NUFORC Sighting 133829

Occurred: 1968-01-04 21:00 Local - Approximate
Reported: 2017-04-26 16:18 Pacific
Duration: 20 minutes
No of observers: 5

Location: Amherst, MA, USA

Shape: Disk
Characteristics: Lights on object, Changed Colo

Several UFOs, in motion, and in still formation, blinking on & off vis-avis our thoughts.

This happened behind the "Orchard Hill" Dorms at UMAss, Amherst across East Pleasant Street. I was a sophomore. There were 5 of us, all students and friends at UMass, and we climbed the one story structure that we called the Coal Tower overlooking the train tracks. Not sure what it was, maybe a mail snatching platform but there was room for us and it was a fun place to hang out.

It was a clear cool night. We were gazing into the sky watching stars when all of a sudden there were lights in the sky moving somewhat together, maybe 7-12 of them. They were possibly saucer shaped, completely silent, and they were coordinated in their formations

When one of us found it hard to believe what we were seeing and expressed that, all of them turned off their lights. We waited a minute or so and they re-appeared, completely silent, and soon had made a formation, a vertical line which was now standing still. At this point, one person shouted, "This can't be happening!" And again, the lights disappeared.

Another minute passed and they were back on, this time a little closer to such a degree that I could see a slight spinning motion, they looked more like rotating saucers but understand they were still quite small. A bit larger though and I could definitely now perceive the spinning and even slightly colored lights, spinning it seemed, in the one I was focused on.

It was at the point where I just had to decide what I would do if they landed; it was that real. It was existential, this was happening (I instantly decided I would not be interested in leaving at all and that I'd run) However, I did not feel fear. I think once more someone shrieked, 'This can't be happening!!" and again the lights turned off.

I don't remember exactly how or why but we were ready to leave, we'd been experiencing this for what seemed like 20 minutes. So, we climbed down the stairs and walked up to E. Pleasant St about 100 yards away and started the 1/2 mile walk into town to get something to eat.

A couple of minutes later from behind us swooped a very large cigar-shaped 'craft' that, although quiet, with no engine sounds, caused a noticeable whoosh overhead, just above the trees, and then was almost instantly gone. I just caught enough of a look to comprehend that it was big, maybe the size of a jet's body without wings.

I've been telling my kids and my grandkids this story for years, and I wanted to corroborate it and have tried to locate these long ago friends. Recently, I got in touch with my freshman room mate, a still photographer of high respect in the movie business, and his memory about it was fuzzy, but he told the story to his wife with whom he lived back then (and still does), and she said "Of course! You told me all about when you got home that night!."

NUFORC Note:

Witness indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate. PD

Posted 2017-04-28