About

Strange lights in the sky, explained with data. Usually.

WTH Was That? exists because the most common reaction to something strange in the sky is a two-second search that ends in a forum thread from 2009. We do the search properly: for your exact time and place we pull the satellite catalog, launch schedules, planet positions, space weather, local weather and (where available) aircraft tracks, then say which explanations fit, which don't, and by how much.

Three promises:

• Honest answers. If nothing fits, the case stays unexplained. We never force a verdict.
• Free, worldwide, no account. You can report, read and discuss without signing up. We set one cookie so you can follow your own case.
• No ads on the data. The live sky page will never carry advertising.

The site is built and run by a one-person company in Central Florida, which is also why we see so many rocket plumes. Say hello: hello@wthwasthat.com.

Press, researchers and skywatching groups: see press & embeds.