(April 3, 2010) news.au.com reported that mysterious objects turned up on the Bureau of Meteorology's national radar system. The objects were described as "red stars, rings of fire and white doughnuts". The latter first appeared on January 15 over Kalgoorlie in Western Australia which was followed by the red star over Broome on January 22 and the rings of fire.
The Bureau suggested that the objects might simply be radar interference. Conspiracy theorists claim however that it might be caused by a United States military project dubbed the "High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program" (HAARP). The project involves shooting high frequency radar bursts into the atmosphere to determine their effect on ionospheric particles. While the stated goal of HAARP is to "study the effects of solar flares on radio communications and improve missile detection and navigation systems", conspiracy theorists claim that it is used to alter the weather.
British electrical engineer and crop circle expert Colin Andrews urged Australians to demand an explanation from the Bureau of Meteorology.