'Not WWIII' US Navy statement after test firing of two Trident missiles shocks witnesses
Some people were even left convinced they may have witnesses an alien UFO.
Videos of the bizarre sight over California yesterday were uploaded to social media and even sent to investigators at the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) as a possible alien sighting.
The footage shows from various locations a bright point in the sky with a beam of light radiating below it.
In one video, a woman shrieked 'It's ET!', while others claimed on social media to have seen an alien craft.
But, in response, the US Navy confirmed it carried out missile tests off the coast at 3.30am and 6.20am local time yesterday.