NUFORC UFO Sighting 181963

Occurred: 2024-06-20 00:50 Local
Reported: 2024-06-20 10:07 Pacific
Duration: About one hour
No of observers: 5 - Military

Location: Key West, FL, USA
Location details: Key West Night, Schooner Wharf docks

Shape: Light
Color: Silver/Orange
Estimated Size: Unknown, Minimal 10' likely much larger
Viewed From: Land
Direction from Viewer: 345
Angle of Elevation: 10
Closest Distance: Unknown, over 5 miles maybe much further
Estimated Speed: Unknown, over 100 mph likely much faster

Saw unexplainable lights slightly west of North in Key West

Witnessed multiple, 30+ lights slightly west of due north at Key West Bight marina. At least 3 other people witnessed them as well.

The lights moved relatively slow(similar speed to an ISS passing) towards the north or northeast and gain apparent elevation. I saw as many as 4 at one time...most being obstructed by clouds. They all appeared in the same general area and moved in the same general direction but all had slightly different trajectories. While unable to be certain due to cloud cover and not a clear line of site, it is possible these objects originated from the water(Gulf of Mexico)

This persisted for at least an hour. Given the time and duration and non uniform trajectory(but same general direction) I think Starlink can be ruled out. I checked Flightradar apps and ADSBx which showed nothing in the area, as well as Heavensabove for predicted visible satellites.

These lights were inconsistent with normal aircraft, meteorites and almost anything else I can think of

The max brightness at times in my estimation exceeded (-2). magnitude...

They were often obscured by clouds, so the distance was likely over 5 miles, my best guess is much further. Given the uncertainty in distance, size and speed is impossible to estimate but at minimal the size of a car and moving over 100 knots...however likely larger and faster as these objects were likely well over 5 miles away.

I grew up near Cape Caneveral and was an Aviation Electronics Technician(AT) in the US Navy. I have seen hundreds of launches and will watch for launches that are visible from Key West. I also routinely look for satellites on clear nights and early mornings, while these were similar to satellites (non uniform trajectory rules out Starlink), the time of night, brightness, duration and number of objects make this highly unlikely.

I also think military exercises are unlikely due to the location and the objects were in consistent with what munitions, rockets or guided missiles coming from a Navy ship or sub marine. It is important to note there have been Russian Subs spotted around Florida and Russian ships are currently visiting Havana, Cuba.

Also while likely not related, before I spotted the first objects my phone was behaving weird and playing audio with no open apps, with no comm. I could not find a way to stop the audio nor the source(app/program) so I turned it off and it continued playing the audio for about 15 seconds after my phone shut off.

Posted 2024-06-21