Elon Musk's Neuralink Is Now Inside A Human Being

Few details are available, but this is Neuralink’s first big step toward its lofty ambition of connecting humans to computers.

BY MIRIAM FAUZIA

 

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01-02-2024 om 00:08 geschreven door peter  

Vallée’s lecture at the event, titled “The Age of Impossible: Anticipating Discontinuous Futures,” dealt with how the speed at which modern technology accelerates has resulted in events that would have seemed impossible to many people only years before they transpired. With examples ranging from the collapse of General Motors in 2009 to Bernie Madoff’s role in the financial crisis of 2007-2008, Vallee presented what he called a “Typology of the Impossible” that hinged on four main kinds of scenarios: events that escalated too quickly, convergences of “low-p scenarios,” events that appear to violate current cultural norms, and finally, scenarios that involve the appearance of a “completely alien concept within a particular culture.”

“There are many things in our culture today that fit that model,” Vallée said at one point during the talk, as he described historical instances where things that seemed unimaginable at one time later became technological norms. Such things, Vallee said, “are possible, but we cannot imagine them. The public is not aware that they can be done. History provides many examples, and the internet itself is an example of something that was unimaginable.”

After discussing his own part in helping create ARPANET, Vallée went on to share several more examples from recent history where unforeseen scientific advancements occurred, seemingly out of the blue.

“And finally,” the scientist said, never evincing a change in his measured tone and demeanor, “the Pentagon could not imagine that fast, erratic, mobile, oval objects in the sky were anything other than mental illusions, and they…” After a brief pause, Vallée cryptically added, “and you can fill out the answers in the next few years.”

Despite his success as a venture capitalist and “co-creator of the Internet”, most of the attendees at the 2013 TEDx event in Geneva were likely aware of what Vallée is best known for: his decades of involvement with the study of unidentified aerial phenomena. As a young computer scientist and astronomer in the 1960s, Vallee not only worked alongside Northwestern University astronomer J. Allen Hynek, the official scientific advisor to the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book but also authored Anatomy of a Phenomenon, one of the earliest popular books written on the UFO subject by a professional scientist. Though he never uttered any of the popular names or abbreviations for the phenomenon, it was obvious what Vallee had been alluding to during this brief, passing reference to “oval objects” during his talk.

At least at that time, what had not been so obvious had been why Vallée specifically referenced the Pentagon’s relationship to UAP, nor why a series of seemingly impossible future events might come to pass involving this subject “in the next few years.”

THE CALL FROM DR. VALLÉE came through earlier than I expected.

The scientist’s voice, softened by age yet still resonant with the French he learned as a youth in Pontoise before emigrating to America many decades ago, was unmistakable to me, having heard it in many interviews and documentaries over the years. Vallée, now 83, is a man whose work in the study of unidentified aerial phenomena is only one finger on the glove of his impressive resume, spanning decades of work in astronomy, physics, computer science, and venture capitalism.

As evidenced by his billing at the TEDx event in 2013, one could indeed argue that Vallée is partly responsible for the creation of the Internet, although the affable Frenchman is modest on this point, nearly to a fault. This much was evident almost immediately as we began our discussion, and I wasted no time in bringing up the talk in Geneva and some of the intriguing hints he had dropped at that time.

“I’ve seen the development and the unfolding of a number of technologies,” Vallée told me during our call. “Very often what happens is that a discovery is made, and everyone agrees that it is important, and people write papers, and so on. And then it disappears.” 

• Don’t miss Jacques Vallée’s recent interview on Rebelliously Curious with Chrissy Newton over on The Debrief’s YouTube Channel, and linked at the end of this article.

“You know, the Arpanet was essentially dead for a while,” Vallée recalls from his years working on the project decades ago. “Until [the] National Science Foundation picked up the funding, thinking that there would be several internets.” Initially a simple matter of accounting, the NSF initially believed it would be easier to fund three separate projects that looked at using networks through which computers could connect for purposes of communication.

THE PATH THAT BROUGHT

Vallée into the tempest that is the study of unidentified aerial phenomena is a long one, which stems back to his early years in Pontoise at an age when the world was still at war.

“There are things you don’t forget,” Vallée said during our call, describing his memories of seeing American aircraft being shot down over his town when he was five years old.

“I remember seeing the crew dropping out in parachutes and the Germans shooting at them.”

By 1945, the war had ended, although fears of a return to conflict lingered throughout parts of Europe. To the north, reports of ghostly “rockets” over countries like Sweden in the summer of 1946 kept many guessing whether the Soviets were conducting tests, perhaps with a form of secret new aerial weapon they had captured from the Germans. The following year, an all-new kind of paranoia would erupt across the Atlantic, as American newspapers were flooded with stories of “flying saucers” seen careening through the skies, especially in airspace around sites of importance to U.S. national security.

By the Autumn of 1954, as the wave of sightings of strange objects was cresting over North America, France was having its own torrent of reports of similar phenomena. Major newspapers like L’Aurore and France-Soir were carrying stories about unidentified flying objects almost daily, and Vallée began collecting clippings of stories like those of Marius Dewilde, a railroad worker who described his observation of a pair of diminutive “robots” next to a dark machine resting on the train tracks.

The reports seemed incredible, and very well might have remained so had it not been for what occurred the following year in May 1955, when Vallée had his own sighting.

“My mother saw it first,” he would later recall of the incident. She had been working in the garden when Vallée, sixteen at the time, heard her screaming for him and his father. Vallée made his way from the attic where his father’s woodworking shop was located, and down three flights of stairs just in time to observe a metallic disc-shaped object “with a clear bubble on top” as it hovered over the nearby church of Saint-Maclou.

The object reminded them of the parachutists the family had watched descending from the skies during the war. His mother, who continued watching it, recalled how it sped away, leaving only a few wisps of white vapor where the object had been. Vallée would later learn that a schoolmate nearby had also noticed the object, observing it through binoculars.

Despite his father’s disapproval, Vallée maintained his interest in these unusual aerial objects. “I realized,” he would later write in his journal, “that I would forever be ashamed of the human race if we simply ignored ‘their’ presence.” The young Frenchman began to educate himself on the topic by reading the works of Aimé Michel, one of the earliest serious French researchers to undertake the study of unusual aerial phenomena. It was an interest he maintained through his college years, completing his degree in mathematics at the University of Paris in 1959 and going on to receive his M.S. from the University of Lille Nord de France two years later. By 1961, Vallée was employed at the Paris Observatory as an astronomer with its artificial satellite service, tracking space objects through theodolites by night.

“Naively, I started work here with great enthusiasm, assuming that we would be engaged in genuine research,” Vallée would recall of his years at the observatory. “That is not what I found.” In July of 1961, he and the other astronomers recalled a few instances where they observed objects passing overhead that they could not identify. “The next morning,” he recalled of one incident, his superior “simply confiscated the tape and destroyed it.” Vallée inquired as to why they hadn’t sent this seemingly important information along with their normal Telex tape dispatches to U.S. Navy officials in Paris.

“The Americans would laugh at us,” his superior scoffed.

Having his fill of the prevailing attitudes in Paris, by 1962, Vallée had emigrated to the United States, first working at the University of Texas, Austin, as a research associate in astronomy, and thereafter for a short stint at the McDonald Observatory, where he helped to compile the first informational map of the planet Mars with fellow French astronomer Gérard de Vaucouleurs. However, by the summer of 1963, Vallée was looking ahead at new opportunities, one of which arrived following a meeting in September with astronomer J. Allen Hynek, chair of Northwestern University’s astronomy department, who helped the young scientist find work as a systems analyst on campus. Hynek, at the time the scientific advisor to the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book UFO investigation, was a natural ally; not only would he serve as a mentor to Vallée, who went on to receive his Ph.D. from the institution in 1967, but for years thereafter the two would remain close colleagues in the pursuit of their mutual interest.

An undated photo of astronomer J. Allen Hynek and Jacques Vallée

(public domain).

However, by the late 1960s, it seemed evident that scientific opinions on the UFO subject in the United States had finally begun to sour, despite the efforts of Hynek, Vallée, and a close network of like-minded scientists looking into the problem. By the end of 1968, the University of Colorado UFO Project, a U.S. Air Force-funded study headed by physicist Edward U. Condon, had delivered its findings; in an introductory summary to the lengthy report, Condon wrote that “nothing has come from the study of UFOs in the past 21 years that has added to scientific knowledge,” adding that “further extensive study of UFOs probably cannot be justified in the expectation that science will be advanced thereby.”

Vallée, musing over the Condon study during our call, remembered his incredulity at the time he first heard about its conclusions.

“That’s an interesting chapter in science,” he said. “Or the failure of science.”

By then, Vallee had already returned to France. As he, his wife Janine, and their son, Oliver, were acclimating to life in Europe again, Vallée was quietly readjusting his approach to the UFO question.

“Once I was back in France, in a way, it served to give me the space to rethink what we had done,” Vallée told me. “I mean, I knew the Condon Committee was a joke… and that science was somewhere else. So it forced me to ask some fundamental questions that I would not have asked if I had stayed at Northwestern.”

“So I thought, where does all this come from, anyway?”

Vallée began haunting the old Paris bookshops, acquiring rare historical texts and early treatises on the sciences. An interesting question had begun to form in his mind, as he recorded in a journal entry on October 29, 1967: What about the forgotten accounts of Little People, of Elementals, of Leprechauns? If these beings are part of the same phenomenon we see now, what does that mean for their nature? Are we necessarily dealing with extraterrestrials?

“I found that the phenomenon has always been there,” Vallée says of his years spent mining observations of unusual aerial phenomena from texts that date back to classical antiquity. “Of course, they are describing it in the language of the time,” he notes, “but they are describing something that’s very, very much like what I get from witnesses today.”

The fruits of such musings culminated in Vallée’s seminal 1969 effort, Passport to Magonia, widely regarded as one of his most influential early works and, paradoxically, the effort that cast him as a pariah in the eyes of many of his ufological peers.

“At first, it was completely rejected.” he says, recalling one UFO magazine that featured his likeness shortly after Magonia was published, accompanied by the headline, “Vallée has gone off the deep end.” Today, Vallée laughs about the chiding he received from his peers, and I note a hint of nostalgia about those early works behind the dry chuckle that emerges.

“Maybe the truth was in the deep end.”

OVER THE COURSE OF the ensuing decades, Vallée would continue to challenge the extraterrestrial hypothesis favored particularly among American UFO researchers. Parallel to this effort, his professional career brought him into work with the Institute for the Future in the mid-1970s, where he worked as principal investigator on the National Science Foundation computer networking project that gave rise to one of the earliest iterations of the ARPANET conferencing system. In the following decade, Vallée would become involved in venture capitalism, first as a partner at Sofinnova, then moving on to become a general partner in multiple different Silicon Valley funds, including his involvement in private investments today.

As his professional career flourished, Vallée never lost sight of his fascination with strange aerial phenomena. He authored a string of follow-ups to Magonia on the topic of UFOs throughout the 1970s and 80s, each continuing to build on the premise that the phenomenon could be far more complex than conventional opinions on UFOs would offer. His pioneering work continued to garner attention along the way, even serving as the inspiration for Claude Lacombe, a French scientist portrayed by actor François Truffaut in Stephen Spielberg’s classic film Close Encounters of the Third Kind. 

In the 1990s, Vallée authored a trilogy of books that focused on the prospects of alien contact. However, he always maintained a healthy distance from drawing conclusions about what any exotic technologies behind UFOs might represent. It was also during this period that Vallée began working with real estate developer Robert Bigelow’s National Institute for Discovery Science (NIDS), a privately funded scientific research effort that looked at UFOs and related phenomena.

In July 2014, Vallée presented a paper at the GEIPAN International Workshop in Paris, France, titled “Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: A Strategy for Research,” offering both a snapshot of what he had learned about the complexities of the phenomenon over several decades of study, as well as what he believed might be a path toward more fruitful future research.

“After years of ideological arguments based on anecdotal data the field of UAP research appears ready to emerge into a more mature phase of reliable study,” Vallée wrote in the paper’s abstract. Citing the mounting scientific interest in UAP around the world, based in part on documents conveying an official military interest in these phenomena, the scientist argued that the path forward would require the analysis of hard data, paired with intelligently informed theoretical studies.

“Without pre-judging the origin and nature of the phenomena, a range of opportunities arise for investigation,” Vallée wrote, warning that “such projects need to generate new hypotheses and test them in a rigorous way against the accumulated reports of thousands of observers.”

The problem was that in 2014, despite the existence of several notable independent catalogs containing information on historical incidents, there was no single collection of reliable UAP reports—a centralized database, in other words—upon which such studies could rely. This had been part of what prompted Vallée to assemble such a database for NIDS, work that would later carry over as Bigelow’s efforts moved out of the private sector and into the official world as part of the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Advanced Aerospace Weapons Systems Application Program (AAWSAP).

“In the United States the National Institute for Discovery Science (“NIDS”) and the Bigelow Aerospace Corporation have initiated a series of special catalogues to safeguard their own reports from public sources and from their staff,” Vallée wrote in his 2014 paper, adding that he had been asked to develop a UAP data warehouse containing 11 individual databases.

“The project is known as ‘Capella,’” it stated.

According to slides accompanying Vallée’s 2014 presentation, the Capella project focused on several areas that ranged from patterns emerging from UAP data to possible physics underlying the phenomenon and its impact on humans.

During our call, Vallée spoke candidly about the project and what he hopes it might still be used to achieve.

“There is such a database. It is the one we built as part of the AATIP/BAASS project in Las Vegas,” Vallée told me. Comprising roughly 260,000 cases from countries around the world, the scientist said during our call that the Capella database had been one of the major focal points of the program.

“Contrary to what people believe, [Capella] is the largest part of the budget that was spent on the classified project,” Vallée said. This included paying for translations of incident reports from Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and several other languages into English, and providing funding for teams that conducted additional research on-site.

“It was a large effort for two years, Vallée said, though he added that in reality, “probably close to fifty or sixty years of work went into the database.” Although Capella constitutes what is arguably the most extensive database containing information on UAP ever built, don’t expect to see it any time soon; it remains classified as a part of the data developed under the DIA’s AAWSAP program managed by James Lackatski between 2008 and 2010.

• 

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“The database is still classified, to my knowledge,” Vallée said during our call, prompting me to ask whether such a vast amount of historical information on the UAP subject shouldn’t be made publicly available.

Speaking with The Debrief in December 2021, Mark Rodeghier, Ph.D., director of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies and a longtime colleague of Vallée, expressed frustration over previous statements made by Colm Kelleher, Ph.D., another of the scientists who worked on the AAWSAP program, who noted that much of the AAWSAP data will likely remain classified.

“I mean, isn’t that discouraging, disappointing, [and] ridiculous,” Rodeghier told The Debrief. “It’s not work on how we can get a hypersonic missile. It’s UFO investigations. How can that be classified at this point? And the answer, of course, is that it shouldn’t be classified now.”

During our call, Vallée expressed similar sentiments to Rodeghier’s, although he also defended Capella’s current classified status on account of some of the information it protects.

“You make a good point,” Vallée told me. “That’s the kind of thing that should be accessible to science,” although adding that “it will be accessible to very highly competent people who can continue to look at it under the proper classification.”

“I think it’s properly classified,” Vallée added, “because it contains a lot of medical data that should be private.” However, he said that he thinks that over time, perhaps portions can be “sanitized” for release to the public, “so that we don’t invade the privacy of individuals who have reported those things, especially their medical data.”

“It’s not classified for any military or intelligence reason as far as I know,” Vallée said. “But I’m not part of the project anymore.” Vallée noted that even he no longer has access to Capella, although several longtime colleagues of his who still work in government do.

“I’m very proud to have worked on that,” Vallée said. “It’s probably the high water mark in the computer study of UFOs so far.”

“But as we know, the high water mark is going to go even higher after this.”

DESPITE HIS OWN LEVEL of involvement with government UAP studies, as well as the level of interest generated by videos of unidentified objects collected by the U.S. military—the existence of which Vallée himself hinted at in Geneva as early as 2013—the 83-year-old scientist still doesn’t necessarily hold military UAP data in higher regard than that collected by civilians.

“The military cases in the databases I know of are less than ten percent in every country,” Vallee said during our call. “They are really good because the military has radar. They have, of course, planes that can chase the objects… pilots who are very well trained and very well positioned to give a description.”

“Those are excellent reports,” Vallée concedes. “But what about the farmer in the field, who sees [an object] close to him, and has traces, and has materials? Who has felt physiological reactions?”

“What about those cases?” he asks. “They are full of information.”

Vallée’s appreciation for UAP information collected from non-governmental sources is particularly evident in his latest book, Trinity: The Best-Kept Secret, coauthored with Italian journalist Paola Leopizzi Harris. In it, they unravel the story of two men, Jose Padilla and Reme Baca, who claim to have witnessed the crash of an unusual aircraft near San Antonito, New Mexico, in August 1945. Padilla, who went on to become a State Trooper in Rowland Heights, California, maintained that as children, he and Baca had seen a large, dull-gray avocado-shaped object—along with its frantic occupants—where it had apparently crashed near his family’s ranch. The object, they say, was later recovered by the military.

In a newly updated second edition of the book, Vallée and Harris present additional witness testimony they have gathered about the alleged incident, which includes an observation of the crash remembered by the family of Lt. Colonel William J. Brothy, who at the time had been piloting a B-25 on a training mission. According to Brothy, he and his crew had flown over the site and recalled, “There were a lot of pieces.”

In Trinity, Vallée emphasizes what he believes are undeniable similarities between descriptions of the 1945 incident and a UAP landing in New Mexico observed by police officer Lonnie Zamora in 1964. Then, the following year another strikingly similar incident occurred near Valensole, France, involving the close observation of a landed craft and its apparent pilot or occupant.

“There is a case in Valensole, in France, and the case in Socorro. The object is identical to the Trinity object,” Vallée said. “And the [occupants] are identical to the creatures that Mr. Padilla is describing to me at Trinity, that he saw.”

“I was involved in Socorro, and I was involved in Valensole. Those are cases I know very well,” Vallée said, adding that Trinity contains new information on the Socorro case, once referred to by Hector Quintanilla, director of the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book at the time of the incident, as being “the best documented case on record.”

Today, much of Vallée’s research is focused on the collection and study of material samples believed to have been collected from UAP. Compared with his earlier work, which challenged popular notions about extraterrestrials being associated with UAP, this might surprise longtime followers of the scientist’s work. For Vallée, however, it is only the next phase in the many decades he has spent working toward resolving the mystery.

“It’s all one thing,” Vallée said during our call. “The first book I wrote was Anatomy of a Phenomenon, which… I took as a study of extraterrestrial intelligence in general, and how it was I thought UFOs illustrated the idea of life elsewhere and intelligence elsewhere… that’s definitely the place from which we started.”

“Then, when I started working with Dr. Hynek, and I started working with—in those days, it was just called ‘computer catalogs,’ it wasn’t dignified as databases or data warehouses—but those catalogs held thousands of cases. My first complete catalog was donated to the Condon Committee at the University of Colorado, when they did the study funded by the Air Force.”

“Which,” Vallée notes, “to my surprise, concluded the problem didn’t exist. So, we’ve come a long way from that.”

Given his level of involvement in working to resolve the UAP question—an effort now spanning more than six decades, including his involvement in official government UAP investigations in several countries and having authored some of the most popular books ever written on the subject—perhaps the most surprising thing expressed by Vallée during our discussion had been his predictions about how he thinks his own work will be remembered by future generations.

“I think everything I’ve done, and everything my contemporaries have done, is going to be forgotten,” he said, mirroring his observations of the invention, and subsequent reinvention, of so many other innovations in science over time, not least among them the World Wide Web.

“And then in a few years, it’s going to be reinvented by, you know, great people at Stanford and Harvard in a new way,” he tells me, accompanied by the distinctive chuckle I had by now come to expect after one of his witty responses.

“That’s always the way science works.”

• Micah Hanks is Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on Twitter: @MicahHanks. 

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01-02-2024 om 00:00 geschreven door peter  

Verrassende feitjes over Adam en Eva

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Verrassende feitjes over Adam en Eva
Het verhaal van Adam en Eva is een van de bekendste bijbelverhalen en legde de basis voor de scheppingsleer. Bovendien is het het eerste verhaal waarin het concept van de erfzonde naar voren komt. Waar sommigen mensen het als fictie beschouwen, wat geldt voor veel Bijbelverhalen, zien anderen het als iets dat echt gebeurt is. Of je het nu wel of niet gelooft, in deze galerij kom je interessante en minder bekende feitjes tegen over Adam en Eva.

Nieuwsgierig? LEES verder voor meer!

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Er zijn meerdere verhalen over Adam en Eva
Het verhaal van Adam en Eva komt inderdaad niet alleen in de bijbel voor. Er zijn soortgelijke scheppingsverhalen te vinden in andere culturen en religies.

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Er zijn meerdere verhalen over Adam en Eva
Chnemoe, de oude Egyptische god van de vruchtbaarheid, zou mensen uit klei hebben geschapen. Ook van Prometheus, de Griekse god van het vuur, wordt gezegd dat hij op die manier de mens heeft geschapen.

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De herkomst traceren
Het verhaal is zowel aan het Babylonische scheppingverhaal Enuma Elish ontleent als die van Gilgamesj, een epische held uit Mesopotamië. In het eerste verhaal wordt gezegd dat de mens geschapen zou zijn door het gebruik van stof.

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De herkomst traceren
In het tweede verhaal creëeren de goden een mannelijke metgezel voor Gilgamesj. De held verliest op een gegeven moment zijn onsterfelijkheid nadat hij voor de truc van een slang is gevallen. Dan stormt er een vrouw binnen die de mannen van een vredig bestaan weerhoudt. Klinkt dit jullie bekend?

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Adam had twee vrouwen
Adam had een eerdere vrouw genaamd Lilith, die uit de Hof van Eden werd verdreven omdat ze zich tegen haar man verzette. Lilith, een prominent figuur in de joodse mythologie, werd toen een demoon.

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Adams tweede vrouw
Pas toen werd Eva uit een van Adams botten geschapen. De interpretaties dit deel van het verhaal lopen uiteen. De meesten van ons geloven dat het om een rib ging, zo blijkt ook uit de vertaling van het Hebreeuws.

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Het bot van Adam?
De term die in de oorspronkelijke tekst wordt gebruikt, is 'tsela'. Hoewel het in de context van Eva's schepping gewoonlijk als 'rib' wordt vertaald, verwijst het in feite naar de zijkant of 'een deel dat uitsteekt ten opzichte van de verticale as van een menselijk lichaam'. Daarom is Eva wellicht geschapen uit een van Adams botten die in het buitenste deel van zijn lichaam zitten.

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Het bot van Adam?
Sommige onderzoekers wijzen op Adams baculum (penisbot) als oorzaak van de schepping. Zij stellen dat mensen, in tegenstelling tot veel andere zoogdieren, geen baculum hebben en dat Eva daaruit zou zijn geschapen. Als gevolg hiervan zouden volgende generaties mensen zonder baculum geboren worden.

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Hadden Adam en Eva navels?
Vraagt men dit oprecht af? Door fundamentalistische christenen wordt verondersteld dat zij geen navels hadden.

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Hadden Adam en Eva navels?
Veel kunstenaars hebben er misschien niet bij stilgestaan (of misschien juist wel) dat Adam en Eva ontzettend vaak met navels worden afgebeeld.

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Was het de duivel die Eva verleidde?
In de joodse theologie bestond Satan aanvankelijk niet. Daardoor kwam de duivel in het oorspronkelijke verhaal niet voor. Het is echter mogelijk dat de slang later met de duivel in verband werd gebracht.

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Was het de duivel die Eva verleidde?
De islamitische versie van het verhaal is opvallend anders. Allah schepte Adam en beval de engelen om hem te vereren, maar Iblis (ook bekend als Satan) koos ervoor om niet naar hem te luisteren. Uit de Koran blijkt dat de slang inderdaad de belichaming van het kwaad is.

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Wat was nou precies de verboden vrucht?
De verboden vrucht wordt in de Bijbel niet expliciet beschreven als een appel, in tegenstelling tot wat vaak wordt gedacht.

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Wat was nou precies de verboden vrucht?
De vrucht wordt niet uitgebreid beschreven. De Hebreeuwse term 'peri' heeft meerdere betekenissen, waaronder vijgen, druiven en zelfs tarwe. Hierdoor zijn meerdere interpretaties mogelijk.

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Waarom denken mensen dan dat het een appel was?
Dit is te wijten aan een grappige woordspeling uit de 4e eeuw. Het Latijnse woord 'malus' lijkt een dubbele betekenis te hebben: 'kwaad' en 'appel'. Jerome, een geleerde die de bijbel in het Latijn heeft vertaald, gebruikte dit woord om de vrucht van de boom van de kennis van goed en kwaad te beschrijven.

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Waarom denken mensen dan dat het een appel was?
John Milton, een dichter uit de 17e eeuw, omschreef de verboden vrucht in zijn boek 'Paradise Lost' tweemaal als een appel, waardoor nog meer mensen hierin geloven.

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Pijn bij de bevalling wordt toegeschreven aan Eva
In Genesis 3:16 staat:"Ik zal uw moeite in uw zwangerschap zeer groot maken; met pijn zult u kinderen baren." Dit stuk uit de bijbel heeft de bevalling er voor vrouwen niet makkelijker op gemaakt.

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Pijn bij de bevalling wordt toegeschreven aan Eva
Hier zijn echter weer twijfels omtrent de vertaling. In alle andere voorbeelden van de Bijbel wordt de Hebreeuwse term etzev vertaald als 'arbeid', 'zwoegen' of 'werk'. In de context van een bevalling wordt het echter geïnterpreteerd als 'pijn' 'verdriet' of 'angst'.

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Islamitische versie van Adam en Eva
Zoals gezegd wordt het verhaal van Adam en Eva ook in de Koran beschreven. Er is echter een opmerkelijk verschil: zowel Adam als Eva worden verleid om een vrucht uit de boom te plukken. Daarnaast komt in de islamitische versie het idee van de erfzonde niet voor. Ze aten dus allebei van de boom en werden gestraft voor hun zonde, zonder dat de hele mensheid er voor altijd de dupe van was.

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Islamitische versie van Adam en Eva
Nadat ze uit het paradijs waren verdreven, brachten ze 200 jaar zonder elkaar door. Ze kwamen elkaar daarna echter weer tegen en kregen twee zonen samen, Qābīl en Hābīl. Net als in het verhaal van Kaïn en Abel vermoordt een van de broers op tragische wijze de ander. Adam en Eva kregen nog veel meer kinderen, twintig tweelingen zelfs!

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De pre-adamitische theorie
Deze theorie dateert uit 1655 en stelt dat er vóór Adam en Eva al mensen op aarde waren.

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De pre-adamitische theorie
Volgens de theorie werd aangenomen dat niet ieder mens op aarde een nakomeling van Adam en Eva was. Degenen die niet als nakomelingen werden beschouwd, werden als minder belangrijk en gemakshalve als 'minder blank' gezien, wat leidde tot de grondgedachte die volgens sommige mensen slavernij rechtvaardigde.

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De locatie van de Hof van Eden
Waar de Hof van Eden zich bevindt is al lang een raadsel, waardoor veel mensen nieuwsgierig blijven. De bijbel geeft ons een paar hints.

©Getty Images

De locatie van de Hof van Eden
In Genesis 2:10 staat: "In de tuin van Eden was de bron van een rivier, die de tuin vochtig hield. Deze rivier splitst zich in vier andere rivieren" (afhankelijk van de vertaling). Dit zijn de rivieren Pison, Gichon, Tigris en de Eufraat.

©Getty Images

De locatie van de Hof van Eden
Er wordt gedacht dat de Hof van Eden zich mogelijk in Mesopotamië (het huidige Irak en Koeweit) of in het huidige Turkije of Armenië bevond. Waar hij precies lag blijft echter onbekend.

©Getty Images

De genen van Adam en Eva
Volgens een onderzoek bestond de mitochondriale Eva tussen 100.000 en 230.000 jaar geleden, terwijl de Y-chromosomale Adam ongeveer 75.000 jaar ouder was.

©Getty Images

De genen van Adam en Eva
Er wordt in dit onderzoek verwezen naar gemeenschappelijke mitochondriale voorouders van de mens van nu. Deze voorouders waren niet aan elkaar gekoppeld en waren ook niet de eerste mensen op aarde.

Bron:

• (Grunge)

{ http://starsinsider.com/ }

31-01-2024 om 23:29 geschreven door peter  

“Our work suggests several key time windows for Curiosity to collect data,” said John Ortiz, a graduate student at Los Alamos National Laboratory who led the research team. “We think these offer the best chance of constraining the timing of methane fluctuations, and (hopefully) down the line bringing us closer to understanding where it comes from on Mars.”

The presence of methane (CH4) in the Martian atmosphere is of great interest to planetary scientists and exobiologists because it could indicate present or past microbial life. Or, it could also be related to nonbiological processes, such as volcanism or hydrothermal activity.

The problem with detecting methane is that it doesn’t last long. Once released into the atmosphere, it can be quickly destroyed by natural atmospheric processes. Therefore, any methane detected in Mars’ atmosphere means it must have been released recently, which only adds to the intrigue.

On Earth, most methane is produced by living creatures such as microorganisms in sedimentary strata, or in the guts of ruminants (cows, sheep, deer, etc.). For methane produced through abiotic or non-living processes, there is a high likelihood it could have been produced millions or even billions of years ago, lying trapped in underground rock formations.

But still, finding methane on Mars is a big deal because of the potential for biological sources, such as methanogenic microbes.

In 2004, the Mars Express Orbiter (MEO) detected methane in the Martian atmosphere. In 2013 and 2014 Curiosity detected spikes in methane in the atmosphere at Gale Crater. Interestingly, MEO detected a methane spike again, at the same location that Curiosity did, only one day later.

Ortiz and his team wanted to better understand Mars’ methane levels, and used high-performance computing clusters to simulate how methane travels through networks of underground fractures, and then released into the atmosphere when driven by atmospheric pressure fluctuations. They also modeled how methane is adsorbed onto the pores of rocks, which is a temperature-dependent process that may contribute to the methane level fluctuations.

The team said their simulations predicted methane pulses from the ground surface into the atmosphere just before the Martian sunrise in the planet’s northern summer season, which just recently ended. This corroborates previous rover data suggesting that methane levels fluctuated not only seasonally, but also daily. With these insights, the Curiosity rover team can figure out when and where to look for methane, which could aid in the rover’s main goal, searching for signs of life.

“Understanding Mars’ methane variations has been highlighted by NASA’s Curiosity team as the next key step towards figuring out where it comes from,” Ortiz said. “There are several challenges associated with meeting that goal, and a big one is knowing what time of a given sol (Martian day) is best for Curiosity to perform an atmospheric sampling experiment.”

Paper: 

• “Sub-diurnal methane variations on Mars driven by barometric pumping and planetary boundary layer evolution.” Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. DOI: 10.1029/2023JE008043
  LANL press release

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

31-01-2024 om 22:33 geschreven door peter  

The detections more than double the number of known tidal disruption events in the nearby universe.

Jennifer Chu | MIT News

Star-shredding black holes are everywhere in the sky if you just know how to look for them. That’s one message from a new study by MIT scientists, appearing today in the Astrophysical Journal.

The study’s authors are reporting the discovery of 18 new tidal disruption events (TDEs) — extreme instances when a nearby star is tidally drawn into a black hole and ripped to shreds. As the black hole feasts, it gives off an enormous burst of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Astronomers have detected previous tidal disruption events by looking for characteristic bursts in the optical and X-ray bands. To date, these searches have revealed about a dozen star-shredding events in the nearby universe. The MIT team’s new TDEs more than double the catalog of known TDEs in the universe.

The researchers spotted these previously “hidden” events by looking in an unconventional band: infrared. In addition to giving off optical and X-ray bursts, TDEs can generate infrared radiation, particularly in “dusty” galaxies, where a central black hole is enshrouded with galactic debris. The dust in these galaxies normally absorbs and obscures optical and X-ray light, and any sign of TDEs in these bands. In the process, the dust also heats up, producing infrared radiation that is detectable. The team found that infrared emissions, therefore, can serve as a sign of tidal disruption events.

By looking in the infrared band, the MIT team picked out many more TDEs, in galaxies where such events were previously hidden. The 18 new events occurred in different types of galaxies, scattered across the sky.

“The majority of these sources don’t show up in optical bands,” says lead author Megan Masterson, a graduate student in MIT’s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. “If you want to understand TDEs as a whole and use them to probe supermassive black hole demographics, you need to look in the infrared band.”

Other MIT authors include Kishalay De, Christos Panagiotou, Anna-Christina Eilers, Danielle Frostig, and Robert Simcoe, and MIT assistant professor of physics Erin Kara, along with collaborators from multiple institutions including the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany.

Heat spike

The team recently detected the closest TDE yet, by searching through infrared observations. The discovery opened a new, infrared-based route by which astronomers can search for actively feeding black holes.

That first detection spurred the group to comb for more TDEs. For their new study, the researchers searched through archival observations taken by NEOWISE — the renewed version of NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. This satellite telescope launched in 2009 and after a brief hiatus has continued to scan the entire sky for infrared “transients,” or brief bursts.

The team looked through the mission’s archived observations using an algorithm developed by co-author Kishalay De. This algorithm picks out patterns in infrared emissions that are likely signs of a transient burst of infrared radiation. The team then cross-referenced the flagged transients with a catalog of all known nearby galaxies within 200 megaparsecs, or 600 million light years. They found that infrared transients could be traced to about 1,000 galaxies.

They then zoomed in on the signal of each galaxy’s infrared burst to determine whether the signal arose from a source other than a TDE, such as an active galactic nucleus or a supernova. After ruling out these possibilities, the team then analyzed the remaining signals, looking for an infrared pattern that is characteristic of a TDE — namely, a sharp spike followed by a gradual dip, reflecting a process by which a black hole, in ripping apart a star, suddenly heats up the surrounding dust to about 1,000 kelvins before gradually cooling down.

This analysis revealed 18 “clean” signals of tidal disruption events. The researchers took a survey of the galaxies in which each TDE was found, and saw that they occurred in a range of systems, including dusty galaxies, across the entire sky.

“If you looked up in the sky and saw a bunch of galaxies, the TDEs would occur representatively in all of them,” Masteron says. “It’s not that they’re only occurring in one type of galaxy, as people thought based only on optical and X-ray searches.”

“It is now possible to peer through the dust and complete the census of nearby TDEs,” says Edo Berger, professor of astronomy at Harvard University, who was not involved with the study. “A particularly exciting aspect of this work is the potential of follow-up studies with large infrared surveys, and I’m excited to see what discoveries they will yield.”

A dusty solution

The team’s discoveries help to resolve some major questions in the study of tidal disruption events. For instance, prior to this work, astronomers had mostly seen TDEs in one type of galaxy — a “post-starburst” system that had previously been a star-forming factory, but has since settled. This galaxy type is rare, and astronomers were puzzled as to why TDEs seemed to be popping up only in these rarer systems. It so happens that these systems are also relatively devoid of dust, making a TDE’s optical or X-ray emissions naturally easier to detect.

Now, by looking in the infrared band, astronomers are able to see TDEs in many more galaxies. The team’s new results show that black holes can devour stars in a range of galaxies, not only post-starburst systems.

The findings also resolve a “missing energy” problem. Physicists have theoreticially predicted that TDEs should radiate more energy than what has been actually observed. But the MIT team now say that dust may explain the discrepancy. They found that if a TDE occurs in a dusty galaxy, the dust itself could absorb not only optical and X-ray emissions but also extreme ultraviolet radiation, in an amount equivalent to the presumed “missing energy.”

The 18 new detections also are helping astronomers estimate the rate at which TDEs occur in a given galaxy. When they figure the new TDEs in with previous detections, they estimate a galaxy experiences a tidal disruption event once every 50,000 years. This rate comes closer to physicists’ theoretical predictions. With more infrared observations, the team hopes to resolve the rate of TDEs, and the properties of the black holes that power them.

“People were coming up with very exotic solutions to these puzzles, and now we’ve come to the point where we can resolve all of them,” Kara says. “This gives us confidence that we don’t need all this exotic physics to explain what we’re seeing. And we have a better handle on the mechanics behind how a star gets ripped apart and gobbled up by a black hole. We’re understanding these systems better.”

This research was supported, in part, by NASA.

{ https://news.mit.edu/ }

31-01-2024 om 22:09 geschreven door peter  

Astronomers Discover 18 New Tidal Disruption Events

A tidal disruption event occurs when a star winds up so close to a supermassive black hole that the tidal forces exceed the star’s self-gravity and shred the star; as the black hole feasts, it gives off an enormous burst of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Masterson et al. identified 18 new tidal disruption events — extreme instances when a nearby star is tidally drawn into a black hole and ripped to shreds.

Image credit: Masterson et al., doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad18bb.

“The majority of the new sources don’t show up in optical bands,” said Megan Masterson, a graduate student in MIT’s Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.

“If you want to understand tidal disruption events (TDEs) as a whole and use them to probe supermassive black hole demographics, you need to look in the infrared band.”

Masterson and her colleagues recently detected the closest TDE yet, by searching through infrared observations.

The discovery opened a new, infrared-based route by which astronomers can search for actively feeding black holes.

That first detection spurred the group to comb for more TDEs.

For their new study, the researchers searched through archival observations taken by NASA’s NEOWISE mission.

They looked through the mission’s archived observations using an algorithm that picks out patterns in infrared emissions — likely signs of a transient burst of infrared radiation.

They then cross-referenced the flagged transients with a catalog of all known nearby galaxies within 600 million light-years.

They found that infrared transients could be traced to about 1,000 galaxies.

The authors then zoomed in on the signal of each galaxy’s infrared burst to determine whether the signal arose from a source other than a TDE, such as an active galactic nucleus or a supernova.

After ruling out these possibilities, the team then analyzed the remaining signals, looking for an infrared pattern that is characteristic of a TDE — namely, a sharp spike followed by a gradual dip, reflecting a process by which a black hole, in ripping apart a star, suddenly heats up the surrounding dust to about 1,000 K before gradually cooling down.

The team’s analysis revealed 18 clean signals of tidal disruption events.

The authors took a survey of the galaxies in which each TDE was found, and saw that they occurred in a range of systems, including dusty galaxies, across the entire sky.

“If you looked up in the sky and saw a bunch of galaxies, the TDEs would occur representatively in all of them,” Masteron said.

“It’s not that they’re only occurring in one type of galaxy, as people thought based only on optical and X-ray searches.”

“It is now possible to peer through the dust and complete the census of nearby TDEs,” said Harvard University’s Professor Edo Berger.

“A particularly exciting aspect of this work is the potential of follow-up studies with large infrared surveys, and I’m excited to see what discoveries they will yield.”

The new discoveries help to resolve some major questions in the study of TDEs.

For instance, prior to this work, astronomers had mostly seen TDEs in one type of galaxy — a post-starburst system that had previously been a star-forming factory, but has since settled.

This galaxy type is rare, and astronomers were puzzled as to why TDEs seemed to be popping up only in these rarer systems.

It so happens that these systems are also relatively devoid of dust, making a TDE’s optical or X-ray emissions naturally easier to detect.

Now, by looking in the infrared band, astronomers are able to see TDEs in many more galaxies.

The team’s new results show that black holes can devour stars in a range of galaxies, not only post-starburst systems.

The findings also resolve a missing energy problem. Physicists have theoretically predicted that TDEs should radiate more energy than what has been actually observed.

But the authors now say that dust may explain the discrepancy. They found that if a TDE occurs in a dusty galaxy, the dust itself could absorb not only optical and X-ray emissions but also extreme ultraviolet radiation, in an amount equivalent to the presumed ‘missing energy.’

The 18 new detections also are helping astronomers estimate the rate at which TDEs occur in a given galaxy.

When they figure the new TDEs in with previous detections, they estimate a galaxy experiences a tidal disruption event once every 50,000 years.

This rate comes closer to physicists’ theoretical predictions. With more infrared observations, the team hopes to resolve the rate of TDEs, and the properties of the black holes that power them.

“People were coming up with very exotic solutions to these puzzles, and now we’ve come to the point where we can resolve all of them,” said MIT’s Dr. Erin Kara.

“This gives us confidence that we don’t need all this exotic physics to explain what we’re seeing.”

“And we have a better handle on the mechanics behind how a star gets ripped apart and gobbled up by a black hole. We’re understanding these systems better.”

• The team’s paper was published in the Astrophysical Journal.
• Megan Masterson et al. 2024. A New Population of Mid-infrared-selected Tidal Disruption Events: Implications for Tidal Disruption Event Rates and Host Galaxy Properties. ApJ 961, 211; doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/ad18bb

{ https://www.sci.news/ }

31-01-2024 om 21:59 geschreven door peter  

Story by Matty Jacobson 

©Source: Wikimedia Commons

12 Archaeological Finds That Show the Bible is Real
Over the centuries, archaeologists have made discoveries that confirm the historical accuracy of the Bible. From artifacts to cities, here are 12 remarkable finds that provide evidence for the Bible's reliability.

©Source: Wikimedia/Funhistory at English Wikipedia

Seal of King Hezekiah Discovered in Jerusalem
In 2009, archaeologists uncovered a seal belonging to King Hezekiah, who ruled Jerusalem in the 8th century BC. The artifact features his name and iconography, verifying the king's identity and reign as described in 2 Kings.

This rare discovery substantiates that Hezekiah was a real historical figure, confirming the Bible's account of his rule during a pivotal period. The artifact also validates the scripture's depiction of governmental practices at the time.

©Source: Wikimedia/SteinsplitterBot

Ancient Biblical Scrolls Found Intact in Qumran Caves
In 1947, Bedouin shepherds stumbled upon jars in Qumran housing incredibly preserved Dead Sea Scrolls. These manuscripts contain Hebrew texts of every Old Testament book except Esther, verifying the Bible's historical integrity.

The Dead Sea Scrolls provide tangible proof that biblical accounts were recorded accurately, remaining unchanged for over a thousand years. They also open a window into early Judaism and the roots of Christianity.

©Source: Wikimedia/Fallaner

Archaeologists Unearth Biblical Pool of Bethesda

According to John 5:2-9, Jesus healed a paralyzed man by the pool with five porches in Bethesda. In the 19th century, archaeologists found this large reservoir near Jerusalem's Sheep Gate surrounded by four colonnaded porticoes. Coincidence? I think not.

This discovery of the rare pentagonal pool confirms the existence and recognition of Bethesda during the Second Temple times. It also verifies the setting of this Gospel narrative regarding one of Christ's miracles.

©Source: Wikimedia/GeorgianJorjadze

House of King David Reference Found on Ancient Inscription
In 1993, archaeologists discovered the earliest extra-biblical reference to the dynasty of King David on the Tel Dan inscription. The fragment explicitly uses the phrase "House of David" validating the biblical King's line.

This artifact provides concrete evidence that David had a ruling family - a fact often disputed by a multitude of scholars worldwide. It confirms that the biblical account of a Davidic line of kings is factual, not mythical.

©Source: Wikimedia/NedaKewan

Ancient Remains of the Coastal City Tyre Unearthed
In Ezekiel 26, the prophet predicts the destruction of Tyre at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. Excavations have revealed sieges, collapsed walls, and ruins - evidence of this demise.

With ancient cities, absence of evidence doesn't mean evidence of absence. In Tyre's case, the unequaled, lasting ruins testify to the Bible's account coming true concerning the city's great collapse.

©Source: Wikimedia/Markbarnes

Siloam Pool Where Jesus Healed Blind Man Identified
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus commanded a blind man to wash the mud from his eyes in the Pool of Siloam located southeast of Jerusalem.

In 2004, archaeologists uncovered the remains of this very pool dating back to the Second Temple Period, providing geographical context for the Gospel account.

©Source: Wikimedia/BRBurton

Inscription Bearing Name of Pontius Pilate Found at Herod's Palace
In 1961, Italian archaeologists excavating Herod's palace near Bethlehem uncovered a limestone block bearing the inscription "Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea" confirming he governed during the time of Jesus. This artifact cements Pilate as a verifiable biblical figure who sentenced Jesus to crucifixion. It also supports the historical accuracy of crucifixion as a punishment used by the Romans during that period.

This discovery verifies Caesarea as Pilate's center of administration, where he would travel from Jerusalem. As part of Herod the Great's coastal palace, the identification of this stone lintel definitively proves Pilate and Herod both occupied this complex. The artifact's origin from this important site also anchors the pivotal biblical moments between these two rulers in a real geographic location during a volatile political era in Judea's history.

©Source: Flickr/James Emery

Hometown Proof: Remains of Nazareth Houses Excavated
Some historians questioned Nazareth's existence since the New Testament mentions it as Jesus' childhood town. However, house remains were uncovered in 2009 proving a small village existed there in Jesus' time.

This evidence categorically refutes skepticism over whether Nazareth was still inhabited between the 7th century BC and the late 1st century AD when Jesus lived there. It bolsters the scriptural authenticity regarding Christ's upbringing.

©Source: Wikimedia/SkybirdForever

Western Wall Ruins Demonstrate Jewish Temple Destruction
According to historical sources, the Second Temple fell in 70 AD after a Roman siege. The sole survivor - the Western Wall - still stands in Jerusalem's Old City testifying to this catastrophic biblical event.

The remains of Judaism's holiest site prove its documented destruction, providing visible confirmation regarding this pivotal moment. They also illustrate the Wailing Wall's enduring spiritual significance.

©Source: Wikimedia/ABRAHAM GRAICER

Seaside Town Capernaum is Confirmed as Jesus' Base
In the Gospels, Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee serves as Jesus' home base during his ministry. In 1838, American explorer Edward Robinson pinpointed its location, with excavations uncovering fishing equipment, houses, and roads.

Archaeological evidence substantiates Capernaum as a fishing village inhabited from the 2nd century BC to the 11th century AD. This proves Jesus could have made it central for performing miracles and preaching to crowds as recounted in Gospel passages.

©Source: Wikimedia/Reinhard Dietrich

Rare Limestone Inscription Confirms Pontius Pilate's Role
In 1961, archaeologists recovered a partial inscription bearing "Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea" who authorized Jesus' crucifixion per the Bible. This stone lintel was reused in Herod's palace near Bethlehem.

As the only non-biblical reference to Pilate, it puts to rest doubts over his existence and governance in Judea. It also supports the scriptural timeline, placing his rule from 26 to 36 AD aligning with Jesus' death.

©Source: Shutterstock/DyziO

Evidence of Christ's Path on Via Dolorosa Street Unearthed
The winding Via Dolorosa through Jerusalem's Old City is believed to have been the route Jesus walked, carrying his cross. Excavations revealed flagged paving stones from Hadrian's time.

This discovery dates the pathway to the 1st century AD, coinciding with the Holy Week timeline. The unearthed street spans the entire Via Dolorosa, lending credence that Christ trod this path during his agonizing journey.

©Source: Golgotha

Nearby Garden Tomb Offers Evidence Supporting Christ's Burial
Just outside Jerusalem's Old City walls, a rock-cut tomb reflecting the 1st-century burial style resides in a garden setting. This site's location and features suggest it is a strong candidate for Jesus' grave.

While its precise authenticity is debated, this tomb's characteristics match John's description. Nearby rock features also point to evidence of crucifixion taking place there, indicating the site's credible link to Jesus' death and burial.

©Source: Alexandra Tranta

Artifacts Support Biblical Exodus Account of Enslaved Israelites
For years skeptics doubted the Biblical Exodus story due to the absence of artifacts in Egypt's archaeological records. However, evidence found confirms slavery practices, brick-making methods, and living conditions align with scriptural accounts.

These small fragments provide subtle clues that echo the biblical story of Hebrew enslavement by Egypt's pharaohs. They present strands in a complex historical tapestry that lends plausibility to the scriptural narrative.

©Source: Wikimedia/Leon Brooks

Tangibility from Texts to Towns that Affirms Scripture
Spanning thousands of years, these 12 archaeological discoveries shed light on biblical events and figures that reshaped spiritual history. The unearthed ruins, artifacts, and inscriptions make tangible what was once only ink on parchment.

From the monumental Jerusalem temple remains to a fragment bearing Pilate's name, the physical evidence paints a portrait aligned with scriptural accounts - affirming its historical authenticity through the ages.

{ https://historyenhanced.com/ }

31-01-2024 om 21:46 geschreven door peter  

The legend of Area 51—and why it still fascinates us

Secluded in the Nevada desert, the military base has long been associated with alien and UFO sightings. Here's the real history behind the conspiracy theories.

31-01-2024 om 21:10 geschreven door peter  

In the heart of the Nevada desert lies a place shrouded in as much mystery as it is in secrecy: Area 51. This highly classified remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base has been the focal point of numerous conspiracy theories, mainly concerning UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Among the most captivating figures in this saga is Bob Lazar, whose controversial claims have stirred public curiosity and skepticism alike.

The Allure of Area 51

Area 51’s mystique is not just a product of modern folklore; it is rooted in its clandestine history and groundbreaking technological developments. The base’s existence was unacknowledged by the U.S. government until 2013, fueling speculation about its purpose and contents. The secrecy surrounding Area 51 is primarily due to its role as a testing ground for advanced aircraft and surveillance technology during the Cold War.

Bob Lazar: Catalyst of the Area 51 Mythos

Bob Lazar catapulted Area 51 into the public eye in 1989 with his explosive claims. Lazar alleged that he was employed at a subsidiary site near Area 51, known as S-4, where he purportedly worked on reverse engineering extraterrestrial technology. He claimed this technology was harnessed from recovered alien spacecraft and mentioned the use of an element, Moscovium (Element 115), as a power source, an element that was not synthesized until 2003. Lazar’s descriptions of the aircraft’s interiors and his assertion of alien involvement in human affairs over millennia added layers to the Area 51 narrative.

Skepticism and Scrutiny

While Lazar’s assertions have been influential, they have not escaped scrutiny. Investigations into his educational and professional background raised questions, with no records supporting his claims of studying at MIT and Caltech. Lazar countered this by suggesting a government cover-up of his identity. Despite his story’s inconsistencies, he remains a prominent and divisive figure in the discussion of Area 51 and UFOs.

Area 51 in Popular Culture

Area 51’s intrigue has transcended into popular culture, notably depicted in films like “Independence Day.” The portrayal of Area 51 as a storage site for alien technology and spacecraft in the movie further entrenched its association with extraterrestrial phenomena in the public imagination.

Advanced Technology and Aircraft Testing

Beyond the tales of alien technology, Area 51’s true significance lies in its role as a testing site for groundbreaking aviation technology. Projects like the U-2 spy plane, A-12, and the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter were all developed and tested here. The base has been pivotal in advancing the United States’ aerial and reconnaissance capabilities, particularly during the tense periods of the Cold War.

The Expansion of Area 51

Recent satellite imagery indicates that Area 51 has expanded since the end of the Cold War. This suggests its ongoing importance in military and aerospace development, likely focusing on new types of drone aircraft and possibly other advanced technologies.

VIDEO:

• Area 51: Aliens, UFOs, Bob Lazar & Advanced Technology

• https://youtu.be/-jxJ0vO9uHc

Area 51 remains an enigmatic symbol at the intersection of fact and fiction. While it continues to be a hotbed for conspiracy theories and extraterrestrial folklore, its real contributions to technology and national security are undeniable. The base stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the endless pursuit of technological advancement, even as it keeps fueling our imagination about the unknown and the unexplained. As long as its full history and current operations remain concealed, Area 51 will continue to captivate and mystify as a true ‘Dreamland’.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuEgEPPjGUE

{ https://www.latest-ufo-sightings.net/ }

31-01-2024 om 20:38 geschreven door peter  

Hoe veel verschillen wij van eerdere mensensoorten?

©Getty Images

Hoe veel verschillen wij van eerdere mensensoorten?
Gefeliciteerd Homo sapiens! We zijn erin geslaagd om niet uit te sterven en hebben het goed gedaan, in tegenstelling tot andere archaïsche mensensoorten. In tegenstelling tot wat vaak wordt gedacht, verliep onze evolutie niet lineair. In feite leefden er in dezelfde periode andere mensensoorten naast ons. Wij Homo sapiens vermengden ons zelfs met sommigen van hen. Toch waren wij uiteindelijk de enige overlevenden.

Maar wat onderscheidt deze vroege mensensoorten van ons? Klik door de galerij om meer te ontdekken.

©Getty Images

Australopithecus afarensis
Het geslacht Australopithecus is een bekende voorouder van de moderne mens. Onder hen werd de soort Australopithecus afarensis beroemd toen Lucy werd ontdekt, een skelet dat werd gevonden in 1974. (afbeelding).

©Getty Images

Australopithecus afarensis
De Australopithecus afarensis leefde ongeveer 3 tot 3,7 miljoen jaar geleden in Oost-Afrika. Ze hadden een tenger postuur en kleine hersenen. Hun lengte varieerde van 96 cm tot 165 cm en hun gewicht van 25-64 kg.

©Getty Images

Australopithecus afarensis
Fossielen van de Australopithecus afarensis werden ontdekt in Kenia, Ethiopië en Tanzania. Deze soort was voornamelijk vegetariër.

©Getty Images

Homo habilis
De Homo habilis, de vroegste mensensoort die tot het geslacht "homo" behoort, stamt af van de Australopithecus. De Homo habilis kwam voor in Zuid- en Oost-Afrika en leefde ongeveer 1,4 tot 2,3 miljoen jaar geleden.

©Getty Images

Homo habilis
Vergeleken met de Australopithecus zagen ze er meer gepolijst en gebogen uit, maar toch bleven ze kleiner dan de huidige mens, met een gemiddeld gewicht van ongeveer 34 kg.

©Getty Images

Homo habilis
In tegenstelling tot hun voorgangers at de Homo habilis vlees. Ze kregen erkenning voor hun vaardigheden in het maken van gereedschap, waardoor ze hun naam kregen. Het betekent letterlijk "handige mens".

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Homo rudolfensis
Er werd slechts één schedel opgegraven in het Turkana-bekken in Kenia, en later een onderkaak in Malawi, beide zeldzame fossielen van deze oude mensensoort. De gevonden schedel levert het bewijs van grotere hersenen vergeleken met de Homo habilis.

©Getty Images

Homo rudolfensis
Er is nog steeds een wetenschappelijke discussie gaande over de classificatie van Homo rudolfensis binnen het homo genus. Sommigen beweren dat het een Australopithecus met grotere hersenen kan zijn geweest. Deze soort bestond ongeveer 1,7 miljoen jaar geleden en viel samen met Homo habilis en Homo erectus.

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Homo erectus
In tegenstelling tot het vorige voorbeeld zijn er veel fossielen van de Homo erectus, die dateren van 110.000 tot 1,89 miljoen jaar geleden. De Homo erectus was de mensensoort die het langst overleefde!

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Homo erectus
Ze hadden een groter lichaam en kleinere tanden dan de Homo habilis en leken meer op de moderne mens. Ze hadden echter langere benen en kortere armen dan wij.

©Getty Images

Homo erectus
De Homo erectus, die ongeveer 68 kg woog, was ongeveer net zo groot als wij en was tussen de 150 cm en 180 cm. Ze waren de eerste mens die zich buiten Afrika waagden.

©Getty Images

Homo ergaster
De Homo ergaster bewoonde Oost- en Zuidelijk Afrika van 1,4 tot 1,9 miljoen jaar geleden. Net als bij de Homo rudolfensis is er een voortdurende wetenschappelijke discussie gaande over de vraag of de Homo ergaster een aparte soort is of een ondersoort van de Homo erectus.

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Homo ergaster
Homo ergaster en Homo erectus leefden in dezelfde periode naast elkaar op aarde. De Homo ergaster had een magerder postuur dan de Homo erectus, maar ze aten hetzelfde, hadden dezelfde levensstijl en gebruikten allebei gereedschap.

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Homo floresiensis
De Homo floresiensis werd in 2003 door wetenschappers gevonden in de Liang Bua-grot op het eiland Flores, in Indonesië. Aangenomen wordt dat deze oude mensensoort ongeveer 50.000 tot 100.000 jaar geleden bestond.

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Homo floresiensis
Ze waren veel kleiner dan de huidige mens, maar toch waren het bekwame jagers. Archeologen ontdekten jachtgereedschap dat werd gebruikt om een uitgestorven olifantensoort, de stegodon, te vangen. Onderzoekers suggereren dat deze mensen, waarvan wordt aangenomen dat ze afstammen van de Homo erectus, zich hebben aangepast aan het leven op een eiland door tot dwergen te evolueren.

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Homo heidelbergensis
De Homo heidelbergensis bewoonde verschillende gebieden over de hele wereld van 200.000 tot 600.000 jaar geleden. Fossielen suggereren dat ze oostelijk en zuidelijk Afrika, Europa en mogelijk China hebben verkend.

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Homo heidelbergensis
Zij waren de eerste mensensoort die in staat was om in koudere omgevingen te leven. Ze hadden dan ook aanleg voor het maken van vuur, het ontdekken en bouwen van schuilplaatsen en het maken van gereedschap en wapens zoals speren.

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Homo antecessor
De eerste fossielen van de Homo antecessor werden tussen 1994 en 1996 opgegraven in Atapuerca, Spanje. Deskundigen hebben hun leeftijd vastgesteld op 800.000 tot 1,2 miljoen jaar.

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Homo antecessor
De Homo antecessor vertoonde, in tegenstelling tot andere voorouders, overeenkomsten met de moderne mens, zoals hun gezichtsstructuur en jachtgewoonten.

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Homo naledi
In 2015 werden in het grottenstelsel van Rising Star in Zuid-Afrika in totaal 1.550 fossielen ontdekt. Deze fossielen behoorden toe aan een soort die bekend staat als Homo naledi. Wetenschappers schatten dat deze soort tussen 236.000 en 335.000 jaar geleden bestond.

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Homo naledi
Ze hadden kenmerken die leken op die van Australopithecus en mensen, met kleine hoofden en hersenen die leken op die van ons.

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Homo neanderthalensis
De Neanderthalers, mogelijk de bekendste oude mensensoort, leefden ongeveer 24.000 tot 200.000 jaar igeleden. Ze worden vaak afgeschilderd als "holbewoners" en er wordt aangenomen dat ze de meest verwante uitgestorven voorouders van onze soort zijn.

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Homo neanderthalensis
Neanderthalers waren kleiner dan de moderne mens, maar ze hadden een sterk postuur. Ze woonden in Eurazië tijdens de ijstijden en pasten zich aan het koude klimaat aan. Neanderthalers blonken uit in het maken van geavanceerde wapens, gereedschappen, kleding en het bouwen van schuilplaatsen.

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Homo neanderthalensis
Neanderthalers waren niet alleen intelligenter dan andere soorten, maar ze hadden ook grotere hersenen. Bovendien vertoonden ze culturele uitingen zoals rituele begrafenissen, kunst en muziekinstrumenten.

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Homo neanderthalensis
Hoewel de Neanderthalers uitgestorven zijn, bestaat hun genetisch materiaal nog steeds bij moderne niet-Afrikaanse mensen door kruisingen.

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Denisovamens
In 2010 werden de overblijfselen van deze bijzondere mensensoort ontdekt in een Siberische grot. Er wordt geschat dat ze ongeveer 400.000 jaar geleden leefden.

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Denisovamens
Er wordt gedacht dat de Denisovamens zich van de Neanderthalers hebben afgescheiden en niet naar Europa, maar naar Azië zijn gemigreerd. Ze vermengden zich ook met de huidige mens en zijn mogelijk de laatste archaïsche mensensoort die uitstierf.

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Homo longi
In 1933 werd in Harbin, in het noordoosten van China, een schedel ontdekt. Deze schedel, die bekend staat als de "Drakenman", was groter dan de moderne mens en had duidelijke kenmerken zoals vierkante oogkassen en prominente wenkbrauwranden.

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Homo longi
In 2021 erkenden wetenschappers het uiteindelijk als een afzonderlijke mensensoort. Het fossiel wordt geschat op ongeveer 146.000 jaar oud. De classificatie van Homo longi als soort is echter nog steeds omstreden, waarbij sommige wetenschappers suggereren dat hij tot de Denisovamens behoort.

Bronnen:

• (Grunge)

{ http://starsinsider.com/ }

31-01-2024 om 17:38 geschreven door peter  

Artikel door Dominique Dewitte

Chimera: Chinese wetenschappers ontwikkelen materiaal dat onzichtbaar is

© Aangeboden door Business AM

Samengevat. Chinese wetenschappers hebben een nieuw materiaal gemaakt dat lijkt op de huid van drie dieren: de kameleon, glaskikker en baardagaam. Het materiaal dat de naam Chimera meekreeg, zou naar eigen zeggen dingen onzichtbaar maken voor bijvoorbeeld radar en camera’s.

Deze uitvinding kan gebruikt worden om dingen te verbergen in een militaire omgeving, of in de natuur om dieren te bestuderen zonder ze te storen. Het is een grote stap vooruit in het maken van dingen die onzichtbaar zijn.

In het nieuws. Onderzoekers van twee universiteiten in China hebben dit bedacht. Ze gebruikten ideeën van drie verschillende dieren, schrijft de South China Morning Post.

• De onderzoekers schrijven over hun uitvinding in het vakblad Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Ze gebruikten speciale materialen die licht en warmte anders weerkaatsen.
• Deze nieuwe uitvinding maakt gebruik van speciale stoffen die licht en warmte op een slimme manier kunnen sturen.

Zoom in. De uitvinding lijkt op de huid van de kameleon, glaskikker en baardagaam. Deze dieren kunnen van kleur veranderen, doorzichtig worden of hun warmte regelen.

• Chimera was een mythisch beest dat drie verschillende dieren combineerde – een leeuw, een geit en een slang.
• De uitvinders hebben ervoor gezorgd dat het materiaal bijna niet te zien is voor camera’s die warmte meten.
• Een experimentele versie van de Chimera metasurface werd ontwikkeld in een proces van vijf stappen, waaronder het gebruik van plastic en metalen gaas.

Zoom out. Volgens de onderzoekers zijn de potentiële toepassingen van de technologie enorm, van militair gebruik tot natuurbehoud.

• In het leger kan Chimera helpen om spullen of mensen onzichtbaar te maken in verschillende gebieden. Zo kunnen ze niet opgemerkt worden door radars, warmtecamera’s en gewone camera’s, zeggen de wetenschappers.
• Deze uitvinding kan ook in de natuur worden aangewend. Bijvoorbeeld voor het bestuderen van dieren zonder ze te storen.

{ https://businessam.be/ }

31-01-2024 om 16:23 geschreven door peter  

James Webb telescope discovers gargantuan geyser on Saturn's moon, blasting water hundreds of miles into space

{ https://www.livescience.com/ }

31-01-2024 om 00:59 geschreven door peter  

Two US Marines Claimed Corbell’s Huge Mojave Triangle UFO Is Definitely Not Flares

UFO investigator and filmmaker Jeremy Corbell released another captivating footage for UFO enthusiasts. Along with investigative journalist George Knapp, Corbell claims to obtain spectacular footage of a UFO with five shiny lights in the V-formation as in the “Phoenix Lights,” hovering over a Marine base in the California desert.

Corbell has provided a detailed description of this incident and considered it a “Mass UFO sighting” as it involves a substantial amount of diverse documentation, including videos, photos, and recorded direct eyewitness testimonies from active military personnel. But still, it carries numerous doubts. Before discussing them, let us first take a look at the sighting details shared by Corbell.

According to Corbell, the incident occurred on the evening of April 20, 2021, at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms – Camp Wilson, a significant United States military base. The sighting lasted approximately 10 minutes and was witnessed by more than 50 people. They consistently reported observing a triangular-shaped craft during the encounter. It did not make any sound and was reported to be the size in the range from a football field to that of a three-bedroom, two-story house.

Corbell explained that he received a tip about the incident, prompting him to investigate further. Within a remarkable 36 hours after the event, he managed to connect with individuals who were present at the base during the sighting. He compared the sighting to the famous Phoenix Lights incident, citing the resemblance of a perfect V-shaped row of lights.

The craft was first observed at 8:20 pm PST and after a few minutes of observation, witnesses captured it on their iPhones. At 8:29 p.m., another remarkable occurrence took place. Illumination rounds were discharged into the night sky, above the UAP craft, leaving a visible trace and providing additional evidence of the incident. Astonishingly, at 8:30 pm, witnesses reported that the UAP seemingly “blinked out” or disappeared, just moments before the illumination rounds approached the vicinity of the unidentified craft.

Skeptical of military involvement, Corbell shared the first video of the sighting on his podcast “Weaponized” and discussed it in detail with Knapp. The footage captured the astonishment and confusion of witnesses as they saw the unidentified object in the sky. While the video did not clearly show the body of the craft, the audio and eyewitness accounts confirmed its presence.

Corbell shared the second video, which featured the reactions of U.S. Marines who were present. Their comments reflected a mix of bravado and genuine awe, acknowledging that something extraordinary was unfolding before their eyes, says Knapp. They ruled out the possibility of flares and recognized the uniqueness of the situation.

Corbell Rules Out Flares As An Explanation For UFO

Corbell debunks the theory that the sighting could be attributed to flares. He points out that the lights observed in the footage were a different color, more reddish, compared to the illuminating flares typically used, which are brighter and have a different hue. Flares also descend on parachutes, while the unidentified craft remained stationary for the duration of the sighting, with only slight forward movement at one point.

Although the triangle shape of the craft is not visible in the video, eyewitnesses on the ground reported seeing it. In a stroke of luck, another detachment of Marines shot up illuminating flares in an attempt to get a better look at the craft. The subsequent footage shows the descent of these flares onto the object, providing a side-by-side comparison between the appearance of flares and the lights observed on the craft.

Interestingly, as the flares descend, the lights on the craft appear to blink out in succession. However, according to eyewitnesses, the entire craft itself disappeared, as they could see more clearly than the footage captured.

Corbell raises an intriguing question about the behavior of the craft. If it is intelligently controlled, how might it react to the presence of flares being deployed above it to illuminate the area? This line of inquiry suggests that the craft’s response, or lack thereof, could indicate an advanced level of control and intelligence behind its movements.

Interview with Two US Marines who saw UFO

Corbell conducted a groundbreaking interview with two active-duty US Marines who witnessed this remarkable UFO sighting. The conversation, which was recorded and obtained by Corbell, provides a gripping firsthand account of the event, offering a glimpse into the experiences of these Marines during the encounter.

Taking place approximately 36 hours after the initial sighting, the interview captures the raw emotions and astonishment felt by the Marines as they recall the extraordinary incident. Both Marines, one serving as a mortar man and the other as artillery, share their perspectives on the sighting, revealing intriguing details about the event.

Corbell begins the conversation by asking for specific details, such as the location and time of the sighting. The Marines state that the event occurred around 8:25 pm near 29 Palms, California, adjacent to Camp Wilson, a Marine base. The Marines mention that the sighting attracted considerable attention, with over 50 people gradually gathering to witness the mysterious lights that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

When asked about people’s reactions to the sighting, the Marines explain that the majority of witnesses were unable to identify the object. They note that, despite being military personnel, the sighting was unprecedented for them and left everyone puzzled.

Corbell then inquires about the evidence the Marines captured, referring to the video and photo that were shared with him. The Marines confirm that the footage was indeed recorded by one of them, emphasizing that the lights remained stationary for a solid 10 minutes. They assert that the lights were not flares, as flares typically descend rather than stay in one spot for an extended period.

In response to Corbell’s question about their belief in the presence of a craft, one Marine confidently states that he would have to believe so, referencing a photo he took showing a black triangular shape beneath the lights. He dismisses the possibility of the object being flares or illumination rounds based on his experience working with artillery. The other Marine explains that the size, color, and behavior of the lights were unlike anything they had encountered before, drawing comparisons to their own illumination rounds.

Read also:

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Corbell seeks further clarification, asking if the craft was hovering silently. Both Marines affirm that there was absolutely no sound, emphasizing the stationary nature of the object. When pressed about the size, one Marine compares it to a stealth bomber, although acknowledging that a stealth bomber cannot hover. He suggests that the object might have been even larger than a stealth bomber.

As the conversation progresses, the Marines recount additional intriguing details. They describe objects that emerged from the craft and circled it shortly before it went dark. They explain that these objects were the orange lights seen in the footage, which were actually the illumination rounds discharged above the craft. After the lights disappeared, helicopters began rapidly approaching the area, circling it extensively. The Marines note the presence of a convoy of over 60 trucks that also headed towards the site.

Corbell concludes the interview by asking the Marines to reflect on their experience. One Marine admits that he cannot determine what exactly they witnessed, as it was unlike anything he or his comrades had ever seen before. However, he firmly states that it was not anything recognizable from the US military and believes it was a UFO. The other Marine expresses his curiosity, emphasizing that the event remains highly documented, yet its nature and origin remain a mystery.

Another explanation by John Greenewald, Jr.

Renowned researcher John Greenewald, Jr. offers an alternative explanation for the UFO sighting over Twentynine Palms. Drawing from his experience working on the television show UFO Hunters, Greenewald suggests that the event could be linked to military training exercises rather than an unidentified aerial phenomenon.

Greenewald recalls his time on the show, where they encountered numerous cases similar to this sighting. To provide context, he highlights the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-21 taking place at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center on the same date as the UFO sighting. He presents photographs released by the Department of Defense (DoD) that depict military aircraft on runways during the training exercise.

Greenewald refers to nighttime videos released by the DoD, recorded on April 20, 2021, which showcase the significant military activity in the area. He emphasizes that the DoD’s official release clearly indicates the date and location of the videos. Greenewald acknowledges the presence of live training ranges in the Twentynine Palms area but notes that there was no mention of the UFO event coinciding with the military training exercise in the podcast transcript he examined.

Drawing from his past experiences, Greenewald suggests that many incidents occurring over military training ranges are often misinterpreted as UFOs when they are more likely related to military activities. He recalls solving cases involving Air Force One sightings, military aircraft, and drones, which were initially thought to be UFOs. Greenewald explains that the extensive work done behind the scenes often reveals the true nature of such incidents.

To provide further evidence, Greenewald refers to the additional context provided by The Black Vault, sourced from submitted material. He mentions the presence of B-Roll footage showing five aircraft flares being shot in night vision, which resembles the lights observed in the “UAP” videos. Greenewald questions the coincidence of both the flares and the UFO event occurring on the same date.

Greenewald concludes by sharing the Department of Defense’s response to the claims. A spokesperson confirms the presence of military aviation assets and the ongoing Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course in Twentynine Palms at the time. However, they state that there is no record of communication or allocation of resources to investigate a UAP sighting, and the authenticity of the report cannot be verified.

While Greenewald’s explanation points to military training exercises as a plausible cause for the UFO sighting, further investigation and analysis are necessary to reach a definitive conclusion.

Both Jeremy Corbell and John Greenewald, Jr. present their respective explanations based on their knowledge and perspectives. Corbell highlights the firsthand accounts of eyewitnesses, including active military personnel, who describe a triangular craft with specific characteristics and behavior. He emphasizes the mass UFO sighting and the subsequent air and ground response, suggesting that the event warrants further investigation.

On the other hand, Greenewald provides an alternative perspective grounded in his experience working on UFO-related projects and analyzing military activities. He draws attention to the military training exercises taking place at the same time as the sighting and presents evidence, such as photographs and videos released by the Department of Defense, suggesting that the lights observed could be related to flares and other military operations.

Ultimately, it is up to us to evaluate the evidence and draw our own conclusions. Both Corbell and Greenewald contribute to the ongoing discussion surrounding UFO sightings, offering differing viewpoints that highlight the need for continued research and analysis in order to better understand these phenomena.

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

31-01-2024 om 00:44 geschreven door peter  

The search for life on alien worlds has captivated us for hundreds of years. In some respect, the search for life has expanded to the search for water since it is not unreasonable to assume if there is water then there is a good chance there is life too. When NASA selected the landing site for Perseverance, they were looking for such a body of water and settled upon the Jezero Crater. Images from orbiters reveal a crater that looks like it has been filled with water in the past but further investigations were needed to confirm. Now it seems, Perseverance has risen to the challenge. 

Perseverance is a car sized rover that arrived on Mars on 18 February 2021 and carried with it the innovative Ingenuity helicopter, the first powered aircraft on another world. The main objective of the mission was to identify ancient Martian environments capable of supporting life and if possible, finding evidence of ancient microbial life through collecting rock and soil samples. Since its arrival in 2021, the rover has been travelling around the 50km wide crater studying the geology and atmosphere as it goes. 

A paper recently published in Science Advances journal declares that the crater was indeed filled at some point in its geological past, with water! More that it has deposited layers of sediments on the floor of the crater which have gone through periods of erosion as the lake shrank but are now visible in space images of the region. 

Although there have been nearly 3 years of operation on Mars, the really interesting stuff occurred between May and December 2022 when Perseverance drove from the crater floor onto the ancient river delta, a region believed to be 3 billion years old. During its journey, Perseverance used RIMFAX (the Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment) to shoot radar signals into the ground every 10cm. The pulses reflected from depths of about 20metres from below the surface showing that the base of the sediment was here and they had located the top of the buried crater. 

The data from RIMFAX showed sediment from two distinct periods bordered by periods of erosion as the environmental factors affected the sediments. The team reported that the original crater floor was not completely flat and that erosion must have taken place prior to the deposition of the sediments in the lake. 

Despite the discovery of sediments, the team have yet to identify any fossilised remains or primitive life. The journey however has just begun. Over the last few decades we have found mounting evidence that water is common across the universe. It seems to that the processes we see on Earth are also common. Perhaps then we may be permitted to assume that other processes are replicated across the Cosmos, perhaps those that lead to the evolution of life! Time will tell if this latter assumption plays out. 

Source : 

• Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars builds excitement for Perseverance rover’s samples

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

30-01-2024 om 23:59 geschreven door peter  

But Webb’s images are the juiciest.

The JWST can see in both near-infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) light. That means it reveals different details, and more details, than even the powerful Hubble Space Telescope, which operates in visible light, UV light, and a small portion of infrared light.

In these JWST high-resolution images, the red colour is gas and dust emitting infrared light, which the JWST excels at seeing. Some of the images have bright diffraction spikes in the galactic center, which are caused by an enormous amount of light. That can indicate that a supermassive black hole is active, or it could be from an extremely high concentration of stars.

“That’s a clear sign that there may be an active supermassive black hole,” said Eva Schinnerer, a staff scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. “Or, the star clusters toward the center are so bright that they have saturated that area of the image.”

Stars near a galaxy’s center are typically much older than stars in the arms. The further a star is from the galactic center, the younger it typically is. The younger stars appear blue and have blown away the cocoon of gas and dust that they spawned in.

Orange clumps indicate even younger stars. They’re still wrapped in their blanket of gas and dust and are still actively accreting material and forming. “These are where we can find the newest, most massive stars in the galaxies,” said Erik Rosolowsky, a professor of physics at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.

The new images were released alongside some of the Hubble’s views of the same galaxies. These highlight how observing different wavelengths of light reveals or obscures different details in the galaxies. In the PHANGS observing program, different telescopes have observed galaxies in visible light, infrared light, UV light, and radio.

Since the human eye can’t see infrared, different visible colours are assigned to different wavelengths of light in order to make the images meaningful. In the JWST image of NGC 628 above, the galaxy’s center is filled with old stars that emit some of the shortest wavelengths of light the telescope can detect. They’ve been given a blue colour to make them visible. In the Hubble image, the same region is more yellow and washed out. The region emits the longest wavelengths of light that the Hubble can sense, so it has different colour assignments than the JWST.

Janice Lee is a project scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. She spoke for all of us when she said, “Webb’s new images are extraordinary. They’re mind-blowing even for researchers who have studied these same galaxies for decades. Bubbles and filaments are resolved down to the smallest scales ever observed and tell a story about the star formation cycle.”

These galaxies are all spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, meaning their massive arms define them. The spiral arms are more like waves that travel through space rather than individual stars moving collectively. Astronomers study the arms because they can provide key insights into how galaxies build, maintain, and shut off star formation. “These structures tend to follow the same pattern in certain parts of the galaxies,” Rosolowsky added. “We think of these like waves, and their spacing tells us a lot about how a galaxy distributes its gas and dust.”

Ever since it began science operations, the JWST has given astronomers an overwhelming flow of data that will fuel research for years and decades to come. These beautiful images are just a part of a larger data release that includes a catalogue of about 100,000 star clusters. “The amount of analysis that can be done with these images is vastly larger than anything our team could possibly handle,” said the University of Alberta’s Erik Rosolowsky. “We’re excited to support the community so all researchers can contribute.”

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

30-01-2024 om 23:38 geschreven door peter  

(Unsplash

Although the creature was familiar in appearance—a small, almost ghostly pale white shark—neither Guana nor Sternes immediately recognized what the drone’s camera had managed to capture at the time.

It wasn’t until later while rewatching the footage that they noticed something odd about the shark’s appearance.

“Upon close examination of video and photos, the individual’s pale color appears to be a thin white film covering the shark,” Guana and Sternes would later write. “We noted that as the shark was swimming, the whitish film was being sloughed off.”

The infant great white shark Sternes and Gauna observed, as seen from the front

(Carlos Gauna/The Malibu Artist).

Although it seemed possible that the unusual film might have been caused by some kind of skin disorder that neither of the observers recognized, nor could it be found in the available literature on white sharks, a more likely possibility soon presented itself: this might be the remains of intrauterine material left over from the creature’s seemingly very recent birth.

If the latter were true, it would be an unprecedented sighting, given that what Guana and Sternes had filmed was likely a baby great white shark and the first of its kind ever captured on film.

“We enlarged the images, put them in slow motion, and realized the white layer was being shed from the body as it was swimming,” Sternes said in a recent statement about their discovery.

Now, their discovery has been reported in a new paper that appeared in the Environmental Biology of Fishes journal.

Great whites are among the most famous shark species, partially due to their famous, monstrous depiction in films like Jaws. Despite the attention the species has received, many things about them remain mysterious to ocean scientists.

Guana, who is known online as The Malibu Artist, has filmed these and other species of sharks in locations all over the world, documenting an impressive amount of footage of the creatures where they are often shown swimming frighteningly close to beachgoers.

His footage of these enigmatic ocean predators has racked up millions of views online, but the new images could offer scientists new clues about one of the most perplexing mysteries involving great white sharks.

“Where white sharks give birth is one of the holy grails of shark science,” Guana said in a statement. “No one has ever been able to pinpoint where they are born, nor has anyone seen a newborn baby shark alive.”

“There have been dead white sharks found inside deceased pregnant mothers,” Guana says, “But nothing like this.”

The suspected newborn great white shark, observed from the side

(Carlos Gauna/The Malibu Artist).

Like mammals, young great sharks are born live, and it is believed that they might feed on unfertilized eggs while still in the embryonic stage, along with a milky substance secreted within the uterus of the mother that provides additional nourishment.

It is the remnants of this intrauterine milk that Sternes and Guana believe they observed on the shark they filmed last July.

Other key observations also point to the likelihood that what they filmed represents the first imagery of a baby great white shark. While filming in the area, the pair observed several very large—and potentially pregnant—female great whites nearby.

By comparison, the small shark they captured in imagery with Guana’s drone is very small, and its appearance and behavior both suggest a very young creature—perhaps as little as a day, or even just a few hours old.

Also of interest is that the coastal waters of central California had already been put forward in the past as a potential birthing location for great whites. Hence, the pup that Guana and Sternes observed was in the right place, and at the right time, to be a likely match for a newborn great white.

• Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.

{ https://thedebrief.org/category/science/ }

30-01-2024 om 22:37 geschreven door peter  

There Is 9-Min Video of Biden & Podesta Meeting Aliens; Head of Top Alien-Tech Firm to Testify Soon, Claims UFO Researcher

By Vicky Verma

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

30-01-2024 om 22:20 geschreven door peter  

There is DVD of US Intelligence Members Communicating with Extraterrestrials, Former US Military Claims

Video Evidence

During a podcast with former Fox News anchor Clayton Morris on his show Redacted, Joshua Reid, a former United States Navy serviceman with a background in missile weapons defense systems, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. He opened the conversation by referencing his personal experiences in the Navy, specifically during the years 2004 to 2006. Reid’s background made him intimately familiar with topics related to secret space projects, a subject that has piqued his interest for over two and a half decades.

It is worth noting that Joshua Reid’s extensive research in the field of UAPs and classified information has led him to the inner workings of certain government activities. His extensive four-year investigation revealed a disconcerting pattern. It appeared that military technology, particularly in special access programs, was unintentionally making its way to foreign adversaries, including China. This exchange of classified information seemed to involve universities and professors who were receiving grants to reverse engineer technologies from these programs.

The remarkable twist in this story was that Hillary Clinton’s emails were potentially facilitating the sale of this classified information to China and other foreign entities. China would fund universities, enticing professors to divulge information on special access programs. This enabled them to advance their technology rapidly, potentially reaching parity with the United States.

Former Inspector General I. Charles McCullough III, well-versed in these special access programs, played a crucial role in this unfolding drama. He represented David Grusch and became a central figure in the whistleblower saga. According to Reid, multiple whistleblowers were involved, with two possessing firsthand information and tangible evidence. The fear of repercussions led these individuals to testify in front of congressmen, notably, Indiana Congressman André Carson. However, it was not until these whistleblowers presented video evidence of intelligence community members communicating with extraterrestrials that congressmen took their claims seriously.

The impact of these videos was profound. Congressmen were visibly shaken, with one trembling and another drinking water profusely. This sudden shift in demeanor signified that the evidence was both extraordinary and unsettling. The whistleblowers were introduced to Inspector General McCullough, who had an extensive background in the very special access programs at the center of the controversy.

“I’ve heard that we can confirm this later, but from what I’m hearing, André Carson is this Congressman that they testified in front of, along with a few others. The Congressman didn’t take these guys seriously, but what ended up happening is they pulled out the evidence, a DVD, and they showed these congressmen video evidence of intelligence community members communicating with extraterrestrials. After these videos were shown to congressmen, they were noticeably shaken in fear. One of them was holding a piece of paper and could not stop shaking. Another was drinking water profusely, and this is when they began to take this very, very seriously and introduce these gentlemen to the former Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, McCullough. Hence, he enters the picture as someone who understands these SAP programs, has been read into these programs from back in the day, and is now representing these gentlemen.”

Morris was eager to learn more about the DVDs and the physical evidence related to the astounding claims made by the whistleblowers. He posed the question of where this evidence was currently held and whether the public would ever have the opportunity to view it.

Joshua Reid responded by revealing that the evidence, in the form of DVDs and other materials, was regarded as an “insurance policy.” This meant that the evidence was securely in the hands of two prominent UFO researchers. Furthermore, Reid confirmed that these researchers had not only seen the evidence but also verified its authenticity, which was a significant factor contributing to the growing interest in this matter.

Morris was eager to learn more about the DVDs and the physical evidence related to the astounding claims made by the whistleblowers. He asked Reid where this evidence was currently held and whether the public would ever have the opportunity to view it.

Joshua Reid responded by revealing that the evidence, in the form of DVDs and other materials, was regarded as an “insurance policy.” This meant that the evidence was securely in the hands of two prominent UFO researchers. Furthermore, Reid confirmed that these researchers had not only seen the evidence but also verified its authenticity, which was a significant factor contributing to the growing interest in this matter.

One of the prominent UFO researchers who has been sharing insider knowledge on UAPs is investigative journalist Ross Coulthart. It is quite uncertain if Coulthart possesses this DVD evidence but he did reveal that there exists a huge UFO in the possession of the United States that cannot be moved, and he knows the location of the craft. Ross mentioned the existence of non-human intelligence engaging with Earth for a long time and the recovery of certain objects, but he could not disclose specific details due to concerns about revealing advanced technologies.

Read also:

• Journalist Claims UFOs & Aliens Are Linked With Afterlife & NDEs, Which Exist In Another Dimension
• US Govt. Has UFO & They Can Go Inside It, Reveals Ex-DIA Intelligence Officer
• Journalist Reveals Bob Lazar’s Astonishing Claim: Extraterrestrials See Humans as ‘Containers of Souls’
• Journalist Reveals Clues to Location of Huge Buried Alien Spacecraft: It can be Stormed like Area 51

In a recent episode of “The UFO Podcast,” host Andy engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Ross. The discussion centered around the secrecy surrounding UFO sightings and government knowledge. Ross, who has deep insights into the matter, shared his perspective on why certain details remain undisclosed.

Andy began by addressing a critical question that has been on the minds of many UFO enthusiasts: the location of the mysterious craft. He asked Ross whether he could reveal where the craft was being held.

Ross responded: “Let me tell you, I can’t tell you the country it’s in; it’s not America. But what I can tell you is that the place where it is kept is used for another purpose that is a laudatory purpose that’s as much in your interests in your country in the UK as it is in mine in Australia and as it is in America. The simple reasons are that there are other uses for the place where this object is stored, and we could end up with a storm Area 51-type scenario if you came out and announced it.”

Ross went on to explain the potential consequences of revealing such information, including international incidents and threats to the safety of personnel at the facilities. He also emphasized the importance of protecting sources, drawing on his experience as a journalist dealing with sensitive intelligence.

Interestingly, Steve Sprague, a UFO researcher who studied the UAP phenomenon for 30 years, claimed that an aerospace executive would come forward and share the information during the July 2023 Congressional Hearing on UAPs. This unidentified insider is described as a C-level executive within the United States-based company, which, according to Sprague, is a top firm reverse-engineering alien technology.

According to the insider, aliens not only exist but have been present on Earth for at least five millennia, if not longer. Startlingly, the individual revealed the existence of at least two civilizations currently residing on our planet: humans and a group known as the “Ganzi,” originating from a distant part of our galaxy, roughly forty light years away. The Ganzi are characterized as technologically advanced beings who possess knowledge far surpassing humanity’s capabilities.

The insider also touched upon significant presidential briefings that have taken place, shedding light on the United States government’s awareness of these developments. On various occasions, President Biden was reportedly briefed on advanced technologies recovered from the Ganzi. The briefings included demonstrations of lasers capable of remarkable feats, such as extracting elements directly from ore and analyzing biological and geological data.

Videos of these briefings purportedly exist, with one showing Biden interacting with three Ganzi beings through a small device placed in his ear. Notably, one of the individuals accompanying the beings was John Podesta, who later assumed the role of Senior Advisor for Clean Energy Innovation. The insider also linked breakthroughs in fusion energy and laser technology to the company’s efforts in reverse-engineering Ganzi technology.

Sprague wrote, “Date 4 – May 19, 2022, Biden is now in Alaska and stopped off to refuel at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. This video is the most incredible of all. Biden meets with three of the Ganzi. Biden puts a small device in his ear and a conversation occurs without sound. The video lasts for nine minutes and then four people enter the area. One of the people is John Podesta. The other three are unknown. The beings leave and the video ends. In September of 2022, Biden names Podesta as the Senior Advisor for Clean Energy Innovation. December 14, 2022, America has a breakthrough in fusion. To achieve this scientific feat – a laser is used. This laser has ‘unique’ properties.” (Source)

Sprague’s claims cannot be verified; however, it is certain that there exists an alien craft, and the United States has successfully accessed its interior. Dr. James Lacatski, a retired DIA intelligence officer who established the UFO program that operated from 2008 to 2010, has confirmed this. He stated that the craft possesses a streamlined configuration suitable for aerodynamic flight but lacks conventional features such as an engine, wings, intakes, exhaust, or fuel tanks.

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

30-01-2024 om 21:56 geschreven door peter  

An In-Depth Look into The Pentagon UFO Files

For decades, the subject of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) has captivated the imagination of the public and researchers alike. This fascination reached a new height with the recent disclosure of The Pentagon UFO Files, a collection of information and evidence gathered by the US government. These files, long shrouded in secrecy, offer a rare glimpse into the government’s perspective on what could be one of the most profound discoveries in human history – the existence of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) and their implications for humanity.

The Revelation: 

After years of speculation and secrecy, the US government’s acknowledgment of these files marks a significant shift in the discourse surrounding UFOs. The files contain detailed accounts of encounters, expert analyses, and, perhaps most intriguingly, military confirmations of unexplainable aerial phenomena. This disclosure not only challenges our understanding of the skies above but also raises important questions about the nature of these phenomena and their potential impact on national security.

Analysis and Expert Opinions: 

The Pentagon UFO Files encompass a range of sightings and encounters, some dating back several decades. These incidents, often involving highly credible military personnel, display characteristics that defy current technological and scientific understanding. The speeds and maneuverabilities of these UAPs, as observed and recorded, go beyond the capabilities of known human-made aircraft.

Experts from both scientific and military backgrounds have been analyzing these cases, looking for plausible explanations. In some instances, natural phenomena or misidentifications of conventional objects like aircraft and weather balloons were determined to be the cause. However, a significant portion of these sightings remains unexplained, fueling theories about their potentially extraterrestrial or interdimensional origins.

The Role of Government Secrecy and Public Perception: 

The revelation of The Pentagon UFO Files has also brought to light the complex relationship between government secrecy and public knowledge. For decades, projects like Project Blue Book, Project Grudge, and others under the Department of Defense conducted investigations into UFO sightings. These projects, often criticized for their lack of transparency, have contributed to widespread skepticism and conspiracy theories.

The recent disclosure, while groundbreaking, has not been without its critics. Some argue that the released information is still heavily curated, raising questions about what might still be withheld and why. This ongoing secrecy perpetuates public distrust and speculation about the government’s true knowledge of UFOs and their implications.

The Future of UFO Research: 

The Pentagon UFO Files have reignited interest in UFO research, not just within conspiracy circles but also among mainstream scientists and academics. This renewed focus could potentially lead to more systematic and open investigations into UAPs. It also underscores the need for international collaboration and transparency in studying these phenomena, as UFO sightings are a global occurrence with implications that transcend national borders.

VIDEO:

• The Pentagon UFO Files (FULL DOCUMENTARY) UAO, USA GOVERNMENT, USA MILITARY

• https://youtu.be/9YWklLHxoio

The release of The Pentagon UFO Files marks a new era in our quest to understand the unexplained phenomena in our skies. It challenges us to reconsider our place in the universe and invites us to explore possibilities that were once relegated to science fiction. While many questions remain unanswered, one thing is clear: the pursuit of knowledge about UAPs is more important than ever, promising to unlock mysteries that could redefine our understanding of the world and potentially, the cosmos.

{ https://www.latest-ufo-sightings.net/ }

30-01-2024 om 21:30 geschreven door peter  

De ontdekking van Nag Hammadi: zijn dit de verloren boeken van de Bijbel?

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De ontdekking van Nag Hammadi: zijn dit de verloren boeken van de Bijbel?
Ruim zeventig jaar geleden werden in Nag Hammadi, Egypte, verschillende gnostische teksten ontdekt. Deze galerij duikt in de geschiedenis van deze oude boeken en de controverse die hen omringt.

Zouden dit werkelijk de ontbrekende boeken van de Bijbel kunnen zijn? Kijk naar de foto's om erachter te komen.

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Wat en wanneer
De gnostische evangeliën bestaan ​​uit 52 teksten die in 1945 in Egypte werden ontdekt. ​​Deze teksten werden op papyrus geschreven en verzameld in 13 oude boeken die codices worden genoemd. Ze werden in december 1945 opgegraven door Muhammad 'Ali al-Samman, een Arabische boer, in een begraven pot.

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Wat is er met de boeken gebeurd?
De boeken werden later illegaal verkocht in Caïro. Ondanks de inbeslagname van de meeste boeken door de Egyptische regering, werd één enkele codex discreet uit Egypte getransporteerd en uiteindelijk zijn weg naar Europa gevonden.

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Waar staan ​​de teksten nu?
De originele teksten zijn momenteel ondergebracht in het Koptisch Museum in Caïro onder de identificatie NHC (Nag Hammadi Codices).

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Gnostici en gnosticisme
De term ‘gnostisch’ is afgeleid van het Griekse woord ‘gnosis’, wat ‘kennis’ betekent. Gnostici hielden vast aan het geloof dat ze verborgen kennis bezaten over God en het goddelijke, vandaar hun naam. Ze hadden verschillende perspectieven op Jezus en zijn leringen. Helaas werden veel van hun teksten uitgeroeid, omdat ze door de vroege kerk als ketters werden bestempeld.

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Gnostici en gnosticisme
De gnostici waren geen georganiseerde afzonderlijke religie, maar bestonden in plaats daarvan uit verschillende religieuze en filosofische stromingen die bloeiden van de 2e tot de 4e eeuw na Christus.

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Gnostische overtuigingen
Gnostici waren van mening dat de materiële wereld slecht was en de spirituele wereld deugdzaam. Explore God legt uit dat gnostici mensen zagen als 'goede geesten die gevangen zaten in kwaadaardige materiële lichamen'.

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Hoe zagen gnostici God?
Gnostici hielden vast aan hun geloof in een Oppergod, transcendent en onbegrijpelijk. Bovendien waren ze van mening dat een mindere God, bekend als Demiurg, en niet de Oppergod, verantwoordelijk was voor de schepping van het universum.

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Wat was de gnostische perceptie van Jezus?
Volgens de gnostici werd Jezus beschouwd als de ‘Verlosser’ wiens doel het was om de waarheid aan de mensheid te onthullen. Terwijl sommigen Jezus als volkomen goddelijk beschouwden en verstoken waren van de menselijke natuur (het fysieke lichaam als inherent slecht beschouwden), geloofden anderen in zijn menselijkheid.

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Redding in het gnosticisme
Gnostici geloofden dat verlossing niet afhankelijk was van sacramenten of vergeving van zonden. Ze waren van mening dat mensen 'gnosis', geheime kennis, moesten verkrijgen om verlossing te bereiken.

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God woont in ons
Het geloof van de gnostici was dat men door zichzelf te begrijpen kennis van God kon verwerven. Een fragment uit het boek 'The Gnostic Bible', gepubliceerd op gnosis.org, legt uit dat gnostici de intermediaire rol van priesters, rabbijnen of andere religieuze figuren niet accepteerden.

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Wat is een evangelie?
Het woord ‘Evangelie’ komt van de Griekse term ‘euaggelion’, die het concept van ‘goed nieuws’ overbrengt. Vroege christenen omarmden deze term om de boodschap van Jezus over te brengen en verslag uit te brengen over zijn leven.

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Gnostische Evangeliën
De teksten die in het gnosticisme bekend staan ​​als evangeliën onthullen het perspectief van de gnostici ten aanzien van Jezus. Bekende voorbeelden zijn onder meer Thomas, Maria en Judas.

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Het Evangelie van Thomas
Het Opus Dei stelt dat het Evangelie van Thomas 114 citaten van Jezus bevat, maar er is geen verhaal.

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Het Evangelie van Maria
Maria vertelt over haar openbaring over de hemelvaart van Christus in het Evangelie van Maria.

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Het Evangelie van Judas
Volgens deze controversiële tekst was Judas eigenlijk een goede apostel, zoals The New York Times betoogt. Er wordt aangenomen dat het evangelie zegt dat Judas zijn verraad aan Jezus op bevel van Jezus zelf uitvoerde.

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Zijn de evangeliën betrouwbaar?
De betrouwbaarheid van de teksten is uitgebreid besproken. A Clear Lens benadrukt drie belangrijke tegenargumenten: data, consistentie en historische context

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Datum
Hoewel het vele jaren duurde om de Bijbel samen te stellen, werden de canonieke evangeliën ruim vóór de gnostische verspreid.

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Samenhang
Gezien de talrijke verhalen over Judas in de canonieke teksten van andere apostelen, is het logisch dat de gnostische interpretatie van Judas argwaan kan wekken.

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Samenhang
De canonieke verslagen portretteren de boodschap van Jezus als universeel toepasbaar, terwijl de vertolking van de gnostici suggereert dat hij zijn wijsheid exclusief deelde met een paar uitverkorenen.

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Historische achtergrond
De misvatting draait om het gebruik door de gnostici van mythen om hun overtuigingen over te brengen, wat betekent dat de teksten mogelijk geen feitelijke details over het leven van Jezus verschaffen.

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Betrouwbaarheid
Professor Francis Watson van de Universiteit van Durham gaat nog verder en beweert dat sommige geschriften nep zijn.

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Betrouwbaarheid
Mark Goodacre, hoogleraar Nieuwe Testament en christelijke oorsprong aan de Duke University, heeft een soortgelijk perspectief.

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De Bijbel
Volgens de International Bible Society onderging de Bijbel een langdurig compilatieproces, waarbij verschillende boeken uit de definitieve versie werden weggelaten.

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Het Nieuwe Testament
De vier evangeliën die voor het Nieuwe Testament zijn gekozen, zijn geschreven door Matteüs, Marcus, Lucas en Johannes, bekend als de officieel aanvaarde canonieke evangeliën.

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Wat is de canon?
Biblica, de International Bible Society, definieert de canon als de boeken die worden erkend als door God geïnspireerd en gezaghebbend voor geloof en leven.

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Waarom werden de gnostische evangeliën uitgesloten van de Bijbel?
Volgens bijbelgeleerde Darrell L. Bock tijdens een interview met Beliefnet "is bij de wortel van deze (canonieke) evangeliën ofwel een apostolische figuur betrokken, ofwel iemand die nauw verbonden is met een apostolische figuur." En dat: "De evangeliën die in de Bijbel terecht zijn gekomen, stammen allemaal uit de eerste eeuw. Geen enkel evangelie uit die [gnostische] lijst dat ik ken, dateert feitelijk uit de eerste eeuw."

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De Da Vinci-code
Volgens de National Geographic was het populaire boek van Dan Brown geïnspireerd op de gnostische evangeliën, maar geleerden zijn het niet eens met Browns standpunt.

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Waarom zijn deze teksten belangrijk?
De gnostische evangeliën bieden waardevol inzicht in het gnosticisme en het vroege christendom en werpen licht op verschillende besproken ideeën en de interpretatie ervan door de vroege kerk.

• Zie ook: De meest verontrustende delen van de Bijbel

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29-01-2024 om 23:58 geschreven door peter