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| Faded
Object Fully Visible Object |
On January 21 at 7:00 AM GMT, the
Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) recorded an
unusual object in a routine image of the solar disk. An
analysis of the .GIF image obtained from the SOHO
website on 01/22/04 does not reveal any sign that the
object has been digitally added to the image, or that
the image has been altered in any way. However, a copy
of the .GIF obtained at a different resolution on
01/27/04 shows an innocuous spot of light similar to a
star where they object was in the original image, with
none of the detail present earlier. It turns out that
both images are authentic.
Although both have identical
designations, they are from slightly different frames of
the same video sequence, and neither shows any sign of
digital alteration. The difference between the two is
evidence that the object was changing appearance very
quickly. It was not in motion because it is in the same
place in both frames. This means that the frame showing
it as barely visible has recorded it as it was either
appearing or disappearing.
This behavior, as recorded, rules this
out as a passing meteor or a star. SOHO imagery records
these all the time, and they can sometimes take on very
deceiving appearances in individual frames. But they do
not appear and disappear in the same spot. Different
frames of the same sequence show them in different
positions if they are meteors, or with an unchanged
appearance if they are stars.
In the frame where the object is fully
visible, it is disk shaped and domed, and there are two
faint balls of what appear to be plasma just below it.
There is no way to tell if they are emanating from the
object, rising toward it, or stationary, or even whether
or not they are in the same plane as the object. Nor is
it possible from the image alone to determine the actual
location of the object in relation to the sun. If the
object was in the same plane as the sun, it would be
immense. If closer to the imaging system, far smaller.
At this time, it is obviously
impossible to say what this object is. However, it is
not a digital prank. The original .GIFs are both
undisturbed at this time. (01/29/04 12:45PM Central.)
The .GIF with the object visible in it
can be viewed on the SOHO website by clicking
here. When expanded, the white dot above the sun
becomes the detailed object seen illustrating this
story.
The .GIF with the object in a faded
condition can be viewed here.
Expanding the dot on this image reveals a small spot of
light.
