Norwegian spiral
- Date
- 9 Dec 2009
- Place
- Northern Norway and northern Sweden (seen from Troms and Trondelag)
- Record
- Curated case
- Assessment
- Explained
- Evidence strength
What was reported
Early on 9 December 2009 people across northern Norway and Sweden saw and photographed a blue beam with a grey spiral spreading from one end, lasting about ten minutes; hundreds called the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, and speculation ran from an unusual aurora to wormholes. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed a failed test of a Bulava submarine-launched missile that morning, saying the third stage malfunctioned. A damaged nozzle venting sideways would set the stage spinning and produce the spiral, which matches the photographs.
What officials concluded
Resolved
Russian Defence Ministry: failed Bulava missile test
Strongest ordinary reading
A spinning, venting third stage of a failed Bulava missile
Evidence profile
Sensors3 of 9
- Yes: Visual
- No: Infrared
- No: Radar
- Yes: Video
- Yes: Photo
- No: Film
- No: Audio
- No: Night vision
- No: Other sensor
Witnessescount not stated
- Yes: Civilian
- No: Military aircrew
- No: Military ground
- No: Airline crew
- No: Sensor operator
- No: Law enforcement
- No: Scientist
- No: Astronaut
- No: Intelligence official
- No: Other
ShapeOther shape
- No: Light only
- No: Orb or sphere
- No: Disc
- No: Triangle
- No: Cylinder
- No: Cube
- Yes: Other shape
Effectsnone reported
- No: Physiological
- No: Physical trace
- No: Electromagnetic
- No: Sound
- No: Silent
Outside sources
- Wikipedia: 2009 Norwegian spiral anomalyen.wikipedia.org
On the map
69.65° N, 18.96° E, plotted at the centre of the region named in the record
Show on the map