The glowing, pill-shaped object, rumored to be an unidentified flying object (UFO), was actually a Vulcan Centaur rocket launch from Florida in the southeastern United States.

Several photos taken near Finger Lakes, New York, USA on August 12th showed a bright sphere moving slowly, surrounded by a faint halo, sparking social media frenzy and speculation about UFOs.

“The aliens have arrived,” one netizen wrote. “It’s truly a magical sight to witness,” another commented.

However, instead of a UFO, this was just a rocket launch.

According to the astronomy website Space, the glowing object has been confirmed as a Vulcan Centaur rocket launched by United Launch Alliance (ULA – a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin) from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

New York recorded more than 60 UFO sightings in the first half of this year.
WSJ: Pentagon spreads UFO rumors to cover up secret weapons.
The Vulcan Centaur is a two-stage rocket launch system manufactured and developed by ULA for the U.S. government’s National Aeronautics and Space Security (NSSL) program, and it had its first successful launch in January 2024.

To date, the Pentagon has not commented on the incident.

“Based on my scientific and military experience, my first instinct was to look for a conventional explanation, like a climate phenomenon or man-made aerospace activity, because most objects in the sky are like that,” retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet told Fox News.

He emphasized the importance of data verification when distinguishing between civilian confusion and genuine unidentified flying phenomena (UAPs).

“The process involves comparing visual observations with other data such as optical images, high-resolution infrared, radar, lidar, radio signals, or sound.”

“If there are indications that the object is being controlled by intelligence, it needs to be examined via very high frequency (VHF) radio waves. This method helps to better describe its size, speed, altitude, range, and materials,” Gallaudet added.

In light of the increasing number of UAP sightings, he argued that greater scientific transparency and in-depth investigation are needed to alleviate fear and prejudice.

“People are often afraid of the unknown, so more in-depth research into UAPs will not only reduce the stigma associated with this phenomenon, but also transform it from a mystery into an accepted field of science,” he emphasized.