An Astronomer Who Believes in Aliens Explains Why He s Not Convinced by UFO Sightings
CHRIS IMPEY, THE CONVERSATION
9 JANUARY 2021
If intelligent aliens visit the Earth, it would be one of the most profound events in human history.
Surveys show that nearly half of Americans believe that aliens have visited the Earth, either in the ancient past or recently. That percentage has been increasing. Belief in alien visitation is greater than belief that Bigfoot is a real creature, but less than belief that places can be haunted by spirits.
Scientists dismiss these beliefs as not representing real physical phenomena. They don t deny the existence of intelligent aliens. But they set a high bar for proof that we ve been visited by creatures from another star system. As Carl Sagan said, Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Many people who say they have seen UFOs are either dog walkers or smokers. (Aaron Foster/THeImage Bank/Getty Images)
If intelligent aliens visit the Earth, it would be one of the most profound events in human history.
Surveys show that
nearly half of Americansbelieve that aliens have visited the Earth, either in the ancient past or recently. That percentage has been increasing. Belief in alien visitation is greater than belief that Bigfoot is a real creature, but less than belief that places can be haunted by spirits.
Scientists dismiss these beliefs as not representing real physical phenomena. They don’t deny the existence of intelligent aliens. But they set a high bar for proof that we’ve been visited by creatures from another star system. As
If intelligent aliens visit the Earth, it would be one of the most profound events in human history.
Surveys show that nearly half of Americans believe that aliens have visited the Earth, either in the ancient past or recently. That percentage has been increasing.
Belief in alien visitation is greater than belief that Bigfoot is a real creature, but less than belief that places can be haunted by spirits.
Scientists dismiss these beliefs as not representing real physical phenomena. They don’t deny the existence of intelligent aliens. But they set a high bar for proof that we’ve been visited by creatures from another star system. As Carl Sagan said, “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
If intelligent aliens visit the Earth, it would be one of the most profound events in human history.
Surveys show that nearly half of Americans believe that aliens have visited the Earth, either in the ancient past or recently. That percentage has been increasing. Belief in alien visitation is greater than belief that Bigfoot is a real creature, but less than belief that places can be haunted by spirits.
Scientists dismiss these beliefs as not representing real physical phenomena. They don’t deny the existence of intelligent aliens. But they set a high bar for proof that we’ve been visited by creatures from another star system. As Carl Sagan said, “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
The Conversation: I m an astronomer and I think aliens may be out there – but UFO sightings aren t persuasive
11 Dec, 2020 04:34 AM
5 minutes to read
Many people who say they have seen UFOs are either dog walkers or smokers. Photo / 123RF
Many people who say they have seen UFOs are either dog walkers or smokers. Photo / 123RF
Other
OPINION: By Chris Impey
If intelligent aliens visit the Earth, it would be one of the most profound events in human history.
Surveys show that nearly half of Americans believe that aliens have visited the Earth, either in the ancient past or recently. That percentage has been increasing. Belief in alien visitation is greater than belief that Bigfoot is a real creature, but less than belief that places can be haunted by spirits.