Editing Paranormal (section)

===Ufology===
{{Main|Ufology}}
The possibility of [[extraterrestrial life]] is not, in itself, a paranormal subject. Many scientists are actively engaged in the search for unicellular life within the [[Solar System]], carrying out studies on the surface of [[Mars]] and examining [[meteors]] that have fallen to [[Earth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacedaily.com/news/life-03zzt.html |title=NASA Scientists To Discuss Search For Extraterrestrial Life |website=SpaceDaily.com |date=2003-12-11 |access-date=2014-06-15}}</ref> Projects such as [[SETI]] are conducting an astronomical search for [[radio]] activity that would show evidence of intelligent life outside the Solar System.<ref>{{cite web|last=Freudenrich |first=Craig |url=http://www.howstuffworks.com/seti.htm |title=How SETI Works |website=[[HowStuffWorks]] |date=2001-05-08 |access-date=2014-06-15}}</ref> [[Evolution|Scientific theories]] of how life developed on Earth allow for the possibility that life also developed on other [[planet]]s. The paranormal aspect of extraterrestrial life centers largely around the belief in [[unidentified flying object]]s (UFOs) and the phenomena said to be associated with them.

Early in the history of UFO culture, believers divided themselves into two camps. The first held a rather conservative view of the phenomena, interpreting them as unexplained occurrences that merited serious study. They began calling themselves "[[Ufology|ufologists]]" in the 1950s and felt that logical analysis of sighting reports would validate the notion of extraterrestrial visitation.<ref name="EncyOccult"/><ref name="Denzler2001">{{cite book|first=Brenda|last=Denzler|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LnUkDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA67|title=The Lure of the Edge: Scientific Passions, Religious Beliefs, and the Pursuit of UFOs|publisher=University of California Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0-520-22432-2|pages=67–}}</ref>

The second camp held a view that coupled ideas of extraterrestrial visitation with beliefs from existing quasi-religious movements. Typically, these individuals were enthusiasts of [[occultism]] and the paranormal. Many had backgrounds as active [[Theosophists]] or [[Spiritualism (movement)|spiritualists]], or were followers of other [[Western esotericism|esoteric]] doctrines. In contemporary times, many of these beliefs have coalesced into [[New Age]] spiritual movements.<ref name="EncyOccult"/><ref name="Denzler2001" />

Both [[Secularity|secular]] and spiritual believers describe UFOs as having abilities beyond what are considered possible according to known [[Aerodynamics|aerodynamic]] constraints and [[Scientific law|physical laws]]. The transitory events surrounding many UFO sightings preclude any opportunity for the repeat testing required by the [[scientific method]]. Acceptance of UFO theories by the larger [[scientific community]] is further hindered by the many possible [[hoax]]es associated with UFO culture.<ref name="Priest2010">{{cite book|first=Susanna H.|last=Priest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F62I2b4G73UC&pg=PA918|title=Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Communication|publisher=Sage Publications|year=2010|isbn=978-1-4129-5920-9|pages=918–}}</ref>