‘Crop circle’ in Indonesian rice paddy

Published 8:05 pm Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Thousands of curious onlookers are flocking to central Indonesia to look at a “crop circle” in a rice field following rumors it was formed by a UFO.

Though clearly sculptured by humans — it looks like an intricately designed flower — the 70-yard-wide circle has drawn so much attention that police have blocked off the area with yellow tape.

Villagers have started charging entrance fees.

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Guntur Purwanto, chief of Jogotirto village in Sleman district, said the circle appeared in the middle of the green rice paddies over the weekend.

Among those turning out Tuesday and offering opinions were officials from Indonesia’s space agency, well-respected astronomers and nuclear agency officials. All agree it was not left by an UFO.