Observe carefully.
Document honestly.
An unusual observation deserves a careful record—not a predetermined explanation. This free guide helps you capture details while they're fresh and preserve what you actually observed.
1. Safety comes first
Stay in a safe, permitted location. Don't drive while filming, trespass, approach hazardous areas, point lasers at aircraft, or operate drones unsafely. If there is an immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
2. Record the essentials
- Exact date, time, and time zone; note whether your device clock is accurate.
- Approximate location (keep private addresses out of public posts).
- Direction faced, approximate elevation above the horizon, and landmarks.
- Weather, visibility, cloud cover, wind, and lighting conditions.
- Shape, apparent size, color, movement, sound, duration, and any changes.
- Names or contact details of other witnesses only with their consent.
3. Preserve original photos and video
- Keep the original files unedited and backed up. Do not overwrite them with crops or filters.
- Take wider shots with stable landmarks when safe; avoid digital zoom if it destroys detail.
- Keep file metadata where possible, including timestamps and camera settings.
- If you create enhanced copies, label them clearly and retain the untouched originals.
4. Separate observation from interpretation
Write down what you saw before proposing what it might have been. For example, “three lights moved together toward the northwest” is an observation; “three craft flew in formation” is an interpretation. Both can be recorded, but label them separately.
5. Check possible explanations
When practical, compare the observation with aircraft activity, satellites, astronomical objects, drones, weather phenomena, reflections, and camera artifacts. A possible match is a lead to investigate, not proof. Likewise, an unexplained observation is not automatically evidence of extraordinary origin.
6. Protect people and privacy
Get permission before publishing someone else's account, image, voice, or identifying details. Do not share precise home locations, private contact information, or sensitive records publicly. Respect a witness's choice not to be identified.
7. Make a neutral incident log
Date / time / time zone: ______________________________
General location / viewing direction: __________________
Duration / weather: ________________________________
What I directly observed: ___________________________
Photos / videos and original filenames: _______________
Possible explanations checked: _____________________
Questions still open: ______________________________
NIGHTWATCH is developing its secure witness intake system. Please do not email sensitive reports or personal evidence to an unverified address. This guide is educational and does not constitute an investigation or a submission channel.