Page 15 - june_july_2009.qxd

15 UFOs - A Challenge to Science 15 UFOs - A Challenge to Science UFOs - A Challenge to saucers. The evidence gathered by the Air sociology--applied the scientific method to the UFOs - A Challenge to Force--which was determined to "explain away" study of this controversial topic. Mainstream Science the phenomenon--changed Dr. Hynek from a The scientists analyzed photographs, Mainstream Science UFO skeptic to one of the world's leading radar evidence, physical traces of UFOs, scientific experts on the UFO phenomenon. Any witness credibility and psychology, natural Continued from Page 14 scientific investigation of UFOs must include phenomena often misidentified by layman as Continued from Page 14 the study of Hynek's books The UFO UFOs, popular belief in UFOs and the role of In other words, there is scarcely a place Experience, The Edge of Reality and The the mass media in the phenomenon. It should be on Earth that UFOs have not been witnessed Hynek UFO Report. It is crucial to keep in mind clear to any scientist reading this book that and reported by reliable people. The best that, although Dr. Hynek became aware of the UFOs are a serious subject and that most major available evidence for scientists to ponder dishonesty and duplicity of the Air Force in its questions about them remain unanswered. comes from every corner of the world. UFO-related efforts, it was the physical Richard M. Hall is the editor of The Scientists should be particularly impressed by evidence that caused Dr. Hynek to make a UFO Evidence, a report put out in 1964 by the the evidence presented by the following radical turn from a UFO debunker to a UFO National Investigations Committee on Aerial professionals: scholar. Phenomena (NICAP). This volume is valuable Even the work of Dr. Edward U. both historically and in terms of useful scientific Astronomers Condon, a man who had prejudged the UFO information. NICAP focused its research efforts Astronauts and Cosmonauts phenomenon and determined the results of his on credible reports from qualified witnesses that Aeronautical engineers investigation before he began it, provides showed strong, identifiable patterns and Air traffic controllers scientific evidence supporting the belief that consistencies in the data from one source to Airline, military and private pilots UFOs are a real phenomenon worthy of another. Later scientific investigations have Civil defense and ground corps scientific inquiry. Dr. Condon was confirmed the findings of this 1964 report and observers commissioned by the U.S. Air Force to study contributed important new information as well. Government officials UFOs. The official goal was to understand the The UFO Evidence, a reference that has been Military personnel other than pilots phenomenon. The unofficial goal was to wipe cited in nearly every major study of UFOs in the Police officers UFOs off the public radar screen once and for past four decades, is an important summary of Professors of engineering, physics, all. On January 8, 1969, "The Final Report of the evidence of UFO reality compiled in the space science the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying early days of the "modern era" of UFO studies. Professional photographers (still, Objects," conducted by the University of It provides scientists with sample cases that motion picture and video) Colorado, under contract to the United States show general features of UFO reports; cases Radar operators Air Force, was released. Dr. Condon was the indicating that UFOs are intelligently scientific director. controlled; reports of sightings by Air Force The reports made by numerous credible, The results of the report were used by pilots, navigators, and other personnel; trained men and women have provided a wealth the Air Force as its justification to close Project observations by airline, military and private of "hard data" that scientists can analyze with Blue Book and end its official involvement with pilots; reports from professional scientists, known instrumentation and procedures. In UFOs. Ina press release that accompanied the engineers, astronomers and aeronautical addition, scientists can review studies of such complete 900-plus page report, Dr. Condon engineers; as well as police officers and credible data that have already been completed by claimed that the evidence suggested that UFOs civilians. In addition, the report contains reputable scientists. Two recent examples are were not worthy of scientific inquiry, that evidence relating to the electro-magnetic effects described briefly below. nothing of further value would come from such of UFOs, radar cases, physical and physiologic If a serious study of the physical an effort. The media only looked at the press effects of UFOs, photographic and acoustical evidence relating to the UFO phenomenon-- release, not the actual report, accepted Dr. evidence; statistical analyses of patterns of UFO such as the one conducted by Peter A. Sturrock Condon's claims at face value, and trumpeted maneuvers, appearance, flight characteristics and his colleagues and described in the book them worldwide. It seemed the scientific case and recurrent observations; and details about The UFO Enigma: A New Review of the was closed. many other important aspects of this Physical Evidence--were conducted by However, serious scientists, such as phenomenon. The UFO Evidence makes a scientists, it would not only raise the level of the David R. Saunders (co-Principal Investigator of strong case for both the reality of UFOs and the debate but also encourage more scientists to the Condon Committee), Stanton Friedman, great value of a scientific study of the study the phenomenon, develop and test new Peter A. Sturrock and others have noticed major phenomenon. ideas, and draw their own conclusions. This discrepancies between what the press release In December 1995, the Center for UFO could not help but advance our knowledge of said was in the report and what was actually in Studies (CUFOS); the Fund for UFO Research this perplexing phenomenon. Sturrock provides the report. For example, the press release stated (FUFOR); and the Mutual UFO Network convincing evidence that the UFO phenomenon that only a few percent of cases investigated (MUFON) produced an exciting and important is accessible to scientific analysis and that it remained unsolved, whereas, in fact, about 30 publication, Briefing Document on Unidentified merits and warrants scientific study. percent of the cases investigated remained Flying Objects: The Best Available Evidence. In the book, Unconventional Flying unexplained. This is a very high figure indeed, Although it presents only the tip of the iceberg Objects: A Scientific Analysis, Paul R. Hill, a one suggesting the need for further scientific when it comes to the scientific and military well-respected NASA scientist, has put the UFO study. In addition, a reading of the text of the evidence available worldwide concerning phenomenon to just the kind of rigorous report clearly shows that UFOs present a UFOs, this publication is especially valuable to scientific scrutiny that the phenomenon significant challenge to contemporary science. scientists because it offers readers the most demands. His research shows that UFOs "obey, Even the work of a determined debunker such carefully documented information available. not defy, the laws of physics." Dr. Hill has as Dr. Condon revealed that the UFO reported on the basic science and technology phenomenon is in urgent need of scientific Continued on Page 16 that is at the heart of the near-miraculous evaluation and comprehension. performance capabilities that witnesses describe Carl Sagan was the co-editor, along with UFOs as possessing. In precise detail, Dr. Hill Thornton Page, a professor of astronomy and shows how the descriptions of UFO behavior, NASA research associate, of a very useful book made by credible witnesses, are in accord with for scientists intrigued by the UFO what we know about physics. Serious scientists phenomenon, UFOs: A Scientific Debate. The cannot ignore Dr. Hill's important work. book is the result of the proceedings of the Dr. J. Allen Hynek, PhD, a highly American Association for the Advancement of respected astronomer, was for years the leading Science. Scientists with divergent views from Air Force consultant for Project Blue Book, the different disciplines--e.g., astronomy, physics, official U.S. Air Force investigation of flying meteorology, psychiatry, psychology,