Orange objects in the sky

HalloweenJack

Hiya guys,

I noticed something odd on the night of 30/12/11, at about 12am, in the sky above Bray. I've been wrecking my brain trying to explain but can't think of anything. If anyone else saw it or has any idea what it could be, I'd appreciate another point of view.

I was in my attic room and noticed a small, orange object through the window, out of the corner of my eye. I was lying down and the thing passed out of my line of sight as there are two separate windows in my room. I thought it looked odd so I got out of bed and walked up to the window to get a proper look.

What I saw were these two orange-coloured objects (the second one was trailing further behind) moving relatively quickly (quicker than most airplanes) through the darkness. They appeared to be very high up but very bright and they looked almost like orange balloons with little strings hanging down from them. However, their size seemed too big to be balloons. They were clearly very high up, maybe as high as airplanes get, and were moving very quickly. The orange colour seemed to flicker a bit but also seemed very "steady" (for want of a better word), as if that was the colour of whatever the thing was. Their shape was egg-like with this little string hanging down. The speed of them was the most impressive thing. Their brightness was also impressive.

I've watched airplanes flying through the same window dozens of times before so that's how I'm comparing them.

The only thing I can think of are shooting stars but I would have thought the tail would follow the main part, not hang down like this little did. Also, I would have thought the "tail" would be a lot thicker than the ones these things had, which seemed more like pieces of string. Also, what would be the odds of seeing two shooting stars so close to each other?

Any ideas?

bada_bing

chinese lanterns. very common at this time of the year.

Ziycon

Sounds like a 'Chinese' lantern alright, nothing to worry about. If you've the time, could you fill out the report a sighting form at www.ufoi.org. Always good to have on record for future reference.

Broads.ie

It is absolutely amazing how many people jump to the conclusion that Chinese lanterns are a paranormal phenomenon. We need a new school curriculum that includes critical thinking and scepticism.

Chucky Norris

this reminds me of something that happened to me a few months ago there was these orange lights in the sky they were like balloons but really high in the sky i would watch it for a while one would dissapear and then another would appear this went on for twenty minutes any ideas what is was

Riamfada

I was driving back from Wicklow one night. I was coming from Roundwood so I was passing the Sugarloaf on my left heading towards Bray. If anyone knows the area there is a smaller rocky "hill" just north of the Sugarloaf at the Y junction which takes you up to Enniskerry.

Anyway as I was passing the sugarloaf there was an extremely bright white light just sitting above the hill. It was night so obviously I couldnt judge distance but I turned off and tried to get around the far side of the hill to look at it. I drove all around the area in the dark but couldnt see it again. It was very creepy. It had the same size and intensity of the landing light of a 737 at the airport but it was stationary. It was far too bright to be a Chinese lantern.

rich.d.berry

Was out cycling last night, perfect night for Chinese lanterns because it was so still. Stopped to admire the stars when on the Curragh (and to rest my weary legs and slake my thirst) but saw nothing out of the ordinary. I was half expecting to see one or two though.

squonk

Riamfada wrote: »

I was driving back from Wicklow one night. I was coming from Roundwood so I was passing the Sugarloaf on my left heading towards Bray. If anyone knows the area there is a smaller rocky "hill" just north of the Sugarloaf at the Y junction which takes you up to Enniskerry.

Anyway as I was passing the sugarloaf there was an extremely bright white light just sitting above the hill. It was night so obviously I couldnt judge distance but I turned off and tried to get around the far side of the hill to look at it. I drove all around the area in the dark but couldnt see it again. It was very creepy. It had the same size and intensity of the landing light of a 737 at the airport but it was stationary. It was far too bright to be a Chinese lantern.

What you say is most likely either Jupiter, Venus or the star Sirius. You would really need to know exactely the date and time and the direction you were facing at the time. Something like Cartes Du Ciel, a free star map would be a good starting point to attempt to pinpoint what exactly you saw. Sirius is particularly bright (the brightest star in the night sky actually) and is often mistaken for a UFO because it's relatively low in the sky.

Riamfada

Or download Google Sky on your smartphone for free.