Bob Brown of Ellen Road, Aylesbury, was alerted to a bright light in the sky by his wife on Friday (October 24) at around 11.40pm.

Quickthinking Bob grabbed his powerful camera and promptly took shots of what he initially believed to be 'a plane on fire'.

The pictures, which are shown here both as standard and at full zoom, seem to capture an orange blurred light in the dark night sky. Of the many photographs taken, we have chosen a select couple which can be viewed in the gallery on this article.

Mr Brown said he believed the object was heading in the direction of Luton Airport. Convinced something had happened, Mr Brown turned his attention to the 24 hour TV news channels expecting to see some sort of announcement, but it never came.

Intrigued, Mr Brown contacted the MoD and has since received a letter in reply insisting there was nothing in the sky, in that area, at that time on Friday.

Mr Brown, who inists there is no foul play at hand and that the object was too high in the sky to be a firework, told The Bucks Herald: "At first I thought it was a plane on fire that was heading for Luton Airport. To now be told there was nothing in the sky at all at that time, to me, smells a bit like a cover-up, perhaps of a military operation."

What do you think is on view in Mr Brown's picture? Let us know your views by emailing us here, using the comments section below this story or calling newsdesk on 01296 619700.

RESPONSES

I live in Prestwood and I also saw this flame in the sky. My son called me out to show me and we watched it for several minutes. Someone told my son afterwards that it was a balloon with a flame under it which was sent up at a funeral or something similar.

I have never heard of this but it looked like something on fire in the sky moving slowly.

Helen Simmonds

Hi, the UFO was a wish lantern that I set off for my son, he was stillborn two years ago and was going to set it off on his birthday the 23rd but was too windy, so I did it on the 24th.

Kerry Taylor

The UFO seen and photographed on your webpage could be one of the Taurids - meteor showers "Taurids Max Nov 7 Chart. Activity lasts throughout October and November, with a broad maximum in early November. Observed rates are far from spectacular, but some observers report that the shower produces a good percentage of fireballs. Indeed a good number of bright Taurids were reported in 2005.

Some Taurid activity will also be visible during the Orionid watches of October and the Leonid watches of November. The Taurid radiants are highest at around the middle of the night. The 2008 maximum is fairly unfavourably timed, with New Moon occurring on Oct 28 and First Quarter being reached by Nov 6 - but dark skies will be available for those observers able to continue beyond midnight." copied from the astronomer online. Its the right time of the year, time of night, no moon in the sky (so good visability) and looks like a fireball, as the Taurids can be. I'd have posted this reponse on the page, but couldn't work out how to. Hope this helps.

Sue Thorpe