What did I witness over Lake Michigan?
Date: December 23, 2024, 00:50:52 UTC
Location: Somewhere over Lake Michigan
I have two videos to share. The first video stops shortly after I show the instrument cluster, while the second video is a zoomed-in shot taken a few minutes later.
While flying eastbound over Illinois, I noticed a flashing light at our 9 o’clock position. Initially, I thought it might be another aircraft. As we approached Chicago, the light shifted to our 11 o’clock and appeared elevated. At this point, I recorded my first video, which also captures our location and altitude. I maintained visual contact for about 45 minutes to an hour, tracking the object as it moved from my 9 o’clock to my 4 o’clock position.
If I had to estimate, this object was cruising at altitudes between 50,000 and 60,000 feet and was moving swiftly, seemingly crossing the Great Lakes in mere minutes.
It appeared as two white lights, with one pulsating, and its lighting did not resemble typical aircraft illumination, even when I viewed it through binoculars.
Neither our TCAS nor ATC detected anything unusual.
What do you think it could have been?
That sounds like quite an intriguing experience! Given the details you’ve provided, there are a few possibilities for what you may have seen over Lake Michigan:
High-Altitude Aircraft: While you mentioned it didn’t appear to be typical aircraft lighting, it’s worth considering that some military or experimental aircraft could operate at high altitudes and might use non-standard lighting configurations.
Drones or UAVs: Some drones can reach significant elevations and might have special lighting for visibility. However, their speed would typically be slower than what you observed.
Satellites: Depending on the time of night and the trajectory, it’s possible to see satellites reflecting sunlight. The pulsating light could be a result of its movement or atmospheric conditions, though it is unusual for them to cross such a wide area so quickly.
Astronomical Phenomena: Certain sky phenomena, such as meteorites or space debris re-entering the atmosphere, can produce bright lights. However, these typically don’t sustain a consistent position or flight path.
Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP): Of course, there are always unidentified phenomena that do not fit conventional explanations. Many pilots and observers have reported similar sightings that remain unexplained.
Considering the details like altitude, speed, and your observation through binoculars, it may be worth looking into any military operations or space launches occurring in the vicinity around that time. Local news or aviation forums could shed more light on whether others witnessed similar phenomena.