What was the bright object recorded by two monitoring stations on Mitchell Flat on 3 June 2005?
Three answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.
Where it stands
Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible.
Why it matters
It is the best-measured candidate for an unexplained light: triangulated, photometered and lasting over three hours[1]. If it was a power-line arc, the strongest instrumental case for a residue goes.
Answers 3
What would settle it
- Ask the Rio Grande Electric Co-op for fault, outage and repair records for the night of 2–3 June 2005 near the object's error ellipse.
History
- Stephan et al. puts forward: a power-line arc
- Stephan et al. puts forward: a natural object triggered by lightning
- Stephan et al.: an arc lasting over three hours would have to dissipate on the order of 140 kW through a bush or patch of ground…Against: A power-line arc
- Stephan et al.: an above-ground 14.4 kV distribution line crosses the object's 3-sigma error ellipse about 500 m from a ranch house…For: A power-line arc
- Stephan et al.: lightning strokes in the National Lightning Detection Network match the object's origin in time and place, and a flash…For: A natural object triggered by lightning
- Borraz Aymerich & Ballester Olmos: borraz and Ballester Olmos judge the 2005 object not compelling evidence for the Marfa lights or for any geophysical…Against: A natural object triggered by lightning
- Session 1: raised the question and proposed two answers