Alien Aircraft: Have they been observed on Earth?

£5.00

A. Bond (2018), JBIS71, pp.225-232

Refcode: 2018.71.225
Keywords: UFO, Fermi Paradox, Magneto-Hydrodynamic Vehicles

Abstract:
The subject of Flying Saucers or, more generally UFOs, immediately polarises the scientific community. It is therefore with some trepidation that the author embarks on this paper, feeling vulnerable to accusation from some eminent quarters that the subject is simply unworthy of consideration. It is a subject which has developed huge stigma in scientific circles, drawing scorn from some people to whom the very prospect of alien visitors is preposterous. In particular, they would cite with one sweep the incredulous nature of the UFO literature as representing a manifestation of intelligent contact by alien species with our planet. It must be admitted that the author has great sympathy with this intuitive point of view. Yet it is the author’s opinion that proper scientific method has not been adequately applied to the vast number of reports of unfamiliar vehicles in our skies. Indeed, this paper was presented at a conference predicated on the hypothesis that aliens should exist and, while discussing the apparent absence of them, dismissing that reports of strange machines in our skies could be valid evidence of their presence. The author therefore craves indulgence while undertaking examination of the evidence from the point of view of a propulsion engineer, with considerable background in aerospace and nuclear power engineering, especially nuclear fusion. In addition, the author has had long standing interest in the issues surrounding the Fermi Paradox and has extensively studied the problems of interstellar flight. In the following paper propulsion will be the central focus of consideration, together with such issues as the observation and visibility of vehicles in the sky. Consideration will be given to observer credibility and example hoaxes will be drawn upon.