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Volume 12: Number 2: Article 1
Research Report: Physical Evidence Related to UFO Reports
P. A. Sturrock, et al., Varian 302G, Stanford University,
Stanford, CA 94305-4060
The purpose of this four-day workshop was to review purported physical
evidence associated with UFO reports, with a view to assessing whether
the further acquisition and investigation of such evidence is likely
to help solve the UFO problem, namely the determination of the cause
or causes of these reports.
Seven UFO investigators presented a variety of physical evidence that
they claimed was associated with UFO reports: photographic evidence;
luminosity estimates; radar evidence; interference with automobile functioning;
interference with aircraft equipment; apparent gravitational or inertial
effects; ground traces; injuries to vegetation; physiological effects
on witnesses; and analysis of debris. There was in addition a presentation
of investigations into recurrent phenomena that occur in the Hessdalen
Valley in Norway.
A review panel was composed of nine scientists of diverse expertise
and interests. The panel offered comments and criticisms concerning
the investigations that were presented, and also prepared a summary
of their overall response, with the following key elements:
- Concerning the case material presented by the investigators, the panel concluded that a few reported incidents may have involved rare but significant phenomena such as electrical activity, but there was no convincing evidence pointing to unknown physical processes or to the involvement of extraterrestrial intelligence.
- The panel nevertheless concluded that it would be valuable to carefully evaluate UFO reports since, whenever there are unexplained observations, there is the possibility that scientists will learn something new by studying these observations.
- However, to be credible, such evaluations must take place with a spirit of objectivity and a willingness to evaluate rival hypotheses.
- The best prospect for achieving a meaningful evaluation of relevant hypotheses is likely
to come from the examination of physical evidence.
- The chances of a significant advance are considered to be greater
now than at the time of the Colorado Project that led to the Condon
Report thirty years ago, because of advances in scientific knowledge
and technical capabilities, and in view of the example of a modest
but effective UFO research project provided by the French space agency
CNES.
FULL TEXT:
Physical Evidence Related
to UFO Reports: The Proceedings of a Workshop Held at the Pocantico Conference
Center
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