Aliens and UFO Sightings – Is the Smoking Gun Shooting Blanks?
Posted by in Astronomy on July 12, 2011
Despite popular belief, the term UFO means an Unidentified Flying Object, not a spaceship or flying saucer. This applies to any object spotted in the sky that is not readily recognized by the observer. This can apply to unusual weather phenomena and military aircraft not generally seen by the public, yet whenever the term UFO is used, the talk turns to aliens and spacecraft.
Are UFOs visiting our planet? This question has been hotly debated for decades, with no definitive proof on either side of the question. While respected scientists from both sides make valid points, until there is undeniable proof, the debate will rage on. There are those who believe that not only are there visits now, but this has been ongoing since the dawn of mankind. Cave paintings, phrases in the Bible, and codes found in famous works of art would seem to reinforce this theory, however, these are open to interpretation, and can be seen in other ways as well. What it boils down to is belief, which is one of the most difficult things to change for a society as a whole.
Is life outside our solar system possible? The Drake Equation would point to yes, using mathematical probability as it’s basis. While this may be considered proof of life, it does nothing to prove that what life is out there is intelligent enough to have mastered space travel. Life may very well have evolved at a different pace, or the planets that can sustain life may be only just reaching the point where life is evolving. Until we are able to explore the outer reaches of the universe ourselves, there is no possibility of gathering proof of aliens and other life forms.
When the subject of aliens is raised, the assumption is that these beings are much more advanced than we are, and are coming here for some purpose unknown to us. The theory of governments of the world having secret deals with these beings in exchange for technology has been discussed, but much like all UFO debates, they go nowhere, since there is no real proof. For the most part, eyewitness accounts are all the evidence that has been gathered. While there are many well trained and respected people who have reported sightings, the main focus seems to be on the fringe element of the UFO communities. These are the people who claim to be able to psychically communicate with aliens, and have alien children aboard spacecraft they have visited on a recurring basis. Many of these fringe people are simply trying to get attention, or fill a void in their lives, and may even truly believe their stories in time. Read the rest of this entry »
New Animal Species in 21st Century
Posted by in Astronomy on July 12, 2011
Anyone concerned about the fate of planet Earth should be alarmed by the lighting-fast disappearance of various animal species during the past century. But not all the news is bad! Around the globe, scientists also continue discover a cornucopia of new animal species. Here are some of the most fascinating ones discovered since the dawn of the 21st century:
1. Annamite Striped Rabbit.
Scientists from the Wildlife Conversation Society (WCS) reported discovering this rabbit, in 2008. They found it in Laos’ extremely remote and craggy Annamite Mountains. The rabbit features black and brown stripes on its face and back. The Annamite Striped Rabbit is Earth’s only known striped rabbit that isn’t extinct.
2. Bornean Clouded Leopard.
Besides living in Borneo, this medium-sized big cat also lives in Sumatra and the Malay Archipelago. In March of 2008, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) named the mammal in March of 2007. The leopard’s name originates from its characteristic coat of asymmetrical ovals, which seem to resemble clouds. Interestingly, while scientists first learned about the leopard in the early 1800s, it officially became a unique species in 2006.
3. Camiguin Hanging Parrot.
The habitat of this colorful bird, indigenous to the island of Camiguin in the Philippines, is quickly vanishing. The bird is a rainbow of colors. Its body is mostly green, though it also has an orange bill, blue cheeks, a yellow streak on the back of its head and crown, and a red nape. In 2006, scientists declared that this species differed from the Philippine Hanging Parrot. Read the rest of this entry »