Alderney objects (Aurigny Trislander)
- Date
- 23 Apr 2007
- Place
- English Channel south of Alderney, Channel Islands, Guernsey
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Unexplained
- Evidence strength
What was reported
In clear daylight on 23 April 2007 Captain Ray Bowyer, flying an Aurigny Trislander from Southampton to Alderney, saw through binoculars a bright yellow, sharply defined object shaped like a thin cigar with a dark band, then a second identical one beyond it; several passengers also saw them. Jersey air traffic control reported primary radar contacts south of Alderney. A 2008 study by Jean-Francois Baure, David Clarke, Paul Fuller and Martin Shough, using the radio transcripts, ATC and weather radar recordings and Civil Aviation Authority documents, found no radar contact that clearly matched the visual objects (the controller thought some returns might be false echoes) and could not identify the phenomena.
What officials concluded
No conclusion stated
No official explanation has been given.
Strongest ordinary reading
none established; the 2008 study considered atmospheric and optical effects without a firm match
Evidence profile
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- Yes: Radar
- No: Video
- No: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
- Yes: Civilian
- No: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- Yes: Airline crew
- Yes: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- No: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
- No: Light only
- No: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- Yes: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- No: Other shape
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
On the map
49.55° N, 2.25° W, a position at sea, approximate
Show on the map