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The contest comes as troves of videos claiming to show extraterrestrial activity have flooded the internet – but most sightings turned out to be meteors falling from the sky.
‘For almost 100 years, scientists, experts, and average homeowners have shared stories and video clips of Extraterrestrial sightings,’ Ring shared in the announcement.
‘With new sightings and further evidence that lifeforms might exist beyond Earth’s atmosphere, there’s a possibility that Extraterrestrial activity could be happening right outside your front door.
‘Customers all over the world capture life’s unexpected and delightful moments through their Ring Video Doorbells and Cameras. Now, you could be rewarded for catching an otherworldly sighting.’
The contest is only open to legal US residents age 18 or older.
There are two ways to enter. The first is submitting ‘Scientific Evidence recorded with a Ring device documenting an Extraterrestrial.’
The second option is to submit one video, up to one minute long, that shows ‘someone or something related to extraterrestrials.’
‘An Entry using OPTION TWO can depict extraterrestrials in an unrealistic manner, and use artificial aids, such as costumes or accessories, manmade vehicles, makeup, props, computer graphics, digital effects and/or other artificial means,’ according to Ring.
The Option Two submissions will be judged on creativity, visual appeal and humor.
If evidence of extraterrestrial activity is brought forth, that individual will receive the grand prize for an annuity of $50,000 a year for 20 years.
One incident captured on a Ring camera in July did spark fears of an alien invasion.
Ring doorbell footage captured when a bright emerald orb soared over the horizon at 4:30 am on July 14 in Gretna, just across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.
A 17-second clip from the home security device begins with a view of a dark, sleepy suburban street with no signs of movement.
Suddenly, a green Great Gatsby-esque light appears from afar, seeming to streak closer to the camera from behind a house over a few seconds.
It illuminates the entire sky bright white before disappearing into the night.
AccuWeather shared the clip on Twitter, describing the sighting as a ‘meteor’ – though many people are convinced it was an extraterrestrial sighting.
Others re-posted the videos on social media and speculated about potential alien life.
‘That ain’t no meteor, that’s an alien ship warping into our space and time,’ one person said of the doorbell footage.
‘UFO must’ve stopped to get a poboy,’ joked another person, referring to a sandwich originally from Louisiana involving meat and New Orleans French bread.