Strange lights above Brighton and Hove a case for the X Files

Could aliens exist, and if so have they been visiting Sussex? Could aliens exist, and if so have they been visiting Sussex?

Residents have been left pondering whether life exists elsewhere in the universe after mysterious lights appeared in the night sky.

Argus readers have reported strange lights appearing above Brighton and Hove on Saturday night.

John Hatton, from Hollingbury, Brighton, said he saw some strange lights for about two minutes in the sky on Saturday at about 10.15pm which changed colour before disappearing within the blink of an eye.

The 53-year-old said: “The lights were coming from Ditchling and they were yellow and then turned to red.

“The lights were too circular for planes and after about two minutes they just shot off into the atmosphere.

“I told my daughter and she said you’ve just seen a UFO.

“For me seeing is believing and what I saw has made me a believer.

Amanda Severn also contacted The Argus to tell us about her close encounter of the third kind.

She said: “At 8.20pm on Saturday I was travelling west on the A27 when I saw a large group of red lights hanging in the sky over Hangleton.

“They were very large, and seemed quite close.

“There were around a dozen in total.

“When I was eventually able to stop,I could no longer see the lights, but there were quite a number of very wide trails clearly visible in the sky.”

Did you see the lights? Can you shed any light on them? If so email news@theargus.co.uk or call 01273 544516.

Comments(39)

fredaj says...
9:36am Tue 11 Sep 12

Me thinks the reporter here needs to find out exactly what a close encounter of the 3rd kind actually is.

I can recommend a pretty good film they can use as part of their research.

john5001 says...
9:41am Tue 11 Sep 12

lanterns the wind blow them in land

BiggerH says...
9:43am Tue 11 Sep 12

The 53-year-old said: “The lights were coming from Ditchling and they were yellow and then turned to red".

and afterwards, did they go from red to yellow, followed by green?

Reader9000 says...
9:49am Tue 11 Sep 12

"Could aliens exist, and if so have they been visiting Sussex?"

Ah! So that explains Fatboy Slim and dare I say it, Katie Price.

ruberducker says...
10:27am Tue 11 Sep 12

Could aliens exist, and if so have they been visiting Sussex?"
where would they park if they came to brighton?

F in L says...
11:01am Tue 11 Sep 12

Chinese Lanterns, probably being released by Scientologists as messages to the awaiting spaceship.

Crystal Ball says...
11:03am Tue 11 Sep 12

Best stay off Grandma's Old Liniment eh?

Fed up with this says...
11:22am Tue 11 Sep 12

Sorry folks , it was my mother in law dropping in and her broom caught fire.

Goldenwight says...
11:33am Tue 11 Sep 12

Mmmm, "People see unusual things late on Saturday night."

Even the IOW County Press would hesitate before printing that.

And as for intelligent life existing anywhere else in the universe, it must be a possibility. After all, it doesn't seem much in evidence around here...

Still, we must be fair to the people who saw these things. I'm reminded of the words of Charlie Chan- "Human mind like parachute- work best when open."

Hove Actually says...
11:47am Tue 11 Sep 12

It is said that if you have a million stars and only one had a planet in orbit.

You then took a million of those with a planet and only one had life.

You then took a million of those with life and only one had intelligent life.

You would end up with many millions of planets that had intelligent life.

Compare that to having NONE working for the Argus

mrroute says...
11:53am Tue 11 Sep 12

Chinese lanterns and they should be banned as they will cause fire's when they land on flamable material.seen what they can do to caravans and conservatory's

JimP says...
12:07pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Greetings earthlings, we come in peace and mean you no harm.

s&k says...
12:26pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Perhaps they're trying to find somewhere to park?

JimP says...
12:29pm Tue 11 Sep 12

s&k wrote:
Perhaps they're trying to find somewhere to park?
You are right, s&k.

Also, we note that Argus journalists are just as gullible as they were on our last visit to this part of the galaxy.

s&k says...
12:37pm Tue 11 Sep 12

"Klaatu barada nikto"

Jeffery687 says...
12:38pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Saturday night on the downs? Any chance someone was having a party or rave?
Report some real stories or simply do not bother.

F in L says...
12:39pm Tue 11 Sep 12

JimP wrote:
s&k wrote:
Perhaps they're trying to find somewhere to park?
You are right, s&k.

Also, we note that Argus journalists are just as gullible as they were on our last visit to this part of the galaxy.
I salute you.
Excellent comment!

I refer you to Rory Kehoe who once said
" Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Only going forward 'cause we can't find reverse.

Lt. Uhura, report.
There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Analysis, Mr. Spock.
It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Only going forward, still can't find reverse.

Medical update, Dr. McCoy.
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, Jim.

Starship Captain, James T. Kirk:
Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill;
we come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, men.

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, scrape 'em off, Jim.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Only going forward, and things are getting worse!

Engineer, Mr. Scott:
Ye cannot change the laws of physics, laws of physics, laws of physics;
ye cannot cahnge the laws of physics, laws of physics, Jim.

Ah! We come in peace, shoot to kill, shoot to kill, shoot to kill;
we come in peace, shoot to kill; Scotty, beam me up!

It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead, Jim;
it's worse than that, he's dead, Jim, dead, Jim, dead.

Well, it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, not as we know it;
it's life, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it, Captain.

There's Klingons on the starboard bow, starboard bow, starboard bow;
there's Klingons on the starboard bow, better calm down!

Ye cannot change the script Jim.
Och, #!*& Jimmy.

It's worse than that, it's physics, Jim.

Bridge to engine room, warp factor 9.

Och, if I give it any more she'll blow, Cap'n!

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Only going forward 'cause we can't find reverse.

Star Trekkin' across the universe,
On the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk.
Star Trekkin' across the universe,
Only going forward, still can't find reverse."

Swiano says...
12:55pm Tue 11 Sep 12

JimP wrote:
s&k wrote:
Perhaps they're trying to find somewhere to park?
You are right, s&k.

Also, we note that Argus journalists are just as gullible as they were on our last visit to this part of the galaxy.
They were trying to find somewhere to park. But when they saw the price increases by the Green Party they decided to go somewhere else instead!

MuammarQaddafi says...
1:01pm Tue 11 Sep 12

I also saw strange lights in the sky Saturday night, just after my third vodka Red Bull, my fourth pint, and my second joint. I swear they were real!

tinker000 says...
1:18pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Greens on there fancy ballons

MikeyA says...
1:19pm Tue 11 Sep 12

ruberducker wrote:
Could aliens exist, and if so have they been visiting Sussex?"
where would they park if they came to brighton?
They're travellers - so they can park anywhere they like!

elainepkils says...
1:24pm Tue 11 Sep 12

That was me. I can fly but I need a light to show me the way. This is the first time I have told anyone this as I knew they would not believe me, and would think me mad. I was on a visit to heaven to see my grandma.

ruberducker says...
1:44pm Tue 11 Sep 12

ruberducker wrote:
Could aliens exist, and if so have they been visiting Sussex?"
where would they park if they came to brighton?
but as travellers the green party would pull out all the stops and tax payers resources to ensure they were made welcome.

banargustrolls says...
1:45pm Tue 11 Sep 12

I saw one such light on Saturday - it wasn't a Chinese lantern as it was too big for that and moved too fast (and in a peculiar way!)
Very strange!

made up says...
1:47pm Tue 11 Sep 12

I saw lots of red and yellow lights in the sky on Saturday - it was the fireworks in Telscombe Tye.
Also on my way home west I saw some red lights near Hangleton - turns out it was market lights on the transmitting equipment at Mill Hill.

And I didn't even have to go to journalism school to figure that our myself.

made up says...
1:48pm Tue 11 Sep 12

*Marker

farang says...
1:49pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Why
is the Argus as gullible as the 'witnesses'?
The first, John Hatton, said they suddenly disappeared - might it be that some chinese lanterns had been launched and then extinguished after a period of time?
The second, Amanda Severn, said they left trails - might it be that when the lanterns extinguished they left a trail of smoke which was illuminated by the city lights?
I don't know who is more stupid!! The witnesses or the journalist.
As mentioned above these lanterns should be banned and that is more of a news story than this stupidity!

F in L says...
1:52pm Tue 11 Sep 12

What are we being allowed to comment on a Traveller Story? Cosmic or Irish?

ruberducker says...
2:23pm Tue 11 Sep 12

F in L wrote:
What are we being allowed to comment on a Traveller Story? Cosmic or Irish?
we still have the power of free speech,the green gestapo dont have control just yet lol

simon smith says...
5:42pm Tue 11 Sep 12

A few years ago, around 10.30pm, I saw several lights dancing over the sky over East Brighton.

One of them, I am pretty sure, was the Sussex Police Helicopter who appeared to be having great difficulty, in keeping among these lights or trying to follow these 'lights', as they were too fast, as they zipped all over the sky!

I spoke to the Argus about it, and Sussex Police said they had no knowledge of it?

These lights appeared when the Conservative Party Conference was on, so I assumed, these lights might be military aircraft, and something to do with protecting politicians in the Conference Centre, even though I know, military aircraft certainly don't fly like this!

And the conference season, is once again amongst us?

Conincidence???

rolivan says...
7:19pm Tue 11 Sep 12

It was probably a vehicle going up Ditchling Beacon with the lights pointing skywards.

PaddingtownBear says...
9:31pm Tue 11 Sep 12

I'm so excited about this story! It brings hope to all of us who speculate on extra terrestrial life! The possibilities make my lettuce leaves quiver in anticipation.
I hope The Argus bring us more stories of this kind!

doctornemo says...
7:12pm Wed 12 Sep 12

Isn't it sad how most people have to make a joke out of this kind of thing just because they are unable to even entertain the possibility that there might be something to it.

pebble counter says...
7:48am Thu 13 Sep 12

Anyone fancy a pint?

Joshiman says...
10:22am Thu 13 Sep 12

They have come back to collect the Greenies.

Tedious Pedant says...
1:04pm Thu 13 Sep 12

fredaj wrote:
Me thinks the reporter here needs to find out exactly what a close encounter of the 3rd kind actually is.

I can recommend a pretty good film they can use as part of their research.
Quite! It was a close encounter of the first kind according to J. Allen Hynek.

Flippin Burghers says...
3:38pm Thu 13 Sep 12

s&k wrote:
"Klaatu barada nikto"
romuluSngan Hol yIjatlh. He'So' QIchlIj.

PorkBoat says...
5:27pm Thu 13 Sep 12

That would be Chinese lanterns then.

Durdabe says...
7:12pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Guys, buy a large good quality balloon from eBay or Amazon. Insert a small lithium battery welded to a couple of different coloured light emitting diodes from your local Maplins shop, stick them inside the balloon and fill the balloon with helium and there you go, you got yourself a UFO that would drive the hell out of people.

Try to find a dark coloured balloon to blend in with the night sky. We keep on hearing about the UFO crap for so long now and the Hubble telescope during its lifetime in space has never encounter one UFO that indicates there is life out there.

I wish I had the genius mind of Steven Hawkins, I would make pigs fly.

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