - a bright light came into view. It was travelling at an unusual speed – not extremely fast and yet…steady, i.e., not slow. This light flashed on very bright and NOT on a plane. It then went out. It then – within seconds – came on again. And then…went out again. This was from my left to my right – it travelled. And also, it was headed north to south, towards the ocean.

At first I thought the lights from the small plane had illuminated a seagull. But it could not possibly have been. It was flying too fast, and it was emitting its own light.

Then, I thought perhaps it was a comet. However, it went out – which may have been like a comet. But then it came on again. And then went out again.

This happened the night before last night. I was tired and did not have your call in number at home, when I arrived home. Also, my tendency was to explain it away. However, at the time, I kept telling myself. “Look – this is different. You have seen something that you don’t know what it is.” Also, the lights from the plane…I don’t think they could have lit up a seagull. Also, it was a little too fast for a seagull.

To me, it was completely anomalous. So, I made a note to write to you. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep all of the details in my mind. There was no visible craft – but it was its own light. Anyway, if it was an object – such as a small meteor – I don’t understand how it could have gone out and then turned on again. It was just not normal. Thank you.

Posted 2015-08-13