True identity of interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS will be revealed TOMORROW – as NASA finally shares long–awaited images of the mysterious object

• READ MORE: Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS is seen again after its disappearance 

By WILIAM HUNTER, SENIOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY REPORTER

NASA is poised to reveal the true identity of the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS tomorrow – after more than a month of silence. 

The space agency has announced it will hold a press conference at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT) to share never–before–seen images of the mysterious visitor.

These observations were gathered by NASA's various spacecraft and telescopes – including the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter during its close pass of the Red Planet.

Despite the intense interest in 3I/ATLAS's origins, the images have been kept from the public until now due to the government shutdown.

Experts are confident these images will finally put an end to the speculation that 3I/ATLAS might be some sort of 'artificial' object.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Matthew Genge, an expert on comets and meteors from Imperial College London, said: 'All the evidence so far is consistent with a comet from another planetary system.

'If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks: it is most likely a duck. 

'Or in this case, a comet.'

NASA will reveal the real identity of the mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS in a press conference tomorrow after remaining silent for over a month. Pictured: 3I/ATLAS seen by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 21

During the shutdown between October 1 and November 12, the majority of NASA's staff were placed on furlough, and the agency was prevented from communicating with the public.

In a case of terrible timing, this came just as 3I/ATLAS entered the best position for astronomers to observe it.

On October 3, the comet reached its closest distance to Mars as it passed just 19 million miles (30 million kilometres) from the Red Planet and the fleet of satellites waiting there.

Then, on October 29, the interstellar object reached its closest point to the sun at a distance of 130 million miles (210 million kilometres).

At this point, the heat from the sun would have started to turn the comet's icy surface to gas, producing a burst of activity and brightness.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has already released its own images of 3I/ATLAS snapped by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express orbiter.

These observations helped to refine predictions of the object's trajectory 'tenfold', which could help astronomers study it in the future.

However, these orbiters are only designed for observing the planet's surface, and 3I/ATLAS only showed up as a faint glowing dot.

The space agency has announced it will hold a press conference to share never–before–seen images of the mysterious visitor. Pictured: 3I/ATLAS seen by the Gemini Observatory, Chile

This comes after the European Space Agency released images of the interstellar object taken by its ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) as the object passed by Mars (pictured)

Even still, these images clearly showed the glowing 'coma' or ionised gas, which is the telltale sign of an icy comet being warmed by the sun.

With the government shutdown now at an end, NASA is poised to share all the data gathered during the Martian flyby.

These images will be shared and discussed during a live broadcast streamed on NASA's website, Amazon Prime and YouTube starting at 15:00 EST (20:00 GMT).

Members of the public are being encouraged to submit their own questions on social media using '#AskNASA', and some will be answered live on air.

Dr Genge says: 'They will be higher resolution images showing 3I/ATLAS in more detail than ever before.

'However, don't expect a miracle. Comets are shrouded in a gaseous atmosphere, so it is like trying to pick out a shape in the fog.'

3I/ATLAS is only the third object from another solar system that scientists have ever detected, meaning that there are many questions to be answered.

The object also has several interesting features, such as a highly irradiated surface and a so–called 'anti–tail' which points towards the sun.

NASA is expected to release images taken by its Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as 3I//ATLAS made a close pass of Mars on October 3

NASA hasn't released any new images of 3I/ATLAS because of the government shutdown that placed many space agency employees on furlough (artist's impression)

In the absence of updates from NASA, these have led some to speculate that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien mothership.

However, there is nothing in the object's behaviour that is not consistent with what we know about comets in our own solar system.

Dr Genge adds: 'There is very little speculation amongst scientists, with one very obvious exception. There is no evidence to suggest 3I/ATLAS is artificial.'

Scientists are hopeful that NASA's new data will finally convince the public of this, as well as provide an opportunity for some genuine scientific discovery.

Although scientists can't physically touch 3I/ATLAS or study parts of it in the lab, these new observations could help understand its origins.

Professor March Burchell, an astronomer from the University of Kent, told Daily Mail: 'Details of its shape by direct observation would be good.'

Seeing the solid icy core of a comet known as a 'nucleus' is difficult when the object is far away, but the Mars orbiters might have been close enough to pick this detail up.

Likewise, Professor Burchell says these observations could provide more data on the gas outbursts which have 'caused confusion among alien artefact hunters'.

Scientists are hopeful that this will finally put an end to the speculation that 3I/ATLAS is an 'artificial object'. According to experts in observational astronomy, every detail of the object's behaviour is consistent with a comet 

3I/ATLAS has just returned into Earth's view, allowing astronomers to capture the first images of the comet since its close pass of the sun 

'These are natural phenomena, the ice starts to sublimate in jets and accelerates the body a little,' Professor Burchell explains.

'So seeing any evidence of these natural phenomena or any coma forming around the nucleus will be interesting.'

Read More

• Shocking evidence puzzles astronomers about mysterious interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS 

Since being confirmed as an interstellar object in early June, scientists have been using the world's best telescopes to gather data on the comet 3I/ATLAS.

The comet has now just returned into Earth's view after making a slingshot around the sun.

Dozens of observatories will be keeping a close eye on the comet as it approaches its closest pass of Earth next month at a distance of 170 million miles (273 million kilometres).

Early next year, the comet will also pass close enough to Jupiter for spacecraft near the planet to make final observations before it leaves our solar system.

Explained: The difference between an asteroid, meteorite and other space rocks

An asteroid is a large chunk of rock left over from collisions or the early solar system. Most are located between Mars and Jupiter in the Main Belt.

A comet is a rock covered in ice, methane and other compounds. Their orbits take them much further out of the solar system.

A meteor is what astronomers call a flash of light in the atmosphere when debris burns up.

This debris itself is known as a meteoroid. Most are so small they are vapourised in the atmosphere.

If any of this meteoroid makes it to Earth, it is called a meteorite.

Meteors, meteoroids and meteorites normally originate from asteroids and comets.

For example, if Earth passes through the tail of a comet, much of the debris burns up in the atmosphere, forming a meteor shower.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

18-11-2025 om 22:08 geschreven door peter  

The Fall of Icarus: Photographer captures an 'absolutely preposterous' snap of a SKYDIVER appearing to fall from the sun

• READ MORE: Earth blasted by largest solar flare of 2025

By WILIAM HUNTER, SENIOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY REPORTER

A photographer has captured an 'absolutely preposterous' snap of a skydiver appearing to fall from the sun.

The stunning image, titled 'The Fall of Icarus', was taken by astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy, who specialises in taking photos of the sun.

Mr McCarthy says that it took 'immense planning and technical precision' to make it seem like the Earth–bound skydiver was tumbling through outer space.

The skydiver, musician Gabriel Brown, jumped from a small propeller–powered paramotor from an altitude of around 3,500 feet (1,070 metres).

To get both the sun and Mr Brown in focus, Mr McCarthy's camera had to be positioned on the ground almost two miles (3.2 km) away.

That gave the photographer just a fraction of a second to capture the precise moment Mr Brown passed in front of his lens.

The spectacular results have gone viral on social media, with space and photography fans flocking to share their praise.

Even SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to X to congratulate Mr McCarthy, writing: 'Nice shot'.

A photographer has captured an 'absolutely preposterous' snap of a skydiver appearing to fall from the sun.

Even SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to social media to praise the incredible image, writing simply: 'Nice shot'

Despite weeks of planning and precise calculations to work out the best possible position, capturing this unlikely shot still took extreme patience.

The small, light aircraft proved to be far less predictable than hoped, and getting it in just the right spot proved extremely challenging for pilot Jim Hamberlin. 

Mr McCarthy told Daily Mail: 'Getting the alignment right was a huge challenge and lesson in patience. 

'There were many passes with the aircraft that were so close but not good enough, and they ended up circling for an hour until they were aligned correctly with my narrow field of view.

'I absolutely love the contrast of the small human against our huge, dynamic star. It's the juxtaposition that makes this so special, and feels so optimistic. Like despite our small size, we're capable of so much.'

Incredibly, after several attempts to get the alignment right, Mr McCarthy and Mr Brown were able to capture the shot on the very first jump of the day.

Mr Brown wrote on X: 'I can't BELIEVE we pulled it off.

'It took months of planning and a stupid amount of math, but I couldn't be happier with the result! Best skydive of my life!'

The photo was captured by astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy, who says that the shot took incredible levels of planning

Mr McCarthy says that this image is likely the 'first photo of its kind in existence'

The skydiver in the photograph, musician Gabriel Brown (right), jumped from a small propeller–powered paramotor from an altitude of around 3,500 feet (1,070 metres). To have Mr Brown and the sun in shot, Mr McCarthy (left) had to take the photo from almost two miles (3.2 km) away

After being shared on social media, The Fall of Icarus soon went viral as impressed fans gushed over the stunning image.

Even NASA astronaut Don Petit, widely regarded as one of the world's best photographers, praised Mr McCarthy's work, writing on X: 'Wow!'.

Meanwhile, another commenter chimed in: 'My mind is gonna explode trying to figure out how the hell you plan these shots.'

'WOW!!!! That is wildly brilliant,' one enthusiastic fan added.

Another wrote: 'Incredible. Pure excellence.'

Although the sun is roughly 93 million miles (150 million kilometres) from Earth, Mr McCarthy's photo still reveals an amazing level of detail.

Behind the silhouetted skydiver in The Fall of Icarus, you can see the dark, cooler patches of sunspots and the thin stripes of filaments created by the sun's swirling magnetic fields.

This is possible because the photo was taken in a part of the visible light spectrum where small details aren't drowned out by the sun's bright outer layers.

On social media, space fans rushed to share their praise, with one commenter describing the stunning solar image as 'pure excellence'

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, regarded as one of the world's best space photographers, complimented Mr McCarthy's work 

Another commenter wrote that their mind was 'gonna explode' thinking about the logistics behind this photograph

In particular, Mr McCarthy shoots in the Hydrogen–alpha band, which is a wavelength of light produced by the sun's cooler regions.

This blocks enough light to look at the sun through a telescope without being blinded, but not so much light that the details are totally lost.

Mr McCarthy has used this same technique to capture other stunning 'transit photos' of objects passing in front of the sun.

Earlier this year, he captured a 'once–in–a–lifetime' shot of the ISS passing in front of the sun at the exact moment a solar flare erupted into life.

He has also photographed a SpaceX rocket passing in front of the sun during launch, as well as ultra–high definition images of the lunar surface.

{https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

18-11-2025 om 21:49 geschreven door peter  

Overview

A former NASA flight surgeon has spoken publicly for the first time about a classified encounter that took place three decades ago. In an interview with Newsweek on May 6, 2025, the physician—who served on several Space Shuttle missions in the 1990s—described witnessing a “flying saucer” that executed maneuvers that appeared to defy known aeronautical physics. He emphasized that the object moved silently, accelerated and changed direction instantaneously, and that the incident was recorded in a now‑declassified internal memo. The former official is urging the agency and the broader federal government to release all relevant data on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) to the public.

Background

UAP reporting has moved from the periphery of defense circles to the mainstream of congressional oversight. In 2020, the Pentagon established the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, which was later succeeded by the All‑Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (ADARO) in 2023. NASA itself created a dedicated UAP research team in 2023, tasked with “scientifically analyzing credible sightings” and publishing findings. Public interest surged after the 2023 Office of the Director of National Intelligence report confirmed that “most UAP incidents remain unexplained.” The former flight surgeon’s account adds a rare, insider perspective from the era when NASA’s astronaut corps first began to grapple with anomalous sightings during low‑Earth‑orbit missions.

The Testimony

The flight surgeon, who asked to remain unnamed for security reasons, recalled the event occurring during a routine Shuttle launch rehearsal in 1994. “We were on the launch pad when a disc‑shaped object appeared about 2,000 feet away, hovering for a few seconds before darting away at a speed that outpaced any aircraft we had ever seen,” he told Newsweek. He added that the object emitted no sound, and radar systems briefly registered a blip that vanished almost instantly. “The crew recorded it on video, but the footage was classified under a ‘Sensitive Compartmented Information’ designation for years,” he said. The surgeon’s memo, now part of a 2025 declassification package, notes that the object's acceleration “exceeded the capabilities of any known propulsion system at the time.”

Implications

Experts caution against jumping to extraterrestrial conclusions, but the account underscores gaps in the historical record of UAP observations. Dr. James O. McAllister, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado, noted, “When a credible source such as a NASA flight surgeon describes physics‑defying behavior, it compels the scientific community to re‑examine the data with fresh analytical tools.” The testimony also aligns with recent congressional hearings where former military pilots described similar “instantaneous vector changes.” Advocacy groups, including the non‑profit To The Stars Academy, have welcomed the disclosure, arguing it strengthens the case for a systematic, transparent declassification process.

Next Steps

In response to the growing pressure, NASA announced plans to release a summary of all UAP‑related reports gathered since the agency’s 2023 task force was formed, while still protecting national‑security details. The former flight surgeon urged lawmakers to “provide the necessary oversight and resources so that every credible encounter can be examined openly,” adding that secrecy only fuels speculation. As the U.S. government prepares its next budget cycle, funding for ADARO and NASA’s UAP research is expected to be a focal point of debate. Whether the newly revealed 1994 incident will prompt broader policy changes remains to be seen, but the disclosure marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to bring scientific rigor to the study of unidentified aerial phenomena.

{  https://usubjects.com/  }

17-11-2025 om 23:29 geschreven door peter  

Overview

Astronomers monitoring the interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS have reported a suite of anomalous phenomena that differ markedly from the behavior of typical comets. Using a combination of radio telescopes and optical facilities, researchers detected low‑frequency radio emissions and narrow, collimated jets of material that persisted for weeks without the expected decline in brightness. The findings, released in a pre‑print posted to arXiv on 12 November 2025, have sparked a lively debate over whether the object could be a natural body exhibiting unusual activity or a manifestation of artificial extraterrestrial technology.

Observations

The radio signature was first picked up by the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) during a routine survey of small bodies passing through the inner Solar System. Dr. Elena Martinez of the European Space Agency (ESA) described the signal as “a narrowband, non‑thermal burst centered near 1.42 GHz, lasting roughly 30 seconds, and repeating at irregular intervals over a 48‑hour window.” Simultaneous optical imaging from the Very Large Telescope (VLT) and the Pan‑STARRS survey revealed high‑velocity jets emanating from the object's nucleus, directed roughly opposite to the Sun and maintaining a steady outflow rate of ~10⁴ kg s⁻¹.

Unlike cometary activity driven by sublimating ices, the jets showed no measurable decay in intensity over the four‑month observation period, a characteristic noted by Dr. Martinez as “highly atypical for volatile‑driven comets, which usually fade as they recede from the Sun.” Spectroscopic analysis failed to identify common cometary molecules such as CN, C₂, or CO₂, further deepening the mystery.

Scientific Interpretation

The research team outlined three primary hypotheses:

1. Unusual Natural Phenomenon – A previously unknown class of icy bodies with internal mechanisms (e.g., cryovolcanism) that can sustain prolonged jetting without surface ice depletion.
2. Artificial Propulsion – The jets could represent engineered exhaust from a propulsion system, akin to concepts explored in speculative “interstellar probe” designs.
3. Instrumental or Data Artefact – The radio bursts might arise from terrestrial interference or processing errors, a possibility the authors acknowledge and are actively testing.

Dr. Martinez emphasized caution, stating, “While the data are intriguing, we must exhaust all natural explanations before invoking extraterrestrial engineering.” The paper references earlier discussions by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, who has argued that anomalous interstellar objects merit consideration of artificial origins, but notes that 3I/ATLAS differs from Oumuamua’s brief, non‑repeating signal detections.

Community Response

The report has elicited a spectrum of reactions. Dr. James Patel, a planetary scientist at MIT, described the findings as “a classic case of extraordinary claims demanding extraordinary evidence.” He warned that “radio frequency interference from satellite constellations can masquerade as astrophysical signals, and the lack of compositional data leaves room for conventional explanations.”

Conversely, SETI researcher Dr. Maya Khan of the Breakthrough Listen Initiative highlighted the importance of follow‑up observations, noting that “if the radio emissions are indeed astrophysical, they could represent a novel beacon that warrants immediate attention.” Several independent groups have already scheduled additional monitoring with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to search for infrared signatures that might reveal hidden heat sources.

Next Steps

The authors plan to submit a detailed manuscript to The Astrophysical Journal Letters later this month, accompanied by a data release for independent verification. In parallel, ESA’s Gaia mission will provide refined trajectory data to assess whether 3I/ATLAS follows a purely gravitational path or exhibits anomalous acceleration.

Whether the radio bursts and persistent jets prove to be a natural curiosity or a hint of extraterrestrial technology, the episode underscores the need for coordinated, multi‑wavelength surveillance of interstellar objects. As Dr. Martinez concluded, “Each new visitor expands our understanding of the cosmos, and 3I/ATLAS reminds us that the universe still holds surprises that challenge our assumptions.”

{ https://usubjects.com/  }

17-11-2025 om 23:21 geschreven door peter  

Unveiling the Truth (Ep. 4) 'Shadow People: The Dark Watchers of the Night'

Introduction

In the quiet hours of the night, when most of the world drifts into peaceful slumber, some individuals find themselves confronted by inexplicable and often unnerving visions: shadowy silhouettes that seem to lurk just beyond the edge of vision. These entities, commonly known as shadow people, have puzzled humanity for centuries, inspiring countless stories, investigations, and theories. Despite their recurrent nature across different cultures and historical periods, shadow figures remain shrouded in mystery, straddling the boundary between the psychological and the paranormal.

The latest episode of "Unveiling the Truth" hosted by Robin and Brad ventures into this enigma, combining personal testimonies, scientific insights, and speculative hypotheses. The episode aims to present a balanced exploration of shadow people by considering their psychological roots, cultural symbolism, and potential connections to interdimensional or extraterrestrial phenomena. In this expanded discussion, we will delve deeply into the nature of shadow beings, explore the various interpretations supported by scientific and paranormal communities, analyze prominent cases and testimonies, and assess what current research suggests about their origins.

Defining Shadow People

• Visual Characteristics and Descriptions

Shadow people are typically described as vague, dark silhouettes seen in the peripheral vision—often fleeting and difficult to catch. Unlike traditional ghosts or spirits that might appear as luminescent or detailed apparitions, shadow people lack distinct features: no facial details, clothing, or identifiable physical traits. Instead, they manifest as amorphous outlines or human-shaped shadows, sometimes shifting or flickeringering in and out of visibility.

Robin emphasizes this distinction: "A shadow figure doesn't have any distinguishable features about it other than a silhouette outline." These figures often move quickly, darting through rooms or standing motionless at the edge of perception, provoking feelings of fear, curiosity, or awe.

• Common Variations and Cultural Analogues

While modern descriptions emphasize their featureless nature, folkloric and cultural narratives have interpreted similar entities differently:

• The Hooded Specter or 'Hatman': Some witnesses report shadow figures wearing hats, cloaks, or hoods. These are sometimes called Hatman or Hooded Shadows. In various cultures, hooded figures can symbolize death, mystery, or spiritual guardianship.

• Tall, Humanlike Figures: Certain reports describe shadow entities as tall, elongated beings that loom over victims, sometimes referred to as shadow giants.

• Hooded or Cloaked Outlines: These resemble cloaked monks or grim reapers, suggesting archetypes of death or judgment.

Unlike the classic image of a ghost with a glowing face or ethereal glow, shadow people appear as the absence of light, making them uniquely elusive and unsettling.

Psychological and Paranormal Perspectives

The phenomenon of shadow people resonates both in the domain of psychology and the paranormal realm. Understanding these perspectives can illuminate why widespread reports emerge and what they may signify.

• Psychological Explanations

- Sleep Paralysis

One of the most common phenomena associated with shadow person sightings is sleep paralysis—a state where an individual, upon falling asleep or awakening, experiences an inability to move, coupled with vivid hallucinations. During sleep paralysis, the brain remains semi-conscious, and visual or auditory hallucinations are common, often with terrifying entities at the edge of perception.

Psychologists suggest that shadow figures during sleep paralysis are a product of the brain’s attempt to interpret the paralysis hallucinations—an intersection of the subconscious, dreams, and sensory deprivation. The "default schematic" for many individuals may involve seeing a shadowy figure because the brain interprets the partial sensory input as a sentient entity.

- Jungian Archetypes & Collective Unconscious

Carl Jung's theories posit that archetypes—universal symbols embedded in the collective unconscious—manifest in dreams and visions. Shadow figures could represent the shadow self, an unconscious part of the psyche containing repressed fears, traumas, or undesirable traits.

Jung believed these archetypes are projections from the unconscious, which may appear in night visions as dark silhouettes. This psychological framework explains why shadow people appear across cultures, embodying universal fears of the unknown or suppressed emotions.

- Anxiety, Stress, and Psychopathology

Stressful life circumstances or mental health issues like schizophrenia or trauma can also produce hallucinations or visual distortions. While not all shadow sightings are pathological, individual mental health states can influence perception.

• Paranormal and Supernatural Hypotheses

While psychology offers valuable insights, many believe shadow people point to realities beyond the material world.

- Interdimensional Beings

Some theorists propose shadow figures are entities from another dimension or realm that intersect with our reality, revealing themselves briefly before retreating back to their own universe. This hypothesis is supported by fringe theories suggesting that our universe overlaps with others, and shadow entities are witnesses or residents of these overlapping worlds.

- UFO and Alien Abduction Links

Numerous abductees and UFO witnesses report seeing shadowy figures during or after their encounters. These beings are sometimes described as men in black or interdimensional guides, assisting alien entities or acting as gatekeepers. The overlapping descriptions have led some researchers to suggest a possible continuum of interdimensional or extraterrestrial phenomena.

- Shadow People as Omnipresent 'Dark Watchers'

Historical and contemporary accounts describe shadowy guardians or watchers—sometimes benevolent, sometimes malevolent. In some Indigenous cultures, shadow figures are considered spirits protecting or warning communities. Conversely, some individuals interpret them as malevolent entities feeding on fear or negative energy.

Personal Encounters and Viewer Reports

• Notable Personal Experiences

Robin's recounting of her vivid experience embodies the emotional and psychological impact these encounters can have. She describes an instance involving a hooded shadow figure following a spiritual session, emphasizing feelings of vulnerability and awe.

"It was like a shadow figure, not really hooded, but you could tell an outline of a human. And it was just standing at my bed. I tried to swat at it, and I lost my hand as if it went through my vision of myself—like I was just a shadow myself."

Her experience aligns with other reports where individuals perceive these figures as presences that exist at the periphery of consciousness, often provoking fear but sometimes curiosity.

• Global Patterns and Cultural Variations

The podcast notes that shadow people reports are universal, spanning continents and cultures. From the United States to Asia, Africa, and Europe, witnesses report encounters during sleep or in moments of heightened stress or transition.

In Japan, similar entities called yūrei or m Styx are sometimes visualized as dark or shadowy figures associated with spirits of the restless dead. In Western folklore, shadow figures are often linked with malevolent spirits or demons.

Narratives and stories tend to reflect cultural beliefs, but the core visual phenomenon remains remarkably similar: dark silhouettes, roughly human in shape, present at times of vulnerability or liminal states.

• Common Themes in Testimonies
  • Presence during sleep or sleep paralysis
  • Sudden appearance at night, often in bedrooms
  • Feelings of fear, sometimes awe or calm
  • The impression of watching or following
  • Lack of facial features, only shadowy outlines

By analyzing these common patterns, researchers aim to distinguish between psychological artifacts and encounters indicative of somethi something more prosaic or paranormal.

Scientific Investigations

• Sleep Studies and Hypotheses

The connection between shadow people and sleep paralysis is well-documented. Researchers have examined the neurological basis for these phenomena, correlating hallucinations with the activity of the periaqueductal gray region of the brain, a control center associated with fear and threat detection.

In sleep paralysis, the limbic system—which processes emotions—is hyperactive, leading to intense feelings of dread and hallucinations of threatening figures, often shadowy, due to the brain's misinterpretation of sensory input.

• Brainwave Activity

Studies using EEG (electroencephalogram) monitoring have shown that during hallucinations of shadow figures, the brain exhibits theta and delta wave activity characteristic of REM sleep intrusion into wakefulness. This suggests that shadow people are not external entities but products of altered brain states.

• Psychological Testing & Environmental Factors

Research also indicates environmental factors such as darkness, sleep deprivation, substance use, and high stress increase the likelihood of shadow person sightings. The consistency of reports across these variables supports the hypothesis that many shadow encounters are rooted in altered states of consciousness rather than external supernatural forces.

• Paranormal Research and Limitations

While scientific investigations provide plausible explanations, they often cannot fully account for the emotional and subjective aspects of shadow person encounters. Many individuals describe feeling genuine presence or influence that defy purely neurological explanations.

No empirical evidence conclusively proves shadow people are interdimensional entities or beings from another realm, leading to ongoing debates between scientific skepticism and paranormal credence.

The Brocken spectre phenomenon, when a human’s shadow seems enormous and far away, is the likely explanation for numerous sightings of so-called dark watchers in California’s Santa Lucia Mountains. 

John Finney Photography / Getty Images

Theories and Controversies

• The Shadow Self and Repressed Fears

From a psychological lens, shadow figures represent repressed aspects of the subconscious—the "shadow self"—which manifests in dreams or hallucinations. Carl Jung emphasized that confronting these dark archetypes could lead to inner growth, suggesting shadow people could symbolize unresolved inner conflicts.

• Interdimensional Phenomena

Proponents believe shadow beings are visitors from other realities, glimpsed during moments of dimensional overlap. This approach posits that humanity's perception of these beings is fundamentally limited, and their true nature is beyond our understanding.

• The 'Watcher' Hypothesis

Some accounts suggest shadow figures are observers, silently watching victims—potentially guiding or warning. This aligns with folklore describing spirits or hauntings where entities appear to serve a purpose beyond mere manifestation.

• Controversies and Skepticism

Mainstream science remains skeptical of paranormal claims, citing psychological explanations and hallucinations. Critics argue that shadow figures are misinterpretations of normal visual phenomena, sleep-related hallucinations, or visual distortions caused by environmental stimuli.

Others challenge the interpretation of personal experiences as evidence of the supernatural, emphasizing the need for controlled scientific studies.

Notable Cases and Cases Studies

• The William and Sarah Case

One documented case involved William, a middle-aged man who reported seeing a tall, shadowy figure in his home during episodes of severe sleep paralysis. He described it as a dark, towering presence that seemed to watch him with an unsettling stillness. Despite efforts to dismiss it as hallucination, the sensation persisted over months, impacting his sleep and mental well-being.

Research into such cases frequently reveals underlying stress, traumatic memories, or sleep disorders. Physical evidence is elusive, but persistent reports keep the debate alive.

• The 'Cumberland Ghost' Phenomenon

In the historic town of Cumberland, numerous residents have reported seeing shadowy figures near old abandoned buildings or during foggy nights. These sightings are often accompanied by feelings of intense fear or curiosity. Local folklore attributes these to spirits of former residents, emphasizing the cultural dimension of shadow entities.

Theories about Their Function and Purpose

• Protective or Warning Symbols

Some sightings may serve as subconscious warnings or protectors—manifestations of warnings about danger or harm. For example, a shadow figure appearing during a dangerous situation might be interpreted as a protective presence, or as a projection of inner intuition.

• Negative Entities Feeding on Fear

Other theories suggest shadow people are malevolent entities feeding on negative energy or fear. Their dark, featureless appearance embodies aspects of nightmare terror and subconscious anxieties.

• Messengers or Guides

Less commonly, shadow figures are viewed as guides or messengers from the spiritual realm, offering insights or warnings through their silent presence.

Dark watchers are often seen near dusk and dawn in the Santa Lucia Mountains, when light plays off the misty peaks. 

Roger469 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Unpacking the Cultural and Historical Contexts

• Historical Accounts

Throughout history, shadowy figures have appeared in art, folklore, and religious narratives. Medieval depictions of demons or spirits often resemble shadowy beings. In more recent times, mentions appear in Victorian ghost stories, indigenous narratives, and modern paranormal literature.

• Modern Popularity and Media

The representation of shadow people in movies, television, and online forums has popularized and sensationalized the phenomenon, influencing personal perceptions and collective fears. They often appear in horror genre media as ominous, threatening presences.

Implications and Future Research

• What Do Shadow People Signify?

Understanding whether shadow figures are illusions, archetypes, interdimensional visitors, or spiritual entities is vital for framing future research. They challenge our perceptions of reality and consciousness, urging scientific, psychological, and spiritual inquiry.

• Potential for Interdisciplinary Studies

Future research could benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, combining neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and paranormal studies. Advances in brain imaging, sleep research, and quantum physics may eventually shed light on these elusive phenomena.

• Ethical and Practical Considerations

It is essential to respect individual experiences and consider their impact on mental health. For some, shadow encounters evoke fear or trauma; providing supportive guidance and understanding is paramount.

Meteorologist Jan Null captured his own Brocken spectre in a tunnel. 

Courtesy Jan Null

Conclusion

The phenomenon of shadow people remains one of the most compelling mysteries—oscillating between the realms of science and the supernatural. Whether viewed as manifestations of the subconscious, ancient archetypes, or interdimensional visitors, these dark watchers continue to fascinate, terrify, and invite curiosity.

The "Unveiling the Truth" episode highlights the importance of maintaining perspective: exploring the psychological, cultural, and potential paranormal explanations carefully without prematurely concluding their true nature. As Robin and Brad suggest, asking the right questions and investigating diligently might bring us closer to understanding who or what these shadowy figures are—if they indeed have an existence beyond our perception.

In the end, shadow people serve as reflections of our fears, hopes, and mysteries—reminding us that some questions about the universe and ourselves are still waiting to be answered. Whether as symbols of repressed emotions or portals to other dimensions, they challenge us to look beyond the shadows and seek the light of understanding.

{ PETER2011 }

17-11-2025 om 23:12 geschreven door peter  

Astrophotographer Satoru Murata has published a photograph of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. It shows its tail and anti-tail.

The 3I/ATLAS image was taken on the morning of November 16 in New Mexico. To capture the image, Murat used a Celestron EdgeHD800 telescope and a Touptek ATR2600C camera. The image he published is composed of 24 frames taken with a 60-second exposure.

The photograph shows the complex structure of the tails of 3I/ATLAS. They consist of volatile substances that have sublimated from its surface. Observations have shown that 3I/ATLAS is unusually rich in carbon dioxide. Astronomers have also detected substances such as water ice, carbon monoxide, carbonyl sulfide, and cyanide. It is the molecules of the latter that are responsible for the characteristic blue-green color of the interstellar comet. Earlier it was reported that 3I/ATLAS changed color as it passed through perihelion, but as it turned out later, this was incorrect.

In addition to its main tail, the ATLAS comet also has an anti-tail. In the image, it looks like a small spike. The anti-tail consists of larger dust particles that are less affected by the Sun’s radiation pressure and tend to remain roughly in the plane of the comet’s orbit, eventually forming a disk along its orbit. When Earth passes through the plane of the comet’s orbit, this disk is visible from the side and looks like a distinctive spike.

In addition to the comet, the photo also captured the galaxy NGC 4691. It is located 70 million light-years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Virgo.

Earlier, we reported on how the Mars mission helped to pinpoint the location of comet 3I/ATLAS.

• Posted in News, Science

{ https://universemagazine.com/en/articles-en/ }

17-11-2025 om 22:09 geschreven door peter  

Participats in the LRO mission have published an image showing a young crater on the Moon. It formed after the spacecraft began operating.

Throughout its history, the Moon has been regularly bombarded by comets and asteroids. This bombardment was particularly intense during the first billion years after the formation of the Solar System. It was then that the Moon acquired its largest “scars.”

Although the frequency of collisions has decreased since then, they have not stopped completely. And since the Moon has no atmosphere, even small objects that would not be able to reach the Earth’s surface can reach the Moon’s surface unhindered.

It was precisely such an object, several meters in size, that formed the crater found by LRO. It is located north of the 44-kilometer-wide Römer crater. The 22-meter funnel formed between December 2009 and December 2012, when the spacecraft photographed this area again.

The crater discovered by LRO is surrounded by bright rays consisting of lighter subsurface material ejected during the impact. They extend tens of meters from the crater. Over time, under the influence of space weathering, the rays will darken to match the color of the surrounding regolith.

The discovery of new craters using LROC is important for understanding the frequency of impacts and the rate of crater destruction over time. Planetary scientists use this data to estimate the age of surface features on celestial bodies. This data is also important for future manned missions to the Moon.

The Moon is not the only object in the Solar System that is subject to cosmic bombardment. Earlier, we talked about known cases of asteroids and comets falling on other planets.

• According to LROC

• Posted in News, Science

{ https://universemagazine.com/en/articles-en/ }

17-11-2025 om 22:00 geschreven door peter  

{ Modern Engineering Marvels }

17-11-2025 om 21:17 geschreven door peter  

Scientists have unveiled the most detailed map of the brain ever created. 

The fascinating chart represents almost 10 million neurons, 26 billion synapses and 86 interconnected brain regions.

It was created with Fugaku, Japan's ultra–fast supercomputer, which is capable of quadrillions of calculations per second. 

Scientists will use their digital copy to answer questions about what happens in a disease, how brain waves shape mental focus and how seizures spread in the brain. 

Until now, these questions could only be answered using real brain tissue, one experiment at a time. 

Dr Anton Arkhipov, an investigator at the Allen Institute in Seattle who worked on the project, called the map a 'technical milestone'. 

'With this kind of computational power, the goal of a full, biophysically accurate brain model isn't just science fiction anymore,' he said. 

'Scientists are in a new frontier where understanding the brain means, quite literally, being able to build one.'

The image is a detailed simulation of the whole mouse cortex neuron by neuron. It represents 'spontaneous' activity of the cortex in a resting state. Neurons are colored by cortical area and marked with a light flash when active. Only 1 per cent of neurons are shown for clarity

The stunning new image is a virtual copy of a mouse's cortex, the brain's critically important outermost layer. 

The vibrant colours refer to the different cortical areas responsible for different jobs, such as visual processing, body movement, decision–making and more.

Each region is made up of an incredibly dense forest of neurons (otherwise known as nerve cells) which transmit electrical and chemical signals to enable communication throughout the brain and body.

The little white tree–like branches emanating from all the regions are the active neurons, which spike, signal, and chatter to send messages. 

Electrical signals travel the length of a single neuron, from its round central body down a long, specialized tendril called an axon, until that axon reaches a connection point with another neuron. 

The electrical signal triggers a chemical signal, where molecules known as neurotransmitters flow from one cell to the next and serve as the signal hand–off, beginning a new electrical current in the next cell.

'Modeling is incredibly important, because the brain is too complex a system to use your intuition to figure out how cells should be behaving,' said Dr Tim Jarsky, associate director of electrophysiology at the Allen Institute. 

'Even with the subset of kinds of neurons in this dataset, we have so many possible interactions with many different types of signaling. 

The incredibly detailed brain simulation shows a dense forest of neurons – otherwise known as nerve cells, which transmit electrical and chemical signals to enable communication

The simulation, carried out on supercomputer Fugaku with approximately 150,000 compute nodes, describes several seconds of biological dynamics of the mouse cortex

'You really need a model to understand how the circuit could behave when you put all those elements together.' 

According to the experts, the long–term goal is to simulate the entire brain of the mouse, not just the cortex, as well as human brain models.

This is, however, a reliable model for human brain development due to certain structural similarities between the two species. 

The image was created using Fugaku, a powerful supercomputer at the Riken Center for Computational Science in Kobe, Japan. 

Japan's flagship supercomputer is capable of more than 400 quadrillion calculations per second and can crunch data faster than we can blink. 

To put that into perspective, if you started counting in seconds right now, it would take over 12.7 billion years to reach that number – nearly the age of the universe! 

'Fugaku is used for research in a wide range of computational science fields, such as astronomy, meteorology, and drug discovery, contributing to the resolution of many societal problems,' said Dr Tadashi Yamazaki from Japan's University of Electro–Communications in Tokyo.

'On this occasion, we utilised Fugaku for a neural circuit simulation.' 

It is the product of Supercomputer Fugaku (pictured), one of the fastest supercomputers in the world built with the backing of the Japanese government  

Fugaku was deemed the world's fastest supercomputer back in June 2020, but five years later it has slipped down the TOP 500 list to seventh. 

At the top of the list is El Capitan, hosted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California. 

El Capitan, the most powerful supercomputer in the world, is the third 'exascale' system deployed by the United States. 

Exascale refers to a system that can perform at least one quintillion operations per second – a billion billion calculations, or 1 followed by 18 zeroes. 

An upcoming paper will unveil the new virtual brain simulation at SC25, a supercomputing conference taking place this week in St. Louis, Missouri. 

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

17-11-2025 om 20:36 geschreven door peter  

UFO fleet viewed from boat in Turkey creek, Charleston, South Carolina, USA Nov 8, 2025 UAP Sighting News.

Date of sighting: Nov 8, 2025

Location of sighting: Turkey Creek, Charleston, SC, USA

Source: NUFORC

 

Watch carefully and you will see three UFOs entering the earths atmosphere over Charleston last week. Now the US gov will make excuses and call it meteors (much slower than meteors) or space junk (not possible since these objects are not leaving debris or smoke). These are UFOs...the very thing the US gov prefers us not knowing about. 

Scott C. Waring 

 

Eyewitness states: 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

17-11-2025 om 01:09 geschreven door peter  

Rare V-Shaped UFO Over Fawn Grove Borough in Pennsylvania, USA Nov 6, 2025, UAP Sighting News.

Date of sighting: Nov 6, 2025

Location of sighting: Fawn Grove, PA, USA

Source: NUFORC

 

Now V shaped UFOs are very rare and are of the most notoriously told about...for instance, the Phoenix Lights Incident back in March 19, 1997 where hundreds of reports came into police about a giant V shaped UFO blocking out the stars over Phoenix, Arizona. This UFO here might just do the same if it's close enough. The size is huge, about half a mile or more and it's really lit up below the moon with the moonlight shining off of it. Great capture and absolute important evidence that aliens exist...but even more so...of a very rare V shaped craft!

Scott C. Waring

 

Eyewitness states: 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

17-11-2025 om 01:03 geschreven door peter  

I recorded a sphere on the live nasa space station cam. Nov 14, 2025, UFO UAP paranormal sighting news

Date of sighting: Nov 14, 2025

Location of sighting: Space station

Source: NASA Live cam feed

 

I was watching the live cam of the space station and this lesser known camera finally turned away from the space station and gave me a great view of the Earth below. Thats today and I noticed this sphere near it and it was changing luminosity and finally after about 1 minute it just disappeared. I made a close up at the end of the video for you. The speed is normal, but you can adjust the youtube settings to go 2.0 speed or more. Amazing because this orb is huge, about the size of a bus. This is 100% proof that aliens are still visiting the space station and still are curious about humans and our way of thinking. Oh...and I put the video into 4k so put it on a TV and see the detail. Usually this particular camera is focused on the space station itself and gives very little view of earth, but today it was changed to give a great view and there it was, full out orb!

Scott C. Waring 

 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

17-11-2025 om 00:58 geschreven door peter  

Saw this while jogging in Bountiful, Utah Nov 14, 2025, then it disappeared, UFO sighting news

Date of sighting: Nov 14, 2025

Location of sighting: Bountiful, Utah, USA

 

Hey all, I recorded this in my back yard this morning and whats really odd is, as soon as I lowered my camera, the UFO 100% disappeared. I wish I had kept it running to show that part. The UFO, which looks to be a huge classic disk shape craft was trying to blend in with the surrounding clouds, but it was just too obvious that it was an alien ship. And the onboard ai sensors that scan telepathically all the human thoughts below for being recognized...like ai searching for keywords in our heads...sky, cloud, UFO, alien, what is that, ect. Anyways take a look at the video, I bet you have seen similar things, but feared ridicule from others over it.

Scott C. Waring 

 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

17-11-2025 om 00:53 geschreven door peter  

Van Klassieke Ufologie naar Opkomende Wetenschap

Overzicht

In een recente lezing georganiseerd door het Human Institute en UAPMed schetste Michael Cifone, een filosoof van de wetenschap verbonden aan de Society for UAP Studies, een verschuiving in de manier waarop onderzoekers onherleidbare luchtfenomenen (UAP) en niet-menselijke intelligentie (NHI) benaderen. Hij contrasteerde het model van de “klassieke ufologie”—voornamelijk gerechtelijk, retrospectief en afhankelijk van ooggetuigenverslagen—met wat hij beschreef als de “opkomende wetenschap van UAP,” een demonstratieve inspanning die zich richt op het bouwen van speciale instrumenten, het synchroniseren van datastromen en het nastreven van directe observatie. Cifones presentatie, onderdeel van een serie getiteld Investigating Non‑Human Intelligence, onderstreepte de noodzaak om verder te kijken dan het verzamelen van oude rapporten en over te gaan op een systematische, op data gebaseerde methodologie.

Epistemologische Uitdagingen

Cifone waarschuwde dat de aannames die in de traditionele natuurwetenschappen worden gehanteerd, onderzoekers kunnen verblinden voor het fenomeen dat zij proberen te bestuderen. Hij stelde een prikkelende vraag: “Wat als het probleem niet ontbrekende bewijzen zijn, maar ontbrekende categorieën?” Volgens zijn kader worden drie onderling verweven kwesties het kennislager vormgegeven:

• Bewijsmateriaal is niet neutraal – de instrumenten en theorieën die wij gebruiken, predeterminen wat wij kunnen meten. Dit betekent dat de instrumenten die we inzetten noodzakelijkerwijs bepalen naar welk fenomeen we zoeken en hoe we dat interpreteren. Een laserafstandsmeter kan bijvoorbeeld alleen afstanden meten die binnen het bereik en de precisie vallen die het apparaat toestaan. Daarnaast bepalen bestaande theorieën welke interpretaties als legitiem worden beschouwd.

• De epistemische cirkel – buitensporige claims vereisen bewijs dat niet door bestaande instrumenten kan worden vastgelegd. Dit betekent dat sommige fenomenen, indien ze zelden voorkomen of zich slechts onder bepaalde condities voordoen, niet gemakkelijk te vast te leggen zijn met de huidige technologie. Toch houden onderzoekers vol dat bewijs wel mogelijk moet zijn, wat leidt tot een vicieuze cirkel tussen hypothese en observatie.

• Fenomenen kunnen tijdelijk, participatief en relationeel zijn – anders dan de stabiele, herhaalbare gebeurtenissen waar de conventionele wetenschap de voorkeur aan geeft. UAP kunnen zich bijvoorbeeld slechts af en toe voordoen, afhankelijk zijn van het bewustzijn of de intentie van de waarnemer, of een relationele dynamiek vertonen die niet past binnen traditionele natuurwetenschappelijke modellen.

Cifone pleit voor een nieuwe vorm van empirisme die objectieve instrumenten combineert met fenomenologische, eerst-person ervaring. Hierdoor kunnen onderzoekers “luisteren naar de data” voordat zij vooraf ingestelde categorieën opleggen. Dit impliceert dat de beleving en interpretatie van de waarneming even belangrijk moeten worden genomen als meetinstrumenten, vooral in gevallen waarin het fenomeen moeilijk of onmogelijk reproduceerbaar is.

Opkomende Wetenschappelijke Benaderingen

De presentatie omschreef concrete stappen om UAP-onderzoek te transformerentr en tot een rigoureuze wetenschap. Enkele voorstellen waren:

• Het opbouwen van speciale sensor netwerken – deze netwerken kunnen in real-time high-resolutie, multimodale data vastleggen. Denk aan het gebruik van radar, infrarood, elektromagnetische metingen en audio. Het doel is om het veld te verschuiven van retrospectief getuigenis naar live observatie, waardoor de kans op snelle verificatie en analyse toeneemt.

• Professionalisering van forensische onderzoeksmethoden – door te zorgen dat sporen zoals elektromagnetische anomalieën of materiaalerestanten worden verzameld en geanalyseerd volgens strikte normen die ook in de ruimtevaart of forensische laboratoria worden gehanteerd. Dit zorgt voor een hogere betrouwbaarheid van de bevindingen en maakt ze vergelijkbaar met andere takken van geavanceerd technisch onderzoek.

• Het behandelen van mensen als sensoren – een concept dat werd verkend door Maya Cowan. Hier wordt erkend dat menselijke waarneming betrouwbaar is, maar ook zijn grenzen kent, en dat deze waarnemingen kunnen worden geïntegreerd met instrumentale gegevens. In deze aanpak wordt de menselijke interpretatie niet uitgesloten maar juist aangevuld, door bijvoorbeeld gecombineerde analyses te maken van witness reports en meetgegevens.

Deze initiatieven weerspiegelen de focus van de UAP-onderzoeksgemeenschap op “lokale gedragingen en dynamische relaties,” wat het onderscheid maakt van de verre, message-gerichte doelen van SETI. Terwijl SETI zich richt op signaaldetectie en communicatie met buitenaardse intelligentie op grote afstand, richt UAP-onderzoek zich vaak op snelle, onvoorspelbare fenomenen die zich direct manifesteren in onze atmosfeer. Door menselijke rapporten te synchroniseren met instrumentale metingen hopen onderzoekers een rijker, gevalideerd datacollectief te scheppen dat meer inzicht kan geven in het aard, de aard en de mogelijke intelligentie achter deze fenomenen.

Interdisciplinaire Kaders

Cifone benadrukte het belang van radicale interdisciplinariteit als essentieel voor een opkomende wetenschap van niet-menselijke intelligentie. In dit kader wordt vaak teruggevallen op het 6W-model – wie, wat, wanneer, waar, waarom en hoe – als een raamwerk voor het organiseren van onderzoeken die fysieke verklaringen combineren met geleefde ervaring.

• Wie betreft de onderzoekers en waarnemers, waaronder wetenschappers, piloten, nauwe observatoren en betrokken burgers.
• Wat verwijst naar de fenomenen zelf: UAP, anomalieën in elektromagnetische velden, materiaalterreinen of mogelijk niet-menselijke activiteiten.
• Wanneer en waar beschrijven de tijdstippen en locaties van waarnemingen, cruciaal voor correlaties en patroonherkenning.
• Waarom en hoe betreffen de interpretaties en mechanismen die mogelijk ten grondslag liggen aan de fenomeen; deze bieden inzicht in de motivatie en aard van de aanwezige intelligenties of natuurlijke processen.

Fenomenologen zoals Kim Engels ontwikkelen methoden om het “gehele UFO-gevoel” vast te leggen, door narratieve gegevens te verbinden met sensorlogs. Deze aanpak beoogt de kloof te overbruggen tussen objectieve data en subjectieve betekenis, omdat hij van mening is dat dit noodzakelijk is om antropocentrisme te overwinnen. Door het onderzoeken van de percepties, gevoelens en interpretaties van getuigen wil men niet alleen de feiten vastleggen maar ook de context waarin deze plaatsvinden, wat kan leiden tot een dieper begrip van het fenomeen.

Verder suggereerde Cifone dat het herintegreren van de geesteswetenschappen—zoals antropologie, filosofie en psychologie—met de natuurwetenschappen het conceptuele vocabulaire kan uitbreiden dat nodig is om fenomenen te beschrijven die “participatief en relationeel” zijn, in plaats van louter externe objecten.

Dit multidisciplinaire model benadrukt dat het begrijpen van UAP en NHI niet louter een technische onderneming is, maar ook een cultureel en interpretatief vraagstuk. Het vraagt om een brede blik, waarin wetenschap en erfgoed, perceptie en werkelijkheid, samenvallen.

Vooruitzichten en Skepsis

Hoewel de visie ambitieus is, betwijfelde Cifone zelf de haalbaarheid ervan; hij merkte op dat veel van de voorgestelde praktijken nog “utopisch” zijn zonder duurzame financiering, institutionele steun en methodologische consensus. Het opzetten van uitgebreide sensor netwerken, het trainen van multidisciplinaire teams en het integreren van fenomenologische benaderingen vereisen aanzienlijke middelen en lange termijnplanning.

Desalniettemin werden enkele pilotprojecten besproken, zoals gecoördineerde hemelwacht-netwerken en samenwerkingsworkshops tussen natuurkundigen, antropologen en piloten, die het praktische potentieel van dit interdisciplinaire model demonstreren. Zo werd het voorbeeld gegeven van internationale netwerken die realtime data verzamelen en analyseren, als een mogelijke basis voor bredere wetenschappelijke samenwerkingen.

De bredere wetenschappelijke gemeenschap houdt deze ontwikkelingen nauwlettend in de gaten. Zoals Cifone afsluit: “De werkelijke vraag is niet of niet-menselijke intelligentie bestaat – het universum is groot genoeg dat dit bijna triviaal is. De vraag is of onze wetenschappen al intelligent genoeg zijn om het waar te nemen.” Als de opkomende wetenschap van UAP erin slaagt instrumenten, fenomenologie en rigoureuze epistemologie te integreren, kan dit mogelijk het systematische bewijs leveren dat zowel sceptici als gelovigen al lang zoeken. Het zou kunnen leiden tot een paradigmaverschuiving, waarin we niet alleen de fenomenen accepteren maar ook begrijpen en, misschien, contact maken met andere vormen van intelligentie die onze horizon nu nog verbreden.

Slotwoord

De overgang van klassieke ufologie naar een meer wetenschappelijke en systematische benadering markeert een belangrijke ontwikkeling in de studie van het onbekende. Door een combinatie van geavanceerde technologieën, interdisciplinaire samenwerking en een herziening van epistemologische principes, wordt het mogelijk om de mysterieuze fenomenen rondom UAP en NHI in een nieuw, meer rigoureus licht te plaatsen. Het pad naar een echte wetenschap binnen dit domein is nog lang en vol uitdagingen, maar de richting is duidelijk: een integrale aanpak waarin data, ervaring en theorie hand in hand gaan. Alleen zo kunnen we misschien ooit de antwoorden vinden op vragen die ons al eeuwenlang bezighouden.

{ PETER2011 }

16-11-2025 om 22:21 geschreven door peter  

Overview

The latest episode of The Proof Is Out There, released on November 16, 2025, tackles a range of visual material that has circulated among UFO and ancient‑technology enthusiasts for decades. The program’s host, a researcher known as “UFOs‑Disclosure,” frames the investigation as a side‑by‑side comparison of grainy vintage footage and cutting‑edge digital analysis, asking whether modern tools can confirm or refute long‑standing claims of anomalous technology. A 10‑minute video accompanying the article (linked in the VibeWire post) presents the raw clips, while the episode walks viewers through frame‑by‑frame examinations, spectral imaging, and AI‑based pattern recognition.

Ancient Dodecahedrons

One of the focal points is a series of black‑and‑white films from the 1970s that appear to show perfectly formed dodecahedrons hovering over archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Proponents have argued that the shapes indicate a lost advanced civilization or even extraterrestrial engineering. Using contemporary photogrammetry software, the show’s technical team reconstructed the objects’ geometry and found that the apparent edges align with known lens flare artifacts common in low‑light film. Dr. Elena Marquez, a historian of ancient engineering at the University of Barcelona, was consulted:

“The dodecahedron is a mathematically elegant shape, but there is no archaeological record of such objects being manufactured in antiquity. When we apply modern image‑enhancement methods, the ‘solid’ appearance dissolves into a combination of light scattering and film grain.”

The segment concludes that, while the footage is intriguing, the evidence does not meet the threshold for claiming an unknown technology.

Flying Cars and Ocean Flights

The episode also revisits a 1992 news reel from a coastal town in Brazil that captured what looks like a sleek, disc‑shaped craft skimming the ocean surface before accelerating upward. The original broadcast described the sighting as a “flying car” and sparked numerous speculative articles. In the new analysis, engineers employed high‑resolution frame interpolation and spectral signature testing to determine the craft’s material composition. Results showed a reflective surface consistent with conventional aluminum alloy, and the motion profile matched that of a known experimental hydro‑foil vehicle tested by a private aerospace firm in the early 1990s.

“When you overlay the flight path with the firm’s test logs, the correlation is striking,” says aerospace analyst James Liu of the Australian Defence Research Institute. “There is no need to invoke UFOs when a terrestrial prototype explains the observed dynamics.”

The segment emphasizes that the footage, while dramatic, is best understood within the context of emerging VTOL (vertical take‑off and landing) technologies rather than extraterrestrial craft.

Brain‑Implant Allegations

A third segment examines a controversial 2008 interview in which a self‑identified whistleblower claimed that neural implants were being covertly installed to facilitate “mind‑to‑craft” communication. The original video, recorded on a consumer camcorder, featured the subject pointing to a faint scar behind his ear. The show’s investigators used infrared imaging and AI‑driven facial analysis to verify the presence of any subdermal hardware. The analysis detected no anomalous density or metallic signature beyond normal tissue variation.

Dr. Priya Nair, a neuro‑ethicist at the University of Melbourne, cautioned:

“Claims of secret brain‑implant programs have circulated for years, but without verifiable physical evidence they remain speculative. The tools we have today—high‑resolution imaging, spectral analysis—are capable of detecting implants of the size described, and they found nothing.”

The segment underscores the importance of evidence‑based scrutiny when evaluating extraordinary medical claims.

Context and Outlook

The Proof Is Out There aims to bring a scientific lens to material that often fuels sensational headlines. By applying modern analytical software, AI pattern recognition, and expert testimony, the episode demonstrates that many iconic UFO and ancient‑technology clips can be explained through known physical phenomena or historical context. Nonetheless, the program acknowledges that some footage remains “unexplained” due to poor quality or insufficient data, a stance echoed by Dr. Marquez:

“Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, but it does remind us to remain cautious before leaping to extraordinary conclusions.”

The VibeWire article invites readers to watch the full video for a deeper dive and encourages further submissions of raw footage for independent review. As the field of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) research continues to professionalize, such transparent, methodical examinations are likely to become the standard for separating fact from folklore.

RELATED

{ https://usubjects.com/ }

16-11-2025 om 21:48 geschreven door peter  

Mysterious Skies and Seas: New UFO and USO Sightings Spark Global Curiosity

Unidentified objects are no longer just a phenomenon of the skies. Increasingly, witnesses from around the world are reporting strange activity beneath the ocean’s surface as well—introducing many people to a lesser-known category of encounters: USOs, or unidentified submersible objects. From luminous shapes gliding through dark waters to craft seemingly transitioning from sea to air without disturbance, the newest cases are igniting worldwide fascination and questions about what might be lurking both above and below us.

A Surge of Unusual Sightings

Recent global reports highlight a pattern: mysterious objects are no longer confined to distant skies or remote military zones. In places like Oklahoma City, unexplained lights have captivated observers; along the coasts of Florida and California, glowing formations under the sea have startled boaters. According to investigators, these sightings show remarkable consistency—strange illumination, silent movement, and behavior that doesn’t align with known technology.

During a recent NewsNation segment, Ben Hansen, host of UFO Witness and a veteran field investigator, described the latest viral footage from the waters off Fort Lauderdale. The clip shows two bright green lights moving beneath the ocean surface at night.

Hansen’s first reaction: not divers.
A certified master diver himself, he emphasized the absence of essential safety indicators—no dive boat, no flags, and no surface support that would make a night dive safe. And while night diving is possible, the behavior and characteristics observed in the video don’t match typical diver lights or movement.

“It’s not phosphorescent algae, it’s not light refraction, and it doesn’t behave like a natural phenomenon,” Hansen explained.

USOs: A Long History, Not a New Trend

Many people assume underwater UFO sightings are a new topic, simply because public interest has recently shifted from the skies to the sea. But according to Hansen, submersible anomalies have been part of reports for decades.

He pointed to earlier incidents near Catalina Island, where pilots and air-traffic controllers reported enormous glowing structures beneath the water—some estimates describing them as “the size of a city.” Witnesses noted the light appeared to activate suddenly, like someone flipping a switch.

Other boaters have reported traveling across pitch-black waters when, without warning, a massive illuminated zone appeared directly beneath their vessel, spanning the length of a football field.

These observations echo testimonies from naval personnel, including the infamous USS Omaha thermal-camera incident, where an object was tracked moving from air to sea without any visible splash or impact—behavior known as transmedium travel.

Fast Movers and High-Speed Anomalies

The U.S. military has acknowledged tracking objects that behave far outside the capabilities of known human technology. Former Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet previously testified about a military program informally referred to as monitoring “Fast Movers.”

These objects, often detected on classified underwater sensors, reportedly travel at speeds no torpedo could survive—sometimes exceeding 100 miles per hour underwater, a feat impossible given current propulsion technology and hydrodynamic limitations.

Some Fast Movers are fleeting blurs. Others appear stationary for long periods. And a small but persistent group behaves unpredictably, transitioning between air and water with no splash, no turbulence, and no detectable propulsion system.

Not Enough Data—But Enough to Raise Questions

Former U.K. Ministry of Defence UFO analyst Nick Pope also weighed in on the latest sightings. While he agrees the Fort Lauderdale footage is intriguing, he cautions that the data remains insufficient to determine a definitive explanation.

As Pope reiterates, the Pentagon itself often concludes that available evidence in such cases lacks critical details: distance to object, speed, sensor quality, atmospheric conditions, and other context necessary for firm identification.

But unclear footage doesn’t erase the larger pattern. Across oceans and continents, witnesses continue describing:

• Objects illuminating the sea from below
• Craft entering water without displacement
• High-speed underwater movement
• Lights with no visible source
• Sudden “switch-like” activation of massive illuminated zones

Patterns repeated independently in multiple countries, decades apart, by civilians and military personnel alike.

The New Frontier of Unexplained Phenomena

The shift from UFOs to USOs expands the mystery dramatically. If some of these objects truly operate in both air and sea, they challenge everything we know about physics, engineering, and propulsion.

Investigators stress that the phenomenon is far larger than any single video. What’s emerging is a global mosaic of strange sightings—glowing shapes in deep water, fast-moving aerial anomalies, and objects effortlessly transitioning between the two environments.

Whether these represent unknown natural phenomena, advanced technology, misidentification, or something truly extraordinary remains unknown. But one thing is certain: the ocean, which covers 70% of Earth and remains largely unexplored, may be holding secrets as complex as those of the skies.

As new sightings continue to surface, scientists, military analysts, and civilian researchers are calling for deeper investigation—not just of our atmosphere, but of our oceans as well. The next major discovery in the UFO mystery might not come from above, but from the depths below.

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

16-11-2025 om 21:31 geschreven door peter  

Story by Shane Galvin

 

NASA is set to release the much-anticipated images of the Manhattan-sized interstellar object 3I/ATLAS within days, an agency source told The Post.

The snaps of the mysterious object were taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s HiRISE camera as it passed by the Red Planet from Oct.1 to Oct. 7 were not released because of the government shutdown, which ended late Wednesday.

The source said the release of the snaps — expected to be the highest resolution of any image of 3I/ATLAS yet — come come as early as next week.

New images of 3I/ATLAS released earlier this week in the Astronomer’s Telegram showed.

David Jewitt / Jane Luu / The Astronomer's Telegram

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Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who has conjectured that the object could potentially be an alien spaceship, panned the long-delayed release as a symptom of government inefficiency. 

“Science should have been prioritized over bureaucracy,” Loeb told The Post. “The truth about the nature of 3I/ATLAS will be revealed by the sharing of data, not by the storyline of gatekeepers.”

The HiRISE camera images will be the clearest yet, surpassing the snaps taken by the Hubble Space Telescope on July 21, which to date have provided the most stark pictures of 3I/ATLAS.

Loeb stated that the HiRISE images will present one of the best opportunities to learn about the nucleus of the massive object, which will reveal its true nature.

Loeb has previously sounded the alarm over the mysterious anti-tail of 3I/ATLAS, which is a unique extension in the direction of the Sun, and not seen in normal, everyday comets.

“The HiRISE image would give us a side-view as well as a spatial resolution that is three times better than that of the Hubble Space Telescope,” he said.

The new images set to be released by NASA in a “matter of days” will be the best of the object taken during its pass through our inner solar system.

David Jewitt / Jane Luu / The Astronomer's Telegram

“Even though the image is unlikely to resolve the solid nucleus itself, it can set a tight constraint on its diameter based on the brightest pixel,” he said, adding, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

Sky watchers celebrated earlier this week when, after speculation that the object had broken apart, 3I/ATLAS emerged fully intact after its close encounter with the Sun.

The object is now hurtling towards Jupiter where it will be surveilled by NASA’s Juno space probe and the European Space Agency’s JUICE spacecraft until it exits our solar system on in March.

For him, the upcoming images are not just another dataset; they are a potential turning point in a debate that ranges from conservative comet models to ideas straight out of science fiction.

{ New York Post }

16-11-2025 om 21:21 geschreven door peter  

Top fighter pilot breaks 45-year silence to reveal bombshell UFO encounter with '50ft triangular craft' at nuclear base

By JOSH BOSWELL, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and CHRIS SHARP

A former Top Gun pilot has come forward as a new witness linked to a 1980 UFO incident dubbed 'the British Roswell'.

Decorated US fighter pilot Dan Isbell, 69, broke a 45-year silence to reveal his encounter with a 50ft triangular craft surrounded by multicolored 'plasma' light near a nuclear base he was stationed at in England on December 26, 1980.

The incident is significant as it occurred on the same day that US Air Force personnel at another English nuclear base, RAF Woodbridge, in Suffolk, saw a similar craft descending into neighboring Rendlesham Forest – then got so close they could touch the metallic object.

The Rendlesham UFO incident was captured on audio tape by a senior officer, written up in reports released three years later, and became the UK's most famous out-of-this-world encounter.

Isbell's sighting adds to the theory by UFO researchers that the strange objects were targeting military bases housing nuclear weapons, a pattern which has been highlighted in reports by the Department of Defense's UFO-monitoring office.

That night in 1980, Isbell was a 24-year-old first lieutenant working Christmas shifts as a pilot of nuclear-capable fighter jets at RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire, while his superiors with families took time off.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said that around 10pm on December 26, he was driving his imported red Corvette along a country road between the airbase and the US servicemen's accommodation when he saw something he couldn't explain.

'In my rear view mirror I saw some unusual multicolored lights traveling very rapidly, just over the trees to the side of the road,' he said. 'As it zipped past me, it just stopped instantaneously.'

US fighter pilot Dan Isbell spoke publicly for the first time about his encounter with a massive UFO while he was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire in 1980 

Isbell, pictured sitting in a flight-test-modified F-16A at the Hill Aerospace Museum in 2018, was a 24-year-old first lieutenant working a shift on the nuclear base when he witnessed the rare event 

Isbell said he pulled over and watched what appeared to be a silent, floating, 50ft craft.

'It was triangular, but it had sort of a curved nose. Around the bottom, there were multi-colored changing lights, almost like a plasma,' he said.

'We were very well trained before we were declared mission-qualified, on how to identify every type of aircraft and helicopter that belonged to NATO or the Soviet Union. It was quite clear this was not conventional.'

Isbell said he started to make his way across a golf course on the side of the road towards the object, getting within 150ft.

'As I walked toward it, it began to slowly descend down,' he said.

'But then I began to realize that the stigma of a UFO sighting was death to a pilot's career. So I quickly reversed course.

'I hurried back to my car and went home. I didn't tell anyone for 45 years,' Isbell added.

In the early hours of the same day, about 110 miles away on the east English coast in Suffolk, American officers at another USAF base holding nuclear weapons saw a similar object.

The former fighter pilot shared an FBI Forensic Artist Drawing of his UFO encounters in 1980 

At the time of the supposed UFO sighting, Isbell was working at night at the RAF Upper Heyford (pictured) a former Royal Air Force and US Air Force base in Oxfordshire, England 

Isbell is pictured during his time as 514th Flight Test Squadron Commander between June 1994 to June 1997

After seeing a strange light descend into Rendlesham Forest, two USAF security patrolmen were sent to investigate.

According to a memo written by deputy base commander Lt. Col. Charles Halt, they saw an apparent nine-foot craft, 'metallic in appearance and triangular in shape', which 'illuminated the entire forest with a white light'.

'The object itself had a pulsing red light on top and a bank(s) of blue lights underneath,' said Halt's memo, released under the Freedom of Information Act in 1983.

'The object was hovering or on legs. As the patrolmen approached the object, it maneuvered through the trees and disappeared. At this time the animals on a nearby farm went into a frenzy.'

Two days later, while investigating marks on the trees and ground believed to be left by the craft, Halt himself witnessed strange lights and recorded his reaction on an audio tape, which was also released to researchers in 1984.

Skeptical researchers, including Ian Ridpath, say the marks on trees were foresters' axe cuts, indentations in the ground were animal burrows, and the lights were from a nearby lighthouse.

But one of the patrolmen sent out on December 26, Sgt. Jim Penniston, claims he saw the craft up close, and even sketched it in a notepad a few days later.

In 2015 the other patrolman, Airman First Class John Burroughs, received medical disability benefits for alleged radiation poisoning linked to the event, with the help of Senator John McCain, after a yearslong battle with the Pentagon which had strangely classified his medical records. 

Isbell's encounter would've occurred on the same day that US Air Force personnel at another base 110 miles away at RAF Woodbridge on England's east coast reported seeing a similar craft descending into the nearby Rendlesham Forest – where a sculpture of the reported UFO now stands 

This photograph shows police examining the alleged landing site of another 'triangular craft' in Rendlesham Forest in Suffolk, England, the morning of the alleged sighting on December 26, 1980

Deep marks and indentations on the trees and ground at the Rendlesham Forest were believed to be left by the UFO, however, this was disputed by skeptical researchers, including Ian Ridpath, who say they were from foresters' axe cuts

Former British police detective and UFO researcher Gary Heseltine, who wrote a book on the incident and helped Isbell come forward, says the pilot's sighting the same day as the Rendlesham incident at another UK nuclear base is significant.

'Dan Isbell is as credible a witness you could ever wish for,' Heseltine, who wrote the book Non-Human: The Rendlesham Forest UFO Incidents, told the Daily Mail.

He described Isbell as 'someone with a stellar flight career' giving 'high caliber witness testimony'.

'His account offers a remarkable circumstantial link to Britain's most famous case, the Rendlesham Forest Incident that occurred in late December 1980.'

Heseltine now runs a site for UK pilots to report UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) incidents, ukpilotsreportinguap.co.uk. 

Isbell said it was the first, but not the last, time he had a UFO encounter.

Later in the 1980s he became a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in southern California. One night in 1990, he drove out on his motorbike to a secluded area near the base to stargaze.

'Suddenly this large wedge-like shape started blanking out the stars above my head,' he said.

'There were no lights anywhere on it. It was absolutely solid black, but huge… Hundreds of feet across.

In a January 1981 memo of the Rendlesham Forest incident, Deputy Base Commander Lt. Col. Charles Halt documented the December 26 sighting (reported as December 27 by Halt) describing the craft as 'metallic in appearance and triangular in shape'

UFO researcher Gary Heseltine wrote a book on the Rendlesham Forest UFO incident, Non-Human, which included Isbell's account 

'I felt a little electrostatic on my skin.

'I certainly wasn't going to tell anybody about that,' he added. 'I did not hang around long enough to see the back end of it.'

Then two decades later in 2014, the now-retired pilot was in the hot tub in the back yard of his home in Silver Springs, Florida, when he said the night was lit up with a bright blue-green glow.

'It encompassed me and the hot tub,' Isbell told the Daily Mail. 'The beam came to a point above me, probably 2-300ft high.'

He said the bright light prevented him from making out the object. But then the alleged encounter got even stranger.

'The beam went out, but immediately a large sphere of plasma enveloped whatever it was,' he said.

The sphere doubled, then quadrupled in size, then vanished, he said.

'The acceleration was so fast, it just disappeared,' Isbell said.

After retiring from the Air Force, Isbell became a consultant with a security clearance, working on lasers and directed energy weapons.

He said he has decided to finally come forward with his UFO stories now, after leaving his classified role.

'I have nothing else to worry about. I have retired out of all that. They can take away my security clearance, it doesn't matter anymore,' he said.

 { https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

15-11-2025 om 23:13 geschreven door peter  

Top fighter pilot breaks 45-year silence to reveal bombshell UFO encounter with '50ft triangular craft' at nuclear base - Daily Mail

{ https://usubjects.com/ }

15-11-2025 om 22:59 geschreven door peter  

The von Neumann probe is one of the most daring concepts related to space exploration. It is a hypothetical unmanned spacecraft that can travel between stars and create copies of itself. And this idea is even crazier than it might seem.

Self-replicating machines

The arrival of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS in the Solar System has prompted many people to recall the concept of a von Neumann probe. This is not surprising, given that any object approaching us from outer space that we have not yet been able to identify properly could potentially be one of these.

This has nothing to do with 3I/ATLAS specifically. Over the past few months, this comet has been studied many times with all possible telescopes, and we know for sure that it consists only of ice and rocks. However, it is still necessary to know what exactly to be afraid of.

The von Neumann probe is a hypothetical spacecraft designed to explore the Galaxy. It must be capable of exploring a star system, have a complete set of equipment for extracting resources in space, converting them into parts and mechanisms, and an engine capable of interstellar flight.

Source: phys.org

The flights themselves take place at pre-light speed, meaning they take at least decades. But once it reaches a star system, the machine finds resources and begins to build copies of itself, which fly off to surrounding star systems and repeat the cycle there until they have explored the entire Milky Way.

From the title, one might think that the author of this idea is someone named von Neumann. But in fact, the Hungarian mathematician János Lajos Neumann, or John von Neumann, as he was known in the United States, never wrote anything about automatic spaceships.

He is indeed one of the authors of the very concept of computing and automation, and all our computers are built based on a scheme called “von Neumann architecture.” It was precisely this research into how complex a machine’s response to different input conditions could be that led him in 1949 to the concept of self-replicating machines.

The idea may seem revolutionary even now, but its fundamentals are quite simple. In industrial construction, machines are capable of manufacturing individual parts and assembling them, creating systems of any complexity without human involvement, provided that all processes are well thought out.

So why not create a copy of the assembly line that can make its own copies? Von Neumann’s early work focused solely on the assembly process. However, by the 1950s, it became clear that the process could be expanded to include the extraction of raw materials. In theory, copies of all this could be built according to a predetermined program.

Von Neumann probe and Fermi paradox

Von Neumann himself called such machines simply self-replicating, but as these ideas gained popularity after he died in 1957, they became known as “von Neumann machines.” It is not known for certain who first attempted to put one of them on board a spacecraft and called it a “von Neumann probe.”

The only thing that can be said with certainty is that this term was already well known among English-speaking fans of science fiction and futurology when, in 1981, American physicist Michael Hart applied this concept in his work on the Fermi paradox and the related Drake equation.

The Fermi paradox can be formulated as follows: if Earth is a typical planet in the universe and it gave rise to humans, then why don’t we see aliens who should have emerged on some other planet in the Milky Way? There are many approaches to solving this problem, but they all ultimately rely on unverified assumptions, so any of them could be right or wrong.

The Drake equation is a mathematical embodiment of the Fermi paradox, which, in theory, should tell us how many intelligent civilizations we should encounter while exploring the Milky Way, but in practice, it contains too many variables that are unknown to us.

However, the known data, such as the rate of star formation and the total number of stars in the Galaxy, was enough for Hart to calculate that von Neumann’s wave of probes would have to travel the Milky Way from end to end in just 640,000 light-years, meaning that if there were at least one advanced civilization other than ours, we would have already encountered its probes right here in the Solar System.

And since we see nothing of the sort, the Fermi paradox is relatively easy to solve: we do not know the reason, but there are no intelligent species in the Galaxy other than us. This conclusion immediately drew criticism from renowned scientist and science popularizer Carl Sagan.

He stated that Hart was correct, but underestimated the power of self-repairing machines. If they functioned as he believed, they would have long ago not only reached the Solar System, but also dismantled Earth, us, and even their own creators and their home world for raw materials for their copies. Therefore, no truly intelligent civilization would create such machines. Consequently, the absence of von Neumann probes is not a sign of the absence of life in the Galaxy.

Since then, science and science fiction enthusiasts have repeatedly revisited Hart and Sagan’s arguments, inventing various restrictions on the replication of probes, but ultimately, it all boiled down to yet another set of theories about the Fermi paradox.

Development of the idea

The main reason why von Neumann probes are so popular is that this method of conquering the Galaxy seems to be the simplest and cheapest. Traveling faster than light is still the stuff of science fiction. To avoid a journey lasting thousands of years, the ship must be accelerated to a tenth of the speed of light. This requires an incredible amount of energy, so it is better to make it as light as possible. The payload should not exceed tens of tons.

At the same time, the von Neumann probe itself does not necessarily have to have full-fledged artificial intelligence. However, beyond the task of “flying and copying,” other functions can be assigned to it. For example, it can simultaneously be a so-called Bracewell probe. This is another concept of an interstellar drone, whose main task is to establish contact with other civilizations.

But there could be a much worse scenario. In 1967, American science fiction writer Fred Saberhagen described a berserker – a variant of the von Neumann probe, which is armed and designed to destroy any intelligent life it encounters. It is a radical way to get rid of competitors once and for all.

There is also a concept that is radically opposed to the berserker – the seeder ship. In this case, the von Neumann probe carries biological material from its home planet or the embryos of the creatures that created it. When it reaches a world that has no biosphere or civilization, it uses its reserves to create intelligent or non-intelligent life, and only then sends out copies of itself. In this way, the Galaxy could be completely populated in a couple of million years.

There is also a lighter version of von Neumann’s probe. It is called an astro-chicken. Its author is the famous physicist Freeman Dyson, the same one who invented giant spheres. The idea is to use a very small device to explore the solar system, whose main payload will be a system for extracting resources and manufacturing parts from them. Just as a chick moves around the yard and, pecking at seeds, grows into a hen, so this device must “grow” its own equipment for movement and exploration of the planets.

Is the von Neumann probe a form of life?

Behind all this lies a much more interesting question. We are now accustomed to thinking that if a machine is capable of performing some complex task, it must have some kind of highly intelligent control system. That is, when we think of the von Neumann probe flying to another star system, we most often imagine it with full-fledged AI.

However, Don von Neumann himself, working on the theory of self-replicating machines, thought in the opposite direction. How simple do they have to be to still retain the ability to create their own kind?

This is indeed a significant question. We are already seeing machines that have very little intelligence but are capable of effectively adapting to an extremely wide range of conditions. We are talking about biological life: RNA (including viruses), bacteria, and multicellular organisms. Human machines still cannot match them in terms of the efficiency of converting matter, in terms of the effort spent on decision-making.

A truly effective von Neumann probe is not a supercomputer in a jar, but a virus. Something like the protomolecule from James Corey’s Expanse series of novels. On the other hand, even a very cumbersome system in which a single ship cannot reproduce itself but can be rebuilt into a stationary factory already has a set of characteristics in terms of resource and energy consumption, behavior, reproduction, and information inheritance, with the possibility of changes according to the given conditions.

Altogether, this is the definition of life. It is the best we have, because even on Earth, it demonstrates an incredible variety of forms and mechanisms that are difficult to describe in more narrow terms. So, is it possible to draw a line between a self-reproducing mechanism and an organism? Especially if the former is made not of metal but of polymers.

And if von Neumann probes are equipped with artificial intelligence, will they be able to build their own civilization? Will it be a mind alien to us, or a continuation of our own? What will happen if machines created by two completely different biological species meet somewhere? Will they find more in common than their creators would have found?

There are no answers to all these questions. But searching for them is extremely interesting.

• Posted in Articles, QuestionsTagged

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15-11-2025 om 22:20 geschreven door peter