Within NASA Study
What normal skies look like to UAP sensors
A baseline library of normal balloons, birds, satellites, glints, and drones helps investigators see when a report is unusual and when it only looks unusual.
On this page
- Why anomaly detection needs a normal background
- Ordinary objects that become confusing in sensors
- How baseline examples make stronger cases stand out
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Introduction
A central lesson of NASA’s UAP study is that anomaly detection only works when investigators already know what “normal” looks like. An object cannot be judged unusual simply because it appears strange in a photograph, infrared image, radar return, or eyewitness account. The critical comparison is whether it behaves differently from the large population of ordinary objects that regularly appear in the same sensors under similar conditions. NASA identified the lack of high-quality baseline data as a major obstacle to understanding UAP reports, arguing that better catalogues of ordinary phenomena are essential for separating genuine anomalies from routine misidentifications. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are one of our planet's greatest mysteries. Observations…
Within the broader effort to explain UFO reports as identified flying objects (IFOs), a baseline library is therefore not a side project. It is the reference collection against which every new sighting is measured. Balloons, satellites, birds, drones, aircraft, atmospheric effects and sensor artefacts must first be documented in detail before investigators can reliably determine whether a report is truly unusual. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are one of our planet's greatest mysteries. Observations…
Why anomaly detection needs a normal background
In many fields of science, anomalies are found by comparing new observations against a well-characterised background. Astronomy identifies unusual stars because millions of ordinary stars have already been catalogued. Medical imaging detects abnormalities because doctors know the appearance of healthy tissue. UAP investigations face the same requirement.
NASA’s independent study team repeatedly stressed the need for curated, standardised datasets and better characterisation of ordinary aerial phenomena. Without those reference datasets, investigators can mistake sensor limitations, viewing geometry, or common airborne objects for something extraordinary. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are one of our planet's greatest mysteries. Observations…
The importance of this approach is visible in recent government findings. The US All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which reviews military and government reports, has resolved hundreds of cases as ordinary objects. Its published statistics show that balloons account for the largest category of closed cases, followed by satellites, drones, aircraft and birds. These are precisely the types of objects that should populate a baseline library because they repeatedly generate reports that initially appear unidentified. [AARO]aaro.milAAROUAP Reporting TrendsClosed Cases Resolution Outcomes. Bird(s): 28 (2.9%). Satellite(s): 314 (32.1%). Balloon(s): 510 (52.1%). UAS: 76…
A useful baseline library therefore records more than object names. It preserves:
- Visual appearance at different distances and lighting conditions.
- Infrared signatures.
- Radar characteristics.
- Effects of camera zoom, compression and stabilisation systems.
- Environmental context such as cloud cover, wind and atmospheric conditions.
- Viewing geometry, including parallax and perspective effects.
When investigators compare a new case against thousands of examples collected under controlled conditions, the burden of proof shifts. The question becomes not “Could this be a balloon?” but “How does this differ from known balloon behaviour?”
Ordinary objects that become confusing in sensors
Many UFO reports arise because familiar objects can appear dramatically different when observed through specialised sensors.
Balloons
Balloons are among the most commonly resolved UAP explanations. Their slow movement can appear fast when viewed from a moving aircraft, and changing illumination can create the impression of manoeuvres. At high altitude they may also lack visible reference points, making distance and size difficult to judge. AARO’s resolution statistics place balloons at the top of identified categories, highlighting their importance in any baseline collection. [AARO]aaro.milAARO Historical Record Report Vol 1 2024AAROAARO_Historical_Record_Repor…6 Mar 2024 — misidentified, drones, balloons, aircraft, rockets, rocket exhaust plumes, satellites, in…
A strong baseline library would contain examples of weather balloons, hobby balloons, advertising balloons and high-altitude research balloons viewed from multiple sensor types and angles.
Satellites and glints
Satellites often create reports because reflected sunlight can produce sudden bright flashes, known as glints. Objects that appear stationary may brighten and fade dramatically, creating the illusion of intelligent control. Satellite passes are predictable, but only if investigators have access to reference data and comparison examples.
AARO’s published case statistics identify satellites as one of the largest resolved categories of UAP reports, making them a key component of any normal-sky dataset. [AARO]aaro.milUAP ImageryThe United States European Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolu…
Birds
Birds create a particularly interesting challenge because sensor systems do not always record them accurately. Compression artefacts, pixelation, glare and motion-processing effects can transform a bird into an apparently featureless orb. Recent AARO reporting notes that birds are frequently misidentified because sensor processing obscures wing motion and distorts shape. [U.S. Department of War]war.govdr jon kosloski director aaro media roundtable on the fy24 consolidated annualDepartment of WarDr. Jon Kosloski, Director, AARO, Media Roundtable on the…14 Nov 2024 — AARO has successfully resolved hundreds of ca…
A baseline library therefore needs examples not only of birds themselves but of how birds appear after passing through real-world surveillance and tracking systems.
Drones
Modern drones combine several characteristics that historically triggered UFO reports. They can hover, accelerate rapidly within a small area, carry bright lights, and operate at night. Consumer and commercial drones also vary widely in size, lighting patterns and acoustic signatures.
As drone use expands, reference collections must continually update to include newer models and operational behaviours. Otherwise investigators risk treating emerging but ordinary technology as anomalous. [AARO]aaro.milAARO HomeUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) means (A) airborne objects that are not immediately identifiable; (B) transmedium objects…
Optical and sensor effects
Some of the most misleading cases involve no unusual object at all. AARO’s historical review identifies parallax, infrared aberrations, sensor artefacts, vague radar returns and optical effects among recurring causes of misidentification. [AARO]aaro.milAARO and the Declassification ProcessThis includes commonplace images of birds, balloons, commercial drones, and natural phenomena, which…
For this reason, a baseline library should not be limited to physical objects. It should also include examples of:
- Camera autofocus failures.
- Motion blur.
- Infrared blooming and glare.
- Compression artefacts.
- Radar clutter.
- Perspective-induced apparent acceleration.
- Parallax from moving observation platforms.
These examples help investigators recognise when a sensor is generating the anomaly rather than the observed target.
How baseline examples make stronger cases stand out
A common misconception is that cataloguing ordinary objects somehow discourages the search for genuine anomalies. In practice, the opposite is true.
When researchers build extensive libraries of normal phenomena, they become better at identifying the rare cases that do not fit. This logic underlies several modern scientific UAP observation projects. Proposed multi-sensor observatories emphasise collecting large numbers of routine observations first, creating a statistical census of ordinary aerial activity before attempting to identify outliers. [arXiv]arxiv.orgarXivThe Scientific Investigation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Using Multimodal Ground-Based ObservatoriesMay 29, 2023…
The value of a baseline becomes especially clear when multiple sensors are involved. If an object matches known satellite behaviour in optical imagery, known satellite brightness patterns in photometric data and a predicted orbital track, investigators can confidently classify it. If it consistently fails those comparisons across several independent measurements, it becomes a stronger candidate for further analysis.
In other words, baseline libraries reduce false positives. They prevent researchers from spending months investigating phenomena that have already been observed thousands of times under similar conditions. At the same time, they increase confidence when something genuinely departs from known patterns.
The emerging model for a normal-sky dataset
NASA’s study pointed toward a future in which UAP investigations rely less on isolated videos and more on structured, calibrated observations. A practical baseline library would function as a continuously updated reference database containing ordinary aircraft, balloons, satellites, birds, drones, atmospheric phenomena and sensor artefacts recorded across many instruments and environmental conditions. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are one of our planet's greatest mysteries. Observations…
Recent AARO reporting reinforces why such libraries matter. The overwhelming majority of resolved cases fall into ordinary categories rather than exotic ones, and officials report that only a small fraction remain potentially anomalous after systematic analysis. [U.S. Department of War]war.govdod examining unidentified anomalous phenomenaDepartment of WarDOD Examining Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena14 Nov 2024 — "AARO has successfully resolved hundreds of cases in its hol…
For the study of UFO reports as potential IFOs, this is one of the most important lessons of modern UAP research: investigators do not discover anomalies by starting with mysteries. They discover anomalies by first building an exceptionally detailed record of normal skies. [NASA Science]science.nasa.govNASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are one of our planet's greatest mysteries. Observations…
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Endnotes
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Source: science.nasa.gov
Link: https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/uap-independent-study-team-final-report.pdfSource snippet
NASA ScienceIndependent Study Team ReportUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are one of our planet's greatest mysteries. Observations...
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Source: science.nasa.gov
Link: https://science.nasa.gov/uap/Source snippet
NASA ScienceUAP9 Jun 2022 — A study team to examine unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) – that is, observations of events in the sky...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Cases/UAP-Reporting-Trends/Source snippet
AAROUAP Reporting TrendsClosed Cases Resolution Outcomes. Bird(s): 28 (2.9%). Satellite(s): 314 (32.1%). Balloon(s): 510 (52.1%). UAS: 76...
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Source: nasa.gov
Link: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-to-release-discuss-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena-report/Source snippet
NASA to Release, Discuss Unidentified Anomalous...NASA commissioned the study to examine UAP from a scientific perspective and create a...
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Source: war.gov
Title: dr jon kosloski director aaro media roundtable on the fy24 consolidated annual
Link: https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3965734/dr-jon-kosloski-director-aaro-media-roundtable-on-the-fy24-consolidated-annual/Source snippet
Department of WarDr. Jon Kosloski, Director, AARO, Media Roundtable on the...14 Nov 2024 — AARO has successfully resolved hundreds of ca...
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Source: war.gov
Title: dod examining unidentified anomalous phenomena
Link: https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3965403/dod-examining-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena/Source snippet
Department of WarDOD Examining Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena14 Nov 2024 — "AARO has successfully resolved hundreds of cases in its hol...
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Source: media.defense.gov
Title: FY24 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT ON UAP 508
Link: https://media.defense.gov/2024/Nov/14/2003583603/-1/-1/0/FY24-CONSOLIDATED-ANNUAL-REPORT-ON-UAP-508.PDFSource snippet
Department of WarFiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Report on...14 Nov 2024 — In many other cases, birds are commonly misidentified as...
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Source: aaro.mil
Title: AARO Historical Record Report Vol 1 2024
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/AARO_Historical_Record_Report_Vol_1_2024.pdfSource snippet
AAROAARO_Historical_Record_Repor...6 Mar 2024 — misidentified, drones, balloons, aircraft, rockets, rocket exhaust plumes, satellites, in...
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Source: arxiv.org
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.18566Source snippet
arXivThe Scientific Investigation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Using Multimodal Ground-Based ObservatoriesMay 29, 2023...
Published: May 29, 2023
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/UAP-Cases/Official-UAP-Imagery/Source snippet
UAP ImageryThe United States European Command submitted a report of an unidentified anomalous phenomenon to the All-domain Anomaly Resolu...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/Source snippet
AARO HomeUnidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) means (A) airborne objects that are not immediately identifiable; (B) transmedium objects...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/Portals/136/PDFs/Information%20Papers/AARO_Declassification_Info_Paper_2025.pdfSource snippet
AARO and the Declassification ProcessThis includes commonplace images of birds, balloons, commercial drones, and natural phenomena, which...
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Source: aaro.mil
Link: https://www.aaro.mil/FAQ/ -
Source: news.sky.com
Link: https://news.sky.com/story/nasa-ufo-report-live-scientists-to-release-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena-findings-12960933Source snippet
UFO report - live: Scientists release Unidentified...14 Sept 2023 — NASA has released a report on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena - com...
Additional References
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/space/comments/16ij6ui/nasa_shares_unidentified_anomalous_phenomena/Source snippet
NASA Shares Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena...The evidence of aliens that NASA will find is going to be "We've detected animal farts on...
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Source: skepticalinquirer.org
Link: https://skepticalinquirer.org/2023/08/nasa-studies-ufos/ -
Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuBMnluJfs0Source snippet
Replay! NASA's Release of the Unidentified Anomalous...NASA commissioned an independent study team to examine unidentified anomalous phe...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQcqOW39kskSource snippet
Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study ReportNASA commissioned an independent study team to examine unidentified anomalous ph...
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Source: skyandtelescope.org
Title: nasa finds no evidence ufos are extraterrestrial promises further study
Link: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/nasa-finds-no-evidence-ufos-are-extraterrestrial-promises-further-study/Source snippet
NASA Finds No Evidence UFOs Are Extraterrestrial...15 Sept 2023 — UAPs are defined as objects or events that can't (yet) be traced back...
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Source: businessinsider.com
Title: nasa ufos probably balloons planes or solar glints not aliens 2023 9
Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-ufos-probably-balloons-planes-or-solar-glints-not-aliens-2023-9Source snippet
NASA: UFOs Are Probably Balloons, Planes, or Solar Glints14 Sept 2023 — NASA says UFOs are probably balloons, planes, or solar glints — b...
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Source: universetoday.com
Title: ufo office fails to find anything that defies the laws of physics
Link: https://www.universetoday.com/articles/ufo-office-fails-to-find-anything-that-defies-the-laws-of-physicsSource snippet
UFO Office Fails to Find Anything That Defies the Laws of...22 Apr 2023 — This approach is critical to resolving UAP reports into the ca...
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Source: avi-loeb.medium.com
Title: a new calculation on the fly to the nasa uap study 2dacaf860cac
Link: https://avi-loeb.medium.com/a-new-calculation-on-the-fly-to-the-nasa-uap-study-2dacaf860cacSource snippet
New Calculation on the Fly to the NASA UAP Study - Avi LoebThe [NASA Study]({{ 'nasa-study/' | relative_url }}) will examine unclassified data on UAP in an attempt to separate...
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Source: ralphbuncheinstitute.org
Link: https://ralphbuncheinstitute.org/nasa-unidentified-anomalous-phenomena-independent-study-team-report/Source snippet
Figuring out the truth behind Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) takes more than speculation, it requires hard science.Read more...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Unidentified_Anomalous_Phenomena_Independent_Study_TeamSource snippet
NASA Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent...UAPs are defined as phenomena or observations of events in the air, sea, space, a...
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