Lighted object observed strobing red, white & blue while completely stationary for apx. 20 mins. at altitude. Visual confirmation by ATC.
On 02-18-99, at 0200, I observed an object in the sky approximately 30 degrees above the horizon, northwest (approximately 315 degree magnetic)of the intersection of US 1 and Edgewood Ave. in Jacksonville, FL. Initially the object appeared to be a brighter than normal star and was noticed to shift colors, thought to be due to atmospheric distortion; however, it was determined to be otherwise. It was noticed that the object was strobing or changing from red to blue to white in a random order, but was clearly not a star or a planet. It was observed through binoculars by myself and several other police officers, which verified the color changes, but no definitive shape of the object could be determined, because of the distance. I made telephone contact with the tower at Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) and a controller visually confirmed the object west of his position (240 to 270 degrees), but informed me that he had no radar returns in that area, indicating that it was not an aircraft. (The airport was about 8 miles north of my location.) The controller even joked that it could be a "UFO". Because the object remain completely motionless at altitude for an extended period, we ruled out a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. The tower also assisted in ruling out a antenna, tower, or balloon. After watching the object for several minutes I was distracted by more immediate business and when I return my attention to looking for it, it was gone. I have not idea in which direction it proceeded. If needed I can provide more specific directional and angle information.
On 02-18-99, at 0200, I observed an object in the sky approximately 30 degrees above the horizon, northwest (approximately 315 degree magnetic)of the intersection of US 1 and Edgewood Ave. in Jacksonville, FL. Initially the object appeared to be a brighter than normal star and was noticed to shift colors, thought to be due to atmospheric distortion; however, it was determined to be otherwise. It was noticed that the object was strobing or changing from red to blue to white in a random order, but was clearly not a star or a planet. It was observed through binoculars by myself and several other police officers, which verified the color changes, but no definitive shape of the object could be determined, because of the distance. I made telephone contact with the tower at Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) and a controller visually confirmed the object west of his position (240 to 270 degrees), but informed me that he had no radar returns in that area, indicating that it was not an aircraft. (The airport was about 8 miles north of my location.) The controller even joked that it could be a "UFO". Because the object remain completely motionless at altitude for an extended period, we ruled out a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. The tower also assisted in ruling out a antenna, tower, or balloon. After watching the object for several minutes I was distracted by more immediate business and when I return my attention to looking for it, it was gone. I have not idea in which direction it proceeded. If needed I can provide more specific directional and angle information.
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Jacksonville
USA
20 mins.
20 mins.
30.30
-81.64
light
FL
Occurred : 2/18/1999 02:00 (Entered as : 02/18/99 0200) Reported: 7/18/1999 17:49 Posted: 8/10/1999 Location: Jacksonville, FL Shape: Light Duration: 20 mins. Characteristics: There were lights on the object, The object changed color
Lighted object observed strobing red, white & blue while completely stationary for apx. 20 mins. at altitude. Visual confirmation by AT