Space
debris or UFO balloons - what's your theory?
By
Liza-Jane Gillespie
MYSTERIOUS
lights over Wotton-under-Edge have been the talk of the town this week.
Last
week the Gazette reported how a group of orange lights had been seen moving across
the sky above the town late at night.
The
strange sighting happened on the night of Friday, July 27 at about 10.30pm.
Dursley
police had reassured residents that the lights were probably just the police helicopter.
However, people in Wotton who saw the lights are convinced otherwise and have
come up with several theories to explain the sightings.
Space
debris and UFO balloons are two suggestions that have been made.
UFO
Balloons are miniature novelty hot-air balloons. They are designed for parties
and are an alternative to paper fire lanterns. The balloons last for about eight
to 10 minutes and can rise up to 1,000 metres.
Barbara
Wright, of Wotton and once a member of the Bristol Astrological Society, said:
"I saw the lights. I saw seven of them in formation.
"There
were three in an arrow formation and one slightly behind. Then there was a gap
then another one came from behind Wotton Hill.
"It
was about 10.30pm I was out walking my dog before going to bed.
"I
know the difference between stars or lights moving in the sky and a helicopter.
"These
lights were completely silent and there were seven of them. Helicopters are much
noisier."
Some
of our readers also shared their theories on the Gazette website.
Martyn
Hirst, of Wotton, said: "The only way I can explain them is that they looked
like circular lights the colour of street lamps. With reference to the comment
About the police helicopter, I don't think so. No flashing lights and total silence."
The
sightings have also been a hot topic on the Wotton-under-Edge community website.
One
contributor posted: "I'm quite sure that we are not the only living beings
in the universe, but I am sceptical of UFOs I am afraid, so I'm sticking with
space debris."
