UFOs

An unidentified flying object, or UFO, describes any visually-perceived phenomenon in the sky . Reports of unusual aerial sightings date back to ancient times. In most cultures within the world, UFO is often used to refer to any alien ship. but the term flying saucer is also regularly used. Once a UFO is identified as a known object like a plane or hot air balloon, it is no longer called a UFO. It is then classified as an identified object.

A 2002 poll for the Sci-Fi channel showed more people believing UFOs were an extraterrestrial craft. In that latest poll, 56 percent thought UFOs were real craft and 48 percent that aliens had visited the Earth. Again, about 70 percent felt the government was not sharing everything it knew about UFOs or alien life forms.

Documentary channels, like the Discovery Channel and the History Channel usually give UFO and alien related material from time to time.

In a survey given in 2006, 25% of America’s people either agreed or strongly agreed that a UFO was a sign of Alien life on another planet.

Some researchers recommend that observations be classified according to the features of the phenomenon or object that are reported or recorded. Typical categories include:

• Saucer, toy-top, or disk-shaped "craft" without visible or audible propulsion (day and night).
• Rapidly-moving lights or lights with apparent ability to rapidly change direction"
• Large triangular crafts.
• Cigar-shaped "craft" with lighted windows (Meteor fireballs are sometimes reported this way, but are very different phenomena).
• Other: chevrons, equilateral triangles, spheres (usually reported to be shining, glowing at night), domes, diamonds, shapeless black masses, eggs, and cylinders.