Christopher Columbus UFO Sighting

 

What Columbus Reported

• Date: October 11, 1492, near the Americas

• Description: A faint, glimmering light in the distance, rising and falling “like a wax candle”

• Witnesses: Columbus summoned two crew members; one claimed to see it, while the other could not clearly identify it

• Initial Interpretation: Columbus believed it might signal nearby land, though he later noted it seemed to rise from the sea and move upward

Possible Explanations

• Bioluminescent Fireworms: A leading theory suggests the light came from the mating displays of Bermuda fireworms (Odontosyllis), which emit greenish light and can appear to move across the water.

• Other Marine Phosphorescence: Various glowing sea organisms could have produced similar effects.

• Atmospheric or Distant Lights: Mirages, shoreline fires, or canoe lights may have been misperceived at sea.

• Psychological Factors: Fatigue and anticipation after a long voyage could have influenced perception.

• Extraterrestrial Claims: Some modern interpretations—popularized by shows like Ancient Aliens—propose alien technology, though no historical evidence supports this view.

Context
Seen against the tension and uncertainty of the voyage, Columbus’s report reflects how unfamiliar natural phenomena were often mysterious to early explorers, later inviting speculation far beyond their likely explanations.

Bioluminescent fireworms—most notably Odontosyllis phosphorea and Odontosyllis enopla—are marine polychaete worms found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They are best known for their striking blue-green bioluminescent mating displays, among the most dramatic light phenomena in the sea.

Mating Rituals
About 45 minutes after sunset, typically a few days after a full moon, female fireworms rise from the seafloor and release glowing mucus while swimming in tight, luminous circles. This light attracts males, which race upward from below like bright, comet-shaped streaks. The synchronized display lasts roughly 30 minutes and culminates in the release of eggs and sperm into the surrounding water, creating a brief but intense light show.

Bioluminescence Chemistry
Their glow results from a distinctive, oxygen-dependent luciferase enzyme acting on a sulfur-containing luciferin. This reaction produces a vivid, stable blue-green light that is unusually long-lasting compared to many other bioluminescent organisms.

Habitat and Behavior
Fireworms are commonly found in the Caribbean, around Bermuda, and off Southern California. They normally live on the seafloor, where they feed on corals and sponges, emerging primarily for reproduction.

Historical and Biological Notes

• The glowing display has been proposed—though never proven—as a possible explanation for the “mysterious light” reported by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

• While bioluminescence is mainly used for mating, it may also help deter predators.

• Fireworms are small, measuring about six-tenths of an inch in length, yet capable of producing an outsized visual spectacle.