# Is GIMBAL a rotating object or rotating glare? · 2004 Nimitz encounter and the Navy videos > Three answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Three are still possible. Of the one narrower question under it, one is answered. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTVM5ZTZ/is-gimbal-a-rotating-object-or-rotating-glare Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:15+00:00 --- **0** # Is GIMBAL a rotating object or rotating glare? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Three answers, none ahead** None 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. Of the one narrower question under it, one is answered. ## Why it matters GIMBAL is the most argued of the three videos. One side holds that the rotating shape is infrared glare that turns with the targeting pod's gimbal⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBF4M3VMV/a-gimbal-glare-explainer); the other that the flight path fits an object stopping and reversing at the range the crew reported⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBEN01RTX/reconstruction-of-potential-flight-paths-for-the-january). The answer decides whether the video is evidence of anything. ## Answers 3 [**A real object at 6 to 8 nautical miles that decelerates and reverses, as the aircrew reported from radar.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/answers/ANS0D1SC0Q474SE/a-real-object-at-6-to-8-nautical-miles-that-decelerates-and) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/answers/ANS0D1SC1EJ0Z26/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The shape is glare from a hot source, probably a distant jet's engines, that rotates when the pod rolls…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/answers/ANS0D1SBZZP3G4S/the-shape-is-glare-from-a-hot-source-probably-a-distant-jets) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Disputed ## History 1. 2022[West puts forward: the shape is glare from a hot source, probably a distant jet's engines, that rotates when the pod rolls…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBF4M3VMV/a-gimbal-glare-explainer) 1. 2022[West: bumps precede each rotation and the shape stays fixed during the aircraft's banks.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBF4M3VMV/a-gimbal-glare-explainer)For: The shape is glare from a hot source, probably a distant jet's engines, that rotates when the pod rolls… 1. 2023[Peings & von Rennenkampff puts forward: a real object at 6 to 8 nautical miles that decelerates and reverses, as the aircrew reported from radar.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBEN01RTX/reconstruction-of-potential-flight-paths-for-the-january) 1. 2023[Peings & von Rennenkampff: the crew's radar account exists only in interviews; no radar data has been released.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBEN01RTX/reconstruction-of-potential-flight-paths-for-the-january)Against: A real object at 6 to 8 nautical miles that decelerates and reverses, as the aircrew reported from radar. 1. 2023[Peings & von Rennenkampff: at the reported range the best-fit path decelerates and reverses, matching the crew's description.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBEN01RTX/reconstruction-of-potential-flight-paths-for-the-january)For: A real object at 6 to 8 nautical miles that decelerates and reverses, as the aircrew reported from radar. 1. 2026[West: a refined glare model requires an extra roll mechanism not demonstrated in the footage, and the initial…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D1SBFCE0985/the-gimbal-ufo-marik-claims-new-findings-falsify-prosaic)Against: The shape is glare from a hot source, probably a distant jet's engines, that rotates when the pod rolls… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTVM5ZTZ/is-gimbal-a-rotating-object-or-rotating-glare%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTVM5ZTZ/is-gimbal-a-rotating-object-or-rotating-glare%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTVM5ZTZ/is-gimbal-a-rotating-object-or-rotating-glare%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTVM5ZTZ/is-gimbal-a-rotating-object-or-rotating-glare%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBTVM5ZTZ/is-gimbal-a-rotating-object-or-rotating-glare%23add-source) Where it fits 2004 Nimitz encounter and the Navy videos **Is GIMBAL a rotating object or rotating glare?** Key question · you're here [Does GOFAST show anything anomalous?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/nimitz-encounter/questions/QST0D1SBV3E4BXK/does-gofast-show-anything-anomalous)Answered · A slow object at about 13,000 feet whose apparent speed is parallax from the camera aircraft's motion. 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