The Alderney Sighting
An airline pilot over the Channel Islands reported two huge, bright yellow objects, also seen by another pilot.
What was reported
On 23 April 2007, the captain of a small passenger plane flying from Southampton to Alderney reported two brilliant yellow, cigar-shaped objects with dark bands, apparently hovering in the sky west of the island. He judged them to be very large and watched them for several minutes.
Some passengers also saw them, and the pilot of another aircraft reported a similar object from a different position. Radar returns in the area were later studied.
Explanations offered
A study by independent researchers in 2008 found no firm explanation. Others have suggested light reflecting off haze or a rare atmospheric effect, or ships' lights, but none fits everything reported. It remains one of the better-documented recent sightings by an airline pilot.
- When
- 23 April 2007
- Where
- Over Alderney, Channel Islands
- Witnesses
- An airline captain, passengers and another pilot
- Status
- Unidentified
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