I saw a UFO

[Gilbert Syndrome]

Yup.

I'd have PM'd you rather than post in here, but I've not changed the settings yet since this place became the ISF, so I've had a few problems with that.

Nice, always wondered if that was you. I shall have to have a natter with you at some point.

Anyway, back to those misidentified airplanes, everyone!

 

[Timothy]

For reference Sputnik itself was barely visible at sixth magnitude....

While Sputnik-1 itself was barely visible (sixth magnitude), the rocket body that launched it was much more visible as a first magnitude object. News reports of the day didn't make a distinction, so most people who "saw" Sputnik were in fact seeing the rocket body and unaware of the difference. I assume the OP author is one of the majority of people who saw the first magnitude rocket body and call it "Sputnik."

 

[Scorpion]

While Sputnik-1 itself was barely visible (sixth magnitude), the rocket body that launched it was much more visible as a first magnitude object. News reports of the day didn't make a distinction, so most people who "saw" Sputnik were in fact seeing the rocket body and unaware of the difference. I assume the OP author is one of the majority of people who saw the first magnitude rocket body and call it "Sputnik."

I read in the paper that sputnik was due to pass overhead, and I went out and watched for it where it was predicted to be. I then saw an object pass smoothly overhead in the predicted orbit. The object I assumed to be sputnik was bright enough to be clearly visible.

 

[sackett]

I saw a ufo, but then I got better.

 

[EHocking]

UFOs see me.

 

[Garrette]

UFOs see me.

Can they identify you?

 

[EHocking]

Can they identify you?

My diet is not the greatest.
I'm usually dismissed by the authorities as marsh gas.

 

[Jodie]

One question....do all planes have blinking warning lights?

 

[jakesteele]

In 1957 I went out into the garden in Kent to watch for sputnik one. I heard it was due to pass overhead so I waited for it at night time. I was watching for a while and while I was looking at the stars I noticed one had changed position in relation to the nearby stars. I started watching it and it moved slowly along, then stopped. It stopped for a minute or two then moved off again. This happened several times before it disappeared from view. It looked like just another star and it moved systematically and stopped and moved again at regular intervals. I am absolutely certain it was not a helicopter as it was soundless, and it could not have been a weather balloon as it moved and stopped regularly. It could not have been a U2 spy plane as I don't think they could hover. I have no explanation as to what it was so I call it a UFO. An unidentified flying object.
Not long after it disappeared sputnik one flew over, and it was brighter and faster than the object I saw, and sputnik moved smoothly across the sky in a couple of minutes.
I would love to know what this object was, anyone got any ideas?

There's nothing more I want in this world than to see a for real alien UFO except to be Capt. James T. Kirk on the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
I have seen, however, an absolutely for real triangle craft ala Pheonix Lights and I've also seen a for real Black Helicopter.

Now I'm going to sit back a while and let the haters hate and then I will give you the mundane explanation that rings with clarity.

Proceed.

 

[EHocking]

One question....do all planes have blinking warning lights?

No. Further, I have been in the air with one that had no observable identification or navigation light, it was basically painted all-over camouflage.
It looked like a DHC-4 Caribou

 

[Cosmic Yak]

There's nothing more I want in this world than to see a for real alien UFO except to be Capt. James T. Kirk on the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise.
I have seen, however, an absolutely for real triangle craft ala Pheonix Lights and I've also seen a for real Black Helicopter.

Now I'm going to sit back a while and let the haters hate and then I will give you the mundane explanation that rings with clarity.

Proceed.

Clearly no-one wishes to caper and tumble for your amusement, so why don't you just say what you want to say, and then we can have a real conversation?

 

[Darat]

I read in the paper that sputnik was due to pass overhead, and I went out and watched for it where it was predicted to be. I then saw an object pass smoothly overhead in the predicted orbit. The object I assumed to be sputnik was bright enough to be clearly visible.

So you actually saw two UFOs!

 

[Jodie]

No. Further, I have been in the air with one that had no observable identification or navigation light, it was basically painted all-over camouflage.
It looked like a DHC-4 Caribou

I thought it was a law that you had to have blinking warning lights to avoid midair collisions. I hear conflicting views on this and was wondering if the law really exists.

 

[EHocking]

I thought it was a law that you had to have blinking warning lights to avoid midair collisions. I hear conflicting views on this and was wondering if the law really exists.

The FAA law exists.
Which is easily verified by checking the FAA site - and any other countries' relevant authorities.

 

[Jodie]

Then how do you get away with flying without the blinking warning lights?

 

[steenkh]

The military is usually exempt from any such rules.

 

[EHocking]

During daylight hours, it is not an FAA requirement for any aircraft that navigation or anti-collision lights need to be on in flight.

 

[Hopeful Parallel]

In 1957 I went out into the garden in Kent to watch for sputnik one. I heard it was due to pass overhead so I waited for it at night time. I was watching for a while and while I was looking at the stars I noticed one had changed position in relation to the nearby stars. I started watching it and it moved slowly along, then stopped. It stopped for a minute or two then moved off again. This happened several times before it disappeared from view. It looked like just another star and it moved systematically and stopped and moved again at regular intervals. I am absolutely certain it was not a helicopter as it was soundless, and it could not have been a weather balloon as it moved and stopped regularly. It could not have been a U2 spy plane as I don't think they could hover. I have no explanation as to what it was so I call it a UFO. An unidentified flying object.
Not long after it disappeared sputnik one flew over, and it was brighter and faster than the object I saw, and sputnik moved smoothly across the sky in a couple of minutes.
I would love to know what this object was, anyone got any ideas?

Well, I don't have idea. Maybe you're just overthinking and imagining in that case.

 

[figarot]

It was a good day to fly a kite.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

One question....do all planes have blinking warning lights?

To my knowledge those lights are mandatory during take off and landing, but when they reach cruising altitude, they turn them off.

But I defer to those who know more and posted links.