ufology
Studying strange sightings
Ufology is the study of unidentified flying objects and related phenomena, particularly reports of alien spacecraft and extraterrestrial encounters.
The field occupies an uneasy space between earnest research and fringe pseudoscience: He spent decades in ufology, interviewing witnesses and cataloging sightings.
Practitioners are ufologists.
Disc-shaped alien vehicle
- extraterrestrialBeing from outer space
- alienNon-native being
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
- encounterUnexpected meeting or confrontation
abduction · contactee · close encounter · Roswell · Area 51 · grey · probe · craft
Beyond scientific explanation
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- psychicOne claiming supernatural perception
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- channelingDirecting flow or energy
interdimensional · ancient astronauts · crystal skulls · Bermuda Triangle · occult
Extraordinary observable occurrence
- unexplainedNot yet clarified
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- lightsSources of illumination
- orbsRound glowing shapes
abduction · missing time · implant · cattle mutilation · crop circles · close encounter · trace evidence · electromagnetic
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- governmentAuthority over a state
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
disclosure · whistleblower · black budget · disinformation · suppression · leak · exposé · redacted
Systematic fact-finding effort
- witnessOne who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- analysisMethodical study of parts
fieldwork · radar · photograph · video · evidence · hoax · debunker · skepticism
flying saucer
Disc-shaped alien vehicle
- extraterrestrialBeing from outer space
- alienNon-native being
- sightingInstance of perceiving something
encounter · abduction · contactee · close encounter · Roswell · Area 51 · grey · probe · craft · lights
paranormal
Beyond scientific explanation
- supernaturalBeyond natural explanation
- psychicOne claiming supernatural perception
- telepathyDirect mental communication
channeling · interdimensional · ancient astronauts · crystal skulls · Bermuda Triangle · occult
phenomenon
Extraordinary observable occurrence
- unexplainedNot yet clarified
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- lightsSources of illumination
orbs · abduction · missing time · implant · cattle mutilation · crop circles · close encounter · trace evidence · electromagnetic
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- governmentAuthority over a state
- secrecyPractice of hiding information
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
classified · disclosure · whistleblower · black budget · disinformation · suppression · leak · exposé · redacted · debunking
research
Systematic fact-finding effort
- witnessOne who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
analysis · fieldwork · radar · photograph · video · evidence · hoax · debunker · skepticism · investigation
- UFOsflying saucers, UFOs, flying saucer, space aliens, aliens
- Fringe Sciencecold fusion, perpetual motion, alchemy, astrology, phrenology
- paranormalghosts, paranormal, haunting, poltergeist, apparition
ufologyhard science
Empirically rigorous research field
astronomy · astrophysics · physics · chemistry · aerospace engineering
ufologyastronomy
Science of celestial objects
astrophysics · geology · earth science · atmospheric science · aerospace engineering
ufologyskepticism
Disposition toward doubt
scientific skepticism · debunking · rationalism · empiricism · critical thinking