Worthy Of Duplicating

Editor, The News:

Last Friday Evening I had the good fortune of becoming one of the increasing number of individuals to sight the glowing emissions from a sphere of "swamp gas" in the Ann Arbor area. While driving northeast on Fuller Road through the Municipal Golf Course a bright crimson light caught my eye through the windshield. It was immediately obvious that it was note from an airplane because it was too large, had an unusual hue, was not blinking, and did not have adjacent green or white lights. As I drove toward the VA Hospital the light seemed to remain stationary (or was moving on a course parallel to Fuller Road). Upon pulling off the road at Glacier Way for a better look outside the car, the eminating phenomenon was quite visibly hovering high in the sky. Some 15 seconds later it plummeted out of sight behind the VA Hospital. This was most definitely the same "object" observed from a different angle by Emile Grenier of 2436 Fuller and reported in the Saturday edition of The News. 

If this is actually "swamp gas" it is certainly a fantastic sight to see --- truly a marvelous splendor. After such an experience one can not help but want more detailed information about the characteristics of tis mysterious glowing aeroform fluid. Anyone who enjoys watching any type of meteorological phenomena would undoubtedly be captivated if given the opportunity to observe the "will-o'-the-wisp."

As a favor to the residents, I suggest that The Ann Arbor News publish a more complete description of illuminated "swamp gas", emphasizing the optimum times and locations to sight it. More details should be readily available from Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the Northwestern University astrophysicist. Since he has ben classified as an authority on the appearance of of ignited "swamp gas" he has most likely seen the phenomenon a number of times in the past --- hasn't he? Several of the queries that inexperienced sighters

---Letters for this column should not be more than 400 words in length. They must carry the name and address of the writer although the name will be withheld if requested.---

will, no doubt, want explained are below:

1) What causes the ignition of the gas?

2) Why doesn't it explode (like "fire damp", the methane gas of mine explosions) instead of frequently maintaining a constant intensity and dimension for relatively long intervals of time?

3) Why does it appear to glow rather than flame?

5) Methane, supposedly the basic component of "swamp gas", burns with a colorless flame. What determined the color of the ignited gas being observed around Ann Arbor?

6) Can the gas be seen during the day time? Why?

7) Since gas normally has "neither independent shape nor volume, but tends to expand indefinitely", what are the unnatural properties of "swamp gas" which allow it to remain as a dense uniform sphere at altitudes over a thousand feet? It is especially puzzling how it can keep from being dispersed into the atmosphere on windy evenings such as last Friday night.

8) What propels the gas during the rapid unpredictable "maneuvers" commonly described by viewers? Does it simply travel with air currents? If so, then how does it remain uniform in appearance instead of disintegrating under the force of currents?

9) Why do the spheres of ignited gas sometimes terminate in a high velocity dive to the ground? It seems like a burning gas would rise.

Regardless of the actual nature of this wonder, its natural beauty provides a marvelous display for the observer. Ann Arbor is fortunate to have this event frequent in its vicinity. It is somewhat surprising that scientists have not tried to mimic this atmospheric phenomenon since methane gas is readily available from the chemical industry. If the spectacle could be controlled and reproduced at will it would surely revolutionize the traditional Fourth of July fireworks displays. I can assure you that such an amazingly unique exhibition would enthrall the spectators. 

Lawrence Espey Ph.D.