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Is There Any Evidence for Extraterrestrials Visiting Earth?

Michael Anissimov
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Updated: Jan 28, 2024
Views: 10,169
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Since the first widely-publicized UFO (unidentified flying object) incident, in Roswell, New Mexico, on 7 July 1947, there have been thousands of UFO sightings per year. Since then, many have speculated that UFOs may be spaceships used by extraterrestrials to visit Earth. A 2006 survey found that 24.6% of Americans agree or strongly agree that at least some UFOs are spaceships from other worlds.

Working against this 24.6%, however, is an absence of physical evidence. Despite decades of eyewitness reports, including those of first-hand contact with extraterrestrials, no physical evidence has turned up. Not a single extraterrestrial machine, scrap of extraterrestrial fabric, fleck of paint, strand of extraterrestrial hair, or anything else that could be definitively put under a microscope and identified as not originating from the Earth.

Low earth orbit is constantly being extensively monitored by powerful radar and long-exposure space-based cameras. Tracking systems are capable of detecting any object larger than a golf ball. This is for the safety of those currently in space, as well as protecting against interpretations of falling space junk as enemy missiles. These space watch systems have never observed any extraterrestrial spacecraft. Astronomers, who watch the sky with high-magnification telescopes for a living, almost never observe unidentified flying objects.

UFO sightings experience a marked jump after events that publicize other UFO sightings, such as the Roswell incident, and movies such as ET. This is similar to the "copycat" phenomenon witnessed when serial killer stories are on the national news. This data might be interpreted as an increase in the number of imagined sightings, while legitimate UFO sightings remain constant, but if so, why are there barely any stories of UFOs being sighted in America prior to World War II?

There are several cases of unusually well-corroborated UFO sightings that could represent genuine craft. Mass sightings of low-flying, silent black triangles in 1989 and 1990 in Belgium were reported by hundreds of credible witnesses, as well as tracked via NATO radar and jet interceptors. This is an intriguing case, and there are a few others. However, the vast majority of UFO reports are very unreliable, and the complete absence of physical evidence is damning. Occam's razor dictates that UFOs should be attributed to causes other than extraterrestrial visitation.

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Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated WiseGeek contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.

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Discussion Comments
By anon205739 — On Aug 13, 2011

Well, regarding the paintings mentioned below, and using a traditional interpretation of Occam's Razor, is it simpler/more reasonable to assume an image of an (apparent) UFO is the result of a flight of fancy (no pun intended) on the part of the artist, or that he or she must have witnessed an actual UFO? You be the judge.

However, it's worth noting that, based on what I've read, the common interpretation of OR as "all things being equal, the simplest explanation tends to be the right one" is actually misleading. The quote by William of Occam is really something more like "all things being equal, the simplest explanation is easier to analyze."

And he was referring specifically to the interpretation of scripture. So it's questionable whether or not the standard can (or should) be applied to other topics.

By anon129810 — On Nov 25, 2010

I myself saw one hovering over a neighbors house silently one winter evening in Buffalo Grove, IL. Ironically some years later I was talking to a friend who also saw the same UFO and identified which house it had hovered over - being that I had never said which house it was. They do exist. The Bible even describes them. See King James Bible.

By anon108893 — On Sep 04, 2010

Actually there may be some scientific evidence. have a look at the ufo hunters episode entitled UFO relics. There is a fragment of something a witness claims fell from a ufo. It was scientifically analyzed and after initially denying what they found, scientists came forward admitting it appears both extraterrestrial and manufactured.

This is the piece of evidence which has interested me more than any other. i am dying to hear more about what this could be.

By anon108247 — On Sep 02, 2010

Doubt it. The concept of science fiction back in thousands of years of history would never have been dreamed of, never mind thought of. There out there, somewhere...

By anon97285 — On Jul 19, 2010

Ancient science fiction?

By anon8415 — On Feb 13, 2008

There is plenty of evidence, what about the old paintings that clearly show flying metal disc's in the air hundreds of years before mankind could fly.

Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated WiseGeek contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology,...
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