UFO report leaves unanswered questions

A long-awaited, declassified report on UFOs finally arrived last week. But anyone looking for answers, or even a mention of aliens, will have to keep waiting. The origins of mysterious objects, many reported by pilots over military bases, remain unknown. The report offered different potential explanations, from airborne clutter to American industry to foreign adversaries. The report also suggests the objects could be U.S. government technology. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who secured $22 million to fund a secret program to track UFOs, says more research needs to be done.

Class discussion: What do think was the source of the 144 reports of what the government calls "unidentified aerial phenomenon"? An official said there were “no clear indications that there is any non-terrestrial explanation” for the objects. Because most were reported near military bases, could they be spy planes or drones? Releasing the declassified document marks one of the first times the U.S. government has acknowledged that the sightings were worthy of scrutiny. Do you think the government is hiding information about UFOs? Why or why not? Is it surprising that we simply don’t know what these objects are?