NUFORC Sighting 68816

Occurred: 2009-02-19 19:00 Local
Reported: 2009-02-20 01:20 Pacific
Duration: 40 minutes
No of observers: 4

Location: Stevenson Ranch, CA, USA

Shape: Light
Characteristics: Lights on object

Observed with the naked eye, an unusually bright white round object in the North Western. night sky of Santa Clarita Valley in Southern California. It appeared to stay in the same position (approx. 10:00 position) 30 minutes or better with the intensity never changing. During this initial observation the object never came closer or farther in respect to our viewing location; basically the object size never changed. Orion’s belt was viewed almost due West at approximately 11 o’clock position from our viewing position. We heard no noise or saw no indication of a missile launch out of Vandenburg Air Force Base; next launch is scheduled for February 24, 2009 per Vandenburg’s calendar. The object was than observed through the side sighting scope of an amateur telescope (D: 60mm; F: 700mm) where the following was observed: object had a dark center, with a white band with red and blue colors radiating outward from the white outer band perimeter. Object remained a full round shape 90% of the time. However, it changed from that frontal view round shape and rotated on its vertical axis maintaining same vertical size, but it changed its’ vertical shape to half the original frontal view; then its’ shape shifted like a saucer rounded on one edge and flat on the other edge; then it rotated and titled some more and its’ shape became an oval and went into a horizontal position. Within 30-45 seconds after changing to that final position the object descended below the visible horizon. The color lights remained the same throughout this observation. The view through the main telescope was further validated by one of the observers. One observer; having worked on highly secretive military aircraft; and that observer understands the maneuverability of aircraft; believes these observations are beyond any known comprehensible understanding of present day aircraft to his knowledge. As of this date has anyone reported sightings similar to our observations?

NUFORC Note:

Venus is very prominent in the western sky, currently, but if the object suddenly moved, it could not have been Venus. PD

Posted 2009-03-19