Mysterious red objects in sky captured on video

This is the first time I watched the entire video and it looks like Chinese lanterns are a good explanation - especially how they drift very slowly and burn out.

There were many other UFO sightings that happened on that same day in other parts of Texas and other states. I guess there must not be a connection.

The husband said they look like flares, he said they're burning out. Good/honest camera work by the Missus. Simple conclusion is classic Chinese lanterns seen at their best, just drifting slowly along. There's not much to do scientifically, except measure the luminosity okay, and transit, (not much use without known parameters and none given) and nothing much to compare with, except other CL sightings.

Another local story:

Mysterious lights in sky prompt UFO talk

TEXAS CITY, TX (KTRK) -- A mystery over the skies of Texas City has a lot of people talking. Unusual red lights were caught on camera by perplexed residents over the weekend. From flares to UFOs -- everyone has their own explanation.

Video of newscast:



credit to cavalryscout for finding this account.

Comment from the second video I posted in my OP:

At the same time this video was taken, we were sailing on Galveston Bay and saw the same lights. They were there 30-45 minutes. We could not figure out what could stay so stationary in the sky like that. These lights were at the same altitude as a plane. We thought they were planes coming in at just the right angle to look stationary. They vanished. We may never know what they were, but they were not flares or balloons.

Another story in the local paper:

Red light UFOs in Texas City still a mystery

A field investigator with a national UFO network said he’s opened up an investigation to try and determine what was hovering over the city’s Moses Lake on Saturday and Sunday.

The red hovering lights have been the talk of the town for days and prompted interest from UFO investigator Chuck Stansburge who handles field investigations in this area for the Mutual UFO Network or MUFON.

Stansburge said he is a retired cop who tracks down UFO sightings in a 14 county region along the Texas coast. The organization uses a website to track tips from across the globe, he said.

Stansburge said Texas records the second highest number of reported UFO sightings in the country. The number one state for reported UFO sightings to MUFON is California, he said.

According to the MUFON website database, there have been 50 UFO sightings in the state since Feb. 25, including the sightings during the weekend in Texas City.

I did not know that Texas had the 2nd highest number of UFO reports to MUFON, interesting. I would have thought that New Mexico or perhaps Florida would have been number 1.

Bruce Clawson, the city’s Homeland Security coordinator, said that while he suspects the mysterious objects in the sky were Chinese lanterns, which take flight much like a small hot air balloon, his office has been unable to confirm that theory and no one has called to admit he or she is responsible for the commotion.

“There was no threat to the security or safety of the city,” Clawson said. “And they never got high enough to disrupt air traffic, so no one will likely face any charges, but we would like to know who is responsible.”

Chinese Lanterns do seem to be the most likely explanation. And in a blog I read yesterday, the description given by the woman who recorded the first video linked in my OP seems to corroborate that:

"I just went in and grabbed my camera," eyewitness Debbie James said. "It was a straight line, then it went to like a figure 8, and then it made this half moon and kept changing shapes."

Texas City's 'Z-Shaped' UFO Encounter (Photo)

This is the first time I've seen any indication that more than one of the lights was moving. In the video that was posted, there is only clear movement by one of the lights and the others seem to stay in the same position relative to each other. If all (or even a majority) of the lights were moving, then that does go further toward showing that these were indeed Kongming Lanterns.

If anybody saw this or knows somebody who saw it, why don't you report what you know to MUFON? There is only one smeary photo on MUFON. No wonder we don't understand UFOs when nobody bothers to report what they see.

Originally posted by gortex

Originally posted by TheFlash
1) How can you 'shoot off' flares that are attached to balloons?
2) What kind of flare burns for over 30 minutes, how large are they and how big of a balloon do you need to lift one?
3) How can 6 balloons remain relatively stationary in the sky for over 30 minutes?

It doesn't make sense to me.

There are no flares nor balloons , just Chinese Lanterns , if you watch the video at full screen you can see the flicker of the flame within them .
Here are some more .

Please draw upon your apparently vast knowledge of Chinese Lanterns and share with us:

1) What exactly the flame source is in such lanterns
2) How long they are able to burn for
3) Links to support your answers from a reputable source

Thanks in advance.

reply to post by TheFlash


I know this wasn't directed at me, but:

What is Sky Lantern?

Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming Lantern are airborne paper lanterns traditionally found in some Asian cultures. They are constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density causing the lantern to rise into the air. The sky lantern is only airborne for as long as the flame stays alight, after which the lantern floats back to the ground.

Chinese Sky Lanters

Q: How high do the sky lanterns fly?
A: The sky lanterns fly 800-1000 feet in the air.

Q: How long do the sky lanterns stay in the air?
A: The sky lanterns will be in the air for 11-13 minutes.

Just Artifacts

I've seen time estimates up to 20 minutes, which would seem to negate the possibility for this particular incident to be explainable as Sky Lanterns, this is for standard fuel payload however:

How long does Sterno® burn?

The 8 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 2 1/2 hours. The 7 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 2 1/4 hours. The 2.6 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 45 minutes. The cooking fuel is extinguishable and can be re-lit without affecting product performance.

Sterno FAQs

If you are unfamiliar with Sterno, it has a jelly-like consistency and could easily augment a normal sky lantern fuel source. This is especially true considering you can make them yourself quite easily:

The sky lantern was first used by the Chinese in the third century as a signaling balloon in warfare. Throughout the ages, its military application evaporated and it evolved to take important roles in Chinese and Thai cultural rituals. Used in numerous festivals year-round, today sky lanterns often signify good luck or new beginnings. Our favorite Western adaption of this is to write love messages inside them and set them afloat. Yes, if mis-used, they can be a fire hazard. But a Chinese sky lantern is quite easy to make. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be releasing your request of choice to the universe in a flash.

Wired

Originally posted by jadedANDcynical
reply to post by TheFlash

 

I know this wasn't directed at me, but:

What is Sky Lantern?

Sky lanterns, also known as Kongming Lantern are airborne paper lanterns traditionally found in some Asian cultures. They are constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a small candle or fuel cell composed of a waxy flammable material. When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density causing the lantern to rise into the air. The sky lantern is only airborne for as long as the flame stays alight, after which the lantern floats back to the ground.

Chinese Sky Lanters

Q: How high do the sky lanterns fly?
A: The sky lanterns fly 800-1000 feet in the air.

Q: How long do the sky lanterns stay in the air?
A: The sky lanterns will be in the air for 11-13 minutes.

Just Artifacts

I've seen time estimates up to 20 minutes, which would seem to negate the possibility for this particular incident to be explainable as Sky Lanterns, this is for standard fuel payload however:

How long does Sterno® burn?

The 8 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 2 1/2 hours. The 7 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 2 1/4 hours. The 2.6 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 45 minutes. The cooking fuel is extinguishable and can be re-lit without affecting product performance.

Sterno FAQs

If you are unfamiliar with Sterno, it has a jelly-like consistency and could easily augment a normal sky lantern fuel source. This is especially true considering you can make them yourself quite easily:

The sky lantern was first used by the Chinese in the third century as a signaling balloon in warfare. Throughout the ages, its military application evaporated and it evolved to take important roles in Chinese and Thai cultural rituals. Used in numerous festivals year-round, today sky lanterns often signify good luck or new beginnings. Our favorite Western adaption of this is to write love messages inside them and set them afloat. Yes, if mis-used, they can be a fire hazard. But a Chinese sky lantern is quite easy to make. Follow these simple steps and you’ll be releasing your request of choice to the universe in a flash.

Wired

So from what you said, Chinese lanterns might fly for up to 20 minutes, yet the original video makes it clear that the objects being videoed were alight for at least 30 minutes. Also, do you have the slightest shred of evidence that a can of Sterno could be used in a Chinese lantern? How much does a full can of Sterno weight and how large a baloon would it take to life it. Doesn't seem like it could work to me.

reply to post by TheFlash

Also, do you have the slightest shred of evidence that a can of Sterno could be used in a Chinese lantern? How much does a full can of Sterno weight and how large a baloon would it take to life it.

The 2.6 oz. can burns consistently or in increments equal to 45 minutes.

Sterno FAQs

Weight of a flying lantern 2.7 ounces
Thin bamboo hoop at bottom 45.75″ circumference, 14.56″ diameter
Weight of hoop 0.3 ounces (with a little paper and glue still hanging onto it)

How to Make Chinese Sky Lanterns

The amount of weight that can be lifted is proportional to the size of the balloon, the larger the balloon the more weight that can be lifted. Also, if the balloon were bigger it would be visible from further away.





source is same as above "How to" link.

Sterno is a gel mixed with denatured alcohol that could easily be used to soak an absorbent material in to provide a fuel source. I can easily imagine how it could be done.

Assuming this was sky lanterns which scenario would this be:
(1) Lanterns launched innocently by people that never learned about the confusion they caused
(2) Lanterns launched innocently by people who learned about the confusion but thought it was funny
(3) Lanterns launched deliberately as a hoax

I still don't see a shred of evidence that a Chinese lantern could remain relatively fixed in position for 30 minutes or more at altitude.

Originally posted by TheFlash
I still don't see a shred of evidence that a Chinese lantern could remain relatively fixed in position for 30 minutes or more at altitude.

I see no evidence from the video that anything was in the sky for 30 min , but this quote from the OP video sounds like lanterns to me , they didn't go away they just went out one by one ....as they do .

then they went away one at a time until it was over.

They look like lanterns , act like lanterns and die out like lanterns therefore they must be ......

reply to post by gortex


At 1:56 in the video the recording woman clearly says "Matt said they been out for about a half-hour he said... at least 30 minutes." I suggest you pay closer attention.

You claim that they act like lanterns. I reiterate that I have seen no evidence that a Chinese lantern can remain alight and at altitude for that period. Only speculation has been shown. No clear documentation that is HAS or CAN be done for that period. You are making a leap to say that they can do it. A leap that is not supported by facts.

reply to post by TheFlash

post by TheFlash
At 1:56 in the video the recording woman clearly says "Matt said they been out for about a half-hour he said... at least 30 minutes." I suggest you pay closer attention.

As I said "I see no evidence from the video that anything was in the sky for 30 min" and that still stands , the fact that she said Matt said something means nothing .

Apparently they can stay alight for that long .

How long do Sky lanterns fly for?

Sky lanterns fly approximately 1 mile high and as far into the distance as the eye can see. The wick burns for 20 – 25 minutes before extinguishing and floating softly back to the ground.
www.flying-lanterns.co.uk...

Q.E.D

Originally posted by TheFlash
reply to post by gortex

 

At 1:56 in the video the recording woman clearly says "Matt said they been out for about a half-hour he said... at least 30 minutes." I suggest you pay closer attention.

You claim that they act like lanterns. I reiterate that I have seen no evidence that a Chinese lantern can remain alight and at altitude for that period. Only speculation has been shown. No clear documentation that is HAS or CAN be done for that period. You are making a leap to say that they can do it. A leap that is not supported by facts.

I heard the lights were also seen from League City (that's 5 to 10 miles from Lake Moses where most people thought the lights were located). Is it possible to see a normal sky lantern from that distance?

Also, why can't MUFON simply get a list of all the weddings that Saturday based on marriage records? I assume these sky lanterns are normally associated with Asian weddings, so the MUFON investigator could contact these Asian newlyweds to see if they launched any sky lanterns.

Originally posted by gortex
reply to post by TheFlash

 

post by TheFlash
At 1:56 in the video the recording woman clearly says "Matt said they been out for about a half-hour he said... at least 30 minutes." I suggest you pay closer attention.

As I said "I see no evidence from the video that anything was in the sky for 30 min" and that still stands , the fact that she said Matt said something means nothing .

Apparently they can stay alight for that long .

How long do Sky lanterns fly for?

Sky lanterns fly approximately 1 mile high and as far into the distance as the eye can see. The wick burns for 20 – 25 minutes before extinguishing and floating softly back to the ground.
www.flying-lanterns.co.uk...

Q.E.D

edit on 19-4-2012 by gortex because: (no reason given)

I see, so if you see it then your criteria for evidence applies only to the visual and not to audio? Maybe the woman who was recording is psychic and foresaw that we were going to have this discussion and that your argument would be invalidated if the objects were visible for over 30 minutes. Does that seem like a plausible explanation to you as well?

reply to post by TheFlash

post by TheFlash
Does that seem like a plausible explanation to you as well?

No... it just seems like arguing for the sake of arguing

Originally posted by gortex

Originally posted by TheFlash
I still don't see a shred of evidence that a Chinese lantern could remain relatively fixed in position for 30 minutes or more at altitude.

I see no evidence from the video that anything was in the sky for 30 min , but this quote from the OP video sounds like lanterns to me , they didn't go away they just went out one by one ....as they do .

then they went away one at a time until it was over.

They look like lanterns , act like lanterns and die out like lanterns therefore they must be ......

SWAMP GAS!

No wait...

Weather Balloon!

a Duck?

I'm not saying they're not Chinese Lanterns because in some respects they really do look like them, I should know I use them to remember the dead, make a resolution, celebrate various things, you catch my drift. That brings me nicely onto the reason I'm not saying they are Chinese Lanterns. They have a tendency to follow the wind in a general direction but they all drift their own way, they don't stay in formation and I have seen too many videos get the Chinese Lantern Debunking when it simply isn't that straightforward. In this case we have a majority consensus that there is some formation flying to be seen yet the CLD Crew ignore it everytime it's brought up until one of you denies it exists. I am tempted to attempt to make a 4 way CL and see if such things fly. Thogh it won't be until the middle of May.

Originally posted by gortex
reply to post by TheFlash

 

post by TheFlash
Does that seem like a plausible explanation to you as well?

No... it just seems like arguing for the sake of arguing

Or perhaps it is fair to say that you discard any evidence that does not fit with your opinion.