# 2017 New York Times UAP Article ## Basic Information - **Title**: "Glowing Auras and 'Black Money': The Pentagon's Mysterious U.F.O. Program" - **Publication**: The New York Times - **Date**: December 16, 2017 - **Authors**: Helene Cooper, Ralph Blumenthal, and Leslie Kean - **Type**: News Article - **URL**: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html ## Overview This groundbreaking New York Times article revealed the existence of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program ([[🏛️ AATIP]]) to the public, marking a significant moment in UAP disclosure history. The article detailed the Pentagon's secret program to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena and included previously unreleased videos of military encounters. ## Key Content ### Major Revelations 1. **AATIP Program** - Confirmation of [[🏛️ AATIP]]'s existence - $22 million in "black money" funding - Program operation from 2007-2012 - [[👤 Luis Elizondo]]'s role as program director 2. **Bigelow Aerospace** - [[👤 Robert Bigelow]]'s involvement - Storage of alleged materials - Research facilities - Contract details 3. **Military Encounters** - [[📜 USS Nimitz Incident]] details - Release of FLIR1 video - Pilot testimonies - Sensor data ### Featured Personnel 1. **Key Figures** - [[👤 Harry Reid]] (Former Senate Majority Leader) - [[👤 Luis Elizondo]] (Former AATIP Director) - [[👤 Robert Bigelow]] (Bigelow Aerospace CEO) - Multiple military pilots and officials ## Impact ### Immediate Effects 1. **Public Discourse** - Mainstream media coverage - Scientific community response - Government acknowledgment - Public interest surge 2. **Policy Changes** - Increased transparency - New reporting procedures - Congressional interest - Military protocol updates ### Long-term Influence 1. **Program Evolution** - Formation of [[🏛️ UAPTF]] - Creation of [[🏛️ AARO]] - Enhanced reporting systems - Standardized procedures 2. **Cultural Impact** - Reduced stigma - Scientific legitimacy - Media coverage - Public perception ## Analysis ### Significance 1. **Historical Context** - First official acknowledgment - Government program confirmation - Military involvement - Scientific research 2. **Disclosure Impact** - Public awareness - Government transparency - Military openness - Scientific discussion ### Verification 1. **Sources** - Official documents - Military records - Program documentation - Witness testimonies 2. **Supporting Evidence** - Video footage - Government statements - Budget documents - Personnel records ## Related Topics ### Programs - [[🏛️ AATIP]] - [[🏛️ AAWSAP]] - [[🏛️ UAPTF]] - [[🏛️ AARO]] ### Incidents - [[📜 USS Nimitz Incident]] - [[🔭 UAP Phenomenon]] ### People - [[👤 Luis Elizondo]] - [[👤 Harry Reid]] - [[👤 Robert Bigelow]] - [[👤 Leslie Kean]] ## Legacy ### Media Impact 1. **Journalism** - Investigative reporting standards - UAP coverage legitimacy - Follow-up investigations - Media attention 2. **Public Information** - Disclosure timeline - Government transparency - Military acknowledgment - Scientific discussion ## Notes - Pivotal moment in UAP disclosure - First mainstream confirmation - Professional journalism approach - Multiple source verification - Government cooperation - Military transparency - Scientific consideration - Public impact - Historical significance - Cultural influence ## References 1. **Primary Sources** - Original NYT article - Pentagon statements - Program documents - Video footage 2. **Follow-up Coverage** - Subsequent articles - Media analysis - Expert commentary - Official responses