(NICAP.org)
The whole UFO lecture/paper excerpt:
“Dr. J. Allen Hynek:
We will never know whether UFO reports represent genuinely new empirical
observations if we continue the type of logical fallacy illustrated by the Air
Force analysis of a radar-visual UFO report from Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New
Mexico, in 1957. Two witnesses in the control tower
reported at 11:00 p.m. that an object, which looked (through binoculars) like a
lighted, up-ended automobile, came within 200 feet of the ground
when it disappeared behind a fence in a highly restricted area, easily visible
from the control tower, then rose abruptly at very high angular rate and
disappeared. It was observed visually for about six minutes, about half of that
time through binoculars, and tracked in part by radar. The report of the Air
Force officer who investigated this case, which is in the Bluebook file,
states:
The two sources are Airways Operations Specialists with a total of 23
years experience. Both were on duty in the control tower at Kirtland Air Force
Base when the sighting was made - both appeared to he mature and well poised
individuals, apparently of well above average intelligence, and temperamentally
well qualified for the demanding requirements of control tower operators.
Although completely cooperative and willing to answer any question, both sources
appeared to be slightly embarrassed that they could not identify or offer an
explanation of the object which they are unshakably convinced they saw. In the
opinion of the interviewer, both sources are completely competent and reliable.
Project Bluebook explained this sighting as that of an aircraft; and
gave the following specific reasons:
1. The observers are considered competent and reliable sources and in
the opinion of the interviewer actually saw an object they could not
identify.
2. The object was tracked on a radar scope by a competent operator.
3. The object does not meet identification criteria for any other
phenomenon.
So, the witnesses were solid, the radar operator competent, and the
object unidentifiable as any other phenomenon; therefore the object had to be
an aircraft. Clearly, if such reasoning is applied to all UFO reports we can
hardly expect to find out whether any genuinely new empirical observations
exist to be explained. Schroedinger, the father of quantum mechanics, wrote: ‘The
first requirement of a scientist is that he be curious; he must be capable of
being astonished, and eager to find out.’ Perhaps he should have added, ‘and be
ready to examine data even when presented in a bewildering and confusing form.’
Source: Twenty-one Years of UFO Reports
J. Allen Hynek, Professor and Chairman, Department of Astronomy,
Northwestern University; American Association for the Advancement of Science,
134th Meeting, General Symposium, Unidentified Flying Objects; December 27, 1969”
http://www.nicap.org/reports/kirtland57hyn.htm
Dr. J. Allen Hynek, U.S. Astronomer,
the U.S. Air
Force's
Scientific Consultant on UFOs (1948-1969), UFO
Author,
Lecturer & Researcher (4.bp.blogspot.com
photo)
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