Glowing green orbs seen over Resolute have earthly explanation

Residents of Resolute, Nunavut, reported seeing unidentified flying objects in the sky this weekend.

After sunset on Saturday night,Uluriaq Amarualiksays she was walking on the edge of town, when she saw a pair of glowing orbs float to earth.

"One half was lit the whole time, the other top half would flash green, on and off, and there was also a parachute on it, a red parachute," she said.

The unidentified flying objects, or ratherunidentified parachuting objects,turned out to be volleyball-sized drift markers deployed by aRoyal Canadian Air Force Hercules during civilian search and rescue training in the area.

Drift markers are used to help gauge winds and locate a drop zone.

"We do that in advance of dropping a search and rescue technicianout of an aircraft," said David Elias, a spokesperson for the air force.

Amarualik says although she was surprised to find the objects, she learned what they were and how they got there through social media.

Elias says other routine training events were held last week in Pond Inlet, Gjoa Haven and Arctic Bay.Elias says the equipment was picked up the next day.

Similar training will take place in June of next year.