A giant UFO pictured over Chile in 2010 has been described as genuinely unidentified by alien hunters.
The image appeared to show a glowing orange object hidden behind the clouds and was taken by a family picnicking in the Andes Mountains in 2010.
The National Aviation Reporting Center on Anomalous Phenomena (NARCAP) investigated the sighting the same year, but scientists are reopening the case as part of a new documentary that attempts to prove or debunk strange phenomena.
An expert in physics from the University at Albany said: ‘This object is truly unidentified, so it is a genuine UFO.’
A photo snapped by a family picnicking at the Andes Mountains in 2010 that appears to capture a ‘massive saucer-shaped object’ has been re-analyzed by scientists to determine if it was a UFO or simple camera effects
The only evidence of the sighting is a July 2010 report that describes the exterior boasting a red and white woven pattern with a large region of straight individual lines along the bottom – and the ‘disc’ could be up to 200 feet long
The image was taken during the day on a Sunday, which shows the sun shining through white clouds and a band of reddish clouds to the left, encasing a glowing ‘solid’ orange object with ‘interesting surface details,’ according to the NARCAP report.
The image’s story dates back to February 14, 2010, when a couple and their one-year-old daughter spent the day at the El Yeso Reservoir.
The mother snapped 16 photos of the stunning valley and sky above, and upon returning home, she noticed the reddish clouds with the object.
The Chilean government shared the photo with NARCAP, an advisory of aviation professionals investigating UPAs and aviation safety.
Ted Roe, head of the organization, conducted a lengthy analysis of the image, publishing a 23-page report on July 2, 2010.
Roe was featured on ‘The Proof is Out There’ where he said: ‘This study resolves that this is in fact an external anomaly.
The image’s story dates back to February 14, 2010, when a couple and their one-year-old daughter spent the day at the El Yeso Reservoir. The mother snapped 16 photos of the stunning valley. Pictured is one of the images taken that day
The report states that a portion of the UAP appears to be obstructed by the cirrus or cirrocumulus clouds, making it difficult to assess the true size of the UAP. However, NARCAP believes the object could span more than 200 feet long
‘It does not appear to be inserted in the photograph, so we’re left with an unidentified aerial phenomenon.’
The case, however, went cold after the report was quietly released in July.
The sighting was featured on The History Channel’s ‘The Proof is Out There,’ where experts determined that no camera effects are associated with the ‘blob’ and concluded the object is ‘a genuine UFO’ -saying ‘we are getting closer to the truth.’
‘The Proof is Out There’ is a non-fiction series that brings in experts to investigate videos and images of bizarre sightings captured by the public.
Tony Harris, the show’s host, told DailyMail.com: ‘I think in a lot of these cases can be explained, but the beauty of the show is that by doing the work, we are weeding out the nonsense.
‘We are getting closer. Through the process of taking a look at things like the Andes UAP, having the experts take a look at it and coming to the conclusion that they cannot identify it [is a] ding ding ding [moment].
‘I think that is a step closer. If we can’t identify it with the crew we have on board, professors from acclaimed universities and theoretical physicists, I think that means we are getting closer to something.’
Experts investigated the image under red, green and blue factors to see how the light may have been distributed
The red and green wavelengths contributed more detail and outline definition to the UAP
The upper edge of the object could be seen in each of the three hues ‘as if some source of light is illuminating it’
The report states that a portion of the UAP appears to be obstructed by the cirrus or cirrocumulus clouds, making it difficult to assess the true size of the UAP.
However, NARCAP believes the object could span more than 200 feet long.
Roe also investigated the image under red, green and blue factors to see how the light may have been distributed.
The red and green wavelengths contributed more detail and outline definition to the UAP than the blue, but the upper edge of the object could be seen in each of the three hues ‘as if some source of light is illuminating it,’ reads the report.
An investigation into pixel distortion was also conducted, which enlarged the image to the point where individual pixels were apparent to see if they may have been created or pasted into the sky.
Roe concluded in the report that ‘no such distortions in luminosity or spatial displacement were discovered suggesting that the UAP was present when the photograph was taken.’
Now, 13 years later, the mysterious case in the Andes has been re-opened for another look.
‘The Proof is Out There’ episode features astronomer and video effects designer Mark de Antonio explaining that the strange formation could be the result of the prism effect.
The effect occurs when the sun hits ice crystals in the atmosphere, creating a stunning rainbow.
‘And that is what we are seeing [in the image], in my view,’ de Antonio said.
‘When you divide the image in half, you have the sun [on one side] and the object [on the other.
The distance from that center frame to the object is the same. The likelihood is very small that an object is going to be the exact same distance from the sun unless there is a lens flare.’
Lens flares are when bright lights hit the camera lens, creating artifacts – but not all experts agree with de Antonio.
Meteorologist Juan Hernandez with the National Weather Service said: ‘Although I am not a photography expert, it does not seem like we are looking at a camera artifact effect.
He points to the orange spot in the clouds, noting no explanation for why it is there.
Most artifacts appear as lines, but the UAP is a disc shape.
‘The likely explanation towards a reddish hue in any cloud would be a setting sun, but it is the middle of the day,’ said Hernandez.
Another expert, physicist Matthew Szydagis with the University of Albany, also sides with Hernandez.
‘I agree with the conclusion of the NARCAP report, which suggested that this object is truly unidentified, so it is a genuine UFO.’
Harris told DailyMail.com that the verdict does not mean it is aliens.
‘It means just what it says ‘undefined,” he said.
‘We felt comfortable going on the air and saying exactly what it is.
‘The Proof is Out There’ is currently in its fourth season.
‘The thing about our show, we stay on these clips and try to identify them even if it is outside of the show,’ said Harris, suggesting that the truth of the Andes Mountain UAP could officially be concluded.