Massive Drone Found by Police in New York Raises Questions

Story by Flynn Nicholls

What's New

Police have recovered a massive drone apparently abandoned in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

A photo obtained by the New York Post shows an NYPD officer holding up the large aircraft, which appears to be more than five feet in diameter. Energy startup Amogy, Inc. said it manufactured the drone and had placed it on the sidewalk outside its headquarters a month before.

Newsweek has contacted the NYPD and Amogy Inc. via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The NYPD's recovery of the drone comes amid a wave of reported drone activity across New York and New Jersey in recent weeks.

With few answers given by federal officials about the matter and state and local officials having little authority to help the situation, people are getting increasingly worried about the sightings. This has led to rampant speculation among members of the public, experts, and lawmakers, sometimes even turning to outlandish conspiracy theories, to explain the phenomenon.

What To Know

According to the Post's report, police responded to an emailed tip and located the drone on the sidewalk at Fifth Street between Market Street and Morris Avenue.

A passerby told officers he worked in the building that houses the headquarters of the drone's manufacturer Amogy, Inc., a sustainable energy startup.

Amogy CEO Seonghoon Woo later confirmed to the Post that the drone belonged to the company and said it had been placed on the sidewalk after a company party about a month ago.

An Amogy spokesperson told the Post the drone had been used in a demonstration of its clean energy technology three years ago and had been on display outside the company's headquarters ever since.

"NYPD took possession of it for a brief period. Amogy cooperated fully with NYPD and the drone has since been returned to the company after NYPD determined the drone was not a threat," the spokesperson said.

Even though the spokesperson said the drone was not a threat, news account @rawsalerts posted to X a video showing the officers holding it, garnering 3.7 million views by Tuesday morning, with several users skeptical of the official story.

What People Are Saying About Drones

Rebecca Weiner, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of counterterrorism and intelligence, at a briefing: "What we've seen over the past few days here in the city has actually been quite normal, frankly, in terms of the actual drone activity that we see every day... You have a really strong uptick in reporting but not a strong uptick in actual drone detection, which makes sense — all people are seeing on the news is drone sightings everywhere."

White House National Security Communications adviser John Kirby in a press briefing: "The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they're working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources, using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin."

President-elect Donald Trump, to reporters at Mar-a-Lago: "I think they'd [the government] be better off saying what it is. Our military knows, and our president knows, and for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense."

What Happens Next

As concerns about drone sightings persist, authorities are likely to continue monitoring and responding to reports across the region.

{ https://www.newsweek.com/news }

17-12-2024 om 23:05 geschreven door peter  

NASA Cuts Live Feed After UFO appears flying past International Space Station Dec 16, 2024, UAP Sighting News.

Date of sighting: Dec 17, 2024

Location of sighting: International Space Station, New Jersey, Hill AFB Utah. 

 

Guys this is really something. Two UFOs were passing the space station on live NASA cam today, then the NASA stream suddenly went to blue screen with a lost contact message. Maybe it was the alien craft which cut communications or maybe it was NASA trying to hide this info from the public, but either way, I got it for you here. These are 100% real alien ships. US gov says drones, but they are maned alien ships. 

 

Why now? Because the alien species out there want disclosure and want the public to know the truth. Why now? Because ai, it's growing exponentially every day and it may get out of control. Aliens can predict the future with a 99.99% accuracy, so they saw something...a turning point, a pivotal moment in human history where aliens were needed or could reveal themselves to the world. 

Scott C. Waring

 

 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

17-12-2024 om 22:36 geschreven door peter  

UFO Recorded by Channel 7 TV News Over Mendham Borough, New Jersey, Dec 17, 2024, UAP Sighting News.

Date of sighting: Dec 17, 2024
Location of sighting: Mendham Borough, New Jersey, USA

Hey all, check this out. A UFO was reported over New Jersey and a TV news channel went out to investigate it. They caught a glowing orb or sphere flying low, hovering in place. It's clearly not a US military drone, it's not an Iran drone, this is pure alien technology we are looking at. Great capture, much more news on the UFO front to come. So earlier when I thought they were drones, I was clearly wrong. This is the first clear video that I have seen. 

Scott C. Waring

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

17-12-2024 om 22:30 geschreven door peter  

Astronomers don’t know how these ancient, bulging galaxies formed and evolved. However, a new research letter in Nature may finally have the answer. It’s titled “In situ spheroid formation in distant submillimetre-bright galaxies.” The lead author is Qing-Hua Tan from the Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Dr. Annagrazia Puglisi from the University of Southampton co-authored the research.

The international team of researchers used the Atacama Large Millimetre/sub-millimetre Array (ALMA) to examine highly luminous starburst galaxies in the distant Universe. Sub-millimetre means it observes electromagnetic energy between far-infrared and microwave. Astronomers have suspected for a long time that these galaxies are connected to spheroids, but observing them is challenging.

“Infrared/submillimetre-bright galaxies at high redshifts have long been suspected to be related to spheroid formation,” the authors write. “Proving this connection has been hampered so far by heavy dust obscuration when focusing on their stellar emission or by methodologies and limited signal-to-noise ratios when looking at submillimetre wavelengths.”

The researchers used ALMA to analyze more than 100 of these ancient galaxies with a new technique that measures their distribution of light. These brightness profiles show that the majority of the galaxies have tri-axial shapes rather than flat disks, indicating that something in their history made them misshapen.

Two important concepts underpin the team’s results: The Sersic index and the Spergel index.

The Sersic index is a fundamental concept in describing the brightness profiles of galaxies. It characterizes the radial distribution of light coming from galaxies and basically describes how light is concentrated in a galaxy.

The Spergel index is less commonly used. It’s based on the distribution of dark matter in galaxies. Rather than light, it helps astronomers understand how matter is concentrated. Together, both indices help astronomers characterize the complex structure of galaxies.

These indices, along with the new ALMA observations, led to new insights into how spheroids formed through mergers and the resulting influx of cold, star-forming gas.

It all starts with a galaxy collision or merger, which sends large flows of cold gas into the galactic centre.

“Two disk galaxies smashing together caused gas—the fuel from which stars are formed—to sink towards their centre, generating trillions of new stars,” said co-author Puglisi. “These cosmic collisions happened some eight to 12 billion years ago when the universe was in a much more active phase of its evolution.”

“This is the first real evidence that spheroids form directly through intense episodes of star formation located in the cores of distant galaxies,” Puglisi said. “These galaxies form quickly—gas is sucked inwards to feed black holes and triggers bursts of stars, which are created at rates ten to 100 times faster than our Milky Way.”

The researchers compared their observations to hydro-simulations of galaxy mergers. The results show that the spheroids can maintain their shape for up to approximately 50 million years after the merger. “This is compatible with the inferred timescales for the submillimeter-bright bursts based on observations,” the authors write. After this intense period of star formation in the spheroid, the gas is used up, and things die down. No more energy is injected into the system, and the residual gas flattens out into a disk.

These types of galaxies were more plentiful in the early Universe than they are now. The researchers’ results show that these galaxies used up their fuel quickly, forming the spheroids that are now populated by old stars.

This isn’t the first time that astronomers have investigated the potential link between spheroids and distant submillimeter-bright galaxies. Previous research that found evidence for tri-axiality also found heavy ellipticity and other evidence showing that submillimeter-bright galaxies are disks with bars in the submillimeter. However, this new research relied on observations with a higher signal-to-noise ratio than previous research.

“Astrophysicists have sought to understand this process for decades,” Puglisi said. “Our findings take us closer to solving a long-standing mystery in astronomy that will redefine our understanding of how galaxies were created in the early universe.”

“This will give us a more complete picture of early galaxy formation and deepen our understanding of how the universe has evolved since the beginning of time.”

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

17-12-2024 om 22:07 geschreven door peter  

This is understandable, considering how other forms of energy (fossil fuels, solar, wind, nuclear, hydroelectric, etc.) are either finite or inefficient. Space-based solar power is a viable option since it can provide a steady supply of energy that is not subject to intermittency or weather patterns. Nevertheless, nuclear fusion is considered a major contender for future energy needs because of its efficiency and energy density. It is estimated that one gram of hydrogen fuel could generate as much as 90,000 kilowatt-hours of energy – the equivalent of 11 metric tons (12 U.S. tons) of coal.

In addition, deuterium has a natural abundance in Earth’s oceans of about one atom of deuterium in every 6,420 atoms of hydrogen. This deuterium interacts with water molecules and will replace one or both hydrogen atoms to create “semi-heavy water” (HOD or DOH) and sometimes “heavy water” (D₂O). This works out to 4.85×10¹³ or 48.5 billion metric tons (5.346×10¹³ U.S. tons) of deuterium. As they argue in their paper, extracting deuterium from an ocean would decrease its ratio of deuterium-to-hydrogen (D/H), which would be detectable in atmospheric water vapor. Meanwhile, the helium produced in the nuclear reactions would escape to space.

In recent years, it has been suggested that excess carbon dioxide and radioactive isotopes in an exoplanet’s atmosphere could be used to infer the presence of an industrial civilization. In the same vein, low values of D/H in an exoplanet’s atmosphere (along with helium) could be used to detect a highly advanced and long-lived civilization. As Catling explained in a recent interview with phys.org, this possibility is one he began pondering years ago.

“I didn’t do much with this germ of idea until I was co-organizing an astrobiology meeting last year at Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia,” he said. “Measuring the D/H ratio in water vapor on exoplanets is certainly not a piece of cake. But it’s not a pipe dream either.”

To model what an advanced civilization dependent on DD fusion would look like, Catling and his colleagues considered projections for what Earth will look like by 2100. At this point, the global population is expected to reach 10.4 billion, and fusion power is projected to provide 100 Terawatts (TW). They then multiplied that by a factor of ten (1,000 TW) for a more advanced civilization and found that they would reduce the D/H value of an Earth-like ocean to that of the interstellar medium (ISM) in about 170 million years.

The beauty of this approach is that the low D/H values in an exoplanet’s atmosphere would persist long after a civilization went extinct, migrated off-world, or became even more advanced and “transcended.” In terms of search strategies, the team used the Spectral Mapping Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SMART) model to identify the specific wavelengths and emission lines for HDO and H₂O. These findings will be useful for future surveys involving the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), NASA’s proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), and the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE).

“It’s up to the engineers and scientists designing [HWO] and [LIFE] to see if measuring D/H on exoplanets might be an achievable goal. What we can say, so far, is that looking for D/H from LIFE appears to be feasible for exoplanets with plenty of atmospheric water vapor in a region of the spectrum around 8 microns wavelength.”

Further Reading:

•  phys.org, 
• arXiv

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

17-12-2024 om 21:41 geschreven door peter  

Speaking from Washington on Wednesday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed to reporters that the ongoing drone sightings are not linked to any U.S. military drone activities, while also confirming that the Pentagon currently has no evidence to suggest they are being controlled by foreign actors.

“At this time, we have no evidence that these activities are coming from a foreign entity, or are the work of an adversary,” Singh said yesterday, stating that the DoD was aware of no threats to U.S. military assets resulting from the drone incidents.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh addressed ongoing concerns involving mystery drone sightings over the northeast while speaking with reporters on Wednesday

(Credit: USAF Senior Airman Madelyn Keech/DoD).

Earlier today, Pentagon Spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder reaffirmed that the Pentagon’s assessment that no evidence has been found linking the drones to foreign actors remains unchanged, based on ongoing exchanges with other federal agencies.

On Wednesday, United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) released a statement saying it also is monitoring the situation, and that it has conducted analysis of the incidents, although it has not been formally asked to participate with other federal agencies involved in the investigation.

“We are aware and monitoring the reports of unauthorized drone flights in the vicinity of military installations in New Jersey,” read a statement released by USNORTHCOM Directorate of Public Affairs.

“U.S. Northern Command conducted a deliberate analysis of the events, in consultation with other military organizations and interagency partners, and at this time we have not been requested to assist with these events,” the statement read, adding that USNORTHCOM will continue to assess the situation, and “is prepared to respond when asked or should the situation escalate to threaten any DoD installations.”

Earlier this month, USNORTHCOM was officially designated the Lead Synchronizer for Homeland Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations in the continental U.S. and Alaska.

On Wednesday, Dawn Fantasia, a Republican member of the General Assembly for New Jersey’s 24th legislative district, attended a briefing held for New Jersey State Legislators at the headquarters of the New Jersey State Police, where she said Department of Homeland Security officials told lawmakers they still had few answers regarding the drone incursions.

“We know nothing. PERIOD,” Fantasia said in a posting on social media summarizing key takeaways from the briefing. “To state that there is no known or credible threat is incredibly misleading,” she added.

Fantasia said that the New Jersey State Police and other state authorities were “shackled” in terms of actions that could be taken, and that “Any interception or takedown of any UAS is under the strict jurisdiction of the federal government.”

“At this point, I believe military intervention is the only path forward,” Fantasia wrote, adding that the U.S. Coast Guard would “be the most likely to intervene based upon our briefing, but even that component was shrouded in mystery.”

Homeland Security officials reportedly told Fantasia that sightings have occurred nightly, with as many as 180 sightings in a single night, and most activity reported between dusk and 11 PM.

Many of the drones have been described as large, with some estimates placing them up to 6 feet in diameter and operating “in a coordinated manner.” Currently, the takeoff and landing sites of the drones remains undetermined, although they are believed to maintain prolonged flight periods of up to seven hours, with an estimated range of 15 miles, “raising questions about their technology and intent.”

Fantasia said Homeland Security officials told her some of the drones were difficult to detect for a variety of reasons, which included some operating without lighting, and others appearing to avoid detection by radio frequency emissions or infrared cameras.

DHS officials reportedly confirmed that the mystery drones were not believed to be operated by hobbyists, and that most sightings are occurring “in unrestricted airspace, but their behavior is unusual and potentially nefarious.”

“In-person Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training starts in Monmouth County in January and will expand statewide,” Fantasia also said.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who was not in attendance at Wednesday’s DHS briefing, called the situation “frustrating” earlier this week, although he maintains that there is no indication that the drones pose a threat to public safety.

Earlier this week, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) claimed that he had been told the drones were being operated by Iran from an alleged mothership located off the U.S. Atlantic coast, citing unnamed sources he deemed “very reliable.”

“Iran launched a mothership probably about a month ago that contains these drones,” Van Drew said during an appearance on Fox News on Wednesday. “It’s off the east coast of the United States of America.”

“We know it’s not our own government, because they would have let us know,” Van Drew also said. Van Drew provided no context for the claims beyond his belief that the information came “from high sources.” Presently, Van Drew remains the only official to have made such assertions about alleged Iranian involvement publicly.

Asked at yesterday’s Pentagon press briefing about Van Drew’s claims, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh maintained that the DoD has seen no clear evidence linking the drone sightings to a foreign power, and that “there is not any truth” to Van Drew’s claims.

“There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States and there’s no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones towards the United States,” Singh said on Wednesday.

Although the Pentagon has poured cold water on the claims involving an Iranian connection, several elected officials in New Jersey have maintained they believe the objects may be originating from somewhere off the Eastern Coast.

“They have tracked these things going out to the water,” said Michael Melham, Mayor of Belleville, New Jersey, earlier this week. “So that’s quite interesting.”

Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) similarly told lawmakers at a hearing earlier this week that he had learned of a sighting by a law enforcement officer at Island Beach State Park on Sunday where dozens of drones were reportedly observed flying inland from a launch point somewhere in the ocean.

“One of those officers two nights ago saw 50 drones come in off the ocean,” Smith said on Tuesday.

Smith also said a U.S. Coast Guard official told him that one of its vessels had been followed by a group of drones.

“I think this is a very serious threat,” Smith said of the alleged incidents.

At Wednesday’s breifing in Washington, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said the Department of Defense will watch the situation closely as federal and local authorities continue their investigations.

“We’re going to continue to monitor what’s happening,” Singh said.

• This article was updated on Dec. 12, 2024 at 3:33 PM to include additional updates on the Pentagon’s position on the situation that were recently provided by Pentagon Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. 
• Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.

{ https://thedebrief.org/category/uap/ }

16-12-2024 om 23:46 geschreven door peter  

Mystery Drones Invading New Jersey Airspace Are Keeping Officials on Edge as Feds Probe for Answers

This week, sightings of the small aircraft, which have reportedly been occurring over New Jersey now for several weeks, have extended into surrounding states, with recent observations occurring over Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York.

In New Jersey, many of the recent sightings reported by residents have occurred in Morris County, home to the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal. One of the earliest known sightings of the New Jersey mystery drones occurred there on November 13, when a security officer was reportedly one of the first to have observed the objects.

Picatinny Arsenal main gate

(Credit: U.S. Army Photo).

Since then, at least ten more confirmed sightings have taken place near the arsenal, and seven more potential sightings remain unconfirmed.

In a statement provided to The Debrief, a spokesperson with Picatinny Arsenal said officials there quickly began investigating and increasing outreach and coordination with multiple local, state, and federal organizations after the initial sightings several weeks ago.

“While the source and cause of these aircraft operating in our area remain unknown, we can confirm that they are not the result of any Picatinny Arsenal-related activities,” said Lt. Col. Craig A. Bonham II, Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander, in a statement provided to The Debrief.

The investigation into the drone sightings is ongoing, a Picatinny Arsenal spokesperson said on Tuesday.

In its own investigations into the ongoing sightings, The Debrief has now made inquiries with multiple state and federal agencies, including public records act requests and other efforts aimed at learning what available information can reveal about the mysterious drone sightings that have plagued New Jersey residents now for many weeks.

Many of those inquires are ongoing, and The Debrief is presently awaiting further communication from federal and state officials that will be featured in our ongoing reporting on these sightings. Meanwhile, the emerging picture of the drone situation over the northeastern U.S., how it has developed in recent days, and how officials are responding, presents an intriguing picture of what has become one of 2024’s most significant stories, and a compelling mystery that currently leaves us with far more questions than answers.

Official Acknowledgement of an Ongoing Mystery

Following the initial sightings in mid-November, Morris County officials acknowledged that the mystery drones had also been observed by area law enforcement officers on the evening of Monday, November 18.

“County and local law enforcement agencies are aware of the recurring reports of drone activity around Morris and Somerset counties, and acknowledge the public’s concern about these repeated sightings,” read a portion of an advisory released by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on December 3.

“There continues to be no known threat to public safety,” the advisory stated.

Since the sightings began in mid-November, observations of the mysterious drones have now been reported in 10 counties in New Jersey. Many sightings have reportedly occurred over infrastructure sites that include railroads and reservoirs, as well as military facilities.

“Over the weekend, nearly a dozen unmanned drones were reported in various areas of Middletown, including the airspace over Naval Weapons Station Earle,” said Tony Perry, Mayor of Middletown, New Jersey, in a letter to U.S. Senator Corey Booker on Monday. “This unauthorized activity poses significant security concerns for critical military installations and the surrounding communities.”

In a statement on social media, Perry said he had also requested briefings from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security “to address our growing questions and concerns.”

The ongoing sightings have prompted several similar concerned responses from state and local officials.

“Understandably, New Jersey residents are very alarmed at this significant and reoccurring phenomenon – and the tepid response from our state and federal agencies so far is totally unacceptable,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) in a statement on Monday. “As we saw with the Chinese spy balloon last year, our fiercest adversaries will stop at nothing to surveil our homeland and threaten our national security.”

“While the source of this drone activity is still to be determined, it is clear that the communication channels and proper authorities among local law enforcement and federal partners must be drastically improved in order to work quickly through deconfliction and security challenges as unmanned aerial systems become more prevalent,” Smith added.

In a statement on Tuesday that echoed similar frustration with the situation, U.S. Senator Jon Bramnick (R-NJ) said he believed state officials “should issue a limited state of emergency banning all drones until the public receives an explanation regarding these multiple sightings.”

Also on Tuesday, mayors from towns across Morris County released a letter to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, where they collectively called for increased transparency on the issue.

“These flights, occurring under the cover of darkness, have raised significant alarm among the more than 500,000 County residents and local officials alike,” the letter read.

“Despite inquiries made to relevant authorities, we have yet to receive satisfactory answers about the purpose, operators, or safety protocols governing these flights,” it added.

Speaking with the media on Tuesday, Governor Murphy responded to the concerns expressed in the letter, saying he didn’t blame residents and elected officials across his state for feeling frustrated with the situation, although he maintained that federal officials have found no evidence indicating the drone flights could pose a threat.

“We don’t see any concern for public safety,” Murphy said, adding that it was “really frustrating that we don’t have more answers to where they’re coming from, and why they’re doing what they’re doing.”

“We had, last night, 49 sightings. I think 20 of them were over Hunterdon,” Murphy said.

The Debrief reached out to officials with the Hunterdon County Sherriff’s Department about the sightings but received no response to our inquiries.

Murphy also said one of the alleged drone sightings on Monday night was later determined to have been the likely misidentification of a small aircraft, possibly a Piper J-3 Cub. Previously, The Debrief reported that several photos and videos that were being featured in television newscasts as purported imagery of the mystery drones were, in fact, misidentified conventional aircraft displaying standard position light configurations required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

On Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for the Newark Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said the agency is “doing all we can to figure out what’s going on,” although admitting that “we truly don’t have much information to provide at the moment.”

The Debrief also reached out to FBI’s Newark Field Office for a comment, but received no response.

Mystery Drones of Varying Descriptions

While there is no single consistent description of their appearance, many reports describe the drones as relatively low-flying objects that produce buzzing noises consistent with conventional unmanned aerial systems. However, the New Jersey objects are often described as appearing to be larger than the varieties of drones typically flown by hobbyists, with some descriptions likening them to the size of an automobile.

Several observers say the drones, which often travel in groups, also appear to follow consistent flight paths that regularly carry them over critical infrastructure sites and military installations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued temporary flight restrictions over locations that include Picatinny Arsenal and Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, a favorite golfing destination of President Elect Donald Trump.

Although officials have been able to provide few details about the drone overflights, Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando said last week that “their presence appears nefarious in nature.”

Among the proposed explanations for at least a portion of the recent drone sightings, some have pointed to small aircraft like the BlackFly, produced by light aircraft Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) manufacturer Pivotal, who announced in October that more than a dozen of their prototype aircraft had been sent to private owners and the U.S. Air Force.

Meanwhile, the FBI’s Newark field office has issued a public appeal for tips, requesting that anyone with relevant information about the drones to please reach out to authorities.

Drone Sightings Beyond New Jersey’s Skies

As recent sightings beyond New Jersey appear to reveal a greater geographic spread of the drone activity than previously realized, Staten Island’s borough president, Vito Fossella, said he has requested FBI and FAA briefings, calling the situation “odd and quite bizarre.”

The FAA says that drone operators found conducting unsafe or unauthorized flights could face severe penalties, including fines of up to $75,000.

Since the drone sightings over New Jersey began last month, a spate of similar incidents involving unauthorized drone incursions over U.S. military facilities at airbases in the United Kingdom occurred over a span of several days in late November.

Beginning on November 20, what officials characterized as a multi-drone incursion over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England was followed by similar nightly sightings that expanded to nearby RAF Mildenhall, also in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk. Drone sightings were also reported over RAF Fairford.

On December 5, the DoD announced a new classified strategy for countering potential threats associated with unmanned aerial systems (UAS), largely in response to how drones and other unmanned systems are changing the warfighting and security environment.

“Unmanned systems, more commonly known as drones, have the potential to pose both an urgent and enduring threat to US personnel, facilities, and assets overseas and, increasingly, in the US homeland,” said Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder of the DoD’s new initiative during a press conference at the Pentagon last week.

“The threats presented by these systems are changing how wars are fought,” Ryder said. “With a singular strategy for countering unmanned systems, in conjunction with other major DOD initiatives like the Joint Counter Small UAS Office and Replicator 2, the DOD is orienting around a common understanding of the challenge and a comprehensive approach to addressing it.”

Asked whether the timing of the announcement had been influenced by the recent drone incidents in the U.S. and the U.K., Ryder said no, adding that the DoD’s new strategy is an outgrowth of “work that’s been going on for some time, and obviously very important work.”

On Friday, as drone sightings continued in the skies over the northeast, a classified briefing was provided to lawmakers by the DoD’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the DoD’s official investigative unit into what the U.S. now calls unidentified anomalous phenomena (objects traditionally known as UFOs).

It is unclear whether AARO officials who spoke during Friday’s classified briefing addressed the recent drone sightings occurring in the U.S. and over U.K. airbases. However, speaking last month during a Senate hearing, Dr. Jon Kosloski, who has served as Director of AARO since August, told lawmakers that while his office is not directly tasked with the investigation of drone sightings, AARO may still be able to provide resources that could federal agencies who are looking into such incidents.

“As AARO is trying to push the bounds on detectability for UAP, we’re hopefully going to have best practices that we can also provide to the counter-UAS [efforts],” Kosloski told U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) during the hearing.

In response to concerns over the recent drone sightings, on Tuesday a Joint Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence and Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee hearing also addressed the situation, where lawmakers discussed the DoD’s ability to detect and destroy drones that could pose security threats over stadiums and other locations where unauthorized drone flights could pose a security risk

“In recent years, the proliferation of UASs both domestically and abroad has raised serious concerns regarding their potential misuse in criminal activities, espionage, and more alarmingly, in threats to U.S. National Security,” said Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) during opening remarks at Tuesday’s hearing. The session featured participation from the US National Football League, the Justice Department, the FBI, and other agencies, in addressing potential security risks posed by unmanned aerial systems.

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said that he has remained in contact with federal agencies regarding the ongoing drone sightings occurring over his state.

“I was on with the White House and Homeland Security leadership literally at the very top yesterday,” Murphy said. “I’m hoping we’ll get answers sooner than later.”

“I would just ask folks to continue to let the FBI or their local law enforcement know when they see something,” Murphy added.

“We’ll continue to do everything we can with our federal partners to get clear answers.”

• The FBI – Newark and the New Jersey State Police are requesting that members of the public report any information related to the recent drone sightings. The FBI can be reached at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or online at tips.fbi.gov, where citizens are able to share imagery and videos of the objects, if available.  
• The Debrief is also interested in hearing first-hand reports of sighitings of the drones currently being observed over New Jersey and surrounding states. Information, sightings reports, and other news tips can be sent to us at tips@thedebrief.org. 

• This article was updated on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. 

• Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.

{ https://thedebrief.org/category/uap/ }

16-12-2024 om 23:11 geschreven door peter  

• The Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security are investigating 
  

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, POLITICAL REPORTER ON CAPITOL HILL, FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Democrat lawmakers are demanding answers about the mysterious New Jersey drones that federal authorities and President Joe Biden have yet to explain. 

The bizarre unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) were first noticed hovering over New Jersey over a month ago, yet neither local or federal authorities have offered an explanation behind the lights that dash across the sky from dusk to dawn - notably disappearing during daylight.  

Biden has since tasked his agencies with finding out what is occurring over the Garden State, White House spokesman John Kirby said last week on Fox News.

In the same interview Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, did not have an explanation to offer as to what was behind the UAPs, saying the president's men are still searching for answers. 

The Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have all been probing what is going on, and its of particular concern because these drones are flying over sensitive U.S. military instillations. 

As the unsettling sightings have racked the minds of residents living in the area with worry, the lawmakers representing these neighborhoods have been bombarded with questions.

'We're here today because it's not a bird, it's not a plane, it's a drone,' Senate Leader Chuck Schumer began a press conference over the weekend. 'And when it comes to drones, people in the New York area and all across the country have more questions than answers.'

Schumer is the highest-ranking Democrat in politics outside of the White House, and his demands that the Pentagon, DHS and FBI provide answers are the weightiest yet outside of the executive branch.

Biden has tasked his agencies with getting to the bottom of the New Jersey drone phenomenon, but so far lawmakers like Schumer and other Democrats are not satisfied with the odd lack of answers 

Schumer holding up a picture of a drone at a press conference over the weekend

He raised concern that there have not been appropriate answers as to what is flying over NJ

'We've seen lots of recent, recent sightings in New York, New Jersey, Long Island, Staten Island,' he continued while holding up a picture of a drone-looking device pictured in a recent sighting. 

'So it's remarkable with all these sightings over the last while, why do we have more questions than answers?'

Speaking on Sunday Schumer pushed for methods to detect the drones.  

'If the technology exists for a drone to make it up into the sky, there certainly is technology that can track the craft with precision and determine what the heck is going on.' 

He has announced an initiative to push for drone-detecting measures.  

Earlier in the weekend the New York Democrat floated the idea on X:  

'I’m pushing for answers amid these drone sightings,' he said in the post. 'I’m calling for [DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas] to deploy special drone-detection tech across NY and NJ.'

'And I’m working to pass a bill in the Senate to give local law enforcement more tools for drone detection.'

In this image taken from video, what appears to be drones flying over Randolph, N.J., Dec. 4, 2024

Last week, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said the agency does not know what the drones are, however she could say that DoD has 'no evidence' that the drones are 'the work of a foreign adversary.'

On Monday New Jersey Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill mocked this explanation on CNBC. 

She accused authorities of telling the public, 'Don't worry, they're not a threat,' while also claiming, 'We don't know what they are,' an explanation that she found mind-boggling.

'It just both can't be true,' she added. 'We need somebody in charge.'

A former helicopter pilot, Sherill suggested using U.S.-made reaper drones to surveil the devices to determine what they are - a plan similar to Schumer's. 

'So quite frankly, I think why we're here and why I'm so frustrated is that talking point of 'they're just commercial aircraft, don't worry your pretty little head,'' she said speaking to the hosts.   

'That doesn't work in New Jersey,' she lamented. 

New Jersey Democratic Senate-elect, Rep. Andy Kim, went to view the phenomena himself in-person days ago and was still left with questions after his visit despite being accompanied by local authorities. 

'Any images or video footage people get, the police urge them to submit to the FBI, but I haven’t gotten any follow up yet from the FBI on their investigation and what they’ve compiled,' he posted in a thread describing his experience. 

He was told that the UAPs could be the size of the hood of a car and they would disappear when approached by helicopter. 

'This has gone on for weeks. It’s hard to understand how with the technology we have we aren’t able to track these devices to determine origin and this makes me much more concerned about our capabilities more broadly when it comes to drone detection and counter measures,' he concluded his 13-part account. 

Alejandro Mayorkas has said a new Federal Aviation Administration rule may be behind the deluge of drone sightings across New Jersey and the East Coast 

'I’ve concluded the possible drone sightings pointed out to me were almost certainly planes,' the Democrat wrote in a follow-up. 

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill told DailyMail.com last week about the concerning drone saga has gone on too long without sufficient answers. 

Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called it 'bulls***' that the Pentagon does not have answers despite the sightings having gone on for over a month. 

Speaker Mike Johnson received a private briefing on the matter from FBI, DoD and DHS, though he has not spoken about what they have said. 

Mayorkas said on X Sunday: 'To date, there is no known threat posed by these sightings. If a threat is identified, the federal government will address it and communicate with the American public about it.'

'There is no question that drones have been sighted. It is also true that many reported sightings have turned out to be piloted aircraft. The technology we have deployed to New Jersey has confirmed this,' he continued. 

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

16-12-2024 om 22:27 geschreven door peter  

5 Unexplained UAP Sightings Reported by US Military Pilots

By Michael Scanlon

• The Mantell Incident Of 1948

• The Gorman Dogfight

• Mysterious flashing triangles in the sky

• F/A-18s encounter UAP off the US East Coast

• The "Tic Tac" UAP Encounter

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), defined by NASA as "observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective," have long captivated human curiosity. Still, when military pilots—trained professionals with unparalleled experience in the skies—report encounters with mysterious objects, the intrigue deepens. These sightings, often corroborated by radar data and other advanced technology, challenge our understanding of flight and physics. Here, we explore five of the most compelling UAP encounters reported by military pilots.

Photo: US Army

1. The Mantell Incident Of 1948

Led to a deadly crash

• Date: January 7, 1948
• Location: Near Godman Army Airfield at Fort Knox, Kentucky

On the afternoon of January 7, witnesses across Kentucky began reporting sightings of an unidentified object in the sky. Observers described it as a large, metallic object, often depicted as circular or disk-like, that moved slowly but was capable of rapid acceleration. Reports of the object were relayed to military personnel at Godman Army Airfield, prompting officials to investigate.

Airfield personnel, including the base commander, Colonel Guy F. Hix, sighted the UAP around 1:00 PM. The descriptions from the airfield echoed those of civilian observers. The object appeared to be large, bright, and stationary at an extremely high altitude. Concerned about its presence and potential threat, Colonel Hix ordered inquiries to nearby air traffic control centers and airports. However, no flights or weather balloons that could account for the object were reported in the area.

Photo: USAF

Shortly after the UAP sightings were confirmed, a flight of four P-51 Mustang aircraft from the Kentucky Air National Guard was in the vicinity on a routine mission. Godman Tower requested Captain Thomas F. Mantell, a fighter pilot during WWII and the flight leader, investigate the unidentified object. At approximately 2:45 PM, Mantell and his team began their pursuit. The other pilots initially joined him, but lacking sufficient oxygen supplies for high-altitude flight, three of the aircraft broke off the chase. Mantell, determined to intercept the object, continued the climb, eventually surpassing an altitude of 20,000 feet.

Upon approaching the UAP, Mantell communicated with the tower, describing the object as large, metallic, and immense.

“It appears to be a metallic object or possible reflections of sun from a metallic object, and it is of tremendous size. I’m still climbing. The object is above and ahead of me moving at my speed or faster. I’m trying to close in for a better look.”

- Thomas Mantell

His final transmission was purportedly fragmented, with some accounts suggesting he described the object as resembling a "tremendous metallic sphere" or "something that looks like it's not from this world."

At around 3:18 PM, Mantell's aircraft began a sharp descent, spiraling out of control. His P-51 crashed into a farm near Franklin, Kentucky, killing him instantly. Later investigations revealed that Mantell likely lost consciousness from lack of oxygen as he pursued the high-altitude object.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons | Mark S. Hilton

Aftermath and investigation

The death of Captain Mantell brought significant attention to the UAP phenomenon, with widespread media coverage and speculation. For the American public, it was one of the first instances where a UAP encounter allegedly resulted in loss of life, amplifying fears and fascination surrounding extraterrestrial visitation. The incident also spurred the US military to take UAP sightings more seriously, laying the groundwork for systematic investigations like Project Sign, the precursor to Project Blue Book.

Initially, various explanations were suggested to rationalize the event. Some postulated that Mantell had been mistakenly chasing the planet Venus, as it was visible in the sky during the afternoon. However, this theory was met with skepticism due to the descriptions of movement attributed to the object, which seemed to defy the characteristics of a celestial body.

Another early theory proposed that Mantell might have been pursuing a secret military project or a balloon, such as a Skyhook weather balloon commonly used for high-altitude research. The possibility of a top-secret experimental aircraft was also considered. However, as the investigation progressed, these theories failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the incident. The Mantell incident remains one of the most well-known and debated cases in UAP history, capturing the imagination of UAP enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

Photo: BlueBarronPhoto l Shutterstock

2. Gorman Dogfight

27 minutes against an unidentified flying object

• Date: October 1, 1948
• Location: Fargo, North Dakota

On October 1, 1948, Lt. George Gorman, a pilot for the North Dakota Air National Guard and decorated WWII veteran, was wrapping up practice maneuvers with his squadron's P-51 Mustangs. At 25 years old, Gorman was a respected and battle-hardened aviator determined to log additional flight hours for the day.

While flying solo over Fargo, Gorman spotted a small glowing object below him. Intrigued, he pursued it, engaging in a 27-minute "dogfight." The round light darted away, stopped abruptly, climbed, and outmaneuvered his aircraft repeatedly—the kind of behavior no human-piloted plane could achieve.

Gorman described the object as white and round, roughly six to eight inches in diameter, and exceptionally bright. He noted that it exhibited no audible sound, exhaust trail, or visible wings. Despite his best efforts, Gorman was unable to close the distance between his aircraft and the mysterious object, as it demonstrated agility far beyond the capabilities of any conventional aircraft of the era.

At one point, Gorman reported that the object made a sharp turn and headed straight toward his plane. Preparing for a potential collision, he dove to avoid contact, but the object adjusted its course at the last moment and passed over his canopy. According to UAP historian Curtis Peebles, this near-miss confirmed for Gorman that the object was not a natural phenomenon but a seemingly controlled entity with remarkable maneuverability. Eventually, the object climbed rapidly into the sky and disappeared.

"I am convinced that there was definite thought behind its maneuvers. I am further convinced that the object was governed by the laws of inertia because its acceleration was rapid but not immediate and although it was able to turn fairly tight at considerable speed, it still followed a natural curve. When I attempted to turn with the object I blacked out temporarily due to excessive speed. I am in fairly good physical condition and I do not believe that there are many if any pilots who could withstand the turn and speed effected by the object, and remain conscious. The object was not only able to out turn and out speed my aircraft ... but was able to attain a far steeper climb and was able to maintain a constant rate of climb far in excess of my aircraft."

- George Gorman

Aftermath and investigation

When Gorman returned to base, both he and his P-51 showed no signs of damage. However, the encounter left Gorman shaken and convinced he had witnessed something extraordinary. Subsequent radar reports from a nearby control tower suggested that an unidentified object had indeed been present in the area, corroborating Gorman's account. The object's movements were described as extraordinarily precise and rapid, defying the capabilities of known aircraft at the time.

The aftermath of the Gorman Dogfight incident sparked an extensive investigation by the US Air Force. Military investigators from Project Sign were dispatched to analyze the event. Gorman underwent extensive debriefing, maintaining his account with unwavering consistency. Notable details from his report included the object's apparent lack of mass or visible propulsion system, its sharp angular turns, and its immunity to gravity's effects.

While the official conclusion pointed to a weather balloon as the possible explanation, many, including Gorman himself, vehemently disputed this explanation. The Gorman Dogfight remains one of the most intense aerial engagements with an unidentified flying object, and the corroborating accounts of radar operators make this case an enduring mystery. Unless, of course, you believe a decorated WWII fighter pilot would engage in a 27-minute dogfight with this:

Photo: USAF

Related

UAPs Or UFOs: We Still Don't Know What They Are

A joint hearing by subcommittees of the House Oversight Committee held on Wednesday on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) raised more questions about the strange objects that multiple reputable sources have witnessed. Unfortunately, even after the hearings, credible answers are still scarce. The term Unidentified Flying Object (UFO), still widely used in popular lingo, has been abandoned by government agencies researching these phenomena because of the stigma associated with the acronym. At first, the term UAP referred to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, but that has changed since some mysterious objects are not in the skies but in the seas. Officials testifying before Congress indicated that thousands of videos exist of unexplained sightings of objects behaving in a manner that exceeds the currently known technological capabilities of human-made craft. However, they did not dismiss the possibility that these objects might be unknown human-made technology.     As NPR reports, there...

Photo: US Navy

3. Mysterious flashing triangles in the sky

Perplexing US Navy radar operators

• Date: July 2019
• Location: The coast of Southern California

In July 2019, during military exercises conducted off the coast of Southern California, Navy personnel aboard the USS Russell observed multiple unidentified objects in the air, the most striking being a series of triangular craft that appeared to hover in the night sky. Using night-vision equipment, they captured footage of these objects, which were illuminated by flashing lights, giving a clear view of their triangular shapes.

Photo: US Navy

The UAPs demonstrated erratic flight patterns and seemingly unconventional behavior. Unlike conventional aircraft, these objects exhibited no apparent propulsion mechanisms, such as exhaust trails or rotors, yet moved with remarkable agility. Witnesses described these movements as defying the laws of physics; the objects appeared to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction with ease, raising questions about their origin and technology.

Corroborating evidence came through multiple channels. Radar operators aboard other naval vessels in the area detected unidentified contacts moving at speeds and altitudes inconsistent with known aircraft. This radar data matched the visual observations made by the USS Russell crew, confirming the presence of unknown aerial phenomena. Furthermore, other nearby Navy ships reportedly experienced similar sightings during the same period, adding more weight to the encounter.

The triangular UAPs reportedly maintained their presence over US military exercises for some time, suggesting intentional observation or surveillance. This extended duration also gave military personnel more time to record and analyze their behavior, ensuring detailed documentation of the events.

Naval Intelligence Officer Describes UFO Encounter

Aftermath and Investigation

News of the 2019 UAP incident gained traction when leaked footage emerged online in April 2021. The video quickly spread across media platforms, reigniting global interest in UAPs. Shortly after the leak, the Department of Defense confirmed the video's authenticity, stating it had been recorded by Navy personnel and remained under active investigation.

The Pentagon’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force (UAPTF) led the investigation into the encounter. Analysts reviewed the visual footage, night-vision recordings, and supporting radar data to assess the object's physical characteristics and flight dynamics. Despite these efforts, no concrete conclusions were reached — the objects could not be identified as any known aircraft or explainable natural phenomena.

The incident coincided with a growing push for transparency around UAPs. By June 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a preliminary report to Congress, summarizing 144 UAP encounters documented between 2004 and 2021. The triangular flashing UAPs were among the cases highlighted for their lack of plausible explanations. The report noted that these phenomena could not be easily attributed to foreign adversaries, US experimental technology, or atmospheric conditions, leaving the objects' origins shrouded in mystery.

4. F/A-18s encounter UAP off the US East Coast

Nearly caused a mid-air collision

• Date: 2014-2015
• Location: US East Coast, restricted airspace

In 2014 and 2105, Ryan Graves and other F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots from the USS Theodore Roosevelt witnessed and tracked unexplained objects in restricted airspace off the US East Coast. These objects were detected almost daily, both visually and by advanced radar systems, indicating their presence over an extended period. Graves and his colleagues described the UAPs as displaying capabilities far beyond conventional aircraft.

Photo: USS Carl Vinson | US Navy

The objects were often spherical and measured around five to fifteen feet in diameter, sometimes enclosed within a translucent cube-like structure. They exhibited no visible means of propulsion yet could accelerate abruptly, perform high-speed maneuvers, and hover in place even against strong winds. Many of these sightings were corroborated by radar and infrared systems aboard the Super Hornets, confirming that the phenomena were not mere radar glitches or pilot misinterpretations.

One particularly chilling incident involved witnessing a UAP pass within striking distance of two Navy aircraft, nearly causing a midair collision. This prompted significant concern among the aviators, given the potential threat to their safety. Despite this, efforts to understand or engage with the UAPs yielded no results, as the objects evaded all conventional methods of tracking or interception. These experiences left Graves and his fellow pilots grappling with the perplexing realization that such technology existed—but they had no idea who or what was behind it.

Aftermath and Investigation

Following these encounters, Ryan Graves took on a critical role in bringing the issue to light. He recognized the safety and national security implications and advocated for greater transparency and research into UAP phenomena. Graves contributed to internal Navy discussions on reporting and documenting UAP sightings, leading to implementing a more structured reporting system for such incidents.

Public interest in Graves’ accounts grew after videos from his squadron's encounters—such as the now-famous "Gimbal" footage—were declassified and released by the Pentagon in 2017. These videos, showing objects performing seemingly impossible maneuvers, captured global attention and spurred both fascination and skepticism. Graves himself has testified before Congressional hearings, urging policymakers to fund further investigation into UAP phenomena and their potential implications.

Unedited Navy Go Fastl video.mp4

Graves also founded "Americans for Safe Aerospace," an organization dedicated to supporting aircrew who encounter UAPs and promoting safe practices for reporting and analyzing such phenomena. His advocacy has brought the topic into mainstream discussions, emphasizing the need for scientific inquiry and open-mindedness. While official explanations for these sightings remain elusive, the investigations prompted by reports like Graves' have helped shift the conversation around UAPs from fringe speculation to a legitimate area of study.

Photo: US Navy

5. The "Tic Tac" UAP Encounter

Impossibly fast

• Date: November 14, 2004
• Location: Off the coast of San Diego, California

On November 14, 2004, Cmdr. David Fravor of the USS Nimitz took off in his F/A-18F for a routine training mission over the Pacific Ocean. Cmdr. Jim Slaight, his wingman, was flying nearby in another F/A-18 Super Hornet. During the exercise, the USS Princeton's radar detected multiple unknown objects descending rapidly from 80,000 feet to just above sea level. Operators diverted Fravor and his wingman to investigate.

Upon arrival, Fravor spotted a white, oblong craft hovering erratically over the ocean. It was shaped like a "Tic Tac" candy, approximately 40 feet long, and starkly devoid of wings or propulsion mechanisms. As he approached, the object mimicked his movements before accelerating away at a speed no known jet could match.

WATCH: Navy pilot describes encounter with 'Tic Tac' shaped unidentified flying object

Fravor later described the object's movements as unlike anything he had ever seen, displaying capabilities far beyond modern aviation technology. The craft demonstrated an ability to stop abruptly, change directions instantaneously, and accelerate at an incredible speed, all without any visible means of propulsion or flight surfaces.

After the Tic Tac vanished, radar operators aboard the USS Princeton tracked it reappearing 60 miles away in less than a minute—an impossible feat for any known aircraft. Fravor and Slaight returned to their carrier shaken but adamant about what they had witnessed.

Aftermath and investigation

The Tic Tac incident sparked significant interest, prompting an investigation into the encounter, which involved the analysis of radar data, video evidence, and pilot testimonies. The evidence collected supported Fravor's account and provided further corroboration of the sighting. Experts and investigators delved into possible explanations, considering alternative hypotheses such as sensor anomalies, optical illusions, or the involvement of secret military technology. However, none of these theories provided a sufficient explanation.

In the years that followed, the incident gained even more credibility when the Pentagon confirmed the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP). The AATIP, a covert government initiative, aimed to investigate various unidentified aerial phenomena, including the Tic Tac sighting. This acknowledgment by the Pentagon further validated the significance of the encounter, regarded as one of the most well-documented and compelling UAP cases to date.

The accounts of military pilots, rooted in expertise and credibility, underscore the need for continued investigation and an open-minded approach to these phenomena. Whether they represent advanced technology, natural phenomena, or something even more extraordinary, these encounters challenge our perception of the universe and defy conventional thinking. While these mysteries may never be solved, attempting to understand them could lead to discoveries and technological advancements once thought impossible.

Related

Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Pilots Encounter UFO's Whilst Flying Over Irelan

The Proof Is Out There: 4 UNEXPLAINABLE UFO SIGHTINGS

{ https://simpleflying.com/ }

16-12-2024 om 21:45 geschreven door peter  

East Coast residents and lawmakers are again demanding answers after another slew of drone sightings in the region, with the origins of the alleged craft still unclear.

The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have deployed infrared cameras and drone detection technology to ensure the drones flying over the New Jersey and New York area aren't harmful, according to a law enforcement source.

The agencies are also looking at social media and other photos to determine what exactly is in the photos. Most of the photos and video depict manned aircraft, according to a law enforcement source.

There have also been no reports from pilots about seeing any drones in the sky, according to the source.

Another other issue federal authorities are dealing with: over-reporting of potentially seeing drones, according to the source. In the New York-New Jersey area, where they are being spotted, there are very few restrictions.

Matthew Murello, the mayor of Washington Township, New Jersey, told "Good Morning America" on Monday he believes "something's going on," expressing concern and frustration at the lack of answers from federal authorities.

"I'm not trying to stir anything up, but we all know -- if you just turn on the television -- that drones can be used in an aggressive fashion," Murello said. "They can carry payloads. They can be used for all kinds of really aggressive-type things."

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said Thursday that "many" of the reported drone sightings appear to be lawfully operated manned aircraft, adding there was "no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus."

But Murello said those living under the drones are not reassured.

"That's a wonderful thing to tell your residents," he said when asked about Kirby's assurances. "That's fantastic, until it's not."

"Nobody knows what these things are doing," Murello added. "Best case scenario, they're just getting video of us. Again, I don't know why out here. We're nothing but farm country. If you want videos of cows, I'll be happy to send you some."

Murello cast doubt on the official statements suggesting "no perceived threat."

"We've heard that before from our federal government -- 'We're not looking, we're not watching you, we're not watching your calls, we're not doing everything and don't worry -- we're here and we're here to help you'," he said.

Murello was among a group of New Jersey mayors who wrote to Gov. Phil Murphy asking for more information. The mayors were subsequently invited to a meeting, but Murello said the governor did not attend.

Instead, state police told the mayors they had little information on the drones. Authorities, Murello said, could not explain why some drones are being flown without emitting radio frequencies or using transponders -- both of which are required by law when a drone is used at night.

Murello said he had personally seen "a couple" of drones "around my town." He disputed Kirby's statement that many of the reported sightings were of misidentified manned aircraft.

"I have no way of telling you how big it was, but I can sure as heck can tell what they sound like," the mayor said. "And I know that they are not. What Adm. Kirby said -- which is a manned aircraft -- that just isn't right."

"I've seen multiple rotor, helicopter-type aircraft hovering above the tree line," Murello said, recalling one police official who said the drones can be up to 6 feet in diameter. The fact that most are spotted at night makes it "very difficult to kind of get an idea on them," Murello added.

Reports of drone activity forced the temporary closure of runways at New York's Stewart International Airport on Friday. The potential danger to aircraft is causing concern on the East Coast, Murello said.

"If pilots don't see these things and they're 6 foot in diameter and they hit an airplane -- that is not going to end well," he said.

Senators are also pushing federal agencies for more information. Last week, New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and New Jersey Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim wrote to the heads of the FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security requesting meetings.

"We write with urgent concern regarding the unmanned aerial system activity that has affected communities across New York and New Jersey in recent days," the letter said, requesting a briefing "as soon as possible on how your agencies are working with federal and local law enforcement to identify and address the source of these incursions."

The mystery has caught the public's attention, with photos and videos of alleged sightings proliferating across social media. One FBI official told reporters Saturday that out of the nearly 5,000 tips the agency had received, less than 100 generated credible leads for further investigation.

As the search for answers continues, Murello said he sees "only two logical conclusions."

"One is somebody knows something and they're just not willing to tell us," the mayor said, suggesting potential national security sensitivities around the Morristown Airport and President-elect Donald Trump's Bedminster golf course.

"If this is an area that needs to be surveilled in the eventuality that the incoming president is going to spend a lot of time here, you know what? I'm fine with that. Just simply say it's an issue of national security," he said.

An "even scarier" explanation is that "we're the greatest nation in the world with the most technologically advanced military on the planet earth, and we don't know what the hell these things are," Murello added. "That's scary."

The DHS and FAA have both warned against attempting to shoot down a suspected drone, citing the danger of falling debris and ammunition.

It is illegal to shoot down a drone. Anyone who does so could be fined up to $250,000 and sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Murello said he would "definitely" not advise anyone to try to down a drone. "You also don't know if you do hit it, where it's going to come down and where are the rounds of ammunition going to land," he said.

"But I will say that, speaking with friends of mine that are current and former state troopers, we have the technology to be able to bring a drone down," Murello added, suggesting it was "absolutely silly" that law enforcement authorities are not authorized to down drones unless they are deemed a threat by the federal government.

"We don't need to bring all of them down, we need to bring one of them down," Murello continued. "We bring one down, we figure out what's going on."

{ https://abcnews.go.com/ }

16-12-2024 om 17:31 geschreven door peter  

Two UFOs over Missouri Dec 7, 2024 and Iran Drones Over New Jersey, UFO UAP Sighting News.

Credit: 

• https://www.tiktok.com/@somebodyon.theint https://en.mehrnews.com/amp/225561/
• https://www.businessinsider.com/iran-new-drone-carrier-left-home-port-images-2024-12?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=topbar
• https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-extends-10b-iran-sanctions-waiver-2-days-after-trump-election-win

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

15-12-2024 om 23:24 geschreven door peter  

In 2018, NASA mission planners selected the Jezero Crater as the future landing site of the Perseverance rover. This crater was a natural choice, as it was once an ancient lake bed, as evidenced by the delta fan at its western edge. On Earth, these features form in the presence of flowing water that gradually deposits sediment over time. Combined with the fact that the Jezero Crater’s delta feature is rich in clays, this makes the region a prime target to search for biosignatures – evidence of past (and maybe present) life on Mars!

In recent news, NASA announced that the Perseverance rover had reached the top of Jezero Crater’s rim at a location the science team calls “Lookout Hill.” The rover spent the previous three and a half months climbing the rim, covering a distance of 500 vertical meters (1,640 vertical feet) and making science observations along the way. Now that it has crested the rim, Perseverance can begin what the mission team calls its “Northern Rim” campaign. Over the next year, the rover is expected to drive 6.4 km (4 mi) and visit up to four sites of interest where it will obtain geological samples.

Since it landed in the Jezero Crater in February 2021, Perseverance has completed four science campaigns. This includes the “Crater Floor,” “Fan Front,” “Upper Fan,” and “Margin Unit” based on where the rover was obtaining samples from. During the first campaign, the rover visited features around its landing site – like the Máaz formation – where it obtained several rock and atmospheric samples, and some witness samples for contamination assessment. The two campaigns that followed saw the rover explore different sections of Jezero’s delta fan and obtain samples of rock and clay.

The fourth campaign, meanwhile, consisted of the rover examining marginal carbonate rocks that circle the upper edge of the Jezero Crater. The science team calls Perseverance’s fifth campaign the “Northern Rim” because its route covers the northern part of the southwestern section of Jezero’s rim. The site was selected so that the rover could explore a region of Mars, unlike anything it has investigated before. Ken Farley, a project scientist for Perseverance at Caltech, explained in a NASA press release:

“The Northern Rim campaign brings us completely new scientific riches as Perseverance roves into fundamentally new geology. It marks our transition from rocks that partially filled Jezero Crater when it was formed by a massive impact about 3.9 billion years ago to rocks from deep down inside Mars that were thrown upward to form the crater rim after impact. These rocks represent pieces of early Martian crust and are among the oldest rocks found anywhere in the solar system. Investigating them could help us understand what Mars — and our own planet — may have looked like in the beginning.”

Now that Perseverance has crested and moved on from Lookout Hill, the rover is heading to a rocky outcrop about 450 m (1,500 feet) on the other side of the rim known as “Witch Hazel Hill.” Said Candice Bedford, a Perseverance scientist from Purdue University:

“The campaign starts off with a bang because Witch Hazel Hill represents over 330 feet [~100 m] of layered outcrop, where each layer is like a page in the book of Martian history. As we drive down the hill, we will be going back in time, investigating the ancient environments of Mars recorded in the crater rim. Then, after a steep descent, we take our first turns of the wheel away from the crater rim toward ‘Lac de Charmes,’ about 2 miles [3.2 km] south.”

Located on the plains beyond the rim, the Lac de Charmes region is of interest to the mission team because it is less likely to have been affected by the impact that led to the Jezero Crater. Beyond that, the rover will travel about 1.6 km (1 mi) back up the rim to investigate an outcropping of blocks (megabreccia) that may be the remains of ancient bedrock broken by another impact. This was the Isidis impact, which occurred 3.9 billion years ago and led to the formation of the Isidis Planitia basin in the Northern Lowlands.

Investigating this site could provide valuable insight into a major surface-reshaping event that took place during the Noachian Period on Mars. This geological epoch saw extensive erosion by flowing water, as indicated by the many river valley networks dated to the period. It is also during the Noachian that the Tharsis Bulge is believed to have formed, indicating that Mars was still geologically active. As always, the ultimate goal is to find biosignatures from this “warmer, wetter” period that indicate that Mars could have had life (similar to Earth at the time).

The Perseverance science team also shared information on the rover, their science operations, and future plans at a media briefing on Thursday, December 12th, during the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in Washington. As Steven Lee, the deputy project manager for the Perseverance mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said during the briefing:

“During the Jezero Crater rim climb, our rover drivers have done an amazing job negotiating some of the toughest terrain we’ve encountered since landing. They developed innovative approaches to overcome these challenges — even tried driving backward to see if it would help — and the rover has come through it all like a champ. Perseverance is ‘go’ for everything the science team wants to throw at it during this next science campaign.”

Further Reading: 

• NASA

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

15-12-2024 om 23:10 geschreven door peter  

The mystery of unidentified drones remains unresolved, with government authorities offering little clarity. Officials have downplayed the incidents, asserting there is no threat to national security and attributing many sightings to aircraft such as planes or helicopters. However, the lack of transparency has only fueled public speculation and heightened concerns. 

What people/experts say: 

Some speculate that these drones are part of covert operations designed to detect dirty bombs or nuclear devices or theses drones are part of an advanced surveillance systems operated by certain agencies. 

The Space Force could be conducting classified exercises, such as testing cutting-edge technology or performing communication lockdown drills to evaluate detection and evasion capabilities. 

A former CIA officer has suggested that the drones may be part of government efforts to trial advanced technologies in urban environments. 

Reports indicate these drones exhibit unusual traits, such as lacking heat signatures and evading detection. They might employ RF jamming or encrypted communications, potentially causing unintentional disruptions to civilian electronics, including power outages, while avoiding capture. 

Intelligence analysts have compared the drones to Russian Orlan-10 or Iranian Shahed-136 models, raising suspicions of international espionage. 

But, the most striking statement came from Elon Musk, who warned earlier this year about the arrival of epic drone wars. He said that drone swarm battles are coming that will boggle the mind. What does he know that we don’t?

   

 A large drone flying at a slow speed, shooting out or launching multiple smaller drones at a relatively high speed.

 

DAHBOO77 video: Musk's statement on X (formerly Twitter) at approximately the 1:23 mark.

{ https://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

15-12-2024 om 22:34 geschreven door peter  

Mysterious Drone & UFO Sightings Over New Jersey Baffle Experts and Residents

Reports of unexplained drone and UFO activity in New Jersey have captured widespread attention, with sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) sparking debate among residents, politicians, and experts. Since November 2024, clusters of drones and other mysterious flying objects have been seen hovering over sensitive locations, raising questions about their origin and purpose.

Unusual Drone Activity in the Garden State

The drones reported in New Jersey are no ordinary devices. Witnesses have described large, car-sized objects capable of hovering for hours and flying in coordinated patterns with their lights off, often evading detection by helicopters and radar. These sightings have occurred near critical infrastructure, including military installations like Picatinny Arsenal, water reservoirs, and even President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster.

Adding to the mystery, some drones reportedly exhibit transmedium travel—seamlessly moving between air and water—a capability that far surpasses current consumer or commercial drone technology. Such advanced behavior has led experts to question whether these objects are foreign surveillance tools, military experiments, or something entirely unexplained.

Official Responses and Public Reaction

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has formally called for a federal investigation, urging President Joe Biden to address the escalating concerns. Despite this, federal agencies, including the FBI and Pentagon, have yet to provide definitive answers. National Security Spokesman John Kirby has suggested that many sightings could involve lawful manned aircraft but acknowledged the absence of concrete evidence to explain all incidents.

Politicians, including Representative Jeff Van Drew and Senator Andy Kim, have expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and coordination in addressing the sightings. Van Drew even alleged the possibility of a foreign “mothership” launching drones from off the East Coast—an assertion the Pentagon has denied.

Meanwhile, local officials and residents remain unsettled. A Facebook group dedicated to tracking the sightings has amassed tens of thousands of members, sharing videos and theories ranging from advanced military technology to extraterrestrial activity.

Theories and Speculations: UFOs or Advanced Tech?

Tom DeLonge, Blink-182 guitarist and prominent UFO researcher, has contributed his own theories to the discourse. DeLonge suggests that the drones might be mimicking other aircraft, a tactic historically associated with UFOs. He also pointed out their potential for transmedium travel, a phenomenon that has been observed in other UAP incidents globally.

According to DeLonge, such behavior could be a deliberate attempt to gain attention while avoiding outright panic. Historical comparisons to mass UFO sightings from the 1960s further highlight the enduring mystery of such phenomena.

A Call for Answers

The lack of clarity surrounding the New Jersey drone sightings has left the public divided between intrigue and unease. While officials assure there is no immediate threat, the advanced capabilities of these drones—whether human-made or otherwise—demand closer scrutiny.

As investigations continue, the skies over New Jersey remain a hotspot for UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike. Whether these objects are cutting-edge technology, foreign surveillance tools, or signs of something more extraordinary, one thing is certain: the mystery of New Jersey’s drones is far from resolved.

VIDEO:

15-12-2024 om 20:40 geschreven door peter  

• Have YOU seen these drones flying? Email jose.ramos@mailonline.co.uk 

By JOSE RAMOS

Villagers 'can't believe what they saw' after yet another sighting of a suspected drone was spotted flying close to an American air base in Britain.

MailOnline has exclusively uncovered fresh footage filmed by a resident that shows the suspected drone flying over Hockwold cum Wilton, just six miles from RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.

The village sits between two Air Force bases, RAF Feltwell and RAF Lakenheath. 

It comes as mysterious drone activity near a US Army base in New Jersey causes a sensation in America, with the federal government proving unable to provide an explanation of what they are. Witnesses there claim the drones perfrom manuvers impossible for known technology.

Reports about American nuclear weapons being deployed to the latter for the first time since the Cold War have heightened fears that Russia could be behind the drone activity.

In America, experts have warned that the drone activity could be intelligence gathering by Iran or Russia. Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence Colonel, said the recent drone sightings in the UK had 'all the hallmarks' of an operation by Russia's secretive GRU. 

The US Air Force admitted last month that drones had flown close to three of its UK bases – including Lakenheath, Feltwell as well as RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk. 

Farmworker Ricky Fletcher, 43, was leaving work on November 29 when initially he only saw one of them flying above. 

He told us: 'I first saw them on the farm I work at, I was leaving work at 4pm on Friday evening and saw one flying way from Feltwell low to the ground, I almost thought it was a helicopter, it was so big.

Farm worker Ricky Fletcher, 43, was leaving work on November 29 when initially he only saw a drone flying above him

Mr Fletcher added: 'We couldn't believe what we were seeing'

'But it wasn't. The way the lights flashed it wasn't a plane. It was definitely a drone.'

However, soon after that, he claims the sky was filled with a dozen of them.

'All of a sudden we looked up and saw about 10 of them circling around. We were fascinated by them, they were just circling around, not really flying in the same direction.'

He added: 'We couldn't believe what we were seeing.'

'They moved in and circled around that one there was over my village in Hockwold between Lakenheath and Feltwell.'

He said he drove home, in the same village, but could still see them circling over.

'I would come out to smoke and would see them at night,' he said.

This came after footage emerged of what is suspected to be four drones, brazenly flying with bright lights, in the early evening darkness above RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk.

While two of the drones to the left of the screen in the video appear stationary, the other two are shown moving and passing each other on the night of November 28.

The bright light at the top of the screen is believed to be the planet Venus which can be seen in the south-western sky in the month of November.

The planet which is the brightest in the earth's solar system is often confused with being an aircraft or rocket.

The sightings which are said to have started on November 20 and continued for several days have followed similar drone 'invasions' in New Jersey.

Previous footage showed the moment a swarm of drones fly over an American air base which is set to become home to US nuclear weapons

While two of the drones to the left of the screen in the video appear stationary, the other two are shown moving and passing each other on the night of November 28

The bright light at the top of the screen is believed to be the planet Venus which can be seen in the south-western sky in the month of November.

The planet which is the brightest in the earth's solar system is often confused with being an aircraft or rocket

Reports about American nuclear weapons being deployed to the base for the first time since the Cold War have heightened fears that Russia could be behind the drone activity

The US Air Force admitted last month that drones had buzzed three of its UK bases – RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and nearby RAF Feltwell, Norfolk

Unknown craft are reported to have circled the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal in the state which manufactures and researches weapons including arms supplied to Ukraine.

Some reports have talked of 'car-sized' drones over New Jersey since mid-November, sometimes appearing in groups and often remaining in the same place for hours at a time. They are also said to have been spotted around New York, Texas and Oklahoma.

A New Jersey police department sparked concern after it revealed that a drone it sent up to track a mystery aircraft 'easily' evaded their device before disappearing into thin air.

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said a drone was launched after one of his officers saw 50 unmanned aerial vehicles, 'coming off the ocean'.

The officer dialed 911 to alert state police, the FBI and the Coast Guard.The maritime agency then reported seeing spotted 13 drones following their boat, estimating that the devices had a wingspan of eight feet.

Matronardy told NewsNation's Rich McHugh the force put up an 'industrial grade' drone to follow one of the devices, but it quickly slipped through their grasp.

The incident is just one of many drone sightings concerning locals in the Garden State and beyond.

'If this is not our military, then it's even more scary,' McHugh said.

Intelligence analysts from both the US and UK have pointed the finger at interference by Russian despot Vladimir Putin.

The video at RAF Lakenheath was taken shortly after British authorities had announced that 60 soldiers were being sent to investigate the sightings at the three UK bases.

Two days after it was taken, an RAF Chinook apparently flew British special forces troops to join the probe at RAF Lakenheath which is home to the to the 48th Fighter Wing's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35A Lightning II aircraft.

Flight tracker records showed the Chinook leaving RAF Odiham, Hampshire, and flying to Poole, Dorset, to apparently pick up SBS troops before heading to Hereford where the SAS are based, and then on to the US base.

Earlier this month, villagers near RAF Lakenheath described seeing the drones on repeated nights, along with an increase in security patrols by MoD police. The base stated this week that there had been no new sightings in recent days.

A retired British spymaster yesterday claimed that Kremlin intelligence services were potentially gearing up for a fresh wave of incursions into UK airspace.

Philip Ingram, a former British military intelligence Colonel, said the recent drone sightings had 'all the hallmarks' of an operation by Russia's secretive GRU spy agency.

'It's a distinct possibility if not a certain probability this is all down to Russian intelligence,' he said. '

They and the GRU are just a bunch of petulant little boys. They're trying to suggest they have the ability to disrupt and influence through a level of nuisance action.'

A swarm of drones is spotted over in New Jersey, America, which has alarmed US officials 

Drones have been sighted at military bases in the UK and US. Pictured is one drone circling an American weapons base in New Jersey - which experts say is Russian 

He added: 'I would say we will see another flurry of activity in the next few months for sure. Whether drones or something else, I suspect something else.'

Col Ingram said Russians or their agents could also be using the UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to test Western forces' responses and capabilities.

He suggested they were potentially carrying out such operations to massage Russian tyrant Putin's bruised ego, after his failures in Ukraine.

He also claimed the drones were part of a wider spate of small, 'seemingly isolated' incidents which could be part of a larger coordinated test of disruption tactics.

'There's a pattern building up and from an intelligence perspective, I don't like patterns,' Col Ingram added.

'Each one of these things in isolation won't massively disrupt our way of life and none will potentially raise a big question mark but if you suddenly put them together and they all happen at once, then the level of disruption you could have could be really serious.'

The sightings follow a series of suspicious incidents worldwide, which have seen hackers carrying out cyber attacks, sabotaging underwater internet cables and bomb scares triggering chaos at Gatwick and in central London.

The FBI and other agencies are said to investigating the sightings in America, but the Department of Homeland Security said on Wednesday: 'We have no more information as to where these drones are coming from, where they're launching from, where they're landing.'

Britain this week unveiled its newest weapon in the war against drones - a high powered laser which is able to scorch the devices out of the sky in seconds.

The high-energy device, mounted on the roof of a Wolfhound armoured vehicle, was successfully tested at the Radnor Range in mid-Wales.

Soldiers from 16 Royal Artillery - an air defence regiment based near Portsmouth, Hampshire - were able to track and destroy hovering targets.

Retired police lieutenant and intelligence analyst Tim McMillan told DailyMail.com the descriptions of the UFOs in Jersey 'sound exactly like Russian Orlan-10 drones' — secretive craft that fly in packs of three to five.

The Orlan-10 craft comes with 'standard positional lighting' — a red light on the left (port) wingtip, a green light on the right (starboard) wingtip, and white taillights, similar to the lights seen on ordinary aircraft and Jersey's 'mystery drones.'

Experts suggest that Russia could be carrying out an intelligence-gathering mission known as 'ferreting', meant to intentionally trigger and test a rival's airspace defence procedures and response times.

Or the Kremlin could simply be spying on allies of Ukraine who are aiding the fight against Russia's invasion.

While experts could not rule out a theory that Iran was behind the attacks, argued by NJ Congressman Jeff Van Drew, but denied by the Pentagon, White House officials have long noted that Russia and Iran collaborate on military drone development.

'Russia has been very aggressive and reckless with its responses to Western support of Ukraine,' Lt McMillan told DailyMail.com. 'This isn't something I see discussed in US media, but it's well documented and openly discussed here in Europe.'

The first New Jersey drone sightings appeared over the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal on November 18, but reports to varying levels of credibility have now spread to at least 12 counties throughout the Garden State.

Officials have received reports of craft flying of 'water reservoirs, electric transmission lines, rail stations, police departments, and military installations' in recent weeks, according to Florham Park, NJ police chief Joseph J Orlando.

But those earliest and most credible sightings above Picatinny, according to Lt McMillan, are most worth focusing on.

'Picatinny Arsenal,' as Lt McMillan told DailyMail.com, is 'home of the US Army's CCDC Armaments Center, which is responsible for manufacturing and supplying Ukraine with 155mm artillery ammunition.'

Republican Rep Jeff Van Drew has claimed that Iran is behind the drones in New Jersey, telling reporters that the nation parked a 'mothership' off the East Coast.

MailOnline have approached the MoD for further comment

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

15-12-2024 om 00:00 geschreven door peter  

Satellite images spy Iranian 'mothership' linked to mysterious drones flying over New Jersey

• READ MORE: Live updates for drones over New Jersey 

By STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Satellite images have spotted the Iranian 'mothership' linked to the mysterious drones in New Jersey.

The Shahid Bagheri drone carrier was last seen at its berth in the Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex on November 12, but an image taken 18 days later showed its docking station empty.

That is around the same time New Jersey police started to be inundated with sightings of drones in the skies, flying in clusters and acting strangely.

New Jersey Republican Rep Jeff Van Drew claimed this week there was 'circumstantial evidence’ that Iran's ship was releasing the drones from America's East Coast.

Van Drew said that Iran made a deal with China 'to purchase drones, a mothership and other technologies' for the drone attack on the US, a theory the Pentagon has dismissed.

Drew doubled down on his claims Thursday, saying 'credible individuals that have security clearance... believe there's a real possibility it could be Iran.'

He also argued that the US is not being told the truth and the American public are being treated as 'stupid.'

The 800ft-long Shahid Bagheri has since been spotted on satellite in the open waters of the Persian Gulf. It would take around 13 days for the ship to travel from Iran to America's East Coast.

The Shahid Bagheri drone carrier was last seen at its berth in the Iran Shipbuilding & Offshore Industries Complex on November 12, but an image taken 18 days later showed its station empty

The militarized cargo ship is allegedly conducting its first sea trials since leaving the nearby Iran Shipyard and Offshore Industries (ISOICO) shipyard.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said: 'There's no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called 'mothership' launching drones toward the United States,' said Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

She reiterated the Pentagon does not believe the drones are coming from a foreign adversary but also stated they are not US military drones.

Numerous 'SUV-sized' craft have appeared in the state since mid-November, sometimes appearing in groups and often remaining in the same place for hours at a time, according to eyewitnesses.

The first sightings were over the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, which raised concerns the drones were part of spy campaign.

Shahid Bagheri was spotted on December 12 in the open waters near two of Iran's naval ships: Shahid Roudaki and Shahid Mahdavi.

Shahid Roudaki was a merchant ship that was repurposed for military use. It is capable of carrying drones, helicopters and missile launchers.  

Shahid Bagheri was spotted on December 12 in the open waters

The carrier (bottom left) was pictured in formation with two of Iran's naval ships: Shahid Roudaki (top right) and Shahid Mahdavi (bottom right)

And Shahid Mahdavi, developed in 2023, was 'designed for long-range operations and is outfitted with missiles, air defense systems, and advanced radar technology.'

White House National Security spokesman John Kirby was pressed about a Van Drew's claim on Thursday, replying the drones not foreign, and they may not even be drones.

'We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,' Kirby told reporters Thursday.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI reiterated Kirby's statements in a joint release Thursday saying that there is no national security risk.

'We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,' the statement reads.

Shahid Mahdavi, developed in 2023, was 'designed for long-range operations and is outfitted with missiles, air defense systems, and advanced radar technology'

But New Jersey State Representative Paul Kanitra (R) questioned this.

'That goes directly against what the federal Department of Homeland Security told us in the briefing Wednesday,' said Kanitra. I couldn’t possibly understand what their motivation is to try and diminish this.'

New Jersey Assemblymember Brian Bergen (R) also hit back at Kirby's claims.

'That guy is an idiot. That I can tell you right now,' Bergen, a former US Army helicopter pilot, said Thursday evening in an interview on Fox News.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-12-2024 om 21:56 geschreven door peter  

By ELLYN LAPOINTE and BETHAN SEXTON and RUTH BASHINSKY IN NEW JERSEY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Mysterious drone sightings in the skies above New Jersey continued to alarm locals and baffle experts on Friday, despite assurances from the White House that they pose no threat.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby insisted that the public had nothing to fear, but admitted that officials were still struggling to corroborate some of the reports.

The first drone sightings appeared over the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal and over Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster on November 18. 

Donald Trump explodes over drone 'invasion' and sends Biden an ominous warning

The president-elect demanded the drones flying over multiple US states be shot down by the Biden White House after days of mysterious sightings across the sky.

The first sightings were over the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal and Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster, which raised concerns the drones are part of spy campaign.

The president-elect didn't directly address the sightings over his club, but demanded action from Joe Biden and the government in a Truth Social post Friday.

He wrote: 'Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT.'

Donald Trump explodes over drone 'invasion' and sends Biden a warning

Donald Trump has demanded the drones flying over multiple US states be shot down by the Biden White House after days of mysterious sightings across the sky.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-12-2024 om 21:28 geschreven door peter  

Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightings

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) - That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward.

Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights.

This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what's behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey's new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X.

More drone sightings have been reported in New York City, and Mayor Eric Adams says the city is investigating and collaborating with New Jersey and federal officials. And then President-elect Donald Trump posted that he believes the government knows more than it´s saying. "Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!" he posted on his social media site.

But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies, none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they're looking into what's happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else.

Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump´s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on.

This photo provided by Trisha Bushey shows the evening sky and points of light near in Lebanon Township, N.J., on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

(Trisha Bushey via AP)

In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group.

The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones - let´s solve it, has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there.

One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it´s otherworldly. "Straight up orbs," the person says. Others weigh in to say it´s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.)

Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she's glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said.

"I find myself - instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house - checking it," she said.

She doesn't buy what the governor said, that the drones aren't a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose "a national securityor public safetythreat or have a foreign nexus."

"How can you say it´s not posing a threat if you don´t know what it is?" she said. "I think that´s why so many people are uneasy."

Then there's the notion that people could misunderstand what they're seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots.

Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they're looking at.

Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories.

"It represents the United States of America in 2024," Austin said. "We´ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it."

Federal officials echo Austin's view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy.

That's not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects.

For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it´s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions.

"My main goal is I don´t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time," he said.

"Whether or not it´s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I´m saying is it´s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time," he added.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-12-2024 om 18:48 geschreven door peter  

My New Jersey home was menaced by 30 drones in one night - here's who is controlling the aircraft

By BETHAN SEXTON and RUTH BASHINSKY IN NEW JERSEY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A New Jersey resident has revealed her terror after spotting dozens of drones in the skies above her home.

Irene Piasis said she was out driving on Sunday when she saw 30 UFOs hovering above Chatham.

She is among those who have called on President Joe Biden to provide answers as hysteria over the unexplained phenomenon threatened to engulf the entire country

It has been several weeks since the first drones were sighted over the US Army's Picatinny Arsenal and Donald Trump's golf course.

The White House has so far failed to provide an explanation for the sightings, which have resulted in more than 3,000 reports to the FBI.

As Garden State locals reported seeing 'car-sized' drones flying overhead, Piasis was unequivocal about who she believes is responsible.

'I think it's the government,' she told DailyMail.com. 'I thought it was the Biden administration trying to play with us because Trump came in, so they were shooting it off.' 

The hair stylist explained she was on her way to Parsippany on Sunday night when she looked up and saw the drones.

New Jersey resident has revealed her terror after spotting dozens of drones in the skies above her home

Piasis said she was out driving on Sunday when she saw 30 UFOs hovering above Chatham

'I was getting a little scared,' she added. ‘Everyone is talking about it. Nobody knows. At least come forth and say, "this is what is going to happen this month. We are testing drones for the military - dah dah dah". 

'What the f**k! Call the FBI they tell you. This is getting ridiculous.'

Her pleas for transparency have been echoed by the president-elect, who called for the objects to be shot down.

'Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down,' he wrote on Truth Social on Friday.

He joined several other lawmakers in New Jersey and beyond demanding more information be released.

On Friday, US National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby reiterated his insistence that the sightings are nothing nefarious.

'Many of the corroborated sightings have turned out to be piloted aircraft. I didn't say all of them, and what I said was those are the ones we were able to corroborate,' Kirby told Fox.

'There certainly is ones that we have not been able to, and we don't know the answer to it, and I strongly recommend that for folks that are seeing these things and documenting them to share that as they can with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.'

Dramatic moment mysterious flaming drone descends in New Jersey

US National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby has insisted that the sightings pose no threat to national security but admitted officials have not been able to corroborate all reports 

Explanations for the sightings have ranged from everything from foreign interference to extraterrestrial contact but officials have stressed there is no threat.

'My nephew, he has drones and he was saying military testing,' Piasis added. 

‘All different countries use the drones - China, Russia - they are very big on drones we are not we are always behind. If we were being invaded don’t you think they would have figured it out by now. It is two weeks now.

'You are not going to find out the real reason. Go call up Washington.'

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-12-2024 om 18:39 geschreven door peter  

From underworld portals to UFO landing zones, 'lakes of blood' and 'undiscovered pyramids' in Egypt, the strangest Google Earth images

By TARYN PEDLER

Google Earth, although a useful locator tool, has on occasion boggled the minds of internet users who have stumbled across images of objects and scenes which appear to hold no logical explanation.

People are free to explore the planet in a few clicks of a button on the site, but some users have found themselves accidentally discovering chilling and disturbing sights.

Some UFO hunters claim the tool has captured proof of alien life while others have used the world mapping feature to investigate some of the spookiest areas on earth. 

From 'lakes of blood' to 'undiscovered pyramids' in Egypt - ancient mysteries have been quizzed and questioned as internet users scratch their heads trying to unlock the truth behind the bizarre finds.

And it's not just creepy scenarios that have been unearthed on the virtual maps, but man-made installations too, from multi-billion-pound companies to local artists.

In one strange discovery, a portal to an ominous underworld was spotted tearing through an unknown street as onlookers gathered to watch.

Meanwhile, in another, a suspicious door buried in the deep snow of Antarctica seemed as if it could transport a visitor to the home of Bigfoot.

And if those weren't mind-boggling enough, a giant pentagram found on the ground in Kazakhstan sparked wild theories around satanism - but the truth was eventually revealed to be far more innocent.

Doorway to Bigfoot, Antarctica 

A mysterious 'doorway' was spotted on Google Earth in Antarctica, just southeast of the Japanese-run Showa Station.

The bizarre discovery sparked a range of theories across the internet, including Bigfoot's vacation home or a shuttle from Star Trek.

The unusual structure was discovered by a Reddit user on Google Maps at the co-ordinate 69°00'50'S 39°36'22'E.

Posting to the forum, they wrote: 'Massive door in Antarctica?', along with the co-ordinates.

'Just a blown off Boeing door,' one user replied, while another wrote: 'That's actually Bigfoots vacation home.'

One user suggested it was the 'door to Agartha', while another claimed it could be a 'big seed vault like the one in Svalbard, Norway

Sadly, the structure's true identity is much less exciting than these theories might lead you to believe.

Professor Bethan Davies, a Professor of Glaciology at the University of Newcastle, looked at the coordinates on Google Earth Pro, allowing her to see historic imagery.

'This feature is in an area of fast sea ice in East Antarctica, just offshore of the coast,' she explained to MailOnline.

'There are a series of islands there and the water is pretty shallow.

'This is an iceberg that became grounded and is now stuck and melting out in situ. You can see many other icebergs in the area.'

A mysterious 'doorway' was spotted in Antarctica, just southeast of the Japanese-run Showa Station

Blood lake, Iraq

On the outskirts of Sadr City in Iraq there was once a blood-red lake that baffled Google Earth users. 

Part of a stretch of water called Lago Vermelho, the lake runs through the city and is separated by sections of concrete and crossings. 

It is within one of the central panels of water that the bright red color could be seen, giving the appearance of blood.

Speculation as to what may have caused the red coloring was rife at the time it was spotted by an eagle-eyed internet user, with some suggesting the lake was close to a slaughter house and the coloration was the result of dead animals being dumped there.

Others put forward the more sensible suggestion that the lake was near a sewage treatment plant, or perhaps water treatment was the cause of the colour.

But speculation aside, science offered a different explanation: tiny organisms. 

In some salty lakes, special algae or bacteria can bloom, turning the water red. 

A red lake in Iraq sparked fears it was filled with blood when it was spotted on Google Earth

Undiscovered pyramids, Egypt

This Google Earth image shows a seemingly sunken sand patch which some internet users believed could be an unexcavated pyramid.

The deep crater in the sand appears to be triangular in shape, leading some to the theory that this may be a monumental ancient Egyptian pyramid that has been missed by archaeologists.

Due to the nature of its position, and it's hole-like structure, the undiscovered pyramid is thought to have sank thousands of years ago, leaving a giant three-sided space in its wake.

Less than one percent of Egypt has been excavated, so there are almost certainly ruins we haven't found yet.

But an amateur satellite researcher from Maiden, North Carolina, in 2012 asked an Egyptologist what their thoughts were on the strange apparent pyramid.

'Looks to me more like the sand dunes have moved into the area and the local people were intent on saving some of the sites soon to be covered by sand. So they have kept up and excavation of this area for a reason.' the expert said.

'Looks to be something round sitting on top of a square feature. I think it may be an old well, like a lot of these features usually are. Or at least some sort of religious site that is being kept open by the locals'. 

A bizarre triangle shaped crater in Egypt sent theories swirling that it could be an undiscovered pyramid 

UFO landing tracks, England

There are bizarre structures discovered on US and British air bases, such as this one located near Norwich in England. 

With its concrete base and rogue swirling patterns, alien-lovers across the internet claimed it could be a UFO landing track.

Seemingly placed in the middle of a field of sorts, with not many buildings around it, the mystery of what exactly the was home to deepened.

But despite the random, spaced-out designs, what is believed to be the truth behind the track was revealed almost a decade ago.

The area has been deemed a motorcycle range by the UK Ministry of Defense, though some believe it could potentially serve as a calibration mechanism for satellites. 

What was thought to be a UFO landing track turned out to be a motorcycle range

Portal to the underworld, Unknown

Google Earth in 2018 captured a mysterious black space floating in the middle of a road.

The location of the unnerving siting remains unknown adding to the mystery.

Pictured, is what appears to be a typical construction site next to a public footpath.

Three people can be spotted; two older men are standing on the left with one man dressed in black and the other in a red coat.

A younger man appears to be about to the cross the road on the other side, BUT in between the men is a particularly ominous black hole.

After being posted online, internet users went wild with conspiracy theories, speculating that it could be a secret portal to the underworld.

But a more logical explanation later emerged.

As Google stitches images together, there a good chance this was just another Google glitch.

Or, perhaps, an oil spill from the heavy duty vehicles working on the construction site.

A glitch in Google Earth made it seem as if a portal to the underworld had opened up in the middle of the road

Crash-landed alien spaceship, South Georgia Island

Conspiracy theorists claimed to have spotted a 'crash-landed spaceship' in 2018 after a Google Earth image revealed a mysterious object buried in the snow on South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Alien hunters were convinced it was of extra terrestrial origin but the truth would seem to lie closer to home.

Rather than evidence of little green men, it is the result of a large avalanche from a nearby mountain depositing a rock or large chunk of ice onto a glacier below.

Dr Richard Waller, senior lecturer in physical geography at Keele University, was behind the claim. 

The unidentified mass was discovered near Antarctica on the remote South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, where just 20 people live.

The avalanche is located in the upper part, known as the accumulation area, of the Novosilski Glacier, he said.

Speaking to MailOnline in 2018, Dr Waller explained: 'It looks to me as though this feature is related to a large avalanche from a nearby mountain.

'Part of a hanging glacier appears to have collapsed, you can see the avalanche debris at the foot of the slope, and this could be a large block of ice that has travelled further as a consequence.

'The track shows that it's sliding over a snow-covered glacier before it comes to a rest.'

Bizarre tracks could be seen running up behind the object, suggesting it slid through the snow for some distance before coming to a halt. 

A Google Earth image revealed a mysterious object buried in the snow on South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic Ocean

Upon closer inspection, the object was revealed to be the result of a large avalanche from a nearby mountain depositing a rock or large chunk of ice onto a glacier below

The Pentagram, Kazakhstan

A giant five-pointed star etched into the ground deep in Kazakhstan sparked wild ideas after it was spotted on Google Earth. 

As a symbol, pentagrams have a rich history across various cultures and religions, but conspiracy theories run wild, with some folks thinking it could be a sign of devil worship.

But as usual, the explanation is much simpler. 

The massive star, captured within a circle, located near a lake close to the city of Lisakovsk, is actually the remains of an unfinished Soviet-era park. 

Back when Kazakhstan was still part of the Soviet Union, stars were used on buildings, flags, and monuments across the country.

Archaeologists believe what happened on the ground near the popular lake followed that very tradition. 

Roads were built to follow the star shape, and though the park was never completed, those roads are still visible from above, making the star stand out even more against the navy water. 

Today, the site is abandoned and overgrown, adding to its creepy atmosphere.

The star-shaped etching in Kazakhstan appeared to be a satanic symbol, but the reason behind its creation is much more innocent 

Bloody murder scene, Netherlands 

In 2013, a Google Earth image prompted fears that it revealed a chilling and bloody murder scene.  

The shot, which showed what looked like a trail of blood leading down a jetty in the Dutch city of Almere, sparking speculation a body had been dragged along it. 

A shadowy, though unidentifiable figure is seen standing at the edge of the water in the shot, which was taken by a Google Earth helicopter.

However, an online sleuth revealed that is no grisly murder scene, but rather the work of a wet golden retriever called Rama.

Owner Jacquelina Koenen told The Sun in 2013: 'When I saw the picture I realised tt's my dog. He loves the water.

'He jumps off the end of the jetty, swims round to the bridge and runs down to the edge again.

'It's hilarious that everyone thought it was murder. But it's great he's now world famous.'

The paper added that local police confirmed Koenen's story, putting many people's mind at ease after believing they had seen a horror murder scene.

What seemed to be a bloody trail turned out to be the marks left behind by a soggy dog in Almere

The Gates of Hell, Turkmenistan 

The Darvaza gas crater, also known as the 'Gates of Hell,' looks like a giant black hole in the middle of Turkmenistan's Karakum Desert.

But the 230ft wide hole has been on fire for over 50 years, after being created in 1971 when a Soviet drilling rig accidentally punched into a massive underground natural gas cavern, causing the ground to collapse and the entire drilling rig to fall in.

After puncturing a pocket of gas, poisonous fumes began leaking at an alarming rate.

In an attempt to avoid a potential environmental catastrophe, the Soviets set the hole alight, assuming it would stop burning within a few weeks.

But decades later it is still burning and the pit has become a major tourist attraction, drawing in around 10,000 visitors a year.

At night, the spectacle is truly awe-inspiring. The flames illuminate the night sky, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. 

While the temperatures can reach up to 1,000 degrees Celsius, the flames burn without any smoke and offer a clear view of the inferno below.

Turkmenistan's government has considered putting out the fire due to environmental concerns and the waste of valuable natural gas, but the Gates of Hell continue to burn to this day.

The Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan appears as a mysterious black hole in the middle of a barren desert on Google Earth

In reality, the crater is lit up by an orange blaze that has been alive for over 50 years

Billionaire's name in sand, UAE

Hamad bin Hamdan al Nahyan, a billionaire Sheikh and a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, had his name etched into the sand on the island of al Futaisi, which he owns. 

The name is written half a mile in height and two miles in length and is allegedly visible from space, with Google Earth imagery capturing the deep lettering stretching through a sandy area and into the ocean.

Whereas the sea would typically wash away any markings in the sand, these letters are so huge they form waterways that fill with the tides but do not vanish. 

Images show the word 'HAMAD' gradually turning blue as the seawater seeps into the giant etchings.

The name HAMAD can be seen etched into sand in the UAE 

KFC space logo, Nevada

From space, extraterrestrials and astronauts can look back to earth and see The Great Wall of China -- and KFC's Colonel Sanders.

The KFC Corp. in 2007 launched a rebranding campaign with an 87,500 square-foot image of Colonel Sanders in the Nevada desert which the company said makes Kentucky Fried Chicken the world's first brand visible from space.

'If there are extraterrestrials in outer space, KFC wants to become their restaurant of choice,' KFC President Gregg Dedrick said in a statement.

The logo consists of 65,000 one-foot by one-foot painted tile pieces that were assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle.

'If we hear back from a life form in space today - whether NASA astronauts or a signal from some life form on Mars - we'll send up some Original Recipe Chicken,' said Dedrick.

The logo also depicts an updated version of KFC icon Colonel Sanders who wears his signature string tie but with a red apron instead of his classic white double-breasted suit.

The logo was built at the remote Area 51 desert near Rachel, Nevada, which KFC said was known as the UFO capital of the world and famous for its association with UFO conspiracy theories. 

The KFC Corp. in 2007 launched a rebranding campaign with an 87,500 square-foot image of Colonel Sanders in the Nevada desert

The Boneyard, Arizona

The Boneyard appears on Google earth as unbelievably large green space filled with hundreds of abandoned planes.

Although they may seem like toy figures, the aircraft dumped on these grounds are in fact, real.

The Boneyard is the largest plane cemetery in the world, and is located in Tuscon, Arizona.

The site's massive size is equal to an astounding 1,430 football fields, providing ample space for the extensive collection of over 4,000 retired aircraft.

The Boneyard, also known as the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, annually receives 300 aircraft for storage and processes out about the same number (with 50 to 100 of those returning to flying service). 

Aircraft that fly again either return to the US military, US government agencies such as the US Coast Guard, US Forest Service, and NASA, or are sold to allied governments under either the Foreign Military Sales  program of the Arms Export Control Act, or the Excess Defence Articles  program of the Foreign Assistance Act.

The Boneyard, located in Tuscon, Arizona, is the largest plane cemetery in the world

Scarecrow Village, Japan

One Google Earth user was left baffled after stumbling across a village of scarecrow people in Nagoro, Japan.

Once a bustling community, the village has an ever shrinking population, except from the 300 life-sized scarecrows that are dotted around the area.

Their faces seem so real that Google has blurred them out in its digital maps. 

The bizarre scarecrows were created by a local artist named Tsukimi Ayano and allegedly resemble past villagers or imagined characters.

They have been set up by Ayano to make them appear as if they are tending to gardens, fishing by the river, or even waiting for a bus.

She stuffs old clothes with newspaper and cotton wool to make the plush figures that ca be seen on Google Earth placed around the village.

Ayano even started creating dolls that follow international trends. 

Visitors can play a game of real-life 'Where's Waldo,' and can attempt to find the US President Donald Trump scarecrow doppelganger or characters from the Harry Potter series. 

There are also famous Japanese celebrities and comedians. 

On the first Sunday of October, Nagoro holds a festival that exhibits the scarecrows and Ayano's other works. 

She’s just one of approximately thirty people still living in the village. 

One Google Earth user was left baffled after stumbling across a village of scarecrow people in Nagoro, Japan

Local resident and artist Tsukimi Ayano making the head of a life-size doll at her house in the tiny village of Nagoro

Eerie images show the life-sized scarecrows dotted across the village

The dolls are made to appear as if they are carrying out everyday human tasks 

Floating forest, Australia 

Seen on Google Earth as what looks like a floating forest is the shipwreck of SS Ayrfield.

It lies deep in the heart of Sydney, Australia, and over time has been consumed by nature - turning it into a haunting relic.

The large silhouette of the ship appears on the map to be a lonely island, but in reality, it marks an abandoned piece of history that has been left to the elements.

Built in 1911, the SS Ayrfield spent its life hauling cargo up and down Australia's coast. 

But by 1972, its working days were over. It was sent to a scrapyard in Homebush Bay –but they never finished the job.

Over the years, a vibrant mangrove forest established itself within the rusting hull of the wreckage, creating an incredible visual contrast with the dark waters below.

The deteriorating ship has over time been transformed into the floating forest seen from above today, and the natural reclamation has turned the SS Ayrfield into a popular destination for photographers and tourists, providing a unique view of the interaction between human history and nature.

Google Earth shows the SS Ayrfield shipwreck appearing as a small island near Australia

The wreckage has been left to the elements and the vessel is now covered in trees

The SS Ayrfield sits on the shallow harbour bottom with mangroves growing out of her rusting shell

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-12-2024 om 18:25 geschreven door peter