What Is Ufology ?

WikiAnswers succinctly defines UFOlogy thusly:

“UFOlogy is a word coined to describe the research of and combined efforts of those researching the UFO phenomenon. Contrary to popular belief, however, UFOlogy as a word does not solely describe those in favour of UFO's as Extraterrestrial Spacecraft, but rather an umbrella term relating to all studies of the phenomenon itself, irrespective of belief or stance on the subject.”

However, expanding upon the term and looking at it from the perspective of the Mutual UFO Network, perhaps we may add that UFOlogy is the investigation of reported anomalies with an eye toward resolving the anomaly as an atmospheric condition, a man-made object or an artifact of a digital camera.  Once earth-bound explanations have been exhausted, a UFOlogist may continue to seek logical explanations for such phenomenon, before proclaiming that the anomaly could be extraterrestrial in nature.

This method of investigation has not always been the case, as far as claims of the existence of off-world entities are concerned. There are many who seek fame and notoriety of UFOs and alien beings, and whom may offer a multitude of photographic and physical proof.  This is where the keen eye and investigative techniques of the UFOlogist will come into play.

Photographs can be altered through the use of numerous available programs. This makes it difficult to discern true objects as opposed to ‘photo-shopped’ objects set in place by a program.  An UFOlogist may need the assistance of a professional photo analyst who has experience with different photo programs to be able to decipher if a photograph had been altered in any way.

Sometimes, an anomaly may actually be an artifact caused by the camera itself, or an insect, bird or other explainable property that appears skewed by movement of the object or even the movement of the camera itself.

The study of UFOlogy also entails familiarity with the stellar heavens, such as the locations of visible stars, and the whereabouts of satellites and other explainable objects that may be mistaken for something unidentified.

UFOlogy is both a discipline and a science, albeit not entirely recognized as such, with its main goal being the discovery of accurate and undeniable evidence that life outside of Earth’s atmosphere not only exists but has the wherewithal to travel through space to visit our planet.

If you are interested in learning more about the possibility of the existence of UFOs, or aspire to become a UFOlogist, it is highly recommended that you seek out a reputable organization, such as the Mutual UFO Network.  MUFON will teach you lessons in discovery that have accumulated over years and years of exploring and fully investigating UFO phenomenon.  You can sign up to become a Field Investigator in your area and gain your own ‘hands on’ experience on the front lines, if you choose.  You can meet others of like-mindedness at monthly local meetings and MUFON’s yearly Symposium as well.

UFOlogy is an altruistic effort of people from all walks of life working in concert to solve the mystery of the aerial anomalies that we have come to know as UFOs and to do so for the benefit of all living-kind, human, plant and animal.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara S. Delozier, Msc.D.
(Containing the views of the writer and not necessarily the views of the Mutual UFO Network)

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