[Year]

2010

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

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Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Contents
Overview...................................................................................................................................................................4 Key Patterns............................................................................................................................................................5 Analysis....................................................................................................................................................................6 Types of sightings.................................................................................................................................................6 Regional Distribution..........................................................................................................................................10 SVP Rating..........................................................................................................................................................11 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................................................13 Annex A1 - Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia - 2010....................14 Annex A2 Unclear UFO Sightings/Related Phenomena Reports 2010.................................................24 Annex A3 IFOs and Hoax in Indonesia - 2010.............................................................................................. 25 Annex B Photographs.......................................................................................................................................26 Annex C Analysis of Alleged Pontianak UFO Video.................................................................................... 31 Annex D Vallees Data Classification System............................................................................................... 32
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

This report is collated and written for BETA UFO by Andyono M. (BETA UFO associate researcher). All analysis and conclusions presented in this report, unless specified otherwise, is the responsibility of the report writer.

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Overview
The following report comprised over 50 cases of reported UFO sightings & related phenomena collected throughout the year 2010 by The BETA UFO group 1 . The data is collected from various reports coming in through the groups mailing list as well as from direct/second hand testimonies received privately by researchers associated with the group. Out of the 50 filed cases, 45 (90%) are considered to be unexplained. Four cases are determined to be identified Flying Objects (IFOs) while 1 case has been revealed as a hoax. These 5 cases are filed without any reference case number to differentiate them from the unexplained entries. As a further effort in highlighting these data they are also presented in a separate table (Annex A3) 2 . The same is done to 4 other reported cases that have no clear information regarding the exact time of the incidents (Annex A2). A major constraint in data collection, other than lack of details, lies with the fact that it might very well represent only a small portion of all UFO sightings that took place in the country in 2010. It has been noted from time to time that people do tend to report cases through other means than BETA UFO. A significant number of reports also tend to come up years after it happened as people are reluctant to talk or dont know who to talk to about their sighting experience. The major aim of the analysis is to provide a general outlook of the data that can function as a stepping stone for more detailed future studies. Of particular interest is the outlining of significant patterns within the compiled data and the comparison of these annual patterns. The data analysis itself is focused on three main features that are considered to be quite basic for UFO sighting data analysis. The three features are: types of sightings regional distribution of sightings SVP rating measurement.

The data compiling was begun in late 2010 and finished by January 2011. The latest revised version (as presented in Appendix A1 & A2) was finished in February 2011. Revision was mostly made on details of the reports. BETA UFO itself is a network of various organizations/groups interested in the study of the UFO phenomenon in Indonesia. The primary groups involved to date are BETA UFO and UFONESIA. 2 The IFOs and Hoax entries are, however, calculated in the regional distribution and SVP rating analyses.

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Key Patterns
Several significant patterns found in the 2010 data are presented below. These key patterns are considered to be significant based on comparison with the 2009 compiled data as well as older data available in the BETA UFO database. The number of reported sightings has increased substantially from 38 cases in 2009 to 45 cases in 2010. The increase seemed to denote an increased awareness of the UFO phenomenon among the general public that has been identified since 2009. It could also mark a real increase in the actual number of UFO phenomenon occurring in 2010. The number of reported sightings of triangular shaped objects has increased substantially in 2010. As many as 4 sightings were reported in 2010 compared to only 1 case in 2009. As it was with the 2009 data all the reports in 2010 came from witnesses in Java Island. This seemed to fit the pattern of data in the country (dating back to 1890), where sighting of triangular shaped objects have only been reported in Java Island. One reported sighting case has been identified as a hoax in 2010. At least 2 other cases have also been identified as a hoax in 2009, although not included in the years Case Review report. Despite the relatively low number of cases it is assessed that the continuous perpetration of such hoaxes might become a persistent pattern in the reporting of UFO sightings/related phenomena in the country.

Just as it was in 2009, the majority of reported sightings compiled in 2010 (20 cases/44%) involved an FB1 type of phenomenon. A change takes place with the AN 1 category (16 cases/36%) that has moved up to second place and the MA1 category (8 cases/18%) that has dropped to third place compared to their respective rankings in 2009. This years compiled reports also included 4 cases that have been identified as natural phenomena (IFO). Despite the use of the word natural the cases are actually analyzed to be caused by man-made objects (i.e. camera lens and Chinese lanterns). A predominant number of cases in 2010 (29/58%) were reported from Java (21 cases/42%) and Sumatra Islands (4 cases/8%). This pattern basically resembles the 2009 sighting reports regional distribution. A noted change, however, is identified with the sub-regional data distribution. Contrary to the pattern in 2009, a large number of cases (31/62%) are now reported from the urban areas. The cities of Jakarta and Bandung, however, still figured quite prominently as areas with a lot of UFO sighting reports (each with 8[16%] and 4[8%] cases respectively).

The SVP rating for reported sighting cases compiled in 2010 showed that most of them (13 cases/26%) falls within the hard to explain category. These are cases that do not fit into any known natural explanation or phenomena, including man-made technologies and their resultant effects. The data also show a slight increase in the number of cases involving site visitation by a person who is either familiar with/a reliable investigator of the UFO phenomenon (from 2 cases in 2009 to 3 in 2010).

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Analysis
Types of sightings
The majority of reported UFO sighting cases compiled in 2010 (20 cases/44%) involved an FB1 type of phenomenon (See Figure 1). Coming at second place (16 cases/36%) is the AN 1 category that comprises anomalies such as amorphous lights and unexplained explosions/sounds. In third place is the MA1 category (8 cases/18%) that stands for sightings of objects showing disrupted trajectory (maneuvers).
20 15 10 5 0 Hoax(1) MA1 (8) IFO(4) AN1 (17) FB1(20)

Figure 1 Types of Sightings

The FB1 category, standing for unidentified objects flying by through the sky, involves intriguing data with more details than the definition would seem to imply. Some of the objects sighted, as it was with the 2009 data, are reported to be hovering and swirling in a stationary manner. One case of particular interest involved an object that reportedly decreased speed in mid air, right above the witnesses position. Table-1 lists the various descriptions that comprised the FB1 classification in this report. Table-1 FB1 Descriptions Description Movement Characteristics Fast/very fast and without a sound Slowly and with a very bright light, followed by the sound of an explosion 20km away In a certain formation Slowly and without a sound Swirling and then moving quickly, to a certain direction Flying from/away from a certain object Decreased speed in mid air, right above witnesses position Second sighted object moved faster than the first one In tremendous speed Low and without a sound No information given Total

Frequency

Case No.

2 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 [1] 7

1;7 6 18;41 21 24 9;29 32 36 37 [41] 10;22;28; 30;33;39;44 20 (44%)

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Description Flight Trajectory Towards/to the East North to West To the North West to East North to West and then to the South South West to the North East No information given

Frequency 4 1 2 [2] 1 1 10

Case No.

Total General Movement Flying by in /across the sky

9;21;24;33 18 29;36 32;[36] 41 44 1;6;7;9;10; 14;22;28;37; 39 20 (44%) 6;9;10;14; 22;28;29; 32;33;36; 37;39;41;40 18;30 1 21 24 7 20 (44%)

14

Moving in a group across the sky Flying by horizontally Hovering Swirling No information given Total

2 1 1 1 1

The AN1 category mostly involves amorphous lights/objects with bright lights seen in the sky although with differing details (such as the types of colors and/or movement seen during the sighting). Table-2 lists the many different descriptions and circumstances revealed by witnesses in the 2010 compiled data. Table-2 AN1 Descriptions Description At least 50 balls of lights were seen grouped in a straight line formation. Strange objects not noticed until the photographs are processed for viewing. A strange glowing cloud formation. A red, blinking light that appeared and disappeared out of nowhere in the sky. A bright light that appeared out of nowhere in the sky and disappeared in 30 seconds. A single bright light surrounded by several moving lights. Three stationary, green lights shaped like bars. A flash of light, like a jet plane afterburner but with no sound that disappeared almost as fast as it appeared.

Frequency 1 3 1 1 1 1 1

Case No. 3 4;12;15 5 16 18 19 20

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Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Description A stationary, star-like object that started to glow brighter and brighter quickly, like a cameras flash light before disappearing. A strange elliptical object, with green and purple tinge around its bottom part, appeared in a photograph. Several colorful lights making a formation in the sky. A strange object with swirling and blinking lights, hovering in the sky. A formation of bright, white lights moving around in the sky. Several strange objects were sighted appearing out of nowhere in the sky. One of the object looked like a Hang Glider/Delta Plane while about six others looked like black dots. Total

Frequency 1

Case No. 26

31

1 1 1

38 40 42

43

16 (36%)

A significant portion of the AN1 cases involved objects appearing on photographs that were not sighted/noticed until the photographs were actually developed (i.e. uploaded to a computer). The BETA UFO database has included such cases before and most of the times they are proven to have a natural explanation. Nevertheless, these particular photograph cases in 2010 have yet to be explained as having a natural cause. Another emerging pattern in the AN1 compiled data is the sighting of objects that are grouped together. Five cases involved objects that are seen together in a group/formation. This includes the intriguing Case No.47 in Jakarta, where several strange objects were sighted appearing out of nowhere in the sky, looking like a Hang Glider and black dots. In addition, the objects were sighted and photographed from an office building window, which is also a new type of sighting circumstances in the history of UFO sighting in the country. The MA1 category, that involves maneuvering objects, also showed descriptions as colorful as the other categories (see Table-3). Two of the cases (Case No.13 and 26) are of particular interest as they involved the sighting of triangular objects that are quite rare. The other cases generally give a clear indication of some form of intelligent control of the aerial objects. All of these objects are reported to be making maneuvers that defy any literally natural explanation (i.e. with the absence of a controlling system). Table-3 MA1 Descriptions Description Eight objects maneuvered into a Vshaped formation from a parallel, twostraight lines formation (each encompassing 4 objects). An object, flying horizontally from West to East, ascended and disappeared from view. 8

Frequency 1

Case No. 2

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Description An object flew in from the direction of the sea. It hovered and swirled around in the sky before flying off inland. A triangular-shaped object, tilted on one of its sides, glow brighter before disappearing from view. An object with triangular green lights and a red light marking its tail-end, allegedly made maneuvers indicating an effort to land. An object with blue & red lights made circling & hovering maneuvers in the sky. A white, round object flying across the sky stopped in mid air before disappearing from view. A yellow disc-shaped object was followed by several colorful objects that formed a W-shaped formation around the disc. The objects made disrupted trajectories several times in mid air. Total

Frequency 1

Case No. 11

13

23

27

34

35

8 (18%)

A major difference in the 2010 data is the inclusion of 4 cases of Identified Flying Objects (IFOs) and one case of proven Hoax. This inclusion was more likely determined by the timing of the report writing that fits with the announcement of conclusions reached by BETA UFO researchers rather than anything else. Nevertheless, it also entails the purpose of highlighting the increased capacity of the organization in concluding the nature of possible UFO sightings. The IFO entries involves 2 cases of misidentified black sun effect on video recordings, 1 case of a misidentified lens flare effect on a photograph and 1 case of misidentified Chinese lanterns. At least 2 of the cases, including BETA UFOs analysis of their nature, were covered by several national media. In several instances, statements by BETA UFO researchers were also subtly juxtaposed with official comments from government agencies (including comments from the National Space and Aviation Agency {LAPAN}). In addition to this reports major differences with last years version, the 2010 data now also include 5 cases regarded as unclear due to lack of information (see Annex A2). These cases represent the growing number of reports that seemed to indicate a strange reluctance to reveal more details to honest inquiries by UFO researchers, as well as possible efforts at perpetrating hoaxes.

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Regional Distribution
As it was in 2009, the 2010 compiled data showed that a predominant number of cases (29/ 58%) were reported from Java (21 cases/42%) and Sumatra Islands (4 cases/8%). In Java Island itself a majority of the cases were reported from West Java Province (6 cases/12%) and the capital city, Jakarta (8 cases/16%). This pattern basically resembles the 2009 sighting reports regional distribution. A noted change, as can be seen in Table-4, is identified in the sub-regional distribution of the 2010 reported cases. Contrary to the emerging pattern in 2009, a large number of cases (31/62%) are now reported from the urban areas. However, as it was in 2009, the city of Jakarta and Bandung once again figured quite prominently as areas with quite a few UFO sighting reports (each with 8[16%] and 4[8%] cases respectively). It remains to be understood as to why these places seemed to become such a hot spot for UFO sightings. Table-4 Urban Areas Area Frequency Case No. Sumatra Island Banda Aceh 2 8;44 Palembang 1 7 Krui 1 11 Sub Total 4 (8%) Kalimantan Island Pontianak 1 B Sub Total 1 (2%) Java Island Jakarta: 40;43 South 14;33;34 Jakarta 2 18;38;45 East Jakarta 3 Central 3 Jakarta West Java: Bogor Bandung Central Java: Semarang East Java: Surabaya Malang Krian Sub Total Bali Island Singaraja Denpasar Sub Total Sulawesi Island Kendari Gorontalo Sub Total Total

2 4 2 3 1 1

10;D 15;19;22;26 21;27 18;C;36 9 13 21 (42%) 35 41;42 3 (6%)

1 2

1 1 2 (4%) 31 (62%) 10

A 24

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

SVP Rating
The SVP rating for reported sighting cases compiled in 2010 showed that most of them (13 cases/26%) falls within the hard to explain category. These are cases that do not fit into any known natural explanation or phenomena. In this context, it should be noted that the term natural has also been expanded to include man-made technologies and their resultant effects (i.e. camera lens that could produce lens flare effect in certain conditions, etc). It also denotes the fact that even if there are signs/hints of a certain technology used behind the reported sighting then that technology is considered unknown with no apparent precedent in the current development of science.
100 323 131 122 [000] 101 101 102 103 122 131 103 102 323 100 [000]

In addition to the 13 hard to explain cases, the compiled 2010 reports also showed 22 cases where natural explanations would require major alteration of one or several parameters (categories 102 and 103). These included cases where the possibility of an airplane or helicopter misidentified as UFOs, for example, are taken into account while still acknowledging the fact that such a misidentification would need major alterations of the circumstances of the sighting. The alterations, in turn, also create even more oddities that needed rather than provided- more answers.

One example is Case No.21 in Jakarta, where several witnesses reportedly saw many purple lights flying by across the sky, from North to West. The objects were not blinking & were moving at a certain distant from each other, like in a formation. Some of the objects were also seen to form an arrow head formation. In this example, classified as a 103 case, consideration is given to a number of possible natural explanations. One of which is the possibility of airplane (perhaps military jet fighters) maneuvering in the area. However, for such an explanation to stand, several major parameters that need to be altered (and their consequent problems to be answered) are: Table-5 SVP Rating and Frequency Rating Frequency Category 000 1 100 4 101 7 102 11 103 11 104 13 122 1 131 1 323 1 Total 50 (100%)

That all the airplanes are using unusually colored (purple) lights (which will bring up the next question: why use such lights?); That none of the witnesses heard the airplanes engines at all because they were flying too high (if so, how come the witnesses could still see them?) etc 11

Indonesian UFO Case review 2010

Other possible explanations were also explored, including Chinese lanterns and kites equipped with purple led lights. Nonetheless, all of them created even more oddities that would need to be modified significantly to fit the natural explanation. On a different side of the data SVP analysis, at least 3 cases involved site visitation by a person who is familiar with the UFO phenomenon/a reliable investigator of the UFO phenomenon. These include both sighting cases by members of BETA UFO who are also well informed of the phenomenon (Case No.3 & 34) and a case where direct testimony was received by a skilled investigator and long standing member of BETA UFO during a field investigation. Despite showing only a slight increase (from 2 cases in 2009 to 3 cases in 2010), the rising number of site visitation marked a growing effort from BETA UFO to gather first hand field data for reported sighting cases. In particular, it also marked the groups growing reputation among the national media as a place to clarify issues regarding reports of alleged UFO sighting.

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Conclusion
A general assessment of the 2010 compiled data shows that the study of the UFO phenomenon in the country is faced with a growing challenge of heightened public attention. More and more people across the country are starting to know and acknowledge the UFO phenomenon. The media, in particular, have also shaped the public perception into acknowledging the existence of Ufology groups, such as BETA UFO, as a place where people could report their sighting experiences. Just as well, the media have started to place Ufology groups as an alternative source of information to official agencies. Nevertheless, the role that such groups could play in clarifying the nature of sighting cases is also limited by the medias haphazard interest in the phenomenon. At a more technical level, the collection and analysis of data started in 2009 have started to show several interesting patterns. Although some of it is nothing more than a confirmation of patterns found by earlier UFO researchers in the country (particularly from the pioneering works of J. Salatun in the 1950s and 60s) they do help to point research into clearer directions. The typology of objects seen, their characteristics as described by witnesses, the reason some areas are basically turning into sighting hot spots, the pattern of sighting time and a plausible definition of specific time periods when sightings are more likely to occur, are some of the directions that have yet to be explored through this rudimentary data research. In the end, no matter how much data has been compiled and analyzed, the UFO phenomenon has remained mostly as an unexplained mystery worldwide. The same holds true for the situation of UFO phenomenon in Indonesia. Although the general public, particularly in the densely populated islands of Java and Sumatra, has become more aware of the phenomenon and its implications the question of what it actually represents remains unanswered. In this context, speculation of all sorts will inevitably be growing among the general public. It remains to be seen whether this will bring forth a more balanced and critical approach to the study of UFO phenomenon or a dogmatic denial/support stance which will relegate it to the realms of prejudice.

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Annex A1 - Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia - 2010

No. Location 1 January. Patal Residential Complex; Jl. Inpres, Ciledug Sub-district; Tangerang Regency; Banten Province. 1 January. East Mutiara Gading residential complex; Bekasi Regency; West Java Province. 12 January. Somewhere in the air above Java Sea. 3. 2:30 AM Time Event and Circumstances Four witnesses, who had just finished watching fireworks displays from the roof of their house, saw a bright, blinking round object flying by horizontally in the sky. The object, orange in color, moved fast without a sound towards the general direction of Ciputat District, Jakarta. A witness saw 8 objects, resembling reddish-gold light spots, moving in the sky. The objects first appeared in a parallel, two-straight lines formation (each encompassing 4 objects). They then maneuvered into a V formation before disappearing from view. A passenger, flying in a Boeing 737 300 plane from Jakarta to Ternate; North Maluku Province, Maluku Islands, saw at least 50 balls of light from his window. The objects, seen for about 2 minutes, were said to be grouped in a straight line formation. They emanated a yellowish light that also went blinking. The witness said the objects were far brighter than the stars and that the plane simply passed them by until they disappeared from view. A witness took several photographs while driving through the Cipularang toll road with some friends. As the photographs were loaded up into a computer, he noticed a strange, round and metallooking object in one of the shots. Classification 3 Note Witnesses said they can clearly see that the object was not an airplane; a star or firework.

1.

Midnight

FB1 102

2.

About 1:30 AM

MA1 104

AN1 323

The witness is a long-standing member of BETA UFO who has also seen and reported several sightings before. He has also put forward the possibility of natural ball lightning phenomena as an explanation for this particular sighting.

4.

February 26. Cipularang toll road (between Jakarta and Bandung); West Java Province.

Exact time unknown

AN1 101

Actual photograph can be seen at: www.supmbogor83.blogspot.com (See Annex B for a copy of the photograph)

The classification refers to the system of classification expounded by Jacques Valle, categorizing the UFO and UFO-related phenomena into 20 sub- types from 5 major types (AN for Anomaly; MA for maneuvers; FB for fly by; CE for close encounters) as can be seen in his 1990 book Confrontations. The system is also complemented by a three-digit numeric credibility rating known as the SVP rating. See Annex D for details of the classification system.
3

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Annex A1 - Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia - 2010

No. Location February 27/28 (exact date unknown). Bintaro Jaya residential complex; South Tangerang Municipality; Banten Province. Time Event and Circumstances At least two witnesses saw and photographed/videotaped a strange glowing cloud formation in the skies above Bintaro Jaya. A similar video, allegedly made in Indonesia at an unknown date, have also surfaced in March 2010. It seemed to show a natural nacreous cloud phenomenon. This video first appeared in April 2009 and was said to be taped in Saudi Arabia. Classification Note A video recording of the phenomena can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbDcy3F HpG4 A similar video, allegedly made in Indonesia in 2010, can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbDcy3F HpG4 (See Annex B for a copy of one of the photographs) Witness stated that the object could not be an airplane as the sighting location was 90 kilometers away from the nearest airport.

5.

daytime Exact time unknown

AN1 101

6.

Mid March (exact date unknown). Batu Air village; Dendang District; East Belitung Regency; BangkaBelitung Islands Province. 22 March. Bukit Sejahtera residential complex; Palembang City; South Sumatra Province. 26 March. Banda Aceh City; Aceh province (exact location unknown). 2 April. Malang City; Central Java Province (exact location unknown).

11:30 PM

7.

6:15 PM

A witness saw a brightly-lit, large (at least 15 meters in diameter), flat and round object flying by slowly in the sky. The object was said to be emanating such a bright light that it literally lit-up the ground where he was standing at. About 15 minutes later a loud explosion was also heard about 20 kilometers away from the sighting location. In the morning, many local people told the witness that they had also seen the object. An elliptical object was seen by a witness in the skies above Palembang City. The object was said to be dark and moved very fast without any sound. It disappeared from view after entering some dark clouds. Two witnesses saw a bright, white object flying by in tremendous speed across the sky. The object was seen flying horizontally from West to East before ascending and disappearing from view. One witness saw a blinking green, purple and red light spot flying from the direction of Mt. Arjuna towards the East. The object was sighted for 5 minutes before disappearing from view.

FB1 104

The witness was sure that the object was not an airplane as it has no apparent wings. FB1 103

8.

7:45 PM

MA1 104

9.

11 PM

FB1 102

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Annex A1 - Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia - 2010

No. Location 2 April. Bogor City; West Java Province (exact location unknown). 15 May. Krui City; West Lampung Regency; Lampung Province; Sumatra Island. 15 May. Tangkil Island; Lampung Bay; Lampung Province. 16 May. Krian City; Gresik Regency; East Java Province. Time Event and Circumstances An object with 3 yellow and 2 blinking red and green lights was seen flying across the sky by a single witness. Classification FB1 101 Note The description could have easily been attributed to a normal airplane. However, the witness claimed that he has seen other strange flying objects (one resembling a black, metallic ball) in the area quite often. The object was sighted during a blackout in the city. Local residents believed the object is a bad omen as a sighting in 2004 was followed by natural disasters in the area.

10.

7:45 PM

11.

11 PM

Residents of Krui City witnessed a bright, orangelit, round object appeared in the sky over the city. The object was seen flying in from the direction of the sea. It hovered and swirled around in the sky before flying off inland. A strange, ellipitical object appeared in one of the shots taken by am amateur photographer in Tangkil Island. The object was not noticed until the photograph was uploaded into a computer. A witness, riding in the back seat of a car heading to Surabaya City, saw a strange object in the sky from his window. The object was flying quite high but was still clearly visible from the ground. As it tilted on one side, the objects shape was revealed to be triangular, with 3 lights in each corner. The witness saw the lights glow brighter before the object disappeared. A woman said she had seen a ball of light flying by in the sky above the residential area. The statement was given after a suspected meteorite/space junk crashed and severely damaged 3 houses in the area, on 29 May.

MA1 103

12.

3:30 4:30 PM

AN1 102

The photograph was taken using a Yashica 12 megapixel camera. (See Annex B for a copy of the photograph) This is the first of the years unusually high number of triangular objects sightings.

13.

Exact time unknown

MA1 102

14.

24 May. Jalan Delima VI; Malakasari Sub District; Duren Sawit District; East Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region,

Exact time unknown

FB1 131

The witness testimony was given to a BETA UFO researcher who made a field investigation in the area. This testimony was never mentioned in the pell-mell of mainstream media coverage following the alleged crashed-meteorite/space junk event. The case was also managed in a rather peculiar way by the national Space & Aviation Agency (LAPAN) as can be read here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/47402710

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Annex A1 - Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia - 2010

No. Location 26 May. Setiabudi Army Cadet Academy; Bandung City; West Java Province June (exact date unknown). Depok beach; Bantul regency; Yogyakarta Special Region. 9 June. Rungkut District; Surabaya City (exact location unknown). Time Event and Circumstances A man took some landscape pictures during his friends graduation at the academy. When the photographs were uploaded to a computer, one of the shot showed show a strange object flying in the sky. One witness saw a red, blinking light appeared in the sky. It then died out suddenly just as the witness thought the object was a regular airplane. Classification AN1 101 Note It is quite possible that the object is actually a bird/blurfo type of phenomenon. (See Annex B for a copy of the photograph)

15.

2 PM

16.

Between 7 and 9 PM

AN1 102

17.

Exact time unknown

18.

19

19 June. Sumur Batu SubDistrict; Kemayoran District; Central Jakarta Region; Jakarta Special Region. 22 June. Eastern part of Bandung City; West Java Province (exact location unknown).

Between 9:30 to 10:30 PM

Two witnesses saw a bright light in the sky to the west of their home. The object was said to be brighter than a star. It disappeared as one of the witness tried to grab a camera from the house. By the time he came back out, 30 seconds later, the light has disappeared. Several people saw many purple lights flying by across the sky, from North to West. The objects were not blinking & were moving at a certain distant from each other, like in a formation. Some of the objects were also seen to form an arrow head formation. A single bright light was seen in the eastern sky of Bandung City by a single witness. The object was said to be stationary & was visible in the clear sky for 2 to 3 hours long. The bright light was also said to be surrounded by several moving lights. The witness also took several photographs of the objects.

AN1 102

FB1 103

Between 7 to 9:30 PM

AN1 104

Photographs can be seen at: http://www.forumbebas.com/thread128875.html (See Annex B for copies of photographs)

the

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Annex A1 Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia 2010

No. Time and Location 28 June. Sidoarjo Regency; East Java Province (exact location unknown). Event and Circumstances A husband and his wife saw 3 green lights shaped like bars in the sky near their house. The witnesses were sure that the lights were not part of a kite lighted with LED lights, as the object was stationary. They were also convinced that it was nothing natural due to the bar shape. The objects disappeared just as the husband was about to take some pictures. 3 witnesses saw a triangular shaped object hovering in the sky. The object had 3 small, blinking lights on the sides. It was seen moving slowly to the East, without a sound. Classification Note The sighting took place during a full moon that provided more than enough illumination in the sky.

20.

8:30 PM

AN1 104

21.

22.

23.

5 July. JL. Pamularsih; in front of Damaputra University; Semarang City; Central Java Province. 8 July. Bandung City; West Java Province (exact location unknown). 15 July. Jl. Lampersari; South Semarang District; Semarang City; Central Java Province.

8 PM

FB1 104

This is the second of the years unusually high number of triangular objects sightings. Reports of such sightings have hitherto been a rarity in Indonesia.

11:30 PM

11:30 PM

24.

25 July. Jl. Kalimantan; Kota Tengah District; Gorontalo City; Gorontalo Province.

7:30 PM

A witness saw a triangular object flying by in the sky from the upper floor of his home. The object has 3 lights on each of its sides & a bright, blinking light in its centre. 3 witnesses saw an object with green & red lights, hovering and swirling in the sky. The green lights formed a triangular formation, while the red light seemed to mark the objects tail-end. After the sighting, several other people contacted one of the witnesses and said that they have also seen the object. One of them live 2 kilometers away from the witnesses location. A witness reported seeing strange swirling lights in the sky above the city. The objects then moved quickly to the east as he tried to video tape it with his mobile phone.

FB1 104

Third triangular shaped object sighting to be reported in 2010.

MA1 104

Fourth triangular shaped object sighting reported in 2010. The object is also said to have allegedly made maneuvers indicating an effort to land at 1 AM. The initial witness suspect it landed a few kilometers away, somewhere in Demak Regency. The witness also saw several other people watching the lights in the sky during the sighting. Later on, he also received news from a friend living in another part of the city who also saw the object in the sky.

FB1 103

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Annex A1 Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia 2010

No. Time and Location 30 July. Cimanggis District; Bogor Regency; West Java Province (exact location unknown). Late July/early August (exact date unknown). Cihampelas flyover; Bandung City; West Java Province. 12 August. Sambiroto SubDistrict; Kedungmundu District; Semarang City; Central Java Province (exact location unknown). 15 August. Somewhere near Malang City; East Java Province (exact location unknown). 20 August. Ciburial village; Cimenyan District; Bandung Regency; West Java Province (exact location unknown). Event and Circumstances A man saw a flash of light, like a jet plane afterburner, in the sky on his way to work. No sound was heard & the flash of light disappeared almost as fast as it appeared. Two witnesses (husband & wife) saw a stationary, star-like light in the sky, just below the clouds, while taking a walk in the city. It then started to glow brighter and brighter quickly, like a cameras flash light, before disappearing from view. A witness video taped an object with blue & red lights that was hovering in the sky above his home. The object was also seen by his neighbor as it made circling & hovering maneuvers in the sky that lasted for about an hour. Classification AN1 101 According to the witnesses, there were 5 to 6 other people who also saw the phenomenon. Note

25.

5 AM

26.

7 PM

AN1 102

27.

11:30 PM

MA1 102

The witness said that he had seen the same object several times before & that it was always preceded by a sound resembling electrical discharge. BETA UFOs initial analysis suggested that the object might be a kite equipped with LED lights. Nevertheless, BETA UFO has yet to receive access to the alleged video tape.

28.

7:30 PM

A passenger on a train from Malang City saw a strange light flying in the sky from his window. The object was said to be shaped like a crescent and emanated a green light. At least 3 people saw a disc shaped object flying by to the North. The object was seen flying away from a position near the moon.

FB1 104

29.

5 PM

FB1 104

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Annex A1 Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia 2010

No. Time and Location 21 August. Sentul City residential complex; Sentul SubDistrict; babakan Madang District; Bogor Regency; West Java Province. 26 August. Serangan Island; Bali Province, daytime (exact location unknown). 27 August. Wisma Jaya residential complex; Bekasi Timur District; Bekasi Regency; West Java Province. 27 August. Kalisari Sub-District; Pasar Rebo District; East Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region. 28 August. Kalisari Sub-District; Pasar Rebo District; East Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region. Event and Circumstances Dozens of strange objects were reportedly seen moving across the sky by a witness. The objects were also sighted by several other people in the area. Classification Note

30.

Exact time unknown

FB1 101

31.

Exact time unknown

32.

5 AM

A strange elliptical object, with green & purple tinge around its bottom part, appeared in a photograph taken in Bali Island. The object seemed to be located in the direction of Serangan Island, to the South East of Bali Island. A father & his son saw a star-like object flying west to east in the sky. According to the father, at one point the object (which was emanating a yellow light) decreased speed as it moved right above the 2 witnesses & scared his son. A man saw a star-like object flying to the East, above their house. The object was said to emanate a yellowish-red glow and was of the same size as the planet Venus.

AN1 122

The object was photographed by BETA UFOs founding member and current chairman. (See Annex B for a copy of the photograph)

FB1 102

33.

5 AM

FB1 102

The witness gave a quite detailed description of the sighted object relative position in the sky, compared to other commonly sighted star formations.

34.

5:20 AM

The same witness from above reported sighting a white, round object flying by from West to East. The object then stopped in mid air before disappearing from view.

MA1 104

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Annex A1 Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia 2010

No. Time and Location 28 August. Singaraja City; Buleleng Regency; Bali Province (exact location unknown). Event and Circumstances Several strange objects were observed by a witness as they were maneuvering in the sky for about 5 minutes. One of the objects looked like a yellow disc that was seen moving away from the moon. It was followed by several other colorful objects that formed a W formation around the disc shaped object. The objects were also said to have stopped and gathered around several times in mid air. Sitting on the roof of his house, a man saw a red, star like object flying by quite fast to the North. 10 minutes later another object was seen flying by from west to east. This time, the object was bluecolored & it was moving faster than the previously seen object. Two people riding on a motorcycle saw a bright object passing by in the sky in tremendous speed. The sighted object was said to be emanating a green light and moving faster than the motorcycle, which was doing at least 110 km/h. Classification Note

35.

4:13 AM

MA1 104

36.

4 September. Surabaya City; East Java Province (exact location unknown).

Exact time unknown

FB1 103

37.

38.

12 September. North Java coastal region (Pantura); Indramayu Regency; West Java Province (exact location unknown). 28 September. Plaza Semanggi Shopping Mall; Jl. Sudirman; Central Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region.

Exact time unknown

FB1 103

One of the witnesses believed that many other people must have also seen the object as traffic in the area was quite busy at the time.

Exact time unknown

2 freelance journalist, hanging out in a restaurant at the Shopping Mall, saw several colorful lights making a formation in the sky. The phenomenon was also seen by dozens of other people in the restaurant. The 2 witnesses took photographs and video recording of the strange lights which then got exposed in the local mainstream media, including a national TV news coverage.

AN1 103

Video of mainstream media news coverage of the event can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueiB2zJZ B4s (See Annex B for a copy of the photograph) A researcher from the National Space & Aviation Agency (LAPAN) said on national TV that the objects could very well be nothing more than reflection of airplane lights or even simple balloons. BETA UFO has so far rejected this simplistic explanation.

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Annex A1 Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia 2010

No. Time and Location 7 October. Pardasuka District; Pringewu Regency; Lampung Province (exact location unknown). 16 October. Jl. Bangka Raya; Bangka Sub-District; mampang Prpatan District; South Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region. 18 October. Jl. Diponegoro; Denpasar City; Bali Province. Event and Circumstances At least 3 witnesses saw a white, disc shaped object flying by across the sky. The object was seen for about 10 minutes according to one of the witnesses. Classification Note

39.

Exact time unknown

FB1 104

40.

10 PM

A man having dinner at a road-side food stall saw a strange object with swirling & blinking lights that was hovering in the sky. The object stayed visible in the sky for about 3 minutes before disappearing from the witness view.

AN1 102

41.

Exact time unknown

Several witnesses saw 4 lights, in a kite-like formation, flying low without a sound. The object was seen flying by from North to West and then to the South by at east 3 people. The sighting lasted between 10 to 15 minutes.

FB1 103

42.

20 October. Denpasar City; Bali Province (exact location unknown).

3 AM

A man saw a formation of bright, white lights moving around in the sky. The sighting lasted for 2 to 3 minutes and allegedly took place 3 times in a row within a weeks period.

AN1 103

One of the witnesses claimed that another person, in the same city, has seen a strange light a day earlier (17 October). The person was said to have seen a very bright light coming from behind and passing over him. He did not see the source of the light, as it moved very fast above him and literally lit-up the area he was walking in. The report was made by the same witness from case No. 45.

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Annex A1 Reported Sightings of UFO and UFO-related Phenomena in Indonesia 2010

No. Time and Location 22 October. Standard Chartered Tower building; 31st floor; Jln. Prof. Dr. Satrio; Karet Kuningan SubDistrict; South Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region. 23 October. Ie Masen Kayee Adang village; Banda Aceh City; Aceh Province. 26 October. The 21st floor of an unknown office building in Kemayoran District; Central Jakarta region; Jakarta Special Region (exact location unknown). Event and Circumstances A witness, taking photographs from his office window, saw several strange objects appearing in the sky. One of the object looked like a Hang Glider/Delta Plane while about 6 others looked like black dots. The Hang Glider-like object was observed moving upward & disappeared into the gathering storm clouds while the dots seemed to moved away from the witness view. A brightly-lit object, resembling the size of planet Venus, was seen crossing the sky by a single witness. The object was seen moving from the South West to the North East. A witness took some pictures from the 21st floor window of an office building. Some of the photographs supposedly showed at least 12 strange objects hovering in the sky. When the photographs were zoomed they allegedly showed objects shaped like a rocket, a sphere & a Saturnlike sphere, with legs protruding from underneath it. Classification Note (See Annex B for copies of the photographs)

43.

5 PM

AN1 103

44.

7 PM

FB1 101

The witness has reported several sightings in the area in 2009.

45.

1 PM

AN1 103

The report was received via SMS by this report writer. Efforts to have access the photographs and to establish further contact with the witness has since received no response.

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Annex A2 Unclear UFO Sightings/Related Phenomena Reports 2010

No. 1. Location Boyolali City; Boyolali Regency; Central Java Province, evening. Jember City; Jember Regency; East Java Province. Cirebon City; West Java Province. Mt. Merapi, Yogyakarta Special Region; Mt. Anak Krakatau, Sunda Strait, Banten Province (Between Sumatra Island and Java Island) Event and Circumstances A witness saw a bright light illuminating the back area of his house. The light then suddenly flew to the North & disappeared. A witness saw an object hovering above Mt. Argopuro, which was visible from his house. The object reportedly emanated a golden light and suddenly flew in extreme speed to the East. A man was alerted by his daughter to the presence of a red, glowing, capsule like object flying across the sky. The video was uploaded in Youtube on November 21, 2010 by an unknown individual under the pseudonym dinosauro67. The Mt. Merapi video was taken from the http://merapi.info website while the Mt. Anak Krakatau video was taken from unclear source(s). The video (with a running time of 4.29 minutes) shows black, blurry objects flying by across the camera view of both mountains. One frame shows one of the objects seemingly plunging into Mt. Anak Krakatau crater. Classification AN1 All of these cases were reported to BETA UFO in 2010 yet without any reference to the exact date of the reported events. Efforts to contact the sources to clarify the exact time of the events have also yielded no response. Note

2.

FB1

3.

FB1

4.

FB1

The case was reported to BETA UFO in 2010 without any reference to the exact date of the reported event. A search on the http://merapi.info website also yielded no matching video with the one posted in Youtube.

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Annex A3 IFOs and Hoax in Indonesia - 2010

No. Location 2 June. No.9 Public Junior High School; Kendari City; South East Sulawesi Province. Time Event and Circumstances Several students saw a strange object as they were videotaping The Sun. The object looked like a black elliptical spot, appearing in the middle of the video shot, that the students immediately take as a UFO. Classification Note The phenomenon has been studied by BETA UFO and determined to be a case of black sun effect. The video recording can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adc9smq 0yaI (See Annex B for a copy of the screen shot) The phenomenon has been studied by BETA UFO and determined to be a hoax. (See Annex C for the BETA UFO analysis)

Exact time unknown

IFO 100

B.

11 June. Pontianak City; West Kalimantan Province (exact location unknown). 12 June. Suramadu Bridge; between Surabaya City and Madura Island; East Java Province.

11 AM

A curious video was sent to a local medias (Tribun Pontianak) Facebook page. The video seemed to be divided into 3 parts. It shows a recording of a Sunhalo phenomenon, with 1 moving and 2 stationary objects appearing around the sun. A witness took some photographs at the newly opened Suramadu Bridge. He later found some disc shaped objects in the shots. The objects looked like the classic saucer-shaped UFO.

HOAX 000

C.

Evening

IFO 100

D.

E.

12 October. Baranang Siang Indah residential complex; Bogor City; West Java Province. 24 October. Bumi Serpong Damai residential complex; Tangerang Regency; Banten Province,

11:30 12:30 PM

Multiple witnesses saw an object appeared in a video tape of The Sun. The object looked like a black, elliptical spot in the middle of The Sun.

IFO 100

The phenomenon has been studied by BETA UFO and determined to be a case of lens flare. Independent confirmation was also given by another person who has also taken photographs at the bridge and had the same lens-flare objects appear in his shots. (See Annex B for copies of the photographs) The phenomenon is believed to be the same case of black sun effect as was sighted in Kendari City [see case No.17].

Evening

At least 2 witnesses reported sighting dozens of orange-lit objects, flying in several waves of group-formations across the sky. One of the witnesses took photographs of the objects. Unfortunately, the shots were shaky and didnt capture the objects shapes quite well.

IFO 100

The phenomena resembled various cases of Chinese lanterns being mistaken for UFOs. An anonymous comment in BETA UFOs website suggested that there is a nearby Buddhist temple in the area and that it might have released some Chinese lanterns at the time of the sighting.

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Annex B Photographs Photograph of an alleged unidentified flying object in Cipularang toll road, between Jakarta and Bandung, shot on February 26, 2010 (pointing arrow added by report writer).

Photograph of a strange, glowing cloud taken in Bintaro Jaya, Tangerang, in February 2010.

Photograph of an alleged unidentified flying object taken in Tangkil Island, Lampung Province, in May 2010 (zoomed and enhanced image by BETA UFO).

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Photograph of an alleged unidentified flying object taken in Setiabudi Army Cadet Academy, on May 26, 2010 (object circled and highlighted by photographer).

Photograph with lens flare effect taken at Suramadu Bridge in East Java Province, June 2010 (photograph contrast enhanced by BETA UFO to sharpen objects image).

Another photograph with lens flare effect taken at Suramadu Bridge in 2010 (effect highlighted by photographer).

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Screen shot of the object seen in a video tape of the sun, made in Kendari City, South East Sulawesi Province in June 2010.

Photograph of light orbs taken in Bandung City, West Java Province in June 2010.

Photograph of light orbs taken in Bandung City, West Java Province in June 2010.

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Photograph of an alleged unidentified flying object taken in Bali Island in August 2010 (object cropped and zoomed by photographer).

Photograph of an unidentified light formation taken in downtown Jakarta, October 2010.

Photograph of alleged unidentified flying objects taken from an office building in Jakarta, October 2010.

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Photograph of alleged unidentified flying objects taken from an office building in Jakarta, October 2010.

Photograph of suspected Chinese Lanterns in Tangerang, October 2010.

Photograph of suspected Chinese Lanterns in Tangerang, October 2010.

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Annex C Analysis of Alleged Pontianak UFO Video 4

Findings The video was recorded with a mobile phone camera. It has three different parts that are combined together. - Part-1: Shows a halo around the sun and a black spot that flies back and forth in one corner of the shot. - Part-2: Shows an abstract, bluish object that seemed to be zoomed-in. - Part-3: Shows a flattened, Saturn-like object. Analysis Analysis of Part-1: The black spot is assessed to be real based on the changes of the suns illumination when covered by the object. It is not a lens flare or a black sun effect, but a genuine 3D object. What is odd about this part of the video is that the camera stayed focused on the sun despite the black spot flying around. It suggested that the object was considered less important than the natural sun-halo phenomenon. Analysis of Part-2: The background of the video looked focused while the object itself is very blurred. The objects movement is detached from the background. The movement of the pixels in the background (the sky) is not consistent with the movement of the object. Analysis of Part-3: The same circumstances as identified in the previous part are also present in this part of the video. The only difference is a clearer object in sight.

Conclusion The first part of the video shows a kite. The movement of the object very much resembles a kite flying in the air. The videographers reluctance to focus on the object also suggested that it is actually something which is already familiar and usual for him. The second part of the video shows a possible hoax. It would seem that the object was drawn with a marker on a piece of transparent paper/plastic. It is then attached to the mobile phone camera lens, causing the background to be focused and the drawn foreground to be blurred. The third part of the video shows the same circumstance as the previous part. In this case it would seem that the videographer wanted to emulate the video shot in Kendari City on June 2, 2010 that showed a Saturn-like object. The fact that the case received widespread media coverage makes it plausible that the videographer had also known of the case. Based on the second and third parts of the video it is concluded that the video is a deliberate effort at faking a UFO sighting (HOAX).
4

Analysis made by BETA UFO photography and video researcher, Julius Perdana in June 2010. Translation, screen shots and general re-formatting done by this report writer in February 2011.

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Annex D Vallees Data Classification System 5

The Vallee data classification system is a system used to categorize the various types of UFO and paranormal experiences invented by Dr Jacques Vallee. It is now used more often instead of the forerunner, The Hynek Classification System (created by Prof. J. Allen Hynek), since it gives readers a more detailed summary of a case. This is Vallees attempt to unify his classification system with Hyneks, and to incorporate those "psychic" or otherwise anomalous reports which he believes have a connection with the UFO phenomenon, and to regularize the classification system. The categories are as follows:

AN1 are anomalies that do not have lasting physical effects, such as amorphous lights or unexplained explosions. AN2 are anomalies with lasting physical effects, such as some poltergeist phenomena, apports (materialized objects), and areas of flattened grass. AN3 are anomalies with associated entities. This class could include reports of ghosts, yetis, and other instances of cryptozoology as well as elves and spirits. AN4 are those anomalous reports in which witnesses experience personal interaction with entities in the reality of the entities themselves. They include near-death experiences, religious miracles and visions, and many cases of out-of-body experiences. AN5 are cases of anomalous injuries or deaths, such as spontaneous combustion or unexplained wounds or even permanent healing,
Information on J. Vallees system can be found (among other places) in http://ufodatabase.blogspot.com/2009/03/jacques-vallee-classification-of-ufo.html; http://www.ufoevidence.org/documents/doc1553.htm and http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/esp_autor_vallee.htm#Additional_Information
5

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FB1 is a simple sighting of a UFO "flying by" in the sky, the category most frequently reported. FB2 is a flyby accompanied by physical evidence. FB3 is a flyby of an object accompanied by the observation of beings on board. FB4 is a flyby where the witness experienced a transformation of his or her reality into the reality of the object or its occupants. FB5 would be a flyby as a result of which the witnesses would suffer permanent injuries or deaths. MA1 gathers those UFO observations that involve an object with a discontinuous trajectory (such as a drop, a maneuver, or a loop). MA2 includes those cases that give rise to physical effects in addition to a discontinuous trajectory. MA3 contains the cases of objects with discontinuous trajectories when beings are observed on board. MA4 covers instances of maneuvers accompanied by a sense of transformation of reality for the percipient. MA5 is a maneuver as a result of which the witnesses suffer permanent injury or death. CE1 is the class of objects seen on the ground or at a short distance to the observer. CE2 is the class of close encounters in which physical effects or traces were present. CE3 is the class of close encounters that involve "entities" or "occupants". CE4 encompasses the abduction reports in which the witness has not only seen the occupants but claims to have extensively interacted with them inside their craft. CE5 encompasses cases of Close Encounters in which the witnesses have suffered permanent injuries or other physiological effects, including death. SVP RATING As an addition to the classification system Vallee also added credibility ratings."Marks" out of four are given for the three categories of source reliability (first digit), site visit (second digit) and possible explanations (third digit). A rating of 222 or higher indicates the case was reported by a reliable source, the site has been visited and a natural explanation would require a major alteration of at least one parameter. SOURCE RELIABILITY RATING 0 Unknown or unreliable source. 1 Report attributed to a known source of unknown or uncalibrated reliability. 2 Reliable source, secondhand. 3 Reliable source, firsthand. 4 Firsthand personal interview with the witness by a source of proven reliability. SITE VISIT RATING 0 No site visit, or answer unknown. 1 Site visit by a casual person not familiar with the phenomena. 2 Site visited by persons familiar with the phenomena. 3 Site visit by a reliable investigator with some experience. 4 Site visit by a skilled analyst. POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS RATING 0 Data consistent with one or more natural causes. 1 Natural explanation requires only slight modification of the data. 2 Natural explanation requires major alteration of one parameter. 3 Natural explanation requires major alteration of several parameters. 4 No natural explanation possible, given the evidence. 33

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BETA UFO contact list

34