In this page we will offer a very basic, very brief selection of UFO news
(there are several UFO-sites which are committed to providing up-to-the-minute coverage of UFO events around the world. Some are listed in the blogs and portals pages.
Or you can subscribe to the aggregated RSS feed of UFO news I use myself (via any RSS reader e.g. MyYahoo, GoogleReader, MSIE7 etc).
A selection of UFO-related info which caught my attention:
Humor / ridicule of the alien abduction and cattle mutilation phenomena (some might find them offensive):
13-May-2008: UK National Archives (TNA) to release the first batch of UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) UFO documents at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ufos on 14-May-2008 (sneak preview, as this news item has been embargoed sofar and will be announced later today in BBC2). On 14-May-2008, british newspaper Telegraph reported on the UK UFO files release (I like go over reader comments): more
The aliens were considered to frequent areas in which water sources were more prevalent. During the wet season when water sources increased, so too did the number of reported UFO sightings. Once the rains began each year, Warlpiri residents cautioned Aboriginal people from other regions as well as non-Aboriginal people not to drive at night, lest they encounter a UFO. A group of Aboriginal people from Darwin chose to spend the night along the road instead of driving to the community after the sun set. In the dry season, UFOs are also seen but often in areas with permanent water sources. South of the community lies a region known for its hills, which collect water in several rock pools. The number of encounters were higher here because, as Mark (33), a Warlpiri man, commented, 'the aliens want [water]. There is a lot of [water] in [the region]'. UFOs were usually portrayed as spaceships inhabited by beings in search of water, who were interested in little else.
Back in Oct-2007, I started investigating the idea that at least some UFO occupants are water-dwelling / amphibian beings and also tie it with folklore and mythology around the world. More in my UFO occupants page.
13-Nov-2007: The "UFO Close Encounters" event on 12-Nov-2007 at the prestigious National Press Club at Washington DC was organized and run very well. "Only accredited journalists were present, and each official or witness (14 men from 7 different countries) spoke to their personal experience concerning a craft whose origin could not be explained by anomalous weather, local military activity, flares, or commercial flight." nice recap @ bijanc blog, AFP newspiece and CNN's rather superficial reporting on the event:
20-Oct-2007: In the UFO occupants page, we're investigating the possible parallels between the "reptilian" (amphibian?) beings of the Caponi, Italy 1993 / Varginha, Brazil 1996 CE3 cases and the amphibian beings of various mythologies and folklore (Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Japan, China etc): "Oannes", Nommos, Kappas etc
While adjusting the focus of the scope on 29-Apr-2007 10:52pm, Italian astronomer Alberto Mayer at Busto Arsizio, spotted and tracked on video an Unidentified Object. More at his homepage and complete movie and data for downloading. After many discussion and calculations (helped by a professional astronomer and by professional meteorologists) the "ufo" could be a balloon (perhaps an old Mogul balloon that hasn't come down yet? ;-) floating approx 6000 meters high.
The object motion: the object does move (floating in the air), but its true motion relative to the observer is different than the motion relative to the Moon, because the Moon has its apparent motion too and Alberto's telescope was tracking the moon motion. So it is needed to subtract the lunar motion in order to get the real path of the object. Alberto and helpers did it and noticed that the spectacular inversion of direction didn't exist: the object moves always in the same direction.
A research project on the UFO phenomenon is proposed in which UFO targets are treated on a par with astronomical objects having no fixed coordinates. Specifically oriented monitoring techniques and strategies involving small telescopes which are connected to CCD detectors, spectrographs and photon-counting photometers are presented. Expected exposure-times for acquiring a good S/N ratio of the target using all the proposed instruments is also evaluated. Finally, physical informations which are expected to come out from data analysis are presented and discussed in detail.
Related #2:
Fast Moving Lunar Phenomena
By: Alexey V. Arkhipov, Institute of Radio Astronomy, Kharkov
Reprinted from the "Strolling Astronomer", Feb 1997
Volume 39, Number 3
Abstract
From time to time reports have appeared in the literature describing fast- moving objects (FMOs) moving across or near the lunar surface. Typically, these take the form of either light or dark spots, with apparent velocities of 0*.001-0*.1/sec. and a duration under one minute. We have evaluated the hypothesis that such phenomena are of terrestrial origin and only appear projected against the Moon by chance. Statistical analysis, however, reveals a significant excess of sightings in the Mare Imbrium area relative to the Mare Nectaris-Foecinditatis area. These unexpected results, as well as the trajectory angle of some of these objects, imply that FMOs may be of lunar origin. Clearly, further systematic patrols are warranted.
2-Sep-2007: Intriguing night-time video of alleged triangle, filmed on 24-Aug-2007 over Hoeillart, Belgium: video-1, video-2. Authenticity is always an issue (any modern video can be a CGI hoax) and no named witness reports sofar, but nevertheless it resembles a common type of "black triangle": 3 white lights at each corner of the triangle and a blinking red light in the middle, which has been described in 100s of sighting reports all over the world (most famously again over Belgium 17 YEARS ago, seen by 1000s, see the old video -in Italian-):
Related: NIDS Investigations of the Flying Triangle Enigma (Aug-2004)
1-Sep-2007: Dr. Claude Poher (Ph.D. astronomy) was the founder and during 1974-1978 the director of GEPAN, the French government's UFO investigative office under CNES (National Center for Space Sciences, French equivalent of NASA).
Taking into account the facts that we have gathered from the observers and from the location of their observations, we concluded that there generally can be said to be a material phenomenon behind the observations. In 60% of the cases reported here, the description of this phenomenon is apparently one of a flying machine whose origin, modes of lifting and/or propulsion are totally outside our knowledge." -- GEPAN Report to the Scientific Committee, June, 1978, Vol 1, Chapter 4 more
He kept studying the UFO subject for the past 30yr and he he recently announced at his website www.universons.com that he has achieved experimental confirmation of his theories:
"Effectively, in January 2006, based on my Universons theory, I invented several types of emitters of an anisotropic flux of Universons. According to my theory, such a flux is a gravitational field. This means that, since January 2006, I know how to create artificially such a (gravitational) field."
26-Aug-2007 NON-UFO: An unprecedented disaster, almost 200 wildfires started in 2 days here in Greece (ESA satellite data), mainly in Peloponnese and island Evia. Possibly due to arson. Aided by strong winds, fires decimated forests, burned down whole villages and caused over 50 deaths.
Fires reached ancient Olympia, where the Olympic Flame is lit and transported to whereever the Olympic Games are held. Reports: BBC, Bloomberg. This site is in northern Greece, so no danger, but great sadness for the catastrophe. Fires also affected Internet links on Saturday.
14-Aug-2007: Science Daily: Recent probes inside comets show it is overwhelmingly likely that life began in space than on earth, according to a new paper by Cardiff University scientists, strengthening the case for "panspermia" - more
13-Aug-2007: MUFON 2007 Symposium. One of the most controversial topics covered at the Symposium was Brad Sparks' presentation on the origins of MJ-12, revealing new information that calls into question the MJ-12 documents. MJ12 paper by Brad Sparks (.PDF)
27-Jul-2007: Update on the O'Hare Nov-2006 UFO incident. (If you're not familiar with the case, on 7-Nov-2006 4:40PM a grey lenticular disk-shaped UFO -described like an "M&M candy"- estimated ~20ft diameter, hovered low above Gate 17 at the Chicago O'Hare airport for several minutes. When it departed shooting up through the clouds, it left a circular "hole" in the clouds (HIC) above, through which sunlight came down. The UFO was observed by 17 witnesses, pilots and ground personell of United Airlines. Read NUFORC report or watch the video of CNN reporting on O'Hare Chicago airport UFO case). NARCAP released its report:
"This investigation has determined that, based upon the testimony of multiple eye witnesses in different locations at O'Hare International Airport, a small physical, and apparently solid object hovered over the United Airlines concourse area for at least ten minutes or more but was not detected either by radar or visually by air traffic controllers in the tower. For this reason the object is considered a definite potential threat to flight operations at O'Hare."
"We postulate that the instantaneous nature of the HIC (ed: hole in clouds) formation, the circular shape, and its sharp edges all point to the direct emission of, for example, electromagnetic radiation from the surface of the oblate spheroid as the proximate cause of the HIC. We cannot identify the object or phenomenon lying inside the oblate spheroid surface, but two conclusions seem inescapable: 1) the object or phenomenon observed would have to have been something objectively and externally real to create the HIC effect; and, 2) the HIC phenomenon associated with this object cannot be explained by either conventional weather phenomena or conventional aerospace craft, whether acknowledged or unacknowledged."
-- NARCAP's Full Report 152 pages (.PDF) Size 5.6MBytes
13-Jul-2007: CNN Larry King Live "Are UFOs Real?" with guests: Ufologist Stanton Friedman (nuclear physicist), Jesse Marcel Jr M.D. (a flight-surgeon who in 2005 at age 68 was called back from reserve and served 1yr in Iraq and who as 11yr old in 1947 handled the Roswell debris brought home by his father, the intelligence officer of 509 atomic bomb group), professional skeptic (publisher of Skeptic Magazine) Michael Schermer, PhD (in History of Science), former Arizona Governor Fife Symington, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and others
Read draft transcript
8-Jul-2007: ABC World News delivered a disappointing segment on UFOs (text report), and in particular, the 60yr Roswell anniversary and the 5yr edition of "Out of the Blue" UFO documentary. On the positive side, they aired several UFO clips from the documentary during the segment, exposing the subject to a large audience:
6-Jul-2007: Fox News Picks Up on the "ET Ticket" Bassett was interviewed on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" morning show (who unsuprisingly ridiculed the subject), about the US Presidential candidate who will do disclosure. He thinks Hillary Clinton and Bill Richardson are the best choices.
26-Jun-2007: Probable independant confirmation of Tremonton 2-Jul-1952 UFO fleet event by Jimmie Robinson (B.S., U. of Arizona 1953. Physicist, White Sands Missile Range, NM 1954-55. Asst. Astronomer, New Mexico St. University, 1955-1974; Systems Analyst, WSMR 1976-1988) more
"Among a fringe community of paranoids, aluminum helmets serve as the protective measure of choice against invasive radio signals. We investigate the efficacy of three aluminum helmet designs on a sample group of four individuals. Although on average all helmets attenuate invasive radio frequencies, certain frequencies are in fact greatly amplified. These amplified frequencies coincide with radio bands reserved for government use according to the FCC. Statistical evidence suggests the use of helmets may in fact enhance the government's invasive abilities. We speculate that the government may in fact have started the helmet craze for this reason."
26-Jun-2007: Latest on Roswell UFO crash 1947 - Lt. Walter G. Haut, Roswell base public information officer (who wrote the statement which made world headlines on 8-Jul-1947, that a "flying disk" is in possession of the US Army) had left a sealed, notarized affidavit to be opened after his death. In it, Haut testifies that he saw the crashed craft at Roswell (egg-shaped 12-15ft long, 6ft high -- NOT a classic round flying saucer) & alien bodies (short 4ft) as well as handling the strange debris more
25-Jun-2007: Interview with one of the pilots who on 23-Apr-2007 spotted two UFOs over Guernsey, Channel Islands UK (more in case-file) at British TV's Channel 4.
Short background: Pilots and aircraft passengers confirmed sightings of two large UFOs off the coast of Guernsey, Channel islands, Southern England, UK. The mysterious shapes were described as long objects that measured up to a mile wide. Both pilots filed reports with Civil Aviation Authority. Recent FOIA request to CAA confirms that "ATC observed a primary target on radar" (ref: CAA FOIA reply .PDF).
In the TV interview, Aurigny Airlines captain Ray Bowyer, 50, describes what he thought to be a UFO as 'an elongated brilliant yellow object, emmitting light, with a graphite grey section 2/3rds in the middle'. He watched it for 12min (with naked eye as well as with 10x binoculars) and radar confirmation from 2 stations, as "traces" was reportedly picked up on 2 radars for 55min.
The pilot's drawing and description of the objects from his initial report: "Bright yellow, thin, stationary. Size of Boeing 737 aircraft (ed: he later realised that it must have been much larger, up to a mile long). Second object same shape, seen behind first at some distance":
The pilot was shown some photos and thought the UFO he saw was similar with the Holloman AirForce Base, New Mexico 1957 case.
Ella Louise Fortune, who worked as a nurse at the Mescalero Indian Reservation near Three Rivers, New Mexico, took this picture while driving along Highway 54 at about 1:30 PM on 16 October 1957. The UFO was hovering motionless over Holloman Air Force Base. (over-exposure resulted in this "blob of light" effect)
A photo is circulating, but sofar no evidence that would link the photo to the Channel Islands sightings:
13-Jun-2007: Formation of 6 disks seen and photographed over Pleasanton, California USA more
13-Jun-2007: Remembering Dr. James E. McDonald (May 7, 1920 - June 13, 1971): on 13-Jun-1971, Dr. James E. McDonald, noted atmospheric physicist (past head of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona) and UFO researcher, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head, a suicide.
McDonald did a presentation about the UFO issue, before the Committee on Science and Astronautics of US Congress July-1968 (alternate source). In part, he stated his opinion that "UFOs are entirely real and we do not know what they are, because we have laughed them out of court. The possibility that these are extraterrestrial devices, that we are dealing with surveillance from some advanced technology, is a possibility I take very seriously." (Clark, 368). A principled and courageous scientist.
12-Jun-2007 A better SETI?ESA takes steps toward quantum communications A team of European scientists has proved within an ESA study that the weird quantum effect called 'entanglement' remains intact over a distance of 144 kilometres.
25-May-2007: UFO sighting Bournemouth U.K. Orange lights dancing in the night sky moved in formation, coming and going in waves. Dorset police confirmed they had received 'a few' calls and suggested it could possibly be a meteor shower. They are discounting the possibility of a military cause because, they say, the services inform them if they are conducting exercises at night in the area. report, video
7-May-2007: Chad drone - photos of bizzare "flying cross" UFO drones (see photos at the end of this page), are a computer graphics CGI hoax. Note: nowadays photorealistic 3D rendering of still-images and even video is perfect. Graphics experts (e.g. MUFON Report on Chad's silent "flying cross" drone) have concluded it was a computer-generated hoax. Note that the object in these 4 photos has similarities with the "flying cross" UFO sightings e.g. in Dorset UK 1967:
"One of the most detailed reports, which may explain other "flying cross" sightings, took place at South Dorset, on 26-Oct-1967. It was about 11:30 a.m. when former RAF intelligence officer J. B. W. 'Angus' Brooks observed a circular object with one long thin projection in front and three together at the rear. The strange device flew near Brooks, he reported, then stopped. As it hovered, two of the rear arms swung to the sides making a cross shape. After hovering about 22 minutes, the UFO swung the two arms back to the rear and climbed rapidly into the sky. This is one of six similar reports from England, forwarded by NICAP investigator Julian Hennessey of London"
Source:
ufologie, project1947:
A UFO-cross was seen by two British policemen in 1967:
So even as a CGI hoaxer, "Chad" has studied the fine print of UFO literature, of sightings which happened 40 years ago.
The complete story and photos of "flying cross" at C2C Website. Apparently the original "Chad drone" has given ideas to other folks and so the Internet was flooded with videos and still pictures of similar "silent drones", elaborate stories (Isaac CARET) about how the "drones" were developed and how they work etc. Several UFO-websites consider these stories genuine and are covering this subject. In my opinion, Chad drones and Isaac CARET are CGI hoaxes and fictional.
30-Apr-2007: British MoD (Ministry of Defence) have decided to release their archive of 7,000 UFO reports made to the Defence Intelligence Staff covering a period of 30 years. UFO Reports 1999-2006 in the UK
27-Apr-2007: Keep an eye for the latest UFO documentary "Best Evidence: Top ten UFO sightings" by Paul Kimball, which premieres on 10-May-2007 9pm EST on on Canada's "Space" channel. Updates at its blog
22-Mar-2007: The official French UFO archives (first 350 of the total of ~1650 cases) have been put online at www.cnes-geipan.fr. Their Website crashed 2hr after launch, due to too many visitors and remained mostly unreachable for over a week. Website in French language. Case files presented geographically, per region. Of interest are the "D"-category ("unexplained despite good data") case-files. Most are of police records of witness statements. The obvious, such as a separate list of photographic "D"-type cases, is missing. All info is in .PDF files e.g. www.cnes-geipan.fr/documents/1995307881-472-95-R.pdf. Overall a great initiative, so-so implementation but good enough for government work. IMHO most people should wait a few days until private UFO organisations filter and re-publish the material in more usable form (this page will provide a list of direct URLs for all .PDFs soon). Btw FWIW, two former heads of the official UFO study group in France from 1977 to 2004, Poher and Velasco, have both -after retirement- expressed their personal opinion that UFOs are real.
26-Aug-2007 NON-UFO: An unprecedented disaster, almost 200 wildfires started in 2 days here in Greece (ESA satellite data), mainly in Peloponnese and island Evia. Possibly due to arson. Aided by strong winds, fires decimated forests, burned down whole villages and caused over 50 deaths.
Fires reached ancient Olympia, where the Olympic Flame is lit and transported to whereever the Olympic Games are held. Reports: BBC, Bloomberg. This site is in northern Greece, so no danger, but great sadness for the catastrophe. Fires also affected Internet links on Saturday.
13-Jun-2007: Remembering Dr. James E. McDonald (May 7, 1920 - June 13, 1971): on 13-Jun-1971, Dr. James E. McDonald, noted atmospheric physicist (past head of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona) and UFO researcher, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head, a suicide.
McDonald did a presentation about the UFO issue, before the Committee on Science and Astronautics of US Congress July-1968 (alternate source). In part, he stated his opinion that "UFOs are entirely real and we do not know what they are, because we have laughed them out of court. The possibility that these are extraterrestrial devices, that we are dealing with surveillance from some advanced technology, is a possibility I take very seriously." (Clark, 368). A principled and courageous scientist.
