String of lights appeared one after the other, at least 30 of them. they spread out south west of us as far as we could see in a straight line. they hovered for about 15 minutes before slowly retreating back towards us and all disappearing almost directly above us in the exact same spot. one brighter light traveled south west as all the others retreated back. there were also some random bright flashes that weren't part of the formation. this occurred between the big dipper and orion's belt from where we were standing.