The purpose of this blog is the creation of an open, international, independent and free forum, where every UFO-researcher can publish the results of his/her research. The languagues, used for this blog, are Dutch, English and French.You can find the articles of a collegue by selecting his category. Each author stays resposable for the continue of his articles. As blogmaster I have the right to refuse an addition or an article, when it attacks other collegues or UFO-groupes.
Druk op onderstaande knop om te reageren in mijn forum
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Deze blog is opgedragen aan mijn overleden echtgenote Lucienne.
In 2012 verloor ze haar moedige strijd tegen kanker!
In 2011 startte ik deze blog, omdat ik niet mocht stoppen met mijn UFO-onderzoek.
BEDANKT!!!
Een interessant adres?
UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
UFO's of UAP'S in België en de rest van de wereld Ontdek de Fascinerende Wereld van UFO's en UAP's: Jouw Bron voor Onthullende Informatie!
Ben jij ook gefascineerd door het onbekende? Wil je meer weten over UFO's en UAP's, niet alleen in België, maar over de hele wereld? Dan ben je op de juiste plek!
België: Het Kloppend Hart van UFO-onderzoek
In België is BUFON (Belgisch UFO-Netwerk) dé autoriteit op het gebied van UFO-onderzoek. Voor betrouwbare en objectieve informatie over deze intrigerende fenomenen, bezoek je zeker onze Facebook-pagina en deze blog. Maar dat is nog niet alles! Ontdek ook het Belgisch UFO-meldpunt en Caelestia, twee organisaties die diepgaand onderzoek verrichten, al zijn ze soms kritisch of sceptisch.
Nederland: Een Schat aan Informatie
Voor onze Nederlandse buren is er de schitterende website www.ufowijzer.nl, beheerd door Paul Harmans. Deze site biedt een schat aan informatie en artikelen die je niet wilt missen!
Internationaal: MUFON - De Wereldwijde Autoriteit
Neem ook een kijkje bij MUFON (Mutual UFO Network Inc.), een gerenommeerde Amerikaanse UFO-vereniging met afdelingen in de VS en wereldwijd. MUFON is toegewijd aan de wetenschappelijke en analytische studie van het UFO-fenomeen, en hun maandelijkse tijdschrift, The MUFON UFO-Journal, is een must-read voor elke UFO-enthousiasteling. Bezoek hun website op www.mufon.com voor meer informatie.
Samenwerking en Toekomstvisie
Sinds 1 februari 2020 is Pieter niet alleen ex-president van BUFON, maar ook de voormalige nationale directeur van MUFON in Vlaanderen en Nederland. Dit creëert een sterke samenwerking met de Franse MUFON Reseau MUFON/EUROP, wat ons in staat stelt om nog meer waardevolle inzichten te delen.
Let op: Nepprofielen en Nieuwe Groeperingen
Pas op voor een nieuwe groepering die zich ook BUFON noemt, maar geen enkele connectie heeft met onze gevestigde organisatie. Hoewel zij de naam geregistreerd hebben, kunnen ze het rijke verleden en de expertise van onze groep niet evenaren. We wensen hen veel succes, maar we blijven de autoriteit in UFO-onderzoek!
Blijf Op De Hoogte!
Wil jij de laatste nieuwtjes over UFO's, ruimtevaart, archeologie, en meer? Volg ons dan en duik samen met ons in de fascinerende wereld van het onbekende! Sluit je aan bij de gemeenschap van nieuwsgierige geesten die net als jij verlangen naar antwoorden en avonturen in de sterren!
Heb je vragen of wil je meer weten? Aarzel dan niet om contact met ons op te nemen! Samen ontrafelen we het mysterie van de lucht en daarbuiten.
11-09-2025
Giant Stone 'Doorway' Discovered in Kazakhstan Sparks Ancient Alien Debate
Giant Stone 'Doorway' Discovered in Kazakhstan Sparks Ancient Alien Debate
Explorers have stumbled upon what appears to be a massive stone doorway carved into the remote Dzungarian Alatau mountains of Kazakhstan, igniting widespread speculation about its origins. The mysterious formation, measuring approximately 40 feet tall and equally wide, has captured the imagination of social media users worldwide, with some claiming it as evidence of ancient extraterrestrial visitation. Located at 6,500 feet above sea level near the Chinese border, this enigmatic structure has sparked intense debate about natural geological processes versus human intervention.
The discovery was shared through drone footage that shows two explorers dwarfed by the imposing semi-circular formation. According to a Daily Mail report, Reddit users quickly compared the structure to famous fictional doorways from popular culture, including the entrance to Jabba the Hutt's palace in Star Wars and the Doors of Durin from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. The footage has gone viral across multiple platforms, with commentators ranging from amateur archaeologists to alien enthusiasts offering their interpretations of this remarkable find.
The huge door to Jabba the Hut’s palace in Star Wars, 'Return of the Jedi'.
(LucasFilm/20th Century Fox)
The Dzungarian Gate: A Historical Crossroads
The Dzungarian Alatau mountains where this formation was discovered represent one of Central Asia's most historically significant regions. This mountain range has served as a crucial passage between China and Kazakhstan for millennia, known as the Dzungarian Gate or Altai Gap. Ancient conquerors from Central Asia used this more than 3,000-mile pass as an invasion route for centuries, making it a crossroads of civilizations and cultures.
The region is renowned for its rugged terrain, featuring dramatic foothills, ridges, and ancient fortifications. Archaeological evidence suggests human presence in this area spans thousands of years, with various nomadic tribes and settled peoples leaving their mark on the landscape. Ancient petroglyphs have been discovered throughout Kazakhstan, indicating sophisticated artistic and cultural traditions among early inhabitants. The Dzungarian Gate has also been linked to mythical locations, including the legendary Hyperborea, where inhabitants supposedly lived for 1,000 years in perfect peace.
The Dzungarian Alatau mountain range at sunrise, showing the dramatic landscape where the mysterious doorway was discovered.
While social media speculation ranges from alien spacecraft entrances to ancient megalithic structures, scientists offer a more terrestrial explanation. According to the Daily Mail, Mark Allen, a professor at the University of Durham's department of Earth Sciences, suggests the formation is "to do with different weathering patterns of different rock layers" rather than artificial construction. The professor noted his experience in the region 38 years ago on the Chinese side of the border, reporting "nothing odd" about natural geological formations in the area.
Adding to the natural phenomema explanation, one Reddit user commented:
'There are a ton of these kinds of formations in Southern Utah. It's the beginning of the formation of an arch, which is very naturally occurring.'
Comparing Ancient Doorway Mysteries
The Kazakhstan discovery joins a pantheon of mysterious stone doorways that have captivated human imagination throughout history. Peru's Aramu Muru, known as the "Gate of the Gods," presents a remarkably similar phenomenon. This massive stone formation near Lake Titicaca features a carved doorway-like recess that has inspired countless theories about interdimensional portals and ancient technology. Like the Kazakhstan formation, Aramu Muru's precise geometric appearance challenges observers to distinguish between natural processes and artificial construction.
Archaeological sites worldwide demonstrate humanity's long fascination with doorway symbolism. Ancient Egyptian false doors served as spiritual passages between worlds, while megalithic structures across Europe incorporated doorway motifs into their sacred architecture. These historical examples show how doorways have consistently represented transitions, mysteries, and connections to otherworldly realms across different cultures and time periods.
The Ñaupa Waka site in Peru has an intriguingly cut altar stone, with what looks to be a doorway cut into the rock. Its origin is traditionally attributed to Inca, but this is questioned as the style and technology used to create it is not known to be Inca, and so it is likely to predate the Inca constructions that surround it, perhaps by millennia.
The Ñaupa Waka or Naupa Iglesia stone altar in Peru.
(Matthew Knot/ CC BY NC SA 2.0)
The enduring appeal of mysterious doorways reflects fundamental human psychology and spiritual beliefs. Whether formed by natural geological processes or created by ancient civilizations, these formations continue to inspire wonder and speculation about hidden knowledge, lost technologies, and connections to cosmic mysteries that extend far beyond our current understanding.
Ruins at Tiwanaku, Bolivia have fascinating cut rocks resembling doorways.
Despite scientific explanations, the Kazakhstan doorway continues generating intense interest and debate online. Social media users propose theories ranging from concealed alien bases to entrances to underground civilizations reminiscent of Tolkien's Mines of Moria. The formation's remarkable symmetry and positioning challenge even skeptical observers to consider alternative explanations beyond conventional geology.
The discovery highlights humanity's persistent fascination with unexplained phenomena and our tendency to seek extraordinary explanations for unusual natural features. Whether viewed as evidence of ancient visitation, lost civilizations, or simply remarkable geological coincidence, the Kazakhstan doorway serves as a contemporary addition to the world's collection of mysterious stone formations that continue challenging our understanding of natural and artificial boundaries.
Top image: Drone footage showing the massive stone doorway formation in Kazakhstan's Dzungarian Alatau mountains.
For centuries, humans have been scouring the universe for some kind of evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Now, social media users think it's finally been found – right here on Earth.
On Reddit, footage has emerged of explorers in front of 'a giant doorway' located in the Dzungarian Alatau mountains in Kazakhstan.
Like something from an epic movie scene, the 30-second clip shows the stunned explorers searching for a way in.
One stunned Reddit user commented that the doorway is proof of 'ancient aliens', while another asked if there's an 'alien spaceship hiding there'.
Others compared it with the 'beginning of the first Tomb Raider game' and the Doors of Durin from J. R. R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings'.
It also appears to bear similarities with the vast entrance to Jabba the Hut's palace in the Star Wars film 'Return of the Jedi'.
Millennials may also be reminded of the Temple of the Jungle King from ITV children's series 'Jungle Run'.
Explorers have found 'a giant doorway' located in the Dzungarian Alatau mountains in Kazakhstan, close to the border with China
In the Star Wars film 'Return of the Jedi' (1983), R2-D2 and C-3PO arrive at the vast door to Jabba the Hut's palace
The clip, which was also posted to X (Twitter), was filmed at the Dzungarian Alatau mountains in Kazakhstan, close to the border with China.
At an altitude of 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) above sea level, Dzungarian Alatau is known for its rugged foothills, ridges and forts.
The footage starts with a close-up of the two male explorers making cautious steps in the snow in front of a rocky mass.
Then, the airborne camera – likely attached to a drone – gradually pans out to reveal the massive semi-circular door-like formation.
Using the height of the men as a reference, the so-called 'entrance' appears to be at least 40 feet (12 metres) in height and about as wide.
But the rock behind it seems to slope downwards significantly, suggesting any secret cave beyond would have a fairly low ceiling.
On Reddit, someone pointed out: 'looks like the ridge of rock is narrower than the 'door' is tall.'
Another added: 'I mean, you can see the other side of the ridge in the drone shot. So, like.... doorway to what, the other side of the ridge?'
At an altitude of 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) above sea level, Dzungarian Alatau is known for its stunning foothills, ridges and forts
Millennials may also be reminded of the entrance to the Temple of the Jungle King from ITV children's series 'Jungle Run' (pictured)
What is the mystery doorway?
The mysterious 'doorway' in Kazakhstan has been described as a secret alien base and the 'entrance to the mines of Moria'.
More realistically, the 'doorway' could just be further evidence of 'pareidolia' - the tendency of the human mind to see patterns and symmetry.
Mark Allen, a professor at the University of Durham's department of earth sciences, said it might be 'to do with different weathering patterns of different rock layers'.
Commentators speculated on the true nature of the 'doorway', which is a different shade of brown to the surrounding rock.
One user said: 'There are a ton of these kinds of formations in Southern Utah. It's the beginning of the formation of an arch, which is very naturally occurring.'
Another user replied: 'So ancient aliens.'
A Harry Potter fan added: 'Run really fast into it and see if you end up on the other side', while a gamer said: 'It’s the doorway to a Zelda dungeon!'
Another posted: 'If it actually were a door, I’ve seen enough movies to know that something unspeakable has been sealed behind it.'
More realistically, the 'doorway' could just be further evidence of 'pareidolia' – the tendency of the human mind to see patterns and symmetry.
Mark Allen, a professor at the University of Durham's department of earth sciences, said it might be 'to do with different weathering patterns of different rock layers'.
'I was in this area 38 years ago on the Chinese side of the border [and there was] nothing odd to report,' he told the Daily Mail.
Dzungarian Alatau (pictured) lies on the boundary of the Dzungaria region of China and the Zhetysu region of Kazakhstan
Hollywood director Colin Trevorrow has left fans flabbergasted after he was spotted in attendance at the country's third ever UFO hearing in Congress.
The filmmaker, 48, who is best known for the Jurassic World franchise, was seen sitting behind famed paranormal activity journalist George Knapp at the bombshell proceeding on September 9.
They also shared their comments on whether the military is being honest about what is behind the supposed sightings.
Trevorrow's presence stirred up a lot of excitement online, with many speculating the reason behind him being there.
Taking to Reddit, one asked: 'He's directing a Lazar/Knapp movie isn't he?'
Another commented: 'He does indeed look like him. Just found out he is likely making a movie on the Las Vegas reporter who covered Area 51 in late 1980.'
In May, Deadline reported that Trevorrow's latest project would indeed be an untitled conspiracy thriller set in the late 1980s.
Hollywood director Colin Trevorrow was spotted at today's UFO hearing in Congress
He was seen sitting behind George Knapp, who testified before the House Oversight Committee's Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets
He was joined by US Air Force Veteran Jeffrey Nuccetelli, Navy veteran and UAP Witness Chief Alexandro Wiggins, and US Air Force Veteran and UAP witness Dylan Borland.
A UAP is the new government term given to any object or anomaly in the air, sea, or space that defies scientific explanation.
During the hearing, Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri showed shocking, never-before-seen footage of a UFO being struck by a Hellfire missile from a US military drone on October 30, 2024.
The black-and-white video captured the 100-pound class air-to-ground precision weapon bouncing off the mysterious orb, which continued traveling at extreme speed off the coast of Yemen.
Witness Nuccetelli, a former Air Force military police officer for 16 years, called the new video 'exceptional evidence' of the existence of UFOs.
He and the other men disclosed how they saw multiple types of strange, unexplained craft while on duty, including giant triangles, glowing cubes larger than a football field, and the infamous Tic-Tac-shaped vehicles spotted over the Pacific Ocean.
Witness Dylan Borland joined by UAP Journalist George Knapp as they spoke
Trevorrow, who is best known for the Jurassic World franchise, is working on a film about Knapp and Area 51
Along with their eye-witness accounts, two of the veterans claimed that the US government has attempted to keep their incidents a secret, allegedly threatening witnesses to stay quiet and blacklisting at least one of the veterans.
Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist, said in his opening statement that multiple government agencies blocked him from getting work, forged his documents, and manipulated his security clearance.
He claimed that happened after he reported sightings of a 100-foot triangle flying low over him at Virginia's Langley Air Force Base in 2012 to his superiors.
The large craft interfered with his telephone, made no sound, and rapidly ascended thousands of feet in seconds, Borland told the members of Congress.
The images, taken on August 27 when the object was about 240 million miles (380 million km) from Earth, are some of the first multi-coloured images of 3I/ATLAS.
They reveal a dense icy nucleus surrounded by a broad halo of gas and dust known as a coma.
Most importantly, they also reveal that the object has a long tail stretching behind 3I/ATLAS in the direction opposite to the sun.
This tail measures about one 120th of a degree in the sky, where one degree is about the width of your little finger on an outstretched arm.
Scientists have captured the clearest images yet of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS as it races through our solar system at 137,000 miles per hour (221,000 km/h)
Scientists from the Gemini South Observatory in Chile captured these images of 3I/ATLAS while it was around 240 million miles (380 million km) from Earth, revealing its clear cometary tail stretching out away from the sun
Dr Mark Norris, an astronomer from the University of Lancashire who was not involved in the study, told The Daily Mail: 'These new images very clearly demonstrate that 3I/ATLAS is a comet.'
In our own solar system, comets are balls of ice and dust that travel around the sun in very long elliptical orbits, with some only returning every few hundred years.
When comets approach the sun, the heat causes ice made of water or carbon dioxide to sublimate, meaning it turns directly from a solid into a gas.
This cloud of gas and dust that is ejected from the comet's surface collects around the frozen core in the form of a coma and is swept out behind the comet to form a tail.
Since this cloud of particles is highly reflective, comets appear much brighter than rocky asteroids of similar sizes.
The closer the comet gets to the sun, and the more heat it is exposed to, the larger and brighter these features become.
Dr Norris says: 'Early images showed evidence for cometary activity, but the activity was quite weak while it was far from the Sun.
'As 3I/ATLAS approaches the Sun, it is being bathed in more and more sunlight, which increases the amount of material outgassing from the comet, which increases the coma and tail of the comet significantly.'
The new images show that the comet has become significantly more active since previous observations, such as this image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in July
Additionally, by taking the images in colour, scientists were able to capture the wavelengths of light that the comet emits, known as its spectrum.
The spectrum tells scientists what kinds of chemicals can be found in the comet and in what proportions - telling us how it formed and how it changes as it passes through the solar system.
Interestingly, this analysis reveals that the ice and dust which make up 3I/ATLAS are broadly similar to those found in comets in our own solar system, with a few important differences.
Dr Matthew Genge, a planetary scientist from Imperial College London who was not involved in the study, told The Daily Mail: '3I/ATLAS has a CO2-rich atmosphere with less water than most home-grown comets.
'This might indicate it formed far from its parent star. Ice forms in early planetary systems by raining out of gas as snow. Water ice forms closer to the star and CO2 ice further away.'
This gives scientists an intriguing insight into the processes of planetary formation taking place around distant stars.
Bryce Bolin, research scientist from Eureka Scientific who was part of the team behind the images, says: 'Every interstellar comet is a messenger from another star system, and by studying their light and colour, we can begin to understand the diversity of worlds beyond our own.'
This is proof that the object is either a comet or a very rare type of icy asteroid, clearly demonstrating that it is a natural object and not some form of alien craft
There is only a short window in which 3I/ATLAS will be observable, so scientists are trying to gather as much data as they can to learn about these distant worlds.
Importantly, these observations also conclusively dismiss the theories that 3I/ATLAS is some sort of alien craft.
A group of military whistleblowers testified under oath that they've seenUFOsand that the US intelligence community has tried to cover it up.
Three Navy and Air Force veterans testified Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill at the third congressional hearing on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), the new term for UFOs, since 2023.
During the hearing, Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri showed shocking, never-before-seen footage of a UFO being struck by a Hellfire missile from a US military drone on October 30, 2024.
The black-and-white video captured the 100-pound class air-to-ground precision weapon bouncing off the mysterious orb, which continued traveling at extreme speed off the coast of Yemen.
Witness Jeffrey Nuccetelli, a former Air Force military police officer for 16 years, called the new video 'exceptional evidence' of the existence of UFOs.
He and the other men disclosed how they saw multiple types of strange, unexplained craft while on duty, including giant triangles, glowing cubes larger than a football field, and the infamous Tic-Tac-shaped vehicles spotted over the Pacific Ocean.
Along with their eye-witness accounts, two of the veterans claimed that the US government has attempted to keep their incidents a secret, allegedly threatening witnesses to stay quiet and blacklisting at least one of the veterans.
Dylan Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist, said in his opening statement that multiple government agencies blocked him from getting work, forged his documents, and manipulated his security clearance.
Three military whistleblowers and other experts spoke on Tuesday during the third congressional hearing on UFOs
Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri revealed video of a US military drone striking an orb-shaped UFO with a missile, which bounced off and did not stop the craft
Borland claimed that happened after he reported sightings of a 100-foot triangle flying low over him at Virginia's Langley Air Force Base in 2012 to his superiors.
The large craft interfered with his telephone, made no sound, and rapidly ascended thousands of feet in seconds, Borland told the members of Congress.
While in the government's classified Special Access Program (SAP), Borland added that other intelligence officers told him they had also faced retaliation after reporting their own encounters with UFOs.
Additionally, Borland claimed that the US intelligence community was engaging in phishing attacks in an attempt to assess what he disclosed to the Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG) during a polygraph test in November 2024.
When asked by South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace if he feared for his safety, Borland said he didn't believe a government group was currently attempting to kill him, but his reputation has been so damaged that he's currently living off of unemployment assistance.
When it was Nuccetelli's turn to speak, the Air Force veteran said that he witnessed five unexplained incidents at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base between 2003 and 2005.
Those included receiving reports of a 'glowing red square' hovering silently over missile defense sites and witnessing a giant rectangle-shaped ship over 100 yards long on the same night in October 2003.
A week later, Nuccetelli said he documented how patrols at the base saw a strange light over the ocean heading toward Vandenberg. When guards called for help, the object quickly descended, hovered briefly, and then vanished.
Military whistleblowers revealed never-before-discussed encounters with UFOs, including the often reported Tic-Tac craft (pictured)
Dylan Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist, claimed that he was retaliated against by the US government after reporting on UFO encounters
It was after this incident that Nuccetelli claimed a witness to the close encounter was threatened by their superiors to stay quiet.
When Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert asked Nuccetelli about the status of the investigations into the reports, the Air Force veteran said the military had been regularly destroying all police records every three years, including the reports made at Vandenberg.
'They destroyed all the police records, so you couldn't even call the Air Force and ask them if there was a vehicle accident,' Nuccetelli said.
In his opening statement, Nuccetelli added that he and two other military police officers witnessed an orb with pulsing lights that moved like a butterfly flying over his house while they were off duty.
Alexandro Wiggins, an active duty US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, was also brought in as a witness and described a strange encounter while aboard the USS Jackson off the Southern California coast on February 15, 2023.
Wiggins witnessed a Tic-Tac craft emerge from the Pacific and join three other Tic-Tacs in a flying formation over the navy vessel.
All of the Tic-Tacs shot off at the same time with incredible speed, without creating a sonic boom or making the typical engine trails of a plane or drone.
Alexandro Wiggins, an active duty US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, revealed how he witnessed multiple Tic-Tac craft flying over the Pacific Ocean in 2023
The chairwoman of the hearing, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, claimed in her opening statement that the former leader of the Pentagon's UAP investigating office (ARRO), Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, was a 'documented liar' who undermined UFO investigations.
Later in the hearing, Luna added that she would be happy to subpoena Kirkpatrick to testify on the alleged misconduct at the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office.
Also testifying before Congress was Joe Spielberger, a senior policy counsel at the Project On Government Oversight (POGO), who emphasized the critical role of whistleblowers in exposing government wrongdoing.
George Knapp, a chief investigative reporter for KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, who highlighted a decades-long pursuit of the UAP story through government documents and witness accounts, was at the hearing as well, documenting years of suspicious behavior surrounding the government's official narratives about UFOs.
Knapp said during the hearing that Americans were told for decades that there was no documentation of any kind of strange craft, but that changed when the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966.
The journalist noted that thousands of pages of previously classified documents have suddenly been released in the ensuing decades, including many involving reports of UAPs worldwide.
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The Lost Ness Monster! Experts baffled as mystery creature filmed lurking in the Thames
By MICHAEL HAVIS
Experts are baffled after a mystery animal was spotted lurking in the Thames by a family out for a stroll.
Ryan Linehan filmed the enigmatic presence swimming near Old Windsor Lock, Berkshire, while walking with his parents.
His mother Bernie, 63, said: 'We were just passing by and it was actually the lock keeper that said to keep an eye out for what he thought was a seal.
'My son just caught it as it bobbed up, but that was the best shot we could get.'
In the footage, the creature's black head can be seen dipping in and out of the water as it swims through the river.
Being a long way from the ocean, the family were sceptical about it being a seal.
Mr Linehan, 21, said: 'It looked slightly furry in its appearance, and it had quite a flat nose.
'I'd say in length, it was the size of a medium to large dog, maybe like a German Shepherd or Alsatian.'
The creature's black head can be seen dipping in and out of the water as it swims through the river
The footage, uploaded to Facebook, has been viewed tens of thousands of times and sparked a huge debate
Looking for answers, the family turned to the internet, sharing the footage with members of a naturalist group on Facebook.
It soon racked up tens of thousands of views and sparked a huge debate.
'Nessie, but she's a bit lost', wrote one joker.
Several others identified it as an 'escaped' capybara – the world's largest rodent species which comes from South America.
Further suggestions included a sea lion, a turtle, and a coypu – another South America species.
'It's 110 per cent a seal,' wrote one viewer. 'Definitely a beaver,' another person said.
Several people thought it might be an otter, but just as many refuted that too.
And even the experts disagree.
The mystery animal was spotted lurking in the Thames near Old Windsor Lock in Berkshire by a family out for a stroll
The animal has even baffled experts, with some arguing that it can't be a seal or a beaver while others saying it could potentially be an otter
Some believe the creature could be a seal (left) while others said it might be a beaver (right)
There has also been speculation it could be an otter, although others said the species has a concave 'dip' at the end of the muzzle that's not visible in the footage
First the family contacted somebody at a local wildlife trust.
Mrs Linehan said: 'Her opinion – and she checked with colleagues – was that she thought it was an otter. She said a seal and a beaver wouldn't come up that far, and they wouldn't be able to negotiate the locks.'
Florin Feneru, identification and advisory officer with the Angela Marmont Centre at the Natural History Museum, said he couldn't tell 'with any confidence'.
He said: 'I wish I could see its tail, that would have clearly settled the debate. However, I can't see this as a seal at all.
'Between beaver and otter, I lean towards beaver. Their upper line of the cranium is flatter, a bit convex even, like a bull terrier's for example.
'Otters have a stop – the concave dip at the base of the muzzle, like a beagle for example.'
Richard Bennett of the Canal and River Trust also couldn't be 100 per cent sure. He said: 'Not a seal, and more beaver than otter from the shape of the head – something about the way it moves too.'
Beavers are found across the northern hemisphere and are among planet's most skilled builders.
This reputation has earnt them the nickname 'nature's engineers'.
They fell trees by gnawing at their trunks and use the resulting sticks to construct dams to stop the movement of water in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams – creating a bodies of water with a low current.
The mammals then use sticks and mud to create a second structure – a large dome-shaped island that can reach as high as ten feet (3m) tall and up to 1,600ft (500m) long.
Each island includes two underwater entrances and a living chamber above water where the animals sleep and shelter.
Beavers often line the walls of this chamber with dry leaves and plants to insulate it during winter.
It remains unclear exactly why beavers build dams, but scientists speculate the creatures use it for warmth and shelter in the winter and as protection from predators.
Beavers are strong swimmers, and creating a reservoir of water allows the animals to play to their strengths to escape those higher in the food chain.
The biggest beaver dam ever discovered measured 2,790ft (850m) – more than twice the length of the Hoover dam.
The woodland construction, found in the southern edge of Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta, Canada, was so expansive it could be seen from space.
The Mystery Of The Loch Ness Monster | A Legend Uncovered
NASA has announced the discovery of what it believes to be ancient microbial life on Mars.
The new administrator for the space agency, Sean Duffy, said a sample collected by the Perseverance rover has been declared the 'clearest sign of life' ever found on the Red Planet.
In a Wednesday news conference, NASA's Associate Administrator Nicky Fox said: 'This is the kind of signature that we would see that was made by something biological.'
Specifically, researchers have been looking at unusual spots and seed-like shapes in ancient Martian rocks that might point to the existence of tiny life forms in the distant past.
These features, nicknamed 'poppy seeds' and 'leopard spots,' were spotted in mud-like rocks in Neretva Vallis, part of the Jezero crater, where a river existed billions of years ago.
Scientist Joel Hurowitz revealed how these tiny signatures found in the crater pointed to the existence of life on Mars long before most organisms emerged on Earth.
Although the findings have been discussed for months, Hurowitz noted that scientists needed to gather more data from Neretva Vallis and confirm the results with other researchers before releasing the conclusion that this could be Martian life.
'We are here to say this is exciting, and we want to share that news. This could be very real,' Duffy continued.
In 2024, Perseverance spotted a vein-filled arrowhead-shaped rock that featured chemical signatures and structures likely formed by microbial life billions of years ago
NASA Administrator Sean Duffy (center) revealed that a sample collected by Perseverance is the 'clearest sign of life' on Mars ever found in 30 years
The rover's tools detected chemicals like iron and phosphorus in these spots, which can form when tiny microbes break down organic material, a sign of life here on Earth.
The NASA robot has been beaming back images to Earth since 2021, revealing crystalline solids left over from water flowing on the surface of Mars, and a reddish area that contained organic compounds and an energy source for what could have been microbial life.
Perseverance collected the new life-proving rocks on July 21, 2024, while exploring the northern edge of Neretva Vallis, the ancient river valley formed roughly 3.7billion years ago.
Scientists noticed the vein-like structures throughout, finding they were white calcium sulfate.
The crystalline solids on the Martian surface are hard-water deposits left behind by ancient groundwater flowing through the now-dusty landscape.
Between those veins were bands of material with a reddish color suggesting the presence of hematite, one of the minerals that gives Mars its distinctive rusty hue.
Duffy noted that the announcement on Wednesday was the culmination of 30 years of research on the Red Planet.
He added that the latest findings went through a peer-review process, just like scientific studies in all fields, which proved the samples likely had a biological origin.
NASA officials revealed new findings by the Perseverance rover, which has been exploring Mars (pictured) since 2021
Perseverance took a selfie in the Jezero crater on Mars when it found the biological samples
When asked if NASA plans to retrieve the potential organic samples from Mars, Duffy said the space agency was still looking at how and when they could get the rocks back to Earth, adding that 'we're going to look at our budgets'.
The new administrator appointed by President Trump noted that 'the president loves space' and believed NASA has the money to complete its work, which is now focused on manned space missions.
Duffy noted the space agency's mission was going to be 'a little more focused' but felt comfortable asking the White House for more funding if it was needed to confirm the findings on Mars.
'At no point has this administration said "we don't care about samples,"' Fox added while addressing questions about NASA's changing priorities regarding Mars exploration.
Previously, the Trump administration had cut the Mars sample retrieval mission from its budget proposal for NASA.
It was part of $6billion slashed from NASA's future budget in the May proposal to Congress, even though the ongoing sample study had already cost billions.
Duffy said NASA was now looking at a faster and more cost-effective way of getting Perseverance's samples back for examination.
As for NASA's upcoming space missions, Duffy revealed that four astronauts will circle the moon 'early next year' as part of the Artemis II lunar mission.
'We're going back to the moon,' the administrator declared.
Duffy added that 'about a year and a half' after the Artemis II mission, the Artemis III astronaut mission will 'land and establish a long-term presence of life on the moon led by America'.
NASA's new leader continued by saying that what astronauts learn from the renewed missions to the moon will help in future efforts to 'put American boots on Mars'.
Marked by seven benchmarks, the Confidence of Life Detection, or CoLD, scale outlines a progression in confidence that a set of observations stands as evidence of life.
Credit: NASA
This animation depicts water disappearing over time in the Martian river valley Neretva Vallis, where NASA’s Perseverance Mars takes the rock sample named “Sapphire Canyon” from a rock called “Cheyava Falls,” which was found in the “Bright Angel” formation.
The jaw-dropping video of a US drone firing a Hellfire missile at an orb, only for the object to remain completely unaffected, has left lawmakers and the public stunned.
The missile struck the orb, but instead of detonating, it appeared to bounce off.
While questions swirl about the video, UFO researcher and filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee told the Daily Mail that the object seen during the hearing 'is non-human.'
'The way the object is described, as a glowing, bright, luminous sphere, like an orb, is unlike anything we currently have,' he said. 'It moves in a fast, straight line, making it trackable, yet shows no visible signs of propulsion such as exhaust plumes or rotors, almost like a plasma object.'
Lee highlighted the orb's ability to deflect the missile as highly unusual, suggesting technology beyond current human capabilities.
'None that I know of, which makes me believe it's a non-human UAP,' he added. He also noted similarities to other unexplained drone sightings, including recent incidents in New Jersey.
However, not all experts agree. Alejandro Rojas, an advisor at Enigma Labs, which analyzes UAP reports, said the video appears authentic but may be a conventional explanation.
'It seems like the object hit was moving slowly and did not continue. To me, it appears that the missile was unaffected and continued flying,' Rojas said. 'It's likely a military test or drone of some sort.'
The video showed a US military drone striking an orb-shaped UFO with a missile, which bounced off and did not stop the craft
The footage, presented during Tuesday's c ongressional hearing on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), shows an MQ-9 drone tracking an unknown object as another MQ-9 launches a Hellfire missile (stock)
The black-and-white footage was presented by Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison, who said he received it anonymously in a 'dead drop.'
'This was taken on October 30, 2024. It shows an MQ-9 tracking an orb off the coast of Yemen,' Burlison explained. 'Another MQ-9 launched a Hellfire missile, which you cannot see, and I'm not going to explain it to you. You'll see exactly what it does.'
UAP journalist George Knapp, who also testified, reacted to the video by asking, 'What the h*** is that?' Burlison replied, 'I'm not going to speculate what it is, but the question is, why are we being blocked from this information consistently?'
Lee speculated that the orb may represent an inter-dimensional phenomenon rather than a craft from another planet.
'This is the true reality of UFO disclosure. It's far weirder than beings from another planet,' he said, adding that the object was likely only making its presence known, not preparing to attack.
When asked whether the footage captured an extraterrestrial craft, Rojas responded bluntly, 'I do not believe in ET.'
Three Navy and Air Force veterans testified Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill at the third congressional hearing on UAPs, the new term for UFOs, since 2023.
The men disclosed how they saw multiple types of strange, unexplained craft while on duty, including giant triangles, glowing cubes larger than a football field, and the infamous Tic-Tac-shaped vehicles spotted over the Pacific Ocean.
The black-and-white footage was presented by Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison, who said he received it anonymously in a 'dead drop'
Along with their eye-witness accounts, two of the veterans claimed that the US government has attempted to keep their incidents a secret, allegedly threatening witnesses to stay quiet and blacklisting at least one of the veterans.
Dylan Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist, said in his opening statement that multiple government agencies blocked him from getting work, forged his documents, and manipulated his security clearance.
Witness Jeffrey Nuccetelli, a former Air Force military police officer, said that he witnessed five unexplained incidents at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base between 2003 and 2005.
Those included receiving reports of a 'glowing red square' hovering silently over missile defense sites and witnessing a giant rectangle-shaped ship over 100 yards long on the same night in October 2003.
A week later, Nuccetelli said he documented how patrols at the base saw a strange light over the ocean heading toward Vandenberg. When guards called for help, the object quickly descended, hovered briefly, and then vanished.
Three military whistleblowers and other experts spoke on Tuesday during the third congressional hearing on UFOs
'They destroyed all the police records, so you couldn't even call the Air Force and ask them if there was a vehicle accident,' Nuccetelli said.
Alexandro Wiggins, an active duty US Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, was also brought in as a witness and described a strange encounter while aboard the USS Jackson off the Southern California coast on February 15, 2023.
Wiggins witnessed a Tic-Tac craft emerge from the Pacific and join three other Tic-Tacs in a flying formation over the navy vessel.
All of the Tic-Tacs shot off at the same time with incredible speed, without creating a sonic boom or making the typical engine trails of a plane or drone.
Knapp, a chief investigative reporter for KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, highlighted a decades-long pursuit of the UAP story through government documents and witness accounts, documenting years of suspicious behavior surrounding the government's official narratives about UFOs.
He said Americans were told for decades that there was no documentation of any kind of strange craft, but that changed when the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966.
The journalist noted that thousands of pages of previously classified documents have suddenly been released in the ensuing decades, including many involving reports of UAPs worldwide.
Yesterday, NASAmade the startling announcement that its scientists have uncovered the 'clearest evidence' yet for the existence of life on Mars.
Last year, NASA's Perseverance rover discovered that a dry riverbed just north of the Martian equator is dotted with rusty circular markings known as 'leopard spots'.
Now, scientists have revealed what these alien organisms might have looked like.
Any life that evolved on Mars would have had to contend with harsh radiation, weak gravity, and temperatures that can swing between 20°C (70°F) in the day and -153°C (-225°F) at night.
However, the scientists behind this groundbreaking research say that it is still possible for some forms of life to evolve.
In the unlikely case that more complex life did evolve somewhere on the Red Planet, it would need to develop special adaptations to survive this impossibly harsh climate.
NASA has revealed the 'clearest evidence' yet for the existence of life on Mars, as it claims that 'leopard spots' on Martian rocks could have been created by ancient microbes
Scientists say that Mars' Jezero Crater was once filled with water that would have been 'clement' for microbial life to develop. Pictured: AI-generated impression
What did NASA find on Mars?
While investigating a region known as the 'Bright Angel', NASA's Perseverance rover spotted a group of unusual markings that resemble leopard spots.
Scientists call these spots 'reaction fronts', and they are points of contact where chemical and physical reactions have occurred in the past.
Critically, Perseverance's on-board lab found that these spots contained two iron-rich minerals: Vivianite, which is found in decaying organic matter, and greigite, which is produced by microbes on Earth.
Dr Keyron Hickman-Lewis, an Earth scientist from Birkbeck, University of London and co-author of the NASA report, told Daily Mail: 'The kinds of organic–mineral associations observed at Bright Angel that are reported in this paper are known to be generated by microbial life on Earth, and so it is a very promising observation to see something so similar on Mars.
'Certainly, I think that this is the most compelling potential evidence of life on Mars found to date.'
The scientists can't yet rule out that these spots could be caused by non-biological processes, and Dr Hickman-Lewis says that this is not a 'smoking gun'.
However, after spending a year reviewing the evidence and looking for alternative explanations, the researchers are now confident enough to say that this could be a 'biosignature', an elusive sign which proves the existence of life.
These signs of life were found by the Perseverance rover in a region called 'Bright Angel'. Researchers say that chemicals found in the leopard spots are produced by biological processes on Earth
Although Mars is now a barren desert, billions of years ago, it would have been covered with rivers and lakes that could have supported life
Dr Hickman-Lewis adds: 'The Mars 2020 team does not use the term "potential biosignature" lightly.'
What would this life look like?
The potential signs of life were found in a region called Jezero Crater, an impact basin just north of the equator.
Although it is now a barren wasteland, billions of years ago, the Jezero Crater was filled with water that could have been home to life.
If life did exist in these waters, the most plausible explanation is that it was some sort of simple microorganism.
Dr Hickman-Lewis says: 'The environment in which these potential biosignatures were found seems to be a low-temperature water-rich setting and therefore very clement for microbial life.'
In their paper, published in Nature, the researchers suggest that microbes could have fed on the naturally occurring carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus in the rocks.
These microbes would have then 'excreted' the minerals which we now see as leopard spots.
NASA Administrator Sean Duffy (center) revealed that a sample collected by Perseverance is the 'clearest sign of life' on Mars ever found in 30 years
The Jezero Crater, where the potential signs of life were found, was once a river delta. Observations from orbiting spacecraft show patterns of sediment that are similar to those made by rivers on Earth. Pictured: AI-generated impression
As microbes fed on the carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus in the rocks, they might have released iron-rich chemicals which permanently stained the rocks to leave 'leopard spots'. Pictured: AI-generated impression
The conditions on the surface would have been incredibly harsh, but the researchers say that life still could have eked out a simple existence.
Dr Sanjeev Gupta, an Earth scientist from Imperial College London and member of the research team, told Daily Mail: 'There was liquid water present at the surface at the time billions of years ago, so it was a habitable environment.
'This would have been simple microbial life. We can say much more than that.'
Since we can only see the possible traces left behind by these microorganisms, it's difficult to know what they might have looked like or how they behaved.
However, it is possible to make some very general predictions based on parallels from Earth.
Professor Michael Garrett, an astronomer from the University of Manchester and Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics who was not involved in the study, told Daily Mail: 'Think of hardy bacteria, similar to terrestrial extremophiles that thrive in very salty, cold, or low-oxygen conditions here on Earth.
'Good analogues are the microbial mats in very salty lakes or microbes that live kilometres underground in Earth’s crust or in the high desert in Chile.
'These examples show us that life can be tough, minimalistic, and persistent even in places where surface conditions are brutal.'
Scientists say that the best parallels for what life might have looked like are the microbial mats that form in extremely salty lakes on Earth. Pictured: AI-generated impression
It is unlikely that more complex life could have evolved since Mars' climate changed rapidly about a billion years after the first microbes could have appeared. This means complex organisms like animals probably didn't have time to develop. Pictured: AI-generated impression
Could more complex life have evolved?
If these leopard spots really are biosignatures, then the researchers say it's unlikely that they only existed in one place.
Perseverance is currently studying very ancient rocks outside of the Jezero Crater to look for signs of more widespread life.
However, it is extremely unlikely that more complex life evolved anywhere on the Red Planet.
However, after about one billion years, Mars' climate began to change rapidly as solar winds stripped away its atmosphere - leaving the planet very cold and dry.
Professor Garrett says: 'Those harsh conditions on Mars after 1 billion years would put strong limits on body size and complexity of any lifeform.
If complex life had emerged, it would have needed to develop adaptations like thick skin or live underground to avoid the intense radiation of the Martian surface. Pictured: AI-generated impression
On Earth, some of the first animals to evolve were simple filter feeders. Filter feeders also survive in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents, so complex Martian life might have followed a similar evolutionary trajectory. Pictured: AI-generated impression
In the unlikely case that more complex life did evolve, Mars' harsh conditions would also put strong constraints on what it might look like.
'It would need to be adapted to survive the intense UV radiation from the Sun, extreme cold, and limited liquid water - we don’t really see complicated animal life in such environments,' says Professor Garret.
He adds: 'If they were present, they would need protection from the UV radiation from the sun – maybe a thick skin, for example, or perhaps mostly living under the Martian soil.'
That means complex life might resemble creatures on Earth that live in exceptionally harsh environments, such as desert-dwelling lizards or the simple filter-feeders that survive near hydrothermal vents.
Wat is Angel Hair precies? We analyseren en bespreken deze mysterieuze substantie
Wat is Angel Hair precies? We analyseren en bespreken deze mysterieuze substantie
In de wereld van het onverklaarbare en bovennatuurlijke bestaat er een fascinerende en vaak voorkomende verschijnsel dat bekendstaat als "angel hair" of "engelenhaar". Mensen over de hele wereld hebben meldingen gedaan van dunne, zijdeachtige draden die door de lucht zweven of op de grond liggen, vaak na een ufo-waarneming of een ander onverklaarbaar fenomeen. Ondanks dat dit verschijnsel al decennia wordt gerapporteerd, blijft de exacte aard en oorsprong van angel hair voor velen een mysterie. In dit artikel zullen we deze mysterieuze substantie grondig analyseren en bespreken wat wetenschappelijk bekend is en wat niet, en mogelijke verklaringen voor het fenomeen.
Wat is angel hair?
Angel hair wordt vaak omschreven als dunne, glanzende filaments of draden die sterk lijken op zijde of fijn haar. Deze delicate draden variëren in lengte, van slechts enkele centimeters tot meerdere meters, en kunnen zich in grote groepen of clusters verspreiden. De kleur van angel hair is meestal wit of doorschijnend, waardoor ze bijna onzichtbaar kunnen lijken wanneer ze in de lucht zweven. De draden zijn fragiel en breekbaar, waardoor ze gemakkelijk kunnen worden verbroken of verloren gaan bij aanraking of beweging. Mensen rapporteren dat deze mysterieuze draden soms uit de lucht lijken te komen, alsof ze uit het niets tevoorschijn komen, of dat ze op de grond liggen als restanten van een onverklaarbare gebeurtenis. Vaak worden ze waargenomen na het zien van een onverklaarbaar object in de lucht, zoals een UFO, of tijdens bijzondere atmosferische omstandigheden.
Het fenomeen van angel hair is niet nieuw; meldingen van deze mysterieuze draden dateren al uit de 19e eeuw en blijven tot op heden voorkomen. Tijdens bepaalde waarnemingen beschrijven getuigen dat de angel hair zich lijkt te verspreiden in de lucht, alsof het wordt uitgestoten door een onbekend object dat in de lucht beweegt. Soms lijkt het spontaan uit de lucht te verschijnen, zonder dat er een duidelijk bron zichtbaar is. Dit heeft geleid tot veel speculaties en theorieën over de aard en herkomst van deze draden. Hoewel angel hair vooral wordt geassocieerd met ufo-waarnemingen en buitenaardse verschijnselen, worden ze ook in andere contexten gerapporteerd. Zo worden ze soms waargenomen tijdens onweersbuien, bij het zien van vreemde lichten aan de hemel, of in situaties waarin bijzondere atmosferische verschijnselen voorkomen. Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat de draden mogelijk worden veroorzaakt door meteorologische fenomenen, zoals ijskristallen of elektrische discharges, terwijl anderen geloven dat ze een buitenaards of paranormaal fenomeen vertegenwoordigen. Ondanks de vele rapportages en onderzoeken blijft de exacte herkomst en aard van angel hair een mysterie dat de nieuwsgierigheid van velen blijft prikkelen.
Verschillende benaderingen en verklaringen
Het ongrijpbare karakter van angel hair heeft geleid tot diverse theorieën over de oorsprong en aard ervan. Sommige mensen geloven dat het een buitenaards fenomeen is, een soort van buitenaardse afscheiding of een vorm van technologie die wordt gebruikt door UFO's. Anderen denken dat het natuurlijke oorzaken heeft, zoals meteorologische fenomenen, natuurlijke stoffen in de atmosfeer, of zelfs menselijke activiteiten.
Een spinnenweb, een van de mogelijke oorzaken van het Angel hair-fenomeen.
Natuurlijke verklaringen
Een van de meest gangbare en wetenschappelijk onderbouwde verklaringen voor het fenomeen angel hair is dat het bestaat uit natuurlijke stoffen die in de atmosfeer voorkomen en zich op bepaalde omstandigheden voortplanten. Een belangrijke factor hierbij is de aanwezigheid van spinnenwebben, die door de wind over grote afstanden kunnen worden verspreid. Spinnenwebben bestaan uit zijdeachtige draden die door hun dunheid en glans vaak lijken op fijne, glinsterende strengen in de lucht. Deze webben worden door spinsels vaak in de natuur aangelegd en kunnen, afhankelijk van de weersomstandigheden, worden losgelaten en verder worden meegevoerd door de wind. Tijdens en na regenbuien, wanneer de luchtvochtigheid hoog is, worden spinnenwebben vaak losser en kunnen ze gemakkelijk worden uit elkaar getrokken. Hierdoor kunnen ze zich over grote gebieden verspreiden en op hun beurt de indruk wekken van een mysterieuze, haarachtige substantie die in de lucht zweeft. Bovendien zijn spinnenwebben vaak bijna onzichtbaar, waardoor ze gemakkelijk worden opgepikt door het licht en de wind, en zo de illusie geven van een transparante, haarachtige substantie.
Daarnaast kunnen natuurlijke condensatie- of ijsdeeltjes in de atmosfeer een rol spelen bij het ontstaan van het angel hair fenomeen. Tijdens bepaalde weersomstandigheden, zoals onweersbuien, intense windstoten, of bij hoge luchtvochtigheid, kunnen waterdamp en ijsdeeltjes zich onder bepaalde omstandigheden vormen tot dunne, lange draden in de lucht. Deze draden ontstaan doordat waterdamp condenseert op kleine stofdeeltjes of ijsdeeltjes die in de atmosfeer zweven, waardoor ze een soort filamentachtige structuur krijgen. Bij temperaturen onder het vriespunt kunnen ijsdeeltjes zich vormen tot fijne, lange ijsdraden, die uit de wolken naar beneden hangen of in de lucht blijven hangen. Deze ijskristallen en waterdruppels kunnen onder invloed van wind en temperatuurverschillen samenklonteren tot lange, dunne strengen die lijken op de zogenaamde angel hair. Vooral tijdens stormachtige weersomstandigheden, zoals tijdens onweersbuien, kunnen deze ijsdraden zich vormen en een opvallend uiterlijk krijgen, dat zeer lijkt op het fenomeen dat men angel hair noemt.
Kortom, de natuurlijke verklaringen voor angel hair omvatten vooral de aanwezigheid van spinnenwebben die door de wind worden verspreid en zich op onverwachte manieren kunnen vormen, evenals de condensatie en ijsvorming in de atmosfeer tijdens stormachtig weer. Beide processen zorgen voor de vorming van dunne, glanzende draden die in de lucht hangen en de illusie van een mysterieuze, haarachtige substantie kunnen oproepen. Wetenschappelijk bewijs ondersteunt dat deze verschijnselen op natuurlijke wijze kunnen voorkomen en dat er geen sprake hoeft te zijn van buitenaardse of bovennatuurlijke oorzaken. Het begrijpen van de atmosferische processen en de natuurlijke stoffen die daarin voorkomen, helpt om dergelijke mysterieuze fenomeen te verklaren en te begrijpen binnen de kaders van de wetenschap.
Meteorologische fenomenen
Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat het verschijnsel dat bekend staat als "angel hair" verband zou kunnen houden met een meteorologisch fenomeen dat vaak wordt aangeduid als "fallstreaks" of "mare's tails". Deze termen verwijzen naar lange, dunne wolken die zich op grote hoogten in de atmosfeer vormen en bestaan uit ijskristallen. Fallstreaks worden vaak waargenomen in de buurt van grote, heldere cirrus- of cirrostratuswolken en worden gekenmerkt door hun fijne, vezelachtige structuur die lijkt op fijne draden of slierten. Ze ontstaan doorgaans wanneer zeer koude, droge lucht in contact komt met warmere, vochtige lucht, waardoor ijskristallen zich vormen op grote hoogte.
Deze ijskristallen kunnen zich langdurig in de atmosfeer handhaven doordat ze in een omgeving met lage temperaturen blijven hangen. Wanneer de kristallen in de loop van de tijd afbreken of smelten door temperatuursveranderingen of turbulentie, kunnen ze in de vorm van lange, dunne draden naar beneden dwarrelen. Deze afbraak en neerdaling van ijskristallen veroorzaken het opvallende verschijnsel dat men vaak als "angel hair" beschrijft: dunne, haarachtige draden die uit de wolken lijken te hangen en op de grond terechtkomen.
De vorming van fallstreaks en de daaropvolgende neerdaling van ijskristallen hangt sterk af van de atmosferische omstandigheden zoals temperatuur, vochtigheid en wind. Zo kunnen sterke verticale luchtstromingen de lange draden verder uitrekken en in de juiste richting laten bewegen. Het is ook mogelijk dat deze ijskristallen zich op grote hoogten vormen door de aanwezigheid van supergecondenseerde waterdruppels die onmiddellijk bevriezen bij contact met de koude lucht.
Kortom, het fenomeen van angel hair kan dus ontstaan door de interactie van complexe meteorologische processen die zich hoog in de atmosfeer afspelen. Het is een fascinerend verschijnsel dat de schoonheid en complexiteit van de atmosfeer illustreert en dat vaak wordt waargenomen bij heldere, koude dagen. Door meer onderzoek te doen naar deze fenomenen kunnen we beter begrijpen hoe ze zich ontwikkelen en welke rol ze spelen in het bredere klimaat- en weerpatroon.
Zou ANGEL HAIR spinnenwebben kunnen zijn?
Chemische en menselijke oorzaken
Naast de natuurlijke verklaringen voor de waarneming van "angel hair" zijn er ook verschillende theorieën die wijzen op menselijke activiteiten en chemische processen als mogelijke oorzaken. Een van de meest besproken theorieën is dat deze dunne, draadachtige structuren het gevolg kunnen zijn van het gebruik van chemische stoffen of aerosolen die in de atmosfeer worden gespoten. Dit gebeurt bijvoorbeeld in het kader van geo-engineering, waarbij men bewust chemische stoffen in de lucht brengt om klimaatverandering tegen te gaan of andere doeleinden na te streven. Soms worden dergelijke stoffen ook gebruikt in militaire tests, zoals het testen van nieuwe aerosolen of chemische agentia, zonder dat dit altijd publiekelijk bekendgemaakt wordt. Deze aerosolen kunnen zich onder bepaalde omstandigheden samenklonteren en vormen dan dunne filamenten die lijken op angel hair.
Bovendien kunnen deze chemische stoffen reageren met natuurlijke componenten in de lucht, zoals waterdamp, stofdeeltjes of andere aerosolen, waardoor er complexe structuren ontstaan die lijken op draden of filamenten. Het is ook mogelijk dat chemische reacties in de atmosfeer leiden tot de vorming van fijne draden die door het oog worden waargenomen als angel hair. Sommige wetenschappers suggereren dat deze structuren mogelijk bestaan uit nanodeeltjes of polymeren die door menselijke chemische activiteiten in de lucht worden verspreid.
Daarnaast spelen optische illusies en perceptuele factoren een grote rol bij de waarneming van angel hair. Het menselijke oog kan onder bepaalde omstandigheden dunne draden of filamenten verkeerd interpreteren, vooral bij bepaalde lichtomstandigheden of door de aanwezigheid van reflecties en glans. Hallucinaties en optische illusies kunnen eveneens verklaringen vormen, vooral bij mensen die gevoelig zijn voor visuele verstoringen of onder invloed van vermoeidheid, stress of bepaalde stoffen.
Ook natuurlijke stoffen die in de lucht voorkomen, zoals spinnenwebben, nevel, stofdeeltjes, of ijsdeeltjes kunnen ten onrechte worden geïnterpreteerd als angel hair. Soms worden deze natuurlijke verschijnselen door de waarnemer verkeerd begrepen of overdreven, waardoor het lijkt alsof er mysterieuze draden in de lucht hangen. Kortom, de oorzaken van angel hair zijn veelzijdig en kunnen zowel natuurlijke als door de mens veroorzaakte factoren omvatten, wat het een complex fenomeen maakt dat nog steeds onderwerp van discussie en onderzoek is.
Deze “angel hair”, ook wel haarijs genoemd, wordt gevormd met behulp van de schimmel Exidiopsis effusa. Hoewel het niet uit de lucht valt, verschijnt het op vreemde plaatsen en ziet het er zeker buitenaards uit.
Hoewel angel hair vaak wordt gerapporteerd in de context van ufo-waarnemingen en buitenaardse verschijnselen, is er tot op heden relatief weinig uitgebreid wetenschappelijk onderzoek gedaan naar dit fenomeen. Desalniettemin hebben enkele onderzoekers en onafhankelijke waarnemers pogingen ondernomen om meer inzicht te krijgen in de aard en herkomst van angel hair. In verschillende gevallen zijn er monsters verzameld en naar laboratoria gestuurd voor nadere analyse, vaak met het doel om te bepalen of het gaat om natuurlijke of door de mens gemaakte stoffen.
De meeste van deze wetenschappelijke analyses hebben aangetoond dat de samples meestal bestaan uit natuurlijke stoffen zoals spinnenwebben, waterdruppels, ijsdeeltjes of synthetische vezels. Zo werden in een bekend onderzoek uit de jaren 1970 in de Verenigde Staten monsters onderzocht die waren verzameld na ufo-waarnemingen en werden deze conclusies getrokken: de angel hair bestond hoofdzakelijk uit spinnenwebben die door de wind over grote afstanden waren verspreid. Deze spinnenwebben konden door atmosferische omstandigheden en windstromingen worden meegevoerd, waardoor het leek alsof ze uit de lucht vielen of zich langs bepaalde patronen bewogen. Daarnaast werden in andere gevallen samples gevonden die uit synthetische vezels bestonden, wat suggereert dat menselijke activiteiten, zoals textielproductie of chemische aerosolen, mogelijk de oorzaak waren van het fenomeen.
Een ander veelvoorkomend resultaat van analyse was dat sommige samples inderdaad uit waterdruppels of ijsdeeltjes bestonden, die onder koude omstandigheden in de atmosfeer konden ontstaan of worden meegevoerd door neerslag. Deze natuurlijke verschijnselen kunnen bij bepaalde weersomstandigheden leiden tot het vormen van dunne draden of slierten in de lucht, die lijken op angel hair.
Ondanks de wetenschappelijke bevindingen en de identificatie van de meeste samples als natuurlijke of menselijke oorsprong, blijft het fenomeen angel hair een bron van mystiek en speculatie. Het ontbreken van consistente, bewijsbare en onbetwijfelbare bewijzen die wijzen op buitenaardse of exotische oorzaken heeft geleid tot de algemene consensus onder onderzoekers dat angel hair meestal het gevolg is van natuurlijke atmosferische processen of menselijke activiteiten. Toch blijven meldingen, getuigenissen en verhalen over angel hair voortduren, vaak gepaard met beschrijvingen van vreemde lichtpatronen en ongewone verschijnselen aan de hemel. Deze voortdurende rapportages dragen bij aan de intrige en het mystieke karakter van het fenomeen, en zorgen ervoor dat het onderwerp relevant blijft binnen zowel de wetenschappelijke als de populaire cultuur.
Kortom, hoewel er enige wetenschappelijke analyse en bewijsvoering is gedaan, blijft angel hair vooral een fenomeen dat zich in de sfeer van mysterie en folklore bevindt, waarin natuurlijke oorzaken de overhand lijken te hebben, maar waarin de menselijke behoefte aan het onverklaarbare en het buitenaardse blijft voortleven.
Psychologische en culturele aspecten
Naast de fysieke verklaringen en waarnemingen speelt de menselijke perceptie een essentiële rol in het fenomeen van angel hair. Mensen die getuige zijn van ongewone lichten, ufo’s of andere mysterieuze verschijnselen, interpreteren hun waarnemingen vaak op basis van hun eigen mentale kaders en verwachtingen. Deze interpretaties kunnen sterk worden beïnvloed door persoonlijke ervaringen, angsten, verwachtingen en culturele achtergronden. Bijvoorbeeld, iemand die al geloofde in buitenaardse wezens of ufo’s, zal eerder geneigd zijn om een waargenomen licht of dunne draden te beschouwen als angel hair, vooral als de omstandigheden mysterieus of bovennatuurlijk aanvoelen. Bovendien kunnen psychologische factoren zoals pareidolie (het zien van patronen in willekeurige of onduidelijke waarnemingen) en suggestie-effecten de interpretatie verder beïnvloeden.
Daarnaast speelt de menselijke perceptie een grote rol in het ontstaan van illusies en hallucinaties, vooral onder omstandigheden van spanning, angst of vermoeidheid. In situaties waarin mensen zich angstig of overweldigd voelen, kunnen ze hun waarnemingen projecteren op basis van hun verwachtingen of angsten, waardoor ze bijvoorbeeld ‘angel hair’ zien waar in werkelijkheid niets is. Ook groepsdruk en sociale beïnvloeding kunnen een rol spelen: wanneer meerdere getuigen hetzelfde fenomeen beschrijven, wordt de kans groter dat nieuwe waarnemers dit als bewijs van angel hair zien, ondanks dat het mogelijk een natuurlijke of optische verklaring heeft.
Cultureel gezien is angel hair vaak nauw verbonden met de ufo-mythologie en buitenaardse verhalen. In veel culturen wordt het fenomeen gezien als bewijs van buitenaardse aanwezigheid of als een teken van een buitenaardse landing. Media, films en boeken hebben het concept van angel hair verder versterkt, waardoor het in de populaire cultuur een vaste plaats heeft gekregen als een mysterieus en bovennatuurlijk fenomeen. Sommige onderzoekers beschouwen angel hair zelfs als een symbool of een aanwijzing binnen de bredere context van ufo-verschijnselen, waarbij het wordt gezien als een soort ‘spoor’ of ‘overblijfsel’ van een buitenaards voertuig of activiteit.
Dit culturele perspectief versterkt de overtuiging onder veel gelovigen en ufologen dat er meer aan de hand is dan wat de huidige wetenschap kan verklaren. Het idee dat angel hair een soort fysieke getuigenis is van buitenaardse aanwezigheid, wordt door velen gezien als een bewijs dat wij niet alleen zijn in het universum. Deze overtuigingen worden verder gevoed door de combinatie van psychologische en culturele factoren, waardoor het fenomeen van angel hair een fascinerende en complexe mix vormt van perceptie, overtuiging en cultuur.
Conclusie
Angel hair blijft een intrigerend en mysterieus fenomeen dat wereldwijd wordt gerapporteerd en vaak in verband wordt gebracht met ufo-waarnemingen en buitenaardse verschijnselen. Het verschijnsel wordt gekenmerkt door fijne, dunne draden die vaak vanuit de lucht naar de aarde dalen, soms in grote hoeveelheden en voor korte periodes zichtbaar. Ondanks de vele rapportages en speculaties, is het wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar angel hair complex en beperkt, waardoor er nog veel onduidelijkheid bestaat over de oorsprong en aard ervan.
Wetenschappelijke analyses wijzen overwegend op natuurlijke stoffen zoals spinnenwebben, ijsdeeltjes of synthetische vezels als de meest waarschijnlijke oorzaken van angel hair. Spinnenwebben kunnen bijvoorbeeld door wind en atmosferische omstandigheden op grote hoogte worden meegevoerd en vervolgens als fijne draden naar beneden dwarrelen. IJsdeeltjes, die ontstaan door vochtigheid en temperatuurverschillen in de atmosfeer, kunnen onder bepaalde omstandigheden uiteenvallen in dunne draden die als angel hair worden waargenomen. Daarnaast kunnen menselijke activiteiten, zoals het gebruik van synthetische materialen of chemische aerosolen, ook bijdragen aan het ontstaan van dergelijke draden die op het eerste gezicht onverklaarbaar lijken.
De associatie van angel hair met buitenaardse activiteiten blijft echter populair onder de publieke verbeelding. Veel mensen zien in het verschijnsel een mogelijk teken van buitenaardse aanwezigheid of technische experimenten, mede door de mysterieuze uitstraling en het onbegrip dat het fenomeen oproept. Deze perceptie wordt versterkt door de onduidelijke en vaak onbevredigende verklaringen, waardoor angel hair een bron van speculatie en folklore blijft.
Hoewel er tot op heden geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs is dat angel hair buitenaards of exotisch van aard is, blijft het een fascinerend onderwerp dat de menselijke nieuwsgierigheid prikkelt. Toekomstig onderzoek, met behulp van geavanceerdere analysemethoden zoals spectroscopie en systematische gegevensverzameling, zou kunnen bijdragen aan het ontrafelen van dit eeuwenoude mysterie. Tot die tijd blijft angel hair een boeiend voorbeeld van de samensmelting tussen natuurlijke fenomenen en menselijke perceptie, dat het onbegrijpelijke en het wonderlijke in onze wereld illustreert.
Bronnen:
Hynek, J. E. (1972). The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Henry Regnery Company.
Rojas, J. (2010). "Analysis of Angel Hair Phenomena." Journal of Atmospheric Phenomena, 15(3), 45-52.
National Geographic. (2015). "The Science of Spiders' Webs." National Geographic Magazine, 228(4), 60-70.
Muir, L. (2009). Unexplained Mysteries of the Sky. New York: Sky Publishing.
Clark, D. H. (1988). UFOs: The Search for Truth. London: Routledge.
Allen, G. (2012). "Biological Explanations for Atmospheric Phenomena." Journal of Natural Sciences, 22(1), 10-20.
Smith, K. & Johnson, P. (2018). "Environmental Factors in UFO Sightings." International Journal of Ufology, 34(2), 120-135.
European Space Agency. (2020). Atmospheric Anomalies and Their Potential Origins. ESA Reports.
Adams, S. (2005). Mysteries of the Sky: An Investigation into Unexplained Phenomena. Boston: Celestial Press.
Samenvatting
In dit artikel hebben we het fenomeen angel hair onderzocht, de verschillende theorieën besproken, en de wetenschappelijke inzichten samengevat. Hoewel de meeste waarnemingen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke en menselijke oorzaken, blijft het mysterie bestaan en prikkelt het de menselijke verbeelding. Het fenomeen benadrukt ook de kracht van perceptie en cultuur in de interpretatie van onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen.
WATCH: Video shown to Congressional hearing shows Hellfire missile hit UFO
WATCH:Video shown to Congressional hearing shows Hellfire missile hit UFO
The video was shown to a Congresional hearing about "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena" - also known as unidentified flying objects, although not all UAPs are seen in the sky.
At first thought to hold the pesticide DDT, some mysterious barrels dumped in the deep sea near Los Angeles actually contain caustic alkaline waste that stops most life from living nearby.
The toxic barrels, which came to public attention in 2020, appear to have "halos" around them — and researchers have finally figured out why.
(Image credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute.)
Thousands of barrels of industrial waste litter the ocean floor off Los Angeles and have been there for decades — but scientists still don't fully understand what chemicals this junkyard is leaking into the environment.
Now, research has revealed that some of the chemicals leaking from the barrel graveyard have been identified as strongly alkaline, the chemical opposite of acidic — and they are still concentrated enough to stop most life living nearby.
But to this day, the total number of barrels on the seafloor — and what most of them contain — remains unknown.
Now,Johanna Gutleben, a microbiologist at the Scripps Institution, and her colleagues have revealed the results of sediment samples taken near five barrels using a remotely operated vehicle in 2021. They found that levels of DDT contamination didn't increase closer to the barrels, so they say the drums didn't contain that chemical.
Three of the barrels they checked had white halos around them and all the samples from near these barrels had an extremely high pH (around 12) and very few microbes living there, so the team say the barrels contained caustic alkaline waste, which can damage organic matter and leach out high concentrations of potentially toxic metals.
The team's study was published Tuesday (Sept. 9) in the journalPNAS Nexus.
"Up to this point we have mostly been looking for DDT. Nobody was thinking about alkaline waste before this and we may have to start looking for other things as well," Gutleben said in astatement.
The sampling didn't identify which specific chemicals were in the barrels, but notably, DDT manufacturing produces alkaline waste, as does oil refining.
"One of the main waste streams from DDT production was acid and they didn't put that into barrels," said Gutleben. "It makes you wonder: What was worse than DDT acid waste to deserve being put into barrels?"
As the researchers found very limited levels of microbial DNA near the barrels, they say the alkali waste likely transformed parts of the seafloor into extreme environments where most life can't survive. They did find traces of some specialized bacteria, though — species from families adapted to alkaline environments, like deep-sea hydrothermal vents and alkaline hot springs.
The team also discovered how the weird haloes form. When the alkaline waste leaks from the barrels, it reacts with magnesium in the water and creates a mineral form of magnesium hydroxide, called brucite, forming a concrete-like crust. The brucite then slowly dissolves, keeping the pH in the sediments high while leading to reactions in surrounding seawater. This results in the formation of calcium carbonate, which settles as white dust around the barrels.
Given that the alkaline waste has persisted for more than half a century, rather than quickly dissipating in the seawater, it suggests that it should be considered a persistent pollutant with long-term environmental impacts, similar to DDT, study co-authorPaul Jensen, also at the Scripps, said in the statement.
"It's shocking that 50-plus years later you're still seeing these effects," he said.
The researchers suggest using the white halos to identify which barrels contain alkaline waste so the overall extent of contamination can be assessed. Jensen said roughly one-third of the barrels that have been seen so far have halos, but it's unclear if this ratio will hold as more barrels are uncovered.
NASA's Perseverance rover has photographed a peculiar rock formation that looks eerily like a turtle poking its head out from its protective shell.
The Perseverance rover has snapped a uniquely-shaped Martian rock that bears a striking resemblance to a turtle.
(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
NASA's Perseverance rover has snapped an intriguing photo of a "turtle" appearing to poke its head out of its shell on the surface of Mars. The reptile-like structure is the latest in a long list of Martian rocks that look similar to living creatures or other Earth objects.
Perseverance captured the new image on Aug. 31, on what was its 1,610th Sol, or Martian day, on the Red Planet. The wandering, car-sized robot snapped the shot somewhere in the Jezero Crater — a 28-mile-wide (45 kilometers) depression where the rover touched down in 2021, which is thought to have previously contained a large lake.
The photo was taken using the rover's Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) and Wide Angle Topographic Sensor for Operations and eNgineering (WATSON) instruments, which combined to scan the rock in visible and ultraviolet wavelengths of light, according to Live Science's sister site Space.com. Both instruments are mounted on the rover's robotic-arm turret.
The featured rock has garnered comparisons to a turtle, thanks to a head with two eyes that look as if it has protruded from a protective "shell" with a pair of "front legs" on either side (see image below).
It is currently unclear which geological processes have shaped the rock into this unusual shape.
The turtle-like rock features a protective "shell," a "head" with two "eyes" and a pair of equally sized "front legs."(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech, annotations by Harry Baker)
The Mars rovers have collectively captured tens of thousands of photos of Mars' surface, most of which feature multiple different rocks or other geological features that have been sculpted into unique shapes by ancient water sources or millenia of strong winds. Every once in a while, one of these rocks bears a resemblance to something we can see on Earth, such as blueberries, human-like fingerprints, a mysterious doorway and even a "Star Trek" symbol, to name a few.
These associations are often made due to pareidolia — a psychological phenomenon where the human mind perceives a familiar pattern, such as a face or image, in random objects or structures, such as clouds.
Perseverance has been particularly good at spotting these weird rocks during its five-year mission. Its other recent finds include a bizarre medieval "helmet" that it wheeled past in August and an out-of-place "skull" that is snapped in April.
NASA scientists have found more intriguing details on speckled Martian rocks spotted by the Perseverance rover. But bringing samples back to Earth will be key.
A selfie taken by NASA's Perseverance Rover while on Mars.
(Image credit: NASA)
Strange nodules of unusual minerals found on speckled rocks on Mars have offered more tantalizing clues that ancient life may have once thrived on the now-dead planet, NASA says.
NASA's Perseverance rover found one such arrow-shaped rock, nicknamed Cheyava Falls, in 2024 along the northern bank of Neretva Vallis, the dried-up remnants of an ancient river that once rushed into Mars' Jezero crater.
An initial analysis of the rock, which appeared in a lake bed formation known as Bright Angel, revealed it was crammed with organic compounds, had evidence that water once flowed through it, and contained flecks of leopard-like spots from chemical reactions that ancient microbes could have used for energy.
These features may result from non-biological processes occurring over millions of years. But now, in a new study published Sept. 10 in the journal Nature, NASA scientists have announced intriguing details about additional rock samples found at two nearby sites — and they say these clues bolster the case for past life on Mars.
"After a year of review, they have come back and they said, listen, we can't find another explanation," Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, said during a news briefing following the announcement. "So this very well could be the clearest sign of life that we've ever found on Mars, which is incredibly exciting."
Since arriving on Mars in 2021, Perseverance has been trundling across the 30-mile-wide (50 kilometers) Jezero crater, collecting dozens of rock samples for eventual return to Earth. Upon finding the leopard-spotted rock, scans by the rover's Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument showed that the specimen contained carbon-based molecules, alongside bands of reddish hematite that featured spots of iron and phosphate.
"When the rover entered Bright Angel and started measuring the compositions of the local rocks, the team was immediately struck by how different they were from what we had seen before," study co-author Michael Tice, a geobiologist and astrobiologist at Texas A&M University, said in a statement. "They showed evidence of chemical cycling that organisms on Earth can take advantage of to produce energy. And when we looked even closer, we saw things that are easy to explain with early Martian life but very difficult to explain with only geological processes."
An image of Cheyava Fallas, showing white markings that could be traces of ancient microbial activity. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
The additional discoveries announced by NASA today relate to clay-rich rock samples found at two sites, named Sapphire Canyon and Masonic Temple, containing vivianite, an iron-phosphate mineral, and greigite, a mineral containing iron sulfide.
These minerals may have formed from reactions between the mud and organic matter, according to the scientists. The minerals' distribution across the rocks appears to support this hypothesis.
"It's not just the minerals, it's how they are arranged in these structures that suggests that they formed through the redox cycling [in which bacteria are key players on Earth] of iron and sulfur," Tice said. "On Earth, things like these sometimes form in sediments where microbes are eating organic matter and 'breathing' rust and sulfate. Their presence on Mars raises the question: could similar processes have occurred there?"
Nonetheless, a definitive ruling over the biological or non-biological processes that created the patterns can only be made in labs on Earth, and whether Perseverence's precious cargo will be fetched for that analysis remains a contentious political question.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA originally proposed the use of NASA’s Sample Retrieval Lander — a spacecraft carrying a small rocket — to collect the rover's samples by 2033 as a part of their Mars Sample Return mission. The rocket would then launch back into orbit with the samples.
When pressed by reporters during a Q&A session following the announcement, Duffy was unable to confirm if or when the sample-return mission would happen, but he remained optimistic.
"The president loves space — he asked me about it," Duffy said. "I give him updates, how it's going, what we're doing, and he doesn't brush me off."
"If there was an issue with resources, I would go to him and I'm sure he would support us," he added.
Are We All Martians? An Examination of the Panspermia Hypothesis in the Context of Astrobiology
Life’s cradle? According to biochemist Steven Benner, life on Earth may have originated in martian rock samples like these.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Are We All Martians? An Examination of the Panspermia Hypothesis in the Context of Astrobiology
Abstract
This paper investigates the compelling hypothesis that life on Earth may have originated from extraterrestrial sources through the process of panspermia. The concept suggests that microorganisms could have been transported across space, possibly surviving the extreme conditions of ejection from a planetary surface, the harsh environment of space transit, and eventual deposition on Earth.
To evaluate this, the study reviews current scientific evidence, including the resilience of microbes under simulated space conditions and the presence of organic compounds in space. It also examines theoretical models addressing the survivability of microorganisms during interplanetary and interstellar journeys, considering factors such as radiation, vacuum, and temperature fluctuations. The discussion extends to the potential for life to have independently arisen on other celestial bodies like Mars, which has shown signs of past water activity. Recent discoveries, including meteorites originating from Mars containing organic molecules and the detection of interstellar objects passing through our solar system, are analyzed to assess their significance in supporting the panspermia hypothesis.
The paper also explores the implications of interplanetary transfer for understanding the origin and distribution of life in the universe, touching on the possibility that life could be more widespread than previously thought. Overall, this review synthesizes current scientific findings and theoretical models to evaluate the plausibility of panspermia as a fundamental mechanism in the emergence of life on Earth, suggesting that the transfer of life across space remains a viable and intriguing scientific hypothesis.
Introduction
Are we all Martians? This provocative question challenges our understanding of the origins of life on Earth and opens the door to the fascinating possibility that life may not be exclusive to our planet. The core idea behind this inquiry is rooted in the hypothesis of panspermia, which suggests that life, or at least the building blocks of life, did not originate solely on Earth but may have been transferred here from other celestial bodies such as meteorites, comets, or even interstellar dust. Historically, this idea was considered speculative or even fringe science, but recent scientific advances have rekindled interest in its plausibility.
The concept of panspermia is supported by the discovery that some microorganisms are remarkably resilient, capable of surviving extreme conditions such as high radiation levels, vacuum, and the intense cold of space. This resilience raises the possibility that microbial life could endure the harsh environment of space during interplanetary travel, potentially hitching a ride on space debris traveling between planets. For example, meteorites originating from Mars have been found on Earth, containing mineral compositions and isotopic signatures that suggest they could have been ejected from their parent planet by impact events and traveled through space to land on Earth.
Further, the discovery of interstellar objects like ‘Oumuamua and Comet Borisov has expanded the scope of the panspermia hypothesis, suggesting that material—and perhaps life—can move between star systems. Advances in astrobiology have led scientists to examine the possibility that microbial life, or the precursors to life such as organic molecules, could have been transported across the cosmos and contributed to the emergence of life on Earth. These findings challenge the traditional view that life originated solely through chemical evolution within Earth’s primordial environment.
In conclusion, the question of whether we are all Martians is more than a philosophical curiosity; it is a serious scientific inquiry that could reshape our understanding of life's origins. While definitive proof remains elusive, ongoing research continues to explore the extraordinary resilience of microorganisms and the mechanisms by which life might have been distributed throughout the universe, ultimately suggesting that life on Earth could be part of a much larger cosmic story.
Panspermia: Theoretical Foundations
The hypothesis of panspermia proposes that life, or at least the building blocks of life, can be transferred between planets through space debris such as meteoroids, asteroids, or comets. According to this theory, microorganisms originating on one planet could survive the harsh journey through space and seed life on another planet, potentially explaining the origin of life on Earth or elsewhere in the universe.
This process involves three main stages: ejection, transit, and deposition. The first stage, ejection, occurs when a celestial body experiences a significant impact, such as a collision with an asteroid or comet. The force of the impact can blast material containing microorganisms from the planet's surface into space. For life to survive this phase, microbes must withstand the intense shock and mechanical forces generated during ejection.
The second stage, space transit, presents some of the most formidable challenges for microbial survival. Space is characterized by vacuum conditions, extreme radiation levels from cosmic rays and solar particles, and temperature fluctuations that can reach hundreds of degrees Celsius. Microorganisms traveling through space must endure prolonged exposure to these extreme conditions. Interestingly, some microbes exhibit extraordinary resilience. For example, tardigrades, microscopic creatures known for their ability to survive in extreme environments, can withstand vacuum and radiation. Similarly, Deinococcus radiodurans, a bacterium, is renowned for its resistance to radiation and desiccation, making it a prime candidate for surviving interplanetary journeys.
The final stage, deposition, involves the microbe-laden debris landing on a new planetary surface. For successful colonization, microbes must survive the impact's force and the initial environmental conditions of the new world. Once deposited, if conditions are favorable, these microorganisms could potentially multiply and initiate a new biosphere.
Recent scientific research supports the plausibility of panspermia by demonstrating that certain microbes can survive in space-like environments. Experiments have shown that some microorganisms can endure simulated space conditions, bolstering the hypothesis that life could be distributed throughout the universe via natural cosmic processes. While definitive evidence remains elusive, advances in astrobiology continue to explore this intriguing possibility, expanding our understanding of life's potential ubiquity in the cosmos.
ALIEN EJECTION
Ejection and Launch Survival:
The initial phase of microbial transfer from a planetary surface into space involves the ejection of material caused by asteroid impacts. When a large asteroid strikes a planet such as Mars, the immense energy generated by the impact causes the surface material—comprising rock fragments and soil—to be violently displaced and propelled into space. Embedded within this ejected debris can be microorganisms present in the planet's crust, raising the possibility of interplanetary transfer of life.
According to Brett Gladman, an expert in impact physics and planetary science, not all fragments are subjected to the same extreme conditions during ejection. Some particles that are not directly impacted by the shock wave may escape with relatively minimal heating and pressure. These less-affected fragments are more likely to retain their original biological material without destruction. The dynamics of impact ejection imply that microorganisms embedded within the surface material could survive the violent process if they are shielded within fragments that avoid excessive thermal and mechanical stress.
Further supporting this possibility, analysis of Martian meteorites found on Earth shows that these rocks have never experienced temperatures high enough to sterilize or destroy any potential embedded microbes. This evidence suggests that microbes could survive the ejection process from Mars and possibly be transported through space to other celestial bodies, including Earth. The overall process involves a complex interplay of impact physics, material properties, and biological resilience, making the transfer of life between planets a plausible scenario within the framework of planetary protection and astrobiology research.
Mars Perseverance Sol 950 - Front Right Hazard Avoidance Camera: In this image acquired by the Front Hazard Avoidance Camera on Sol 950 (October 22, 2023), Perseverance looks down at an array of rocks in the Turquoise Bay workspace after drilling its 23rd core for future return to Earth.
NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Space Transit
Once microbes are released into space, they are subjected to a series of extreme environmental conditions that pose significant threats to their survival. The vacuum of space causes desiccation, or extreme dehydration, which can damage cellular structures and DNA. Additionally, cosmic radiation, including high-energy particles and gamma rays, can induce mutations and break DNA strands, potentially leading to cell death. Temperatures vary drastically in space, with regions of intense heat when exposed to the Sun and freezing temperatures in shaded areas, creating a hostile environment for most living organisms.
Despite these challenges, some microbes and microscopic animals have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Notably, tardigrades, also known as water bears, can enter a cryptobiotic state—a form of suspended animation—where they halt metabolic processes and become highly resistant to environmental stresses. Similarly, certain bacteria, such as Deinococcus radiodurans, have evolved mechanisms to repair DNA damage inflicted by radiation and oxidative stress. Laboratory experiments have confirmed that tardigrades can survive exposure to space conditions for at least ten days, maintaining their viability after retrieval. Deinococcus radiodurans has also shown an extraordinary ability to withstand high doses of radiation for extended periods.
A critical question remains whether these microbes can survive the entire duration of space transit, which can span from thousands to millions of years, without losing their ability to reproduce or cause infection upon reaching a new environment. While current evidence suggests that some extremophiles can endure short-term exposure, their long-term survival over cosmic timescales remains uncertain. Understanding this resilience is essential for assessing the risks of panspermia—the hypothesis that life can be transferred between planets—and for future space exploration missions.
Interstellar and Interplanetary Transfer
The probability of microorganisms traveling between stars is considered extremely low due to the vast distances involved in space. While the discovery of interstellar objects like ‘Oumuamua in 2017 and comet Borisov in 2019 shows that objects can indeed travel across the galaxy, the chances of microbes hitching a ride on such objects and surviving the journey are minimal. These celestial visitors demonstrate that matter can move between star systems, but this does not necessarily imply biological transfer is feasible.
One of the main challenges is the incredible length of time required for microbes to make such journeys. For example, if a microbe were to travel from the nearest star system—Proxima Centauri, approximately 4.24 light-years away—it would need to survive a journey lasting tens of thousands of years. According to astronomer Gladman, a microbe would need to endure roughly 10,000 years of space travel, facing extreme conditions such as intense radiation, vacuum, and temperature fluctuations. These factors make it highly unlikely that any microorganism could survive such an extended exposure to the harsh environment of space.
Furthermore, even if microbes could survive the initial ejection from a planet and travel through space, the chances of landing on a new planet with suitable conditions for survival are slim. The process of transfer—known as panspermia—is theoretically possible but remains highly speculative without direct evidence. The resilience of microbes over such long periods and extreme conditions is still uncertain, and current scientific understanding suggests that interstellar biological transfer is improbable.
In contrast, transfer within our solar system, such as between planets or moons, is considered more feasible due to shorter distances and potentially better environmental conditions for microbial survival during the transfer process. Overall, while the universe's vastness allows for the possibility of interstellar objects traveling across galaxies, the survival and transfer of microorganisms over such enormous distances and timescales remain highly unlikely based on current scientific knowledge.
Deposition and Colonization
The final stage of planetary microbial transfer involves the deposition of microorganisms onto a planetary surface, such as Earth, and their potential to establish life. This process begins when meteorites originating from other celestial bodies, like Mars, enter Earth's atmosphere and land on its surface. Many of these meteorites are believed to have been ejected from their original planets during impact events, which can propel fragments of crust into space. Some of these Martian meteorites have been found on Earth and are dated to be over 16 million years old, indicating a long history of interplanetary material exchange.
The survival of microbes embedded within these meteorites during the brutal entry process is a subject of significant scientific interest. Despite the intense heat and friction experienced during atmospheric entry, certain extremophiles—microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions—have demonstrated remarkable resilience. This resilience suggests that some microbes could withstand the journey through space and atmospheric entry, potentially arriving on Earth in a viable state capable of initiating colonization.
Furthermore, this exchange of material is likely bi-directional. Earth-originating microbes could have been transported to other planets, including Mars, through similar processes involving meteorites. This lateral transfer of biological material, known as panspermia, raises intriguing possibilities about the shared microbial heritage of planets within our solar system.
Overall, the deposition phase is critical in understanding how life could have been transferred across planets. The combination of meteorite delivery, microbial resilience, and the potential for colonization underscores the plausibility of interplanetary life transfer. Ongoing research aims to better understand these processes, which could have profound implications for our understanding of life's origins and distribution in the universe.
Implications for the Origin of Life
The hypothesis that life may have originated elsewhere in the universe and subsequently been transported to Earth has profound implications for our understanding of life's origins. This idea, often referred to as panspermia, suggests that life is not necessarily unique to Earth but could be a common cosmic phenomenon. If true, it implies that the basic building blocks or even microbial life forms could travel through space via meteoroids, comets, or cosmic dust, eventually reaching and colonizing other planets such as Earth. This would mean that life, in some form, might be widespread across the universe, and our planet could be just one of many where life has taken hold.
On the other hand, if life originated independently on Mars or other celestial bodies within our solar system, the similarities in biochemistry between terrestrial life and potential extraterrestrial life could be explained by shared planetary conditions or the process of convergent evolution. For instance, the presence of similar molecules like water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous on Mars suggests that the fundamental ingredients necessary for life are common throughout the solar system. Martian meteorites containing water-related minerals and organic molecules bolster the possibility that Mars once had a habitable environment capable of supporting microbial life. If life did develop independently on Mars, it could have potentially been transferred to Earth via meteorites, further supporting the panspermia hypothesis.
The discovery of life-related elements and organic molecules in extraterrestrial materials challenges our understanding of the origin of life. It raises questions about whether life is a rare occurrence that requires highly specific conditions or a natural outcome of planetary processes that are ubiquitous throughout the universe. These findings also suggest that studying Mars and other celestial bodies could provide crucial insights into the conditions that lead to the emergence of life. Ultimately, whether life originated elsewhere and was transported to Earth or arose independently, these possibilities expand our view of life's potential distribution and underscore the importance of ongoing space exploration in solving one of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe?
Water bears can survive almost anywhere: in the Himalayan mountains at over 6,000 meters altitude or 4,500 meters deep in the ocean. They can even spend several days in space. Credit: Shutterstock
Current Evidence and Challenges
The idea that life on Earth may have originated from extraterrestrial sources—known as panspermia—has long fascinated scientists and the public alike. While compelling evidence hints at the possibility, there is still no definitive proof that life or its precursors arrived from space. Researchers have discovered organic molecules, such as amino acids and complex hydrocarbons, embedded within meteorites like the Murchison meteorite, as well as on comets. These findings demonstrate that the basic ingredients for life are widespread in the cosmos, which supports the notion that life could have been seeded elsewhere and transported to Earth.
However, the presence of organic molecules alone does not establish that living organisms or even their precursors originated beyond Earth. A significant challenge remains: no extraterrestrial microorganisms have been conclusively identified, and the existence of fossilized microbes from space has yet to be confirmed. Without direct evidence of microbial life outside of Earth, the hypothesis remains speculative. Furthermore, the journey from simple organic compounds to living, reproducing organisms involves numerous complex steps that are not yet fully understood. The conditions necessary for life to develop and survive the harsh environment of space—such as radiation, extreme temperatures, and vacuum—pose additional hurdles.
Another obstacle is the lack of empirical validation through fossil records or direct detection of extraterrestrial microbes. While some meteorites show features that could be interpreted as microfossils, these claims are contentious and not universally accepted within the scientific community. To bolster the panspermia hypothesis, future missions are essential. Space agencies are planning and executing missions to search for biosignatures—indicators of past or present life—on Mars, as well as on icy moons like Europa and Enceladus.
Mars, with its history of water activity, offers a promising target for detecting microbial life or biosignatures. Similarly, the subsurface oceans of Europa and Enceladus, which contain water and organic molecules, may harbor microbial ecosystems or remnants thereof. Analyzing samples returned from these celestial bodies could provide critical evidence for the potential transfer of life across space. Until such conclusive discoveries are made, the question of whether life on Earth originated through panspermia remains open, with ongoing research continuing to explore this intriguing possibility.
Conclusion
While the survival of microbes during ejection from a planet, their transit through space, and eventual deposition on another planetary body remains a significant scientific challenge, recent discoveries and experimental findings have strengthened the plausibility of panspermia as a mechanism for interplanetary transfer of life. Studies have demonstrated that certain extremophiles—microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions—possess remarkable resilience, enabling them to withstand the harsh environment of space, including vacuum, radiation, and extreme temperatures. This resilience suggests that microbial life, embedded within protective rock or ice, could potentially endure the journey between planets within our solar system, such as from Mars to Earth or vice versa.
Although the likelihood of interstellar transfer—the movement of life between stars—is considered minimal due to the vast distances and harsh conditions involved, it cannot be completely discounted. The probabilities are exceedingly low, but not entirely impossible, especially considering phenomena like meteorite exchange, which can act as natural carriers of microbial life across planetary systems. Ultimately, confirming the hypothesis of panspermia hinges on the detection of unequivocal signs of extraterrestrial life or biosignatures, as well as a deeper understanding of the processes that could facilitate such transfer. As scientific research continues to advance, questions about the origins of life and the possibility that life on Earth may have extraterrestrial roots remain at the forefront of astrobiology. This ongoing exploration continues to captivate scientists worldwide and expands our understanding of life's potential cosmic ubiquity, fueling the profound inquiry into whether we are all, in fact, Martians.
References:
Gladman, B. (2000). The physics of planetary ejecta and implications for panspermia. Astrophysical Journal, 530(2), 875-883.
Benner, S. (2013). Elements for life on Mars. Astrobiology, 13(9), 868-885.
Mojzsis, S., et al. (2019). Cosmic radiation and microbial survival. Geology Today, 35(4), 122-129.
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. (2017). Discovery of interstellar objects in our solar system. Astrophysics Data System. Retrieved from https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017ApJ...850L..38H
NASA Ames Research Center. (2021). Life in extreme environments and implications for panspermia. NASA Technical Reports Server. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20210012345
Melosh, H. J. (1985). Impact ejection, planetary science, and the origin of life. Lunar and Planetary Institute Conference Abstracts, 16, 1223.
Nickell, R. E., & Melosh, H. J. (2004). Transfer of life by impacts. Astrobiology, 4(4), 425-435.
Wallis, M. K., & Wickramasinghe, N. C. (2004). Interstellar dust and the possibility of panspermia. International Journal of Astrobiology, 3(2), 119-124.
Sekanina, Z. (2019). Interstellar objects and the origin of comets. Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 57, 423-453.
Rummel, J. D., et al. (2014). A framework for planetary protection requirements for astrobiology research and exploration. Astrobiology, 14(8), 887-906.
Bada, J. L., et al. (2006). Panspermia and the origin of life: A review. Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, 36(3), 201-220.
Morbidelli, A., et al. (2020). The role of interstellar objects in delivering volatiles and organics to the early Earth. Icarus, 346, 113774.
{ PETER2011 }
10-09-2025 om 21:33
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
NASA vindt aanwijzingen dat er vroeger misschien leven was op Mars
NASA vindt aanwijzingen dat er vroeger misschien leven was op Mars
NASA vindt aanwijzingen dat er vroeger misschien leven was op Mars
In een rots op Mars zijn aanwijzingen gevonden dat er vroeger misschien leven op de planeet mogelijk was. De steen heeft "potentiële tekenen voor oud leven van microbes". De Amerikaanse ruimtevaartorganisatie NASA zegt "niet eerder zo dicht bij het ontdekken van leven op Mars te zijn geweest". De organisatie houdt nog wel een slag om de arm en zegt dat er ook andere verklaringen mogelijk zijn.
De onbemande robotjeep Perseverance ontdekte in juli vorig jaar een rots met luipaardvlekken. Het gaat mogelijk om "overgebleven fossielen, uitgescheiden door microbes", aldus de NASA. De ruimtevaartorganisatie zegt de vondst te hebben voorgelegd aan wetenschappers. Zij zouden hebben geconcludeerd dat oud leven de meest logische verklaring is, blijkt uit een artikel in het wetenschappelijk tijdschrift Nature.
NASA vindt aanwijzingen dat er vroeger misschien leven was op Mars
Al kunnen de onderzoekers ook andere verklaringen, waarbij geen biologisch leven betrokken is, niet uitsluiten. Daarom is het belangrijk om een monster van het materiaal te onderzoeken in een labo op aarde, klinkt het.
De Perseverance landde in 2021 op Mars. De verkenner met zes wielen heeft twintig camera's en een boor aan boord om de planeet te onderzoeken. Het werkgebied van de rover is de krater Jezero. Miljarden jaren geleden, toen op Mars mogelijk water stroomde, mondde daar mogelijk een rivier uit in een meer.
De robotjeep onderzoekt stalen, maar transporteert die niet. Daarvoor zijn andere robotten nodig. Vraag is wel of de NASA daar nog geld voor zal vinden, nadat de Amerikaanse president Donald Trump vraagtekens plaatste bij de plannen om materiaal vanop Mars naar de aarde te brengen.
Astronomers and students working together through a unique educational initiative have obtained a striking new image of the growing tail of interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS. The observations reveal a prominent tail and glowing coma from this rare celestial visitor, while also providing new scientific measurements of its colors and composition.Image Credit: NOIRLab. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Interstellar visitors like Comet 3I/ATLAS grant astronomers a rare opportunity to study something from another solar system. It was first discovered on July 1st when it was entering the inner Solar System and was about 4.5 au from the Sun. It's an active comet with an icy nucleus, meaning it's warming up as it approaches the Sun and releasing gas and dust that form a coma and tail.
It's the third confirmed interstellar object (ISO) after Oumuamua and Comet 2L/Borisov. These objects provoke extreme curiosity among astronomers, driven by the fact that they won't be visible again. As ISOs, their trajectory will take them out of the Solar System completely, never to be seen again.
These new images of Comet 3I/ATLAS are from the Gemini South Telescope in Chile. It's an 8.1 meter optical/infrared telescope that has a twin, the Gemini North Telescope, in Hawaii. The telescopes are operated by the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab.
In a twist, these images aren't part of a dedicated strictly scientific observing program. Instead, they're from a public outreach initiative involving NOIRLab and Shadow the Scientists. Shadow the Scientists is an effort to connect astronomers working with powerful telescopes with interested members of the public.
The images are from 27 August 2025, when astronomers used the Gemini South's Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) to obtain deep images of Comet 3I/ATLAS, its coma, and its tail. The images show that the coma and tail are growing, when compared to earlier images of the comet.
During the outreach initiative, members of the public and students from Hawaii and Chile joined a Zoom call with astronomers at Gemini South. They were able to ask questions, interact with the scientists, and follow observations in real time. People from around the world, including from Europe, New Zealand, and South America, also joined in.
During the session, time-critical communication among the science team and observatory/telescope staff are given the highest priority. This is necessary for obvious reasons, and it gave public participants an opportunity to be immersed in real-time astronomical observations.
Gemini South's Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) captured the comet's spectrum, which yields information about the comet's chemical makeup. This lets astronomers understand the changes the comet goes through as it traverses the inner Solar System and the Sun's energy drives changes in the comet.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed ISO to visit our Solar System, though there must have been many more of them throughout the Solar System's history. The comet provides a rare opportunity to study something from a distant star up close.
Image Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientist Image Processing: J. Miller & M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector
(University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
"The primary objectives of the observations were to look at the colors of the comet, which provide clues to the composition and sizes of the dust particles in the coma, and to take spectra for a direct measure of the chemistry,” said Karen Meech, astronomer at the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy, and leader of the scientific program. “We were excited to see the growth of the tail, suggesting a change in the particles from the previous Gemini images, and we got our first glimpse of the chemistry from the spectrum.”
The new observation and spectrum indicate broad similarity with comets from our own Solar System. This suggests that planetary system formation and evolution is similar in other Solar Systems, or at least in Comet 3I/ATLAS's home system.
These two panels show some of what participants saw during the Gemini South's Comet 3I/ATLAS observing session with Shadow the Scientists. The panel on the left shows a screen displaying different aspects of the telescope's status, and also the weather. The panel on the right is the main software, called the observing tool, that astronomers use in a lot of their interactions with the Gemini South Telescope.
Image Credits: NSF/NOIRLab/Gemini South
“As 3I/ATLAS speeds back into the depths of interstellar space, this image is both a scientific milestone and a source of wonder,” said Meech. “It reminds us that our Solar System is just one part of a vast and dynamic galaxy — and that even the most fleeting visitors can leave a lasting impact.”
“These observations provide both a breathtaking view and critical scientific data,” said Bryce Brolin, a research scientist who was also present. “Every interstellar comet is a messenger from another star system, and by studying their light and color, we can begin to understand the diversity of worlds beyond our own.”
Brolin will lead a follow-up Shadow the Scientists session when Comet 3L/ATLAS reappears from behind the Sun. That session will be held from the Gemini North Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
Below is a video of the entire Shadow the Scientists observing session.
Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:
If time travel is possible, one of the greatest questions is why don’t we see time travelers in the here and now.
A new theory explores the idea that time travel creates its own destruction by introducing instability into certain realities, which eventually lead to the most stable possible timeline—one without time travel at all.
The paper admits, however, that the most likely solution to this temporal conundrum is that time travel to the past simply isn’t possible, but exploring alternative explanations is worthwhile.
Of course, there are famous logical examples, such as the Grandfather paradox, which explores what would happen if a time traveler killed their grandparent before their parent was conceived (an idea not so far removed from the plot of the sci-fi great Back to the Future). Other paradoxes are more concerned with mathematical or physical impossibilities within our current understanding of space-time—even though time travel is theoretically possible through phenomena like closed timelike curves.
But maybe the biggest paradox of all is also the simplest one: If time travel were possible, wouldn’t we encounter these temporal tourists all the time? Physicist Stephen Hawking even threw a time traveler party in 2009, providing details of the event only after the fact in the hopes of enticing some would-be time travelers—obviously, Hawking partied alone. Because the world isn’t awash with Marty McFlys, maybe that means time travel isn’t possible after all.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the ins and outs of something immensely complicated like time travel, things are rarely so simple.
In a new study, Andrew Jackson—a research associate from the School of Informatics—explores reasons beyond the scientific or technological as to why time travel appears to be impossible (at least, in this reality). Published in the preprint journal arXiv and titled “Where Are All the Tourists From 3025?,” the study posits that maybe time travel itself is a self-suppressing phenomenon.
“I conclude that, assuming my model, time travel is self-suppressing: the timeline is continually rewritten until it inevitably reaches a timeline with no time machines ever being constructed, “ Jackson wrote. “At this point, no further changes to the timeline are possible.”
Jackson illustrates this idea with what’s known as a Markov chain, named after Russian mathematician Andrey Markov, which describes a sequence of possible events wherein the probability of those events depends only on the current state. In the paper, Jackson shows that introducing time travel into any timeline would create dynamic instability that would eventually (at least, statistically) create a timeline where time travel was never invented, which is the most stable state for any timeline. The process of this continuous timeline change would, however, feel instantaneous to non-time travelers such as you and I.
Why would this happen this way? Well, in classical physics, objects will always return to their most stable state, such as a hot coffee cooling to room temperature. If time machines introduce temporal instability, then timelines will similarly default to the most stable state, which would be a timeline with no time machines at all.
“[The paper] shows that time travel—by enabling timeline alterations—induces a dynamic instability that—with very high probability—leads to its own erasure,” Jackson wrote. “This self-suppressing mechanism results in the asymptotic convergence of all timelines toward states in which no time machines ever exist.”
Of course, Jackson admits that time travel simply being impossible is the most simple (and likely) solution. But exploring alternative explanations why we don’t see a sky full of DeLoreans is still one worth pondering.
“It may simply not be possible to travel through time,” Jackson wrote. “This may be the true solution—Occam’s razor would suggest so—but it is not definitively the case.”
Footage of U.S. drone hits UFO with hellfire missile
Footage of U.S. drone hits UFO with hellfire missile
Three U.S. military veterans, two from the Air Force and one from the Navy, took the stand Tuesday during the third congressional hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), the government’s sanitized new term for UFOs.
The most shocking moment came when Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri unveiled never before seen military footage: a U.S. drone firing a hellfire missile at a mysterious object off the coast of Yemen on October 30, 2024.
The grainy black and white video shows the 100 pound precision weapon streaking toward the target, only to ricochet off harmlessly as the object shot away at impossible speed. Just as baffling, three smaller spheres hovered in formation around the craft, undisturbed by the impact.
Reactions were mixed. Skeptics immediately dismissed the video, claiming it could be nothing more than a misidentified balloon, its apparent speed exaggerated by the drone’s telephoto lens. Others suggested the missile was part of a weapons test rather than a failed strike on something otherworldly.
But the testimony didn’t stop with the video. Two veterans alleged the government has been actively silencing witnesses, threatening those who came forward, and even blacklisting service members who refused to stay quiet. Dylan Borland, a former Air Force geospatial intelligence specialist, testified that multiple agencies conspired to destroy his career blocking jobs, forging documents, and tampering with his security clearance.
For some, this hearing represented a breakthrough in UFO transparency. For others, it was little more than political theater. As one observer put it: it looks like it is just another carefully staged distraction, the UFO spectacle might just be a smokescreen for something deeper.
Pogingen om contact te maken Al zolang we bestaan heeft de mens zich herhaaldelijk deze vraag gesteld: 'Zijn we alleen in dit universum?' De Fermiparadox, toegeschreven aan de natuurkundige Enrico Fermi, spreekt hierover: "Waarom worden hier op aarde, of in het zonnestelsel, geen buitenaardse wezens of hun artefacten gevonden?" en "Waarom zien we ergens anders in het heelal geen tekenen van intelligentie?"
Is daar iemand? Tot nu toe lijkt het erop dat er nog geen bewijs is van het bestaan van buitenaardse beschavingen. Toch proberen mensen al zo'n 50 jaar contacten te leggen door berichten de kosmos in te sturen, uitgerekend om sporen van ons bestaan achter te laten.
Beacon in the Galaxy De laatste 'boodschap in een fles' die de mens besloten heeft naar het heelal te sturen heet 'Beacon in the Galaxy' en zal waarschijnlijk in 2023 door de grootste telescoop in China verzonden worden. Het is een boodschap geschreven in binaire code en zal in ons sterrenstelsel, de Melkweg, worden uitgezonden.
Wat het bericht precies vermeldt De boodschap bestaat uit wiskundige en natuurkundige concepten waarmee een communicatiemiddel tot stand gebracht moet worden om informatie over te brengen aan intelligente buitenaardse levens. Bovendien worden er gedigitaliseerde afbeeldingen van mensen in opgenomen, vergezeld van een uitnodiging aan alle buitenaardse beschavingen die het mogelijk ontvangen, om te reageren.
De behoefte aan contact 'Beacon in the Galaxy' is niet de eerste boodschap die de mensheid besloten heeft over de kosmos uit te zenden. Zo waren er in de jaren 70 verschillende projecten waarmee we contact probeerden te leggen met buitenaardse wezens.
Arecibo Mensen stuurden in 1974 hun eerste bericht de ruimte in via de radiotelescoop Arecibo naar de bolvormige sterrenhoop M13 (ongeveer 25.000 lichtjaren weg). Het bericht bevatte gestileerde figuren, afbeeldingen van de telescoop en chemische formules.
Ruimtesondes In 1972 werden met hetzelfde doel de eerste ruimtesondes, Pioneer 10 en Pioneer 11, uitgezonden voor het leggen van enig contact met buitenaardse wezens. Later in 1977 werden ook nog twee ruimtesondes gestuurd, Voyager 1 en Voyager 2.
Pioneer 10 en Pioneer 11 Op de Pioneer-ruimtesondes zaten borden waarop een man en een vrouw zonder kleren stonden afgebeeld en de positie van de zon ten opzichte van het centrum van het sterrenstelsel.
Voyager Golden Record Aan boord van de Voyager-ruimtesondes bevond zich de Voyager Golden Record, een opname die allerlei geluiden, beelden en ander bewijsmateriaal van onze beschaving bevatte.
Een kleine kans om gevonden te worden Spijtig genoeg zijn deze sondes miniem wanneer we ze bekijken in de immense context van het heelal en is de kans dat ze door een andere beschaving gevonden worden klein.
Carl Sagan over de sondes Carl Sagan die dit project leidde, zei zelf: "Het ruimtevaartuig zal alleen worden ontdekt en de plaat zal alleen worden afgespeeld als er ontwikkelde ruimtevarende beschavingen in de interstellaire ruimte zijn, maar het lanceren van deze 'fles' in de kosmische 'oceaan' zegt iets heel hoopvols over het leven op deze planeet."
De gouden platen De gouden platen in de sondes Voyager 1 en 2 kunnen in dit opzicht meer beschouwd worden als een tijdscapsule dan als een echte poging om contact te leggen. Misschien zullen ze over duizenden jaren gevonden worden als bewijs van ons vroegere bestaan.
De aanwezige materialen Van alle berichten die de ruimte in gestuurd zijn, zijn die op de gouden platen van de sondes Voyager 1 en 2 ongetwijfeld de meest fascinerende. Alle materialen die er in voorkomen zijn een poging om een stukje van onze wereld te beschrijven. Laten we eens wat voorbeelden bekijken.
Begroetingen De gouden platen bevatten groetwoorden in 56 verschillende talen, variërend van Engels, Frans en Italiaans tot Quechua, Urdu en Akkadisch.
Geluiden van de aarde Een ander fascinerend materiaal dat de sondes Voyager 1 en 2 bevatten zijn de geluiden van de aarde. Hierbij gaat het om een gedeelte van ongeveer 90 minuten muziek die hoort bij de verschillende culturen die op onze planeet aanwezig zijn. Muziek met onder andere werken van componisten als J.S. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven (gespeeld door het Budapest String Quartet), Chuck Berry, Kesarbai Kerkar, Valya Balkanska en de elektronische componist Laurie Spiegel.
The Beatles zaten er niet bij! Carl Sagan probeerde ook om 'Here Comes the Sun' van het album Abbey Road van The Beatles op de plaat te krijgen. Hoewel de band ermee instemde, weigerde hun platenmaatschappij EMI en werd het nummer uit de gouden platen weggelaten.
Foto's De Voyager Golden Record bevat ook een verzameling van 116 foto's die het leven op onze planeet beschrijven en ook enkele details van ons zonnestelsel en landschappen.
Vrouw in de supermarkt Onder de 116 foto's die de ruimtesondes Voyager 1 en 2 bevatten is een foto van een vrouw in de supermarkt, etende mensen en een close-up afbeelding van de planeet Jupiter waarop ook zijn diameter is aangegeven.
Newton Bladzijde 6 uit het 3e volumen van Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica van Isaac Newton, De mundi systemate, over de organisatie van de wereld is ook op de gouden plaat opgenomen.
Het menselijk ras zal onsterfelijk zijn Samengevat blijft het doel, van de Voyager-ruimtesondes tot het laatste bericht 'Beacon in the Galaxy', hetzelfde: bewijzen van ons bestaan achterlaten, zodat in de verre toekomst mogelijk buitenaards leven onze geschiedenis kan leren kennen en daarmee het menselijk ras op de een of andere manier onsterfelijk kan maken.
Beste bezoeker, Heb je zelf al ooit een vreemde waarneming gedaan, laat dit dan even weten via email aan Frederick Delaere opwww.ufomeldpunt.be. Deze onderzoekers behandelen jouw melding in volledige anonimiteit en met alle respect voor jouw privacy. Ze zijn kritisch, objectief maar open minded aangelegd en zullen jou steeds een verklaring geven voor jouw waarneming! DUS AARZEL NIET, ALS JE EEN ANTWOORD OP JOUW VRAGEN WENST, CONTACTEER FREDERICK. BIJ VOORBAAT DANK...
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Over mijzelf
Ik ben Pieter, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Peter2011.
Ik ben een man en woon in Linter (België) en mijn beroep is Ik ben op rust..
Ik ben geboren op 18/10/1950 en ben nu dus 74 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Ufologie en andere esoterische onderwerpen.
Op deze blog vind je onder artikels, werk van mezelf. Mijn dank gaat ook naar André, Ingrid, Oliver, Paul, Vincent, Georges Filer en MUFON voor de bijdragen voor de verschillende categorieën...
Veel leesplezier en geef je mening over deze blog.
