This could be very interesting (shame I can't make it). Possible explanation of UFO sightings?


Public Lecture by Peter McLeish - Science of a new phenomenon
Auckland University

Wednesday 1 September, 2010
5.00pm Drinks and nibbles in the Science Student Centre
6.00pm Lecture
Large Chemistry Lecture Theatre
Building 301, 23 Symonds Street

Peter McLeish is a Canadian multimedia artist who believes it is important to promote unity between art and science to improve out understanding of the natural world.

Peter will discuss his National Science Foundation–funded collaboration with United States scientist Walter A. Lyons and present their films on the mysterious phenomena of red sprites.

Red sprites are as-yet unexplained upper atmospheric optical phenomenon that occur in the thin air above thunderstorms and last less than a blink of the eye. Despite nearly a century of anecdotal reports from airline pilots of unusual optical phenomena, most scientists did not believe in red sprites until the first high-speed images began to be captured in 1989. Since that time, many more optical phenomena have been found in the upper atmosphere associated with thunderstorms and discoveries are still being made.

The presentation will show how the public can become engaged with science, and discuss aspects of astronomy, space science and meteorology.