Unidentified flying objects or UFOs refer to spacecrafts that are not readily identifiable. Strange sky apparitions have been reported throughout history. Some were identified overtime as bright meteors, comets, or other atmospheric phenomena. However, others were still unexplained and are simply tagged as Unidentified Flying Objects.
After World War II, there were many reported sightings in the United States. One businessman named Kenneth Arnold claimed that on June 1947 he saw nine flying objects across Washington sky. He later described them as ‘flying like saucers” that gave way to terms flying disk and flying saucers.
This was quickly followed by several sightings in the United States and other countries. However, the one that stood out the most was a sighting reported by a crew of United Airlines who claimed that they saw the same 9 flying saucers supporting Kenneth Arnold’s sighting.
These reported sightings have immediately caught media attention and the government became more concerned. After a month of the initial sighting, the US government conducted an investigation about flying saucers. The investigation proved that reported sightings were real and there were indeed flying objects. Technical and intelligence divisions of the US air force supported these findings. These investigations led to the creation of “Project Blue Book” to further study and understand flying saucers.
It was in 1952 when the term flying saucer was officially replaced with UFO or unidentified flying objects to reflect the sightings diversity. In 1954, the director of project blue book issued a statement formally defining UFO as any airborne flying objects that has aerodynamic characteristics and unusual features and doesn't conform to known missile or aircraft types. It also means objects that aren't presently known or can't be identified positively as familiar objects. UFOs were later categorized based on their features: Categories include:
1. Objects that rapidly change route and have fast moving lights.
2. Disk-shaped objects that don't have audible or visible propulsion.
3. Large triangular objects that have the same light pattern.
4. Cigar-shaped objects that have lighted windows.
Aside from visual sightings, UFOs were associated with physical evidence. The most popular evidence was landing traces or ground impressions. Experts believe that UFOs leave burned or desiccated soil with metallic traces.
Today, there are still UFO sightings throughout the world that continue to amaze all kinds of people. Until they are identified or come in contact with experts, they will remain Unidentified Flying objects.
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