UFO or Dead Pixel? What's Flying Across the Moon?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of a black dot observed moving across the moon in a video, with participants debating whether it is a UFO or a dead pixel artifact from the camera. The scope includes technical analysis of the object's size, speed, and potential explanations, as well as speculative thoughts on the existence of extraterrestrial life.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the black dot could be a dead pixel on the camera sensor, while others argue it might be a satellite or another object.
  • One participant estimates that if the object were real and took over a minute to cross the moon, it would need to be about a kilometer across.
  • Another participant questions the size estimate, stating that a single pixel silhouette could represent an arbitrarily small object, such as a satellite.
  • Some participants note that the object appears larger than the smallest details visible on the moon, indicating it likely involves more than one camera pixel.
  • There is a discussion about the speed of the object, with some suggesting it would need to be significantly faster or closer than the moon to cross its diameter in the observed time.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the likelihood of extraterrestrial life being observed in such a manner, suggesting that if they existed, they would have no reason to be near the moon.
  • Several participants consider the possibility of the object being a geostationary or artificial satellite, noting that such objects can be photographed with modest equipment.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of the black dot, with multiple competing views regarding its identity and implications. The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the object's size and speed, and there are unresolved assumptions about the camera's capabilities and the nature of the observed phenomenon.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring topics related to astrophotography, unidentified aerial phenomena, and the analysis of observational data in astronomy.

B0b-A
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/16/ufo-flies-across-moon



I don't know what method is being used to keep the moon in frame,
but if it's a fixed telephoto lens the black dot "UFO" could be a dead-pixel.

If the 1 pixel-sized black-dot was a real object orbiting Earth , (rather than an artefact),
and it takes a over minute to cross the moon it would have to be about a kilometre across ?
 
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I think people are letting their imaginations get the better of them (though I'm not even sure what the claim is!). While the video is kinda interesting, a single pixel sillouetted against the moon could very easily just be a satellite. I get satellites spoiling my astrophotos all the time.

I don't see where you would get your estimate of it being 1 km across. A single pixel shadow makes it an arbitrarily small size.
 
The object looks larger than the smallest details visible on the moon, which would suggest more than one camera pixel was involved.

An object in low Earth orbit crosses the moon (full diameter) in about 3 seconds, 45 seconds would need about 4000km distance or a large eccentricity. Unusual for a satellite. A realistic size of 10m at a distance of 4000km would also require the moon to have a diameter of the order of 30'000 px, otherwise the object would be much smaller than a camera pixel and the pixel would not look so dark.
Something further away would be faster and therefore not in an orbit. A NEO would certainly be possible, but then it would have to be quite dark (possible) or in the shadow of Earth (unlikely, but possible).

The video could be edited to enhance the contrast, of course, then things look differently.
 
Looks like a dead pixel to me.
 
mfb said:
The object looks larger than the smallest details visible on the moon, which would suggest more than one camera pixel was involved.
So a minute speck of something on the sensor blocking a group of pixels, rather than 1 pixel.
[ I've just noticed there's no atmospheric turbulence on the black-dot UFO : if real it's outline (and value) would fluctuate.
That it is a constant shape and value is consistent with it being an in-camera artefact ].
mfb said:
A realistic size of 10m at a distance of 4000km would also require the moon to have a diameter of the order of 30'000 px, otherwise the object would be much smaller than a camera pixel and the pixel would not look so dark.
The YouTuber said the video is 1080 pixels, (@1:17-1:20), and that the black dot UFO can take a minute to cross the moon's disk.
If it was a real object orbiting Earth with an orbital velocity twice that of the moon , ( from Earth the moon appears to travel through it's own diameter in about 2 minutes ), then it would be about 1/3rd the distance from the Earth to the moon , and in the 1-10Km range , if it was real and orbiting Earth.
 
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B0b-A said:
from Earth the moon appears to travel through it's own diameter in about 2 minutes
Yes, but that is completely dominated by the rotation of earth. If you watch the motion of the moon in an inertial system (relative to stars for example) this time is significantly longer. The object, if real, has to be significantly faster or closer than the moon - a medium Earth orbit would be consistent with the speed.
 
I believe in UFO's, but not discovered ones or hoaxes. For such a complex race to be spot by us, on a camera, they would have to be moronic at best or declaring war. Why would they be by the Moon, of which they will have seen thousands? They would already know everything they "need" to know about us through a telescope or common knowledge? The chances of them finding and reaching us in this ridiculously huge, spaced-apart galaxy alone is slim at best IMO, even if life here is by the billions, most won't be complex I'm sure. Studying life seems irrelevant by the time you can go as far as them through the Milky Way. Good News, we don't have to worry about dying or be test subjects for awhile! :p
 
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I've had second thoughts , artificial-satellites are a contender ...

Surprisingly they can be photographed , (admittedly as points) , with modest camera equipment,
even though they are over 10,000 Km away and less than 100m across ...

Geosats_compilation.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geosats_compilation.jpg
 
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