Case file · Sighting

'Charlie Redstar', Manitoba

A red glowing light seen repeatedly over southern Manitoba in 1975 and 1976 was nicknamed Charlie Redstar.

1975 CE · 49.20, -98.10 · status: unexplained

The account

Witnesses described the light as playful or mischievous as it moved over the prairie; many reports were collected by Manitoba researchers.

Bright stars and planets near the horizon and aircraft lights account for many such waves.

A long-running light seen by many rural witnesses. Stars, planets and aircraft explain most of it.

Explanation	Weight	Why
Something known, misidentified	40%	Bright stars and planets near the prairie horizon flicker red, and aircraft lights seem to play; such waves are usually explained this way.
Undetermined	20%	The share a generic explanation had beyond what has been shown for this case: it fits many cases like this one, but has not been demonstrated for this one.
Perception, memory or mind	10%	Once named, the light became a local character; people looked for it.
A known natural phenomenon	8%	Refraction and scintillation near the horizon redden and move lights.
A poorly understood natural phenomenon	8%	Rare ground lights are reported in some regions.
Genuinely anomalous	6%	A few close reports remain unexplained.
Secret human technology	4%	The US Safeguard missile-defence site in North Dakota was nearby and active in 1975.
A hoax or fabrication	4%	Some photographs and reports may be faked or exaggerated.

Official position: No official conclusion; reports were collected by local researchers.