The Phoenix Lights incident, which occurred on March 13, 1997, is one of the most widely witnessed and intriguing UFO events in history. Spanning several hours and seen by hundreds of people, it remains a significant topic in UFO lore.
Overview
On the night of March 13, 1997, numerous reports emerged from Arizona, Nevada, and Sonora, Mexico, detailing sightings of mysterious lights in the sky. The lights were witnessed between 7:30 PM and 10:30 PM MST. The sightings covered a vast area, stretching approximately 300 miles (480 km) from the Nevada-Arizona border, through Phoenix, to the edge of Tucson. This geographic spread made the Phoenix Lights one of the most widely observed UFO events.
The Two Events
The Phoenix Lights involved two distinct events:
Triangular Formation of Lights: The first event consisted of a large V-shaped formation of lights seen moving slowly and silently across the sky. This formation, which many described as a "flying wing," comprised five spherical lights or possibly light-emitting objects attached to a single massive craft. Witnesses reported that the lights were white, and some said they could see a solid structure connecting them.
Stationary Lights: The second event occurred later in the evening and involved a series of stationary lights appearing over the Phoenix area. These lights hovered in the sky for several minutes before gradually disappearing. Unlike the V-shaped formation, these lights were often described as individual orbs that did not seem to be part of a larger craft.
Witness Accounts
Hundreds of people, including local residents, police officers, and even pilots, reported seeing the lights. Witnesses described the V-shaped formation as enormous, estimating its wingspan to be as large as a commercial aircraft. The stationary lights were seen by residents across the Phoenix metropolitan area, further adding to the mystery.
Some witnesses claimed to have seen the lights through telescopes, noting that they appeared to be attached to some structure. Others reported feeling a sense of awe and wonder, as the lights moved silently and steadily across the sky. The consistency of the reports and the large number of witnesses lent significant credibility to the incident.
Military Explanation
The United States Air Force later attributed the Phoenix Lights to military exercises. They explained that the V-shaped formation was a group of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flying in formation. The stationary lights were identified as illumination flares dropped by these aircraft during a training exercise at the Barry Goldwater Range, a military range southwest of Phoenix.
The flares explanation suggested that the flares, which were released from aircraft, created the bright, stationary lights seen by many witnesses. These flares were designed to illuminate the ground for military exercises and could remain airborne for several minutes due to parachutes attached to them.
Governor's Testimony
Fife Symington, the Governor of Arizona at the time, initially mocked the incident by holding a press conference where an aide dressed in an alien costume was brought out as a joke. However, years later, Symington revealed that he had also witnessed the lights and found them to be "otherworldly." He described seeing a large, inexplicable object in the sky, which he could not explain as conventional aircraft or flares.
Public Reaction
The Phoenix Lights incident sparked widespread public interest and debate. While the military explanation satisfied some, others remained skeptical, believing the lights to be a genuine UFO phenomenon. The incident became a focal point for discussions about government transparency and the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Documentaries, books, and numerous articles have explored the Phoenix Lights, keeping the story alive in popular culture. The incident continues to be cited in discussions about UFO sightings and has inspired both believers and skeptics alike.
Several Hours
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