Unveiling the Unidentified: A Lifelong Pursuit of Rationalizing Celestial Phenomena
Unveiling the Unidentified: A Lifelong Pursuit of Rationalizing Celestial Phenomena
Hansjürgen Köhler has dedicated his life to understanding and explaining unidentified flying objects (UFOs). As the founder and director of Germany‘s UFO registration office CENAP, he has spent decades studying these phenomena. However, what sets him apart from many of his colleagues is his strong emphasis on debunking UFO sightings.
The Usual Suspects: A Scientific Approach to Investigation
When a UFO sighting is reported to CENAP, the first step is to gather basic information: date, time, and location of the sighting. The next step is to create a map of the location and enter the witness’s description and any attached photos or videos into a case file. From there, Köhler and his team begin their investigation.
“We check for the usual suspects,” he explains. “In the case of night sightings, we examine astronomical data for the location of the sighting (planets, star charts), as well as satellite, ISS, and bright rocket parts overflight data if necessary.” They also compare the photos and videos of the report with their extensive archive dating back to 1973.
The Rise of SpaceX: An Increase in UFO Sightings
In recent years, the rise of SpaceX has led to an increase in UFO sightings reported to CENAP. The deployment of Starlink satellites has been linked to this surge in reports. “In normal years, we usually had 300 to 400 cases, but now, for the past five years, that has gone up to 700 to 900,” Köhler says.
However, not all cases can be attributed to Musk’s satellite network. So-called burnups – rocket ignitions – in orbit sometimes also prompt people to make a report “because they cause fantastic formations at the zenith of the night sky when illuminated by the sun.”
Debunking the Myths: A Commitment to Rational Explanation
Köhler is keen to explain these sightings for several reasons. For one thing, he is always curious when new things appear in the sky, especially amid recent technological developments. In addition, his organization is the only reasonable point of contact for citizens looking for a scientific explanation for their observations.
A Lifelong Fascination with Space
Köhler’s fascination with space stems from when he was 11, watching the moon landing on TV in black-and-white. At that time, he did not rule out the idea of extraterrestrial life – or even the possibility that aliens could land on Earth. Today, however, Köhler separates his UFO research from extraterrestrial life, since he “has so far been unable to find any evidence of extraterrestrial visits to Earth.”
A Message from CENAP: Providing a Scientific Explanation
Köhler emphasizes that most people who report UFO sightings are not looking to see aliens or extraterrestrial life. “99% of them want us to explain what they have seen, and they are not coming to us expecting to have spotted an alien spaceship.” His message is clear: with a scientific approach and a commitment to debunking, CENAP aims to provide a rational explanation for UFO sightings, leaving no room for speculation or conspiracy theories.
