The Unexplained Phoenix Lights Phenomenon

BuzzFeed Unsolved Network2 minutes read

The Phoenix lights event in 1997 involved thousands of witnesses seeing strange lights in the sky, with various descriptions of orbs, triangles, and massive craft without noise. Despite government explanations of flares and planes, the mystery remains unresolved, sparking theories of UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

Insights

  • Thousands of witnesses, including pilots and police officers, observed a V formation of lights in Phoenix, Arizona on March 13th, 1997, with descriptions ranging from orbs to a mile-wide formation of orbs or a shopping mall-like craft with yellowish amber lights.
  • The government's lack of investigation into the Phoenix lights event, coupled with conflicting explanations from officials and experts, fueled speculation about hidden information, UFOs, and extraterrestrial life, leaving the mystery unsolved and dividing skeptics and believers.

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Recent questions

  • What was the Phoenix lights event?

    Unexplained lights witnessed in Arizona in 1997.

  • Who witnessed the Phoenix lights?

    Over 700 witnesses, including pilots and police officers.

  • What did the government say about the Phoenix lights?

    The Air Force claimed they were flares from a training exercise.

  • Were the Phoenix lights detected on radar?

    Air traffic controllers could not detect the lights.

  • What did the Defense Department reveal about UFOs?

    They had a $22 million program for investigating UFOs.

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Summary

00:00

Mysterious Phoenix Lights Event in Arizona

  • An event known as the Phoenix lights occurred in Arizona, involving strange lights in the sky that thousands witnessed.
  • On March 13th, 1997, around 7 PM, a V formation of lights appeared in Phoenix, Arizona, with over 700 witnesses, including pilots and police officers.
  • Videos captured the lights hovering in a V-like formation, with computer analysis estimating the object to be 6,000 feet long.
  • Witnesses described the lights as orbs, triangles, or part of a massive craft that made no noise.
  • A truck driver named Bill Greiner witnessed orbs near Luke Air Force Base, with F-16s taking off and one orb pursuing a jet before disappearing.
  • City councilwoman Frances Barwood faced ridicule for inquiring about the lights, leading to a USA Today article three months later bringing the event into the national spotlight.
  • Governor Fife Symington initially made light of the event but later admitted to witnessing the craft, stating it did not resemble any man-made object he had seen.
  • Witnesses described the craft as a mile-wide formation of orbs or a shopping mall-like craft with yellowish amber lights.
  • Air traffic controllers could not detect the lights on radar, despite seeing them visually in the sky.
  • The government did not investigate the event, leaving agencies in disagreement over who should pursue the report.

12:44

Unsolved Phoenix Lights Mystery Intrigues All

  • Governor Symington's office inquired about an object but received no answer, raising suspicions about hidden information.
  • The Air Force's official explanation for the Phoenix lights was that they were flares dropped in a training exercise.
  • Former F-16 pilot Ty Groh believes the lights could have been military flares carried by the wind.
  • Mitch Stanley, using a high-powered telescope, claimed the lights were planes, contradicting reports of no planes in the air.
  • The theory of the lights being UFOs and proof of extraterrestrial life was considered, with skepticism towards the military's explanations.
  • Special effects expert Jim Dilettosa ruled out flares, lasers, holograms, and aircraft lights as sources for the lights.
  • An airman from Luke Air Force Base detailed a near-miss encounter with a mysterious object, leading to a lockdown at the base.
  • The Defense Department's $22 million program for investigating unidentified flying objects was revealed, showing government interest in UFOs.
  • Despite numerous witnesses, the mystery of the Phoenix lights remains unsolved, leaving skeptics and believers unable to definitively explain the events.
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