On March 13, 1997, the residents of the city of Phoenix witnessed a strange phenomenon. They observed bright lines in the sky. Baptized them Phoenix lights, this event is still debated. Back on the highlights of this night like no other.
On March 13, 1997, between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., celestial luminous phenomena forming a V swept through the sky over the city of Phoenix and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. The spectacle was of great magnitude since it could be observed in a space of about 480 km. Arizona Republican Governor at the time, Fife Sygmington will always remember that strange evening. The politician admits seeing a triangular formation that looked like a UFO in the shape of a carpenter’s square.
The City of Phoenix (Credits Matthew Hamilton / Unsplash)
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Another illustrious witness, actor Kurt Russell. The headliner of Breakdown – a film by Jonathan Mostow released the same year – was at the controls of a plane that day and claims to be among the first witnesses to have reported the strange demonstrations.
Nothing paranormal according to the US military
Witnesses Phoenix lights describe a luminous triangular formation that crossed the state. They also speak of stationary lights observed over the city and its surroundings.
The stationary lights that witnesses were able to see over Phoenix are said to be flares, according to the US Air Force. These would be long-lasting, slow-burning LUU-2B / B type rockets, dropped by four A-10 Warthog planes. The military reportedly conducted a training exercise at the Barry Goldwater Range in Western Pima County that night.
In an article in the Phoenix New Times, Janet Gonzales discusses a phenomenon known as illusory outlines. This can cause the human eye to see unconnected lines or points as forming a single shape. The lights forming a V would thus be the planes of the Maryland National Guard flying in formation to drop the flares at high altitude.
An explanation that does not convince
The official version does not convince most of the witnesses, however. This is particularly the case of Kurt Russell and Fife Sygmington. The two personalities are formal on the thesis of the UFO. In addition, the event sparked a change of vocation among other witnesses. A doctor by training, Lynne Kitei embarked on writing and directing a documentary on Phoenix lights.
The least we can say is that the mystery will remain on this phenomenon which occurred 24 years ago.
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