The question of “Alien Visitations to Earth,” is now considered valid and is worthy of further scientific study, according to Kevin Knuth, Associate Professor of Physics, University at Albany, State University of New York. He recently published a June 28,2018 article on The Conversation about this very topic.
This query of alien visitation stems from a broader question that asks whether we humans are alone in the universe.
An answer in the affirmative presents a sad and rather depressing thought, not to mention the utter loneliness of being the only life in this vast universe.
If the answer is that we are definitely not alone, and that we are just a small part of a vast intergalactic neighborhood teaming with life, then our reaction would range from absolute glee to extreme horror.
Let’s talk about alien visitations…
Is it impossible for extraterrestrials to visit us here on Earth? We are relatively new to the game of space travel, so we tend to equate our current lack of ability to other possible alien civilizations… ” if we can’t do it, then it’s impossible for them too.”
Possible alien response to that statement would probably be with eye rolls, “Primitive amateurs!”
Since the dawn of civilization, people reported to have seen something odd in the sky at one time or another. From the Romans seeing a burning shield, to Ezekiel’s observation of a craft that had the characteristics of a wheel, in the middle of a wheel, or the sighting of mysterious airships floating over 19th Century San Francisco. All of those early accounts of unknowns in the skies could be easily explained away as a misunderstanding of normal meteorological or celestial occurrence. But, there’s possibly no logical explanation as well.
In the post-World War 2 years, there was a sudden technological boom in aerospace and computers due to a competition with our new enemy, the Soviets. Sightings of unknown objects in the sky were on the rise, and a new term was coined by a businessman and pilot, Kenneth Arnold, “Flying Saucers,” because he reported spotting a group of unknown craft zooming over Mt. Rainer in Washington state which resembled saucers skipping across water.
In 1953, the United States Air Force (USAF) decided to coin the term UFO as a catch-all for any report of unknown aerial objects performing any maneuver, including, standing stock-still in the sky.
When someone mentions the term, UFO, most people automatically think of alien space pilots on sight-seeing tours, hovering over our cities, and abducting earthlings to study.
UFO means Unidentified Flying Object, which is a far cry from alien spacecraft.
During those early years, the USAF officially began investigating UFOs through various studies starting with Project Sign in 1948, and ending with Project Blue Book which ceased operations in December 1969, stating that UFOs were not a Treat to National Security and there was no correlation to an extraterrestrial intelligence.
Although there are governments in other nations who are officially investigating UFOs, like France, Germany and the UK. Project Blue Book was the last official US government study investigating UFOs. Since then, investigation of the UFO phenomenon was handled through civilian organizations like NICAP, APRO, and MUFON.
Was 1969 the last time our United States Government officially investigated UFOs? Well, no.
In late 2017, it was reported in the New York Times that back in 2007, the Department of Defense had revealed that $22 million out of their $600 million budget was spent on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was formed to study UFOs. It was run by a Pentagon official, Luis Elizondo, who eventually quit his leader role in the program due to lack of funding and to also protest the extreme secrecy that was placed on the investigations.
Also, in late 2017, three videos were released by the Pentagon of UFO encounters captured with forward-looking infrared cameras mounted on F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets.
Such disclosures energizes those of us who believe that there should more scrutiny to such claims, especially when it involves professionals in aviation. But is it enough to prove the existence of extraterrestrials?
The late Carl Sagan once said this about the possibility of extraterrestrials visiting Earth, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
What that statement means to me is that you as an eyewitness can claim to see a UFO, that ultimately turns out to be an actual alien spacecraft. You could actually meet an extraterrestrial, and have an exchange of ideas and you filled them in on Game of Thrones. Then you end the meeting with a few selfies with your new Alien BFFLs, would not be enough to ultimately prove the ETs are visiting Earth.
If we can’t rely on the government for the answers or the proof, then it’s time for a change. Who will tackle this issue? Who will find the answers to a subject that has been perplexing us for generations?
After his resignation from the AATI, Luis Elizondo joined the To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science, a study of UFOs and space travel with was founded by former Blink-182 band member Tom DeLonge, a group of scientists, aerospace engineers and others who will explore the outer edge of science” and technology.
Hopefully, there will be some serious scientific study, soon.
Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He is also the editor, producer and administrator of STM Daily News, a part of the TNC Network.
