'Vortex rings' cause UFO confusion

The ‘smoke rings’ caused by explosions at the Emu Gully Air and Land Spectacular were confused for UFOs.

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BARRY Rodgers’ black smoke rings have caught the attention of metropolitan newspapers.

Mr Rodgers was surprised to learn that the “mysterious halos”, caused by demonstrations at the weekend’s Emu Gully Air and Land Spectacular, had been confused for Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).

“There were unusual atmospheric conditions on the weekend,” Mr Rodgers said.

“Even our pyrotechnician said he had never seen anything like it before.

“Technically (there are caused by) a combination of the pyrotechnics used and the way it was laid out in one of the battle scenarios ... it was still a very rare occurrence.”

The Air and Land Spectacular held in Helidon featured fiery explosions and simulated trench warfare.

Reports yesterday confirmed that the UFOs were actually smoke rings caused by a natural phenomenon known as a “vortex ring”.