2005-09-06 - Phoenix, AZ - Unknown

Nighttime lights moving over the Northwestern Valley of Phoenix.

I have watched the night sky for many years, and feel compelled to report this one. Noticed 2 distinct orange/red lights in the SSW sky for around a minute. I went inside for no more than 30 seconds to retrieve my camcorder. Came out to my back patio and began filming object(s). After a minute or so, a third light appeared, and then a forth. Then the object drifted beyond the mountain range. less than a minute later, the four lights reappeared over the range in approximately the same area of space. The lights were all the same color. Of the four lights, each one would disappear for a couple of seconds, in no particular order. The lights then seemed to head off towards the SSW and fell behind the range.

I then took several side steps to my left and was able to see these lights again. The number of lights visible with the naked eye was more accurrate than using the zoom on my recorder. At times my camera would pick up more than two lights, but for several minutes, the naked eye was better. For instance, I would see four lights-or three with my eyes, but my camera would pick up Two. The lights would again blink in and out for several seconds at a time until they left my field of view.

I noticed 2 commercial vehicles in the air. One was coming from the north, possible to PHX. another was broadly circling towards the west.