Operational definition
The family is defined by converging observables, not by origin. The working labels are orb, torch, fiery shield, red/orange plasma sphere, compact luminous point, or compact/circular sensor target.
The phenotype includes hover, horizontal travel, direction change, tandem behavior, relative rotation, smooth altitude changes, fade-to-black and possible visible/IR/SWIR mode changes.
Context is metadata, not proof
Water, coast, mountain and horizon are recorded because they can matter physically and geometrically. They do not add score by themselves, because that would bias the catalog toward the preferred hypothesis.
| Dimension | Positive trait | Exclusion trait |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Orb, sphere, disc, shield, torch, compact luminous point; in sensors, compact/circular contrast area. | Fragments, smoke, tail, reentry sparks, conventional elongated object, aircraft light pattern. |
| Color | Red, orange, amber, lava-like, plasma-like; possible white core or red/orange halo. | Red from oxide/reentry/impact, streetlight contamination, color without a real track. |
| Motion | Hover, horizontal path, direction change, soft climb/descent, relative rotation, tandem. | Fall, fast straight meteor path, burn-up, explosion, fragmentation. |
| Sound | Silence or no motor in close cases. | Rotor, propeller, turbine, regular drone/helicopter/aircraft acoustic pattern. |
| Visibility | Appearance, disappearance, fade to black, contrast loss, IR/SWIR detection. | Only bokeh, flare, optical reflection, or motion locked to camera/source. |
| Evidence | Official video, direct geometry, military sensor, multi-station capture, original file. | Repost, AI, no metadata, compressed story, social content without provenance. |