No disrespect to fans of the X-Files, but If the truth is out there, rural Utahns might be the first to see it.
A recent study from the University of Utah says most of the state is considered to be a hot spot for seeing Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, the official term for UFOs.
While there’s plenty of cultural interest in aerial anomalies, there hasn’t historically been a lot of scientific research on this topic because of a stigma that’s kept academics from taking it seriously.
“It’s a valid question to ask, right?” said Richard Medina, the study’s lead author and University of Utah associate professor of geography. “If you see something you can’t explain, why can’t you ask? And why would you not approach that scientifically?”
The study sorted through nearly 100,000 UFO sightings reported to a national database from 2001-2020 and mapped them on a per capita basis. The data will serve as a baseline for future research so they can more easily identify when a sighting might be some kind of threat — whether that’s from a foreign military object or something beyond.
Read the original story from KUER.
Editor’s note • This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state.