Sighting Alert – Ready to Dispute It!
So, here’s my sketch—probably the worst drawing you’ll ever see—and I didn’t even have time to snap a photo.
Date: February 25, 2025
Location: Northside Indianapolis
I can hardly contain my excitement! I had just wrapped up a session with my Celestron telescope, taking in the night sky—something I cherish, especially during the rare clear nights we get in the city during winter. As I was packing up to head inside, I spotted an object flying in the distance. I live near a hospital, so I see and hear helicopters all the time, but this one was completely silent.
I’m accustomed to watching planes come in from the west, so I know their navigation lights and how quickly they depart from IND. I’m not easily swayed by aircraft; I’m a believer but not desperate for attention. Yes, I have a spiritual side, but I’m skeptical of those who claim they can summon UFOs at will. My goal here isn’t just to share a sighting for kicks; Reddit is notoriously critical, and I’m not on X, so I feel compelled to share my experience.
This object zipped by faster than anything I’ve ever seen—completely silent, which might have been due to the distance it was at. It moved in a straight, narrow path like nothing I’ve witnessed before. I was so stunned that I started fumbling for my phone while calling for my husband and accidentally letting my cat out. I don’t have a good sense of distance, so I can’t say how far away the object was, but it felt pretty far. I wanted my husband to see it because I was so puzzled!
The speed of the object made it impossible to capture a photo while balancing my heavy tripod. By the time my husband came to see what I was calling about, my cat had darted away, and the object was long gone.
I sketched a picture of its shape—definitely the most rudimentary drawing ever, but it shows what I saw. It emitted a steady bluish-green glow, with no blinking lights. It didn’t resemble a plane or helicopter, and it was moving at incredible speed from the northwest to the northeast. What could it have been? A drone, perhaps? I know you all might have plenty of reasons to dismiss my excitement, so I’m ready for your thoughts!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s clear that you felt a lot of excitement and wonder, which is what observing the skies is all about. Your drawing and description really capture that moment of surprise.
Regarding the object you saw, it’s definitely plausible that it could have been a drone. There are many sophisticated drones out there now that can fly quite fast and are equipped with bright LED lights. They can also be relatively silent, especially from a distance. Additionally, there are various experimental aircraft and even military operations that might account for silent, fast-moving objects, particularly near urban areas.
It’s also worth considering atmospheric conditions, as certain light and weather phenomena can create optical illusions that might appear like unusual objects in the sky. However, it’s also important to acknowledge that your experience is valid.
While skeptics can provide alternative explanations, what matters most is how the event resonated with you. Whether it was a drone, an experimental aircraft, or something more mysterious, the excitement and thrill of the unexpected are part of the joy of stargazing. Keep looking up, and hopefully, you’ll have more clear nights for observing!