NUFORC Sighting 31998

Occurred: 2003-09-15 22:15 Local
Reported: 2003-10-02 10:06 Pacific
Duration: appox 2 sec
No of observers: 1

Location: Denver, CO, USA

Shape: Formation

I went out on my deck at appox 22:15 when looking North (at appox 80 degrees) I noticed 9 amber (pastel orange) colored lights (I call them lights because I could not see any 3-D dimension or structure to them) moving moderately fast from East to West.

1. The sky was "partly cloudy" with cumulus clouds and I could see stars between them.

2. The formation can best be described as being in the shape of a "snake" or somewhat like the "number 3" with each of the 9 lights appearing to be equal distant from each other from head to tail. The lead light, or head of the "snake," was the farthest North and West light.

3. The lights did not oscilate or change color but remained a constant through out the sighting.

4. There was no deviation in the spacing or speed of each light as they moved in formation from East to West. They remained constant to each other.

5. There was no silhouette suggesting a physical presence, in front of or behind the lights. They appeared to be separate entities.

6. Holding my arm at length, the size of the formation could be best calculated as between 1 and 1 1/2 inches from head to tail.

7. The formation came from the East over a large tree, in my yard, that obstructed my view of seeing them further from the East.

8. My first view of the formation could be best described as at approximately 80 degrees above the horizon and at 1 o'clock.

9. Total view time was approx 1 1/2 to 2 seconds.

10. My last view of the formation, before they disappeared above or into a cumulus cloud, could be best described as at approximately 80 degrees above the horizon and at 11 o'clock.

11. There were no sounds either before or after they passed.

12. I was expecting the lights to come out of West side of the cloud at approximately 10 o'clock where I could see star light. The lights did not come out of the cloud. Nothing.

13. After the sighting I stood on the deck, in awe, for approxmately 10 minutes observing the sky and waiting for the lights to either come out of the cumulus cloud or for any sound that would help me verify what I had just seen. Nothing.

14. While my house is in the flight path of Jefferson County Airport and in close proximity of DIA (Denver International Airport) I am well aware of the aircraft lights and sounds. These lights did not fit the criteria of any known aircraft.

Note: Buckley Air Force Base is East of Denver and it is unusual for F16's to fly over North Denver Metro but, in the last month, there have been several fly overs going from SE to NW at low altitude and at speeds faster than commercial or priviate planes which I can only describe as unusual or concidental. They normally fly East, South or South East of Denver. Yesterday (Oct 1, 2003) two F16's broke the sound barrier over North Denver which made the local news and, according to the local newspaper, is under investigation by the military. A spokeswoman for the Colorado Guard said that two F16's "... were flying what we are calling an irregular flight patrol in support of NORAD." (RMN - Oct 2, 2003 - Page 22A). Concidental?

Posted 2003-10-07