Contrary to the American model of UFO investigation, which is to leave it to the civilian agencies, the European governments do not always ignore unknown aircraft in their skies. One example of this interest in finding out what is actually going on is the French Government. In 1977 they created GEPAN, the Groupe d'Étude des Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés (unidentified aerospace phenomenon research group). This was begun as a unit of France's Space Agency CNES, the Centre National d'Études Spatiales. At first the unit, whose mission statement was to investigate unidentified aerospace phenomena and make its findings available to the public, was not taken very seriously.

GEPAN was reorganized and renamed SEPRA, the Service d'Expertise des Phénomènes Rares Aérospatiaux (rare aerospace phenomena expertise department) and given expanded resources and responsibilities. It was now put out to all French law enforcement that they should direct any such reports to SEPRA. It was hoped that with their expanded database, more could be learned from the investigations. Now whenever there seemed to be even trace physical evidence of UFO activity, SEPRA could access the technical resources of the French Space Agency, CNES, to make more exhaustive scientific investigations.

SEPRA operated until 2004 when it was once more reorganized and reopened and renamed GEIPAN, the Groupe d'Études et d'Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non-identifiés (unidentified aerospace phenomenon research and information group) in 2005. More emphasis was now placed on making their investigations more transparent to the public and in 2007 the unit's archives were made available online to all interested persons.

The French Space Agency, CNES, was founded in 1962 to conduct space activities and observations for both national reasons and as a part of the greater European Space Agency (ESA) and international cooperation. The establishment of GEPAN in 1977 was undertaken under the direction of Dr. Claude Poher, already with the CNES and experienced in the statistical analysis of thousands of observations around the world. As well as the small number of full-time staff CNES appointed them a scientific advisory board made up of physicists, astronomers, and legal experts.

A specific criteria for investigation and analysis was developed. These included not only physical trace evidence investigation but also psychological analysis of witnesses. Arrangements were made with law enforcement, the separate military branches, and meteorologist to funnel relevant reports to them. SEPRA replaced them in 1988, headed up by M. J-J. Velasco, an original member of GEPAN. Its mission was to investigate all re-entry phenomena including totally known objects like satellites and missile launch hardware. Regrettably, with this addition to their duties, the study of UFO's was drastically diminished. By the time the unit was once more reorganized into GIEPAN, there were over 3,000 investigated incident reports. While most were ultimately explained as mundane objects, there are still over a hundred listed as requiring further investigation and a handful rated as totally unknown.

While maintaining the past integrity of the project, GEIPAN has added an important element to their overall mission. They are specifically mandated to make all the information they uncover accessible and available to the public. To this end, their archives are maintained online in both French and in English. GEIPAN is currently overseen by an independent steering committee chaired by the former Director General of the CNES, Yves Sillard and 15 members made up of civil and military authorities and research scientists from the national science research center and the national weather service.

It is rare to find this much government openness about UFO's anywhere in the world. One can only imagine if the government of the United States or Russia was to suddenly come clean with the information they have sat on for decades.

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Essential Links:

Official Site of GEIPAN (in French)

CNES website for GEIPAN (in English)
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One of the first considerations new investigators have is what equipment they will need. There are certain things you will need for all investigations. We will list them here; but in general it is important to use good quality equipment where applicable. A cheap flashlight that falls apart the first time it is used does no one any good. Here are some of the most common UFO investigation equipments.

• A good, bright flashlight
• Notepad and sharpened pencils.
• Cell phone or two-way radio to keep in touch.
• Basic First Aid kit.
• Small folding knife.
• Tape measure.
• Spare Batteries
• Plaster of Paris – In order to take impressions of tracks or imprints.
• Clean/Sealable containers
• Latex surgical gloves
• Camera Audio Recorder
• Professional Contacts, who are experts in various fields you may consult as needed.

That will get you going on a basic UFO investigation. A little preparation ahead of time keeping all your equipment in one place will save a lot of time. Generally, alien and UFO sighting reports come in with no advance notice. Unlike ghost hunts, which people plan and go out looking, UFO reports come to you. It is helpful to be able to respond quickly should you receive one, since many times evidence may be lost or conditions change. If you can be on the scene promptly sometimes, you can obtain additional data that may be lost by the next day.

Related to that, there are the occasional UFO sky watches, but those are generally ineffective. Ghost hunters plan weekend investigations to see what they can capture, UFO investigators respond, generally after the fact. Consequently, any evidence obtained is often simply witness statements and related observations you may make of where the UFO was, but seldom does the UFO investigator ever see an object himself. This is the largest controlling factor in determining what specialized equipment you may need.

Cameras are one of the most important equipment in an UFO investigation. It should be noted that many of the same requirements also apply to video as well. By far the most common is to record the scene of a sighting after the fact. Generally, this is done in daylight with the witness present at the time of the initial interview. The witness simply takes you to the area where the object was seen and relates the sighting to you. The camera is used to take photos of the area. The purpose of these photos is to attempt to relate the sighting to fixed objects on the ground.

Now, instead of just reporting and collecting sighting reports, UFO research has possibly moved to another level-the ability to visit, analyze, and collect the evidence needed to prove that we are not alone.

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The belief that extraterrestrial beings have traveled to Earth from another planet to conduct reproductive experiments is widely held. Despite its incredible nature and the lack of supporting evidence, the belief has its believers. The believers hold as truth that there was an alien crash-landing. It is also held as fact that the alien craft recovered there along with its occupants have been hidden and the evidence covered-up.

UFO sightings have been on the rise and, as some believe, this is due to the increased number of Alien beings actively visiting the Earth for research and experimentation of the various forms of life found here. They leave their marks in the form of crop circles, they are responsible for the mutilation of cattle and they are known to provide revelations to selected individuals who are chosen as prophets. But, most importantly, they abduct human beings in order to create alien-human hybrids for purposes of preservation of their species and ours.

The initial story of alien abduction that spawned the beliefs is the Betty and Barney Hill story. They claimed to have been abducted by aliens in September of 1961. During a series of nightmares, Betty “recalled” her abduction experience and subsequently shared the information with Barney. Barney made similar claims of abduction thereafter in which he described the alien beings taking samples of his sperm. Betty recounted how they aliens had used a needle in her abdomen for purposes unknown, but though it to have been for the removal of ova. She guided curious people to the landing site where only she could see the aliens and their space craft. Under hypnosis, Barney recalled seeing an alien that had a rather unusual feature; “wraparound eyes.” Twelve days before, a similar being was featured in a televised episode of “The Outer Limits.”

Since that first accounting of the alien abduction phenomenon, there have been numerous similar reportings around the globe. The story is usually a variation on the same original accounting. Under hypnosis, counseling and psychotherapy, the “victims” can usually recount very vivid memories and detailed information about their experiences. There have been only minor changes such as scarring and device implanting. This phenomenon is most common is English speaking countries, and some of the details of the abductions will vary according to the hoe culture of the alleged abductee.

Research studies have concluded that the “victims” in these stories have similar personality traits that make them more susceptible to belief in the fantastic and surreal. Experiences where Alien abductees are held firm in their beds by some unseen force can be attributed to a condition known as sleep paralysis wherein a person is aware and awake but unable to move. Sleep paralysis can also be experienced in conjunction with hallucinations in sufferers and 40% of all people will experience this frightening ordeal at least once in their lifetime.

Are aliens abducting humans for reasons of species propagation? Or are these victims simply experiencing an occurrence with a reasonable scientific explanation? Whether or not you believe the victims or the science is up to you.

Ghost hauntings, UFO sightings, crop circles and other paranormal phenomena – some of us believe in them, while others do not. These paranormal phenomena often lead to a huge number of debates and arguments, but we cannot exactly say who is right or wrong. Most people have to see to believe, while others feel that no solid evidence is necessary for them to acknowledge the existence of the paranormal. Even if the opinion is divided, some people have often dedicated their lives in seeking out the truth behind the mysteries. They conduct activities such as tracking sightings, exploring sites and investigating cases which involve the paranormal. These activities are called paranormal investigating.

Paranormal investigating involves researching on paranormal activities, exploring paranormal sightings, and providing evidences on the existence of mysterious phenomena. These investigations are not exclusive for ghosts and UFOs, they also include past life predictions, dream interpretations and other mysteries that cannot be explained by the human brain. Paranormal investigators also vary in their field of practice. While others hunt down ghosts and investigate UFO sightings, some conduct interventions, séances and exorcism. Because of this, these people also adopt different methods in investigating paranormal activities. Others rely on stock knowledge, while most utilize tools and apparatuses in their investigations. Most territories have their own group of paranormal investigators, which are in-charge of the paranormal phenomena in their area and nearby areas, as well.

As years go by, interest in the paranormal has increased. The growing amount of paranormal-related publications, documentaries, movies and television shows is said to have captured the interest of the people, thus leaving them wanting more. In fact, many books and periodicals have been dedicated in the study of the paranormal. Internet is also playing an important role in the fast dissemination of information regarding this topic. These publications and sites teach the readers regarding jargons used and techniques needed in conducting paranormal investigations and activities. Aside from these, television also plays a big role in the growing interest in these kinds of mysteries. Documentaries, movies and even reality shows regarding the paranormal have been produced, further increasing the curiosity of people.

As a result, there are a growing number of communities and groups dedicated to the field of paranormal investigation. Not only do they conduct paranormal investigation, they also teach aspiring paranormal investigators the tricks of the trade. They give them tips on what techniques to use and what tools to bring when conducting investigations. Aside from this, they also share information to those interested in the paranormal and unknown. They do this by conducting classes, holding seminars and utilizing the mass media.

Investigating the paranormal may not suit all people. Since it is an activity vague and inexplicable to some, it is often looked down and considered as unimportant. However, for as long as there is interest in the paranormal, these types of activities will not cease. People must just accept that different people have different interests and beliefs, and it is important to respect them. As they say, to each their own.