Within Seychelles UFOs
Were Mahé's 2020 Lights Satellites or Something Stranger?
Multiple lights crossed Mahé's sky on different headings, but missing timing and tracking data prevent a firm explanation.
On this page
- The reported movements across the sky
- Satellites, aircraft, lanterns, and other candidates
- What tracking data would be needed
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Introduction
The reported lights seen from Mahé on the evening of 21 March 2020 remain one of the very few publicly indexed unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) reports from Seychelles. The available evidence, however, is extremely limited. The only detailed public account comes from a National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) witness report describing multiple point-like lights moving across the sky over roughly 90 minutes. Crucially, there are no publicly available photographs, videos, radar records, air traffic data or independent witness statements that allow the observation to be reconstructed with confidence.[National UFO Reporting Center]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
Unlike reports describing a single structured object, this case is better understood as a question of competing ordinary explanations. The witness themselves even referenced “Starlink satellites” in the report title, reflecting the widespread public awareness of newly launched satellite constellations during early 2020. Whether the lights were satellites, aircraft, unrelated objects seen over an extended period, or something less easily explained cannot be determined from the available evidence.
The reported movements across the sky
According to the NUFORC report, the observation began at approximately 7.00 p.m. local time on 21 March 2020 on Mahé. Two observers reportedly watched multiple lights over a period of around 90 minutes. The first lights were described as travelling from south to north. During the same observing period, other lights reportedly crossed west to east, south-west to north-east, and in apparently opposing directions. The report contains no description of solid objects, sound, coloured lights, abrupt acceleration or physical effects on the surroundings.[National UFO Reporting Center]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
Several features distinguish this report from many classic UFO narratives:
- The observation involved multiple independent points of light rather than one structured craft.
- Different apparent headings were reported rather than coordinated formation flight.
- The event extended over a relatively long period, allowing unrelated objects to enter and leave the field of view.
- No estimated altitude, angular speed, brightness measurements or exact viewing directions were recorded.[National UFO Reporting Center]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
These missing observational details significantly limit what can be reconstructed afterwards.
Why satellites became an immediate candidate
The timing of the report is notable. March 2020 fell during the rapid expansion of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, when newly launched satellite groups were generating an unprecedented number of public reports worldwide from people unfamiliar with seeing numerous bright satellites shortly after sunset. Astronomers and satellite observers were actively studying how these satellites appeared under different lighting conditions because their visibility was becoming a significant issue for both astronomy and casual skywatching.[arXiv]arxiv.orgThe Low Earth Orbit Satellite Population and Impacts of the SpaceX Starlink ConstellationMarch 16, 2020…
The witness’s own reference to “Starlink satellites” indicates that satellites were already considered a possible explanation rather than being introduced later by investigators.[National UFO Reporting Center]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
However, the description does not perfectly match the classic appearance of a newly launched Starlink “train”. Those are typically seen as numerous satellites following one another along nearly the same orbital track. The Mahé report instead describes lights moving on several different apparent headings. That does not rule out satellites, because multiple unrelated satellites can be visible simultaneously in different parts of the sky, especially during evening twilight, but it does weaken the idea that a single Starlink train explains the entire observation.[arXiv]arxiv.orgThe Low Earth Orbit Satellite Population and Impacts of the SpaceX Starlink ConstellationMarch 16, 2020…
Satellites, aircraft, lanterns and other candidates
Several conventional explanations remain plausible, although none can be confirmed from the available evidence.
Independent satellites
This is arguably the strongest broad category. Around twilight, multiple satellites in different orbital planes may become visible at the same time. Their apparent directions vary depending on orbital inclination and the observer’s position. Changes in brightness caused by reflective geometry can also make satellites appear unexpectedly bright or fade from view, contributing to unusual impressions.[arXiv]arxiv.orgThe Low Earth Orbit Satellite Population and Impacts of the SpaceX Starlink ConstellationMarch 16, 2020…
Aircraft
Aircraft following different routes could account for lights travelling on different headings. Without precise azimuths, elevation angles or descriptions of flashing navigation lights, it is impossible to compare the report against known air traffic. The report does not state whether the lights blinked, changed brightness gradually or maintained constant illumination.[National UFO Reporting Center]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
Chinese lanterns or drifting lights
Lanterns usually drift with prevailing winds and therefore tend to share broadly similar directions. The report’s description of multiple apparent headings makes lanterns a less straightforward fit, although separate launches at different times cannot be excluded. Because no information about wind conditions or object altitude is available, this explanation cannot be tested.
Astronomical objects
Bright planets and stars can create confusion when viewed intermittently through cloud, but they do not explain repeated movement across different headings over the reported period.
An unidentified phenomenon
The case cannot be eliminated entirely as unidentified because the observational record is simply too incomplete. The absence of explanatory data is not evidence for an extraordinary cause; it means the event cannot be classified with confidence.
What tracking data would be needed
The Mahé report illustrates how difficult retrospective analysis becomes when basic observational information is missing.
To assess a satellite explanation properly, investigators would ideally need:
- the exact observing location;[heavens-above.com]heavens-above.comGet predictions here. ConfigurationLogin (optional)Change your observing locationSatellitesLive sky…
- precise start and end times;
- compass bearings for each light;
- estimated elevation above the horizon;
- approximate angular speed;
- whether lights faded gradually or disappeared abruptly;
- photographs or video with timestamps.
With those details, modern orbital databases could reconstruct satellite passes, while aviation records could be checked against aircraft routes. Without them, neither explanation can be verified or ruled out.
Similarly, meteorological information would help evaluate atmospheric visibility and cloud cover, while witness sketches could clarify whether the reported directions represented simultaneous movements or a sequence of unrelated observations over the 90-minute period.
What can reasonably be concluded
The Mahé sighting occupies an unusual place within the already sparse Seychelles UFO record because it consists of multiple moving lights rather than a single dramatic object. Its greatest weakness is not inconsistency but the absence of independently verifiable data.
Several ordinary mechanisms—particularly independent satellite passes observed during evening twilight—remain credible explanations given the date and the changing appearance of the night sky in early 2020. At the same time, the available description is too incomplete to demonstrate that satellites account for every reported movement, especially the apparently differing headings described by the observers.[nuforc.org]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
Within the wider chronology of Seychelles reports, the 2020 Mahé observation therefore represents a case that is best classified as unresolved because of insufficient evidence rather than either confirmed as an unusual aerial phenomenon or convincingly debunked. Its principal significance lies in illustrating how easily sincere observations can outstrip the available data needed for reliable identification, particularly during a period when newly visible satellite constellations were changing what observers could expect to see in the evening sky.[nuforc.org]nuforc.orgNational UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020…
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Endnotes
1.
Source: nuforc.org
Link:https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=154304
Source snippet
National UFO Reporting CenterNUFORC UFO Sighting 154304May 15, 2020...
Published: May 15, 2020
2.
Source: arxiv.org
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.07446
Source snippet
The Low Earth Orbit Satellite Population and Impacts of the SpaceX Starlink ConstellationMarch 16, 2020...
Published: March 16, 2020
3.
Source: arxiv.org
Link:https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.07805
4.
Source: nuforc.org
Link:https://nuforc.org/subndx/?id=e202003
Source snippet
NUFORC Reports for Month 202003August 20, 2023 — NUFORC REPORTS FOR MONTH 202003 Link | Occurred | City | State | Country | Shape | Summa...
Published: August 20, 2023
5.
Source: nuforc.org
Link:https://nuforc.org/subndx/?id=e202005
Source snippet
sky 30-35 degrees, stationary, flashing green, blue, red, orange, yellow, white diamond shape, bigger-smaller in 1/2 hou...
6.
Source: nuforc.org
Link:https://nuforc.org/subndx/?id=p210119
Source snippet
NUFORC Reports for Date Posted 210119August 20, 2023 — NUFORC REPORTS FOR DATE POSTED 210119 [Input][Input] [Input] Search: [Input: ] Lin...
Published: August 20, 2023
7.
Source: nuforc.org
Title: Three of them headed NE while the others moved SW. We o
Link:https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=157179
Source snippet
NUFORC UFO Sighting 157179July 3, 2020 — However, they were blinking randomly, did not appear to use conventional navigation lights, and...
Published: July 3, 2020
8.
Source: nuforc.org
Link:https://nuforc.org/sighting/?id=7099
Source snippet
NUFORC UFO Sighting 7099May 24, 1999 — NUFORC UFO SIGHTING 7099 Occurred: 1978-01-02 20:00 Local - Approximate Reported: 1999-04-24 00:00...
Published: May 24, 1999
9.
Source: pistonheads.com
Title: Starlink satellites
Link:https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=219&host=0&opo=true&t=1851877
Source snippet
PistonHeads UKJanuary 27, 2020 — Author Discussion colin_p Original PosterImage:: 4,503 posts 238 months [report] [news] Monday 27th Jan...
Published: January 27, 2020
Additional References
10.
Source: satobs.org
Link:https://www.satobs.org/seesat/Mar-2020/0109.html
Source snippet
sat-l on 2020-03-18 (SeeSat-L Mar-20)March 17, 2020 — A FLAT-PANEL BRIGHTNESS MODEL FOR THE STARLINK SATELLITES AND MEASUREMENT OF THEIR...
Published: March 18, 2020
11.
Source: doi.org
Link:https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202037958
Source snippet
INTRODUCTION In May 2019, Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, launched their first batch of 60 low Earth orbit (LEO) communication satellit...
Published: May 2019
12.
Source: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Title: SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS Supplementary Figure 1.^{ (1.9MB
Link:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10721628/
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environmental analysis of public UAP sightings and sky view potential - PMCDecember 14, 2023 — ASSOCIATED DATA This section collects any...
Published: December 14, 2023
13.
Source: forbes.com
Title: contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jonathan
Link:https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/03/18/spacex-launches-its-sixth-starlink-mega-constellation-mission-into-earth-orbit/
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SpaceX Launches Its Sixth Starlink Mega Constellation Mission Into Earth OrbitMarch 18, 2020 — SPACEX LAUNCHES ITS SIXTH STARLINK MEGA CO...
Published: March 18, 2020
14.
Source: heavens-above.com
Link:https://www.heavens-above.com/main.aspx/starlink.aspx
Source snippet
Get predictions here. ConfigurationLogin (optional)Change your observing locationSatellitesLive sky...
15.
Source: forbes.com
Title: What Are Those Strange Moving Lights In The Night Sky?
Link:https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/04/21/what-are-those-strange-moving-lights-in-the-night-sky-elon-musks-starlink-satellites-explained/
Source snippet
Elon Musk’s ‘Starlink’ Satellites ExplainedApril 21, 2020 — WHAT ARE THOSE STRANGE MOVING LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT SKY? ELON MUSK’S ‘STARLINK’...
Published: April 21, 2020
16.
Source: academic.oup.com
Title: At low elevations near twilight observed from
Link:https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/516/1/1502/6652504
Source snippet
characterization and trajectory accuracy of Starlink satellites: implications for ground-based astronomical surveys | Monthly Notices of...
17.
Source: skyandtelescope.org
Title: Starlink and the Astronomers: An Update
Link:https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/starlink-astronomers-update/
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Sky & TelescopeApril 7, 2020 — The issue for Rubin Observatory is that a single too-bright satellites not only streaks across an image, b...
Published: April 7, 2020
18.
Source: services-nocdn.arcgis.com
Title: Scale: 0 Max. Scale: 0 Default Visibili
Link:https://services-nocdn.arcgis.com/V6ZHFr6zdgNZuVG0/ArcGIS/rest/services/nuforc/FeatureServer/0
Source snippet
arcgis.comLayer: nuforc (ID:0)August 21, 2023 — LAYER: NUFORC (ID:0) View In: Map Viewer Name: nuforc Display Field: Type: Feature Layer...
Published: August 21, 2023
19.
Source: oasi.org.uk
Title: The morning of 12 February, alth
Link:https://oasi.org.uk/Obsvns/20250825_satellite_constellations/20250825_satellite_constellations.php
Source snippet
StarlinkSeptember 6, 2025 — STARLINK L3, NIGEL EVANS, 12 & 19 FEBRUARY AND 16 MARCH 2020 By mid-February 2020, satellites from laun...
Published: September 6, 2025