UFOs, in Italian OVNI (Unidentified Flying Objects) are objects or phenomena sighted in the sky for which it is not possible to provide an explanation. Around the world there are hundreds of thousands of these sightings every year and Italy is no exception. From 1900 until today, 12.432 unidentified flying objects have been reported in Italy alone. Among these reports, many will certainly be the result of jokes or self-suggestions. But all the others? Furthermore, it is not said that these objects or phenomena are of extra-terrestrial origin. But the world of science and governments around the planet have never ruled out this hypothesis.
The Air Force on the hunt for UFOs
1978 was the year in which more UFO sightings occurred in Italy, over 1000 cases throughout the national territory. The then Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti was worried about this phenomenon. Investigations on this matter were entrusted to the Air Force. From that moment all reports relating to UFOs should have been verified by any means available. Since 1997 these investigations have been entrusted to the General Security Department, or the intelligence department of the Air Force. Although many people do not believe in their existence, UFOs are treated by the Ministry of Defense as a matter of national security.
Sightings that depend on the collective imagination
Historically, sightings have spiked in certain years. These peaks are also related to the collective imagination and to Hollywood. The description of UFOs in the 60s for example followed the stereotypical idea of the alien of those times. A being in a space suit similar to that of astronauts often descended from the typical flying saucer. It can be said that over the years the description of many contacts has mostly followed the current trend in terms of aliens. But beware, there are not only mystifiers.
An example of a real UFO
There are episodes in which whole crowds have witnessed inexplicable phenomena. On 13 October 2016, a series of people spotted a UFO in the sky over Geneva. The sighting lasted for 20 seconds and there are those who have had time to take photos or videos from different points of the city. The Air Force was contacted immediately, but no trace of the object was found in the radar tracks. If someone happens to experience a sighting they can download this form from the site of the Air Force and deliver it to the nearest Carabinieri station.
