1 00:00:02,203 --> 00:00:05,671 Narrator: worldwide, 300 Million surveillance cameras 2 00:00:05,673 --> 00:00:09,408 Are watching us on our streets, 3 00:00:09,410 --> 00:00:13,679 At work, and in our homes. 4 00:00:13,681 --> 00:00:16,215 They capture things that seem impossible. 5 00:00:16,217 --> 00:00:19,352 It defies the laws of physics. 6 00:00:19,354 --> 00:00:21,287 Man: oh, this is unbelievable, man. 7 00:00:21,289 --> 00:00:25,424 Narrator: experts carry out forensic Analysis on the unusual events. 8 00:00:25,426 --> 00:00:28,827 There's got to be some Explanation for what's going on. 9 00:00:28,829 --> 00:00:31,063 [ screaming ] 10 00:00:32,633 --> 00:00:36,502 Narrator: this time, Lightning strikes twice 11 00:00:36,504 --> 00:00:39,038 And leaves a super-charged survivor. 12 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,041 This guy gets hit twice... 13 00:00:42,043 --> 00:00:45,143 And he's not even dead. 14 00:00:45,145 --> 00:00:48,313 Narrator: mysterious glowing Orbs defy explanation. 15 00:00:48,315 --> 00:00:52,851 Everybody was like, oh, mama mia! 16 00:00:52,853 --> 00:00:56,389 Man: what is this? 17 00:00:56,391 --> 00:00:59,725 Narrator: a flaming tornado Spins on a freshwater lake. 18 00:00:59,727 --> 00:01:04,196 Looks like a storm tornado That somebody has set on fire. 19 00:01:04,198 --> 00:01:05,932 What the hell's going on here? 20 00:01:05,934 --> 00:01:11,203 Narrator: and has a visitor from Space been captured on camera? 21 00:01:11,205 --> 00:01:14,674 We don't really know what We might've brought back. 22 00:01:14,676 --> 00:01:18,477 [ suspenseful music plays ] 23 00:01:18,479 --> 00:01:23,883 Narrator: bizarre phenomena, Mysteries caught on surveillance. 24 00:01:23,885 --> 00:01:28,287 What's the truth behind This strange evidence? 25 00:01:34,295 --> 00:01:39,365 1,000 gigawatts of energy Strikes from the heavens. 26 00:01:39,367 --> 00:01:41,434 Man: that's very dead. 27 00:01:41,436 --> 00:01:43,035 He's gone. 28 00:01:43,037 --> 00:01:47,773 Surveillance cameras Capture a miraculous escape. 29 00:01:47,775 --> 00:01:49,307 A lightning bolt could kill an elephant 30 00:01:49,309 --> 00:01:52,311 And here's this guy getting Back up after about 5 seconds. 31 00:01:52,313 --> 00:01:57,249 Narrator: yet, this man is having The unluckiest day of his life. 32 00:01:57,251 --> 00:01:59,317 I've never seen anyone get struck 33 00:01:59,319 --> 00:02:01,854 By lightning twice in a few minutes. 34 00:02:05,793 --> 00:02:08,393 Narrator: april 2011. 35 00:02:08,395 --> 00:02:10,363 Guangdong province, china. 36 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:15,401 An electric storm rages overhead. 37 00:02:15,403 --> 00:02:18,804 [ thunder rumbles ] 38 00:02:18,806 --> 00:02:21,606 Commuters rush home to escape the weather. 39 00:02:21,608 --> 00:02:23,209 [ thunder rumbles ] 40 00:02:23,211 --> 00:02:28,214 A surveillance camera captures Something extraordinary, 41 00:02:28,216 --> 00:02:30,416 A one-in-a-million event. 42 00:02:34,956 --> 00:02:37,823 This finger of god comes Down from the sky, zaps him, 43 00:02:37,825 --> 00:02:40,960 And he's down. 44 00:02:40,962 --> 00:02:42,561 Usually, people who are struck 45 00:02:42,563 --> 00:02:44,964 By lightning die of a heart attack. 46 00:02:44,966 --> 00:02:48,501 ♪♪ 47 00:02:48,503 --> 00:02:52,571 Narrator: the camera goes on to Record something astonishing. 48 00:02:52,573 --> 00:02:55,975 ♪♪ 49 00:02:55,977 --> 00:02:57,376 Man: a lightning bolt Could kill an elephant 50 00:02:57,378 --> 00:03:00,712 And here's this guy getting Back up after about 5 seconds. 51 00:03:00,714 --> 00:03:04,049 ♪♪ 52 00:03:04,051 --> 00:03:07,453 Narrator: seemingly Unscathed, he staggers off. 53 00:03:07,455 --> 00:03:11,523 ♪♪ 54 00:03:11,525 --> 00:03:13,258 Wise: a few seconds Later, boom, he's hit again. 55 00:03:13,260 --> 00:03:15,094 Been hit by lightning twice. 56 00:03:17,265 --> 00:03:21,399 Prabhu: this guy gets hit twice... 57 00:03:21,401 --> 00:03:22,935 And he's not even dead. 58 00:03:25,473 --> 00:03:29,407 Narrator: experts are confounded By this death-defying incident. 59 00:03:29,409 --> 00:03:30,810 I've seen trees hit by lightning, 60 00:03:30,812 --> 00:03:32,945 The entire tree is on fire. 61 00:03:32,947 --> 00:03:38,350 Narrator: as many as 24,000 people Are killed by lightning every year, 62 00:03:38,352 --> 00:03:43,021 Yet this mystery man survives Two hits apparently unharmed. 63 00:03:43,023 --> 00:03:47,425 ♪♪ 64 00:03:47,427 --> 00:03:50,429 Electrical engineer David wallace investigates 65 00:03:50,431 --> 00:03:52,965 How a person can survive a strike. 66 00:03:52,967 --> 00:03:55,700 Let's bring the dummy right here to start. 67 00:03:55,702 --> 00:03:58,303 Narrator: wallace runs Mississippi state university's 68 00:03:58,305 --> 00:04:00,272 High voltage laboratory. 69 00:04:03,377 --> 00:04:05,644 He and his team set up an experiment 70 00:04:05,646 --> 00:04:09,948 To measure the intensity of a Lightning strike and discover 71 00:04:09,950 --> 00:04:14,987 What happens to the human Body when it's hit directly. 72 00:04:14,989 --> 00:04:17,790 Here's a 3-million volt impulse generator. 73 00:04:17,792 --> 00:04:19,792 Today, we're going to be Shooting approximately 74 00:04:19,794 --> 00:04:22,127 1.2-million volts out of it. 75 00:04:22,129 --> 00:04:26,398 As it discharges, it will go Into the ground rod right here. 76 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:28,800 Narrator: wallace carefully Positions a test dummy 77 00:04:28,802 --> 00:04:31,403 To receive the strike. 78 00:04:31,405 --> 00:04:33,672 We have the strike distance 79 00:04:33,674 --> 00:04:36,074 Basically a foot away from the head. 80 00:04:36,076 --> 00:04:38,744 Narrator: the mannequin is rigged With a network of sensors 81 00:04:38,746 --> 00:04:41,480 To measure the flow of electrical current. 82 00:04:41,482 --> 00:04:44,150 Wallace: now, in the dummy, we Have an internal measurement, 83 00:04:44,152 --> 00:04:46,018 Which will mimic the internal organs 84 00:04:46,020 --> 00:04:47,486 And we'll be able to determine 85 00:04:47,488 --> 00:04:49,154 How much current the human body 86 00:04:49,156 --> 00:04:51,557 Is going to see here when it gets struck. 87 00:04:51,559 --> 00:04:55,494 Narrator: just 1 amp of electrical Current is enough to kill. 88 00:04:57,632 --> 00:04:59,965 Everybody be sure you do have earmuffs. 89 00:04:59,967 --> 00:05:04,035 This is going to be loud when it goes off. 90 00:05:04,037 --> 00:05:08,240 Narrator: the strike will last less Than a third-of-a-millisecond captured 91 00:05:08,242 --> 00:05:13,778 On a super-high-speed camera For frame-by-frame analysis. 92 00:05:13,780 --> 00:05:19,718 Wallace: let's get ready To energize the system. 93 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,722 We're at 204.4, we need to be 0205.5. 94 00:05:23,724 --> 00:05:25,190 The scopes are set. 95 00:05:25,192 --> 00:05:27,659 Perfect. 96 00:05:27,661 --> 00:05:33,265 ♪♪ 97 00:05:33,267 --> 00:05:35,868 Okay, starting now. 98 00:05:36,137 --> 00:05:38,003 [ alarm rings ] 99 00:05:38,005 --> 00:05:39,537 Going hot. 100 00:05:39,539 --> 00:05:41,340 [ music builds ] 101 00:05:41,342 --> 00:05:46,879 ♪♪ 102 00:05:46,881 --> 00:05:48,414 [ crack! ] 103 00:05:48,416 --> 00:05:49,748 Yo, yo, yo. 104 00:05:50,284 --> 00:05:53,085 [ crack! ] 105 00:05:53,087 --> 00:05:59,758 ♪♪ 106 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:02,261 What did our scope show? 107 00:06:04,364 --> 00:06:05,364 Wow. 108 00:06:05,366 --> 00:06:08,033 You're showing over 125 amps 109 00:06:08,035 --> 00:06:11,770 Going through the Internal organs of the body. 110 00:06:11,772 --> 00:06:13,772 Narrator: our mystery man could've been hit 111 00:06:13,774 --> 00:06:16,575 With a charge six times Stronger than the bolt 112 00:06:16,577 --> 00:06:19,645 From a domestic electric socket. 113 00:06:19,647 --> 00:06:22,180 Wallace: that's very deadly. 114 00:06:22,182 --> 00:06:24,516 He's gone. 115 00:06:24,518 --> 00:06:28,119 Narrator: lightning is easily Powerful enough to be fatal. 116 00:06:28,121 --> 00:06:30,589 Those lucky enough to survive a strike 117 00:06:30,591 --> 00:06:34,059 Often sustain serious injuries. 118 00:06:34,061 --> 00:06:36,595 Dr. Prabhu: what happens when a Lightning bolt goes through the body, 119 00:06:36,597 --> 00:06:41,866 It completely electrifies the Organs, essentially fries them. 120 00:06:41,868 --> 00:06:45,804 And what it does is it causes Blood clotting and leads to, 121 00:06:45,806 --> 00:06:50,142 Either impairment or immediate death. 122 00:06:50,144 --> 00:06:53,879 Narrator: the odds of being struck Twice by lightning and surviving 123 00:06:53,881 --> 00:06:57,549 Unharmed are incalculably small, 124 00:06:57,551 --> 00:07:00,352 Yet, our mystery man is not alone. 125 00:07:00,354 --> 00:07:03,822 ♪♪ 126 00:07:03,824 --> 00:07:06,691 50-year-old father of four gary reynolds 127 00:07:06,693 --> 00:07:09,428 Has been struck by lightning three times 128 00:07:09,430 --> 00:07:13,032 And lived to tell the terrifying tale. 129 00:07:13,034 --> 00:07:18,036 My immediate feeling when I Feel a storm coming is... Is panic. 130 00:07:18,038 --> 00:07:21,306 It's frightening. 131 00:07:21,308 --> 00:07:22,908 Narrator: could gary hold the key 132 00:07:22,910 --> 00:07:26,444 To the mystery man's Extraordinary survival? 133 00:07:26,446 --> 00:07:32,183 In july 2007, gary shelters From a storm in his garage. 134 00:07:32,185 --> 00:07:35,120 I had walked over into The corner of my garage 135 00:07:35,122 --> 00:07:38,057 And the lightning bolt Came through an open door. 136 00:07:40,127 --> 00:07:41,393 I was locked to the refrigerator. 137 00:07:41,395 --> 00:07:43,328 I couldn't let go. 138 00:07:43,330 --> 00:07:46,531 Narrator: a year later, Gary is struck again, 139 00:07:46,533 --> 00:07:50,469 This time while he's asleep in bed. 140 00:07:50,471 --> 00:07:54,472 Reynolds: I watched the lightning Bolt come out of my hand. 141 00:07:54,474 --> 00:07:59,611 Narrator: in 2016, gary moves 600 miles to a new home, 142 00:07:59,613 --> 00:08:03,215 But can't escape being struck a third time. 143 00:08:03,217 --> 00:08:05,684 His survival with only superficial injuries 144 00:08:05,686 --> 00:08:08,087 Baffles doctors. 145 00:08:08,089 --> 00:08:11,490 He told me, "I've never Seen anybody walk in 146 00:08:11,492 --> 00:08:13,358 From an accident like this." 147 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,294 He said, "Either they get Brought in on a stretcher 148 00:08:15,296 --> 00:08:17,362 Or they're dead." 149 00:08:17,364 --> 00:08:19,965 Narrator: experts believe That gary survived 150 00:08:19,967 --> 00:08:23,435 Because of the way The lightning struck him. 151 00:08:23,437 --> 00:08:26,972 Most people that are struck by Lightning are struck indirectly. 152 00:08:26,974 --> 00:08:30,442 So lightning strikes an object And then it travels to them. 153 00:08:32,513 --> 00:08:35,514 An indirect lightning Bolt has lesser intensity 154 00:08:35,516 --> 00:08:37,449 As it hits a human being, 155 00:08:37,451 --> 00:08:41,520 Actually increases Your chances of survival. 156 00:08:41,522 --> 00:08:44,523 Narrator: experts consider if Our mystery man's survival 157 00:08:44,525 --> 00:08:47,392 Could be explained by an indirect strike. 158 00:08:47,394 --> 00:08:50,528 They reexamine the surveillance footage. 159 00:08:50,530 --> 00:08:53,198 Wallace: in the video, I see A lot of trees around, 160 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:54,867 I see the cars on the street. 161 00:08:54,869 --> 00:08:56,602 There's a lot of tall objects around him, 162 00:08:56,604 --> 00:08:59,404 Which would typically attract The lightning before he would. 163 00:08:59,406 --> 00:09:01,139 Maybe the lightning sort of branches out 164 00:09:01,141 --> 00:09:03,608 And only part of it is hitting him. 165 00:09:03,610 --> 00:09:06,611 That at least would explain Why he isn't killed outright 166 00:09:06,613 --> 00:09:09,548 And why he seems relatively unhurt by it. 167 00:09:09,550 --> 00:09:12,084 Narrator: yet, frame-by-frame Analysis of the clip 168 00:09:12,086 --> 00:09:14,553 Appears to discount this possibility. 169 00:09:14,555 --> 00:09:17,089 Mccourt: the original video, not pristine, 170 00:09:17,091 --> 00:09:19,357 But we're going to do the best we can here. 171 00:09:19,359 --> 00:09:25,230 Starting on the first Frame and we step through it. 172 00:09:25,232 --> 00:09:28,433 And now, boom, we have a lightning flash. 173 00:09:28,435 --> 00:09:32,704 Narrator: the bolt is clearly seen Striking the man's head twice. 174 00:09:32,706 --> 00:09:35,707 Mccourt: I don't see any Evidence that it's anything 175 00:09:35,709 --> 00:09:38,710 Other than a direct strike. 176 00:09:38,712 --> 00:09:41,480 Narrator: and this direct Strike should be fatal. 177 00:09:44,251 --> 00:09:46,985 Coming up, mysterious glowing orbs 178 00:09:46,987 --> 00:09:49,521 Terrify a remote norwegian town. 179 00:09:49,523 --> 00:09:50,922 Everything was chaos. 180 00:09:50,924 --> 00:09:53,725 [ screaming ] 181 00:09:53,727 --> 00:09:56,962 Something huge was out there. 182 00:09:57,998 --> 00:09:59,665 [ thunder rumbles ] 183 00:09:59,667 --> 00:10:02,667 Narrator: and scientists test A theory about surviving 184 00:10:02,669 --> 00:10:03,936 A lightning strike. 185 00:10:03,938 --> 00:10:05,871 Okay, let's get ready. 186 00:10:05,873 --> 00:10:07,005 Going hot. 187 00:10:16,349 --> 00:10:19,751 Narrator: scientists are trying To discover how a man survives 188 00:10:19,753 --> 00:10:23,955 Two lightning strikes in quick succession. 189 00:10:23,957 --> 00:10:26,357 Electrical engineer david wallace believes 190 00:10:26,359 --> 00:10:30,028 He's found a vital clue in the footage. 191 00:10:30,030 --> 00:10:32,096 Wallace: when we look at The video, we notice a woman 192 00:10:32,098 --> 00:10:33,632 Walking with an umbrella, 193 00:10:33,634 --> 00:10:36,835 So this is an indication that It is most likely raining here. 194 00:10:36,837 --> 00:10:38,837 So if it's raining, the Guy, since he does not 195 00:10:38,839 --> 00:10:42,040 Have an umbrella, will most likely be wet. 196 00:10:42,042 --> 00:10:45,043 Narrator: david believes wet Clothing may shield the man 197 00:10:45,045 --> 00:10:46,445 From the lightning. 198 00:10:46,447 --> 00:10:50,182 Let's get ready to cut the Water on and start the rain. 199 00:10:50,184 --> 00:10:52,851 Narrator: the team at Mississippi state university 200 00:10:52,853 --> 00:10:56,721 Rerun the experience, this Time, to test what happens 201 00:10:56,723 --> 00:10:59,124 When a lightning bolt hits a wet victim. 202 00:10:59,126 --> 00:11:00,592 [ alarm rings ] 203 00:11:00,594 --> 00:11:03,061 Everybody ready? 204 00:11:03,063 --> 00:11:09,468 ♪♪ 205 00:11:09,470 --> 00:11:10,602 [ crack! ] 206 00:11:10,604 --> 00:11:18,210 ♪♪ 207 00:11:18,212 --> 00:11:20,478 Okay. 208 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:24,015 Narrator: the results are very Different to wallace's dry test. 209 00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:27,218 When we had a dry dummy Out there and struck directly, 210 00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:31,690 We had an internal current Flow of approximately 130 amps, 211 00:11:31,692 --> 00:11:36,161 Now we're seeing an internal Flow of approximately 0.7 amps. 212 00:11:36,163 --> 00:11:37,496 Dramatic difference. 213 00:11:37,498 --> 00:11:40,966 Majority of the current Now is flowing over the body 214 00:11:40,968 --> 00:11:43,302 In place of going through the body. 215 00:11:43,304 --> 00:11:46,838 Narrator: the moisture increases The conductivity of the clothes. 216 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:48,306 The lightning's electric current 217 00:11:48,308 --> 00:11:51,042 Takes the path of least resistance. 218 00:11:51,044 --> 00:11:53,645 I definitely see a Survivability rate going up 219 00:11:53,647 --> 00:11:57,382 Dramatically over the Original direct strike. 220 00:11:57,384 --> 00:11:59,451 Narrator: but in spite of david's findings, 221 00:11:59,453 --> 00:12:01,920 The footage still divides opinion. 222 00:12:04,191 --> 00:12:06,591 That footage is extremely unusual, 223 00:12:06,593 --> 00:12:11,263 Because being struck twice Would be extremely rare. 224 00:12:11,265 --> 00:12:14,266 Narrator: image analyst Conor mccourt is skeptical 225 00:12:14,268 --> 00:12:16,134 That the clip is genuine. 226 00:12:16,136 --> 00:12:18,670 When you see a person Struck by lightning two times 227 00:12:18,672 --> 00:12:20,339 In a matter of seconds, 228 00:12:20,341 --> 00:12:24,743 You have to question, Is it real or is it fake? 229 00:12:24,745 --> 00:12:28,746 Narrator: scrutinizing each Frame, he sees a troubling detail. 230 00:12:28,748 --> 00:12:32,417 Mccourt: there's a van in the Foreground of the cctv video, 231 00:12:32,419 --> 00:12:34,819 Which has a shadow That's cast in front of it, 232 00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:37,155 So that indicates to me That there's a light source 233 00:12:37,157 --> 00:12:39,491 Just below the camera. 234 00:12:39,493 --> 00:12:42,360 Narrator: lightning bolts are Much brighter than street lights 235 00:12:42,362 --> 00:12:46,164 And will completely transform An existing shadow pattern. 236 00:12:46,166 --> 00:12:47,566 With that kind of intensity, 237 00:12:47,568 --> 00:12:49,634 It should override the artificial light 238 00:12:49,636 --> 00:12:52,037 That's coming from below the camera. 239 00:12:52,039 --> 00:12:55,240 It should obliterate the Shadow in front of the van. 240 00:12:55,242 --> 00:12:58,110 When we get up to the Lightning strike, actually, 241 00:12:58,112 --> 00:13:01,213 The shadows remain And so this is troubling. 242 00:13:04,251 --> 00:13:07,919 It leads me to believe that This video is not authentic. 243 00:13:07,921 --> 00:13:10,121 Wallace: the only way We can be really positive 244 00:13:10,123 --> 00:13:11,790 That this was a true video is, 245 00:13:11,792 --> 00:13:13,858 Let's track down the man, find him, 246 00:13:13,860 --> 00:13:17,262 And get his side of the story And see what actually happened. 247 00:13:17,264 --> 00:13:18,463 Now, the odds of that? 248 00:13:18,465 --> 00:13:20,932 Astronomical. 249 00:13:21,869 --> 00:13:23,268 [ whirs ] 250 00:13:26,272 --> 00:13:31,810 Narrator: in the rugged lands of Norse gods, vikings, and trolls, 251 00:13:31,812 --> 00:13:36,013 [ screaming ] 252 00:13:36,015 --> 00:13:39,951 Mysterious orbs of light Dart across the night sky. 253 00:13:39,953 --> 00:13:41,686 Everything was chaos. 254 00:13:41,688 --> 00:13:43,889 [ screaming ] 255 00:13:43,891 --> 00:13:48,360 Then it... It was away. 256 00:13:48,362 --> 00:13:50,828 Narrator: locals fear an alien invasion. 257 00:13:50,830 --> 00:13:54,433 The first thing that they're Going to think of are ufos. 258 00:13:54,435 --> 00:13:58,569 Narrator: the truth may Be even more astonishing. 259 00:13:58,571 --> 00:14:01,573 Where does the power come from? 260 00:14:01,575 --> 00:14:03,342 This is a deep mystery. 261 00:14:08,782 --> 00:14:14,585 Narrator: hessdalen, norway, 200 miles north of oslo. 262 00:14:14,587 --> 00:14:17,856 For decades, this remote And isolated valley 263 00:14:17,858 --> 00:14:21,460 Has been visited by an Unidentifiable phenomenon, 264 00:14:23,597 --> 00:14:28,934 Strange orbs of light Darting across the night sky. 265 00:14:28,936 --> 00:14:34,740 ♪♪ 266 00:14:34,742 --> 00:14:39,744 Scientists struggle To explain the sightings. 267 00:14:39,746 --> 00:14:42,079 It's definitely very mysterious the things 268 00:14:42,081 --> 00:14:45,149 That it has been reported to do defy 269 00:14:45,151 --> 00:14:48,085 Our current understanding of physics. 270 00:14:48,087 --> 00:14:50,489 ♪♪ 271 00:14:50,491 --> 00:14:53,558 Narrator: locals feel certain That these mysterious spheres 272 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:55,560 Are not from this world. 273 00:15:21,655 --> 00:15:25,257 ♪♪ 274 00:15:25,259 --> 00:15:30,795 Professor erling strand first Saw the phenomenon 30 years ago. 275 00:15:30,797 --> 00:15:33,932 He has dedicated his career To discovering the truth 276 00:15:33,934 --> 00:15:36,534 About the hessdalen lights. 277 00:15:36,536 --> 00:15:39,604 It made a very strong impression on me 278 00:15:39,606 --> 00:15:42,140 When I saw it the first time. 279 00:15:42,142 --> 00:15:44,142 That triggered something in me. 280 00:15:44,144 --> 00:15:50,281 ♪♪ 281 00:15:50,283 --> 00:15:54,286 Narrator: strand has set up an Observation lab to reveal the truth. 282 00:15:56,689 --> 00:16:01,826 Surveillance cameras cover Every angle of the valley 283 00:16:01,828 --> 00:16:04,396 And radar scans the skies. 284 00:16:06,900 --> 00:16:11,569 September 2007, strand leads A team of science students 285 00:16:11,571 --> 00:16:13,104 Deep into the valley. 286 00:16:13,106 --> 00:16:15,106 They're intent on capturing footage 287 00:16:15,108 --> 00:16:17,842 Of the mysterious lights. 288 00:16:17,844 --> 00:16:22,180 With them is strand's colleague, Physicist bjorn lillevold. 289 00:16:22,182 --> 00:16:25,650 Together, they have dedicated Decades in search of clues 290 00:16:25,652 --> 00:16:27,652 To explain the orbs. 291 00:16:27,654 --> 00:16:32,390 [ sighs ] Oh, this is very, Very tricky phenomenon. 292 00:16:33,927 --> 00:16:37,062 Narrator: that night, their Patience is rewarded. 293 00:16:39,132 --> 00:16:43,735 Started with strong flashes 294 00:16:43,737 --> 00:16:47,739 And then you have this outbreak of light. 295 00:16:47,741 --> 00:16:51,008 We saw it. 296 00:16:51,010 --> 00:16:52,677 It was... 297 00:16:52,679 --> 00:16:54,946 Narrator: strand's team Scramble to set up an array 298 00:16:54,948 --> 00:16:56,548 Of recording instruments. 299 00:16:56,550 --> 00:16:58,383 Everywhere, it was chaos. 300 00:17:01,955 --> 00:17:04,222 [ yelling ] 301 00:17:04,224 --> 00:17:06,757 People were yelling, panicking. 302 00:17:06,759 --> 00:17:08,760 [ yelling in norwegian ] 303 00:17:08,762 --> 00:17:12,564 Narrator: as the lights appear in the sky, 304 00:17:12,566 --> 00:17:15,033 Their video equipment malfunctions. 305 00:17:15,035 --> 00:17:19,237 People started to change Batteries in the camera systems 306 00:17:19,239 --> 00:17:24,508 And a couple of minutes after, The batteries was damaged again. 307 00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:28,380 Narrator: only a few seconds Of shaky video is captured. 308 00:17:28,382 --> 00:17:31,582 Lillevold: it was flickering Around for at least 30 minutes 309 00:17:31,584 --> 00:17:35,720 And then it... It was away. 310 00:17:35,722 --> 00:17:40,191 Narrator: the students' footage Provides no usable data, 311 00:17:40,193 --> 00:17:41,660 But at the head of the valley, 312 00:17:41,662 --> 00:17:44,528 The observation post records the event 313 00:17:44,530 --> 00:17:47,932 And the radar reveals something remarkable. 314 00:17:47,934 --> 00:17:52,203 The radar had been Following this light phenomena 315 00:17:52,205 --> 00:17:55,607 And everybody was like, oh, mama mia. 316 00:17:58,078 --> 00:17:59,744 What is this? 317 00:17:59,746 --> 00:18:03,682 Narrator: the radar picks up A previously unseen entity. 318 00:18:03,684 --> 00:18:06,550 Something huge was out there. 319 00:18:06,552 --> 00:18:10,421 A huge area could be couple of kilometers. 320 00:18:10,423 --> 00:18:12,757 Narrator: a radar Signature over a mile-long 321 00:18:12,759 --> 00:18:15,360 Would normally indicate dense cloud cover, 322 00:18:15,362 --> 00:18:17,361 But the only things in the clear sky 323 00:18:17,363 --> 00:18:20,231 That night are the small globes of light. 324 00:18:20,233 --> 00:18:22,100 [ shouting ] 325 00:18:22,102 --> 00:18:27,038 It was a spectacular evidence The hessdalen phenomena has, 326 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,842 In fact, an invisible face. 327 00:18:30,844 --> 00:18:34,045 This is a deep mystery. 328 00:18:34,047 --> 00:18:38,116 Narrator: coming up, a surveillance Camera captures a towering inferno 329 00:18:38,118 --> 00:18:39,384 On a lake... 330 00:18:39,386 --> 00:18:41,720 Truly like the devil coming Up out of the ground. 331 00:18:41,722 --> 00:18:45,790 ♪♪ 332 00:18:45,792 --> 00:18:47,192 Narrator: ...And the investigation 333 00:18:47,194 --> 00:18:49,260 Into the hessdalen lights heads 334 00:18:49,262 --> 00:18:51,329 In an unexpected direction. 335 00:18:51,331 --> 00:18:57,969 Maybe the energy source comes From deep down in the mountain. 336 00:19:11,284 --> 00:19:15,220 Narrator: unidentifiable glowing Orbs appear in the night skies 337 00:19:15,222 --> 00:19:17,355 Above a remote valley in norway. 338 00:19:17,357 --> 00:19:22,293 This does seem just so weird, so alien. 339 00:19:22,295 --> 00:19:26,097 Narrator: scientist erling strand And bjorn lillevold believe 340 00:19:26,099 --> 00:19:27,565 They have valuable evidence 341 00:19:27,567 --> 00:19:31,102 That could unlock the Secret of the hessdalen lights. 342 00:19:31,104 --> 00:19:36,640 ♪♪ 343 00:19:36,642 --> 00:19:38,443 Analysis of their footage shows 344 00:19:38,445 --> 00:19:41,179 That the lights are the size of a vehicle 345 00:19:41,181 --> 00:19:45,183 And they're moving 500 Feet above the valley floor. 346 00:19:45,185 --> 00:19:47,118 Radar reveals they're contained 347 00:19:47,120 --> 00:19:52,724 Within a mile-long forcefield Invisible to the human eye. 348 00:19:52,726 --> 00:19:56,260 Strand: it's not that Easy to find a solution, 349 00:19:56,262 --> 00:19:59,597 But there's some theories about plasma. 350 00:20:02,068 --> 00:20:04,736 The easiest way to think About plasma is ionized gas 351 00:20:04,738 --> 00:20:07,472 And when a gas is ionized, It can give off light. 352 00:20:07,474 --> 00:20:09,407 It's just energy there and one of the ways 353 00:20:09,409 --> 00:20:11,943 It can give off energy Is through visible light. 354 00:20:14,347 --> 00:20:18,016 Narrator: we see plasma All the time in neon signs, 355 00:20:18,018 --> 00:20:21,185 Where gases are ionized With a high voltage current 356 00:20:21,187 --> 00:20:25,022 To emit colored light. 357 00:20:25,024 --> 00:20:28,959 If the mysterious hessdalen Lights are some form of plasma, 358 00:20:28,961 --> 00:20:31,362 It begs a crucial question. 359 00:20:31,364 --> 00:20:34,833 You imagine strong light can last for up 360 00:20:34,835 --> 00:20:36,234 To a couple of hours. 361 00:20:36,236 --> 00:20:38,269 Where does the power come from? 362 00:20:40,707 --> 00:20:44,108 Narrator: strand and lillevold Examine an astonishing theory 363 00:20:44,110 --> 00:20:47,846 That the valley itself is the Energy source for the plasma. 364 00:20:47,848 --> 00:20:51,782 Strand: the main thing that Connect all the different sightings 365 00:20:51,784 --> 00:20:53,718 Is the valley itself. 366 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,922 Everything is showing up in the valley. 367 00:20:57,924 --> 00:21:03,795 Lillevold: maybe the energy source Comes from deep down in the mountain. 368 00:21:05,532 --> 00:21:09,934 Maybe we have an Underground electrical circuit. 369 00:21:09,936 --> 00:21:15,540 ♪♪ 370 00:21:15,542 --> 00:21:19,410 Narrator: strand investigates The valley's geology for clues. 371 00:21:21,014 --> 00:21:22,413 [ vehicle door shuts ] 372 00:21:22,415 --> 00:21:26,518 He discovers the western Slope is home to copper mines, 373 00:21:28,754 --> 00:21:30,421 But on the eastern side, 374 00:21:30,423 --> 00:21:33,158 He finds a completely different ore. 375 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:38,029 This is actually iron, which Were made from the ground here, 376 00:21:38,031 --> 00:21:39,564 Back in iron age. 377 00:21:39,566 --> 00:21:42,233 Narrator: could these two metals Be the mystery power source 378 00:21:42,235 --> 00:21:43,968 For the plasma? 379 00:21:43,970 --> 00:21:46,838 If there is something Connecting these two metals, 380 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:48,706 You get a battery. 381 00:21:48,708 --> 00:21:51,242 Narrator: if the mountains Can form a natural battery, 382 00:21:51,244 --> 00:21:53,645 They may be generating an electrical charge 383 00:21:53,647 --> 00:21:59,183 Powerful enough ionize gas To create the glowing plasma. 384 00:21:59,185 --> 00:22:02,587 Material science andrea Sella tests the theory 385 00:22:02,589 --> 00:22:05,857 Using rock rich in iron and copper. 386 00:22:05,859 --> 00:22:09,460 Sella: so the critical thing Here really is the difference 387 00:22:09,462 --> 00:22:10,929 Between the two rocks 388 00:22:10,931 --> 00:22:13,197 And because there's That chemical difference 389 00:22:13,199 --> 00:22:14,599 Between the two, 390 00:22:14,601 --> 00:22:16,200 You're actually going to be able to get 391 00:22:16,202 --> 00:22:19,069 An electric current flowing between them. 392 00:22:19,071 --> 00:22:22,139 Narrator: for electricity to flow, The rocks must be connected 393 00:22:22,141 --> 00:22:25,409 By an acidic solution That conducts the charge. 394 00:22:25,411 --> 00:22:28,346 What I'm going to do, is I'm going to get the rocks 395 00:22:28,348 --> 00:22:30,615 To actually sit in this liquid 396 00:22:30,617 --> 00:22:34,819 And that completes the electrical circuit. 397 00:22:34,821 --> 00:22:39,490 If we now take a volt Meter and we turn it on, 398 00:22:39,492 --> 00:22:42,960 We've actually got a little bit over 1 volt 399 00:22:42,962 --> 00:22:45,230 And that is simply coming From the differences 400 00:22:45,232 --> 00:22:48,499 Between these two rocks. 401 00:22:48,501 --> 00:22:52,236 Narrator: the copper and iron deposits In hessdalen have the potential 402 00:22:52,238 --> 00:22:55,706 To create a natural battery. 403 00:22:55,708 --> 00:22:58,042 All that is missing is an acidic liquid 404 00:22:58,044 --> 00:23:01,980 To link the two sides of the valley. 405 00:23:01,982 --> 00:23:04,715 Stand suspects the area's mining activity 406 00:23:04,717 --> 00:23:06,918 Can once again offer a clue. 407 00:23:06,920 --> 00:23:10,588 [ water dripping ] 408 00:23:10,590 --> 00:23:12,824 This is a sulfur mine. 409 00:23:15,461 --> 00:23:19,330 You see the color, typical sulfur color. 410 00:23:21,268 --> 00:23:29,240 The water is coming out here And going directly out to the river. 411 00:23:31,344 --> 00:23:33,544 Narrator: strand considers If the sulfur mine 412 00:23:33,546 --> 00:23:36,347 Is altering the acidity of the river. 413 00:23:36,349 --> 00:23:39,483 He tests the water to see if The sulfur has sufficiently 414 00:23:39,485 --> 00:23:42,886 Increased the river's conductivity. 415 00:23:42,888 --> 00:23:46,891 The two elements I'm testing Now is copper and iron. 416 00:23:46,893 --> 00:23:51,562 If they come together to An acid, will be a voltage. 417 00:23:54,501 --> 00:23:57,635 0.8, 0.9. 418 00:23:57,637 --> 00:24:02,507 So this shows that acid can make a voltage. 419 00:24:02,509 --> 00:24:05,310 Narrator: it raises a Tantalizing possibility. 420 00:24:05,312 --> 00:24:08,312 These kinds of geological batteries 421 00:24:08,314 --> 00:24:11,049 Might actually hugely scale up. 422 00:24:11,051 --> 00:24:14,318 The mountains on either Side of the 10-mile-long valley 423 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:18,589 Could be creating a natural Battery of colossal proportions. 424 00:24:18,591 --> 00:24:22,326 The electrical voltage will be so huge 425 00:24:22,328 --> 00:24:27,398 That it will... Create plasma. 426 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:29,867 Narrator: but the discovery Of a potential power source 427 00:24:29,869 --> 00:24:33,204 Doesn't fully explain the Nature of the mysterious orbs 428 00:24:33,206 --> 00:24:34,739 In the sky, 429 00:24:34,741 --> 00:24:39,544 Because if this is plasma, It's not plasma as we know it. 430 00:24:39,546 --> 00:24:46,083 Plasma is a very hot gas, 2,000° or 3,000° over celsius. 431 00:24:46,085 --> 00:24:49,354 If this is burning, it should expand. 432 00:24:51,424 --> 00:24:53,958 It shouldn't exist. 433 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:56,561 This is a deeper mystery. 434 00:24:56,563 --> 00:25:03,901 This is like going into a dark Cave and searching for a dragon. 435 00:25:03,903 --> 00:25:09,640 We know it's a dragon inside There and we will find it. 436 00:25:09,642 --> 00:25:14,912 Narrator: coming up, a flaming Tornado spins on a freshwater lake. 437 00:25:14,914 --> 00:25:16,314 Looks like something that you would read 438 00:25:16,316 --> 00:25:18,850 About in the old testament. 439 00:25:29,195 --> 00:25:33,798 Narrator: a helicopter surveillance Camera captures a towering inferno. 440 00:25:33,800 --> 00:25:35,533 Looks like something That you would read about 441 00:25:35,535 --> 00:25:37,201 In the old testament. 442 00:25:37,203 --> 00:25:41,271 Truly like the devil coming Up out of the ground. 443 00:25:41,273 --> 00:25:44,942 Narrator: terrifying twisting Columns of flame claw at the sky. 444 00:25:44,944 --> 00:25:48,345 Looks like a storm tornado That somebody has set on fire. 445 00:25:48,347 --> 00:25:52,149 Narrator: this ferocious fire Tornado has firefighters baffled. 446 00:25:52,151 --> 00:25:55,019 It's burning on the surface of a lake. 447 00:25:55,021 --> 00:25:59,824 ♪♪ 448 00:25:59,826 --> 00:26:02,693 Bardstown, kentucky. 449 00:26:02,695 --> 00:26:06,897 August 4, 2003. 450 00:26:06,899 --> 00:26:11,969 A quiet monday morning At the local fire station. 451 00:26:11,971 --> 00:26:14,705 9:30 a.M. 452 00:26:14,707 --> 00:26:16,974 Assistant fire chief charles montgomery 453 00:26:16,976 --> 00:26:18,509 Receives reports a fire 454 00:26:18,511 --> 00:26:22,112 Has broken out on the other side of town. 455 00:26:22,114 --> 00:26:25,116 When the call came in, All of us looked outside, 456 00:26:25,118 --> 00:26:27,785 We saw this huge column of smoke coming up 457 00:26:27,787 --> 00:26:30,855 From over top of the Trees off in the distance. 458 00:26:30,857 --> 00:26:32,657 [ alarm blares ] 459 00:26:33,993 --> 00:26:36,661 Narrator: the crew scrambles To tackle the blaze. 460 00:26:36,663 --> 00:26:39,596 [ firetruck siren sounds ] 461 00:26:39,598 --> 00:26:42,933 Robbie blandford is in the First truck at the scene. 462 00:26:42,935 --> 00:26:45,536 Blandford: as we were responding, We could see the flames, 463 00:26:45,538 --> 00:26:48,106 So we knew that we had Something pretty serious. 464 00:26:50,343 --> 00:26:52,476 Just a whoosh of flame and fire. 465 00:26:52,478 --> 00:26:55,946 You could hear the flame Building up and just letting go. 466 00:26:55,948 --> 00:26:58,616 It's almost like it's a Living, breathing creature. 467 00:27:00,620 --> 00:27:04,822 Narrator: a helicopter surveillance Camera captures the apocalyptic scene. 468 00:27:07,426 --> 00:27:11,696 The inferno is a Firefighter's worst nightmare. 469 00:27:11,698 --> 00:27:15,433 Analysis reveals the twisting Columns of fire on the lake 470 00:27:15,435 --> 00:27:17,168 Are 100-feet-high. 471 00:27:17,170 --> 00:27:21,305 ♪♪ 472 00:27:21,307 --> 00:27:22,907 The heat coming off was really... 473 00:27:22,909 --> 00:27:25,376 I mean, it was just frightening. 474 00:27:25,378 --> 00:27:28,179 ♪♪ 475 00:27:28,181 --> 00:27:29,914 It's just oppressive like a big hand 476 00:27:29,916 --> 00:27:33,517 Just smacking you down to the ground. 477 00:27:33,519 --> 00:27:35,453 Montgomery: once you step out Of the truck and you get within 478 00:27:35,455 --> 00:27:37,254 A few feet of that fire, 479 00:27:37,256 --> 00:27:39,724 You can't take it any more. 480 00:27:42,395 --> 00:27:48,466 Narrator: bardstown's mayor Dixie hibbs watches on helpless. 481 00:27:48,468 --> 00:27:50,668 Hibbs: I'm looking at it and I'm thinking, 482 00:27:50,670 --> 00:27:55,539 There's a crack in hell and Here comes the fiery flames. 483 00:27:55,541 --> 00:27:59,277 Narrator: the inferno reminds Hibbs of something all too real. 484 00:27:59,279 --> 00:28:01,745 Hibbs: it looks like a Tornado made of fire. 485 00:28:01,747 --> 00:28:03,748 We have tornados all over here in kentucky, 486 00:28:03,750 --> 00:28:05,282 So we're used to seeing 'em, 487 00:28:05,284 --> 00:28:07,417 But we're not used to Seeing 'em made of fire. 488 00:28:07,419 --> 00:28:09,620 Montgomery: it's not something That we typically deal with. 489 00:28:09,622 --> 00:28:14,791 We need to know how they Form and how they grow. 490 00:28:14,793 --> 00:28:17,094 Narrator: the helicopter Surveillance footage is shown 491 00:28:17,096 --> 00:28:20,164 To fire safety researcher michael gollner. 492 00:28:20,166 --> 00:28:23,100 He recognizes the twisting columns of flame 493 00:28:23,102 --> 00:28:26,037 As a rare and powerful fire tornado. 494 00:28:26,039 --> 00:28:29,840 So to generate a fire tornado Requires the right combination 495 00:28:29,842 --> 00:28:33,778 Of winds, obstacles, and fire. 496 00:28:33,780 --> 00:28:36,580 Narrator: to understand how The fire tornados on the lake 497 00:28:36,582 --> 00:28:41,318 Might've formed, gollner Recreates one in his lab. 498 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:43,254 Gollner: and so what's going On basically, is you have 499 00:28:43,256 --> 00:28:45,856 To generate some swirl. 500 00:28:45,858 --> 00:28:48,859 Can we hit the fans now. 501 00:28:48,861 --> 00:28:50,728 We're turning on the ventilation. 502 00:28:50,730 --> 00:28:53,397 There are four slits here, which Are going to induce the air flow 503 00:28:53,399 --> 00:28:56,533 So that this is going To be swirling around. 504 00:28:56,535 --> 00:28:57,935 Narrator: the slits channel air, 505 00:28:57,937 --> 00:29:03,341 So it swirls into the center of the fire. 506 00:29:03,343 --> 00:29:06,143 Gollner: you can see the flame Lengths drastically increase. 507 00:29:06,145 --> 00:29:09,480 What they do is intensify the fire. 508 00:29:09,482 --> 00:29:15,086 Narrator: the spinning flame Super-heats to over 2,000°. 509 00:29:15,088 --> 00:29:18,222 And it's really an Uncontrollable phenomena. 510 00:29:18,224 --> 00:29:20,691 There's almost nothing You can do once that formed, 511 00:29:20,693 --> 00:29:23,427 You just have to get out of the way. 512 00:29:23,429 --> 00:29:27,698 Narrator: these fire tornados form Thanks to the unique shape of the lake. 513 00:29:27,700 --> 00:29:30,300 Trees channel the wind Into the lake's center 514 00:29:30,302 --> 00:29:32,236 From multiple directions, 515 00:29:32,238 --> 00:29:35,906 Swirling the flames Into a devastating vortex. 516 00:29:35,908 --> 00:29:37,908 Yet, experts remain baffled. 517 00:29:37,910 --> 00:29:41,178 How does an inferno burn On top of fresh water? 518 00:29:41,180 --> 00:29:42,780 What is feeding this fire? 519 00:29:42,782 --> 00:29:47,918 What is allowing a fire To occur on the of a lake? 520 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:49,653 When I see this, the First thing I think is, 521 00:29:49,655 --> 00:29:52,323 There's got to be some kind Of fuel source for the fire. 522 00:29:52,325 --> 00:29:56,660 Narrator: geophysicist sian proctor Considers an explosive theory. 523 00:29:56,662 --> 00:29:59,863 One option that could Be feeding this fire is oil. 524 00:29:59,865 --> 00:30:04,134 Oil forms underground and When it hits water, it's less dense, 525 00:30:04,136 --> 00:30:07,804 So it's going to rise and float On the surface of that water. 526 00:30:07,806 --> 00:30:11,274 You ignite that, you have What we see in the video. 527 00:30:11,276 --> 00:30:13,878 Narrator: the first oil gusher in the u.S. 528 00:30:13,880 --> 00:30:16,413 Was drilled in kentucky in 1818. 529 00:30:16,415 --> 00:30:21,152 The bluegrass state still sits On huge fossil fuel reserves. 530 00:30:21,154 --> 00:30:24,221 These fire devils could be Powered by millions of barrels 531 00:30:24,223 --> 00:30:26,356 Of combustible crude oil. 532 00:30:26,358 --> 00:30:28,025 It is possible that oil, 533 00:30:28,027 --> 00:30:30,694 If it had entered the Lake in large quantities, 534 00:30:30,696 --> 00:30:32,696 Could've caused the fire that we see, 535 00:30:32,698 --> 00:30:35,232 But there's a lot of fire. 536 00:30:35,234 --> 00:30:37,368 We would need a geological phenomenon 537 00:30:37,370 --> 00:30:39,836 That suddenly releases Lots of oil into this lake. 538 00:30:39,838 --> 00:30:43,174 Narrator: there are no records Of seismic activity in the area, 539 00:30:43,176 --> 00:30:45,308 Ruling out an oil spill. 540 00:30:45,310 --> 00:30:50,714 A raging fire on a freshwater Lake just doesn't happen. 541 00:30:50,716 --> 00:30:53,250 What the hell's going on here? 542 00:30:53,252 --> 00:30:56,787 Narrator: it turns out the Answer could be in plain sight. 543 00:30:56,789 --> 00:30:59,322 The town of bardstown is surrounded 544 00:30:59,324 --> 00:31:03,661 By hundreds of giant warehouses, 545 00:31:03,663 --> 00:31:08,299 Each one packed to the rafters With highly flammable liquid. 546 00:31:08,301 --> 00:31:11,001 These warehouses are seven-stories-tall. 547 00:31:11,003 --> 00:31:14,305 The fuel load inside of those is extreme. 548 00:31:16,675 --> 00:31:19,810 Locals suspect the Warehouses could be responsible 549 00:31:19,812 --> 00:31:21,746 For the twisting inferno. 550 00:31:21,748 --> 00:31:26,083 All you need is a spark. 551 00:31:26,085 --> 00:31:28,486 Narrator: coming up, a space museum 552 00:31:28,488 --> 00:31:31,822 With a potential extraterrestrial visitor. 553 00:31:31,824 --> 00:31:34,157 There was a concern that We would bring back something 554 00:31:34,159 --> 00:31:36,160 That was going to be deadly to us. 555 00:31:36,162 --> 00:31:39,296 ♪♪ 556 00:31:39,298 --> 00:31:43,967 Narrator: and the fire tornado Investigation heats up. 557 00:31:43,969 --> 00:31:46,404 We knew right away that we were in trouble. 558 00:31:57,850 --> 00:32:00,317 Narrator: helicopter Surveillance cameras capture 559 00:32:00,319 --> 00:32:02,920 An inferno of hellish proportions. 560 00:32:02,922 --> 00:32:06,123 You have to wonder what's Going on for this lake to be burning 561 00:32:06,125 --> 00:32:09,393 And as ferociously as it was. 562 00:32:09,395 --> 00:32:11,529 Narrator: firefighters Fear it is being fueled 563 00:32:11,531 --> 00:32:15,533 By the town's most famous export. 564 00:32:15,535 --> 00:32:19,336 Bardstown is the bourbon Capital of the world. 565 00:32:19,338 --> 00:32:22,339 If that bourbon in large Quantities got into the lake, 566 00:32:22,341 --> 00:32:25,141 It could create this fire phenomenon. 567 00:32:25,143 --> 00:32:28,011 Narrator: but how did the Liquor end up in the lake? 568 00:32:28,013 --> 00:32:30,480 Meteorologists believe vital clues 569 00:32:30,482 --> 00:32:33,416 Lie in kentucky's super-charged skies. 570 00:32:33,418 --> 00:32:36,019 On average, the state Of kentucky gets about 571 00:32:36,021 --> 00:32:39,757 A half-a-million lightning Strikes in a typical year. 572 00:32:39,759 --> 00:32:41,892 On that particular day, there were a lot of 573 00:32:41,894 --> 00:32:43,360 Very powerful thunderstorms 574 00:32:43,362 --> 00:32:46,029 That moved through that area. 575 00:32:46,031 --> 00:32:49,566 We saw one particular bolt That kind of stood out to us 576 00:32:49,568 --> 00:32:52,636 And we thought, well, something Really got nailed at that time. 577 00:32:52,638 --> 00:32:55,706 [ thunder rumbles ] 578 00:32:55,708 --> 00:32:59,109 Narrator: the bolt hits a large Warehouse complex filled 579 00:32:59,111 --> 00:33:01,177 To the rafters with whiskey. 580 00:33:01,179 --> 00:33:03,313 You're not going to be able To bring this under control. 581 00:33:03,315 --> 00:33:05,115 Narrator: by the time they're at the scene, 582 00:33:05,117 --> 00:33:08,052 One of the warehouses is engulfed in flames 583 00:33:08,054 --> 00:33:10,020 And on the verge of collapse. 584 00:33:12,792 --> 00:33:15,992 Montgomery: there was 800,00 gallons of bourbon 585 00:33:15,994 --> 00:33:18,729 Inside this one warehouse 586 00:33:18,731 --> 00:33:20,397 That is out of its containers 587 00:33:20,399 --> 00:33:22,799 And it just releases this wall of flame. 588 00:33:22,801 --> 00:33:25,336 ♪♪ 589 00:33:25,338 --> 00:33:30,207 Narrator: a tidal wave of burning Bourbon escapes the warehouse. 590 00:33:30,209 --> 00:33:32,476 Oh, it's just a sickening Feeling comes across you, 591 00:33:32,478 --> 00:33:34,411 'cause you know that all Those flammable liquids 592 00:33:34,413 --> 00:33:36,079 Are going somewhere else. 593 00:33:36,081 --> 00:33:39,016 It's always going to find the lowest point. 594 00:33:39,018 --> 00:33:41,285 It's going to flow downhill. 595 00:33:41,287 --> 00:33:45,155 Downhill at this incident Was a holding lake. 596 00:33:45,157 --> 00:33:47,958 Narrator: the warehouse Complex sits at the top of a creek 597 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:50,761 That empties into the holding lake. 598 00:33:50,763 --> 00:33:54,431 Montgomery: once it got onto the Pond, it just continued to burn. 599 00:33:54,433 --> 00:33:58,301 Narrator: swirling winds transform The blaze into ferocious fire 600 00:33:58,303 --> 00:34:02,640 Tornadoes that consume around A million gallons of bourbon. 601 00:34:02,642 --> 00:34:05,508 That much whiskey going, You know, up in smoke, 602 00:34:05,510 --> 00:34:07,978 That's a big thing for our town to lose. 603 00:34:07,980 --> 00:34:11,514 A lot of enjoyment for a lot Of people going up in flames. 604 00:34:11,516 --> 00:34:18,922 ♪♪ 605 00:34:18,924 --> 00:34:22,793 Narrator: and now, a close Encounter in a space museum. 606 00:34:24,997 --> 00:34:26,930 This really shocked me. 607 00:34:26,932 --> 00:34:29,800 Narrator: an ethereal visitor Among the nasa relics. 608 00:34:29,802 --> 00:34:31,869 What the heck is this? 609 00:34:31,871 --> 00:34:33,870 I mean, it's creepy. 610 00:34:33,872 --> 00:34:37,741 Narrator: the clues to its Origins point to the stars. 611 00:34:37,743 --> 00:34:42,179 We don't really know what We might've brought back. 612 00:34:46,352 --> 00:34:48,618 Narrator: titusville, florida. 613 00:34:48,620 --> 00:34:50,754 In the shadow of kennedy space center 614 00:34:50,756 --> 00:34:54,424 Lies the american space museum. 615 00:34:54,426 --> 00:34:56,426 This museum has artifacts That go all the way back 616 00:34:56,428 --> 00:34:59,429 To the very beginning of the space program. 617 00:34:59,431 --> 00:35:01,431 The main reason we started the museum 618 00:35:01,433 --> 00:35:05,970 Was to preserve that history That we had all participated in 619 00:35:05,972 --> 00:35:08,505 And we're so proud of. 620 00:35:08,507 --> 00:35:13,577 ♪♪ 621 00:35:13,579 --> 00:35:16,246 Narrator: may 12, 2012. 622 00:35:16,248 --> 00:35:19,249 9:45 a.M. 623 00:35:19,251 --> 00:35:21,317 Museum director karen conklin 624 00:35:21,319 --> 00:35:23,453 Is the first into work. 625 00:35:23,455 --> 00:35:27,858 She has managed the priceless Collection for over two decades. 626 00:35:27,860 --> 00:35:29,259 Conklin: well, I had come in early 627 00:35:29,261 --> 00:35:31,662 And turned on the surveillance cameras, 628 00:35:31,664 --> 00:35:33,597 Because I was by myself. 629 00:35:36,402 --> 00:35:40,003 Narrator: alone in the empty museum, 630 00:35:40,005 --> 00:35:42,706 Karen scans the video feeds. 631 00:35:44,877 --> 00:35:46,810 A flicker startles her. 632 00:35:46,812 --> 00:35:50,414 I see movement on the camera. 633 00:35:50,416 --> 00:35:52,683 This really shocked me. 634 00:35:52,685 --> 00:35:56,220 Narrator: the camera monitoring Exhibits from the mercury program 635 00:35:56,222 --> 00:35:58,889 Is showing an eerie presence in the room. 636 00:35:58,891 --> 00:36:06,891 ♪♪ 637 00:36:07,700 --> 00:36:12,002 Something very bright, Glowing, almost circular. 638 00:36:13,906 --> 00:36:18,042 I was completely caught by surprise. 639 00:36:18,044 --> 00:36:19,375 What the heck is this? 640 00:36:19,377 --> 00:36:20,977 I mean, it's creepy. 641 00:36:20,979 --> 00:36:24,447 Doesn't look like anything normal. 642 00:36:24,449 --> 00:36:28,118 Narrator: karen alerts museum Vice chairman charlie mars, 643 00:36:28,120 --> 00:36:32,322 An aerospace engineer with Over 30 years experience at nasa. 644 00:36:32,324 --> 00:36:35,192 He says, "You need to see What we captured last night." 645 00:36:35,194 --> 00:36:40,264 It appeared round, very bright, 646 00:36:40,266 --> 00:36:43,066 Moved about in an erratic pattern. 647 00:36:43,068 --> 00:36:47,003 ♪♪ 648 00:36:47,005 --> 00:36:49,606 Narrator: mars suspects The floating light is a fault 649 00:36:49,608 --> 00:36:52,208 In the newly-installed surveillance system. 650 00:36:52,210 --> 00:36:55,678 He calls in a technician to troubleshoot. 651 00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:59,883 And he and I both tried to Think about what could fail 652 00:36:59,885 --> 00:37:03,052 That may have solved something like that. 653 00:37:03,054 --> 00:37:06,223 Couldn't come up with anything. 654 00:37:06,225 --> 00:37:08,826 Narrator: mars arrives At a troubling theory. 655 00:37:08,828 --> 00:37:10,894 The mystery light is somehow linked 656 00:37:10,896 --> 00:37:13,697 To the museum's collection. 657 00:37:13,699 --> 00:37:16,900 Mars: we've got quite a bit of items here 658 00:37:16,902 --> 00:37:20,971 That have been exposed to outerspace. 659 00:37:20,973 --> 00:37:24,641 We don't really know what We might've brought back. 660 00:37:36,589 --> 00:37:38,989 ♪♪ 661 00:37:38,991 --> 00:37:42,192 Narrator: security cameras in The american space museum 662 00:37:42,194 --> 00:37:45,529 Capture mysterious lights Darting across a room. 663 00:37:45,531 --> 00:37:48,599 ♪♪ 664 00:37:48,601 --> 00:37:52,669 Vice chairman charlie Mars studies the footage. 665 00:37:52,671 --> 00:37:54,337 Mars: the first thing I thought about, 666 00:37:54,339 --> 00:37:56,940 We've had things similar to that in space. 667 00:37:56,942 --> 00:37:59,409 What could we have brought back? 668 00:38:01,480 --> 00:38:05,282 Narrator: in 1962, mercury Astronaut john glenn 669 00:38:05,284 --> 00:38:08,218 Is the first american to orbit the earth. 670 00:38:08,220 --> 00:38:12,021 During the flight, he describes Seeing bright lights dancing 671 00:38:12,023 --> 00:38:14,091 Outside his capsule window. 672 00:38:29,441 --> 00:38:35,111 I think this has happened On almost every mission. 673 00:38:35,113 --> 00:38:38,515 Something has gotten The attention of the crew 674 00:38:38,517 --> 00:38:41,718 Or somebody on the ground. 675 00:38:41,720 --> 00:38:43,387 They'll say, "What was that?" 676 00:38:43,389 --> 00:38:46,924 You wonder if these people out in space 677 00:38:46,926 --> 00:38:50,393 Could've come in contact with Something extraterrestrial. 678 00:38:50,395 --> 00:38:55,732 They could've come in Contact with some pathogen 679 00:38:55,734 --> 00:38:57,067 And then brought it back. 680 00:38:57,069 --> 00:38:58,935 Man: astronaut glenn and his spacecraft 681 00:38:58,937 --> 00:39:03,340 Landed well within the Planned recovery area. 682 00:39:03,342 --> 00:39:06,343 Narrator: the theory that the Museum has an alien visitor 683 00:39:06,345 --> 00:39:09,212 Isn't as unlikely as it sounds. 684 00:39:09,214 --> 00:39:12,282 Nasa scientists were Troubled by the possibility 685 00:39:12,284 --> 00:39:16,019 That space is home to new And dangerous life forms. 686 00:39:16,021 --> 00:39:18,155 Early space explorers Knew very, very little 687 00:39:18,157 --> 00:39:22,092 About the environment That we're plunging into. 688 00:39:22,094 --> 00:39:24,094 There could be unknown pathogens, 689 00:39:24,096 --> 00:39:25,963 There could be unknown particles 690 00:39:25,965 --> 00:39:28,165 That they'd bring back Down to the planet earth. 691 00:39:28,167 --> 00:39:30,433 There was a concern that We would bring back something 692 00:39:30,435 --> 00:39:32,435 That was going to be deadly to us. 693 00:39:32,437 --> 00:39:34,638 Narrator: to guard Against an alien infection, 694 00:39:34,640 --> 00:39:38,642 Nasa keeps its pioneering Astronauts in extreme isolation. 695 00:39:38,644 --> 00:39:40,376 When you got back down to planet earth, 696 00:39:40,378 --> 00:39:43,380 You had greeting you a quarantine system. 697 00:39:43,382 --> 00:39:45,849 You're essentially Treated like a plague victim. 698 00:39:45,851 --> 00:39:50,053 Now the three mean wearing Biological isolation garments 699 00:39:50,055 --> 00:39:52,589 Enter the mobile quarantine facility. 700 00:39:52,591 --> 00:39:56,459 Narrator: this would appear to rule Out an alien presence in the museum, 701 00:39:56,461 --> 00:39:58,528 But after the apollo 14 astronauts 702 00:39:58,530 --> 00:39:59,862 Returned from the moon, 703 00:39:59,864 --> 00:40:03,000 This strict quarantine Procedure is suspended. 704 00:40:03,002 --> 00:40:06,135 They found nothing of a material nature, 705 00:40:06,137 --> 00:40:08,404 So the contamination theory went away. 706 00:40:08,406 --> 00:40:13,477 ♪♪ 707 00:40:13,479 --> 00:40:17,547 Narrator: but microscopic Organisms can survive in space. 708 00:40:17,549 --> 00:40:19,349 The coolest thing about All of this is to think 709 00:40:19,351 --> 00:40:21,885 That organisms could survive in space 710 00:40:21,887 --> 00:40:24,487 And come back down to Planet earth and thrive 711 00:40:24,489 --> 00:40:27,157 And the fact of the matter is they can. 712 00:40:27,159 --> 00:40:29,826 ♪♪ 713 00:40:29,828 --> 00:40:35,098 Narrator: in 2007, the european space Agency's foton satellite blasts 714 00:40:35,100 --> 00:40:37,567 Into orbit. 715 00:40:37,569 --> 00:40:40,436 On board, 3,000 tardigrades. 716 00:40:40,438 --> 00:40:42,639 These microscopic animals are thought to be 717 00:40:42,641 --> 00:40:46,977 The heartiest creatures on earth. 718 00:40:46,979 --> 00:40:50,647 For 12 days, they are Subjected to microgravity 719 00:40:50,649 --> 00:40:52,449 In solar radiation. 720 00:40:52,451 --> 00:40:54,418 Over half survive. 721 00:40:56,454 --> 00:40:59,056 You can come up with a Scenario by which an organism 722 00:40:59,058 --> 00:41:00,857 That we don't know about could hitch 723 00:41:00,859 --> 00:41:02,191 A ride to the planet, 724 00:41:02,193 --> 00:41:05,795 Survive reentry, and be living here. 725 00:41:05,797 --> 00:41:09,099 Narrator: it leads charlie mars To consider the possibility 726 00:41:09,101 --> 00:41:11,735 That the museum visitor May have been brought back 727 00:41:11,737 --> 00:41:15,872 By a more recent space mission. 728 00:41:15,874 --> 00:41:19,075 This building houses an Awful lot of artifacts 729 00:41:19,077 --> 00:41:23,080 That were flown on the shuttle program. 730 00:41:23,082 --> 00:41:26,082 Narrator: nasa's archives Reveal footage with similarities 731 00:41:26,084 --> 00:41:28,418 To the mysterious lights in the museum. 732 00:41:28,420 --> 00:41:30,620 There have been cases in the past 733 00:41:30,622 --> 00:41:33,356 Wise: in which space Missions on the space shuttle 734 00:41:33,358 --> 00:41:38,561 Have seen orb shapes appearing in space. 735 00:41:38,563 --> 00:41:43,366 Narrator: in 1996, a routine Experiment on space shuttle columbia 736 00:41:43,368 --> 00:41:44,634 Goes horribly wrong. 737 00:41:44,636 --> 00:41:49,239 Man: so the long line is... Is the tether. 738 00:41:49,241 --> 00:41:53,709 Narrator: a 12-mile-long tether Connected to a satellite snaps. 739 00:41:53,711 --> 00:41:56,113 Man: tether has broken And it's going away further. 740 00:41:56,115 --> 00:41:57,781 Man 741 00:41:57,783 --> 00:42:00,917 Narrator: a camera records the Satellite drifting away into space, 742 00:42:00,919 --> 00:42:03,653 The same town as a Cloud of mysterious lights 743 00:42:03,655 --> 00:42:05,522 Crowds the lens, 744 00:42:05,524 --> 00:42:08,058 Lights which bear a remarkable resemblance 745 00:42:08,060 --> 00:42:10,326 To the footage in the museum. 746 00:42:10,328 --> 00:42:13,729 Wise: could somehow the Phenomena that was seen in space 747 00:42:13,731 --> 00:42:15,465 Be linked to the museum? 748 00:42:15,467 --> 00:42:17,200 It seems bizarre, 749 00:42:17,202 --> 00:42:20,070 But I don't know if we Can rule it out right away. 750 00:42:20,072 --> 00:42:23,807 What we have here, I Believe is really unique 751 00:42:23,809 --> 00:42:26,877 And who knows what We might've brought back.