A Strange Phenomenon Lights Up the Night Sky

In the calm of Oxfordshire, England, something bizarre unfolded across two nights in May that left both astronomers and aurora hunters scratching their heads. A vivid blue laser shot through the midnight sky, captivating onlookers and igniting a flurry of speculation.

An Uncommon Sight for Aurora Enthusiasts

Astrophotographer and avid skywatcher Mary McIntyre was among the lucky few to capture this unexpected light display with her remote cameras geared toward tracking auroras. Initially mistaking it for a rare type of blue aurora, McIntyre quickly dismissed that theory as the speeding beam contradicted everything she knew about auroral behavior.

What Could It Be?

Was it a spotlight from a nearby RAF base, known for dazzling film sets? McIntyre pondered, only to rule that out based on the incredible speed of the light. "We’ve encountered festival lights before, but this was different," she explained. The laser made its presence known during the early hours—far from the typical evening festivities.

The 'Flying Banana' Revealed!

When McIntyre’s husband shared the footage from May 1 with friends in the astronomy community, the truth finally emerged. The incredible light show was caused by a unique high-speed mapping train, dubbed the 'Flying Banana' for its bright yellow color. Officially known as the New Measurement Train (NMT), this specialized piece of machinery zips through the countryside at speeds reaching 125 mph, flashing lasers to assess track conditions.

A Mixed Bag of Emotions

"Seeing it pop up on our cameras again on May 29 was surreal!" McIntyre recounted. While she marveled at the spectacle, she also voiced concerns about the increasing number of artificial lights cluttering our night skies.