Case file · Sighting
Shen Kuo's 'pearl' of Yangzhou
The Dream Pool Essays describe a huge luminous 'pearl' seen for years over the lakes near Gaoyou, its light flooding the countryside.
1088 CE · 32.78, 119.44 · status: account
The account
Shen Kuo wrote that in the Jiayou era (1056–63) a pearl appeared at night, opening a shell to emit dazzling light; a pavilion was built for viewers. Modern UFO writers often cite it as an ancient sighting.
The sceptical view
Shen recorded hearsay from Yangzhou; ball lightning, marsh gas or a literary motif have been suggested.