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Crop circles are an enigma that fascinate and
intrigue both laymen and scientists around the globe. Farmers go to
sleep to normal crops only to awaken and find intricate designs in their
place. Crop Circles leave many questions unanswered. How are they made?
But most importantly, who are the creators of these mysterious circles?
History
Although it remains uncertain how far back crop circles date they may
possibly date to the 1600 or 1700's. In modern times, several crop
circles appeared throughout Europe in the 1970's. Since then they have
appeared more frequently and in various locations around the world. Crop
circle patterns have also become more intricate in design. The
phenomenon continues to garner widespread attention from scientists,
researchers, author and laymen from around the globe.
Features
What exactly is a crop circle? A crop circle is a design that appears in
a field or similar location. The pattern of the circle is created by
flattening the crops. The stems of the crops are bent without being
broken or otherwise damaged while other crops within the same area
remain untouched allowing the design to be as simple or complex as
desired. The manner in which the crops are flattened remains the subject
of much debate.
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Geography
At one time crop circles were thought to be indigenous to certain areas
but as more formations began to appear it became clear that the
phenomenon was global. The mysterious patterns have appeared in Japan,
America, Africa, Canada, Australia, Russia and elsewhere. Interestingly,
many of these mysterious patterns have appeared close to ancient sites
such as Stonehenge. No one knows the reason for this or even if it has
any particular significance. Still, a great many circles are found in
England with some of the most interesting and intricate patterns.
Time Frame
Crop circles are found in many shapes and sizes. They vary in size and
complexity but some circles have been hundreds of feet in diameter
created with intricate geometric and fractal patterns.
It is not known exactly how or when these patterns are created but it is
believed they are made at night particularly between the hours of 2 and
4 in the morning. Many farmers and other individuals have reported that
a particular crop circle was not there during the daylight or early
evening hours yet the circle was discovered early the next morning.
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Effects
Although there have been some crop circle hoaxes (crop circles made by
human hands) there are scientific differences between human-made circles
and real crop circles. These differences show that there are cellular
changes within the plants such as smaller seeds and/or that stems have
increased in diameter.
The ground even appears to be dehydrated. There also seems to have
radioactive effects and a strange sound emanating from crop circles has
been detected the first few days following its formation.
These differences seem to distinguish hoaxes from the real thing. People
and even animals seem to experience various effects once inside the
circle. Some people have reported that they and/or their pets have
experienced dizziness, illness such as vomiting, pains, tingling
sensations, agitation, nausea and headaches. Could this be due to some
sort of radiation? Perhaps.
Theories/Speculation
Since little evidence is left behind one can only speculate on how these
formations are created. Some researchers suggest that crop circles
contain a form of sacred geometry that most people would have little or
no knowledge of limiting the possibility that they are human-made. The
theories about crop circle formations are just as simplistic and complex
as the circles themselves.
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Some eyewitnesses claim to have seen UFOs in the vicinity of crop circle
patterns. Others say they have spotted balls or rays of light actually
forming the circles. Weather abnormalities, sound and electromagnetism
have been credited with forming the mysterious patterns. Then there is
the government conspiracy theory which claims the government is creating
crop circles by using microwave radiation, for whatever purpose, one can
only imagine.
Considerations
We've examined the how, where and when aspects of crop circles but one
important question remains. Why? Why are these patterns being created?
If they are indeed a government experiment why would the government go
to such exotic measures to create these unusual circles?
If they are created by an otherworldly source we still have to ask why.
Researchers have suggested that crop circles may be a form of
communication. Are extraterrestrials trying to communicate with us? Are
they sending us messages that we are struggling to interpret? Unless the
makers of crop circles are just a bunch of highly intelligent artistic
types with time on their hands there must be meaning within the hidden
messages of crop circles. Our job is to decipher those messages.
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