# Why do the formation accounts differ so much? · Phoenix Lights, 13 March 1997 > Three answers have been proposed. Lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception… leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:26+00:00 --- **0** # Why do the formation accounts differ so much? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [What was the V-shaped formation seen between 8:00 and 8:45 pm?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception…** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception… leads, with evidence 1 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Some witnesses saw separate lights; others a single craft the size of a stadium. The same formation produced both⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVKC7R3K/phoenix-lights-witnesses-credible-hard-to-dismiss)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVV3R3YTK/the-1997-phoenix-lights-are-no-mystery). Understanding why bears on how much weight any single account can carry. ## Answers 3 [**Lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPW98W1QZ3/lights-in-formation-against-a-dark-sky-are-perceived-as-one) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPWAFY0F7F/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Witnesses saw two different things on the northern track, aircraft and something else.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/answers/ANS0CQPWA0A1JKS/witnesses-saw-two-different-things-on-the-northern-track) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed ## History 1. 1998[Wilson: the 1998 accounts already include single-craft descriptions from a pilot and a physician.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVKC7R3K/phoenix-lights-witnesses-credible-hard-to-dismiss)Against: Lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception… 1. 2007[Associated Press: symington's account, the most detailed single-craft description, was first recorded ten years after the event.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVTVY4XAY/former-governor-says-he-saw-ufo)For: Lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception… 1. 2017[Prothero & Callahan puts forward: lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVW301EKA/ufos-chemtrails-and-aliens-what-science-says) 1. 2026[Wikipedia contributors: the reported times and track are consistent with a single passage from Prescott to Tucson.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CQPVVV64VHE/phoenix-lights)Against: Witnesses saw two different things on the northern track, aircraft and something else. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much%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/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much%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/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much%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/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much%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/QST0CQPW4CM79XB/why-do-the-formation-accounts-differ-so-much%23add-source) Where it fits Phoenix Lights, 13 March 1997 [**What was the V-shaped formation seen between 8:00 and 8:45 pm?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/phoenix-lights/questions/QST0CQPW3X03QC0/what-was-the-v-shaped-formation-seen-between-8-00-and-8-45)Key question · most likely a formation of five or more conventional aircraft at high altitude, probably military, in a V **Why do the formation accounts differ so much?** You're here · lights in formation against a dark sky are perceived as one object, and memory consolidates the perception… [ Ask a question under this one ]