[PeterM]

How about,

UFO = FLYING SAUCER/SPACESHIP & ALIENS, sorry but that's it, always everytime to those who must believe. If you tell them about Venus, or Sirius setting with every colour of the rainbow, about Iridium flares, space junk, etc etc most just turn off, it wasn't what they were hoping to hear. But give them the slightest hint (try it, it is a lot of fun) well I hadn't told anyone but....I saw something I just couldn't explain - you an amateur astronomer wow, then watch the discussion explode, give them an inch and... That is the problem with this thread and every discussion ever had anywhere about UFOs. Discussion about intelligent life in the universe is not the same as need to know about UFOs and there are two threads going on in one here and one of them belongs on another chat group somewhere else altogether. Yes at public field nights the question is raised, but far, far less than some might think. People are there to see the wonders of the their universe and mostly ask intelligent questions about it. If I have been asked have I ever seen a UFO or do I believe in UFOs a dozen times in many years of showing thousands the night sky I would be surprised.
PeterM