For starting 2012, we would like to inform you that two new features have recently been introduced:

* A new tab has been added on the website. It is called “viewing tips” and aims at giving general advice to the public on the best way to handle  any  unusual aerial perception, while it is taking place. In order to more easily isolate the interesting UAP events from the usual IFO (Identified Flying Objects) ones, it is of of  utmost importance that people learn to vigorously observe, accurately perceive, and precisely relate UAP observations. In that respect, there are a few features that observers should pay attention to: Location, Time, Angular size, Distance, Azimut, Elevation angle…(ref. tab ”Viewing Tips” for explanations).
  *  The Project’s Facebook Group page has been opened last November and the FB logo has just been added on the website” tabs, for a direct link. News and blog entries from  the UAP Observations Reporting Scheme will also be posted there, as well as others interesting news regarding Space exploration, SETI, Astronomy and Astrobiology. See you there !

…Best Wishes to all and Clear Skies !

Regular observations around the world of giant halos in the sky surface in the medias and are spectacular enough to ignite UFO rumors.

Today this was the turn of CNN  to speculate over the weird formation of a ”hole-punch cloud” over Taiwan. (Article: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-729071)

This type of cloud occurs in cirrus or cirrostratus clouds (I recommend you to visit the “cloud appreciation society”, http://cloudappreciationsociety.org for information and pictures), which are often composed of ice crystals and super-cooled water droplets (water that is below freezing temperature, but still in liquid form). When disturbed (e.g. by a plane) the droplets can freeze instantly or evaporate, the latter of which will form the hole.

Interested readers might read a scientific paper that was recently been published in the magazine Science.  “Formation and spread of aircraft-induced holes in clouds” (Vol. 333, 1 July 2011, A. J. Heymsfield from the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, USA) inquired how a hole in the sky can get punched by airplanes and into the potential for the phenomenon to increase additional precipitation near major airports.  Apparently, as far back as the 1940s, scientists have been wondering about the causes of these weird clouds. Heymsfield is quoted as saying that “these holes did not exist before planes and that before WW2 there were no documented sightings or reports of these clouds”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z91AZnGX338

One the most captivating UAP book that I recently read is the one from Dr. John B. Alexander (retired U.S. Army Colonel): UFOs. Myths, conspiraties, and realities (Thomas Dunne Books, 2011).  Believers and skeptics will certainly find it interesting…

Issued in 2011 and beginning with a commentary from Tom Clancy and an introduction by Burt Rutan,  it recalls Alexander’s efforts in the 1980s to create an interagency group to explore the controversial topic of UAP. It also provides keen insight on how the U.S. government function addresses unexplained aerial sightings, providing Ufologists relevant advice for future actions. One of Alexander conclusion is that no U.S. central organization or committee is interested in the topic, or doing anything about it, and that therefore there is no UFO cover-up. On the other hand, he lists specific UAP cases that should call up the scientific community’s attention (e.g. bentwaters, Cash-Landrum, Mansfield, Malstrom Air Force Base).

In order to start well this new year, I would like to follow Alexander’s first attribute (required for anyone who want to become involved in the study of UFOs…): “A sense of humor…”:  So here a light post….

“UFO” takes pictures of Hunter (23 Nov. 2011). Ever wanted to know how a UFO witness would look like? Check this story…A man from Auburn had a close encounter with an Unidentified Flying Object. Like many other UFO stories, he was alone in the wilderness, with no one else to witness the encounter. But in this case, the hunter had a camera. In fact, so did the UFO! (story at: http://auburn.news10.net/photo-gallery/community/88273-photos-ufo-takes-pictures-auburn-hunter?page=4)

A very good visual illustration of a re-entry of space junk. In that particular case, it occurred in time for Christmas 2011 above the European skies, by the end of the afternoon (16:25 +/- 1 minute GMT). The timing and the sky clarity explain the various good quality videos that surfaced.

This space re-entry was created by the decay of the Soyuz rocket r/b (third) stage, from the very same rocket that brought the Dutch Astronaut Andre Kuipers to the International Space Stationon the 21st of December.(http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMWT8BX9WG_index_0.html)

Herebelow an illustration of the Soyuz launcher (2004, credits ESA and G. De Chiara – Mars Center.
(http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Delta_Mission/SEM8XK57ESD_1.html#subhead2)

Credits: G. De Chiara – Mars Center