The skies above Oregon witnessed a series of perplexing aerial phenomena over the weekend of December 7-8, 2024, as at least four commercial airline pilots reported encounters with unusual, fast-moving lights. The events, documented in air traffic control audio recordings, detail conversations between pilots and air traffic controllers expressing confusion and concern over the unidentified objects. The descriptions paint a picture of colorful, circular lights exhibiting erratic movements and astonishing speeds, prompting speculation about their nature and origin. While some experts suggest the lights could be Starlink satellites, others, including pilots who witnessed the phenomenon firsthand, remain unconvinced, emphasizing the unique characteristics of the objects’ behavior.
The initial report came on the evening of December 7th, from a United Airlines pilot en route from Denver to Eugene, Oregon. The pilot questioned air traffic control about potential military activity in the area after observing multiple targets at varying altitudes, moving erratically and at high speeds. The controller, initially unaware of any unusual activity, confirmed receiving another report of similar sightings. The pilot further described the lights “shooting way up” to altitudes as high as 50,000 feet, a detail that added to the mystery. Subsequently, the pilot of an air ambulance reported encountering similar lights, describing one as moving in a “corkscrew pattern” and emitting a red glow while traveling at extreme speeds towards and away from the aircraft.
Adding to the intrigue, two Horizon Airlines pilots reported observing unidentified lights the following day, December 8th, further confirming the recurring nature of these aerial phenomena. Short video clips captured by pilots and crew members, though hampered by darkness, purportedly show lights in the sky, offering tantalizing glimpses of the enigmatic objects. Despite the unusual sightings, all flights involved continued to their destinations without incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged at least one pilot’s report of the strange lights but refrained from providing further details.
The events in Oregon echo similar occurrences across the United States. Concurrently, residents of New Jersey reported sightings of unidentified drones hovering over their skies, sparking widespread curiosity and speculation about their purpose and origin. Theories about the New Jersey drones range from covert military exercises to more outlandish suggestions of an Iranian “mothership” deploying the objects from the ocean. The lack of official explanation from the White House has only fueled further speculation and public intrigue.
In the aftermath of the Oregon sightings, attempts to explain the observed phenomena have emerged. Douglas Buettner, a scientist who led a study investigating a similar incident involving pilots encountering bright lights over the Pacific Ocean in 2022, suggested the lights are likely Starlink satellites. His assessment draws parallels between the Oregon sightings and the previously studied incident, concluding that the observed characteristics are consistent with the behavior of Starlink satellites. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism from some pilots who witnessed the events firsthand.
Joe Buley, the LifeFlight pilot who reported seeing the orange lights while flying from Aurora, Colorado, to North Bend, Washington, expressed doubts about the Starlink satellite theory. He emphasized the distinctive movements of the lights, particularly their rapid changes in direction, a characteristic he believes distinguishes them from typical satellite behavior. His observations raise questions about the definitive identification of the objects and contribute to the ongoing debate surrounding their true nature. The lack of conclusive evidence continues to fuel speculation and highlights the need for further investigation to fully understand these unexplained aerial phenomena.
The Oregon sightings, coupled with the ongoing reports of unidentified drones over New Jersey, underscore the increasing prevalence of unexplained aerial phenomena and the growing interest in their potential explanations. While some attribute these sightings to known technologies like Starlink satellites, others remain skeptical, pointing to unusual characteristics that defy conventional explanations. The lack of definitive answers underscores the need for continued investigation and scrutiny to unravel the mysteries surrounding these enigmatic aerial events. As eyewitness accounts and video evidence accumulate, the quest for understanding these unexplained phenomena continues, prompting further questions about the nature of these objects and their presence in our skies.
