We just got video of the object that was spotted hovering over Arizona and New Mexico yesterday -- NASA says it's a giant research balloon, but locals aren't so sure.
Watch the clip from our friends at Ye Olde UFO Store -- and see if it changes your opinion.
46. My compadre wrote this story that appeared in the paper this morning. Explains everything:
Research balloon seen over Tri-state and beyond prompts reports of UFO
By DANIEL CALLAHAN/The Daily News
Monday, May 18, 2009 11:51 PM CDT
TRI-STATE - Monday evening, an object was sighted over the Tri-state prompting calls to the Bullhead City Police Department of an UFO.
The object was, in fact, a balloon. A science balloon.
According to Bill Stepp, operations manager for the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) in Palestine, Texas, the balloon was launched as part of a research project conducted by Dr. Steven Boggs, of the University of California, Berkeley, to measure gamma rays in an effort to develop a better idea of the origins of the universe.
The balloon took off at 7:30 a.m. Sunday from Fort Sumner, N.M., carrying a gamma ray detector to roughly 26 miles above the earth. Early Monday afternoon, it was sighted by National Weather Service personnel in Flagstaff. At 8:24 p.m., after floating for a little more than 38 hours, the order was given for the balloon to release its payload about 32 miles southeast of Kingman.
As of 9 p.m., the payload, supported by a parachute, had no yet landed but was gently floating just below 10,000 feet.
Stepp noted that the CSBF launches 10 to 12 balloons a year that end up in the skies over Arizona and that they often are mistaken for UFOs.
While not a UFO, the balloon was made of polyethylene film about the thickness of a standard sandwich bag, according to the CSBF Web site. Such balloons can carry payloads of up to 8,000 pounds. When launched, the balloons are partially filled with helium gas, the same as in party balloons. As the balloons rise, the helium expands.
When the time is right, the payload is released, the balloon is torn and it releases the helium. The payload, generally some type of measuring device, floats down to the ground on a parachute.
According to Stepp, CSBF launches between 20 to 25 balloons a year from locations in New Mexico, Australia, Sweden and Antarctica, as well as other locations around the world.
Posted at 12:49AM on May 20th 2009 by lowly peon
47. Obviously, it's a bubble. For a couple of bucks, you can run down to any discount store, pick up a bottle of solution, then create an entire alien invasion....
Posted at 2:25PM on May 22nd 2009 by ToontownJuggalo
48. Guys, I live in Sedona. Ye Olde UFO store flies that clear balloon over their store every now and then, and then pretends its a UFO. I've seen the balloon, and the string that connects it to the store.
Posted at 5:05AM on May 20th 2009 by E Rider
49. Its a wierd picture. But, a balloon won't stay in the same SPOT as long as this did. Watch the tree as a marker!
No, I don't agree that it's a balloon. They do NOT stay stationary.
Posted at 3:57AM on Jun 23rd 2009 by LoCharlie
50. I live in Sedona. They fly that balloon above the store all the time. I've seen the string that connects it to the store.
Posted at 5:06AM on May 20th 2009 by E Rider
51. Everyone is so desperate for something more...guess what...this is your life. Deal with it...Tom. you'll wake to the same boring life you did today...and no aliens to make it seem more exciting....
Posted at 6:53AM on May 20th 2009 by K
52. i bet there is intelligent alien life within it, and it will propell all the current scientifick wisdumb into whole new spheres!! can't wait!! someone! catch that bubble!!
Posted at 6:55AM on May 20th 2009 by just another smith
53. Its a UAB, unidentified air baloon
Posted at 5:23PM on May 20th 2009 by hamilTonyan
54. spongebob squarepants did it~
Posted at 8:16AM on May 20th 2009 by Dilbert Filbert
55. 10. Do you really think of aliens were coming they'd do it in broad daylight? LOL.
Posted at 5:02PM on May 19th 2009 by Xenu
-------------------
Do you really think if aliens existed and they came, they would care if it's night or day?
Posted at 9:17AM on May 20th 2009 by Will
56. I worked on many balloon flights with NASA from Ft. Sumner NM, and Palestine TX.
Take it from a person whose seen this many times, it was a balloon. Try this link http://www.csbf.nasa.gov/.
Happy Flying!
Posted at 9:24AM on May 20th 2009 by mattlabrat
57. it's a balloon you morons, something that high in the sky would be nearly impossible to see small movements, not to mention if it got brighter....well you know there is this thing in the sky called the SUN and it tends to reflect off things
Posted at 9:51AM on May 20th 2009 by xxx
58. #57... ha ha ha- you said "something that high"
Posted at 2:45PM on May 20th 2009 by Mitch Kramer
59. just floated there... like a BALLOON... idiots...
Posted at 4:15PM on May 20th 2009 by ET
60. Its a friggin bubble...
Posted at 5:42PM on May 21st 2009 by Meghan
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