# What were the Princeton's radar tracks? · 2004 Nimitz encounter and the Navy videos > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBVB80ZGV/what-were-the-princetons-radar-tracks Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:15+00:00 --- **0** # What were the Princeton's radar tracks? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What did Fravor and Dietrich see on 14 November 2004?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTC04CMV/what-did-fravor-and-dietrich-see-on-14-november-2004)·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 The most extreme claims (objects above 80,000 feet, descents in seconds, 60 miles in under a minute) come from the cruiser's radar operators, as relayed to the pilots and later recounted by Kevin Day⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBB7M7JW2/statement-for-the-house-oversight-committee-subcommittee-on)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBG3W7HJZ/when-top-gun-pilots-tangled-with-a-baffling-tic-tac-shaped). Whether the tracks were real objects or system artefacts decides how much of the story stands. ## Answers 3 [**False tracks from the SPY-1 system, which had been recently upgraded, with the visual sighting a coincidence.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/answers/ANS0D1SC44G2VCD/false-tracks-from-the-spy-1-system-which-had-been-recently) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/answers/ANS0D1SC4VY11FC/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Real objects were tracked at the altitudes and speeds described.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/answers/ANS0D1SC3D219TV/real-objects-were-tracked-at-the-altitudes-and-speeds) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Still possible ## History 1. 2018[Knapp: the 2009 report is said to list AN/SPY radars, an E-2C and ship radars among the sensors, which if accurate…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBCYA4B2X/i-team-exclusive-confidential-report-analyzes-tic-tac-ufo)Against: False tracks from the SPY-1 system, which had been recently upgraded, with the visual sighting a coincidence. 1. 2019[Daugherty puts forward: real objects were tracked at the altitudes and speeds described.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBG3W7HJZ/when-top-gun-pilots-tangled-with-a-baffling-tic-tac-shaped) 1. 2019[Daugherty: day says his team checked the system and confirmed it was working before treating the tracks as real.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBG3W7HJZ/when-top-gun-pilots-tangled-with-a-baffling-tic-tac-shaped)For: Real objects were tracked at the altitudes and speeds described. 1. 2023[Fravor: fravor's jets' radars showed nothing when vectored to the contact.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBB7M7JW2/statement-for-the-house-oversight-committee-subcommittee-on)Against: Real objects were tracked at the altitudes and speeds described. 1. 2023[Fravor: the accounts attribute instantaneous descents from 80,000 to 20,000 feet, behaviour that resembles…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBB7M7JW2/statement-for-the-house-oversight-committee-subcommittee-on)For: False tracks from the SPY-1 system, which had been recently upgraded, with the visual sighting a coincidence. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBVB80ZGV/what-were-the-princetons-radar-tracks%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/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBVB80ZGV/what-were-the-princetons-radar-tracks%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/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBVB80ZGV/what-were-the-princetons-radar-tracks%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/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBVB80ZGV/what-were-the-princetons-radar-tracks%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/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBVB80ZGV/what-were-the-princetons-radar-tracks%23add-source) Where it fits 2004 Nimitz encounter and the Navy videos [**What did Fravor and Dietrich see on 14 November 2004?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTC04CMV/what-did-fravor-and-dietrich-see-on-14-november-2004)Key question · 4 answers, inconclusive **What were the Princeton's radar tracks?** You're here · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]