On March 13, 1997, at night, around 22:00 (10:00 pm), an unusual phenomenon was seen above the city of Phoenix, State of Arizona (USA). Several hundreds of people, may be a few thousands, observed it. Some of them even taped it in very good conditions (see the video under Real Media format - zip 750 KO : click here ! _Video_ The footage obtained by Mike and Sue Krzyston, from their apartment over the 191st avenue, was undoubtedly one of the best, essentially because of the situation of the observation point. Another observation, by Tom King, made from Chandler Boulevard at the intersection of the 40th street has been taped and is amongst the best documents available. Another person, Steve Blonder, was also here and succeeded in taping the phenomenon. Finally, there were hundreds of witnesses who reported visual observation of this phenomenon!

On March 13, 1997, at night, around 22:00 (10:00 pm), an unusual phenomenon was seen above the city of Phoenix, State of Arizona (USA). Several hundreds of people, may be a few thousands, observed it. Some of them even taped it in very good conditions (see the video under Real Media format - zip 750 KO : click here ! _Video_

The footage obtained by Mike and Sue Krzyston, from their apartment over the 191st avenue, was undoubtedly one of the best, essentially because of the situation of the observation point. Another observation, by Tom King, made from Chandler Boulevard at the intersection of the 40th street has been taped and is amongst the best documents available. Another person, Steve Blonder, was also here and succeeded in taping the phenomenon. Finally, there were hundreds of witnesses who reported visual observation of this phenomenon!

But here are the data. The witnesses reported that they saw a first " ball of light " appearing over the mountains near Phoenix. Other lighs detached from this ball, and they get almost aligned with the first one, in a even fashion. Eventually, there were seven stationary lights exhibiting different and variable intensities. The whole phenomenon lasted for several minutes.

The observations were not limited to the city of Phoenix and the above phenomenon. In Scottsdale, two witnesses taped light patterns arranged as a triangle, or a " V ". This phenomenon passed over them in a very slow motion. This occurred on March 13, 1997, at 20:28 (08:28 pm). The same witnesses also observed and taped the Phoenix lights from Cave Creek Road in Scottsdale.

Air traffic controllers at the Phoenix airport also observed the phenomenon, but they report only visual contact. No data were recorded on the radars.

All these pictures were broadcast by most of the US media and TV. So, the public opinion wanted to know... So, in May 1997, a member of the City Counsel of Phoenix, Ms. Francis Barwood, questioned the city Authorities. These remained mute,but some of the queried people exhibited a half-smile on their face. They eventually made a fool of Ms. Barwood ! Surprisingly, all she asked was whether someone had information on the phenomenon. You may download a video footage under a Real Media format by clicking here (a 375 KO zipped file) _Video 2_.

Close to Phoenix, to the west of the city, is the Luke Air Force Base (AFB - or Luke AFB – 56th Wing fighter equipped with F-16 planes. Luke AFB also hosts a training center for NATO pilots). The military authorities at Luke AFB were also questioned. First, they said that nothing anomalous occurred and they remained mute also. Only a few months later, the military released their own version of the events: the "Phoenix lights" resulted from a released of "flares" in the course of an exercise. Flares are decoys consisting in a light- and heat-emitting device. They are intended to fool air-to-air missiles fitted with an infra-red guiding system. The explanation was satisfactory neither for the local "ufologues", nor the witnesses. But you, what do you think of this? Below, left, are lights emitted by flares. Right, are the Phoenix lights (note: distance and observations conditions not identical)

Flares released by helicopters are generally hanging down to parachutes. Flares released by planes are most often different since they are not hanging to parachutes. They are " ejected " then fired, and this produce a rather-visible streak of smoke. Generally, these flares do not remain in the air at the same altitude and they are not visible during several minutes! There are mere " rockets ", obeying to Newton laws! Also, generally, the firing of these flares is visible (small lightning). Furthermore, the machines from which are propelled the flares are very noisy and rather visible.

Jim Dilettoso, a video analysis " specialist ", and the manager of Village Labs Inc., studied all the sequences. He says that in no case the phenomenon could be flares. The ufologue Bill Hamilton and the "image hunter" Tom King also share this opinion... Note that these persons did commercialize items produced from this file. This is always a pity! Not because it implies that these items - hence the relevant observations - are delusions! But one cannot prevent me to think that numerous people including "hard" skeptics do regard this features as a negative element to evaluate the file... But of course, everybody has to make a living!

The best you can do now is to look at these images and ask yourself the right questions. If you wish to know more, then you will have to find the persons able - or allowed - to give you the answers, or at least to provide you with some elements of the answer...

To conclude, I would say that in my opinion, the observed phenomenon is not due to flares, at least not to "classical flares". And to be honest, I do not really believe that these lights are those of flares! For an European, it is difficult to say more about the story since it is difficult to investigate in more depth from abroad...

Officially, the Phoenix file is elucidated. But the conclusions are not accepted by the people. Interestingly, no authority wants to further investigate the file! Why? Is this case not significant enough?