1972 · Taurus-Littrow, Moon
Apollo 17 three dots (war.gov VM006)
WhenDecember 1972
WhereTaurus-Littrow, Moon
Backing2 independent
Evidenceofficial records, documents
A triangle of three lights (two blue, one orange-red) in the black sky, shot through the LM window. The Department of War says preliminary analysis suggests 'a physical object in the scene' (singular), has obtained the original film and will release the full NASA and DOW analysis. Before war.gov, Max had shown the frame on Reality Check and Mike Gold showed it to Reps. Burchett, Luna and Burlison at a congressional UAP briefing (per Max).
Evidence, in date order (2)
- 2026Department of Warofficialpreliminary analysis suggests 'a physical object in the scene'; original film obtained, analysis to be released war.gov/ufo
- NASA and government archives (per Max)documentmultiple scans show the same three-light configuration, ruling out scanning artefacts
How plausible · High
An official NASA frame that the Department of War says likely shows a physical object.
- ●●Access NASA photo.
- ●●No gain sought Official release.
- ●●Restraint "Preliminary analysis."
- ●●Character record Department of War.
- ●●Checkable details check out Released frame.
- ●●Physical traces or official reaction Film.
Plausibility weighs how well an account fits where secrecy hides the documents by design, so missing records never count against it. Strength measures what is documented. Assessed 2026-10-23.
On the record
- DOW caption (uap-data.csv) quoted above.
- Max: multiple scans in different NASA and government archives show the same configuration, ruling out scanning artifacts.NASA, secrecy and the archive anomalies
Claims
A triangular craft with a light at each corner (Coulthart's inference; Max calls it plausible).analysisSourced, unconfirmed
Ross's source: no blue lights on the LM panel that could reflect (undocumented).anonymousSourced, unconfirmed
Loeb: blue dots on Apollo film are cosmic-ray hits. Avi Loeb attributes blue dots on Apollo film to cosmic rays, noting similar dots outside the exposed image area. Not applied by him to VM006 specifically. Max's reply: the dots are the same size, evenly spaced, unblurred and confined to a tiny area, and appear in several scans. Testable with the film margins.Apollo 11Apollo 12 lights released by war.gov (VM001-VM005)Apollo 14 blue orbsanalysisSourced, unconfirmedAvi Loeb
Where
Taurus-Littrow, Moon
20.2°N 30.8°E on the Moon
war.gov files on this case (1)
In The picture
The Moon is not emptyOn the far side, Apollo 8's crew saw 'a strange light down there'... 'it might be campfires'. Apollo 10 filmed a bright object flashing past below Snoopy. Apollo 11 watched something keep pace with them on the way out. On Apollo 12 Alan Bean described flashes of light 'escaping the Moon'. NASA's own scan of an Apollo…
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Apollo 11 1969Apollo 12 lights released by war.gov (VM001-VM005) 1969Apollo 14 blue orbs 1971Elizondo returns 2026NASA, secrecy and the archive anomalies 1958war.gov/ufo 2026
People and organizations
Apollo 17 missionAnna Paulina Luna personAvi Loeb personMax Derakhshani personMike Gold personReality Check: 'Is Buzz Aldrin being forced into silence after witnessing a UFO?' documentReality Check: 'What did Apollo astronauts really see on the Moon?' document