An Introduction to the UFO Phenomenon
From the unknown to government surveillance… what are UFOs, and just how many are there?
UFO, flying saucers, aliens, and extraterrestrial are all terms that are likely to turn away the average person. They’re buzzwords that seem overwhelming initially, but hopefully, after reading the forthcoming articles, you’ll start viewing them through a more rational lens. As for me? I’ve been fascinated by the UFO phenomena for a long time. This passion is something I’ve kept a secret for a long time now due to fear of ridicule by friends and family. Still, considering all the disclosure efforts over the last few years, I’m witnessing the world begin viewing the topic with less stigma. That’s a day I very much look forward to.
A UFO, defined as an “Unidentified Flying Object”, refers to an aerial phenomenon that eyewitnesses cannot identify or explain. As of January 2023, the United States government continues to receive numerous reports of UFO sightings, flooding government records. These sightings, coupled with the numerous sightings throughout history, have led to the academic field of Ufology being taken more seriously. Ufology is the study of UFOs and other unidentified aerial phenomena with the goal of better understanding their nature and origins, and has become a topic of interest for researchers and enthusiasts alike.
As a research field, Ufology encompasses the study of various phenomena, including UFO sightings, encounters, crop circles, and alleged alien abductions. Ufologists employ a variety of scientific and investigative methods, including eyewitness testimony, photographic and video evidence, and radar and satellite data analysis, to study and analyse UFO reports. Through this research, the field of ufology aims to understand the nature of UFOs and their possible extraterrestrial origins, as well as their potential impact on human society and culture.
Don’t be alarmed by the usage of the word “extraterrestrial”, the term ‘UFO’ doesn’t always refer to “aliens from outer space” as the term “UFO” can refer to various aerial phenomena. A popular theory suggests that many sightings could be attributed to government surveillance drones, or experimental military technology. Many believe that world militaries have technology that transcends our current understanding of science and physics, while many others believe that UFOs are extraterrestrial beings. Despite the debate surrounding their origins, there is no denying that UFOs are real.
Due to numerous sightings from soldiers, sailors, and pilots, the United States Air Force launched Project Blue Book in 1952 to collect and analyse UFO reports. The U.S. weren’t alone in this, as the Soviet Union established their own version called ‘Institute 22” in 1972 for the same reasons. The existence of UFOs is widely recognized by world governments, but the question of what they are remains a mystery.
Project Blue Book was terminated in 1969, and Institute 22 was dissolved in 1992 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. By the end of Project Blue Book there were over 10,000 UFO reports, many of which were unexplained.
Types of UFOs
There are several different types of UFOs that have been reported over the years, including saucers or discs, cigar-shaped objects, triangular or boomerang-shaped craft, and even orbs or spheres. Some UFO sightings can be explained as natural phenomena or man-made objects, while others remain a mystery.
While each UFO listed here will get its own article, here’s a quick summary on the different crafts that have been frequently observed over the years.
Flying Saucers
Probably the most iconic imagery of a UFO comes in the shape of a flying saucer. It’s what many associate the term “UFO” or “Unidentified Flying Object” with, and it’s possibly the most famous type of UFO out there.
These objects are typically described as round or saucer-shaped with a dome on top and are often metallic or reflective in appearance. Many have reported that they can move at high speeds and make sudden stops and turns, and manoeuvr in ways unknown to modern science. The term “flying saucer” was first used in 1947 by a pilot who reported seeing several disk-shaped objects flying in formation over Mount Rainier, Washington.
Tic Tac UFOs
Tic Tac UFOs are a type of unidentified flying object (UFO) that have been witnessed by people all over the world. According to witnesses, similar to flying saucers, Tic Tac UFOs are said to be able to travel at incredible speeds, halt abruptly, and make sharp turns without any apparent means of propulsion. As well as the impossible manoeuvrability, Tic Tacs have also been said to go from standby hovers, to speeds over 1,000mph in a matter of seconds, which is scientifically impossible to achieve. These items were given the name “tic tac” because of how much they resembled the well-known mints. Tic Tac UFOs continue to be a focus of interest and research in the realm of ufology even though their origins and nature are not fully understood.
Triangle UFOs
One of the most interesting types of UFO, is the triangle shaped craft that have appeared numerous times over the years. These objects are typically described as large, triangular-shaped craft with lights at each corner. Witnesses have reported that they are often silent and move at low speeds, hovering or slowly gliding over urban and rural areas. Some have reported seeing smaller objects, such as spheres or orbs, flying in formation with the triangle UFOs.
While there’s been many sightings of these vessels over the years, the most noteworthy sighting comes from Phoenix Arizona, in 1997. The event titled “The Phoenix Lights” was witnessed by thousands of people, and is considered one of the largest mass sightings of a UFO in history. This event will be getting its own article in the future, due to how significant it was. The Phoenix Lights, to this day, are still unexplained.
Sphere UFOs
In recent years, the Sphere UFOs have been mass sighted across many regions in the world. These objects are quite literally spheres, with witnesses describing them as small, metallic spheres with no visible markings or means of propulsion. An interesting point to note, is that these objects are usually seen around military bases, nuclear bases, or active war zones. Now that adds to the theory that these are terrestrial surveillance drones operated by an unknown nation with the intention to monitor and observe their allies, or adversaries. To me, this theory seems quite likely.
What I’ll be discussing
Over the next few weeks I’ll be publishing weekly articles on the topic of UFOs. These posts will range from major sightings and encounters, different noteworthy figures in ufology, to the history of UFOs dating back thousands of years. Ufology is a passionate subject of mine, so I’m excited to explore this topic with anyone who’s interested.
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