The Westall UFO was a reported UFO sighting in Australia that occurred on 6 April 1966 in Melbourne, Victoria. The object was observed by multiple individuals, including students at Westall High School. Specific details vary between accounts, which increases the difficulty of identification.
So, picture this: it’s 3:05 PM in Melbourne, and someone spots a weather balloon drifting lazily in a south-easterly direction. Sounds like the start of an intriguing sci-fi novel, right? But alas, it’s just another day in the life of our atmospheric friends. And by ‘friends,’ I mean those inflatable blobs that scientists use to gather atmospheric data, not the kind you invite to your birthday party.
One Redditor, going by the name of /u/Retro8, decided to share their sighting on the Melbourne subreddit, sparking curiosity and perhaps a hint of conspiracy theories. They mentioned that while they don’t recall ever seeing a weather balloon before, they appreciate that it’s standard scientific activity. Kudos to them for being open-minded! Not everyone would think about the science behind a floating balloon instead of just wondering if they accidentally wandered into a circus.
Now, let’s talk about the balloon itself. According to the post, it looked like your average balloon but had an object attached underneath that was about the same size. This is where things get interesting. The images you typically see online show the lower part of weather balloons as being smaller. So, what gives? Did this balloon decide to break the mold and go for a more ‘balanced’ look? Or was it just a particularly well-fed balloon?
Weather balloons, for the uninitiated, are filled with helium or hydrogen and are launched to collect data on temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure at various altitudes. They can ascend to heights of up to 100,000 feet, which is significantly higher than most of us ever want to go. I mean, who needs that kind of altitude when you can enjoy a nice coffee on the ground?
The lack of satellite wings on this particular balloon is also worth noting. Now, I’m no balloon expert, but I’m pretty sure that if you’re going to attach something to a balloon, it should at least look like it belongs there. I mean, it’s not like we’re trying to launch a covert mission to Mars. But who knows, maybe this was just a weather balloon with a flair for the dramatic.
In any case, it’s clear that this sighting has sparked a bit of interest among the locals. After all, who doesn’t love a good mystery? Is it a weather balloon? Is it a government spy device? Or maybe it’s just a balloon having an identity crisis? The possibilities are endless!
So, the next time you’re out and about in Melbourne, keep your eyes on the sky. You never know what you might see. Just remember: if it looks like a balloon and acts like a balloon, it’s probably a weather balloon. Unless, of course, it’s your neighbor’s kid trying to launch their latest science project. In that case, all bets are off!
Inspired by: “Spotted- Weather Balloon moving South Easterly direction- 3.05pm today” (r/melbourne)