Unidentified Flying Objects are witnessed by millions of people all over the world each year. They are captured on film, video and in the memories of numerous eye-witnesses every single day. Thousands of investigators with a wide variety of scientific and technical backgrounds pour over this evidence with a fine-toothed comb searching for that one irrefutable bit of proof that will answer once and for all the question of whether or not the Earth is being visited by technologically advanced other-worldly beings. In spite of all of the evidence that has been gathered over the years, that question still remains unanswered.
One reason is because of the dubious nature of the evidence itself. Cameras, whether they be stills or video, are remarkably good at capturing a visual image of an event, but the details and clarity of that image are dependent upon the skill of the person holding the camera. Photos or videos that are blurred, shaky, out-of-focus, or pointed at the ground do little to help identify an object in the sky. Another drawback to photographic images is that they do not capture many of the other aspects of a UFO experience. Thoughts, sounds, smells, feelings, emotions, and the reaction of other things in the immediate environment can all play a part in helping an investigator to determine whether an unidentified object can ultimately be identified. Most of these details can only be acquired from eye-witness testimony, and unfortunately, eye-witnesses are notoriously unreliable.
Most people who suddenly find themselves confronted by an unknown object zipping across the sky do not have a clue what to do. They usually get excited and run around in little circles yelling and screaming about UFOs and making general fools of themselves. This is one of the reasons why many UFO witnesses lack credibility. Incoherent testimony given by some babbling, over-excited, wide-eyed witness do little to help the public's perception of the ufological community. This is also one of the reasons why it is so difficult to identify what many of these flying objects really are. It is hard to make good observations when running around in little circles.
This very thing happened to one of my good friends who looked out his bedroom window one night and was stunned to see a flying saucer hovering just above his back yard. He immediately panicked and ran amok through the house looking for a place to hide. After a few moments had passed his curiosity got the better of him and he crawled out from underneath his bed to find that the object, whatever it was, had vanished. This incident, while making a fantastic story to tell his future grand-kids, is of little use to a ufologist simply because there was little to no information to base an investigation on. Describing a UFO as being dark, covered with cobwebs, and resembling the bottom of a bed does little to help an investigator. Likewise, finding a three-week-old moldy piece of pizza does not qualify as the discovery of an alien life-form.
Since most people are not serious investigators, and since the average person does not have a clue what details are important to take note of during a sighting, I have come up with a list of ten tips to help UFO witnesses make the most of a potentially out-of-this-world experience. This is just a general guideline and is by no means meant to be a comprehensive discourse on ufological procedures. Following these tips will not automatically make a person a serious ufologist, but it may help an investigator identify what might otherwise have remained an unidentified flying object. Each case that is solved helps to bring us all one step closer to the truth.
1. Don't Panic
The first, foremost, and most important rule of all when spotting a UFO is to remain calm. In other words, do not panic and run around in circles like a lunatic. This does not do anybody any good. Getting excited and losing control of oneself is a good way to insure that an unidentified object will remain unidentified forever. In order to have a chance at identifying the object a person must take charge of the situation and maintain control over their thought processes. In other words, remain calm...focus...breath.
Most UFOs are actually just misidentifications of common celestial objects so there is no reason to become hysterical while witnessing one of them. Venus, meteors, aircraft, birds, bats, balloons and the debunker's favorite, swamp gas, have all been mistaken for flying saucers or alien space craft. A person would feel mighty silly if they became hysterical over something that turned out to be nothing more than a child's party balloon.
If it turns out that the UFO is an alien space craft then there is still no reason to panic. It is unlikely that an extraterrestrial race would be hostile, and if they are then panicking is not likely to do any good. If they have the technology to travel millions of miles through space to get here then they can probably find a person even if they are hiding under the bed. That does not mean you should stand out the open or walk directly under a hovering craft, just do not lose your cool trying to get out of the area. You are more likely to get hurt running madly away than by staying calm.
2. Check the Time
There are several reasons why a UFO witness should look at a clock or watch and keep track of the time during the sighting. First is to determine exactly when the sighting occurred so it can be cross-checked and matched up to other witnesses who may have seen the same thing. It is also helpful to know the duration that the event lasted. This might help an investigator determine what the object was. For instance, weather balloons hang around in the sky for a long period of time while swamp gas burns up very quickly. A meteor may streak from one horizon to the next in just a few seconds while a flying saucer may hover over your backyard for several minutes. Knowing how long the object was in sight can be a big help.
The other main reason why a witness should keep an eye on the clock is to check for "missing time." This is a phenomenon commonly associated with UFO sightings, and is especially prevalent in abduction reports. A person may look at the clock, then see a UFO, and five minutes later they check the time again to find that several hours have passed! What happens during that missing time is a mystery, and many skeptics argue that the time is not missing at all but caused by people who are just not paying attention and underestimate how much time has elapsed. This is why it is important to keep track of exactly how many minutes goes by.
3. Take Pictures or Videos
This is one of the most obvious things for a UFO witness to do but many people totally forget, so allow me to remind them. If you see a UFO...take a picture of it! You would be surprised at how many people overlook that one simple little thing. They either stand their totally transfixed by the unbelievable sight they are seeing, or they run around in little circles like a lunatic screaming madly about UFOs and flying saucers. Only later, after the flying object has flown away do they remember the camera that they had been holding in their hands the entire time.
This does not mean you should leave the scene of the sighting in order to go looking for a camera. It is better to have a detailed description of the UFO with no photo, than to have a photo with no description. Both would be ideal, so if a camera is readily at hand be sure to use it.
There are many different types of cameras available--film, digital, and video of both varieties. The best to use is a film camera because the photos come out sharper and with more clarity, and if any question of the photo's legitimacy should arise, the negative can be examined for signs of trickery.
Digital cameras are more popular in the modern era where practically everybody carries a camera, lap top or cell phone that is capable of taking photos. One of the main problems with digital cameras, aside from their generally poor resolution, is that it is very easy for a digital photo to be faked. Just about anybody with even mediocre computer skills could create a convincing photographic hoax, and unfortunately, many people do. Having to waste time wading through a bunch of phony photos is one of the most aggravating problems an investigator can face.
Video cameras can also be used to document a UFO sighting, and they can provide much more information than a still camera is able to show. The sound of the object, its movement, and the reaction of other people or animals in the immediate vicinity can all be documented with video. One of the main problems encountered when filming with video is camera-shake. People have a tendency to get excited when encountering an unidentified object and as a result they lose their composure. Their heart beats faster, the adrenaline starts pumping, and in some cases they run around in little circles yelling and screaming about UFOs and flying saucers. If they are holding a video camera in their hand at the time the camera will be moving just as much as they are. Hold the camera still, rest it on something, preferably a professional tripod. The more still the camera is the more detailed the images will be. This tip applies to still cameras also. Just try to take the best photo or video you possibly can.
If no camera is available a drawing or sketch might suffice instead. In fact, one private UFO investigator said that in some cases a drawing may actually be preferable to a photo. A drawing not only can depict an image of the UFO, it can also provide clues to the emotional state the witness was in at the time of the sighting, as well as showing their interpretation of what they thought they were seeing. This is especially valuable if more than one witness is present at the scene so that comparisons can be made between them. In any case, whether it be a hand-made sketch, photo or video, it is good to have some type of image to look at.
4. Make Detailed Observations
While I picture may be worth a thousand words there are some things that a photograph just can not portray. Sound, for instance, or smell or feelings. All of these may be just as important, if not more so than a photograph or video. In order to solve an unsolved mystery an investigator needs as many clues as he or she can possibly get. This is why it is important to make detailed observations of all the different aspects of a UFO encounter.
How high was the object? Which direction was it heading? How fast was it moving? The more questions you ask yourself at the time of the sighting, the more answers you will be able to give later on.
Which way was the wind blowing? This may not be something that would be at the forefront of your mind while viewing an unknown object, but it may help to distinguish between a legitimate UFO and a more familiar object like our old buddy the weather balloon. If the object is moving against the wind than it is almost certainly not a balloon!
Other questions you might ask are in regard to how the environment responded to the UFO. Did dogs bark? Did animals run away? Did the grass or trees move abnormally? Was there lightning or thunder? An increase in wind? Even the most insignificant detail could become important later on.
Also, do not forget your own role in the unfolding of your UFO drama. How did you feel during the encounter? Did your hair stand on end? Were you afraid? Did your skin tingle or burn? Did you feel warm or cold? Many of these things could simply be caused by the excitement of the situation but you will never know unless you ask. And you never know what an investigator may ask you.
When it comes to gathering information it is a good idea to keep in mind a simple little rule...it is better to have too much than not enough.
5. Check For Electrical interference
This is a simple but often overlooked detail. Many UFO witnesses report a disruption in their electronic devices in the presence of an unidentified object. The radio will fade out or shut off completely, car engines will die, battery-powered devices will quit working. Usually power is restored once the UFO leaves the scene.
The best way to check to see if there is any type of electrical disruption is pretty obvious...just turn on whatever electronic devices you have and see what happens. If you are near a radio, turn it on. If you are wearing a watch, take a look at it to see if it has stopped. If there is some type of electrical interference, especially if multiple devices are involved, you can be pretty certain that you are dealing with something out of the ordinary.
6. Call Somebody
If you see a UFO one thing you might want to consider doing is to call somebody. This does not mean you should start yelling and screaming for help. Remember rule number one...do not panic. The type of call you should make is a phone call, preferably to someone you know who lives in the area, and ask them if they can see the UFO also. Two witnesses are always better than one, and having somebody there to verify your story might save you a trip to the loony bin.
When you call, ask your buddy to describe what he is seeing to you so you can verify that you are looking at the same thing. It wouldn't do much good for one witness to be looking at a mile-wide triangular-shaped alien space craft while the other witness is looking at Venus. What you want is corroboration rather than an argument. Just consider your phone friend a backup in case your memory isn't as good as it used to be.
7. Do Not Approach
If you are having a close encounter, whether it is with ET or a ball of light in the sky, you might be tempted to get closer to it to get a better look, or to make contact with what may potentially be visiting alien beings. This may not be a wise thing to do, for a variety of reasons.
Many times things that are reported as UFOs are actually naturally occurring phenomenon, but some of these can potentially be dangerous. Ball lightning for instance may look like a big ball of light in the sky, possibly following power lines or cars, and moving in what seems to be an intelligently controlled manner. It is still lightning though and it can produce a powerful electric charge. I can assure you that the last thing you want is to get zapped by a ball of lightning.
Another thing that might potentially be dangerous is the skeptic's old standby, swamp gas. According to some UFO debunkers methane gas can rise up out of a swampy area and somehow ignite producing a glowing colored flame. If true, it could potentially burn an unsuspecting witness. Personally, I don't believe there is such a thing as swamp gas. If the skeptics are going to debunk UFOs than I am going to be skeptical of swamp gas. Where is the proof? Where is the evidence? Still, it might be a good idea to keep your distance just in case.
Hypothetically speaking let us assume that a UFO really is a space craft from another planet and is filled with extraterrestrial beings. Would you really want to rush out and stand underneath it? Have you ever seen the movie Fire in the sky which was based on the experiences of a guy named Travis Walton. He saw a UFO, got out of his pickup and walked underneath it, and disappeared for five days. Judging by what he claims to remember about the incident he is lucky he is still alive and here on Earth.
Thousands of people have reported being abducted by aliens and some of the things they reportedly have experienced are not at all pleasant. And what if the beings are out hunting or on a search and destroy mission? Any innocent bystander could easily end up being their next victim so it is best to not be standing too close, innocently or otherwise. That does not mean you should run away and panic. If an alien race has the ability to travel gazillions of light-years through space than they probably have the capability to find you, no matter where you try to hide. Just don't make yourself an easy target.
Even if the beings are friendly I still would not recommend getting too close to their craft. People have reportedly been injured by doing so. There have been reports of radiation sickness and burns, as well as brain damage, blindness, nerve damage and nausea. Just as a precaution I would advise maintaining a little distance. If the beings want to make contact then let them come to you. Remember, safety first!
8. Get Contact Info
If there are any other witnesses in the area try to get their contact information. A name, address and telephone number would be good, and an email address might be beneficial too. Anything that can help an investigator get in touch with these people later on would be very helpful. It is best to have as many witnesses as possible to help provide details about the incident. The more info, the merrier the investigator will be.
9. Report The Sighting
Okay, you have spotted a UFO, you checked for missing time, you took photos and you made such detailed observations you even counted the number of leaves on the trees. You checked for electrical interference and you called your best buddy who saw the unidentified whatever-it-was too. You even wrote down the contact info of everybody within a two mile radius, including a cute little red-head who just happened to be passing by and didn't even know how to spell UFO. Now what do you do? That's an easy question. You report it to an investigator.
MUFON is probably the most obvious place to file a report. The Mutual UFO network is the largest civilian UFO investigative agency in the world, and even though their reputation has suffered in recent years due to improper management there are still some good investigators there who would be more than willing to take your report. Don't expect to get a lot of feedback from them though. MUFON is notorious for hoarding information. That is one of the most frequent complaints that people have about them and it is one of the things that drives a lot of people away. Even so, in spite of the negative reputation they have acquired, MUFON is still one of the best UFO investigative agencies around.
The National UFO Reporting Center is another good place to file a report. They keep a data base of all the reports that come into them, however, in spite of their long name they are actually a very small operation. NUFORC doesn't really investigate many cases themselves but they do share some of their more interesting finds with private investigators and it is possible they might be able to put you in touch with a good one.
Personally, I think the private UFO investigator is probably one of the best choices when it comes to conducting an investigation...assuming that you can find a good one. People who conduct investigations on their own are doing something that they are truly passionate about doing, and they can bring to an investigation a little more personal attention than you might get from a large organization. Just make sure you find a competent investigator, preferably somebody with an established reputation. The UFO community unfortunately does have its share of flakes and oddballs.
Other official agencies with which you might consider filing a report are the police and the military, especially the Air Force. It is doubtful that they will conduct any type of an investigation, but they will at least keep a record of the report, and if enough people call in to report something sooner or later even these big government beaurocracies will take notice.
Something else you might want to do when reporting a sighting is to get involved with various internet forums or websites. The more people you tell about your sighting or experience the more people will take notice of it, and the better the chance that somebody will look into it and possibly solve it. If nothing else, at least the information will be out there for other people to see.
Internet forums are a very good place to talk about your sightings. There are many forums that specialize in UFOs, like Open Minds Forum and UFO Casebook. The Edge of Reality deals with UFOs as well as other types of paranormal phenomenon and is a good place to connect with others who may have had similar experiences. The people at these forums will be more than happy to listen to your experiences and offer advice.
10. Keep in Touch
Okay, you reported your sighting to an investigator who dutifully took down all of the information you gave him and promised to conduct a thurough investigation. Now what do you do?
Remain in contact. It is important that you stay in touch with the investigator just in case you have other experiences later on, or you remember more details about the first experience. Any additional details you can think of may prove to be a big help in the investigation.
Another reason you want to stay in contact with the investigator is to stay informed about the results of the investigation. Don't just give somebody all of your info and let them dissappear and never tell you anything about what they discovered. An investigation is a two-way street. You have just as much right to know the details of your experience as any investigator does. Don't let them stonewall you and refuse to share info that they may have discovered about your case. This unfortunately, is what MUFON is infamous for. They have a very bad habit of refusing to release information. If somebody tries to do this to you then I would suggest finding another investigator.
Nobody has more of a right to know the details of your experience than you. After all, you are the witness and it is your experience. An investigator should be there to help you just as much as you are there to help them. The ultimate goal should be finding an explanation for what happened.
Witnessing an unidentified flying object can be a profound, life-altering experience. Whether or not your UFO riddle is ever solved may determine what type of effect it has on you. It could be either positive or negative, large or small, profound or trite. The amount of time and effort you put into an investigation may determine the amount of satisfaction you get out of it.
Just remember, it is your experience...if you follow all of these helpful tips hopefully it will be a positive one.
