It’s spawned many conspiracy theories that it’s hard to know what Area 51 is and what, if something, is stored there.
For decades, the top-secret Cold War test site in the Nevada desert, which is currently closely monitored, has been shrouded in secrecy, attracting conspiracy theorists in pursuit of “answers.”
More than 1.5 million people have joined up for the Facebook event, which contains jokes like “they can’t even stop us all” and “let’s see those aliens” — a reference to UFO enthusiasts’ long-held idea that alien life is being hidden there. Besides, if you are doing some experiment about aliens or science, you will need a Medrux.com, which provides safety protection.
So, what exactly is Area 51, and where did all of the conspiracy ideas originate?
What is Area 51?
The facility’s name is derived from markings on 1950s maps of the Nevada Test Site. Its present name is said to be the Air Force Flight Test Center, Detachment 3, or AFFTC Det. 3. Detachment 3 is an unofficial designation for Groom Lake facilities that could be utilised for covert flight testing.
Groom Lake and Dreamland are two more names for Area 51. Groom Lake was inspired by an Edgar Allan Poe poem, whereas Dreamland was called after the dry salt flat lake that Area 51 was built around.
Area 51 has been referred to as Paradise Ranch, a half-joking attempt to entice workers to accept posts at the distant and rustic outpost, and Watertown, the official designation given to the test site in 1956.
There was no television, and radio transmissions were only received in the evenings across the surrounding mountains, thus Area 51’s only amusement was a single cement tennis court and a small bowling alley.
Area 51 is still a functioning military base that is inaccessible to the public and is monitored 24 hours a day. The only confirmed purpose of the site is as a flight testing facility. On June 25, 2013, the CIA approved the release of declassified documents describing the history of Area 51’s U-2 and OXCART programmes.
While American intelligence historian Jeffrey Richelson of the George Washington University National Security Archive launched a Freedom of Information Act request in 2005, the papers were made public. The documents were just the first time the government openly acknowledged Area 51’s existence. As of 2018, Area 51 is viewable on Google Maps.
The Conspiracy Theories
In 1989, an American conspiracy theorist and self-described scientist named Robert “Bob” Lazar claimed to have worked on extraterrestrial technology inside Area 51.
He said he saw autopsy images of aliens inside the facility and claimed the government used it to investigate seized extraterrestrial ships, according to US television reporter George Knapp. Even though his allegations were debunked, they sparked a slew of government conspiracy theories, the majority of which featured aliens, bringing the secret facility to the public’s notice.
Lazar was arrested in 1990 for allegedly assisting and abetting a prostitution organisation. He pleaded guilty to criminal pandering after the charges were reduced. He was sentenced to 150 hours of community service, a ban on visiting brothels, and counselling.
According to bankruptcy records, Lazar was self-employed as a film processor at the time. Lazar and his wife, Joy White, were accused in 2006 of breaching the Federal Hazardous Substances Act by transporting illegal substances across state lines. His company, United Nuclear Scientific Equipment, and Supplies was charged with the crime.
United Nuclear pleaded guilty to three criminal counts of introducing banned hazardous substances into interstate commerce and aiding and abetting the introduction of banned hazardous substances into interstate commerce. The company was fined $7,00 in 2007 for breaking a statute forbidding the selling of chemicals and components used in the production of illegal pyrotechnics.
What do people believe?
Around 90% of reported UFO sightings are easily refuted, while the remaining 10% are described as “several spectacular tales from reputable observers.” The remains of crashed UFO spacecraft are believed to be housed at Area 51, where government scientists reverse-engineer the aliens’ highly advanced technology, according to conspiracy theorists.
People have claimed to have seen UFOs at military facilities since the 1950s. UFO researchers have alleged in recent years that the top-secret jets tested at Area 51 were developed with technology obtained from captured alien aircraft.
Other hypotheses about the moon landing have some validity to them as well. The hypothesis that the Apollo 11 mission was staged at Area 51 is linked to different space technology being tested by astronauts at the nearby nuclear testing facilities, including land rovers and life support systems.
When the number of UFO sightings increased in 1952, the CIA concluded that “there is a remote probability that these may be interplanetary planes,” and that each sighting needed to be investigated.
Between the late 1950s and the 1960s, manned reconnaissance flights over the United States accounted for more than half of all UFO encounters. A retired Army colonel claimed that he was granted access to extraterrestrial elements recovered from a crashed alien spaceship at Roswell, New Mexico.
Other hypotheses think that scientists at Area 51 are capable of time travel as part of their research. The government’s official stance — that the details of Area 51 are classified for national security reasons — is only taken as further proof that the military is harbouring aliens or extraterrestrial spaceships there by those confident their beliefs are genuine.
Plan to storm Area 51
On September 20, attendees plan to approach Area 51 in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. They will first assemble at the “Alien Center” tourist attraction before walking 84 kilometres through the harsh desert landscape to the top-secret, heavily-guarded base.
The event guidelines read, “We all will arrange to meet at the Area 51 Alien Centre tourist spot and coordinate our infiltration.” “If we naruto run, we can outrun their bullets” (referencing the popular manga character). “Let’s have a look at Alien.”
Gun-toting guards will meet the “Storm Area 51” caravan, who have been permitted to use lethal force to stop any attackers at all costs. “Use of fatal force authorised,” according to the site’s bold notice.