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Mysterious Flying "Rods"
Rods, which are often linked with UFO's and other paranormal phenomenon have sparked a huge amount of interest from people in all walks of life from Paranormal Investigators to Cryptozoologists.
They are described as cylindrical shaped creatures ranging from just a few inches to over 1 metre in length, which fly through the air at tremendous speeds. They have a membrane down each side of their body, which vibrates rapidly as a method of propulsion, similar to that of a squid or Cuttlefish.
But what is really going on here? Are these rods a new type of flying insect or just a trick of the eye? I decided to try and find out.
The interest within SPI first began when we watched back some footage filmed at Moira Furnace in Leicestershire and spotted something a little bit unusual.
Picture taken beside the canal at Moira Furnace which shows a rod-like anomaly which was only visible on this single frame of the video footage.
The anomaly on the picture was only visible on this frame of the footage which can only mean that whatever it was it must have been moving incredibly fast. We have shown this image to many people who have given us a great variety of opinions ranging from a type of orb to a speedy moth.
Other people suggested that it could be a Rod so we decided to do some research on this and found these images:
If you search on YouTube.com there are also many videos available claiming to be footage of rods. I have included one captured on a webcam during a Most Haunted Live show.
In the top right screen there is clearly something flying through the air. Its trademark membrane-like wings would suggest that it is a Rod.
All the images have two things in common. Firstly, the rod like body and secondly, the design of the wings. Many artists have submitted several designs as to what the rods may possibly look like, one of which is shown below.
But not everyone is convinced. As usual, there are many sceptics who have their own views on these so called rods, one of the strongest arguments they have is that these rods have never been captured nor have we ever seen a dead rod. Being a sceptic by nature myself, I think they make a very good point. I have continued to do more research into these rods and found a scientific explanation, which basically explains that it is just a trick of the camera. If an insect moves in front of the lens very fast, then it may beat its wings several times during that frame. That, combined with motion blur, creates the rod illusion.
To try to explain this better I have made a series of diagrams.
Figure 1 - An insect with wings in the up position
Figure 2 - An insect with wings in the down position.
Figure 3 - How the insect is put together when its wings beat several times per frame.
Figure 4 - The same image but with the colours inverted and a slight amount of motion blur added.
After more research, it turns out that there are a lot of independent groups who have come to agree with this explanation.
Also, in 2005 a team of researchers from China claim to have debunked the theory of rods all together when they recorded footage of rods being captured in huge nets only to later find that the only things they had captured were regular insects.
At SPI, we always believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinions on every paranormal matter. My personal opinion however is that rods are nothing more then speedy insects. The evidence that explains them with logic and science outweighs the evidence that they exist as either living creatures or a new type of flying saucer.
- Report by Richard O'Connor
http://www.swadlincoteparanormal.co.uk/
