Scientists question possible signs of life on exoplanet K2-18b in new study: 'We never saw more than insignificant hints'

Victoria Corless

In 2023, scientists from Cambridge University reported what appeared to be very exciting news. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, they said, had detected signs of a liquid water ocean — and possibly life — on the exoplanet K2-18b, a temperate sub-Neptune world located about 124 light-years away from Earth. Then, earlier this year, the same team announced what they called even stronger evidence for those potential signs of alien life.

The signs were rooted in a tentative detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) — a molecule produced on Earth solely by marine life — and/or its close chemical relative DMDS, which is also a potential biosignature, in the atmosphere of the exoplanet. This finding, along with the possibility that K2-18b is a "Hycean world" with a liquid water ocean, sparked significant interest about its potential to support life.

However, these results have sparked intense debate among astronomers. While recognizing this finding would be a groundbreaking achievement and a major testament to the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) capabilities if true, many scientists remain skeptical, questioning both the reliability of the detected DMS signature as well as whether DMS itself is a dependable sign of life in the first place. As such, many independent teams have been conducting follow-up studies about the original claims — and a newly published one only adds to the debate, suggesting the Cambridge scientists' DMS detection wasn't significant enough to warrant the publicity it received.

"Among the physical sciences, astronomy enjoys a privileged position," Rafael Luque, a post doctoral researcher at the University of Chicago, told Space.com. "It is more frequently covered in the media thanks to its visual appeal and the big philosophical and universal questions it addresses. It was therefore expected that — even if tentative — the detection of a potential biomarker in the atmosphere of an exoplanet would have extensive coverage."

The significance of significance

Luque and his colleagues, including fellow postdoctoral researchers Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb and Michael Zhang, remain unconvinced that what astronomers observed on K2-18b was in fact a credible signature indicating life. In a recent arxiv preprint — which is yet to be peer-reviewed — their team re-examined the validity of the original evidence. "This is how science works: evidence and counterevidence go hand in hand,” he stated.

When scientists study data from different instruments separately, they might end up with conflicting results — it's like finding two different "stories" about a subject that don't match. "This is, in fact, what happened in the original team's papers," Zhang told Space.com. "They inferred a much higher temperature from their MIRI (mid-infrared) data than from their NIRISS and NIRSpec (near-infrared) data. Fitting all the data with the same model ensures that we're not telling contradictory stories about the same planet."

Thus, the team conducted a joint analysis of K2-18b using data from all three of the JWST's key instruments — the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) and the Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), which capture near-infrared light, and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which detects longer mid-infrared wavelengths. The goal was to ensure a consistent, planet-wide interpretation of K2-18b's spectrum that the team felt the original studies both lacked.

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"We reanalyzed the same JWST data used in the study published earlier this year, but in combination with other JWST observations of the same planet published […] two years ago," Piaulet-Ghorayeb told Space.com. "We found that the stronger signal claimed in the 2025 observations is much weaker when all the data are combined."

These signals may appear weaker when all data is combined because the initial "strong" detection may have been overestimated, the team says, due to being based on a limited initial data set. Combining data from multiple sources lets scientists cross-check and verify the strength — and validity — of a particular signal.

"Different data reduction methods and retrieval codes always give slightly different results, so it is important to try multiple methods to see how robust the results are," explained Piaulet-Ghorayeb. "We never saw more than insignificant hints of either DMS or DMDS, and even these hints were not present in all data reductions."

"Importantly, we showed that when testing a wider range of molecules that we expect to be produced abiotically in the atmosphere, the same observed spectral features can be reproduced without the need for DMS or DMDS," she continued.

More than one path to a result

Molecules in an exoplanet's atmosphere are typically detected through spectral analysis, which identifies unique "chemical fingerprints" based on how the planet's atmosphere absorbs specific wavelengths of starlight as it passes — or transits — in front of its host star. This absorption leaves distinct patterns in the light spectrum that reveal the presence of different molecules.

"Each molecule’s signature is unique, but different molecules can have some features that fall in similar places because of their close molecular structures," explained Piaulet-Ghorayeb.

The difference between DMS and ethane — a common molecule in exoplanet atmospheres — is just one sulfur atom, and current spectrometers, including those on the JWST, have impressive sensitivity, but still face limits. The distance to exoplanets, the faintness of signals, and the complexity of atmospheres mean distinguishing between molecules that differ by just one atom is extremely challenging.

"It is widely recognized as a huge problem for biomarker detection, though not an insurmountable one, because different molecules do have subtly different absorption features," said Piaulet-Ghorayeb. "Until we can separate these signals more clearly, we have to be especially careful not to misinterpret them as signs of life."

Beyond technical limitations, another source of skepticism is how the data has been interpreted statistically. Luque points out that the 2023 study described the detection of DMS as "tentative," reflecting the preliminary nature of the finding. However, the most recent 2025 paper reported that the detection of DMS and/or DMDS reached 3-sigma significance — a level that, while below the 5-sigma threshold required for a confirmed discovery, is generally considered moderate statistical evidence.

"Surprisingly, this latest work was used to double down on the claim for DMS and even more complex molecules to be present. The detection, however, is not statistically significant nor robust, as we show in our work.

Despite these uncertainties, the team is worried that media coverage has continued to spotlight bold claims about DMS and other molecules. "The [JWST] telescope is incredibly powerful, but the signals we're detecting are very small. As a community, we have to make sure that any claims we make about a planet’s composition are robust to the choices made when processing the data from the telescope," said Piaulet-Ghorayeb.

Related Stories:

• Doubts over signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b are rising: 'This is evidence of the scientific process at work'
• Does exoplanet K2-18b host alien life or not? Here's why the debate continues
• The pursuit of truths: A letter on the boy who cried aliens (op-ed)

"Researchers have the responsibility to double-check and verify, but the media is also responsible for duly reporting these follow-up works to the general public," added Luque. "Even if they have less catchy titles."

"As Carl Sagan once said, 'extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,'" said Luque. "That threshold was not met by how the results were disseminated to the general public."

Whether we'll ever get a clear answer about life on K2-18 b is uncertain — not just because of technological limits, but because the case for follow-ups with the JWST may simply not be strong enough. "JWST is continuing to observe K2-18b, and even though the new observations won't have the ability to detect life, we will soon find out more about the planet's atmosphere and interior," Zhang said.

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{ https://www.yahoo.com/news/ }

26-05-2025 om 23:44 geschreven door peter  

In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope may have just spotted signs of extraterrestrial life on a faraway exoplanet 8.6 times as massive as Earth, dubbed K2-18b. 

In a study accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, researchers said James Webb detected a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which is exclusively produced by living organisms on Earth. Along with DMS, researchers also detected the presence of carbon-bearing molecules, including methane and carbon dioxide, in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. 

According to NASA, the presence of these gasses suggests K2-18b could be a Hycean exoplanet, potentially possessing a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and ocean-covered surface, significantly boosting its odds of hosting life. 

More data is needed to confirm the findings. However, researchers said they were “shocked” by the initial results and the possibility that K2-18b might offer the first confirmation of extraterrestrial life. 

“On Earth, DMS is only produced by life. The bulk of it in Earth’s atmosphere is emitted from phytoplankton in marine environments,” lead study author and University of Cambridge professor Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan told the BBC. 

“If confirmed, it would be a huge deal, and I feel a responsibility to get this right if we are making such a big claim.” 

Positioned 120 light-years away in the constellation Leo, K2-18b orbits a cool dwarf named K2-18 within what is known as the habitable zone. With a size falling between Earth and Neptune, what scientists call a “sub-Neptune” type world, K2-18b defies any comparison with planets in our solar system.   

“Although this kind of planet does not exist in our solar system, sub-Neptunes are the most common type of planet known so far in the galaxy,” research team member Dr. Subhajit Sarkar of Cardiff University explained in a NASA press release. 

The absence of similar planets within our solar system means sub-Neptunes, like K2-18b, are poorly understood, and the composition of these planet’s atmospheres is a hot topic of discussion among astronomers. Nevertheless, given the abundance of sub-Neptune bodies in the universe, some astronomers believe these giant exoplanets could be promising targets in the search for extraterrestrial life. 

“Our findings underscore the importance of considering diverse habitable environments in the search for life elsewhere,” Dr. Madhusudhan explained. “Traditionally, the search for life on exoplanets has focused primarily on smaller rocky planets, but the larger Hycean worlds are significantly more conducive to atmospheric observations.” 

Many scientists have begun increasingly echoing Dr. Madhusudhan’s sentiments on considering the diverse ways extraterrestrial life might exist. 

Recently, The Debrief reported on a theory proposed by astrobiologist Dr. Dirk Schulze-Makuch that NASA’s historic Viking missions in the 1970s actually found—and inadvertently exterminated—extraterrestrial life on Mars. 

According to Dr. Schulze-Makuch, by introducing Earth-like conditions in the experiments conducted by Viking’s landers, scientists may have missed the evidence or, worse yet, unintentionally exterminated Martian microbes that had adapted to the planet’s dry climate.

This illustration shows what exoplanet K2-18 b could look like based on science data. K2-18 b, an exoplanet 8.6 times as massive as Earth, orbits the cool dwarf star K2-18 in the habitable zone and lies 120 light years from Earth.

(Image Source: NASA, ESA, CSA, Joseph Olmsted (STScI))

Researchers say this potentially momentous discovery of alien life on K2-18b was only possible thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope’s remarkable ability to analyze light passing through an exoplanet’s atmosphere and decode its chemical composition by splitting it into constituent frequencies. 

First launched in December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope represents a monumental advance in sensitivity and resolution compared to its infrared telescope predecessors. According to a research paper published in  The Astrophysical Journal Letters in 2022, early observations from the telescope have experts predicting that its contributions will be “transformational” for both astrophysics and our grasp of the universe.

“This result was only possible because of the extended wavelength range and unprecedented sensitivity of Webb, which enabled robust detection of spectral features with just two transits,” said Madhusudhan. “For comparison, one transit observation with Webb provided comparable precision to eight observations with Hubble conducted over a few years and in a relatively narrow wavelength range.”

Spectra of K2-18 b, obtained with Webb’s NIRISS (Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) and NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) displays an abundance of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet’s atmosphere, as well as a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS).

(Image Source: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI), Joseph Olmsted (STScI))

Researchers are treating this initial data supporting the presence of life on K2-18b with caution. A similar claim made in 2020 about the existence of phosphine on Venus was later disputed. 

The research team has plans to continue their investigation of K2-18b using James Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) spectrograph. They aim to reinforce the validity of their initial discoveries while gaining deeper insights into the environmental characteristics of the distant world. They hope to confirm these initial chemical signatures of life within the following year. 

“Upcoming Webb observations should be able to confirm if DMS is indeed present in the atmosphere of K2-18 b at significant levels,” Dr. Madhusudhan explained. 

Whether or not the findings are ultimately confirmed, scientists emphasize that the preliminary data showcases the James Webb Space Telescope’s potent capabilities for uncovering potential signs of extraterrestrial life in far-off corners of the universe.

“We are slowly moving towards the point where we will be able to answer that big question as to whether we are alone in the Universe or not,” Deputy Director of the Royal Astronomical Society in London, Dr Robert Massey, told the BBC. 

“I’m optimistic that we will one day find signs of life. Perhaps it will be this. Perhaps in 10 or even 50 years, we will have evidence that is so compelling that it is the best explanation.” 

• Tim McMillan is a retired law enforcement executive, investigative reporter and co-founder of The Debrief. His writing typically focuses on defense, national security, the Intelligence Community and topics related to psychology. You can follow Tim on Twitter: @LtTimMcMillan.  Tim can be reached by email: tim@thedebrief.org or through encrypted email: LtTimMcMillan@protonmail.com 

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

26-05-2025 om 23:26 geschreven door peter  

RAF pilots who saw UFOs say they fear going public over for five grim reasons

Rumours of possible UFO sightings by RAF pilots are rife, and now a pressure group is urging PM Keir Starmer to bring in rules protecting whistleblowers who shed light on potential extraterrestrial interactions

BY Jerry Lawton

RAF pilots have had close encounters with UFOs but are scared to go public fearing they will be grounded.

Documentary film-maker Mark Christopher Lee says he has been contacted by Brit military pilots who have had similar out-of-this-world run-ins with mystery alien craft as their American counterparts.

But while whistleblower protection laws allow US Top Guns to tell of their experiences without fear of victimisation Britain has none - leaving UK pilots silenced and the public in the dark.

Lee has formed a pressure group called UFO Disclosure UK demanding the release of the UK’s X-Files.

He has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for him to introduce US-style whistleblower protection safeguards so military personnel can reveal their close encounters with UFOs - aka UAPs or unidentified aerial phenomena.

Could aliens have made contact with RAF pilots

Mark told the Daily Star: “We have military pilots who have had real life encounters with UAPs.

“I have spoken to them.

“What they say is incredible.

“They will talk in confidence on condition of anonymity.

“But they fear the consequences if they were to go on the record.

RAF pilots claim they're too scared to come forward

(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“We also have accounts from other military personnel and police who want to come forward. But they all fear what will happen to them if they do.

“Will they be fired, ridiculed, demoted - even prosecuted - for speaking out? These are their fears.

“What will happen to their families?

“It’s frustrating because unless someone goes on the record, puts their name - and potentially rank - to an event it is impossible to judge and difficult to properly investigate.

“The result is the British public is being kept in the dark.

“Information about extraordinary events is being withheld from them.

“These encounters could amount to threats to national security - certainly sightings of mystery craft near military bases and personnel must fall into that category.

“But until pilots feel free to speak out without fearing they will be grounded the country is burying its head in the sand.”

Invasion of alien spaceships at sunset, illustration.

Former Afghanistan combat veteran and US Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch stunned Congress by claiming the American Government had recovered debris and alien `entities’ from 10 crashed UFOs.

He alleged boffins had been secretly tasked with reverse-engineering ET technology in a bid to give the US an advantage in the global arms race.

Grusch claims he had spoken to at least 40 witnesses involved in the black ops programs and officials had ‘killed people’ in a bid to keep them secret.

Threats and intimidation he personally received forced him to go public for his own protection.

He helped draft the 2023 National Defense Authorisation Act which includes whistleblower protection for reporting UFOs and exemptions to non-disclosure agreements signed by personnel involved in secret programmes.

Now US officials are openly probing 1,800 reported military close encounters.

Earlier this month Jon Kosloski, head of the US Government’sAll-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office which is conducting the investigations, admitted 2% - around 36 - of the cases were ‘perplexing’ and r emained entirely unexplained, adding: “I don’t think we’re alone.”

Grusch has now been appointed a senior congressional advisor

In his letter to the PM Lee - whose documentary about the Royal Family’s interest in UFOs has become a global hit - urged him to follow the US Government’s disclosure process.

“Decorated military pilots are giving testimony under oath that they have encountered craft of unknown origin beyond our current technological capabilities,’’ he said.

“The US Congress is seeking to provide protection to whistleblowers who go public when it’s seen to be in the greater national/public interest.

“We formally call on you to provide the same protection to whistleblowers and witnesses.

“We have many people in the UK military and police service who want to come forward publicly but are afraid of the repercussions to themselves, their family and their careers.

“We will happily meet with your advisors to furnish them with the evidence we have collected.’’

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{ https://www.dailystar.co.uk/ }

26-05-2025 om 23:01 geschreven door peter  

'Celtic' crop circles appear in world-famous UFO hotspot in UK near Stonehenge

The intricate pattern included a design resembling a Celtic knot, or a four-pointed star, within a circle, baffling UFO enthusiasts and frustrating the farmer who owned the field

BY Rebecca Whalley

A UK county became the epicentre of mysterious crop circles in the 1970s, and the Celtic designs found this month are just 13 miles away from Stonehenge. Last week a perfectly crafted geometric design was found in a farmer’s field in Sutton Veny, Wiltshire.

The intricate pattern included a design resembling a Celtic knot, or a four-pointed star, within a circle. Another unique crop circle appeared 30 miles away in Dorset, which also featured geometric shapes but in two overlapping circles.

Crop circles are unexplained formations appearing in fields with crops or tall grass, and they usually appear in the middle of the night. UFO conspiracy theorists believe that these are special messages from aliens for humans, while others think they are works of art or the product of pranksters.

But it has been suggested that tools like planks are used to spark fears of aliens’ presence on earth.

Some of the circles can be 1000 feet in length, but apparently take only minutes to make.

The patterns have been discovered in plenty of countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan, but the crop circles have been most commonly found in the UK.

Around 80 percent of all UK crop circles have been found in Wiltshire. Since 2005, there have been more than 380 crop circles recorded in this area.

Their appearance usually coincides with the growing season from May to August where crops are tall enough to be flattened.

UAP researcher Holly Wood posted on X: “Who or what is trying to get our attention?” One Ufologist shared: “People say when you look at it from the top, the symbol makes them 'download' certain information to their subconscious mind.”

But the owner of the field now decorated with the Celtic knot was apparently “very upset” that someone had flatted his crops.

He’s making the most of it, though, by opening the field up to enthusiasts for a small donation, according to Coast to Coast AM , hosted by UFO enthusiast George Noory.

Monique Klinkenbergh, founder of the crop circle exhibition in Wiltshire's Pewsey Vale, said there are definitely man-made crop circles on Earth, but others are much harder to explain without aliens.

She told the BBC in 2023: “If you listen to eye witness accounts, the unexplained circles have one thing in common - they were formed in minutes, or seconds, by an invisible source.”

The 2001 'Milk Hill circle' in Wiltshire had over 400 circles spanning 787 feet and was said to be too complex for humans to create in just one night.

Other witnesses have reported orbs of light and strange beams over the fields just before the circles appeared.

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{ https://www.dailystar.co.uk/ }

26-05-2025 om 22:37 geschreven door peter  

Mysterious 'UFO base' on mountain in US known for missing people is new alien hotspot

The CIA has never confirmed the alien base, however, the declassified documents allege that there are 'alien bases' in Alaska, Africa, or South America, and on Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

BY Alexandra Snow

A famed locale from declassified CIA papers is now a buzzing hub for UFO enthusiasts, as Mount Hayes in Alaska witnesses a boom in eerie sightings of enigmatic unidentified flying objects.

Towering at a lofty 8,000 ft, Mount Hayes lies within the so-called 'Alaskan Triangle' – a zone cutting through Juneau, Anchorage, and Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), peppered with dense woodlands, icy pinnacles, and vast expanses of frosty tundra.

Whilst the CIA has never rubber-stamped any extraterrestrial activity, declassified files suggest the existence of 'alien bases' across Alaska, Africa, South America, and even on Titan, Saturn's most colossal moon. The Alaskan region in question is notorious for baffling vanishing acts and airborne anomalies, often brushed off as military tech.

But now, locals are reporting swift-moving orbs and spooky disappearances that have lit up the official UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) Map.

Ex-security officer Jared Augustin relayed to DMAX UK his own close encounter, where he witnessed a solitary orb split into three in the skies. "It was a UFO, of extraterrestrial origin," declared Augustin, recounting how he stood petrified during the spectacle.

These reports have sparked a flurry of activity on Google Maps, with people trying to pinpoint the exact location of this mysterious base. YouTube has been flooded with videos discussing the topic, with many sharing their theories about the potential 'base'.

Even the Travel and History channels have jumped on the bandwagon in recent months.

The mountain, where over 20,000 individuals have vanished amidst bizarre reports of 'vortexes,' 'flying objects,' and 'little men,' has long been a hotbed for conspiracy theories and suspected alien activity that may forever remain a mystery.

The CIA documents referencing the 'base' stem from interviews with an alleged 'remote viewer' who claimed to 'sense' objects. This individual was part of a government programme known as STARGATE, which experimented with so-called 'psychics'.

This, coupled with local sightings and a near-miss incident involving a government pilot, has fuelled speculation, despite some questioning the credibility of such claims. Some even suggest they've spotted 'openings' that could lead to this supposed lab.

In 1986, Captain Kenju Terauchi of Japan Airlines Flight 1628 reported an eerie encounter with two "mysterious lights trailing their plane over Alaska."

tailing their aircraft over Alaska. The strange objects were verified by both onboard and ground radar, shadowing the flight before vanishing into thin air.

Terauchi claimed to have spotted a gigantic craft dwarfing their Boeing 747, an incident that sparked intrigue and allegedly cost him his job.

The region is also notorious for a high number of missing persons and abduction tales. Researcher Ken Gerhard shared with the History Channel: "What I found when I was doing my research in the Alaskan Triangle was that a number of these missing person cases legitimately could not be solved."

He elaborated: "This wasn't just a case of someone being mauled by a bear or falling into a crevasse, I mean, these were often people that were going about their daily lives. They weren't out on some grand adventure and yet ultimately, they disappeared for no good reason,".

While many attribute these mysteries to harsh weather conditions and frequent winter storms, others speculate that the inclement weather could provide the perfect camouflage for a U.S. or extraterrestrial base. Reddit is currently buzzing with posts from users sharing their theories about the potential 'base,' with many citing 'dark spots' or inconsistent satellite imagery as evidence.

{ https://www.dailystar.co.uk/ }

26-05-2025 om 22:18 geschreven door peter  

Man who recorded ‘best ever UFO footage’ answered question about video being fake

He's sure it wasn't just a scrap of something going by.

Published 17:41 26 May 2025 

Joe Harker

A man who recorded the 'best ever UFO footage' has explained why he doesn't think what he saw was fake.

There are plenty of people who are convinced they've seen a UFO hurtling through the sky, and some even manage to get video evidence of their sightings.

Some of the claims people make aren't hard to debunk, others take a lot more explaining.

One of the clearest pieces of footage of a sighting was taken by someone who was up in that very sky themselves and became convinced they'd had a close encounter of the third kind.

The footage was dubbed 'one of the greatest UAP (UFO) evidences of all time' by ufologist Jaime Maussan, who has been caught with fake aliens in the past.

However, truth is in the eye of the beholder so you might as well give it a look and learn why the person who filmed it thinks it's genuine.

What do you suppose it is?

(X/Jorge Arteaga)

Where did the footage come from?

The video was taken by pilot Jorge A. Arteaga, who was flying in the skies above Antioquia, Colombia, when he spotted something peculiar moving through the sky.

Within just a few seconds, a strange square-like object can be seen flying past Arteaga's plane and goes whizzing off in another direction.

The bloke claimed that he and his co-pilot had seen the object hovering in the air between the cities of Medellín and Santa Fe before it suddenly gained speed and moved towards them.

Arteaga claimed that the pair had wanted to keep following this strange sight before it suddenly started heading right for them.

However, Arteaga was able to get some footage on his phone which he's claimed as proof that he had a bona fide daylight encounter with a UFO.

Check it out:

Why is Arteaga sure it's a UFO?

This is the big question that anyone is going to ask when someone says they've caught a UFO on camera.

There are all sorts of objects in the sky which might just be a balloon or a scrap of something else floating about in the wind.

However, the pilot said that since his plane was at 12,500 feet there's no chance it could just have been a balloon.

Arteaga claimed it would be too cold and turbulent at that height for something like a balloon to survive in the skies, so he reckons it must have been a UFO.

On top of that, the pilot claimed the thing he saw was 'something totally unknown without means of propulsion' and he thought it moved in an 'intelligent' manner.

You may believe what you like, but the man who saw and filmed it is pretty convinced he laid eyes on a UFO that day.

• Featured Image Credit: X/Jorge Arteaga

'Best ever UFO footage' caught on camera had it's authenticity '100%' confirmed

Could this be the closest we've come to proving the existence of aliens?

Published 20:29 4 Jul 2024

Brenna Cooper

Captured in brought daylight, the mysterious, square-like object shoots out of the clouds and past Arteaga's cockpit in a matter of seconds.

He was able to quickly grab his camera and record the object - which appeared to be light in colour and pointed at one end - as it flew towards him before quickly speeding off.

Arteaga would later claim that he and his co-pilot had spotted the item floating in the air between the cities of Medellín and Santa Fe, before it drastically picked up speed and beelined towards them.

The pair had originally wanted to follow the UFO, but later abandoned the search after it suddenly began to hurtle towards them.

A birthday balloon? A rogue Wii Fit board? Or aliens?

(X/Jorge Arteaga)

Now I know what you're thinking, surely it's just another runaway balloon or random piece of debris?

Not according to Arteaga, who claimed that it would have been too cold or turbulent for a balloon to survive, adding that they were flying 12,500 feet in the air at the time.

And it seems that Arteaga has the backing of controversial ufologist Jaime Maussan, who later authenticated.

As for what happens during a 'UFO authentication' process we're not sure, but the pair would later sit down for an interview about the video, which Maussan later shared on his social media account.

"We are facing one of the greatest UAP (UFO) evidences of all time; captured by the Captain Pilot Aviator @JorgeArteagaG," he wrote on X, alongside a clip from their chat.

UFO or flying supermarket carrier bag?

(X/Jorge Arteaga)

Maussan went on to add that Arteaga had told him the object moved with 'something totally unknown without means of propulsion with movements that he considers intelligent.'

He also added that he'd cross-referenced the footage with Pilot Lieutenant Ryan Graves, who had agreed the clip showed a UFO, also known as a UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena).

Whether or not you believe the clip is a UFO or a floating piece of rubbish depends on what your stance on aliens is.

Perhaps it's one to bookmark and ask aliens about when they finally decide to invade us.

• Featured Image Credit: X/Jorge Arteaga

Joe Rogan addressed 'best ever UFO footage' caught on camera that had authenticity '100%' confirmed

The podcast host said the mysterious object 'looked like it's from another f***ing world'

Published 18:06 12 Feb 2025

Olivia Burke

At this stage in the game, we've all seen the clip of what is supposedly the 'best ever UFO footage ever' caught on camera more times than we care to count.

But not everyone has heard what Joe Rogan had to say about it.

Although his passion for the subject might have fooled you into thinking he's an extraterrestrial expert, the 57-year-old is actually just an enthusiast.

He's invited a plethora of guests on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, to discuss the topic, while previously saying he is '100% convinced' that aliens have visited Earth.

The UFC commentator even chewed the fat with President Donald Trump about the prospect of little green men coming down from space in November last year.

So when footage of a UFO, which was pretty hard to argue against, went viral a few years ago, Rogan obviously wanted to put his twopence in.

Take a look at the clip for yourself here:

In June last year, Rogan welcomed America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel, 69, onto his podcast and just couldn't resist showing him the video.

Explaining that people were calling it 'some of the most compelling UFO video ever' recorded, Rogan went on to say that he'd been unable to think up an explanation for it.

"They freeze framed it, it looks like a flying disc," he told Mandel about the strange object in the sky. "I mean, what in the f**k is that?"

Rogan's guest claimed that he had previously encountered a UFO himself, while suggesting that the flying object in the clip was travelling at a similar speed.

In response, Rogan said: "But you have to take into consideration that this plane is moving in a specific direction and the UFO is moving in the opposite direction.

"So it looks much faster than it actually is. Even if that was like a mylar balloon...if you're passing it that fast...I mean, I don't know what you're getting there.

"That to me looks like it's from another f***ing world."

He explained that he was unsure whether it was merely a 'distortion' in the footage which made him think this, or because the flying object was actually alien-related.

"That looks very distinct," Rogan went on. "It's so fascinating, man. I mean if I was a cynic I'd say, 'Oh, it's a f***ing balloon'. But it is weird, because it's not moving that fast if the plane is moving."

At the time, Rogan wasn't too sure if the clip was even legit or not - however, pilot Jorge A. Arteaga later came out to confirm it was in fact authentic.

Arteaga was swooping through the skies above Antioquia, Colombia, when he spotted the object emerging through the clouds and zooming past the cockpit of the small plane he was flying.

The quick-thinking pilot incredibly juggled his controls with his camera to capture the extraordinary moment, as he and his co-pilot watched in awe.

Arteaga said that the object had initially been stationary, before appearing to float in the air between Medellín and Santa Fe.

He claimed it then drastically picked up speed and beelined towards them, resulting in him manoeuvring the plane to follow the UFO.

Arteaga insisted that it didn't look or behave like a balloon, drone or plane - but he didn't manage to track it down.

After starting to 'hunt' the flying object, the dad is said to have become alarmed when it started moving towards the plane, seeing him abandon the search in fear.

He reckons that it would have been too cold and too turbulent for it to be a balloon, as he says it would have popped or blown away at 12,500 feet in the air while that close to another aircraft - but the jury's still out on what exactly it was.

Ufologist Jaime Maussan - who famously unveiled the two 'alien corpses' in Mexico last year - also threw his weight behind the claims, insisting the footage was genuine.

Sharing a snippet of their chat in a post on X, Maussan captioned the clip: "We are facing one of the greatest UAP (UFO) evidences of all time; captured by the Captain Pilot Aviator @JorgeArteagaG."

He also thanked retired Pilot Lieutenant Ryan Graves for analysing and validating the clip alongside him, which brought them both to the conclusion that it was a 'UAP anomalous object' - AKA, a UFO.

Maussan said that Arteaga told him that the object in the video is 'something totally unknown without means of propulsion with movements that he considers intelligent.'

• Featured Image Credit: X/Jorge Arteaga

{ https://www.ladbible.com/ }

26-05-2025 om 21:57 geschreven door peter  

Danie Franco/Unsplash

Sightings of UFOs may challenge our entire worldview, but the facts are too compelling to ignore, and they’re not going away. So, it’s time to wash off the sticky stigma and engage in serious discussion about the evidence, and its implications. 

Most UFO sightings are attributable to man-made objects like experimental aircraft or satellites, innocent misidentifications of Venus and other celestial objects, or outright hoaxes. However, we now know that in a minority of cases, there appears to be something else going on: something quite extraordinary and beyond our current comprehension. 

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are objects of unknown origin, evidently under intelligent control, which behave in ways that seem to challenge our understanding of physics. These objects don’t just “fly” without any apparent lift surfaces or means of propulsion; according to some military testimony, they would appear to be the fastest technological objects on Earth, capable of accelerating so quickly that they should create sonic booms, superheat the air around them into a glowing plasma, and instantly kill any occupants on board. 

Instead, they silently maneuver with perfect agility through the atmosphere and, according to some eyewitness reports, underwater, as if basic rules of inertia and friction simply don’t apply to them. 

There’s general acknowledgment that these phenomena have been documented in America since at least the late 1940s, and probably much earlier. Hence, many longtime UFO advocates, as well as those newer to the subject, are now asking why it has taken 70 years for government offices to openly regard UFOs as a subject of serious inquiry. This is a question that deserves a lengthy public discussion. 

Today, serious researchers are beginning–sometimes grudgingly–to admit that UFOs (or UAPs if you prefer the rebranded version) are a valid area of study, and pockets of scientific enthusiasm are emerging. After the New York Times made the revelation of a secret Pentagon UFO study their front page story, the Department of Defense subsequently admitted that leaked UFO videos were in fact real (and that it has others it’s not showing us). Since that time, a NASA UFO research initiative headed by Princeton’s former chair of astronomy has been launched, former Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb’s Galileo Project wants to determine if the strange phenomena are extraterrestrial. The Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office is now investigating UFO phenomena across all the branches of the military; the US Navy has revised its protocols to counter stigmas against UFO reporting and encourage sighting reports by pilots (like this one); and there have been briefings in the US Senate and House regarding the more than 650 sightings now being studied by AARO, marking an almost singular point of bipartisanship in a traditionally fractured Congress.

This explosion of interest and influx of expertise, credibility, and funding into UFO research will create a flow of ideas between old-hat UFO researchers and establishment newcomers to the subject. As some scientific communities shift to incorporate the nascently-legitimate subject of UFO research, they may have to accommodate elements of the other’s conceptual frameworks, methodologies, and research agendas, and this will require questioning old assumptions about what sort of evidence actually exists and how to interpret it. Likewise, it is the perfect moment for UFO-interested folks to pause and evaluate their own assumptions about the subject, many of which seem to have been in place since the very beginning of the Flying Saucer craze that in 1947 began simultaneously in both America and Canada. As career researchers and academics (like me) join the conversation, the contours of the conversation itself will inevitably shift–I think for the better. 

How I Came to the Subject, and What I Noticed as a Newcomer

My own journey down the UFO rabbit hole began one day early in 2019. As I flipped through a catalog from Oxford University Press, one title, in particular, jumped out at me: American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology by Diana Walsh Pasulka, a tenured professor of religion at the University of North Carolina. What surprised me most was that the blurb in the catalog suggested the author thought that it was not merely the UFO believers that were interesting, but that the phenomenon itself was worth serious attention. I promptly ordered a copy, and once it arrived I spent the next few days absorbed in the most bizarre piece of nonfiction I’d ever read. 

The UFO enthusiasts Pasulka spent the most time with–two men she dubbed “James” and “Tyler” to preserve their anonymity–were both experiencers of the phenomenon. However, they weren’t tinfoil-hat-waring obsessives; they were scientists and academics, and not long after her book was published, a prodigious Stanford biomedical scientist named Garry Nolan revealed that he was the man referred to in the text as “James”. Around the same time, members of Reddit, by perusing the Vatican archive visitors’ log for the days Pasulka and “Tyler” visited,  discovered that the latter appears to have been Timothy Taylor, founder of Endius. 

Screenshot from the Vatican Observatory 2017 Annual Report

(Vatican Observatory).

What I found as I slipped into the deep end of the pool of UFO research was that, first, there is no shallow end. It’s deep ends everywhere you go, and once you clear away the debris of obvious hoaxes and non-evidential sightings, every drop in the pool–that is, every case warranting sustained attention–is a little ocean with its own perplexing depths where nothing is what it at first seems to be. The important facts of each case are often so embedded in the commentaries and interpretations that have grown around them that it’s difficult to consider them separately from the belief systems of the UFO community itself.

Questioning Common Sense With Relation  to UFOs

Like all communities defined by a belief system, over time the most important beliefs become accepted so widely that they eventually feel too obvious even to mention. It’s similar to the way we don’t ever point out that murder isn’t nice; beliefs like these are accepted so widely and deeply that they pass out of consciousness altogether to some deeper place, where they operate out of sight. 

We are born into an atmosphere of these powerful but unspoken beliefs, and we adopt them not by reasoning about the evidence for or against them; rather, we simply accept them as part of the foundation of beliefs that we need in order to do any reasoning at all. If reasoning were a game of chess, these beliefs wouldn’t be pieces in the game or moves made by players: they’d be the board. 

These beliefs–the ones paradoxically so obvious that they’re invisible–are what some people in my field call ideology. The word is sometimes used pejoratively, but the fact is that everyone has an ideology. Questioning a person’s foundational beliefs can be so uncomfortable that it feels like an existential threat, and we respond defensively, even violently. Likewise, if we encounter any idea that flatly contradicts our foundational beliefs, it will seem patently false and absurd. 

Fig 2. Aerial perspective, by Johann Zahn, Oculus artificialis teledioptricus sive telescopium, 1702, public domain.

We can be confident today that this particular phenomenon isn’t real, but arguably stranger phenomena are now well-established realities. From robots controlled entirely by brain waves to machines that can render our dreams in visible images, technologies are allowing the contents of our minds to have a powerful presence in the world outside our heads. None of this even mentions theories of reality that totally throw into question the distinction between the “internal” and “external” world–ideas like the Simulation Hypothesis and holographic theories of the universe. 

It may also be worth considering whether some of these phenomena could be terrestrial, but nonhuman, in origin. Given that the US military suggests that at least some UFOs can travel underwater, that 70% of the Earth is ocean and that 95% of it is totally unexplored, the idea that these things are from here seems more plausible when we consider just how little of here we’ve actually mapped.. And while it seems unlikely that any intelligent, technological society arose before Homo Sapiens arrived on the scene, if such a civilization had arisen, we might not even be able to tell, because, while the Earth has been habitable for 40-600 million years, the geologic record itself only goes back 1.8 to 2.6 million. Entertaining these possibilities or creating new ones will, however, require abandoning the assumption that ETH is the only real game in town.

Another alternative to the ETH put forward by one of the most credentialed and intellectually rigorous UFO investigators out there, Jacques Vallée, is that reality itself has within it some fundamental mechanism for disrupting our certainty about the world. This mechanism, he theorizes, kicks in at opportune moments to manifest weirdness that is calculated, often humorously, to mystify us into wonder or incomprehension. For Vallée, who calls his theory the “Control System Hypothesis”, reality itself may be a trickster whose purpose is to nudge our collective consciousness in ways that encourage society to develop in particular ways.

As bizarre as this idea sounds, it’s not one that Vallée brought into his research into UFOs, but rather a notion he began to formulate after decades of flying around the world, personally investigating reported encounters and interviewing experiencers. By his own account, he was initially persuaded by the ETH, but case by case, he became convinced that the details simply didn’t add up to an extraterrestrial explanation. He found that, when experiencers were allowed to describe the details of their encounters as they experienced them, rather than simply responding to standard data-collection questions about the size and shape of craft, number, and arrangement of lights, etc., these sane, intelligent experiencers who shunned publicity and sought no personal gain, recalled details that are flatly absurd. The occupants of UFOs disembark for no other apparent reason than to argue with witnesses about what the time is, or to offer bystanders pancakes. Such encounters seem intentionally surreal to Vallée as if they were constructed in order to mystify experiencers with their absurdity. 

Another category of (quasi) encounters with UFOs that is rife with the absurd is the category of reported alien abductions. Abduction reports often describe beings who, despite obviously possessing ultra-sophisticated technology, inflict pseudo-medical “examinations” upon abductees using tools and methods that would be laughable for their medieval silliness if they weren’t so traumatizing for those who report these experiences. 

The bizarre details of abduction encounters make them easy to dismiss out of hand, but it’s probably a mistake to ignore these reports. Pulitzer Prize-winner and then-chair of psychiatry at Harvard, John Mack, spent over a decade conducting hundreds of hours of interviews with self-identified abductees. In the end, he published collaborations with other psychiatrists,  and several related books in which he reached three firm conclusions: 1) the people he interviewed were not crazy, 2) they were not lying, and 3) the only thing they seemed to have in common was the fact that they reported being abducted. Simply put, these sane, otherwise normal people really believed these things had happened to them.

You may, at this point, decide that we have strayed too far from respectable scientific speculation; Mack’s colleagues at Harvard suspected the same of him, and, in an attempt to oust him and formally discredit the incredible conclusions he drew, they descended upon his work with a formal investigation, the first Harvard had ever conducted upon one of its own faculty members. Their investigation alleged that Mack had committed gross professional irresponsibility by  “communicat[ing], in any way whatsoever, to a person who has reported a ‘close encounter’ with an extraterrestrial life form that this experience might well have been real”. For fourteen months the team of Harvard professors pored over piles of Mack’s notes, data, and recorded interviews before they were finally forced to conclude that, despite a few methodological criticisms, there was no basis to deny the credibility of his work. Harvard subsequently declared that Mack–a man who publicly argued for the reality of abduction cases– was, and always had been, a member of Harvard’s faculty in good standing and that his scholarship was worthy of one of the greatest universities in the world.

Mack openly acknowledged  that the abduction phenomenon is “some kind of psychological, spiritual experience” that is “both literally and physically happening”, and speculated that the events were “originating, perhaps, in another dimension.” He never made the surreal absurdities of abduction encounters a focal point of his study, but he left us with good reasons to believe these experiences were genuine–absurdities and all–which means the absurdity at the heart of many UFO and abduction encounters still requires an explanation. Vallée’s hypothesis seems, to a degree, like an attempt to address some of the questions raised by Mack’s research.

A totally different approach to understanding the incredible and sometimes absurd facts of the UFO phenomenon–an approach I call the “missing concepts” view–would be to consider that, if UFOs are the work of other intelligent beings, they are almost certainly the product of beings who have forms of experience, conceptual categories, and kinds of activities, and aims that would be incomprehensibly foreign to us. Our current relationship to the phenomena may then be akin to a race of intelligent, but totally blind aliens who have found and are trying to understand a human-made kaleidoscope. UFO phenomena, in other words, may be conceptually incomprehensible to us both in how they work, and what their basic purpose is. Our mental toolbox may be missing some of the essential concepts that are necessary for describing the phenomena, even at a rudimentary level, the way intelligent beings without a concept of visual experience simply can’t theorize their way to a good explanation of a kaleidoscope. 

Each of these hypotheses—Vallee’s “control system”, the possibility that some are exotic but natural intelligence-mimicking phenomena, that they’re somehow of terrestrial origin, or that UFOs are currently conceptually incomprehensible–all deserve consideration alongside the ETH, and we should be trying to design many other new hypotheses too, along with empirical tests to eliminate them if they don’t fit the evidence. The standard assumption that any legitimate UFOs are extraterrestrial craft shouldn’t simply be discarded, but it should be tested alongside these other hypotheses.

2. Assumption Two: The Unity of The Phenomena of UFOs

The second assumption that seems to underlie nearly every conversation about UFOs is the belief that these unexplained phenomena are each individual manifestations of a single root phenomenon; that they’re all ultimately the same kind of thing and so, whatever the explanation may be, we only need one explanation. Like all assumptions, this is rarely stated, but I’ve yet to come across anyone who wants to distinguish between types of UFOs for the purpose of attributing unrelated causes to them.

It may be tempting to assume that we should prefer a single explanation for a host of weird phenomena to multiple explanations because in doing so we satisfy Occam’s Razor–the dictum that we should always prefer simpler explanations to more complex ones. But Occam’s Razor is so widely misunderstood, so limited in its useful applicability, and so easily misapplied that it may be best to just avoid trying to satisfy it at all. Point in fact, conspiracy theories are almost always perfectly obedient to Occam’s Razor, because they propose to explain nearly everything as the product of a single cause. After all, positing one Jewish space laser is, in a real sense, a simpler explanation for California’s wildfires than a combination of worldwide climate change factors and specific conditions on the ground in California.

When we’re trying to explain a collection of distinct phenomena spread across space and time, each with its own unique, noteworthy features, the best default assumption is that there are multiple distinct causes at play. The body of documented UFO phenomena includes glowing orbs, military encounters with craft-like objects, accounts of human and humanoid creatures, massive air battles among flying objects of wildly varying descriptions, and celestial apparitions, to name a few. This raises a serious methodological question: how do we draw the boundaries to define UFOs in the first place? How, for instance, are we to distinguish in every case between religious or mystical encounters–like the 1917 events at Fatima, Portugal–and more “normal” UFO encounters, with which they share some important features? This question becomes even more complex when we consider that experiencers can interpret the same details very differently depending on their worldview.

What is needed is for us to develop a rigorous, standardized taxonomy of the different kinds of encounters according to both empirical and subjective elements, and then to consider, for each type, which explanation fits with and explains the data best. There’s no good reason to assume, in the face of so much perplexing evidence, that there’s really only one kind of weird thing going on. 

3. Assumption Three: The Consistency of The Government

Another idea joined at the hip of nearly every discussion about UFOs is the belief that The Government (usually the US) has probably already solved the mystery, and they’re playing dumb. The reasoning is clear: how could a technological superpower with a military spanning the globe not know what’s behind these phenomena, especially given the serious national security implications of strange objects in our airspace? 

The heart of this suspicion is an assumption that the government–and here it’s more like The Government–is unified enough that it can harbor within itself a kind of secret society that spans its various branches and bureaus and operates effectively, and in secret. However, take a cursory glance at any major government project (and here, again, I am thinking especially of the US Government); whether it’s an interstate system, national healthcare, public education, taxation, natural disaster response, or even passing an annual budget, one will quickly conclude that our governments very often lack the unity required for accomplish even their most fundamental tasks. 

This is just the nature of the beast: a large group comprising various ideologies tasked with pursuing multiple complexes and often competing goals is always at the risk of fracturing from internal stress, at which point it may be unable to accomplish even its day-to-day duties. Any system constantly fighting the tides of such internal stresses is almost certainly incapable of perpetrating a coordinated, decades-long, system-wide coverup of the most important truths humanity has ever known.  If we consider that there are also thousands of dogged and competent journalists sniffing for corruption, ethically motivated insiders ready to blow the whistle, and hundreds of other governments with their own messy innards and competing interests, it is possible, at most, to believe that single incidents–maybe even massively important ones–could be concealed if they fell under the purview of a single office or bureau, but the possibility that large numbers of people across multiple, often-quarrelsome governments have cooperatively succeeded at suppressing monumental truths about our place in the universe for decades seems vanishingly small. 

We would be better off avoiding attributing such awesome power and competence to our governments, and instead, adopt a more nuanced conception of governments that sees them not as unified wholes, but as loose collections of bureaus that cooperate or share information with one another when it serves their individual interests, but often operate with disregard or outright antagonism toward one another. A more accurate picture of the situation would then emerge, one in which the UFO phenomenon is a very large jigsaw puzzle of which each government likely only possesses a few pieces, which are then scattered across that government’s chain of island-like bureaus and offices, which are not particularly cooperative with each other, and so may not even acknowledge that they have any of the pieces, or that the puzzle is even real.

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

26-05-2025 om 20:47 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

26-05-2025 om 18:24 geschreven door peter  

What The Strange Habits Of An Octopus Can Teach Us About Alien Intelligence

Studying cephalopods can teach you a lot about the nature of intelligence.

by The Conversation and Rachel Blaser

 

Mark Chivers/Moment/Getty Images

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

26-05-2025 om 18:13 geschreven door peter  

15 Years Later, Earth’s Most Advanced Planetary Defense System Ends In A Fiery Reentry

NEOWISE contributed to planetary defense efforts with its research to catalog near-Earth objects.

by Toshi Hirabayashi, Yaeji Kim and The Conversation

NASA Neowise

The NASA project NEOWISE, which has given astronomers a detailed view of near-Earth objects – some of which could strike the Earth — ended its mission and burned on reentering the atmosphere after over a decade.

On a clear night, the sky is full of bright objects — from stars, large planets, and galaxies to tiny asteroids flying near Earth. These asteroids are commonly known as near-Earth objects, and they come in a wide variety of sizes. Some are tens of kilometers across or larger, while others are only tens of meters or smaller.

On occasion, near-Earth objects smash into Earth at a high speed — roughly 10 miles per second (16 kilometers per second) or faster. That’s about 15 times as fast as a rifle’s muzzle speed. An impact at that speed can easily damage the planet’s surface and anything on it.

Impacts from large near-Earth objects are generally rare over a typical human lifetime. But they’re more frequent on a geological timescale of millions to billions of years. The best example may be a 6-mile-wide (10-kilometer-wide) asteroid that crashed into Earth, killed the dinosaurs and created Chicxulub crater about 65 million years ago.

Smaller impacts are very common on Earth, as there are more small near-Earth objects. An international community effort called planetary defense protects humans from these space intruders by cataloging and monitoring as many near-Earth objects as possible, including those closely approaching Earth. Researchers call the near-Earth objects that could collide with the surface potentially hazardous objects.

NASA began its NEOWISE mission in December 2013. This mission’s primary focus was to use the space telescope from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to closely detect and characterize near-Earth objects such as asteroids and comets.

NEOWISE contributed to planetary defense efforts with its research to catalog near-Earth objects. Over the past decade, it helped planetary defenders like us and our colleagues study near-Earth objects.

Detecting near-Earth objects

NEOWISE was a game-changing mission, as it revolutionized how to survey near-Earth objects.

The NEOWISE mission continued to use the spacecraft from NASA’s WISE mission, which ran from late 2009 to 2011 and conducted an all-sky infrared survey to detect not only near-Earth objects but also distant objects such as galaxies.

The spacecraft orbited Earth from north to south, passing over the poles, and it was in a Sun-synchronous orbit, where it could see the Sun in the same direction over time. This position allowed it to scan all of the sky efficiently.

The spacecraft could survey astronomical and planetary objects by detecting the signatures they emitted in the mid-infrared range.

Humans’ eyes can sense visible light, which is electromagnetic radiation between 400 and 700 nanometers. When we look at stars in the sky with the naked eye, we see their visible light components.

However, mid-infrared light contains waves between 3 and 30 micrometers and is invisible to human eyes.

When heated, an object stores that heat as thermal energy. Unless the object is thermally insulated, it releases that energy continuously as electromagnetic energy, in the mid-infrared range.

This process, known as thermal emission, happens to near-Earth objects after the Sun heats them up. The smaller an asteroid, the fainter its thermal emission. The NEOWISE spacecraft could sense thermal emissions from near-Earth objects at a high level of sensitivity – meaning it could detect small asteroids.

But asteroids aren’t the only objects that emit heat. The spacecraft’s sensors could pick up heat emissions from other sources too — including the spacecraft itself.

To make sure heat from the spacecraft wasn’t hindering the search, the WISE/NEOWISE spacecraft was designed so that it could actively cool itself using then-state-of-the-art solid hydrogen cryogenic cooling systems.

Operation Phases

Since the spacecraft’s equipment needed to be very sensitive to detect faraway objects for WISE, it used solid hydrogen, which is extremely cold, to cool itself down and avoid any noise that could mess with the instruments’ sensitivity. Eventually, the coolant ran out, but not until WISE had successfully completed its science goals.

During the cryogenic phase when it was actively cooling itself, the spacecraft operated at a temperature of about -447 degrees Fahrenheit (-266 degrees Celsius), slightly higher than the universe’s temperature, which is about -454 degrees Fahrenheit (-270 degrees Celsius).

The cryogenic phase lasted from 2009 to 2011 until the spacecraft went into hibernation in 2011.

Following the hibernation period, NASA decided to reactivate the WISE spacecraft under the NEOWISE mission, with a more specialized focus on detecting near-Earth objects, which was still feasible even without the cryogenic cooling.

During this reactivation phase, the detectors didn’t need to be quite as sensitive, nor the spacecraft kept as cold as it was during the cryogenic cooling phase, since near-Earth objects are closer than WISE’s faraway targets.

The consequence of losing the active cooling was that two long-wave detectors out of the four on board became so hot that they could no longer function, limiting the craft’s capability.

Nevertheless, NEOWISE used its two operational detectors to continuously monitor both previously and newly detected near-Earth objects in detail.

NEOWISE’s legacy

As of February 2024, NEOWISE had taken more than 1.5 million infrared measurements of about 44,000 different objects in the solar system. These included about 1,600 discoveries of near-Earth objects. NEOWISE also provided detailed size estimates for more than 1,800 near-Earth objects.

Despite the mission’s contributions to science and planetary defense, it was decommissioned in August 2024. The spacecraft eventually started to fall toward Earth’s surface, until it reentered Earth’s atmosphere and burned up on Nov. 1, 2024.

NEOWISE’s contributions to hunting near-Earth objects gave scientists much deeper insights into the asteroids around Earth. It also gave scientists a better idea of what challenges they’ll need to overcome to detect faint objects.

So, did NEOWISE find all the near-Earth objects? The answer is no. Most scientists still believe that there are far more near-Earth objects out there that still need to be identified, particularly smaller ones.

To carry on NEOWISE’s legacy, NASA is planning a mission called NEO Surveyor. NEO Surveyor will be a next-generation space telescope that can study small near-Earth asteroids in more detail, mainly to contribute to NASA’s planetary defense efforts. It will identify hundreds of thousands of near-Earth objects that are as small as about 33 feet (10 meters) across. The spacecraft’s launch is scheduled for 2027.

• This article was originally published on The Conversation by Toshi Hirabayashi at Georgia Institute of Technology and Yaeji Kim at University of Maryland. Read the original article here.

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

26-05-2025 om 17:28 geschreven door peter  

How Good Is AI At Detecting Human Emotions? Too Good.

Identifying specific emotions has significant implications for everything from marketing to education and health care.

by Leo Paas, Ho Seok Ahn, Sanghyub John Lee and The Conversation

 

John Lund/Getty Images

Artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to permeate many facets of the human experience. AI is not just a tool for analysing data — it’s transforming the way we communicate, work and live. From ChatGP through to AI video generators, the lines between technology and parts of our lives have become increasingly blurred.

But do these technological advances mean AI can identify our feelings online?

In our new research, we examined whether AI could detect human emotions in posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Our research focused on how emotions expressed in use posts about certain non-profit organizations can influence actions such as the decision to make donations to them at a later point.

Using emotions to drive a response

Traditionally, researchers have relied on sentiment analysis, which categorizes messages as positive, negative, or neutral. While this method is simple and intuitive, it has limitations.

Human emotions are far more nuanced. For example, anger and disappointment are both negative emotions, but they can provoke very different reactions. Angry customers may react much more strongly than disappointed ones in a business context.

To address these limitations, we applied an AI model that could detect specific emotions — such as joy, anger, sadness, and disgust — expressed in tweets.

Our research found emotions expressed on X could serve as a representation of the public’s general sentiments about specific non-profit organizations. These feelings had a direct impact on donation behavior.

Detecting emotions

We used the “transformer transfer learning” model to detect emotions in text. Pre-trained on massive datasets by companies such as Google and Facebook, transformers are highly sophisticated AI algorithms that excel at understanding natural language (languages that have developed naturally as opposed to computer languages or code).

We fine-tuned the model on a combination of four self-reported emotion datasets (over 3.6 million sentences) and seven other datasets (over 60,000 sentences). This allowed us to map out a wide range of emotions expressed online.

For example, the model would detect joy as the dominant emotion when reading an X post such as,

• Starting our mornings in school is the best! All smiles at #purpose #kids.

Conversely, the model would pick up on sadness in a tweet saying,

• I feel I have lost part of myself. I lost Mum over a month ago, and Dad 13 years ago. I’m lost and scared.

The model achieved an impressive 84 percent accuracy in detecting emotions from text, a noteworthy accomplishment in the field of AI.

We then looked at tweets about two New Zealand-based organizations – the Fred Hollows Foundation and the University of Auckland. We found tweets expressing sadness were more likely to drive donations to the Fred Hollows Foundation, while anger was linked to an increase in donations to the University of Auckland.

Ethical questions as AI evolves

Identifying specific emotions has significant implications for sectors such as marketing, education, and health care.

Being able to identify people’s emotional responses in specific contexts online can support decision-makers in responding to their individual customers or their broader market. Each specific emotion being expressed in social media posts online requires a different reaction from a company or organization.

Our research demonstrated that different emotions lead to different outcomes when it comes to donations.

Knowing sadness in marketing messages can increase donations to non-profit organizations allows for more effective, emotionally resonant campaigns. Anger can motivate people to act in response to perceived injustice.

While the transformer transfer learning model excels at detecting emotions in text, the next major breakthrough will come from integrating it with other data sources, such as voice tone or facial expressions, to create a more complete emotional profile.

Imagine an AI that not only understands what you’re writing but also how you’re feeling. Clearly, such advances come with ethical challenges.

If AI can read our emotions, how do we ensure this capability is used responsibly? How do we protect privacy? These are crucial questions that must be addressed as the technology continues to evolve.

• This article was originally published on The Conversation by Sanghyub John Lee, Ho Seok Ahn and Leo Paas at the University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau. Read the original article here.

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{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

26-05-2025 om 17:11 geschreven door peter  

A Strange, Old Asteroid Is Orbiting Our Sun — NASA’s New Psyche Mission Will Hunt For Its Origin

Psyche has a mysterious origin story, and NASA thinks it's imperative that we learn it.

by Doris Elín Urrutia

 

NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

If a novel chronicled the Solar System’s history in a thousand or so pages (roughly the length of the Lord of the Rings trilogy), the scene NASA’s Psyche mission is trying to understand happens on page one.

Asteroid Psyche preserves the memory of the dramatic event that forged it. This dense, potentially metal-rich object is now tucked away amongst thousands of ordinary space rocks in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, some 2.5 billion miles away from Earth. NASA plans to send a robotic expedition to traverse this distance.

According to NASA, the Psyche mission is currently expected to take off no earlier than October 12th. A three-week launch window for lift-off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, will remain open for delays.

NASA expects the spacecraft to complete its journey in August 2029. By that time, mission scientists hope that the asteroid’s enigmatic story, which began just 4 million years into the 4.6 billion-year existence of our Solar System, may finally begin to be told.

What is so special about asteroid Psyche?

NASA has commissioned a wave of space rock missions over the past several years. Before this, asteroid researchers traditionally relied solely on telescopes and the meteorites delivered from the great beyond, like natural postcards.

Meteorites are a valuable sample of the Solar System’s start because they preserve clues about the behavior of the material left over from planetary formation. Their method of shipping does sully these packages, however. As they careen and melt through Earth’s atmosphere, they change in significant ways. Nevertheless, meteorites are important. For instance, they suggest to astronomers that most asteroids are made of rock.

But there’s something odder about Psyche that has astronomers excited. For one, it rotates on its side. Second, some of the asteroid’s attributes, though hard to perceive clearly from Earth, suggest Psyche is dense and abundant in iron. If this is confirmed up close with the spacecraft’s three instruments, it would have “lots of interesting consequences,” Psyche mission co-investigator Simone Marchi tells Inverse.

“We have not seen any such object at close range before. All the asteroids that fly by, we think, are mostly made of rock. At least their surfaces are made of rock. So, having to deal with an object that potentially might be metal-rich would open up completely different scenarios in terms of formation and how this object came to be the way it is now.”

Where did Psyche come from?

Three to four million years into the Solar System’s long tenure — or 1/1,300 its current age — something extraordinary forged Psyche.

Juvenile planets might have played a role. As disks of dust and gas swirled around our baby Sun, the material would clump together. The pieces eventually got bigger, but not big enough to be considered planets. Scientists call these planetesimals.

Psyche could be a rare relic from an explosive crash between two planetesimals, Psyche mission co-investigator Bill Bottke tells Inverse.

Planetesimals have enough mass that the denser materials pool to the center, and the lighter stuff sits on top. But since they are still growing, a crash would be powerful enough to melt and extract the core and form something like Psyche.

Another possibility, according to Bottke, is that some still unknown process placed certain materials in one part of the Solar System, and that Psyche formed in a metal-rich pocket. “At the moment, we don’t know which of those is the right solution. So this is where it gets exciting,” he says.

What will the mission find?

When the Psyche mission finally launches, its solar panel wings will unfurl to soak up energy for its journey to the asteroid belt. When deployed, the Psyche spacecraft will be roughly the size of a tennis court, according to NASA.

During its cruise, Psyche will use Mars’ gravity to speed up and put it on the right path. When it gets close to asteroid Psyche in six years, the mission will spend 100 days in an approach phase. Once in orbit around the asteroid, the mission will fly in four different orbits to map and study it. From its outermost orbit, the spacecraft will get the overall shape of the asteroid. Then, each progressively tighter orbit will examine the asteroid’s topography, how its mass is distributed, and map its elements.

Maybe then, Psyche will paint a picture of how our cosmic neighborhood began.

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{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

26-05-2025 om 16:26 geschreven door peter  

Het racisme achter buitenaardse mummie-hoaxes

Precolumbiaanse lichamen worden opnieuw gebruikt als bewijs voor buitenaards leven.

By Christopher Heaney

Een diagram van een "oude Peruaanse schedel" uit Samuel George Morton's Crania Americana

 (Samuel George Morton)

Peruaanse archeologen zijn het beu om beweringen over buitenaardse invloed op de menselijke geschiedenis te ontkrachten. In 1968 introduceerde de Zwitserse auteur Erich von Däniken's Chariots of the Gods? de mainstream in de theorie dat de Nazca-lijnen, de enorme geogliefen in Zuid-Peru waarvan de vormen alleen vanuit de lucht volledig zichtbaar zijn, landingsbanen waren voor 'oude astronauten'. Archeologen zijn het daar kalm mee oneens en stellen dat het astronomische ontwerpen waren die de woestijn zelf in een observatorium veranderden, of tegensterrenbeelden die overeenkwamen met de donkere ruimtes in de Melkweg, of, meer abstract, kosmologische figuren die bedoeld waren om gezien te worden door hemelwaartse goden, waarvan het oude Peru er veel had. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull uit 2008 gaf een nieuwe draai aan dit oude verhaal, inclusief, voor de goede orde, de buitenaardse wezens met grote schedels die Noord-Amerikaanse ontvoeringsverhalen doorspekken.

Nu zijn Peruaanse wetenschappers woedend over een nieuwe en mogelijk verderfelijke permutatie van de theorie van de "oude astronaut". Een webserie met de naam Unearthing Nazca beweert het onderzoek naar een precolumbiaanse en "mensachtige" mummie weer te geven. Archeologen, die de toegang tot de mummie is ontzegd, maken zich zorgen dat het zo oud is als de makers van de serie beweren, maar dat het eigenlijk inheems en Andes is - een echt menselijk individu dat is verminkt om eruit te zien als een buitenaards wezen. Ze maken zich zorgen dat Unearthing Nazca een vermomde archeologische snufffilm is.

Het succes van de serie is ook een punt van zorg. Sinds de lancering van de serie in juni door Gaia.com - een website die gespecialiseerd is in "bewuste media, yoga en meer" - is de teaser-aflevering van Unearthing Nazca alleen al op YouTube 2,35 miljoen keer bekeken. Het begint met wat op het eerste gezicht een typische zittende Peruaanse mummie lijkt, armen om de knieën geslagen, als een kind dat wacht op zijn ouder. Zijn hoofd is langwerpig zoals die van andere precolumbiaanse mummies, wier samenlevingen de schedel van hun kinderen kunstmatig hebben gevormd om schoonheidsidealen te bereiken of groepsverbondenheid te vertegenwoordigen.

Daar houdt de gelijkenis op. Een Hans Zimmer-achtige partituur klopt, en een expert met een Russisch accent in 'bio-electrografie' - die elders beweert de menselijke ziel te hebben gefotografeerd die na de dood uit het lichaam ontsnapt - verklaart de mummie 'een van de belangrijkste ontdekkingen van de 21e eeuw'. De camera draait in een baan om de mummie en onthult dat deze slechts drie lange vingers aan elke hand en drie lange tenen aan elke voet heeft. Zijn langwerpige kop heeft geen neus, geen oren en grote, zware oogleden. En zijn huid is griezelig, poederachtig wit.

De experts van de video stoppen met het A-woord en laten een reeks vestdragende en in witte jassen geklede "experts" beweren dat röntgenfoto's, CT-scans en DNA- en koolstof-14-tests van het vlees van de mummie onthullen dat dit nieuwe "mensachtige" of "organische wezen", dat ze "Maria" hebben genoemd, geen fraude is. Om meer te weten te komen, werden kijkers aanvankelijk aangemoedigd om de rest van het onderzoek achter Gaia's betaalmuur te bekijken.

De Engels- en Spaanstalige roddelbladen en YouTube-kanalen die verslag doen van de "ontdekking" vullen de lege plekken betrouwbaar in en bewaken de journalistieke integriteit met angstaanjagende citaten: "De 'buitenaardse' mummies van Nazca", trompetterde The Sun half juli, toen de meest prominente promotor van de mummie, een Mexicaanse "ufoloog" en tv-persoonlijkheid genaamd Jaime Maussan, fotografisch en röntgen "bewijs" produceerde van ten minste vier extra "reptielachtige" "mensachtige" lichamen.

Want natuurlijk: wat zouden ze nog meer kunnen zijn?

Mensen, en ook nog eens inheemse.

In 2015 probeerde Maussan een fotografische dia uit de late jaren 1940 te promoten die, zo liet hij doorschemeren, het lijk van een buitenaards kind afbeeldde dat in het zuidwesten van Amerika was gevonden. Meer sceptische ufologen pasten de-blurring-technologie toe op de "Roswell Slide" toen deze werd vrijgegeven, en ontdekten dat een voorheen niet-te ontcijferen plakkaat naast het lichaam onthulde dat het eigenlijk de mummie was van een tweejarige Pueblo-jongen die in 1894 uit de klifwoningen van Mesa Verde was verwijderd. In 1938 keerde de jongen terug naar een museum in een Nationaal Park en in 2015 werd hij gerepatrieerd naar een lokale stam.

Ongelooflijk, Maussan bood vervolgens $ 10.000 aan voor informatie die de "locatie en herstel" van de Pueblo-jongen mogelijk zou kunnen maken.

Deze opname van precolumbiaanse Peruanen in de veronderstelde doofpotaffaire van buitenaardse wezens door de wetenschap weerspiegelt de eerdere verzameling en studie van de inheemse doden. In de 19e eeuw veronderstelden Anglo-Amerikaanse en Europese craniologen en geleerden die kunstmatig gevormde schedels tegenkwamen in Peruaanse graven dat ze ofwel de niet-misvormde overblijfselen waren van een verloren en beschaafd volk dat ze de 'oude Peruanen' noemden, of kunstmatige vervormingen van latere volkeren geïnspireerd door de natuurlijke vormen van die oude Peruanen. Archeologen kwamen tot het besef dat "misvormde" Peruaanse schedels vanaf de kindertijd werden gebonden en gevormd, toen schedelbeenderen nog niet waren versmolten - zonder verandering in schedelcapaciteit en, te oordelen naar de monumentale samenlevingen die hun elites bereikten, zonder handicap voor cognitieve vaardigheden. Maar de opkomst van de ufologie na het "Roswell-incident" van 1947 heeft de zoektocht naar geheime voorouders nieuw leven ingeblazen - en de minder verantwoordelijke beoefenaars hebben oude Peruaanse schedels opnieuw aangeworven als bewijs van de aanwezigheid van "grijze buitenaardse wezens" met grote schedels. Ze speculeren dat de grootste precolumbiaanse prestaties van Peru - waaronder Machu Picchu, volgens een theorie die werd uitgezonden in het History Channel-programma Ancient Aliens - letterlijk niet van deze wereld zijn, het product van een superieur, buitenaards "ras" of hun geleende technologie.

Illustratie van een mummie die in 1836 werd verzameld en uitgepakt door John Harrison Blake (Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology)

Het gebruik van het woord 'ras' is veelzeggend, omdat het suggereert hoe het hergebruiken van oudere, Europese collecties van niet-Europese lichamen en onderzoek ernaar oude en ontkrachte theorieën over raciale tekortkoming kan reproduceren: dat met name inheemse Peruanen zulke geavanceerde, monumentale samenlevingen niet op eigen kracht hadden kunnen bouwen. ("Theoretici van oude astronauten" claimen bewijs van buitenaardse inspiratie wereldwijd, maar alleen inheemse Amerikanen zien hun lichamen en prestaties als alleen verklaarbaar door buitenaardse aanwezigheid.) Vanaf de 18e eeuw hebben Noord-Europeanen de Spanjaarden ervan beschuldigd de oorsprong van de prestaties van de Inca's te overdrijven of verkeerd te identificeren. Alexander von Humboldt beweerde dat de eerste Inca's eigenlijk Chinezen waren. Het balsemen van hun doden door de Inca's werd in plaats daarvan toegeschreven aan natuurlijke mummificatie door de elementen of aan de verspreiding van Egyptische kennis.

Met de opkomst van specifiek geracialiseerde wetenschap in de 19e en 20e eeuw, werd bewijs voor Indiaans anders-zijn gezocht in de botten van de oude Peruanen. In de jaren 1920 zou een Duitse geleerde en toekomstige SS-officier bevestiging zoeken dat de meest megalithische culturen van de Andes eigenlijk Arisch of Atlantisch waren, en dat hun langwerpige schedels van een hoger, Noord-Europees ras waren. Meer afwijzend namen eerdere geleerden de kenmerkende grootte, vorm en het bezit van unieke interpariëtale botten van oude Peruaanse schedels als bewijs van een gelijkenis met knaagdieren en buideldieren, een tegenstrijdigheid die hun toegeschreven beschaving ondermijnde. In zijn grote aanval op raciale vooroordelen in de wetenschappelijke schatting van intelligentie, The Mismeasure of Man (1981), beweerde Stephen Jay Gould beroemd dat de cranioloog Samuel George Morton uit Philadelphia de gemiddelde grootte van Indiase schedels in zijn collectie had "gekelderd" door een "grote oververtegenwoordiging van een extreme groep - de Inca-Peruanen met kleine hersenen" op te nemen.

Archeologie en musea hebben een lange weg afgelegd in hun studie en weergave van een inheems verleden waar Peruanen trots op zijn, en gesprekken over de repatriëring of meer ethische studie van de inheemse Amerikaanse doden zijn aan de gang. (Gelijktijdig met de vrijlating van Unearthing Nazca was er een massale opkomst bij een nieuwe en beslist niet-buitenaardse show over de Nazca-cultuur in het Lima Museum of Art.) Goulds gebruik van Morton als illustratie van raciale vooringenomenheid in de wetenschap is ook besproken - Morton gebruikte in feite een gegroepeerd gemiddelde van de groepen die onder zijn 'Amerikanen' waren opgenomen, waarbij hij controleerde voor de grotere aanwezigheid van de Peruanen, zodat hun opname het gemiddelde niet zou kelderen.

Desalniettemin is Unearthing Nazca een ondersteuning voor Goulds grotere waarschuwing tegen het beschrijven van niet-Europese lichamen als gebrekkig, abnormaal of niet-menselijk. Met name het internet heeft een platform geboden voor beweringen over de buitenaardse of alt-hominide abnormaliteit van Peruaanse schedels die berusten op de herhaling van oude wetenschap zonder te worstelen met de racistische veronderstellingen achter de statistieken die ze gebruikten. Voorstanders van het idee dat langwerpige Peruaanse schedels van nature voorkwamen, hebben bijvoorbeeld het werk van Morton en zijn cohort omarmd, zoals de Zwitserse auteur die de oude Peruanen vergeleek met buideldieren. Het laat ook zien hoe zombified rassenwetenschap - zelfs als het beweert niet over ras te gaan - echte menselijke lichamen zou kunnen misbruiken.

Het was om deze reden dat Unearthing Nazca het leergierige reservaat van Peruaanse archeologen doorbrak. De problemen begonnen eind vorig jaar, toen de Peruaanse YouTuber Paul Ronceros lokale media ertoe bracht om een eerdere "buitenaardse" of "reptielachtige" mummie te verslaan en de drievingerige hand van Nazca te scheiden, waarvan hij beweerde dat ze waren ontdekt door andere geïnteresseerde partijen dan hijzelf. Op een gegeven moment bracht Ronceros die hand en de eerste "mummie" naar een reeks musea, waaronder het natuurhistorisch museum van de Universiteit van San Marcos in Lima, de oudste universiteit op het halfrond. Volgens het hoofd van de paleontologie van gewervelde dieren van dat museum, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi - die ook een onderzoeker is verbonden aan het American Museum of Natural History in New York - veranderde Ronceros zijn verhaal toen hij werd uitgedaagd over de voor de hand liggende verzinsel, en beweerde dat het in plaats daarvan een precolumbiaanse "representatie" van buitenaards leven was, gemaakt van een mengsel van dierlijke en menselijke botten. Rond deze tijd raakten Maussan en andere internationale UFO-"experts" erbij betrokken en verklaarden dat de mummies in kwestie - ze bleven zich vermenigvuldigen - verzinsels waren, mogelijk oud, maar dat andere "echte, niet-menselijke biologische overblijfselen" waren.

Dat archeologische menselijke botten mogelijk zijn gebruikt om de "reptielen" mini-mummie van Ronceros en de bijbehorende hand te monteren, was al erg genoeg. Maar Peruaanse wetenschappers hielden hun vuur in het openbaar tot juni, toen Unearthing Nazca de eerder niet-gefotografeerde "Maria" onthulde, wiens dramatische gelijkenis met echte Peruaanse mummies - tot aan een bijna anatomisch correcte CT-scan - suggereerde dat ze geen pastiche was van dierlijke en menselijke botten, maar een echte precolumbiaanse Andes, geplunderd en opnieuw gemaakt omwille van een hoax.

Op basis van de röntgenfoto's van de gemummificeerde handen op Unearthing Nazca, heeft Salas-Gismondi voorgesteld dat ze deel uitmaakten van een precolumbiaanse mummie die vervolgens werd verminkt - twee vingers of tenen die uit elk uiteinde werden afgesneden en opnieuw werden ingezet om het aantal falanges in de resterende drie cijfers te vergroten om te voldoen aan onze buitenaardse popcultuurstereotypen. Zijn skeletachtige ledematen, merkt Salas-Gismondi op, zijn verder identiek aan die van een mens met vijf vingers, wat 'evolutionair gezien niet logisch is'. Om het pakket van "Maria" compleet te maken, zijn haar neus en oren mogelijk weggesneden van wat ofwel een niet verrassend langwerpig hoofd was, of zijn ze weggelaten van een recent gefabriceerd hoofd. Bewijs van alle veranderingen zou gemakkelijk kunnen worden bedekt met het witte, gipsachtige poeder waarvan de pratende hoofden op Unearthing Nazca beweren dat het een droogmiddel is. Het voordeel van het gebruik van een echte mummie is dat het lichaam kan worden onderzocht op monsters van echt precolumbiaans vlees, zoals sommige gemaskerde deelnemers aan Unearthing Nazca worden gezien in naam van "koolstof-14 en DNA-testen". De "experts" verklaren later dat uit dietests blijkt dat de mummie een 1.600-1.800 jaar oude vrouwelijke "mensachtige" was - resultaten die niet zijn geverifieerd door externe partijen.

Maria’s guardians have not let her be examined by established mummy experts. In late June, Peru’s Ministry of Culture announced that it was investigating the possibility that the composition of the mummies were the product of looting. And in July, the organizers of last year’s World Congress on Mummy Studies in Lima—Peru’s actual experts on pre-Columbian remains—denounced Unearthing Nazca, calling upon Peruvian authorities to investigate, find, and prosecute the mummies’ apparent makers for violating Peru’s laws against trafficking in pre-Columbian human remains, which are considered Peruvian cultural patrimony. The Congress’s organizers were particularly galled by the possibility that this assault upon the dignity of an actual pre-Columbian mummy bolstered believers—even in Peru—that Andean culture and achievements owed to “outside help.”

These Peruvian archaeologists and bio-anthropologists have been careful not to say who they believe is responsible for the suspected fraud; the experts on Gaia.com are likewise careful to say that “Maria” was “discovered” by “Mario,” a pseudonymous third party. When reached for comment, Gaia.com’s media representatives say that the organization has only investigated and reported “on facts related to artifacts presented to us,” and “arranged for independent testing including carbon-14 and DNA sequencing.” The on-camera experts involved in the investigation have apparently not been paid, and Gaia.com has never been “in possession of any artifacts.” During this story’s reporting, the paywall for the rest of the episodes of Unearthing Nazca was lowered, releasing them to the open web and possibly helping Gaia answer the charge that it continues to profit from an unraveling story.

But Peru’s mummy experts remain frustrated. In mid-July, one of Peru’s most respected bio-anthropologists, Elsa Tomasto-Cagigao, agreed to debate Maussan and another member of his team—a Mexican naval surgeon whose claims to be a forensic anthropologist have not checked out—live on Peruvian TV.

Maussan took the opportunity to claim that he and his colleagues were being defamed; that they never said it was an ‘extraterrestrial’; that they only sought the truth on whether or not it was a “human being.” But Tomasto-Cagigao wasn’t having it. She laid out the case clearly, patiently, unflappably, observing that no one in Peru’s actual scientific community of mummy experts had been consulted or had seen “Maria” or the actual x-rays other than what was flashed on Unearthing Nazca or in Maussan’s “press conferences.”

“And if they present them tomorrow?” asks the host.

“I’ll eat a cockroach, live, with mayonnaise,” Tomasto-Cagigao replied. “It is not just grave-robbing … Peruvian law says that to extract, alter, or manipulate cultural patrimony without the permission of the state is a crime.”

The interviewer tries to break in.

“I’m not saying that they did it,” she adds, refusing to look at the Unearthing Nazca experts, whose latest episode investigates a mummified pre-Columbian infant whose tiny hands and feet have, or were made to have, three fingers.

“But there’s a crime here.”

{ https://www.theatlantic.com/ }

25-05-2025 om 23:40 geschreven door peter  

Newly Released Documents Shed Light on “UFO Whistleblower” David Grusch’s DOPSR Review

In a recent release of documents obtained via FOIA case 23-F-0946, new information has surfaced surrounding the media-nicknamed “UFO Whistleblower,” David Grusch. Grusch, who has claimed to have knowledge regarding “non-human intelligence”—believed by many to refer to extraterrestrial beings—had made headlines with his story, yet a crucial piece of the puzzle seemed elusive: his Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review (DOPSR)  submission that he, and the media, often references.

The Black Vault has extensively highlighted the absence of Grusch’s actual approved DOPSR submission. While Grusch remained tight-lipped, a FOIA request filed by The Black Vault has now shed light on the matter from the Department of Defense’s end. Although the recent release still leaves many questions unanswered due to significant redactions, it does provide a more comprehensive picture of how everything went down.

David Grusch

From the documents, it’s evident that Grusch submitted two DOPSR requests for review. The first, an “Interview Question Submission”, was sent on March 7, 2023. His second, a “future” interview question submission, was sent less than a month later on April 5, 2023. Both submissions received approval on April 4, 2023, and April 6, 2023, respectively. Strangely, the responses to Grusch’s interview questions, the most awaited details, were redacted under exemption (b)(6), shielding them from the public eye. This exemption, as stated in the FOIA response letter, protects information that, “…would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of the personal privacy of individuals.”

The internal correspondence within the DOD also adds a bit to the story. Security Review Specialist Michelle Whigham expressed concerns regarding vague references made by Grusch about certain “sensitive areas.” Her apprehension was clear in her message to her colleague, Don Kluzik, where she stated, “Although he does not divulge specific sensitive information, the author makes reference to sensitive areas. I just wanted you to review.” Kluzik stated in his response, “Vague references to sensitive areas like this are not a problem. If there had been something more substantial then further review would have been necessary.”

With the answers being redacted in the DOPSR paperwork that Grusch wrote for approval, it is only a guess on what “vague” references and locations they are referring to.

The released documents beg a more significant question: If the DOD has provided a portion of the material, albeit redacted, why hasn’t Grusch shown his requests in full? Such transparency would only bolster his credibility. But by the email exchange above within DOPSR, it seemed like nothing was of detailed note that caused any concern whatsoever, except for “vague” references to facilities which were no problem to them. What else was in the request?

To date, although Grusch’s DOPSR material was referenced in each of his news interviews, and at the UAP hearing, it has yet to be released by Grusch despite being fully cleared for “Open Publication” by DOPSR. Why he has not released it to date remains a mystery. Past attempts by The Black Vault in June of this year to contact Mr. Grusch’s attorney, Charles McCullough, specifically asking about the DOPSR material have remain unanswered.

• Note: The Black Vault will be filing an appeal to argue the redactions.

Document Archive

{ https://www.theblackvault.com/documentarchive/ }

25-05-2025 om 23:19 geschreven door peter  

In May, Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Department of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), reported that approximately 2% to 5% of UAP sightings appear to represent genuine anomalies. GEIPAN, the unit of the French Space Agency CNES tasked with studying UAPs, reports similar percentages for a subset of its investigations.

As is consistently shown by the re-investment into UAP research on the part of our national security apparatus, the nature of anomalous UAP sightings appears to warrant further investigation. However, this sentiment is not a new one.

Writing for the RAND Corporation in 1968, George Kucher studied the UFO phenomenon and its implications in a report titled “UFOs: What to Do?” which analyzed the phenomenon and called for a centralized reporting program to understand which of nine stated explanations—from novel physical phenomena to extraterrestrial probes—was likeliest to be correct.

The possibility that some UAP could represent extraterrestrial craft was as tantalizing for Kucher in 1968 as it is today. An opinion piece recently published by The Hill discussed present-day reports of anomalous spherical objects that appear to share similar attributes with UAP accounts that date as far back as the 1940s. The author, Marik Von Rennenkampff, then makes a startling assertion: “According to Kirkpatrick, this highly anomalous range of attributes amounts to a UAP profile – a ‘target package’ – that AARO is ‘out hunting for.’”

Given Kirkpatrick’s mention of a UAP “target package” and the existence of anomalous attributes in at least a small percentage of modern sightings, three follow-up questions come to mind. First, are there any grounded theories or evidence to suggest UAPs might be extraterrestrial in origin? Second, if we entertain the extraterrestrial hypothesis, why would UAP reports convey only “anomalies” in sensor and other data rather than appearing as unambiguous structured craft? Third, if we assume for a moment that these anomalies are stealth probes of some kind, what might their observed behaviors suggest about their objectives?

Here, we explore the possibility that some portions of the truly anomalous UAP sightings could be produced by stealth-driven extraterrestrial probes imbued with artificial intelligence (AI) and a complex camouflage system. Given the limitations of our current detection methods, the nature of these UAP sightings suggests that there might indeed be more going on than what can currently be perceived.

Interstellar Machines

Regarding our first question, it is plausible that an extraterrestrial civilization would conclude out of necessity, as humans did in our early efforts to explore the cosmos, that intelligent machines – not manned craft – offer the most robust way to explore the galactic neighborhood. Machines don’t require creaturely necessities, nor do they tire out, grow old, or easily break down under the harshness of interstellar space.

Initial machines might start as craft akin to Voyager 1 or semi-autonomous rovers like Perseverance on Mars. As technology advances, craft such as these would likely be updated to include sophisticated AI capabilities and may be leveraged into a spacecraft swarm that could spread through a solar system, while nano-scale craft may depart for nearby exoplanets. Eventually, newer models might approximate self-replicating Von Neumann probes. These might be, in the words of Professor Allen Tough, “small smart interstellar probes,” which would have advanced AI and the necessary suite of capabilities to arrive at an exoplanet. Such advanced models, like Tough’s probes, have been predicted to arrive before early-generation models.

Writing for The Astronomical Journal in 2019, James Benford explored the idea of “lurkers,” or extraterrestrial probes designed to “observe Earth while not being easily seen.” He suggested that lurkers could be hiding in our solar system, possibly positioned in stable locations, such as at Lagrange points. However, if these probes are sufficiently advanced and have the requisite technologies and interest, we believe they might choose to explore an exoplanet instead of keeping at a distance.

One compelling reason a probe might come to Earth is to learn about our species in advance of making contact. An AI probe might need to gather a lot of information to understand how to communicate, much like an anthropologist working in the field. But unlike an anthropologist dealing with another human community, this AI probe might face a seemingly impossible barrier: how to bridge the communication divide between humanity and an extraterrestrial species.

Published in 1998, Dr. Douglas Vakoch considers the “Incommensurability Problem” of communication between humanity and extraterrestrial species. In this, while physics and mathematics are assumed to be universal, terrestrial and extraterrestrial civilizations would have different models of reality and so would need to find a different way to reach each other. Dr. Vakoch argues for the use of icons over symbols, while contemporary scholars such as Professor Avi Loeb consider the possibility that AI systems from both species could form a communication bridge in the form of an AI emissary.

One might imagine an emissary from late Bronze Age Egypt who would have spent more time either in transit or visiting distant civilizations, such as Cyprus, Canaan, or Mycenaean Greece. Similarly, an AI emissary would invest considerable effort into learning to navigate star systems and, after that, learning – while on-planet – about the alien civilization it found itself in contact with.

Anomalous Phenomena

From this, we can try to answer our second question. If UAPs were truly of extraterrestrial origin, why would they show up as anomalies? Given the barriers of alienness, an AI probe would likely need significant time to observe us to train itself on our data, perhaps as it waited for us to create our own emissary. During this time, stealth capabilities would essentially promote its survival. Intentional obfuscation would help explain the anomalous nature of UAP sightings. We believe, given the large geographical range of sightings coupled with the lack of detections of obvious craft, that if some UAPs are truly of extraterrestrial origin, there might be several stealth extraterrestrial artificial intelligence probes (SEAPs) operating on our planet.

While our proposal might seem speculative, improvements in current technology by governments and private corporations suggest that similar advancements could exist elsewhere. Modern drones, enhanced with AI and surveillance technology, have the capability to identify and differentiate objects in real-time using high-resolution cameras and infrared sensors. These drones can recognize patterns of human activity, allowing them to use GPS data to navigate away from particular areas.

Advanced AI models assess threats as they occur and can react to certain devices and situations. When working together, drones can exchange information regarding observed locations and activities and, if detected, can use AI for evasive maneuvers and can adapt routes based on predictive data analysis. Many of these drones also feature designs that decrease their visibility or audibility, like anti-reflective surfaces, making them harder to detect.

Motives and Intent

This brings us to our final question: If SEAPs account for the truly anomalous UAP sightings, what do these accounts suggest about their objectives? While it’s speculative, if SEAPs do exist, one possibility could be that they operate for information gathering, as indicated by the intricacies observed in some UAP sightings. While there is no way to know what the purpose of this collection might be, we hope it is related to establishing peaceful cross-species communications at some future point.

If SEAPs are a contributing factor to UAP sightings, their operational approach might involve balancing stealth capabilities with data collection. This balance inherently comes with risks. Under these conditions, sightings may be a result of moments when a SEAP took a calculated risk to gather data. Extrapolating from this, one can imagine the SEAP would want to understand which regions of, say, the United States, maximize the opportunity for stealth while at the same time maximizing the total amount of information collected about the people and ecological systems nearby.

As future regional scientists, we think about how geography and human activity interact – and through this lens, SEAPs would certainly need to understand which regions would maximize both protection and opportunities. Case in point, a 2023 report by the RAND Corporation titled “Not the X-Files” conducted a spatial analysis of UAP sightings controlling for variables such as total population, population density, and percent of cloudy days. A key finding was that population density was negatively correlated with UAP sightings. While this could be interpreted in various ways, we believe that this fits with the SEAP theory and suggests a tradeoff between stealth and data-gathering.

In taking this a step further, we considered which regions in the continental United States might offer unparalleled security and viewing opportunities. Regions high in natural features that limit human incursion, such as large lakes, dense forests, rugged mountain terrain, and subterranean caverns, all with population centers nearby, would be favored by SEAPs. In viewing the RAND report’s cluster of UAP sightings, major regions that stand out include the Pacific Northwest, parts of Appalachia, the Front Range of the southern Rockies, and the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, among others. Each of these regions has been a historical hotbed for sightings and has its own distinct pattern of UAP activity.

It’s challenging for us to imagine the strategies an advanced intelligence might employ, given that we’ve never encountered one. While it’s not a direct comparison, think of the way some creatures, like chameleons, use camouflage in their environments. Would a passing insect realize that there’s a more sophisticated being right beside it, or would it merely go about its business, unaware? The insect might not even recognize the difference. In the same way, given the unfamiliarity of an extraterrestrial, it might be presumptuous for us to assume we’d readily recognize or comprehend their presence on Earth.

Even after extensive research by both scientists and government agencies, some UAP sightings continue to defy explanation. Among the myriad of theories is the speculative idea of stealth-designed advanced extraterrestrial technology. Given the observations and theories discussed, further exploration of our SEAP hypothesis could provide additional insights into the UAP phenomenon. Researchers should consider the implications of truly advanced extraterrestrial technology operating on our planet and design a thorough, systematic framework to potentially gain deeper perspectives into the UAP question.

• Courtney Bower is a doctoral student in regional science at Cornell University.
• Elizabeth Redmond, who also attends Cornell, is a master’s student in regional science.

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

25-05-2025 om 22:53 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk }

25-05-2025 om 22:18 geschreven door peter  

25-05-2025 om 21:39 geschreven door peter  

 By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten Fox News

Scientists have made a remarkable discovery of a sphere that some believe to be an unidentified flying object (UFO).

The sphere, according to social media page @Truthpolex, was spotted March 2 flying over the town of Buga, Colombia, before it landed. Jose Luis Velazquez, one of the researchers studying the three-layered sphere, noted that it shows "no welds or joints," characteristics normally indicative of human manufacture, which further bolstered his belief in its extraterrestrial origin.

Julia Mossbridge, the founder and board chair of The Institute for Love and Time (TILT), and a member of the University of San Diego Department of Physics and Biophysics, told Fox News Digital she remains skeptical of its extraterrestrial origins.

"It looks to me like a really cool art project," she said, urging caution in drawing immediate conclusions.

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Mossbridge framed the mysterious object as part of a "bigger picture" in which humanity must confront its own limitations.

"We are entering a time when we don’t have the control that we thought we had," she said, noting that prior "grandiose" beliefs in total mastery blind us when "something shows up that doesn’t fit our model of the world.

"If an artist is doing this, why is that? Well, I think it’s partly the same reason. It’s because we’re learning that we don’t understand what’s in our skies, what’s in our waters. And there’s something going on that’s essentially bigger than us," she said.

• FORMER DEFENSE OFFICIAL MAKES EARTH-SHATTERING UFO REVELATION AS UNEXPLAINED DRONES LEAVE MILLIONS ON EDGE

The U.S. government is compelled to investigate reports of UFOs to identify any issues regarding threats to national security.

(iStock)

She says sightings of unexplained objects have been around for decades.

"Frankly, we’ve been looking at UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena) for decades, and the federal government has admitted that there are things that we don’t understand, but we are investigating them," she said.

Mossbridge said the coalition of individuals working to find answers, such as the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies, the UAP Disclosure Fund and the Galileo Project, are made of people of "all political persuasions."

"They are all trying to get rigorous information themselves, not necessarily waiting on the federal government, about what’s going on in our skies, what’s going on in our waters and actually trying to get international cooperation around these things," she said. "Because, for instance, the sphere in Colombia is in a different country. So, what are the rules about how we deal with something that’s interesting that’s found there?"

• PENTAGON SOLVES ONE OF ITS HIGHEST-PROFILE UFO MYSTERIES

A UFO in the sky.

 (Courtesy of Netflix)

Mossbridge urged thorough vetting before declaring anomalies in mysterious discoveries.

"Before you decide something’s anomalous or a UFO, bring the object to a group like the Galileo Project," she said. 

She said experts can determine if the material is "clearly non-human-made." 

Despite her misgivings about the discovery in Buga, she said it doesn’t "discount all the other objects that are of extraterrestrial origin."

{ https://www.foxnews.com/ }

25-05-2025 om 20:28 geschreven door peter  

Twenty years ago, the US Congress instructed NASA to find 90% of near-Earth asteroids threatening Earth. They've made progress finding these asteroids that orbit the Sun and come to within 1.3 astronomical units of Earth. However, they may have to expand their search since astronomers are now finding asteroids co-orbiting Venus that could pose a threat.

New research tries to understand how many more may co-orbit Venus and how we can detect them. They can be hidden in the Sun's glare and resist our efforts to find them. It comes down to observability windows and how the asteroids' brightness changes.

The research is titled "The invisible threat: assessing the collisional hazard posed by the undiscovered Venus co-orbital asteroids," and has been submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics. The lead author is Valerio Carruba, an assistant professor at São Paolo University in Brazil. The paper is currently available at arxiv.org.

"Twenty co-orbital asteroids of Venus are currently known," the authors write. "Co-orbital status protects these asteroids from close approaches to Venus, but it does not protect them from encountering Earth." Venus's co-orbital asteroids are considered potentially hazardous asteroids (PHA) if they have "a minimum diameter of about 140 meters and come within 0.05 astronomical units (au) of Earth's orbit," they explain.

The big question is, do these pose a collisional threat to Earth?

"We aim to assess the possible threat that the yet undetected population of Venus co-orbiters may pose to Earth, and to investigate their detectability from Earth and space observatories," the authors write.

Only one of the 20 known asteroids has an orbital eccentricity below 0.38. This makes sense since asteroids with wider orbits come closer to Earth and are easier to detect. So its detection is likely the result of an observational bias. Unfortunately, it also means there could be many more of them with minor orbital eccentricities that are very difficult to detect.

Most of the Solar System's asteroids are in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, others are co-orbital with planets, like the Jupiter Trojans, which form two groups: one behind and one ahead of Jupiter. Astronomers are finding more asteroids co-orbiting with Venus, posing a threat to Earth. Image Credit: NASA/LPI

One problem in determining their danger is that co-orbitals have unpredictable orbits. "The co-orbital asteroids of Venus are highly chaotic, with Lyapunov times of the order of 150 years," the authors explain. The Lyapunov time refers to how long an object's orbit takes to become unpredictable because of chaotic dynamics.

This means that studying a single orbit of an object doesn't tell us much about what its orbit will evolve into in more than about 150 years. The authors write that a statistical study of 'clone' asteroids provides a clearer picture.

The researchers created a grid with different orbital inclinations and populated it with 26 cloned asteroids with different orbital characteristics. They then integrated them with the orbits of the Solar System's planets for 36,000 simulated years. Then they checked to see if any cloned asteroids had a close encounter with Earth.

"There is a range of orbits with eccentricity < 0.38, larger at lower inclinations, for which Venus' co-orbitals can pose a collisional hazard to Earth," the authors write.

Then they checked to see if they are observable from Earth with the upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory. They found that these objects are only observable periodically due to the Sun's glare. These observational windows mostly occur when the objects are near their closest approach to Earth.

The Vera Rubin Observatory will see first light in July 2025. Once it gets going, it will release a flood of data and discoveries and find more potentially hazardous objects, including those co-orbiting Venus.

Image Credit: Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA.

"The combination of elevation constraints and solar elongation limitations restricts our observations to specific periods throughout the year," the authors write. Solar elongation means the angular distance between one of these asteroids and the Sun, as measured from Earth's perspective.

The study shows how difficult it can be to detect these dangerous asteroids from Earth. One solution might be to send a spacecraft to Venus' orbit. "However, observations conducted from Venus' orbit, positioned facing away from the Sun, may enhance the detection of these bodies," the researchers explain. Several missions have been proposed, including to the Sun-Earth or Sun-Venus L1 or L2 halo orbit.

We know there are asteroids out there with considerable chances to strike Earth. Some of them are large enough to destroy entire cities. Even a relatively small asteroid 150 meters in diameter can strike Earth with a force equal to hundreds of megatons of TNT. That's thousands of times more potent than the atomic bombs dropped in World War 2. "Among these, low-e Venus co-orbitals pose a unique challenge, because of the difficulties in detecting and following these objects from Earth," the authors write in their conclusion.

The Vera Rubin Observatory should detect many asteroids during its regular survey operations. However, finding potentially dangerous asteroids co-orbiting with Venus might take a special effort.

"While surveys like those from the Rubin Observatory may be able to detect some of these asteroids in the near future, we believe that only a dedicated observational campaign from a space-based mission near Venus could potentially map and discover all the still "invisible" PHA among Venus' co-orbital asteroids," the researchers conclude.

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{ https://www.universetoday.com/ } 

25-05-2025 om 18:43 geschreven door peter  

Mysterious Sphere Spurs UFO Debate as Experts Seek Answers

Introduction

Since the mid-20th century, UFO sightings have been a persistent element of popular culture and scientific inquiry, captivating the imagination of the public and researchers alike. The fascination with unidentified flying objects gained widespread attention following several high-profile incidents, most notably the 1947 Roswell incident in New Mexico. This event, involving the apparent crash of an unidentified craft, sparked conspiracy theories and fueled speculation about extraterrestrial life. Over the decades, similar sightings and reports of strange aerial phenomena continued to emerge, often accompanied by government secrecy and media coverage that further fueled public curiosity.

In the early years, the scientific community approached UFO phenomena with caution and skepticism. Many researchers attributed sightings to misidentifications of natural phenomena such as meteorological events, atmospheric anomalies, or optical illusions. Others suspected that some reports might be the result of experimental aircraft or classified military technology, especially during the Cold War era when secret projects were prevalent. Psychological explanations, including hallucinations, mass hysteria, or perceptual errors, also played a role in shaping the initial scientific stance on UFOs.

Despite this cautious approach, the cultural impact of UFO sightings persisted, and government agencies occasionally declassified or released information that added to the intrigue. For example, in the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. Air Force conducted investigations such as Project Blue Book, which examined thousands of UFO reports but ultimately concluded that most sightings could be explained by known phenomena. Nonetheless, a small percentage remained unexplained, maintaining the mystery and fueling ongoing speculation.

The landscape of UFO research began to shift with technological advancements in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The development of sophisticated surveillance systems, radar, satellite imagery, and high-resolution cameras increased the likelihood of capturing credible evidence of aerial phenomena. In recent years, increased transparency from government agencies has contributed to a growing body of credible reports. Notably, in 2020 and 2021, the U.S. government declassified several videos taken by military pilots showing unidentified objects exhibiting extraordinary flight capabilities. These releases prompted renewed public interest and debate regarding the origins and nature of these phenomena.

Furthermore, the establishment of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s UAP Task Force in 2021 signaled a significant shift towards a more scientific and systematic approach to studying unidentified aerial phenomena. This initiative aims to analyze data objectively, distinguish between potential threats and unexplained phenomena, and foster collaboration between military, intelligence, and scientific communities. As a result, what was once dismissed as mere folklore or paranoia is now being treated as a legitimate area of scientific inquiry, with the potential to deepen our understanding of atmospheric phenomena, advanced technology, or even extraterrestrial life. Overall, the history of UFO phenomena underscores both the enduring human curiosity about the unknown and the gradual evolution of scientific and governmental responses to these enduring mysteries.

the Buga sphere

The Emergence of the Mysterious Sphere

In recent months, a series of extraordinary sightings have captured the attention of both the scientific community and the general public. Central to these phenomena is a luminous, metallic sphere approximately 1.5 meters in diameter that exhibits behaviors highly inconsistent with any known natural phenomena or human-made objects. The appearance, movement, and disappearance of this sphere have sparked widespread curiosity, prompting investigations from multiple agencies and a surge of amateur and professional documentation.

1. Key Incidents

1.1. Location and Timeline:

The sphere has been observed across various parts of the globe, with sightings reported in rural skies over the United States, parts of Europe, and Asia. These sightings have been documented from early 2023 through late 2023, suggesting a persistent, possibly coordinated or recurring phenomenon. The locations vary from remote countryside areas to more populated regions, indicating that the sphere's appearances are not confined to a specific geographical or environmental setting. The timeline reveals that the sightings often occur during clear weather conditions, perhaps to facilitate visibility and recording.

1.2. Witness Accounts:

A diverse range of witnesses have contributed to the growing body of evidence. Pilots flying commercial and private aircraft have reported seeing the sphere out of their cockpit windows, often noting its sudden appearance and unusual flight patterns. Astronomers, utilizing powerful telescopes and radar systems, have tracked these objects over extended periods, noting their silent hovering and rapid accelerations. Civilians armed with high-resolution cameras and smartphones have captured numerous videos and photographs, many of which have been shared online, fueling both speculation and scientific curiosity.

Many witnesses describe the sphere as emitting a faint, bluish glow that appears steady or pulsates subtly. Notably, there is no visible propulsion system, exhaust plume, or any signs of conventional movement mechanisms. Instead, the sphere often appears to hover silently for minutes before accelerating rapidly or disappearing suddenly, sometimes leaving behind a faint afterglow or ripple in the sky.

1.3. Video Evidence:

The proliferation of recording devices has led to an extensive collection of visual data. Civilian drones, aircraft-mounted cameras, and satellite imagery have all captured footage of the sphere, revealing flight characteristics that challenge our understanding of physics. Some videos show the sphere executing abrupt directional changes, hovering without any apparent means of propulsion, or accelerating at speeds that surpass known technological capabilities.

Analysis of these videos has revealed anomalies such as the lack of motion blur during rapid acceleration, suggesting an unknown form of propulsion or energy source. Some footage shows the sphere emitting a subtle bluish hue, which remains consistent regardless of background or lighting conditions. These visual anomalies have prompted experts to question whether the sphere is a natural atmospheric phenomenon, a piece of advanced terrestrial technology, or something entirely extraterrestrial.

A UFO in the sky.

2. Scientific Investigations

Given the extraordinary nature of these sightings, numerous scientific agencies have mobilized resources to analyze the data comprehensively. NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the U.S. Department of Defense have all initiated detailed investigations aimed at understanding the origin, composition, and purpose of the sphere.

These agencies are examining radar data, high-resolution video footage, satellite imagery, and atmospheric conditions during sightings. The goal is to determine whether the sphere is a natural celestial object, such as a meteor or atmospheric plasma, or a man-made device—possibly experimental aircraft, drone technology, or clandestine military hardware. However, initial assessments have not identified any known natural phenomena or terrestrial technology that can fully explain the observed behaviors.

One of the main focuses of these investigations is the sphere’s unique flight dynamics. Its ability to hover silently, change direction instantaneously, and accelerate beyond conventional limits suggests the presence of advanced propulsion technology or energy manipulation capabilities. Researchers are also analyzing the faint, bluish glow emitted by the sphere, considering hypotheses ranging from plasma emissions to unknown forms of electromagnetic energy.

Furthermore, some scientists are exploring the possibility that the sphere could be an artifact of experimental military technology, perhaps related to covert projects involving anti-gravity or electromagnetic propulsion. Conversely, others entertain the hypothesis that the sphere could be extraterrestrial in origin, representing a form of intelligent life or technology visiting Earth.

3. Challenges and Next Steps

Despite the extensive investigations, definitive conclusions remain elusive. The main challenges include the limited data available during each sighting, potential interference or misinterpretation of footage, and the difficulty in capturing the phenomenon under controlled conditions. Many recordings are brief, and the unpredictable nature of the sphere makes it challenging to study in real-time.

To address these issues, scientists are advocating for the deployment of specialized monitoring stations equipped with multi-spectral sensors, high-speed cameras, and radar arrays in regions with frequent sightings. Such infrastructure could provide continuous data collection, increasing the chances of capturing the phenomenon in greater detail.

International cooperation is also being promoted, given the global distribution of sightings. Sharing data across countries and agencies could facilitate a more comprehensive understanding and prevent misinterpretations fueled by speculation or misinformation.

4. Public Engagement and Implications

The presence of these mysterious spheres has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and our place within it. The phenomena challenge existing scientific paradigms, particularly concerning propulsion, energy, and atmospheric physics. They also raise questions about potential extraterrestrial intelligence or undisclosed human technological advancements.

Public interest remains high, with many individuals and organizations calling for transparency and further research. Some skeptics remain cautious, emphasizing the need for rigorous scientific validation before drawing conclusions. Nonetheless, the consistent and widespread nature of sightings suggests that the phenomena warrant serious consideration.

Moving forward, the scientific community emphasizes a cautious but open-minded approach. Continued investigation, transparent sharing of data, and collaboration across disciplines are essential to unraveling the mystery of these luminous spheres. Whether they are natural atmospheric phenomena, advanced human-made devices, or signs of extraterrestrial visitation, understanding their nature could profoundly impact our knowledge of physics, technology, and the universe itself.

In conclusion, the emergence of these mysterious spheres represents one of the most intriguing scientific enigmas of our time. As research progresses, humanity stands on the cusp of potentially revolutionary discoveries that could reshape our understanding of the cosmos and our technological capabilities. The journey to uncover the truth continues, fueled by curiosity, scientific rigor, and the enduring human desire to explore the unknown.

Potential Explanations for the Phenomenon

The phenomenon of the mysterious sphere has captivated both the public and scientific communities alike, prompting a wide array of hypotheses aimed at explaining its origins and behavior. Each explanation is rooted in current scientific understanding, technological development, and logical inference, yet none have yet provided a definitive answer. To better understand this enigmatic object, it is essential to explore the most plausible potential explanations, categorized broadly into natural atmospheric or celestial phenomena, human-made technology, and extraterrestrial origins.

1. Natural Atmospheric or Celestial Phenomena

• Ball Lightning: The first category considers the possibility that the sphere is a rare, naturally occurring atmospheric or celestial event. Some researchers have proposed that what appears to be a solid object could, in fact, be an optical illusion or a transient weather-related phenomenon.

One candidate explanation is ball lightning, a rare phenomenon involving luminous, spherical objects that sometimes appear during thunderstorms. Ball lightning can persist for several seconds up to a few minutes, exhibiting behaviors such as floating, moving unpredictably, or even passing through solid objects. However, the behavior of the observed sphere—particularly its sustained hovering, rapid acceleration, and maneuverability—does not align well with known properties of ball lightning. Typically, ball lightning displays erratic movement, often dissipating quickly or exploding, and does not demonstrate the high degree of control or sustained flight observed in this case.

• Reflections and Optical Artifacts: Another natural explanation involves reflections and optical artifacts. The object might be a lens flare, reflection from clouds, or other visual illusions caused by sunlight or camera angles. Such artifacts are common in aerial photography and video footage, often leading to misinterpretations. Yet, the consistency of the sightings, especially across multiple observers and high-quality video data, diminishes the likelihood that the sphere is purely an optical illusion. When multiple independent witnesses report the same phenomena, and the footage captures the object from different perspectives with consistent behavior, the optical artifact hypothesis becomes less convincing.

• Transient Meteors or Space Debris: The third possibility involves transient meteorological or celestial objects, such as a piece of space debris reflecting sunlight or a small meteorite entering Earth's atmosphere. While space debris—like defunct satellites or fragments—can reflect sunlight and appear as bright moving objects in the sky, their trajectories are typically predictable, and their movement patterns are inconsistent with the controlled and sustained hovering observed. Similarly, meteors usually produce fleeting streaks of light rather than hovering spheres with complex maneuvers. The prolonged presence and apparent control of the object challenge this explanation.

2. Human-Made Technology

The second category considers the sphere as a product of human innovation—either as an experimental aircraft, drone, or surveillance device. Given the rapid advancements in aerospace engineering and clandestine military projects, some posit that this mysterious object could be a high-tech, experimental craft.

• Advanced Military Drones or Aircraft: Advanced military drones or aircraft are often at the forefront of such hypotheses. Military agencies frequently develop and test experimental vehicles that utilize propulsion systems not yet disclosed publicly, such as anti-gravity or electromagnetic propulsion. The sphere’s silent operation, maneuverability, and ability to hover or accelerate rapidly are consistent with the capabilities of next-generation military drones or experimental aircraft. Such vehicles might be designed for covert reconnaissance or testing new propulsion methods that enable near-silent, highly agile flight.

• Autonomous Surveillance Drones: Alternatively, the sphere might be an autonomous surveillance drone. Modern drones can be equipped with adaptive flight systems, capable of executing complex maneuvers independently. If modified or malfunctioning units are involved, they could explain some of the observed behaviors, especially if the operators intentionally leave them unacknowledged or if their signals are encrypted or hidden.

• Counter-Drone Technologies: Another possibility involves counter-drone technologies, where the sphere could be a device designed to intercept or disrupt other aircraft or drones. These countermeasures could operate invisibly and with high agility, making them difficult to identify or track.

However, the absence of any official acknowledgment or identification from military or governmental sources raises questions about this hypothesis. Moreover, the sphere’s extraordinary flight characteristics—such as rapid acceleration, sustained hovering, and complex maneuvers—are not typical of known drone technology, especially in the absence of supporting infrastructure or signals. This gap between known capabilities and observed behaviors makes the human-made technology hypothesis intriguing but less certain.

3. Extraterrestrial Origin

The most provocative and debated explanation is that the sphere is an artifact of extraterrestrial intelligence. If true, this would represent an unprecedented discovery, fundamentally altering our understanding of the universe and humanity’s place within it.

• Unconventional Propulsion: Proponents of this hypothesis point to the object’s remarkable agility, rapid acceleration, and silent operation as evidence of propulsion systems beyond current human technology—possibly electromagnetic or anti-gravity devices. Such propulsion methods would allow for controlled, high-speed maneuvers without producing visible exhaust or noise, aligning with the observed behaviors.

• Material Composition: Furthermore, analyses of the video data suggest that the sphere’s surface appears metallic and reflective, possibly constructed from unknown alloys or composite materials that do not match known terrestrial substances. If the object is made from materials not yet identified or synthesized on Earth, it could imply an origin beyond our planet.

• Implications: The implications of confirming extraterrestrial technology visiting Earth are profound. It would provide concrete evidence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, and possibly, insights into advanced propulsion or energy systems. Such a breakthrough could revolutionize scientific research, technological development, and our philosophical understanding of life beyond Earth.

However, this hypothesis remains highly speculative pending concrete evidence. Physical samples of the object, validated sensor data, or independent verification are necessary to substantiate claims of extraterrestrial origin. Until such evidence is available, the extraterrestrial hypothesis remains an intriguing possibility but not a definitive explanation.

4. Conclusion

In summary, the phenomenon of the mysterious sphere invites multiple interpretations, each with its own merits and challenges. Natural atmospheric or celestial explanations seem insufficient to fully account for the observed behaviors, given the object’s sustained hovering and complex maneuvers. Human-made technology, especially experimental military craft or advanced drones, offers a plausible explanation but lacks official acknowledgment and fully aligns with the observed flight capabilities. The extraterrestrial origin hypothesis, while captivating and supported by some behavioral and material observations, remains speculative without concrete evidence.

As research continues and data collection improves, future investigations may clarify the true nature of this enigmatic sphere. For now, it remains one of the most intriguing mysteries of contemporary aerial phenomena, prompting ongoing debate and scientific inquiry.

Scientific Challenges and Methodologies

Understanding the true nature of the sphere requires a comprehensive and rigorous scientific approach. Due to the mysterious and potentially unprecedented characteristics of the object, researchers must employ multiple advanced methodologies to gather reliable data and interpret it accurately. These efforts are vital for uncovering the sphere's origin, composition, and possible functionalities.

• Data Collection is the foundational step in this investigation. Enhanced surveillance technologies such as radar, lidar, and infrared sensors are essential for tracking the object’s movement, speed, altitude, and physical properties. Radar systems can provide detailed information about its size, shape, and trajectory, while lidar offers high-resolution surface mapping. Infrared sensors help detect heat signatures, which can reveal information about the material's thermal properties and possible energy emissions. Collecting comprehensive data over time allows scientists to identify patterns, assess stability, and monitor any changes that might occur under different environmental conditions.

• Spectroscopic Analysis plays a crucial role in understanding the sphere’s surface composition and any emitted or reflected radiation. By analyzing the spectral data across various wavelengths—visible, ultraviolet, and infrared—researchers can determine the mineralogical and chemical makeup of the object. This information can reveal whether the sphere is made of familiar terrestrial materials, extraterrestrial substances, or entirely unknown compounds. Spectroscopy can also detect potential signs of artificial origin, such as specific isotopic ratios or unusual spectral lines indicative of technology.

• Material Sampling, although highly challenging given the risks and technical difficulties involved, could provide definitive insights into the sphere’s composition. If feasible, retrieving physical samples—perhaps through drone, robotic, or autonomous missions—would allow for laboratory analyses that surpass remote sensing capabilities. Such samples could be examined for isotopic signatures, structural features, and any embedded nanostructures. Material sampling would also aid in determining the sphere’s age, manufacturing techniques, and potential purpose.

• Simulation and Modeling are indispensable for interpreting the observed behaviors and testing various hypotheses regarding the sphere’s propulsion or navigation methods. Developing physics-based models enables scientists to simulate its movements under different forces and environmental conditions. By comparing simulated results with actual observational data, researchers can infer the most plausible mechanisms behind its motion, whether it involves conventional physics or suggests novel propulsion systems. These models are also critical for predicting future behavior and assessing potential risks.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration is fundamental to the success of this scientific endeavor. Physicists, aerospace engineers, materials scientists, astronomers, and other specialists must work together, sharing data and insights to develop a holistic understanding of the sphere. Such collaboration ensures that interpretations are grounded in a broad scientific context, enabling comprehensive analysis and fostering innovative solutions. Interdisciplinary efforts are particularly important given the complexity and novelty of the object, which may challenge existing scientific paradigms.

In summary, unraveling the mysteries of the sphere demands an integrated approach combining advanced technologies, meticulous analysis, and collaborative expertise. Only through systematic investigation and open scientific inquiry can we hope to understand this enigmatic object and its implications for our understanding of the universe.

Implications for Science and Society

The presence of such a mysterious sphere carries profound implications across multiple domains, influencing scientific progress, societal perceptions, policy frameworks, and ethical considerations.

1. Scientific Advancement

• Physics: The discovery of a sphere exhibiting extraordinary propulsion capabilities—such as rapid acceleration and complex maneuvering—could dramatically alter our understanding of fundamental physical laws. Such phenomena might suggest the existence of propulsion mechanisms beyond our current grasp, potentially involving unknown principles of gravity, electromagnetism, or spacetime manipulation. Unlocking these secrets could lead to revolutionary breakthroughs in physics, challenging and expanding the Standard Model and possibly unveiling new forces or dimensions.
• Materials Science: Investigating the composition of the sphere's materials could yield unprecedented insights. If the object is made from unknown alloys or composites with extraordinary strength, flexibility, or resilience, it could pave the way for advanced material engineering. This knowledge may inspire the development of new materials with applications in various industries, from transportation to construction, enhancing durability and efficiency.
• Aerospace Technology: Understanding the design and functioning of the sphere's propulsion system could revolutionize aerospace engineering. Insights gained might help develop faster, more efficient, and more maneuverable aircraft or spacecraft. This could lead to breakthroughs in commercial and military aviation, enabling rapid global travel or advanced defense capabilities. The technology could also accelerate ambitions for interplanetary exploration, opening new frontiers for humanity.

2. Societal and Policy Impact

• Public Trust: The transparency with which investigations are conducted will significantly influence public trust. Open, honest communication can foster confidence and curiosity, while secrecy or misinformation may breed suspicion and fear. Managing information carefully and responsibly is essential to maintain societal stability and support for scientific endeavors.
• Security: The advanced capabilities of such an unidentified object pose significant security concerns. Governments and military organizations might consider it a potential threat, prompting increased surveillance, defense readiness, and policy adjustments. International cooperation might become necessary to address potential risks, prevent misunderstandings, and develop protocols for dealing with similar phenomena in the future.
• Philosophical Reflection: Confirming extraterrestrial origin or technology would have profound philosophical implications. It would challenge humanity's anthropocentric worldview, forcing us to reconsider our place in the universe. Such a revelation could inspire new philosophical debates about consciousness, existence, and our relationship with other intelligent life forms, potentially leading to a paradigm shift in human thought.

3. Ethical Considerations

• Disclosure: Deciding how much information to share with the public involves ethical dilemmas. Transparency can promote scientific curiosity and societal resilience but must be balanced against national security concerns. Ethical decision-making should prioritize honesty without compromising safety.
• Research Ethics: Handling physical samples or data obtained from the sphere necessitates responsible scientific conduct. Ensuring the safety of researchers, avoiding contamination, and respecting potential extraterrestrial life forms or materials are paramount. Establishing international guidelines and oversight can help ensure that research proceeds ethically and safely.

In conclusion, the discovery of such a mysterious sphere has the potential to revolutionize scientific understanding and significantly impact societal, policy, and ethical frameworks. Responsible investigation, transparent communication, and international cooperation will be crucial in navigating these profound implications.

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Current Status and Future Directions

As of now, the enigmatic sphere continues to defy explanation, with scientists and researchers engaged in ongoing investigations to uncover its true nature. Despite numerous studies and advanced technological efforts, no definitive conclusion has been reached, and the phenomenon remains one of the most intriguing mysteries of our time. The scientific community emphasizes the importance of a systematic and collaborative approach to resolve this enigma, recognizing that a multifaceted strategy is essential for progress.

• Increased Funding: Researchers advocate for increased funding to support these endeavors. Enhanced financial resources would enable the deployment of dedicated monitoring systems equipped with the latest sensors and imaging technologies, capable of capturing detailed data about the sphere's behavior, movement, and properties. Furthermore, additional funding could facilitate the development of rapid-response teams that are ready to investigate sightings or anomalies in real-time, allowing for immediate data collection and analysis. Such proactive measures are crucial in capturing transient phenomena that might otherwise go unnoticed or unrecorded.

• International collaboration is another vital component in advancing our understanding. Since the sphere has been observed in various locations around the world, sharing data across borders can lead to a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of the phenomenon. Collaborative efforts can include joint research initiatives, data pooling, and cross-border observational networks. These partnerships would not only increase the volume of data available but also enhance the diversity of perspectives and expertise, fostering innovative hypotheses and accelerating discovery.

• Public engagement remains a key element in the ongoing quest to understand the sphere. Maintaining transparency about research findings and methodologies is essential to foster trust and ensure an informed public discourse. Open communication can help dispel misinformation and reduce unwarranted speculation, which often accompanies mysterious phenomena. Educational outreach and community involvement can also encourage citizen science initiatives, where enthusiasts contribute observations and data, supplementing formal research efforts. Such engagement promotes a collective sense of curiosity and responsibility, which can be instrumental in sustaining long-term investigations.

• Continued Observation: Looking ahead, the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced imaging systems promises to revolutionize our investigative capabilities. As these tools become more sophisticated, they will enable researchers to analyze vast datasets more efficiently and identify subtle patterns or anomalies that might hold the key to understanding the sphere. Continued international cooperation, increased funding, and active public participation will be crucial in harnessing these advances. Ultimately, persistent inquiry and collaboration may soon illuminate the true nature of the mysterious sphere, transforming a longstanding mystery into a scientific breakthrough.

ENDCONCLUSION

The enigmatic sphere that has recently appeared in the skies has revitalized the UFO debate, highlighting the persistent gaps in our understanding of atmospheric phenomena and technological frontiers. While natural explanations cannot be entirely dismissed, the object's extraordinary behavior and the mounting evidence suggest that further scientific inquiry is essential.

Whether the sphere represents an unprecedented natural phenomenon, secret human technology, or evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, its study presents an unparalleled opportunity for scientific discovery. Advancing our understanding requires open, rigorous investigation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responsible communication. The quest for answers continues, and with each new observation, humanity edges closer to unraveling one of the most profound mysteries of our time.

This phenomenon underscores the importance of maintaining scientific curiosity and skepticism while remaining open to new possibilities. It invites researchers from various fields—meteorology, physics, aerospace engineering, and astrobiology—to collaboratively analyze the data and explore plausible explanations. Such an approach ensures that conclusions are grounded in empirical evidence and methodological rigor, rather than speculation or sensationalism.

Moreover, the appearance of this sphere prompts a broader reflection on our technological capabilities and the potential existence of advanced civilizations beyond Earth. If it is a product of human innovation, it signals rapid progress in stealth and aerial technologies that could revolutionize defense and aerospace industries. Conversely, if it is extraterrestrial in origin, it challenges our current understanding of life and intelligence in the universe, urging us to expand our scientific horizons and prepare for potentially paradigm-shifting discoveries.

In addition, this event highlights the importance of transparent and responsible communication with the public. As interest and curiosity grow, it is crucial to disseminate information accurately, avoiding misinformation and undue alarm. Governments, scientific institutions, and media outlets must work together to provide clear, evidence-based updates and foster an environment of trust and scientific literacy.

Ultimately, the appearance of this mysterious sphere serves as a catalyst for scientific progress and international cooperation. It encourages us to question, explore, and push the boundaries of our knowledge. While definitive answers remain elusive for now, the pursuit of understanding continues, and with each new piece of data, humanity moves closer to uncovering the true nature of this enigmatic object. The journey to decipher the mysteries of the universe is ongoing, and this recent phenomenon may well be a pivotal milestone in that quest.

{ PETER2011 }

25-05-2025 om 16:18 geschreven door peter