I drive a tractor-trailer for fedex express at the memphis, tn. hub location. I was dropping a trailer at the hub on saturday 1-11-14 around 8:40 pm. It was a crystal clear night with a half moon (which was behind me at the time of the sighting). I looked up as i always do on a beautiful starry night and thought i was seeing a long line of birds or geese. The line was moving when i saw the long line start iluminating a pulsating light and i realized i was not seeing a line of birds but a long cylinder or cigar shaped craft of some sort. The light was coming from inside it appeared. as the light pulsated i could see what i would describe as black hash marks or slashes like this / / / / / all along the shape but spaced out. the object made absolutely no sound.!!!!! It was very long and blacked out stars as it passed in front of them. It disapeared for about 5 seconds and then started iluminating again only to appear much further away and not nearly as long in length as before. it still had same characteristics as before....just much smaller.....then it was gone. the entire event lasted about 20 seconds. I have been around airports and aircraft all of my life.........i have never seen anything like it. It should not have been up in the air based on my knowlege of flight. This was not some atmospheric anomoly. It was not birds or a light reflecting off something. This was a craft of some sort. I can not tell you what it was......i wish i knew. I can only describe what i saw..............you tell me !!!!! I have no pictures and i have no proof other than i told my dispatcher seconds after the sighting. the dispatcher can verify that. I also told a friend when i arrived at home around 11:15 (2315). those are the only 2 i told about this because i do not want to bring attention to myself.