Think #39 03 октября 1999

UFO - UFO: Questions and Answers (Part 3).

           UFO: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


(C) Victor Romanchenko, Ukraine, Sumy, 1997
 On materials UFO organization

               KUFOS (USA)

> Do you use computers for study
UFO?

Many UFO reports are stored in a computer database with a name 
UFOKAT. 

The database was started by Dr. David
Sanders, as part of the project by Condon
study of UFOs in the University of Colorado at
60-ies. Records were kept Sanders and center KUFOS until 1980. 
By the time UFOKAT consisted of 106,000 records. Draft

UFOKAT was "frozen" within ten
years and recently revived by Dr. Donald Johnson, a former 
colleague of Sanders and employee KUFOS. The database is sorted 
original way on the computer type "Mainframe". UFOKAT can now 
be used on an ordinary personal computer. Although the database 
lacks many cases since 1980, yet it is the world's largest 
repository of UFO reports and every effort is made to add

her as much as possible unrecorded cases.
UFOKAT has fields for recording information on
tens of parameters, including the date, place,
weather, the number of witnesses, the consequences for
witnesses, the type of UFO, its size and the tremendous 
maneuvers. The database does not contain narrative details. 
UFOKAT used by many serious researchers to study, for example, 
the trajectories of moving objects, time and message types. C 
computer system can be easily and quickly to any statistical 
study. Information is available from UFOKAT only for serious 
UFO researchers and students. 

> Do you use radar to monitor
UFO?

Although there are cases where a UFO recorded by radar, this 
technique is not suitable for practical use in ufology. Radars, 
including complex systems used by the Air Force and NORAD, has 
many deficiencies that limit their relevance to UFOlogy. UFO 
can fly too low, to be recorded by radar, or too

quickly, managing to appear on the radar screen
no more than a few strokes of the radar antenna. UFO, which 
moved unevenly, may be perceived difficult

computer system as a radar interference.
It is also possible that, because UFOs
may not return to the radar signal.
Despite the shortcomings of this technique in the search for 
UFOs, radar operator reported "Unusual movements in the air" in 
their business magazines, and the radar confirmation of UFO 
sightings can help check the message and clarify the physical

characteristics of UFOs. However, serious
problem for ufologists is that
tapes with radar recordings of movement in the airspace
stored for only two weeks and Computer
Print this information can be
very expensive.

Cases of "radar-visual observations"
very rare, but one such surveillance is more important to 
strengthen knowledge about the phenomenon of UFOs than dozens 
of reports of "night lights. "


> What kind of hypothesis, scientists are trying to explain a 
UFO? 

There are three common theories that attempt to explain UFOs. 
UFOs may be (1) creation of sentient beings, (2) unusual, but 
natural phenomenon, or (3) the outcome of human striving for

consolation or change belief systems.

(1) The most popular theory (especially in
America) believes that a UFO - a spacecraft built and operated
aliens from outer space. Some scientists reject the idea that 
this space ships, and speculate that UFOs are

be another type reasonably managed devices. These devices can 
generate holographic images, perceived by people as something 
inexplicable or may stimulate the nervous system to 
hallucinations, which are interpreted by witnesses as a real 
UFO. 

Another possibility - that people see
as a UFO, is a portal or wormhole connecting the different 
parts of our space-time continuum ispoluemye and intelligent 
beings to move between different points of space-time. Thus, 
most judgments about "sentient beings"

suggests that the mind that created the UFO
comes from outer space, others argue that
- From another dimension, or the Earth itself.
Some researchers believe that the secret group of scientists 
have developed a new technology based on modern scientific and 
technological progress. 

All of these ideas, including the theory about aliens from 
outer space do not yet have a definitive and unequivocal 
evidence. People Related skeptical to the existence of UFOs, 
often send their skepticism is precisely against this theory. 
They argue their point of view of the fact that

unimaginably large distances between
stars almost nullify the possibility of interstellar travel. 
These skeptics believe also that many different descriptions of 
UFOs and their occupants suggest that the Earth go to a lot of 
extraterrestrial civilizations or groups of newcomers, and 
believe that option is very maloeroyatnym. They also complement 
the aliens would not have confer privately with earthlings and 
would be announced on your presence more than the usual way.

Finally, skeptics point out that there is no hard evidence, 
such as the true picture or sample of the metal

UFO, which could prove their existence.

(2) The second theory claims that a UFO -
this unusual natural phenomenon. For example, the glowing balls 
are a manifestation of rare and not fully explainable 
phenomenon. Supporters of the theory of the Earth's energy 
"prove that geological stress the crust generate luminous balls 
of ionized gas, spewed into the atmosphere. They believe that 
the properties of the gas (plasma) can produce an unusual 
effect on people coming up close. Plasma can be

stimulate the nervous system of poozhdat vivid hallucinations, 
which can serve as the basis for the cases of kidnapping.


Opponents argue that the theory of the Earth
energy does not explain all the data. They believe that 
geological stress can not generate plasma with a size, shape 
and duration of surveillance reported a UFO. They also raise 
the question whether the hallucination based on electromagnetic 
induction to generate a consistent type of memories observed in 
the abductees. 

(3) The third theory suggests that the UFO
are the result of psychological or
sociological factors. Many scientists
especially those who are skeptical
to the existence of UFOs, uterzhdayut that all
observations of these objects - this is a mistake
identified by natural phenomena or
conventional aircraft. They say that these
errors - the result of ignorance sverhemotsionalnosti, mental 
illness, or witness the result of unusual weather conditions 
that adversely affect human perception.


Other researchers believe that
stress and turmoil in today's society people need to generate a 
"contact" with UFOs and extraterrestrials. They say that such a 
need is caused by the rejection of traditional values ​​and 
attitudes modern society, deprive a person of

aspirations and hopes. Through faith in UFOs
more technologically advanced aliens,
Some people try to satisfy their
need something that can help mankind solve its problems and 
understand the meaning of life and the universe. 

Arguments against this theory point out that
witnesses generally describe their observations
with a certain level of accuracy and consistency. Messages from 
UFO sverhemotsionalnyh people are rare and legkoraspoznavaemy. 
However, there are people who say that receive messages from 
alien beings, often in a trance state and through some "space" 
channels. These "messages" certainly do not come from UFO 
strangers, but from its own system of dogmatic beliefs 
"contactee". 

Each of the three theories has its own advantages and 
disadvantages. Because of the complexity and the complexity of 
the UFO phenomenon, all three can explain no more than a piece 
of the puzzle. Only further research and new information can 
help us solve the mystery of UFOs. 

> Is there intelligent life on other
planets?

The idea that UFOs are spacecraft makes it applicable to the 
question of ufology. While there are many fantastic stories 
about life on other planets, scientists are seeking intelligent 
life, mostly using radio telescopes tuned to detect radio 
signals of other technologically advanced civilizations. One of 
the first organized attempts to detect extraterrestrial 
civilizations was a project Ozma (named in honor of Queen of 
Oz), initiated by the U.S. astronomers Frank Drake. During

Project scopes have been configured to search
Signals from these sun-like stars,
as Tau Ceti and Epsilon Eridani. Although the signals that 
confirm the existence of extraterrestrial life has never been 
found, had provided valuable information about the universe. 
After the project Ozma taken and other attempts to detect 
extraterrestrial signals. One of the longest

projects took place in Ohio University.
In 1992, NASA started their own search
using the most modern equipment, capable to listen to many 
frequencies simultaneously.


Despite the lack of success in detecting signals from alien 
civilizations, most astronomers believe the possibility of life 
on other planets is very high. This conclusion is based on the 
Drake equation (compiled by Frank Drake) who conceived of it as 
a way to stimulate discussion about the search for 
extraterrestrial civilizations. In the equation that determines 
the possible number of technologically advanced civilizations,

used seven factors. These factors include the rate of 
production of new stars, the number of planets around stars

planets with favorable for the occurrence of
living environment, with the presence of planets
life, intelligent life, communities and civilizations.

Some scholars have also begun to speculate on the possibility 
that extraterrestrial civilizations have come into contact with 
each other, especially in areas with high density of the galaxy 
of stars. The activities of these highly space civilizations 
may be visible from Earth, which provides an additional 
incentive to scholars to their search. 

Some scientists reject the idea of ​​the existence of 
extraterrestrial life. This position is better all expressed 
approval of Enrico Fermi (So-called Fermi Paradox) that if

to extraterrestrial life existed in the universe, then they 
(the aliens) have already arrived to here. Then where are they? 
This argument, in essentially based on the fact that if 
extraterrestrial intelligent life sschestvuet, we must have 
proof of this, because that the age of the Earth would give 
aliens enough time to get here.

Of course, if somewhere else there are intelligent beings, many 
factors may hinder them in contact with us, or they may simply 
choose not to do so. But Yet surely there is a possibility that 
extraterrestrials have visited Earth. However, most scientists 
involved in Projects Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, 
is not shows interest in learning the information

UFO as an opportunity to test their
hypothesis.

> What to say to skeptics?

The study of the UFO phenomenon has nothing to do with 
religion. Serious ufologists are not trying to make people 
believe in UFOs. They trying to show that the UFO phenomenon, 
whatever it may be, deserves serious scientific study. Constant 
problem with faced by ufologists is

simply ignore the topic. Even well-educated skeptics - are 
often professors of colleges and universities - do not know of 
evidence in favor of a UFO on the thematic literature, history, 
government participation and civic studies, about details of 
significant cases. In fact, serious ufologists often have the 
best skeptics. They have significant knowledge about the pros 
and cons of studying UFO.


Skeptics often argue against the study of UFOs, based on 
assumptions rather not on evidence. They suggest

that the aliens can not go to Earth in
such large numbers, which show the UFO reports, or that people
UFO seen by certain religious or
emotional needs. Since scientists
not engaged in the study of UFOs, you can
suggest that lack of evidence.
Scientists usually study the issues that are academically 
eligible, have abundance of information and can attract funding 
from government and private sources.


Everyone who adheres to the skepticism
relative to the value of research in a UFO, can advise the 
following: 

* We have a serious and urgent
UFO literature.

* Learn about the UFO researchers and UFO organizations.

* See actual material.

* Study available information and do not confuse facts with 
conjecture. 

* Consider and research methods
the arguments of skeptics.

* Remember that the most honest and serious
skepticism requires an understanding of information
pressing scientific and social studies, world history mystery 
of UFOs. 


> How to become a UFO?

Does not exist any formal training to become a UFO. In fact,
UFOlogy - is not so much professional
career as a hobby. Most researchers working in this area on a 
voluntary basis. If you are seriously to the study of UFOs, you 
should read the serious literature on this topic. If you are 
studying or have studied at university, it is will greatly 
assist you in understanding the methodology of scientific work 
and in developing your critical thinking. Unable to advise any 
scientific discipline can be useful increasingly, humanitarian 
and technical as knowledge and prospects of any science can 
shed light on the mystery UFO phenomenon. Finally, you should 
try to meet other people interested in UFOs, and who may 
already involved in research and study UFO. They may have books 
with which you can learn, and practical experience

they can share.

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               THE END ...