Last month we talked about a few of the changes and improvements that are being implemented within MUFON. This month I want to explain Project Aquarius. The concept goes back as far as 1975, when the idea of a global, accessible UFO database was first discussed
At that time computers were not as commonplace as today. So, it remained a dream until it was revisited around 1985. Computers were developing, and a group was put together to begin assembling the data and start a workable program. It languished. In the late nineties, the case management system (CMS) began to develop and emerge. In 2013, the concept of a worldwide database came up again. Now we had the technology to make it happen. The CMS was undergoing a massive overhaul, and I asked that a translation program be included so that the system could be utilized on a global scale. For whatever reason, the people developing the system ignored repeated requests. So, finally, in 2019 the Board approved Project Aquarius, which is the reaching out to other organizations to join with us in the development of the largest repository of translatable, accessible UFO data in the world. We are now working with the Center for UFO Studies to assist it in digitizing its extensive sighting files, and it’s hoped they ultimately will be combined with the Pandora files and the Stringfield data to produce the most amazing assembly of researchable UFO data ever developed.In other parts of the world, notably with our friends in Europe and South America, vast amounts of data exist. We will be reaching out to organizations in these areas and inviting them to join us in this worldwide effort to develop the most comprehensive collection of UFO data on the planet. There is a myriad of projects on the agenda, and it will take immense effort to put them into practice; I must tell you, however, that none of these would be possible without you: Our members, State Directors, State Officers, Investigators, Staff, and Supporters. It is because of you that we are here. We are so grateful to have you.
At that time computers were not as commonplace as today. So, it remained a dream until it was revisited around 1985. Computers were developing, and a group was put together to begin assembling the data and start a workable program. It languished. In the late nineties, the case management system (CMS) began to develop and emerge. In 2013, the concept of a worldwide database came up again. Now we had the technology to make it happen. The CMS was undergoing a massive overhaul, and I asked that a translation program be included so that the system could be utilized on a global scale. For whatever reason, the people developing the system ignored repeated requests. So, finally, in 2019 the Board approved Project Aquarius, which is the reaching out to other organizations to join with us in the development of the largest repository of translatable, accessible UFO data in the world. We are now working with the Center for UFO Studies to assist it in digitizing its extensive sighting files, and it’s hoped they ultimately will be combined with the Pandora files and the Stringfield data to produce the most amazing assembly of researchable UFO data ever developed.In other parts of the world, notably with our friends in Europe and South America, vast amounts of data exist. We will be reaching out to organizations in these areas and inviting them to join us in this worldwide effort to develop the most comprehensive collection of UFO data on the planet. There is a myriad of projects on the agenda, and it will take immense effort to put them into practice; I must tell you, however, that none of these would be possible without you: Our members, State Directors, State Officers, Investigators, Staff, and Supporters. It is because of you that we are here. We are so grateful to have you.
