Expert: Tom Whiting - 8/12/2011

Question
Hi Mr Whiting,

Last Saturday my family saw what looked like a red flare rising from the East in went up to 40 degrees then it when back from where it came and disappeared at around 20 degrees.

The day after we so it again and it was very bright. This time it approached from the SW and passed right over us to the NW. As it passed above the red light dimmed, it was as if we where sawing the aircraft or whatever it was from the rear. By the way it made no sound.

I checked if it was the ISS but the ISS looks just like the star of Sirius. This was brighter and bigger. As long as the ISS does not differ in appearance, depending on the moonlight or sunlight.

I looked it up on the Internet and many say its an alien aircraft, which don't believe. Who would spend at least 20 years to travel millions of km to our earth.

You may wish to know that we live in the small island of Malta and thus our airport is close to all our towns.

What do you think it is?

Answer
Hi Maria,
I have no idea... but I (like you) already know that it is something (someone) man-made, because I also agree that aliens, if they exist, are very very rare visitations, and who would spend many years traveling here just to make one pass over... Malta to scare everyone?
When we go to Mars, are we going to make one pass over Olympus Mons, and then say, OK, pack it in... time to head back to Earth.  WHAT? We traveled all this distance and time... let's land, explore, gather samples, etc. etc. Wouldn't that be more reasonable actions? Of course it would.

All I can think of is possible Military maneuvers from a nearby base, including high altitude helicopters (which are lit up like Christmas trees with lots of red lights)... and if high enough,
or more distant enough (you can see an aircraft headlight out there 100 miles on a clear night)
then there would be no noise.  That's the best I can do.
Clear Skies,
Tom Whiting
Erie, PA USA