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159 Most scientists regard ufology as, at best, a pseudo-science. The Clarks disagreed, asserting that the systematic study of sightings might well be the best way of detecting extraterrestrials capable of interstellar mobility. Many of the same principles used to justify searching for extraterrestrial intelligence by radio can be used to justify a scientific form of ufology. That could be part of an expanded notion of what constitutes SETI, which starts with the contention that extraterrestrials could have a radio communica- tion capability and then mounts surveys to obtain the evidence. Noting that the demystification of alchemy and astrology led to legiti- mate chemistry and astronomy, the Clarks thought that there will be similar rewards in demystifying UFOs. SETI pioneers set an example when they faced down the giggle factor and legitimized their subject.” This idea received United Nations backing in 1978. The U.N. General Assembly invited interested member states to coordinate scientific research into extraterrestrial life, including unidentified flying objects, and to inform the Secretary General of their observations, research, and evaluations. Little seems to have come of this. Planetary scientist Von Eshleman pointed out a practical problem: the UFO community cannot bring to bear the complex and expensive astro- nomical firepower that is routine in SETI, including the largest antennas and most sensitive electronic and digital systems in the world. Although UFO researchers have plenty of soft data, observed Swift, they have no single satisfactory hypothesis and no simple plan for investigation.” SETI offers another parallel. Credible evidence of extraterrestrial intel- ligence, according to Jill Tarter, is being unable to explain a signal—which you also can’t make go away—by any known astrophysics or technology.” Some UFO sightings may fall into that category. In 1997, a team of scientists organized by physicist Peter Sturrock studied the physical evidence from some of the better documented UFO sightings. They concluded that, although there was intriguing evidence associated with some cases, none involved currently unknown physical phenomena or pointed to the involvement of extraterrestrial intelligence. Some reported incidents might have involved rare but significant phenomena such as elec- trical activity high above thunderstorms or rare cases of radar ducting. A few cases might have their origins in secret military activities. The UFO problem is not a simple one, the Sturrock team concluded; it is unlikely that there is a single answer. However, most current UFO investigations are not carried out at a level of rigor that is consistent with prevailing standards of scientific research. It may be valuable to carefully evaluate UFO reports to extract information about unusual phenomena currently unknown to science. To be credible, such evaluations must take A Scientific Review A Scientific Review