UFOsâunidentified flying objectsâhave captivated the publicâs imagination for decades. Technically defined, a UFO is a skyward phenomenon that cannot be precisely defined by an observer. A viewer may correctly recognize a moving body in the sky as an aircraft but may be unable to positively identify it as a helicopter or as a fixed-wing airplaneâor state the specific model or manufacturer of the aircraftâhence, it is classed as unidentified (to that observer). UFOs are often reported as behaving in ways difficult to explain, including moving at high speeds, making quick direction changes, stopping quickly and hovering, changing form (âmorphingâ), and appearing in unusual shapes and with peculiar lighting patterns. These behaviors catch the attention of viewers and have led many to speculate about fantastical and otherworldly origins: extraterrestrial life, âparanormalâ activity, reawakened ancient societies, and top-secret government programs.
The phenomena of UFO sightings first emerged in the late 1800s with claims of âmystery airships.â These observations were primarily due to observers mistaking clouds, planets, and moonlight for airships, which were recently introduced and captured the imaginations of many throughout the world. In the following decades, more elaborate claims emerged, in great part due to the advent of mass media and dissemination of science fiction themes like extraterrestrial life. During World War II, pilots reported âballs of fireâ or âfoo fightersâ chasing their aircraft during nighttime operations. In 1947, American businessman and private pilot Kenneth Arnold reported nine airplane-sized flying âsaucersâ or âdiscsâ in the sky near Washingtonâs Mount Rainier. Science provides explanations for these sightings: atmospheric refraction makes light from stars and planets twinkle; the atmosphere frequently discharges electrical energy in the form of lightning and other luminous phenomena; and lenticular clouds, which commonly occur in mountainous regions (particularly near Mount Rainier), resemble saucers.
Government bodies, notably the U.S. Department of Defense, have conducted inquiries into these sightings, and have concluded that they are explainable with science (although some remain to be definitively explained as they could be one of several natural or man-made phenomena). In the early 2020s, the U.S. government replaced the term âunidentified flying objectâ with âunidentified anomalous phenomenaâ (UAP) to include objects observed in and on maritime and terrestrial environments in addition to skyward forms.
Despite these sightings being explainable through science, many continue to proffer whimsical and extraordinary origins. Inspired by the most renowned of the UFO types, the flying saucer, the Classic UFO has a saucer shape that is 223 feet in diameter. It can be operated in space and throughout all levels of the Earthâs atmosphere. It can launch and land vertically and has two flight modes: hover and flying. It has a maximum speed in Earthâs atmosphere of Mach 1.
