NUFORC Sighting 142138

Occurred: 2018-07-04 22:30 Local
Reported: 2018-07-07 11:43 Pacific
Duration: 30 minutes
No of observers: 2

Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Shape: Light
Characteristics: Changed Colo

Red light seen over Lake Michigan from Chicago over Sears Tower. 30-40 minute. Color changes too

My wife and I were on our rooftop to watch fireworks on the 4th of July 2018. We have a clear view of The Sears Tower (Willis Center) which is about 2.5 miles away. I noticed a red light, a bit brighter than what we typically see on top of building or tall antenna for aviation purposes. We also could see that all the buildings had their own red light(s) on top for identification purposes. The thing that I noticed very quickly was that this red light was above the Sears Tower beacons by a long shot and was no way a part of that buildings antennas.

The red light would stay solid for about 20 seconds then off for about 2-3 seconds, back on for about 5 seconds, back off for 2-3 seconds and finally stay on for 20-30 seconds. This process lasted about 10-15 minutes. Then the light moved in a completely straight horizontal motion, did the blink sequence and moved back to where it was. It then moved in a completely straight vertical motion down above another building, eventually moving back up. These movements were not fast nor slow but for the distance we were viewing from the movement was probably in fact very fast.

At the end of this viewing the light switched from green to red and back to red several times and also did a white light blinking sequence for about 5-10 seconds before finally staying red. These color changes all happened while sitting in one spot at a time. We finally decided to leave the roof top because a large lightning storm was approaching and the winds were very strong. In fact we could see the larger fireworks being blown northeast into the wind quite dramatically. That was also very strange to see this light not moving with the wind as a drone or helicopter might.

My first reaction was a helicopter but I have never witnessed a helicopter move in right angles so precisely. My wife suggested a Drone but I don't believe a drone can stabilize so well in 20-30 winds and if I had to guess this light was probably 3k-7k above the lake. From our vantage point the light would have been closer to southeast Chicago or possibly even Indiana.

When we got back into out apartment I was excited to get my spotting scope set up to look at it but of course it was not there nor did it reappear for the next hour or so while we stayed awake.

Posted 2018-07-13