UFOs – What Are They?

A very good question. For those who don’t know much about this subject it is worth acquainting yourself with a few of the more recent cases, because things have moved on a bit in the last few years. UFO sighting are on the increase, and it is accepted that it is no longer a question of whether they exist, more ‘what are they?’. So put down your Caribbean Cruise brochure, turn off the phone and think for a moment about a topic that most people dismiss as a joke. Nothing could be further from the truth, and it’s happening all over the world.

Logical Explanations

To be clear, UFOs are unidentified flying objects, and not all of them are inexplicable. In many, many instances there could be a terrestrial or anomalous explanation for thing that people see in the sky. The recent fashion for Chinese Lanterns has confused a lot of people, for example. And a few weeks ago air force personnel carrying flares parachuted onto a football game, causing a mass of reports across the city.

Unsolved Mystery

Rational explanations don’t explain all the sightings. Some defy explanation by the military and scientists. They’re not hoaxes, they’re not faked, or publicity stunts. There is something unexplained going on in the sky which cannot be identified. And that is of concern to governments and the military, as some of them take an unhealthy interest in nuclear weaponry.

The most common type of sighting is of ‘orbs’. These can best be described as balls of light, which can be seen flying around in the sky, sometimes alone, sometimes in a group, and sometimes witnessed being ejected from a larger craft. These UFOs seem almost playful as they dart around in the air, dancing with each other, disappearing and reappearing at will. Orbs are so common that some people see them several times a week, and film them so often they have given up doing so due to the repetitive nature of the footage. Some theorists think orbs are balls of energy, although they seem to act intelligently, with sudden reverses of direction and unbelievable bursts of speed.

Other craft are more exotic in appearance - more ‘nuts and bolts’. These are the classic craft, disc shaped, with lights and startlingly high turns of speed. Many people have captured these craft on film, and again, their existence can no longer be questioned. With the advent of camcorders and mobile phones it is easier than ever to catch footage, and this is perhaps the single most important factor in the rise in good quality footage, and wider awareness of the phenomenon.

Whistle-blowers

Another new aspect of modern Ufology is the increasing number of experts and officials who are willing to go on record to talk about the role of the US government in covering up what they know about UFOs. As these men and women are getting older, they are pricked by their consciences and unhappy about how the government has behaved towards those who tell the truth. Mentioning UFOs when you are in the military is frowned upon, and seen as a threat to the furtherance of your career. The issue is considered Top Secret, and many military personnel have found themselves under pressure, or threatened, for speaking about what they have been told to cover up. The Whistle-blowers are now testifying about information that they were party to whilst they were working for the military, describing their work with captured craft and actual aliens, information about the existence of other worldly civilisations that has been kept from the population by government, and the silencing of witnesses. There have been some shocking cases of whistle-blowers being found dead, murdered, or suddenly committing suicide for no reason. It’s a murky world when the intelligence agencies become involved.

Disclosure

Despite intimidation there are a determined group of highly intelligent and well-qualified witnesses who are pushing for ‘Disclosure’, as it is known. They are trying to bring political pressure to bear on government to tell what it knows, as the people of the world have a right to know. Governments are afraid to tell what they know, according to the Disclosure Movement, in case it causes panic and public order problems. It would also mean they would have to explain why they have been covering up the truth for so long. Whether the Disclosure Movement will have success remains to be seen. But they have gathered together enough sane and reputable professionals willing to testify to what they have seen and done to be a credible force for change.

Abductions

Some people report that alien craft contain beings who visit them regularly, and that they are friendly. Other people have reported a totally different scenario. The abduction phenomenon is highly strange, but again, it is widely reported and the distress of those who have experienced it is very real. In some instances there is scarring or marks left on the body of the abductee. Some have found minute pieces of metal inside them, which are revealed by XRays. A Harvard Psychiatrist called John Mack spent a great deal of time researching this phenomenon and concluded that abductees had indeed experienced something that could not be classified as anything other than real. He too died in an accident whilst on holiday.

Further reading

If you are interested in learning more about Ufology there are a number of places to look online. There are some compelling videos to see on You Tube, including the Phoenix Lights, The Tether Incident, Spiral UFOs and the more recent spate of highly strange clouds and ‘ring’ UFOs. There are some videos that are clearly faked and you will get used to spotting those. But in amongst the hoaxes is some truly bizarre footage. If you like a more balanced approach, try a lecture by historian and academic Richard Dolan, who is extremely measured in his analysis.

It’s worth keeping your eyes on the skies - you never know if you’ll be the one who spots the first invasion!

Images

Phoenix Lights – witnessed by thousands

Still from The Tether Incident – NASA

Disclosure Project Press Conference

Alien