In a Nutshell

Also known as “Naga fireballs,” the mysterious glowing orbs appear to come up from the depths of the Mekong River, in Southeast Asia, on certain nights, before gently breaking the surface and floating up into the air, still glowing. What causes these strange lights that seem to swim to the surface of the river and then to fly away?

The Mekong River Lights, near the town of Nong Khai, attract hundreds of thousands of spectators, on the night of a full moon each October. One reports says that the fireballs “ascend to heights of 30 to 300 metres for three to eight seconds each, then simply vanish.” For countless centuries this spectacle has filled local people with awe. It now is said by some to be one of the wonders of the world. Perhaps it is related to the glowing nocturnal kor of the Manus Island area.