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.
Are
computers used to study UFOs?
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.
Is
radar used to monitor UFOs?
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.
What
theories do researchers have to explain UFO reports?
There are three general theories that
try to explain UFOs. They may be:
- the products of intelligent
beings;
- unusual but natural phenomena; or
- the result of people's need for a
comforting or challenging belief system.
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.
Is
there intelligent life on other planets?
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.
What
do you say to skeptical people who don't believe in UFOs?
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:
- Read the serious and relevant UFO
literature.
- Learn about the UFO investigators
and research organizations.
- Know the facts behind the
phenomenon.
- Study the data and do not confuse
facts with speculation.
- Examine the research methods and
arguments of skeptics.
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.
What
should you do when you see a UFO?
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.
What
do I do to become a ufologist?
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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