Alternate Perceptions Magazine, August 2026
An interview with Wyatt Cox on Alabama’s mysterious “earthlights”
By Brent Raynes
Born and raised in northwest Alabama. Wyatt has personally observed more than 250 orbs since 1977. Wyatt's government career includes working for the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has a M.A. and Th.D. in Theology. Wyatt is now retired and currently lives in South Carolina. He is the author of "The Amazing Cloverdale, Alabama Spooklight Mystery” (2007) and "The Orbs of Cloverdale” (2025). Wyatt can be contacted at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Brent Raynes: Through the years, you've helped put the enigmatic light phenomena of Lauderdale County on the map with books like Spooklights: The Amazing Cloverdale, Alabama Spooklight Mystery (2007) and The Orbs of Cloverdale (2025). You've connected with a good number of people over the years. You've even had fellow researchers come to visit and Skywatch from as far away as Chicago, Jacksonville, Florida, and Toronto, Canada, while others closer to these "earthlight" sites here in Lauderdale County have joined in from Alabama and Tennessee.
Wyatt Cox: Greg Keeton and I began observing and investigating an unexplained luminous phenomena (originally referred to as "Spooklights) in northwest Alabama (Lauderdale County) in 1977. We were high school students, and we learned from a mutual friend that his mom claimed she had observed several large orangish pulsating balls of light near her house. She claimed these orbs were about eight feet in diameter, completely silent and would float over the fields and trees near her house. They would be observed traveling westward at about 18-20 miles per hour and their elevation would vary between 50 to about 300 feet above the ground. These orbs were in plain view between 1-4 minutes. On occasion, two of these orbs would be seen each night. Sometimes there would, two orbs observed at the same time.
In March 1977 Greg and I observed our first Earthlight! The pulsating orb suddenly appeared and appeared to be slightly above the nearby trees. The orb was a few hundred feet away from us and was moving westward. The orb was very bright and large - about 8 feet in diameter. We watched the earthlight for about five minutes. It was so astonishing to observe that it is difficult to explain.
Watching these large orbs was truly astonishing! Greg and I were previously unaware of the existence of this phenomenon. We had no idea what these orbs were. We were aware of the so called "1973 UFO" flap that occurred in Alabama. But these orbs were not solid objects. For the next few months, Greg and I observed several of these wondrous orbs at this and nearby locations.
We later became aware of a large orangish orb sighting that took place in early 1973 in Lexington, which is a few miles east of the location Greg and I used as our primary viewing area. This orb was seen hovering at ground level for a few minutes by several witnesses. A few years later we discovered an Earthlight was seen in 1930 near the small town of Waterloo which is a few miles west of Cloverdale. We became convinced this phenomenon was somewhat widespread and had been observed for many years.
After observing dozens of these mysterious orbs float across the fields and woods, and having no idea as to what they are, we became somewhat obsessed with investigating this "spooklight phenomena."
As our investigations continued, we located many credible witnesses who had observed these strange orbs. Many were seen less than 100 feet above the ground. On one occasion we observed a large pulsating orb split into two orbs. These two orbs were both about eight feet in diameter and both were moving slowly to the west and after a few moments both orbs merged together and became one orb. Some witnesses claimed to have seen these orbs hovering 1-2 feet above the ground in grassy fields.
We would on occasion, spot more than two per night. While not common, sometimes a smaller orangish orb would be seen at the same time a large orb was in view. A few orbs were bright white. We later found out that a few blue orbs were also seen.
We also learned that these or similar orbs exist in other locations. For example, many large orbs have been spotted in Brown Mountain, North Carolina and Hessdalen, Norway.
Over a period of time we learned that :
1) They appear to be an energy based (plasma) phenomena. Not solid objects.
2) They are always silent
3) They can be in view for up to 20 minutes.
4) Sometimes they interact with other orbs (perhaps they exchange energy or information).
5) While some have been seen "sitting" on the ground, the orbs do not damage the grass or other vegetation.
6) These orbs do not aimlessly move about. They often seem to be on some kind of "path."
7) It is estimated that these large orbs contain the equivalent of about 18000-20000 watts of electrical energy (a standard household microwave oven usually produces about 1000 to about 1400 watts of electrical energy.
After a while, Greg and I began interviewing many other people in the area that had observed these strange lights. We discovered several other locations where these orbs were being observed. In the late 1970s and early 1980s we called these orbs "Spooklights." At the time, the phrase "Earthlight" was not widely used. Nor did we refer to these orbs as "UFOs" even though on occasion, a UFO was reported. For Greg and I they were "Spooklights." Later, I began referring to the luminous phenomena as "Earthlights" and I now usually use the word "orbs."
Brent Raynes: Wyatt, you have to share the train incident.
Wyatt Cox: Yes, one of our most remarkable sightings occurred in August 1978 near the place we refer to as the Old Prison Camp. This property is no longer used as a minimum security prison camp which was located about five miles sought of the Tennessee/Alabama border and maybe one mile from Chislom Road (Highway 17) and about six miles east of Cloverdale.
Greg and I had visited this location several times and had many excellent orb sightings. On this night, we were positioned in a field at a higher elevation than the Old Prison Camp and a short distance from the railroad tracks that basically runs north/south. At about 10:10 pm. I decided to go home so I walked about to my car with my camera which was a few hundred feet away from where we were positioned. I thought Greg was behind me but he was still back at the viewing area.
I walked back to the viewing area, and Greg asked me if I hear a train approaching and I replied that I did. A train was travelling south, and we could begin to see the train’s light pierce the darkness north of us. We speculated the train was travelling 15-20 miles per hour. For some reason, I looked to the south and to the south of our location I spotted a very large orangish pulsating orb hovering about 30 feet above the railroad tracks. The orb was very bright and silent. As the train continued travelling south, it approached the orangish orb. When the front of the train was directly below the orb, the orb appeared to become “synchronized” to the train. This meant the orb instantly began moving in a lock step fashion with the train. The orb did not change size, distance from the train or brightness. The orb matched the speed of the train. As the train moved southward, so did the orb until the train and orb were out of view.
We often talk about this sighting. For me, it is almost as if this the orb was waiting for the train, which would mean the orb “knew” the train was approaching. I later felt that the orb wanted to be observed by Greg and me. This amazing sighting compelled me to begin considering the idea the orbs were possibly some type of plasma-based life form. Was the orb extracting energy from the train? I can only guess. If the orb had been a few feet closer to the ground, it would have been struck by the train. And how did the orb match the train’s speed? And for what purpose? Lots of questions! Greg and I have had many remarkable sightings, but this one made a lasting impression on me.
Brent: Yes, I always find that particular story very impressive. I never tire of hearing you tell it. And then there’s another sighting where you and another witness observed something that was rather differe
nt from the usual orb type observation. Wyatt Cox: Yes. Another excellent sighting did not involve an orb but I believe what I and a friend observed is related to the orb phenomena. In February 2020, Dan Erickson and I were at one of the viewing areas near Cloverdale and while we did not observe an orb we did witness a UFO. It was nighttime and the sky was clear (no moon in view). I was scanning the area to the north and Dan was viewing the area to the south of us.
Dan yelled out for me and when I turned to face the south, I observed a rather large rectangle shaped UFO. It was extremely bright. It was not reflecting light nor did it have external lights attached. The UFO itself appeared to be the light. I am not sure how large the UFO was because I do not know how far away Dan and I were. I could easily guess the UFO was perhaps fifty feet long. There was at least one black area on the side of the UFO we were observing. The black area was not large and did not appear to be some kind of window. The UFO was flashing brightly as it was moving to the west. The UFO would flash its intense white light, and the UFO was not seen during the flashes. As the UFO flashed, it moved to the west. At some point, the UFO made a 90-degree turn and quickly began moving towards the ground. As the UFO descended, it continued to flash. There were no other lights observed and the UFO was completely silent. The UFO continued its descent and went behind some distant trees. At that time the UFO was no longer in view. This duration of the sighting was slightly less than one minute. I had never observed anything like this before! This sighting also made a huge impact on me. I began to speculate this UFO was somehow connected to the orb phenomena. We learned that with multiple observers, we should be observing as much of the area as possible and not everyone viewing the same area.
Later I became aware two witnesses observed two UFOs matching the description of what Dan and I observed in 1972 near the so-called Old Prison Camp. According to the scientists investigating the Hessdalen Earthlights, they also claim rectangle UFOs similar to what Dan and I observed had been witnessed in Hessdalen. While I do not understand how, it seems to me the Earthlight/Orb phenomenon may be related to some of the UFO sightings in the area. While the orbs do not appear to be solid, the bright flashing UFO Dan and I spotted did appear to be solid. Lots of questions!
What I consider to be noteworthy is that Northwest Alabama has what appears to be unique geological characteristics which may be at least one of the reasons this phenomenon exists. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Cloverdale, Alabama area is geologically active. Secondly, the Cloverdale and surrounding areas are where the subterranean limestone meets and interacts with large amounts of silica. The Cloverdale area is situated at the eastern edge of the New Madrid Seismic Geological Impact Zone which explains how the silica (quartz) can produce electrical energy when subjected to physical stress. Because of this highly active geological fault system, it exerts physical stress on the silica which produces subterranean electrical energy through a process called piezoelectricity. It seems these electrical discharges may help provide the necessary energy that either creates/sustains these orbs.
There are also other possible sources of energy. For example, there is considerable amounts of Radon gas in the area which is slightly radioactive. There is both Sulfur and water in the area (when combined can produce an electrical charge. There are also small amounts of iron ore in the area which can become magnetized by the naturally occurring electrical energy discharges. This magnetized iron ore can produce a weak magnetic field at the same place where the piezoelectric activity occurs and where the radioactive gas is.
I believe it is worth mentioning that the geology in Cloverdale area is similar to the geology in the Hessdalen, Norway area where many orangish orbs have been seen for several decades. Hessdalen is seismically active and the area also possesses Radon gas, sulfur, and iron ore.
Over the years I have met and benefited from several people in my quest to better understand this anomalous phenomenon. Folks like Dale Kazcmerak (Ghost Research Society) from Chicago who published my first book on this Earthlight phenomena in 2007. I was fortunate to meet Rob Freeman, a very knowledgeable and respected UFO/UAP investigator and documentarian from Canada. Tom Bearden, was a well-known and respected scientist from Huntsville, Alabama met with Greg and I on different occasions to talk about paranormal and Earthlight phenomena. His knowledge about the Earthlights and his book "Excalibur Briefing" has been of great value to me.
Later, I began communicating with Dr. Teodorani Massimo, an astrophysicist in Italy who is a subject matter expert on the Hessdalen, Norway Earthlights. I greatly appreciate all of our interactions. His insights and knowledge about orb phenomena is extensive.
Recently Rex Groves, a physicist from Florida has been assisting us Cloverdale Orb investigators. He is a physicist and his vast knowledge of physics and his many trips to the Cloverdale area have been immensely helpful. Rex is known for his work in condensed matter physics and data analysis.
A few years ago, I met Dan Erickson, a retired military officer and scientist living near Huntsville, who has been with us at some of the viewing areas and his knowledge and understanding of UAPs/UFOs, and plasma phenomena is quite extensive. Several years ago, Greg and I met you Brent and you have been with us on many occasions searching for orbs and interviewing witnesses. I consider you to be a very good friend and your knowledge about UFOs/UAPs and the paranormal is extensive. Recently, several of us Cloverdale Orb investigators decided to call our group, CERT which means Cloverdale Earthlight Research Team. Hopefully CERT will increase its membership in the near future, and this will result in more orb sightings and an increase in our understanding of this wondrous phenomena.
What these orbs are is a question we still have not answered. For me, they appear to possibly be either some type of "pre-alive” plasmodial based phenomena which means these orbs while not alive, possess some kind of energy based "structure" and organization which means they can absorb and process energy for optimal use. It appears they can possibly share energy with other orbs, and it also appears they sometimes "socially interact" with other orbs. Or, these orbs may possibly be some type of plasma (non-physical) based life. If so, this means they really are some kind of living "thing." At this point, I really do not know for sure. If they are alive, then it may be possible they possess some basic level of intelligence. We have a lot of unanswered questions. I am firmly convinced this orb phenomenon justifies serious scientific inquiry.
Hopefully soon we will have a better understanding of this orb/earthlight phenomena. With the recent creation of CERT, there are now several competent people who are devoting considerable amounts of time and energy attempting to help solve the Northwest Alabama Orb mystery. Hopefully my recent book "The Orbs of Cloverdale" will help generate more interest in this amazing and unexplained phenomenon.
For now, the mystery continues (and my addiction to orbs!) and as Sherlock Holmes once said "The game is afoot!
