NASA debunks triangular “UFO” spotted in recent Stereo-B spacecraft video

Some photos and footage that a NASA spacecraft shot have been latched onto as proof that the space agency is covering up UFOs. The photos and video in question were captured by the NASA Stereo-B spacecraft, which is one of the probe duo that sit near the sun and are able to offer a nearly 360-degree view of the inner solar system.

The footage in question appears to have a triangular-shaped craft moving towards us. Also in the footage are Venus and Earth with the triangular shape on the opposite side of the video. The conspiracy theories started to float around wildly when the website for the images and video from the spacecraft was updated with new shots leading to cries of a cover-up.

Generally, NASA scientists leave the conspiracy theorists alone, but this time they decided to debunk the rumors. According to the scientists, the triangular-shaped object is a phenomenon seen frequently. The triangle shape has to do with light reflecting back and forth off the lenses, and mirrors inside the telescope the probes use. Generally, the reflections manifest as triangles or circles of different shapes and sizes. In short, it’s not a UFO. The official explanation is below.

“The answer lies on the exact opposite side of the image,” the scientists wrote. “At the same time as this strange-looking feature starts being visible, the very bright planet Venus enters the [telescopic camera’s] field-of-view from the lower left. “[Venus and the triangle stay in step as they move] This is not a coincidence. The strange-looking geometrical ‘object’ is actually an internal reflection of the planet Venus within the telescope optics. This effect has been seen many times before.”

[via Cristian Science Monitor]