WEIRD SCIENCE
Las Animas Mutilations: In March, a rash of cattle mutilations were reported from Las Animas County, Colorado. More were mutilated in Argentina in July.
First Crop Circle: In April, the first crop circle of 2009 appeared near the Ancient Standing Stones of Avebury. In June, a huge, 600-foot jellyfish crop formation was found. Later in June, a crop formation in the shape of a phoenix near Wiltshire, England, was said to predict the end of the world.
Lightwheel Sighting: On April 11, the Commanding Officer of a Navy ship reported the sighting of the mysterious underwater lightwheel phenomenon in the Arabian Gulf.
Tadpole Rain: In a June report, tadpoles rained down on Tokyo, Japan and another coastal town.
Sky Spiral: A mysterious spiral over Norway got UFO buffs and conspiracy people talking in December, but it turned out to be a failed Russian missile.
CELEBRITIES AND THE PARANORMAL
Courtney Love: In January, the singer said her new album was delayed because "paranormal" events forced her producer to abandon the studio.
Salma Hayek: Actress Salma Hayek, in February, claimed that her 16-month-old daugther has a sixth sense that allows her to communicate with spirits.
Steve Irwin: In April, an experienced diver claimed to have seen the ghost of Steve Irwin, the TV adventurer who was killed by a stingray.
Michael Jackson: In April, just months before his untimely death, Michael Jackson decided against renting a 28-bedroom mansion for his stay in the UK following claims that it is haunted. After his death, some say that his ghost was recorded at Neverland Ranch during a Larry King interview with brother Jermaine. Then in October sister La Toya said Michael's ghost has been visiting the family dressed in white pearl beads.
Jennifer Love Hewitt: The Ghost Whisperer star was warned about her fiancé by psychic James Van Praagh, a May story revealed. And in December, Van Praagh claimed to channel the late Farrah Fawcet.
Nancy Reagan: The former First Lady said she often sees the ghost of her husband, President Ronald Reagan.
Tony Iommi: The former Black Sabbath rocker claimed to have seen a ghost.
George Clooney: In a June story, it was reported that the A-list actor hired a psychic to help him contact his beloved potbellied pig, Max, who died in 2006.
Johnny Depp: The versatile actor told reporters in July that he sensed the ghost of John Dillinger as he filmed Public Enemies.
Hugh Hefner: The Playboy founder was sued in July by Sheri Allred, who claimed she is the reincarnation of Venus Aphrodite Demilio.
Emma Watson: The star of the Harry Potter films said in July that she traced her ancestry back to a 16th century woman convicted of witchcraft.
Kelsey Grammer: The Emmy-winning TV star of Frasier claimed he could talk to the dead, according to this July article.
Patrick Stewart: In August, Star Trek's Captain Picard said he saw a ghost while performing the play Waiting for Godot.
Jennifer Connelly: A September report said the actress was forced to move out of her Brooklyn home with after she was convinced that it is haunted.
David Carradine: A few months before his body was found hanging in a Bangkok hotel room closet, David Carradine sat down to discuss a ghost he believed was haunting him -- from a closet.
Sting:In November, The Police frontman claimed to have seen the apparition of a woman, witnessed flying objects and heard strange voices.
Peter Jackson:The director in November revealed that he had once seen a real ghost in his apartment 20 years ago.
PASSINGS
Hans Holzer: Paranormal researcher and author - often called the "original ghost hunter" - died on April 26.
Lou Gentile: Paranormal researcher and talk show host Lou Gentile died on June 28.
John Keel: Paranormal chronicler and author of The Mothman Prophecies and other books died on July 3 at the age of 79.
Robert Rines: Crypto researcher who coined the terms "Loch Ness Monster" and "Nessie" died on November 1.
