My "UFO experience" ..beam me up!

Peter Cartoon · 5th September 2005, 08:50 PM

OK, you've read the subject line but I'm not making any claims (I'm an atheist/skeptic, just like you).

So here's my observation, looking for a rational explaination. It's August 1968, and I'm standing on a beach at a sub-tropical latitude around 10:00 pm on a moonless, clear night with a very good star field for sea level. Then I spot what is clearly a satelite, neat! (remember this is 1968). Then all of a sudden this satelite starts making right angle and accute angle turns.. what the... that's not right?!?! So I start making a mental check list.

This object is small and faint: "star like" the equivalent of a 3rd or 4th magnitude star, yellowish-white. I have to strain at times to continue tracking it. It is moving at what appears to me as steady speed covering large sections of the sky (I estimate if I held a ruler at arms length, appx. 15" in 2-3 seconds). It is either very close to the earth, or moving at incredible speeds.

The ability to make such sharp angular turns without slowing down is freaking out my 1968 technology mindset. My "gut feeling" was that it's really very distant and this the turns only appear to be sharp angles.

There is no discernable sound. I begin to tick off what it is not... not a bird, aircraft, meteor, asteroid or comet. It isn't a planetary object. It isn't lightning, weather related or any atmospheric phenomena that I am aware of such as an aurora or ball lightning. I observe this object and it's movement for approx. 12 minutes giving me plenty of time to ponder. I check my other senses by looking away and observing distant street lights, traffic, etc... I seem to be normal (insert joke here). And then finally, the object seems to accelarate away straight "up" and fades from view. I continued to observe the sky for another 20 minutes but it did not reappear.

So it's been decades since this happened and I have yet to come up with an acceptable explaination of what I believe I observed that evening. Now, with the power of the internet available, I cast my fate upon the web, your explanations or comments please! (I'll be right back, need to take my meds).

davidhorman · 6th September 2005, 01:44 AM

I think I've seen something similar, and I think it's an optical illusion. Following a satellite with the naked eye, I've thought I've seen them at least jog left and right - perhaps not appearing to make right angle turns, but certainly not travelling in a continuous straight line.

40 years can also make a big difference to your recall of the event. I used to have a great example of this from my own life, but, ironically, I can no longer remember it.

David

oglommi · 6th September 2005, 12:38 PM

It's Klingons. Better buy some guns.

Thurkon · 6th September 2005, 12:56 PM

Actually, growing up in a rural area I had this experience more than once. The stars were much brighter than where I live now, and I spent a good deal of time looking at the stars.

Right angles...stopping and starting...speeding up and slowing down. On only a few occasions, but my friend confirmed he had seen it, too. Of course he could have been just saying that, but I often wonder what that was...

jmercer · 6th September 2005, 01:03 PM

It was an Unidentified Flying Object. That doesn't make it exotic; it just makes it unknown.

Personally, I think that it was some kind of optical illusion, especially given how dim it was.

Thurkon · 6th September 2005, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jmercer
It was an Unidentified Flying Object. That doesn't make it exotic; it just makes it unknown. Personally, I think that it was some kind of optical illusion, especially given how dim it was.

I'm convinced that's what it was...I wonder if there is something written about this kind of phenomenon?

Peter Cartoon · 6th September 2005, 05:46 PM

Possible of course, but doubtful, I don't recall any conditions that could be the cause of an optical illusion so high above the horizon (the object appeared almost directly overhead) on a warm still night. I did write down my observation (although I no longer have the note) later that evening so I am fairly certain of the details as I've described them.

I find it interesting that others have had similar observations, although they are clearly nuts.

IXP · 6th September 2005, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Cartoon

Then all of a sudden this satelite starts making right angle and accute angle turns..

Please explain how you can determine that the object made right-angle turns? Please think in at least 3 dimensions before answering.

IXP

SezMe · 6th September 2005, 07:17 PM

Were you wearing glasses or contacts?

Astrophotographer · 6th September 2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Cartoon
OK, you've read the subject line but I'm not making any claims (I'm an atheist/skeptic, just like you).

So here's my observation, looking for a rational explaination. It's August 1968, and I'm standing on a beach at a sub-tropical latitude around 10:00 pm on a moonless, clear night with a very good star field for sea level. Then I spot what is clearly a satelite, neat! (remember this is 1968). Then all of a sudden this satelite starts making right angle and accute angle turns.. what the... that's not right?!?! So I start making a mental check list.

This object is small and faint: "star like" the equivalent of a 3rd or 4th magnitude star, yellowish-white. I have to strain at times to continue tracking it. It is moving at what appears to me as steady speed covering large sections of the sky (I estimate if I held a ruler at arms length, appx. 15" in 2-3 seconds). It is either very close to the earth, or moving at incredible speeds.

The ability to make such sharp angular turns without slowing down is freaking out my 1968 technology mindset. My "gut feeling" was that it's really very distant and this the turns only appear to be sharp angles.

There is no discernable sound. I begin to tick off what it is not... not a bird, aircraft, meteor, asteroid or comet. It isn't a planetary object. It isn't lightning, weather related or any atmospheric phenomena that I am aware of such as an aurora or ball lightning. I observe this object and it's movement for approx. 12 minutes giving me plenty of time to ponder. I check my other senses by looking away and observing distant street lights, traffic, etc... I seem to be normal (insert joke here). And then finally, the object seems to accelarate away straight "up" and fades from view. I continued to observe the sky for another 20 minutes but it did not reappear.

So it's been decades since this happened and I have yet to come up with an acceptable explaination of what I believe I observed that evening. Now, with the power of the internet available, I cast my fate upon the web, your explanations or comments please! (I'll be right back, need to take my meds).

An interesting story where it is really impossible to identify the stimulus. Add to it you are recounting a story from almost 40 years ago. Exactly what is accurately remembered is going to be a question. I can barely recall details of astronomical observations of rare events 10 years ago. I would have a hard time recalling the details of event 40 years past! LIke all UFO stories, one can only guess at what the source of your report is. I am pretty sure that no matter what solution is suggested, you would probably state that it is unlikely because of one reason or another. I am sure you are sincere in your report but without additional data and specific details (i.e. path across the sky, azimuth, angle of elevation, etc) from witnesses who saw the same event from a different location, it will always be "unidentified", which doesn't mean much and the last thing it means is some form of intelligently controlled exotic craft (as UFOlogists love to call them instead of alien spaceships)!

5th September 2005, 08:50 PM	#1
Peter Cartoon Student Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 30	My "UFO experience" ..beam me up! OK, you've read the subject line but I'm not making any claims (I'm an atheist/skeptic, just like you). So here's my observation, looking for a rational explaination. It's August 1968, and I'm standing on a beach at a sub-tropical latitude around 10:00 pm on a moonless, clear night with a very good star field for sea level. Then I spot what is clearly a satelite, neat! (remember this is 1968). Then all of a sudden this satelite starts making right angle and accute angle turns.. what the... that's not right?!?! So I start making a mental check list. This object is small and faint: "star like" the equivalent of a 3rd or 4th magnitude star, yellowish-white. I have to strain at times to continue tracking it. It is moving at what appears to me as steady speed covering large sections of the sky (I estimate if I held a ruler at arms length, appx. 15" in 2-3 seconds). It is either very close to the earth, or moving at incredible speeds. The ability to make such sharp angular turns without slowing down is freaking out my 1968 technology mindset. My "gut feeling" was that it's really very distant and this the turns only appear to be sharp angles. There is no discernable sound. I begin to tick off what it is not... not a bird, aircraft, meteor, asteroid or comet. It isn't a planetary object. It isn't lightning, weather related or any atmospheric phenomena that I am aware of such as an aurora or ball lightning. I observe this object and it's movement for approx. 12 minutes giving me plenty of time to ponder. I check my other senses by looking away and observing distant street lights, traffic, etc... I seem to be normal (insert joke here). And then finally, the object seems to accelarate away straight "up" and fades from view. I continued to observe the sky for another 20 minutes but it did not reappear. So it's been decades since this happened and I have yet to come up with an acceptable explaination of what I believe I observed that evening. Now, with the power of the internet available, I cast my fate upon the web, your explanations or comments please! (I'll be right back, need to take my meds).
Peter Cartoon Student Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 30

6th September 2005, 01:44 AM	#2
davidhorman Muse Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 984	I think I've seen something similar, and I think it's an optical illusion. Following a satellite with the naked eye, I've thought I've seen them at least jog left and right - perhaps not appearing to make right angle turns, but certainly not travelling in a continuous straight line. 40 years can also make a big difference to your recall of the event. I used to have a great example of this from my own life, but, ironically, I can no longer remember it. David
davidhorman Muse Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 984

6th September 2005, 12:38 PM	#3
oglommi Scholar Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 85	It's Klingons. Better buy some guns.
	__________________ ------------------------------- His ignorance is encyclopedic. -- Abba Eban

6th September 2005, 12:56 PM	#4
Thurkon Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 350	Actually, growing up in a rural area I had this experience more than once. The stars were much brighter than where I live now, and I spent a good deal of time looking at the stars. Right angles...stopping and starting...speeding up and slowing down. On only a few occasions, but my friend confirmed he had seen it, too. Of course he could have been just saying that, but I often wonder what that was...
Thurkon Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 350	__________________ "No, no, no...my name is spelled Raymond Luxury Yacht, but it's pronounced Throatwobbler Mangrove." -Monty Python's Flying Circus

6th September 2005, 01:03 PM	#5
jmercer Question Everything Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Facing the unfaceable Posts: 12,259	It was an Unidentified Flying Object. That doesn't make it exotic; it just makes it unknown. Personally, I think that it was some kind of optical illusion, especially given how dim it was.
	__________________ "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke, British Statesman and Philosopher, 1729-1797 "Cheeky Monkey!" - Chillzero "Daft Sausage!" - Tkingdoll "Context is everything, and sophistry will not protect you." - chillzero

6th September 2005, 01:29 PM	#6
Thurkon Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 350	Quote: Originally posted by jmercer It was an Unidentified Flying Object. That doesn't make it exotic; it just makes it unknown. Personally, I think that it was some kind of optical illusion, especially given how dim it was. I'm convinced that's what it was...I wonder if there is something written about this kind of phenomenon?
Thurkon Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 350	__________________ "No, no, no...my name is spelled Raymond Luxury Yacht, but it's pronounced Throatwobbler Mangrove." -Monty Python's Flying Circus

6th September 2005, 05:46 PM	#7
Peter Cartoon Student Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 30	Optical illusion? Possible of course, but doubtful, I don't recall any conditions that could be the cause of an optical illusion so high above the horizon (the object appeared almost directly overhead) on a warm still night. I did write down my observation (although I no longer have the note) later that evening so I am fairly certain of the details as I've described them. I find it interesting that others have had similar observations, although they are clearly nuts.
Peter Cartoon Student Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 30

6th September 2005, 06:28 PM	#8
IXP Muse Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 834	Re: My "UFO experience" ..beam me up! Quote: Originally posted by Peter Cartoon Then all of a sudden this satelite starts making right angle and accute angle turns.. Please explain how you can determine that the object made right-angle turns? Please think in at least 3 dimensions before answering. IXP
IXP Muse Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 834	__________________ "When reason sleeps, monsters are produced" -- Goya, title of etching that is my avatar

6th September 2005, 07:17 PM	#9
SezMe post-pre-born Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 16,367	Were you wearing glasses or contacts?

6th September 2005, 07:40 PM	#10
Astrophotographer Graduate Poster Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester, NH Posts: 1,890	Re: My "UFO experience" ..beam me up! Quote: Originally posted by Peter Cartoon OK, you've read the subject line but I'm not making any claims (I'm an atheist/skeptic, just like you). So here's my observation, looking for a rational explaination. It's August 1968, and I'm standing on a beach at a sub-tropical latitude around 10:00 pm on a moonless, clear night with a very good star field for sea level. Then I spot what is clearly a satelite, neat! (remember this is 1968). Then all of a sudden this satelite starts making right angle and accute angle turns.. what the... that's not right?!?! So I start making a mental check list. This object is small and faint: "star like" the equivalent of a 3rd or 4th magnitude star, yellowish-white. I have to strain at times to continue tracking it. It is moving at what appears to me as steady speed covering large sections of the sky (I estimate if I held a ruler at arms length, appx. 15" in 2-3 seconds). It is either very close to the earth, or moving at incredible speeds. The ability to make such sharp angular turns without slowing down is freaking out my 1968 technology mindset. My "gut feeling" was that it's really very distant and this the turns only appear to be sharp angles. There is no discernable sound. I begin to tick off what it is not... not a bird, aircraft, meteor, asteroid or comet. It isn't a planetary object. It isn't lightning, weather related or any atmospheric phenomena that I am aware of such as an aurora or ball lightning. I observe this object and it's movement for approx. 12 minutes giving me plenty of time to ponder. I check my other senses by looking away and observing distant street lights, traffic, etc... I seem to be normal (insert joke here). And then finally, the object seems to accelarate away straight "up" and fades from view. I continued to observe the sky for another 20 minutes but it did not reappear. So it's been decades since this happened and I have yet to come up with an acceptable explaination of what I believe I observed that evening. Now, with the power of the internet available, I cast my fate upon the web, your explanations or comments please! (I'll be right back, need to take my meds). An interesting story where it is really impossible to identify the stimulus. Add to it you are recounting a story from almost 40 years ago. Exactly what is accurately remembered is going to be a question. I can barely recall details of astronomical observations of rare events 10 years ago. I would have a hard time recalling the details of event 40 years past! LIke all UFO stories, one can only guess at what the source of your report is. I am pretty sure that no matter what solution is suggested, you would probably state that it is unlikely because of one reason or another. I am sure you are sincere in your report but without additional data and specific details (i.e. path across the sky, azimuth, angle of elevation, etc) from witnesses who saw the same event from a different location, it will always be "unidentified", which doesn't mean much and the last thing it means is some form of intelligently controlled exotic craft (as UFOlogists love to call them instead of alien spaceships)!