In the United States, UFOs are
sighted in every state, with the greatest number of reports coming from the
Northeast and the Southwest. Generally, sightings occur in rural areas, small
towns, and near military installations. Statistical analysis indicates that
sightings most often occur around 9:00 p.m. with a secondary peak at about
3:00 a.m. UFO reports are evenly distributed throughout the week, with peak
periods of reports coming during the summer months, especially July. Since
the modern UFO era began, there have been extraordinary numbers of sightings
(called waves) in the United States during the years 1947, 1952, 1957, 1966,
and 1973.
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To find out if there have been
UFO sightings near your town will take some investigative work on your part.
Ask your relatives and friends if they have seen a UFO. You may be surprised
how many people have seen UFOs but never reported their sightings. Some
researchers suggest that only one in ten witnesses actually report their
sighting. Check your local newspapers, especially editions published during
the wave years listed previously, for news reports and articles about area
UFO sightings. Most libraries have collections of old newspapers for you to
examine. Finally, read as many good UFO books as you can. You may discover a
UFO report from where you live.
Many UFO reports are recorded on
a computer database called UFOCAT. The UFOCAT computer database was started
by Dr. David R. Saunders as part of the Condon UFO Project at the University
of Colorado during the late 1960s. It was continued by Dr. Saunders and CUFOS
until 1980, at which time UFOCAT contained about 106,000 entries. The UFOCAT
project was inactive for ten years but has recently been reactivated by Dr.
Donald Johnson, a former associate of Dr. Saunders and CUFOS board member.
Originally stored on a mainframe computer, UFOCAT can now be maintained on a
personal computer. Although the database lacks many cases from the 1980s, it
is still the largest information base on UFO reports, and efforts are
underway to add as many unrecorded cases to the system as possible. UFOCAT
has fields to record information on dozens of report parameters, including
date, location, weather, number of witnesses, effects on witnesses, type of
UFO and size, and UFO maneuvers. It does not record narrative details of a
UFO report, but instead codes the report information according to a system
devised by Dr. Saunders. UFOCAT has been used by many serious researchers to
study patterns in location, time, and types of UFO reports. UFOCAT
information is available only to serious academic scholars and
researchers.
Although there are cases in which
UFOs are tracked by radar (Radar-Visual sightings), radar is not considered a
practical surveillance technique for ufology. Radar, including the
sophisticated systems of the FAA and NORAD, has many shortcomings that limit
its value to UFO research. A UFO may be too low for it to be detected or too
fast to appear on the radar screen for more than a few sweeps of the antenna.
UFOs that hover or move erratically may be filtered out by a radar's
sophisticated computer system as ground scatter or noise. Also, planes with
transponders return stronger radar signals than targets not so equipped, and
radars are often tuned only to transponder signals. It is also possible that
UFOs might not return radar signals at all.
In spite of the inadequacies of
radar in the search for UFOs, FAA supervisors do report "unusual air
traffic" in their operational logs, and radar confirmation of a UFO
sighting can help verify a report and details of a UFO's physical
characteristics. A serious problem for ufologists, however, is that the FAA
keeps radarscope tapes of air traffic for only two weeks, and computer
printouts of this information can be very expensive. As a result, radar data is
only available for cases reported immediately.
Although rare, one Radar-Visual
case is more significant than dozens of nocturnal light reports for
increasing our understanding of the UFO phenomenon.
There are three general theories
that try to explain UFOs. They may be:
1. The most popular theory (especially
in America) is that UFOs are spacecraft built and operated by aliens from
somewhere else in outer space. Some researchers reject the idea that they are
space vehicles and speculate that UFOs might be another type of intelligently
controlled device. These devices might create a holographic image that people
see as something unexplainable, or they may stimulate the brain to create a
hallucination that the witness interprets as a real UFO.
Another possibility is that what
people see as UFOs are portals or "wormholes" that connect
different parts of our space-time continuum and are used by intelligent
beings to move between different points in space-time. Though most proponents
of the "intelligent beings" theory believe that the intelligence
behind UFOs comes from outer space, others believe it originates in another
dimension or on earth itself. A few researchers believe that secret groups of
scientists have developed technology beyond the current capabilities of
mainstream science.
All of these ideas, including the
aliens-from-outer-space theory, still lack conclusive proof and unambiguous
evidence. Individuals who are skeptical of the existence of UFOs specifically
direct their criticism most often against this first theory. They argue that
the vast distances between stars would make interstellar travel nearly
impossible. These skeptics also believe that the many varying descriptions of
UFOs and their occupants would imply that many alien groups are visiting the
earth, which they consider very unlikely. They also argue that aliens would
not be so secretive about their activities and would announce their presence
in more obvious ways. Finally, skeptics point out that there is no undeniable
evidence, such as a truly authentic photograph or metal from a UFO, that
would prove their existence.
2. The second theory states that
UFOs are unusual natural phenomena. Ball lightning is an example of a rare
and incompletely understood phenomenon. Proponents of the "earthlight
theory" argue that geological stresses in the earth's crust produce
glowing balls of ionized gas that are ejected into the atmosphere. They think
that the properties of this gas (called a plasma) may have strange effects on
the people that come near it; plasma may stimulate areas of the brain to
produce vivid hallucinations, which might be the basis for abduction
cases.
Opponents argue that the
earthlight theory does not take into account all the data. They do not think
that geological stress can create a plasma with the size, shape, and duration
of reported UFOs. They also question whether an electromagnetically-induced
hallucination could create the consistent type of memories reported by
abductees.
3. The third theory proposes that
UFOs are the result of psychological or sociological factors. Many
scientists, particularly those who are skeptical of the existence of UFOs,
argue that all sightings are really misperceptions of natural phenomena or
conventional aircraft. They say that these misperceptions are the result of
the witness's ignorance, emotional state, or psychological health, or caused
by unusual environmental conditions adversely affecting an individual's
perception.
Other researchers believe that
the stresses and upheavals in modern society have created a need in many
people to establish "contact" with UFOs or aliens. They say that
such a need exists because modern society has rejected traditional values and
beliefs, leaving individuals adrift with no direction or hope. Through their
belief in UFOs and technologically superior aliens, some people can place
their faith in something or someone who can help humanity solve its problems
and restore purpose to the world.
Arguments against this theory
point out that witnesses usually describe their sightings with a certain
level of precision and consistency. UFO reports from emotionally disturbed
individuals are rare and easily identifiable. However, there are individuals
who claim to have received messages from alien beings, often by
"channeling" these messages in a trance-like state. This
undoubtedly comes from the channelers' belief system rather than a seemingly
objective source like the UFO phenomenon.
Each of the three theories has
its strengths and weaknesses. Because of the complexity of the UFO
phenomenon, all three may explain at least a part of the mystery. Only more
research and new data will help us solve the UFO enigma.
Although the Center for UFO
Studies is not specifically involved in the search for intelligent life on
other planets, the idea that some UFOs are alien spacecraft makes this
question somewhat relevant to ufology. While there have been many fanciful
tales about life on other planets, most scientists search for intelligent
life by using radio telescopes tuned to detect the emissions of other
technologically advanced civilizations. (Projects involving the search for
extraterrestrial intelligence are referred to by the acronym SETI.) One of
the first organized attempts to discover extraterrestrial life was Project
Ozma (named after the queen of Oz), which was initiated by the American radio
astronomer, Frank Drake.
The project tuned its telescopes to detect radio
emissions from nearby sun-like stars, such as Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani.
Although signals proving the existence of intelligent life were never
detected, valuable information about the universe was discovered. Since
Project Ozma, other attempts have also been made to detect extraterrestrial
signals, with one of the longest-running efforts occurring at Ohio State University.
Despite the lack of success in
discovering extraterrestrial signals, most astronomers consider the
probability for extraterrestrial life to be very high. This conclusion is
based on the Drake equation developed by Frank Drake, who conceived it as a
way to stimulate discussion about the search for extraterrestrial
intelligence). Seven factors are used in the equation to determine the
probable number of technological civilizations able and willing to transmit
and receive radio signals. These factors include the rate of starbirth,
number of planets around a star, planets with life, supporting environments,
intelligent life, communicating societies, and civilization life span.
Several scientists have also
begun to speculate about the possibility that extraterrestrial civilizations
have already come in contact with each other, especially in regions of the
galaxy where stars are in close proximity. The activities of these highly
advanced cosmic societies might be detectable on the earth, providing the evidence
SETI projects have sought.
Some scientists reject the idea
that extraterrestrial life exists; a position best expressed by Enrico
Fermi's statement (now known as the Fermi Paradox) that if extraterrestrial
life exists in the universe, they (the extraterrestrials) should have arrived
here by now. So where are they? The argument essentially states that if
extraterrestrial intelligent life exists, we would have the evidence for its
existence by now because the age of the earth would have given the extraterrestrials
enough time to reach here. Of course, if intelligent beings exist elsewhere,
many factors may have prevented them from contacting us, or they may have
simply chosen not to do so. Then again, the possibility exists that the
extraterrestrials have reached the earth. Most scientists involved in SETI
projects, however, have not shown an interest in examining UFO data as a way
to test this hypothesis.
The study of the UFO phenomenon should
not involve the issue of belief. Serious ufologists are not trying to make
people believe in UFOs; they are trying to show that the UFO
phenomenon--whatever it is--deserves serious scientific study. A constant
problem ufologists face is ignorance about the subject. Even well-educated
skeptics--often college professors--are unaware of the evidence for UFOs, the
subject's literature, the history of government involvement and civilian
investigations, and the details of significant cases. In fact, serious
ufologists are often the best skeptics; they possess greater knowledge about
the pros and cons for studying UFOs than debunkers.
Skeptics often argue against the
study of UFOs based upon assumptions unrelated to the evidence. They assume
aliens would not visit the earth in the large numbers that UFO reports
suggest or that people see UFOs because of some religious or emotional need.
Because scientists do not study UFOs, you might assume that the evidence must
be lacking. In practical terms, scientists generally study topics that are
academically acceptable, have an abundance of data, and can attract funding
from government and private sources.
To those who remain skeptical
about the value of UFO research, here are some suggestions:
Remember that honest and serious
skepticism requires an understanding of the data, relevant scientific and
social research, and the world-wide history of the UFO mystery.
First, you should call for other
people to come and watch the UFO with you. The more witnesses, the more
credible the report will be to investigators. Second, you should observe very
carefully. If you have a camera, take pictures of the UFO that include known
objects in the foreground and background. Remember as many details as
possible, especially the time, date, duration, and location of the sighting,
the UFO's appearance, shape, apparent size and distance, lights, colors,
direction, estimated speed, trajectory, motions, actions, sounds, and how you
lost sight of it. Third, after the sighting ends, write down as many details
as you can remember. Draw a sketch of the UFO (even if you took photographs)
and a map of the area where the sighting occurred. If the UFO left any
physical traces or effects, protect the evidence so researchers can
investigate and analyze it. Finally, and most importantly, contact the Center
for UFO Studies to file your report.
There is no formal training
required to become a ufologist. In fact, ufology is not so much a
professional career as it is a hobby. That is, most researchers study and
work in this field on a voluntary basis and have educated themselves about
the subject. If you are serious about studying UFOs, you must read the
serious literature about the subject. You must also attend college and study
any field you find rewarding; this will help you understand the scientific
method and develop your critical thinking skills. It is impossible to predict
what discipline, whether in the social or physical sciences, will contribute
to a further understanding of the UFO phenomenon, so knowledge and
perspective of any field of learning may shed light on the phenomenon.
Finally, you should try to meet other persons interested in UFOs and who may
already be involved with investigations and study. They may have books you
can borrow and expertise you can draw upon.
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