© National Geology and Mining Service of Chile
Residents of Dalcahue, a port city on the southern island of Chiloé, took to social media last week with reports of the unidentified flying objects, some sharing photos of the phenomenon. The "fireballs" reportedly crash-landed at a number of locations around the town.
Chile's National Geology and Mining Service soon gathered scientists to investigate the strange bright objects, dispatching teams to some seven sites on Chiloé to take samples. In a statement issued over the weekend, the scientists concluded they "found no remains, vestiges or evidence of a meteorite" left behind by the "luminous and incandescent" objects.
Whatever the mystery entities were, they did leave some trace behind, however, burning foliage at a number of sites.
Locals interviewed by the geological teams said they heard no noises associated with the impacts, nor did anyone witness the crash-landings themselves.
The scientists said they would continue to analyze soil samples and release a more complete report in the coming weeks, according to local media. Until then, when it comes to space debris and extraterrestrial visits, skeptics and believers may be forced to duke out their competing theories in the comments section. The truth is still out there.
RC