Blossom Goodchild

Blossom Goodchild is an Australian self-proclaimed medium who says she has channelled a Native American spirit named "White Cloud" since 1991. She emigrated from England in 2001, and is the author of several books regarding her channellings.
Goodchild drew international attention when she claimed to have channelled a message from cosmic beings known as The Federation of Light on August 1, 2008 saying that an extraterrestrial spacecraft would be visible for three days beginning on October 14, 2008 "in such a way as to prove to us the existence of other life forms in the Universe". On 16 October, Goodchild offered a formal apology on YouTube, saying she had "no explanation" for why the Federation of Light failed to appear as "they had told her they would".
Prediction for 14 October 2008
According to Goodchild, the channeled message included the remark, "We wish it to be understood that on the 14th day of your month of October in the year 2008 a craft of great size shall be visible within your skies. It shall be in the south of your hemisphere and it shall scan over many of your states. We give to you the name of Alabama."
Mass media and pop culture
Goodchild's message spread rapidly across the Internet via video and audio recordings on YouTube and as a topic of discussion on blog sites devoted to discussions of extraterrestrial life during the months of August and September, 2008.
This claim provides an example of the globalization of online news media as the contents of blog sites become "newsworthy" and op-ed pieces in local papers are read and commented upon by members of a global audience.
Goodchild's prediction received widespread attention and ridicule in the international press, mostly from the popular tabloids.
Goodchild's message influenced Romanian trance music recording artist Claudia Cazacu, who stated that she also believed extraterrestrials would make an appearance in mid-October 2008. In an example of Mayanism, Cazacu relates the phenomenon to supposed ancient Maya prophecies regarding 21 December 2012.
International wagering
On 13 October 2008, The Daily Record (Glasgow) announced that bookmakers in Scotland, United Kingdom had suspended betting on whether an extraterrestrial spacecraft would appear. After accepting a thousand pound bet at 1000-to-one odds, Rupert Adams of William Hill was quoted as saying, "This is the first time an internet phenomenon has affected our business," remarking "We now have seven-figure liabilities if the ship does appear. We have decided to duck any more big bets until the 14th has passed, hopefully without incident."
Evaluation of claims
No scientific evidence for the appearance of an extraterrestrial spacecraft fitting Goodchild's description was ever presented, although her prediction resulted in many claims of UFO sightings (including many for which alleged evidence was presented online).
On 15 October, Goodchild closed her blog to the public. A public apology was issued the following day. Goodchild has since reopened her blog, but the posts relating to the predicted UFO appearance have been deleted.

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