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A
Brief History and Perspective on UFO Sightings and Investigations
It
has long been assumed by many, that the reported sightings of strange
pulsating lights, or unidentified flying objects (UFO) is a recent
phenomenon of the 20th Century. In reality, these sightings
have been occurring nearly throughout the history of man on earth.
Accounts have been recorded on stone in ancient times, and retold through
beautifully illustrated manuscripts from medieval times. Of course in
medieval times, one had to be very, very careful with such accountings as
to be spared from execution as a heretic.
In the mid 19th century the newspaper had become an important
method of timely communication, that could quickly reach thousands of
people. One of the earliest "journalistically reported" accounts
took place in July of 1868 in Copiago, Chile.
It was reported that a strange low flying device with bright lights, and a
strange metallic skin was observed by several hundred people in the
village.
Closer to home, on March 28, of 1897 it was reported that the majority of
the residents of Omaha, Nebraska observed a huge glowing object. The
object reportedly arrived slowly from the southeast and silently glided
over the city at such a low altitude that it attracted the attention of
nearly all of the residents, who gathered in the streets to watch it.
Causing quite a stir amongst the population, many thought it was indeed
the end of the world.
Today, we have many highly-detailed accounts of these strange sightings,
frequently backed-up with startling physical evidence. This physical
evidence ranges from photographic or video evidence, to recorded readings
from scientific instruments such as, radiation monitors, or radar. It has
also included physiological evidence such as unexplainable radiation-like
burns to the skin.
Accounts have been provided by people from all walks of life, and from
nearly every profession, such as law enforcement, commercial pilots,
military officers, and even the clergy. Even in this "enlightened
age," however, we have those who still refuse to believe or accept
that the universe could be home to intelligent beings, other than those
living on this little blue orb we call earth.
Many of the arguments against the existence of extraterrestrial life (in
my opinion) are based on simple fear, and close mindedness. Throughout the
centuries, "fear of the unknown" and those who had the power to
enforce "approved" or conventional wisdom (some would call that
control) have proven powerful impediments to the advancement of knowledge
and science.
Throughout the twentieth century, the incidents of reported UFO phenomenon
have increased dramatically, and from all corners of the world. In recent
years national governments have taken on a new awareness and in many cases
have established programs to track, monitor, and investigate such
occurrences.
For
example, in 1947 the United States established "Project Blue
Book" headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Over
a period of 22 years "Project Blue Book" investigated a total of
12,618 sighting reports. Most of the alleged UFO sightings were
rationalized or explained as natural phenomena, or misidentification of
aircraft, in some cases the witnesses were simply discredited.
During the 1950’s and through the 60’s "Cold War Period" a
"Conspiratorial" environment evolved, and all such reported
sightings were treated as matters of "National Security" with a
very tight "Top Secret" classification applied to the program.
This thick veil of secrecy created the huge conspiracy controversies and
speculations of the Roswell, New Mexico crash site, the operational UFO’s
at "Area 51", and the Alien morgue at Wright-Patterson AFB in
Ohio.
Under
political and budgetary pressure, and accusations of conspiracy to
withhold critical security and scientific information from the tax paying
public and mainstream science, the government modified the role of the Air
Force.
In 1969 the Air Force decommissioned "Project Blue Book" and of
the 12,618 UFO sightings investigated, 701 remain unidentified, and
unexplained. The reason sited by the Air Force for suspending the program
were:
-
No UFO reported, investigated and evaluated by the Air Force ever indicated a threat to national security.
-
There was no evidence submitted to or discovered by the Air Force that sightings categorized as "unidentified" represented technological developments or principles beyond the range of modern scientific knowledge.
-
There was no evidence indicating that sightings categorized as "unidentified" were extraterrestrial vehicles.
For
years many independent researchers, scientists, law enforcement officials,
and private citizens have contended that the Air Force conspired with
other government agencies and officials to conceal, cover-up, discredit or
dismiss credible accounts and tangible evidence of actual extraterrestrial
UFO encounters. Could be . . . only a select few individuals will
ever know.
For
your review however, I present several reported and investigated UFO
encounters that can’t be dismissed
or easily explained away.
.
_______
The Case for
Extraterrestrial Life
The Mathematics
The Radio Astronomy
The Chemistry
Unusual Organisms
Fossils from Space
Cydonia
and the
Face on Mars
Controversy
UFO Sightings
and Investigations
- Historical
Perspective
Cases that can't be dismissed
- The Shag Harbor Incident
Recommended Book:
Voyage
to Mars:
NASA's Search for Life Beyond Earth
Project
Blue Book Records:
Since
the termination of the program, several seemingly credible witnesses and
other involved parties, claim that much of the documented or physical
evidence of UFO sightings has been destroyed. True or not, the
"official" Project Blue Book files, are available for review by the
public, through the Freedom of Information Act. Reports can be accessed at
the National Archives and Records Service.
The official position of the Air Force, is that UFO investigation is now
in the hands of the Scientific Community and the interested armature
researcher.
What's
Next?
While the charter for investigating the UFO phenomenon was removed from
the United States Air Force, it would be extremely naive to believe that
the United States Government hasn’t switched the charter for
investigation and research to another, super "Top Secret," and super
technical agency.
(I only offer this speculation as an ex-associate of the NSA)
Consider
also, that the United States Government has systematically scaled back its
top secret aircraft research and operations at Groom Lake in Nevada (Area
51), to the point that today, the base is virtually closed. Case
closed? Questions of secret UFO aircraft answered? They don't exist?
Well
I guess it all depends on how gullible or naive you're willing to be.
More
Conspiracy Theory?
Not
really. You just need to consider what motivates our Government. It
boils down to two related concepts.
1.) National Security and stability.
When it comes to super advanced
technology, especially when it
translates into advanced weapons
technology, we want it. (better us
then the "bad guys!) I've got no
issues with that motive. And if our
allies happen to include a few
extraterrestrials, so be it.
2.) Economic stability and advantage.
Again, when it comes to super
advanced technologies, especially
when it translates into advanced
manufacturing, communications,
aeronautical, or pharmaceutical
technology, we want it. (still . . .
better us then the "bad guys!)
Like it or not, there are still too many "Evil Empires" on this
earth who still desire to enslave and control nations based on ancient
ideals . . . that BTW always translate back to the greed and desire
for power of an individual ruler or a so called religious
leader.
Editorial Comment on Government Agency UFO Findings, Conclusions, and Actions:
It
is quite curious that the United States Air Force, an agency of the United
States Government, concluded by 1969 that there was no evidence indicating
that "unidentified" extraterrestrial vehicles exist. (Could the
key phrase here be "unidentified?")
It is equally curious (and quite thought provoking) that in 1972 and 1973
NASA launched two deep space probes, that were designed to travel to the
ends of our solar system. These probes, the Pioneer 10, and the Pioneer 11
both carried a rather interesting piece of cargo. Bolted to each of the
spacecraft is a gold anodized plaque that carries a special message. On
the plaque is an engraving of a man and woman, who stand before an outline
of the spacecraft. The man's hand is raised in a gesture of good will. The
physical makeup of the man and woman were determined from results of a
computerized analysis of the average person in our civilization.
The key to translating the plaque lies in understanding the breakdown of the most common element in the universe, hydrogen. This element is illustrated in the left-hand corner of the plaque in schematic form showing the hyperfine transition of neutral atomic hydrogen. It is assumed that anyone from a scientifically educated civilization having enough knowledge of hydrogen would be able to translate the message.
After 30 years of the flight mission, and hitting speeds as high as 108,000 miles per hour, the Pioneer deep space probes are now over 7.5 billion miles from the earth. Imagine what the next 30 years has in store for those vehicles and their special messages.