Skeptic Check: Drone Panic

Big Picture Science

When several mysterious objects were spotted flying over New Jersey, their unknown identity led to frightening rumors, and triggered frustration and alarm among some residents of the Garden State. What were these objects, and if they were drones, as some appeared to be, were they friendly or foe? Many of the objects have now been identified. We talk about what happened when calmer heads prevailed and consider what the Great Drone Panic might have

in common with other episodes involving objects cruising the skies. Also, why one expert thinks the event gave birth to a new UFO subculture.

Guests:

Andrew Fraknoi - Professor of Astronomy at the Fromm Institute of the University of San Francisco

Mick West - Investigator of conspiracy theories and UFO sightings

Greg Eghigian - Professor of history and bioethics at Penn State and author of “After the Flying Saucers Came: A Global History of the UFO Phenomenon”

Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake

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