CANADIANS REPORTED NEARLY 400 UFOS DURING LAST 2 YEARS
12 June 1996 / July 6, 1996
Source: Electronic Times
An analysis of nearly 400 UFO sightings reported officially in Canada during
the last two years shows that Canadians continue to see many unusual things
flying in the sky.
Ufology Research of Manitoba, working in cooperation with researchers across
Canada, has released its review of Canadian UFO cases reported from 1994 to
1995. The study used case reports from both government records and private UFO
groups.
"UFO sightings continue to be reported at a constant rate," says Chris
Rutkowski, an astronomer and science writer in Winnipeg who for the past
21 years has been studying UFO reports in Canada. "People still report
observing unusual objects in the sky, and some of these objects do not
have obvious explanations."
According to the study: the typical UFO sighting occurs at about 9:00 p.m.;
most sightings have two witnesses; there are more UFOs seen on the prairies
than in Ontario or Quebec; many witnesses are pilots, police and other
individuals with reasonably good observing capabilities and good judgement.
Although most cases had explanations, a small percentage were not that easy to
dismiss.
"We were still left with some cases that were well-investigated and
involved unusual objects that did not seem to have been airplanes,
balloons or stars," Rutkowski notes. "The continued reporting of UFOs
leads us to recommend more studies of the phenomenon by social, medical
and/or physical scientists."
Among the unknowns were a disc-shaped object that flew circles around a plane
over Northern Ontario and several reports of black triangles which were seen
over Alberta and BC. The explainable cases included a bright light seen by 200
people over St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, and a strange luminous flying object
that turned out to be a police surveillance aircraft.
"UFOs simply haven't gone away," adds Rutkowski.
For more information, contact:
Chris Rutkowski
Ufology Research of Manitoba
204-269-7553
E-mail:
1994-95 Canadian UFO Survey
Summary of Results
. The number of UFO reports made in Canada has remained constant for the
past seven years. There are approximately 180 cases of unidentified flying
objects reported each year.
. The distribution of UFO reports in Canada is not related to the
distribution of population. Western Canada is over-represented in terms of
UFO report numbers.
. During the past seven years, there was no definite monthly trend found in
Canadian UFO reports. Each year, there appear to be regional monthly
fluctuations.
. Approximately 70% of all UFO sightings are merely observations of lights
in the night sky.
. About 13% of all UFO reports are unexplained. This percentage of unknowns
falls to about 2% when only high-quality cases are considered.
. Most UFO sightings occur between 9:00 pm and midnight.
. UFO incidents usually have more than one witness.
. In 1994-95, the typical UFO sighting lasted seven minutes.
. Most reported UFOs are white or red in colour.
The most important findings of this study include the fact that UFO sightings
have continued to be reported at a constant level over the past several years.
People still report observing unusual objects in the sky, and some of these
objects do not have obvious explanations. Many witnesses are pilots, police and
other individuals with reasonably good observing capabilities and good
judgement. Although most reported UFOs are simply lights in the night sky, a
significant number are objects with definite shapes observed within the
witnesses' frame of reference.
Popular opinion to the contrary, there is yet to be any incontrovertible
evidence that some UFO cases involve extraterrestrial contact. However, the
continued reporting of UFOs by the public suggests a need for further
examination of the phenomenon by social, medical and/or physical scientists.
For further information, contact: Ufology Research of Manitoba E-mail:
rutkows@cc.umanitoba.ca
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