NUFORC Sighting 03462

Occurred: 1998-04-09 21:15 Local
Reported: 1998-04-11 00:00 Pacific
Duration: 15 mins
No of observers: 1

Location: Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Shape: Other
Characteristics: Lights on object, Aura or haze around object, Aircraft nearby

Saw object hovering over Co Springs. Couldn't clearly make out the shape, but it had approx 10-12 lights, most white, a couple yellow and red. Hovered, disappeared, and reappeared for under less mminute intervals 4-5 times over approx 15 minutes. It reappeared a couple of times in same position, appeared couple times in different positions but close to original. Lots of small aircraft in the area which is normal.

Our house sits on a bluff and overlooks the front range of Colorado Springs. I was in bed watching TV. Our bedroom has a big window looking out at the front range. On this night, there was a lot of aircraft flying across the front range, probably from the USAF Academy and/or Co Springs Airport. It was fairly clear with a few clouds. I saw the object several times without paying too much attention to it, before it finally sunk in that there was something different about it--it didn't seem to be moving, just staying in the same spot. At first I was trying to figure out what kind of airplane it was, but it had more lights than I've ever seen. It wasn't familiar. I thought it was strange---but again didn't think too much about it--doens't necessarily mean anything. Afterall, I'm not intimately familiar with all aircraft. Then I also realized that it didn't seem to be moving. Maybe it was a dirigible. Don't know why one of them would be in the area, but who knows. Or maybe it's an aircraft with all lights on coming straight at me---but it didn't seem to get closer---but couldn't honestly really tell. But then it completely disappeared (all the lights were gone). That's when it got my full attention, and I began searching for it. A few seconds later(maybe 15?), it reappeared in the same spot. I looked closer and it's not moving. It disappeared again after a short time (again less than an minute). It appeared and disappeared (I think) 2 more times within a short distance of the original spot, and then didn't reappear. Each time it appeared, it didn't seem to move, just hovered. It was the lack of movement that gave me the idea it might be a UFO. It was hovering somewhere over the Academy Blvd business district. Pikes Peak was to the right, the mountains in the background, and the object was a little more than half way between Pikes Peak and the end of the mountain range to the left. It's impossible to say how far away from my house it was. I'd guess the base of the mnts are approx. 5 miles a! way. Using that as a reference, I'd say it was a mile from me and was about 6-8" wide. Perhaps that can help give you some perspective of size. It was much larger than anything that normally flies in the area. The Academy flies small Cessna type aircraft, and I've never seen the larger aircraft from the airport fly this close--they have always much farther out next to the mountains. I just wish I'd had a camera handy. I had hoped to see it on the news with an explanation or confirming that I wasn't crazy--but there wasn't anything. I have been associated with the AF for 29 years. I was in the AF for 6 as an aircraft mechanic, my husband is AF, I've lived on AF bases, and I currently work for the AF as a civilian. In other words, I've been around airplanes most of my adult life. Also, I'm not "into" the UFO craze. I've always been very skeptical--I have always thought their existance was possible, but since I hadn't had any personal experience, I reserved judgment. My theory has always been that most sightings could be explained (including this one), the witness saw what they wanted to see or they were telling tales, or the sightings were just military test aircraft. However, what I saw the other night, has gotten my attention. There's probably a good explanation of what it was. I'm hoping your organization may have an explanation or reports from others. I'm reporting it to you in hopes that you may know of someone else who observed it. Right now, I dont't feel like telling anyone (other than my husband) as they'll think I'm nuts. I wish I'd had a camera that would have captured it. Have you received any other reports about it?

Posted 1999-01-28