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Baghdad Jellyfish UAP

Sighting

Infrared footage from 2018 shows a jellyfish-shaped object hovering and submerging near a US base in Iraq

Witnesses — Unnamed US forces thermal camera team, Base security personnel

Evidence — Video, Situational logs

Status — Unresolved

Disclosure Rating — 3/10

  Context

A 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. No propulsion bloom, rotor wash or aerodynamic surfaces were visible.

  Observed characteristics

ParameterMeasurement or observation
Initial altitude≈ 120 m AGL
Apparent span≈ 3 m at closest approach based on tower rangefinder
Thermal profileCentral hub ≈ 60 °C; eight tentacle-like extensions ≈ 40 °C
Motion phase one3 m s⁻¹ ground speed toward southeast
SubmergenceObject descended into adjacent irrigation pond without thermal quench
Motion phase twoRe-emergence followed by rapid climb and departure > 50 m s⁻¹ north-northeast

  Timeline excerpt

Timestamp (UTC+3)Event
20:14:03Camera operator tags unknown luminous form entering from sector Bravo-Two
20:16:47Object clears last Hesco barrier, pauses above water channel
20:17:32Smooth descent; thermal contrast smears due to vapor reflection
20:25:11Signal reacquired; object pops through surface, no splash, begins steady climb
20:26:19Accelerates beyond gimbal rate; operator loses lock

  Working hypotheses

ExplanationMeritsLimitations
Mylar advertising balloonShape mimic possible; night breeze aligns with driftThermal intensity far above passive radiant temperature
Military flare bundleMatches heat; parachute cords resemble tentaclesFlares burn out within two minutes, not seventeen
Directed-energy test bedExotic propulsion could enable transmedium behaviourNo known US platform present; base range control denied exercises

  Status

CENTCOM 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.

Occured on October 15, 2018

2 min read