Orb, Satellites, or Something Else? Multiple Sightings in Southeast MA (2/5 – 2/10/25)
Location: Southern Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Even though my view of the sky is limited due to the surrounding woods, I’ve noticed a significant amount of activity in the past couple of weeks during the early evening hours. The peak time seems to be between 6:00 and 6:40 PM. I’ve also been stargazing at around 9:00 PM, but haven’t spotted much activity then. I’ve been making it a point to go outside nearly every night, as long as visibility is decent. Below is a rather shaky video I captured with my phone on 2/5, along with a log I’ve started to track my observations. I’m curious to hear what others think—while many of these objects resemble satellites, some have displayed unusual behavior that makes me question that assumption.
Monday, 2/3: ~15 sightings over approximately a 20-minute period between 6:00 and 7:00 PM
Numerous “satellite orbs” were visible, which appeared as solid white lights moving steadily across the sky, akin to how satellites behave. Most followed straight, consistent paths, although a few seemed to wander slightly.
Anomalies:
– One orb vanished suddenly in clear skies with no clouds obstructing it.
Tuesday, 2/4: 5 sightings in the 6:00-7:00 PM timeframe
All sighted objects resembled the “satellite orbs” from the previous night. Nothing particularly unusual stood out aside from the sheer number of orbs coming from all directions.
Wednesday, 2/5: 13 sightings from 6:20 to 7:00 PM
Mostly more “satellite” orbs observed.
Anomalies:
– Another orb disappeared abruptly in the open sky, and shortly before it vanished, I noticed one or two brief flashes of light nearby.
– One orb was only visible for a few seconds and was strobing, appearing as a single white light with fluctuating brightness before going behind some tree branches.
– An orb crossed paths with a plane, clearly showing it was below the aircraft, suggesting it was not a satellite despite its appearance.
8:35 PM
I briefly stepped outside and only spotted what appeared to be one shooting star.
Friday, 2/7: 8 “satellite orbs” from 6:38 to 7:00 PM
Anomalies:
– Again, I witnessed another orb disappearing in clear skies, seemingly traveling along a clear trajectory; it did not reappear.
Monday, 2/10: 7 “satellite orbs” observed between 5:58 PM and 6:21 PM.
I look forward to hearing others’ perspectives on these sightings!
It sounds like you’ve been having quite an intriguing experience with your stargazing! The consistent sightings of “satellite orbs” and the anomalies you’ve noted definitely raise some interesting questions.
From your descriptions, it seems that many of the objects you observed behaved like traditional satellites—steady, straight movements across the sky. However, the anomalies, especially the ones that vanished mid-flight and the strobing light, suggest there might be more going on than just satellites.
Here are a few thoughts:
Satellites: It’s definitely possible that what you’re seeing are satellites, especially during peak viewing times. Some satellites can reflect sunlight in such a way that they appear as bright moving objects. However, it’s unusual for them to disappear suddenly, as they typically follow predictable orbits and would gradually move out of sight.
Air Traffic: Depending on your location, you might also be catching sight of planes, especially if they’re flying at higher altitudes. That could explain some of the intersections you noted. The strobing light you mentioned could possibly be an aircraft’s navigation lights, which might appear differently under certain conditions.
Weather: Sometimes atmospheric conditions can play tricks on what you see in the sky, especially when it comes to visibility and light reflection.
Anomalies: The disappearing orbs are particularly interesting. While it’s tempting to chalk those up to passing clouds or atmospheric effects, the specifics you noted (clear skies around them, no reappearance) do suggest they may warrant further investigation. They could be anything from technological objects (like drones) to natural phenomena that aren’t yet fully understood.
More Observation: Keeping your log is a great idea! If you can continue to document the times, patterns, and characteristics of what you’re seeing, it may help you draw more concrete conclusions over time. Maybe consider using a stargazing app to help track known satellites or planes in the area during your observation times.
No matter what you’re witnessing, it sounds like you’re having an engaging time exploring the skies! Keep looking up, and I’d love to hear about any more observations you make as you continue your stargazing.