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Two hardy sky watchers and the SUFOR Land Rover

The weather forecast had indicated snow, so it was time to wrap up warm, pack the cameras, camcorders and torches and make our way to Fox Hill for the Sky Watch.

As we arrived, as if on queue, the snow stopped and the clouds moved away to reveal a stunning full moon and clear skies. The wind stayed bitterly cold and by 9pm the temperature on the hill had dropped to minus two degrees.

A dozen people turned up to the sky watch and parked their trucks and cars in a circle next to the SUFOR Land Rover. This wasn't Custer's last stand, but it served as a handy windbreak. With multiple layers of clothing and hot chocolate and coffee from thermos flasks we scanned the skies for any anomalies. Within minutes we spotted a number of satellites and a steady stream of military aircraft heading towards Lyneham.

As the temperature continued to drop only the hardy stayed outside of their heated 4x4's. Then we noticed the light on the horizon. It moved slowly, changing colours from yellow to pink, before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. The general consensus was that it was some kind of car headlight and we went back to watching the inky black sky.

Then it was back! This time in a different place, but still on the horizon and moving slowly. We observed the light for over three minutes before it vanished again. This caused a wave of excitement to ripple through the assembled watchers as we focused on the area it had last been seen. However, it was to be the last time we saw the light that night.

As the temperature dropped to aproximately minus ten degrees, even the hardy decided to pack up and drive home. So it was that at midnight the first SUFOR sky watch came to an end. As a social event it proved to be a positive and thought provoking evening, with much conversion and ideas being shared on the UFO phenomena. However everyone agreed that the next sky watch should be held at a warmer time of year.

On a lighter note, SUFOR would like to say hello to the unfortunate couple who drove up to the hill for some privacy and shot off rather quickly! Bet you didn't expect to see us there!

We look forward to the next sky watch which I am assured will be in a much warmer June .

8:38pm Monday 31st March 2008

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