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“”An astronomical solution should be uppermost in a UFO investigator’s mind, but few UFOlogists have even a rudimentary understanding of astronomy.
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—Ian Ridpath[1] |
Ian William Ridpath (1 May 1947–) is an English science writer, editor and broadcaster best known for his work in astronomy and UFO skepticism.
Biography[edit]
Born in Ilford, Essex, on 1 May 1947, Ridpath's interest in astronomy and space emerged in childhood.[2] He attended Beal Grammar School in Ilford, where he contributed astronomy articles to the school magazine. He later worked as an assistant in the lunar research group at the University of London Observatory at Mill Hill in London, before becoming a full-time science writer.
In his early books, Worlds Beyond (1975), Messages from the Stars (1978), and Life off Earth (1983), Ridpath explored the topics of extraterrestrial life and interstellar travel which lead him into skeptical investigation of UFOs.[2] He subsequently investigated several notable UFO cases, most significantly the 1980 Rendlesham Forest incident for which he provided the first comprehensive explanation, he has also written extensively about how astronomical phenomena can lead to UFO sightings.[3]
Ridpath has authored or edited over 40 book titles, including Collins Guide to Stars and Planets (1984-2017), Collins Gem: Stars (1985-1999), and Monthly Sky Guide (1987-2019); he is also editor of Norton’s Star Atlas (1989-2007) and Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy (1997-2018).
Principles and positions[edit]
UFO uncertainty principle[edit]
The UFO uncertainty principle, coined by Ridpath,[4] states that a UFO sighting can not be both highly credible and highly detailed at the same time. Reliable sightings, involving multiple independent witnesses, usually report vague phenomena (like lights in the sky) that are soon identified as conventional objects. In contrast, detailed accounts involving alien craft or beings typically rely on a single or limited source and are far less trustworthy.
Ridpath's position statement on UFOs[edit]
In a position statement laid out on his website,[4] Ridpath concedes that UFOs are real in the sense that people often see things in the sky they can not immediately identify. However, he maintains, around 90% these sightings are later explained as ordinary objects like stars, planets, aircraft, or satellites; even sightings by trained observers, such as pilots and police officers, are often misidentifications. The small number of unexplained cases, he continues, do not prove alien involvement and claims that these unexplained sightings are fundamentally different do not hold up under investigation. Although conspiracy theories persist, he asserts, government file releases have weakened these claims, and ironically, some UFO believers themselves cover-up inconvenient facts that challenge their views. Ultimately, he concludes, UFOs reflect human perception and psychology more than alien visitation; rather than proving we're not alone, they highlight our own nature, and perhaps suggest that humanity is currently the galaxy's only advanced civilization.
Astronomical causes of UFOs[edit]
Amateur astronomers, according to Ridpath,[1] often have a better understanding of the causes of UFO sightings than many UFO researchers, as statistical analysis reveals that astronomical objects are the most common source of mistaken reports. Despite this, he laments, many UFO researchers lack basic astronomical knowledge, leading them to overlook simple explanations for a lot of cases. He provides the following examples on his website:
Star, planets, meteors, and satellites[edit]
People mistake ordinary lights in the sky for something exotic due to unfamiliarity with celestial objects and atmospheric effects. Factors like poor optics, thin clouds, and optical illusions distort perception. Judging distance at night is also difficult, adding to the confusion. Even professionals misinterpret stars or planets as hovering or flashing UFOs. And radar can be unreliable, as shown in a 1990 Belgian UFO case explained by star misidentification and equipment malfunction.
‘Close encounters’ with Venus and Jupiter, the biggest culprits of all[edit]
Bright planets like Venus and Jupiter are often mistaken for UFOs due to their striking appearance in the night sky. Venus, in particular, is frequently misidentified because of its brightness and cross-like appearance, leading to exaggerated reports of movement and size. Shaky video footage and optical distortions also contribute to modern UFO sightings. Notable cases include police chases and abduction claims, which were later linked to misperceptions of these planets.
Mystified by the Moon?[edit]
Even the Moon can be mistaken for a UFO. In one case, three people reported a hovering saucer with lights, strange noises, and animal reactions, with one witness feeling paralyzed. However, investigator Allan Hendry found they were actually observing the crescent Moon with Mars and Jupiter nearby. Misty weather created the illusion of movement and light changes, while the rest of the experience was likely influenced by imagination.
Flaming fireballs[edit]
Meteors, particularly the bright "fireball" ones, are often mistaken for UFOs due to their brief appearance and the human tendency to misjudge time, distance, and brightness. Even experienced pilots have misidentified fireballs, as seen in a 1969 case where a supposed UFO encounter was actually a distant meteor. Such incidents, including still-debated cases like Rendlesham and the Belgian Air Force sighting, highlight the unreliability of eyewitness UFO reports.
Surprising satellites and remarkable re-entries[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 Ian Ridpath, Astronomical causes of UFOs, ianridpath.com
- ↑ Jump up to: 2.0 2.1 Ian Ridpath, Ian Ridpath's Fuller CV, ianridpath.com
- ↑ Ian Ridpath, Ian Ridpath's Homepage, ianridpath.com
- ↑ Jump up to: 4.0 4.1 Ian Ridpath, Ian Ridpath’s UFO skeptic pages, ianridpath.com