SIGHTING: MILFORD, CT

Witness Testimony

"Six Flaming Flying Objects - Identified - Case ClosedThis is my 8th, and final, sighting event at Milford’s Gulf beach location.Between 6:20-6:30PM, civil twilight, observed a series of six brilliant orange orbs ascending from the opposite shoreline, due west, and gliding SE. Each light traveled about 1.5 miles at an altitude of about 250 ft before it disappeared from view and was replaced by another, aloft from the same location.Through 10x25 Nikon binoculars I watched someone on the opposite beach involved in launching the last two of these lights. Flashing a 5mW green laser in that direction seemed to have an affect: no further lights arose.Immediately driving around the Milford marina to this opposite shore of the Gulf, I met a group of partiers around a bonfire who admitted to launching several kong ming type paraffin sky lanterns. Two of these which failed to go aloft were still on the beach for me to examine.MYSTERY SOLVED: Milford obviously has more than its share of hot-air balloon/sky lantern users in various areas. These are not necessarily hoaxers, mostly folks just out to have some fun. The “swarm” of dozens of lights which I reported taking place on 10/13 originated from a sports bar/restaurant – some sort of celebration.Therefore, to save others undue waste of time and effort, I offer… ANATOMY OF A FAUX UFO: IF IT LOOKS LIKE A BRIGHT FLAMING ORB WITH A HAZE AROUND IT, IT IS A SKY LANTERN.IF IT APPEARS CIRCULAR, BUT ALSO APPEARS TO CHANGE INTO A CYLINDER, OR HAVE A CYLINDER ATTACHED TO IT, IT IS A SKY LANTERN.IF IT LOOKS LIKE A CANDLE INSIDE A BUBBLE, IT IS A SKY LANTERN.IT IF RESEMBLES A FLARE ATTACHED TO A PARACHUTE, IT IS A SKY LANTERN.IT THE BRIGHT LIGHT FLOATS OR GLIDES SOUNDLESSLY OVERHEAD ONLY TO FLICKER AND/OR SUDDENLY WINK OUT, IT IS A SKY LANTERN.IF IT SEEMS FLAME-LIKE, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS YELLOW-ORANGE-RED, AND ITS FLAME SEEMS TO BE SWAYING OR WAVERING, IT IS A SKY LANTERN.I realize how unusual these things appear – particularly since I have witnessed some types of them being launched right in front of me, and still could not determine what I was observing after a two month lookout! However, this is a very popular fad and these things are plentiful, easily available and cheap. So expect more of them just about everywhere.The truth shall set you free. "