Tis the Season!

 

Friday the 13th, 2023 - Sighting

Location: Oklahoma Co., Oklahoma (eastern). On 1-40 Interstate heading west, just past the merger of I-40 and Kickapoo Turnpike. Traveling to Texas to observe the Solar Eclipse. 

Time: Approx 7:25 a.m.

Date: Friday, Oct. 13, 2023

Conditions: Mostly clear sky with some low, scattered and thin clouds. Heavier clouds further east obscuring sunrise slightly but sky was bright.

Observer was in the passenger seat with a clear view of the north and west skies. An intensely bright white light caught her attention. At first she thought it was either a planet or star but then decided it was too large and too bright. Second was the idea it might be a plane with landing lights on but as the object appeared to be moving in the same general westerly direction she was able to closely note that the object did not reflect light but rather created its own light. No landing lights were seen. No other colors than that intense bright light. 

When she observed the object, the shape was cube-like or square. When she saw it pass in front of one of those low clouds, she realized it was not a satellite, ISS, or a planet/star.

Her phone, at the time, was turned off and she knew she could not turn it on and focus in time to probably catch a clear image. So, she concentrated on watching it.  As she watched, she observed the initial "square" like seem to double, as if one was on the other side, only slightly off to the side. Then she observed that it elongated to become more "rectangular" than square or cube. Then it seemed to become almost elastic-like and appeared to stretch and reform itself. Finally, it was another cube or square, only slightly larger. 

At that time, the object disappeared. It was there one minute and then gone the next. Scanning the skies revealed no objects anywhere in any direction. 

Color: Self-illuminating brilliant white light. Not a reflection but light.

Size: Its apparent size ranged from the size of a BB to a small pea, if held at arm's length.

Lights: Despite long observation (3-5 minutes) no other colors could be seen. No regulation reds, greens, blues, or amber lights. No required dangling flags for low altitude drones.

Research: In trying to determine what it was the tracking information on ISS was checked with information the space station was not in the area to be seen (and was larger than an earlier experience seeing the space station pass), the BLUEWALKER3 satellite. yet examining their tracker info and viewing online videos of its movements it was large but too slow for the object observed. Additionally, Falcon 9/Starlink had no launches the day before or that morning (they had one that night...SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 Starlink satellites on its second Friday launch – Spaceflight Now)

The following sketch was made after the sighting.

1. The initial square or cube form

2. The doubling image

3. The elongating image

4. The twisting like movement  image

5. The final and larger square.

Time to Update the Classifications?

Noted researcher J. Allen Hynek, in his 1972 book " The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry," laid out the three classes of "close encounters:"

• Close encounter of the first kind: Someone simply observes a UFO but it leaves no evidence. Hynek acknowledged that many sightings were of the "light" in the sky variety. He divided them into daylight lights and nocturnal lights.
• Close encounter of the second kind: A UFO leaves physical traces it was present, such as burns on the ground or broken branches.
• Close encounter of the third kind: A person makes contact with a UFO or other life form.

Since then, CE 4 - 7 have been toyed with but do not have a strong consensus.

• Close encounters of the fourth kind: A close encounter of the fourth kind is one in which a human is abducted by an extraterrestrial.
• Close encounters of the fifth kind: A close encounter of the fifth kind is one in which there is bilateral contact with an extraterrestrial entity. Many attempt to use intentional thought  (or lights) to instigate contact.
• Close encounters of the sixth kind: A close encounter of the sixth kind entails a UFO or its inhabitants directly causing injury or death. Many feel this should be under the CE-2 classification as such actions would be trace evidence. 
• Close encounters of the seventh kind: A close encounter of the seventh kind is one in which a human and extraterrestrial mate to produce a hybrid being.

CE1-The Kindergarten level of witness sightings. But a basic body of necessary information should be within the capabilities of all witnesses. Time, date, geographic location, direction of movement, shapes, colors, sounds, speed estimates, environmental conditions (raining, foggy, etc.). Witnesses should be encouraged to not let the video or photo say it all but explain the context through the elements mentioned. 

CE2- Trace elements - broken branches, indentations of objects, burn marks, odd residues should be handled with care.  Do not get too close so the area is not contaminated and you are not contaminated as well. Contact law enforcement but also take photos, sketch the scene, collect eyewitness statements, etc. Report to MUFON as well. 

CE3- Making contact involves touching a craft or speaking to an alien lifeform. 

CE4-Again, due to the problems of fear of ridicule and trauma, these are seldom reported and usually with little evidence or witness statement value. 

CE5- Hard to investigate because little data collection is being utilized. Instead, a focus on metaphysical, philosophical or spiritual aspects drive this approach and science and record keeping are not as important. Such experiential events seldom allow room for data collection, testing, and solutions. 

CE6- Hard to investigate due to the probability of such actions being classified or guarded by agencies and groups due to issues of safety and health. 

CE7- Hard to investigate. This would involve the need for DNA, blood, and trace evidence of many types to be studied by scientists from several fields.