Saw something weird last night. Help identify it please.

Stood on my balcony about 9.30 last night. I live in a pretty built up area of a small city. There were plenty of street lights, etc. I looked up and saw an illuminated object pass overhead. It was quite bright and clearly had a physical shape. Also it wasn't that high, about 30-50 feet above me I'd say. At first I thought it was a bat. It seemed to be fluttering, but as I continued to watch, I saw no movement, though there seemed to be some kind of movement, like fluttering, but I don't think it was wings moving. My partner said she thought it might be a drone, and the propellers might have caused the "fluttering" effect. But it seemed to have a long central body and what looked like extended wings. I thought it might be a bat reflecting the street-lights, but the light was constant. It "flew" across the street then turned left. I could still see the light. It was constant, then it faded. I don't believe the illumination was reflected. It was emitting its own light. I don't see how a drone could be lit up like that. Do you know different? It looked like it was illuminated from below. Also it was moving fast and changed direction. I observed it for about 1-2 minutes. I felt no appreciable wind. I heard no sound. Any ideas? I've never seen anything like that before. I'd have thought it was an animal of some sort, except that it emitted light.

Would appreciate an explanation.

a reply to: ScreenBogey

Sounds like you saw swamp gas reflecting off of venus.

No seriously you could have seen the reflection of city lights on a bird or something. But it's also possible that you saw some sort of drone using some type of Electro Magnetic or electro static propulsion. People who see these types of things sometimes report that it has a shimmering effect around it like a softly glowing field or something similar. There are more and more reports of these sort of things. Not saying that's what you saw but it's possible.

Where was this sighting at. Don't have to be specific if you don't want to just general area or country.

Also can you describe the shape and the color a little better.

Even a very small quad copter makes plenty of noise from what I've seen. At least the ones I've had and seen on YouTube. I do have a slow flyer airplane with lights. It is very quiet but I'd think you'd see who was flying it. Look up night vapor and compare. They make a first person view camera that barely weighs a thing that can be mounted. It takes some light of day for the camera to be useful though. Sounds like an interesting thing u saw whatever it was.

a reply to: ScreenBogey

Most likely light reflecting of a bird I see that often were I live.

originally posted by: BASSPLYR
a reply to: ScreenBogey

Sounds like you saw swamp gas reflecting off of venus.

No seriously you could have seen the reflection of city lights on a bird or something. But it's also possible that you saw some sort of drone using some type of Electro Magnetic or electro static propulsion. People who see these types of things sometimes report that it has a shimmering effect around it like a softly glowing field or something similar. There are more and more reports of these sort of things. Not saying that's what you saw but it's possible.

Where was this sighting at. Don't have to be specific if you don't want to just general area or country.

Also can you describe the shape and the color a little better.

It was yellowish, like street-lights, which is why I immediately assumed it was reflected light. But it wasn't reflected light. I'm sure of that. The light remained constant as it flew away and changed direction. At its furthest point it was point-like, so the light was not only coming from underneath. It was radiating light horizontally as well. I'm 99% sure it was emitting it's own light.

Re: the shape, I'll try. As I saw, at first I thought it was a bat. It had a trunk/main-body and what looked like the beginnings of two wings perpendicular to the body. Imagine a bat that is illuminated yellowy-white and doesn't flap its wings. but the wings might have been suggestion. It happened quickly.

I saw it in Quebec City. It was coming from the direction of the river. There's a big park between me and the river, so plenty of opportunities for wildlife. It was heading NNW, away from the river.

originally posted by: wmd_2008
a reply to: ScreenBogey

Most likely light reflecting of a bird I see that often were I live.

That's what I initially thought, but my partner said no way. See my above post. It was radiating its own light. It became like a point of light at its furthest point and was a fairly long way off when it vanished, maybe 500 feet away. I'm 99.999999% sure the light was not reflected. It was most odd. I've never seen anything like it.

originally posted by: Schwallyjdog
Even a very small quad copter makes plenty of noise from what I've seen. At least the ones I've had and seen on YouTube. I do have a slow flyer airplane with lights. It is very quiet but I'd think you'd see who was flying it. Look up night vapor and compare. They make a first person view camera that barely weighs a thing that can be mounted. It takes some light of day for the camera to be useful though. Sounds like an interesting thing u saw whatever it was.

I looked up Night Vapour. No, it wasn't that. This object had only two wings, but I couldn't swear it did, it was unclear, but it was a fatter, more solid shape than the night vapour.

It looked like some kind of animal that someone was beaming a torch at from the underneath. But it wasn't reflected light. I'll look up images of birds reflecting light at night.

Oh, and it made no noise. It wasn't far above me. I think I would have heard any kind of engine. If it was a controlled model, I think it went to far. It went so far that the light dwindled, became point-like and vanished (as it turned west).

This is the thing: If it was a bird or bat that was reflecting light, why did the light stay constant as it flew away. And why did it continue to 'radiate' light as it flew away to a distance of about 3-500 feet? It was point-like. Maybe. I dunno. I don't think. I think it radiated its own light. Anyway, I'm going on. Thanks anyway.

a reply to: ScreenBogey

The most likely explanation does seem to be some sort of remote-controlled device. Not necessarily a "drone", but some kid of light-up flying toy. Can you estimate the range of distance that you could see it flying? That could help determine the type.

a reply to: ScreenBogey

The weirdest thing about your sighting, IMO, is the lack of sound. What was the weather like at the time? Did this take place in a rural area or an urban area? Any other details you can add, especially those relating to things that might influence sound transmission, would be great. Man-made machines which fly around our atmosphere are, almost without exception, pretty loud. So what you saw sounds kinda strange to me.

But let's not worry too much about identifying your object, because I'm pretty sure JadeStar, ZetaRediculian, and draknoir2 will be along any minute now to tell you what it was you saw (and, more importantly, what you couldn't possibly have seen). ;-) Just kidding. (Although I am crossing my fingers that this won't become another "UFOs aren't real" vs. "Yes they are" kind of thread....)

originally posted by: LadyGreenEyes
a reply to: ScreenBogey

The most likely explanation does seem to be some sort of remote-controlled device. Not necessarily a "drone", but some kid of light-up flying toy. Can you estimate the range of distance that you could see it flying? That could help determine the type.

About 500 feet away when it faded, maybe more. It was going fast and I've no reason to doubt it hadn't come from the far in the opposite direction. It was dead overhead when I saw and moving fast. I do not believe it was a conventional remote-controlled plane controlled via line-of-sight. It went too far and went so far that the light was no longer possible to see. I definately got the impression it vanished into the distance. A more remote device like a drone is possible. I'd estimate the speed was about 30-40 mph. But why be lit up like that? Like it was reflected?

originally posted by: TeaAndStrumpets
a reply to: ScreenBogey

The weirdest thing about your sighting, IMO, is the lack of sound. What was the weather like at the time? Did this take place in a rural area or an urban area? Any other details you can add, especially those relating to things that might influence sound transmission, would be great. Man-made machines which fly around our atmosphere are, almost without exception, pretty loud. So what you saw sounds kinda strange to me.

But let's not worry too much about identifying your object, because I'm pretty sure JadeStar, ZetaRediculian, and draknoir2 will be along any minute now to tell you what it was you saw (and, more importantly, what you couldn't possibly have seen). ;-) Just kidding. (Although I am crossing my fingers that this won't become another "UFOs aren't real" vs. "Yes they are" kind of thread....)

Dead clear and quiet. Nice evening, clear and very still. An urban area. No sound. Imagine how much sound a bat makes. But it was bright, not blinding or anything. It looked like how a bat about 30-50 feet up would like if it was caught in a strong, wide beam, but continued to glow as it flew across the street, over the opposite buildings, swung left and became point like as it flew into the distance, so I really don't think it was radiating reflected light.

I don't think it was a UFO or anything weird like that, but I would like to know what it was. I've studied amateur astronomy for maybe 40 years and I always look up at the stars to spot planets etc. I'm always on the look out for a supernova (we're way overdue) and hey, you never know, something weird. Whatever it was I saw last night, I've never seen anything like it before, and I often look out from that spot. I'll keep my eyes open. If it's a natural event, like an animal, I'd expect to see it again, but I've never seen it before.

If drones are noisy, this wasn't a drone. It did not make a sound and it was close. It was not a large object. Seriously, like bat-sized. But no flapping. I did not see propellers. It was dead silent and there little to no ambient sound around loud or constant enough to block any sound it made.

Okay, asked my partner. I wear glasses, but with my glasses, my long-vision eyesight is better than hers.

She said and I agree it did not move like a bird. It moved fast and smooth.

At first she thought it might be either a Chinese lantern or a balloon let go or a drone. She said it appeared circular. She agrees it couldn't be a balloon because of the light. That was the weird bit, she say. It really glowed. Also it changed direction. Same for lantern. The lantern thing she dismissed because it was moving so fast and changed direction radically. There was no noticeable wind.

Also she estimated it at about 500-1000 feet. higher than my estimation, but my eye-sight is better and I saw it first and for longer.

I guess this will get written off as a lantern, but I don't think it was. It was so damn fast. I've seen lanterns and I'm 90% convinced it wasn't. But it's possible. I detected no wind, but maybe there was wind higher up. Don't think so thought. It was very still. It definitely appeared to turn with intelligence. It swung through 90% in the space of maybe 20 seconds then flew off.

white heron maybe?
they're truly whitey white white....and quiet.....I saw one yesterday it was two feet long....two and a half foot wings flagg
tips of the wings moving but not much....constant wavering like

Screen..... Something I noticed that doesn't quite seem to tally. You say the experience lasted about 1 or maybe 2 minutes and that the object was moving by your estimation, about 30-40 miles per hour . You also think that the object vanished some 500 feet from you. At 35 MPH it would have travelled that 500 feet in about 10 seconds. So I'm interested to know if you think, because it was a tad weird, you are over estimating the duration ?

originally posted by: ScreenBogey

originally posted by: LadyGreenEyes
a reply to: ScreenBogey

The most likely explanation does seem to be some sort of remote-controlled device. Not necessarily a "drone", but some kid of light-up flying toy. Can you estimate the range of distance that you could see it flying? That could help determine the type.

About 500 feet away when it faded, maybe more. It was going fast and I've no reason to doubt it hadn't come from the far in the opposite direction. It was dead overhead when I saw and moving fast. I do not believe it was a conventional remote-controlled plane controlled via line-of-sight. It went too far and went so far that the light was no longer possible to see. I definately got the impression it vanished into the distance. A more remote device like a drone is possible. I'd estimate the speed was about 30-40 mph. But why be lit up like that? Like it was reflected?

Well, the distance would seem to rule out a typical toy, but a drone is still possible. As for the light, I am not very familiar with drones, but I'd guess they could be lit up, and maybe someone did so that they could keep track of it? I did find this - link - which states speeds like that are possible, so that is covered by a drone. The range is apparently pretty good on some of them as well.

Did you get any impressions, any "feel", from this incident that would make you inclined to believe it wasn't a drone? That has o be considered as well.

I just want to say.That when I read your description of 'it fluttering' being 'bat like' and giving off its own luminescence? It reminded me of reports of Pterodactyls in Papua New Guinea (if memory serves) they also have been videoed high in the mountains at night with this bio luminescence.

Just a thought..sounds very unusual though.

a reply to: ScreenBogey
Possibly a UFO I believe is what you and your friend saw.

originally posted by: FireMoon
Screen..... Something I noticed that doesn't quite seem to tally. You say the experience lasted about 1 or maybe 2 minutes and that the object was moving by your estimation, about 30-40 miles per hour . You also think that the object vanished some 500 feet from you. At 35 MPH it would have travelled that 500 feet in about 10 seconds. So I'm interested to know if you think, because it was a tad weird, you are over estimating the duration ?

Yes, I think I over-estimated. I maybe saw it for only 30 seconds, and at least half of that was it turning in the distance as a light point and gradually fading.