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Gigantic Spiral of Light Observed Over Norway; Rocket To Blame?
Ch_Omega writes "A mysterious light display appearing over Norway last night (more pictures) has left thousands of residents in the north of the country baffled. Witnesses from Trøndelag to Finnmark compared the amazing display to anything from a Russian rocket to a meteor to a shock wave — although no one appears to have mentioned UFOs yet. The phenomenon began when what appeared to be a blue light seemed to soar up from behind a mountain. It stopped mid-air, then began to circulate. Within seconds a giant spiral had covered the entire sky. Then a green-blue beam of light shot out from its center — lasting for ten to twelve minutes before disappearing completely. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute was flooded with telephone calls after the light storm — which astronomers have said did not appear to have been connected to the aurora, or Northern Lights, so common in that area of the world." The Bad Astronomer makes the case that a malfunctioning rocket spewing fuel is a parsimonious explanation, backed up by witnesses to similar events and a cool simulation (on video). An anonymous reader suggests that this Proton-M Carrier Rocket might be responsible for the display.
Odin's back. And he's pissed. The spiral is his wide brimmed hat. And he's finally got his favorite blue laser back from Loki. Unfortunately he can only use it on one person per night. Huginn and Muninn are doing surveillance right now so it's time to get those shrines up in the backyard, people! Raise your cups of mead and abandon Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc. The Norse were right, repent before it's too late! Finally, a reason to worship a deity I can identify with--Loki!
My work here is dung.
There was supposed to be an earth-shattering kaboom!
BadAsstronomer seems to have picked up on a TV station's assertion that it was a russian ICBM test launch - it's certainly pretty, but unfortunately, not the black hole the LHC was supposed to bring us. Bastards.
Truck driver, plumber, Linux systems engineer.
All hands on deck: Swirly thing alert!
...I for one...
Welcome our now very dizzy alien overlords...
Laters Sol "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
Finally, we've found the entrance...
Except that multiple images from multiple angles show a circular phenomenon, which means that the source must be roughly spherical.
Also, there are no clouds in any of the images.
Also, you're an idiot.
Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure everything I just said is completely wrong.
Damnit, apparently the earth is running OSX and somebody has tried to "undo" the last ten years; this has resulted in the spinning beach ball of death.
Do not spread "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0" over the internet, thank you.
Ob. Men In Black:
"The flash of light you saw in the sky was not a UFO. Swamp gas from a weather balloon was trapped in a thermal pocket and reflected the light from Venus."
Comment of the year
it's like hearing loud creaking noises and banging and saying "oh, it's just wind" - disregarding the fact that wind isn't capable of producing such noise.
I think the people in New Orleans and Galveston might feel a bit differently!
This is my sig.
If it was an ICBM, wouldn't that ruffle some feathers?
I mean, I thought we all agreed that unless you're a very short Korean deity that you're not allowed to test these kinds of devices.
I distinctly missed the beginning of WWIII this morning, though to be fair it could have happened before my first cup of coffee.
The article did say the launch had been delayed.
Gary Dunn
Open Slate Project
Though I disagree with you on your points, if I had mod points, I would have modded you awesome for the "Also, you're an idiot." There is a point to that.
I live in England. We once saw the Sun. That was unusual.
Always proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
It seems he has gotten the aliens to crash on another country besides the UK this holiday season...
Don't rush me, Sonny. You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.
I was attacked by a UFO once.
Then I identified the flying object. It was a stuffed animal thrown by my brother.
Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear
I stared at that spinning little ball of light for like 3 minutes before I realized it was just waiting for the video to load.
-Arthur
Cave ne ante ullas catapultas ambules
In order to understand recursion, one must first understand recursion.
Exception Duck - may or may not contain chicken.