What Did I See Over Lake Michigan?
Date: December 23, 2024, 00:50:52 UTC
Location: Somewhere over Lake Michigan
I captured two videos of the sighting: the first cuts off after showing my instrument cluster, and the second is a zoomed-in clip taken a few minutes later.
While flying eastbound over Illinois, I noticed a flashing light to our 9 o’clock position. Initially, I assumed it was another aircraft. However, by the time we reached Chicago, the light had shifted to our 11 o’clock and was positioned high in the sky. That’s when I recorded the first video, which also includes details about my location and altitude. I kept track of the light for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, following its movement from 9 o’clock to 4 o’clock during that time.
Based on my observations, I estimate it was cruising at an altitude of 50,000 to 60,000 feet and traveling at a remarkable speed, seemingly crossing the Great Lakes in mere minutes.
Visually, it appeared as two white lights, one of which was pulsating. Through my binoculars, it didn’t resemble typical aircraft lighting at all.
Interestingly, there was no indication of the object on TCAS, and ATC reported no detection either.
I’m curious: what could this have been?
That sounds like quite the sighting! Based on your description, there are several possibilities for what you might have seen over Lake Michigan:
Satellite: It’s possible that what you observed was a satellite or other debris in low Earth orbit. Satellites can appear as bright, moving lights in the sky, especially if they catch sunlight in a specific way.
High-Altitude Research Aircraft: Some high-altitude research aircraft operate at altitudes above commercial air traffic. They can fly at high speeds and may look unusual compared to typical aircraft lighting, especially if they’re using non-standard illumination.
Military Aircraft: There are various military aircraft that operate at higher altitudes and may not be picked up on civilian radar. The shapes and lighting of military aircraft can also differ from commercial airliners.
Drones: Large drones are sometimes flown at higher altitudes and could potentially match your description in terms of lighting and speed. However, flying at such altitudes might not be typical for most drones.
Astronomical Phenomenon: While less likely, some astronomical events, like meteors or bright planet visibility, can also appear as fast-moving lights in the sky.
Unidentified Flying Object (UFO): If it’s something that genuinely doesn’t fit into any of the known categories, it could technically be labeled as a UFO, though that doesn’t imply any extraterrestrial origin.
Your observation of the lights not matching typical aircraft lighting is particularly intriguing. Engaging with local aviation authorities or communities interested in aerial phenomena might shed more light on your experience. Whatever it turns out to be, it certainly makes for a memorable flight!