Unidentified flying object

An unidentified flying object (UFO) is any object or phenomenon seen in the sky that has not yet been identified or explained. While the term is often associated with science fiction, it is a technical designation for any aerial anomaly. In recent years, many officials and scientists have shifted toward using the term Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). This newer term, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, is used to avoid the negative cultural associations linked to the word UFO. Despite various theories, most sightings are eventually identified as known objects or natural atmospheric events.

When investigators look into these reports, they follow a process of elimination to find the cause. Most sightings are eventually linked to ordinary objects or natural phenomena. These can include human technology like aircraft, drones, or satellites like the International Space Station. Many reports involve astronomical objects, such as bright stars, planets, or the Moon. Some sightings are caused by light phenomena, such as a Fata Morgana. A Fata Morgana is a type of mirage where objects below the horizon appear to hover in the sky.

Other sightings result from atmospheric or biological sources. For example, birds, clouds, dust, or even weather balloons can appear unusual in the sky. Even rocket launches can create strange visual effects, such as the twilight phenomenon seen during a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch.

Some reports are even attributed to psychological effects. These include optical illusions, hallucinations, or phenomena like pareidolia, where the brain perceives familiar shapes in random patterns. Research by Allan Hendry in 1979 suggested that fewer than one percent of cases were intentional hoaxes. Most were simply honest misidentifications caused by inexperience or misperception.

Humanity has recorded unusual aerial sights for thousands of years. In 240 BC, Chinese astronomers recorded Halley's Comet, which they sometimes viewed as a strange "guest light." In the 11th century, the scholar Shen Kuo recorded testimony about a bright object with opening doors. In the 16th century, woodcuts like the one showing the celestial phenomenon over Basel depicted strange sky spectacles.

In the late 1890s, the United States saw a wave of reports regarding "mystery airships." Some people even suspected Thomas Edison had created a flying artificial star, though Edison dismissed the reports as fakes. During World War II, pilots reported glowing fireballs known as "foo fighters," which were later explained by various scientific possibilities.

The modern terminology of UFOs began with the United States Air Force. In 1947, Captain Edward J. Ruppelt coined the acronym UFO. He argued that the popular term "flying saucer" was misleading because objects came in every conceivable shape. The term became widespread in the 1950s through technical literature and popular media.

During this era, the government conducted investigations such as Project Blue Book. While some groups, known as ufologists, claim these objects are extraterrestrial or from other dimensions, scientific evidence for such claims has not been found. Scientists often use critical thinking to investigate these claims, much like a detective solving a mystery.

Today, the study of these phenomena is handled by official government entities. The United States government uses two main groups for data collection and analysis. These are NASA's UAP independent study team and the Department of Defense All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. These organizations aim to provide scientific rigor to the study of anomalous objects. By collecting data, they hope to move beyond folklore and toward factual understanding. This work helps separate actual physical anomalies from mere stories or myths.

Understanding UFOs connects to several broader fields of study. Social scientists look at the interest in these objects as a form of modern folklore or mythology. This helps explain why these stories remain so popular in culture. Philosophers also study these phenomena through the lens of epistemology. Epistemology is the study of how we know what we know. When an object is seen but cannot be explained, it creates a challenge for our understanding of reality. This makes the study of the sky a way to explore both science and the human mind.