Rumors and theories about alien activity on Earth have long circulated among conspiracy groups and throughout the mainstream public. All you have to do is look at some of the biggest blockbuster movies in history and see just how often aliens and extraterrestrial life have been depicted.
Movies such as War of the Worlds, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Independence Day, Starship Troopers, Predator, and many others have taken ideas from the stories that circulate, making them into the movies that people flock to the theatre to watch. But while the movies may be nothing more than fiction, the government has also said quite a bit regarding UFOs and aliens.
In honor of Alien Abduction Day, March 20, let’s examine what governments have said about them. It’s up to you to decide what’s fact or fiction.
UFO or Spy Balloons Over North America?
Look no further than 2023 for another instance of potential UFOs. A UFO, by definition, is an unidentified object, and what happened above the skies in the U.S. and Canada in late January and February began as a mystery. But what started as a mysterious sighting in the sky quickly became apparent—a high-altitude balloon that made its way from China into Canada and the United States. The story ended quickly on February 4 when the U.S. Air Force shot it down out of the skies.
However, what started as a one-off didn’t stay that way, as more mysterious objects appeared in the following months. One was even described as an “unidentified cylindrical object over Canada,” and it, too, was shot down.
It took a few months for the full story to emerge. Still, in the end, these mysterious objects all appeared to be Chinese spy balloons and not an alien UFO, which was briefly floated by some.
Adding fuel to the fire at the time was U.S. Air Force General and head of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Northern Command Glen VanHerck, who said, “We’re calling them objects, not balloons, for a reason,” He also went on to state that he “would not rule out aliens, or any other explanation.”
Five Eyes Partners Hold Forum on UFO Research
The fact that the Five Eyes intelligence partners are considering the idea of UFOs and aliens seriously enough to collect data, research, and reports and then hold a forum discussing the findings was, for many “conspiracy theorists,” proof in itself. But in reality, this was a chance for the partners to exchange information their militaries have collected, analyze it, and determine if there was evidence of UFOS and aliens.
The Pentagon and NASA are actively studying “unidentified anomalous phenomena,” known as “UAP,” another term for UFOs. The Pentagon’s UFO research program director held and led the forum that the Five Eyes partners attended.
Regarding what came out of the meeting, officials all had the same to say – they haven’t found evidence that points towards UAP and “otherworldly life.”
The US is Holding Alien Technology in Storage – Fact or Fiction
Another widespread consensus from those who firmly believe in UFOs and aliens is that the US government has been holding alien technology in storage for years – even decades. The mystery and fascination surrounding Area 51 are built on the very notion that evidence of a UFO and even an alien lifeform are held in secrecy there.
The notion of a government cover-up isn’t new, and plenty of fuel is given to conspiracy theorists. The original belief is that Area 51 was a crash site of a UFO and alien. Because Area 51 has always been off-limits to people and is a top-secret area, it seems to feed the rumors and wild stories.
Area 51 was established in 1955 and was officially used as the Nevada Test and Training Range complex. It has now morphed into the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), and as of 2018, Google Maps displayed imagery of the site, which was a first. While there is much land, it is meant to test classified aircraft.
This means the question remains – is Area 51 much ado about nothing, or is there weight to the rumors, theories, and claims? Fact or fiction is a question many are left asking.
Chances are it’s Just Military Testing – a Common Explanation Used
Then there is the much-used explanation that what people spot in the skies is nothing more than secret military tests that can’t be discussed. It is the perfect answer, and one would be remiss to believe these tests aren’t happening regularly. Military tests occur and must be kept under wraps for obvious reasons.
However, some go on to question whether that explains every sighting. That’s where the waters can get murky, as getting your hands on evidence that points in either direction can feel next to impossible. This is exactly why so many “alien conspiracy theory” people believe the government is using this line.
There is some evidence, however, that the frequency of UFO sightings that increased during the 1950s and 60s was actually due to military testing. A Pentagon report released to Congress earlier this month reported that “most sightings of UFOs were ordinary objects from Earth” and that the spike that was reported in the 1950s and 60s was due to advanced testing of space technology and spy planes.