On the memorable night of July 4th, 2009, I, along with 10 other adults and 3 children, witnessed a remarkable spectacle in the night sky over Federal Way, Washington. As we enjoyed our fireworks display, accompanied by a larger neighbor’s show that reached even higher into the sky, something extraordinary caught our attention.
From the west, moving smoothly eastward, a glowing orb emerged against the dark canvas of the night. It radiated a mesmerizing reddish-orange hue, like a fiery globe lit from within, silently cruising across the heavens. The object hovered above the full moon, which shone brightly to its right, moving steadily in a northerly direction over a span of approximately three and a half minutes.
The orb’s size was difficult to judge from our vantage point, but its presence was undeniably large and impressive. As it glided silently and gracefully, it held all eleven adults and three children spellbound, caught in the quiet majesty of this celestial visitor. I managed to capture pictures as someone nearby exclaimed, “Look, what IS that?” The beauty and mystery of this glowing orb left an indelible mark on that summer night, imprinted clearly in my memory.
Such sightings ignite the imagination and leave one pondering the secrets the night sky might conceal. This glowing orb was more than a mere spectacle — it was a silent invitation to dream and wonder about the world beyond our earthly gaze.