Phoenix Lights
A mass UFO sighting on March 13, 1997, over Phoenix, Arizona, witnessed by thousands of people including the state governor.
Documented record
Known Facts
On March 13, 1997, thousands of people across Arizona reported seeing a massive V-shaped formation of lights.
The lights were observed over Phoenix, Tucson, and Henderson, Nevada over approximately 2-3 hours.
Arizona Governor Fife Symington later held a press conference where he joked about the 'alien' explanation, then later admitted he had seen something inexplicable.
The U.S. Air Force initially suggested the lights were flares from a training exercise at Luke Air Force Base.
The incident occurred during the same night as the widely observed Hale-Bopp comet.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
Mass Witness Testimony
TESTIMONYThousands of independent witnesses across multiple cities reported consistent observations.
SOURCE:Multiple news reports and police records
Governor Symington's Later Testimony
TESTIMONYFormer Governor Symington publicly stated he witnessed an alien craft and later regretted his initial mockery.
SOURCE:Press conferences and interviews (2007–present)
Video and Photographic Evidence
MEDIAMultiple videos and photographs from different locations show the V-shaped formation.
SOURCE:Various media outlets and witnesses
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Flare Drop Explanation
PRIMARY SOURCEThe Air Force confirmed a flare exercise at Luke AFB on the same night, though timing and descriptions don't fully align.
SOURCE:U.S. Air Force
Hale-Bopp Comet Distraction
ANALYSISThe bright comet may have caused observers to misinterpret conventional aircraft or lights.
SOURCE:Astronomical analysis
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
Were the Phoenix Lights and the Nevada lights part of the same event?
Why did the Air Force's flare explanation not account for all observations?
What was the size and nature of the object(s) observed?
Were there any military radar confirmations?
Chronological record
Timeline
Mass sighting of V-shaped lights over Arizona.
Governor Symington holds press conference, jokes about aliens.
Air Force suggests flare explanation.
Symington publicly admits he saw something unexplainable.
Continued investigation and witness interviews.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
U.S. Air Force appear in both.
U.S. Air Force appear in both.
U.S. Air Force appear in both.