close encounters

Science Fiction writers often set their stories in space, where they can explore a variety of life forms and civilizations and all the complexities that exist when species interact. There is a wealth of information that can be found in the scientific community regarding reported alien encounters and unexplained phenomena.

If aliens have visited Earth, why isn't there more evidence to support their existence? Some believe evidence can be found in ancient structures: The Great Pyramids of Giza, the technology required seems incomprehensible for the time; the Nazca Lines of Peru, drawn with pebbles, strewn across the desert to create images of birds, spiders or humanoid figures which only make sense from the sky; or drawings of humanoids shown in a space suit.

For thousands of years, people have looked to the night sky in awe. UFO evidence goes back to the first records of mankind; cave drawings of space crafts and alien beings. Text from the oldest civilizations, dating back 5000 years, described flying vehicles..

One of the earliest written records of an encounter comes from Egypt, "A circle of fire appeared in the sky. After some days it became more luminous and shone with the brightness of the sun, extending to the very limits of the heavens."

Babylon myth indicates civilization was a gift granted by beings from the skies. Sumerian myths were recorded on clay tablets which detail instructions received from above.

"Assigned to Anu, to heed his instructions, three hundred in the heavens he stationed as a guard; the ways of Earth to define from the Heaven; and on Earth, six hundred he made reside, After he all their instructions had ordered, to the Annunaki of Heaven and of Earth, he allotted their assignments."

Sumerian culture was extremely advanced, with knowledge of mathematics, astronomy and architecture similar to civilization today.

Alexander the Great also witnessed UFOs in 329 BC. He observed gleaming metal shields in the sky which swooped down on his troops. Years later, another craft appeared before Alexander, and shot a beam of light at a castle wall, breaking it down and granting his troops entry.

In 1463 a slab like object appeared in the sky, surrounded by flames and a bright light. A century later, in 1561, huge round cylinders appeared in the night sky with shooting beams of light. Usually these sightings were attributed to spiritual beings, angels, demons, gods or lost souls.

In the 20th century, people began to think the unexplained might be alien species visiting from other worlds rather than spiritual beings. Are UFOs modern day mythology, replacing religious faith? Human beings have a need to explain what we don't understand, to find higher meaning in the events that occur around us.

It is possible an advanced civilization has visited our planet. In 1955 a peaceful evening of card playing, was interrupted with a wild encounter with aliens. The family saw small silver creatures, floating through the air and surrounding their home. Other residents in the area reported seeing meteorites that night and hearing a high humming sound. The family was interviewed by local civilian and military police. During the time, America was enchanted with science fiction stories involving aliens, invasions and space crafts.

In 1975, George O'Barski, reported seeing a space craft land in front of his vehicle, small figures exited the craft and gathered soil samples. Collaborative witnesses came forward and physical evidence including burn marks in the ground and broken windows where the craft landed. The area had a history of UFO sightings prior to the night O'Barski claimed to see extraterrestrials and dozens of sightings have been reported in the area since.

In 1993, Ann Carlovich witnessed an elliptical shaped light moving slowing across the night sky. Others in the area saw the same object. Many believe it was a military aircraft, though not a plane or helicopter.

Many UFO sightings can be disproved; various lighting formations on aircrafts, multiple aircrafts flying in formation, weather patterns, meteorites or hoaxes.

Sally Deering has reported on many sightings but feels people are too ready to conclude it is an alien encounter. The more sightings attributed to alien encounter, the more likely others are to jump to a similar conclusion, rather than considering other, more reasonable, explanations.

Find story starters and ideas at fictionway.com