On June 24, 1947, private pilot Kenneth Arnold witnessed a remarkable sight near Mount Rainier, Washington.
He reported seeing nine shiny, saucer-like objects flying in a line at an astonishing speed of 1,200 miles per hour, far exceeding the capabilities of any known aircraft of that era.
The media frenzy that followed, along with numerous UAP sightings in the weeks to come—including the infamous Roswell Incident on July 7—marked the beginning of humanity’s long-standing fascination with Unidentified Flying Objects.
As we commemorate this interest, July 2 is now recognized globally as World UFO Day.
What was once relegated to conspiracy theorists has now come into the public eye, as advancements in sensor technology and the increased use of personal aircraft have contributed to a surge in reports of what are now termed Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).
Interestingly, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) views this increase not as a sign of extraterrestrial visitors, but rather as a potential national security threat posed by adversarial actors operating right here on Earth.
To gain insight into the technology lurking in our skies, @theU spoke with Richard Medina and Simon Brewer from the University of Utah’s School of Environment, Sustainability & Society.
Their research suggests that the western U.S. stands out as the prime location for spotting UAP, thanks to its dark skies, open spaces, and proximity to military installations.
This World UFO Day, both experts encourage people to keep an eye on the sky.
The DOD’s keen interest in UAP is primarily motivated by concerns over foreign technology that could pose a threat.
Simon Brewer elaborates, stating that this interest stems from the realization that adversarial nations might possess advanced technologies that remain largely unexamined and could potentially jeopardize national security.
He referenced the incident involving Chinese weather balloons from a few years back, which highlighted the diverse nature of these potential threats, ranging from simple surveillance to more aggressive maneuvers.
Richard Medina noted how uncertainty in this realm contributes to the growing concern.
Some UAP sightings seem to defy the laws of physics and even pop up from ocean depths.
Conversely, there are also low-tech phenomena, like the aforementioned balloons.
It is this uncertainty—whether the technology is high-tech and mysterious or low-tech and easily deployable—that keeps national security officials vigilant.
When it comes to discerning which sightings warrant serious attention, Brewer explains that reported incidents can typically be classified into three distinct categories.
First are hoaxes or pranks, which are not credible.
Then, there are genuine sightings that, while difficult to explain—perhaps due to weather conditions or distance—often have logical explanations.
Finally, the smallest category includes unexplained phenomena that are of actual national interest, suggesting foreign technology or capabilities that remain unidentified.
This is where their research plays a critical role in the broader conversation surrounding UAP.
While discussing the lack of mention of ‘aliens’ in their categorization, Medina remarked that government officials seldom raise this possibility.
However, he acknowledged that if extraterrestrial visitors were real, it would raise significant national security concerns.
Moreover, the issue of conspiratorial thinking is also a serious concern, complicating trust between the government and the public.
When citizens suspect that their government is concealing information about UAP, it can further exacerbate national security risks, primarily fueled by a sense of uncertainty.
Brewer and Medina shared insights on how they began their research into UAP phenomena.
Brewer explained his original intent was to find a unique dataset for class discussions, having grown up during the culturally significant era of The X-Files.
Initially expecting that data from public reports might be random, he was surprised to discover strong spatial patterns, particularly the significant differences in UAP sightings across western and eastern regions of the U.S.
This intriguing finding prompted them to analyze UAP through the lens of societal and environmental factors, recognizing the phenomenon as more than a fleeting cultural obsession.
Currently, they are investigating the trends in UAP sightings over time.
They contrast the pre-drone, pre-technology era with the present day when drones are ubiquitous, and technologies like Starlink satellites fill the skies.
While an increase in sightings might be expected due to more technology in the air, they observe anomalous fluctuations in reports that do not correlate with advancements.
Consequently, their research delves deeper into societal trends that may influence UAP reports, contemplating variables such as political, economic, and cultural shifts, as well as specific events like rocket launches or popular media portrayals of space.
In discussing their favorite UFO-related media, Brewer expressed a particular fondness for The X-Files, appreciating its intricate blend of conspiracies and extraterrestrial intrigue.
Medina shared his enjoyment of Resident Alien, noting the show’s portrayal of real-life experiences intertwined with its fictional narratives.
As both researchers continue their fascinating work, they underline the importance of scientific approaches in demystifying UAP and contributing to our understanding of this ongoing phenomenon.
image source from：attheu
