# What was the V-shaped formation seen between 8:00 and 8:45 pm? · Phoenix Lights, 13 March 1997 > Four answers have been proposed. A formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V. leads, with evidence 2… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45 Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:26+00:00 --- **0** # What was the V-shaped formation seen between 8:00 and 8:45 pm? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·4 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: a formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Four answers have been proposed. A formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V. leads, with evidence 2 for, 1 against: supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, none is answered yet. ## Why it matters This is the unresolved half of the Phoenix Lights. The 10 pm lights are explained; the formation that crossed the state earlier is attributed to aircraft on one telescope observation and has never been claimed by any unit⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVV64VHE/phoenix-lights). ## Answers 4 [**A formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPW4ME2VES/a-formation-of-five-or-more-conventional-aircraft-at-high) Supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for, 1 against Most likely [**A classified aircraft or test formation whose unit will not acknowledge the flight.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPW6JY7TYQ/a-classified-aircraft-or-test-formation-whose-unit-will-not) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 1 for Still possible [**A single large silent object with lights along its leading edges, flying low.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPW5KP3VX6/a-single-large-silent-object-with-lights-along-its-leading) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for, 2 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPW72J2T26/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 1998[Wilson puts forward: a single large silent object with lights along its leading edges, flying low.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVKC7R3K/phoenix-lights-witnesses-credible-hard-to-dismiss) 1. 1998[Wilson: several witnesses, including a retired airline pilot and the then governor, describe a single enormous silent…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVKC7R3K/phoenix-lights-witnesses-credible-hard-to-dismiss)For: A single large silent object with lights along its leading edges, flying low. 1. 2014[Phoenix New Times (Valley Fever) puts forward: a formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery) 1. 2014[Phoenix New Times (Valley Fever): no unit has confirmed flying the formation, and Luke AFB radar operators reported nothing unusual.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery)Against: A formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V. 1. 2014[Phoenix New Times (Valley Fever): stanley saw the lights resolve into pairs on squarish wings through a telescope and judged them planes.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery)For: A formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V. 1. 2014[Phoenix New Times (Valley Fever): stanley's magnified view showed separate aircraft.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery)Against: A single large silent object with lights along its leading edges, flying low. 1. 2014[Phoenix New Times (Valley Fever): the official silence on the formation is consistent with this but also with a routine transit nobody recorded…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery)For: A classified aircraft or test formation whose unit will not acknowledge the flight. 1. 2017[Prothero & Callahan: size and altitude estimates of lights against a dark sky have no reference and are unreliable.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVW301EKA/ufos-chemtrails-and-aliens-what-science-says)Against: A single large silent object with lights along its leading edges, flying low. 1. 2026[Wikipedia contributors: the Maryland ANG A-10s were airborne that evening and landed at Davis-Monthan at about 8:45 pm.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVV64VHE/phoenix-lights)For: A formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45%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/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45%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/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45%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/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45%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/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45%23add-source) Where it fits Phoenix Lights, 13 March 1997 **What was the V-shaped formation seen between 8:00 and 8:45 pm?** Key question · you're here [Why do the formation accounts differ so much?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much)Most likely · lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception… [ Ask a question under this one ]