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Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 13, EGU2011-13487-6, 2011 6, EGU General Assembly 2011 Author(s) 2011

Observed a mysterious aerial event that you cant explain? The UAP Observations Reporting Scheme as a tool for demystifying UFOs and stimulating interest in science
Philippe Ailleris
ESA/ESTEC (*), AG Noordwijk, Netherlands ( (philippe.ailleris@esa.int)

Launched during the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) Observations Reporting Scheme (**) aims at approaching the UAP topic from a professional, rational and scientific perspective. Its objectives are to: 1) serve as a forum for educating the public about atmospheric, astrophysical and human phenomena and 2) collect c reports from astronomers of apparently inexplicable events for further study. For a number of reasons the general public and many young people are fascinated by the idea of UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Astronomers, scientists and teachers should acknowledge this keen interest and use it as starting block for presenting and teaching related subjects such as astronomy, physics, technology, biology and chemistry, allowing at the same time cross fertilisation among various disciplines. Mysteries moti motivate to enquire, leading to gain insight and knowledge. The mystery creates astonishment that enables the human process of wondering, and this again generates motivation for learning and exploring beyond the boundaries of what is known or believed today. The UAP Observations Reporting Schemes provides an extensive resource for inquiry-based inquiry learning and for UAP witnesses to critically evaluate the potential cause of their sightings. We present the websites extensive and well-illustrated list of misidentifications and describe how fications people can further check details and develop their knowledge (e.g. satellite paths, stars/planets charts, characteristics of meteors, pictures of sprites, clouds classification). A short illustrated list of cases will be featured, both explained and inexplicable. , We will underline that the project definitely fulfills a need in relation to demystifying UFO events, providing education on pseudo-scientific information, while encouraging an attitude of scientific pseudo scientific open-mindedness. After all, whenever there are unexplained observations, there is the possibility for science to learn something new by studying those observations. (*): Disclaimer: Work undertaken as personal work; not endorsed as research activity by ESA. (**) http://www.uapreporting.org/

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Towards a better understanding of unusual atmospheric events: the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) Observations Reporting Scheme.
Philippe Ailleris
ESA/ESTEC(*), Noordwijk, The Netherlands (Philippe.Ailleris@esa.int).

For many years very little attention and credence was given by the scientific community to airline pilots sightings of strange luminous glows above thunderstorms. It was only in 1989 that some university researchers accidentally took a video of luminous events that provided the first documented evidence. These phenomenonss, now called Sprites and Blue Jets, were revealed to be large-scale electrical discharges that occur high above thunderstorm clouds. Today, the mysteries of the sky continue to awe many novice observers viewing something entirely unfamiliar for the first time. Throughout the last 60 years the subject of UAP (popularly known as UFOs) has generated intense interest and invaded the modern consciousness on a worldwide scale. Despite the lack of incontrovertible scientific evidence and the tendency to classify the topic as pseudo-science, there is a need to keep an attitude of humility and scientific open-mindedness since some UAP reports might still represent events worthy of research. Rare atmospheric events, near-earth space phenomena, unexpected consequences of human activity (space debris, electromagnetic signals, and pollution) or interactions among these may be revealed by further study. The continuous analysis of unexplained atmospheric events or unusual aerial perceptions could lead to a deeper understanding of our planet and possibly other benefits, for example safer air travel. Launched under the framework of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) Observations Reporting Scheme aims to approach the UAP from a professional, rational and scientific perspective. Its objectives are to: 1) provide amateur and professional astronomers with a formal mechanism (a questionnaire) for reporting any unexplained phenomena they observe when studying the sky, and 2) contribute towards a better understanding of transient atmospheric phenomena by explaining the most common causes of UAP misidentifications for the general public. All of this is available on one easily accessed Website (1). This presentation will focus on providing an overview of the project and its current status, highlighting preliminary results in terms of questionnaires received, infrastructure, outreach activities, website traffic reports, while exploring ideas for the future and requesting feedback from the geosciences experts. More importantly and besides further advertising the project, the 2011 European Geosciences Unions General Assembly represents an excellent opportunity for initiating an open communication channel between the geoscientist community, interested amateur observers, instrumentalists and UAP researchers. Ultimately, whenever there are unexplained observations, there is the possibility that scientists could learn something new with further study. (*): Disclaimer: Work undertaken as personal work; not endorsed as research activity by ESA. (1) http://www.uapreporting.org/