For centuries, humans have looked up at the night sky and wondered what might be moving through the darkness above. Today, that curiosity is evolving into something more rigorous. A growing number of researchers are no longer satisfied with speculation—they are building instruments, gathering data, and testing the skies themselves.

One of the most ambitious efforts comes from Nightcrawler UAP, a team based on Long Island that has developed a mobile laboratory designed to detect and analyze unidentified aerial phenomena using a suite of advanced sensors.

I recently spoke with John Tedesco, Gerry Tedesco, and Donna Lee Nardo about their work during a video podcast episode of All Things Unexplained. While readers can watch the full conversation on YouTube, the discussion reveals a fascinating glimpse into how modern independent researchers are approaching one of the world’s most enduring mysteries.

From childhood curiosity to field research

The origins of Nightcrawler UAP stretch back long before the recent surge in government reports about unidentified aerial phenomena.

John and Gerry Tedesco say their interest in strange phenomena dates back to childhood, fueled by science fiction, curiosity about the universe, and a shared fascination with unexplained events. But the idea for their mobile research platform came from something much more grounded.

Originally, the brothers were investigating potential electromagnetic influences related to cancer clusters on Long Island. Their plan was to build a mobile laboratory capable of measuring electromagnetic fields across the island.

When the U.S. government’s ODNI report on UAP encounters by military pilots was released, the project took on an entirely new dimension.

“We realized the platform we were building could also be used to investigate aerial anomalies,” Gerry explained.

The result was Nightcrawler, a heavily modified vehicle outfitted with radar systems, hyperspectral cameras, magnetometers, radio-frequency sensors, and multiple infrared imaging systems. The current version—now the third iteration—is essentially a fully mobile sensor array capable of analyzing objects in the sky across multiple wavelengths.

A mobile laboratory for the sky

Unlike stationary observatories, Nightcrawler’s strength lies in mobility.

The platform enables researchers to deploy sophisticated equipment anywhere anomalies are reported, whether that’s along coastlines, in remote locations, or at temporary hotspots.

The system includes:

  • Multiple radar units are tracking targets both horizontally and vertically

  • Infrared imaging across several wavelength bands

  • Thermal cameras and hyperspectral imaging

  • Magnetometers and RF detectors

  • High-resolution optical cameras.

The equipment allows the team to examine objects from different observational angles simultaneously.

“We’re layering sensors,” John explained during the interview. “Each one covers a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum, so nothing overlaps and nothing gets missed.”

In practice, this means that an object appearing in visible light may behave very differently when observed through infrared or radar.

Eliminating the ordinary

One of the biggest challenges in UAP research is separating the mysterious from the mundane.

Planes, satellites, balloons, drones, and even ships on the horizon can create misleading observations.

Nightcrawler’s team uses multiple verification methods to rule out conventional explanations.

Their process includes:

  • Checking ADS-B transponder data to identify aircraft

  • Monitoring marine traffic systems to track ships

  • Measuring wind speeds to rule out drifting balloons

  • Using thermal imaging to identify engines and heat signatures

  • Cross-referencing radar data and camera imagery.

In other words, before something is considered anomalous, it must fail a long list of normal explanations.

“It’s a triage process,” Donna Lee said. “We eliminate the known first.”

Unexpected discoveries

After years of field observations along Long Island’s coastline, the team has documented a range of unusual aerial phenomena.

Some of the objects appear as luminous spheres or “orbs.” Others exhibit more defined shapes, including polyhedral structures, cylindrical forms, and even triangular configurations.

One recurring feature is unusual light behavior.

Many objects display rapid color changes resembling a kaleidoscope, shifting between deep blues, reds, greens, and white light. Some appear to rotate while emitting or reflecting light in ways that do not match known aircraft.

Even more intriguing, certain objects seem to shift between different spectral ranges, appearing in infrared sensors while becoming invisible to the naked eye.

“Sometimes we see them in near-infrared, but they disappear in thermal,” John explained. “Other times, they move between spectral bands entirely.”

Radar and speed

One of the most striking observations captured by the team involved radar detection of a high-speed object.

During a field session, their radar tracked an object entering their detection field roughly six miles away and closing the distance in seconds.

Based on the timing of the radar reflections, the object was estimated to be traveling over Mach 2, or more than twice the speed of sound.

Yet no sonic boom was heard.

“That’s one of the reasons we classify it as anomalous,” Gerry said. “At that altitude and speed, you should hear it.”

The radar signature also suggested the object was solid and roughly the size of a small vehicle.

Lights above the water

Many of the team’s most compelling observations occur over the Atlantic Ocean.

The coastline provides a relatively dark observational environment compared with urban areas, and radar reflections from the open water are easier to isolate.

In one recorded event, a luminous spherical object hovered just above the ocean surface while rotating and varying its brightness. Radar confirmed the object’s presence, and infrared sensors captured additional nearby objects invisible to the naked eye.

Another observation showed three synchronized objects forming a triangular pattern, maintaining position against strong winds before disappearing in a flash of red light.

These events remain unexplained.

The hitchhiker effect

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the research involves what some investigators call the “hitchhiker effect.”

This term refers to reports of strange experiences occurring after close interaction with unexplained phenomena.

Donna Lee described one such incident after a long night of fieldwork. While resting at home, she awoke to see a faint glowing sphere floating inside her room.

“It wasn’t frightening,” she recalled. “It felt more like it was observing me.”

The orb disappeared within seconds.

While anecdotal, such reports have been documented in other investigations, including research connected to Skinwalker Ranch and various paranormal case studies.

What is really happening?

After years of collecting data, the Nightcrawler team remains cautious about drawing conclusions. They avoid labeling the phenomena prematurely. Instead, they focus on documenting patterns, sensor signatures, and environmental conditions surrounding each observation.

Donna Lee summarized their position simply: “There’s clearly something happening. The question is what.”

Possibilities range from unknown atmospheric plasma phenomena to advanced technologies—or perhaps something entirely different. For now, the Nightcrawler team continues scanning the skies. And thanks to independent researchers like them, the search for answers is no longer limited to government programs or military pilots.

Sometimes, the most important discoveries start with ordinary people simply looking up.

Notes

Dr. Tim Mounce is host of the award-winning podcast All Things Unexplained, and author of the forthcoming book Voices in the Shadows (Schiffer Publishing, 2026).