I seen a UFO last night.

[Lissa]

The Earth is, at most recent estimates, 4.54 billion years old. The oldest stars in the Milky Way are estimated to be around 13.4 billion years old. If you look at how much mankind has achieved technology-wise in just 200 years, I think it's entirely feasible that some life form has technology our brains can't even begin to conceive at this stage of our development.

Whether they are visiting Earth or not, who knows, but given how many more billions of years they may have had to develop interstellar travel, popping to Earth for a nose around may be no more difficult for them than us hopping on a plane to visit another continent.

 

[Famine]

The Earth is, at most recent estimates, 4.54 billion years old. The oldest stars in the Milky Way are estimated to be around 13.4 billion years old. If you look at how much mankind has achieved technology-wise in just 200 years years, I think it's entirely feasible that some life form has technology our brains can't even begin to conceive at this stage of our development.

Whether they are visiting Eaath or not, who knows, but given how many more billions of years they may have had to develop interstellar travel, popping to Earth for a nose around may be no more difficult for them than us hopping on a plane to visit another continent.

Yes, but doing so only to appear to a couple of people in the middle of nowhere in the USA, is surprisingly purposeless.

I don't know what you do when you hop off a plane, but I generally don't find a nice, empty place, wait until 2am and jump out on a pair of strangers in a figure-obscuring costume waving a torch, then immediately get back on the plane and bugger off home.

 

[Lissa]

Yes, but doing so only to appear to a couple of people in the middle of nowhere in the USA, is surprisingly purposeless.

I don't know what you do when you hop off a plane, but I generally don't find a nice, empty place, wait until 2am and jump out on a pair of strangers in a figure-obscuring costume waving a torch, then immediately get back on the plane and bugger off home.

Maybe they are the equivalent of our teenagers with a childish sense of humour? 'Hey, let's go scare some humans for a giggle!'

I have no idea if we have ever been visited by other life forms or not, I'm just saying that the sheer age of certain stars and any attendant planets in our Milky Way make the possibility of incredibly more technologically advanced life very possible, and the possibility of them having the ability to space travel more feasible.

 

[F1 fan]

In fact it's less likely than winning the lottery. Thirty seven times. In a row. With the same numbers.

Thirty seven? That's a very specific number. Either that or a reference to Kevin Smith. Why do I suddenly get the feeling that you've sat down and actually worked out the chances of this happening. Having said that, with precisely zero real data to work with, any calculations would have to be (and I hesitate to use this word) guesstimations.

I don't know what you do when you hop off a plane, but I generally don't find a nice, empty place, wait until 2am and jump out on a pair of strangers in a figure-obscuring costume waving a torch, then immediately get back on the plane and bugger off home.

If you ever decide to do that, don't forget to video the whole thing.

I have to admit, I'm always skeptical whenever I read these stories. As others have pointed out, they always seem to be in a very quiet part of America. I once read an article by someone who claimed to be a "UFO expert". How on earth could someone be an expert in something that we know precisely nothing about? Watch your tin foil around that guy. He'll make himself a fine hat with it.

 

[ghskilla]

*puts on tinfoil hat

Now I'm probably the most clueless out of everyone here, but if there were to be a logical explanation for all UFO's to be seen mostly in middle America (there would be logical explanations, but not a whole lot) is that maybe they would want to gather data or other forms of information (I sound stupid right now, I know) but with minimal sightings. I mean, if I were some sort of extra-terrestrial looking for other forms of life, I wouldn't just zip by a massively populated city, because that's one sure fire way of being noticed. A dozen farmers wouldn't hurt, people would think they're delusional, but if a whole city notices, then that's a problem.

*takes off tin foil hat

Maybe other people have seen them, too, but are just not as open as others. Who knows?

And I apologize for my lack of knowledge in this.

 

[Ophiochus]

I don`t get it why 90% (or more) of all UFO sightings are in the USA - mostly at country sides. Not like the aliens would find it more interesting to have a look at New York City or big metropolises outside the USA like Tokyo, Mexico-City, London, Kairo, Mumbai, Sao Paolo, Seoul, Moskow, Shanghai, Istanbul... No, the US country side is more attractive to them aliens who crossed space by billions of lightyears just to examine a US farmers truck or his wife.

Most Ufo sightings are NOT in the united states. We just have the most tv shows about it.

 

[Dotini]

Last night after me and my girlfriend had a fight...
I had to clear my head,so I went for a drive.I was on the road from 1:00 AM to about 2:15 AM....
I'm pretty much the only soul on the road and I'm listening to my 70's and early 80's rock...
I had an overwhelming feeling of happiness come over me and I teared up a bit.I don't know if it was just because I seen this (UFO) and it was excitement coming over me or if the light effected me in some way....

Dear Starfirebird,

The steps of your experience are very similar to those required to induce an altered state of consciousness; i.e., an emotional trauma, a long, lonely road trip accompanied by music, and finally a catharsis induced by a strange green light.

You should feel lucky and relieved by this experience. Has your life changed for the better (or worse) since then?

As for UFOs, even though we see them (but NEVER catch them) we simply don't know much about them. The phenomena of weird lights or even beings has been with us for a long time without acceptable explanation. As Famine and others have noted, it is extremely unlikely that extraterrestrials are the answer. My own take is that natural but rare electrical eccentricities and atmospheric phenomena have something to do with it.

Respectfully yours,
Steve

 

[Monatsende]

Most Ufo sightings are NOT in the united states. We just have the most tv shows about it.

Well, my data base says something different. I guess I haven`t got to translate. Source: http://www.ufo-datenbank.de/ and http://www.ufo-datenbank.de/weltwahl.php


UFO - Sichtungsdatenbank - Kontinent Afrika 1552
UFO - Sichtungsdatenbank - Kontinent Amerika 76957
UFO - Sichtungsdatenbank - Kontinent Asien 3713
UFO - Sichtungsdatenbank - Kontinent Australien 6017

Total sightings: 88,239

76,957/88,239 = 0,8721...

Okay, it`s "only" 87% on the continent America. You can subtract all sightings in Canada, Central and South America. And still I think that is what you can call "most"...

 

[Dotini]

Okay, it`s "only" 87% on the continent America. You can subtract all sightings in Canada, Central and South America. And still I think that is what you can call "most"...

Without at all impugning your database, it would be fair to point out that there is no remotely mandatory or consistent reporting system for "UFO" sightings. These are clearly unfiltered raw figures of some kind, thus including mis-identifications of airplanes (common over the US) etc., and not reflecting the genuine residuum of interesting unknowns.

On the other hand, North America is a global center (87%?) of thunderstorm, lightning, supercell and tornado activity. It wouldn't surprise me if these natural phenomena are correlated to the UFO phenomenon.

Respectfully,
Steve

 

[Dean]

Without at all impugning your database, it would be fair to point out that there is no remotely mandatory or consistent reporting system for "UFO" sightings. These are clearly unfiltered raw figures of some kind, thus including mis-identifications of airplanes (common over the US) etc., and not reflecting the genuine residuum of interesting unknowns.

On the other hand, North America is a global center (87%?) of thunderstorm, lightning, supercell and tornado activity. It wouldn't surprise me if these natural phenomena are correlated to the UFO phenomenon.

Respectfully,
Steve

Isn't it 95% of all sightings, that can be explained? I think the number was in a documentary, about UFOs. My first sighting is in the 5%, - those that can't be explained.

 

[Dotini]

Isn't it 95% of all sightings, that can be explained? I think the number was in a documentary, about UFOs. My first sighting is in the 5%, - those that can't be explained.

Yes, it is generally said that ~90% of all sightings can be "explained." These days, few bother to make reports and few (none?) agencies are in the business of making explanations. So the whole statistics route is rather meaningless.

However, IIRC, Project Bluebook failed to explain a slightly higher percentage, depending on how the data is sliced.

Respectfully,
Steve

 

[Slash]

I don`t get it why 90% (or more) of all UFO sightings are in the USA - mostly at country sides. Not like the aliens would find it more interesting to have a look at New York City or big metropolises outside the USA like Tokyo, Mexico-City, London, Kairo, Mumbai, Sao Paolo, Seoul, Moskow, Shanghai, Istanbul... No, the US country side is more attractive to them aliens who crossed space by billions of lightyears just to examine a US farmers truck or his wife.

I think it's possible that the the light given off by a city at night would hinder ones ability to see into the sky as easily in the cities as compared to the coutry side. Go into a city, and you'll see at night it's not exactly easy to see as many stars if any as you would see in a open sky in the country. Same for buildings, they block a bit of view where in the country, you don't have that.

 

[Grand Prix]

I don't think we want to meet other intelligent life. You really think they would travel hundreds, possibly thousands of light years to find us, to say "hello," flash some fast moving lights at us, or stick a probe up your butt? Maybe there could be species so advanced they wouldn't need to take advantage of us at all, but I doubt it. If they have evolved to the point they can survive without their home world, they're going to try to continue surviving however they can. It's the purpose that life gives to itself. Consume, reproduce, and repeat, forever.

I don't think we've met alien life yet.

 

[Azuremen]

Isn't it 95% of all sightings, that can be explained? I think the number was in a documentary, about UFOs. My first sighting is in the 5%, - those that can't be explained.

You were 6, I think that handles a lot of the explanation. Even if you take yourself vary seriously now, your imagination certainly played into it back then. I know mine did whenever I saw lights and I spent a great deal of my youth staring at the sky with a telescope. In prime "UFO" country.

Famine is so spot on with all this you'd all be silly not to listen to him.

 

[Skython]

I think it's possible that the the light given off by a city at night would hinder ones ability to see into the sky as easily in the cities as compared to the coutry side. Go into a city, and you'll see at night it's not exactly easy to see as many stars if any as you would see in a open sky in the country. Same for buildings, they block a bit of view where in the country, you don't have that.

I was literally just quoting that post saying the same thing. Because light pollution makes such a difference. I live in a rural area where it's perfectly pitch black on one side of the house (on a cloudy night) but you can usually see the light from over the hill (in town).

 

[hawkeye122]

I'll just drop this here....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_flare

 

[GasolineJunkie]

Don't know how many physics buffs we have in here, but some theories (such as various string theories), require more dimensions than we are able to experience. These other dimensions are thought to be curled up. Some believe that alien type UFO's can travel between these dimensions so they wouldn't just pop in and show their lights, and leave. They are thought to be here all along. Sounds crazy I know, but its just some food for thought.

 

[Starfirebird]

Dear Starfirebird,

The steps of your experience are very similar to those required to induce an altered state of consciousness; i.e., an emotional trauma, a long, lonely road trip accompanied by music, and finally a catharsis induced by a strange green light.

You should feel lucky and relieved by this experience. Has your life changed for the better (or worse) since then?

As for UFOs, even though we see them (but NEVER catch them) we simply don't know much about them. The phenomena of weird lights or even beings has been with us for a long time without acceptable explanation. As Famine and others have noted, it is extremely unlikely that extraterrestrials are the answer. My own take is that natural but rare electrical eccentricities and atmospheric phenomena have something to do with it.

Respectfully yours,
Steve

Come to think of it Steve,My life has actually gotten better.

That one woman that was driving me crazy is no more(broke up a few days ago) and this woman I've been in love with for years(longtime friend) has been coming back into my life.I feel good things are going to happen soon with that part of my life.

Work has been great since this happened.I work in retail and deal with a lot of people.Me and the customers have been having some good conversations and always leave with a smile on their face.Really good for returning customers.

Another thing.I've been stronger and quicker witted as of late.I've been on this workout plan and have been at a plateau for quite some time.As of late I've been going further and feeling stronger.The sharper mind thing just happened,like a light switch.Maybe it's just getting older on that one.

Call me crazy for thinking this has anything to do with what I seen,but would something like this be even possible?

At the moment I'm going to go with getting rid of the crazy girlfriend as the cause.

 

[Dean]

It might be possible that some aliens have got “happiness power”... Though I don't think so. After my sightings, my life actually did become worse. I guess only a few people, will feel happier, after a sighting.

 

[Horde_R35]

Do you or do you not have a mullet?

Best part of the thread 👍.

 

[photonrider]

It might be possible that some aliens have got “happiness power”... Though I don't think so. After my sightings, my life actually did become worse. I guess only a few people, will feel happier, after a sighting.

That is a symptom that is common with these sightings (and also associated with NDEs) and has been documented in various Ufology books.

We are not alone, after all, Starfirebird. Makes us feel good, doesn't it?

 

[GTP_Gearhead]

I believe you Star.
Winter 1994, just north of Fairbanks AK, three friends and I took a ride up the Dalton highway. About 20 miles out of town we began seeing these objects that appeared as a shiny sheen (almost polished stainless steel) color against the moonlight.
I remember seeing (3) in total.

We chalked it up to the northern lights, until 10 miles later they appeared again this time much lower in altitude. We pulled over, got out and was awe struck. They couldn't have been more than a mile away.
The whole event lasted perhaps 30 seconds, then they disappeared north. We reported it to the sheriff the next day, he did not take us seriously. Then again, we were teenagers then so I can only assume he thought of us as punks.
I'll never forget what I saw, no one will ever deter my believe we are not alone.

 

[photonrider]

Most often the 'lights' are reported as a 'greenish' hue - though in the daytime (obviously they don't visit only at night do they? ) one cannot perceive what photonic frequency they are using to activate our rods and cones.

 

[UnkaD]

I saw something about an hour ago. I noticed a flash to the north and assumed it was a plane. When I didn't see a second flash, I wondered if I just missed a meteor. Then there was another flash after a long pause. I continued to watch and observed that the object was moving slowly eastward, but there was no noticable pattern to the flashing. The flashes came at random intervals, over differing durations of luminance, and with different intesities of brightness. It was almost as if the lightsource was tumbling. Anyway, I'll just settle on a plane with a messed up indicator light. Since I don't know exactly what I saw for sure, it's technically a UFO and I found this thread to make a post.

 

[Michael88]

Where I live I see UFO's nearly every night. I call them impostor-stars, stationary little lights that look just like stars until they start to move and fly strange maneuvers. Their altitude is at least higher than the clouds, because they often vanish behind them. Even the feathery high altitude clouds. Sometimes their movement is twitchy and they fly extreme stop and goes, sometimes they fly zigzag patterns, others hover around, fly a large bow and remain stationary till sunrise. Some are bright as the north star, others barely visible. Neighbors and local people even held a meeting to discuss their strange sightings, and I am talking about extremely conservative farmers.

I usually see them when doing long-exposure photos of the night sky (Astro-photography is a hobby of mine). so I have seen my fair share of little phenomenas that I could eventually explain - like space trash getting illuminated from the sun and bouncing off of earths atmosphere. But those lights are really strange as they definitely fly ''intelligent'' patterns.