Large fiery orange orb hovering near rock pinnacle — Western US, dusk

Two federal law enforcement agents (USPER5 and USPER6) observed a glowing orange orb hovering close to a rock pinnacle at dusk. Initial observer distance estimate was 500–600 meters; subsequent AARO measurement assessed the distance at approximately 1,050 meters. AARO also assessed the object's diameter at 12–18 meters (approximately 39–59 feet). The object emitted no audible sound, appeared to hover with 'zero resistance or movement,' and was observed for approximately one minute. USPER6 noted a possible 'small spindle or something connecting it from underneath to the rock formation,' though no definitive structure other than the orb was clearly visible. Witness compared it to 'the Eye of Sauron from Lord of the Rings, except without the pupil.'

“'similar in size to a "small helicopter cockpit"'; 'the object "seemed to be hovering with zero resistance or movement, or to be suspended"'; 'similar to the Eye of Sauron from Lord of the Rings, except without the pupil, or maybe an orange Storm Electrify bowling ball'”

AARO conducted post-event measurements of the sighting geometry (distance corrected upward from ~550m to ~1050m; diameter estimated 12–18m). These are more reliable than the initial witness size estimates and are clearly flagged as post-event analysis. Object size is rendered in AARO-corrected terms. No sensors other than eyewitness. Incident date not provided. Hovering behavior with no sound is reported consistently by two observers. The possible 'spindle' connection to the rock was not confirmed.