UFO is an initialism for Unidentified Flying Object. In the simplest terms, a UFO is an unrecognized object that has been observed in the sky, usually at night. Most of the time, UFO sightings can be attributed to planes, drones, satellites, balloons, and other flying or floating objects. However, some objects cannot or have not been identified. Over the last century, these UFO sightings have piqued the interest of Hollywood and the general public at large.
As UFOs are unidentified by their nature, they are hard to study. Therefore, it should be noted that there are multiple definitions and that there are several related terms. Historically, these sightings have been called Flying Saucers or Fireballs, but these terms became too limiting. Today, the terms UFO and UAP are normally used. However, the use of UAP is growing. The term UAP is an initialism for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon, which is a more broad term for these sightings. Unlike UFOs, UAPs include more than just objects.
There have been reports of UFO sightings for thousands of years, but there has been an increase in these reports over the last century. There are several possibilities for this rise. First, reporting mechanisms for UFOs have expanded. Secondly, reporting UFOs has become less stigmatized. Thirdly, technology, especially aircraft technology that can identify more UFOs, have developed significantly over the last century. For these reasons, along with others not discussed, have likely increased the amount of reported UFO sightings.
Naval Air Systms Command. (n.d.).GIMBAL.wmv.[Video].https://www.navair.navy.mil/foia/documents
Witness Unknown (1969). Scientific Study of UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects)[Photograph]. National Archives Catalog.https://catalog.archives.gov/id/295136808?objectPage=2