Mysterious flying objects seen over the 4th of July turn out to be paper lanterns
Mysterious flying objects seen over the 4th of July turn out to be paper lanterns Save Email Print
Posted: 1:06 AM Jul 8, 2008
Last Updated: 1:06 AM Jul 8, 2008

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This past weekend, you probably enjoyed the fireworks lighting up the sky.

But dozens of viewers contacted NewsCenter 16 about something else flying in the sky -- a UFO.

There were no meteorological phenomena over the weekend.

Still, witnesses tell us it could not have been a plane or a helicopter.

Steve Etner from Osceola was one brave earthling who went on camera to describe what he saw.

“My daughter looked over in the southern sky and said, ‘what is that?’ And we all looked and I said someone shot off a flare, cause it was a bright orange-red look to it. But the more we watched … a flare would come up and then come back down, but this was moving straight across the sky,” he explained.

After a little research here at NewsCenter 16, we think we've identified our flying object -- sky lanterns.

It's a paper lantern that is launched just like other fireworks.

Etner's neighbor did find a suspicious object, but it was taken away with the garbage before it could be properly inspected!

For more information on sky lanterns, head over to the following site: http://www.flyingchineselanterns.com

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Posted by: amy Location: michigan on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:07 PM
what we saw here could not have been your chinese lanterns. not unless they can travel at a gazzilion miles an hour. and if so, you guys rock. i want one!!!

Posted by: Kel on Jul 9, 2008 at 03:30 PM
My neighbors were set 1 off in Mishawaka...and let me tell you it looked like an air balloon...kids loved it!! Much better than the loud booms!!

Posted by: Bonnie Location: Michigan on Jul 9, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Where's Gort when you really need him? :)

Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Jul 9, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Great; there goes my trip to Roswell...

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 8, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Space aliens would watch 5 minutes of our tv and steer as clear of the Earth as possible.

Posted by: homer Location: springfield on Jul 8, 2008 at 04:32 PM
I, for one, welcome our new alien overlords.

Posted by: Gabriella Location: Elkhart on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:49 PM
We sent of about 30 of them and I can't beleive people thought they were ufo's. Hilarious.

Posted by: L Location: Bend on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:53 AM
I met with the aliens last week. They come in peace. They only wish to use us for laboratory experiments. Sounds harmless. We should welcome them with open arms. They have been watching us for a long time. Since we were apes. They are impressed with our progress as humankind. They did send warning that if we don't shape up we will end up like them, flying around the universe with no place to go.

Posted by: rick on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:27 AM
so, i guess it is safe to put my slim whitman records away until the next ufo sighting.

Posted by: Carrie Location: Goshen on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I just wanted to say that my family and I let off 6 of these "UFO'S" last year and we did 15 of them this year. They are called Chinese lanterns and the tradition is to write a good luck wish on them then light them and let them go. We will let them go off every year until we cant buy them anymore. Everyone seems to really enjoy that part of our party. So I guess keep your eyes open for the "UFO'S!!!!"

Posted by: Tammy Location: Niles on Jul 8, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Someone next to the Niles airport was letting these off after the fireworks Thursday night. They were pretty cool. We watched them float up into the sky & they both floated with the wind in a southerly direction. They went quite a distance & was really high in the sky before it finally went out. Seems like they could be dangerous - they were as high as planes fly in that area (planes start flying in lower to land, etc). Anyway, it caught every ones attention. Pretty cool.

Posted by: Scotty Location: The Starship Enterprise on Jul 8, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Just a paper lantern folks...yeah, that's it Captain...paper lantern.

Posted by: Duh Location: sb on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Those aliens took one look towards lovely South Bend and high tailed it out of here LOL

Posted by: Eileen on Jul 8, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I saw something too. I was over by that Black Thorny golf place that night and kept seeing things zooming with white and red lights. It looked like they were landing and taking off just south of there. I've seen them before at night, but never during the day.

Posted by: frog Location: Plymouth on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Dagnabit!! I missed it! I would have been all excited too..I know I have the phone number of Agent Mulder around here somewhere.......

Posted by: Marj Location: Mishawaka on Jul 8, 2008 at 07:45 AM
we saw it to in Union Mi. on july 5th. we were watching the fireworks over the lake, then way up in the sky we saw the bright ornage thing sppeed across the sky.

Posted by: Kelly on Jul 8, 2008 at 06:55 AM
My husband and I saw two of these as we were driving in the Jimtown area on Saturday night. I was startled at first, seeing these objects "fly" across the sky but as soon as I got a real good look at the one closest to us it I realized what it was. (looked identical to the picture on the website that was given)

Posted by: chris Location: somewhere on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:10 AM
thats what happens when you drink to much you start to see things. lol

Posted by: m4 on Jul 8, 2008 at 03:01 AM
i saw that too! i got all excited thinking aliens were invading but nothing happened. had my second line fighting gear ready to go. i figure m855 should be enough for alien infantry since phil schneider killed 2 with a side arm. look him up on youtube.


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