UFO Unknowns—Part 1

The mystery of UFOs (unidentified flying objects) has been with us for millennia—ever since humans looked up in the night sky and saw strange lights. Long before we were able to fly, these sightings probably seemed more like apparitions—ghostlike or godlike in origin. It wasn't until we developed flying craft that we began to interpret these phenomena as flying objects. In fact, they did not acquire the designation UFO until well into the 20^th century.

The modern era of UFOs began in1947, when someone spotted an object in New Mexico that was described as something like a saucer skipping across the sky—giving birth to the alternative designation “flying saucer.” The late 1940s was the beginning of the Cold War between the USSR and the USA, which included a race to arm each side with nuclear weapons. Americans were fearful, if not paranoid, of the Soviets, and so were often inclined to shudder at the possibility of the enemy having developed a secret flying weapon that threatened our existence.

UFO sightings proliferated in the USA in the mid 20^th century's Cold War atmosphere. As evidence that most of these events may be traced to American fears, analysts have pointed out that the number of North American sightings dropped off dramatically, north and south of the US border. Neither Mexicans nor Canadians reported anywhere near the incidents recorded in America.

I think this factor of public perception is crucial in framing the UFO phenomenon in the US, as well as the rest of the world. A persistent question throughout these sightings is, What are they? Russian craft? Public hallucinations? Extraterrestrial visitors? Weather balloons? Natural aerial events? Airplanes? Planets? (Venus has caused many reports.)

In fact, some 95% of incidents have been shown to be explained, not by human or alien craft, but due to some of the other causes listed above. There is no reason, for example, why UFOs should cluster around the USA—regardless of their origin. Fears and insecurities can play a major role in people’s reactions and imaginations.

Due to the concerns that these reports might possibly be caused by Soviet technological advances, the response of the US government in the early UFO days was assigned to the military. The investigations were held behind secretive doors, which fed public rumor that the truth was being suppressed. Conspiracies bloomed: a UFO had crashed in the American desert and the incident was being covered up by the military. The controversy simmered along, for the remainder of the 20^th century.

Many analyses were conducted, and the vast majority (that 95%) were shown to be explained by natural events and human craft. But the unresolved 5% continued to cause legitimate concern. Because the study of UFOs was being conducted by the US military, rather than a systematic scientific investigation, little progress was made. The US military established several programs in the last half of the 20^th century—each one with a different perspective. Each one was headed by a military officer who had his own biased slant on the issue. One program after another concluded its study with a different opinion, and none of them shed any light on the issue—let alone informed the public of its findings. The public was free to speculate about the truth of UFOs, in the absence of government candor on the issue.

UFOs Up in the Air—Part 1

From the first primitive human species—a few hundred thousand years ago—to today, we have peered heavenward and observed and pondered the behaviors of celestial phenomena. Our ancient ancestors had no ability to comprehend the true nature of those lights and the things that they saw, so they created stories to explain them. (Isn’t that what we do today, but with more knowledge?) They sometimes described the antics of super beings as being responsible for the phenomena they saw happening. Those super beings were viewed from the perspective of the primeval comprehension of people at the time.

Our more recent ancestors (several hundred to several thousand years ago) came to understand that those points of light might be stars, planets, and other transient phenomena (such as comets). They still had little idea of the true nature of these objects or why they behaved as they did, but they became quite familiar with the comings and goings of most of them. Many of the more unusual sightings were interpreted as omens from the gods—which were the beginnings of astrology.

It is likely that some of the early phenomena were similar to what have, in recent decades, come to be designated as unidentified flying objects (UFOs), but the rudimentary science of the times would not have caused people to interpret them as visitors from outer space. Humans didn't even have any concept such as outer space… at most they considered the objects to be part of the “heavens.”

Once we came to know that the night sky's lights are stars, planets, and galaxies, the immensity of outer space became clear. We then began to wonder if there are other forms of life out there. As our knowledge increased, our stories about the unusual aerial phenomena became more sophisticated. We no longer imagined super beings dragging the sun across the sky or “men in the moon,” but we wanted explanations for some of the more strange things that we saw. Mystifying lights and weird objects became the vehicles of visitors from outer space. Strange objects were seen as “flying saucers.” Science fiction tales added to our ideas about the possibilities.

The overactive imaginations of many people sometimes added bizarre additional beliefs to the incidents, such as humans being snatched up by superior beings and being experimented upon. Rumors flourished and fostered conspiracy theories. UFO sightings were romanticized and taken out of context. Many people became convinced that the government had positive evidence of encounters with UFOs, but was suppressing the information, for various security and secretive reasons.

Pressure mounted. This spring the US government finally conceded to release a report that would contain what it knew about what was now being called Unexplained Aerial Phenomena (UAP). For months the public conjectured about what might be revealed in the report. No more government secrets—the truth about celestial visitors would finally be known! Who are these aliens? Should we fear them? Should we greet them in peace or prepare for battle? Maybe the government will finally show us pieces of crashed space craft, so we can marvel at the advanced technology. Once and for all, we’ll know the truth!

Well, the report came out in June, and was a major let-down for many people. There is no physical evidence. There were no answers that satisfied curious citizens. There were no detailed photographs of any flying craft. There were no explanations for most of the sightings—just descriptions of radar contacts and multiple sightings of the same

phenomena, in a few cases. It was fascinating, but there were no great revelations. The report mostly—and disappointingly for many people—confessed to the government's continued ignorance of UAPs.

I was not surprised at the report. I feel that if the government had any hard evidence, it would long ago have leaked to the public. Moreover, too many of what were once considered to be actual encounters with alien spacecraft have been, upon careful investigation, shown to be explained by weather balloons, bizarre optical illusions, natural phenomena such as forms of lightning, etc. Conspiracy buffs, however, remain convinced that the government is holding back, and it may well be, to some extent, but we still don’t know. It is similar to the conviction that some people have—that the moon landings were faked by NASA and no opposing evidence will dissuade them.

More UFOs next time…