One serene night in Sonoma, California, a remarkable celestial event unfolded before my eyes—a bright red fireball, three times the size of the largest star visible in the sky, hung motionless beneath the iconic “handle” of the Big Dipper. For a solid four minutes, it held its ground, a brilliant crimson beacon against the ink-black backdrop, untouched by strobe or running lights that might hint at an earthly craft.
As I stood in the parking lot behind KSVY radio station, about to depart after hosting my show “Strange Wine,” which delves into the mysteries of history and the paranormal in the Valley of the Moon, this spectacle held me in silent awe. Sonoma has long been a hotspot for unexplained aerial phenomena—I’ve witnessed the imposing black triangles in predawn skies, lights performing precise formation dances, and even objects blending invisibly against the starlit canvas. Yet, nothing quite like this vivid red orb had graced my skies before.
After those initial minutes of stillness, the fireball began a slow drift toward the end of the dipper’s handle. Suddenly, it performed a series of sharp, erratic zig-zags—a movement so deliberate and alien that it sent a chill running down my spine. And then, without warning, it vanished completely at approximately 12:10 AM.
This seven-minute encounter defies conventional explanation, leaving only awe and wonder in its wake. The night air hung heavy with the memory of that radiant red fireball—an emblem of the unexplained that continues to spark the curiosity and imagination of those who seek to understand the mysteries lurking just beyond our reach.