The image above is spreading across social media along with the assertion that Facebook are trying to remove the photo.
The source of the image seems to be an IMGUR account – or at least this is where the image is most popularly found – that uploaded the photo on July 19th 2015.
However the photo has since broken loose from the IMGUR account (where it had been viewed over 1.5 million times at the time of writing) and has begun spreading on social media, along with the caption “This photo was taken in Australia, get it out there as Facebook are trying to remove it.”
However, the photo is certainly no UFO. In fact, according to the original caption that came with the photo, the strange light in the sky is actually the reflection of a lamp on the window between the photographer and the landscape. Other early instances of the photo also attribute the phenomenon to a reflection in the windows as well.
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And looking at the light, there is no reason to suspect otherwise. Additionally, some Reddit sleuthing reveals a user claiming the photo was taken in Jackson Hole, Wyoming – or rather Grand Teton National Park (below.) Take note of the resemblance – also note the “UFO” photo does contain barely visible mountains behind the tree filled horizon.
And looking at one of the interior cabin photos overlooking the park reveals a ceiling lamp we recognise…
So the original uploader noted it was a reflection of a light. The photo wasn’t taken in Australia, rather a Wyoming National Park and you can even see the lamp that was caught in the reflection, we can safely put this hoax to bed. Aliens may exist, but not in this photo.
Also, the notion that “Facebook are trying to remove it” is a well-used tactic employed by social media hoaxers to fool users into sharing something that Facebook have actually no intention of removing. Generally, if you come across the claim, you’ll more than likely looking at a hoax. Facebook are more than well equipped to remove specific photos instantly that they don’t want on their site.
UPDATE:
David James from Skeptical.gb.net took the breadcrumb trail even further, enlisting the help of people familiar with the area and managed to track down the exact location as to where the photo was taken, which appears to be on (or near) the first floor of the Peaks Restaurant at Signal Mountain Lodge.
James managed to grab daylight photos overlooking the island that clearly show the same landscape from the same direction and position to which our UFO photo was also snapped. The restaurant has very similar light fixtures to the cabin photo we posted above from the Signal Mountain Lodge website.
You can see David’s Skeptical.gb.net article here.
