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>His reconstructions make it clear that these phenomena result from properties of the optical system used in the sensors as well as diffusion of infrared light

>His reconstructions make it clear that these phenomena result from properties of the optical system used in the sensors as well as diffusion of infrared light through miles of atmosphere. West's analysis is a shallow one masquerading as a deep one. From his analysis on the (suggestively named) GIMBAL video, it's clear that the only thing his reconstruction proves is that the rotation ("It's rotating!") and outline is a result of the optics platform. I take no issue with that. The DoD's claims about extraordinary flight characteristics are not, however, based on the silhouette or the rotation. They have all the flight data from multiple aircraft and ground systems. Their conclusion is based on, at least, additional information from the Situational Awareness display ("There's a whole fleet of them, look on the SA"), the longevity of their flight time (reportedly 12+ hours per Lt. Ryan Graves), and hypersonic flight maneuvers (simultaneously observed both visually and on radar, per Cmdr. David Fravor and SCPO Kevin Day). Low-information UFO enthusiasts are the ones who got excited about the shape and rotation (which West focuses on), but the DoD never cared about that. Even the name GIMBAL suggests that they were already aware of those confounding effects prior to public release. Everyone interested in the topic should watch the Mick West videos, but be careful not to make more of his videos than what's actually there (ie the subset of claims he can support with reconstruction data).

StanislavPetrov 2y ago
I've still yet to hear anyone who insists that "these phenomena result from properties of the optical system" explain artifacts created by an optical system could also be observed visually by multiple trained pilots. When looking at all of the data, there are only two plausible conclusions one can reach. Either Cmdr. Fravor and all of the other Air Force officers are lying and in cahoots with the Navy to manufacture these events, or there is something tangible going on here that we don't understand.
timschmidt 2y ago
> it's clear that the only thing his reconstruction proves is that the rotation ("It's rotating!") and outline is a result of the optics platform. In addition, I've found his demonstrations of airplane bodies appearing as wingless tic-tacs in atmosphere due to light scattering, a very similar effect in which jet exhausts infrared blows out the contrast making it difficult to see any detail at distance, demonstrations of bokeh lens flare in several videos, and his speed reconstructions in simulation to be really useful. Particularly several which seemed after analysis to be mylar balloons. The process he demonstrates for looking up aircraft flight paths, loading them into Google Earth and interpolating through them is also really useful. I really appreciate the data-driven occams razor approach he takes to analyzing all the available evidence.
MarkMarine 2y ago
The tie back to the pilots is important. These are people with thousands of hours looking through these sensors, and yes pilots can be cranks too but the reputational risk is such that I don’t believe multiple pilots would be able to keep a secret like that. They want to keep their seats, it’s one of the best jobs in the world. I’m sure they saw _something_ unusual, but where that fits on scale of Alien ship to secret project from some government… that will remain an open question. I sure wouldn’t trust at any time the US Government was being forthcoming and honest with the American People.

StanislavPetrov 2y ago

I've still yet to hear anyone who insists that "these phenomena result from properties of the optical system" explain artifacts created by an optical system could also be observed visually by multiple trained pilots. When looking at all of the data, there are only two plausible conclusions one can reach. Either Cmdr. Fravor and all of the other Air Force officers are lying and in cahoots with the Navy to manufacture these events, or there is something tangible going on here that we don't understand.

timschmidt 2y ago

> it's clear that the only thing his reconstruction proves is that the rotation ("It's rotating!") and outline is a result of the optics platform. In addition, I've found his demonstrations of airplane bodies appearing as wingless tic-tacs in atmosphere due to light scattering, a very similar effect in which jet exhausts infrared blows out the contrast making it difficult to see any detail at distance, demonstrations of bokeh lens flare in several videos, and his speed reconstructions in simulation to be really useful. Particularly several which seemed after analysis to be mylar balloons. The process he demonstrates for looking up aircraft flight paths, loading them into Google Earth and interpolating through them is also really useful. I really appreciate the data-driven occams razor approach he takes to analyzing all the available evidence.

MarkMarine 2y ago

The tie back to the pilots is important. These are people with thousands of hours looking through these sensors, and yes pilots can be cranks too but the reputational risk is such that I don’t believe multiple pilots would be able to keep a secret like that. They want to keep their seats, it’s one of the best jobs in the world. I’m sure they saw _something_ unusual, but where that fits on scale of Alien ship to secret project from some government… that will remain an open question. I sure wouldn’t trust at any time the US Government was being forthcoming and honest with the American People.