Exploring the Unseen:
An Academic Inquiry into UFO Phenomena
UNISTRA, Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, French-Azerbaijani University, 183. Nizami str., Baku, Azerbaijan.
Introduction
Reports of strange air phenomena, interpreted
as UFOs (unidentified flying objects) since the
mid-20th century, have captivated human
interest for centuries. The UFO phenomenon
encompasses a range of experiences, from
simple sightings to complex encounters with
unknown beings and objects. Coined by the US
Air Force in the 1950s, the term "UFO" initially
focused on detecting unconventional aircraft.
Astronomer Josef Allen Hynek later defined a
UFO as a reported perception with
unexplainable characteristics that remains
unidentified after thorough scrutiny by
technically capable individuals (Hynek, 1972:
26). Today, the UFO topic is central to
anomalistic research, marked by social, cultural,
and scientific controversies.
Fig. 1: Are UFO Sightings Taking Off Again?
Tahmina Zulfugarova, Farida Orujova, Narmin Verdiyeva, Nazrin Mammadli
Scientific knowledge
Some scientists skeptical about the UFO
phenomenon argue that all sightings can be
explained conventionally. According to
skeptics, unexplained cases may result from
misinterpretations, hallucinations, secret
military projects, or deliberate fraud. The
reported characteristics of UFOs raise questions
for which there are no current scientific
explanations. Two principles emerge: the weak
UFO anomaly principle suggests unknown
natural phenomena, while the strong UFO
anomaly principle entertains the idea of
unknown intelligences, like extraterrestrials.
The latter, especially the Extraterrestrial
Hypothesis (ETH), faces skepticism due to a
lack of clear evidence and speculative
assumptions in the scientific community. Some
scientists challenge a priori exclusions and
advocate for open discussion on the possibility
of UFOs as alien spacecraft (Anton, 2013).
Fig. 2: The 1976 Viking 1 photograph of the Face on
Mars (source: NASA).
Scientific methodology
Object-Oriented UFO Research aims to categorize
unexplained cases through individual studies,
using witness testimonies, trace-tracing methods,
and systematic technical approaches. Data
collection involves witness statements, photos,
instrumental registration, residues, interactions,
and general research. Evaluation includes
assessing testimonies, photos, instrumental
registration, and interactions for reliability and
correlation. Documentation encompasses case
files, reports, data protection, databases, analysis.
Fig. 3: Billy Meier, one of his U.F.O. photographs,
c.1975 Switzerland
Subject-Oriented UFO Research focuses on
experiencers and their encounters, exploring
phenomenological structures, cultural patterns,
psychometric differences, and societal attitudes.
This approach uses psychological, sociological,
and ethnological methods to analyze connections
with extraordinary experiences, belief systems,
and the role of media and fiction. Unlike object-
oriented research, subject-oriented studies are
more aligned with traditional academic contexts..
Conclusion
The demand for systematic scientific research into
UFOs is driven by credible sightings, unexplained
occurrences and physical evidence, including
reports from high-ranking military, pilots, and
government officials. Professionalization is
essential, moving beyond private researchers to
establish scientific and academic involvement.
Despite societal stigma, there's a call for unbiased
exploration, with proposals for national or
international institutions collaborating with
stakeholders. These institutions would adhere to
scientific standards, bridging the gap between
professional and lay-scientific research. In
conclusion, the UFO phenomenon warrants
serious scientific investigation, integrating various
dimensions into research questions and
methodologies with skepticism, openness,
seriousness.
Fig. 4: George
Adamski, one of
his U.F.O.
photographs,
c.1952 Palomar
Gardens
campground, San
Diego County,
California, USA
References
Anton, Andreas. "UFO research." N Equals 1:
Single Case Studies in Anomalistics 6 (2020):
133.
Nolan, Erin Hyde. "Hey! I Told You Flying
Saucers Are Real!: An investigation of the truth
value of UFO photographs within contemporary
art." (2019).