So you are out for a walk with your significant other and low and behold, the two of you see some strange and amazing bright object in the sky. What do you do?
My advice: watch it and enjoy the experience.
If you have the presence of mind to note what direction it came from and traveled to, it would be helpful for researchers — especially should you care to report the sighting later. The two of you should come to a consensus about the shape of what you saw, as well as make a note of where you were and what time it was that you saw the UFO.
OK, regarding reporting: This is where it gets a bit complicated. First off, don’t call the Air Force, as they haven’t collected UFO sighting information since 1969. In fact, since 1969, no United States government agency publicly collects UFO data.
Don’t call your local newspaper. Most news editors I’ve met tend to blow off the topic of UFOs. Many I have known think that people who report such sightings are either nuts or hoaxers, so don’t bother with them.
While I don’t want to paint all journalists and news directors with the same brush, I’d also advise against calling your local television or radio station. Experience has shown they aren’t any more receptive than the newspaper folks are.
What about law enforcement? My advice is if the UFO has landed or is a clear and present danger to property or public safety, then by all means call law enforcement. Many of the best UFO sighting reports over the years have been filed by law enforcement and public safety officers. But if you just want to tell somebody about your amazing sighting, don’t bother law enforcement. They have enough to do.
If you really want to register your UFO sighting someplace where it will do some good, I recommend either the National UFO Reporting Center NUFORC.org or to the Mutual UFO Network MUFON.com and file a report.
If you file a report, it’s important to just get it down concisely to the facts and only the facts. You wouldn’t believe how many sighting reports that I’ve read that rambled on about whose back yard barbecue it was at and how amazing the sighting was. But nowhere do they tell us size, shape, color, direction of motion and sound, if any.
Likewise, it’s important to fill in the blank of what city, town or village you were in, and the correct state. An accurate date and time of the sighting is also critical, especially if other people report the sighting. All of this helps UFO investigators correlate mass sightings.
Be sure to share your identification and contact information. The NUFORC and MUFON folks are honest people, but if you really want to remain anonymous that’s ok too.
Finally, you really only need to file the report with one of the two UFO reporting services. Most the researchers monitor both databases.
Spring is coming and with it comes the season for UFO sightings. Enjoy the experience if you see one!
Let’s look at some recent UFO sightings in New York skies:
Jan. 17, 2016: At 4:15 a.m., a resident of Accord witnessed three bright golden lights flying in a tight formation. The lights were moving slowly above the tree line.
Jan. 17, 2016: At 8:30 p.m., a resident of Manhattan observed a white cloud-like object that was rotating.
Jan. 22, 2016: At 6 a.m., a resident of Middle Village witnessed a bright object fly across the sky in a high arc.
Jan. 24, 2016: At 11:45 p.m. a resident of Whitestone watched a bright light streak across the sky.
If you are interested in joining a monthly UFO discussion group in the Onondaga County area, drop Cheryl an email [email protected]. If you have a UFO sighting to report, you can use either one of the two national database services: nuforc.org or mufon.com. Both services respect confidentiality.
Cheryl Costa would love to hear the when, where and what of your New York sighting. Email it to [email protected]. The names of witnesses will be omitted to protect their privacy.