Synopsis: On 18 July 10, at approximately 2000 hours, the witness of this investigation was standing on a 2nd floor patio and noticed a strange object hovering about 200 feet over the City of Tempe, AZ. The witness described the object as a warm white and orange jellyfish. The object, moreover, morphed in color and appeared as though it was a circular membrane. The object hovered for approximately 15 minutes until it moved slowly from East to West.
Evidence Submitted: Sketch of the UFO.
Initial Action: This UFO investigation was opened as an AN1 – an anomaly that left no lasting physical effects, such as lights in the sky and similar phenomena. Initial analysis of the report indicated a likely natural phenomenon due to severe thunderstorms on the same date and time the witness observed the UFO.
Investigation and Findings: The investigators traveled to Phoenix, AZ and interviewed the witness of this investigation. During the interview the witness provided the investigators with a sketch of the UFO. Additionally, the investigators also learned that the witness was drinking alcohol when the UFO was spotted. The lead investigator, however, noted the witness was sincere and credible. During the weather research and analysis portion of the investigation, the data indicated the witness observed a convergence of several natural phenomena: Rayleigh scattering during sunset, high temperatures, and severe thunderstorm converging with Altocumulus Castellanus formations.
Object Details: When sunlight passes through a thick layer of atmosphere and dust particles at sunset, blue color is scattered by Rayleigh Scattering and only red-to-orange color remains. The clouds reflect these unscattered red/orange rays and appear in that color. More importantly, during high temperatures and an approaching thunderstorm the orange clouds appear even more prominent.
