Fringe Score: Unexplained – a well-documented UFO sighting with multiple witnesses, but no definitive explanation has been established.
Summary
The Phoenix Lights refer to a series of widely-reported unidentified flying objects (UFOs) observed in the skies over the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada, as well as the Mexican state of Sonora, on March 13, 1997. The event remains one of the most famous and well-documented UFO sightings in history, with thousands of witnesses reporting a massive V-shaped object or a series of lights moving silently through the sky. Despite numerous theories and explanations, the Phoenix Lights incident remains unexplained at Fringepedia, as no definitive conclusion has been reached regarding the nature of the observed phenomena.
The Event
On the evening of March 13, 1997, thousands of people across Arizona, Nevada, and Sonora reported seeing a series of lights or a large V-shaped object moving through the sky. The sightings began around 7:30 PM in Henderson, Nevada, and continued for several hours as the lights moved across Arizona and into Mexico. Witnesses, including pilots, police officers, and military personnel, described the object or lights as being silent, massive, and moving at a slow and steady pace.
Explanations and Theories
Various explanations and theories have been proposed to account for the Phoenix Lights incident, including military exercises, atmospheric phenomena, and misidentifications of conventional aircraft. The most widely-accepted explanation provided by the U.S. military and government officials is that the lights were flares dropped by A-10 Warthog aircraft during a training exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range.
However, this explanation has been met with skepticism from some witnesses and UFO researchers, who argue that the characteristics of the observed phenomena, such as the size, shape, and movement, do not align with flares or other conventional explanations.
Conclusion
The Phoenix Lights remain an unexplained event in UFO history, with no definitive explanation established despite numerous theories and investigations. At Fringepedia, we acknowledge the significance of this well-documented sighting and recognize the ongoing debate surrounding its nature. As new information and evidence emerge, our understanding of the Phoenix Lights may evolve, and we remain committed to updating our assessment accordingly.
