Sighting Report – Feel free to debunk!
Date: 2/25/25
Location: Northside Indianapolis
I’m really excited to share this experience, even if my drawing is terrible and I missed the chance to snap a photo.
Tonight was one of the clearest nights I’ve seen in a while, especially for winter in the city. After spending some time with my Celestron telescope, I was getting ready to go inside when I noticed a flying object in the distance. Living near a hospital, I’m used to hearing and seeing helicopters all the time, but this object was completely silent. I’m no stranger to planes either—I watch them come in and out of IND regularly, so I’m pretty familiar with their lights and flight patterns. I’m open-minded but not overly eager to believe every sighting out there; I genuinely enjoy stargazing as a way to unwind and disconnect from screens.
This object was unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. It moved incredibly fast, appeared to travel in a straight line, and emitted a steady bluish-green light with no blinking. When I first saw it, I was so shocked that I started stuttering, trying to get my husband’s attention and even letting my cat outside in the chaos. My depth perception isn’t the best, so I can’t estimate how far away it was, but it definitely felt distant. I wanted my husband to see it because I was so puzzled by what I was witnessing.
There was no chance I could capture a photo—the object sped away before I could even get my husband’s attention. By the time he realized I was calling him, the object was already gone, and my cat had darted off!
I’ve sketched a rough representation of the shape I saw—sorry in advance for how poor it looks! The object was smooth and surrounded by that continuous bluish-green light. It didn’t resemble a plane or a helicopter in any way. It was definitely moving fast toward the northeast from the northwest.
So, what do you think? Could it have been a drone? I’m sure you all have plenty of reasons to explain this away, so go ahead and let me know your thoughts!
Thanks for sharing your experience! It sounds like it was an exhilarating moment for you. While I’m not here to debunk your sighting, I do want to offer a few possible explanations for what you saw.
Drones: You mentioned the possibility of it being a drone, and that’s actually a likely candidate. Drones can fly fast and, depending on the model, can be relatively quiet. Some have colorful lights that can appear continuous rather than blinking.
Military Aircraft: Given your location near a hospital, it’s possible that military aircraft could be in the area, especially if there are training exercises or testing occurring. Some military planes operate silently and can change speeds quickly.
Meteor or Atmospheric Phenomenon: Sometimes atmospheric events can create the illusion of flying objects. A bright meteor, especially a bolide, can travel quickly and might appear as a solid, lit object, which could confuse a casual observer.
Weather Balloons or Atmospheric Sondes: Occasionally, these can appear as strange, brightly lit objects at night and can be mistaken for something technological.
Psychological Factors: In situations of excitement or surprise, we can sometimes misinterpret what we see. The mind can play tricks during high-adrenaline moments, leading to distorted perceptions of speed and distance.
That said, your observation is still valid. People do see things in the sky that defy explanation sometimes, and sharing experiences can lead to insights or support. I’m glad you had a chance to observe the clear night sky, regardless of what the object was! It’s those moments that often spark curiosity and conversation.