UFOs: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: Observations, Explanations and Speculations - Paperback

by Karl Svozil (Author)

Unidentified phenomena in space, in the Earth's atmosphere, and in waters are too important to leave their exploration to the military and scientific laypersons. Their proper scientific study is important for a variety of reasons; in particular, scientists and the public at large need to know the basic facts, to be informed about the way evidence is recorded, and to understand the difference been reliable evidence and fiction, as well as between plausible explanations and fantasy.
With this objective, the book surveys the history of UFO observations, the variety of recorded phenomena, and recounts the efforts of investigative commissions and their published findings.

Although wild rumors are demystified in the process, this is not an exercise in rumor-bashing. An open and at the same time critical mindset is the key. Many narratives and hypothesis appear implausible relative to our present state of knowledge; but this alone should not lead to their outright exclusion. Thus the author also pays attention to UFO sightings that have so far eluded explanation in terms of known physics or meteorology. Here the reader will encounter some of the more speculative but scientifically tenable proposals, for example, relating to sudden zigzag motion without apparent inertia or recognizable propulsion, yet always with a clear guide to their plausibility. Last but not least, the book outlines plans and suggestions for future research capable of revealing the existence and intentions of extraterrestrial intelligences, outer-space engineers, or technologies so far known only from science fiction.

Back Jacket

Unidentified phenomena in space, in the Earth's atmosphere, and in waters are too important to leave their exploration to the military and scientific laypersons. Their proper scientific study is important for a variety of reasons; in particular, scientists and the public at large need to know the basic facts, to be informed about the way evidence is recorded, and to understand the difference been reliable evidence and fiction, as well as between plausible explanations and fantasy.
With this objective, the book surveys the history of UFO observations, the variety of recorded phenomena, and recounts the efforts of investigative commissions and their published findings.

Although wild rumors are demystified in the process, this is not an exercise in rumor-bashing. An open and at the same time critical mindset is the key. Many narratives and hypothesis appear implausible relative to our present state of knowledge; but this alone should not lead to their outright exclusion. Thus the author also pays attention to UFO sightings that have so far eluded explanation in terms of known physics or meteorology. Here the reader will encounter some of the more speculative but scientifically tenable proposals, for example, relating to sudden zigzag motion without apparent inertia or recognizable propulsion, yet always with a clear guide to their plausibility. Last but not least, the book outlines plans and suggestions for future research capable of revealing the existence and intentions of extraterrestrial intelligences, outer-space engineers, or technologies so far known only from science fiction.

Author Biography

Karl Svozil is an Austrian theoretical physicist at the TU Wien specializing in quantum theory and the logical foundations of chaotic systems. After studies in Vienna and Heidelberg, he continued his career as a visiting scientist in various locations, in particular, UC Berkeley and the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as well as Lomonosov Moscow State University and The University of Auckland. He has a broad range of interests, including philosophy of science, psychoanalysis and economy, and has served in various interdisciplinary research funding panels.

Svozil's main motivation to study physics has been a desire which seems both pathetic and hard: very fast space travel to other solar systems, to contemplate and invent physical principles that would allow mankind to explore our galaxy. Although specializing in other areas of physics because of the obvious lack of opportunity to realize such ambitions with present physical means, he has never forgotten this passion.

Svozil holds that we should be acutely aware of the conceivable inverse situation, namely "us'' being visited by extraterrestrials. One of his first visits to UC Berkeley's Main Library was to fetch a copy of the Condon report. For him, the potential consequences are more than worth the effort of thorough scientific investigation.