Trident missile light over California
- Date
- 7 Nov 2015
- Place
- Pacific Test Range off Southern California, seen from Los Angeles to Arizona and Utah, United States
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Explained
- Evidence strength
What was reported
At about 6 p.m. on 7 November 2015 a glowing, spreading plume with a bright point at its head was seen and filmed across Southern California and as far as Nevada, Arizona and Utah, setting off a wave of UFO speculation. About two hours later the Navy confirmed an unarmed Trident II D5 test launch from the submarine USS Kentucky in the Pacific Test Range; the effect was the sunlit exhaust plume at high altitude seen from the darkened ground, a twilight 'jellyfish' effect.
What officials concluded
Resolved
Trident II D5 missile test launch (U.S. Navy)
Strongest ordinary reading
Sunlit rocket exhaust plume at twilight
Evidence profile
Sensors3 of 9
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- No: Radar
- Yes: Video
- Yes: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
Witnessescount not stated
- Yes: Civilian
- No: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- No: Airline crew
- No: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- No: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
ShapeLight only
- Yes: Light only
- No: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- No: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- No: Other shape
Effectsnone reported
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
- GlobalSecurity.org: mysterious light was missile testglobalsecurity.org
- Santa Barbara Independent: Navy explains sky objectindependent.com
On the map
33.50° N, 119.50° W, a position at sea, approximate
Show on the map