Evolution of opinion on UFOs J. Allen Hynek

1 evolution of opinion on ufos

1.1 skepticism
1.2 change of opinion
1.3 turnaround

evolution of opinion on ufos
skepticism

in response numerous reports of flying saucers , united states air force established project sign in 1948 examine sightings of unidentified flying objects. hynek contacted act scientific consultant project sign. studied ufo reports , decided whether phenomena described therein suggested known astronomical objects.

when project sign hired hynek, skeptical of ufo reports. hynek suspected made unreliable witnesses, or persons had misidentified man-made or natural objects. in 1948, hynek said whole subject seems utterly ridiculous, , described fad pass.

for first few years of ufo studies, hynek safely described debunker. thought great many ufos explained prosaic phenomena misidentified observer. in 1977 book, hynek admitted enjoyed role debunker air force. noted debunking air force expected of him.

change of opinion

hynek s opinions ufos began slow , gradual shift. after examining hundreds of ufo reports on decades (including made credible witnesses, including astronomers, pilots, police officers, , military personnel), hynek concluded reports represented genuine empirical evidence.

another shift in hynek s opinions came after conducting informal poll of astronomer colleagues in 1950s. among queried clyde tombaugh, discovered dwarf planet pluto. of 44 astronomers, 5 (over 11 percent) had seen aerial objects not account established, mainstream science. of these astronomers had not shared accounts fear of ridicule or of damage reputations or careers (tombaugh exception, having openly discussed own ufo sightings). hynek noted 11% figure was, according polls, greater in general public claimed have seen ufos. furthermore, astronomers presumably more knowledgeable observing , evaluating skies general public, observations arguably more impressive. hynek distressed regarded dismissive or arrogant attitude of many mainstream scientists towards ufo reports , witnesses.

early evidence of shift in hynek s opinions appeared in 1953, when hynek wrote article april 1953 issue of journal of optical society of america titled unusual aerial phenomena, contained become perhaps hynek s best known statement:

ridicule not part of scientific method, , people should not taught is. steady flow of reports, made in concert reliable observers, raises questions of scientific obligation , responsibility. there ... residue worthy of scientific attention? or, if there isn t, not obligation exist public—not in words of open ridicule seriously, keep faith trust public places in science , scientists?

the essay worded: hynek never stated ufos extraordinary phenomenon, clear that, whatever own views, hynek increasingly distressed saw superficial manner in scientists looked @ ufos. in 1953, hynek associate member of robertson panel, concluded there nothing anomalous ufos, , public relations campaign should undertaken debunk subject , reduce public interest. hynek later lament robertson panel had helped make ufos disreputable field of study.

when ufo reports continued @ steady pace, hynek devoted time studying reports , determined puzzling, after considerable study. once said, scientist must mindful of lessons of past; has happened matters of great value science overlooked because new phenomenon did not fit accepted scientific outlook of time.

in 1985 interview, when asked caused change of opinion, hynek responded, 2 things, really. 1 negative , unyielding attitude of air force. wouldn t give ufos chance of existing, if flying , down street in broad daylight. had have explanation. began resent that, though felt same way, because still thought weren t going in right way. can t assume black no matter what. secondly, caliber of witnesses began trouble me. quite few instances reported military pilots, example, , knew them well-trained, when first began think that, well, maybe there this.

regardless of own private views, hynek was, , large, still echoing post-ruppelt line of project blue book: there no ufos, , reports can largely explained misidentifications.

hynek remained project sign after became project grudge (though far less involved in grudge had been in sign). project grudge replaced project blue book in 1952, , hynek remained scientific consultant. air force captain edward j. ruppelt, blue book s first director, held hynek in high regard: dr. hynek 1 of impressive scientists met while working on ufo project, , met many. didn t 2 things of them did: give answer before knew question; or begin expound on accomplishments in field of science.

though hynek thought ruppelt capable director steered project blue book in right direction, ruppelt headed blue book few years. hynek has stated opinion after ruppelt s departure, project blue book little more public relations exercise, further noting little or no research undertaken using scientific method.

turnaround

hynek began disagreeing publicly conclusions of blue book. 1960s—after decade , half of study—clark writes hynek s apparent turnaround on ufo question open secret. after blue book formally dissolved did hynek speak more openly turnaround .

by own admission, soft-spoken hynek cautious , conservative nature. speculated personality factor in air force keeping him on consultant on 2 decades.

some other ufologists thought hynek being disingenuous or duplicitous in turnaround. physicist james e. mcdonald, example, wrote hynek in 1970, castigating him mcdonald saw lapses, , suggesting that, when evaluated later generations, retired marine corps major donald e. keyhoe regarded more objective, honest, , scientific ufologist.

it during late stages of blue book in 1960s hynek began speaking openly disagreements , disappointments air force. among cases openly dissented air force highly publicized portage county ufo chase, in several police officers chased ufo half hour, , encounter of lonnie zamora, police officer reported encounter metallic, egg-shaped aircraft near socorro, new mexico.

in late march 1966 in michigan, 2 days of mass ufo sightings reported, , received significant publicity. after studying reports, hynek offered provisional hypothesis of sightings: few of 100 witnesses had mistaken swamp gas more spectacular. @ press conference made announcement, hynek repeatedly , strenuously stated swamp gas plausible explanation portion of michigan ufo reports, , not ufo reports in general. chagrin, hynek s qualifications of hypothesis largely overlooked, , term swamp gas repeated ad infinitum in relation ufo reports. explanation subject national derision.

in reply dated october 7, 1968, request scientific recommendations regarding blue book colonel raymond sleeper, commander of usaf foreign technology division, hynek noted blue book suffered numerous procedural problems , lack of resources, rendered efforts totally inadequate . hynek noted 1 wag had bestowed upon blue book epithet of society explanation of uninvestigated .