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Located in a remote area
- Marfa is a compact Texas town boasting a population of roughly 1,900 inhabitants and covering an area of 1.62 sq mi (4.22 km²).
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1 / 30 Fotos
Distant area
- This little town is situated in West Texas, also referred to as El Despoblado ("The Uninhabited"). The closest large airport is located 200 miles (321 km) away.
© Shutterstock
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If you are in Mafra...
- Marfa is truly one-of-a-kind, as its slogan suggests: "Tough to get to. Tougher to explain. But once you get here, you get it."
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Solo traffic signal
- Mafra is such a small town that a single traffic signal is enough (pictured)!
© Shutterstock
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Popular spot
- Marfa has become a haven for artists and the hipster scene, giving the town a distinct and quirky vibe. Yet, it is the enigmatic lights that truly define Marfa's fame.
© Getty Images
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Marfa lights phenomen
- For more than 135 years, mysterious lights have emerged from the night sky, and their origin continues to evade researchers.
© Shutterstock
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Mysterious lights phenomen
- The Marfa Lights, also referred to as the Marfa Ghost Lights, are luminous orbs that pulsate and move randomly, appearing almost like a captivating dance in the nocturnal heavens.
© Shutterstock
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When
- The appearance of the lights cannot be predicted, and occurs less than 30 times per year. It can happen anytime between sunset and sunrise during any season, and the locations vary.
© Shutterstock
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Shape and movement
- The lights are typically circular in shape and can either dart swiftly or stay in place while flickering and/or pulsating.
© Shutterstock
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Color
- Observers have noted variations in the colors of the mysterious orbs, including red, blue, yellow, and white hues.
© Shutterstock
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Where
- The lights are visible in the empty grassland located southeast of Marfa, known as the Paisano Pass, towards the Chinati Mountains.
© Getty Images
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Initial sighting
- The first sighting occurred in 1883 when Robert Reed Ellison, a young cowhand, first observed the phenomenon.
© Getty Images
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Visitors
- Since the 19th century, people have been drawn to the region to witness this strange occurrence. Today, tourists can visit the Marfa Lights Viewing Area along the road for the best perspective.
© Shutterstock
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Distinguished fan
- James Dean filmed the movie 'Giant' there in 1956. The actor had a fascination with the lights and kept a telescope in his hotel room to observe them.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Explanation
- Throughout the years, numerous theories have emerged, including UFOs, apparitions of Spanish conquistadors, and vehicle headlights, among others. Nonetheless, the mysterious lights continue to defy explanation.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Search for a solution.
- James Bunnell, a former NASA aerospace engineer who was raised in the area, dedicated 12 years to unraveling the mystery.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Research
- Bunnell placed 10 infrared cameras in the region and examined the recordings in an effort to understand the situation. Ultimately, he determined that "no pattern emerged."
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Results
- The engineer authored a book on the Marfa Lights and proposed several theories, including one suggesting that electromagnetic lights are generated by underground friction on Earth. Nonetheless, he couldn't find a conclusive scientific explanation for this strange phenomenon.
© Shutterstock
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Attraction
- Over the years, the Ghost Lights have been beneficial for business. “For years, we didn’t have anyone here except the people who wanted to see the lights. I was afraid Marfa would turn out to be a ghost town, but this was very good because it helped to keep our town alive,” said local guide Armando Vasquez.
© Getty Images
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Marfa Lights Festival
- Since its inaugural event in 1986, the Marfa Lights Festival has drawn thousands of people each September.
© Getty Images
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Mafra is more than just lights
- Marfa's appeal extends beyond the Ghost Lights, as it has drawn artists since the 1970s. Presently, Marfa remains a unique hub for artistic people.
© Shutterstock
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Art installation
- In 1971, Donald Judd, a minimalist artist, moved from New York City to Marfa, sparking an art revolution that featured his distinctive creations: the Judd cubes.
© Getty Images
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The Chinati Foundation
- Judd established the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, a contemporary art museum that concentrates on "works in which art and the surrounding land are inextricably linked."
© Getty Images
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Prada
- This faux Prada Marfa boutique set up on a deserted highway is an interesting example of their work.
© Shutterstock
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Target
- This mini Target in the middle of the desert is also quite a surreal sight!
© Shutterstock
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The Wrong Store
- This gallery is owned by local artists Camp Bosworth and Buck Johnston and is located in a former church.
© Getty Images
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Marfa Film Festival
- The town has also hosted the Marfa Film Festival since 2007, created by Robin Lambaria and Cory Van Dyke.
© Getty Images
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Playboy installation
- The installation was constructed in 2013 for the Marfa Film Festival, in collaboration with artist Richard Phillips.
© Getty Images
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The truth is there to be seen
- Longtime local resident, Aurie West, expressed his perspective on the matter, stating, “My parents and grandparents saw [the lights]. It’s always been here. I hope they never find out about what’s out there. Mysteries make life interesting.” Sources:(BBC) See also: This glacial lake hides a dark secret
© Shutterstock
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© Shutterstock
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Located in a remote area
- Marfa is a compact Texas town boasting a population of roughly 1,900 inhabitants and covering an area of 1.62 sq mi (4.22 km²).
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Distant area
- This little town is situated in West Texas, also referred to as El Despoblado ("The Uninhabited"). The closest large airport is located 200 miles (321 km) away.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
If you are in Mafra...
- Marfa is truly one-of-a-kind, as its slogan suggests: "Tough to get to. Tougher to explain. But once you get here, you get it."
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Solo traffic signal
- Mafra is such a small town that a single traffic signal is enough (pictured)!
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Popular spot
- Marfa has become a haven for artists and the hipster scene, giving the town a distinct and quirky vibe. Yet, it is the enigmatic lights that truly define Marfa's fame.
© Getty Images
5 / 30 Fotos
Marfa lights phenomen
- For more than 135 years, mysterious lights have emerged from the night sky, and their origin continues to evade researchers.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Mysterious lights phenomen
- The Marfa Lights, also referred to as the Marfa Ghost Lights, are luminous orbs that pulsate and move randomly, appearing almost like a captivating dance in the nocturnal heavens.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
When
- The appearance of the lights cannot be predicted, and occurs less than 30 times per year. It can happen anytime between sunset and sunrise during any season, and the locations vary.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Shape and movement
- The lights are typically circular in shape and can either dart swiftly or stay in place while flickering and/or pulsating.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Color
- Observers have noted variations in the colors of the mysterious orbs, including red, blue, yellow, and white hues.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Where
- The lights are visible in the empty grassland located southeast of Marfa, known as the Paisano Pass, towards the Chinati Mountains.
© Getty Images
11 / 30 Fotos
Initial sighting
- The first sighting occurred in 1883 when Robert Reed Ellison, a young cowhand, first observed the phenomenon.
© Getty Images
12 / 30 Fotos
Visitors
- Since the 19th century, people have been drawn to the region to witness this strange occurrence. Today, tourists can visit the Marfa Lights Viewing Area along the road for the best perspective.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Distinguished fan
- James Dean filmed the movie 'Giant' there in 1956. The actor had a fascination with the lights and kept a telescope in his hotel room to observe them.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Explanation
- Throughout the years, numerous theories have emerged, including UFOs, apparitions of Spanish conquistadors, and vehicle headlights, among others. Nonetheless, the mysterious lights continue to defy explanation.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Search for a solution.
- James Bunnell, a former NASA aerospace engineer who was raised in the area, dedicated 12 years to unraveling the mystery.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Research
- Bunnell placed 10 infrared cameras in the region and examined the recordings in an effort to understand the situation. Ultimately, he determined that "no pattern emerged."
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Results
- The engineer authored a book on the Marfa Lights and proposed several theories, including one suggesting that electromagnetic lights are generated by underground friction on Earth. Nonetheless, he couldn't find a conclusive scientific explanation for this strange phenomenon.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Attraction
- Over the years, the Ghost Lights have been beneficial for business. “For years, we didn’t have anyone here except the people who wanted to see the lights. I was afraid Marfa would turn out to be a ghost town, but this was very good because it helped to keep our town alive,” said local guide Armando Vasquez.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Marfa Lights Festival
- Since its inaugural event in 1986, the Marfa Lights Festival has drawn thousands of people each September.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Mafra is more than just lights
- Marfa's appeal extends beyond the Ghost Lights, as it has drawn artists since the 1970s. Presently, Marfa remains a unique hub for artistic people.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Art installation
- In 1971, Donald Judd, a minimalist artist, moved from New York City to Marfa, sparking an art revolution that featured his distinctive creations: the Judd cubes.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
The Chinati Foundation
- Judd established the Chinati Foundation in Marfa, a contemporary art museum that concentrates on "works in which art and the surrounding land are inextricably linked."
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Prada
- This faux Prada Marfa boutique set up on a deserted highway is an interesting example of their work.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Target
- This mini Target in the middle of the desert is also quite a surreal sight!
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
The Wrong Store
- This gallery is owned by local artists Camp Bosworth and Buck Johnston and is located in a former church.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Marfa Film Festival
- The town has also hosted the Marfa Film Festival since 2007, created by Robin Lambaria and Cory Van Dyke.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Playboy installation
- The installation was constructed in 2013 for the Marfa Film Festival, in collaboration with artist Richard Phillips.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
The truth is there to be seen
- Longtime local resident, Aurie West, expressed his perspective on the matter, stating, “My parents and grandparents saw [the lights]. It’s always been here. I hope they never find out about what’s out there. Mysteries make life interesting.” Sources:(BBC) See also: This glacial lake hides a dark secret
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
This strange Texas town is a hotbed of mysterious phenomena
Unraveling the mystery of the Marfa Ghost Lights
© Shutterstock
It's quite astonishing that, even in our modern era, numerous unexplained phenomena persist on Earth. This is particularly evident in the charming small Texas town of Marfa, where mysterious lights illuminate the night sky. You might think that there's a rational, scientific explanation for the origins of these lights, and perhaps there is. However, as of today, no one has managed to find it.
Marfa is undeniably a unique location that has not only attracted curious tourists drawn to these strange facts but has also captivated numerous artists who have left their mark on the area over the years.
Curious? Then click through this gallery and learn more about this town and its mysteries.
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