SIGHTING: RENO, NV

Witness Testimony

" Location: ((address deleted)) Plumb Lane Reno, NV 89502 At approximately 7:00 p.m., we observed a large oval light directly over our hotel near the Reno/Tahoe airport. The oval light appeared to move slightly and vary in brightness during our observation. We estimate the object to have been at least 50,000’ in altitude and possibly much higher. We estimate the size of the object to have been similar to a “tic tac” held at arm’s length. The weather conditions were clear, although very windy. The wind was blowing west to east at approximately 40 mph. We were facing due south and object could be seen at an approximately 70 degree angle above our position. It did not produce any sound.When we first noticed the object, the sun had not yet set, and the object was very large and very bright. We initially thought it could have been helicopter or drone hovering over the nearby I-580 freeway. However, this explanation was disproved when an airliner, flying at cruise altitude with the corresponding contrail, flew underneath the object. We continued to observe the object for approximately 40-60 minutes. As the sun set the light appeared to increase in altitude, dimming while doing so, and moving towards the east opposite the normal rotation of the earth and the rising moon/ stars. By the time the sun had completely set the light appeared to be a normal star in size and brightness. However, when I used the SkyView app on my phone the object did not correspond to any star, constellation, or satellite in the app’s database.I did manage to take one photograph of the light using my cell phone after numerous attempts. However, the photo is not as detailed as our view while looking at the object. We have no idea what it was. "