Puerto Rico Infrared Objects, 2013
AARO resolves CBP thermal video of drifting objects as likely sky lanterns.
Jan 1, 2013
Pending
All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
AI Disclosure Brief
AI assistedReported Object Read
Infrared sensor on CBP aircraft captured two small, indistinct objects drifting over Rafael Hernandez Airport at wind speed before sensor contact was lost.
Notable Characteristics
- Size: <1 meter
- Altitude: 656 ft
- Environment: sky
Reported Motion
- Straight line drift with apparent separation
Evidence Notes
- STK reconstruction
- Pixel analysis
- Wind data correlation
AARO's detailed STK reconstruction and sensor analysis convincingly explains the video as prosaic objects affected by parallax, thermal crossover, and distance.
Unknown
Infrared
90%
Prosaic Leads
- Sky lanterns drifting at wind speed
- Motion parallax from aircraft movement
- Thermal crossover and sensor limitations
Anomalous Indicators
- Initial reports of splitting and transmedium behavior
Evidence Gaps
- No direct visual confirmation beyond IR
- Moderate confidence in sky lantern ID due to video quality
Evidence Quotes // source statements
Open archive"AARO assesses with high confidence that the objects did not exhibit anomalous behavior or transmedium capabilities."
Unknown speaker / AARO
AARO Assessment
Source"AARO assesses with moderate confidence that the objects were a pair of sky lanterns."
Unknown speaker / AARO
Attribution
Source"Objects traveled near each other rather than a single object splitting into two."
Unknown speaker / AARO
Key Findings
SourcePattern Mesh // linked sightings
Western US Equidistant Lights, 2021
Military sensors captured five lights resolved as distant commercial aircraft.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, infrared
Atmospheric Wakes Over Middle East, 2022-2023
UAV operators reported potential anomalous propulsion signatures resolved as sensor artifacts.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, infrared
Mt. Etna Spherical Object, 2018
UAS operators tracked a round object transiting volcanic ash plume at high speed.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, motion-parallax
Al Taqaddum Balloon Cluster, 2017
Infrared sensor on Iraqi blimp captured floating object resolved as balloons.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, infrared
Go Fast FLIR Object Off Florida, 2015
Navy pilot's infrared video shows object at 13,000 feet moving with wind, not anomalous speeds.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution, motion-parallax
Southeast Asia Triangles Resolved as Fishing Nets
AARO resolves 2017 satellite imagery of six dark triangles as static cone-shaped fishing nets.
Same source archive
Shared tags: case-resolution
Chronology Trace // before & after
No dated sibling signals are available yet.
Official Files // source material
1 linkedPuerto Rico Case Resolution
UNCLASSIFIED 1 UNCLASSIFIED All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) U.S. Department of Defense Case: “The Puerto Rico Object” Case Resolution | 20 March 2025 Case Synopsis Location: Puerto Rico Date: April 26, 2013 Object Altitude (Reported): N/A Object Altitude (Assessed): 656 ft Object Speed (Reported): N/A Object Speed (Assessed): 8 mph Object Shape (Reported): N/A Object Shape (Assessed): Indistinct Reporter: Publicly available media, originally recorded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Data Type: Infrared Reported Behavior: Split or replicated; transmedium behavior. Assessed Behavior: The objects did not demonstrate anomalous performance characteristics. Confidence: High confidence that the objects did not demonstrate anomalous performance charac