PLATILLOS VOLANTES: UN ENIGMA QUE DURA VEINTE AÑOS

This article, written by Thomas G. Buchanan, provides a historical overview of the United States Air Force's investigation into Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) over a twenty-year period, from 1947 to 1967. The narrative traces the evolution of official military projects, beginning with the initial interest sparked by Kenneth Arnold's 1947 sighting, through the establishment of Project Sign, Project Grudge, and eventually Project Blue Book. The author details the involvement of various figures, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the Air Force's primary expert on the subject, and Major Dewey Fournet, who served as a liaison between the Pentagon and Project Blue Book. The text highlights the skepticism surrounding the phenomenon, noting that while some military officials and scientists, such as Dr. Edward U. Condon, led investigations to provide scientific explanations, others, like Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter, expressed concerns about the potential for official cover-ups. The article also recounts specific incidents, such as the 1953 sighting in Black Hawk, South Dakota, where radar operators at Ellsworth Air Force Base tracked an object moving at high speeds, and mentions the 1958 sighting near Trindade Island, Brazil. Throughout the text, the author explores various theories, including the 'plasma' theory proposed by Dr. Felipe J. Klass and the psychological explanations suggested by Carl Jung. The article concludes by referencing the University of Colorado's study, which aimed to provide a definitive scientific assessment of the phenomenon, while noting the ongoing public and political debate regarding the existence of UFOs and the government's transparency on the matter.