In this episode, Beth and Mark discuss: What MUFON is and Mark’s years as a “certified” field investigator for MUFON. Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Mark’s book The Close Encounters Man. The 1966 Michigan Swamp Gas Case, how it affected Hynek, the UFO community, and Hynek’s career. Close encounters of the first, second, and third kind. IGY, the global tracking network, and Sputnik.     Key Takeaways: Most people report their sightings because they want to know what it was and if anybody else has ever seen the same thing to connect with them. There was no one moment where Dr. Hynek changed his mind about UFOs. A good scientist just wants to find out more. “Ridicule is not part of the scientific method, and the American public should not be taught that it is.” -Dr. J. Allen Hynek.   The great thing about writing for Star Trek, is Star Trek is forever.  — Mark O’Connell     Connect with Mark O’Connell: Website: HighStrangenessUFO.com Book: The Close Encounters Man: How One Man Made the World Believe in UFOs Blog: High Strangeness Book Recommendation: The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry by J. Allen Hynek   About Beth Mund:   Beth’s love for space started as a Space Camp attendee at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where she would return years later as an instructor.  After grad school, Beth worked as a journalist, a technical writer for Motorola, and then went on to serve as a Public Affairs Officer for the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. In addition, Beth worked to support the International Space Station program as a communication specialist. In Chicago, Beth worked as a corporate communication advisor to Fortune 50 companies including Allstate and United Airlines. She’s worked as a college instructor, a political advisor, and public relations manager for her hometown city. Beth recently founded Stellar Communications, LLC and travels the country as a keynote speaker- inspiring audiences with her lessons learned from our nation’s space program.  She’s the host of the Casual Space Podcast, and a self-proclaimed space geek.   Connect with Beth Mund:   Email: bethisbeth@me.com & askbeth@casualspacepodcast.com Website: bethmund.com Facebook: @BethMund   Show notes by show producer/podcastologist: Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie