In the summer 2012, the National Geographic Channel assembled a team of trained investigators to visit several sites where UFOs allegedly have been sighted. The Channel aired the results of its investigation in its program ”Chasing UFOs”.  The team used an instrument that combines advanced imaging with high-accuracy surveying capabilities (Topcon’s IS-3 imaging station) in attempting to unearth new evidence in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

As mentioned in the attached illustrated article: ”The IS-3 basically combines the power, accuracy and speed of a total station with the auto-scanning capabilities of a laser scanner. It features dual digital imaging cameras that show a real-time color ~on the touch LCD display. A grid feature locks preset points to their exact position on the image, even when the instrument is rotated. The instrument has the longest scanning range in the industry at up to 6,500 feet_ It provides industry-best accuracy, automatic scanning speed and on-board features designed to provide quicker scanning definition, faster image collection and real-time preview of scanned data. It can utilize Topcon ImageMastcr software that produces “photography with dimension,” an alternative to laser scanning. The IS-3 has WLAN capability and can be controlled remotely”.

The on-line article provides interesting information how this IS-3 modern tool has been used on different sites for finding physical evidence.

Source: location of object at predicted reentry time

Article with pictures: ChasingUFOs_Vol9No9

A professional website (http://www.ipaco.fr/page24.html ) has recently been launched designed to present a state-of-the-art stand point in the field of extracting objective information from digital still or video imagery in which a (so far) non-identified object or phenomenon appears. It also offers for sale user licenses of the IPACO software, which has been specifically developed for that task, as well as offering a resident expert service to produce imagery analysis reports on demand.

This IPACO is a very welcome expertise as the UAP research the photographic domain includes many hoaxes and numerous types of possible mistakes and unintentional wrong moves. The IPACO founders state that: ”The analysis will be conducted quite objectively and without any preconceived ideas, its conclusion consisting either of an explanation (probable or certain) duly proven, or of a statement of non-identification with, in that case, a synthesis of the characteristic elements of the recorded phenomenon, qualitative and quantitative, that may have been recorded. It is possible, with experience, to process many files following relatively standard procedures, whereas a few others sometimes justify far more extensive (and consequently more expensive) investigations. That is why we propose two service levels:

Standard expert analysis: the file is analyzed, for a fixed lump sum, with the output consisting of a Standard analysis report which presents the conclusions, together with – if justified – a quotation for an extensive analysis. Extensive expert analysis: after the standard expert analysis, more specialized investigations are conducted, according to the presented and accepted quotation, and they are made concrete through an Extensive analysis report. Each Analysis report is delivered in the form of a PDF file, such as those presented in our sample galleries…”

One of the IPACO founders is François Louange, who collaborates as a consultant on photo analysis, as well as on detection projects, with GEPAN, SEPRA and GEIPAN. He has contractually produced a dozen technical reports for CNES.

The IPACO software, derived from a long experience in the field of military intelligence, aims to provide the analyst in ufology with a user-friendly and easy-to-use working environment, thanks to which he may concentrate on the very object of his analysis, with permanent access to a toolkit that fits most investigation scenarios. The analysis work is conducted in a highly interactive environment, but it remains always possible to save and edit results, in the form of text reports and images, processed and completed by graphics. However, certain particular cases may still require the use of other software tools, which are highly specialized in one or other specific domain.

The ongoing evolution of the IPACO software aims at satisfying both maintenance requirements (correction of residual errors, improvement of existing functions), and wishes expressed by users for adding new tools. IPACO is presently operational in 2 languages (French and American English), but extension to other languages has been anticipated in the software architecture, which will possibly be made concrete through particular cooperations to be set up. The 3 external databases (UFOCAT, IFOCAT and CamCAT), as well as handling of data models, referred to in the IPACO Users’ guide, are not implemented yet, because their detailed specifications will depend on feedback from the IPACO software’s use.

Analysis methodology (from a 2008 CNES GEIPAN document: APN & PAN – Méthodologie d’analyse des photos numériques de PAN), details and demonstration of the IPACO software, sample galleries of explained and unexplained documents (e.g.: http://www.ipaco.fr/EN_IFO_B_banne_120614.pdf), and contact details can be found at:

http://www.ipaco.fr/page24.html