The "Chandelier" UFO

[john.phil]

Embarrassing you guys came to that conclusion.

So moving forward from the parachute nonsense (a good example of type 2 error, and confirmation bias of "skeptics" IMHO)

A parachuting flare is a proposed hypothesis that fits the visuals at first glance; however, it may be a good example of dynamic pareidolia, instead of "nonsense", or a reason for embarrassment. Other hypotheses are that the "parachute" might actually be a lens flare caused by the Sun, or by a laser, or by another heat source.

A hypothesis is not a conclusion.

Although people may lean towards a certain hypothesis and start providing corroborating evidence in the thread, it does not mean we are your personal adversaries just because you are committed to a different hypothesis.

if the 14:06:17 at the bottom is the time of recording within the video, and the 5 is elevation angle and 115 is the bearing, then the hot point cannot be the sun

Let's not rule out the Sun based on timestamps alone. The fact that the Sun can be positioned very close to bearing 115° and 5° elevation, depending on the date and time, serves as supporting evidence that it could be the culprit.

Although, the location of the footage, combined with Iran's known capabilities and stance, corroborates the possibility that it could be a military laser instead. However, the US also operates airborne and shipborne laser platforms, so this could be a field test, or crew members messing around with expensive equipment, or a mistake, or target misidentification, or another reason.

Iranian Forces Harass Marine Attack Helo with Laser in Persian Gulf
September 28, 2023

A Marine attack helicopter was harassed by sectarian Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf, a U.S. 5th Fleet official told USNI News on Thursday.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy shined a laser several times at an AH-1Z Viper helicopter flying over the Persian Gulf.

"The IRGCN interacted in an unsafe and unprofessional manner with a U.S. AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter, assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit as the aircraft was conducting routine operations in the international airspace of the [Persian] Gulf, Sept. 27. The interaction took place at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time," reads the statement from U.S. 5th Fleet.

"IRGCN vessels shone a laser multiple times at the aircraft while in flight. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the aircraft was not damaged."

source: https://news.usni.org/2023/09/28/iranian-forces-harass-marine-attack-helo-with-laser-in-persian-gulf

The winds at that height would have blown the trail if it was smoke. But it maintains perfect stability through the video.

Following up with the laser hypothesis, the "contrail" could be sensor damage from a previous pass, as it does not seem to change position despite the heat source displaying apparent movement.

If it were a parachute it would be visible throughout the video, not inconsistently.

Not necessarily, an object may drift in and out of focus depending on the optical instrument characteristics, operator input, depth of field, and the direction and magnitude of the displacement.

 

[Ann K]

If it were a parachute it would be visible throughout the video

Not necessarily, an object may drift in and out of focus depending on the optical instrument characteristics, operator input, depth of field, and the direction and magnitude of the displacement.

It's apparent that the parachute appears and disappears off the edge of the screen, so it isn't just focus that changes, but position. The camera simply isn't looking at the (mundane) parachute, but at its payload instead, with no regard to keeping the parachute in frame.

 

[Arthur 33]

A parachuting flare is a proposed hypothesis that fits the visuals at first glance; however, it may be a good example of dynamic pareidolia, instead of "nonsense", or a reason for embarrassment.

I would agree with you, but if you go back on this thread Greenstreet's video proposing this idea quickly went from "apparent parachute" (Greenstreet's language which is fine). To definitive statements that it is a parachute. Less about scientific inquiry, and more about persuasion and fighting perceived disinformation on social media; and dunking on the so called "believers" IMHO.

Now Greenstreet's viral debunk has been debunked. Which is actually the most satisfying type of debunk.

If you watch this video both the question of the parachute, and the "smoke" get definitively answered IMHO.
Video: ProPixel Video Analysis and Research, It's still not a parachute. Let's talk about optics.

 

[Arthur 33]

Following up with the laser hypothesis, the "contrail" could be sensor damage from a previous pass, as it does not seem to change position despite the heat source displaying apparent movement.

The possible contrail shows some odd formation at 12 seconds into the video. To me this looks more like a coastline with a dock or something.

Also I noticed that even earlier in the video at 3 seconds in the "contrail" has a formation on the left side and is angled in the opposite direction. Are we dealing with some sort of mirroring effect as the camera changes modes?