As stated by Astronomer F. Roach ⁽³⁾ the UAP phenomenon involves astronomers because the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena are mostly seen at night in the sky, a domain that astronomers have long considered their own. It has often been claimed that astronomers never observe UAP and that for this reason such phenomenon cannot possibly exist. This was proven false in 1976, when over two thousand questionnaires were mailed by P.A. Sturrock, Professor of Space Science and Astrophysics at the Stanford University, to members of the American Astronomical Society, enquiring if they had witnessed any event which they could not have identified and which could have been related to the UAP phenomenon. A small but significant number (around 5% of the 1350 questionnaires returned) replied affirmatively ⁽⁴⁾

As the bulk of the UAP information is essentially narrative, originating from witnesses who have no scientific training and little or no knowledge of astronomy, and mostly describing sightings occurring at night, it appears of paramount importance firstly to collect testimonies from members of the population that are trained observers, e.g. the astronomical community, and secondly to facilitate the communication of such reports without any a priori bias. It is only under this condition that progress towards a better knowledge of rare, transient atmospheric phenomenon can be envisaged. Even if no exogenous cause is responsible for UAP sightings, there is always an opportunity for science to discover new natural phenomena. The historical example of the red sprites should be kept in mind. The first images of these spurts of energy were made by accident in 1989. Before that, pilots had reported seeing mysterious red flashes above thunderstorms, but their claims were not always taken seriously.

The International Year of Astronomy 2009 event represents a unique opportunity of potentially collecting additional and more rigorous information on the UAP topic. With an overall network reaching some 140 countries and an organisation composed of many different events (including the October’s launch of Galilean Nights, the follow up to the highly successful 100 Hours of Astronomy), in 2009 alone the IYA will attract millions of people out of their homes, for contemplating the night sky and the universe. And potentially observing puzzling phenomena that they are unable to relate to anything they know.

Notes:

⁽³⁾ UFOs – a scientific debate, Sagan and Page editors, 1972

⁽⁴⁾ Report on a survey of the membership of the American Astronomical Society concerning the UFO
problem, Peter A. Sturrock, Institute for Plasma research, Stanford university report No. 681R.

⁽⁵⁾ Utilisation of J.Allen Hynek’s (Prof. and Chairman, Dept of Astronomy, and Director, Lindheimer
Astronomical Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois) diagram of
Strangeness/probability of UFO sightings (UFOs – a scientific debate, Sagan and Page
editors, 1972)