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From: UFO UpDates - Toronto <updates@globalserve.net>
Date: Fri, 04 Apr 1997 09:06:24 -0500
Fwd Date: Fri, 04 Apr 1997 09:06:24 -0500
Subject: Chris Rutkowski's 1996 Canadian UFO Survey




Canadians reported more than 250 UFOs in 1996

An analysis of 258 UFO sightings reported officially in Canada
during 1996 shows that Canadians continue to see many strange
things flying in the sky.

Ufology Research of Manitoba, working in co-operation with
researchers across Canada, has released its annual review of
Canadian UFO cases. The study used case reports from private UFO
organizations and some government sources.

"UFO sightings continue to be reported at a fairly constant
rate," says Chris Rutkowski, an astronomer and science writer in
Winnipeg who for the past 22 years has been studying UFO reports
in Canada. "People still report observing unusual objects in the
sky, and some of these objects do not have obvious explanations."

According to the study: the typical UFO sighting occurs after
9:00 p.m.; most sightings have two or more witnesses; more UFOs
are seen in BC, Ontario and Quebec than other provinces; and many
witnesses are pilots, police and other individuals with
reasonably good observing capabilities and good judgement. While
most cases involve star-like objects in the night sky, some
witnesses describe disc-shaped or triangular objects at close
range. Although most cases had explanations, a small percentage
were not that easy to dismiss.

"We were still left with some cases that were relatively
well-investigated and involved unusual objects that did not seem
to have been aeroplanes, balloons or stars," Rutkowski notes. "The
continued reporting of UFOs leads us to recommend more studies of
the phenomenon by social, medical and/or physical scientists."

Among the unknowns this year: black triangular objects buzzing
houses in Quebec and BC; brilliantly-lighted objects frightening
motorists in Quebec; rectangular "spaceships" blocking a
snowmobile trail in the Northwest Territories; and a
saucer-shaped object seen hovering beside a farmhouse in
Manitoba.

"The number of reported UFOs in increasing slightly each year,"
says Rutkowski. "Interest in the subject is simply not going
away."

For more information, and for information on regional
commentators, contact:

Chris Rutkowski
Ufology Research of Manitoba
204-269-7553
E-mail: rutkows@cc.umanitoba.ca


1996 Canadian UFO Survey: Summary of Results

o The number of UFO reports made in Canada has increased slightly
  during the past eight years. There now are approximately 190
  cases of unidentified flying objects reported each year, up
  slightly from previous year's calculations.

o The distribution of UFO reports in Canada was somewhat related
  to the distribution of population. Western Canada was
  over-represented in terms of UFO report numbers, while the
  Maritimes are under-represented.

o During the past eight years, there was no definite monthly
  trend found in Canadian UFO reports. Each year, there appear to
  be regional monthly fluctuations. UFOs seem to be as likely to
  be reported in summer as in winter.

o Approximately 80% of UFO sightings were merely observations of
  lights in the night sky.

o About 13% of all UFO reports are unexplained. This percentage
  of unknowns falls to about 5% when only higher-quality cases
  are considered.

o Most UFO sightings occurred between 9:00 pm and midnight.

o UFO incidents usually had more than one witness.

o In 1996, the typical UFO sighting lasted nearly half and hour,
  a dramatic increase from last year's average of seven minutes.

o Most reported UFOs were white in colour.

The most important findings of this study include the fact that
UFO sightings have continued to be reported at a constant level
over the past several years. People still report observing
unusual objects in the sky, and some of these objects do not have
obvious explanations. Many witnesses are pilots police and other
individuals with reasonably good observing capabilities and good
judgement. Although most reported UFOs are simply lights in the
night sky, a significant number are objects with definite shapes
observed within the witnesses’ frame of reference. Popular
opinion to the contrary, there is yet to be any incontrovertible
evidence that some UFO cases involve extraterrestrial contact.
However, the continued reporting of UFOs by the public suggests a
need for further examination of the phenomenon by social, medical
and/or physical scientists.

For further information, contact:
Ufology Research of Manitoba
E-mail: rutkows@cc.umanitoba.ca