Arizona Republic AI-assisted summary A reader poll named the Phoenix Lights as Arizona's scariest lore, surpassing tales of ghosts and Skinwalkers. The Phoenix Lights refer to widely reported UFO sightings over Arizona, Nevada, and Sonora, Mexico on March 13, 1997. The U.S. Air Force officially identified the lights as flares from a military training exercise, an explanation many witnesses dispute. On October 17, we unleashed Arizona’s creepiest lore , a collection of spooky tales where you, the readers, voted for the scariest ones. From skinwalkers to the mysterious gold-obsessed ghosts guarding the Lost Dutchman mine, readers cast their votes for what truly keeps them up at night. But in the end, it wasn’t desert spirits or ghosts that took the crown … it was aliens. You read that right. The famous Phoenix Lights because locals are still not over what happened back in 1997 when UFOs turned our skies into an X-Files episode. Maybe it’s the eerie formation of glowing orbs or the endless theories that followed. Whatever it is, Arizonans clearly believe the truth is out there. Here is everything to know about the winner of Arizona’s most famous lore. What happened on March 13, 1997, in Phoenix? The Phoenix Lights are a series of widely reported unidentified flying objects seen in the night sky over Arizona, Nevada and the Mexican state of Sonora on March 13, 1997. Thousands of people reported witnessing a triangular formation of lights moving silently across the sky. The lights were described as bright, steady and in a V-shaped or boomerang formation. Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! The Phoenix Lights are divided into two distinct sightings: First Sighting (7:30-8:45 p.m.): Although the exact time is unknown, witnesses reported seeing a formation of lights moving from the northern part of Arizona southward toward Tucson. The lights were described as a series of orbs or a solid object with a row of lights. Second Sighting (10-10:30 p.m.): Later that night, a more significant and widely observed event occurred when a large V-shaped formation of lights passed over the Phoenix metropolitan area. The lights appeared to be connected to or part of a massive object. This sighting was captured on video by some witnesses. The Phoenix Lights gained international attention and the mystery surrounding them gave rise to many theories and speculations. Source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/life/2025/10/28/phoenix-lights-1997-arizona-lore-aliens-ufo/86934806007/