UFO Hunting with MUFON
January 3, 2011
By Pat Bussard
Photo courtesy of NASA.
If you have seen something in the sky that you could not identify, you are not alone. Some ufologists are reporting that a document surfaced from the United Nations, which estimates that since 1947, 150 million individuals worldwide have seen an unidentified flying object.
The government has repeatedly told the American public that there are no UFOs of interplanetary design. However, this reassurance has not put the public’s mind to rest. A Roper poll reported that 70% of the U.S. population believes that the government is not forthcoming in what they know about the UFO phenomena.
The public’s distrust is understandable when you have credible people coming forward to tell of their experiences. People like NASA Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper who said, “While flying with several other USAF pilots over Germany in 1957, we sighted numerous radiant flying discs above us. We couldn’t tell how high they were. We couldn’t get anywhere near their altitude.” Or, former President Jimmy Carter who was quoted as saying, “It was the darndest thing I’ve ever seen. It was big, it was very bright, it changed colors and it was about the size of the Moon. We watched it for ten minutes, but none of us could figure out what it was. One thing’s for sure, I’ll never make fun of people who say they’ve seen unidentified objects in the sky.”
There are several organizations that are accumulating research data on UFOs and extraterrestrials. One such body is MUFON, the Mutual UFO Network, which is made up of over 3,000 field investigators from across the globe. All of these individuals have a common interest in unidentified flying objects. These investigators adhere to scientific methodology while engaging in research, letting the evidence speak for itself. The slogan for MUFON, “The Scientific Study of the UFO Phenomena for the Benefit of Humanity,” gives a synopsis of the purpose of the organization.
One member, however, sees a need to go beyond the purely scientific gathering and breaking down of evidence for analysis. Her approach to the research also encompasses evaluating the emotional impact that an alleged encounter with an extraterrestrial being or even their technology could have on an individual.
Cynda Schneider, a MUFON field investigator, is currently in Thailand teaching English before beginning a full-time career in humanitarian aid. She recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. She brings a unique perspective to the field. “I felt a desire to help others and MUFON appeared to be the best way to assist these individuals through their anomalous experiences,” said Schneider. She continued, “MUFON takes a scientific approach, attempting to debunk UFO sightings, before drawing an ‘unknown’ conclusion. Our field investigators prioritize the client’s needs by upholding confidentiality and by not pressuring the witness for information,” she said. According to Schneider, when an individual sees a UFO or other unusual sighting, they can report it to MUFON’s online database (www.mufon.com).
Encounters with UFOs or extraterrestrials are categorized as Close Encounters of the: 1st kind, which involve a sighting of one or more UFOs of unknown origin; 2nd kind, involve observing a UFO and the physical effects left behind at the site; 3rd kind, the observation of beings associated with a UFO sighting; 4th kind, is abduction by a UFO or extraterrestrials; 5th kind, conscious, cooperative communication with extraterrestrials.
After the incident is reported, the case is then distributed to field investigators, based on proximity and their current caseload. “As a field investigator, I am expected to promptly contact the individual making the report and gather additional information, such as how many witnesses there were, if the local airport or military base was running any tests that day, how animals reacted to the event, and any other pertinent information,” said Schneider.
Individuals may describe the unidentified aircraft in a number of ways. Over the years, many shapes and colors have been reported, although colors reported are usually black, white, or metallic silver. Many shapes have been reported by eyewitnesses over the years, including descriptions of: disks, cylindrical, round, triangles, diamond and star shapes. Sometimes a report will describe a single UFO, while other witnesses see multiple spacecraft. The craft can appear to be flying erratically or in harmonious sequence with nearby UFOs.
Although Schneider has never had a UFO experience, she feels that others’ experiences adequately substantiate her belief in the phenomenon. “I have had some cases that we have had to mark as ‘unknown,’ after interviewing the witnesses and going to the field site where the event occurred. I also had two witnesses who had reported textbook post-abduction symptoms, but the witnesses were not interested in further investigating their symptoms, so the case was closed on their behalf.”
She stresses that she and other investigators with MUFON, which is the largest UFO research organization in the U.S., maintain a professional demeanor throughout the course of the investigation. They treat anyone who makes a report with respect and will do everything they can to develop a thorough, unbiased report.
In addition to taking part in work that is of interest to them, another benefit that MUFON investigators have is the opportunity to network with other individuals who have the same interests.
If you would like to find out more about the Mutual UFO Network, or would like to become a field investigator for the organization, log onto their website at www.mufon.com.
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