# What was the bright object recorded by two monitoring stations on Mitchell Flat on 3 June 2005? · Marfa lights > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQPF2NRJ/what-was-the-bright-object-recorded-by-two-monitoring Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-28T20:04:15+00:00 --- **0** # What was the bright object recorded by two monitoring stations on Mitchell Flat on 3 June 2005? Asked 28 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Once vehicles, ranch and other artificial lights, fires, stars and mirages are excluded, do any Marfa lights remain unexplained?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKKFZBKJA/once-vehicles-ranch-and-other-artificial-lights-fires-stars)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None is ahead yet. See what would settle it. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. ## Why it matters It is the best-measured candidate for an unexplained light: triangulated, photometered and lasting over three hours⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDTYXS3ZM/quantitative-intensity-and-location-measurements-of-an). If it was a power-line arc, the strongest instrumental case for a residue goes. ## Answers 3 [**A natural object triggered by lightning** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/answers/ANS0DCKMRZDZTWJ/a-natural-object-triggered-by-lightning) None Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**A power-line arc** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/answers/ANS0DCKMRK7NP3H/a-power-line-arc) None Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/answers/ANS0DCKMSBQZ8PC/none-of-these) None Evidence: none yet Still possible ## What would settle it 1. Ask the Rio Grande Electric Co-op for fault, outage and repair records for the night of 2–3 June 2005 near the object's error ellipse. ## History 1. 2011[Stephan et al. puts forward: a power-line arc](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDTYXS3ZM/quantitative-intensity-and-location-measurements-of-an) 1. 2011[Stephan et al. puts forward: a natural object triggered by lightning](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDTYXS3ZM/quantitative-intensity-and-location-measurements-of-an) 1. 2011[Stephan et al.: an arc lasting over three hours would have to dissipate on the order of 140 kW through a bush or patch of ground…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDTYXS3ZM/quantitative-intensity-and-location-measurements-of-an)Against: A power-line arc 1. 2011[Stephan et al.: an above-ground 14.4 kV distribution line crosses the object's 3-sigma error ellipse about 500 m from a ranch house…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDTYXS3ZM/quantitative-intensity-and-location-measurements-of-an)For: A power-line arc 1. 2011[Stephan et al.: lightning strokes in the National Lightning Detection Network match the object's origin in time and place, and a flash…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDTYXS3ZM/quantitative-intensity-and-location-measurements-of-an)For: A natural object triggered by lightning 1. 2020[Borraz Aymerich & Ballester Olmos: borraz and Ballester Olmos judge the 2005 object not compelling evidence for the Marfa lights or for any geophysical…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0DCKDX42K774/the-marfa-lights-examining-the-photographic-evidence)Against: A natural object triggered by lightning 1. Oct 2026[Session 1: raised the question and proposed two answers](https://mysteriesdept.com/records/SES0DCKT02BYWPQ/session-1-the-marfa-lights-added-history-instrumented) ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQPF2NRJ/what-was-the-bright-object-recorded-by-two-monitoring%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQPF2NRJ/what-was-the-bright-object-recorded-by-two-monitoring%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQPF2NRJ/what-was-the-bright-object-recorded-by-two-monitoring%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQPF2NRJ/what-was-the-bright-object-recorded-by-two-monitoring%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQPF2NRJ/what-was-the-bright-object-recorded-by-two-monitoring%23add-source) Where it fits Marfa lights [**Once vehicles, ranch and other artificial lights, fires, stars and mirages are excluded, do any Marfa lights remain unexplained?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKKFZBKJA/once-vehicles-ranch-and-other-artificial-lights-fires-stars)Key question · 3 answers, inconclusive [If some of the lights are natural, what produces them?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKR8KK0DP/if-some-of-the-lights-are-natural-what-produces-them)Open · 4 answers, inconclusive [Is there any record of the lights from before motor traffic reached the Marfa plain?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/marfa-lights/questions/QST0DCKKQ0VS3WG/is-there-any-record-of-the-lights-from-before-motor-traffic)Open · 3 answers, inconclusive **What was the bright object recorded by two monitoring stations on Mitchell Flat on 3 June 2005?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]