Mystery object transiting the Sun

[David Smith]

Was minding my own business sketching the spot groups on the sun this morning (10:10 local time, 09:10 U.T) when a small black circle began transiting the sun's south polar region. Initially I thought bird, plane or something but in the few seconds it took to cross the sun's disk it became clear that the object was circular in shape. I have seen birds and planes pass through the field of view and this was different. The size and shape kind of reminded me of the transit of Mercury a few years ago, but this event was over in less than a minute.

I recorded the approximate path and size on the sketch hoping to be able to figure out what it was later. However I have tried a few different places but cannot find anything. My guess at this point is artificial satelite but it is just that, a guess and I have my doubts due to the size of the image I saw (would have to have been a big satelite). I am the worlds biggest skeptic and certainly am not thinking alien invasion or anything daft like that but I am intrigued.

Anyone has any ideas of what it might have been or where I might look to find out I would be interested.

Thanks

[Ganymede12]

Interesting........

I have no idea what that could be.

[Photosbykev]

Does Calsky show any solar crossings from your location?

[David Smith]

Does Calsky show any solar crossings from your location?

No, nothing.

[Phil Fargaze]

I have seen a similar object transit the moon through the telescope before and it does look very strange. This sort of observation has been discussed on the forum before and I think the general opinion was that it must be produced by some kind of artificial satellite. What I saw, like yourself, seemed to be a perfectly circular object which takes a few seconds to cross the face of the sun or moon.

[Mr Q]

From the size of it in your sketch I'd say a weather balloon a fair distance from you. Satellites would not appear that big and since you didn't see a gondola hanging from a hot air balloon, probably a weather balloon.

[David Smith]

Weather balloon is an interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that. It would explain the shape and size.

[Phil Fargaze]

Would weather balloons be let loose over our locations though? I am thinking about the amount of aircraft, especially over my area.

[David Smith]

Honestly don't know how often weathere balloons are used or in what areas. Don't think I have ever seen one in use.

[Phil Fargaze]

Balloons could be an answer though? I was suddenly struck with the idea that a lost helium balloon i.e. for birthdays etc could be a good suspect.

If you fancy having a read at the other previous discussions see here http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/143461-saw-something-pass-the-moon-last-night/

and also here http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/143888-i-saw-a-very-strange-thing-last-night-on-the-moon/

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I think a balloon is the most likely suspect.

[JB80]

Balloons could be an answer though? I was suddenly struck with the idea that a lost helium balloon i.e. for birthdays etc could be a good suspect.

If you fancy having a read at the other previous discussions see here http://stargazerslou...oon-last-night/

and also here http://stargazerslou...ht-on-the-moon/

And another one if your interested. It's not so much an obvious sphere though and the pics aren't great either but they demonstrate what I captured.

Still curious about it too.

[cotterless45]

Have you checked Stellarium ,for that date and time.There's a satellite crossing the Sun at about that time.

You'll find the( satellite) icon on the tool bar, neat,

Nick.

[Ganymede12]

I read about a hidden planet named Vulcan that was reportedly seen transiting the sun many years ago - before the era of weather balloons!

Maybe we do have 9 planets?

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The theory of a planet orbiting inside of Mercury is an old one, and has largely been discredited. It was proposed to explain the precession of the orbit of Mercury, which could not be explained by Newton's law of gravity. Einstein's General Relativity does explain it without the need for an extra planet.