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| Frances LUOANGE | GEIPAN Insights and UFO Photo Analysis | 21-55 |
| | Abstract: In 1977, thanks to the conjunction of several events, the French Space Agency created a
department in charge of collecting and analyzing data about Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena.
After a few promising years, its resources started decreasing drastically, as well as its efficiency.
In 2001, under pressure to stop this “borderline” activity, the Agency’s Director contracted my
company to audit the department, i.e. to meet the highest French authorities in all domains
potentially concerned by UAPs (Science, Defense, Police, Media), to collect their opinions and
to present agreed recommendations. My audit report’s positive arguments, in favor of restarting
the activity on a proper basis, resulted in the creation of a new department in 2005. The GEIPAN
is now working under control of a Steering Committee and with support from several external
groups. Most data are collected through official channels and, after analysis, cases are sorted into
categories and published on the Internet.
Analysis of alleged UFO photos/videos is a sensitive issue, which has changed considerably over
the past decade, with the proliferation of digital cameras and cellphones. The possibilities of
fakery became unlimited, through software tools enabling the touching up and synthesis of
digital images. On the other hand, technical characteristics of digital pictures differ from those of
silver pictures, making visible a large number of small things which remained previously
invisible. As a consultant to GEIPAN, I built up an analysis methodology, concretized through
the development of a dedicated software (www.ipaco.fr), derived from an established image
intelligence operational tool. During my talk I will be sharing insights into GEIPAN from my
close working relationship with this organization as well as discussing the analysis of several
interesting UFO photographs and images which have been analyzed using this unique software |
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| Ted PETERS | Science, SETI and UFOlogy | 55-80 |
| | Abstract: It is high time that Astrobiologists and Ufologists attend the same BBQs. These two groups
could enjoy one another’s company and swap stories about their respective work. What they
share in common is scrupulous attention to facts and a common desire to solve a mystery. But,
their zeal for the scientific method should be subjected to analysis, an analysis revealing that
both operate from a shared cultural worldview that incorporates mythological dimensions.
Specifically, the set of assumptions frequently include (1) placing the origin of life within the
theory of evolution [Darwinian evolution describes speciation, not the origin of life]; (2)
importing the doctrine of progress into biology so that simple organisms are allegedly destined to
evolve into intelligent organisms [the dominant view among evolutionary biologists is that no
direction or purpose or progress is discernible in evolution]; (3) presuming that an extra-solar
planet with a longer evolutionary history is likely to have developed higher intelligence; (4)
positing that high intelligence leads to the development of science; and, finally, (5) asserting that
advanced science leads to advances in all quarters of life so that highly evolved extraterrestrial
intelligences may have achieved prosperity, medical perfection, long life, societal peace, and a
benevolent or altruistic ethic. This worldview exhibits uncanny resemblances to the ancient
gnostic-redeemer myth, minus the mysticism. The future may prove that these scientific
assumptions are confirmed, to be sure; however, in the meantime, pointing out their inherent
mythical structure may illuminate the way we terrestrials think. |
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| Albert A. HARRISON | Truth and Consequences: Disclosure, Denial and Extraterrestrial Life | 81-98 |
| | Abstract: Over fifty years have passed since the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space expressed
concern about adverse public reactions by the public to the discovery of extraterrestrial life. For
many UFOlogists, government’s expectations of widespread social chaos and psychological
disintegration rank high among the reasons for possible stonewalling, subterfuge and duplicity.
Frightening scenarios of public reaction can be traced to Orson Welles’ 1937 “War of the
Worlds” radio broadcast that, according to newspaper reports of that day, triggered national
panic. However, examination of a broad range of episodes when it was widely believed that
extraterrestrial life had been discovered, survey research results and other findings suggest that
under a wide range of detection scenarios public meltdown is unlikely. Both non-disclosure and
disclosure offer advantages and disadvantages, and it is in no way clear that non-disclosure
offers the greater net benefits. Problems inherent in governmental agencies and other large
bureaucracies may strengthen wide-spread beliefs in a UFO cover-up. |
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| Robert POWELL | The Stephenville, Texas Incident: Multiple Visual Sightings Supported by Radar | 99-103 |
| | Abstract: The events that unfolded in Stephenville, Texas, on January 8, 2008, caught the attention of the
media world-wide. This is the story of one of the most intriguing UFO cases in recent times. On
January 8, 2008, over twenty different witnesses at a dozen different locations, at different times,
saw lights perform maneuvers that cannot be explained by conventional aircraft based on our
understanding of physics. Witnesses included the police and a chief of police, a pilot, a
constable, a former air traffic controller, and several business people. But most impressive of
all—FAA provided radar data supported their claims. What happened that night between 6 p.m.
to 9:30 p.m. remains a mystery today.
In his presentation, Robert Powell will walk us through the events of that night and place you
behind the radar screen as you watch the flight of F-16 jets from the base formerly known as
Carswell AFB as well as the approach of unknown objects into Erath County, Texas and their
highly unusual flight characteristics caught on radar. You be the judge! |
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| Ron WESTRUM | Science and Hidden Events | 104-117 |
| | Abstract: In the Introduction to Raymond Moody’s Life After Life he calls near-death experiences an
example of a phenomenon that is “widely experienced but seldom reported.” This is a perfect
definition of the range of phenomena that I have learned to call “Hidden Events.” A hidden event
may be experienced by thousands of people, but still remain largely hidden beneath the surface
of social consciousness. Classic examples of this are meteorite sightings before 1800 A.D. and
the “battered child syndrome,” both of which will be described in my talk. “Pluralistic
ignorance” in which people think their sighting is unique (and thus don’t report it) may be
followed by controversy and sometimes acceptance, but the dynamics of reporting are seldom
understood by science. Even while scientists’ expressed doubts and premature negative
conclusions discourage sightings, scientists don’t realize that there may be a huge number of
hidden events. The dynamics of reporting, the impact of controversy and the nature of scientists’
decision-making will all be explored in my talk.” |
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| Steven GREER | “Disclosure: Newest Evidence about the Atacama Humanoid” | 118-126 |
| | Abstract: Dr. Steven Greer, founder of the worldwide Disclosure movement, the Center for the Study of
Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Sirius Energy Advanced Research will share the results of the
skeletal & DNA studies done on the Atacama Humanoid – a 6” humanoid skeleton found in the
Atacama Desert of Chile. These studies have been performed by top scientists in the United
States. Dr. Greer was able to see and handle the skeleton in 2009, but it was only made available
to him for scientific study in the fall of 2012, and is featured in the historic film “Sirius” to be
released this year. The film was inspired by Dr. Greer’s work. |
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| David JACOBS | “Science, UFOs and the Search for ET Hybrids” | 127-142 |
| | Abstract: Since the Antonio Vilas Boas case in 1957, the abduction phenomenon has consistently
presented itself as being reproductively oriented. In the early 1980s Budd Hopkins coined the
word “hybrids” to designate the offspring of those reproductive activities. He also discovered
that the abduction phenomenon was intergenerational. Therefore, the children of abductees will
in turn be abductees themselves and so on through the generations. My research has confirmed
this. I have recently formulated a theory about hybridization that might reconcile the differences
in personnel involved with abductions with the intergenerational features of the phenomenon.
The theory is based on examination of hundreds of accounts that I have received over the past
twenty-seven years. The new theory suggests that the hybridization program is more important
and extensive than has been known and that it has a direct bearing on the intergenerational
aspects of abductions and our future. |
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| Don DONDERI | The UFO and Abduction Evidence Should Reorient Science and Change Public Policy | 143-158 |
| | Abstract: I report research carried out with my late colleagues Budd Hopkins and Stuart Appelle that
reinforces the hypothesis that the crews of some extraterrestrial UFOs “catch and release”
humans in order to study them. Science has evolved away from its nineteenth-century roots in
inductive reasoning, and the work of philosopher of science Thomas S. Kuhn and social
psychologist Leon Festinger explains why modern scientists are easily persuaded to ignore UFO
observations and research evidence. R. V. Jones, head of Air Scientific Intelligence in MI6
during World War II (and a UFO skeptic) explained how a scientist should evaluate new
intelligence information, and I apply Jones’ own method to evaluate some of the bestdocumented recent evidence for extraterrestrial UFOs and ET abductions. The evidence is
convincing. I also argue that anyone whose vision is not restricted by professional blinders
should come to the same commonsense conclusion. Finally, I consider the implications of the
fact that we are in occasional contact with extraterrestrial civilizations; on government policy, on
ourselves, and on our future on the planet. |
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| Paola HARRIS | Crash at Ground Zero: Re-Examining the 1945 San Antonio UFO Crash | 159-193 |
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| Eric W. DAVIS | “Faster-Than-Light Space Warps & Interstellar Flight: What’s It All About?” | 194-213 |
| | Abstract: Numerous space propulsion studies have shown that advanced nuclear propulsion for sub-relativistic and
relativistic interstellar flight is not viable because of the enormous propellant mass requirement, subrelativistic multiple human-lifetime flight, and relativistic-flight time dilation problems for star travelers.
A viable solution is the implementation of faster-than-light (FTL) interstellar travel via traversable
wormholes or warp drives which requires the engineering of spacetime into very specialized local
geometries, and are loosely called “FTL space warps”. The analysis of these via Einstein’s General
Theory of Relativity demonstrates that such geometries require the use of “exotic” matter. One can appeal
to quantum field theory to find both natural and phenomenological sources of exotic matter.
Such quantum fields are disturbed by the space warp geometry they produce, which has implications on
the construction of the space warp under study. Related issues are the problems of turning space warps on
and off, controlling them, and navigating through space at FTL speed. There are also the issues of
incoming Doppler-blueshifted galactic radiation and cosmic microwave background radiation, and
potential space debris impact at FTL speed. Also, the production, detection and deployment of natural
exotic quantum fields are seen to be key technical challenges in which basic first steps can be taken to
experimentally probe their properties. FTL space warps also possess features that challenge the notions of
momentum conservation and causality. The status of these important issues is addressed, and
recommended next steps for further theoretical and experimental investigations are identified in an effort
to clear up a number of technical uncertainties in order to progress the present state-of-the-art in FTL
space warp physics. |
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| Debbie ZIEGELMEYER | Missouri’s “UFO Flap” and The Environment – Is there a relationship between the two? | 214-227 |
| | Abstract: In October of 2011, Missouri experienced an unusually large number of UFO sighting reports
totaling a record 87 with the peak of these occurring in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area on
October 4th. Missouri MUFON CMS sighting reports rose from 139 in 2010 to 253 reports in
2011 and 263 reports in 2012. Along with this increase in UFO sighting reports came an unusual
amount of “strange” environmental related occurrences across the State starting in January 2011.
This began with a large number of unexplained bird and fish deaths and continued throughout
the year with record storms, earthquakes, unusual orange balls of light being reported and
“strange, loud mechanical sounds” in the night sky. In January 2012 the report of a cattle
mutilation near Whiteman AFB was reported by the news media and investigated by Missouri
MUFON. The environmental “oddities” continued with reports of the “strange mechanical
sounds” in the sky being heard both day and night worldwide. The mid-west, including Missouri,
experienced drought conditions, water shortages, low Mississippi River levels, another
earthquake and a view of the Northern Lights from Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas.
After reviewing the large number of CMS sighting reports and experiencing some of the
environmental oddities personally, I decided that this comparison needed further investigation
which I will share with you during my presentation. |