STRANGE SIGHT seen over WIGAN

WIGAN amateur astronomer, Mr.Harold Hill, has sent a full report of the strange sky phenomenon he observed on July 8th., to the British Astronomical Association.

He first noticed it as a bright, star-like object, but under high powered binoculars, it was seen to be a small, bright metallic-looking globe.

Mr.Hill dashed to his observatory and trained his 12" reflecting telescope upon the strange objects, which was by this time seen to have shifted its position, being higher in the sky. What he then saw was as amazing as it was unexpected:

"There was a prinicipal bright silvery object, of indeterminate shape, accompanied to the left by a cluster of what appeared to be minute stars. The components numbered from 15 to 20 although it was very difficult to estimate the precise number because the members of the cluster constantly changed their positions independently of one another. The whole scene gave the impression of being one of great activity...."

Clouds intervened for a short time, and on clearing, another surprise was in store, for now there were TWO bright objects close together, the cluster of small objects having either disappeared or gone out of the field of the 'scope.

"They were gradually seperating and not only appeared to be gyrating and flashing, but exhibited a slow, pendulum movement about each other in a manner rather like dancing partners - a truly amazing sight! One of the members was decreasing in brightness, and probably both - because they were now lost to view to my wife, who still had the binoculars trained...."

"The impression given was that the phenomenon was at a tremendous height, probably in the upper reaches of the stratosphere - or even beyond - because the small star-like objects of the cluster had shown no sensible size, even with the power of 50 times magnification. The two principal members defied description; they flashed as they gyrated as though metallic surfaces were reflecting the rays of the sun. probably the closest analogy to what was seen is to be found in the flashing of the facets of a diamond as it is turned in a strong light".

The total time of the observation was from 9.30pm to 9.55pm, when clouds finally obscured the objects from view. It is stressed that the sketch is only a rough idea of what was seen; as already stated, the objects defied description. Mr.Hill has been an amateur astronomer for nearly 20 years, and a member of the B.A.A. for 11 years and is convinced that the phenomenon was NOT of astronomical origin. His report and sketches were supplied to the Wigan Flying Saucer Club, of which he is also a member - and have now been passed on to B.F.S.B's Director of Research.

From: FLYING SAUCER NEWS, Summer/Autumn 1954.

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