The Marfa Lights viewing site. Photo Credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
Beyond its artistic allure and quirky charm, Marfa holds a captivating mystery that has intrigued us and baffled onlookers for over a century: the Marfa Lights.
Far from the snow cover of Northwestern Wisconsin, Tom and I ventured to the heart of West Texas and the small town of Marfa. This was a jaunt we had talked about and speculated about for years. These enigmatic orbs of glowing light appear and dance on the horizon, sparking endless speculation about their origin.
The city of Marfa built a viewing station with benches outside of town. Photo credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
The official viewing area is located 9 miles east of Marfa on U.S. 90. Photo credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
The Elusive Marfa Lights: A Centuries-Old Mystery
Sightings of the Marfa Lights, also known as the Marfa Ghost Lights, date back to the 19th century. Indigenous tribes recounted stories of these strange phenomena, and tales continued to weave their way through generations of ranchers, travelers, and even curious scientists. The lights are variably colored – white, yellow, blue, or red – and appear to hover or bob erratically across the desolate Chihuahuan desert landscape.
Their unpredictable nature adds another layer to the intrigue; they can appear on any night, in any weather condition, but sightings are limited to a few hundred or so per year.
The lack of a definitive explanation for the Marfa Lights has fueled a vibrant tapestry of theories. Perhaps the most captivating explanations lean towards the extraordinary. Some believe the lights are manifestations of paranormal activity, the restless spirits of long-gone cowboys or Native Americans. Others point towards extraterrestrial origins, suggesting the lights are spaceships or some form of alien communication.
I wanted to believe the lights were George Jetson and his son Elroy jetting across the desert.
The phenomenal sunset at the Marfa Lights viewing station. Photo credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
You Might Also Enjoy
Danville, Indiana: The Best Way To Find Pop Culture And The Police
Finding Authentic BBQ In A Shack Down By The Tracks
Get To Know Lewis and Clark’s Enormous Dog, Seaman
A Pizza, Propeller, And Hanging With Ranchers: Collecting Montana Memories
Experience unexplained phenomena activity in the Chihuahuan Desert—the largest desert in North America. Photo credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
The Science Behind the Marfa Lights: Fact or Fiction?
However, science offers more grounded possibilities. One explanation hinges on the unique geography of the area. Marfa sits at a relatively high elevation, and the surrounding desert experiences drastic temperature fluctuations. This temperature variation can create a phenomenon known as a superior mirage, or Fata Morgana. In such an illusion, light bends as it travels through layers of air with differing temperatures, creating distorted images of distant objects. For instance, car headlights on a remote highway could be refracted and appear as hovering orbs on the horizon.
Another scientific explanation focuses on geological features. The Mitchell Flat, where the lights are most frequently observed, is known to have underground deposits of minerals like phosphorus. Under certain conditions, these minerals could spontaneously combust, emitting faint lights that flicker and change color.
Despite these potential explanations, some sightings remain difficult to reconcile with known scientific phenomena. Eyewitnesses often describe the lights as exhibiting intelligent behavior, changing direction or color abruptly. At times, the lights appear floating in the distance and then rapidly fly directly at us.
Kristi Manus is preparing for the pitch-black desert nighttime. Photo credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
Two Nights Under the Stars: Chasing the Elusive Marfa Lights
The fleeting nature of the lights also poses a challenge – capturing them on camera is difficult, and even then, the quality often hinders conclusive analysis.
The allure of the Marfa Lights extends far beyond the scientific debate. The mystery has become an integral part of Marfa’s identity, attracting curious visitors from across the globe. The Marfa Lights Viewing Area, a designated spot along a desolate stretch of highway, is a popular destination for stargazers and mystery seekers. On a clear night, visitors gather with a shared sense of anticipation and hesitation, their eyes scanning the horizon to glimpse the elusive lights. It was quite busy when we arrived on the last Friday night in December. However, the next night, we were all alone, except for the lights and all the science fiction movie theme songs on continuous play in my mind.
The Marfa Lights phenomenon has also captured the imagination of artists and storytellers. Local artists incorporate the lights into their paintings, sculptures, and writings, weaving them into the artistic tapestry of Marfa. Writers have penned fictional accounts inspired by the mystery, further perpetuating the legend.
Whether the Marfa Lights originate from a natural phenomenon or a more fantastical source, their enduring mystery is a potent reminder of the wonders still unexplained in our world. The vastness of the West Texas desert becomes a canvas for our imagination, a place where the line between the known and the unknown blurs—a place to reconnect with our childlike thoughts. The Marfa Lights may not be readily solved. Still, seeking an answer and peering into the unknown reflects our inherent human curiosity and is a great place to start an adventure.
Would you be interested in taking a road trip with us to see the Marfa Lights?
The West Texas desert is waiting for you. Photo credit: Tom and Kristi Manus
No Comments