UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFOs)

Recently, Flight operations at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Manipur were affected due to the presence of an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO). The incident resulted in the diversion of two flights and delays for three departing flights. 

2. What are UFOs?

• A UFO is an unidentified flying object which is generally considered anomalies that are completely unidentifiable.
• UFO is an object in the sky that is not identifiable as any known object or even a natural phenomenon.
• The title of UFO was created in 1953 by the United States Air Force to record and review any instances where a flying object was logged in official reporting.

Image Source: Britannica

3. Global Perspective on UFOs

• Project Blue Book, a government initiative from 1952 to 1969, compiled over 12,000 reports but ended due to a low percentage of unidentified cases.
• While the US has been a focal point for UFO sightings, they are reported worldwide.
• Former President Barack Obama acknowledged the existence of unidentified objects in a 2021 interview, emphasizing the need for investigation.
• A 2021 government report indicated inconclusive data, with sightings often near US training and testing grounds.
• The heightened interest in UFOs emerged after World War 2, coinciding with the Cold War, leading to increased government focus on potential threats.
• The term Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon (UAP) is now used to avoid the speculative associations linked to UFOs.
• The Pentagon and NASA employ this term, with NASA commissioning a study team in 2022 to examine UAPs from a scientific perspective. The focus is on identifying and collecting data to enhance scientific understanding.

4. UFO Sightings in India

• Unlike the US, UFO sightings have not been a significant part of Indian culture.
• However, with the proliferation of televisions and cameras, claims have increased.
• Renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray contributed to the depiction of aliens in Indian culture through scripts like "The Alien" and "Bonkubabur Bondhu." played a role in shaping the representation of aliens in Indian culture.
• Despite not being a significant part of Indian folklore, the accessibility of cameras has led to an increase in UFO claims.
• A June 2022 report mentioned the need for time, improved data gathering, diagnostic tools, and scientific scrutiny to gain clarity on the surge in UAP reports.
• National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized the impact of unexplained aerial phenomena on training ranges, pilot operations, and national security.

5. World UFO Day

• World UFO Day is observed every year to spread awareness about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs).
• The main aim of celebrating the day is to acknowledge the existence of UFOs. 
• Earlier, this day was celebrated on two different dates by people, some celebrated it on 24 June, while the others observed it on 2 July. Later, 2 July was officially declared as World UFO Day.

6. Conclusion

The study of UAPs is a relatively new field, and there is still much that we do not know about these phenomena. However, the recent increase in interest and attention to UAPs is likely to lead to new insights and understanding in the years to come.

 Source: The Indian Express