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IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
The UFOs of OctoberThe Autokinetic Effect and Group Dynamics in UFO
Observations
Michael D. [email protected]
Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York
UFOs of October 2006
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Outline1 Introduction
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
2 Illusions of MotionAutokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
3 Autokinetic Effect and UFOsIncident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
4 SummaryConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Outline1 Introduction
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
2 Illusions of MotionAutokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
3 Autokinetic Effect and UFOsIncident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
4 SummaryConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Outline1 Introduction
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
2 Illusions of MotionAutokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
3 Autokinetic Effect and UFOsIncident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
4 SummaryConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Outline1 Introduction
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
2 Illusions of MotionAutokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
3 Autokinetic Effect and UFOsIncident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
4 SummaryConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
;whoami
Past president of the once skeptic group ISUNY
Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York (name by committee)
RPI’s “First,” “Second,” and “Third, First AnomalousPhenomena Symposium ” (funded by student union)
Attending MUFON talk about Stillwarter sightings
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
;whoami
Past president of the once skeptic group ISUNY
Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York (name by committee)
RPI’s “First,” “Second,” and “Third, First AnomalousPhenomena Symposium ” (funded by student union)
Attending MUFON talk about Stillwarter sightings
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
;whoami
Past president of the once skeptic group ISUNY
Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York (name by committee)
RPI’s “First,” “Second,” and “Third, First AnomalousPhenomena Symposium ” (funded by student union)
Attending MUFON talk about Stillwarter sightings
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
;whoami
Past president of the once skeptic group ISUNY
Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York (name by committee)
RPI’s “First,” “Second,” and “Third, First AnomalousPhenomena Symposium ” (funded by student union)
Attending MUFON talk about Stillwarter sightings
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Introduction
A Mystery in Stillwater
October, 1994 Albany Times Union:
“red and green blinking lights in sky”
“whole bunch of people witnessedthis”
“Nobody was drinking; There were nodrugs around”
Lights first seen about 8 pm
Saucer shaped; size of a dime at armslength.
Covered by two tv stations next day
What did they see?Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
A Puzzle
A dime held at Arm’s Length
The Times Union article elaborated:
The objects saucer shaped; size of a dime held at arms length.
Think about this:
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
A Puzzle
A dime held at Arm’s Length
The Times Union article elaborated:
The objects saucer shaped; size of a dime held at arms length.
Think about this:
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
A Puzzle
A dime held at Arm’s Length
The Times Union article elaborated:
The objects saucer shaped; size of a dime held at arms length.
Think about this:
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
A Puzzle
A dime held at Arm’s Length
The Times Union article elaborated:
The objects saucer shaped; size of a dime held at arms length.
Think about this:
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is about
UFOs, optical illusions, group dynamics
Normal perceptual mental effects
“Lights in the sky”
Autokinetic effect and other “Illusions of Motion”
Examples from real life
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is about
UFOs, optical illusions, group dynamics
Normal perceptual mental effects
“Lights in the sky”
Autokinetic effect and other “Illusions of Motion”
Examples from real life
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is about
UFOs, optical illusions, group dynamics
Normal perceptual mental effects
“Lights in the sky”
Autokinetic effect and other “Illusions of Motion”
Examples from real life
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is about
UFOs, optical illusions, group dynamics
Normal perceptual mental effects
“Lights in the sky”
Autokinetic effect and other “Illusions of Motion”
Examples from real life
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is about
UFOs, optical illusions, group dynamics
Normal perceptual mental effects
“Lights in the sky”
Autokinetic effect and other “Illusions of Motion”
Examples from real life
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
A Mystery in StillwaterOverview
Overview
This talk is not about
Alien abductions
Alien autopsies
Crashed flying saucers
Flying saucer cults
Intentional hoaxes
History of UFOlogy
UFOs as Mythology or Folklore
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect
Perceptual illusion of motion
A stationary light appears to move
Small eye movements—brain normally corrects
Affects everybody when conditions are right
Realistic and persuasive
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect
Perceptual illusion of motion
A stationary light appears to move
Small eye movements—brain normally corrects
Affects everybody when conditions are right
Realistic and persuasive
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect
Perceptual illusion of motion
A stationary light appears to move
Small eye movements—brain normally corrects
Affects everybody when conditions are right
Realistic and persuasive
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect
Perceptual illusion of motion
A stationary light appears to move
Small eye movements—brain normally corrects
Affects everybody when conditions are right
Realistic and persuasive
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect
Perceptual illusion of motion
A stationary light appears to move
Small eye movements—brain normally corrects
Affects everybody when conditions are right
Realistic and persuasive
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Muzafer Sherif’s study
Study of group norms
Subject individually report movements
Groups of subjects converge on estimate
Group estimate persists
First, inadvertent, study of UFOs
Replicated, easy to influence motion
Exaggerated norms, spell words, etc.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
Illusions of Motion
Other Illusions
Autostatic effect
Stroboscopic effect
Induced movement
Moon or stars “chasing effect”
Atmospheric shimmering
Prismatic effect and rotation
Size/Brightness constancy
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circlesThree wedgesNo triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circlesThree wedgesNo triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circlesThree wedgesNo triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circles
Three wedgesNo triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circlesThree wedges
No triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circlesThree wedgesNo triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Contour Slide
Information from sense organs
What the brain expects to see
This image has:
Three semi-circlesThree wedgesNo triangles
The perception of triangles isdifficult to shake
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Elizabeth Loftus
Shows subjects movie of auto accident
Later asked “how fast” the car was traveling when it “ran thestop sign”
There was no stop sign
Regardless, subjects later recalled a stop sign
Loftus called this a “leading question”
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Elizabeth Loftus
Shows subjects movie of auto accident
Later asked “how fast” the car was traveling when it “ran thestop sign”
There was no stop sign
Regardless, subjects later recalled a stop sign
Loftus called this a “leading question”
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Elizabeth Loftus
Shows subjects movie of auto accident
Later asked “how fast” the car was traveling when it “ran thestop sign”
There was no stop sign
Regardless, subjects later recalled a stop sign
Loftus called this a “leading question”
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Elizabeth Loftus
Shows subjects movie of auto accident
Later asked “how fast” the car was traveling when it “ran thestop sign”
There was no stop sign
Regardless, subjects later recalled a stop sign
Loftus called this a “leading question”
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
Elizabeth Loftus
Shows subjects movie of auto accident
Later asked “how fast” the car was traveling when it “ran thestop sign”
There was no stop sign
Regardless, subjects later recalled a stop sign
Loftus called this a “leading question”
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
IFO Drawings
Hendry, 1979
Influence of what we believe wesaw
Collection of UFO drawings
Based on what people believedthey saw
But, this was an Identified FlyingObject
An advertisement plane seen froma distance
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
IFO Drawings
Hendry, 1979
Influence of what we believe wesaw
Collection of UFO drawings
Based on what people believedthey saw
But, this was an Identified FlyingObject
An advertisement plane seen froma distance
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
IFO Drawings
Hendry, 1979
Influence of what we believe wesaw
Collection of UFO drawings
Based on what people believedthey saw
But, this was an Identified FlyingObject
An advertisement plane seen froma distance
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
IFO Drawings
Hendry, 1979
Influence of what we believe wesaw
Collection of UFO drawings
Based on what people believedthey saw
But, this was an Identified FlyingObject
An advertisement plane seen froma distance
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Autokinetic EffectOther Illusions of MotionPerception As An Active Process
An active process
IFO Drawings
Hendry, 1979
Influence of what we believe wesaw
Collection of UFO drawings
Based on what people believedthey saw
But, this was an Identified FlyingObject
An advertisement plane seen froma distance
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
The Story
Fall of 1965 in Exeter, NH
Multiple witnesses reported UFOs
UFO followed car from beach
Visible from back porches
Reported to move, rotate
Went on for three months
Widely reported in newspapers
Subject of book by John Fuller
Considered excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
An Explanation?
Robert Sheaffer, 1986
Time of sightings fromnewspaper reports
Time Jupiter was 20 degreeabove horizon
If not Jupiter, where wasJupiter?
No “UFO next to the ‘brightstar’ ”?
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
An Explanation?
Robert Sheaffer, 1986
Time of sightings fromnewspaper reports
Time Jupiter was 20 degreeabove horizon
If not Jupiter, where wasJupiter?
No “UFO next to the ‘brightstar’ ”?
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
An Explanation?
Robert Sheaffer, 1986
Time of sightings fromnewspaper reports
Time Jupiter was 20 degreeabove horizon
If not Jupiter, where wasJupiter?
No “UFO next to the ‘brightstar’ ”?
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
An Explanation?
Robert Sheaffer, 1986
Time of sightings fromnewspaper reports
Time Jupiter was 20 degreeabove horizon
If not Jupiter, where wasJupiter?
No “UFO next to the ‘brightstar’ ”?
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Incident at Exeter
An Explanation?
Robert Sheaffer, 1986
Time of sightings fromnewspaper reports
Time Jupiter was 20 degreeabove horizon
If not Jupiter, where wasJupiter?
No “UFO next to the ‘brightstar’ ”?
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
The Story
July 11th, 1991, Mexico City
Total eclipse, sun near zenith
Thousands of people watching
Hundreds? Thousands? see UFO
Recorded on camcorders and cameras
Basis of documentary: Messenger of Destiny
Considered an excellent UFO case
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
An Explanation?
sky from Baja, CA, Sky & Telescope July 1991
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
Venus, magnitude −5
UFO compared to Venus?
Long-lasting wave of UFOreports in Mexico
Major elements fromUS UFOlogy
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
An Explanation?
sky from Baja, CA, Sky & Telescope July 1991
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
Venus, magnitude −5
UFO compared to Venus?
Long-lasting wave of UFOreports in Mexico
Major elements fromUS UFOlogy
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
An Explanation?
sky from Baja, CA, Sky & Telescope July 1991
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
Venus, magnitude −5
UFO compared to Venus?
Long-lasting wave of UFOreports in Mexico
Major elements fromUS UFOlogy
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
An Explanation?
sky from Baja, CA, Sky & Telescope July 1991
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
Venus, magnitude −5
UFO compared to Venus?
Long-lasting wave of UFOreports in Mexico
Major elements fromUS UFOlogy
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
An Explanation?
sky from Baja, CA, Sky & Telescope July 1991
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
Venus, magnitude −5
UFO compared to Venus?
Long-lasting wave of UFOreports in Mexico
Major elements fromUS UFOlogy
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Mexico City Eclipse
An Explanation?
sky from Baja, CA, Sky & Telescope July 1991
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter
Venus, magnitude −5
UFO compared to Venus?
Long-lasting wave of UFOreports in Mexico
Major elements fromUS UFOlogy
Could be UFO, but nocompelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”
Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”
Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving light
Rock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on camera
Anchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”
Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Channel 6:
People said “lights moving”Video footage of rock-steady “star”Meteorologist debunked
Channel 10:
Moving lightRock steady image on cameraAnchor says “I saw something the other night”Meteorologist kept silent
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Arcturus and Capella visible in north
Venus and Jupiter visible in southeast
Exceptionally clear fall air
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Arcturus and Capella visible in north
Venus and Jupiter visible in southeast
Exceptionally clear fall air
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
The Story Unfolded
Arcturus and Capella visible in north
Venus and Jupiter visible in southeast
Exceptionally clear fall air
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
Incident at ExeterMexico City EclipseStillwater, NY
Stillwater, NY
Followup
Ray Cecot, MUFON sponsored talk, 1 year later
First UFOs at 8 pm
Got to Stillwater at 11 pm
People pointing at stars when asked about UFO
Believes that earlier object was “real” UFO
11 o’clock: could not tell star from interstellar ship
8 o’clock: they could tell star from interstellar ship
Could be UFO, but no compelling evidence
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Complex Interactions
UFO sightings not a single effect!
Combination of perceptualillusions
Selective recall
Group dynamics
Influenced by “leading” questions
Our brain tries to form aconsistent narrative
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Complex Interactions
UFO sightings not a single effect!
Combination of perceptualillusions
Selective recall
Group dynamics
Influenced by “leading” questions
Our brain tries to form aconsistent narrative
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Complex Interactions
UFO sightings not a single effect!
Combination of perceptualillusions
Selective recall
Group dynamics
Influenced by “leading” questions
Our brain tries to form aconsistent narrative
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Complex Interactions
UFO sightings not a single effect!
Combination of perceptualillusions
Selective recall
Group dynamics
Influenced by “leading” questions
Our brain tries to form aconsistent narrative
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Complex Interactions
UFO sightings not a single effect!
Combination of perceptualillusions
Selective recall
Group dynamics
Influenced by “leading” questions
Our brain tries to form aconsistent narrative
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Complex Interactions
UFO sightings not a single effect!
Combination of perceptualillusions
Selective recall
Group dynamics
Influenced by “leading” questions
Our brain tries to form aconsistent narrative
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Disclaimer
Nobody knows what people saw in Stillwater
Distant jet? A bright star?
An interstellar space craft?
Evidence for space craft, weak. Very weak.
Simple alternative explanations available
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Disclaimer
Nobody knows what people saw in Stillwater
Distant jet? A bright star?
An interstellar space craft?
Evidence for space craft, weak. Very weak.
Simple alternative explanations available
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Disclaimer
Nobody knows what people saw in Stillwater
Distant jet? A bright star?
An interstellar space craft?
Evidence for space craft, weak. Very weak.
Simple alternative explanations available
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Disclaimer
Nobody knows what people saw in Stillwater
Distant jet? A bright star?
An interstellar space craft?
Evidence for space craft, weak. Very weak.
Simple alternative explanations available
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Disclaimer
Nobody knows what people saw in Stillwater
Distant jet? A bright star?
An interstellar space craft?
Evidence for space craft, weak. Very weak.
Simple alternative explanations available
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake Nevada
Roswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New Mexico
Albany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
After Stillwater
Mini UFO wave in Hudson Valley
RPI’s First UFO, Second First UFO, and Third First UFOsymposium
Many people saw the newspaper article and news reports
Many fewer people saw any alternative explanation
Hudson valley rated number 3 for UFO spotting
That’s right:
Groom Lake NevadaRoswell New MexicoAlbany New York
UFOs are in the background (folklore)
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Scientific Investigation
Does not start with total ignorance
There is much we don’t know
But, there is much we do
What we do know, informs investigations, shapes hypothesis
This is called: “Making progress”
Skeptics, do a disservice if they pretend to ignore this progress
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Scientific Investigation
Does not start with total ignorance
There is much we don’t know
But, there is much we do
What we do know, informs investigations, shapes hypothesis
This is called: “Making progress”
Skeptics, do a disservice if they pretend to ignore this progress
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Scientific Investigation
Does not start with total ignorance
There is much we don’t know
But, there is much we do
What we do know, informs investigations, shapes hypothesis
This is called: “Making progress”
Skeptics, do a disservice if they pretend to ignore this progress
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Scientific Investigation
Does not start with total ignorance
There is much we don’t know
But, there is much we do
What we do know, informs investigations, shapes hypothesis
This is called: “Making progress”
Skeptics, do a disservice if they pretend to ignore this progress
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Scientific Investigation
Does not start with total ignorance
There is much we don’t know
But, there is much we do
What we do know, informs investigations, shapes hypothesis
This is called: “Making progress”
Skeptics, do a disservice if they pretend to ignore this progress
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Conclusions
Scientific Investigation
Does not start with total ignorance
There is much we don’t know
But, there is much we do
What we do know, informs investigations, shapes hypothesis
This is called: “Making progress”
Skeptics, do a disservice if they pretend to ignore this progress
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Solution to Puzzle
How big is a dime held at arm’s length?
First, What does the question mean?
Big, compared to what?
UFO Context:
How big is a dime at arm’s length, compared to the full moon?
The dime is, roughly, 4 times the area of the full moon.
People are bad at judging distance and size without context
If the context is “flying saucers”
What starts as a bright star, ends with a drawing of a UFO
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Robert E. Bartholomew & George S. HowardUFOs & Alien Contact: Two Centuries of Mystery.Prometheus Books, 1998.
Curtis PeelbesWatch the Skies!: A Chronicle of the Flying Saucer Myth.Smithsonian Institution Press, 1994.
Joel AchenbachCaptured by Aliens: The Search for Life and Truth in a VeryLarge Universe.Simon & Schuster, 1999.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October
IntroductionIllusions of Motion
Autokinetic Effect and UFOsSummary
ConclusionsPerceptual Puzzle
Robert SheafferThe UFO Verdict: Examining the Evidence.Prometheus Books, 1986.
Terence HinesPseudoscience and the Paranormal: A Critical Examination ofthe Evidence.Prometheus Books, 1988.
Michael Sofka, ISUNY The UFOs of October