An enigmatic and glistening “metallic orb” UFO, caught on camera by the U.S. military in the Middle East, has long puzzled enthusiasts and skeptics alike. However, the riddle surrounding this object may have finally found a solution. In a surprising twist, data scientists from the ‘open-source’ investigation group, Bellingcat, have offered an unconventional explanation, challenging the notion of an alien probe.
In an incident that occurred on July 12, 2022, a peculiar metallic orb was captured on video, hovering beneath an MQ-9 Reaper drone in the Middle East. The footage was showcased for the first time before the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee in April. The orb sparked speculation, with some pondering its potential extraterrestrial origins.
However, Bellingcat’s data scientists have proposed a different perspective. According to their investigation, the object is most likely a Mylar party balloon. This seemingly mundane explanation deflates the widespread alien probe theories. Furthermore, the researchers were able to trace the flight path of this mysterious orb, previously kept secret by the Pentagon. The object was observed northeast of the city of Deir ez-Zor in Syria.
Bellingcat’s analysis suggests that the unidentified object is likely less than one-and-a-half feet in diameter. Intriguingly, it appears that this orb was released during the “Eid al-Adha,” a significant religious holiday celebrated in the Muslim world.
While Bellingcat’s findings have been met with appreciation and skepticism, some individuals question why the Pentagon’s UFO office chose to emphasize this specific video. Christopher Mellon, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, praised Bellingcat’s conclusion, highlighting the object’s small size and slow speed.
Mellon, known for his involvement in releasing unexplained UFO videos in 2017, has championed the cause of investigating UFOs more seriously and transparently. This effort led to establishing of a permanent UFO office within the Department of Defense, now known as ‘Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena’ (UAP).
Nevertheless, the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), a component of UAP, has faced criticism for handling the UFO investigation. Concerns include the delay in setting up a public-facing website and the absence of a formal reporting system for military personnel to report UFO sightings, as directed by Congress.
Bellingcat’s analysis was made possible by decoding the video’s limited information from AARO, revealing that it was filmed on July 12, 2022, during Syria’s ‘Eid al-Adha’ festivities. The holiday commemorates a significant event from religious texts.
The researchers also addressed the object’s apparent speed, suggesting that an optical illusion may explain its rapid movement. They considered factors like wind speed and altitude, concluding that the object’s speed aligns with the local wind’s.
The mystery of the “metallic orb” UFO appears to have a plausible, terrestrial explanation. While the allure of extraterrestrial encounters persists, Bellingcat’s investigation underscores the importance of scrutinizing UFO sightings critically and embracing more down-to-earth interpretations.