Philip J. Klass

Philip J. Klass, a science writer and UFO investigator, is the author of UFOs: The Public Deceived and The REAL Roswell Crashed Saucer Coverup. In the following viewpoint, Klass argues that most UFOs are really MPOs—Misidentified Prosaic Objects—such as planets, meteors, or aircraft. Observers can be tricked by their own minds and easily mistake ordinary objects for flying saucers, he points out. Even UFO sightings that are classified as “unexplainable” are likely the result of hoaxes or fantasy. Moreover, Klass maintains, when no explanation can be found for certain sightings, people should not jump to the conclusion that alien spacecraft exist.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Klass, what sort of “evidence” is typically collected at alleged UFO landing sites?
2. In the author&rsquo...