In science, extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence. So far, that bar has not been cleared.
Neil deGrasse Tyson: “Show Me the Alien”
Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, takes a characteristically direct approach.
If the files contain a confirmed extraterrestrial being, he jokes, no documents would be necessary — the proof would speak for itself.
Tyson argues that many reported sightings can be attributed to unfamiliarity with atmospheric optics, astronomical objects or military technology. In his view, the human tendency to fill knowledge gaps with dramatic explanations often leads to what he calls “aliens of our ignorance.”
In today’s hyperconnected world — where billions of photos and videos are uploaded daily — Tyson also questions how an alien presence could remain successfully hidden.
The “Giggle Factor” and Serious Science
Shelly Wright of the University of California San Diego acknowledges that discussions about UFOs often carry a “giggle factor,” even among scientists. Yet she believes serious inquiry into unexplained phenomena is worthwhile.
