2000-04-12 - Eugene, OR - Light

Observed an approaching light traveling from the east. The light was below the clouds, and contiunued to approach until at a 75 degree angle off the horizon. Made no sound, looked like a small flame in the sky. Movements appeared slow, then it stopped for a short time. It then changed direction, and traveled back to the northeast. A ball of light followed by short streamers was then emitted from the bottom of the light. It then proceeded to disapear.

The sighting occured in eastern Eugene, almost above the city of Springfield. I was returning home from eating dinner at a restraunt with a date when we observed a light about 30 degrees above the horizon. It was initially at too far a distance to see clearly, but as it approached I realized it didn't have the usual aircraft lighting. I proceeded to pull the car into a parking lot and stopped to look at the light, now almost above us, at a 75 degree off the horizon. The light's intensity seemed to flux as it faded in and out. Note: This effect was clearly NOT due to haze difracting the light. The light made no sound at all. The sky was cloudy that night, and the craft was definately below these clouds. The moon was behind us, allowing the craft to shine clearly against the cloudy sky. The light is best described as a small flame, similar to a lit candle. No clear shape was observed. I was in the parking lot for about 30-45 seconds. Another car had pulled in and seemed to observing the same light. It then began to travel in the Northeast direction and I got back into the car and attempted to get a different view of the light. My passenger kept an eye on the light when she could for the breif drive to a stop light in which we again had a clear view of the light. There were at least 3 students in the street yelling and pointing at the same light. Suddenly, the light emmitted a glowing fireball that shot down towards earth. The glowing ball emitted had short red fire like streamers. However, the ball emitted seemed to disapear before it came in contact with the ground. Trees and structures blocked my view of the ground in relation to the now seemingly distant object. Everyone starting yelling as others witnessed the event. I immediatly tried to drive a short distance into a parking lot very close nearby. As we were driving, the light seemed to disapear. I had not been drinking at dinner that night, and others were present that witnessed the same strange light. I am a student at the University of Oregon. I consider myself a scientist, with a fairly good knowledge of physics, astronomy and general science. I grew up here and know the area well. This craft was definately not any type of convential aircraft and defies any reasonable explanation that I can give it. I would like to know if radar reports from the airport can be obtained. Are these public records? Any direction you can point me in as to which steps I should take next? I contacted a newstation but I don't think they took my reports seriously, and dismissed it as a helicpoter in the clouds. It was NOT a helicopter, unless the military has perfect sound-dampening technology. Again, it defies any explanation I can give it. Did anyone else report anything that night?