THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND THE STUDY OF UFOS/UAPS

The Mutual UFO Network is the world's oldest and largest UFO phenomenon investigative body with nearly 600 active field investigators reviewing and reporting on hundreds of sightings each month from around the world.

Since 1969, MUFON has investigated more than 100,000 cases. A phenomenon commonly known as unidentified flying objects is a random observational event that makes it difficult to use all aspects of the scientific methods, but MUFON adheres to scientific procedures and techniques. Data is collected through online reports that identify specific information used to make reports as accurate as possible.

Data collected includes: date, time, latitude, longitude, witness report, witness background, UFO color/shape/brightness, and directional information. A MUFON Field Investigator interviews the witnesses and collects additional information such as angular size, elevation, azimuth, brightness, if possible the distance to the object, and other measurable information.

​The Field Investigator looks for the possibility of misinterpreted information. Common objects a witness may consider to be a UFO include Chinese lanterns, aircraft, drones, astronomical objects, and light reflections.
Image Analysis
This is a common phenomenon sent to MUFON. The "Sensor Area" is pointed on the "target" and the artificial intelligence of the camera rolls over the same area every few seconds or minutes, depending on how it is programed.

​The dancing orbs is the limitation of the camera and how the photo sensors 'see'. Note it is focused on the table. The security light makes the camera reflect 'within' the digital image.
SpaceX Satellight from Earth
This is not the the invasion of the ET's. It's Elon Musks Starlink Satellights. Here is a great video of SpaceX Starlink Satellites
​Train - Viewed From Earth.

Fata Morgana
High Strangeness - MUFON Tips On Photo Analysis. “Fata Morgana” is a type of mirage seen on the horizon of the ocean and sometimes is mistaken for a UFO. It is a reflection on the horizon, and though normally seen in the open ocean, can at times be seen on land. The name refers to the Celtic mythological fairy “Morgana” who has induced sailors to see odd mirages in the air, like cities, islands, or other ships, thus causing them to run aground.

UFO investigators can get photos looking odd, like the mother ship is out over the ocean. It is important to rule out these types of phenomena. Check out this link for more information on Fata Morgana.
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https://www.farmersalmanac.com/fata-morgana-mirage-28630 This link will exit you from the Washington State MUFON Website.
Did you know 30 to 40 % of images MUFON receives are from Home Security or Game Cameras? Here is how we process these photos to debunk some interesting images.

Remember the “Invasions of the Rods or Sky Fish”? These were actually pictures taken by cameras with lower shutter speeds of insects. Many insects have wings that beat 12 strokes per second, up/down/, up to 250 beats per second! Too fast for most security/game cameras.
This leaves an impression of a rod like flight with circular anomaly placed along the rods.

As you may have seen in the fall, spiders are busy spinning webs. Occasionally these webs will lose a strand and capture dew while floating. These too can capture an unworldly image.

These images below show examples:

Research Tools

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If you ever wanted to know Who MUFON is, What MUFON does and Where MUFON is going for the rest
of this century, we ask humbly that you download this special edition of the MUFON July 2023 Journal
we have especially prepared for you. 
Please go to this link for your free July 2023 MUFON Journal:
https://mufon.com/free-journal
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Washingtons volunteer Field Investigators use a wide variety of tools that help in analyzing the sighting reports that are submitted. Here are just a few of the tools investigators use.

​Useful Research Tools:
Satellite & Astronomy
An online planetarium from In-The-Sky.org, showing what stars and planets you'll be able to see in the night sky on any given day of the year. This link will exit you from the Washington State MUFON Website.
International Space Station
See the International Space Station! As the third brightest object in the sky the space station is easy to see if you know when to look up. The tracking map helps eliminate the ISS as a UFO. This link will exit you from the Washington State MUFON Website.
Local Air Traffic Tool
Think you’ve spotted a UFO? Use this convenient link to check live local air traffic to rule out mistaking an airplane for a UFO sighting. This link will exit you from the Washington State MUFON Website.
Image Analysis
You do not need to be a professional image analyst to use image analysis tools. However you will need a little bit of technical aptitude and of course an attention to detail. This link will exit you from the Washington State MUFON Website.
MUFONS Recent Reports
-Temporarily Offline-
The data on the Recent Reports page is compiled from several different sources and may take up to 60 seconds to fully load. This link will exit you from the Washington MUFON State Website.
Washington State MUFON Website 2024