Introduction
UFO researchers have long observed that sightings tend to spike in regular “waves” or “flaps.” Some claim January, in particular, is a month of global UFO activity. Is this a psychological artifact, a real pattern in the sky, or something more orchestrated?
Origins
The “flap” concept entered UFOlogy in the 1940s and 50s, as waves of reports seemed to follow mysterious, cyclical patterns. January “flaps” have been documented in the US, UK, and elsewhere—sometimes associated with military maneuvers, sometimes with no explanation at all.
Theories and Interpretations
- Psychological: New Year’s anxiety, winter blues, and long nights may fuel increased sky-watching and misidentification.
- Extraterrestrial: Some theorists say January flaps are windows for interdimensional “visitation” or surveillance.
- Government: Others allege covert military testing is disguised as UFO activity in these months.
Key Examples
- UFO wave of January 1978, widely reported in the US press.
- Recurring “January flaps” in the UK and Canada, detailed in UFO books and reports.
- Debates in UFOlogy circles over whether the pattern is real or folklore.
Critical Analysis
Whatever the true cause, the “January flap” meme shows how patterns—real or imagined—shape the narrative of unexplained phenomena.