Opinions Among Scientists
The scientific community has shown very little support for the ETH, and has largely accepted the explanation that reports of UFOs are the result of people misinterpreting common objects or phenomena, or are the work of hoaxers.
A cited example of this was an informal poll conducted in 1977 by astrophysicist Peter A. Sturrock, surveying the members of the American Astronomical Society. Sturrock asked polled scientists to assign probabilities to eight possible explanations for UFOs. The results were:
| 23% | An unfamiliar natural phenomenon |
| 22% | A familiar phenomenon or device |
| 21% | An unfamiliar terrestrial device |
| 12% | Hoax |
| 9% | An unknown natural phenomenon |
| 7% | Some specifiable other cause |
| 3% | An alien device |
| 3% | Some unspecified other cause |
An earlier poll done by Sturrock in 1973 of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics members found that a somewhat higher 10% believed UFOs were vehicles from outer space.
Read more about this topic: Extraterrestrial Hypothesis
Famous quotes containing the words opinions and/or scientists:
“New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.”
—John Locke (1632–1704)
“Y’know scientists are funny. We probe and measure and dissect. Invent lights without heat, weigh a caterpillar’s eyebrow. But when it comes to really important things we’re as stupid as the caveman.... Like love. Makes the world go ‘round, but what do we know about it? Is it a fact? Is it chemistry? Electricity?”
—Martin Berkeley, and Jack Arnold. Helen Dobson (Lori Nelson)