Located on Groom Lake in the middle of the southern Nevada desert, Area 51 is a U.S. Air Force base known for its close contact with unidentified aircraft (UFOs).
Conspiracy theories about the archive being used to test foreign technology returned from areas expected to collapse, such as the famous one in Roswell, New Mexico. (opens on new page). This was motivated by the fact that the cause had been a secret for many years and was not available to the public.
As a result, this infallible military setting became part of the modern cultural history and urban legends of the 20th century, with great influence on media and pop culture.
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Where is Area 51 and how big is it?
District 51 is located 120 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Las Vegas, near the small towns of Rachel and Hiko. The title “Area 51” seems to be from the name found by the source at the Atomic Energy Commission (opens on new page) map, with this name referring to public opinion but not used by the military.
Founded in 1955 as part of the Nevada Test and Training Range complex, the “Paradise Ranch” was given the name “Paradise Ranch” in an attempt by the aerospace company Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) to pull off staff at the library.
Today, the archive and size of the Nevada Test and Training Range complex is part of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), with the CIA directing it to Groom Lake and Homey Airport. Although satellite imagery of the site is limited, since 2018 the cause has been visible on Google Maps.
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Benjamin Radford is an American historian, author, researcher and skeptic who has authored more than 20 books, including “Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries;” “Following the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in reality, story and legend;” a me “Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, Magic, and Monsters in the Land of Enchantment.” He is a co -editor of the Skeptical Inquirer magazine and has written several articles on conspiracy theories about Area 51.
“The facility is very small, but the limited area is around 90,000 acres.[36,000 hectares]- some to avoid prying eyes and some because they need to test the planes that are locked, “Radford told Space.com. “Most of the insurgents and propagandists called Area 51. For the U.S. government, it’s just the Nevada Test and Training Range, part of Edwards Air Force Base.”
What is in Area 51 and what is it used for?
The U.S. military finally recognized the occupation of Area 51 in 2013 after a previously recorded CIA document detailing the history of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft found by the National Security Archive at George Washington University . (opens on new page).
But that permission was not intended to visit the site. Radford said there were government teachers and the military to cover up what was going on at the site.
“The military classifies Area 51 as a‘ Military Operating Area. ’ On the ground, you’ll see key signs and war guards patrolling the strongholds guarded by planted movements, cameras, guards and more – with signs that Saying lethal force is allowed, “Radford said. “The boundaries of Area 51 are not fixed but are marked with orange columns and signage.”
Such signs would tell visitors that the pictures were not allowed and that misuse of the property would result in fines, he said.
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Originally used as a test base for the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, the base will be used to test other popular aircraft such as the Archangel-12, the SR-71 Blackbird and the F- 117 Nighthawk stealth. weapons.
Museum: Displays photographs and US spy projects
How is Area 51 related to UFOs?
The experimentation of new or hidden warplanes is responsible for much of the connection between Area 51 and UFOs, even considering that the word “UFO” does not directly apply to aircraft, although Often seen in pop culture.
“It’s true that other lights and planes can sometimes be seen in that area, so it’s obvious that UFOs are flying, but of course, newer planes are probably the same,” Radford explained. “The basic reason, nothing wrong behind the history of Area 51 can be linked to this: The government doesn’t reveal what’s going on there, so it’s very secretive.”
What we call Area 51, he added, is the only one of the military bases, government buildings and government scientific research institutes in the country that deals with information – Top Secret – know, and where employees and visitors need security permits.
“There’s no reason to think anything about UFOs,” Radford said.
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In addition to seeing other manufacturers, the story of Area 51 was fulfilled in 1989 when a man named Robert Lazar claimed that he had developed extraterrestrial technology in in the archive.
Lazar told Las Vegas -based broadcaster George Knapp that he had looked at autopsy footage of visitors in Area 51 and that the U.S. government had used the building to inspect the planes. returned. Lazar was self -destructive, but his words appealed to many nationalist ideas, most of them related to extraterrestrial life.
“Much of the story was inspired by hoaxers like Robert Lazar, who appeared in the 1980s telling a story to TV stations that he worked there and saw foreign bodies and falling flying saucers in the first hand, ”Radford recalled. “It got a lot of attention, but it was later revealed that he did more than just his job at Nellis [Air Force Base in southern Nevada] but all his end. What he said was almost untrue. “
Lazar set the bar, however. Not to mention the rumors of foreign technology and Area 51, the connection to public knowledge and pop culture is sealed.
Select: UFO and UAP: History, knowledge and mysteries
Section 51 on pop culture
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In addition to the large number of documentaries that have been produced about Lazar and the related Area 51 UFO, the site has become a popular destination for movies and TV shows.
Some of Area 51’s most notable descriptions may have been seen in the 1996 Will Smith blockbuster “Independence Day..“In Roland Emmerich’s film, which has more than $ 817 million US worldwide in box office, the reason is a crucial role in overcoming a foreign threat.
On the plus side, Area 51 was hosted by a special guest in 2011’s “Doctor Who.” The traveling doctor was arrested on the scene during the sixth period of “Day of the Moon.”
Given that the show is about aliens, conspiracy theories and government cover-ups, it’s not surprising that Area 51 has “The X-Files.” In 1998 — six times called “Dreamland” – a first name given to the teacher – Mulder and Scully saw a mysterious event unfold in the house.
And Area 51 became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe during the seventh season of “Agents of Shield,” which appeared in two parts of the show and received a speech in the third. The reason was also cited by Spider-Man antagonist J. Jonah Jameson’s publication The Daily Bugle in the form of video games as part of the viral sale for the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” at the end. o 2021.
The Daily Bugle reported a “no attack” in Area 51 by residents, who expected to see evidence of alien life. More than a million people are thought to have led the attack, but very few have been reported – a clear case of a life -changing nature.
The Movement of the Wicked Land 51
In 2019, what started out as a prank on social media, almost fell out of hand when 3.5 million people expressed a desire to attend an event organized by Matty Roberts, 20, is a student from Bakersfield, California.
The name of the tongue-in-cheek Facebook event is “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop Us All,” and, as the name suggests, the idea is meant to protest at the field in large numbers to complete the security. . The goal is to unravel mysteries such as alien technology and secret research.
In the end, it is estimated that 6,000 people reached the low end of the summer and ate certain activities such as throwing the ax and drinking Bud Light beer with the theme haole. Area 51’s safety was not challenged.
“It started out as a joke, but some people thought a lot and started to project the truth … not sure what, but hang out near the door and have fun,” he said. Radford. “Rachel’s small town was ready for the crowds and a concert that didn’t happen.”
“It was a big fiasco, a little Fyre party for the foreign crowd,” he said.
Additional resources
Explore the history of the U-2 reconnaissance project with the Lyon Air Museum (opens on new page). Read more about UFO hoaxster Bob Lazar with How Stuff Works (opens on new page). Find out how much of the Area 51 pop culture reference in this YouTube video from KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas (opens on new page).
Booklet
Section 51 Quick facts, CNN, [2021].
District 51, Military.com (opens on new page).
District 51, 37 ° 14’06.0 “N 115 ° 48’40.0” W, Google (opens on new page) Maps.
District 51, Britannica (opens on new page).
Find out more about Area 51. Britannica (opens on new page).
Independence Day, Numbers (opens on new page).
Doctor Who, Season 6 Episode 2, Day of the Month, IMDB (opens on new page).
X-Files, Season 6 Episode 4, Dreamland, IMDB (opens on new page).
District 51, Marvel Cinematic Universe Week (opens on new page).
Storm Area 51: Laughter becomes ‘human tragedy,’ BBC News (opens on new page)2019.
Frank. A., “Storm Area 51” weekend no attack and strangers. But thatʻs not a bad thing, “he said. Vox (opens on new page)2019.
