NUFORC Sighting 175285

Occurred: 2023-04-17 20:35 Local
Reported: 2023-04-19 15:37 Pacific
Duration: saw for 30 seconds
No of observers: 1

Location: Ruidoso Downs, NM, USA
Location details: Mile Marker 265 Hwy 70

Shape: Light
Explanation: Starlink - Probable
Characteristics: Lights on object, Emitted other objects

Running Lights

Initially spotted three stationary white lights in the sky that were in a straight line parallel to the ground, due west, as a passenger in a vehicle traveling down highway 70, at mile marker 265. There was a decent amount of distance between them, not a massive amount, just enough to know that they were together. They stood out against the stars but did not emit an overpowering amount of light; Venus at the time was brighter than these objects. After noticing the lights, the far left light faded out and at the same time, another light of equal distance faded into sight to the right of the formation. This sequence happened again, the left light faded out and a new light appeared to the right of the formation. This sequence happened one last time, the left light faded out and a new light appeared to the right of the formation. I reached for my phone to open my camera app, and as soon as I did, the three visible lights all faded out to darkness at the same time. The distance of the formation was difficult to determine, they could have been out a few miles to as far as 30 miles, hovering over the White Sands Missile Range.

Posted 2023-05-19