July 4 2009 - Multi-State Mysterious Orange Lights
Last edited: July 19, 2009 - 9:18pm
As you may be aware there have been numerous sightings throughout Washington State and in fact the world with very similar characteristics to those which you describe. A search of the MUFON database for July 4th and the search for objects with the color orange revealed 43 reports from 14 states.
It involes one or more glowing orange orbs. The times and directions appear to be fairly consistent.
This event occurred during July 4th celebrations. Also, I have determined using software set for the Pacific Northwest sky as seen from Olympia, WA, there were two satellites that did seem to “pursue” each other at about the time of the reports, Iridium 36 and 61. However, it does not appear these satellites would have been bright enough to attract such a high degree of attention that so many reports would result.
Clearly, whatever caused the reports was flying at a very high altitude as reported by viewers in states as far from each other as Washington and Florida. Although some witnesses claim the unknown objects were much closer, it is more likely the unknowns were much brighter and further away.
The occurrence of this event during the July 4th fireworks celebrations makes the task of identification much more difficult.
In each case a document review, field and media investigation performed by MUFON Field Investigators has been conducted, unfortunately with limited success in the identification of the lights. Essentially these objects all seem to be a phenomenon that has appeared solid and physically real, but unfortunately are not identifiable with the current available information.
We are closing this case as “unknown other” however we will continue to monitor our constituents for further information, and as it becomes available update these cases.