![]() ![]() #5 Uncommon auroras The aurora isn't always about rays and arcs. Other reported sky events await explanation, but seizing on alien ships as the cause seems hasty. It was only recently that lightning sprites were positively identified and studied. That's not to say there aren't still mysteries out there. Each time, there's been a natural explanation for whatever caught my attention, and to date I've seen nothing that required an alien visit for explanation. I'm not qualified to delve into the psychology of UFO sightings, but I've seen some strange stuff over the 2,000+ nights I've sojourned under the night sky. Light from the distant island is bent downward into a new path that the eye thinks emanates from the air above the water. In contrast to the "wet road" appearance of an inferior mirage, superior mirages can occur when the air layer near the water (or ground) is considerably colder than the air directly above it. This is a superior mirage of Granite Island in Lake Superior. How likely is this? And why does nearly every photo of a purported alien show a being with a human form? #4 Superior mirages Spaceship or ? Okay, mirages can truly be weird. Even if the extraterrestrials could build a rocket, judging by the incredible variety of extraterrestrial chariots that have been reported, we're being visited constantly by a great many alien civilizations. But intelligent, spaceship-building life? Hmmm. With the discovery of more than 3,500 exoplanets to date in the short span of a couple decades, life seems ever more likely with every new find. Other atmospheric phenomena confused for UFOs include sundogs and related halo phenomena. Their saucer shapes can be both beautiful and evocative. ![]() #3 Lenticular clouds This altocumulus lenticularis cloud looks like it's ready to beam up a rock sample. These UFO-like clouds form when fast moving air blows over mountains or hills, creating waves in the atmosphere similar to those created when you toss a pebble in a pond. Given how long the universe has been around and the ubiquity of carbon-bearing minerals, not to mention the tantalizing amino acids found in certain meteorites, I believe the necessary ingredients for life to begin have been around a long, long time. Count me among the yeses, but with a caveat. #2 Airplane contrails Sometimes, people not familiar with the sky will mistake a distant airplane contrail, the streak of condensed water vapor in the wake of the plane, as either a UFO vapor trail, comet, or fireball. I've looked at many, and it's clear, they're either natural, manmade, based on lack of information or deliberately created by a devious intellect to either befuddle, gain attention or both. I should say at the outset that I'm not a believer in the stream of UFO reports that gorge youtube every week, every year. Check out this video of Sirius twinkling. #1 Sirius The brightest star Sirius, often seen twinkling wildly on unsteady nights, is one of the most commonly reported UFO sightings along with Venus, the brightest planet. ![]() He collected the video and walked out in a huff. ![]() Facts about luminosity, twinkling, and closeness to our solar system left no impression. No matter our explanations, he was convinced it had to be a UFO. After a few questions about time and direction of the filming, it was clear he had captured the star Sirius.Īfter explaining in a non-demeaning way that he had recorded the brightest and one of the most amazing stars in the sky, the man looked at the group incredulously. He said it had to be a UFO because of its brilliance, round shape and rapid pulsations.Īs soon as the video got underway, it was obvious that the "UFO" was a bright star, jerking about from unsteady hands and rhythmically moving in and out of focus as the camera's autofocus struggled to keep the object sharp. Excitedly, he explained he'd photographed a UFO and wanted us to see it for ourselves. Once upon a time, a middle-aged gentleman attended one of my local astronomy club's meetings. Back in 1967 a friend tossed a garbage can lid into the air as I photographed. Enough to learn to make a cheapie lookalike. In an age when sightings of UFOs are rife, we look at other possibilities that may help to explain the strange apparitions many see. ![]()
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