APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
One source of mysterious lights, especially near water, is the reflection of terrestrial or watercraft lights off of birds such as seagulls. Some feathers are very reflective. They have been mistaken for UFOs numerous times. I have seen this effect myself, and was surprised by how bright they can be. In my case, the birds were not that far away, and it wasn't hard to figure out that they were birds, but there are other recorded cases where it was more difficult to discern. The flight path of the birds could be quite complicated.
- Chris Peterson
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Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
Not only near the water. My allsky camera network regularly records owls flying overhead and mistakes them for meteors. In the middle of the Rockies.D^3 wrote:One source of mysterious lights, especially near water, is the reflection of terrestrial or watercraft lights off of birds such as seagulls. Some feathers are very reflective. They have been mistaken for UFOs numerous times. I have seen this effect myself, and was surprised by how bright they can be. In my case, the birds were not that far away, and it wasn't hard to figure out that they were birds, but there are other recorded cases where it was more difficult to discern. The flight path of the birds could be quite complicated.
Chris
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Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com
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Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com
Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
Two years ago from the Southeastern US I saw a stationary (at least it appeared stationary) blinking light while looking SSE. It was fairly high in my field of view, but still south of my zenith. It blinked about every 10 seconds. I saw it a few times over the course of a couple of weeks at about the same time of night. I could find it any clear night. I figured it was a geostational (sp?) satellite that was spinning and reflecting sunlight. Has any one else seen something like that?
Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
A quick, bright blue tear drop? space staff returning from ISS, almost ready to land.
Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
I, too, have been startled at the sight of seagulls flying fast at night.D^3 wrote:One source of mysterious lights, especially near water, is the reflection of terrestrial or watercraft lights off of birds such as seagulls. Some feathers are very reflective. They have been mistaken for UFOs numerous times. I have seen this effect myself, and was surprised by how bright they can be. In my case, the birds were not that far away, and it wasn't hard to figure out that they were birds, but there are other recorded cases where it was more difficult to discern. The flight path of the birds could be quite complicated.
Ann
Color Commentator
Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
And where is the UFO possibility? Without it, it has no value.
- Chris Peterson
- Abominable Snowman
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Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
It's a UFO until it isn't.Juraj wrote:And where is the UFO possibility? Without it, it has no value.
Chris
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Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com
Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
No, because then it is an IFO (Identified Flying Object).Chris Peterson wrote:It's a UFO until it isn't.Juraj wrote:And where is the UFO possibility? Without it, it has no value.
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Ann
Color Commentator
- Chris Peterson
- Abominable Snowman
- Posts: 18460
- Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:13 pm
- Location: Guffey, Colorado, USA
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Re: APOD: How to Identify that Light in the Sky (2017 Sep 24)
Exactly.Ann wrote:No, because then it is an IFO (Identified Flying Object). :wink:Chris Peterson wrote:It's a UFO until it isn't.Juraj wrote:And where is the UFO possibility? Without it, it has no value.
Chris
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Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
https://www.cloudbait.com