According to The Mutual UFO Network, better known as MUFON, in addition to sweltering temperatures, the summer of 2011 also brought with it a rise in the number of reported UFO sightings. According to Clifford Clift, MUFON’s International Director, reported sightings were nearly double the national average this summer. In a statement to Life’s Little Mysteries Mr. Clift said, “It’s pretty exciting, when you average 500 a month [nationwide] and go to 1,013 in one month, that’s an interesting spike in sighting reports.” MUFON is reviewing the raw report data to ensure that the spike in reported data actually correlates to increased UFO activity . Currently there doesn’t seem to be a correlating spike in reports to the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) Database. However, since NUFORC’s data is manually approved/released, a delay could be causing the discrepancy in the numbers of reported sightings. If MUFON’s data is indicative of a upswing in UFO activity, we should see a similar uptick in NUFORC’s numbers as well as their team processes more reports which would further help to validate the trend identified by MUFON.

UFO Reports Spiked this Summer [via Area51.Org]

Some of you may have noticed that our UFO Activity Monitor has moved from its previous home up at the top of the page to new digs in the sidebar. Along with the move, the Activity Monitor has received a minor re-tooling. We have simplified the system down to 4 levels indicated by a colored dot and a text label (as seen to the right). Instead of the previous 6 possible levels of UFO activity, we now have Low, Average, High and Contact.

Low (blue) now indicates activity at least one order of magnitude below the 10 year reporting average.

Average (green) indicates activity within +/- one order of magnitude of the statistical average.

High (orange) represents activity at least one order of magnitude above average.

Contact (red) represents the most exciting level of UFO activity. It represents public UFO sighings/landings being reported by the mass media (think UFO lands in Times Square, at the White House, etc).

For a peek at all the level graphics, check out the About Page for our UFO Activity Monitor.

The numbers are in for January, and despite the ongoing high profile sightings in Texas, the level of reported UFO activity has remained at normal within normal parameters. Even though January did not see any drastic increase in the number of reported sighting, I think there is a strong possibility that we will see a rise in reported sightings in the months to come. First (and undeniably the most importantly), the mainstream media’s reporting of the Stephenville sightings has brought ufology out of the recesses of the obscure and into the public consciousness. Even if the large majority of the public dismissed the sightings (which I am sure they did), the idea of seeing a UFO is rattling around in their subconscious and I think that will lead to the public paying more attention to the skies above their heads, even if just in passing. Second, February saw a lunar eclipse, an event that historically is a hotbed of UFO reports. With more people craning their necks to gaze at moon, millions of eyes scanned the sky – increasing the chances that if a UFO was in the sky, that it would be seen. Lastly, January brought us a new weekly UFO show on the history channel which (regardless of it’s quality) will grip the imaginations of the public and in my opinion lead to more eyes on the sky. All in all, I think we are about to see some interesting times ahead. What do you think? The comments are open, let me know.