The purpose of this blog is the creation of an open, international, independent and free forum, where every UFO-researcher can publish the results of his/her research. The languagues, used for this blog, are Dutch, English and French.You can find the articles of a collegue by selecting his category. Each author stays resposable for the continue of his articles. As blogmaster I have the right to refuse an addition or an article, when it attacks other collegues or UFO-groupes.
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Deze blog is opgedragen aan mijn overleden echtgenote Lucienne.
In 2012 verloor ze haar moedige strijd tegen kanker!
In 2011 startte ik deze blog, omdat ik niet mocht stoppen met mijn UFO-onderzoek.
BEDANKT!!!
Een interessant adres?
UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
UFO's of UAP'S in België en de rest van de wereld In België had je vooral BUFON of het Belgisch UFO-Netwerk, dat zich met UFO's bezighoudt. BEZOEK DUS ZEKER VOOR ALLE OBJECTIEVE INFORMATIE , enkel nog beschikbaar via Facebook en deze blog.
Verder heb je ook het Belgisch-Ufo-meldpunt en Caelestia, die prachtig, doch ZEER kritisch werk leveren, ja soms zelfs héél sceptisch...
Voor Nederland kan je de mooie site www.ufowijzer.nl bezoeken van Paul Harmans. Een mooie site met veel informatie en artikels.
MUFON of het Mutual UFO Network Inc is een Amerikaanse UFO-vereniging met afdelingen in alle USA-staten en diverse landen.
MUFON's mission is the analytical and scientific investigation of the UFO- Phenomenon for the benefit of humanity...
Je kan ook hun site bekijken onder www.mufon.com.
Ze geven een maandelijks tijdschrift uit, namelijk The MUFON UFO-Journal.
Since 02/01/2020 is Pieter ex-president (=voorzitter) of BUFON, but also ex-National Director MUFON / Flanders and the Netherlands. We work together with the French MUFON Reseau MUFON/EUROP.
ER IS EEN NIEUWE GROEPERING DIE ZICH BUFON NOEMT, MAAR DIE HEBBEN NIETS MET ONZE GROEP TE MAKEN. DEZE COLLEGA'S GEBRUIKEN DE NAAM BUFON VOOR HUN SITE... Ik wens hen veel succes met de verdere uitbouw van hun groep. Zij kunnen de naam BUFON wel geregistreerd hebben, maar het rijke verleden van BUFON kunnen ze niet wegnemen...
08-03-2025
Director of Groundbreaking UFO Doc Says What He Learned Left Him 'Rattled': 'Things Could Get Really Bad, Really Fast'
Director of Groundbreaking UFO Doc Says What He Learned Left Him 'Rattled': 'Things Could Get Really Bad, Really Fast'
"I've tried to make a serious, credible, eye-opening movie that brings out as much of the truth as possible," says 'The Age of Disclosure' director Dan Fara
An image from the so-called “Gimbal” video recorded by a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter pilot off the coast of Jacksonville, Fla., during a 2015 encounter with a UAP. .Photo: Farah Films/YouTube
Disclosure details what is being called an 80-year cover-up of the existence of non-human intelligence and secret efforts to reverse engineer technology of non-human origin
34 high-ranking members of the U.S. government, military and intelligence community share never-before released information on UFOs and their potential impact on humanity
Director Dan Farah tells PEOPLE he worked in secret on Disclosure for two and a half years because 'there's a lot of people who would try and stop this movie from getting made if they had the opportunity'
By his own calculation, Dan Farah watched Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial close to "a thousand times" before he turned 15. So it’s hardly surprising that the 45-year-old Hollywood producer yearned to one day create a film that picked up where Spielberg’s two fictional movies about alien visitations and government coverups left off.
“I wanted to make a movie,” says Farah, “that I always wished existed, a documentary that did an unprecedented job at seriously and credibly exploring what is actually known about UAPs [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, aka UFOs] and non-human intelligence by people who have direct knowledge of it as a result of working with the U.S. government.”
Anyone who has gotten a chance to watch a screening of Farah's groundbreaking documentaryThe Age Of Disclosure (and, as of publication time, only a handful have) and pondered some of the film’s jaw-dropping revelations will tell you that the 45-year-old first-time director pretty much nailed it.
Over the course of his 1-hour-and-49-minute-long documentary, Farah speaks with 34 senior members of the U.S. government, military and intelligence community who all paint a disturbing portrait of what they claim is an 80-year-long cover-up regarding the existence of non-human intelligent life that has been visiting our planet for decades.
Those interviewed detail what they claim has been a decades-long top-secret campaign to reverse engineer the technology from spacecraft of non-human origin that has been retrieved from crash sites by scientists from our government and those of other nations.
This has resulted, they say, in what has essentially become a top-secret arms race with China and Russia — where each nation is vying to be the first to find a way to harness this other-worldly advanced technology. The downside, warn many of the officials who appear in Disclosure, is that keeping this information secret and compartmentalized within the government and the military industrial complex could result in an intelligence failure exponentially worse than what happened with 9/11.
“We interviewed dozens of very high-level, credible officials who said these unknown threats [posed by UAPs] could basically destroy our way of life forever,” Farah tells PEOPLE. “Things could get really bad, really fast. Learning that left me rattled.”
If true, the impact of these revelations — some of which were discussed in a series of bi-partisancongressional hearingsover the past few years — has the potential to alter the future of humanity. That's why, explains Farrah, that he was able to get so many heavy hitters to speak on camera about this once-taboo topic.
“I ask people to think about why would any of these extremely high-level people like our Secretary of State [Marco Rubio] have to gain by participating in this film and shedding light on this?” he says. “They're doing it because they feel an obligation to bring out the truth as much as they legally can.”
Marco Rubio.
Farah Films/YouTube
Rubio — who confesses that this issue “keeps me up at night” in the doc — has a number of memorable scenes in the film where he discusses just how gravely important this topic is and the risks involved by our leaders’ continued reluctance to take it seriously.
“I think,” says Farah, “one of the best lines in the film is when Secretary Rubio says, ‘At the heart of every blunder in intelligence is a lack of imagination — the idea that an adversary can't do something or won't do something because it hadn't been done before. And that leads to strategic surprise and sometimes strategic surprise changes the course of human history.' ”
Those interviewed in the film include retired Air Force Lieutenant General (and former Director of National Intelligence) James Clapper, Admiral (and former Navy Chief Oceanographer) Tim Gallaudet and former Department of Defense official (and one-time member of the Government’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program) Lue Elizondo.
Their first-hand accounts — such as those from Jay Stratton, the former director of the government's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force — are both spellbinding and disturbing. “I have seen with my own eyes non-human craft and non-human beings,” Stratton says in the film.
Farah — who produced Spielberg’s 2018 sci-fi action feature Ready Player One — worked on the film in secret for two and a half years. “The truth is,” he says, “there’s a lot of people who would try to stop this movie from getting made if they had the opportunity.”
Dan Farah.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
Lining up officials to speak on the record proved to be a long and difficult process. “A number of people, specifically intelligence officials, were actually concerned that their lives would be in danger if they participated and ultimately decided not to,” he says.
Disclosure — which is currently in search of a distributor — will premiere at South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9. Farah says he’s been buoyed by the “unprecedented” number of views — 18 million as of publication time — that the trailer has racked up on various platforms.
“The response has been really validating and rewarding,” adds Farah. “I think it speaks volumes to the universal appeal of this topic. I always knew that I couldn’t be the only person who wished that a movie like this existed.”
The Age of Disclosure premieres at SXSW on Sunday.
SpaceX's Starship Flight Test Falls Short for the Second Time in a Row
SpaceX's Starship Flight Test Falls Short for the Second Time in a Row
By Alan Boyle
An onboard camera shows the Starship second stage tumbling. (SpaceX via YouTube)
For the second time in a row, SpaceX lost the second stage of its Starship launch system during a flight test, while recovering the first-stage Super Heavy booster.
Today’s eighth Starship flight test came a month and a half after a similarly less-than-perfect mission that sparked an investigation.
“The primary reason we do these flight tests is to learn,” SpaceX launch commentator Dan Huot said. “We have some more to learn about this vehicle.”
The 403-foot-tall rocket lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas at 5:30 p.m. CT, and the flight appeared to proceed normally through stage separation. The booster flew itself back to the launch tower and was captured by two massive chopstick-style mechanical arms.
Meanwhile, the Starship second stage, known as Ship 34, continued spaceward. But telemetry indicated that its six engines started going out about eight minutes into the flight, toward the end of their scheduled burn. An onboard camera showed the stage tumbling for about a minute, and then the signal was lost.
“I think it’s pretty obvious we’re not going to continue the rest of the mission today,” Huot said. Videos shared on social media showed Ship 34 tumbling over Florida, and a bright hail of debris streaking over the Bahamas.
“During Starship’s ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost. Our team immediately began coordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses,” SpaceX said in a posting to X / Twitter. “We will review the data from today’s flight test to better understand root cause. As always, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship’s reliability.”
In a statement, the FAA acknowledged that it briefly slowed aircraft outside the area where debris was falling, or stopped aircraft at their departure location. "Normal operations have resumed," the FAA said.
The FAA also said it would require SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the second stage. The agency would have to approve SpaceX's final report on the mishap, including any corrective actions. Starship's return to flight will be based on the FAA determining that the resumption of operations will not affect public safety.
That process follows the pattern set in the aftermath of the previous Starship flight test on Jan. 16. During that earlier mission, the Super Heavy flew itself back to Starbase for a successful catch, but the second stage broke apart after its engines erupted in flames. Debris from the breakup fell in the Caribbean.
A SpaceX investigation overseen by the FAA determined that the vibrations generated during the ascent put higher-than-expected stress on the second stage’s hardware. SpaceX said that probably caused propellant leaks that exceeded the second stage’s venting capability, leading to sustained fires.
To address the issue, SpaceX beefed up Starship’s purging system and made other changes to hardware and operating procedures. On Feb. 28, the FAA gave the go-ahead for today’s launch while saying that the mishap investigation would remain open.
Today’s flight plan was similar to the plan for January’s flight. One of the objectives was to execute the first-ever deployment of payloads — four mockups of satellites for SpaceX’s Starlink broadband internet constellation. SpaceX also aimed to test changes to the rocket’s control flaps and thermal protection system, and relight one of the ship’s engines in space.
If the mission had proceeded as planned, Ship 34 would have made a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean about an hour after liftoff.
Starship is considered the world’s most powerful rocket, with liftoff thrust of 16.7 million pounds. If and when Starship enters commercial operations, the launch system could deploy scores of next-generation Starlink satellites during a single mission, heralding a significant upgrade in communications capacity. Looking even further ahead, SpaceX aims to send people to the moon and Mars on Starships.
But before all that can happen, SpaceX will have to demonstrate that the Super Heavy booster and the Starship second stage are fully reusable and capable of delivering the goods safely to orbit.
Bizarre and Outlandish Claims and Conspiracies of the Moon
There is little doubt that the Moon is one of the most fascinating objects in the night sky. It is also at the center of some of the most outrageous and bizarre claims and conspiracies on record, not least just why NASA has not returned since the last moon landing in December 1972. Some of these conspiracies suggest there are the remains of alien bases and technology on the Moon, while others go even further and suggest there is an extraterrestrial presence on our cosmic satellite. Some researchers have even suggested that the Moon is not a natural satellite at all, but some kind of mechanical construct designed and built at an unknown location and placed in orbit by an unknown intelligence.
The fact is, though, even without these conspiracies, the Moon is a celestial body full of anomalies. While some people might be familiar with them, before we explore some of these outrageous conspiracies and claims of our celestial satellite, it is worth quickly going over some of the truly anomalous facts about the Moon.
It is, for example, exactly 400 times smaller than the sun, and its distance from the Earth, relative to the overall distance to the sun, is also exactly 1/400th. It is worth noting that these figures are not approximate - they are exact. It is because of these astounding dimensions that total eclipses are experienced here on Earth. Moreover, if these dimensions were out in any way whatsoever, this wouldn’t be possible. Incidentally, we should also take note that the chances of these specific dimensions occurring naturally are zillions to one. What’s more, these figures and dimensions are not seen in any other known moon. Even its perfectly circular orbit is unique (most moons’ orbits are elliptical) and its rotation around the planet is such that one side permanently remains hidden from us.
Looking a little closer, the many craters on the lunar surface create further problems in our understanding of the Moon. These craters, of which there are many, are for the most part, very similar in depth, and relatively shallow at that. In terms of our understanding of modern science, these craters should be much more varied, with at least some showing greater depth at the impact point, which should be the outcome for a naturally formed rocky terrestrial body. Many researchers suggest that it is the absolute high velocity of the meteor strikes that creates these crater anomalies. However, the actual reason for this, at least according to some researchers, both inside and outside the mainstream, is because the Moon is not naturally occurring at all, but a hollow object with a metallic “casing” beneath an artificial rocky surface.
Perhaps one of the most interesting considerations is how the Moon came to orbit the Earth in the first place. Accepted thinking suggests a small planet or large moon collided with Earth millions of years ago, causing the Moon to form out of the debris of such a collision, which then settled into its current orbit. However, not only because of the remarkable zillion-to-one dimensions and distances of the Moon we highlighted earlier but also because of several other anomalies, many people question just how true it is that the Moon was simply a “happy accident” and a product of coincidence. In fact, some people have even questioned if the Moon was purposely “placed” into orbit, perhaps even by an unknown intelligence. Author William Roy Shelton stated:
“It is important to remember that something had to put the moon in or near its current circular pattern around the Earth. It is very unlikely that any object just stumbles on the right combination of factors needed to help an object stay in orbit. ‘Something’ had to put the moon on its altitude, on its course and speed. The question is, what was that ‘something?”
Issac Asimov, a Russian professor of biochemistry, made similar comments when he wrote:
“… we cannot help but come to the conclusion that the Moon, by rights, ought not to be there. The fact that it is, is one of those strokes of luck almost too good to accept…Small planets, such as Earth, with weak gravitational fields, might well lack satellites…In general, then, when a planet does have satellites, those satellites are much smaller than the planet itself. Therefore, there would be every reason to suspect (the Moon) would be a tiny world, perhaps 30 miles…but it is a giant satellite, 2,160 miles in diameter. How is it, then, that tiny Earth has one?”
There are plenty of other people who have expressed similar sentiments. NASA scientist, Robin Brett stated that “it seems easier to explain the non-existence of the Moon than its existence,” while Irwin Shapiro from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics offered that “the best explanation for the Moon is an observational error!”
Perhaps some of the most intriguing and thought-provoking claims are those that suggest the Moon is a hollow object. Of course, if the Moon were hollow, it would suggest it was artificial, as Carl Sagan noted, “A natural satellite cannot be a hollow object!”
Perhaps one of the first people to legitimately question whether the Moon could be a hollow object was NASA scientist, Dr. Gordon MacDonald, who wrote in 1962, “If the astronomical data are reduced, it is found that the data require that the interior of the Moon be less dense than the outer parts. Indeed, it would seem that the Moon is more like a hollow than a homogeneous sphere!”
In November 1969, when Apollo 12 left the Moon, rocket boosters were purposely jettisoned into the surface where seismic measuring equipment had been set up to record and measure the impact. To say scientists were shocked by the returning data would be an understatement. It was noted that the Moon “reverberated like a bell” for almost an hour following the impact—something that would only be seen in a hollow object.
Indeed, as we can see, the Moon has undoubtedly been an object of fascination since the beginnings of the human race…or has it? Without a doubt, one of the most thought-provoking claims about the Moon is that at some point in human history, it didn’t exist. There was, essentially, a time before the Moon. As we might imagine, almost all mainstream historians and astronomers reject such an idea that there was once a time in (relatively speaking) recent history – certainly recent enough to be human history – when the Moon was not in orbit around our planet, not least as, at least as far as our current understanding of the world is, life on Earth would be almost impossible without it. However, while we most certainly should treat such considerations with caution, there are some intriguing and thought-provoking arguments to be made.
We might consider, for example, that this “time before the Moon” was when a now-lost civilization called the planet home. Perhaps backing this up somewhat are the many legends and myths of such a time and just such a civilization from around the world. Many researchers suggest that such legends hold at least partial truths within them, with one such researcher – Michael Tellinger – stating that these legends of a time before the Moon could very well be one of humanity’s earliest collective memories.
One of the earliest accounts of a time before the Moon comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle. In his history of the Arcadian region in Greece, he refers the Pelasgians, a civilization, he claimed, who had resided in the area “since very old times,” during a time “when the Moon did not exist!” Moreover, Aristotle wasn’t the only ancient Greek philosopher to have spoken of such a time. Apollonios, for example, wrote of a time when the Moon didn’t orbit the Earth and even when all the celestial objects were yet to be present in the sky. During this time, the only civilization on Earth was the Pelasgians, who resided in the mountains of Arcadia.
Is it really possible that the Pelasgians did exist? And if so, did they reside on Earth before the Moon orbited the planet? Once more, current knowledge suggests that life on Earth would be almost impossible. Could the Pelasgians, however, have managed to survive in Arcadia, perhaps one of the few habitable locations on Earth? Might they have even lived under the ground, perhaps giving birth to the many legends of an ancient civilization living inside the “Inner Earth”? Or might we even consider that this civilization was not entirely human and was of extraterrestrial origin, perhaps even with connections to “the Gods” themselves? Perhaps above all else, though, if the Pelasgians did exist, just how long ago were they present on Earth? Could it be tens of thousands of years ago, or perhaps hundreds of thousands, or even millions of years?
We can find another writer from antiquity who speaks of a time before the Moon in Plutarch, who wrote of a “time before the birth of Zeus” when the “Arcadians possessed their land,” adding that “these folk are older than the Moon!” Hippolytus also made similar statements, offering that the Arcadians “brought forth Pelasgus,” the ancestor of the Pelasgians, who are “of greater antiquity than the Moon!” While perhaps not endorsing the claim, in his work Astrology, Lukianos also states that “the Arcadians foolishly claim they are older than the Moon!”
There are also such claims to be found in Biblical writings. In the Book of Job, for example, it states that “the Lord makes peace in the heights” during a time “before there was a Moon and it did not shine!” In Psalms, there is also a passage that states “since the time of the Sun and before the time of the Moon”, an era that was said to be “a generation of generations ago” – seemingly a length of time that is perhaps so great that it is immeasurable.
Similar claims are found in many other ancient writings and creation stories around the world, including other Biblical stories, such as The Flood. Just one example is the oral traditions of the Colombian civilizations in the Bogota highlands of South America, which speak of the “earliest times when the Moon was not yet in the Heavens!”
If we turn our attention to the Zulu legends from Africa, we find even more remarkable accounts of a time before the Moon. Their legends state that the Moon was brought to the Earth thousands of years ago by two extraterrestrial brothers named Wowane and Mpanku. We might note that this story of two extraterrestrial brothers coming to Earth thousands of years ago is remarkably similar to the accounts of the Anunnaki from ancient Sumer, which speaks of two brothers, Enlil and Enki, who “descended from the Heavens” and ruled over the Earth. Could this once again suggest that Pelasgians – if they are the same ancient civilization described around the world – were of extraterrestrial origin? Another interesting detail is that the Pelasgians’ language was described as “barbaric!” Could this description have been so because it was simply incomprehensible to humanity because it was, quite literally, an alien language?
With the detail of an alien race bringing the Moon to Earth in deep antiquity in mind, we should turn to the ancient writings and symbols in the courtyard of Kalasasaya in Bolivia, a site said to be around 15,000 years old. The ancient writings there suggest that the Moon was “brought to Earth” many thousands of years ago. What’s more, it replaced a smaller moon that had been orbiting Earth previously. If there is any truth in such legends, might this explain how civilizations could have existed before the Moon we see today (Lunar) because another moon was present in the skies before that which provided the stabilization needed for life to flourish? It is also possible that the arrival of this new moon could have caused temporary cataclysmic events on Earth, which could also have given rise to such legends as The Flood, and even the lost civilization of Atlantis.
What is further interesting about the idea of a second (or previous) moon orbiting Earth before the arrival of our current moon is that several researchers have put forward genuine suggestions that Earth could have had a moon – perhaps even several – before our current moon “arrived” and began its orbit. Some have gone even further, offering that our current moon could have collided with one of these previous moons before settling into its orbit. Do these theories, if they were to be true, offer corroboration to the legends in the courtyard of Kalasasaya? We might also consider just how many records of the Americas, particularly those of South America, were lost to the actions of the Spanish conquistadors, who destroyed almost all of the records of the respective civilizations of the continent. Many of these records could very well have told us much more about our collective history than many of us could perhaps imagine, including of a time before the Moon. We should also note that in antiquity, writing was not as widespread, or as cheap as it is today. Indeed, it was costly to record information, and time-consuming. As such, writing – at least official records and documentation – was reserved for events that were of great importance and not fanciful stories. We might consider, then, that such ancient writings that speak of a time before the Moon should be contemplated a little more seriously.
We have already explored what an anomaly the Moon is. Could it be so because its history and origins are much more explosive, fascinating, and far-reaching than current mainstream thinking suggests it is? And could there have been a time in human history when the Moon didn’t exist, at least not in our skies?
The suggestion that the Moon was brought to Earth by an extraterrestrial race was not only made in ancient times. Alex Collier, for example, offered that his research suggested that the Moon was, in fact, a transport ship that brought “reptilians, human-reptilian hybrids, and the first humans to set foot on Earth!” He made the claims, along with several others, in the book Letters from Andromeda, a book he put together, he claimed, through telepathic communication with extraterrestrial entities from a constellation called Zenetae. Of the Moon as it is today, he wrote:
“The Moon is hollow. It contains huge underground facilities built by E.T.’s and later humans from Earth. There are seven openings into the Moon’s crust and the underground bases. Conservative scientists have wondered why so many craters seem so shallow, despite their size. The Andromedans say it’s because much of the surface was built on top of a metallic shell of a circular space crest; or “A War Carrier”, as the Andromedans describe it!”
Collier also claimed that bases from this ancient war – which raged 113,000 years ago - remained in ruins on the Moon, adding that both extraterrestrials and humans are living on the Moon “right now” in underground bases that housed over 30,000 people and contained several “great lakes!” Even more remarkable were his claims that there were plans to send many more people to the Moon in the future. Moreover, he claimed that advanced weapons, vehicles, and anti-gravity technologies were tested on the Moon and that over 50 “Earth-built spacecraft” were housed there.
Whether he meant to or not, Collier also appears to corroborate some of the many conspiracies regarding secret societies of the world elite and their private missions to and on the Moon when he wrote:
“When the Apollo astronauts landed on the moon, the World Order had been there for some time. This knowledge and technology was withheld from the lower levels of NASA and our military. NASA has been used as a blind to keep people from truly knowing what was going on there. The astronauts were silenced under threats and remain so today!”
While most dismiss Collier’s claims, they are thought-provoking, perhaps, particularly his claims of secret societies and their equally secret missions to the Moon. It has been claimed by some that these secret societies have retained knowledge that goes back to the crusades of the Knights Templar in the twelfth century and preserved before that since Biblical times. Researcher and author Mike Bara made very similar claims in his book Ancient Aliens and JFK: The Race to the Moon and the Kennedy Assassination. Before we move on to those, it is worth briefly examining the Apollo 11 moon landing mission and the alleged Masonic rituals and practices that surrounded it.
The fact is that the Freemasons had, at the very least, an active interest in the Apollo missions was no secret. In the November 1969 edition of The New Age Magazine, Buzz Aldrin – one of the men who would eventually walk on the Moon – was featured speaking of his Masonic connections, with one particular quote stating, “When man reaches new worlds, Masonry will be there!” Moreover, it wasn’t just Aldrin of the NASA astronauts who had such alleged Masonic and secret society connections. Leroy Gordon Cooper Jr, Virgil Grissom, and Donn Eisele were all said to be Freemasons, while John Glenn was also rumored to be a member of another secret society.
If we move on to the moon landings themselves, the landing site – the Sea of Tranquility – was selected due to the flat surface which made landing easier. However, in the decades that have passed since, some researchers have suggested there could have been other reasons for this specific selection. One of the people not only responsible for selecting the landing destination, as well as planning multiple other aspects of the moon landings, was Farouk El-Baz, right down to developing the strict timings of the launch window and actual landing itself. Not only was El-Baz a Freemason, but his father was an expert in ancient Egyptian rituals, which makes for interesting reading when some of the conspiracies surrounding the moon landings are explored.
The landing site, for example, including the exact time and date, was meticulously worked out so that at exactly 33 minutes after landing, Orion’s Belt would be perfectly aligned with the Moon’s horizon. Of course, the fact that it was worked out that this occurred 33 minutes after landing is yet another sign of Masonic involvement when we remember how important the number 33 is in Freemasonry (representative of the 33rd degree Freemasons of the Scottish Rite), and it is not the only time the number 33 surfaces. The launchpad where the Apollo 11 mission began, Launchpad 33, is a good example (of further interest when the first shuttle returned to Earth, it landed on Runway 33).
As well as the alleged rituals, it is also claimed by some that Aldrin left various Masonic “gifts” on the Lunar surface, all of which contained very specific Masonic symbols and were an apparent offering to Osiris. Furthermore, after landing back on Earth he is said to have “gifted” a Masonic scarf that had been “blessed” as part of a ritual on the Lunar surface to the Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge in Washington DC.
Another detail about the moon landings is the moon rocks that were brought to Earth by the Apollo astronauts – many of which have suspiciously “gone missing!” Some researchers have suggested that the missing moon rocks were not moon rocks at all, but ancient alien technology – technology that, at least according to some researchers, was the real reason the moon landings went ahead in the first place.
Claims of ancient alien technology on the Moon lead us very nicely into one of the most interesting people of the Masonic conspiracies surrounding the moon landings – James Edwin Webb. Webb served as NASA’s administrator from 1961 to 1968, leaving right before the Apollo 11 moon landing. Like many others involved in the Apollo program – and NASA, in general – Webb was a known Freemason and began placing fellow Masons into positions of power almost as soon as he took the position with NASA. Moreover, according to the previously mentioned Mike Bara, he is arguably at the center of not only the moon landing conspiracy but the assassination of President John Kennedy. Ultimately, it is claimed that the reason, at least partially, behind Kennedy’s assassination was his desire to pursue a joint American-Soviet mission to land on the Moon – and the reason why the alleged shadow government of the United States chose such a drastic course of action was because of their knowledge of ancient alien technology in alien bases on the lunar surface left by none other than the Anunnaki, the gods of ancient Sumer.
Whatever the reason, Webb wasn’t alone in immensely disliking even the idea of a joint mission to the Moon with the Soviet Union. Another person was Congressman Albert Thomas, a close friend of Webb’s, and someone with ties to fellow Texan and Vice President Lyndon Johnson. He had publicly stated his opposition to any joint space missions with the Soviet Union, and because of his position, he would have had complete access to the budget and direction of NASA, as well as, unofficially, of course, influencing its direction.
In his book Ancient Aliens and JFK, Mike Bara includes a photograph that, while not offering conclusive proof, is highly suggestive of some kind of plot involving Thomas and Johnson (as well as many others). The picture was taken in the seconds following Lyndon Johnson being sworn as President of the United States, and only hours after John Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. You can see Johnson turning to look over his right shoulder towards none other than Albert Thomas, who, rather than having a solemn, shocked look on his face like almost everyone else in the room, appears to be smirking and winking at Johnson. Although we can’t see (now) President Johnson’s face, his left cheek is raised slightly, as if he is smiling back at Thomas – almost as if they knew something and realized the plan had come together just as they desired. It is also worth pointing out that Johnson, like almost everyone else we have mentioned here, was a Freemason (a member of the 33-degree Scottish Rite Freemasons). It is important to point out that these actions or those of individuals who happened to be Freemasons and not actions condoned or supported by Freemasonry in general.
While such claims are undoubtedly up for debate, if there was any truth in the suggestion that members of a secret society (not necessarily the Freemasons – these individuals could have been Masons and also members of another, unknown organization) orchestrated a mission to the moon to retrieve ancient alien technology – technology that they became aware through their secret society connections and that knowledge of had been guarded and handed down for hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years, then it forces to reassess so many aspects of our world, history, and reality.
Here it is worth our time to briefly explore the remote viewing experiments of Ingo Swann, who was one of the CIA’s most skilled remote viewers during the 1970s and eighties as part of the Project Stargate program that aimed to, essentially, keep a close eye through remote viewing on their Cold War adversaries the Soviet Union. One particular episode, however, in February 1975, is of particular interest to us here.
Swann was approached by a mysterious individual who introduced himself as Mr. Axelrod, informing him that he was required to work on a top-secret remote viewing mission. A month passed before Swann heard from Axelrod again. This time, Swann was told to meet him at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C., which Swann agreed to. Once there, a car promptly pulled up and Mr. Axelrod got out, and confirmed who he was to Swann before asking him to get into the car. At this point, they were driven to an unknown location somewhere just outside of the city where a helicopter was seemingly waiting for them. Before boarding the helicopter, however, Swann was blindfolded and told that where he was going was an ultra-secret location.
After the helicopter touched down on the ground, still blindfolded, Swann was led to what seemed to be an elevator. A moment later, he felt the lift descending, a journey that seemed to take a considerable amount of time, leading Swann to conclude that he was being taken to a secret underground military facility. Then, the elevator came to a sudden stop and the doors opened. Swann was led to a room a short distance away and the blindfold was finally removed. There, standing in front of him, was Mr. Axelrod.
Here, Mr. Axelrod introduced himself properly, offering that his name was indeed a pseudonym and that his real identity was protected given the nature of his work. He then began to question Swann about remote viewing, asking him all kinds of questions, including how he achieved his results. Eventually, he told Swann bluntly that he was prepared to offer him a lot of money for his services. Although he didn’t feel it was an offer he could refuse, Swann accepted the invite. Then, Axelrod began to question Swann and what he knew about the Moon. Following this brief conversation, Swann was then given a piece of paper with coordinates written on it and asked to “remote view” what was there.
Swann focused on the coordinates and soon found himself “leaving the Earth” and heading to the Moon, specifically, the dark or far side. Moments later, much to his shock, he could see tall buildings and huge glass dome-like structures. He went towards one of these structures and went inside. As soon as he did so, he could see there were living entities inside. He began describing what he was seeing to Axelrod who listened intently. When Swann offered that whoever the living entities were they were “aware of his presence” Axelrod suddenly became animated, insisting to Swann that he should “come away from there right now!”
Swann suddenly felt uncomfortable by the entire experience and quickly found himself rushing back to his physical body. After taking a moment to come to his senses, he asked Axelrod what exactly he had just seen, and asked if there was a colony of some kind on the far side of the Moon. Axelrod, though, simply remained quiet, now having returned to his ultra-calm demeanor. Swann asked again, this time adding that he thought the living entities could have been extraterrestrial. To this, Axelrod simply replied, “Isn’t that something, huh?” He then left the room and Swann was returned to the city.
Whether or not there are extraterrestrial bases on the Moon or not remains open to debate. There are, though, many intriguing anomalies on the lunar surface – anomalies that many people believe are artificial structures. These structures are thought-provoking to say the least. Some people, for example, have claimed they have spotted pyramid-like structures on the surface of the moon, structures that appear to be too precise to be the result of geological processes.
Near the Aristarchus Crater is another apparent artificial structure known as the Tower of Babel. As its name suggests, this alleged building is a towering, column-like formation that appears to be of significant height (some estimates suggest it is as tall as seven miles high), although skeptics argue that this tower-like appearance could be, essentially, a trick of the light, making what is, they say, a natural rock formation appear much larger than it actually is. A similar alleged artificial structure can be found in the Ina Caldera region. Known as the Ina Bridge, this bridge-like structure appears to be an artificial structure – essentially, a bridge connecting two parts of the lunar surface.
Another apparent anomaly on the surface of the Moon is known as The Shard, which appears similar to the previously mentioned Tower of Babel in that it seems to tower above the Moon’s surface. To some people, this is clear evidence of some kind of alien outpost or possibly even proof of a civilization that once called the Moon home. Although skeptics have claimed – as usual – that The Shard is nothing more than an optical illusion, the fact that it appears to cast a shadow would suggest that whatever it is, it is something real and physically there. It is also worth mentioning the castle-like structure, unsurprisingly dubbed The Castle, that was captured in one of the images of the Apollo missions. What has perplexed many who have viewed the picture is that this seemingly artificial structure seems to be somehow floating above the Moon’s surface.
At this point, it would be beneficial to explore one of the strangest of all conspiracies surrounding the Moon – those of the “secret” Apollo missions that ran, at least according to some, under the name Project Horizon. The origins of the project go back to the 1950s and looked to build a permanent base on the lunar surface. It was brought to a close not long after, but some people have suggested that the project continued to operate behind closed doors – specifically following the official closure of the Apollo missions. Although Apollo 17 was the last official Apollo mission, some researchers have suggested that the Apollo 18, 19, and 20 missions went ahead in secret without the public being aware of them. While it is easy to dismiss such claims as outlandish nonsense, it is interesting to note that the three missions (18,19, and 20) had already been budgeted and paid for when they were scrapped, something which simply made no financial sense.
Although information on the alleged secret missions is limited, it is claimed that the Apollo 18 and 19 missions did indeed find evidence of alien bases on the lunar surface (some sources claim that Apollo 19 was lost in a collision during its respective mission). During the alleged Apollo 20 mission, however, they discovered not only the remains of alien bases and technology but of a female alien humanoid. One of the alleged pilots on these discreet Apollo missions – William Rutledge – released a video on YouTube in 2007 that appeared to show parts of the Apollo 20 mission, including footage of the “alien girl” they discovered.
Several years after the release of the footage, in 2011, Italian UFO researcher, Luca Scantamburio investigated the case and spoke directly with Rutledge, who told him that he wasn’t employed for the missions by NASA but by the United States Air Force. He elaborated that he had previously “worked on the study of foreign technology – Russian only,” as well as working on the N1 Project, the AJAX plane project, and the MIG Foxbat 25. He further stated that he “had some skills for using computer navigation and was a volunteer for the MOL-Gemini Project!” Even stranger, especially when we consider the claims that President Kennedy was assassinated – at least in part – because of his desire to embark on a joint moon landing mission, Rutledge stated that the Apollo 20 mission was a joint American-Soviet mission and launched in 1976 (a year, incidentally, after the famous “Handshake in Space” that saw American astronauts meet Soviet cosmonauts during the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in the summer of 1975).
Rutledge detailed how the Apollo 20 mission headed to the Delporte-Izsak region on the far side of the Moon. Almost as soon as they touched down and ventured outside, they made remarkable discovery after remarkable discovery. They found, for example, the crashed and crippled remains of an “ancient spacecraft” that they estimated was around two and a half miles long. Not far from the remains of this crashed craft they came upon the remains of what appeared to be an old and abandoned city – a location they referred to as Moon City but was labelled Station One by those in charge of the mission on Earth.
When they ventured into the city and explored some of the buildings, they discovered that it was littered with what they described as “space garbage” and various gold parts of scrap (we might note – if there is any truth to the idea that the Anunnaki constructed the bases on the moon, the discovery of gold makes a certain amount of sense given their desire to mine gold on Earth, as well as its value for space travelers). One building, however, appeared to be relatively undamaged and largely intact – a building they named The Cathedral. The most enthralling discoveries, though, occurred when they returned to the ruined spacecraft and prepared to investigate inside.
Upon entering the craft, they discovered several strange triangular rocks, as well as what appeared to be vegetation growing inside the vehicle (this notion of vegetation inside a UFO, as bizarre as it sounds, has surfaced in several other reports of close UFO encounters, with one particular incident from the United Kingdom in the mid-1970s suggesting this vegetation was somehow connected to the propulsion of the craft). They also found the bodies of several “small beings, (each) about four inches long” that seemed to “spend their lives in tubes!” These strange beings were discovered throughout the vehicle.
Without a doubt, the most remarkable discovery, however, was of two humanoid bodies. One of these was “destroyed” although it was unclear what had happened or caused such damage (the crew preserved the head of this first body). The other, however, was undamaged and well-preserved. The crew eventually dubbed this second humanoid Mona Lisa. Rutledge elaborated that Mona Lisa was in some “state of suspended animation (and was) neither dead nor alive!” Ultimately, the crew decided to transfer this female humanoid to their craft. Rutledge informed Scantamburlo that he didn’t remember who had named the girl Mona Lisa, whether it was himself or Leonov (a cosmonaut), but he could recall that she was around five and a half feet tall with long hair and five fingers and a thumb, which led them to guess that “their mathematics are based on 12” as opposed to ten, like humans.
He continued that she was clearly a pilot and that there was a “piloting device fixed to (her) fingers and eyes!” They removed this device, which included having to cut through two cables that were connected to the nose. After doing this, “concretions of blood or biological liquid erupted and froze from the mouth, nose, eyes, and some (other) parts of the body!” It also appeared that the humanoid’s skin was “protected by a thin transparent film!” Although none of the crew had medical training, they decided to fix their bio equipment to the body of Mona Lisa, and the “telemetry received by (the) mission control meds was positive!” In other words, she was alive. He finally stated that she was returned to Earth with the Apollo 20 vehicle where she remains today (at the time of speaking).
Interestingly or not, Rutledge half-acknowledged how bizarre and outlandish his claims sounded, but he insisted he was genuine, stating, “I’m the whistleblower. What can NASA or the United States Air Force do now? Blocking or suing me would be an acknowledgment. They can (only) speak of a hoax or fiction!” It is certainly something to think about.
It is perhaps fitting to end by exploring future visits to the Moon, or more to the point, locations that are said to be “off-limits” to any future moon landing missions. While there are several locations that have been officially designated as restricted, several whistleblowers have come forward over the years stating that NASA has ulterior motives for designating these locations as forbidden and that they have several other “unofficial” locations that they seek to avoid any missions exploring.
We know, for example, that Tranquility Base – the landing site for the Apollo 11 mission – is under the protection of these laws as initiated by the United States government, and is akin to a cosmic cultural heritage site that might one day be visited by future astronauts, and perhaps, as technology develops, will be a destination for space tourists. However, some people have questioned NASA’s true motives for putting the destination off-limits, offering that the real reason is to protect against the discovery of the remains of ancient alien bases and technology. This speculation becomes even more intriguing when we factor in the alleged recordings of Armstrong and Aldrin discussing seeing alien vehicles on the lunar surface (although debate remains as to exactly what was being discussed and indeed if the recording is authentic).
What about these other locations, though? One such alleged forbidden lunar destination is the Mendeleev Ridge, which could very well hold an abundance of information about past volcanic activity on the Moon. However, it has also been suggested that the location would be ideal for building hidden lunar bases – ones built by humans under highly secret space programs. A similar location is the Compton-Belkovich Volcanic Complex on the Moon’s far side. This volcanic structure likely holds similar information, with some scientists arguing that it could have been active (relatively) recently. Like the Mendeleev Ridge, though, it would be another ideal location for discreetly built structures. Moreover, the location could also be home to highly valuable materials and minerals that could be discreetly transported back to Earth.
We can find another highly interesting and, to some, suspicious location near the center of the Moon’s near side in the Sinus Medii region. While we should treat the claims with caution, some have claimed that highly advanced and secret observation equipment has been left here monitoring events on Earth, as well as equally advanced lunar facilities. Furthermore, unlike some of the other locations we have looked at, there appears to be no good reason why NASA or any other organization would want access to the location restricted.
If we move to the Moon’s South Pole, we find the Leibnitz Plateau, another alleged off-limits location. This region sits on remarkably flat and elevated terrain, which once more has caused speculation of advanced lunar bases and even landing zones for advanced space vehicles being present there. There are also several craters that, at least according to some, have been designated as no-go areas. One such location is the Tycho Crater, while another is the Tsiolkovsky Crater. Once more, there could be very reasonable reasons as to why NASA would wish to keep such areas preserved, not least the possibility of studying ice deposits there. However, like many of the volcanic regions, such craters would present the option for discreet lunar bases.
Only time will tell if these, and other, locations of the Moon will be studied up close and transparently. For all of the missions to the lunar surface, the majority of the Moon remains unexplored and uncharted, at least officially. And perhaps because of that, such conspiracies and wild claims as we have examined here are allowed to flourish in that void of information. That is not to say that there might not be at least some truth to some of those claims – as we have established, the Moon is a genuine anomaly that, for all the official theories, remains largely unexplained.
Could the Moon have been placed in orbit by an unknown intelligence, and is that intelligence still present on the Moon today? Could our cosmic satellite be an artificial construct, something more akin to a space station that once brought extraterrestrials to Earth many thousands of years ago? And, if so, did it replace our natural Moon that had sustained life on Earth perhaps for many thousands of years before that? The fact is, there remain many unanswered questions about the Moon, its origin, and whether it might have served as a colony for an ancient space-faring civilization. While many of the claims about the Moon we have examined here should be treated with caution and are, admittedly, unlikely, they remain a possibility and a part of the mystery of the already fascinating object in our night sky.
Stanley Kubrick's Staged Moon Landing - Space Conspiracy Theories
Alien and UFO encounter reports come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the slightly odd to the downright utterly bizarre. It is a category of experiences that invites the strange, yet some of these are weirder than others, and some of the strangest of all are when these alien entities turn out to be anything but friendly
A bizarre series of frightening events played out in Abbiate Guazzone, Varese, Italy on April 24, 1950. It was around 10 pm that evening when a local mechanic by the name of Bruno Facchini, 40, stepped out after a violent thunderstorm to go relieve himself at an outdoor outhouse on his property. After he finished his business he stopped to have a cigarette and that was when he noticed a series of several strange odd flashing lights which at the time he at first thought were being generated by the receding storm. Seeing as the lights seemed to be emanating from a nearby field, he decided to investigate, as he was starting to get the impression that they were coming from a nearby row of power lines, and so he was thinking there might be a danger with a fallen power line. This is where things would take a sharp turn into the weird, and he would tell the Italian UFO researcher Antonio Giudicci of what happened next;
“It was still a little farther. I decided to go there. Then I saw there a huge dark shape, like a ball, with a flattened top. In the middle of the shape there was a small ladder, lightened by a green light. Almost immediately, I understood that the light came from some sort of lamp handled by a standing man who seemed to be engaged in welding. He wore something like a diving suit and a mask. Next to a power line pole I saw a huge, round shape. From the illuminated disc, a ladder came down. A door opened. I could see inside the UFO, because a light diffused inside, there was another ladder leading to a higher level of the craft; on the walls, there were bottles connected together in rows and between them I could notice that there were gauges and tubes. Driven by curiosity, at went closer, and I saw two other people, with the same clothing, moving slowly around the craft - I guessed that their diving suit was heavy and slowed down their movements. The craft, lighted by the welding tool, cast metallic reflections back.”
There were apparently enough sparks flying everywhere that the interior of the craft was eerily lit by the flickering light, and he could see numerous dials and cylinders within. As he was taking this all in and trying to process it he became aware of a strange buzzing noise “like a giant beehive,” and a sensation of warm air all around him. He noticed that all of the mysterious figures were similarly dressed in grayish one-piece tight-fitting clothes and were wearing helmets but their faces were concealed behind masks from the front of which emerged one flexible pipe which reminded him of a breathing tube. Even at this point, his mind was struggling for rational answers, with him surmising that it was a downed aircraft with mechanics trying to undergo repairs, but this would soon turn out not to be the case, as they moved in an oddly disjointed fashion and spoke amongst each other with an otherworldly guttural language. He continues;
“I offered to help, but the only answer I received were some guttural sounds that were not understandable. I wondered what their intentions were. I had the feeling they were inviting me aboard. Suddenly I heard an uproar, like the amplified buzz of a bee, or a huge power generator. I saw another ladder in the interior of the craft, and all around, tubes, cylinders, and gauges. I understood that this was not a plane, and I was seized by panic, I started to run away.
I was not so close anymore when I turned my head back. I saw one of the men raise some sort of apparatus he carried at his side and beam a ray of light in my direction. I started to run again, but immediately, I felt as if I was cut in two parts by some cutting tool or by a jet of compressed air and I fell flat.
After a while I saw four beings around the disc. Two were beside the ladder. A third one seemed to attempt to weld together a group of tubes. Exactly this operation produced the strange flashing that had attracted my attention. Thinking that this was some test of a secret prototype, I approached them asking if they had need for help. The beings started to make strange gestures and emitted guttural sounds, something like "gurr... gurr..." At that moment the craft was started and it was only then that I understood that they were not human beings. Seized by panic, I started to run away. While I ran, I had a glimpse at them and I saw that one of those individuals was directing something at me.”
He then felt that he was knocked back off his feet by an invisible force, and he felt a burning sensation on his abdomen. The figure kept its device trained on him and he dared not get up until the occupants filed back into the craft and it began to rise into the air before shooting off into the night. He says of the surreal experience;
“I was hit at the back by a light beam, and it had such a force that I felt pushed. I lost my equilibrium and I hit the ground, knocking my head against a stone. Hurt, scared, I stayed on the ground without moving. In the meantime those beings were finishing their welding job. Then they all entered in the disc, it closed and went away. They seemed not to be interested in my anymore. I am convinced they only wanted to scare me and had no intention to do anything wrong to me. They were busy in removing the scaffold and withdrawing the ladder. Then the door closed. All the lights went out. And the buzzing sound continued. Suddenly the sound became louder. The craft took off, gained speed and disappeared.”
It was only after the night had fallen quiet again and the buzzing had stopped to bring the normal nighttime sounds crashing back into reality that he dared get up and go home. The following day, he went back to the site of the encounter out of sheer curiosity and noticed that there were some traces and four circular depressions of one meter diameter each, arranged in a square pattern of 6 meters side length, he grass around it charred and with lots of pieces of melted metal scattered about the ground. It was odd enough that he contacted authorities to come investigate, after which they collected some samples of the metal fragments for study. Analysis of the shards could only determine that they were some sort of heat-resistant, anti-friction metal.
In the meantime, the witness visited a doctor due to the persisting pain at the site of the mysterious beam strike, and it was found that Facchini had a blackened mark where the beam had hit him, and this mark had grown until it covered his entire back, causing him pains for a whole month. No rational cause could be found for it. He would go on to suffer health and psychological issues for the rest of his life.
In the following decade, we have a case from September of 1964, when 28-year-old Donald Shrum and his friends were out bow and arrow hunting at Cisco Grove, Placer County, California. They had gone out hunting in the area many times before, so there was at first no reason to suspect that this would be any different from any of their other trips, yet there would be a series of events that would play out that would end in one of the most bizarre alien encounters on record.
At some point during the day, Shrum apparently got so caught up in trying to track down deer that he became separated from the rest of the group. As night began to fall and the trees grew dark, he decided that it would be better to just hunker down for the night and catch up with the others at camp in the morning, so he took up a position in a tree. As he sat up there listening to the sounds of the night and trying to find elusive sleep, his attention was suddenly drawn to a strange white light in the sky that seemed to be moving in a sort of zig-zagging pattern and looked to descend below the tree line. As Shrum watched, it seemed as if the object was bobbing along to approach his position, and although he could not hear any noise, he assumed it was a helicopter.
Curiosity got the better of him, and so he dismounted from his safe perch up in the tree to try and get a closer look. He suspected that it might be a search party out looking for him after he failed to return to camp, so he launched a flare to let them know where he was, after which the light rapidly came right towards him, coming to within 50 feet and showing itself to be no normal helicopter. In fact, Shrum would describe it as a glowing, cigar-shaped object that was immense, around 14 stories tall. From this object a smaller one detached and supposedly came to rest not far away, which was enough to send Shrum scurrying back up into his tree for safety. He allegedly cowered there in the shadows in hiding for some time until he heard the sound of what sounded like people walking through the brush below, yet when he peeked down, he could see that these were not normal people at all.
Shrum would claim that he saw three entities, two of them humanoids standing about 5 feet tall and wearing silver coveralls and goggles of some sort, while the third was a hulking robotic creature with glowing orange eyes. These entities approached the tree and much to Shrum’s horror the robot began shaking it violently with incredible strength, in an apparent effort to get Shrum out of it. The terrified man hung on for dear life as these otherworldly beings continued their siege of his tree, and at some point during this ordeal, he claimed that the robotic entity emitted some kind of white vapor from its mouth, which had a strange odor and caused him to black out. He woke up some time later feeling nauseous and lethargic, but still up in his tree. Unfortunately, his aggressors were still there as well, and Shrum threw some lit matches and other items at them in a pathetic attempt to scare them off, before finally remembering his bow and using that to fire on them, hitting the robot three times to send sparks flying, but doing very little actual damage.
In the end, Shrum’s bow and arrow assault did not dissuade the outlandish beings, and indeed a second robot much like the first soon joined them. Once again, the robots released that toxic gas to render him unconscious, and once again he awoke feeling sick, only this time the aliens had gotten bolder and were actually climbing up the tree. Shrum managed to pelt them with various objects he had on him and they climbed back down to circle and shake the tree. This would go on all night, until the coming of dawn, when they apparently sent nearly a dozen of those robotic things at him and caused him to black out once more with a voluminous cloud of that smoke. However, this time when he woke he was oddly hanging from a branch by his belt and they were all gone as if they had never been there at all.
In the light of day, Shrum was able to make his way back to camp, where he learned one of his friends had also seen the UFO the previous night. Shrum would come forward with his bizarre tale and even talk to Air Force personnel about it, who were very eager to write it off as either fantasy or someone playing a prank on him. We are left to wonder what it really was he saw, what those creatures were, and perhaps most importantly, why they weren’t able to get him out of that tree despite having vapor-spewing robot goons. One interesting point was made by The Iron Skeptic, who says:
“Another thing is the way that the aliens are reported to have acted. Think about this for a moment: They could conquer the non-trivial challenge of interstellar travel, but they can’t get a guy out of a tree? That’s ridiculous. That’s like Andre the Giant not being able to open a jar of pickles. One way or another, those pickles are coming out of there. Either these aliens were the absolute stupidest, most bumbling, least competent abductors ever to grace the good green earth, or they had a reason for leaving the terrified man up that tree.
Their actions do, to some extent, appear similar to the actions of the Hopkinsville Goblins or the tiny, wrinkled little men that scared the hell out of some drunkards in Ririe, Idaho in the sixties: the aliens don’t seem to really want anything other than to scare the hell out of some people. The UFO enthusiasts claim that sometimes, aliens just like to screw around with people they abduct, apparently to gauge their reactions. For instance, sometimes they’ll show abductees apocalyptic images of the world being destroyed, just to see how the human will react. Could this just be some evil, alien psychology experiment?”
It is an intriguing point to consider and makes one wonder. How indeed did these forces not manage to get this one guy down from a tree, and was there some mysterious motive for it all? The case is certainly one of the stranger ones out there and has remained amazingly under the radar for the most part. Whatever one may think of such far-out reports, a case of a guy hiding in a tree while robot aliens attack him certainly is not something you see every day, and it is a truly outlandish case that will most likely remain confined to the outer fringe.
The setting for another outlandish tale is the Everglades, a vast expanse of swamps and tropical wetlands covering a massive 7,800 square miles of the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. It was to this wild realm of gloomy tangled, mosquito-infested wilderness that on March 12, 1965, a rancher and former constable by the name of James Flynn came to do a bit of hunting. He loaded up his truck with a swamp buggy and his four trusty hunting dogs, before making his way through winding dirt roads as far as they would take him until he was right up against the swampy wilds. He then unloaded the swamp buggy, let his dogs loose, and penetrated deeper into the muck-covered back country in search of deer. The terrain was very daunting and unpredictable, but by all accounts, Flynn knew these swamps like the back of his hand and was a seasoned outdoorsman, so this was all pretty routine for him. However, the trip was about to take a turn into the weird.
Florida Everglades
Flynn camped out there for several days, which were fairly uneventful until the early hours of March 14, when at around 1 AM his dogs picked up the scent of something out in the dark and went darting off into the murky night barking, snarling, and yipping excitedly. Flynn watched them run off but was startled when several minutes later he heard a booming sound reverberate through the trees and mangroves, sounding very much like a gunshot. This was followed by one of the hunting dogs bolting back to the camp whining and with its tail between his legs, and the concerned Flynn decided to get into his buggy and investigate. His first thought was that his dogs had come across another hunter out there and that they had possibly been shot, so he sped off towards where the sound had come from. The vegetation was dark and thick, making it very slow going, but he finally saw something up ahead through the brush, which would turn out to be far more bizarre than anything he could have imagined.
Something ahead was shining very brightly, but at first, he could not make out what it was through the canopy of the trees. The light moved off some distance, then returned to its original spot and descended into a clearing among some cypress trees. At this point, Flynn still did not register this as an alien craft, and when he got off of his buggy to approach on foot he was under the impression that it was possibly a helicopter or even an experimental craft from the nearby Cape Kennedy base that was in trouble. His plan was to go offer help, but as he approached he got a good look at it through his binoculars and could see that it was no normal aircraft. There, hovering just a few feet off of the ground, was a massive, brightly lit object that looked like an inverted cone, measuring around 100 feet in diameter at its base and around 30 feet high. It looked to be made of some sort of smooth, shiny metallic material, and around its body were four tiers of windows that seemed to be lit from within with an eerie yellow glow.
Despite his awed shock, Flynn continued approaching through the brush, mesmerized by the bizarre sight of this strange machine in the middle of the swamp. He was aware of a whirring noise like a “diesel generator” but it was not nearly as noisy as such a huge flying craft would be expected to be. Nevertheless, the dog that he had in its cage back at the buggy was going nuts, barking and snarling like mad. Flynn got within around 200 feet of the otherworldly craft, upon which there was a sudden whine like a jet engine, followed by a gust of wind that practically knocked him off his feet. Several moments later, he saw the craft emit a bright beam like a “welder’s torch,” which hit him in the center of his forehead “like a sledgehammer.” After this, there was nothing but blackness.
The next thing Flynn remembers was waking up in the rays of the morning light, but his vision was blurry and his surroundings indistinct. He got up and stumbled about, finally recognizing his location as where he had been when he lost consciousness, and he could see through his cracked vision that where the UFO had been there was now a black patch of scorched brush. He then managed to make his way back to his camp, where his other dogs had been waiting for him and then went to the home of a Seminole friend of his, who got him to a hospital in Fort Myers. The doctors found the man had eyes that were bloodshot and red as if they had burst blood vessels, and there was an ugly bruise in the center of his forehead. An examination showed that there was also numbness and partial hearing loss, as well as some muscular reflex impairment, but there was no serious injury, and he was then discharged and expected to fully recover. During his stay at the hospital, he excitedly told of what had happened to him, and although his ophthalmologist was skeptical, he would nevertheless vouch for the man’s reputation as an honest, down-to-earth person not prone to wild imaginings. Dr. Paul R. Brown would say of his impressions of Flynn’s story:
“I first examined Mr. Flynn on March 17, 1965. He stated that while he was out hunting in the woods in this area two days before I saw him he noticed an unnatural light in the woods off in the distance. He stated that he went closer to the light to observe it and suddenly he was struck by “something from a space ship”. He said that he was knocked out and blinded. He said he recovered some sight in the left eye but he could not see out of his right eye. Mrs. Flynn accompanied him into my office, and Mr. Flynn seemed to be in quite an agitated state of mind at that particular time. He kept repeating over and over “I know you wont believe me, but this is what happened” and then he would begin to relate the same story.
As best as I can tell, Mr. Flynn appears to be a rather stable individual. He is not considered to be a person who likes to make up wild tales. Although his story could be a cover-up story for some other type of incident, I feel that this is quite unlikely since a more plausible story could have been thought up to cover up for him should he have felt the need for such cover-up. Since the incident Mr. Flynn quoted to me that he actually was sorry he even related the incident because it had caused him quite a bit of trouble and apparently not many people believed him anymore. At the time of the incident I was somewhat skeptical myself, but quite frankly at this stage of the game I am not quite as certain as I was before. I keep asking myself why should he have to make up a story like this. However, we must face the fact that this could have happened by tree branch or some other object striking him over the forehead. The only thing we can be sure of is that he did suffer some physical blow to the right eye.”
The incident would be investigated by NICAP and the Air Force, who examined the site of the alleged encounter to find a burned circle of earth measuring 74 feet across, as well as some scorched trees. Despite this intriguing physical evidence, the Air Force was quick to dismiss the case, and it was suggested that Flynn had merely hit his head on an overhanging limb and then fabricated the whole thing. However, investigators from NICAP and local law enforcement weren’t so sure about this. Interviewing the people closest to Flynn showed that he was an honest, well-like citizen who had never been known to play pranks or tell tall tales. It was surmised that whatever had happened to him out in that swamp, he at least seemed to believe his story. A rather ominous footnote to the whole thing is that when Gordon Lore, the NICAP Assistant Director, contacted the Homestead Air Force Base looking for more information, he was told that they had absolutely no record of the case in any of their files, and that “Nothing concerning this specific case was found in the files of the base commander, intelligence division, civil engineering, nor this office,” even though they most certainly had investigated it. Curious.
We are left to wonder just what happened out in that swamp on that day. What happened to Flynn? What were these entities and what did they want? Is it even real at all or just a hoax? Was there a cover-up involved? We will likely never know the answers, and it remains another weird one for the files. In another case from the files of researcher Albert S. Rosales, on November 24, 1978, a man by the name of Angelo D’Ambros was out gathering firewood in the woods near Vicenza Italy, when he became aware of a pair of bizarre entities hovering beside him. The report reads:
“The 61-year-old man noticed two 'extremely thin' entities hovering next to him - one of which was roughly 4ft-tall and the other was slightly shorter. He described the spindly creatures as having large, sunken white eyes and pear-shaped heads with 'enormous ears that rose straight up and ended in a point'. There were a pair of small tusks protruding from the sides of their mouths, and their skin was said to be yellowish. They wore 'dark, very closely fitting overalls', and had disproportionately large hands and feet with 'extremely long' fingers and toes.
The smaller gremlin circled Angelo while chattering in an unintelligible voice, and then its taller companion attempted to grab the man's machete. Terrified, he tried to keep his knife out of the goblinoid's grasp, but felt two electric shocks pass up his arm. Evidently choosing fight over flight, Angelo attacked the goblins with one of the branches that he had previously been collecting. The two creatures quickly made a beeline away from the enraged Italian, but he gave chase like any good action hero.
He followed as the floating fiends fled through the forest, and arrived in a clearing where he saw a metallic, disk-shaped craft. He was just in time to see a spindly arm close a trapdoor in the dome before the 12ft-wide UFO shot up into the sky with a burst of red flame and sped silently from the scene.”
Moving along, in 1989, a strange series of events unfolded in the wilds near Voronezh, Russia, beginning with numerous sightings by frightened locals who described a massive, red sphere floating over a park. When witnesses went to see what was going on, the object apparently dropped down to hover right over the ground, after which a hatch opened to disgorge several very bizarre entities. These creatures were purportedly 9 feet tall, dressed in silver outfits, and most notably with neckless, domed heads holding three glowing eyes and a bright red device that spun around “like a radar.” These aliens reportedly swiveled their heads about to look around, and along with the aliens was a “box-like robot” that walked around with jerky movements and upon which the aliens occasionally adjusted instruments on its chest. These creatures were bizarrely described as walking around the park collecting soil samples and occasionally projecting multi-colored beams from disc-like structures in their chests, and strangest of all they reportedly zapped a teenager who got too close with a tube-like weapon of some sort, which “dematerialized” the poor boy. Luckily the boy reappeared when the beings boarded their craft and left. What was going on here?
The UFO phenomenon has taken many shapes and forms over the years and features some very dramatic accounts of all types. However, perhaps the ones that are the most unnerving are those that suggest that these entities are perhaps at times hostile, and do not come with our best interests in mind. Is this all just hysteria, wild imagination, and hoaxes or is there any reality at all behind such reports? If so, what do these mysterious agents want and why have they targeted us? Whether any of this has any basis in reality or not, it is interesting to speculate on, and a dark peek into what we might expect if UFOs were to ever lurch forth from mere sightings of anomalous lights in the sky to the sinister possibility of aggressive actions or even warfare, to step out from the fringe and from science fiction to launch into the real world.
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KIJK. Brokstukken Starship-raket vliegen door de lucht boven Bahama’s na tweede mislukte lancering op rij
SpaceX heeft donderdag voor de tweede keer op rij de controle verloren over een onbemande Starship-raket. Het ruimtevaartbedrijf van Elon Musk verloor minuten na de lancering contact met de tweede trap van de raket, het ruimtevaartuig, zo maakte een woordvoerder bekend tijdens een live-uitzending. De vorige test in januari liep ook op een mislukking uit.
De raket werd gelanceerd vanuit Boca Chica in de Amerikaanse staat Texas. Op een livestream van de vlucht van het SpaceX-ruimtevaartuig was te zien hoe een brokstuk oncontroleerbaar naar beneden tuimelde. Video's op sociale media lieten zien hoe brokstukken na de lancering door de donkere hemel schoten boven het zuiden van Florida en boven de Bahama's.
Debris from SpaceX Starship flight 8 explosion streaks across Bahamas night sky
EEN MAAND GELEDEN
SpaceX Starship breaks apart, debris streams across the sky
De mislukte testvlucht veroorzaakte rondvliegend puin boven delen van het Caribisch gebied. Hierdoor moesten veel vluchten worden omgeleid bij de Turks- en Caicoseilanden. De luchthavens van Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando en Palm Beach in Florida mochten tot 20.00 uur lokale tijd (02.00 uur Nederlandse tijd) geen vluchten laten vertrekken van de Amerikaanse luchtvaartautoriteit FAA. Volgens de FAA liepen vluchten gemiddeld 45 minuten vertraging op door het incident.
Eigenlijk zou de lancering maandag al plaatsvinden, maar toen werd de lancering veertig seconden voor de start uitgesteld. SpaceX sprak van een probleem met de raket, maar trad niet in details.
Maanlander Athena van Amerikaans bedrijf op zijkant geland
Een commerciële maanlander van een Amerikaans bedrijf is op zijn zijkant terechtgekomen in een krater op de maan. Daardoor kan de accu aan boord niet meer worden opgeladen. De missie is voorbij, laat het bedrijf Intuitive Machines vrijdag weten.
De lander Athena kwam donderdag aan op de zuidpool van de maan. Na de landing kregen de instrumenten aan boord opdracht snel metingen te verrichten, voordat de batterij leeg was. “Met de positie van de zon, de richting van de zonnepanelen en de extreme kou in de krater verwacht Intuitive Machines niet dat Athena weer kan opladen”, laat het bedrijf weten.
Het was de zuidelijkste maanlanding ooit. Het uiterste zuiden van de maan is interessant voor bemande missies, omdat daar veel zonlicht is om energie mee op te wekken, maar ook plekken met eeuwige schaduw met ijs voor water. Wel is het er bijzonder moeilijk om contact te houden met de vluchtleiding op aarde.
Intuitive Machines schreef vorig jaar al geschiedenis door als eerste bedrijf een succesvolle maanlanding uit te voeren, toen met het toestel Odysseus. Ook die stond een beetje schuin door het afbreken van een voet.
Commerciële bedrijven richten steeds vaker hun pijlen op de maanlandingen. Begin deze maand landde Blue Ghost 1 van het bedrijf Firefly Aerospace succesvol op het hemellichaam. De Verenigde Staten willen in de nabije toekomst astronauten naar de sturen. Na verschillende keren te zijn uitgesteld, mikt NASA nu op een terugkeer tegen midden 2027.
When most people hear the phase “angel hair”, they immediately think of the classic pasta dish, but for the avid UFO enthusiast, it takes on an entirely different meaning.
The strange material known as “angel hair”–a light, cobweb-like substance that reportedly sometimes falls from the sky during UFO sightings–has been considered to be somewhat of a fringe element of Fortean phenomena, but this doesn’t mean that occurrences of angel hair have been rare; in fact, since 1947, there have been well over 200 documented cases of this gossamer-like substance being found in direct connection with UFO sightings.
Source: www.hjkc.de
The strange substance nicknamed angel hair is a feathery light material of unknown composition. Ufo being of light angel in campinas brazil▬ovni ser de luz angel en campinas brasil 28052015. Angel hair is a rather strange phenomenon that is directly related to ufos, this is an introductory video to understand and deal with this issue. Angel's hair these days after a ufo sighting is a scarce commodity. Angel hair or siliceous cotton is a sticky, fibrous substance reported in connection with ufo sightings.
So what exactly is angel hair? It has been generally described as being fibrous and silk-like, with a remarkable consistency that on one hand can be strong and resilient, but then in an instant can dissipate into the air like fog or smoke.
Some ufologists believe that angel hair is left behind as some sort of “exhaust” from alien spacecraft, similar to carbon emissions that are produced by an automobile. Scores of eyewitness reports describe unidentified flying objects including cigar-shaped aircraft, disks and silver spheres emitting this bizarre substance, particularly after moments of rapid acceleration or complex aerial maneuvers.
The substance will slowly drop to the ground, often landing on fences, wires or trees in the area, many times covering large areas at a time. In fact, there have been several reports of angel hair covering power lines for miles on end, or blanketing several square miles of land at a time.7
Source: www.paranormal-explore.com
One report from October of 1957 describes how an area of New Mexico was draped in strands of angel hair that reached up to 50 feet in length apiece, and covered a total area of roughly 110 miles. This bizarre phenomenon is often classified as being a close encounter of the second kind, since the substance typically makes some type of physical contact with the environment.
According to a vast number of reports, one of the most interesting properties of angel hair is its ability to demonstrate sublimation, which is the ability of the substance to change directly from a solid to a gas, essentially bypassing the liquid stage altogether.
It has been described in various instances as both fine and coarse, having a consistency similar to cotton, but it often dissipates as it is being physically handled. The most commonly reported color for angel hair is white, but it has also been observed in other instances as being silver, gray, black, and even translucent.
There seems to be no one particular cause for the phenomenon, but there is an inextricable link between UFO sightings and angel hair, with roughly 57% of all angel hair cases being tied to UFO reports in some way. In addition, eyewitness accounts representing virtually every corner of the globe generally agree on both the look and the consistency of this odd substance.
There have been several cases where angel hair was not only recovered from alleged UFO sighting areas, but it has also been examined in scientific laboratories. The substance has been examined by professionals from a wide range of disciplines, with the general consensus being about the same: Nobody is quite sure what this stuff is made of.
Prominent biologists, chemists, fiber technicians, toxicologists, engineers, and so forth have all sought to gain insight into the composition of this strange substance, but to little avail. Common elements such as boron, magnesium, silicon, potassium, and calcium have been discovered in samples of angel hair, with the most notable element being boron due to its noted usage in nuclear technology.
Boron is commonly utilized as a buffer that shields and controls nuclear reactions, a fact that has prompted many researchers to speculate that angel hair may be the by-product of some type of nuclear-powered propulsion system.
Some skeptics have claimed that angel hair is nothing more than the webbing produced by ballooning spiders, which are known for producing large blankets of silk webs that are often pulled aloft by the wind.
Interestingly enough, all of the samples of angel hair that have been studied in laboratories have lacked a primary ingredient that is necessary for spiders to manufacture their webbing: Protein.
The “ballooning spider theory” also does not account for the fact that angel hair often sublimates on contact, which is almost the complete opposite of what happens when physical contact with a spider’s web occurs.
While the phenomenon of angel hair definitely leaves quite a bit of room for speculation, its correlation to UFO sightings cannot be easily dismissed. In light of all that is still not known about this unique substance, it would be beneficial for more members of the UFO and scientific community to devote more time and resources towards conducting serious research of this mysterious phenomenon.
Arist's concept of the Planetary pULSetAkeR (PULSAR). Credit - NASA / Marco Quadrelli
The Gaia hypothesis theorizes that all of Earth's systems are tied together, making one large, living organism. While there's still some disagreement about whether or not that hypothesis is true, it is undeniable that many of Earth's systems are intertwined and that changes in one can affect another. As our technology advances, we are becoming more and more capable of detecting changes in those systems and how those changes affect other systems as well. A new proposal from a robotics expert at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) takes that exploration one step further by trying to develop a system that takes the "pulse" of a planet.
Planetary pULSe-tAkeR (PULSAR) was one of the most recent rounds of Institute of Advanced Concepts (NIAC) grants, handed out in January. The grant was awarded to Marco Quadrelli, group supervisor of the robotics modeling and simulation group at JPL. So, the obvious question is, why is a roboticist trying to develop a "pulse" sensor for a planet?
It has to do with positioning - or, more precisely, the exact positioning of a spacecraft compared to a ground station. As the exact location of spacecraft can be more precisely locked down, connections to ground stations become more concrete. So, as signals move through the medium connecting those two points, any disruption of the signals themselves would be due to the disturbances in the medium rather than perturbations of the location of either the spacecraft or the ground station.
NASA Goddard video on the ionosphere, one of the spheres of influence Dr. Quadrelli hopes to monitor. Credit - NASA Goddard YouTube Channel
In plain English, that means that Dr. Quadrelli and his team will try to understand what is happening in the different layers of the Earth by monitoring several detector "baselines," as they are called in the press release announcing the project. One famous example of an equivalent system is the interferometer that first detected gravitational waves.
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Observatory (LIGO) consists of two 4 km long "arms" with a laser on one end and a detector on the other. That's a gross oversimplification, but the detector can pick up that change when a gravitational wave disturbs the space around the laser. PULSAR would use a similar concept, but instead of lasers in vacuum tunnels to detect gravitational waves, it would use those same lasers between a geostationary satellite and a ground station to detect perturbations in a planet's atmosphere.
Plenty of studies show that different layers of the atmosphere are coupled physically to one another and even to a planetary interior. For example, the ionosphere responds to space weather, as well as seismic events in the interior of a planet. PULSAR could shine a laser directly through different parts of the ionosphere from different geostationary orbiting satellites, and by analyzing the disruptions at each part of the ionosphere, it could provide an idea of what's going on in both the atmosphere and under the surface of the planet. In essence, it would take the planet's "pulse."
Another YouTube video discussion about ICON, a mission that also studied the Ionosphere until it ended in July 2024. Credit - NASA APPEL YouTube Channel
One of the most critical aspects of this system would be the precise control of the position of the geostationary satellites. They would be upwards of 20,000km away from their receiving station (compared to 4km for LIGO), so their signals could experience plenty of interference on their journey. Teasing out what that interference represents regarding physical processes could be a challenge.
But that is precisely what NIAC is for. The press release for the project doesn't provide many details about what the Phase I grant will focus on in terms of simulations, modeling, or hardware implementation, but addressing the challenges facing such a project is certainly within the realm of physical possibility. Maybe someday in the future, we'll have a system of robotic pulse takers measuring the health of our planet, whether it's a fully living organism or not.
De Bermuda Driehoek: Mysterie, Mythes en Realiteit
De Bermuda Driehoek: Mysterie, Mythes en Realiteit
Abstract
De Bermuda Driehoek, een gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan dat wordt begrensd door Miami, Bermuda en San Juan, Puerto Rico, is berucht om de vermeende verdwijningen van vliegtuigen en schepen. Dit onderzoek verkent de oorsprong van het fenomeen, de historische context, het aantal geregistreerde verdwijningen, en de verschillende hypothesen en verklaringen die zijn voorgesteld om dit mysterie te verklaren. Daarnaast wordt het onderscheid tussen fictie en realiteit onderzocht, evenals de rol van scepticisme in de publieke perceptie van de Bermuda Driehoek. Dit werk beoogt een objectieve analyse van de feiten en mythes rond dit intrigerende onderwerp.
Inleiding
De Bermuda Driehoek, ook wel de "Demonen Driehoek" genoemd, is een mythische zone in de Caribische Zee, is al decennia lang het onderwerp van fascinatie en speculatie, is een gebied dat al tientallen jaren de verbeelding van mensen over de hele wereld prikkelt. Het idee van een plek waar schepen en vliegtuigen mysterieuze verdwijningen ondergaan, heeft geleid tot talloze boeken, films en documentaires. Maar wat is de waarheid achter de legende? Omringd door de eilanden Miami, Bermuda en Puerto Rico, wordt dit gebied vaak geassocieerd met mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen.In deze dissertatie zullen we de mythes en feiten rondom de Bermuda Driehoek onderzoeken en beoordelen of er een rationele verklaring is voor de vermeende verdwijningen.
Terwijl sommige verhalen de fantasie prikkelen en tot de verbeelding spreken, zijn andere verklaringen geworteld in realiteit en wetenschap. De grens tussen mysterie en feit vervaagt hier, waardoor de Bermuda Driehoek een intrigerend fenomeen blijft dat onderzoekers, avonturiers en curiosa blijft aantrekken. Wat is de waarheid achter deze legendarische plek? Ontdek de dunne lijn tussen fictie en realiteit.
Het Bermuda Mystery: Feit of Fictie?
Wat is de Bermuda Driehoek?
De Bermuda Driehoek is een onofficieel afgebakend gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan, dat loopt van Miami (Florida) naar Bermuda en San Juan (Puerto Rico). De grenzen van de Driehoek zijn niet exact gedefinieerd, maar de meeste definities omvatten een oppervlakte van ongeveer 1.1 miljoen vierkante kilometer. Het gebied is beroemd geworden door een aantal mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen, die vaak worden toegeschreven aan vreemde omstandigheden en onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen.
De Bermudadriehoek, een term die vaak wordt gebruikt om een gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan aan te duiden, heeft vele mensen gefascineerd en in verwarring gebracht. Dit gebied, dat zich uitstrekt tussen Miami (Florida), San Juan (Puerto Rico) en Bermuda, is beroemd geworden vanwege de vele mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen die zich hier zouden hebben voorgedaan. Hoewel de Bermudadriehoek vaak wordt geassocieerd met paranormale verschijnselen en allerlei theorieën over buitenaardse wezens en verloren beschavingen, is de werkelijkheid vaak minder spectaculair. In dit artikel zullen we dieper ingaan op de geschiedenis, de mythen en de wetenschappelijke verklaringen omtrent de Bermudadriehoek.
Geschiedenis van de Bermudadriehoek
De mythes rondom de Bermudadriehoek begonnen in de vroege 20e eeuw. Een van de eerste vermeldingen van mysterieuze verdwijningen in dit gebied vond plaats in 1918, toen het Amerikaanse vrachtschip USS Cyclops zonder enige waarschuwing verdween. Er was geen enkel spoor van het schip of zijn bemanning. Dit incident wekte de nieuwsgierigheid van de publieke opinie en legde de basis voor de latere mythes over de Bermudadriehoek.
In de jaren '50 en '60 van de 20e eeuw begonnen schrijvers en journalisten het fenomeen verder te verkennen. Een van de bekendste boeken over dit onderwerp is "The Bermuda Triangle" van Charles Berlitz, gepubliceerd in 1974. Berlitz stelde dat de verdwijningen te maken hadden met vreemde krachten en zelfs buitenaardse activiteiten. Dit boek droeg bij aan de populariteit van de theorieën over de Bermudadriehoek en zorgde ervoor dat het onderwerp steeds meer aandacht kreeg in de media en de populaire cultuur.
20 Engste Dingen Die Zijn Gebeurd In De Bermuda Driehoek
Mythen en Legenden
De Bermudadriehoek is omgeven door tal van mythen en legenden. Van buitenaardse ontvoeringen tot onderwaterbases van Atlantis, de verhalen variëren van het ongelooflijke tot het ongelooflijke. Een van de meest populaire theorieën is dat er een soort magnetisch veld in de Bermudadriehoek bestaat dat de navigatie-instrumenten van schepen en vliegtuigen verstoort. Dit zou de reden zijn voor de verdwijningen.
Een andere theorie suggereert dat er onderwatergassen zoals methaan zijn die, wanneer ze vrijkomen, de drijvende kracht van een schip kunnen verminderen, waardoor het zinkt. Dit idee werd ondersteund door wetenschappelijke studies die aantoonden dat methaan uit de zeebodem kan ontsnappen en luchtbellen kan vormen die schepen kunnen laten zinken.
Historisch Overzicht
De oorsprong van het mysterie rond de Bermuda Driehoek gaat terug tot de 19e eeuw, toen de eerste meldingen van verdwijningen werden genoteerd. In 1918 verdween het Amerikaanse vrachtschip USS Cyclops met 309 mensen aan boord. Dit incident markeerde een van de eerste grote verdwijningen in het gebied. In de jaren '40 en '50 werden de verhalen over de Bermuda Driehoek verder verspreid, vooral na de verdwijning van vijf vliegtuigen van het zogenaamde "Flight 19" in 1945. De populariteit van het fenomeen nam toe na de publicatie van Charles Berlitz's boek "The Bermuda Triangle" in 1974, dat veel mythen en speculaties voedde.
Aantal Verdwijningen
Het exacte aantal verdwijningen in de Bermuda Driehoek is moeilijk vast te stellen, maar schattingen variëren van tientallen tot honderden. Volgens sommige bronnen zijn er meer dan 1.000 incidenten geregistreerd. Veel van deze verdwijningen kunnen echter worden verklaard door menselijke fouten, slechte weersomstandigheden of technische storingen.
Hier zijn tien voorbeelden van mysterieuze verdwijningen in het Bermuda-driehoek:
Flight 19 (1945): Vijf bommenwerpers van de Amerikaanse marine verdwenen tijdens een trainingsvlucht. Ondanks een uitgebreide zoektocht werd er nooit iets van het vliegtuig of de bemanning teruggevonden.
USS Cyclops (1918): Dit Amerikaanse marineschip verdween zonder enige waarschuwing met 309 mannen aan boord tijdens een reis van Barbados naar Baltimore. Nooit werd het wrak gevonden.
Mary Celeste (1872): Hoewel niet direct in het Bermuda-driehoek, heeft deze spookachtige zeilboot wel verbanden met de regio. Het schip werd gevonden met intacte lading, maar de bemanning was spoorloos verdwenen.
Douglas DC-3 (1948): Dit passagiersvliegtuig verdween met 32 mensen aan boord tijdens een vlucht van New York naar Miami. Ook hier werden er geen wrakstukken gevonden.
Ellen Austin (1881): Dit schip vond een verlaten zeilschip in de Bermuda-driehoek. Toen ze probeerden het schip te slepen, verdween het mysterieuze schip opnieuw zonder een spoor achter te laten.
Flight 441 (1954): Een andere passagiersvlucht die verdween in de Bermuda-driehoek. Het vliegtuig had technische problemen en verdween van de radar.
The Witchcraft (1967): Dit jacht verdween kort na het melden van een lekkage. Toen de autoriteiten arriveerden, was het schip volledig verdwenen, terwijl er geen sporen waren van een ongeluk.
Star Tiger (1948): Dit passagiersvliegtuig verdween tijdens een vlucht van de Bahama's naar Florida. Ondanks meerdere zoekacties werd er niets gevonden.
The Carol A. Deering (1921): Dit zeilschip werd verlaten gevonden aan de kust van North Carolina. De bemanning was verdwenen zonder enige uitleg.
Vliegtuig van de Bahamas Air (1991): Een klein vliegtuig met drie mensen aan boord verdween terwijl het op weg was van de Bahama's naar Florida. Geen enkel spoor werd ooit gevonden.
Deze gevallen illustreren de mysterieuze en vaak onverklaarbare verdwijningen in het Bermuda-driehoek, wat bijdraagt aan de mythen en legendes rondom deze regio.
Hypothesen en Verklaringen
Er zijn talloze hypothesen en verklaringen voorgesteld voor de verdwijningen in de Bermuda Driehoek. Enkele van de meest prominente zijn:
Natuurlijke Oorzaken: Veel sceptici wijzen op de rol van natuurlijke verschijnselen, zoals snelle veranderingen in het weer, sterke stromingen en onderwatergeologie, zoals methaanhydraten die explosies kunnen veroorzaken.
Menselijke Factoren: Menselijke fouten, zoals navigatiefouten en onervarenheid van de bemanning, worden vaak genoemd als redenen voor de verdwijningen.
Buitenaardse Activiteit: Sommige populaire theorieën suggereren dat buitenaardse wezens betrokken zouden kunnen zijn bij de verdwijningen, hoewel er geen wetenschappelijk bewijs voor deze claims is.
Tijdportalen of Dimensies: Een andere speculatieve theorie is dat de Bermuda Driehoek een soort tijdportaal of toegang tot andere dimensies zou zijn.
Fictie of Echt?
De vraag of de Bermuda Driehoek een werkelijk mysterie is of eerder een product van fictie en sensatiezucht, blijft een onderwerp van debat. Het is duidelijk dat de media en de populaire cultuur een grote rol hebben gespeeld in het vormgeven van het imago van de Bermuda Driehoek. Vele verhalen zijn aangedikt of zelfs uitgevonden om een mysterieuzer beeld te schetsen.
De Bermudadriehoek, een mysterieuze regio in de Atlantische Oceaan, heeft al tientallen jaren de verbeelding van mensen over de hele wereld gevangen. Gelegen tussen Miami, Bermuda en Puerto Rico, staat deze driehoek bekend om het vermeende verdwijnen van schepen en vliegtuigen onder mysterieuze omstandigheden. Maar is het fenomeen echt of slechts fictie?
Een van de meest besproken gevallen is dat van het vliegveld van Flight 19, een groep van vijf torpedo-bommenwerpers die in 1945 tijdens een trainingsmissie verdwenen. De piloot meldde dat zijn kompas niet werkte en dat hij in de problemen zat. Ondanks een uitgebreide zoekactie werden de vliegtuigen nooit gevonden. Dit incident heeft bijgedragen aan de mythe van de Bermudadriehoek, maar veel experts wijzen op de mogelijkheid van menselijke fout en slechte weersomstandigheden als de werkelijke oorzaken.
Wetenschappers hebben verschillende theorieën gepresenteerd om de mysterieuze verdwijningen te verklaren. Sommigen suggereren dat onderwatergassen, zoals methaan, kunnen leiden tot plotselinge zinkingen van schepen. Anderen wijzen op de invloed van de sterke stromingen en het onvoorspelbare weer in het gebied. Hoewel deze verklaringen plausibel zijn, blijft de fascinatie voor de Bermudadriehoek bestaan.
Het is belangrijk om te benadrukken dat niet alle verdwijningen in de Bermudadriehoek onverklaarbaar zijn. Veel incidenten kunnen worden toegeschreven aan natuurrampen, menselijke vergissingen of technische storingen. De mythe van de Bermudadriehoek is dan ook een mix van waarheid en fictie, versterkt door populaire cultuur en sensatieberichten.
Kortom, de Bermudadriehoek blijft een intrigerend onderwerp, maar het is essentieel om kritisch te blijven en feiten van fictie te scheiden. De realiteit is vaak minder spannend dan de legendes die eromheen zijn opgebouwd.
Bewijzen en Scepticisme
De Bermudadriehoek, een gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan dat wordt omringd door de punten Miami, Bermuda en Puerto Rico, heeft de afgelopen decennia veel aandacht gekregen vanwege de vermeende verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen. Dit fenomeen heeft geleid tot talloze speculaties, theorieën en zelfs mythen. In dit artikel onderzoeken we de bewijzen en het skeptische perspectief met betrekking tot de Bermudadriehoek.
Het fenomeen van de Bermudadriehoek werd populair in de jaren '50, toen schrijver Vincent Gaddis het gebied in zijn boek "Invisible Horizons" noemde. Sindsdien zijn er vele verhalen verschenen over mysterieuze verdwijningen, waaronder die van het vliegtuig Flight 19 in 1945 en de USS Cyclops in 1918. Deze incidenten hebben bijgedragen aan het mystieke imago van de regio. Voorstanders van de mythe wijzen vaak op statistieken die suggereren dat er een ongebruikelijk aantal ongelukken plaatsvindt in dit gebied, en dat schepen en vliegtuigen onder mysterieuze omstandigheden verdwijnen.
Echter, sceptici wijzen op verschillende factoren die de vermeende geheimzinnigheid van de Bermudadriehoek kunnen verklaren. Ten eerste is het belangrijk op te merken dat de Bermudadriehoek een van de drukste scheepvaartroutes ter wereld is. Het gebied is een kruispunt voor internationale scheepvaart en luchtvaart, wat betekent dat er simpelweg meer kans is op ongelukken. Statistieken die het aantal incidenten in de Bermudadriehoek vergelijken met andere gebieden, tonen vaak aan dat er niet significant meer verdwijningen plaatsvinden dan in andere drukke zeegebieden.
Daarnaast zijn er tal van natuurlijke fenomenen die de verdwijningen kunnen verklaren. De oceaan in dit gebied is diep en onvoorspelbaar, met sterke stromingen en plotselinge weersveranderingen. Onderwaterkanalen en gasuitstoot uit de zeebodem kunnen bovendien leiden tot gevaarlijke situaties voor schepen. Sommige onderzoekers wijzen ook op de mogelijkheid van menselijke fouten en technische storingen als oorzaak van de ongelukken.
Een ander argument dat sceptici aanvoeren, is dat veel van de verhalen over verdwijningen sterk overdreven of zelfs verzonnen zijn. Veel van de populaire boeken en documentaires over de Bermudadriehoek hebben de neiging om sensationele verhalen te benadrukken en belangrijke details te negeren. Wanneer de feiten zorgvuldig worden onderzocht, blijkt dat veel van de incidenten minder mysterieus zijn dan ze lijken.
Toch blijft de fascinatie voor de Bermudadriehoek bestaan. De combinatie van echte tragedies, speculaties en het menselijke verlangen naar het onbekende maakt het een intrigerend onderwerp. Ondanks het gebrek aan wetenschappelijk bewijs voor de bovennatuurlijke theorieën, blijven mensen zich afvragen wat er werkelijk aan de hand is in deze mysterieuze wateren.
In conclusie, de Bermudadriehoek is een gebieden dat zowel fascineert als tot scepsis aanzet. Terwijl er ongetwijfeld ongelukken plaatsvinden, suggereren de meeste wetenschappelijke analyses dat de oorzaken veelal te vinden zijn in natuurlijke en menselijke factoren, eerder dan in mysterieuze krachten. De waarheid over de Bermudadriehoek lijkt minder spectaculair dan de mythen die eromheen zijn ontstaan.
Wetenschappers en sceptici wijzen vaak op het gebrek aan fysiek bewijs voor de mysterieuze verdwijningen. Veel van de verhalen zijn gebaseerd op anekdotisch bewijs en zijn vaak niet goed gedocumenteerd. Het Amerikaanse kustwacht en andere autoriteiten hebben herhaaldelijk verklaard dat er geen ongewone activiteit in het gebied is. Scepticisme is essentieel voor het analyseren van deze verhalen en het onderscheiden van feiten van fictie.
De Bermuda Driehoek blijft een fascinerend onderwerp dat zowel onderzoekers als het grote publiek blijft intrigeren. Hoewel er veel speculaties en mythes zijn, is het belangrijk om kritisch te blijven en te kijken naar de feiten. Veel van de vermeende verdwijningen hebben logische verklaringen, en het mysterie van de Bermuda Driehoek kan in veel gevallen eenvoudig worden teruggebracht tot menselijke fouten en natuurlijke oorzaken. Desondanks blijft het een onderwerp dat de verbeelding prikkelt en uitnodigt tot verder onderzoek.
The Bermuda Triangle Explained
Wetenschappelijke Verklaringen
Hoewel de mythen rondom de Bermudadriehoek vaak sensationeel zijn, zijn de meeste wetenschappers het erover eens dat de verdwijningen in feite kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke oorzaken. De Atlantische Oceaan is een van de drukste scheepvaartroutes ter wereld, en het gebied staat bekend om zijn onvoorspelbare weersomstandigheden, waaronder tropische stormen en orkanen. Deze extreme weersomstandigheden kunnen zeker bijdragen aan scheeps- en vliegtuigongelukken.
Daarnaast zijn er ook menselijke fouten en technische storingen die een rol spelen bij de incidenten in de Bermudadriehoek. De combinatie van een hoge verkeersdichtheid, onvoorspelbare weersomstandigheden en de mogelijkheid van menselijke vergissingen maakt het gebied kwetsbaar voor ongelukken. Het aantal incidenten in de Bermudadriehoek is niet groter dan in andere drukbevolkte gebieden van de oceaan, en veel van de verhalen zijn door de jaren heen overdreven of gedramatiseerd.
De Huidige Situatie
Tegenwoordig is de fascinatie voor de Bermudadriehoek nog steeds aanwezig, maar de meeste mensen zijn zich bewust van de wetenschap achter de mythes. Documentaires en boeken blijven het onderwerp verkennen, en hoewel de meeste wetenschappers de verhalen over de Bermudadriehoek als mythes beschouwen, blijft het gebied een populaire bestemming voor toeristen en avonturiers.
Een van de redenen waarom de Bermudadriehoek zo intrigerend blijft, is omdat het een bron van mysteries en vragen oproept. De onbekende aspecten van de oceaan, de geschiedenis van de verdwijningen en de verhalen van moedige zeelieden en piloten blijven de verbeelding prikkelen. Het is een plek waar wetenschap en mysterie elkaar ontmoeten, en dat is wat het zo aantrekkelijk maakt voor velen
Is de Bermudadriehoek echt gevaarlijk?
Conclusie
De Bermudadriehoek is een fascinerend onderwerp dat eeuwenlange nieuwsgierigheid heeft gewekt. Hoewel de mythen en legendes vaak sensationeel zijn en soms tot het ongelooflijke leiden, is het belangrijk om te kijken naar de feiten en wetenschappelijke verklaringen. De meeste verdwijningen kunnen worden toegeschreven aan natuurlijke oorzaken, menselijke fouten of technische storingen. De aantrekkingskracht van de Bermudadriehoek ligt niet alleen in de mysteries die het omringt, maar ook in de manier waarop het ons herinnert aan de kracht van de natuur en de noodzaak van voorzichtigheid in onze interacties met de zee. Of het nu gaat om een zeereis door de Bermudadriehoek of gewoon om het lezen van een boek over het onderwerp, het blijft een onderwerp dat ons blijft boeien en ons uitnodigt om de mysteries van de wereld te verkennen.
Middle Atmosphere of Mars is Driven by Gravity Waves, New Research Suggests
Middle Atmosphere of Mars is Driven by Gravity Waves, New Research Suggests
Atmospheric gravity waves play a crucial role in driving latitudinal air currents on the Red Planet, particularly at high altitudes, according to a new study by University of Tokyo planetary researchers.
This image from the Emirates Mars Mission shows Mars and its thin atmosphere.
“On Earth, large-scale atmospheric waves caused by the planet’s rotation, known as Rossby waves, are the primary influence on the way air circulates in the stratosphere, or the lower part of the middle atmosphere,” said University of Tokyo’s Professor Kaoru Sato, co-author on the study.
“But our study shows that on Mars, gravity waves have a dominant effect at the mid and high latitudes of the middle atmosphere.”
“Rossby waves are large-scale atmospheric waves, or resolved waves, whereas gravity waves are unresolved waves, meaning they are too fine to be directly measured or modeled and must be estimated by more indirect means.”
“Not to be confused with gravitational waves from massive stellar bodies, gravity waves are an atmospheric phenomenon when a packet of air rises and falls due to variations in buoyancy. That oscillating motion is what gives rise to gravity waves.”
Due to the small-scale nature of them and the limitations of observational data, planetary researchers have previously found it challenging to quantify their significance in the Martian atmosphere.
So Professor Sato and her colleagues turned to the Ensemble Mars Atmosphere Reanalysis System (EMARS) dataset, produced by a range of space-based observations over many years, to analyze seasonal variations up there.
“We found something interesting, that gravity waves facilitate the rapid vertical transfer of angular momentum, significantly influencing the meridional, or north-south, in the middle atmosphere circulations on Mars,” said study’s first author Anzu Asumi, a graduate student at the University of Tokyo.
“It’s interesting because it more closely resembles the behavior seen in Earth’s mesosphere rather than in our stratosphere.”
“This suggests existing Martian atmospheric circulation models may need to be refined to better incorporate these wave effects, potentially improving future climate and weather simulations.”
The team now plans to investigate the impact of Martian dust storms on atmospheric circulation.
“So far, our analysis has focused on years without major dust storms,” Professor Sato said.
“However, these storms dramatically alter atmospheric conditions, and we suspect they may intensify the role of gravity waves in circulation.”
“Our research lays the groundwork for forecasting Martian weather, which will be essential for ensuring the success of future Mars missions.”
The study appears in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
Anzu Asumi et al. Climatology of the Residual Mean Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere and Contributions of Resolved and Unresolved Waves Based on a Reanalysis Dataset. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, published online March 6, 2025; doi: 10.1029/2023JE008137
ndering of Earth's twin -- Earth 2.0 -- and alien life. Depositphotos.
For decades, we’ve been sending messages into space, listening for signals, and scanning distant worlds in search of extraterrestrial life. So far? Silence. But what if that changes? What if, in the next two decades, we find undeniable proof that we are not alone? Some scientists believe that moment is closer than ever—and it could transform humanity forever.
With breakthroughs in exoplanet research, Mars exploration, and cutting-edge telescopes capable of detecting chemical traces of life, experts say we may be on the verge of one of the greatest discoveries in human history. But while many are eager for an answer, others fear the consequences. Are we truly ready for first contact?
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: Where Are We Looking?
Humanity’s fascination with alien life is nothing new. Ancient civilizations gazed at the stars and imagined celestial beings. But, as explained by Popular Mechanics, the real search began in the 20th century when scientists first attempted to detect radio signals from space.
One of the earliest efforts, Project Ozma, aimed a massive radio telescope at nearby stars, hoping to catch an artificial signal. Decades later, in 1977, researchers detected a strange, powerful burst of radio waves from deep space—the famous “Wow! signal.” It was a moment of excitement, but it was never repeated, and its origins remain a mystery.
Now, with new tools and techniques, scientists have refined their search. Instead of waiting for signals, they’re actively analyzing exoplanet atmospheres for biosignatures—chemical markers that hint at life. They’re also examining Martian soil, scanning ice-covered moons like Europa, and even hunting for industrial pollutants on alien worlds that could suggest the presence of advanced civilizations.
The big question: what happens if we find something?
Are We Prepared for the Consequences of Discovery?
The impact of finding extraterrestrial life—whether microbial or intelligent—would be staggering. Governments, scientists, and even philosophers have debated what such a discovery would mean for religion, society, and our place in the universe.
If we find simple life (bacteria, microorganisms) on Mars or an exoplanet, it would suggest that life is common in the cosmos. That alone would be groundbreaking.
If we detect an intelligent signal, the implications would be far more profound. Should we respond? Would they even understand us? And what if they’re not friendly?
Stephen Hawking famously warned against broadcasting our presence, fearing that an advanced civilization might not have our best interests at heart. Others argue that any civilization capable of interstellar travel is likely peaceful—otherwise, they would have already wiped themselves out.
The Next 20 Years and Why Scientists Are Optimistic
The search for alien life is no longer a fantasy—it’s a serious scientific endeavor with real, measurable progress. Here’s why experts believe we could get an answer within the next two decades:
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)is scanning the atmospheres of exoplanets, looking for gases like oxygen, methane, and carbon dioxide that could indicate biological activity.
NASA’s Perseverance roveris collecting Martian rock samples that will be brought back to Earth, possibly containing fossilized evidence of ancient life.
SETI’s latest projectsuse AI and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data, detecting patterns that humans might miss.
New space missions to Europa and Enceladus, two icy moons with subsurface oceans, will probe for possible life beneath their frozen crusts.
With all these advancements, scientists believe we’re closer than ever to answering the age-old question: Are we alone?
What If We Find Nothing?
Of course, there’s another possibility—what if, after decades of searching, we come up empty?
Some scientists worry that a lack of evidence could lead to a loss of public interest and funding. But others argue that even a negative result tells us something important: either life is extraordinarily rare, or we’re looking in the wrong places.
If no signals or biosignatures appear, some researchers suggest looking for technosignatures—evidence of advanced alien technology, such as massive energy structures (Dyson spheres) or artificial light on distant planets.
One thing is certain: whether we find life or not, the search itself is shaping our understanding of the universe.
Scientists agree that the next 20 years will be crucial. Whether it’s a fossil on Mars, an unexpected biosignature in an exoplanet’s atmosphere, or a radio signal from deep space, one discovery could change everything.But the real question isn’t if we’ll find alien life. The real question is: what happens next?
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China is taking deep-sea exploration to a new level with the construction of an advanced research station 1.2 miles below the South China Sea. This facility, expected to be operational by 2030, will serve as a permanent underwater base for energy research, marine ecology studies, and seismic monitoring. But beyond science, it could significantly strengthen China’s geopolitical position in one of the most contested maritime regions in the world.
At the core of this mission is methane hydrate, an ice-like compound that contains vast amounts of natural gas. If China successfully extracts this resource, it could reshape global energy markets. However, concerns remain about the environmental risks of methane release and the potential geopolitical consequences of this project.
Unlocking a Potential Energy Revolution
Methane hydrates—also known as “flammable ice”—are frozen deposits of natural gas trapped within water molecules. When burned, they release 50% fewer carbon emissions than coal, making them a more efficient alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
China first discovered large methane hydrate reserves in the South China Sea in 2015, and three years later, successfully extracted samples. This new deep-sea station will allow scientists to monitor methane seepage, track tectonic activity, and refine extraction techniques in real-time.
However, methane is also a potent greenhouse gas that could accelerate climate change if unintentionally released. Developing a safe extraction method will be essential before this resource can be commercially viable.
Advanced Deep-Sea Monitoring
The research station will integrate into a four-dimensional monitoring system, consisting of:
Autonomous submersibles for real-time methane tracking
Seabed observatories to study ecosystem changes
Surface ships and drilling vessels for data collection
China’s Mengxiang drilling vessel, capable of reaching the Earth’s mantle
The station will be positioned in the Qiongdongnan Basin, a large cold seep zone in the northwestern South China Sea. These cold seeps—where natural gases escape from the seafloor—are home to over 600 marine species and hold significant deposits of rare minerals.
By establishing a permanent presence in this resource-rich region, China is positioning itself at the forefront of future deep-sea energy exploration.
Geopolitical and Economic Impact
Beyond energy research, China’s deep-sea facility could provide an economic and strategic advantage in the South China Sea. The region is a critical maritime trade route and the site of ongoing territorial disputes involving Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
A permanent underwater research base allows China to:
Strengthen territorial claimsunder the pretext of scientific research
Secure access to rare-earth metals, cobalt, and nickel—essential for electronics and renewable technologies
Additionally, the facility will enhance seismic monitoring capabilities, improving early warning systems for earthquakes and tsunamis in the region.
If China develops a reliable method for extracting methane hydrates, it could establish itself as a dominant player in global energy markets. However, the risks remain significant. Uncontrolled methane release could lead to severe environmental consequences, and the geopolitical implications of a permanent deep-sea base could heighten regional tensions.
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Richard Dolan Explores USO Hotspots: Unveiling the Mystery Beneath Our Oceans
Richard Dolan Explores USO Hotspots: Unveiling the Mystery Beneath Our Oceans
The study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) has intrigued researchers and the public for decades, but a lesser-known counterpart—Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs)—has remained in the shadows. Richard Dolan, a well-respected historian in the UFO research community, is shedding light on the mysterious phenomenon of USOs. His work uncovers more than 700 cases, highlighting their presence in specific locations across the globe. One of the key questions he explores is: Why do certain areas seem to be hotspots for USO activity?
USOs: The Hidden Mystery Beneath the Waves
USOs are essentially UFOs that either originate from or submerge into bodies of water. Unlike conventional aircraft, these objects demonstrate transmedium capabilities—moving seamlessly from air to water with no apparent resistance. While UFOs have been documented extensively, reports of USOs remain less discussed, despite their frequency and military encounters.
Dolan’s research presents a comprehensive historical analysis, with cases spanning centuries. His meticulous study covers military records, personal testimonies, and historical accounts, painting a detailed picture of unidentified objects beneath the seas. His first volume on USO history spans from early recorded sightings to 1969, with subsequent volumes covering later periods.
The Caribbean: A USO Hotspot | The Richard Dolan Show
Key USO Hotspots and Theories Behind Their Presence
Dolan’s findings point to several global hotspots where USO activity is particularly concentrated. These locations include:
Catalina Island, California– This region has been a long-standing hotspot for both UFO and USO sightings. Reports detail strange crafts moving in and out of the ocean, with notable cases such as a 1982 family boating trip that encountered a large, fast-moving yellow object beneath the water.
Puerto Rico’s Waters– According to Dolan, Puerto Rico surpasses most locations in terms of USO activity. There have been numerous reports of unidentified crafts emerging from the depths, often near military installations.
The Gulf of Mexico – A location that has witnessed encounters involving giant submerged objects, including a 2017 case where a 200-foot-wide craft was seen emerging from the ocean near an offshore supply vessel.
Shag Harbor, Canada– The site of a well-documented 1967 USO crash event, where Canadian and U.S. military divers reportedly investigated an unidentified object that submerged and later departed from the area.
Baja California, Mexico – Home to historical cases such as an 1892 sighting by a hydrographic survey team that documented a large glowing object moving from the ocean to land.
Possible Explanations for USO Activity in These Areas
Several theories attempt to explain why these specific locations seem to attract USO sightings:
Military Interest: Some researchers speculate that USOs are monitoring naval operations, particularly around military testing zones and deep-sea submarine routes.
Environmental Monitoring: Dolan suggests that some encounters may indicate an interest in Earth’s ecosystem, with objects appearing in ecologically rich or endangered areas, such as the Amazon River or heavily polluted waters.
Underwater Bases: A widely speculated theory is that these objects originate from hidden underwater bases, possibly built by advanced non-human intelligence.
Transmedium Technology: The ability of these objects to move between air and water without resistance suggests propulsion technology far beyond human capabilities, possibly involving gravity manipulation or energy field propulsion.
Historical Cases and Government Involvement
Dolan’s research highlights cases dating back centuries, demonstrating that USOs are not a modern phenomenon. Notable historical accounts include:
1492 – Christopher Columbus’ Sighting:Columbus recorded an unusual light rising and falling above the ocean just before reaching the New World.
1825 – British Navy Report Near Hawaii: A bright orange sphere reportedly emerged from and re-entered the ocean, baffling experienced naval officers.
1951 – Graham Bethune’s Navy Encounter: A U.S. Navy pilot witnessed a bright craft rising from the water while flying near Greenland, with official documentation supporting the event.
Operation Mainbrace (1952): A NATO naval exercise that led to multiple UFO and USO sightings, with photographic evidence reported.
Government agencies, particularly military organizations, have been keenly aware of these incidents. Declassified documents reveal that pilots, naval officers, and scientists have reported encounters with underwater anomalies. Despite the compelling evidence, official responses remain vague, often attributing sightings to natural or experimental military phenomena.
The Future of USO Research
Dolan’s research emphasizes the importance of historical analysis to understand the evolving nature of the USO phenomenon. His extensive documentation highlights the transition from daytime sightings in the early 20th century to predominantly nighttime encounters in later decades. This shift suggests an adaptation on the part of the observed objects, possibly in response to increased human technological capabilities such as sonar and satellite surveillance.
As interest in USOs grows, researchers are calling for greater transparency from military and governmental institutions. Advances in underwater exploration and sensor technology could provide further insight into these mysterious objects. Whether USOs represent extraterrestrial activity, undiscovered marine phenomena, or hidden government projects, one thing remains clear—our oceans continue to harbor some of the greatest unsolved mysteries of our time.
Richard Dolan’s deep dive into the USO phenomenon presents a compelling case for further investigation. His work suggests that certain locations around the world, such as Catalina Island and Puerto Rico, are of particular interest due to the frequent and well-documented appearances of these mysterious objects. Whether they are monitoring human activity, safeguarding environmental concerns, or merely existing undetected, USOs remain one of the most fascinating subjects in the realm of unexplained aerial and underwater phenomena. Dolan’s research serves as an important foundation for future inquiry, urging scientists and investigators to look beneath the waves for answers.
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How big it is: 7,926 miles (12,760 kilometers) wide
How old it is: 4.5 billion years
How fast it moves around the sun: 67,100 mph (30 km per second)
Earth is our home planet, and it's the only place in the universe where we know for certain that life exists. Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago from a swirling cloud of gas and dust squished together by gravity. That same cloud gave rise to our entire solar system, including our star, the sun. Keep reading to learn more about Earth's different layers, its atmosphere, and what makes the "blue planet" unique.
Earth is made out of different layers, and those layers get hotter and more pressurized the deeper you go. The first layer is the crust, a thin outer shell that extends about 18 miles (30 km) below the planet's surface. The next layer, the mantle, stretches about 1,800 miles (2,900km) below Earth's surface. The mantle contains both magma, or molten rock, and slowly-moving solid rock. Earth's innermost layer is called the core. The outside of Earth's core is made from molten nickel and iron that can reach temperatures of 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5,000 degrees Celsius). In the inner core, the pressure is so massive that the ultra-hot metal turns solid. The moving metals in Earth's core create the planet's magnetic field.
A diagram showing Earth's crust, mantle and core. (Image credit: FoxGrafy via Shutterstock)
Where is Earth located?
Our planet sits in a small corner of the Milky Way galaxy, 25,000 light-years from the galaxy's center. Our solar system lives on a minor arm of the Milky way called the Orion Spur. The Orion Spur branches off from the Sagittarius Arm, one of the galaxy's two major spiral arms.
Earth's circumference is 24,901 miles (40,075 km), making it the largest rocky planet in the solar system. Our planet orbits 93 million miles (150,000 km) away from the sun. This puts Earth in a so-called "Goldilocks zone," where the temperature is just right for liquid water to exist on the surface.
What is Earth's atmosphere?
Our planet's atmosphere is mostly made of nitrogen. The next biggest element is oxygen, and there are also small amounts of argon and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, plus trace amounts of other gases. The atmosphere has four layers. The troposphere is the layer closest to the surface of the Earth. Next is the stratosphere, which is where commercial airplanes fly. Further out is the mesosphere, and after that, the thermosphere, which begins the transition into outer space.
Human activity has a huge effect on climate and weather in Earth's atmosphere. By making carbon dioxide, which traps heat from the sun, human industry is causing global warming.
A diagram showing the different layers of Earth's atmosphere.(Image credit: BlueRingMedia via Shutterstock)
What makes Earth special?
A few important characteristics make Earth unique and hospitable for life. The presence of liquid water, relatively mild temperatures, and an oxygen-rich atmosphere all help support life on Earth. Earth is also the only planet in our solar system known to have plate tectonics, or pieces of the crust that move around and smash into each other. Increasingly, scientists believe that plate tectonics may have also been key to the development of life on Earth.
Earth is tilted on its axis, meaning that sunlight falls unevenly on the planet over the course of the year. This tilted axis is why Earth has seasons, and it creates the planet's three major climactic zones: the polar regions in the Arctic and Antarctic, the middle temperate zones, and the tropical regions.
Earth's tallest point above sea level is the peak of Mount Everest, at 29,032 feet (8,849 meters). A crescent-shaped trough at the bottom of the western Pacific Ocean known as the Mariana Trench is the deepest spot on our planet, extending down to 36,037 feet (10,984 m).
The Nile is the longest river in the world, winding for 4,132 miles (6,650 km) through northeastern Africa. Lake Baikal in Russia is the largest and deepest freshwater lake, containing 5,521 cubic miles of water (23,013 cubic kilometers) — it holds as much water as all five North American Great Lakes combined.
Earth pictures
(Image credit: Roberto Machado Noa via Getty Images)
Planet Earth
A satellite image of Earth from space.
(Image credit: FrankRamspott via Getty Images)
Continents
Earth has seven continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Antarctica.
(Image credit: MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images)
Our galaxy
Earth is situated in the Milky Way galaxy.
(Image credit: Vadim Sadovski via Shutterstock)
Solar system
Earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
Scientists Confirm the Antarctic Ozone Hole Is Disappearing—Here’s What That Means for the Future of Our Planet
Scientists Confirm the Antarctic Ozone Hole Is Disappearing—Here’s What That Means for the Future of Our Planet
The ozone layer sits between 15 and 30 kilometers (9.3 to 18.6 miles) above the Earth's surface and acts as a shield, absorbing the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
For decades, the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica symbolized one of humanity’s greatest environmental challenges. New research confirms that our collective efforts to reduce harmful emissions are working, and the ozone layer is on track to fully recover within the next decade.
A study led by researchers at MIT provides the most statistically robust evidence yet that the ozone layer is healing. While previous research suggested a positive trend, this is the first study to confirm, with 95% confidence, that the ozone hole is shrinking due to the reduction of ozone-depleting chemicals.
Susan Solomon, a leading atmospheric scientist and co-author of the study, highlighted the significance of these findings. “For years, we’ve seen qualitative evidence suggesting recovery. This is the first time we’ve been able to quantify it with high certainty,” she explained. “The conclusion is clear: the ozone hole is closing, and it proves that global cooperation can solve environmental crises.”
The Role of the Montreal Protocol
The ozone layer sits between 15 and 30 kilometers (9.3 to 18.6 miles) above the Earth’s surface and acts as a shield, absorbing the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the late 20th century, scientists discovered that synthetic chemicals—primarily chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)—were depleting ozone molecules, creating a massive hole over Antarctica.
These chemicals, once widely used in aerosol sprays, refrigeration, and industrial solvents, released chlorine atoms when exposed to sunlight in the stratosphere. This process accelerated ozone destruction, particularly over Antarctica, where extreme cold and polar stratospheric clouds intensified the effect.
In response, 197 countries and the European Union signed the Montreal Protocol in 1987, banning CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. This agreement is widely regarded as one of the most successful environmental policies in history.
Why the Antarctic Ozone Hole Was the Most Affected
Antarctica’s unique atmospheric conditions made it particularly vulnerable. During winter, the polar vortex traps ozone-depleting chemicals, and when spring arrives, sunlight triggers reactions that rapidly break down ozone molecules. This is why the ozone hole peaks in size each September as temperatures begin to rise.
Over the last decade, scientists noticed signs of improvement, but natural atmospheric fluctuations made it difficult to determine whether the recovery was a direct result of policy measures or just temporary variability. This new study removes all doubt—ozone levels are rising, and the healing process is progressing as expected.
The Ozone Layer Could Fully Recover by 2035
With 15 years of observational data now available, researchers are confident that the Antarctic ozone hole could disappear completely by 2035 if current trends continue.
“By then, we might witness a year where there’s no depletion at all in the Antarctic. Some of us will live to see the ozone hole gone entirely, and that’s something humanity accomplished together,” Solomon noted.
This milestone not only marks a victory for environmental science but also serves as a powerful reminder that global cooperation can reverse even the most daunting ecological threats.
Russian fisherman reels in bizarre ‘Alien-Like’ fish
Russian fisherman reels in bizarre ‘Alien-Like’ fish
In the depths of the ocean, where countless strange fish and creatures dwell in perpetual darkness, they remain unseen, unless unexpectedly caught. This was the case during an expedition by a Russian deep-sea fisherman, who was stunned when he reeled in a bizarre creature that strikingly resembled an alien’s head.
The eerie catch was made by Roman Fedortsov during an expedition in the northern Pacific Ocean.
The fisherman shared the video of the strange creature with his followers, with viewers comparing the bulbous fish to an extraterrestrial or even Krang, the villain from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Fisherman Fedortsov has previously made headlines thanks to other weird and wonderful catches which you can view at Dailymail.
Despite its eerie appearance, the fish was not an alien or a mutant but rather a species known as the smooth lumpsucker, a deep-sea fish recognized for its distinctive, gelatinous look.
Fisherman horrified after catching baffling ‘alien’ animal from the ocean depths
Fisherman horrified after catching baffling ‘alien’ animal from the ocean depths
NASA-astronauten komen na verbazingwekkende reis van 272 dagen in de ruimte eindelijk naar huis
Na negen maanden in de ruimte keren NASA-astronauten Butch Wilmore en Suni Williams eindelijk terug naar de aarde. Dat zal later deze maand gebeuren, want hun vervangers worden volgende week al in het Internationaal Ruimtestation (ISS) verwacht. Wilmore en Williams vertrokken in juli 2024 naar de ruimte voor een missie van acht dagen, maar verbleven door onvoorziene omstandigheden uiteindelijk 272 dagen in het ruimtestation.
Butch Wilmore en Suni Williams moesten onverwacht langer in de ruimte blijven door technische problemen. Hun capsule kreeg motorproblemen en was niet meer veilig om mee terug te keren. Nu, 272 dagen later, zijn er twee plaatsen vrijgekomen op de terugvlucht van astronaut Nick Hague, die voor een andere missie in het Internationaal Ruimtestation zat. Daardoor kan het duo terugkeren naar huis.
Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, Nick Hague van Crew-9 en Sunita Williams.
Foto: NASA
Politieke bemoeienis
Het onverwachte langere verblijf van de twee astronauten zorgde voor wereldwijde aandacht en bezorgdheid. President Trump suggereerde zelfs dat ze “praktisch verlaten zijn in de ruimte door de regering van Biden.” De astronauten benadrukken dat ze niet vastzitten en willen hun tijd in de ruimte niet politiseren. “Vanuit ons standpunt speelt politiek hier helemaal geen rol”, vertelt Butch Wilmore tijdens een persconferentie. “We kwamen hierheen en we waren voorbereid om lang te blijven, ook al hadden we gepland om kort te blijven. Dit is wat we doen in de menselijke ruimtevaart.”
Tijdens het langere verblijf hielden de twee zich bezig met honderden experimenten, 3D-printen en ruimtewandelingen. Williams verbrak zelfs het record voor de meeste tijd gespendeerd aan ruimtewandelingen door een vrouw met een verbluffende 62 uur en 6 minuten. En hoewel het duo ernaar uitkijkt om binnenkort hun familie te omarmen, is hun gevoel voor avontuur sterker dan ooit.”
Samen met NASA-astronaut Nick Hague en de Russische astronaut Alexander Gorbunov keren Butch Wilmore en Suni Williams later deze maand terug naar de aarde. “We komen naar huis. Daar kijken we naar uit”, laat Wilmore weten.
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Dr. Steven Greer Exposes UFO Misinformation: Calls Luis Elizondo a “Master of Disinformation”
Dr. Steven Greer Exposes UFO Misinformation: Calls Luis Elizondo a “Master of Disinformation”
The field of ufology has long been rife with controversy, debates, and conflicting narratives. A recent clash between two prominent figures—Dr. Steven Greer and Luis Elizondo—has drawn significant attention. Dr. Greer, a well-known advocate for UFO disclosure, has accused Elizondo, a former Pentagon official and UFO investigator, of being a “master of disinformation.” According to Greer, Elizondo’s public statements align with a covert agenda designed to manipulate public perception of extraterrestrial activity.
The Core of Dr. Greer’s Allegations
Dr. Steven Greer asserts that the UFO narrative being presented by figures like Elizondo is carefully crafted to promote the idea of an alien threat. He claims that certain government-affiliated individuals aim to mislead the public into believing that extraterrestrials pose a danger, a notion that he strongly opposes. Greer emphasizes that this alleged disinformation campaign is not merely a misunderstanding but an intentional effort to control public perception and justify future actions under the guise of national security.
Greer highlights historical instances such as cattle mutilations and alien abductions, arguing that these events were not the work of extraterrestrials but rather covert human operations. He suggests that misinformation has been systematically fed to the public for decades to construct a fear-based narrative about extraterrestrial beings.
The Broader Implications of Misinformation
One of Greer’s primary concerns is how misinformation influences lawmakers, researchers, and the general public. He warns that many individuals, including government officials, approach the UFO topic with a genuine desire to uncover the truth but are misled by deceptive narratives.
Greer references insights from intelligence sources, stating that high-level operatives within agencies such as the CIA have been aware of the disinformation strategy for years. He claims that powerful groups have long been orchestrating a false alien threat to manipulate global populations, potentially leading to heightened military spending and increased control over civil liberties.
A Clash of Perspectives in the UFO Community
Luis Elizondo is widely recognized for his role in the Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which investigated unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). His involvement in bringing classified UFO information to public attention has made him a central figure in modern UFO discussions. However, Greer challenges Elizondo’s credibility, arguing that his disclosures serve a hidden agenda rather than genuine transparency.
While Greer acknowledges that he does not personally know Elizondo or hold any personal animosity toward him, he insists that Elizondo’s statements align with the goals of what he calls the “cabal” that seeks to maintain secrecy and mislead the public.
The Struggle for Truth in Ufology
Greer’s stance reflects the broader challenges within the UFO research community—determining what is real, what is fabricated, and who can be trusted. He warns that the truth is often stranger than fiction and that those who expose classified information risk being discredited or dismissed.
Ultimately, Greer maintains that the real danger is not extraterrestrial beings but the manipulation of the UFO narrative for political, economic, and strategic purposes. He urges individuals to approach the topic with skepticism, seek out credible sources, and question the motivations behind widely promoted UFO disclosures.
Dr Steven Greer Calls UFO Expert Luis Elizondo a "Master of Disinformation" (Part 6)
The debate between Dr. Steven Greer and Luis Elizondo is emblematic of the larger struggle over UFO disclosure. Greer’s accusations highlight concerns about misinformation and government secrecy, while Elizondo continues to be a key figure in public UFO discussions. As the conversation around unidentified aerial phenomena continues to evolve, it remains crucial for researchers and the public to critically analyze the information being presented and consider multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions.
Humanoid robots typically struggle to stand up after being knocked over, but new AI-powered research from China brings us one step closer to the rise of the machines.
Researchers in China and Hong Kong have developed a newartificial intelligence (AI) learning framework that teaches humanoid robots to stand up from an idle position incredibly quickly regardless of position or terrain.
While the research has yet to be submitted for peer review, the team released their findings Feb. 12 on GitHub, including a paper uploaded to the arXiv preprint database, alongside a video demonstrating their framework in action.
The video shows a bipedal humanoid rising to stand after lying on its back, sitting against a wall, lying on a sofa and reclining in a chair. The researchers also tested the humanoid robot's ability to right itself on varying terrains and inclines — including a stone road, a glass slope and while leaning against a tree.
They even attempted to disrupt the robot by hitting or kicking it while it was trying to get up. In every scenario, the robot can be seen adjusting to its environment and is shown successfully standing up.
This remarkable ability to get knocked down and then get up again is thanks to the system called "Humanoid Standing-up Control" (HoST). The scientists achieved this with reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning where the agent (in this case the HoST framework) attempts to perform a task by trial and error. In essence, the robot takes an action, and if that action results in a positive outcome, it is sent a reward signal that encourages it to take that action again the next time it finds itself in a similar state.
Rising to the occasion
The team's system was a little more complicated than that, using four separate reward groups for more targeted feedback, along with a series of motion constraints including motion smoothing and speed limits to prevent erratic or violent movements. A vertical pull force was also applied during initial training to help direct the early stages of the learning process.
The HoST framework was originally trained in simulations using the Isaac Gym simulator, a physics simulation environment developed by Nvidia. Once the framework had been sufficiently trained on simulations, it was deployed into a Unitree G1 Humanoid Robot for experimental testing, the results of which are demonstrated in the video.
"Experimental results with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot demonstrate smooth, stable, and robust standing-up motions in a variety of real-world scenarios," the scientists wrote in the study. "Looking forward, this work paves the way for integrating standing-up control into existing humanoid systems, with the potential of expanding their real-world applicability."
Getting up might seem second nature to we humans, but it's something that humanoid robots have struggled to replicate in the past, as you can glean from a montage of robots falling over and being unable to return to an upright position. Teaching a robot to walk or run like a human being is one thing, but to be useful in the real world, they need to be able to handle challenging situations like stumbling, tripping and falling over.
Scientists with the company Colossal have created genetically engineered "woolly mice" with thick, golden-brown hair and fat deposits similar to those of cold-adapted woolly mammoths.
The Colossal "woolly mouse" has fur similar to the thick hair that kept woolly mammoths warm during the last ice age.
(Image credit: Colossal)
Scientists have created genetically engineered "woolly mice" with fur similar to the thick hair that kept woolly mammoths warm during the last ice age.
The biotechnology company Colossal Biosciences unveiled images and footage of the woolly mice on Tuesday (March 4). The adorable rodents mark a milestone in Colossal's project to bring back woolly mammothsby 2028, the company said in a statement shared with Live Science.
"We actually just started this work in mice in September [2024]," Ben Lamm, Colossal's co-founder and CEO, told Live Science. "We didn't know they were going to be this cute."
Colossal scientists plan to eventually "resurrect" woolly mammoths (Mammuthus primigenius) by first editing cells from the mammoths' closest living relatives, Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), to create elephant-mammoth hybrid embryos with shaggy hair and other woolly mammoth traits. But before the researchers can start working with elephants, they must test the relevant gene edits and engineering tools in mice, which are easier to keep and quicker to breed.
Colossal Create “Woolly Mouse” On Path To De-Extinct The Woolly Mammoth
"A mouse model is super useful in this case, because unlike elephants [whose gestation lasts about 22 months], mice have a 20-day gestation," Beth Shapiro, an evolutionary biologist and chief science officer at Colossal, told Live Science.
The short gestation period enabled researchers to design, clone and grow the woolly mice in just six months, Lamm and Shapiro said. Colossal scientists described the results in a study that was uploaded to the preprint database BioRxiv March 4. The study has not been peer reviewed.
Fluffy rodents
To create the woolly mice, the researchers modified seven of the rodents' genes, six of which were related to fur texture, length and color. The scientists selected these genes by screening for DNA sequences that control hair growth in mice and have evolutionary links to sequences that gave woolly mammoths shaggy hair.
"We haven't taken mammoth genes and put them into a mouse," Shapiro said. "We've looked for the mouse variants of the genes that we think are useful in mammoths and then created mice that have many of these edits simultaneously."
Most of the edits "switched off" genes that are usually active in mice. For example, the scientists blocked a gene called FGF-5 that regulates hair length, resulting in mice with fur that is three times longer than standard laboratory mice.
Woolly mice have longer, wavier and thicker hair than standard mice. (Image credit: Colossal)
The team also gave the mice mutations that existed in woolly mammoths, resulting in wavier fur than normal mice. Woolly mammoths had a truncated version of a gene called TGF alpha, as well as a mutation in the keratin gene KRT27, which the scientists incorporated into woolly mouse DNA.
The researchers used three genetic engineering techniques to add the edits into a single organism, including a technology called multiplex precision genome editing, which enables researchers to edit several DNA sites at once with high precision.
"It's definitely a proof of concept that you can incorporate multiple mutations into a single mouse and make its hair look like mammoth hair," Vincent Lynch, an evolutionary biologist and associate professor at the University at Buffalo who is not involved in the Colossal research, told Live Science.
Colossal scientists also focused on a gene that regulates fat metabolism and fatty acid absorption in mice. Woolly mammoths thrived in frigid temperatures in part thanks to fat deposits beneath their skin, so the team attempted to confer the same deposits onto mice by editing the associated DNA sequence.
Colossal will conduct experiments to test the cold tolerance of its woolly mice in the coming months. (Image credit: Colossal)
But the effects of this insertion are unclear, Lynch said. "I guess they expected the mouse to have more or less body fat," he said, adding that the physical outcomes are likely too small to observe.
It's still unclear whether the genetically modified mice can tolerate colder conditions than standard mice, but Colossal scientists say they will test this in the coming months. "We know that the edits are in there, so now we just need to test what level of cold tolerance it confers," Lamm said.
While woolly mice are a step closer to the goal of bringing woolly mammoths back, there are still significant hurdles to overcome. For example, the technology involved in engineering the woolly mice is very advanced, but it's a far cry from what will be needed to get similar results in elephants, Lynch said. Mice have naturally dense hair, but that is not the case in elephants, meaning the technical challenge will be much greater, he said.
"Elephants have fur, but the density of the hair is much less than other mammals, so even if they could make those mutations in an Asian elephant [...] it's just going to be really sparse," Lynch said. "So what you need to do, actually, is a bunch of additional genome editing to somehow find a way to increase the density of the hair."
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Over mijzelf
Ik ben Pieter, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Peter2011.
Ik ben een man en woon in Linter (België) en mijn beroep is Ik ben op rust..
Ik ben geboren op 18/10/1950 en ben nu dus 74 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Ufologie en andere esoterische onderwerpen.
Op deze blog vind je onder artikels, werk van mezelf. Mijn dank gaat ook naar André, Ingrid, Oliver, Paul, Vincent, Georges Filer en MUFON voor de bijdragen voor de verschillende categorieën...
Veel leesplezier en geef je mening over deze blog.
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