Big cats, unexplained lights and a floodlit eclipse — 7 skywatching 'horror stories' to keep you entertained this Halloween

Halloween is almost here, and to get into the spooky spirit, we've gathered some unforgettable skywatching horror stories for you. While stargazing may not be the most dangerous activity, unexpected phenomena can still leave you terrified, or nature itself reminds us of our limited control over the environment. Some of these tales serve as cautionary warnings, while others are simply unfortunate accidents.

Share your own skywatching horror stories in the comments below for a chance to be featured in next year's Halloween coverage.

In France, a family was terrified by an unexplained light show during their visit two decades ago. An electrical storm created sheet lightning in the distance, and when a shining ball of light descended behind oak trees, my mom fled inside, convinced they had seen a UFO. It was likely ball lightning, an electrical phenomenon that has been reported over 10,000 times throughout history but is still poorly understood.

Space.com's Skywatching Editor Daisy Dobrijevic traveled from the U.K. to the U.S. to see her first total solar eclipse in Rochester, New York. However, thick clouds blocked the view of the eclipse, and the total darkness was ruined by security floodlights that were triggered by the sudden darkness. Dobrijevic described this experience as almost apocalyptic and felt both insulted and robbed of her chance to witness the eerie darkness.

American Meteor Society shooting star expert Robert Lunsford had a close encounter with a mountain lion while stargazing alone on the western slope of Mt. Laguna, California. Lunsford was viewing in the local mountains when the unexpected and sustained winds toppled his telescopes, mounts, and accessories. Despite his initial reaction of shock and assessment of the damage, Lunsford remains determined to continue capturing spectacular images of the night sky, now using sandbags to secure his equipment.