Unexplained, intense flashes of light were observed over the Mojave Desert near Edwards Air Force Base over the weekend, prompting speculation about their origin. The bursts of light were captured on footage from a public wildlife camera and show a series of bright flashes followed by expanding glows illuminating the landscape.
Edwards Air Force Base, located approximately 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, is a significant facility for flight research and aircraft testing. The base is home to the 412th Test Wing, which conducts developmental testing of Air Force weapons systems, software, and components.
While no official explanation has been provided, theories circulating online include secret weapon testing by military authorities or phenomena originating underground. Some observers have suggested the possibility of large floodlights being used to screen secret aircraft movements. Others have dismissed these theories, with some users claiming that proponents of the solar panel explanation are "bots."
An alternative explanation suggested is that the flashes are reflections from the expansive Edwards & Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage Project. This solar facility, situated on the northwestern edge of the base, spans 4,600 acres and became operational in February 2023. It is the largest solar array in U.S. Air Force history, comprising nearly two million solar panels and capable of generating up to 1,300 megawatts of electricity.
Solar panels are known to produce intense momentary reflections, referred to as glint, when the sun aligns at specific angles with the panels and an observer. The sheer scale of the solar farm near Edwards makes it a plausible source for the observed light phenomena. However, this explanation has not satisfied all online commentators.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Edwards Air Force Base for comment on the incident. The base is described as an "irreplaceable national asset" and a central location for significant milestones in flight testing and development for U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Army aircraft.