First time for everything !
At approx 2045 hours I looked out of our second floor bathroom window to check the weather . Brought to my immediate attention was a very bright (brighter than a KC-10 landing light seen at one half mile distance) , very large (larger than a seedless grape viewed at arms length) , object which was shaped in the form of a child's "top" .
The object was spatially stationary (I fixed its position relative to two near tree branches.) , although it was rotating counter-clockwise at (best guess) about one RPM . It's color was "opalescent" white ; there was a small red , eccentrically located red light near the upper portion which rotated as if fixed to the object . As a "best guess" , I'd estimate the object to be about two or two and one half miles distant , the direction being to the N.N.W. .
As for atmospheric conditions , the sky was overcast with a ceiling of about 3k feet . The object appeared to be approx 1.5 to 2.0 k feet above ground level .
I watched the object (with fascination !) for about three minutes , after which I left the bathroom so as to procure a camera . When I returned , the object was no longer viable . I continued to observe the area for about two minutes , at which point I noted two slow moving "conventional" aircraft circling the area where the unidentifiable object had been sighted . These "conventional" aircraft were circling in a 360 degree "holding pattern" , about 500 feet above and roughly a half mile beyond the diameter of the unidentified craft . Although I could ascertain no distinct shape of the two circling smaller aircraft , I assumed them to be helicopters (nav lights , and air speed too slow for fixed-wing) from McGuire A.F.B. I watched the circling aircraft for an additional five minutes or so , and retired for the night .
I awoke at approx 0400 , and immediately (even before coffee !) checked the television news programing for additional details about the very strange object - There was none . The network news did (at about 0920) , however , make mention that some people in Arizona had become alarmed after viewing a U.S.A.F. weather balloon .
Why did I wait so long to report such a strange object , when its size surly must have attracted the attention of very many people ? Although I'd never witnessed such a thing before , I suppose that the answer would have roots related to both a sense of frustration/disappointment and the potential risk of loss of credibility . If you've "stayed with me this far" , I'll seize the opportunity to note that I've been an aerophile (an airplane "affectation")for over fifty years , that I'm a former member of the United States Parachuting Association , and that I'm an armature (very)astronomer .
In closing , although the experience only lasted for about three minutes , it was quite a show ! I thank you for your kind attention .
Sincerely , ((name and specialty deleted))
((NUFORC Note: Source of report indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate. PD))
At approx 2045 hours I looked out of our second floor bathroom window to check the weather . Brought to my immediate attention was a very bright (brighter than a KC-10 landing light seen at one half mile distance) , very large (larger than a seedless grape viewed at arms length) , object which was shaped in the form of a child's "top" .
The object was spatially stationary (I fixed its position relative to two near tree branches.) , although it was rotating counter-clockwise at (best guess) about one RPM . It's color was "opalescent" white ; there was a small red , eccentrically located red light near the upper portion which rotated as if fixed to the object . As a "best guess" , I'd estimate the object to be about two or two and one half miles distant , the direction being to the N.N.W. .
As for atmospheric conditions , the sky was overcast with a ceiling of about 3k feet . The object appeared to be approx 1.5 to 2.0 k feet above ground level .
I watched the object (with fascination !) for about three minutes , after which I left the bathroom so as to procure a camera . When I returned , the object was no longer viable . I continued to observe the area for about two minutes , at which point I noted two slow moving "conventional" aircraft circling the area where the unidentifiable object had been sighted . These "conventional" aircraft were circling in a 360 degree "holding pattern" , about 500 feet above and roughly a half mile beyond the diameter of the unidentified craft . Although I could ascertain no distinct shape of the two circling smaller aircraft , I assumed them to be helicopters (nav lights , and air speed too slow for fixed-wing) from McGuire A.F.B. I watched the circling aircraft for an additional five minutes or so , and retired for the night .
I awoke at approx 0400 , and immediately (even before coffee !) checked the television news programing for additional details about the very strange object - There was none . The network news did (at about 0920) , however , make mention that some people in Arizona had become alarmed after viewing a U.S.A.F. weather balloon .
Why did I wait so long to report such a strange object , when its size surly must have attracted the attention of very many people ? Although I'd never witnessed such a thing before , I suppose that the answer would have roots related to both a sense of frustration/disappointment and the potential risk of loss of credibility . If you've "stayed with me this far" , I'll seize the opportunity to note that I've been an aerophile (an airplane "affectation")for over fifty years , that I'm a former member of the United States Parachuting Association , and that I'm an armature (very)astronomer .
In closing , although the experience only lasted for about three minutes , it was quite a show ! I thank you for your kind attention .
Sincerely , ((name and specialty deleted))
((NUFORC Note: Source of report indicates that the date of the sighting is approximate. PD))
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Off
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Columbus
USA
approx 3 min
approx 3 min
40.07
-74.69
other
NJ
Occurred : 5/30/2009 20:45 (Entered as : 06/30/09 20:45) Reported: 6/12/2009 7:16:25 AM 07:16 Posted: 8/5/2009 Location: Columbus, NJ Shape: Other Duration: approx 3 min Characteristics: There were lights on the object, There was an aura or haze around the object, There were aircraft in the vicinity or aircraft chasing the object
First time for everything !