Philip J. Klass

Philip Julian Klass (November 8 1919–August 9 2005) was born in Des Moines, Iowa and died in Merritt Island, Florida. He was an electrical engineer by training, and also a journalist, but he is probably best known as a leading debunker of UFOs, arguing especially against the extraterrestrial hypothesis.

UFO Researcher and Skeptic

Klass was a founding fellow of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). He is best known for his skeptical investigations of reports of UFOs. He published the bimonthly Skeptics UFO Newsletter for several years and wrote several books on the subject (see below).

Related Topics:
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal - Skeptical

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In his first book, UFO's: Identified, Klass argued that UFO reports were best explained as a previously unknown type of ball lightning. Though initially speculative and provisional, Klass thought that plasma was consistent with many UFO reports: bright lights moving erratically. A highly charged plasma might further explain the reported effects of UFOs on the electrical systems of airplanes and automobiles.

Related Topics:
Ball lightning - Plasma

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