Kyiv observatory 'phantoms'
- Date
- 2022
- Place
- Kyiv and Vinarivka, Kyiv region, Ukraine
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Contested
- Evidence strength
What was reported
In a 2022 preprint, B. E. Zhilyaev, V. N. Petukhov and V. M. Reshetnyk of the Main Astronomical Observatory of Ukraine reported fast objects recorded by two meteor stations in Kyiv and Vinarivka, which they classed as bright 'cosmics' and dark 'phantoms', with derived distances and speeds far beyond aircraft. In September 2022 the observatory's own scientific council said the work had not been reviewed internally, contained significant errors in the distances to the objects, did not consider natural or ordinary man-made objects, and was premature. Critics noted the images resemble insects or birds close to the camera.
What officials concluded
No conclusion stated
No official explanation has been given.
Strongest ordinary reading
Misjudged distances to ordinary nearby objects; anomalous speeds not established
Evidence profile
- No: Visual
- No: Infrared
- No: Radar
- Yes: Video
- No: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
- No: Civilian
- No: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- No: Airline crew
- No: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- Yes: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
- No: Light only
- No: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- No: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- No: Other shape
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
On the map
50.45° N, 30.52° E, plotted at the town or city
Show on the map