posted
It was a failed Russian missile launch. See below.
(CNN) -- A strange swirl of blue light seen in the morning sky above Norway on Wednesday is being linked to a failed Russian missile test.
The phenomenon could be seen all over Norway with witnesses describing a swirling light which filled the sky around 8.00 a.m. local time (2.00 a.m. ET), which then seemed to explode.
The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed the Russian Navy launched a Bulava ballistic missile on the same day, but has declined to make any connection with the lights seen over Norway.
It confirmed the missile was fired from the "Dmitry Donskoi" nuclear submarine, but would not comment on the submarine's location at the time of launch.
Truls Lynne Hansen, the head of Troms Geophysical Observatory in northern Norway told CNN missile launches were a common sight in the area.
"We have seen rockets being launched from north-west Russia, and the rocket range in Kiruna in northern Sweden, and from the neighboring Andenes in northern Norway, but nothing like this," Hansen said.
"Normally we see the second stage of the rocket burning then it disappears. This was something very unusual," he added.
In a written statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said the missile failed in the third stage of its trajectory.
"Unstable work of the engine of the [missile's] third stage was detected by the monitoring systems," the statement said. "The causes of the technical error are being established by a state commission."
Erik Tandberg, a consultant to the Norwegian Space Center, said the agency had been inundated with calls about the origin of the swirling light.
Within hours he said the agency had concluded that it was a failed Russian missile.
"It was almost certain that it was a Russian military rocket and missile," Tandberg told CNN. "From the first call in the morning yesterday, I think it took about two or three hours until we saw the photographs that it became clear to most people what was involved."
Early theories floated on the Internet included an Alien visit or something related to U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Oslo on Thursday to collect his Nobel Peace Prize.
"I think it was clear to most people that it was not a UFO, as most people define a UFO. Of course everything is a UFO until you know what it is. But most people think about UFOs as aliens and things like that, that was something that came up very early but not later," Tandberg said.
At the Troms Geophysical Observatory, scientists measure the earth's magnetic field, including the aurora borealis, or northern lights, a natural light display seen near the northern magnetic pole.
Hansen said a combination of circumstances made the strange light clearly visible. He attributes the blue haze to gases from the missile being lit by the sun from below.
"We have no sunshine here at the moment. The sun is not rising and is just below the horizon to the east. The sky was very, very clear, cold and clear and this means that gas that was released by the rocket was lit up by the sun from beneath. That was one of the reasons it was so clear," he said.
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Yeah well it's not a missile.. The year is 2009 and I'm sure we've all seen missiles and rockets launched at night... sooo.. Yeah that's not what it looks like. What it is? No idea.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Mach, the key here is that it was a FAILED missile launch. Most of us probably know what a typical missle launch at night looks like, but how many of us have seen a missle launch at night where the missile malfunctions? The "You-Tube" video in the article below gives a good simulation of how the spiral patern could have been formed.
-------------------- One is never completely useless. One can always serve as a bad example. Posts: 2430 | From: CA | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Just a day after a Russian rocket launch set off a spate of UFO sightings in Norway, yet another missile test created a similar sky show over the heart of Russia.
Like Wednesday's launch of the submarine-based Bulava missile from the White Sea, Thursday's launch of the land-based Topol ballistic missile from the Kapustin Yar missile range on the lower Volga River sparked plenty of sightings. Reports came in from Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Ufa and other cities, said NBC News space analyst James Oberg.
The rocket plume created a spiral pattern in the sky, though the pattern wasn't as striking as the one seen over Norway earlier in the week. "The difference in sunlight conditions from pre-dawn northern Norway may account for much of the visual differences," Oberg said.
-------------------- One is never completely useless. One can always serve as a bad example. Posts: 2430 | From: CA | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Relentless.: umm.. yeah it's really not a missile...
something funny is going on...
i've never seen a malfunctioning missile, but i've seen plenty of non-malfuntioning ones, and i would expect a corkscrew not a big giant spiral...
i suppose it is possible they are testing some sort of defense mechanism, but it's not what i would would expcet from a side leak in a motor or engine.
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
I have no idea what that one or the three or four other videos of similar events are.. no idea. But its not a missile functioning or failing. Russia's quick response touting their inability to launch a missile is just hilarious. The US's lack of response over what has been claimed to be a new weapon system is equally hilarious.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Sure does. Looks just like the the destruction of the 3rd stage of a failed missile as proffered earlier. Errant missile with the spiral...then a big bang in the atmosphere. Glad you solved that riddle Rent!
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Yeah.. except for the bang or any sign what so ever of a misile or an explanation of blue smoke.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
The "bang" was seen at the end of the video you posted. The video was taken after the missile had already reached altitude. The blue swirling smoke was explained in the article I posted several posts ago.
Or could it all be a ploy by the little grey guys? Hmmmm.....
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Relentless.: Yup, bangs are black
Actually there was a white/yellow flash first....then the shockwave from the blast. Watch the video you posted again...it looks pretty clear on the video.
Or....it could be those Varmints from outer space implementing that notorious Plan #9. The bastages!!!
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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LOL! Those are some very funny vids rent. But what does that have to do with what we were talking about? I especially loved the first one....you know...the amatuer rocket. Glad you included it. Was funny!
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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posted
Somewhat puzzling that you fail to make a connection between a discussion about a supposed failed missile launch with videos of failed missile launches.. Well actually it's not puzzling at all.. expected surely.. not puzzling.
I remember not too long ago when this board was populated with folks capable of holding intelligent arguments.. So sad those days are over.. Now this place is just a shallow puddle of mediocre talent at best.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Relentless.: Somewhat puzzling that you fail to make a connection between a discussion about a supposed failed missile launch with videos of failed missile launches.. Well actually it's not puzzling at all.. expected surely.. not puzzling.
I remember not too long ago when this board was populated with folks capable of holding intelligent arguments.. So sad those days are over.. Now this place is just a shallow puddle of mediocre talent at best.
Awwww...poor little Renty. Your "failed missile" videos were a joke. They were out of context to the environment that caused the light show. And I agree, with posters such as yourself from the shallow end of the gene pool(muddy waters/cess pool), the intelligent arguments have gone the way of the DoDo. Especially, when someone with such self proclaimed grey matter,as yourself, can't even recognize when they are being joked with. You need to get over that "little man" syndrome you are afflicted with and realize when somebody is just joking with you. Relax!
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by glassman: i am surprised there is no mass pilgrimage to find the next coming.
Actually, judging by his posts on this thread, I think Renty is getting one started.
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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quote:Originally posted by glassman: you have to admit it looks just like a stargate without the water
Maybe Rent will volunteer to be the first one to go through!
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
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