Surely someone has had a UFO spotting in their long life experience that they can share so we can begin an exciting discussion about UFOs. Please share your experience...

This is one of my favourite UFO photos.<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.metawake.info/images/ufo_soho.jpg" alt=" - " /><br /><br />It was taken by the SOHO (Solar & Heliospheric Observatory) satellite, which was launched on December 2, 1995, as a joint project between NASA and the European Space Agency to observe the sun.<br /><br />See other SOHO UFO photos at BBC News site. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/default/shocked.gif" /> <br /><br />To find out more about the SOHO satellite see this Nasa SOHO site. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/default/cool.gif" />

I would hate to burst someones bubble.. But this is a picture of M75 galaxy just off to the side and lower to the Sun.<br /><br />Sorry.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" /> <br /><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.scannerdesk.com/images/m75.jpg" alt=" - " />

Thanks for posting, Dave! <img border="0" alt="[All Hail]" title="" src="graemlins/default/all_hail.gif" /> I was hoping to eventually lure your into the metaphysical forum. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/default/wink.gif" /> I was thinking you might post about the stance from the space agencies that these photos were faked. But you came up with something much better.<br /><br />I am not very versed in the layout of galaxies so I am happy to rely on your expertise. Does this mean that the SOHO satellite could not have taken this photo? I was trusting it to be legitimate because it was in the newspapers <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/default/rolleyes.gif" /> and on the UFO sites I read that I feel are legitimate.<br /><br />I am willing to be wrong on this being legitimate, though it is not hard for me to believe it to be true with all of the thousands of "UFO" photos, video, and even greater number of believable experiences people have related regarding alien visitors.

it is a legit picture, it not only took a pic of the sun, but also M75 in the same area. At those wavelengths, the Globular clusters can show up very bright and slightly distorted. Also on that day Jupiter was floating through the view as well.<br /><br />In theory, from what I have been told, that UFO's would not show up on these soho instraments as they would be extreamly cooler than the surrounding area. So it thory (sp?) they should show up almost black.

Jupiter would also cause that type of distortion as well.

So you are saying that this symmetrical object that looks like a sterotypical alien craft is a globular cluster, or possibly Jupiter, and that if in theory an alien space craft was in the vacinity and got captured in the photo, it would look black, not brightly coloured because of the bright light of the sun behind it?

Soho uses instraments that take reading at certain wavelengths that would pick up the difference chemical compounds in the Suns makeup. Metal objects would, in principal, would show up as weak signals as they would be reflecting the energy, not causing energy at those wavelengths.<br /><br />But not being a certified scientist, I could have read this off a bubble gum package.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" />

So is this not an actual photograph? Is it a picture drawn by a computer based on instruments?

I cant understand anything you guys are saying!!!

Well, Briarne, I don't blame you! It was getting a bit complicated. Dave, having lots of knowledge about space, was trying to explain to me alternative interpretations for the "thing" in the photograph other than it being a "UFO". Meanwhile, there are people who believe this photo is clearly evidence of an extraterrestrial vehicle.<br /><br />However, just like most unsolved mysteries in the world, it is up to each person to choose what they want to believe and how they interpret the clues.<br /><br />I have seen and read much literature on extraterrestrial/UFO experiences, for which there are thousands of cases, and they ring true to me. And I reason that if only one person's account is true and accurate, then this phenomenon exists.<br /><br />Unfortunately I have not personally seen a UFO at this stage (but I am always looking out for one). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/default/shocked.gif" />

'A' No its not an actual photograph. Photographs are only good in the visible light spectrum (or close by) for example infrared and ultra violet.<br /><br />For example to measure radiation exposure, can be done with high speed film of ASA 800 or faster, incased in a light tight badge.<br /><br />You then wear it around the plant, later its carefully developed. If there is exposure the film will show up.<br /><br />Remember at airports you can't put high speed film through the machines. I have a few times travelled with ASA-1000 and insist its NOT xrayed, else its toast.<br /><br />Anyway back to your question. They measure radiation at different wavelengths. This data is then sent here where they can layer (as it has multiple instruments taking various readings) and you can combine them to end up with a 'virtual' picture.<br /><br />Think of it like your monitor works. You use 100% red + 100% blue + 100% green you get white. Also like component video, you have Y (being luminance) and U V being the colour broken up. Combine YUV you get a colour picture.<br /><br />Same principle here. Except its just basically readings that are all mapped together.

Thank you for your reply and explanation, Webmaster. <img border="0" alt="[All Hail]" title="" src="graemlins/default/all_hail.gif" /> <br /><br />I still think it is an ET UFO, but now I understand how the "photos" are taken. Brilliant! <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/default/cheers.gif" />

Unless there is life some where in M75, which I don't think so, I don't think there is an ET version of a UFO in that photo.

I remain respectful of your opinion, but I must argue that the craft would not need to be from M75 to be there.<br /><br />I don't think we can make assumptions about what the craft is made of, where it is from, nor its travel capabilities (how do we know it is constrained by the same principles we consider physical laws, such as the speed of light).<br /><br />I see a symmetrical shape in this photo that others have suggested is a "UFO", and lack of any proof to the contrary, I lean toward what I want it to be. I am happy to think that there are others in this universe besides ourselves, at all levels of intelligence and capability. In fact, I need there to be others. And I believe we are much more likely to find something if we are looking for it. For example, we would never have found the microscopic or telescopic world if at least one of us did not theorize and desire its existence and then look for it.<br /><br />But we are all entitled to our opinion and I accept that you guys don't think it is a UFO. <img border="0" alt="[Ja]" title="" src="graemlins/default/ja.gif" /> <br /><br />I will start another topic about UFOs though, because there are a few more instances of popular UFO experiences that I would love to hear you explain away. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/default/wink.gif" /> (I need a cheeky instant gremlin here). <br /><br />Of course if anyone wishes to continue and add replies to this topic, I'm happy to keep on going... <img border="0" alt="[Banana]" title="" src="graemlins/default/banana.gif" />

Now if you had asked me if George W. Bush was an alien or an ET, then I would have to agree.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />Do I think there is life out there, could be. Do I think they are visiting us, nah. I don't think we are that interesting.<br /><br />Do I believe there is life on this planet that is still alien ( a little twist on a defination) to us (ie. Bigfoot), yes I do.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" />

<img border="0" alt="[Thinking]" title="" src="graemlins/default/thinking.gif" /> Bigfoot, eh? I will have to start a new topic and see what you know. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/default/wink.gif" /> <br /><br />As for aliens not finding us of interest--I think we are pretty intriguing creatures. I am fascinated with birds, rodents, and much, much more. I may be more advanced than them (or not <img border="0" alt="[Crazy]" title="" src="graemlins/default/crazy.gif" /> ) having the ability to reason and use language, but I still want to know all about them, help them, admire them. And I love them just because everything that exists is a miraculous creation and worthy of study.<br /><br />So see, maybe an advanced culture finds us cute. <img border="0" alt="[Ja]" title="" src="graemlins/default/ja.gif" /> Maybe this advanced culture can read our individual intentions clearly (an ability many humans possess to varying degrees). And maybe they are more willing to appear for those they know are keen and able to handle such a revelation. Maybe they see us kinda like we see a tiger, scary-but-cute and best viewed from an invisible stance for the most part. Who knows?! Maybe they engineered us and like to check up on our progress. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/default/shocked.gif" />

A - Hmmm I got to agree with Dave there...<br /><br />Firstly George W - well if he was an alien, gee how the hell did they get enough intelligence to space travel <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/default/cheers.gif" /> <br /><br />I think more like if he is anything, it would be an a part of your anatomy, or named like a planet in our solar system (between Saturn and Neptune <img border="0" alt="[Dance]" title="" src="graemlins/default/dance.gif" /> ) <br /><br />Next is there life out there - absolutely YES. To assume in the vast universe that ours is the only planet that has life or intelligent life is absurd.<br /><br />Would they visit us - why would they have to? If they can travel those sort of distances, it would have to be by folding space. Anyone that can harness the immense energy and technology that would be required could easily just fold a doorway to have a full 3D live view of our world and probably have it folded so its one way completely, like a one way mirror.<br /><br />Think about it seriously, 10's of millions of light years distances this sort of technology such 'viewing' would be a snap.<br /><br />Think latterial. Look up at the sky at night. Do you realise that a some of those very stars may not exist anymore? They may have died thousands even millions of years ago, but the light you see is that old! Just because it shines and twinkles it may not be there.<br /><br />Also the vast distances involved, think of the radio waves we are sending out. By the time anyone would receive them, our sun will be a red giant or shrunk to a white dwarf and we either moved or are finished.<br /><br />In the future for us - say take time travel. Why the hell would you risk actually going there. Not to mention the paradox that could occur. Your molecules and atoms occupy this space time. Where were you say 1000 years ago? Part of many other things, in bits everywhere. So say you physically then go back.<br /><br />Woops you got atoms and molecules occupying two different spaces at the same time. What happens if you were to touch one, some of you may be airbourne?<br /><br />Probably the only way you could exist would be in a time bubble where your in the present time, and outside you is remote time. Again if you had the technology, why go?, you could see everything, interact without endangering anything.<br /><br />So that is why I say they do not visit us <img border="0" alt="[Samurai Chop]" title="" src="graemlins/samurai2.gif" />

We can't presume to know the basis for alien technology and travel, and the side effects if any. And how do you know they would only want to view us as opposed to visit us? Now you are an alien psychologist? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/default/rolleyes.gif" /> And even if we assume that aliens only "view" us, that still means their presence is "there", which is the main point. <img border="0" alt="[Ja]" title="" src="graemlins/default/ja.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Arial, Tahoma, Verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Arial, Tahoma, Verdana">Originally posted by Alisa:<br /><strong> We can't presume to know the basis for alien technology and travel, and the side effects if any. And how do you know they would only want to view us as opposed to visit us? Now you are an alien psychologist? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/default/rolleyes.gif" /> And even if we assume that aliens only "view" us, that still means their presence is "there", which is the main point. <img border="0" alt="[Ja]" title="" src="graemlins/default/ja.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Arial, Tahoma, Verdana">Okay <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/default/grin.gif" /> well likewise you can't claim to know they would want to actually visit us as compared to view us, that is the same ambigious statement that your saying I am making but in your favour <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/default/cheers.gif" /> <br /><br />Also this would indicate that your now playing Alien psychologist saying they would want to visit rather than view. But I think this is a human emotion as that is how you feel if you had a choice between visiting or viewing.<br /><br />So now who is making assumptions on how they think? <img border="0" alt="[Cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/default/cheers.gif" /> <br /><br />However your <img border="0" alt="[Off Topic]" title="" src="graemlins/default/offtopic.gif" /> about now saying that even viewing is visiting...<br /><br />If I can push your attention back to Do you believe that aliens are visiting Earth's skies?<br /><br />This clearly states that </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Arial, Tahoma, Verdana">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Arial, Tahoma, Verdana"><br />Do you believe that aliens are visiting Earth's skies?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Arial, Tahoma, Verdana">So I am afraid 'viewing' does not count as visiting.<br /><br />Example - If I have security camera's around and watch someone live on it, I am viewing them. So you can't say I am visiting them <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/default/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />So you have to say your poll is in error if your now intending to say now viewing counts as visiting.<br /><br />I think you either have to accept that point or maybe it might have to be locked as mis represented.<br /><br />I think my katana is razor sharp tonight <img border="0" alt="[Samurai Chop]" title="" src="graemlins/samurai2.gif" />

Okay, Webmaster. You can have the last word on alien psychology: visiting vs. viewing. <img border="0" alt="[Crazy]" title="" src="graemlins/default/crazy.gif" />