An unidentified flying object is a colloquialism of the 20th century, which is commonly abbreviated as UFO. It refers to any airborne object that cannot be adequately explained, although most such objects were eventually explained. These craft are also sometimes refered to as flying saucers, a term that originated in the late 1940s at around the same time science fiction stories became hugely popular, these objects were allegedly spotted in huge numbers across the North American continent and later the rest of the planet.
Close Encounters
UFO observed in 1969.
In 2267, the USS Enterprise was inadvertently propelled backwards through time to the year 1969. In that year, the ship was an entirely unknown design. Its immense size and ability to climb rapidly through the atmosphere exceeded what was then state of the art. It was initially taken for a UFO, forcing Kirk and Sulu to mount an expedition to recover the hard evidence. Ultimately, Spock devised a method of returning to the future that essentially erased their presence in the past, rending the question moot. (TOS: "Tomorrow is Yesterday")
UFO observed in 1947.
In 2372, the Ferengi shuttle, Quark's Treasure, inadvertantly travelled back in time, to the year 1947, where it crash-landed on Earth, in the state of New Mexico. The shuttle was found by the US Army, and its occupants: Quark, Rom and Nog were brought to an nearby base where they are been questioned and examined. By bluffing their way out, and with a little help from Professor Jeff Carlson and Nurse Faith Garland, they were able to escape. The incident was later denied, and the wreckage found was decidedly determined to be a weather balloon. (DS9: "Little Green Men") The incident was later referred to as the Roswell Incident.
UFO observed in 1996.
In 2373, the USS Voyager was transported back to Earth of the year 1996 after encountering the timeship Aeon. Several systems were damaged in the trip to the past, including transporters. Voyager was required to make a close pass over the city of Los Angeles in an attempt to recover the Aeon, which had been stolen by computer tycoon Henry Starling. Natives of the time period recorded Voyager's appearance, and the ship was popularized as a UFO on several news programs. (VOY: "Future's End") The reports were later dismissed as hoaxes and delusions. (VOY: "Future's End, Part II")
References
- DS9:
- VOY:
- "11:59"
- "One Small Step"