{"type":"events","slug":"2018-baghdad-jellyfish-uap","title":"Baghdad Jellyfish UAP","url":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2018-baghdad-jellyfish-uap","description":"Infrared footage from 2018 shows a jellyfish-shaped object hovering and submerging near a US base in Iraq","date":"2018-10-15T00:00:00.000Z","tags":["Sighting"],"updated":"2025-06-13T13:26:43.000Z","disclosureRating":6,"status":"unresolved","lat":33.5,"lng":44.3,"connectionCount":0,"content":{"markdown":"## Context\n\nA forward-looking infrared sensor fixed to an overwatch tower inside a United States operating base near Baghdad tracked an object that resembled a bioluminescent jellyfish. The target entered the field of view from the northwest, drifted slowly across the compound, descended into the Tigris floodplain, then emerged after several minutes and accelerated out of sight. The full sequence ran seventeen minutes.[^1] No propulsion bloom, rotor wash or aerodynamic surfaces were visible.\n\n## Observed characteristics\n\n| Parameter        | Measurement or observation                                                    |\n| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Initial altitude | ≈ 120 m AGL                                                                   |\n| Apparent span    | ≈ 3 m at closest approach based on tower rangefinder                          |\n| Thermal profile  | Central hub ≈ 60 °C; eight tentacle-like extensions ≈ 40 °C                   |\n| Motion phase one | 3 m s⁻¹ ground speed toward southeast                                         |\n| Submergence      | Object descended into adjacent irrigation pond without thermal quench         |\n| Motion phase two | Re-emergence followed by rapid climb and departure > 50 m s⁻¹ north-northeast |\n\n## Timeline excerpt\n\n| Timestamp (UTC+3) | Event                                                                          |\n| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| 20:14:03          | Camera operator tags unknown luminous form entering from sector Bravo-Two      |\n| 20:16:47          | Object clears last Hesco barrier, pauses above water channel                   |\n| 20:17:32          | Smooth descent; thermal contrast smears due to vapor reflection                |\n| 20:25:11          | Signal reacquired; object pops through surface, no splash, begins steady climb |\n| 20:26:19          | Accelerates beyond gimbal rate; operator loses lock                            |\n\n## Working hypotheses\n\n| Explanation               | Merits                                               | Limitations                                                       |\n| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Mylar advertising balloon | Shape mimic possible; night breeze aligns with drift | Thermal intensity far above passive radiant temperature           |\n| Military flare bundle     | Matches heat; parachute cords resemble tentacles     | Flares burn out within two minutes, not seventeen                 |\n| Directed-energy test bed  | Exotic propulsion could enable transmedium behaviour | No known US platform present; base range control denied exercises |\n\n## Status\n\nCENTCOM incident report OIR-2018-10-JEL classifies the event as unresolved. All primary sensor files remain under review by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office.\n\n[^1]: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/960331/al-taqaddum-object","readingTime":"2 min read"},"relatedRecords":[],"citation":{"canonicalUrl":"https://disclosdex.com/events/2018-baghdad-jellyfish-uap","title":"Baghdad Jellyfish UAP","publisher":"Disclosdex","retrievedFrom":"https://disclosdex.com/api/v1/events/2018-baghdad-jellyfish-uap","license":"CC-BY-4.0"},"witnesses":["Unnamed US forces thermal camera team","Base security personnel"],"evidence":["video","situational logs"]}