4-28-97 Contact: Department of Physics and Astronomy, 614-593-1718

ATHENS, Ohio -- For several months, sightings of Comet Hale-Bopp in the early morning and evening skies have fascinated people around the world. The comet also gained national attention when rumors spread that a UFO trailing the spacecraft may have inspired 39 cult members in California to commit a mass suicide.

Belief in the UFO persisted even after the rumors were proven to be based on a mistaken interpretation of photographs taken by an amateur astronomer in Texas. Tom Statler, assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Ohio University, will speak at a public talk about the Comet Hale-Bopp UFO, "Was the Truth Out There? The Story of the Hale-Bopp UFO" at 8 p.m. Wednesday (April 30) in 235 Morton Hall.

"Last November, rumors spread that Comet Hale-Bopp was being followed by a gigantic spacecraft, but denials by professional and amateur astronomers only added fuel to speculations of a worldwide scientific cover-up, charges that NASA was hiding secret Hubble Space Telescope pictures, and claims that the Vatican was actually in communication with the alleged aliens," Statler said. "Pictures purporting to show the spacecraft spread over the Internet. Eventually, the saga reached its low point with the Heaven's Gate suicides."

With the recent increase in media coverage of scientific events and issues, it's important for the public to have the information it needs to decide between scientific fact and fiction, Statler said.

"This is a good opportunity for the general public to see what is, and what isn't, scientific evidence, Statler said. "With a little applied science anyone can learn to evaluate controversial claims, whether they concern UFOs or get-rich-quick schemes."