Robert A. Freitas Jr., Xenology: An Introduction to the Scientific Study of Extraterrestrial Life, Intelligence, and Civilization, First Edition, Xenology Research Institute, Sacramento, CA, 1979; http://www.xenology.info/Xeno.htm (c) 1979 Robert A. Freitas Jr. All Rights Reserved. |
Appendix A.
What To Do If You Encounter Alien Beings or Their Craft
(Surprise Contact Scenario)
* Remain calm and objective. Quiet others around you who are hysterical. Your observations will be more credible if you do not panic.
* If alone, try to get witnesses, the more the better.
* If in car, pull over and get out as soon as you can safely do so, to eliminate possible reflections.
* Consider possible alternative explanations, such as normal aircraft, balloons, satellites, etc.
* Make careful note of exact time and place of sighting (when object appeared, when vanished). Note street or highway, weather conditions (cloudy, misty, rainy), normal celestial objects (sun, moon, planets, stars).
* Estimate position of object relative to yourself by sighting on fixed ground objects (height over trees, houses, mountains). Mark own position carefully (kick furrow in grass, gravel, or dirt, drop coin or pen on ground, etc.).
* Estimate size of object (measure with something held at arm’s length, such as coins, pens, hand).
* Estimate velocity of object
** time of flight between two fixed
ground points (treetops, telephone
poles, mountain peaks, tree and house,
buildings, etc.) or against
stars/celestial constellations.
* Use binoculars to check for exterior details.
* If you have a camera, take pictures.
** Don’t forget to remove lens
cap and wind film.
** Don’t hurry or shake on
first shot, take time to get it right (exposure
time, clear focus).
** Get normal object in photo if
possible (car, tree, mountain) for size
comparisons.
** If possible, primary photo should
include effects on immediate
environment (unusual shadows, dust
whirls, exhaust plumes, etc.).
** After the primary shot, concentrate
on taking as many different angles
and details as possible, using wide
variety of camera settings
(f-stops, exposure times, other lenses).
** If you have polarizing filter,
use it.
* If you have access to any other equipment (pocket spectroscope, tape recorder, motion picture camera, Questar telescope, prism, Geiger counter, pocket rangefinder, compass, shortwave receiver, stopwatch, Fresnel lenses, diffraction grating, infrared Sniperscope, directional antenna, colored filters for lenses), use it!
* Never stand directly beneath an alien craft hovering at low altitude. Never touch a landed craft.
* If object appears to be landing, get away quickly and notify authorities (police, military, etc.).
Contact with Extraterrestrial Beings
* Presumption of Purposive Neutrality
* There are only four possible reasons why the ETs are here:
** Accidental landing (engine failure,
repairs)
** Purposive landing, with:
*** Neutral purpose (reconnaissance
mission)
*** Friendly purpose (initiate contact)
*** Hostile purpose (invasion, extermination)
** In absence of clear evidence to
the contrary, alien beings should be
presumed to know what they are doing
(purposive) and to have
neutral intentions.
* Leave the area at once and immediately notify the proper authorities, if possible. (This is the easiest course of action.)
* If you cannot escape, try to suppress any xenophobic reactions to the ETs’ appearance or behavior.
* Photograph only from a distance, without a flash, then hide camera in bushes where you can find it later
* Try to keep the subject in sight, while staying out of sight of the subject. Be very quiet.
* If your presence Is detected by the alien beings:
** Make no move in their direction
** Retreat to a safe distance and
wait, walking backwards so you can keep
an eye on the ETs.
** Make no sudden fast movements
(unless absolutely necessary), to
avoid startling the alien.
** If the creatures move toward you,
move backwards to show you don't
want them close to you (mere physical
proximity may be
hazardous to human life, e.g., pathogens,
radiation, etc.).
** If ETC continue to approach, do
not act physically aggressive, fight
with or shoot at them
** Lay aside any hand-held or worn
object that appears weaponlike or
could be construed as a weapon (cameras,
flash attachments,
pocket pens, hat, motorcycle or bike,
sidearm, fishing pole, hunting
rifle, baseball bat, football, etc).
Never aim or point any object at
the ETs.
** Be as cooperative as is possible
under the circumstances, and your
chances of getting hurt will be minimized.
** Offer the space beings any material
object in your possession
(wristwatch, keys, wallet, clothing,
etc.); any alien artifact
proffered in return would be priceless.
* If the extraterrestrial craft appears to have had an accident, or its occupants
appear to be in trouble:
** Offer assistance in simple chores
(carrying buckets of water from
nearby stream. collecting wood for
fire).
** Any more complicated assistance
should be rendered with extreme
caution, and only if obviously and
directly requested.
**
If ETs are injured, follow their instructions to the letter no matter how
strange.
*** Assume the creatures’ present
condition is not too far from
normal (e.g., water-filled helmet
implies a water-breather).
*** Use no human drugs or chemicals
on the ET without its
conscious approval.
** If the space being is unconscious
when you find it, place it in flat prone
position as comfortably as possible,
then go for help (call police,
ambulance, military).
* Make a WRITTEN record.
** Write down date, time, and place
of sighting, weather conditions, stars,
etc.
** Dictate to tape recorder or stenographer
or type up your description of
events while they’re still
fresh in your mind.
** Describe what you saw and felt.
** Note if you observed phenomenon
through a window pane, glasses,
binoculars, etc. Provide exact specifications
for each.
** General description of flying
object (light or dark, color, reflective or
self-luminous, spinning or stationary,
solid or transparent, sharp or
fuzzy edges, comparisons with objects
in field of view).
** Specific details (surface markings,
port holes, antennae, radio dishes,
spotlight).
** Draw pictorial description of
events, even if you feel you are a poor
artist. Draw in vanes, fins, vapor
trails, reference points, and
proper size relationships.
** What did the object do? (Arcs
or linear paths, hovering, landing, high
accelerations, sharp turns, changes
in color or transparency, break-
up or explosion, shape or brightness
change, flickering)
** What did aliens look like? What
did they do? Drawings would be
helpful, with information on size,
gait, proportions.
** Describe any odors, noises, heat,
lights, or other perceptions or effects
on yourself, animals, machinery,
or plant life.
** If there are other witnesses,
have them sign your report or write their
own.
** Notarize all documents when completed.
* Preserve the PHYSICAL record.
** If there is any physical evidence
after the encounter (broken tree
branches, blood stains, liquid puddles,
landing pad depressions),
seal off the area, cover to protect
from the elements, and make full
written description of the evidence.
** Containerize samples to the best
of your ability.
** If possible, photograph the evidence.
* Develop the PHOTOGRAPHIC record.
** Give your camera intact to the
authorities and let them unload it,
develop the film, print it, and analyze
the images.
* Avoid the PUBLIC record.
** You are within your rights if
you refuse to talk to reporters
(recommended if disclosure will harm
personal life).
** Avoid writing books, articles,
or giving public lectures. The more
dignity you lend to your experience
the more credible it (and you)
will appear.