SMELL

The idea that UFOs might produce some unique odors originally carried a touch of humor. But they really do!
An early survey of the literature turned up 18 cases where witnesses noticed peculiar odors and attempted to
describe them. Comparisons with sulphur dioxide, as in rotten eggs, were the most numerous. Other descriptions
referred to benzene and its derivatives. Finally, a number of descriptions almost certainly identified ozone.
Explanation
Irradiation of various gases with microwaves produces a wide variety of gas atoms and free radicals, the required
components for chemical reactions. In air, nitric oxide is produced. The efficiency of this reaction is greatly
enhanced when the radiation is pulsed. Ethane and methane are decomposed, but benzene is stable in the radiation.
In other words, a pulsed source of microwaves in air can generate nitric oxide and, in subsequent reactions, the
benzene family that has been detected near UFOs. As benzene is not decomposed by the field, any formed would
tend to accumulate to detectable concentrations. These concentrations need not be great considering the extreme
sensitivity of the olfactory sense. Oxidation of sulphur by microwaves has been accomplished in the laboratory,
namely conversion of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide. Similar oxidation of sulphur, contaminating the
atmosphere from automobiles and other sources, into sulphur dioxide could well account for the most commonly
reported sulphurous odors.
4

Effects of UFOs Upon People
There is a curious relationship between this aspect of UFOs and the controversial subject of ball lightning. Many
of the same odors have been reported in association with small balls of light at close range. Electrical discharges in
the atmosphere change energy states of various atoms and numerous chemical compounds are formed. Nitrogen is
elevated to a metastable state having several interesting properties. It produces a soft, white glow that continues for
some time after the discharge terminates. Such excited nitrogen is called “activated” because it readily combines
with other atoms, whereas ordinary nitrogen gas does not. It combines with hydrogen to form ammonia (NH ) and
3
with oxygen to form nitric oxide (NO). Below about 150ºC it reacts with other atmospheric gases to form
nitrobenzene (C H NO ), an oily substance having a strong odor like bitter almonds. Also produced by electrical
6 5 2
discharges in air is the highly reactive ozone (O ) that can be detected around sparking electrical machinery.
3
As an aside, it is observed that the slow decay of activated nitrogen giving off a white glow is probably the cause
of white, luminous trails so often seen behind UFOs as they traverse the sky. Activated nitrogen may also cause the
slowly decaying clouds that are sometimes left at landing sites when UFOs take off.
It is clear that odors reported in UFO events are precisely those that would be expected from chemical reactions
in the atmosphere triggered by electrical discharges or microwave radiation. Very few witnesses were cognizant of
the technical details so their testimony can be taken at face value. The presence of microwaves seems assured, but
12
unfortunately the data do not allow any quantitative deductions.