Project Condign

Infobox Paranormalterms


Image_Caption = Cover page
Usage = Terminology
Name = Project Condign
Origin = Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS)
Short =
Additional_Names =
Definition = A secret British UFO study conducted between 1997 and 2000
Characteristics = Findings were compiled as "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in the UK"
Extra_Title = Findings
Extra_Column = UFOs the result of misidentification of known/little known objects/phenomona
See_Also = Alien Abduction,
UFO,
Project Sign,
Project Bluebook

Project Condign was the name given to a top-secret UFO study undertaken by the British Government's Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS) between 1997 and 2000. Simpson, Mark (2006-05-07) " [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4981720.stm UFO study finds no sign of aliens] ", BBC News]

The results of Project Condign were compiled into a 400-page document titled "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in the UK" that drew on approximately 10,000 sightings and reports that had been gathered by Defence Intelligence (DI55). Randerson, James (2006-09-25) [http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/sep/25/news.past Is there anybody out there? How the men from the ministry hid the hunt for UFOs] , The Guardian (2007-12-02)] It was released into the public domain on 15 May 2006 after a September 2005 Freedom of Information Act request by UFO researchers Dr David Clarke, a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, and Gary Anthony, a former BUFORA astronomical consultant. The identity of the report's author/s was not made public.

Conclusions

UFOs

The report concluded that UFOs had an observable presence that was “indisputable”, but also that they did not represent crafts under intelligent control. ”Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in the UK”, Defence Intelligence Staff (2000)] According to its author/s most UFO sightings were likely the result the misidentification of common object such as aircraft and balloons, or were the result of known/ little-understood astronomical or meteorological phenomena (such as meteorites and atmospheric magnetic disturbances) which would not be recognized by most observers.

Close Encounters

The report described people who believed themselves to have had close encounters as being convinced of what they said that they had seen/experience, but also as not representing proof that such encounters were real. It attributed a number of cases to the “close proximity of plasma related fields” which it said could “adversely affect a vehicle or person".

Reaction

According to Clarke, the release of the documents did not shed any new light on UFOs or the UFO phenomenon, but did show that the DIS had been conducting a far larger investigation of the topic than it had previously let on.

References

External links

* [http://www.uk-ufo.org/condign/condrep.htm Condign Report] from Clarke and Anthony
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/feb/22/freedomofinformation.it Could we have hitched a ride on UFOs?] , "The Guardian", February 22, 2007