Mutual UFO Network
 | |
| Founded | May 31, 1969 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Location | |
Members | 3,000+ |
Key people | Jan Harzan, International Director |
| Mission | "The Scientific Study of UFOs for the Benefit of Humanity" |
| Website |
MUFON |
The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) is an American-based non-profit organization that investigates cases of alleged UFO sightings. It is one of the oldest and largest civilian UFO-investigative organizations in the United States.
MUFON was originally established as the Midwest UFO Network in Quincy, Illinois on May 31, 1969 by Walter H. Andrus, Allen Utke, John Schuessler, and others.[1][2] Most of MUFON's early members had earlier been associated with the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO).
The organization claims to have 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, holds an annual international symposium, and publishes the monthly MUFON UFO Journal. The group now has more than 75 field investigators, as well as specialized teams to investigate possible physical evidence of any extraterrestrial craft. The network trains volunteers to be investigators, and teaches them how to interview witnesses, perform research, and how to draw conclusions from the evidence.[2] Although investigators are not paid, they must pass both an exam based on a 265-page manual, and a background check.[3]
The stated mission of MUFON is the 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 Newport Beach, California under the direction of Jan Harzan.
MUFON has a chapter in every American state.
MUFON International Directors
- 1969–1970: Allen Utke
- 1970–2000: Walter H. Andrus, Jr.
- 2000–2006: John F. Schuessler
- 2006–2010: James Carrion
- 2010–2012: Clifford Clift
- 2012–2013: David MacDonald
- 2013–Present: Jan Harzan
In the media
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 1 - The UFO Warehouse with producer Weller-Grossman.
MUFON is also features in the television show The X-Files.
References
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 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.