Demystifying the Brown Mountain Lights

Shrouded by mystery and masked by confusion, the legendary Brown Mountain Lights have defied explanation for decades.

In recent years, however, researchers have bolstered efforts to detect, analyze and even forecast the phenomenon, described as balls of light that appear along the Brown Mountain range in Burke County. On Saturday, Feb. 11, two of these researchers will share their theories and findings at the first Brown Mountain Lights Symposium, hosted by the Burke County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) in Morganton. 

The sold-out event features Appalachian State University (ASU) physics and astronomy professor Daniel Caton and Joshua P. Warren, a paranormal investigator, author and radio host based in Asheville. The symposium includes remarks by speakers, a catered meal and a guided field trip to the Brown Mountain Overlook on N.C. 181.