Four Youths See Ghost-Like Apparition Descend From Red & Yellow Flashing Light Into Woods

Date of Sighting: June 21, 2005
Time of Sighting: 11:13 PM EDT
Date Reported: June 21, 2005
Location of Sighting: Rimersburg, PA (About 80 Miles Northeast of Pittsburgh)
Latitude: 40.98581 Degrees N
Longitude: 79.59623 Degrees W
Number of Witnesses: Four
Number Witnesses Interviewed: One
Weather: Partly Cloudy (Cloud base at 12,000 feet) Visibility 10 Miles
Astronomical: Moon 99% Illuminated at 13 Degrees Elevation and 149 Degrees Azimuth (Low in the Southeast)

Description (In Witness's Own Words): It was a round red object with pulsing red and yellow lights. The yellow only showed after it moved but it was red most of the other time. And then it was out there for about at least an hour. There were four of us who saw the object. Two of the witnesses that had seen the object also saw a white light similar to a "ghost-like" apparition descend from the object into the woods right below the object. (The other two witnesses left the area because they were late returning home.) We all thought this was really truly amazing but at the same time thought it was kind a scary.

Investigator's Notes: The witness originally reported this sighting by phone.  He followed up his phone call with a written report.  Although only 15 the witness provided good details regarding his report and responded to all of my questions.  Given the position of the moon and the weather (partly cloudy) I thought that the witnesses could have been fooled by the moon moving in and out of clouds.  However the witness said that the light was at an elevation of 50 to 65 degrees. In a follow-up interview the witness said that he could see the moon moving in and out of the clouds. He further stated that the object was far from the position of the moon. These observations plus the flashing colors rule out the moon as causing the observed phenomenon.  At this time I can't explain what the youngsters observed.  A search of other UFO report databases has not revealed any other sightings in this area. I do not believe that this sighting is a hoax. Updates will be posted.