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What's Out There?

The U.S. government is trying to figure out if the strange objects in the sky are visitors from another galaxy.

As You Read, Think About: Why might it be difficult to explain some UFO sightings?

Pilot Kenneth Arnold took off in his plane on June 24, 1947. The sky was clear as he flew over the mountains of Washington State.   

Out of nowhere, a blue light flashed. Before Arnold knew it, nine glowing objects had sped by. The flat discs were going three times faster than any aircraft could. 

On that day 75 years ago, the public’s fascination with UFOs took off. Arnold’s was one of the first modern-day reports about UFOs, or unidentified flying objects.  

Since then, people have filed thousands of reports of UFOs. Some people dismiss such claims as nonsense. But a 2021 survey showed that more than 40 percent of Americans believe UFOs are alien spacecraft. Who’s right?

Even the U.S. government wants answers. It has spent years secretly investigating reports of UFOs, including ones from U.S. Navy and Air Force pilots. Though government officials can’t say for that aliens are out there, they also can’t fully explain all sightings.

“[There] is something unknown in our skies,” says NASA scientist Ravi Kopparapu. “We should be investigating it.”

Pilot Kenneth Arnold took off in his plane on June 24, 1947. He flew over the mountains of Washington State. The sky was clear.

Out of nowhere, a blue light flashed. Soon nine glowing objects had sped by. The flat discs were going three times faster than any aircraft could.

Arnold’s was one of the first modern-day reports about UFOs, or unidentified flying objects. On that day 75 years ago, interest in UFOs took off.

Since then, people have filed thousands of reports of UFOs. Some people say such claims are nonsense. But a 2021 survey showed that more than 40 percent of Americans believe UFOs are alien spacecraft. Who’s right?

Even the U.S. government wants answers. It has spent years secretly investigating reports of UFOs. This includes reports from U.S. Navy and Air Force pilots. Government officials can’t say for certain that aliens are out there. But they also can’t fully explain all sightings.

“[There] is something unknown in our skies,” says NASA scientist Ravi Kopparapu. “We should be investigating it.”

Strange Sights

By 1948, UFO fever was sweeping the nation. Alien encounters were depicted in movies, TV shows, and books. Real-life sightings multiplied too.    

In 2007, the U.S. government secretly started a program to look into the sightings. Some UFOs turned out to be shadows caused by sunlight or clouds. Others were drones or military planes. 

By 1948, UFO fever was sweeping the nation. Alien encounters were shown in movies. They were also on TV shows and books. Real-life sightings increased too.    

In 2007, the U.S. government secretly started a program to look into the sightings. Some UFOs turned out to be shadows caused by sunlight or clouds. Others were drones or military planes. 


Historia/Shutterstock 

The story of pilot Kenneth Arnold’s UFO sighting appeared in this magazine in 1948.

More Mysteries

UFOs made headlines again in 2017, when news organizations revealed the government UFO program. Newspapers published videos of encounters between military pilots and unexplained objects.

The U.S. Congress demanded that the Department of Defense explain what was going on. Its report, published last summer, offered few clear answers. 

Government officials examined 144 unexplained phenomena from the past two decades. They definitively identified only one—“a large deflating balloon.” The other 143 cases remain unsolved, though the report hinted that those sightings could have been birds, drones, or strange weather events. 

The report did not mention aliens. Still, some scientists believe extraterrestrial life does likely exist somewhere in the universe. 

“If you see something that is unknown or unexplainable, don’t hesitate to ask questions,” says Kopparapu. “You never know what you’ll find.”

UFOs made headlines again in 2017. News organizations revealed the government UFO program. Newspapers published videos of encounters between military pilots and unexplained objects.

The U.S. Congress demanded that the Department of Defense explain what was going on. It published a report last summer. The report offered few clear answers. 

Government officials examined 144 unexplained phenomena from the past two decades. They fully explained only one. It was “a large deflating balloon.” The other 143 cases remain unsolved. But the report hinted that those sightings could have been birds, drones, or strange weather events.

The report did not mention aliens. Still, some scientists believe extraterrestrial life does likely exist somewhere in the universe.

“If you see something that is unknown or unexplainable, don’t hesitate to ask questions,” says Kopparapu. “You never know what you’ll find.”

UFO Sightings

Take a look back at some of the most noteworthy moments in UFO history.

1945

During World War II, some pilots report seeing “foo fighters”— bright spheres tailing their planes.

During World War II, some pilots report seeing “foo fighters”— bright spheres tailing their planes.

Chronicle/Alamy Stock Photo 

1947

A flying object crashes in a field in Roswell, New Mexico. Early reports say it was the remains of a “flying disc.” Officials later say it was a weather balloon.

A flying object crashes in a field in Roswell, New Mexico. Early reports say it was the remains of a “flying disc.” Officials later say it was a weather balloon.

 Shutterstock.com

1955

Super-secret U.S. Air Force base Area 51 opens in the Nevada desert. Some people believe aliens are hidden there.

Super-secret U.S. Air Force base Area 51 opens in the Nevada desert. Some people believe aliens are hidden there.

 Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images

1961

Barney and Betty Hill claim they were kidnapped by aliens in New Hampshire. It’s the first widely reported alien abduction in the U.S.

Barney and Betty Hill claim they were kidnapped by aliens in New Hampshire. It’s the first widely reported alien abduction in the U.S.

 Stocktrek Images, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo

1989-1990

More than 13,000 people in Belgium see UFOs. (They likely saw spy planes.)

More than 13,000 people in Belgium see UFOs. (They likely saw spy planes.)

U.S. Navy

2017

UFO videos taken by U.S. Navy pilots are released, leading to an investigation and report.

UFO videos taken by U.S. Navy pilots are released, leading to an investigation and report.

UFO Sightings

Take a look back at some of the most noteworthy moments in UFO history.

1945

During World War II, some pilots report seeing “foo fighters”— bright spheres tailing their planes.

During World War II, some pilots report seeing “foo fighters”— bright spheres tailing their planes.

Chronicle/Alamy Stock Photo 

1947

A flying object crashes in a field in Roswell, New Mexico. Early reports say it was the remains of a “flying disc.” Officials later say it was a weather balloon.

A flying object crashes in a field in Roswell, New Mexico. Early reports say it was the remains of a “flying disc.” Officials later say it was a weather balloon.

 Shutterstock.com

1955

Super-secret U.S. Air Force base Area 51 opens in the Nevada desert. Some people believe aliens are hidden there.

Super-secret U.S. Air Force base Area 51 opens in the Nevada desert. Some people believe aliens are hidden there.

 Universal History Archive/ Universal Images Group via Getty Images

1961

Barney and Betty Hill claim they were kidnapped by aliens in New Hampshire. It’s the first widely reported alien abduction in the U.S.

Barney and Betty Hill claim they were kidnapped by aliens in New Hampshire. It’s the first widely reported alien abduction in the U.S.

 Stocktrek Images, Inc./Alamy Stock Photo

1989-1990

More than 13,000 people in Belgium see UFOs. (They likely saw spy planes.)

More than 13,000 people in Belgium see UFOs. (They likely saw spy planes.)

U.S. Navy

2017

UFO videos taken by U.S. Navy pilots are released, leading to an investigation and report.

UFO videos taken by U.S. Navy pilots are released, leading to an investigation and report.

  1. What is this article mostly about?
  2. According to the article, what event contributed to the spread of “UFO fever” in 1948?
  3. What explanations are given for some of the UFO sightings? Cite text evidence.
  1. What is this article mostly about?
  2. According to the article, what event contributed to the spread of “UFO fever” in 1948?
  3. What explanations are given for some of the UFO sightings? Cite text evidence.
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