Mutual UFO Network
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| Type | Non-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 30, 1969 |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, OH |
| Key people | David MacDonald, International Director |
| Members | >3,000 |
| Website | MUFON |
The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) is an American non-profit organization that investigates cases of reported UFO sightings. It is one of the oldest and largest UFO-investigative organizations in the United States.
MUFON was originally established as the Midwest UFO Network in Quincy, Illinois on May 30, 1969 by Walter H. Andrus, Allen Utke, John Schuessler, and others.[1][2] Most of MUFON's early members had earlier been associated with Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO).
The organization now has more than 3,000 members worldwide, with a majority of its membership base situated in the continental United States. MUFON operates a worldwide network of regional directors for field investigation of reported UFO sightings, holds an annual international symposium, and publishes the monthly MUFON UFO Journal. The group now has more than 800 field investigators as well as teams to investigate possible evidence of any extraterrestrial craft. The network trains volunteers to be investigators, and teaches them how to interview witnesses and how to draw conclusions from the evidence.[2] Although investigators are not paid, they must pass both an exam on a 265-page manual, and a background check.[3]
The stated mission of MUFON is the scientific study of UFOs for the benefit of humanity through investigations, research and education. Along with the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) and the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR), MUFON is part of the UFO Research Coalition, a collaborative effort by the three main UFO investigative organizations in the US whose goal is to share personnel and other research resources, and to fund and promote the scientific study of the UFO phenomenon.
MUFON is currently headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio under the direction of David MacDonald, who owns an air carrier business in Cincinnati.[2]
Contents |
State chapters [edit]
- Ohio
The current MUFON of Ohio was born out of the MidOhio Research Associates (MORA) and continues to be headed by William E. Jones.[4] MORA was a UFO study group formed in 1990 in central Ohio. In 1998, MORA was renamed, incorporated, and reorganized as the Mutual UFO Network of Ohio to affiliate the organization with the national Mutual UFO Network (MUFON).[5]
As of 1973, Larry Moyers (of Akron, Ohio) was the State Director.[6] Ufologists Leonard H. Stringfield, Kenny Young, Richard Hoffman (Dayton, Ohio) and Donnie Blessing have served as State Section Directors for Southwestern Ohio.[7]
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- Publications
- Ohio UFO Notebook has published at least 23 issues, beginning before July 1992 and ending in 2002. In some instances, for example, combined issue four and five, the Ohio UFO Notebook is coupled with the Mutual UFO Network of Ohio Newsletter, but MORA remains the publisher.[8]
- Mutual UFO Network of Ohio Newsletter - Issued at least yearly since 2002.
Florida - Morgan Beall - State Director/Florida STAR Team Coordinator/National STAR Team Recruiter/Region 7 STAR Team Coordinator/MUFON Website Administrator/MUFON Technology Director Southwest, Teri Lynge – Assistant State Director/State Section Director/ STAR Team/Secretary/Treasurer Tampa Bay,Mary Margaret Zimmer – State Section Director Southwest
- Indiana
Currently led by Stewart Hill out of Elkhart, Indiana, with Jill Beitz as chief investigator.[9][2]
- Illinois
Currently led by Sam Maranto out of Orland Park, Illinois.[10]
- Michigan
Currently led by Bill Konkolesky out of Clawson, Michigan.[11]
- Arizona
Currently led by Jim Mann and Stacey Wright out of Phoenix, Arizona.[12]
- Tennessee
Currently led by State Director Eddie Middleton and Assistant State Director Alyson Burgess out of Memphis, Tennessee.[13]
- Alabama
Currently led by State Director Roy Patterson Birmingham, Alabama and Assistant State Director Richard Hoffman of Madison, Alabama.
MUFON International Directors [edit]
- 1969–1970: Allen Utke
- 1970–2000: Walter H. Andrus, Jr.
- 2000–2006: John F. Schuessler
- 2006–2010: James Carrion
- 2010–2012: Clifford Clift
- 2012–Present: David MacDonald
In the media [edit]
Some of MUFON's investigations have been featured in the documentary television miniseries UFOs Over Earth, which premiered on the Discovery Channel in 2008 and currently re-airs on Investigation Discovery. Richard Hoffman helped produce the History Channel TV show, UFO Files: Hangar 18 - The UFO Warehouse with producer Weller-Grossman.
References [edit]
- ^ Trares, Ryan (11 October 2012). "Have you seen a UFO? Hoosier investigators aim at identifying unexplained". Franklin Daily Journal. Retrieved 15 October 2012. "When local residents see something in the sky that they can’t explain, they call the Mutual UFO Network. The nationwide organization receives dozens of similar reports every year of unusual lights in the night sky."
- ^ a b c d Trares, Ryan (15 October 2012). "Mutual UFO Network investigates sightings". Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved 15 October 2012. "Most often, the reports can be explained naturally. Refracted light in the sky, electric flashes high in the atmosphere or meteors easily can be mistaken for UFOs."
- ^ Olanoff, Lynn (15 October 2012). "UFO sightings lead Pa. man to alien sleuth work". New Jersey Herald. Retrieved 15 October 2012. "Black triangular objects with three lights are the most commonly seen UFO, not the stereotypical flying saucer shape, Royer said."
- ^ Where is M.O.R.A.?
- ^ Ohio Historical Society. Historical Notes, MSS 1146, Mutual UFO Network of Ohio records, 1990-ongoing.
- ^ "Situation Red, The UFO Siege." Leonard H. Stringfield. 1977: New York.
- ^ Personal correspondence, William E. Jones
- ^ About The Ohio UFO Notebook
- ^ INMUFON Organization & Mission
- ^ ILMUFON
- ^ MIMUFON
- ^ [1]
- ^ TNMUFON
External links [edit]
| Find more about MUFON at Wikipedia's sister projects | |
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Definitions and translations from Wiktionary |
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Media from Commons |
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Learning resources from Wikiversity |
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News stories from Wikinews |
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Quotations from Wikiquote |
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Source texts from Wikisource |
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Textbooks from Wikibooks |
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Travel information from Wikivoyage |
- Official website
- MUFON Case Management System – Last 20 Sighting Reports
- Journals (starting in 1967)
