The purpose of this blog is the creation of an open, international, independent and free forum, where every UFO-researcher can publish the results of his/her research. The languagues, used for this blog, are Dutch, English and French.You can find the articles of a collegue by selecting his category. Each author stays resposable for the continue of his articles. As blogmaster I have the right to refuse an addition or an article, when it attacks other collegues or UFO-groupes.
Druk op onderstaande knop om te reageren in mijn forum
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Deze blog is opgedragen aan mijn overleden echtgenote Lucienne.
In 2012 verloor ze haar moedige strijd tegen kanker!
In 2011 startte ik deze blog, omdat ik niet mocht stoppen met mijn UFO-onderzoek.
BEDANKT!!!
Een interessant adres?
UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
UFO's of UAP'S in België en de rest van de wereld In België had je vooral BUFON of het Belgisch UFO-Netwerk, dat zich met UFO's bezighoudt. BEZOEK DUS ZEKER VOOR ALLE OBJECTIEVE INFORMATIE , enkel nog beschikbaar via Facebook en deze blog.
Verder heb je ook het Belgisch-Ufo-meldpunt en Caelestia, die prachtig, doch ZEER kritisch werk leveren, ja soms zelfs héél sceptisch...
Voor Nederland kan je de mooie site www.ufowijzer.nl bezoeken van Paul Harmans. Een mooie site met veel informatie en artikels.
MUFON of het Mutual UFO Network Inc is een Amerikaanse UFO-vereniging met afdelingen in alle USA-staten en diverse landen.
MUFON's mission is the analytical and scientific investigation of the UFO- Phenomenon for the benefit of humanity...
Je kan ook hun site bekijken onder www.mufon.com.
Ze geven een maandelijks tijdschrift uit, namelijk The MUFON UFO-Journal.
Since 02/01/2020 is Pieter ex-president (=voorzitter) of BUFON, but also ex-National Director MUFON / Flanders and the Netherlands. We work together with the French MUFON Reseau MUFON/EUROP.
ER IS EEN NIEUWE GROEPERING DIE ZICH BUFON NOEMT, MAAR DIE HEBBEN NIETS MET ONZE GROEP TE MAKEN. DEZE COLLEGA'S GEBRUIKEN DE NAAM BUFON VOOR HUN SITE... Ik wens hen veel succes met de verdere uitbouw van hun groep. Zij kunnen de naam BUFON wel geregistreerd hebben, maar het rijke verleden van BUFON kunnen ze niet wegnemen...
04-12-2024
UAP disclosure not ‘a sprint. It’s a marathon’: Ex-Pentagon official
UAP disclosure not ‘a sprint. It’s a marathon’: Ex-Pentagon official
Pentagon insider has come forward with allegations about UFOs
He believes there could be a natural explanation for the phenomena
Pentagon denies Elizondo's job involved in UAP research
UAP disclosure 'isn't a sprint. It's a marathon': Ex-Pentagon official
(NewsNation) — On July 26, 2023, Navy pilot Ryan Graves, Navy Commander David Fravor and former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch testified at a Congressional hearing heard around the world.
It was a “profound moment” for former Pentagon official Lue Elizondo to hear Grusch speak publicly about an alleged “multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program.”
“You had three military personnel testifying on the reality of UAP,” Elizondo said. “Now that’s historic.”
For some, it felt like a dam was breaking and full disclosure was about to happen. But it didn’t work out like that.
First, the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, or AARO, denied Grusch’s claims. Then, as happened with Elizondo, details about Grusch’s past began to surface.
“They start seeing dissension, and they start misinformation and trying to question his loyalty … his credibility,” Elizondo said. “And they try to discredit him just like they tried to do me, just like they try to anybody else who comes out and steps out of rank.” Reports citing police records obtained through public records requests noted that Grusch was committed to a mental health facility after making a “suicidal statement” when his wife suggested he seek help.
Grusch retained his security clearance despite those details. He later elaborated on his mental health struggles and told NewsNation it was hard coming home from Afghanistan and dealing with the loss of a friend.
Meanwhile, AARO publicly declared it has no evidence to support claims of a government UAP retrieval program.
Ex-Pentagon official says VA doctor has seen alien implant
I've seen possible alien technology: Ex-Pentagon official
UAPs captured on viral videos remain unidentified. The Pentagon says AARO will follow the data wherever it leads but hasn’t found credible evidence of extraterrestrial activity.
The Pentagon released a report in March saying there is no evidence of aliens or any cover-up of UFOs or aliens. Elizondo said he questions the credibility of the report’s author, former AARO Director Sean Kirkpatrick.
“What I can tell you is that what he was saying is not consistent with the truth,” Elizondo said. “And when someone like that blatantly tells you something that is not true, you’ve got a serious credibility problem.”
Elizando said members of Congress stated for the record they don’t believe Kirkpatrick was truthful, and the director of national intelligence did not endorse his report to Congress.
In response, Kirkpatrick told NewsNation, “At no time did I provide false information to Congress. In fact, my team and I provided actual evidence to back up all of our findings and research, something that all of the other claimants have failed to do.”
Elizondo hasn’t testified before Congress but said he’s been asked.
“My response was, ‘Absolutely, I will testify,’” Elizondo said.
Defense Department spokesperson Sue Gough said Elizondo had no responsibilities within the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) while he was assigned to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
“To date, AARO has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently,” Gough said. “AARO welcomes the opportunity to speak with any former or current government employee or contractor who believes they have information relevant to the historical review.”
UFO believers push back on that sentiment, contending the Pentagon is running a disinformation campaign to discredit Elizondo.
Additionally, they believe Elizondo’s involvement in the UAP program at the Pentagon has been confirmed multiple times. Those include a letter from former Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Chris Mellon to Sen. Harry Reid that allegedly confirmed Elizondo’s specific role in AATIP. Also, internal Defense Department emails, since made public, also allegedly indicate that Elizondo was running AATIP.
where are UFOs coming from?| Vargas Reports
Elizondo’s wife Jennifer Elizondo said her husband is driven by a sense that humanity is owed the information he’s sharing.
“People should know if we are not alone,” Jennifer Elizondo said. “No government has the right to keep that hidden.”
A growing number of people seem to agree, as interest in the UAP question intensifies both online and at UAP conferences around the country.
Other military officers have also come forward with similar claims. They include Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet and Col. Karl Nell.
Meanwhile, UAP videos are popping up, showing suspected sightings over Puerto Rico, along the Arizona border and over an undisclosed conflict zone in the Middle East.
“This is more than intriguing, more than provocative, it’s potentially revolutionary and transformational,” said Chris Mellon, former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for intelligence.
Lue Elizondo encourages the public to get involved.
“Talk to your members of Congress,” he said. “Ask questions, whether it’s around the dinner table or the water cooler.”
For now, it’s hard to know how much information may be revealed, he said.
“Disclosure isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon. It’s not going to happen overnight. Disclosure isn’t an event. It’s a process … I think this next generation — if our kids are any indicator of hope — that’s where real disclosure is going to occur.”
Luis Elizondo discusses new book "Imminent" and the Pentagon's UAP investigations
The members of the UFO community are demanding UAP disclosure, which could be ‘catastrophic’ if the government remains tight-lipped. Ross Coutlhart and Former US Army Colonel Karl Nell warn that withholding such crucial information from the public and Congress might lead to unforeseen consequences. To avoid these unfortunate scenarios, Col. Nell hopes for the disclosure by October 1, 2030.
Moreover, according to the information received by Axios, the members of the House Oversight Committee will receive a classified briefing on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). The publication is informed that a classified briefing on UAP will be held in the Office of House Security next week.
NewsNation writes, “This can be the beginning of Disclosure as the UAP issue has become serious in the US Congress. David Grusch’s claims sparked a congressional hearing led by a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House Oversight Committee. There has been at least one classified briefing as well, though Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said lawmakers learned nothing new, and he believed the Defense Department was siloing information to keep secrets.”
David Grusch told Tucker Carlson about Rep. Mike Turner’s efforts to block the UAP Disclosure Act and destroy Tim Burchett’s career. “Mike Rogers & Mike Turner, two of the dumbest people in Washington. Pure tools of the national security state.” Additionally on NewsNation, he said, “Mike Turner probably has no business being the (House Intelligence Committee) Chairman… Mike Turner has never been an intelligence officer. He’s never served in the military.” “We need to get these people out of office.”
World-Changing Evidence
For most people, the ideal UAP/Alien disclosure is Hollywood-type alien exposure. This is the only way people will believe the presence of non-human intelligence presence on our planet. But there might be something similar hidden that attorney Daniel Sheehan mentioned in his interview with Clint Weldon of Night Shift.
Clint Weldon starts by talking about how many people feel overwhelmed with the recent events. He says that for regular people doing daily tasks like paying bills or raising kids, this added news is a lot. He asks Sheehan, “Could you describe for us what you anticipate will happen during the disclosure moment? I believe there will be an ‘aha’ moment where there’s a clear distinction between what happened before this revelation and what comes after. From that point onward, everything will change, and the world as we know it will transform. However, I’m uncertain about the specifics of that transformation.”
In response to this, Sheehan revealed that it is world-changing news if comes true. He speaks of the existence of a video capturing an “actual interview of an actual extraterrestrial being.” Sheehan describes this video as a critical piece of evidence, likening it to “crown jewels” that authorities might be hesitant to unveil.
When Clint Weldon seeks clarification, questioning whether such groundbreaking evidence might indeed see the light, Sheehan’s response is suggestive. He claims to have firsthand knowledge from an individual associated with this video evidence. Sheehan underscores the potential impact, stating that its release would be a game-changer, compelling even the most skeptical to acknowledge its authenticity with a resounding “Katy bar the door.”
“Well, what I’m saying is that I’ve spoken to the person who was there, and they have this on film. So, if you really want to get to the crux of the matter, once it’s shown to the American public, all bets are off. There’s nothing that can be denied anymore. Up until now, even with David Grusch, who is from the National Reconnaissance Office and is assigned to the UFO task force inside the Office of Naval Intelligence, coming forward under oath and testifying to a house committee—all on video—it only resonates with about two to three or 4% of the people in the country because they’re preoccupied with other matters. So, the question arises: How specific and graphic does the information need to be? You often hear, ‘Why don’t they land on the White House lawn?’ or ‘Why don’t they land in Central Park, like in the movies?’ The goal here is to gradually reveal the information so that more and more people can have that ‘aha’ moment and say, ‘Okay, now I know it’s true.'”
Sheehan provides an analogy for why extraterrestrials do not just land in Central Park and how they might view humanity. He suggests that these beings might be observing humanity’s conflicts and lack of unity. While humans are engaged in wars and conflicts, the extraterrestrials might perceive Earth as a volatile place. They might be waiting for humanity to evolve, cultivate unity, and develop a shared consciousness before revealing themselves more openly.
Sheehan further elaborates on the challenges faced by those trying to bring these matters to public attention. He acknowledges the threats made to individuals in positions of power who might attempt to push the disclosure agenda. He describes his involvement with the New Paradigm Institute, an initiative aimed at educating the public about these matters.
Drawing from his background at Harvard University, Harvard Law School, and a prominent law firm, Sheehan emphasizes the importance of citizen diplomacy. He speaks about efforts to prepare individuals for potential encounters with extraterrestrial beings, highlighting the work he started with John Mack before his unfortunate death.
There is certainty that many people would consider his claims “radical,” but he is not a UFO investigator whose claims sound unbelievable to many. Lue Elizondo in many of these interviews subtly hinted at the presence of Non-human Intelligence and Grusch’s testimony shed light on it.
During a podcast with former Fox News anchor Clayton Morris on his show Redacted, Joshua Reid, a former United States Navy serviceman with a background in missile weapons defense systems, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
It is worth noting that Joshua Reid’s extensive research in the field of UAPs and classified information has led him to the inner workings of certain government activities. His extensive four-year investigation revealed a disconcerting pattern. It appeared that military technology, particularly in special access programs, was unintentionally making its way to foreign adversaries, including China. This exchange of classified information seemed to involve universities and professors who were receiving grants to reverse engineer technologies from these programs.
The remarkable twist in this story was that Hillary Clinton’s emails were potentially facilitating the sale of this classified information to China and other foreign entities. China would fund universities, enticing professors to divulge information on special access programs. This enabled them to advance their technology rapidly, potentially reaching parity with the United States.
Former Inspector General I. Charles McCullough III, well-versed in these special access programs, played a crucial role in this unfolding drama. He represented David Grusch and became a central figure in the whistleblower saga. According to Reid, multiple whistleblowers were involved, with two possessing firsthand information and tangible evidence. The fear of repercussions led these individuals to testify in front of congressmen, notably, Indiana Congressman André Carson. However, it was not until these whistleblowers presented video evidence of intelligence community members communicating with extraterrestrials that congressmen took their claims seriously.
The impact of these videos was profound. Congressmen were visibly shaken, with one trembling and another drinking water profusely. This sudden shift in demeanor signified that the evidence was both extraordinary and unsettling. The whistleblowers were introduced to Inspector General McCullough, who had an extensive background in the very special access programs at the center of the controversy. (Сlick here to read the full article)
Sheehan was involved in the Pentagon Papers case, the Watergate break-in case, and various other cases. A lot of his work has directly dealt with situations where the American government was covering up cases they were involved in. So, could this lead him to obtain the UAP knowledge hidden for years?
Incredible footage has captured the moment an asteroid smashed through Earth's atmosphere over Siberia.
The space rock, designated COWECP5, appeared in the night sky at 11:14pm local time (11:14am ET) hours afterNASA's asteroid detection system put out the warning.
Locals posted videos on social media showing the asteroid streaking through the night sky and bursting into a ball of flames before disappearing into the abyss.
The space rock exploded in a stunning red light over Yakutia, soaring over the bright city lights and was seen firing off flames as it flew over Olekminsk.
The emergencies ministry in Yakutia said all official had been placed on alert as the asteroid approached, but noted that no damage had been reported after its descent.
'Residents of Olekminsk and Lensk districts were able to observe in the night a tail similar to a comet and a flash,' it said.
A NASA-funded telescope in Arizona identified the asteroid about seven hours prior to impact, revealing it measured about 27 inches in diameter.
The asteroid was discovered early Tuesday morning by a NASA-funded telescope. Astronomers predicted the space rock would hit Earth's atmosphere at 11:14am ET
The small size meant that it would likely burn up in the atmosphere and posed no threat to people on the ground.
The last space rock to make impact was in October over the Pacific Ocean, which followed others in September and January.
Residents in the Olekminsky and Lensk districts 'observed a comet-like tail and flares,' sharing some of the first videos of the event.
The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reported that it went on high alert after reports of the asteroid were released.
The agency reported the space rock didn't cause any damages or casualties, writing on Telegram: 'Fortunately, the asteroid passed over the atmosphere.
'The safety of the population's life was not compromised.'
The NASA-funded Kitt Peak National Observatory, a project that tracks near-Earth objects, also spotted the asteroid early Tuesday.
Richard Moissl, the head of planetary defense office with the ESA, said Kitt Peak's Aegis system had calculated the asteroid's 'impact corridor' and narrowed it down to 125 miles east of Lensk.
The Aegis system is used by the US Navy to identify air and surface threats through radar technology and computer programs and is 'the most capable multi-mission combat system deployed in the world today,' according to Lockheed Martin.
Many locals in Siberia captured amazing footage of the asteroid breaking through Earth's atmosphere
Locals in Siberia captured the asteroid as it streaked through the night sky at the time NASA predicted
Ahead of the asteroid's entrance, Alan Fitzsimmons at Queen's University Belfast in Ireland had explained to New Scientist that the asteroid wouldn't pose a risk to people on the ground.
'It's a small one, but it will still be quite spectacular,' Fitzsimmons said.
'It will be dark over the impact site and for several hundreds of kilometers around there'll be a very impressive, very bright fireball in the sky.'
The early sighting of the incoming asteroid was unique in that very few have been spotted before they entered Earth's atmosphere, but Fitzsimmons reported that it is a positive sign that astronomers were able to identify the asteroid so early.
The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reported that it went on high alert after reports of the asteroid was released
'It's a win for science, and [for] anybody who happens to be in Siberia this evening,' Fitzsimmons told New Scientist, adding: 'There's something to take your mind away from the no doubt quite chilly temperatures.'
These asteroids are categorized as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) because they come within 120 million miles of the Sun thanks to the gravitational pull of other nearby planets.
As more asteroids are observed, the accuracy with which astronomers can predict where an object will be years or decades in the future improves dramatically.
Asteroid lights up sky in Russia's far east | ABS-CBN News
Video footage revealed the drones featured green and red lights on their wings and multiple eyewitness described them as large as a small car.
However, the flying objects are larger than drones used by hobbyists, raising questions about their proximity to those specific locations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was first alerted about the strange activity in Morris County, where the military base is located, on November 18, but sights also surfaced in nearby Menham, Chester and Morristown.
The drone flights have alarmed residents throughout northern New Jersey, who said that they only appear at night and hover above their homes daily, remaining active for hours at a time.
'We're all completely unnerved. I didn't sleep last night. When I would get up and look out my window, at 2am, 4am, they were still hovering,' Julie Shavalier, a Morris County resident, said.
Others have raised concerns that the objects are not drones, but UFOs.
The FBI has launched an investigation into mysterious, 'car-sized' drones seen flying over over New Jersey at night in the last several weeks
Sightings have been reported over Donald Trump's golf course in Bedminster
The sightings have gained attention on social media, prompting speculation about where the drones came from and what they are doing.
'False flag alien invasion. That’s what they want, to induce fear,' one person posted on X.
Others suggested the drones are being used to spy on President-elect Donald Trump, who has been known to vacation at his Bedminster golf club and typically flies into Morristown Airport.
Trump was the target of a failed Iranian assassination attempt in November.
Farhad Shakeri, 51, was revealed to have admitted to orchestrating the terrifying scheme which was thwarted by the FBI and involved three alleged hitmen who were hired by the feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to carry out a hit on the president-elect.
The attacks have raised concerns about America's adversaries spying on the president-elect.
Eyewitnesses have reported spotting the unexplained drones over the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster and the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Rockaway, among other locations
But it is not clear whether he has been at the golf course recently or who is behind the drones.
X users also speculatively attributed the drones to Amazon's new Prime Air delivery service or, worryingly, to surveillance from a foreign power.
Morris County Sheriff, James Gannon, told NBC News: 'There is no advisable immediate danger to the public at this time.'
The drone sightings first began in mid-November and have continued almost every night since, residents have reported.
But strangely, they appeared to 'take the night off' on Thanksgiving, Mike Walsh, a Morris County resident, told NBC New York.
The flying objects are larger than drones used by hobbyists, raising questions about their proximity to those specific locations
On November 22, the FAA banned drone flights over the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster until December 6, and the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Rockaway until December 26.
'We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate when appropriate,' the FAA said in a statement.
The agency also noted that drone operators who endanger aircraft of pedestrians could be fined up to $75,000 and lose their drone operators' pilot certificates.
Days later, the FBI confirmed they were investigating the drone activity.
The digital news site NJ.com spoke with Eric Kowal, a spokesman for Picatinny Arsenal, who said it is illegal to fly drones over the base without prior authorization. But he does not believe the drones pose an immediate threat.
'From our standpoint we're not alarming our residents and employees,' he said.
'The FBI are the experts on the threat. We don't believe there to be a threat at this juncture.'
New Jersians are 'unnerved' by the incidents, telling reporters that they have seen drones hovering near their homes for hours at a time, sometimes in groups.
Walsh stated that he has seen up to eight drones at once.
Christian Kalweit, a small business owner from Mendham, said one of the drones he was was as big as a Cessna airplane.
'All somebody needs to do is see the size... you're not buying that off of Amazon or some hobby store,' he told NJ.com.
He believes that the size is indicative of a military-grade aircraft.
For now, New Jersey residents can only guess who or what is behind the strange activity, as officials have not released any new information to explain their presence.
What's behind the mystery drones hovering over U.S. and U.K. military bases?
What's behind the mystery drones hovering over U.S. and U.K. military bases?
Since late November 2024 there is something is going on and no one has the answer to why there are ongoing incursions of unidentified drones over U.S. and U.K. military bases, nuclear installations and areas such as New Jersey and Manchester Airport.
For example, over the past 72 hours, again there have been numerous reports of large, car-sized drones or UFOs seen in the US (New Jersey, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas) and the UK too.
These drones often flying in formations displaying advanced capabilities such as coordination, range, endurance, and the ability to evade detection and interception. Despite multiple sightings, none have been recovered or identified, and no physical descriptions or origins have been confirmed.
Key details:
Activity:
The drones have penetrated restricted airspace repeatedly, often in swarms of a dozen or more.
Capabilities:
The drones exhibit advanced coordination and endurance, suggesting sophisticated technology.
Response:
The U.S. Air Force acknowledges the incursions but states that they have not disrupted operations. Investigations are ongoing in collaboration with U.K. authorities.
Speculation:
Potential origins range from Russia or China to commercial or recreational sources. However, their behavior and capabilities seem to exceed typical drone technology. Even there is speculation about an upcoming false flag alien/UFO invasion.
Government Inaction:
Criticism is directed at the Pentagon and other authorities for not addressing the issue or taking action to remove the objects, especially given their proximity to critical infrastructure.
The FBI and other authorities are reportedly focused on potential UFO or drone activities, particularly on or around December 3rd, which some claim was predicted to be significant by an individual known for accurately forecasting the 2003 Indonesian tsunami.
Media Suppression:
Reports indicate that some footage and discussions about the sightings have been censored or removed.
Historical Context:
The events resemble past UFO sightings at military installations, such as the 1975 U.S. military base incursions, where objects displayed extraordinary flight capabilities and eluded interception.
The situation remains unresolved, raising questions about the drones' origins, purpose, and implications for military security.
Whether they are advanced foreign drones or something more extraordinary, the lack of evidence and official explanations fuels speculation whether these sightings represent a security threat.
More information is awaited from ongoing investigations and official responses.
Several links/discussions of reported drone/UFO sightings:
Manchester Airport UFO sighting from inside the cockpit plus Clear shot of Airport UAP
6 watershed moments in science from 2024 that will shape the future
In October, a study comprehensively mapped out the brains of fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, for the first time. That was only one of the many major scientific discoveries in 2024.
Micrograph by Dennis Kunkel Microscopy/Science Photo Library
6 watershed moments in science from 2024 that will shape the future
From oceans found on distant planets to a detailed map of a fly’s brain, these findings deepened our understanding of the world.
By Robin George Andrews
It’s easy to reflect on 2024 as a tumultuous year, but there is some comfort in knowing that humanity can now claim to know more about the universe than ever before. As a species, we have never been more enlightened, because scientists are always learning more, and because science is always unfinished.
But which scientific discoveries of 2024 proved to be the most thrilling and revelatory?
Making this determination is a somewhat difficult task. Sometimes, there is an obvious eureka moment, one whose paradigm-shifting implications for humanity, the wider world, or the cosmos itself, are immediately evident. But often, what may seem like a small step forward in our scientific understanding of something in the present is just another domino falling on the way to something unimaginably epic and game-changing.
Whether it’s expanding our knowledge of the microscopic world, or transforming the way we perceive our galactic neighborhood, every advance is noteworthy.
But, for our money, these are the most astonishing scientific discoveries of 2024.
Europa and Beyond: A Deep Dive into Ocean Worlds in Our Solar System (Live Public Talk)
1. Astronomers discover hidden oceans in the outer solar system
Earth’s oceans were long thought to be unique. As far as scientists could tell, Mars was a radioactive desert, Venus was an arid volcanic hellscape, and the myriad icy moons of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune were frozen balls of ice. But in the 1980s, strange electrical signals coming from Jupiter’s moon Europa strongly suggested that an ancient, warm, salty liquid-water ocean was hiding beneath its ice shell.
This revelation precipitated the launch of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, a spacecraft that left Earth this October with the hope of remotely studying that ocean and determining if it’s amenable to life.
Nowadays, scientists cannot stop finding compelling evidence for oceans in the outer solar system.
Saturn’s Enceladus is certain to contain another watery ocean, but several others are extremely promising candidates—and this year, we got several more. In February, astronomers announced that they had found evidence of an ocean hidden on Saturn’s moon Mimas. Then, in October, convincing data pointed to yet another ocean buried within Miranda, a Uranian moon.
Finding evidence that oceans are common in the solar system matters.
Life as we know it loves water and, although we do not know if these aquatic moons contain life (whether that’s microbial of something fishier), we now have so many more places to search for it in our own cosmic backyard than scientists could have ever dreamt of.
The 50 largest neurons of the fly brain, including the APL, which is the largest cell in the brain and has over 120,000 synapses.
Illustration by Illustration by Tyler Sloan and Amy Sterling for FlyWire, Princeton University, (Dorkenwald et al/Nature, 2024)
2. Fruit fly brain mapped out
You probably haven’t given much thought to the humble, sometimes irritatingly persistent, fruit fly. But to many scientists, this little critter—Drosophila melanogaster—is one of the most important species on the planet. It may have a tiny brain, but it performs many of the same basic neurological processes as a human’s, whether that’s when the fly is searching for food or when it’s “socializing” with another member of its species. That means its minuscule brain can tell us about every type of brain, including our own.
In October, the brain of an adult fruit fly was comprehensively mapped out, with 50 million connections between around 140,000 individual neurons placed upon a special sort of map.
Cerebral cartography of any organism is as difficult as it is promising.
What does a healthy or an unhealthy connection between brain cells looks like? How is 3D navigation wired into the brain? Where does behavior come from? What exactly is a thought, or a memory?
A fruit fly’s brain is considerably less complex than a human’s, but this map will provide clues that can help neuroscientists understand what makes you, well, you.
3. The 1.5°C global warming limit will (almost certainly) be breached
In some ways, this isn’t surprising at all: the world’s most prolific greenhouse gas emitters have comprehensively failed to stem their output, and the planet has continued to warm at a breakneck pace, bringing with it all sorts of climatic chaos. But this year, for the first time, global average temperatures were extremely likely to jump to more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Climate change: World's first year-long breach of key 1.5C warming limit | BBC News
The oft-cited 1.5°C boundary is somewhat arbitrary; nothing dramatic (other than the extreme weather and climatic convulsions we are already witnessing today) is suddenly going to happen the moment we cross this Rubicon. But that boundary still matters.
Under the Paris Agreement, nearly 200 countries agreed to prevent Earth’s temperature from rising above 2°C above pre-industrial levels, but ideally, they wanted to keep it below 1.5°C. The warmer the planet gets, the more deleterious effects of climate change we will experience; every 0.1°C increase in the average global temperature raises the risk of more potent storms, lengthier heatwaves, catastrophic flooding, and so on.
1.5°C was an aspirational target. Crossing it marks this as a grim discovery, but an important one. Alarm bells are ringing louder than ever before: if this temperature rise isn’t reversed, or at the very least stopped, all our futures will be increasingly troubled by the wrath of climate change.
4. Humans age in bursts
It’s not uncommon to wake up one day, try to tie a shoelace, painfully pull something in our lower backs, and suddenly feel much older than you were yesterday.
Scientists find humans age dramatically in 2 bursts
Weirdly, although we do indeed age on a daily basis, scientists discovered in August that the human body appears to go through two rapid aging bursts: once around the age of 44, and again when we reach 60.
Using 108 volunteers, who handed researchers all sorts of biological samples, scientists tracked the changing inventory of various biochemicals and microbes across different ages. For reasons unclear to scientists, both men and women seem to undergo a major shift in their mid-40s: the way our bodies handle cardiovascular disease, and how we break down things like alcohol, fats, and caffeine, changes. Then, when we enter our 60s, our bodies undergo shifts in (among other things) immune regulation and carbohydrate metabolism.
Although it’s not yet clear how many of these shifts are influenced by lifestyle changes (people tend to drink a lot more during their oft-stressful 40s, for example), as opposed to being purely biological, the fact that we age in spurts is still fascinating and downright unexpected.
In 2020, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission retrieved 12.6 grams of asteroid dust. This year, insights from that sample were finally revealed.
Photograph by Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold, NASA
In this sample, scientists have found prebiotics and molecules that suggest the asteroid came from a geologically active world.
Photograph by Erika Blumenfeld & Joseph Aebersold, NASA
5. Scientists open a cosmic treasure chest
The late, great Carl Sagan once said: “We are made of star-stuff.” That is quite literally true, as all the elements that make us, and the planets, and everything in-between, came from the deaths of countless ancient stars. Now, we are on the verge of finding out exactly where all this star stuff came from, thanks to NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission.
In 2020, the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer spacecraft managed to briefly touchdown on the asteroid Bennu, steal some of its pristine material, then drop it off back on Earth in September 2023. This isn’t the first time a spacecraft has stolen matter from an asteroid (Japan has accomplished this twice), but OSIRIS-REx’s 121.6 grams of asteroidal grains is by far the largest sample of pristine matter ever retrieved.
Asteroids are the debris left over from the violent formation of the solar system. These building blocks not only contain the minerals that went into making the planets—including Earth—but also the chemistry that created our seas and oceans, and perhaps even the compounds that seeded the very first lifeforms.
This year, scientists got their very first look at OSIRIS-REx’s sample, and they are in awe at what it’s telling them: the Sun was forged via the deaths of multiple stars, from low-mass ones to those big enough to detonate as powerful supernovae; strange molecules in the sample suggest it came from a destroyed geologically active world; and an array of prebiotic compounds, including all sorts of amino acids, were found within that primeval asteroid.
In short, this sample is already rewriting what we know about the solar system’s origins—and scientists have only studied one percent of it. Who knows what else it has in store?
6. Artificial Intelligence unravels the secrets of proteins
As AI becomes more visibly part of our lives, it’s regarded with more suspicion, but this year, it became clear that it was going to help reveal how life itself works.
Proteins are crucial to almost every fundamental biological process necessary for life. They do everything from create and maintain the shape of cells to serving as both signal and receiver for cellular communications. Proteins are composed on long chains of amino acids and they perform their varied tasks by folding themselves into precise 3D structures that determine how they function and interact with other molecules.
In October, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to several researchers involved in studying proteins, the squiggle-like machines that underpin much of biochemistry.
Understanding how proteins work means (among other things) knowing how diseases—from Malaria to Parkinson’s—proliferate, then identifying ways to stop them.
Notably, two of the three recipients of the prize—Demis Hassabis and John Jumper, both at Google DeepMind—owe their revelations to their AI model, named AlphaFold2.
With ruthless efficiency, this AI was able predict the structure of pretty much all the 200 million proteins that scientists have found to exist—meaning that scientists now have a tool that can quickly and accurately work out what sorts of proteins will be involved in, or result from, all sorts of chemical reactions or sets of starting conditions.
The ability of scientists to decode so many puzzling aspects of biochemistry, from antibiotic resistance to neurological illnesses, has never been more acute.
2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Unlocking the Secrets of Proteins with AI
7 exciting archaeological discoveries that stunned us in 2024
This small mask, made of jade mosaic with spondylus shell for the eyes and teeth, represents a manifestation of the Maya Storm God. It was laid on the chest of a king buried at Chochkitam, circa A.D. 350. It's one of several archaeological finds that made headlines in 2024.
Photograph by Rubén Salgado Escudero, National Geographic
7 exciting archaeological discoveries that stunned us in 2024
From mysterious cities hidden by dense jungle to reading ancient scrolls with artificial intelligence, this year’s top findings showcase how modern and old school techniques are shaping the future of archaeology.
By Tom Metcalfe
Many of today’s most significant archaeological discoveries come from applying new techniques to artifacts and human remains already discovered: details of a Bronze Age disaster, for example, or the culprit in an ancient Egyptian murder mystery.
This year was no different. In 2024, modern methods like DNA analysis and remote sensing technology revealed new evidence of past cultures, technologies, and social structures. But while archaeology often now advances through science, it still needs fresh excavations to feed future studies.
Here are some of the most important archaeological discoveries from the last 12 months.
1. Lidar reveals hidden cities around the world
Lidar stands for Light Detection and Ranging, an analog of radar and sonar that scans terrain with thousands of pulses of laser light every second. While the technology has been around for decades, its ability to detect vast structures beneath layers of vegetation and to map the subtle changes of ancient landscapes has recently revolutionized archaeology.
Lidar scans reveal the city walls and defensive fortifications that once stood in Tugunbulak, a recently discovered medieval city along the Silk Road in what's now southeastern Uzbekistan.
Egyptian artifacts helped inspire the development of modern archaeology, and such discoveries continue. This summer, researchers announced that they had unearthed 33 tombs in southern Egypt and 63 in the Nile Delta, along with stunning gold amulets, coins and pottery. At around 2,000 years old, many of the new finds date to later periods in Egyptian history, and researchers hope they will reveal more about burial practices and the wider ancient world at that time.
One of the year’s most remarkable finds was the discovery of 12 ancient skeletons in a tomb beneath the Treasury at Petra, a desert archaeological site in Jordan known for the elaborate structures carved into its red sandstone cliffs. Archaeologists think nomads called the Nabateans—a early branch of Arab people—began burying their dead at Petra in the fourth century B.C.; and in the second century B.C., Petra became the Nabatean capital city, and a complex system of cisterns supplied it with water.
While visitors might think the dramatic facade of Petra's Treasury, or Al-Khazneh, appears to house a much larger building, the structure is actually an elaborate Nabatean tomb carved into the solid rock wall around 2,000 years ago.
Photograph by Muhammed Muheisen, Nat Geo Image Collection
This year, archaeologists announced the discovery of 12 skeletons buried beneath Al-Khazneh. Few tombs at the complex actually contain human remains, so researchers hope the new find will provide insight into the Nabatean people.
Photograph by Stephen Alvarez, Nat Geo Image Collection
The carved rock columns of the Treasury, or Al-Khazneh in Arabic, form Petra’s most iconic structure. The name derives from a legend that the large urn above its façade hides a valuable treasure; the urn is actually made from solid sandstone. Though the legend proved false, archaeologists say the tomb beneath Al-Khazneh is a priceless discovery that will help them learn more about these vanished people.
4. AI reads scrolls burned by Vesuvius
In February, researchers announced they’d used an artificial intelligence system to read parts of a 2,000-year-old scroll burned in the Vesuvius eruption of 79 A.D.—the same volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii. The scroll is one of about 1,800 papyrus scrolls discovered in the 18th century amid the remains of Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town about 10 miles from Pompeii that archaeologists think was destroyed by a superheated blast of ash, rock, and gas from the volcano.
The Herculaneum scrolls are among the most iconic and inaccessible of the world’s vast collection of damaged manuscripts. This year, AI helped reveal the contents of one scroll scanned with X-rays.
Photograph by EduceLab
The eruption reduced the scrolls to charred lumps that were thought unreadable. Now, scientists have scanned one of those lumps with X-rays and used artificial intelligence to decipher what it says. The initial discovery comprises 15 columns of text and more than 2,000 written characters about how to enjoy life, likely written by a follower of the Greek philosopher Epicurus.
This 2,700-year-old saddle was uncovered in a woman’s grave in the Yanghai cemetery at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, in northwest China. Although humans domesticated horses thousands of years earlier, ancient carvings show that they were usually ridden bareback, or with only a mat or blanket for the rider. Saddles were a later technological advance that allowed riders to travel for longer distances without injuring themselves or their mounts.
The saddle found at Yanghai is made from leather and stuffed with straw and animal hair. It was a well-crafted, but inexpensive, item used by everyday herders in the region.
Photograph by Patrick Wertmann
Researchers think horse riding was introduced into China from the northern parts of Central Asia, but the Yanghai saddle is the earliest in the archaeological record. It is made from pieces of leather stitched together and stuffed with straw and animal hair; such organic items usually decay quickly, but in this case, the dry desert environment preserved them.
6. A jade mask and more Maya grave finds
An ornate jade mask, made from interlocking pieces of jade with seashell for the eyes and teeth, was discovered in the tomb of a Maya king at Chochkitam in Guatemala. Radiocarbon dating shows the mask dates from about A.D. 350, and the discoverers think it depicts a Maya storm god. Such masks were often made for the burials of Maya royalty, and carvings made with a knife or chisel of volcanic obsidian glass also decorated this king’s tomb.
The Neolithic monument of Stonehenge in the southwest of England first rose to fame in the Middle Ages, but new techniques are revealing more details about its construction. In August, researchers found that the altar stone near the center of the structure was made from sandstone that originated in Scotland, hundreds of miles from Salisbury Plain where it now lies. Such a journey would have been a major undertaking roughly 4,600 years ago, when archaeologists think the stone was emplaced: It weighs more than six tons, and the builders probably did not use wheels.
The stones that Neolithic people used to build Stonehenge have been previously traced to locations in England and Wales. New research shows that the circle's altar stone may have origins in Scotland.
Photograph by Reuben Wu, Nat Geo Image Collection
Previous studies have shown that the giant upright sarsen stones in its main circle are cut from local sandstone, but the smaller bluestones within it were brought from the southwest of Wales, more than 100 miles away. The earliest parts of Stonehenge date from about 5,000 years ago; researchers now think it began as a burial site but was expanded over thousands of years to become a Neolithic religious monument.
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Antarctica Has Gotten 10 Times Greener in 35 Years
Our satellites are dispassionate observers of Earth’s climate change. From their vantage point they watch as pack ice slowly loses its hold on polar oceans, ice shelfs break apart, and previously frozen parts of the planet turn green with vegetation.
Now, scientists have compiled 35 years of satellite data showing that Antarctica is slowly, yet perceptibly, becoming greener.
NASA and the United States Geological Survey sent the first Landsat into space in 1975. Since then, they’ve launched eight more Landsats, with Landsat 9 being the most recent launch in 2021. Landsat data is a unique treasure trove of data about Earth and the changes it goes through, including millions of images.
Landsats have watched as forest fires burn, as urban regions expand, as glaciers melt, and as Earth goes through many other changes.
Recent research published in Nature Geoscience used 35 years of Landsat data, from Landsat 5 through Landsat 8, to measure the spread of vegetation into Antarctica. It’s titled “Sustained greening of the Antarctic Peninsula observed from satellites.” The research was co-led by Thomas Roland, an environmental scientist University of Exeter, and by remote sensing expert Olly Bartlett of the University of Hertfordshire.
“This study aimed to assess vegetation response to climate change on the AP over the past 35 years by quantifying rates of change in the spatial extent and ‘direction’ (greening versus browning), which have not yet been quantified,” the paper states.
The Antarctic Peninsula is about 1300 km (810 mi) long and is part of the larger West Antarctica Peninsula. It covers about 522,000 square kilometers (202,000 sq mi) and is the northern-most part of Antarctica. Image Credit: By krill oil – Krilloil.com, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23043354
The research shows that the amount of land covered in vegetation on the Antarctic Peninsula has increased by more than 10x since 1986. The area of vegetated land rose from 0.86 sq. km. (0.33 sq. mi.) in 1986 to 11.95 sq. km (4.61 sq. mi.) in 2021. The coverage is restricted to the warmer edges of the peninsula, but it still indicates a shift in the region’s ecology, driven by our carbon emissions.
This vegetative colonization of Earth’s coldest region begins with mosses and lichens. Mosses are pioneer species, the first organisms to move into a newly-available habitat. These non-vascular plants are tough and hardy, and can grow on bare rock in low-nutrient environments. They create a foundation for the plants that follow them by secreting acid that breaks down rock and by providing organic material when they die.
This image shows moss hummocks on Ardley Island just off the coast of the Antarctica Peninsula. Image Credit: Roland et al. 2024.
The map makes the results of the research clear. Each of the four panels show the amount of green vegetation on the Antarctic Peninsula’s ice-free land below 300 meters (1000 ft) altitude. Each hexagon is shaded depending on how many sq. km. of it are covered in vegetation. That’s determined by the satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The NDVI is based on spectrometric data gathered by the Landsat satellites during cloud-free days every March, the end of the growing season in Antarctica.
Mosses dominate the green areas, growing in carpets and banks. In previous research, Roland and co-researchers collected carbon-dated core samples from moss banks on the western side of the AP. Those showed that moss had accumulated more rapidly in the past 50 years and that there’s been a boost in biological activity. That led them to their current research, where they wanted to determine if moss was not only growing upward to higher elevations, but outward, too.
“Based on the core samples, we expected to see some greening,” Roland said, “but I don’t think we were expecting it on the scale that we reported here.”
A moss bank grows on bare rock on Norsel Point on Amsler Island. Carbon-core samples from moss banks showed an increase in growth in the past few decades. Image Credit: Roland et al. 2024.
“When we first ran the numbers, we were in disbelief,” Bartlett said. “The rate itself is quite striking, especially in the last few years.”
The Western Antarctica Peninsula is warming up faster than other parts of Earth. Not only are its glaciers receding, but the extent of the sea ice is shrinking and there’s more open water. The authors point out that changing wind patterns due to GHG emissions could be contributing.
What will happen as the ice continues to retreat and pioneer species colonize more of Antarctica? The continent has hundreds of native species, mostly mosses, lichens, liverworts, and fungi. The continent has only two species of flowering plants, Antarctic Hair Grass and Antarctic Pearlwort. What does it mean for them?
Left: Antarctic Hair Grass. Right: Antarctic Pearlwort Image Credit Left: By Lomvi2 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10372682. Image Credit Right: By Liam Quinn – Flickr: Antarctic Pearlwort, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15525940
“The narrative in these places has been dominated by glacial retreat,” Roland said. “We’re starting to think about what comes next, after ice recession.”
After moss gains a foothold in a region, soil is created where there was none. That provides an opening for other organisms, both native and non-native. The risk is that the inherent biodiversity will be undermined. Tourism and other human activity can inadvertently introduce new species, and wind-borne seeds and spores can do the same. If robust organisms arrive, they can outcompete the native species. There are already a few documented instances of this happening.
This image shows a moss lawn or carpet on Barrientos Island. Image Credit: Roland et al. 2024.
The carbon-core and Landsat data is just the beginning for Roland, Bartlett, and their fellow researchers. Up-close fieldwork is the next step. “We’re at the point that we’ve said the best we can say with the Landsat archives,” Roland said. “We need to go to these places where we’re seeing the most distinctive changes and see what’s happening on the ground.”
The researches want to know what types of plant communities are establishing themselves, and what shifts are playing out in the environment.
Massive iceberg breaks off Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf, seen from space
The entire reality of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) is extremely complicated, spread across numerous branches, and consciousness is somewhere entangled in this enigma, playing a significant role in understanding the phenomena. Human consciousness has become the subject of experiments, leading experts to believe that it is connected to UFOs. Astronomer Jacques Vallée developed an alternative hypothesis, suggesting that UFOs are part of a mechanism for controlling mankind.
In simple terms, “consciousness” is just an awareness of the human mind about its internal and external environment. For millennia, many have explained consciousness in psychology and scientifically. However, it is not entirely known how and where consciousness occurs and where it goes after life ends.
Neurosurgeon Dr. Eben Alexander believes there is a scientific revolution happening that will completely change how we see the world. According to him, the brain is not the creator of consciousness but acts more like a filter that lets consciousness in. He argues that the brain does not control consciousness; instead, consciousness is the fundamental force that creates and governs the entire universe.
Dr. Alexander mentions evidence for things like reincarnation and past-life memories, suggesting that if you believe the brain produces consciousness, it can not explain these phenomena. He points out the mystery of quantum physics, where experiments show that consciousness plays a fundamental role, and our free will affects outcomes, challenging the idea that everything is determined by chemical reactions and the laws of physics.
He introduces the concept of the brain being a “reducing valve,” allowing certain conscious states to exist. According to him, quantum physics emphasizes the importance of the observer, suggesting that awareness of existence is a deep mystery. In essence, he believes that we are conscious despite our brains, and when our physical bodies die, our conscious awareness expands significantly.
Leslie Kean, a respected journalist says that there is a bundle of evidence that posits that the UFO phenomena are linked with an “Alternate dimension.” She believes UFOs could be connected to “the afterlife” and “near-death experiences” and could come from another “dimension.”
In a podcast with Chris Letho, Leslie said that there are two distinct aspects of the UFO phenomenon. The first one is the physical aspect, involving UFOs being detected on radar and approached by the military in a traditional, empirical manner. However, Kean also highlights the second, more enigmatic layer of UFO experiences.
Leslie told Lehto that she is increasingly sure there is a connection between the supernatural, near-death experiences, and unexplained sightings. She said, “Certainly, the more paranormal elements of the UFO phenomenon seem to have some relationship to what people describe in near-death experiences and other types of activities that take place in terms of just consciousness-related anomalous experiences that people have, which are very varied. There just is some kind of crossover air, and I don’t know what it is. I mean, there is the whole component of UFOs, which is just purely physical.”
Leslie speculates that there might be a connection between UFOs and some form of alternate dimension that exists beyond the boundaries of our five senses. This dimension, she suggests, may overlap with our own, providing a possible explanation for the mysterious and often inexplicable aspects of UFO phenomena.
CIA Experimented on Human Consciousness
CIA was profoundly interested in understanding human consciousness. Below is the shocking official CIA document on human consciousness that states: Consciousness is not a part of our body at all; it is stored in our brain but not considered a part of it. Our consciousness, or “us,” is its own being — a ghost version of ourselves.
The document discussed the technique dubbed “the Gateway Experience,” which was essentially described as a training system to bring enhanced strength, focus, and coherence to the amplitude and frequency of brainwave output between the left and right hemispheres that would alter the consciousness, pushing it outside the physical space, escaping restrictions of time and space.
Basically, it was seen as a way to put minds in a different state of consciousness, controlling the human brain with the motive of interacting with non-physical aspects of reality. According to the CIA report, ranged from converting energy to heal one’s body to traveling across space and time to learn and access new information.
CIA approved testing for this under the eyes of US Army Lieutenant Colonel Wayne M McDonnell. The project was classified by the CIA until 2003, which allowed it to be accessed by anyone. In the 1980s, McDonnell was asked to work on the Gateway Experience project. This happened during a time when the United States was very curious about psychic research. The interest grew because the Soviet Union was also exploring things like psychokinesis and extrasensory perception (ESP) for their spy missions in the Cold War.
The Gateway Experience project was influenced by research done by Robert Monroe. Monroe was a radio executive in the 1950s, and he was studying how sound affects human consciousness. He became known for his research into altered consciousness and founding The Monroe Institute. His 1971 book Journeys Out of the Body is credited with popularizing the term “out-of-body experience.”
Robert intently studied out-of-body experiences. His primary goal was to gather scientific evidence proving the existence of alternate realities. To make it easier for people to travel to these cosmic realms, he created a technology called Hemispheric Synchronization, also known as Hemi-Sync. This system uses special sounds, called binaural beats, to make the left and right sides of the brain work together in harmony.
To test his new method, independent brain specialists studied people who tried it. Surprisingly, the results showed up clearly on brain scans. Both sides of the brain were working at the same strength and speed. This showed that Monroe’s work was helping people reach different states of awareness.
The US government was paying close attention to Monroe’s groundbreaking discoveries. In 1978, people from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) got in touch with him. They asked him to join a top-secret military project. The plan was to use his mind-expanding technique to send soldiers into deep sessions of remote viewing. If it worked, America could have an advantage over its enemies, like the Soviet Union. Soldiers might be able to see things from the past, present, or future, or even explore different universes. Because of Robert’s experience and his patented technologies, he was the perfect person for this important project.
Bigelow: UFOs & Consciousness Are Linked
In this interview with Jeffrey Mishlove, American billionaire Robert Bigelow talks about the possibility of having out-of-body experiences, which can be artificially induced. He learned about this from an Air Force general who experienced it while undergoing a process called centrifuge training. In this training, individuals get into a device called a G-LOC at around 7 to 7.5 Gs (gravitational force) without any other equipment. They try to hold their breath and stay conscious before passing out.
According to the Air Force general’s account, he had an out-of-body experience during one of these sessions. After completing twelve sessions (although there are now rules limiting it to three), he stepped out of the centrifuge capsule, and instead of being in his body, he found himself above it. He could see his body getting out and walking down a hallway, being aware of activities in adjacent rooms and hearing conversations he should not normally be able to hear. This was not a near-death experience but an artificially induced one.
The general continued his out-of-body journey, going down the hallway to his office. He passed through walls, hovered near the ceiling, and observed his body opening doors and performing actions. The out-of-body experience ended when his body sat in the chair at his desk, and at that moment, his consciousness slammed back into his body.
“A related event occurs to modern fighter pilots when they experience intense G forces during extreme combat maneuvers. It has been reported that pilots will lose consciousness during maximum G forces and undergo a brief out-of-body state of consciousness. The U.S. military has conducted extensive research into this potentially dangerous phenomenon and has officially named the experience “G-LOC.” The popular television show Sightings did an entire segment on G-LOC-induced OBEs that was titled “Simulated Out-of-Body Experiences.” Several U.S. military pilots participated in an experiment where G-LOC was created in a NASA centrifuge. Each interviewed pilot reported that he had passed out and then described a detailed out-of-body state of consciousness.”
Bigelow is absolutely convinced that there is a presence of non-human intelligent life among us, perhaps there are other dimensions where such entities exist. He spent millions of dollars on this subject which allowed him to believe that [aliens] are here right in front of people. He even has his own close encounters.
In an interview with award-winning journalist George Knapp, Mr. Bigelow shared his own experiences that got him interested in life after death and UFOs. He discussed the possible connection between studying consciousness and UFOs, as well as the risks of trying to communicate with the unknown.
“That’s been mainly what I’ve been doing except for the skinwalker ranch thing for 20 years as the space world has been huge in my life to pursue the legitimate parochial kind of you know using fire engines rockets to get you there. We didn’t expect anything like this to happen and so there this is different. This is the holy grail and is different than the second holy grail. If the second one is ‘Beings’ (E.T.), then the first one: Is there any part of your consciousness that survives your bodily death? That’s a big deal. That’s a huge story. That’s gigantic.”
“Be a little careful about what you wish for. So on the face of it, communication sounds great and that by the way has been tried forever ever since the oracle of Delphi. I mean you can go back thousands of years and that’s been attempted. So It’s not now you know the last 100 years through electronics and using some kind of electrical apparatus to try to have some kind of communications. And you know communication can be at all different kinds of levels. There might be communication that just causes you an awareness.”
Mr. Bigelow’s investigative team, headed by Colm Kelleher, the institute’s scientific administrator and biochemist, documented their own paranormal events, according to a 2005 book “Hunt for the Skinwalker,” by Dr. Kelleher and Mr. Knapp.
Mr. Bigelow said he saw “interdimensional” forces at play through portals at certain paranormal hot spots like Skinwalker. But he also said he had frequently visited the ranch without experiencing the kind of chilling events others reported, as if some intelligence were selecting the people to act upon. “I slept like a log every single night,” he said. And no human was physically harmed, but he said he and other visitors often carried strange things home, like a sulfurous stink in a certain part of his house. His wife felt the presence of a faceless creature pressing down on her side of bed.
David Grusch made significant assertions regarding the NHI, stating that these entities might be extraterrestrial or interdimensional, or possibly both. Astronomer and UFO researcher Jacques Vallée states that UFOs and related events of a paranormal nature involve visitations from other “realities” or “dimensions.” The idea proposes that these alternate realities exist separately yet parallel to our own. In 1975 book “The Edge of Reality,” Vallée and Hynek considered the possibility of what they call “interlocking universes.”
The question of whether life exists beyond our own planet has been pondered for ages, but the fear and concern that they may be visiting us is relatively new. It seems as if there are only two sides — you either “want to believe,” or you don’t.
Journalist Sarah Scoles, however, wants to understand why people believe in the UFO phenomenon in the first place. Her 2020 book, They Are Already Here: UFO Culture and Why We See Saucers, explores the far-reaching corners of the “the-truth-is-out-there” movement to figure out what’s really happening in the UFO community. Who are these people, anyway?
Humans: 1, Extraterrestrials: 0
First and foremost, don’t get too excited — no, Scoles doesn’t believe “they” are already here, and she acknowledges it’s unknown if “they” ever have been or will be in the future. She’s never seen a UFO herself, but resigns herself to the idea that the universe is a big place and we don’t know everything. Perhaps, they could be somewhere out there.
So, if Scoles doesn’t believe in UFOs, how did They Are Already Here come to be? The December 2017 New York Times article “Glowing Auras and Black Money: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program” sparked an interest that would send Scoles down the rabbit hole. Once inside, she realized that despite the difference of belief, there was common ground between her and the people who she might have mocked, at one time. They were all looking for the truth, and Scoles wanted to know more about them.
Scoles used her freedom as a freelance writer to expose herself to things outside her comfort zone: going to UFO hotspots, listening to speakers at the International UFO Congress, heading to a meeting of MUFON (the largest civilian UFO reporting group in the U.S.), speaking to believers, camping out at Area 51, and more — not in search of aliens, but of human understanding.
You won’t find the answers to any mysteries about aliens in They Are Already Here, but what you will find is a plethora of information about people in political power and their connections to eccentric billionaires, secret government programs and lies of scientists supposedly “for the greater good,” and a plucky musician who dreamed of reaching “To The Stars” (yes, blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge).
You’ll also find a hardened scientific skeptic coming to terms with the fact that maybe she’s been a bit misguided herself in how she views those on the opposite side of scientific issues. The various people and experiences Scoles finds on her journey are frustrating, unique, weird, funny, and at times almost wistful.
Out of this world, or of it?
They Are Already Here holds within its pages a lot of information that’s absolutely necessary, especially if you’re not very familiar with ufology. Big names, big money players, and government officials get vetted thoroughly, and there’s also the on-foot search for Scoles to see some lights in the sky herself. The book gives a well-rounded view on how the conspiracy element of ufology came to be.
On the other side of the coin, despite her ambition to be more of a neutral observer, Scoles’ incredulity is stark throughout the chapters. Her empathy and compassion for believers doesn’t come out until the final quarter of They Are Already Here. Sometimes Scoles’ descriptors feel a little harsh and judgmental, but that seems to fade as the book progresses, and her understanding of humans-being-humans, and the “why” that motivates them to believe, rises.
Despite the bias from the start, as They Are Already Here proceeds, you’ll see the personal growth and development arc of Scoles learning about herself, connecting with those who appear to be on the opposing side of the scientific literature and evidence, and taking the first steps toward dropping her personal biases about who they are.
Do I recommend They Are Already Here? Yes, but not to everyone — it’s definitely geared to avid high school readers and above — and not without the caveat that it’s likely going to push your buttons no matter where you lie on the spectrum of belief … and that’s actually a good thing.
There were a few occasions where I had to call out my own biases in order to move forward with They Are Already Here. Anyone could read through it and cherry-pick the data they like, or boast that Scoles never found any evidence and didn’t change her beliefs. The UFO crowd, conversely, will read it and be put off by her condescending tone of disbelief, or perhaps her attitude about them being unable to access their critical thinking skills and accept evidence. The religious readers will be annoyed that Scoles gave up on God. The hardened scientific thinkers might find it difficult to extend an olive branch to the fringe believers.
Others still will be unsettled by the unknown vastness of space. “What is the universe, though, and how does it actually behave, and why, and who’s in it?” Scoles writes. “When will we find out? We don’t really know, and probably we never totally will.” The truth is, there are many things we can’t know, and all of us have to come to terms with that.
“How does the universe actually behave, and why, and who’s in it?
If any or all of the things in They Are Already Here upset you, don’t worry. Sit with it, and with yourself. Sit with your outrage or frustration; it’s a fantastic way to self-reflect and see who you really are. In doing so, you too can see how to operate with a more open mind, make connections with those opposing sides, and drop your own biases. Scoles is correct in her assessment and is a wonderful example of growth and hope in humanity in this way. We could all use a little more empathy
VIDEOS
Unearthly Encounters | ALIEN ABDUCTION: THE STRANGEST UFO CASE FILES | Beyond Belief
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03-12-2024
Air Force officer breaks silence on 'red, glowing UFO the size of a football field' hovering at low altitude over US space launch base in California - in event witnessed by over half a dozen military personnel: 'People were screaming and scared'
Air Force officer breaks silence on 'red, glowing UFO the size of a football field' hovering at low altitude over US space launch base in California - in event witnessed by over half a dozen military personnel: 'People were screaming and scared'
The ex-Air Force security officer said he investigated two sightings of a 100-yard UFO witnessed by Boeing contractors and Air Force police on October 14, 2003
'At least 80 people that know this happened,' the USAF veteran, Jeff Nuccetelli, told the Merged podcast Tuesday. 'They're scared. Everyone's freaked out.'
Twenty years ago this October, military contractors working for Boeing reported 'a gigantic floating red square' UFO — over 100 yards long — hovering in the morning air over a launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
The eerie 2003 event first exploded into public view this July, in sworn testimony before Congress, but now an ex-US Air Force security officer has come forward to detail his official, rapid-response investigation into the UFO on the day it occurred.
'This is not a joke,' ex-USAF senior patrolman, Jeff Nuccetelli, told the Merged podcast Tuesday. 'These are contractors with top secret clearances.'
Nuccetelli also revealed a second reported encounter with the 'red square,' in which two of his fellow USAF police patrol officers 'got buzzed by the UFO.'
'When I showed up, it's just mayhem,' as Nuccetelli recalled it. 'Everybody's excited. They're scared. Everyone's freaked out.'
ex-US Air Force security officer Jeff Nuccetelli has come forward to detail his official, rapid-response investigation into a 100-yard long, 'red square' UFO as it occurred in October 2003. Nuccetelli said the UFO had over half a dozen witnesses and 'at least 80 people' on base knew
The never-before-public second sighting of the gigantic 'red square' UFO took place above Vandenberg AFB's Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4), leased today by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Above, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg with a satellites payload in 2018
To the best of his recollection, Nuccetelli interviewed 'about six people' then posted to guard SLC-4, with his superior officer, or flight chief, alongside him: 'Basically what they described was this object came in, was moving strangely, erratically. It got bigger and brighter as it came'
'I'm getting ready to jump in the car,' Nuccetelli told Merged host, retired US Navy fighter pilot Lt. Ryan Graves, 'and then all hell breaks loose and they start screaming over the radio, 'It's coming right at us. It's coming right for us. Now it's right here.''
'It was hard to hear,' the former USAF patrol officer said, 'because they were screaming and they were scared.'
This never-before-public second sighting, which Nuccetelli said he recorded in a police blotter with copies still in his possession, took place above Vandenberg AFB's Space Launch Complex 4, which is leased today by Elon Musk's SpaceX.
The veteran Air Force security official told that podcast that he had high confidence in the half a dozen fellow USAF police who witnessed the giant red UFO's flyby.
'These guys are trained observers,' Nuccetelli emphasized to Lt. Graves, founder of the new nonprofit, Americans for Safe Aerospace, which is devoted to resolving flight safety concerns around such 'unidentified aerial phenomena' (UAP).
'They're posted out there, you know, 24/7,' Nuccetelli continued. 'They know what aircraft look like. They know what fishing boats look like.'
'I didn't feel like they were just jumping the gun, because there had been a UFO.'
Nuccetelli gave Lt. Graves his recollection of driving to the launch site, SLC-4 or 'Slick 4,' as base police radio transmissions about the UFO came pouring in.
'This is all playing out on the radio and the dispatchers are communicating with them trying to get more information,' Nuccetelli said. 'It's just chaos, you know? The dispatchers are basically advising everybody to go on alert trying to get information.'
Nuccetelli told his story to retired US Navy fighter pilot Lt. Ryan Graves, host of Merged and founder of the new nonprofit Americans for Safe Aerospace, which is devoted to resolving flight safety concerns around such 'unidentified aerial phenomena' (UAP)
Three Boeing contractors, Nuccetelli said, signed sworn statements that they saw the UFO, 'a big square object, the size of a football field, silently floating over the launchpad, red in color, glowing,' at low altitude. Above, right, a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from October 29, 2023
Netflix's brand new UFO docu-series 'Encounters,' premiering today, started off with a literally massive sighting: 'a large object one mile long and half a mile wide,' per reports, 'moving away at high speed' and 'soundless.' Engineer Robert Powell analyzed 2.8 million radar returns from this 2008 UFO case out of Stephenville, Texas, interviewing many of the events' 300-or-so eyewitnesses. Powell has now told the DailyMail.com that the FAA has stopped releasing this class of raw data to the public, following his success spotting this UFO with the agency's radar
'Then things calmed down a bit,' the former USAF policeman continued. 'They said the object flew off.'
To the best of his recollection, Nuccetelli then interviewed 'about six people' then posted to guard SLC-4, with his superior officer, or flight chief, alongside him.
'I talk to everybody,' he recalled. 'Basically what they described was this object came in, was moving strangely, erratically. It got bigger and brighter as it came in.'
'Then it came at a high rate of speed and flew right up to the entry control point, and stopped. And they all stared at it. And it just shot off.'
Three Boeing contractors, Nuccetelli said, signed sworn statements that they saw the UFO — 'basically just a big square object, the size of a football field, silently floating over the launchpad, red in color, glowing' — at a low altitude.
In this first sighting, 'which began October 14, 2003 8:45am,' the ex-USAF patrolman said, the 'red square' hovered over Vandenberg's Launch Facility 21: at the time, a 'Minuteman' missile site being repurposed for a new missile defense system.
'As far as I know, it wasn't a cube. It was like a flattened square,' Nuccetelli recollected.
'The call came in from Range Control. They said, 'the contractors say there's this gigantic floating red square over the launch facility.''
'Later, they brought in the technical sergeant from Range Control,' Nuccetelli told Merged listeners, 'that received the complaint from the contractor saying there's this UFO.'
'They brought that person in and had him write us a written statement, I have his written statement. And I also have the blotter entry.'
All told, Nuccetelli believes that there's at least 80 people that know this happened, you know, and then plus the contractors and the other cops that actually saw it with their own eyes.' And he's actively working to track them down for fresh interviews.
The former senior USAF police officer, who went to work in an administrative role for the US Marshals after 16 years in the Air Force, has also delivered what he knows to the Pentagon's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).
'In fact, the investigator that contacted me spent a tremendous amount of time talking to me, over an hour for sure,' Nuccetelli said.
'I felt that they were genuinely, genuinely, interested in the case. And genuinely interested in looking into it.'
His next steps, he told Lt. Graves, are to assist AARO in locating more witnesses to these two October 14, 2003 sightings.'
'What I'm trying to do now is track down all the people,' the ex-USAF policeman said, 'because my recollection of who was there, and all the particulars, and the details are flawed, right? Because I wasn't there when these things happen. It's all secondhand.'
'I haven't talked to these people for 20 years. And then all of a sudden, I'm like, 'Hey, let's get in contact' [...] 'let's talk about the UFO.''
EXCLUSIVE: CIA's secret office has conducted UFO retrieval missions on at least NINE crash sites around the world, whistleblowers reveal
EXCLUSIVE: CIA's secret office has conducted UFO retrieval missions on at least NINE crash sites around the world, whistleblowers reveal
The Office of Global Access (OGA) - a wing of the CIA - has played a central role in collecting alien spacecraft since 2003, sources tell DailyMail.com
At least nine 'non-human craft' have been recovered by the US government – some wrecked from a crash, and two completely intact
A secretive CIA office has been coordinating the retrieval of crashed UFOs around the world for decades, multiple sources told DailyMail.com.
One source said that at least nine apparent 'non-human craft' have been recovered by the US government – some wrecked from a crash, and two completely intact.
Three sources briefed on those alleged top secret operations told DailyMail.com that the Office of Global Access (OGA), a wing of the Central Intelligence Agency's Science and Technology Directorate, has played a central role since 2003 in orchestrating the collection of what could be alien spacecraft.
The three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals, have all been briefed by individuals involved in those alleged UFO retrieval missions.
Though the shocking claims sound like they come from a science fiction novel, they are part of a growing body of evidence suggesting the US government could indeed be hiding advanced vehicles that were not made by humans.
The Office of Global Access - a wing of the CIA - has played a central role in collecting alien spacecraft since 2003, sources tell DailyMail.com
David Grusch - a former high-ranking intelligence official – is one of three military whistleblowers who testified under oath about UFOs. Grusch claims he has evidence of secret programs involving technology far surpassing the US's capabilities
In July Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer co-sponsored a bill to allow disclosure of 'recovered technologies of unknown origin and biological evidence of non-human intelligence'
The same month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sponsored an extraordinary bill to allow disclosure of 'recovered technologies of unknown origin and biological evidence of non-human intelligence' – which has now passed in the Senate.
Sources who spoke to DailyMail.com shed light on how the CIA has allegedly coordinated the secret recovery and storage of these alleged crashed or landed UFOs.
Late CIA expert Jeffrey Richelson wrote in his 2016 book, The US Intelligence Community, that the Office of Global Access helped provide 'worldwide collection capability'
'There's at least nine vehicles. There were different circumstances for different ones,' one source briefed by UFO program insiders told DailyMail.com. 'It has to do with the physical condition they're in. If it crashes, there's a lot of damage done. Others, two of them, are completely intact.'
The source said the CIA has a 'system in place that can discern UFOs while they're still cloaked,' and that if the 'non-human' craft land, crash or are brought down to earth, special military units are sent to try to salvage the wreckage.
Another source with knowledge of the OGA's role said that they specialize in allowing the US military to secretly access areas around the world where they would usually be 'denied' – for example behind enemy lines.
'They are basically a facilitator for people to get in and out of countries,' the source said. 'They are very clever at being able to get anywhere in the world they want to.'
Multiple sources briefed on the OGA's activities told DailyMail.com that most of its operations involve more conventional retrieval missions, such as stray nuclear weapons, downed satellites or adversaries' technology.
But they claimed some missions coordinated by the OGA have involved retrieval of UFOs.
'The task at hand is simply to get it into custody and protect the secrecy of it,' one source said. 'The actual physical retrieval is by the military. But it's not kept under military control, because they have to keep too many records. So they start moving it out fairly quickly into private hands.'
Documents published by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in December 2016 showed that the OGA was one of 56 offices in the CIA, with its chief and deputy making up two of a total 286 director-level officials in the spy agency.
An unclassified organizational chart published by the CIA in October 2015 lists the OGA among nine offices in the 'Science and Technology' wing of the agency.
Late CIA expert Jeffrey Richelson wrote in a 2016 book on the agency that the OGA was established in 2003, and cited a CIA description that it 'integrate[s] analysis, technology, and tradecraft to attack the most difficult targets, and to provide worldwide collection capability.'
Doug Wolfe helped set up the CIA's Office of Global Access in 2003 and served as its deputy director. He managed 'unwarned access programs that deliver intelligence from the most challenging denied areas' according to a short biography published by a conference he attended in 2017
Schumer's bill requires all government agencies to turn over evidence of any 'recovered technologies of unknown origin and biological evidence of non-human intelligence' to a panel of experts, who can then choose to make the information public
One source claimed at least nine 'non-human craft' have been recovered by the US government – some wrecked from a crash, and two completely intact. A 3D rendering of a UFO
Wolfe's bio cryptically adds that he 'was responsible for leading and managing strategic, unwarned access programs that deliver intelligence from the most challenging denied areas' and 'served as program manager with responsibility for the end-to-end system acquisition of an innovative new source and method for the IC [Intelligence Community].'
Two sources told DailyMail.com that the OGA coordinates with Special Operations Forces such as SEAL teams or Delta Force under the Pentagon's Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), or nuclear weapons experts such as the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST), to collect the crashed or landed craft.
But another source, who has briefed members of Congress on alleged crash retrievals, said that NEST had not been involved in any of these operations.
A spokesperson for the agency also denied involvement.
'[NEST] personnel encounter materials from unknown origins on a regular basis,' a spokesperson said. 'In fact, one of NEST's missions is to help determine the origin of nuclear material interdicted outside of regulatory control or used in a nuclear device.
'During its operations, NEST has never encountered any material related to UAP.'
In a written statement, a JSOC spokesperson told DailyMail.com: 'We have nothing for you on this.'
A former SEAL team member told DailyMail.com that they had been on operations coordinated by the CIA to retrieve high-value stray enemy weapons, and that they knew of colleagues who had been on similar operations where they recovered technology that appeared highly advanced – though not necessarily out-of-this-world.
'Absolutely that happens,' the ex-SEAL said. 'Even ordinance or a weapon that we've never seen, we recover and bring it back.'
One source said that the Air Force Special Operations Command's 24th Special Tactics Squadron, based at Pope Field Army Airbase in North Carolina, has also been involved in securing areas for UFO crash retrievals.
Sources said the CIA office then often hands the wreckage or material over to private aerospace contractors for analysis, where it is not subject to rigorous government audits and can be shielded with protections for trade secrets.
'The CIA is the portfolio manager or owner of the UAP [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena] crash retrieval operation,' one source, who has shared their information with Congress, told DailyMail.com.
'The Department of Energy national labs are materials analysis contractors whenever recovered radioisotopes are involved but not always just radioisotope materials. The aerospace-defense industry are also contractors that specifically do not handle any recovered radioisotopes, but they handle the other non-radioactive material – and intact craft.'
Multiple sources said that many of the people involved in these programs may not even realize they are dealing with non-human craft, due to the intense security and compartmentalization of information in such top secret programs.
UFO whistleblower David Grusch appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Wednesday, repeating his claims of a secret US government program that is hiding crashed 'non-human' UFOs
In an interview on Wednesday with podcaster Joe Rogan, whistleblower David Grusch gave an example of engineers in the Manhattan Project of the 1940s not realizing they were working on fuses for the atom bomb that would eventually be dropped on Japan.
Late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the New Yorker in 2021 that top defense company Lockheed Martin was one of the private contractors holding potentially alien wreckage.
'I was told for decades that Lockheed had some of these retrieved materials,' he said.
As majority leader, Reid was one of the 'Gang of Eight', a select group of top lawmakers given access to the country's most closely held secrets too sensitive to share widely in Congress.
But even he was denied access to these alleged programs, he told the magazine.
'I tried to get, as I recall, a classified approval by the Pentagon to have me go look at the stuff. They would not approve that. I don't know what all the numbers were, what kind of classification it was, but they would not give that to me.'
Reid helped set up a new UFO investigation office in the Pentagon in 2008 to probe the regular encounters US military pilots and other armed forces members had with strange objects in the sky and sea.
In June, former top intelligence officer Grusch came forward with claims that while working for the Pentagon's UFO office he discovered the US had a secret program trying to glean new technology from multiple 'non-human' craft it had obtained, dating as far back as the 1930s.
The former National Reconnaissance Office staffer's claims were deemed 'urgent and credible' by the Intelligence Community Inspector General, whom Grusch says he gave documents evidencing his story, and introduced to around 40 witnesses involved in the alleged 'reverse engineering' UFO programs in July 2021.
The OGA is one of 56 offices in the CIA, according to documents published by the National Archives in 2016
The Office of Global Access sits inside the CIA's directorate of Science and Technology, one of five directorates at the agency according to a 2015 unclassified organizational chart
Earlier this year Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Marco Rubio told TV news station NewsNation that he had spoken to some of these 'first-hand' program insiders, who allegedly worked to glean new technology from potentially alien captured craft.
'There are people that have come forward to share information with our committee over the last couple of years,' Rubio said in the June 26 interview.
'Some of these people still work in the government. A lot of them are very fearful. Fearful for their jobs, fearful for their clearances, fearful of their career. Some of them are fearful of harm coming to them.
'Most of these people, at some point or maybe even currently, have held very high clearances and high positions within our government.
'Some of these claims are things that are beyond the realm of what any of us has ever dealt with.
'If it's even partially true, then somebody's broken the law. There's been some violations. Because these things have to be disclosed to Congress.'
Top lawmakers appear to be taking seriously the claims of UFOs hidden in secret bunkers.
Senate leader Schumer co-sponsored a bill to create a review board with presidential-level powers, with the aim of uncovering and disclosing any non-human craft or even bodies, held by the US government.
Earlier this year Senate Intelligence Committee ranking member Marco Rubio said that he had spoken to some of these 'first-hand' program insiders, who allegedly worked to glean new technology from potentially alien captured craft
Senate leader Schumer co-sponsored a bill to create a review board with presidential-level powers, with the aim of uncovering and disclosing any non-human craft or even bodies, held by the US government
Grusch testifies to discovering 'non-human biological' pilots
It requires all government agencies to turn over evidence of any 'recovered technologies of unknown origin and biological evidence of non-human intelligence' to a panel of experts, who can then choose to make the information public.
The Senate has voted in favor of Schumer's bill. If passed in the House of Representatives, it will be added as an amendment to the annual military spending bill for 2024.
'The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence, and unexplainable phenomena,' Schumer said in a July press release announcing the amendment.
Missouri Republican congressman Eric Burlison, part of an informal caucus of lawmakers campaigning for greater transparency on UFOs, told DailyMail.com that the sources' claims gave him and his colleagues a lead to follow in their investigations.
'These are the kind of specific programs we've been trying to get the names of,' he said. 'It's been so difficult because we can't get that information with specifics from Grusch or from the [Intelligence Community] Inspector General.
'I can't confirm it's true. But it certainly gives us a trail to follow.
'I think that if it does exist, even if they give us no information beyond that, I think we owe it to the world to disclose that.'
The Pentagon branch tasked with protecting America from space-based threats, local and galactic, has detected thousands of UFOsin Earth's orbit, DailyMail.com can reveal.
US Space Force, America's newest military branch created under President Trump in 2019, told personnel this month that the sightings were so regular that they are 'hindering threat identification,' the branch's core mission.
While many of the sightings will prove to be man-made space junk and 'natural debris' like meteoroids, US foreign adversaries continue to launch spy satellites, like North Korea's new Malligyong-1, and other covert orbital platforms.
One new concern, Space Force noted: the risk of threatening spacecraft hidden in the large unwatched area between Earth and the moon, dubbed 'cislunar' orbit.
In their new report, published this month, Space Force's leadership emphasized the importance of finding these grave 'threats' among mere 'hazards' like space junk.
But the military branch also went into considerable detail on a weirder, new category of potential 'hazards and threats' under scrutiny.
US Space Force, America's newest military branch created under President Trump in 2019, told personnel this month that 'abnormal observables' in space are a pervasive problem that is 'hindering threat identification,' the branch's core mission
Space Force hopes to 'distinguish between sources of spacecraft anomalies in support of anomaly resolution, recovery, and space attack assessment.' Since the branch's creation in 2019, the number of UFO 'unknowns' in Earth's orbit has skyrocketed by the thousands (above)
Space Force's mandate 'to rapidly identify and respond to threats and hazards,' the strategy document noted, also includes, 'objects that exhibit abnormal observables and patterns of life and cannot [be] correlated to any owner or point of origin.'
DailyMail.com has reached out to STARCOM, Space Force's Space Training and Readiness Command which published the new document, for detailed clarification on its precise meaning by the terms 'abnormal observables' and 'patterns of life.'
In recent years, Pentagon officials tasked with investigating UFO cases, including the now famous 2004 Tic Tac incursions, have focused their attention on 'five observables' they say are unique features of serious unexplained phenomena.
'Unidentified aerial phenomena' or UAP that check off these 'observables' appear to display either one or all of the following: (1.) gravity-defying behavior, (2.) eerily low observability on radar or other sensors, (3.) sudden or instantaneous accelerations, (4.) hypersonic speeds without signatures like 'sonic booms,' and (5.) so-called 'trans-medium' travel between air, sea and outer space.
It's unclear from the Space Force STARCOM document, however, whether these five, established UFO techno-signatures overlap with their own 'abnormal observables.'
It's also unclear what 'patterns of life' have been detected from orbital unknowns.
Space Force's strategy document, titled 'Space Doctrine Publication 3-100, Space Domain Awareness,' outlines the military branch's mission to monitor a vast orbital range that includes everything from low earth orbit (LEO) to the moon
Across US military branches, the term 'patterns of life' has been used to reference the thermal heat signatures given off by living human targets, for everything from drone warfare to troop deployment surveillance.
The Pentagon's departing UFO investigation chief, physicist Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, also used the term to indicate UAP mysteries that would include extraterrestrial craft.
'We are executing a rigorous science and technology plan to ensure controlled calibration of sensors, patterns of life, and signature characterization development,' Kirkpatrick said last December.
'More data will help build a more complete picture and support the resolution of […] anomalous phenomena.'
Thermal signatures from the body heat of a living thing (whether terrestrial or E.T. in origin), may fall into this category, to judge from the passages of Space Force's new strategy document that focused on the infra-red capabilities of US military satellites.
'Optical and infrared sensors with relatively wide (one square degree or more) field-of-view,' Space Force's STARCOM advised, 'are also well suited for searching for unknown objects or objects with only a roughly known location.'
However, Lt. General DeAnna Burt, the deputy chief devoted to Space Force's cyber and nuclear operations, among others, have also used 'patterns of life' to reference detectable, routine activity by any and all technological platforms in space.
Last May, Lt. Gen. Burt dropped the term of art while criticizing China for its opaque and noncooperative space program activities.
'We've said what our capabilities are,' Lt. Gen. Burt told SpaceNews. 'If you are honest and say what things are and have patterns of life that indicate they are what they are, then it's an everyday operation,' Burt said.
Whatever Space Force's intent, the branch issued its new publication in mid-November to announce, in part, its plan to identify and track UFOs in orbit around Earth — a high priority initiative the branch calls 'Space Domain Awareness' (SDA).
The strategy document, titled 'Space Doctrine Publication 3-100, Space Domain Awareness,' outlines Space Force's mission to successfully monitor a vast orbital range that includes everything from low earth orbit (LEO) to the moon.
STARCOM drafted the document as part of its mission to educate and train US Space Force personnel, officially dubbed 'guardians.'
Since the branch's creation in 2019, the number of orbital knowns and UFO 'unknowns' shadowing the Earth has skyrocketed by the thousands.
Space Force, citing NASA data, published a chart revealing that there are now over 25,000 objects total in orbit, although most were determined to be 'rocket bodies,' 'spacecraft,' 'mission-related debris' or other known man-made objects.
Much of the clutter orbiting Earth is man-made space junk and 'natural debris' like meteoroids, but Space Force's document detailed a weirder, new category: 'objects that exhibit abnormal observables and patterns of life and cannot [be] correlated to any owner or point of origin'
Over 60 percent of the US Space Force budget, or about $19.2 billion worth, has earmarked for research, development, testing and evaluation - creating the tools and techniques for the new and growing problem of defending US interests from foreign military activity in space
According to the Air Force Research Lab, its new security and monitoring probe, the Oracle spacecraft (above) 'aims to launch in 2026 to an area of gravitational stability between the Earth and the Moon to test techniques to monitor space traffic that travels through that region'
Space Force leadership said it hopes to positively identify any and all UFOs to determine if they should be recovered or if they pose a clear and present danger to the United States.
Or, in military's own unique jargon, Space Force hopes to 'distinguish between sources of spacecraft anomalies in support of anomaly resolution, recovery, and space attack assessment,' the new document states.
But that will cost money, alongside Space Force's other duties providing satellite and other space-based support for American troops on the ground worldwide.
The ex-Air Force security officer said he investigated two sightings of a 100-yard UFO witnessed by Boeing contractors and Air Force police on October 14, 2003. There's 'at least 80 people that know this happened,' the USAF vet., Jeff Nuccetelli, told the Merged podcast. As the officer recalled of the eyewitnesses, 'They're scared. Everyone's freaked out
First it must organize, train and equip personnel to 'protect US and allied interests in space.' But, secondarily, it must also 'provide space capabilities to the joint forces' here on Earth, such as maintaining spy satellites and other space-based military hardware.
Space Force's STARCOM noted that figuring out the mystery of what these UFOs or UAP are is essential, in part, so that it can get on with it's other military troop-support tasks.
'Anomalous indications,' the new guidance document states, 'unnecessarily consume SDA resources (e.g., sensors, communication nodes, command and control [C2] centers, planners, operators) that would otherwise be supporting space and terrestrial combatant commands.'
One new concern, the document added, is the growing threat of foreign spy satellites and worse, in the large dark orbital region between the Earth and the moon, dubbed 'cislunar' orbit.
'Current sensor capabilities will find that the vastness of space between the Earth and the moon, and around the moon, creates challenging conditions for search, custody, and collection operations in support of joint forces,' the branch's new strategy document stated.
Space Force noted plans by the US Air Force Research Lab for a new security and monitoring probe, the Oracle spacecraft, which 'aims to launch in 2026 to an area of gravitational stability between the Earth and the Moon to test techniques to monitor space traffic that travels through that region.'
Given all this uncharted territory, which is at best poorly monitored by US defense systems, it is no surprise that the branch's 'guardians' are requesting $3.9 billion more from taxpayers for 2024 than its 2023 fiscal year budget.
At present, over 60 percent of the US Space Force's budget, or about $19.2 billion worth, has been earmarked for research, development, testing and evaluation.
Nearly $20 billion, in other words, just to create the tools and techniques for the new and growing problem of defending US interests from foreign military activity, terrestrial and possibly extraterrestrial, in outer space.
US Report: Earth's Orbit filled with Thousands of UFOs, Posing Challenges in Threat Detection
B-21 Raider: What we're allowed to know on US' new top-secret aircraft
'It lit up the entire cab of my cruiser to the point where I was having a hard time driving because I really couldn't see,' Klein stated. 'I was blinded by it.'
The veteran policeman described the large spherical light as having a 'plasma-like' quality. 'I've seen my fair share of drones and meteors,' Klein said. 'This was something I've never come across before.'
The UFO then made a shocking, 'instantaneous' movement to the bank across the reservoir where it continued to hover.
'That's when I sort of snapped out of it and took out my camera and started recording and taking pictures,' Klein recollected.
The police officer released his video of UFO over Thanksgiving weekend.
A Connecticut policeman has recently gone public with an eerie tale of a glowing UFO, the size of a 'Mini Cooper,' hovering over his patrol car in 2022
Klein, who told his story to NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield of 'Banfield' last Wednesday, said he was amazed by the both the apparent speed and acoustic signature of this airborne, plasma-like object.
'I couldn't see it go from A to B, that's how fast it moved,' he said. 'It gave off a low hum, which was very distinct.'
The veteran police officer took pains to emphasize that, in the early moments of his encounter, he was able to get 'a very close-up view of it' from 30 feet below the hovering, orb-like object: 'It wasn't a drone — I can guarantee you that.'
'I froze,' Klein told NewsNation as he recalled that moment looking up at the object. 'I wasn't in fear. I just was really trying to understand what exactly I was looking at.'
'I was trying to just process what I was looking at,' he said. 'Still to this day, I'm perplexed.'
Klein recalls that his midrange car-sized UFO cycled through four colors in total, red, green, white and orange.
Swarms of noisy, small UFOs were seen at dusk 'moving at rapid speeds' and displaying 'flashing red, green, and white lights' penetrating the highly restricted airspace above Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for over two weeks this time last year, December 2023.
The rogue fleets of small aircraft would disappear into thin air each night despite being hunted by the best hardware the Air Force and NASA had on hand.
The eyewitness, police officer Robert Klein (pictured), described the object's intense, color-changing light flooding his vehicle as he approached a local reservoir in Fairfield County, CT in 2022, while on patrol close to midnight
A Connecticut police officer with 25 years of experience in law enforcement has gone public with an eerie tale of a glowing UFO - the size of a 'Mini Cooper' - hovering over his patrol car. Above, a 3D recreation of the event produced by computer graphics artist Fin Handley
Above, a map of the region where the police officer had his UFO encounter in April 2022
General Glen VanHerck, the commander with North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command, has called for authorization to use special surveillance equipment on US soil to get to the bottom of the incursions.
Officer Klein reached out to UFO researcher and TV presenter Ben Hanson via one of his websites, offering his testimony and video of the encounter.
Hanson described the episode as a classic case resembling a scene straight out of Steven Spielberg 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' in which a vehicle driven by Richard Dreyfuss's character is similarly bathes in blinding light.
'Incidentally, anyone who's watched the [US Senate] hearings lately with AARO,' Hanson told NewsNation, 'they'd mentioned [covered] a similar event on the West Coast with another police officer who described an object the size of a Prius.'
Hansen, the host of the Discovery+ docu-series 'UFO Witness' said he is still actively pursuing this case, on the hunt for potential additional witnesses who could help to corroborate Klein's testimony or offer more physical evidence.
The seasoned UFO investigator said that he already has a line on a separate incident involving multiple orbs witnessed by people at a local community center.
'Our team is going to be going out to Connecticut on the ground,' Hansen told NewsNation.
Meet the ancient 'big head' people: Scientists uncover a 'lost' human in Asia with an abnormally large skull that lived alongside homo sapiens 100,000 years ago
Meet the ancient 'big head' people: Scientists uncover a 'lost' human in Asia with an abnormally large skull that lived alongside homo sapiens 100,000 years ago
Scientists have discovered a 'lost' species of human with an abnormally large skull which lived alongside homo sapiens.
Known as the Juluren, meaning 'big head people', this ancient species may have lived in China between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago.
Scientists believe they would have had a larger brain than any of the known hominin species, including modern-day humans.
'Homo julurensis' would likely have hunted wild horses in small groups, made simple stone tools for cutting, and possibly processed animal hides for clothes.
Previous studies have tended to lump together lots of different fossils as a single diverse group.
However, paleoanthropologist Professor Xiujie Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and anthropologist Dr Christopher Bae from the University of Hawai'i argue that scientists have missed key characteristics in the fossil record.
In a 'provocative' paper, these scientists claim that some fossils have a mosaic of features which don't fit with any known human species.
Researchers claim to have discovered a new species of ancient human with an abnormally large brain by analysing fragments of 300,000 year old skulls (stock image)
Scientists believe that this ancient human would have had the biggest brain of any known hominin based on the abnormal size of its skull (depicted here as digital renders)
However, Dr Bae says that some of these fossils should actually be considered their own separate species called homo julurensis.
The researchers analysed 21 hominin fossils from an unknown number of individuals found in China during the 1970s and skull fragments from two individuals found in 2005 at a different Chinese site.
Using new techniques for organizing fossil evidence, Dr Bae and Professor Wu identified a set of characteristics that didn't match the known species.
The most distinctive of these characteristics is the abnormally large skull which gives the Juluren their name.
By piecing together the remains of the skull, researchers estimate that it would have had a volume of 1700 ml, larger than even the 1,330 ml skull of homo sapiens.
Palaeontologists believe the ancient human species made their settlements on the shores of this lake which now holds their remains in its thick sediment.
The researchers argue that homo julurensis was a relative of homo erectus (bottom) which lived between 1.89 million and 110,000 years ago
By comparing skull fragments found in China (pictured), the researchers estimate that homo julurensis would have had a skull volume of 1700 ml - much larger than any other known hominin
Scientists discovered teeth and jaw fragments which suggest that homo julurensis would have had some similarities to Neanderthals but have enough differences to be its own species
Not only was the skull abnormally large, but it was also strangely shaped, being much wider at the base than a typical skull.
In addition to skull fragments, researchers have subsequently found pieces of jaw and teeth.
Together, the researchers argue there are enough distinct characteristics to support the existence of a completely new category of humans.
In their paper, published in PaleoAnthropology, Professor Wu and Dr Bae argued: 'Collectively, these fossils represent a new form of large-brained hominin.'
This complex pattern of traits suggests that there was far more interbreeding and shared ancestry between the various hominin groups living in Asia between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago.
However, these arguments have been controversial with some pointing out that the fossil evidence for homo julurensis remains relatively thin.
Professor Jonathan Hawk, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, described the new paper as 'provocative' in a post on X.
However, Professor Hawk maintains that the basic idea behind the Julurensis theory is valid.
The scientists call the species Juluren, meaning 'big head people', and claim they would have lived between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago, hunting horses in small groups, and making simple tools (stock image)
The researchers argue that a set of fossils found in China (left) doesn't fit with any of the other known species of hominin. This comes amid a series of other new hominin species being discovered including homo longi (top) and homo floresiensis (right)
In a blog post, Professor Hawk wrote: 'I think the record is more expansive than most specialists have been assuming.
'Calling all these groups by the same name makes sense only as a contrast to recent humans, not as a description of their populations across space and time.'
The new species is yet to be officially scientifically recognised – a formal approval given by an authoritative taxonomic body.
But however homo julurensis ends up being classified, the researchers argue that the simple story of human evolution in Asia no longer stands to scrutiny.
Dr Bae says: 'This study clarifies a hominin fossil record that has tended to include anything that cannot easily be assigned to homo erectus, homo neanderthalensis or homo sapiens.'
While the human family tree was once considered fairly simple, recent years have seen a sudden bloom of new offshoots.
And in 2021, scientists officially recognised the existence of homo longi, a species known as the 'dragon people' found in China.
This comes after scientists confirmed the existence of homo floresiensis (pictured), the smallest known human species which lived on an isolated island of Indonesia 50,000 years ago
And in 2021, scientists officially recognised the existence of homo longi, a species known as the 'dragon people' found in China.
Homo longi had a brain comparable in size to that of modern humans, but sported big, almost square eye sockets, thick brow ridges, a wide mouth and larger teeth.
As these discoveries emerge, many researchers now argue that there is a compelling case to reconsider the groupings of some Asian fossils.
Writing in Nature Communications, Professor Wu and Dr Bae conclude: 'It is becoming increasingly clear that the eastern Asian hominin fossils are not only increasing in number thanks to new discoveries, but that a greater degree of morphological variation is present than originally assumed or anticipated.'
Who were the Denisovans?
Who were they?
The Denisovans are an extinct species of human that appear to have lived in Siberia and even down as far as southeast Asia.
The individuals belonged to a genetically distinct group of humans that were distantly related to Neanderthals but even more distantly related to us.
Although remains of these mysterious early humans have mostly been discovered at the Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, DNA analysis has shown the ancient people were widespread across Asia.
Scientists were able to analyse DNA from a tooth and from a finger bone excavated in the Denisova cave in southern Siberia.
The discovery was described as 'nothing short of sensational.'
In 2020, scientists reported Denisovan DNA in the Baishiya Karst Cave in Tibet.
This discovery marked the first time Denisovan DNA had been recovered from a location that is outside Denisova Cave.
How widespread were they?
Researchers are now beginning to find out just how big a part they played in our history.
DNA from these early humans has been found in the genomes of modern humans over a wide area of Asia, suggesting they once covered a vast range.
They are thought to have been a sister species of the Neanderthals, who lived in western Asia and Europe at around the same time.
The two species appear to have separated from a common ancestor around 200,000 years ago, while they split from the modern human Homo sapien lineage around 600,000 years ago.
Last year researchers even claimed they could have been the first to reach Australia.
Aboriginal people in Australia contain both Neanderthal DNA, as do most humans, and Denisovan DNA.
This latter genetic trace is present in Aboriginal people at the present day in much greater quantities than any other people around the world.
How advanced were they?
Bone and ivory beads found in the Denisova Cave were discovered in the same sediment layers as the Denisovan fossils, leading to suggestions they had sophisticated tools and jewellery.
Professor Chris Stringer, an anthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London, said: 'Layer 11 in the cave contained a Denisovan girl's fingerbone near the bottom but worked bone and ivory artefacts higher up, suggesting that the Denisovans could have made the kind of tools normally associated with modern humans.
'However, direct dating work by the Oxford Radiocarbon Unit reported at the ESHE meeting suggests the Denisovan fossil is more than 50,000 years old, while the oldest 'advanced' artefacts are about 45,000 years old, a date which matches the appearance of modern humans elsewhere in Siberia.'
Did they breed with other species?
Yes. Today, around 5 per cent of the DNA of some Australasians – particularly people from Papua New Guinea – is Denisovans.
Now, researchers have found two distinct modern human genomes - one from Oceania and another from East Asia - both have distinct Denisovan ancestry.
The genomes are also completely different, suggesting there were at least two separate waves of prehistoric intermingling between 200,000 and 50,000 years ago.
Researchers already knew people living today on islands in the South Pacific have Denisovan ancestry.
But what they did not expect to find was individuals from East Asia carry a uniquely different type.
Echoes From The Pleistocene: Denisovans Remembered in Indigenous Myths? | Dawn of sapiens
CARTA: The Origin of Us -- Chris Stringer: Fossil Record of Anatomically Modern Humans
Journeying into space is pretty dangerous stuff. Relatively few missions sent to explore space over the years have been crewed, and for good reason. The risk to human (and animal) life is always high, even as technology in this field advances rapidly.
In one of the scariest disasters in recent years, two US astronauts who were meant to spend eight days traveling to and from the International Space Station (ISS) have been stuck there for over two months. What's more, they may not be able to get home until 2025. This is due to the myriad of technical issues that have left their craft, the new Boeing Starliner capsule, unsafe to use. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were the first crew to fly the ship on its maiden voyage—an unlucky predicament, as it turns out. The mission launch occurred on June 5, and the Starliner made it to the ISS safely. However, several technical issues came to light that made it impossible for Wilmore and Williams to return to Earth on the scheduled date. What was supposed to be eight days stretched into eight weeks as Boeing and NASA attempted to resolve the issues. In July, Boeing revealed that four of Starliner's jet fuels had failed, the thrusters were malfunctioning, and there were helium leaks.
The astronauts have been at the ISS for over 180 days, and the Starliner has already returned to Earth without them due to safety concerns. A SpaceX Crew Dragon flight is now scheduled to bring them back to Earth in February.
While the world waits to see when and how these astronauts will make it back to Earth, let's look back at some of the worst disasters in the history of space travel to remember what is at stake.
Ben je een liefhebber van astronomie of wil je meer leren over wat er zich in ons heelal afspeelt?
Met deze quiz kun je niet alleen je kennis testen, maar er ook iets meer over te weten komen door de juiste antwoorden te vinden.
Er is een oneindige ruimte om ons heen en alles weten is misschien onmogelijk, maar hoeveel weet jij tot nu toe? Test jezelf om erachter te komen!
Astronomie, alles wat zich buiten de grenzen van de aarde bevindt
Astronomie is een van de meest fascinerende studies, omdat het alles betreft wat zich buiten de grenzen van de aarde bevindt.
Slechts weinig mensen hebben deze grens overschreden en niemand is ooit verder gegaan dan de maan. Terwijl enkele rovers zelfs op Mars zijn geland, wordt wat buiten ons sterrenstelsel ligt alleen waargenomen door telescopen.
Het heelal is potentieel oneindig en er wordt gezegd dat het menselijk brein niet in staat is om zich de uitgestrektheid en grenzen ervan voor te stellen. Dit betekent dat de dingen die we moeten weten over de ruimte om ons heen eindeloos zijn, maar de wetenschap ontdekt elke dag iets nieuws.
Planeten, zonnestelsels, sterren en andere hemellichamen doorkruisen het heelal en beïnvloeden elkaar. En dan hebben we het nog niet eens over zwarte gaten en mysterieuze zaken als donkere materie, die bestaat uit nog onbekende deeltjes die we niet kunnen zien.
Tot slot de grote vraag: zijn wij alleen in het universum? Tot nu toe is het antwoord nog niet gevonden, ook al zijn er precieze en onvermijdelijke voorwaarden om een planeet als bewoonbaar te beschouwen en velen zijn gevonden onder exoplaneten, die buiten onze Melkweg.
Kortom, de dingen die je moet weten zijn ontelbaar, net als de mysteries die de ruimte omhullen, maar hoeveel weet jij van astronomie?
De quiz over astronomie
Pixabay
Hoe goed ken jij het universum? Het is tijd om erachter te komen met deze fascinerende astronomie-quiz. We raden je aan om je antwoorden op een vel papier te schrijvren, zodat je je persoonlijke resultaat kunt terugvinden.
Ben je er klaar voor? Laten we beginnen:
1. De Maan is een:
a) Planeet
b) Asteroïde
c) Satelliet
2. Wat is de leeftijd van ons stelsel?
a) ongeveer 80 miljoen
b) ongeveer 12 miljard
c) ongeveer 4,5 miljard
3. In 1999 konden astronomen berekenen hoe oud het heelal ongeveer is:
a) ongeveer 13 miljard jaar
b) ongeveer 6.000 jaar
c) ongeveer 900 miljard jaar
4. De afstand van de maan tot de aarde is gelijk aan:
a) 384.400 km
b) 745.500 km
c) 1.628.000 km
5. Wat is de beste plek om naar leven in de ruimte te zoeken?
a) Neptunus, omdat het vergelijkbare weersystemen heeft als de aarde
b) Mars, vanwege de mogelijke aanwezigheid van vloeibaar water onder het oppervlak
c) Uranus, omdat het blauwgroene oppervlak bewoonbaar zou kunnen zijn
6. Wat is de temperatuur op het oppervlak van de Zon?
a) 1300°
b) 2500°
c) 5500°
7. Hoeveel planeten zijn er in het zonnestelsel?
a) 9
b) 8
c) 12
8. Wat is een zwart gat?
a) Een donkere tunnel tussen het ene zonnestelsel en het andere
b) Een hemellichaam van binnen waaruit niets, zelfs geen licht, kan ontsnappen.
c) Een gat in het centrum van een ster.
9. In juli 1969 liep de mens voor het eerst op de maan. Hoe lang zullen hun voetafdrukken zichtbaar zijn op het maanoppervlak?
a) Honderden miljoenen jaren
b) Ze zijn al uitgewist door de wind
c) Ongeveer een eeuw
10. Wat is de afstand tussen de aarde en Alpha Centauri, de dichtstbijzijnde ster in het zonnestelsel?
a) 40 biljoen km
b) 950 miljoen km
c) 16 miljard km
11. Hoe ver staat de Zon, onze moederster, van de Aarde?
a) 3,2 miljard km
b) 147 miljoen km
c) 998 miljoen km
12. Wat is een supernova?
a) De explosie van een ster
b) De geboorte van een grote nieuwe ster
c) De samensmelting van twee sterren
13. Hoeveel sterren zijn er, afgezien van de sterren die we vanaf de aarde kunnen zien, nog meer in de Melkweg?
a) 6.000
b) 10 miljoen
c) 20 miljoen
14. Wat is de snelheid van het licht?
a) 150.000 km per seconde
b) 300.000 km per seconde
c) 150.000 km per minuut
15. De staart van een komeet kan zich uitstrekken tot:
a) Ongeveer 20 km
b) Honderden miljoenen kilometers
c) Ongeveer 8.000 km
16. Hoe lang duurt een dag op Mercurius, van zonsopgang tot zonsondergang?
a) Zes aardse maanden
b) Zes aardse uren
c) Zes Aardse dagen
17. Uit hoeveel sterren bestaat ons sterrenstelsel?
a) ongeveer 970 miljoen
b) ongeveer 8 miljard
c) ongeveer 200 miljard
18. Hoe lang zou een ruimteschip erover doen om met de snelheid van het licht de Melkweg over te steken?
a) ongeveer duizend jaar
b) ongeveer honderd jaar
c) ongeveer honderdduizend jaar
19. Wat gebeurt er met een massieve ster als zijn leven eindigt?
a) Het wordt een witte dwerg
b) Het krimpt tot hij verdwijnt
c) Het explodeert
20. Waarom zijn planeten en sterren bolvormig?
a) Erosie heeft ze in de loop der tijd gevormd totdat ze rond werden
b) De zwaartekracht heeft ze gevormd tijdens hun vorming
c) De bolvorm is beter bestand tegen wind
Oplossing van de quiz
Nu kun je ontdekken hoeveel antwoorden je hebt geraden met de oplossingen voor de astronomie-quiz van vandaag:
1. c (satelliet)
2. c (4,5 miljard jaar)
3. a (13 miljard jaar)
4. a (384.400 km)
5. b (Mars)
6. c (5500°)
7. a (9)
8. b (Een hemellichaam waaraan niets kan ontsnappen, zelfs geen licht)
9. a (Honderden miljoenen jaren)
10. a (40 biljoen km)
11. b (147 miljoen km)
12. a (De explosie van een ster)
13. c (20 miljoen)
14. b (300.000 km per seconde)
15. b (Honderden miljoenen kilometers)
16. c (Zes aarddagen)
17. c (Ongeveer 200 miljard)
18. c (Ongeveer honderdduizend jaar)
19. c (Ontploft)
20. b (De zwaartekracht vormde ze tijdens hun vorming)
Als je tussen de 0 en 6 goede antwoorden hebt gegeven: de astronomie intrigeert je zeker, maar misschien ben je pas sinds kort geïnteresseerd in dit onderwerp of heb je nog geen tijd gehad om je erin te verdiepen. In ieder geval heb je een goede basis om nog veel meer te ontdekken!
Als je tussen de 7 en 13 goede antwoorden hebt gegeven:dan ken je het heelal vrij goed, ook al is er iets - en hoe kan het ook anders? - dat je nog ontgaat. Je bent echter zeker niet onervaren en met een beetje studie kun je de gaten opvullen, dus geef niet op!
Als je tussen de 14 en 20 antwoorden goed hebt:gefeliciteerd, het heelal heeft geen geheimen voor jou (of bijna!) Het lijkt erop dat astronomie een echte passie voor je is en dat de ruimte iets is dat je intrigeert en dat je graag onderzoekt. Want weten wat ons omringt is echt fascinerend!
Heb je genoten van deze quiz? Je kunt jekennis blijven meten met de quizzen van Curioctopus en je kennis op de proef stellen!
Earth formed 4.54 billion years ago. The first period of the history of the Earth was known as the Hadean Period which lasted from 4.54 billion to 4 billion years ago. During that time, Earth was thought to be a magma filled, volcanic hellscape. It all sounds rather inhospitable at this stage but even then, liquid oceans of water are thought to have existed under an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Recent research has shown that this environment may well have been rather more habitable than once thought.
The name ‘Hadean’ comes from Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. It nicely reflects the hot, hostile climate of the early Earth. During this period, Earth was largely a molten, chaotic world with volcanic eruptions a common sight on the landscape. Overhead, there would be regular visitors from space with meteorites and comets impacting the surface as the crust is still forming. Despite these conditions, it seems that water also began to accumulate as the planet cooled, possibly having been delivered by comets or released from outgassing from giant volcanoes. By the end of the era, the crust had solidified enough to form two early continents separated by forming oceans.
Artist concept of Earth during the Late Heavy Bombardment period. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab.
In a paper published by a team of researchers from the University of California they confirm this conclusion that, far from being in hospitable, early Earth was actually far less tumultuous. The team, led by Christopher K Jones explore the evolution of the Earth from formation to the evolution of life. They review a number of different pathways for the origins of life during the Hadean in the context of the large-scale planetary environment at the time, including Earth’s position in the Solar System.
This view of Earth from space is a fusion of science and art, drawing on data from multiple satellite missions and the talents of NASA scientists and graphic artists. This image originally appeared in the NASA Earth Observatory story Twin Blue Marbles. Image Credits: NASA images by Reto Stöckli, based on data from NASA and NOAA.
In order to complete their work, the team look at the a number of critical aspects across different disciplines that included microbiology, atmospheric chemistry, geochemistry and planetary science. The relationships between life’s beginnings and the processes and state of the environment at the time is also assessed in their paper including the formation of the crust and evolution of the atmosphere.
The paper also explores a number of different atmospheric processes from wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles to hydrothermal vent systems. This is not just assessed on Earth but in the Solar System at large to see if there is any correlation or overlaps. The impact of comets too are considered and how they would impact on the atmospheric chemistry.
According to a new study, a comet impact triggered massive wildfires and a temporary cooling 12,800 years ago. Credit: NASA/Don Davis
The team conclude that Earth, during the Hadean period, most likely had liquid water. The debate still rages on however about the existence of continents and their composition. This uncertainty has an impact on just how organic life could have got a foothold on Earth. However it did, life would have taken a hold by the end of the Hadean era and started to leave evidence in the geological records of the Archean period that followed.
Unfortunately the paper is far from conclusive, leaving a number of questions unanswered but it does make a fabulous start to fill in the gaps at just how life began on this planet we call home.
NASA has given SpaceX the contract to launch the Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. A Falcon Heavy will send the rotorcraft and its lander on their way to Titan in 2028, if all goes according to plan, and the mission will arrive at Titan in 2034. Dragonfly is an astrobiology mission designed to measure the presence of different chemicals on the frigid moon.
Dragonfly will be the second craft to visit Titan, along with the Huygens probe and its short visit back in 2005.
Titan is remarkable because it’s the only body besides Earth with liquids on its surface. The liquids are hydrocarbons, not water, though there may be surface deposits of water ice from impacts or cryovolcanic eruptions. Researchers think that prebiotic chemicals are also present, making the moon an enticing target to understand how far prebiotic chemistry may have advanced.
These images of Titan’s well-known hydrocarbon seas are from Cassini radar data. Image Credit: [JPL-CALTECH/NASA, ASI, USGS]
Titan is benign when it comes to powered flight; its atmosphere is dense and its gravity is weak, compared to Earth. Dragonfly is an octocopter, a large quadcopter with double rotors, that can take advantage of Titan’s flight-friendly conditions. It will travel at about 36 kmh (22 mph) and will be powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG), a type of engine proven in multiple missions. The craft is designed to be redundant; it can lose one of its motors or rotors and still function.
Dragonfly will land near a feature on Titan called Shangri-La, east of where the Huygens probe landed. Shangri-La is one of three large sand seas near the moon’s equator.
Dragonfly’s target is the Selk impact structure, near the edge of Shangri-La. Selk is a young impact crater about 90 km (56 mi) in diameter that features melt pools, sites where liquid water and organics could mix together to form amino acids or other biomolecules. Dragonfly will initially land at some dunes near the structure then begin exploring the region and its chemistry.
Thanks largely to Cassini and Huygens, researchers have made progress understanding Titan. In a 2020 paper, researchers examined two types of craters on the moon: dune craters and plains craters. Selk is a dune crater, and in the paper, researchers said that the dune craters are richer in organics than plains craters, and in fact are almost entirely composed of organics. However, Titan’s thick atmosphere makes it difficult to observe, and these findings stem from interpreting albedo and emissivity.
Selk and the other dune craters may have originally had more water ice, according to the research, but much of it’s been eroded away. However, there was a long period of time where the water ice was present, and Dragonfly is heading for Selk to examine the chemistry in the crater and to try and determine if water and organics interacted and if prebiotic chemistry made any headway.
This illustration shows NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft-lander approaching a site on Saturn’s exotic moon, Titan. Taking advantage of Titan’s dense atmosphere and low gravity, Dragonfly will explore dozens of locations across the icy world, sampling and measuring the compositions of Titan’s organic surface materials to characterize the habitability of Titan’s environment and investigate the progression of prebiotic chemistry.
Credits: NASA/JHU-APL
It’s up to SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy to send Dragonfly on its way to Titan. Falcon Heavy has 11 launches under its belt, including the launch of the Europa Clipper in October. After Falcon Heavy launches Dragonfly, the spacecraft will perform one flyby of Earth to gain additional velocity.
It’ll take six years for Dragonfly to reach Titan, and just as it arrives, the entry capsule will separate from the cruise module. With the help of an aeroshell and two chutes, the lander will endure an approximately 105-minute descent. At approximately 1.2 km above the surface, the lander will deploy its skids, and based on its lidar and radar data, will perform and autonomous landing.
From its landing site, Dragonfly will deploy itself and perform a series of flights up to 8km (5 mi) long. There’s diverse geology in the region, and the rotorcraft will acquire samples and then analyze them during Titan’s nights, which last about 8 Earth days or about 192 hours. After that, it will head to the Selk crater.
Titan is an important astrobiology target in our Solar System, and unlike the frozen ocean moons Europa and Enceladus, there’s no added complexity of somehow working its way through thick ice before its potentially biological environment can be examined.
SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket sends NASA’s Europa Clipper into space from its Florida launch pad. If all goes well, the Falcon Heavy will launch the Dragonfly mission to Titan in July, 2028. (NASA Photo / Kim Shiflett)
But for all of this to succeed, it needs a successful launch first. NASA is paying SpaceX about $256 million to launch Dragonfly, and it the launch goes off without a hitch, it’ll be money well-spent.
Has Noah's Ark been found? Archaeologists reveal 'ruins' found in Turkey's boat-shaped mound date back 5,000 years ago - the same period as the Biblical flood
Has Noah's Ark been found? Archaeologists reveal 'ruins' found in Turkey's boat-shaped mound date back 5,000 years ago - the same period as the Biblical flood
Experts have dated rock and soil they believe hold ruins of Noah's Ark
Samples contain marine materials and seafood that suggest human activity
The calculations also put the samples at the same time as the Biblical flood
Archaeologists believe they are one step closer to confirming the resting place of Noah's Ark.
A teamexcavating a geological formation in Turkey has aged rock and soil samples they believe contain ruins of the vessel, which puts the site at the same time the Bible puts the Great Flood 5,000 years ago.
The project began in 2021 and is ongoing, but the initial analysis determined samples to contain clayey and marine materials and seafood.
According to the researchers, these results mean human activity was present on the boat-shaped mound between 5500 and 3000 BC.
A team excavating a geological formation in Turkey has aged rock and soil samples they believe contain ruins of the vessel, which puts the site at the same time the Bible puts the Great Flood 5,000 years ago
In the Bible, God commands Noah to build a vast ship, the ark - capable of saving himself, his family and a representation of the world's animals
The Bible claims the ark settled on the 'mountains of Ararat' in Turkey following a 150-day flood that drowned the Earth and every living thing on it that was not housed inside the wooden ship.
The geological formation located in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı has been a potential site since it was discovered in 1956.
The mountain is the highest peak in Turkey, standing 16,500 feet tall and carved out like an ark would be.
The vessel was said to measure '300 cubits, 50 cubits, by 30 cubits', which translates to up to 515 feet long, 86 feet wide and 52 feet high.
A team of experts led by Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), Andrew University, and Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University (AİÇÜ) have been working at the site for nearly one year, collecting samples they believe hold the key to confirming the Biblical story.
The geological formation located in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı has been a potential site since it was discovered in 1956 (pictured)
The first portion of their work began in December 2022, when they collected 30 samples of rock and soil fragments that the ITU laboratory analyzed. Pictured is the team walking inside the formation to collect rocks and soil
The first portion of their work began in December 2022, when they collected 30 samples of rock and soil fragments that the ITU laboratory analyzed, Arkeonews reports.
AİÇÜ Vice Rector Professor Faruk Kaya said: 'According to the first findings obtained from the studies, there have been human activities in the region since the Chalcolithic period between the years 5500 and 3000 BC.
'It is known that the flood of Prophet Noah went back 5,000 years ago.
'In terms of dating, it is stated that there was life in this region as well. This was revealed in the laboratory results.
'It is not possible to say that the ship is here with the dating. We need to work for a long time to reveal this.'
The Bible claims the ark settled on the 'mountains of Ararat' in Turkey following a 150-day flood that drowned the Earth and every living thing on it that was not housed inside the wooden ship
However, Dr Andrew Snelling, a young Earth creationist with a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney, had previously said that Mount Ararat could not be the ark's location because the mountain did not form until after the flood waters receded.
Although considered a historical event, most scholars and archaeologists do not believe in literally interpreting the Ark story.
In the Bible, God commands Noah to build a vast ship, the ark - capable of saving himself, his family and a representation of the world's animals.
The wickedness and corruption of man spurred God's vows to send a great cleansing flood.
Deeming Noah to be the only righteous man worth saving, God commands him to build a vast ship.
According to the Bible, when Noah has completed his task, and God has sent 'two of every sort' of animal to the Ark, the flood waters rise until all mountains are covered, and life (except fish) is destroyed.
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Over mijzelf
Ik ben Pieter, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Peter2011.
Ik ben een man en woon in Linter (België) en mijn beroep is Ik ben op rust..
Ik ben geboren op 18/10/1950 en ben nu dus 74 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Ufologie en andere esoterische onderwerpen.
Op deze blog vind je onder artikels, werk van mezelf. Mijn dank gaat ook naar André, Ingrid, Oliver, Paul, Vincent, Georges Filer en MUFON voor de bijdragen voor de verschillende categorieën...
Veel leesplezier en geef je mening over deze blog.
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![Much of the clutter orbiting Earth is man-made space junk and 'natural debris' like meteoroids, but Space Force's document detailed a weirder, new category: 'objects that exhibit abnormal observables and patterns of life and cannot [be] correlated to any owner or point of origin'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/29/19/78384319-12805617-Much_of_the_clutter_orbiting_Earth_is_man_made_space_junk_and_na-a-32_1701286069703.jpg)
![These images of Titan's well-known hydrocarbon seas are from Cassini radar data. Image Credit: [JPL-CALTECH/NASA, ASI, USGS]](https://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/titan-seas-labelled.jpg)
