Appearance / Description of Object(s)

The object was oval in shape and was glowing orange.

Size of Object(s)

I can't estimate the actual size of the object, but in the sky it looked about 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the sun.

Description of Area / Surroundings

The area is semi-rural and to my knowledge there aren't any special sites or features in the surrounding area.

Full Description & Details

I was in a school PE lesson playing hockey. It was winter, although I can't remember the exact date. We were asked to gather round the teacher in a group for a demonstration and as my concentration wandered, I noticed an oval object moving at an approximately 45 degree angle down behind the trees. It was large, oval and glowing brightly and was moving fairly rapidly as I glimpsed it for only a few seconds. The object was the same brightness and colour as a setting sun and didn't appear to have any other distinguishing features (it also appeared to be approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the size of a setting sun). I remember asking my friend who was standing next to me at the time whether she had seen it also, but she hadn't. It was impossible to estimate the speed or height at which the object was travelling. Also, the sky was very clear that day, therefore what I saw could not have been the sun reflecting off a cloud (the speed of the object would also have made this scenario very unlikely). I also did not mistake the object for the sun, which was setting entirely away from where I saw the oval shape. I have often wondered whether what I saw could have been a naturally occurring phenomenon, but I cannot think of any explanation taking into consideration the size and velocity of the object.

I recently came across an article by chance regarding an alleged UFO sighting which sounded similar to my own sighting and wondered whether my account would be of any use to researchers studying these phenomena. I am quite a rational person and am aware that whatever it was that I saw that day will probably be identified by experts as a naturally occuring event.

Can sighting be explained as any conventional man-made or natural object?

The object was too large to be a satellite or a planet and moving far too quickly for a weather balloon, blimp etc. The object was orange in colour and seemed to be glowing from 'within' rather than a reflection of the sun.

Witness Background

Research scientist

Views on UFOs, before and after sighting

Before my sighting, I had not often thought about UFOs. I think that the majority of UFO sightings are probably naturally occurring phenomenen /mistaken identity etc. However, I would not completely rule out the possible existence of intelligent life outside our solar system!

Reported Sighting? 

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