Day: July 16, 2013

12-055-MA4 (Richmond, VA)

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droppedImage_2

Synopsis: On 6 Aug 12, at 1900 hours, the witness of this investigation was outside on a balcony and noticed a cloud shaped “like a flying saucer”. The witness, who submitted several photos of these “cloudships”, also reported extraterrestrials were trying to warn [the witness] of “Earth’s impeding doom”.

Evidence Submitted: 12 photos of various Cloud-Ship UFOs.

aInitial Action: This UFO investigation was opened as an MA4 – UFO activity, such as maneuvers, accompanied by a change in the observer’s perception of reality. A preliminary analysis of the photo indicated the UFO was more than likely a type of cloud.

Investigation and Findings:  During the initial witness interview the investigator noticed the witness displayed signs of pareidolia and insisted the extraterrestrials where “trying to hide their spaceships by camouflaging themselves as clouds”. Several follow-up interviews with the witness further indicated a deep belief that an “extraterrestrial invasion was imminent”. However, an analysis of historical weather for the Richmond, VA area, specifically during the date and time the photo was captured, indicated overcast with occasional showers. It is more than likely, therefore, that the witness took a photo of a Cumulus Humilis cloud.

Object Details: The Cumulus Humilis cloud is a low altitude cloud that can take many shapes and forms. It is a heap cloud with flat basis in the middle or lower level, whose vertical development appears like a tower. These types of clouds indicate instability to the layering of air with appropriate convection or turbulence.

12-057-FB1 (Grimsby, UK)

  By

droppedImage

Synopsis: On 10 June 12, at 2300 hours, the witness of this investigation used a webcam to capture a photo of “a strange UFO” in the vicinity of Grimsby, UK. The UFO was captured on a Forscam infrared webcam mounted on the roof of the witness’ home.

Evidence Submitted: Four photos of the UFO.

Initial Action: This UFO investigation was opened as a FB1, a fly-by of a UFO traveling in a straight line across the sky. A preliminary analysis of the photo indicated the UFO was more than likely an insect.

Investigation and Findings: Indices checks on several UFO-related databases, including the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), yielded no information relevant to this investigation. Additional research on several cryptozoology websites subsequently identified the unidentified object captured on the webcam as an insect. Moreover, an array of additional photos of flying insects matched the photo provided by the witness of this investigation.

Object Details: In cryptozoology and outdoor photography, rods (sometimes known as “skyfish” or “solar entities”) are elongated artifacts produced by cameras that inadvertently capture several of a flying insect’s wingbeats. Videos of rod-shaped objects moving quickly through the air were claimed by some to be extraterrestrial life forms or small UFOs, but subsequent experiments showed that these rods appear in film because of an optical illusion/collusion in interlaced video recording.

12-046-AN1 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

  By


droppedImage

Synopsis: On 07 July 12, at 1400 hours, the witness of this investigation was taking photos of the sky with a mobile phone. While reviewing the photos, the witness noticed a strange object in one of the photos. The witness submitted the photo to The Aerial Phenomenon Investigations Team for analysis.

Evidence Submitted: Photo of a 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. A preliminary analysis of the video indicated the UFO was more than likely a Catadioptric Lens Flares.

Investigation and Findings: During the interview, the witness claimed the UFO was not personally observed when taking the photos of the sky – a common indicator of a lens flare. Analysis of the photo also indicated the Sun was within the frame of view, which indicated the likely source of the lens flare.  In an effort to positively identify the object as a lens flare, the investigators obtained the original photo and applied standard cross-section analysis. The analysis of the photo indicated the anomaly intersected with the sun inside the frame of view.

Object Details: Lens flares are created when non-image forming light enters the lens and subsequently hit the camera’s film or digital sensor. The lens flare often appears as a characteristic polygonal shape, giving the appearance of a “flying disk or saucer”.

12-059-FB1 (Grimsby, UK)

  By

droppedImage_2

Synopsis: On 12 June 12, at 2213 hours, a UFO was traveling Northeast near Grimsby, UK. The UFO was captured on a Forscam infrared webcam mounted on the roof of the witness’ home.

Evidence Submitted: Video footage.

Initial Action: This UFO investigation was opened as a FB1, a fly-by of a UFO traveling in a straight line across the sky. A preliminary analysis of the video indicated the UFO was more than likely an artificial satellite in Low Earth Orbit.

Investigation and Findings: Indices checks on several satellite tracking databases indicated the UFO was space junk, more specifically, the Cosmos 1953 Rocket in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Cosmos 1953 Rocket passed over the witness’ location at the same date and time (2213 hours on 12 June 12) as reported by the witness. Additionally, the magnitude of the satellite was 2.4, which would have been visible on the webcam.

Object Details: The Cosmos 1953 Rocket (US Space Command Catalog No. 19210) was a Soviet ELINT (Electronic and Signals Intelligence) satellite launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome on 14 June 88. The satellite remains in Low Earth Orbit with an apogee of 583 km and a perigee of 559 km.

12-050-AN1 (Washington, DC)

  By

droppedImage

Synopsis: According to the witness, on 20 July 12, at 2200 hours, an extraterrestrial probe was observed, “zigzagging over the Washington, DC area”. The witness, moreover, believed the extraterrestrial probe was attempting to “disguise itself as a normal star” in an effort to conduct clandestine surveillance of the Washington, DC area.  

Evidence Submitted: Video footage and still images from the video.

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. A preliminary analysis of the video indicated the UFO was more than likely a celestial object moving in and out of focus. 

Investigation and Findings:  On 29 July 12, a team of investigators traveled to the Washington, DC area to interview the witness of this investigation. According to the witness, The White House and the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) did not respond to the witness’s UFO report so he contacted API. During the interview, the investigators noticed the witness displayed signs of pareidolia and insisted that extraterrestrials where trying to “communicate a hidden message” to the witness. At the conclusion of the interview, the witness indicated the investigators should remain in the area because the extraterrestrial probe would appear at 2100 hours. At 2115 hours, while waiting for the extraterrestrial probe to appear, the witness pointed to a star in the sky and said “There is the extraterrestrial probe”. During the on-site investigation, the investigators concluded the object in the sky was the star Vega and not an extraterrestrial probe. Investigators were able to replicate the video the witness provided by using a Canon 60D digital camera on autofocus and by holding the camera with one hand. After the experiment was completed, the results were nearly identical to what the witness submitted as evidence. The growing and shrinking appearance of the extraterrestrial probe was actually the camera’s optics attempting to focus on Vega. Additionally, the blue and red colors in the probe were identified as natural phenomena known as atmospheric prismatic dispersion, and the zigzagging appearance of the probe was the result of the witness holding the camera with an unsteady hand. 

Object Details: The star Vega is the 5th brightest star visible from Earth and the 3rd brightest easily visible from mid-northern latitudes. At about 25 light-years in distance, it is the 6th closest of all the bright stars, or 5th if you exclude Alpha Centauri, which is not easily visible from most of the Northern Hemisphere.