This report from Guadalajara, Mexico was quickly triaged as a clear lens flare. Read our redacted report about the case.
Case 23-006 (Mexico) closed as identified.
Tag: Lens Flare
UK Photo Likely a Lensflare
On 06 March 2015, UFO investigators from the United Kingdom forwarded a photo of an alleged UFO. According the investigators, the photo was taken in Plymouth, UK, in January 2012. A thorough analysis by Aerial Phenomena concluded the photo was nothing more than a traditional lens flare. The investigation was closed as resolved.
13-102-AN1 (Olney, IL)
Date of Sighting: 05/28/2012
Time of Sighting: 2:00 a.m – 4:15 a.m
Location of UFO: Olney, IL, US
UFO Report: Went out in the middle of the country alone to star watch. Was driving to get to a good spot to park, and then noticed an orange orb in my rear view mirror. After making several turns it was still perfectly center in my rear view mirror but only as a small orange orb. I then parked and sat on my trunk as this orb maintained its distance. I continued to sit there and talk to it as if it was standing right next to me. At about 4:15 a.m. the small orb grew into a big bright light for maybe 30-45 secs and then vanished. It was starting to turn into daylight, but the sun was not over the horizon. You can tell in the picture that it is not the sun as it is in front of the tree line. This is not my first u.f.o. experience as I have had multiple sightings of objects that I could not explain to myself flying in the sky, but this is the only photo I was able to take. I just would really appreciate it if you could do some sort of review of the photo and give me a scientific explanation of this orb I witnessed. I also have 3 different pictures of this object that I took back to back to back, all of them in various sizes, but it will only allow me upload one.
Evidence Submitted: Photo
Initial Action: Case opened as an AN1.
Investigation and Findings: Historical case only.
Object Details: Unresolved. Appears to be a lens flare. Witness did not want an investigation.
13-056-AN1 (Washington, DC)
Synopsis: On 23 July 2103, a witness used a cellphone to take photos of a “strange object” hovering over Washington, DC.
Evidence Submitted: Photo
Initial Action: Case opened as an AN1.
Investigation and Findings: After a thorough investigation, the objects were identified as camera lens flares and reflections off windshield.
Object Details: Lens flare and reflection.
No comments
12-079-AN1 (Biggs Junction, OR)
Synopsis: On the morning of 18 Oct 12, the witness of this investigation used a camera to take a photo of the sunrise. While reviewing the photo, the witness noticed a strange object in the photo. The witness provided the photo to API for analysis.
Evidence Submitted: A Photo 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. A preliminary analysis of the video indicated the UFO was more than likely a Catadioptric Lens Flares.
Investigation and Findings: After an interview with the witness, the investigators learned that the witness did not personally observe the UFO. The investigators applied cross-line analysis on the photo, which indicated the UFO was a lens flare. The sun, which is also in the frame of view, was the source of the lens flare.
Object Details: Lens flares are created when non-image forming light enters the lens and subsequently hits 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”.
12-074-AN1 (Pell City, Alabama)
Synopsis: On the morning of 01 Oct 12, the witness of this investigation used a mobile phone to take a photo of the sunrise. While reviewing the photo, the witness noticed a strange object in the photo. The witness provided the photo to API for analysis.
Evidence Submitted: A Photo 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. A preliminary analysis of the video indicated the UFO was more than likely a Catadioptric Lens Flares.
Investigation and Findings: After an interview with the witness, the investigators learned that the witness did not personally observe the UFO. The investigators applied cross-line analysis on the photo, which indicated the UFO was a lens flare. The sun, which is also in the frame of view, was the source of the lens flare.
Object Details: Lens flares are created when non-image forming light enters the lens and subsequently hits 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”.
12-007-AN1 (Guttenberg, Iowa)
Synopsis: On 23 Sep 12, at sunrise, the witness was taking photos of the sky with a camera. While reviewing the photos, the witness noticed a strange object on the right end of the photo. 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: The witness claimed the UFO was not personally observed while taking photos of the sunset – a common indicator of a lens flare. The UFO was, in fact, noticed later that day while reviewing the photos. Additionally, the Sun was also 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, investigators obtained the original photo and applied standard cross-section analysis. The analysis of the photo indicated the anomaly intersected with the known light source inside the frame of view (the Sun) on the left side of the photo.
Object Details: Lens flares are created when non-image forming light enters the lens and subsequently hits 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”.
12-019-AN1 (Atlantic Ocean)
Synopsis: On 05 Jan 12, at approximately 1841 hours, the witness of this investigation was onboard the cruise ship MSC Poesia, which was underway and heading back to Florida. The witness, who was in cabin #11151, went outside on the balcony to take a photo of the sunset. Upon reviewing the photo, the witness claimed a UFO could be seen in the photo.
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 explained that the UFO was not personally observed while taking photos of the sky – a common indicator of a lens flares. In an effort to positively identify the object as a lens flare, 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 hits 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”.
12-046-AN1 (Jakarta, Indonesia)
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”.
13-049-AN1 (Mobile, Alabama)
Synopsis: On 03 Jul 2013, witness contacted API and provided a photo of a strange green object.
Evidence Submitted: Photo.
Initial Action: Case opened as an AN1.
Investigation and Findings: This investigation concluded object was just a lens flare.
Object Details: Closed as identified.