The Modern Rationalist – July 2019

(Joyce) #1
following flying-saucer impostors offer specific
identification problems.
Stars and Planets
Bright stars and planets represent the primary
UFO impostor. As we saw earlier, their seeming
ability to dart, wobble, or zigzag and to change
color rapidly (the effects of autokinesis and
scintillation –especially when exaggerated by
binoculars and telescopes) make them ideal
candidates for UFOs. Certain stars (Antares,
Arcturus, Capella, Siriys, and Vega) and
planets (Jupiter, Mars, occasionally Saturn, and
especially Venus) prompt some eyewitnesses
to insist their UFO “was too bright to be a star”.
Airplanes
These frequently become UFOs, such as when
seen head-on and so resemble a classic flying-
saucer in edge view. Not only can aircraft seem
to hover (as explained earlier), but they “are
capable of performing side-to-side motions,
climbing vertically, descending and changing
direction abruptly.” Also, rows of anti-collision
lights on the wings, blinking sequentially, can
give the impression that they-and the craft-are
rotating.
Significantly, “One of the leading causes of
surprise is the inability of the reporting witness
to hear any noise from the aircraft.” Indeed,
“even low-flying aircraft like advertising planes
(now scarce) have a 91 percent occurrence
where no sound is ever heard by the reporting
witness.” Helicopters likewise often go unheard,
and they are also capable of particular freedom
of motion.
Meteors/Fireballs

A meteor is the flash or light from a stony or
metallic celestial object that burns due to
friction upon entering Earth’s atmosphere; a
fireball is a very bright meteor (brighter than
Venus). Meteors may be seen any time of
night – and fireballs day or night – during any
part of the year. However, they are most likely
to be seen during major meteor showers that
occur on certain peak dates (give or take a few
days): the Quadrantids (January 4), Perseids
(August 12), and the Geminids (December 13).
Notably, “since we are only viewing an apparent
trajectory along our line of vision, any meteor/
fireball can appear to adopt any direction
and angle including upward, and it need not
move in a curving path.” Usually, the paths
of meteors/fireballs (and of re-entry of space
debris) are short and the duration measured
in seconds (but as long as three minutes for re-
entry objects). Few meteors/fireballs are heard.
Balloons
Balloons are chameleons of the sky. A research
balloon can achieve high attitudes and reach
speeds of over 200 miles per hour (seeming to
be faster if its size or altitude is misestimated).
It can stop, seem to hover, move erratically, or

The Modern RationalistJuly 2019


UFOs are mostly
reported by
untrained observers


  • those lacking
    necessary expertise
    in astronomy,
    atmospheric
    phenomena,
    aeronautics, physics,
    and perception,

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