posted 06-21-2001 09:10 PM            

Skywatchers,

RODS
I can demonstrate that the RODS claimed to be a 'mysterious new life form',
are in fact insects. I have experimented for many hours with different
video cameras set at a variety of settings, in an attempt to capture RODS
on tape.
All I have been able to capture, are insects causing "motion blur" on tape,
that are identical to what are claimed to be RODS.

The "new breed" of UFO videographers are falling into the trap of relying
on filming into bright Sunlight to film UFO's. Sunrise and Sunset are also
tricky times of the day to try and film UFO's. At any time that the Sun
itself is just out of view of the camera, either hidden behind a building
roof line or just below the horizon, the bright sky can and does shine onto
natural objects in an unfamiliar manner.

The most common misidentification when filming in the shade of building
eves, is the bright sunlight shining on insect wings, grass seed, spider
web and other airborne natural objects like small bird feathers and pieces
of paper or plastic etc., drifting in the wind.

Wind currents vary in speed and direction. The wind direction at ground
level is more than often blowing in a different direction at just hundreds
of feet higher [or less]
A grass seed blowing in the breeze often suddenly changes direction, stops,
takes off again and turn sharply. All it is doing, is following the
direction of the turbulent wind eddys. This natural occurrence is most
prevalent between ground level and around 500 feet. Wind turbulence is
influenced by buildings, trees, land contours like hills and valleys, and
in towns and cities, the heat radiating off roadways and concrete covered
areas.

If you observe cloudy days, you often see clouds of different altitudes
moving in different, even opposite directions. So just to say an 'object'
is moving against the wind, therefore it must be a UFO is a huge mistake in
analysis of your observation. The natural movements of air currents must be
considered in all direction changes and motion of airborne objects.
Some objects will show that wind currents have a direct influence on their
motion, while other objects will show that air currents have absolutely no
direct influence on the object because of the nature of the object and its
observed movement.

Those filming RODS, should approach this particular subject with caution if
they are to publicly state that what they are filming are a "new biological
life form", if extensive controlled realistic experimentation and testing
procedures are not undertaken first.

Anyone can go out almost any day of the week and film "RODS".
I have hours of them on video. Some show the undulating 'wing' formation
sometimes associated with RODS, while others show the typical 'multi-wing'
feature. But all that is, is the flapping motion of the insects wings
caught on the one video frame showing motion blur.

Try the following for yourself.

- Set your video camera focus to manual / infinity
- Set manual shutter speed to 1/50th. second or less. {Auto shutter works
similar]
[even 1/300th/sec shows good "RODS" sometimes if close insects fly by]
- Aim camera just out of full sunlight directly into the bright area
surrounding the Sun which is shaded by building eves or similar.
- Start filming.

While filming, or previewing the video later,
you should see numerous bright objects flying around.
Some will be moving around very quickly.
These are most likely the closer fast flying insects.
Stop frame viewing of these will look like the 'RODS'

Basically, RODS are not a phenomena filmed OUTSIDE of your video camera,
but a phenomena filmed INSIDE your video camera, resulting from the camera
function settings and the nature of video tape recording of fast moving
objects.

Slower moving bright round 'things' [Spheres] are most often the higher
altitude
grass seeds [ Fluff Balls ]. Once picked up in the camera, these can be
followed for some distance away from the Sun. But these soon disappear from
sight due to the lack of reflecting Sunlight on them as viewed from your
observation position.
These "Fluff Balls" often move erratic, appear to hover, suddenly take off
and change direction. This is a direct effect of wind current turbulence.

Observation of the early morning sky and late afternoon skies when the Sun
is just below the horizon, is another time when misidentification of
natural and man made objects are seen and filmed on video and still
photography.

Sunlight reflection on aircraft vapor trails.
The low altitude of the Sun [below horizon] causing Sunlight to travel
through a thicker layer of atmosphere, often creates a pinkish/orange
colouring in aircraft vapor trails and clouds alike.
This quite often looks very spectacular, and because of unfamiliarity of
such a natural occurrence that only happens occasionally, the observer may
mistakenly think that they have filmed a UFO in flight. Regular observation
of areas of sky where these occurrences have been seen, will usually show
that an Aircraft Flight Path exists there. Observation and filming of all
types of vapor trails and coloured cloud in that area of the sky, will
build up a useful database of video footage that can be used in the future
to assist your research.

The accumulated observation skills and broader knowledge gained, develops a
more accurate assessment of future events.

Sunlight reflected off distant aircraft at altitude, is another common
misidentified man made object erroneously labeled UFO.

Honest Mistakes.
The misidentification of manmade and natural objects given the UFO label,
has been a long term problem. Most often, are honest mistakes on behalf of
the observer or researcher investigating the reports. No one is at fault
here, and the 'blame' can not be directed at either individual. It is an
accepted problem associated with the nature of the subject generally.

However, to-day with a growing number of researchers and UFO investigators
actively researching with the use of video footage, and having access and
direct communication with videographers and skywatchers with video cameras
at the ready, a growing database of UFO footage is being accumulated World
Wide.

As Researchers and seekers of the truth relating to UFO's, the question of
how this video footage is used and most importantly analyzed, is a question
that seriously needs to be answered now. If some reliable system is not
quickly established, than the UFO community could be flooded with footage
of natural and manmade objects that because of the lack of scientific
analysis, be marketed as "genuine UFO footage", when in fact it can be
demonstrated by experienced videographers and researchers, that
misidentified natural objects are shown to be erroneously labeled genuine UFO.

I am not stating these points to be aimed at any individuals in particular.
I see the above as important requirements if we are to be able to
concentrate on the genuine material without being flooded with obviously
easily explainable evidence.

Just because one makes a mistake without serious challenge,
does not mean it is open slather for others to expand on that mistake
without challenge. That would mean anyone is able to present what ever they
see fit to call genuine UFO. If challenged on the validity of content, than
threat of legal action seems to be "the flavor of the day".
It used to be an issue for open debate.
Is this the direction we are heading?

A scientific approach must prevail to aid steady progress.

Researchers around the World, through the proper use of the Internet, can
call upon the accumulated vast knowledge bank available to assist in
various aspects of our research.
The answer is with the people prepared to work together, not against one
another.

We all carry one brick.
Scattered, we only have rubble.
Together we can build a future.

The future of UFO research will fork into two directions.
One will be the ground level researchers, the backbone of UFOlogy.
The other direction will be the commercial enterprise group
whose sole interest will be to sell UFO related product
content quality will not be the issue,
turnover for the investors will be.

This is what the Internet encourages and enables.

Conflict between the two inevitable.
The two fields may not mix successfully, for each has a different agenda.
But with very little effort, they could successfully work together,
And the future rewarding for all involved.
Because one could support the other.
Or, each remain isolated.
What is your choice?