Nemesis is a hypothetical hard-to-see red dwarf star or brown dwarf, orbiting the Sun at a distance of about 50,000 to 100,000 AU (about 1-2 light years), somewhat beyond the Oort cloud. This star was originally postulated to exist as part of a hypothesis to explain a perceived cycle of mass extinctions in the geological record, which seem to occur once every 27 million years or so. In addition, observations by astronomers of the sharp edges of Oort clouds, similar to that of the Solar System, around various binary (double) star systems, in contrast to the diffuse edges of the Oort clouds around single-star systems, has prompted some scientists to also postulate that a dwarf star may be co-orbiting the Sun. Counter-theories also exist that other forces (like the angular effect of the galactic gravity plane) may be the cause of the sharp-edged Oort cloud pattern around the Sun. To date the issue remains unsettled in the scientific community.

Artist's conception of Nemesis as a red dwarf seen from a nearby debris field with the Sun visible in the center.

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The Valentich disappearance describes an event on 21 October 1978 when 20-year-old Frederick Valentich disappeared in unknown circumstances while piloting a Cessna 182L light aircraft over Bass Strait to King Island, Australia.

During a 127 mile training flight, Valentich advised Melbourne air traffic control he was being accompanied by an aircraft about 1,000 feet above him. He described unusual actions and features of the aircraft, reported that his engine had begun running roughly, and finally reported before disappearing from radar that “That strange aircraft is hovering on top of me again. It is hovering and it’s not an aircraft”.

No trace of Valentich or his aircraft was ever found, and a Department of Transport investigation concluded that the reason for the disappearance could not be determined.

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Let’s say, for whatever reason, you’re the first human ever to make alien contact. Yes, I know, pretty unlikely. Probably isn’t going to be you. That’s a given. But it would be a good idea for us to spare a few minutes and think about it.

Why? Well, for one: Most historians and scientists agree this would be the most important moment in all of human history! In fact, it’s generally accepted that in generations to come, all of history would be divided into “Pre-Contact” and “Post-Contact” eras, instead of the “BC / AD” distinctions we use now. So, to put it one way, you’re going to be the most important person in history. The day you make contact will live on, through all cultures and civilizations, for as long as the human race exists. It will be the defining moment for our entire species. But try not to think about that. You might get nervous and screw something up. Just keep a few key points in your head and try to keep your cool.

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In 1977, the Brazilian island of Colares would be home base for some of the most extraordinary close encounters ever recorded. Only a few of the Island’s city of Colares’ 2,000 inhabitants would be spared the frightening light beams shot to the ground by many various flying objects. A number of residents managed to take photographs of the phenomenal flying death machines, or “chupa-chupas,” as the locals called them.

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Between the dates of August 19 of 1949 and March 10 of 1950, an almost unbelievable wave of UFO sightings were logged in the Norwood, Ohio area. These visual sightings were of an odd, often stationary object which was witnessed by many ground observers. The Norwood searchlight incident was logged in detail by searchlight operator Donald R. Berger, and is a mainstay of Ufology.

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