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Anita
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 3219
Location: Windlesham, Surrey
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 Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 11:55 am Post subject: UFO? |
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I was puzzled last night when I saw a brightly glowing orange object travelling silently across the sky, gradually gaining height. I Googled “orange light in sky” and, as well as finding lots of claims of UFO sightings, I learnt about Chinese sky lanterns.
Apparently they are increasingly being released at weddings and parties. The lantern contains a small candle or fuel cell to heat the air inside, and can climb to more than 1,000 meters.
Some retailers make a selling point of telling prospective buyers to watch for reports of UFOs in the local papers after the event!
Sorry if you’re all already familiar with them, but it was the first I’d heard about the practice.
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
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PaulB2005
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 04, 2006
Posts: 9323
Location: Durham, UK
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Anita
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 3219
Location: Windlesham, Surrey
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| Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Paul, that's worrying if they're leading to false SAR call outs and animal deaths. Before my divorce I lived in a thatched house that lost its roof thanks to a neighbour's bonfire, so I'd be very concerned if I still lived there.
I must live a very sheltered life, as I hadn't heard about them before, although judging from the number of reports of UFOs I found, neither have a lot of other people!
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Anita
TomTom VIA 135 - App 12.075
UK map 1125.12264
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mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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| Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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We used to make "Home Made" versions of these by inflating a certain birth control product with helium from an aerosol, it also had a plastic capsule of lighter fluid in it and a fuse (like the type you use to light fireworks).
Up it would go and at some point you got quite a spectactuar flash high in the night sky as the lighter fluid ignited - Was good fun at the time and did get in the newspaper for the area in the Lakes where we set them off - Mike |
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MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15137
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
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| Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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drunk people trying to launch these things are always amusing to watch....!
MaFt |
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spook51
Lifetime Member
Joined: Mar 26, 2004
Posts: 548
Location: East Midlands
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| Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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| MaFt wrote: | drunk people trying to launch these things are always amusing to watch....!
MaFt |
That's what your mates keep telling you, is it MaFt?? |
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Andy_P
Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 19991
Location: West and Southwest London
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| Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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Killjoy alert?
I think the SAR callout story has to be an exaggeration, as the authorities are well aware of these Koon Fey Chinese Lanterns, and have been for years (far longer than a lot of the public it would seem as the UFO stories still crop up regularly in some parts of the press).
The possible issue of cattle deaths has been addressed by several importers/manufacturers, who have replaced the wire loop (used to hold the envelope open and support the fuel unit) with an equivalent made from split bamboo.
But to be honest, I would have thought there were plenty of bits of discarded fencing and baling wire in farmers fields, which could be equally to blame?
BUT, having said all that.... Many of my friends and colleagues who run professional firework display companies refuse to use these lanterns, due to the possible fire risk.
They spend a lot of time and effort reducing the risks involved with their work, in terms of safety distances, wind direction, choice of materials used etc. so to launch something which is on fire with no real idea of where it ends up is anathema to them.
But having said THAT, a multiple launch of Koom Fey can look really beautiful, and I've even seen it done at a funeral, where the relatives said it was the most moving part of the entire ceremony.
And in happier situations it can bring a bit of pleasure to many in these "ban everything in sight" times we live in. |
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