CondonReport
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Panel Review of the Condon Report
National Academy of Sciences / Sign Historical Group
A positive review and endorsement of the University of Colorado Report on UFOs (Condon Report). - The charge to the Panel was "to provide an independent assessment of the scope, methodology, and findings of the (University of Colorado) study as reflected in the (University's) Report."
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skepticsanalysis
Zen... and the Art of Debunkery
Daniel Drasin
What is "debunkery?" As intended here, it is the attempt to "debunk" (invalidate) new information and insight by substituting scient"istic" propaganda for scient"ific" method. To throw this kind of pseudoscientific behavior into bold--if somewhat comic--relief, I have assembled below a useful "how-to" guide for aspiring debunkers, with a special section devoted to debunking the UFO--perhaps the most aggressively debunked subject in the whole of modern history. As will be obvious to the reader, I have carried a few of these debunking strategies over the threshold of absurdity for the sake of making a point. R
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ProjectBlueBook
Project Blue Book 1951-1969
Michael Hall, Project Blue Book Research Center
Overview and history of the United States Air Force's Project Blue Book, the official study of UFOs.
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DrakeEquation
The Drake Equation
The Mysterious & Unexplained

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SETI
Smarter SETI Strategy
Nathan Cohen and Robert Hohlfeld
Why the world’s biggest search should rethink its strategy and why the first signal we hear will come from an extremely powerful civilization extremely far away. R
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skepticsanalysis
Closeminded Science
Examining the negative aspects of the social dynamics of science. Skepticism is a primary tool of science. We'd be hypocrites if we never directed a skeptical eye towards Scientific Skepticism itself.
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skepticsanalysis
The Logical Trickery of the UFO Skeptic
Brian Zeiler
Skeptics in the scientific community resist the evidence for extraterrestrial visitation because of the implications it raises and because of the questions it begs. But should the integrity of the determination rely on the implications of a positive classification? Or should the classification of true or false be assessed in isolation of the implications? Which is worse -- a false positive, meaning ruling in favor of the UFO as a unique phenomenon when in fact it does not exist, or a false negative, meaning ruling against it and missing out on its true existence? R
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skepticsanalysis
Prosaic Explanations: The Failure Of UFO Skepticism
Dr. Bruce Maccabee
Could some UFO sightings actually be manifestations of Other Intelligences (OIs) or Non-Human Intelligences (NHIs) such as extraterrestrials (ETs), visiting the earth and interacting with human beings? Or are all reports of such sightings simply mistakes, hoaxes, or dreams of the hopeful believers? It all comes down to explanation.
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skepticsanalysis
On Pseudo-Skepticism
Marcello Truzzi
Over the years, I have decried the misuse of the term "skeptic" when used to refer to all critics of anomaly claims. Alas, the label has been thus misapplied by both proponents and critics of the paranormal. Sometimes users of the term have distinguished between so-called "soft" versus "hard" skeptics, and I in part revived the term "zetetic" because of the term's misuse. But I now think the problems created go beyond mere terminology and matters need to be set right. Since "skepticism" properly refers to doubt rather than denial--nonbelief rather than belief--critics who take the negative rather than an agnostic position but still call themselves "skeptics" are actually pseudo-skeptics and have, I believed, gained a false advantage by usurping that label.
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The UFO Challenge
Stanton T. Friedman, Nuclear Physicist
"Debunkers seem to employ four major rules: A. What the public doesn't know, we certainly won't tell them. The largest official USAF UFO study isn't even mentioned in 12 anti-UFO books, though all the book authors were aware of it. B. Don't bother me with the facts, my mind is made up C. If one can't attack the data, attack the people. It is easier. D. Do one's research by proclamation rather than investigation.It is much easier, and nobody will know the difference anyway." R
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DrakeEquation
Drake Equation - Background Information
SETI Institute

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analysis
Comprehensive Assessment of the UFO/ETI Phenomenon
CSETI / Steven M. Greer, MD
A comprehensive analysis of the UFO phenomenon, as well as original research and experiences of members of the CSETI (Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence) CE-5 Initiative Working Group, has enabled us to make some specific conclusions about UFOs, Extraterrestrial Intelligence and their motives. The summation of this analysis, which follows, is intended to assist both groups and individuals in their efforts to understand this complex subject. We have recorded only those conclusions for which we have a high level of certainty.
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DrakeEquation
Drake Equation Calculator
SETI Institute

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CondonReport
The UFO Report: Condon Study Falls Short
Robert M. L. Baker Jr., Scientific Research, April 14, 1969
This half-million-dollar, 965-page report probably represents the ultimate case against the UFO "cult" – in fact, it was to be the last scientific word on that controversial subject. But, paradoxically, the report contains some evidence suggesting that the UFO phenomenon should be studied further.
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DrakeEquation
The Drake Equation
Life in the Universe

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SETI
SETI - The Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Life in the Universe

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DrakeEquation
Drake Equation
The Electronic Sky

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SETI
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence - SETI
NASA - edited by Philip Morrison, MIT, John Billingham and John Wolfe, NASA Ames

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DrakeEquation
The Drake Equation and Extraterrestrial Life, a Brief Overview
Peter Warrington, Manchester Astronomical Society
A number of the implications regarding the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence are discussed. The Drake equation is introduced and some values for the established parameters suggested, a further parameter is proposed. R
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SETI
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence: A Short History
Amir Alexander, The Planetary Society
Read about the scientific paper that launched the modern search for extraterrestrial intelligence, and about Project Ozma - the first radio search. Learn about support from NASA and opposition from Congress, the long years of waiting, and the tantalizing "Wow!" signal. Follow the visionaries and the skeptics, the dreamers and the realists, as they search for the holy grail that would change human history - contact with an alien civilization!
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analysis
The Case for the Extraterrestrial Origin of Flying Saucers (PDF)
Stanton T. Friedman, Nuclear Physicist
Careful review of the vast array of relevant evidence clearly leads to the conclusion that some unidentified flying objects are intelligently controlled vehicles whose origin is outside our solar system. All the arguments against the extraterrestrial origin seem to be based upon false reasoning, misrepresentation of evidence, neglect of relevant information, ignorance of relevant technology, or pseudo sophisticated assumptions about alien appearance, motivation, or government secrecy.
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analysis
UFOs - Delusion or Dilemma
Berthold Eric Schwarz, M.D., Medical Times, Oct. 1968
Four examples of allegedly close contact with UFOs are presented. Possible physical, physiological, and psychic reactions are explored. The question fo the validity of the data, and the evaluation of psychodynamic factors operating in fact versus fantasy, is discussed. It is felt that the objective details fo the reported UFO experiences are essentially real, and neither fantasized nor dereistic.
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DrakeEquation
The Chance of Finding Aliens
Alan M. MacRobert and Govert Schilling
In 1961 the Drake Equation put the search for alien civilizations on a scientific footing and launched the modern SETI movement. How do its numbers look today? What is the chance of finding aliens? R
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Chronological Catalog Of Interesting UFO Sightings
Mark Cashman, The Temporal Doorway
These are selected cases of general interest or historical value, from the Temporal Doorway online database and catalog of UFO sightings, by Mark Cashman
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CondonReport
USAF-Sponsored Colorado Project for the Scientific Study of UFOs
Michael D. Swords, Ph.D., 1995 MUFON Symposium Proceedings
One of the most significant elements in the history of UFOlogy was the so-called Condon Project, centered at the University of Colorado in 1967-1968. This paper discusses the origin, methodological philosophy and overview of the research problem, the activities, results, and external impacts of this work. The paper finds a complex mix of personalities, attitudes, and theories enmeshed in political and social forces, which predestined the project's conclusions and crippled its ability to make any scientific contribution toward the solution of the UFO mystery. Its resultant impacts were nevertheless formidable, both negatively and positively.
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GeneralSightings
UFO Casebook: Project Blue Book Sighting Reports - Full Case Reports by Year
NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomenon), Francis Ridge
This selection of "UFO CASEBOOK" contains the Blue Book "Unknowns" and will soon provide the best links to these cases (where available). Appropriate additions to these and other Casebook files, in particular, those filed AFTER Blue Book closed down in December of 1969, will eventually be provided by reputable private researchers and official UFO organizations.
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GeneralSightings
The Project Bluebook 'Unknowns'
Don Berliner, FUFOR (NICAP website)
The unexplained UFO reports from the files of the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book UFO investigations. Compiled by Don Berliner, for the Fund for UFO Research. Contains the original 700 Project Bluebook 'Unknowns', i.e. UFO sightings and cases from Project Bluebook that remained 'unidentified' after investigation' (out of 12,000 cases). Includes brief summary descriptions of the sightings.
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GeneralSightings
Comprehensive Catalog of 1,500 Project Bluebook UFO Unknowns (Version 1.1) (PDF Format)
Brad Sparks
Contains an extensive listing of 1,500 UFO sightings and cases from the US Air Force Project Bluebook files that remained 'unknown' or 'unidentified' after investigation. This is out of a total of 12,000. The original number of 'unknowns' in Project Bluebook was approx. 700, however this author has compiled an extended listing of 'unknowns' higher than the 'official' and original number of 700 'unknowns'. This catalog by the author contains 1,500 'unknowns' from Bluebook.
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GeneralSightings
Chronological Catalog Of Interesting UFO Sightings
Mark Cashman, The Temporal Doorway
These are selected cases of general interest or historical value. From the Temporal Doorway online database / catalog by Mark Cashman. Approximately 800 cases listed here in this online database / catalog.
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GeneralSightings
National UFO Reporting Center Online Database
NUFORC, National UFO Reporting Center
Current UFO sightings reports reported to NUFORC, the National UFO Reporting Center, a leading source of current UFO sightings reports. NUFORC receives approx. 200-300 UFO sighting reports on its website every month. This is the index page for their online database of reports. This page provides links to view the reports sorted in several formats: by event date, by state, by shape of ufo, and by date posted. These are actual raw ufo reports as submitted to NUFORC. Each report contains a brief description, as well as a link to a full written description of the sighting as reported by the witness.
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