2022-06-05 - Palmdale, CA - Unknown

The view through a reflector telescope was oddly obscured/blocked while pointed to the open sky in the vicinity of the star Regulus

The view through a reflector telescope was oddly obscured by some unknown object resembling a wall (or a fence!?) while the telescope was pointed toward the open sky in the vicinity of the star Regulus. Afterwards, I decided it could have been a projected image cast into the aperture of my telescope by possibly an unidentified or unregistered satellite (UFO).

I immediately checked the clearance of any possible buildings, but there were no obstructions. I also checked into the telescope's aperture (if anything fell into the aperture) and it was all clear. The next day, I gave the telescope a complete inspection including collimation, and it was completely normal, aligned, and collimated. (I have been using the same model 8" reflector for over a year and have become quite familiar with its design).

The view through the telescope was apparently obscured by some overlayed projected image (image of a wall or fence?) but I could still make out a background of stars including Regulus. I was in the process of star alignment and I somehow managed to center the star Regulus and continue with the star alignment. When I slewed the telescope to another part of the sky (the next alignment star was Denebola), the obstruction disappeared, and I continued aligning the telescope and followed through with the observing session. The reflector telescope found all deep sky objects (my observing list was in the constellation Bootes) which is evidence that the telescope was operating normally.

I did not see any type of craft, but I suspect the projected image came from an unidentified craft or satellite. I suspect a geosynchronous satellite. I then came to realize a geosynchronous satellite can be unnoticed, appearing only as a random faint star (as opposed to a streak of light which is a moving satellite). Also, an artificial satellite could be physically darkened (matte black) so as not to reflect any light at all.

I reasoned that the projected image could be from some type of hybrid laser-incandescent light. Laser light can travel in a straight line without any loss of intensity. Images can be projected with incandescent light (such as a movie projector). I do not know if this is some type of technology we are aware of yet, or possibly not revealed to the public.

Was the satellite or craft operated domestically, or did it come from somewhere else ? My research shows that not all satellites are registered, and that there are thousands of satellites orbiting our planet.