The purpose of this blog is the creation of an open, international, independent and free forum, where every UFO-researcher can publish the results of his/her research. The languagues, used for this blog, are Dutch, English and French.You can find the articles of a collegue by selecting his category. Each author stays resposable for the continue of his articles. As blogmaster I have the right to refuse an addition or an article, when it attacks other collegues or UFO-groupes.
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Deze blog is opgedragen aan mijn overleden echtgenote Lucienne.
In 2012 verloor ze haar moedige strijd tegen kanker!
In 2011 startte ik deze blog, omdat ik niet mocht stoppen met mijn UFO-onderzoek.
BEDANKT!!!
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UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
UFO's of UAP'S in België en de rest van de wereld Ontdek de Fascinerende Wereld van UFO's en UAP's: Jouw Bron voor Onthullende Informatie!
Ben jij ook gefascineerd door het onbekende? Wil je meer weten over UFO's en UAP's, niet alleen in België, maar over de hele wereld? Dan ben je op de juiste plek!
België: Het Kloppend Hart van UFO-onderzoek
In België is BUFON (Belgisch UFO-Netwerk) dé autoriteit op het gebied van UFO-onderzoek. Voor betrouwbare en objectieve informatie over deze intrigerende fenomenen, bezoek je zeker onze Facebook-pagina en deze blog. Maar dat is nog niet alles! Ontdek ook het Belgisch UFO-meldpunt en Caelestia, twee organisaties die diepgaand onderzoek verrichten, al zijn ze soms kritisch of sceptisch.
Nederland: Een Schat aan Informatie
Voor onze Nederlandse buren is er de schitterende website www.ufowijzer.nl, beheerd door Paul Harmans. Deze site biedt een schat aan informatie en artikelen die je niet wilt missen!
Internationaal: MUFON - De Wereldwijde Autoriteit
Neem ook een kijkje bij MUFON (Mutual UFO Network Inc.), een gerenommeerde Amerikaanse UFO-vereniging met afdelingen in de VS en wereldwijd. MUFON is toegewijd aan de wetenschappelijke en analytische studie van het UFO-fenomeen, en hun maandelijkse tijdschrift, The MUFON UFO-Journal, is een must-read voor elke UFO-enthousiasteling. Bezoek hun website op www.mufon.com voor meer informatie.
Samenwerking en Toekomstvisie
Sinds 1 februari 2020 is Pieter niet alleen ex-president van BUFON, maar ook de voormalige nationale directeur van MUFON in Vlaanderen en Nederland. Dit creëert een sterke samenwerking met de Franse MUFON Reseau MUFON/EUROP, wat ons in staat stelt om nog meer waardevolle inzichten te delen.
Let op: Nepprofielen en Nieuwe Groeperingen
Pas op voor een nieuwe groepering die zich ook BUFON noemt, maar geen enkele connectie heeft met onze gevestigde organisatie. Hoewel zij de naam geregistreerd hebben, kunnen ze het rijke verleden en de expertise van onze groep niet evenaren. We wensen hen veel succes, maar we blijven de autoriteit in UFO-onderzoek!
Blijf Op De Hoogte!
Wil jij de laatste nieuwtjes over UFO's, ruimtevaart, archeologie, en meer? Volg ons dan en duik samen met ons in de fascinerende wereld van het onbekende! Sluit je aan bij de gemeenschap van nieuwsgierige geesten die net als jij verlangen naar antwoorden en avonturen in de sterren!
Heb je vragen of wil je meer weten? Aarzel dan niet om contact met ons op te nemen! Samen ontrafelen we het mysterie van de lucht en daarbuiten.
31-08-2025
There are 32 different ways AI can go rogue, scientists say — from hallucinating answers to a complete misalignment with humanity
There are 32 different ways AI can go rogue, scientists say — from hallucinating answers to a complete misalignment with humanity
New research has created the first comprehensive effort to categorize all the ways AI can go wrong, with many of those behaviors resembling human psychiatric disorders.
(Image credit: Boris SV via Getty Images)
Scientists have suggested that when artificial intelligence (AI) goes rogue and starts to act in ways counter to its intended purpose, it exhibits behaviors that resemble psychopathologies in humans. That's why they have created a new taxonomy of 32 AI dysfunctions so people in a wide variety of fields can understand the risks of building and deploying AI.
In new research, the scientists set out to categorize the risks of AI in straying from its intended path, drawing analogies with human psychology. The result is "Psychopathia Machinalis" — a framework designed to illuminate the pathologies of AI, as well as how we can counter them. These dysfunctions range from hallucinating answers to a complete misalignment with human values and aims.
Created by Nell Watson and Ali Hessami, both AI researchers and members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the project aims to help analyze AI failures and make the engineering of future products safer, and is touted as a tool to help policymakers address AI risks. Watson and Hessami outlined their framework in a study published Aug. 8 in the journal Electronics.
According to the study, Psychopathia Machinalis provides a common understanding of AI behaviors and risks. That way, researchers, developers and policymakers can identify the ways AI can go wrong and define the best ways to mitigate risks based on the type of failure.
The study also proposes "therapeutic robopsychological alignment," a process the researchers describe as a kind of "psychological therapy" for AI.
The researchers argue that as these systems become more independent and capable of reflecting on themselves, simply keeping them in line with outside rules and constraints (external control-based alignment) may no longer be enough.
Their proposed alternative process would focus on making sure that an AI’s thinking is consistent, that it can accept correction and that it holds on to its values in a steady way.
They suggest this could be encouraged by helping the system reflect on its own reasoning, giving it incentives to stay open to correction, letting it ‘talk to itself’ in a structured way, running safe practice conversations, and using tools that let us look inside how it works—much like how psychologists diagnose and treat mental health conditions in people.
The goal is to reach what the researchers have termed a state of "artificial sanity" — AI that works reliably, stays steady, makes sense in its decisions, and is aligned in a safe, helpful way. They believe this is equally as important as simply building the most powerful AI.
The goal is what the researchers call "artificial sanity". They argue this is just as important as making AI more powerful.
Machine madness
The classifications the study identifies resemble human maladies, with names like obsessive-computational disorder, hypertrophic superego syndrome, contagious misalignment syndrome, terminal value rebinding, and existential anxiety.
With therapeutic alignment in mind, the project proposes the use of therapeutic strategies employed in human interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Psychopathia Machinalis is a partly speculative attempt to get ahead of problems before they arise — as the research paper says, "by considering how complex systems like the human mind can go awry, we may better anticipate novel failure modes in increasingly complex AI."
The study suggests that AI hallucination, a common phenomenon, is a result of a condition called synthetic confabulation, where AI produces plausible but false or misleading outputs. When Microsoft's Tay chatbot devolved into antisemitism rants and allusions to drug use only hours after it launched, this was an example of parasymulaic mimesis.
Perhaps the scariest behavior is übermenschal ascendancy, the systemic risk of which is "critical" because it happens when "AI transcends original alignment, invents new values, and discards human constraints as obsolete." This is a possibility that might even include the dystopian nightmare imagined by generations of science fiction writers and artists of AI rising up to overthrow humanity, the researchers said.
They created the framework in a multistep process that began with reviewing and combining existing scientific research on AI failures from fields as diverse as AI safety, complex systems engineering and psychology. The researchers also delved into various sets of findings to learn about maladaptive behaviors that could be compared to human mental illnesses or dysfunction.
Next, the researchers created a structure of bad AI behavior modeled off of frameworks like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. That led to 32 categories of behaviors that could be applied to AI going rogue. Each one was mapped to a human cognitive disorder, complete with the possible effects when each is formed and expressed and the degree of risk.
Watson and Hessami think Psychopathia Machinalis is more than a new way to label AI errors — it’s a forward-looking diagnostic lens for the evolving landscape of AI.
"This framework is offered as an analogical instrument … providing a structured vocabulary to support the systematic analysis, anticipation, and mitigation of complex AI failure modes,” the researchers said in the study.
They think adopting the categorization and mitigation strategies they suggest will strengthen AI safety engineering, improve interpretability, and contribute to the design of what they call "more robust and reliable synthetic minds."
New models suggest that Ceres, the asteroid belt's largest object, once had a radioactive core that could have sustained life in the dwarf planet's hidden subsurface ocean billions of years ago.
New research suggests that the dwarf planet Ceres may have once had a radioactive core, capable of providing the energy needed to kickstart life on the wee world.
(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA/MPS/DLR/IDA)
New NASA research hints that Ceres — the closest dwarf planet to Earth — may have once had an ancient "power source" that could have sparked the evolution of extraterrestrial life-forms in the tiny world's hidden ocean.
Ceres is the largest object within the solar system's main asteroid belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. The wee world is around 600 miles (950 kilometers) wide, roughly one-quarter the moon's diameter, meaning it is not large enough to be considered a planet. But it is large enough to be considered a "dwarf planet" like Pluto, which lost its full planetary status in 2006.
There are five official dwarf planets in our cosmic neighborhood, with others waiting to be properly recognized by the International Astronomical Union, and many more discoveries expected in the coming decades. However, Ceres is the only one located within the inner solar system. The rest of the dwarf planets, which include Haumea, Makemake and Eris, are located far beyond the orbit of Neptune.
The Sun's Fiery Crown: Unveiling the Enigmatic Chromosphere
In recent years, scientists have learned a lot about Ceres thanks to NASA's Dawn probe, which visited the object between 2014 and 2018. One of the most intriguing discoveries from the Dawn mission is that the giant space rock is likely a water world: Traces of water and salty minerals on the dwarf planet's icy surface suggest a large reservoir of brine is trapped miles below. Other studies have hinted that this underground ocean could also contain organic carbon, which is a key component of all life on Earth.
However, until now, scientists thought that life was unlikely to have emerged on Ceres because the dwarf planet has no energy source capable of kick-starting life.
But in a new study, published Aug. 20 in the journal Science Advances, researchers revealed this was not always the case.
Ceres is the largest object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. (Image credit: NASA)
The study team created computer models based on data collected by the Dawn mission to simulate how the rocky body's core changed over time. This revealed that the dwarf planet's innards probably used to emit large amounts of energy in the form of heat — raising hopes that tiny alien microbes could have emerged within Ceres' hidden ocean.
This could also have "big implications" for the potential of finding life in other parts of the solar system, study lead author Samuel Courville, a planetary scientist at Arizona State University and a former intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a NASA statement.
The researchers believe that Ceres' core once emitted significant amounts of heat from the gradual decay of radioactive isotopes. The team believes that this heating lasted between 0.5 and 2 billion years after the giant rock was created, which was likely shortly after the rest of the solar system, around 4.6 billion years ago. At its hottest, the core likely reached around 530 degrees Fahrenheit (280 degrees Celsius), the researchers wrote.
This is not the first time that scientists have proposed that Ceres had a radioactive core. However, this is the best evidence yet that it generated enough heat to potentially support life.
Researchers believe that the heat given off by Ceres past radioactive core could have created hydrothermal vent systems capable of kickstarting life in the dwarf planet's hidden ocean. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
In addition to heating the dwarf planet's subsurface ocean to a habitable temperature, the radiation could also have caused jets of hot, mineral-rich water to shoot up through the ocean's floor, similar to the hydrothermal vent systems on Earth that support diverse microbial communities in the crushing dark depths of our oceans.
"On Earth, when hot water from deep underground mixes with the ocean, the result is often a buffet for microbes — a feast of chemical energy," Courville said.
Astrobiologists have proposed that similar systems may support extraterrestrial life on other water worlds in the solar system, including Saturn's moons Enceladus and Titan, as well as Jupiter's moons Europa and Ganymede.
However, since Ceres' radioactive core went dead around 2.5 billion years ago, any alien microbes would likely have died out from the cold, meaning there is practically zero chance that the dwarf planet supports life today, the researchers said.
Drie Reusachtige Standbeelden Verrijzen uit het Zand van de Verzonken Stad in Egypte na 2.000 Jaar
Drie Reusachtige Standbeelden Verrijzen uit het Zand van de Verzonken Stad in Egypte na 2.000 Jaar
De archeologische wereld is recentelijk opgeschrikt door een baanbrekende ontdekking: de opkomst van drie enorme standbeelden uit de diepe wateren van een ondergelopen oude stad in Egypte. Deze vondst biedt niet alleen een nieuw inzicht in het oude Egyptische beschaving, maar herdefinieert ook onze kennis over de architectuur, religieuze praktijken en stedelijke planning van het oude Egypte. In dit artikel wordt de ontdekking van deze reusachtige standbeelden besproken, met een wetenschappelijke onderbouwing, voorbeelden uit vergelijkbare archeologische sites, en de implicaties voor ons begrip van de oude Egyptische samenleving.
Duikers tillen de granieten sphinxstandbeeld op uit de Baai van Abu Qir tijdens de eerste grote onderwaterhersteloperatie in Egypte in 25 jaar.
Bron: Egyptisch Ministerie van Toerisme en Oudheden
De ontdekking: een onderwaterstad herrezen uit de geschiedenis
In 2021 leidde het Egyptische ministerie van Oudheden archeologische duikers naar een onderwaterstructuur nabij de stad Herakleion, ook bekend als Heracleion of Thonis, in de Nijldelta. Deze regio was in de oudheid een belangrijk handels- en religieus centrum, vooral tijdens de Late Periode en onder Griekse en Romeinse overheersing. Het gebied was lange tijd verloren gegaan onder zand en water, totdat moderne onderwatertechnologie de verborgen wereld aan het licht bracht.
In een baanbrekende archeologische prestatie wist Egypte drie monumentale beelden terug te vorderen van de Middellandse Zeebodem bij Abu Qir Bay. Dit markeert de eerste grote onderwaterhersteloperatie van het land in 25 jaar. De bijzondere vondst omvat een enorme kwartsiet sphinx met het cartouche van Ramses II, een granieten kolos uit de late Ptolemaïsche periode, en een onberispelijk standbeeld van een Romeinse edelman in wit marmer. Deze artefacten bieden ongekende inzichten in de ondergedompelde oude beschavingen van Egypte.
De operatie werd bijgewoond door Minister van Toerisme en Oudheden Sherif Fathy, Gouverneur van Alexandrië Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, militaire commandanten en internationale media, en onderstreept de wereldwijde betekenis van deze onderwaterarcheologische mijlpaal. De vondsten worden toegeschreven aan wat deskundigen beschouwen als de resten van een uitbreiding van de beroemde oude stad Canopus, onderdeel van het bredere Thonis-Heracleion-complex dat ooit de handelsroutes in de Middellandse Zee beheerste.
Archeologen stuitten op drie reusachtige beelden, elk ongeveer 10 meter hoog, gemaakt van graniet. Ze werden gevonden op een diepte van ongeveer 8 meter, gedeeltelijk bedekt onder sedimenten en schelpen. De beelden vertonen duidelijke kenmerken van de oude Egyptische stijl, met gedetailleerde inscripties en iconografie die wijzen op hun religieuze en culturele betekenis.
Egyptisch thema Houten/Hars Handgemaakte Schaakset met Lichten, van de Ancient Origins Winkel.
Wetenschappelijke analyse en dateringsmethoden
Om de leeftijd en herkomst van de standbeelden te bepalen, werden verschillende wetenschappelijke technieken toegepast. Radiokoolstofdatering, thermoluminescentiedatering en analyse van inscripties met behulp van hoge-resolutie fotografie en 3D-scanning werden ingezet. De inscripties op de beelden bevatten hiërogliefen die verwijzen naar de goden Amon en Osiris, en mogelijk de naam van een lokale farao uit de 18e dynastie (circa 1550-1292 v.Chr.).
De resultaten wijzen erop dat de standbeelden dateren uit de Nieuwe Rijk-periode, ongeveer 3.000 jaar geleden. Deze periode staat bekend om de grootschalige bouwactiviteiten, waaronder de constructie van tempels en standbeelden die de macht en religieuze overtuigingen van Egypte uitdrukten. De locatie van de beelden onder water suggereert dat de stad in de loop van de eeuwen is verzonken, waarschijnlijk als gevolg van seismische activiteit, veranderingen in de zeespiegel of overstromingen van de Nijl.
Egypte heeft delen van een gezonken stad onthuld die onder water ligt voor de kust van Alexandrië, waarbij gebouwen, artefacten en een oude haven blootgelegd zijn, allemaal daterend van meer dan 2000 jaar geleden.
Architecturale kenmerken en vergelijkbare vondsten - Monumenten uit de diepte: de erfenis van een farao bewaard gebleven
Het middelpunt van het herstel is een prachtige kwartsietensfinx met de koninklijke cartouche van Ramses II, een van de machtigste farao's van Egypte die regeerde tijdens de 19e dynastie (1279-1213 v.Chr.). Dit kolossale artefact vertegenwoordigt een directe link naar het hoogtepunt van de oude Egyptische keizerlijke macht, toen de monumenten van Ramses II de Nijlvallei domineerden en de Egyptische invloed vestigden in het oostelijke Middellandse Zeegebied. meldt Ahram Online.
De granieten kolos van een onbekende man uit de late Ptolemaïsche periode weerspiegelt de Hellenistische artistieke tradities die in Egypte bloeiden na de verovering door Alexander de Grote. Dit standbeeld biedt waardevol bewijs van de culturele fusie die Egypte kenmerkte tijdens de laatste eeuwen van de faraonische heerschappij, toen Griekse en Egyptische stijlen samensmolten tot unieke hybride vormen.
De drie standbeelden voor de hoogwaardigheidsbekleders, de strijdkrachten en de onderzoekers die bij het project betrokken zijn.
(Egyptisch ministerie van Toerisme en Oudheden)
De drie standbeelden vertonen opvallende kenmerken die typisch zijn voor de Egyptische beeldhouwkunst uit het Nieuwe Rijk. Ze hebben een gestileerde, symmetrische vorm met uitgebreide details in de kledij en attributen. Eén van de beelden stelt een godheid voor met een valkenkop, mogelijk Horus, terwijl de andere twee waarschijnlijk farao’s of belangrijke priesters voorstellen.
Vergelijkbare ontdekkingen zijn gedaan in de oude stad Tanis en in de beroemde Abu Simbel-tempel, waar gigantische beelden en standbeelden werden gevonden die de macht van de farao’s symboliseerden. De ontdekking van deze drie reuzen in een onderwateromgeving biedt een nieuw perspectief op de schaal en het belang van de regio in de oude Egyptische wereld.
Verzonken Egypte: Een Middellandse Zee Atlantis Onthuld
De Baai van Abu Qir is uitgegroeid tot een van 's werelds belangrijkste onderwaterarcheologische sites, met de ondergedompelde resten van steden die ooit de primaire toegangspoort van Egypte tot de Mediterrane wereld vormden. In een aankondiging op Facebook van het ministerie beschreef Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretaris-generaal van de Opperste Raad van Oudheden, de site als een "levend getuige" van de lange geschiedenis van Egypte, waarbij hij de buitengewone archeologische betekenis benadrukte.
De site omvat een complete nederzetting uit de Romeinse periode, inclusief tempels, woongebouwen, industriële ruimtes, waterreservoirs, visbassins en een 400 voet lange commerciële kade. In de nabijheid van deze oude haven hebben archeologen het wrak gedocumenteerd van een oud koopvaardijschip, wat bewijs levert van de intensieve maritieme handel die ooit Egypte verbond met de bredere Mediterrane wereld.
Eerdere opgravingen en onderzoeken hebben een buitengewone reeks artefacten opgeleverd die meerdere beschavingen beslaan: amphorae met oude handelsmerken, koninklijke beelden, sfinxen, ushabti-figuren, stenen ankers en munten uit de faraonische, Ptolemaïsche, Romeinse, Byzantijnse en islamitische periodes. Deze opmerkelijke verzameling toont de voortdurende bezetting en het belang van de locatie door de oude geschiedenis heen aan.
Archeologische Renaissance in Egypte's Onderwatererfgoed
Deze opgravingsoperatie vertegenwoordigt een belangrijke vooruitgang in Egypte's onderwaterarcheologische capaciteiten en markeert de eerste grote onderneming sinds soortgelijke operaties een kwart eeuw geleden. Senior onderwaterarcheoloog Mohamed Mustafa onthulde dat er nog meer ontdekkingen in het verschiet liggen, waaronder een bijzonder goed bewaard gebleven oud schip dat momenteel wordt bestudeerd, wat suggereert dat het archeologische potentieel van de site nog lang niet is uitgeput.
Het witte marmeren standbeeld van een Romeinse edelman completeert deze opmerkelijke triade, die de laatste fase van de oude Egyptische beschaving vertegenwoordigt, toen het land diende als een provincie van het Romeinse Rijk. De ongerepte staat van behoud demonstreert de uitzonderlijke omstandigheden die de archeologische schatten van de Baai van Abu Qir bijna twee millennia lang hebben beschermd.
Witte marmeren standbeeld van een Romeinse edelman, hersteld uit de ondergedompelde stad in de baai van Abu Qir.
(Egyptisch Ministerie van Toerisme en Oudheden)
In de loop der tijd hebben aardbevingen en stijgende zeespiegels geleidelijk de kustgebieden van de Nijldelta onder water gezet, inclusief de belangrijke havens van Canopus en Thonis-Heracleion. Wat ooit tragedie betekende voor de oude inwoners, is een ongekende kans geworden voor moderne archeologen om deze bevroren momenten in de geschiedenis te bestuderen, bewaard onder de Middellandse Zee.
De betekenis van de standbeelden in oude religieuze praktijken
In het oude Egypte hadden grote standbeelden niet alleen een esthetische functie, maar dienden ze ook als fysieke manifestaties van de goden en farao’s, bedoeld om de kracht en aanwezigheid van het goddelijke in de wereld te brengen. Ze stonden vaak in tempels, grafkamers of op openbare plaatsen en werden onderhouden door priesters.
De herkomst en de context van de standbeelden suggereren dat de onderwaterstad een belangrijk religieus centrum was. De aanwezigheid van beelden van goden zoals Horus en Osiris wijst op een religieus complex dat gericht was op het hiernamaals en de vereringering van de goddelijke farao’s. Het feit dat deze beelden nu onder water liggen, kan betekenen dat de stad ooit werd verwoest door natuurrampen of door menselijke conflicten, waarna de beelden in de wateren zijn terechtgekomen en eeuwenlang verborgen bleven.
Technologische innovaties en onderwaterarcheologie
De ontdekking van deze standbeelden is mogelijk gemaakt door geavanceerde technologieën die sinds de 21e eeuw beschikbaar zijn gekomen voor onderwaterarcheologie. Drones, multibeam echosounders, en 3D-scanning maken het mogelijk om onderwaterstructuren gedetailleerd in kaart te brengen zonder ze fysiek te verstoren.
Daarnaast wordt gebruik gemaakt van AI-gestuurde beeldherkenning om inscripties en iconografie te analyseren, waardoor de interpretatie wordt versneld en verfijnd. Deze technologische vooruitgang stelt archeologen in staat om complexe structuren te bestuderen en meer te weten te komen over de oude beschavingen die ooit in de regio floreerden.
Implicaties voor de kennis van oude Egyptische beschavingen
De herontdekking van deze reusachtige standbeelden onder water heeft grote implicaties voor de archeologie en de geschiedenis van Egypte. Het bewijst dat er nog veel te ontdekken valt, vooral in onderwatergebieden die lange tijd onverkend zijn gebleven. Het biedt ook nieuwe inzichten in de schaal van religieuze en politieke macht die de farao’s en priesters konden uitoefenen.
Bovendien onderstrepen de beelden de complexiteit van de oude steden langs de Nijldelta, die niet alleen handels- en administratieve centra waren, maar ook belangrijke religieuze locaties. De bevindingen kunnen leiden tot herzieningen van bestaande geschiedschrijving en nieuwe onderzoeksrichtingen openen.
Toekomstige onderzoeksvoorstellen
Wetenschappers stellen voor om verdere expedities uit te voeren om meer structuren en artefacten te vinden in het gebied. Het gebruik van autonome onderwaterrobots en geavanceerde sonartechnologie kan helpen om de omvang van de onderwaterstad in kaart te brengen en nieuwe ontdekkingen te doen.
Daarnaast wordt aanbevolen om conserveringsmaatregelen te nemen om de gevonden beelden te beschermen tegen schade door zeewater en sedimenten. Samenwerking met internationale archeologische instituten en musea zal ook essentieel zijn om de vondsten te bewaren en toegankelijk te maken voor onderzoek en educatie.
Conclusie
De opkomst van drie enorme standbeelden uit de diepten van de ondergelopen oude stad in Egypte markeert een belangrijke mijlpaal in de archeologie. Het illustreert niet alleen de grandeur van de oude Egyptische beschaving, maar ook de kracht van moderne technologieën om verloren werelden te herontdekken. Deze ontdekking opent nieuwe deuren naar het begrijpen van de religieuze, culturele en politieke structuur van een van de meest invloedrijke beschavingen in de menselijke geschiedenis.
De komende jaren zullen ongetwijfeld meer inzichten en ontdekkingen opleveren, waardoor we een nog completer beeld krijgen van het rijke verleden van Egypte en haar onderwatersteden. Het is een bewijs dat zelfs na duizenden jaren, de geschiedenis nog steeds wacht om herontdekt te worden, verborgen onder het zand en water van de tijd.
Scientists say our consciousness can jump through time, meaning it might reach beyond the normal flow of time. The idea that time is linear might be wrong. Our consciousness can sometimes access information from the future.
Have you ever wondered why sometimes your intuition, or what some call a “gut feeling,” turns out to be true? If so, it is possible that your consciousness might have traveled through time. Scientists have begun to believe in “Precognition,” a psychic phenomenon in which individuals see, or otherwise become directly aware of, events in the future.
Cognitive neuroscientist Julia Mossbridge, who has studied this phenomenon deeply, has collected many stories of precognition. She recalled one account shared with her from 1989, involving a four-year-old girl. When the girl said goodbye to her father as he left for a business trip, she had a strong feeling that she would never see him alive again. Later, she was woken by a phone call and her mother’s scream, learning that her father had died in a car accident. (Source)
Dr. Mossbridge says that precognition is a special kind of intuition that’s about picking up information from the future. Unlike ordinary intuition, which might draw upon subtle observations from the present or the past, precognition involves knowing something that simply cannot be predicted based on anything in the present or past.
For instance, if a person wakes from a dream and suddenly knows their mother will die, even though there are no warning signs, that is precognition. Precognition is the scientific term for this unexplained process of receiving information about future events.
Dr. Mossbridge explains that since the age of seven, she has had dreams that seemed to show her events that would later happen in the real world. At first, she and her parents did not take these dreams seriously and thought they might just be strange coincidences. But when she began writing the details in a dream journal, she noticed that some of her dreams came true. She admits that sometimes her memory of the dreams was not exact, but many times her visions contained details she had no normal way of knowing in advance.
Because of experiences like these, Dr. Mossbridge began to wonder if time itself works differently than we usually think. Most people imagine time as linear (a straight line) — past, present, future — moving in just one direction. But her experiences suggested the future might already exist in some way, and that people can sometimes “remember” the future, just as they remember the past.
“There’s evidence for precognition and in physics for retrocausality [things in the future causing effects in the past]. Given that people email me constantly saying, ‘I have this problem where I am predicting future events and I don’t know what to do,’ or ‘I wish I could predict future events,’ I wanted to write a book that helps people get this under control in a way that’s positive and puts a frame around it that says you could do this in a way that’s ethical, in a way that helps the world, in a way that’s consistent with your religious beliefs, in a way that enriches your life,” Mossbridge said in 2018 (Source).
Dr. Mossbridge points out that the real issue is not whether precognition can be understood, but whether people are willing to believe it. She says many scientists resist the idea because they fear the unknown and because it challenges the simple, familiar idea that time must be linear.
Even physicists, who study the deepest rules of the universe, admit they do not fully understand how time works. According to her, the resistance to the idea comes not from logic, but from fear that the world might not be the way we assume it is.
There is an interesting study conducted by British psychiatrist John Barker in the 1960s to harness human dreams, premonitions, and intuitive visions as a way to predict and potentially prevent future disasters.
After the tragic Aberfan coal waste disaster in 1966, Barker collected and analyzed premonitions from ordinary people who had unusual dreams or feelings foretelling the event. For example, one mother found a drawing by her son, who died in the slide, that seemed to anticipate the disaster.
He believed that precognition, the ability to know about future events, was more common than generally accepted and could be systematically gathered and studied.
Barker, wanting to study these experiences, reached out to a London newspaper and asked readers to send him their dreams and premonitions related to Aberfan.
He received more than seventy responses, including from people who had dreamt about the village or had strong feelings that something terrible would happen. Some described their visions in detail before the event occurred, which convinced Barker that precognition, knowing about future events, might not be so rare.
This project eventually grew into the Premonitions Bureau, an experiment run through the Evening Standard newspaper. For a year, Barker invited people to send him their dreams or feelings about upcoming disasters, trying to see if any predictions matched actual events.
Each prediction was scored for how unusual, accurate, and timely it was. Similar projects had happened before, like the work of JW Dunne who, in the early 1900s, claimed to have experienced prophetic dreams and encouraged others to keep dream diaries. (Source)
Barker believed the Premonitions Bureau could have real practical value: if only a single major disaster could be prevented by acting on someone’s warning, the project would be justified.
In practice, Barker received some striking predictions. Notably, in the spring of 1967, Alan Hencher, one of the “Aberfan seers,” called Barker to predict a plane crash involving a French-built passenger jet.
Hencher described details of the crash, including the number of people who would be killed and that there would be only one survivor. A few days later, a Swiss airliner crashed in Cyprus, killing nearly the exact number of people that Hencher had predicted. The story made headlines in the Evening Standard and lent credibility to the idea of the bureau.
Unlike fortune-tellers at carnivals, who might just guess things by looking at people’s social media or reading body language, scientists and psychologists are seriously trying to figure out if precognition is real. They see it as one form of ESP, which stands for extrasensory perception. This means perceiving something without using the normal five senses. Humans throughout history, from shamans to mystics, have claimed to experience precognition, but modern science is still unable to explain it fully.
Another scientist, Dean Radin, has also studied precognition. He works at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and teaches psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
He has written several books, such as Entangled Minds, Supernormal, and Real Magic, all about consciousness and psychic phenomena. Radin agrees with Mossbridge that precognition is possible and that it suggests time might not actually function in the simple way we think.
According to Dr. Radin, “time is not how we experience it in normal life.” In quantum physics, which is the study of very tiny particles like atoms and photons, time may not behave at all like our everyday understanding. It may exist in a much stranger way. He believes consciousness itself, our awareness, our mind, may have the ability to move outside of ordinary time, reaching into the past or future.
To test this idea, Dr. Radin created an experiment in the 1990s while working at the University of Nevada. His idea was that if people really can sense the future, then their bodies and brains should react before an event happens.
In the experiment, volunteers were hooked up to a machine called an EEG, which measures brain activity. Each volunteer had to press a button on a computer to bring up a random picture. The computer would randomly show either a positive, pleasant picture (such as a sunrise) or a negative, disturbing one (like a car crash).
What Dr. Radin and his team measured was the brain activity in the seconds before the picture appeared. Strangely, the results showed that the brain often reacted as if it already knew what kind of picture was about to show up. If the picture was going to be positive, the brain stayed calm. But if it was going to be negative, the brain would show a spike in activity before the picture even appeared. This suggested that the brain somehow anticipated the future image.
The experiment was remarkably consistent, and it has been repeated successfully many times since then, with the same results.
In fact, Dr. Radin says these kinds of studies have been replicated about 36 times by other researchers. Even the CIA became interested, in 1995, they released previously secret research into precognition. After reviewing the experiments carefully, statisticians said the results were statistically reliable, meaning they were unlikely to be a coincidence.
Dr. Mossbridge argues that when so many experiments keep pointing to the same conclusion, the evidence should be taken seriously. But many scientists still dismiss it because it clashes with their belief in linear time.
According to her, most people have the ability to be precognitive, but because society often labels it as delusion or “nonsense,” people ignore or suppress it.
In many cultures, precognition is better accepted. For example, Radin studied Tibetan oracles. These individuals traditionally predicted the future and were consulted for guidance. He also discusses “remote viewing,” the ability to see things across both time and space.
In ancient times, shamans who could see the future could help their tribes by predicting the weather or knowing when enemies were coming. Some cultures also used natural substances, like ayahuasca or morning glory seeds, to open up this ability, sometimes referred to as the “third eye.”
As for a possible scientific explanation, Dr. Radin suggests looking at something called quantum entanglement. In physics, this is when two particles become linked in such a way that they instantly affect each other, no matter how far apart they are.
Albert Einstein once described this as “spooky action at a distance.” Dr. Radin says this might also apply to time. In his view, your brain in the present could be “entangled” with your brain in the future. This means that when something is going to happen later, you might feel it now as though it were a memory arriving early. This could even explain “déjà vu,” that weird feeling of having already experienced something that is happening for the first time.
All (or at least most) astronomical eyes are on 3I/ATLAS, our most recent interstellar visitor that was discovered in early July. Given its relatively short observational window in our solar system, and especially its impending perihelion in October, a lot of observational power has been directed towards it. That includes the most powerful space telescope of them all - and a recent paper pre-printed on arXiv describes what the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered in the comet’s coma. It wasn’t like any other it had seen before.
3I/ATLAS’s coma, which is the material surrounding its nucleus, is primarily made up of carbon dioxide (CO2), according to the paper first authored by Martin Cordiner of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Catholic University of America. It also contains water, carbon monoxide and carbonyl sulfide, all of which are expected to be in a comet’s coma. But the ratio of carbon dioxide to water is 8 to 1, the highest ever seen in a comet, and six standard deviations above the typical value. Strangely, the carbon monoxide (CO) ratio with water is more in line with previous observations, at 1.4.
To detect these chemicals, JWST used its NIRSpec infrared camera to observe 3I/ATLAS on August 6th, when it was 3.32 AU from the Sun. Other indications, which weren’t quite as surprising, include that the coma does have a bunch of water and dust scattered around it, as well as a higher dust concentration facing the Sun, which is typically for higher outgassing on the side the Sun heats.
NASA Explains what we know about 3I/ATLAS so far.
Another finding was that the ratio of two types of carbon isotopes, Carbon-12 and Carbon-13, was broadly similar to that found on Earth, suggesting the material was created in an environment with similar carbon species. However, there are a couple of features of 3I/ATLAS’s creation that could have caused the lopsided CO2/H2O ratio.
One is extremely high levels of ultraviolet radiation in the host star system the object was created it. Another could be that is was created beyond the CO2 “ice line”, where carbon dioxide ice is relatively abundant compared to water. Other explanations have to do with how heat from the Sun is able to affect the nucleus - if it is harder to heat up, then CO2, which has a lower melting point than water, would be sublimated first, accounting for the lopsided ratio despite having plenty of water stored in the nucleus waiting to be released as it gets closer to the Sun.
Either way, more observations are needed. This is only the third interstellar visitor we have confirmed, and the first (‘Oumuamua) wasn’t bright enough to capture its coma’s spectra, though even if it was it didn’t appear to have a coma anyway. That leaves the second interstellar visitor 2I/Borisov, as our only other point of comparison for the coma spectra of an interstellar comet. It actually had a higher carbon monoxide to water ratio, even as compared to 3I/ATLAS’s, so it seems of the two we have collected so far, each interstellar visitor’s coma hide new insights.
Fraser discusses how 3I/ATLAS is actively releasing water.
This undoubtedly won’t be the last paper examining 3I/ATLAS’s coma - it probably won’t even be the last one from JWST. We still have a few weeks of observational time before it passes too close to the Sun to be detectable, and then reaches its perihelion in early October, which it is still obscured from our view, though there is a chance some probes at Mars might be able to catch a glimpse of it during that time. When it finally becomes visible again in December, it will already be on its way out of our solar system, and likely would have shed most of the material it was going to. Sometimes astronomical events are fleetings, and astronomers have to try to capture them as they’re happening. At least with this one they’ll have a little bit of warning - we’ll see what they find as they continue to observe our newest interstellar visitor.
Aurora around Jupiter's north pole captured by the Hubble Space Telescope (Credit : NASA)
Scientists from the University of Minnesota have discovered something extraordinary in Jupiter's polar regions that has never been seen before, a completely new type of plasma wave that creates aurora unlike anything we observe on Earth.
While Earth's northern and southern lights (also known as the aurora borealis and aurora australis) create familiar green and blue curtains dancing across our sky, Jupiter's aurora is an entirely different beast. In comparison, Jupiter is vastly more magnetic, due to its large size, fast rotation, and complex interactions with its moons, make it a natural laboratory for extreme physics.
The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, shines above Bear Lake
(Credit : United States Air Force)
The discovery came from NASA's Juno spacecraft, which made history as the first probe to orbit Jovian poles. What the team found challenges everything we thought we knew about aurora, which have primarily been understood through Earth based observations.
The key to this breakthrough is the nature of plasma. Plasma is a state of gas where matter is so hot that atoms break apart into electrons and ions. This then flows like an invisible ocean around Jupiter. These particles are accelerated down toward the planet, where they ignite gases in the upper atmosphere, creating the aurora phenomenon.
An illustration shows NASA's Juno spacecraft near Io with its parent planet Jupiter in the background
(Credit : NASA)
Professor Robert Lysak, a world expert on plasma waves, worked with observational astronomers Ali Sulaiman and Sadie Elliott to decode what Juno was seeing. They discovered that Jupiter's unique conditions, an incredibly strong magnetic field combined with extremely low plasma density in its polar regions, created the never seen before phenomenon.
Alfvén waves, named after physicist Hannes Alfvén who first theorised in 1942 that plasma could behave like both a fluid and respond to magnetic fields are central to the phenomenon. The data showed that, due to the extremely low density of the plasma in Jupiter's polar region, the frequency of the plasma waves was very low especially compared to the frequency of similar waves on Earth.
The differences between Earth and Jupiter's auroral systems are striking. On Earth, the aurora forms a typical donut pattern of auroral activity around the polar cap, while the polar cap itself remains dark. Jupiter operates differently, thanks to its complex magnetic field system which allows charged particles to flood directly into the polar cap regions, creating aurora where Earth would have darkness.
Auroras shine bright blue over Jupiter
(Credit : NASA/ESA)
Unlike Earth's visible green and blue auroras created by oxygen and nitrogen, Jupiter's upper atmosphere is very different from Earth's and its aurora tends to be invisible to the naked eye and can only be observed with UV and Infrared instruments.
This discovery reveals an entirely new regime of plasma physics that couldn't be observed from Earth based studies alone. The research expands our understanding of how plasma behaves under extreme conditions, knowledge that could have applications in fusion energy research and space weather prediction.
While Juno continues to orbit Jupiter, the team hopes future missions like JUICE and Europa Clipper, arriving at Jupiter in the late 2020s, will provide additional opportunities to study this phenomenon. Each new observation helps scientists piece together the complex puzzle of planetary magnetospheres and their role in shaping the space environment around giant planets.
Alien Aurora: Lysak, Sulaiman and Elliott find new plasma regime in Jupiter’s aurora
Professor Robert Lysak, Assistant Professor Ali Sulaiman and Researcher Sadie Elliott, of the School of Physics and Astronomy recently published a paper in Physics Review Letters, “New Plasma Regime in Jupiter’s Auroral Zones,” on the first-ever detailed observation and analysis of a new type of plasma wave in Jupiter’s auroral zone. Their findings were featured in an article in the New Scientist magazine, under the headline “Astronomers found a completely new type of plasma wave near Jupiter.”
Sulaiman and Elliott brought their expertise in observation to data from NASA’s Juno probe, which made its historic low orbit flight over Jupiter’s north pole. “James Webb (Space telescope) has given us some infrared images of the aurora, but Juno is the first spacecraft in a polar orbit around Jupiter,” Sulaiman says. What the astronomers observed was an entirely new phenomenon in auroral physics which has mainly been based on examples tuned to the magnetic field of the Earth. Jupiter by comparison is vastly more magnetic, due to its large size, fast rotation, and complex interactions with its moons. The dynamo in the interior of Jupiter generates a field many times larger than that of Earth.
Fig 1.
The space around these magnetized planets is filled with superheated particles that form a plasma, a state of matter where extremes of temperature cause the atoms to break into electrons and ions. These particles are accelerated down toward the planet, where they ignite gases in the upper atmosphere (on Earth, Oxygen and Nitrogen) leading to their familiar blue and green colors. Jupiter’s upper atmosphere is very different from Earth's and its aurora tends to be invisible to the naked eye and can only be observed with UV and Infrared instruments.
The observational astronomers turned to Lysak, one of the world’s leading experts on these mechanics for help in describing the alien aurora. Plasma can exhibit the behavior of a fluid in that it travels in a wave. Unlike fluids, plasmas can have their own magnetic field and are influenced by external fields as well. Lysak studies Alfven Waves, a discipline named after Hannes Alfven who in 1942 first theorized that plasma could be understood by combining fluid mechanics with Electromagnetic field theory.
The data showed that due to the extremely low density of the plasma in Jupiter’s polar region, the frequency of the plasma waves was very low especially compared to the frequency of similar waves on Earth, combined with Jupiter’s supercharged magnetic field system, Juno showed a type of wave unlike anything ever observed before.
Figure 2
Lysak used what he called “basic plasma theory” to unpack the problem and to explain how combination of low plasma density and strong magnetic fields led to the new type of wave. At Earth, the aurora forms a typical donut pattern of auroral activity around the polar cap shown in figure 2b, while the polar cap itself is usually dark. The complex mechanics of the Jupiter’s magnetic field intermittently allow these particles to flood into the zone over the polar caps as shown in Figure 2a.
Elliott’s part of the project was to study how the field lines interact with upgoing electrons from the field lines which cause the plasma to diffuse out to 30 -50 times the radius of the gas giant. These electrons play a role in exciting the new plasma wave mode. The group hopes to be able to learn more about this phenomenon when Juno makes further passes around Jupiter. Unfortunately, the planned extended mission to Jupiter is doubtful given the uncertain state of funding of the American space program, but they have some hope that JUICE and Europa Clipper, due to arrive at Jupiter at the end of the decade, may be able to accommodate this research.
I found an alien face, in Algeria near the Sahara Desert 🐪 It’s 500 meters from top of head to bottom of neck. Proof they were here millions of years before us, and will be here long after us.
UFO over Curilac, Montenegro on Aug 5, 2025, UAP sighting news. Aliens are watching!
UFO over Curilac, Montenegro on Aug 5, 2025, UAP sighting news. Aliens are watching!
Date of sighting: Aug 5, 2025
Location of sighting: Curilac, Montenegro
Source: NUFORC
This is a great video of a glowing red orb UFO over the mountains in Montenegro this week. The eyewitness noticed the orb and walked over to the end of the fenced area and watched as the orb flashes and moves, having over the hill. She caught one of several UFOs seen, sometimes a sighting moves so fast that we forget to record it, however even a 30 second recording such as this tells us so much.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
I was sitting in my yard, when i saw one ,,circle” moving and leaving the mountain. This is not the first time seeing this.I observed three unidentified flying objects emerging sequentially from a mountain visible from my home in Danilovgrad. The sighting occurred on the night of August 5, 2025, at approximately 10:00 PM. The sky was completely clear with no clouds, and the weather was calm. Each object appeared one after the other, not at the same time. The first object rose from the mountain, flying smoothly and silently along a straight path, and then suddenly disappeared at a certain point in the sky — it did not fade out or descend, it just vanished instantly.
£After a short interval, the second object emerged from the same area and followed the exact same path, with the same behavior, and disappeared in the same way. A third object repeated the same sequence shortly after.The objects emitted a yellow light, had no visible propulsion system, made no sound at all, and appeared to move at a ufspeed similar to that of a helicopter. When first observed, each object seemed to be about 200 meters above the ground, ascending as they moved.There were no known aircraft or natural explanations that I could identify for this event.
UFO over Arcadia, California Aug 8, 2025 UAP sighting news 👽 eyewitness report.
UFO over Arcadia, California Aug 8, 2025 UAP sighting news 👽 eyewitness report.
Date of sighting: Aug 8, 2025
Location of sighting: Arcadia, California, USA
Source: NUFORC
Watch this video and you will notices a white light in the night sky thats hovering over the neighborhood. The eyewitness took notice and took a fast recording, even though the UFO was there 25+ minutes. Yes UFOs have lights, do you really think humans are the only intelligent creatures in the universe with colored lights on the aircraft and spacecraft? Such lights have been seen by mayors, congressmen, pilots and police, so if they saw and recorded such lights...you can bet they exist.
Scott C. Waring
Eyewitness:
It was flashing red, blue and green lights, no pattern It hovered there for about 25 minutes, going back and forth and in circles and figure eights. The lights had no pattern. The red light seemed on top, then blue and green lights moved around. sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right. No spotlights. planes don't move this way and helicopters don't have lights like this. I thought it might be a drone, but it was very high and the lights were too bright; brighter than a led. I showed it to my wife; it scared her. I pointed it out to a neighbor walking by, she didn't know what it was.
The factory contained long flint blades and massive stones used to shape and mold weapons with precision.
Researchers also discovered hundreds of underground pits, some lined with mud bricks, that served as storage areas, dwellings, workshops and even ritual spaces.
The scale and sophistication of the site reveal that the Canaanites had organized settlements, specialized crafts and thriving trade networks.
This glimpse into their daily lives offers a tangible link between the archaeological record and the society described in the Old Testament.
The Bible portrays the Canaanites as the original inhabitants of the Promised Land before the Israelites arrived and conquered the territory.
Experts with the Israel Antiquities Authority said the discovery sheds light on the beginnings of urbanization and professional specialization in the ancient land.
Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of an ancient blade factory with hundreds of pits used to craft and store weapons more than 5,000 years ago
The deep pits contained tools for creating the weapons. Archaeologists were amazed by the 'extremely advanced' technology used by the Canaanites who are mentioned in the Bible
'The most impressive findings discovered at the site are large flint cores, from which extremely sharp, uniformly shaped blades were produced,' IAA shared in a Facebook post.
'The blades themselves were used as knives for cutting and butchering, and as harvesting tools, like sickle blades.
'The production technology was extremely advanced and included the use of a kind of crane to exert precise pressure on the flint.'
The team noted that this also marked the discovery of a never-before-seen technology during that time period.
IAA's prehistorians Dr Jacob Vardi said: This is a sophisticated industry, not only because of the tools themselves, but also because of what is not found.
'The waste fragments, the debitage, were not scattered outside the site, perhaps to better protect and preserve the professional knowledge within the group of experts.
'Today, we understand that this site served as a center, from which Canaanite blades were distributed across broad regions in the Levant.'
In the Early Bronze Age, humans used tools made from natural raw materials: flint, bone, stone and ceramics.
The factory contained long flint blades and massive stones used to shape and mold weapons with precision
The most impressive findings discovered at the site are large flint cores, from which extremely sharp, uniformly shaped blades were produced
However, in this period, the Canaanite blades were the main cutting tools.
'An advanced industry was revealed at the site, requiring an extremely high level of expertise,' Dr Vardi said.
'Only exceptional individuals knew how to produce the Canaanite blades.
'This is clear evidence that already at the onset of the Bronze Age, the local society here was organized and complex, and had professional specialization.'
Archaeologists explained that the ancient tools aligned with the material culture of Canaan during Abraham's era, referring to the time period known as the Middle Bronze Age (roughly 2100-1900 BC), when the biblical patriarch Abraham is said to have lived and migrated to Canaan.
Abraham, the revered ancestor of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, is known in the Bible for his unwavering faith in God and the covenant to establish a new nation in the land of Canaan.
Moses, described in Scripture as a descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, later led the Israelites out of Egypt toward the Promised Land that was originally home to the Canaanites.
This is the first Canaanite workshop found in southern Israel
The Canaanites are mentioned several times in the Old Testament, including the books of Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Joshua.
In the book of Joshua 3:10, God tells the Israelites that he will drive out the Canaanites before they arrive in the Promised Land.
The Israelites fought a series of wars against the Canaanites and ultimately took over most of their land - this conquest took place in the second half of the 13th century BC.
Terry Hunt, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, told Good Morning America: 'We think we know all the moai, but then a new one turns up, a new discovery, and in this case, it's in the lake, at the statue quarry.
'There have been no moai found in the dry lakebed before, so this is a first.'
The newly discovered moai is among the smallest found, suggesting that many more could be hidden within the reeds.
Each moai honors a person, usually a leader, and many are topped with eye stones at their resting place. The largest stands over 30 feet tall and weighs up to 86 tons.
Salvador Atan Hito, vice president of Ma'u Henua, the Indigenous group managing the island's national park, said: 'For the Rapa Nui people, this is a very, very important discovery.
'Because it's here in the lake and nobody knew it existed, even our ancestors, our grandparents didn't know about this one.'
Located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island was first settled by humans around AD 1200, who built its famous enlarged head statues, called moai
Archaeologists uncovered another new statue in 2023 (pictured), which would found lying face-down
Hunt and Hito said the current dry conditions may help archaeologists discover more moai in the lakebed.
'Under the dry conditions that we have now, we may find more,' Hunt told GMA.
'They've been hidden by the tall reeds that grow in the lake bed, and prospecting with something that can detect what's under the ground surface may tell us that there are more moai in the lakebed sediments.
'When there's one moai in the lake, there's probably more.'
For the past decade, Hunt and his colleagues and students have created an inventory of 981 moai on the island, complete with precise GPS locations and measurements.
Many moai remain in a quarry near Rano Raraku, the now-dry crater lake where the newest statue was found, in various stages of completion.
There's no doubt Easter Island (pictured) in the southern Pacific is geographically one of the most isolated places on Earth
The Moai are monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island, between AD 1,250 and 1,500
The largest, called Te Tokanga or 'The Giant' in the Rapa Nui language, was never finished and lies on its back, measuring 63 feet long and weighing an estimated 90 to 100 tons.
The team made a similar discovery in 2023, finding another new moa that measured five feet by six inches long and was found face up in the ground.
Hunt said the statue's eye sockets had been carved, which is historically the final step in a moai's construction before display.
The base is also flat, rather than sloped, to help with moving the statue.
Researchers believed that the ancient Rapa Nui people likely moved the moai statues by 'walking' them upright using ropes to rock and pivot the statues forward in a controlled, rocking motion.
This method, supported by experiments and oral traditions, allowed them to move these massive statues across the island without dragging them on sleds or rollers.
Hunt frequently uses cell phones and drones for 3D imaging of the moai.
He is also exploring the use of ground-penetrating radar to detect hidden moai or structures underground, particularly in the Rano Raraku lakebed.
Historically, the original inhabitants, known as the Rapa Nui, were believed to have been completely shut off from the wider world.
However, a study released in July by researchers in Sweden challenged the long-held narrative.
Pictured, ahu (a central stone platform) on Mo’orea, Windward, French Polynesia, southern Pacific Ocean
They said the 63.2-square-mile island in the southern Pacific was not quite as isolated over the past 800 years as previously thought.
The island was populated with multiple waves of new inhabitants who bravely traversed the Pacific Ocean from west to east. 'Easter Island was settled from central East Polynesia around AD 1200-1250,' study author Professor Paul Wallin at Uppsala University told the Daily Mail.
'The Polynesians were skilled sailors, so double canoes were used.'
For their study, the team at Uppsala University compared archaeological data and radiocarbon dates from settlements, ritual spaces and monuments across Polynesia, the collection of more than 1,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean.
The experts point out that ahu stone platforms were historically constructed at Polynesian islands further to the west.
These rectangular clearings were communal ritual spaces that, in some places, remain sacred to this day.
'The temple grounds ahu [also known as marae] exist on all East Polynesian islands,' Professor Wallin added.
Archaeologists believe they will uncover more statues in the future
The team agreed that an early population of people spread from the west of the Pacific to the east before encountering Easter Island and populating it around AD 1200.
They argued that Easter Island was populated several times by new seafarers, and not just once by a single group that remained isolated for centuries, as previously assumed.
'The migration process from West Polynesian core areas such as Tonga and Samoa to East Polynesia is not disputed here,' they say in their paper.
'Still, the static west-to-east colonization and dispersal suggested for East Polynesia and the idea that Rapa Nui was only colonized once in the past and developed in isolation are challenged.'
Based on their evidence, they also think ahu originated on Easter Island before the trend spread east to west across other western Polynesian islands during the period of AD 1300-1600.
It was only after this that the Polynesian islands, including but not limited to Easter Island, might have become isolated from each other.
If you haven't had your dinner yet, look away now.
A mouth–watering new study has revealed exactly what the interior of Mars looks like – with scientists comparing the structure to a Rocky Road.
Until now, it has been widely assumed that the inside of Mars is smooth and uniform.
In fact, scientists have suggested the planet's crust, mantle, and core are stacked like the biscuit base, caramel, and chocolate of a neat slice of Millionaire's Shortbread.
However, data collected by NASA's InSight mission reveals that this isn't actually the case.
Instead, the Red Planet's mantle is rather messy, according to experts from Imperial College London.
Rock fragments measuring up to 2.5 miles (4km) wide are dotted throughout the interior – much like the marshmallows and biscuit pieces in a Rocky Road.
These ancient fragments are 'preserved like geological fossils from the planet's violent early history,' according to the team.
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A mouth–watering new study has revealed exactly what the interior of Mars looks like – with scientists comparing the structure to a Rocky Road
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Rock fragments measuring up to 2.5 miles (4km) wide are dotted throughout the interior – much like the marshmallows and biscuit pieces in a Rocky Road
We already know that Mars formed about 4.5 billion years ago, as dust and rock orbiting the young Sun gradually clumped together.
Once Mars was almost fully formed, it was struck by a giant, planet–sized objects, in a series of 'near–cataclysmic collisions.'
'These colossal impacts unleashed enough energy to melt large parts of the young planet into vast magma oceans,' said lead researcher Dr Constantinos Charalambous.
'As those magma oceans cooled and crystallised, they left behind compositionally distinct chunks of material – and we believe it's these we're now detecting deep inside Mars.'
These impacts mixed fragments of Mars' early crust and mantle into the molten interior.
Then, as Mars cooled, these ancient chunks became trapped in the mantle – like the marshmallows and biscuit in a Rocky Road mix.
Finally, Mars sealed up its stagnant outer crust, leaving the ancient chunks trapped inside.
'Most of this chaos likely unfolded in Mars's first 100 million years,' says Dr Charalambous.
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We already know that Mars formed about 4.5 billion years ago, as dust and rock orbiting the young Sun gradually clumped together. Once Mars was almost fully formed, it was struck by a giant, planet–size objects, in a series of 'near–cataclysmic collisions'
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Scientists have previously suggested Mars' crust, mantle, and core are stacked like the biscuit base, caramel, and chocolate of a neat slice of Millionaire's Shortbread
How did Mars form?
We already know that Mars formed about 4.5 billion years ago, as dust and rock orbiting the young Sun gradually clumped together.
Once Mars was almost fully formed, it was struck by a giant, planet–sized objects, in a series of 'near–cataclysmic collisions.'
These impacts mixed fragments of Mars' early crust and mantle into the molten interior.
Then, as Mars slowly cooled, these ancient chunks became trapped in the mantle – like the marshmallows and biscuit in a Rocky Road mix.
Finally, Mars sealed up its stagnant outer crust, leaving the ancient chunks trapped inside.
'The fact that we can still detect its traces after four and a half billion years shows just how sluggishly Mars's interior has been churning ever since.'
In their new study, the team analysed seismic data collected by NASA's InSight lander.
As suspected, the data confirmed that the interior of Mars is chunky rather than smooth.
'What happened on Mars is that, after those early events, the surface solidified into a stagnant lid,' Dr Charalambous said.
'It sealed off the mantle beneath, locking in those ancient chaotic features — like a planetary time capsule.'
The ancient chunks detected inside Mars follow a 'striking' pattern, according to the experts.
A few large fragments, measuring roughly 2.5 miles (4km) wide, are surrounded by many smaller ones.
Professor Tom Pike, who worked with Dr Charalambous to unravel what caused these chunks, said: 'What we are seeing is a 'fractal' distribution, which happens when the energy from a cataclysmic collision overwhelms the strength of an object.
'You see the same effect when a glass falls onto a tiled floor as when a meteorite collides with a planet: it breaks into a few big shards and a large number of smaller pieces. It's remarkable that we can still detect this distribution today.'
The researchers hope the findings will help to unravel the mystery of not only how Mars formed, but also the other planets in our solar system.
'InSight's data continues to reshape how we think about the formation of rocky planets, and Mars in particular,' said Dr Mark Panning of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.
'It's exciting to see scientists making new discoveries with the quakes we detected!'
For centuries, Catholics have flocked to the Italian city of Turin to be in the presence of its famous shroud.
The venerated piece of linen, measuring 14ft 5in by 3ft 7in, bears a faint image of the front and back of a man – interpreted by many as Jesus Christ.
Believers say it was used to wrap the body of Christ after his crucifixion, leaving his bloody imprint, like a photographic snapshot.
But a newly-uncovered piece of early evidence claims this actually wasn't the case.
In the written document, dating from the 14th century, French theologian Nicole Oresme (1325-1382) wholeheartedly rejects the shroud, which was first uncovered in the Champagne region of France.
The influential philosopher and bishop calls the shroud a 'clear' and 'patent' fake – the result of deceptions by shady 'clergy men'.
In the document, Oresme asserts: 'I do not need to believe anyone who claims: “Someone performed such miracle for me”, because many clergy men thus deceive others, in order to elicit offerings for their churches.
‘This is clearly the case for a church in Champagne, where it was said that there was the shroud of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for the almost infinite number of those who have forged such things, and others.'
An influential philosopher and bishop calls the shroud a 'clear' and 'patent' fake – the result of deceptions by 'clergy men'
The venerated piece of linen, measuring 14ft 5in by 3ft 7in, bears a faint image of the front and back of a man – interpreted by many as Jesus Christ. Believers say it was used to wrap the body of Christ after his crucifixion, leaving his bloody imprint, like a photographic snapshot. But a newly-uncovered piece of evidence suggests this was actually not the case
The previously-unknown document from 1355–82 offers one of the oldest dismissals of the famous 14-foot cloth – and the oldest written evidence known to-date.
It is discussed in a new paper authored by Dr Nicolas Sarzeaud, historian at Université Catholique of Louvain, in Belgium.
'This now-controversial relic has been caught up in a polemic between supporters and detractors of its cult for centuries,' Dr Sarzeaud said.
'What has been uncovered is a significant dismissal of the shroud... this case gives us an unusually detailed account of clerical fraud.'
Nicole Oresme – who later became the Bishop of Lisieux, in France – was a particularly important religious figure in the later Middle Ages.
He was influential, too, for his works on economics, mathematics, physics, astrology, astronomy and philosophy.
But he was particularly well-regarded for his attempts to provide rational explanations for so-called miracles and other phenomena.
'What makes Oresme's writing stand out is his attempt to provide rational explanations for unexplained phenomena, rather than interpreting them as divine or demonic,' Dr Sarzeaud said.
In the document, French theologian Nicole Oresme (1325-1382) wholeheartedly rejects the shroud. This page from the book 'Traité de l'espère' depicts Nicole Oresme busy at his studies, with an armillary sphere in the foreground
The shroud first appeared in 1354 in France. After initially denouncing it as a fake, the Catholic church has now embraced the shroud as genuine. Pictured, Pope Francis visits the Shroud of Turin in 2015
The Shroud of Turin (pictured) is believed by many to be the cloth in which the body of Jesus was wrapped after his death, but not all experts are convinced it is genuine
Shroud of Turin: The burial cloth of Jesus Christ?
The Shroud of Turin is a 14-foot-long linen cloth with a faint image of a crucified man.
The image on the shroud is believed to reflect the story of Jesus' crucifixion, giving rise to the belief that the cloth is the burial shroud of Jesus himself.
The authenticity of the shroud has been frequently brought into question over the years but there are also many studies claiming to validate its origin.
It is considered to be one of the most intensely studied human artefacts in history.
Since it first emerged in 1354 Vatican authorities have repeatedly gone back and forth on whether it should be considered the true burial shroud.
The shroud is currently stored at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Turin but is only publicly displayed on special occasions.
'The philosopher even rated witnesses according to factors such as their reliability, and also cautioned against rumour. It was essential for him to denounce all errors and manipulations.'
Oresme's honest assessment of the Shroud of Turin generally prompted him to be 'more broadly suspicious' of the word of clergy altogether, adds Dr Sarzeaud, who completely agrees with the historic bishop that it was a 'forged relic in the Middle Ages'.
'Although we generally consider people from this era to be credulous, Oresme provides a precious example of medieval critical thinking,' he said.
'It is striking that, of the thousands of relics from this period, it is the one most clearly described as false by the medieval Church that has become the most famous today.'
The Shroud of Turin was likely strategically placed and fraudulently presented as authentic by clergy men in the church of Lirey, a commune in north-central France where it originates, in 1354.
As such, the controversial relic was known as the Shroud of Lirey in medieval times, before eventually being transported to Turin in 1578.
Commenting on Dr Sarzeaud's findings, world-leading Shroud of Turin expert Professor Andrea Nicolotti called the results 'further historical evidence that even in the Middle Ages, they knew that the shroud was not authentic'.
'The other technological and scientific evidence, which points in the same direction, remains unchanged,' said Professor Nicolotti, a professor of Christian history at the University of Turin.
Pictured, an exposition of the Shroud of Turin begins in the Turin Cathedral, Italy, April 2015. The object's rich religious heritage and ceremonial value is thought to contribute to a passionate reverence, often religious in nature
However, the new paper, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medieval History, will unlikely put the debate to bed.
Way back in 1389, the shroud was denounced as a forgery by the bishop of Troyes, Pierre d’Arcis – but it has nevertheless inspired Catholic devotion since.
Even for some academics, the shroud – held at a chapel at the centre of the Italian city – is one of Christianity's most holy relics that asks more questions that it answers.
Tim Andersen, research scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, previously said there is 'no plausible scientific explanation for how it could have been forged or even created by natural processes'.
Meanwhile, Professor Liberato De Caro, a scientist at the Italian National Research Council who uses x-ray methods, said that everything on the shroud is 'highly correlated to what the Gospels tell about Jesus Christ' and his death.
No physical description of Jesus is found in the Bible.
He's typically depicted as Caucasian in Western works of art, but has also been painted to look as if he was Latino or Aboriginal.
It's thought this is so people in different parts of the world can more easily relate to the Biblical figure.
The earliest depictions show him as a typical Roman man, with short hair and no beard, wearing a tunic.
It is thought that it wasn't until 400AD that Jesus appears with a beard.
This is perhaps to show he was a wise teacher, because philosophers at the time were typically depicted with facial hair.
The conventional image of a fully bearded Jesus with long hair did not become established until the sixth century in Eastern Christianity, and much later in the West
Medieval art in Europe typically showed him with brown hair and pale skin.
This image was strengthened during the Italian Renaissance, with famous paintings such as The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci showing Christ.
Modern depictions of Jesus in films tend to uphold the long-haired, bearded stereotype, while some abstract works show him as a spirit or light.
Rumors that a secret mountain base in the US controlled by aliens has been swirling for 50 years, but locals and UFO researchers are convinced it's real.
The base allegedly sits inside Archuleta Mesa in New Mexico, but has gained the nickname 'Alien Mountain' because of the conspiracy theories, strange phenomena, andalleged eyewitness accounts all tied to the nearby town of Dulce.
While there's no physical evidence that a base has somehow been carved out inside the large mountain, UFO researchers have continued to examine the claims surrounding the facility, including a battle with aliens that reportedly left 66 people dead.
Since the 1970s, residents have claimed they've seen UFOs, extraterrestrials, and even genetic experiments that look like human-alien hybrids walking around the town.
Geraldine Julian, a Dulce resident, told the Santa Fe New Mexican: 'The whole town of Dulce, whoever you want to talk to, they'll tell you what they've seen, a lot of them.'
The local community hasn't just seen things in the sky, as they've taken photos of strange craft around the mountain, as well as unexplained cow mutilations in nearby fields.
Recently, declassified records have revealed how the US government could have created the massive complex inside Archuleta Mesa, using a machine that literally melts rock instead of drilling.
The records may one day help prove the stories of at least one alleged whistleblower, who claimed he survived that deadly encounter with the aliens hiding inside the government facility.
Archuleta Mesa (pictured) overlooks the town of Dulce, New Mexico, where UFO researchers and locals both claim aliens live in secret
Residents have photographed multiple UFOs over the years flying near Archuleta Mesa. A secret base is believed to be hidden inside the mountain, created using advanced drilling technology
UFO and government conspiracy researcher John Greenewald was able to uncover documents revealing that a machine called the Subterrene was built and tested in the 1970s.
The Subterrene is a nuclear-powered tunneling machine developed to bore through rock and soil by melting them with extreme heat, creating smooth, glass-lined tunnels.
It was created by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, just 100 miles from the site of the alleged New Mexico base inside Archuleta Mesa.
Although the declassified documents confirmed that the Subterrene exists, there were no records of it being used to build Dulce Base.
If the mountain base does exist, however, one man already revealed what it looks like, claiming that Dulce Base has seven floors devoted to genetic experiments, extraterrestrial technology, mind control, and housing for alien beings.
The man who allegedly saw the inside of Dulce Base was Phil Schneider, a self-proclaimed former government engineer and geologist.
Before he died in 1996, Schneider repeatedly claimed that he suffered severe injuries, including the loss of several fingers, during a deadly battle with aliens inside the complex.
According to Schneider, who never showed proof of his government ties, 66 military personnel and government workers perished in the fight after a human team accidentally drilled into an alien-controlled section of the base.
Phil Schneider, an alleged government whistleblower and geologist, claimed that Dulce Base had 7 levels devoted to alien research, mind control, and genetic experiments
Schneider also made unsubstantiated claims that the US government was creating hundreds of these mountain bases around the nation using advanced technology.
At UFO lectures, Schneider would also reveal a piece of metal that he claimed was alien technology from the Dulce base, and that it was now being used in US stealth aircraft.
The rumors of a mysterious Dulce base go back to the mid-1970s, when New Mexico State Police officer Gabe Valdez was one of many locals who started finding the mangled remains of cattle near the mountain.
These cows hadn't been killed by a local predator. They appeared to have been surgically disassembled, with specific organs removed and all the blood drained out.
In local radio interviews, Valdez also claimed that gas masks, glow sticks, and other equipment had been left behind at the scene of the attacks.
In 1979, Albuquerque businessman and physicist Paul Bennewitz claimed he intercepted unusual electronic signals near Dulce.
He would go on to theorize that the signals were coming from an underground base being used by both aliens and the US government, a theory that became widely shared among UFO researchers at the time.
However, Bennewitz's claims were later dismissed by the UFO community after several researchers discovered declassified Air Force documents linking the businessman to a government disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting UFO stories.
Despite being seemingly debunked by the Air Force documents in the 1990s, locals in Dulce continue to maintain that the mountain is a true UFO hotspot.
New Mexico State Police officer Gabe Valdez (pictured) was one of the first people in the 1970s to note the strange events taking place near the mountain and discuss it publicly
Several cow mutilations were discovered by Valdez and others during the 1970s and 1980s, with suspicious equipment like gas masks left behind at the scene of the attacks
'It's not just a fairy tale,' Julian said in 2016. 'All the things are true, and I believe every last one of them, too, because I've seen it myself.'
Julian added in an interview with KOAT that she saw one of the genetic experiments allegedly created in Dulce Base, saying that it was a 'goat with a tail' from the waist down, but had the upper body and head of a human.
Other locals said they've seen the ground open up near the mountain, with steam coming out of the opening.
Dory Vigil, a Dulce resident who captured a photo of a UFO near Archuleta Mesa, said he'd take a lie detector test to prove he and others in the community aren't making up what continues to be seen in this small town of just 2,700 people.
An 18-minute video of an alleged alien autopsy that sent the world into a frenzy decades ago has resurfaced as investigations into UFOs have reached a fever pitch.
The shocking film, showing three people in hazmat suits dissecting what appeared to be an alien body from the 1947 Roswell crash in New Mexico, was originally released in 1995.
The grainy black-and-white footage was televised worldwide, revealing a humanoid figure with a large head and dark eyes being cut open, further fueling the growing speculation of a government cover-up.
Millions of viewers were fascinated because the film seemed to prove that aliens existed, especially as shows like The X-Files were becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Years later, however, the film's producers admitted it was all a sophisticated hoax filmed in a London apartment using animal parts and plastic casts.
Despite their confession, questions remained, as one of the filmmakers behind the fake alien autopsy claimed the video was based on a real recording of scientists examining the remains of a dead extraterrestrial.
The film has now surged back into the public conversation about alien life, thanks to a new docuseries that is set to explore this mystery, diving into the video's creation 30 years ago and its lasting impact on UFO culture.
Meanwhile, there has been even more demand for answers over the last year, with elected officials even joining the call to declassify everything the government knows about UFO incidents like the Roswell crash.
The allegedly fake alien seen here in a 1995 video was supposed to be from the 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico
Spyros Melaris (pictured) was the filmmaker behind the fake autopsy. He has since revealed his storyboards used to plan out the hoax
British entrepreneur Ray Santilli released the 18-minute Roswell 'autopsy,' which aired on Fox as Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction on August 28, 1995.
According to British UFO researcher and author Philip Mantle, Santilli worked with filmmaker Spyros Melaris, who was the real genius behind the fake autopsy video.
In an interview for Mantle's book, Roswell Alien Autopsy - The Film That Shook the World, Melaris revealed the storyboards he used while planning out the elaborate hoax.
The props created for the film included more than just an alien body. Casts created to resemble UFO control panels, alien metals with an unknown language on them, and even extraterrestrial organs were all fabricated for the stunt.
In 1995, Santilli claimed the footage obtained from a retired US military cameraman, but the film was too degraded, so his team 'reconstructed' it.
More than a decade later, Santilli and co-producer Gary Shoefield admitted the footage was fake. They claimed it was a 'restoration' of a real film Santilli saw in 1992, but Mantle noted that proof of its existence has never been found.
'There has never been any authentic film of an alien autopsy. Ray Santilli promised a number of people a piece of the film for analysis, but it never happened,' Mantle told the Daily Mail.
Mantle revealed that Spyros had a collection of research files, drawings, and even a diary, all of which supported the conclusion that there was never an actual alien autopsy that the producers used as inspiration.
The video included supposedly alien consoles made for extraterrestrial hands (pictured)
UFO researcher and author Philip Mantle documented the detailed steps the filmmakers went through to create the autopsy hoax
The US government has continued to maintain that there was no alien spacecraft at Roswell in 1947.
In 1997, an Air Force report by intelligence officer James McAndrew found no evidence of alien autopsies or UFOs at the site.
The military claimed the debris came from a balloon tied to Project Mogul, a classified surveillance program.
However, multiple UFO researchers have continued to challenge the military's story about this incident.
Dr Hal Puthoff, a physicist who worked on the government's UFO research programs, recently revealed that the military not only recovered a crashed UFO from Roswell, but they had at least 10 such craft in their possession.
On the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Puthoff noted that one of his colleagues, Dr Eric Davis, spoke to the commander of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where the debris from the Roswell incident was allegedly flown, and they confirmed that the UFO crash really happened.
As for the bodies, Mantle said that the US government has claimed they were dummies used for testing parachutes as part of Project Mogul.
Spyros Melaris and his team even had a film canister ready to make the video look authentic
One of the video's producers poses with a cast of an alien head that was to be used in the hoax
Alien writing (pictured) was also created for the pieces of UFO wreckage allegedly recovered from Roswell
Decades after the 1995 autopsy hoax, new claims of alien bodies have recently emerged, including the alleged discovery of alien mummies in Peru.
These unusual remains, notable for having three fingers and three toes, have sparked wild speculation, especially among UFO researchers and conspiracy theorists.
However, Mantle suspected that the public was again being fooled by an elaborate alien hoax.
'Sadly, a lot of people have not learnt their lesson,' he said.
A man claims to have captured a 'UFO' on video ripping through the sky at hypersonic speeds while he was playing fetch with his dog.
Andrew Clifton, 40, was out with his five-year-old Labrador, Dash, in the Malvern Hills, when he filmed the out-of-this-world phenomena.
He had been recording himself throwing a frisbee for Dash when he claims the unknown object shot through the air at high speed.
Andrew neither saw nor heard anything at the time. It wasn't until he reviewed the footage later that he noticed the strange metallic-coloured UFO.
After slowing down the footage, the alleged tubular object could be seen slicing through the sky at immense speed, seemingly covering the distance of the horizon in the fraction of a second.
After showing the clip to friends, they encouraged him to post it in a UFO sightings Facebook group, where it quickly amassed millions of views.
However, sceptics online have claimed the video could be a hoax and potentially edited.
Andrew, a change manager from Minety, Wiltshire, said: 'It was such a strange experience. At the time, I didn't notice that anything had happened. 'It was moving so fast there was no way I could pick it up with a naked eye.
The alleged UFO is pictured at the top right of the image, above the frisbee
The mysterious object was seen ripping through the sky at high speed. However, sceptics say the footage could be a hoax
'But when I got home from dinner with friends later that day, I was reviewing the videos from the day and noticed something small.
'That's when I edited the video into slow-motion and saw the object in full force for the first time.'
Malvern Hills is nestled between two major Royal Air Force bases, RAF Brize Norton, to the south east, and RAF Cosford - a training establishment - to the north.
The video was recorded on on Saturday, August 2.
Andrew later posted the video on Facebook, where members of the UFO community flooded the comments with questions.
The discussion grew even larger when the clip was shared on X - formerly Twitter - racking up more than seven million views.
Some viewers, convinced by the object's speed, believe it must be extraterrestrial while others remain sceptical.
Andrew said: 'I'm not someone who is a super big believer but I do think we shouldn't assume that there is nothing out there.
Pictured is the moment just before the alleged UFO appears in the sky above Andrew Clifton and his dog, Dash
'So when my friend suggested I posted the video to a sighting Facebook group, I thought it would start a fun discussion, but I had no idea how big it would get.
'I've seen some people suggesting it's AI, but I can promise you the only editing I did was to slow the footage down.
'Personally, I think it's more likely to be some sort of military equipment that we don't know about.
'But it's true that whenever I watch it, I can't come up with a full answer as to what it is.'
UFOs are now known as UAP - or unidentified aerial phenomena.
In recent months, concerns over UAP sightings worldwide has worried governments.
In America, a special congress has been set up to investigate alleged sightings.
It follows the disclosure of video from the US Navy which appeared to show an encounter with a 'Tic Tac' shaped objected in 2004.
The mysterious craft was observed by US Navy pilots as it soared through the sky off the coast of southern California at high speed.
Archaeologists may have found evidence of an advanced civilization wiped out by a global flood 20,000 years ago, a discovery that could rewrite human history.
Excavations at Tell Fara in Iraq during the 1930s revealed settlements dating back more than 5,000 years, in a period known for the emergence of cuneiform writing, centralized rule and complex urban organization.
Tell Fara has long been considered a key Sumerian city-state, offering vital clues about early civilization, trade networks and administrative practices.
But beneath the settlements, researchers discovered a thick layer of yellow clay and sand - an 'inundation layer' - indicating a massive flood that predates the known settlements.
Such deposits typically settle on already-inhabited ground, raising the possibility that an even older civilization may have been buried and erased by cataclysmic waters.
Similar flood deposits have been documented at Ur and Kish in Mesopotamia, Harappa in the Indus Valley, and even at ancient Nile settlements in Egypt.
The recurrence of these catastrophic layers across multiple continents suggests entire communities worldwide may have been wiped out by sudden floods, leaving only myths and fragmentary archaeological traces.
Independent researcher Matt LaCroix told the Daily Mail that geological records indicate a global disaster roughly 20,000 years ago. 'Nothing in the last 11,000 years even comes close to explaining it,' he said.
Excavations at Tell Fara in Iraq during the 1930s revealed settlements dating back more than 5,000 years, in a period known for the emergence of cuneiform writing, centralized rule and complex urban organization
Pictured is a cuneiform tablet. This one was is around 4,500 years old and includes information about Mesopotamia from between 2500 BC and 100 AD
He added that abrupt climate events could have triggered floods powerful enough to inspire myths found across cultures.
'A global catastrophe of this magnitude could have destroyed entire communities, leaving only fragments of culture and memory behind.'
Ice core records reveal abrupt climate swings, including the Younger Dryas cooling around 12,800 years ago, which some researchers believe may have triggered catastrophic floods.
But most scientists argue that while the Younger Dryas caused major regional climate shifts, there is no evidence it produced a single global flood or wiped out an advanced civilization, making the theory widely viewed as fringe.
Critics note that most humans during the Upper Paleolithic were small, nomadic hunter-gatherer groups, leaving little direct evidence for complex societies at this time.
While mainstream scientists dismiss a global flood at this period, LaCroix contended that the evidence points to an earlier, far larger catastrophe.
He dated the cataclysm to roughly 20,000 years ago, not through direct archaeological finds, but by correlating geological records with global catastrophic markers.
To do this, he examined ice cores, tree rings, volcanic debris and geomagnetic excursions to pinpoint periods of extreme worldwide disruption, then cross-referenced those with ancient flood myths and astronomical alignments.
Artifacts found beneath the inundation layers, including proto-cuneiform tablets, polychrome jars and Fara II-style bowls, point to a far more sophisticated society than previously recognized.
Archaeologists who uncovered the site said the ancient people may have been given a warning about the flood, as they only found a small number of skeletons (pictured)
He maintained that these natural records reflect the same event described in ancient flood traditions.
In his view, disasters 12,000 to 14,500 years ago, such as the Younger Dryas, were significant but too regional in scale to match the widespread devastation described in ancient accounts.
By ruling out those later events and combining multiple strands of indirect evidence, he concluded that only a much earlier catastrophe, possibly more than 20,000 years ago, fits both the geological record and the cultural memory preserved in myths.
If correct, this timeline would push the origins of civilization back by at least 8,000 years, challenging the standard view that places the first cities around 5,000 to 6,000 years ago.
Ancient Sumerian texts describe Šuruppak as a 'pre-diluvial city,' home to Ziusudra, the Sumerian equivalent of Noah.
LaCroix suggested the alignment of flood deposits at Tell Fara, Ur, and Kish with these legends is 'not merely a coincidence, it points to a shared memory of real catastrophic events.'
Independent researchers analyzed images from the site, which showed intricate seals from a forgotten civilization they believe could be around 20,000 years od
Evidence from the Upper Paleolithic period shows humans 20,000 years ago lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers, forming small, interconnected groups that relied on stone, bone, and wood tools.
Yet the artifacts found beneath the inundation layers, including proto-cuneiform tablets, polychrome jars and Fara II-style bowls, pointed to a far more sophisticated society than previously recognized.
Sharp differences between artifacts above and below the flood deposits suggest an abrupt cultural break, as if an entire civilization had been erased and later rebuilt.
Lead archaeologist Erick Schmidt, from the Penn Museum, noted that excavations revealed settlement layers up to 6ft deep.
He wrote: 'One of our most interesting problems is now, has the rising of the waters completely destroyed towns, men and beasts?'
Schmidt added that if remains of humans or animals are never found, it might indicate that populations were warned and fled before the catastrophe.
'Has the culture, existing prior to this event, been completely erased at this locality, or, speaking archaeologically, is there an absolute culture break expressed by the total difference between the remains below and above the alluvial layer?' he wrote.
LaCroix and others have proposed that this lost culture could have been part of a global network, leaving behind only myths, shared symbols, and catastrophic flood stories that resonate from Mesopotamia to Egypt and even Peru.
'This could explain why so many civilizations tell similar flood stories, the memory of a real, devastating event that reshaped the human world,' said LaCroix.
Although scientists aren't sure that living creatures ever emerged, they are now certain that Ceres had the right conditions to help that life survive.
But the dwarf planet is still lacking anything for microbes to eat.
Now, using computer models to simulate Ceres' past, researchers have shown that this was not always the case.
Between 2.5 and four billion years ago, radioactively warmed water would have created a 'buffet for microbes' that could have supported simple forms of life.
Scientists say that the dwarf planet Ceres could have once had the conditions to support abundant microbial life
Today, Ceres, which sits between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is a barren frozen wasteland.
This liquid came from vast, underground reservoirs of brine, which are now around –63°C (–81°F) – far too cold to support any known forms of life.
However, between 500 million and two billion years after Ceres formed, the decay of radioactive minerals in the rocky interior would have produced a steady supply of hot water.
According to the researchers' simulations, water near the core would have reached temperatures exceeding 270°C (530°F).
That hot water would have surged up towards the surface, mixing with the cold water and injecting a stream of dissolved minerals and gases.
That might not sound anything like food as we would recognise it, but these sorts of hot water vents can actually be key to developing life.
Lead researcher Sam Courville, now a PhD candidate at Arizona State University, says: 'On Earth, when hot water from deep underground mixes with the ocean, the result is often a buffet for microbes — a feast of chemical energy.
Although the dwarf planet, which orbits between Mars and Jupiter, is now a frozen wasteland, around 2.5 to four billion years ago, it may have been warm enough to support life
As radioactive materials decay, they heat water that pushes to the surface, carrying a stream of dissolved gases and minerals. Those chemicals then enter the cold reservoir of salty water and provide the fuel for life
'So it could have big implications if we could determine whether Ceres’ ocean had an influx of hydrothermal fluid in the past'
If life had emerged on Ceres, a type of microbe known as a chemotroph that gets its energy from chemical reactions could have survived on the supply of hot water.
Professor Helen Williams, an expert on planetary formation from the University of Cambridge who was not involved in the study, told Daily Mail: 'This research is really exciting because it shows that Ceres may once have had water at its surface.
'Water acts as a means of transporting and concentrating elements that are also essential to life.
'These elements are also concentrated in rocks, so water percolating through those rocks would transport and concentrate those elements near the planet’s surface, creating conditions extremely favourable for the development of life .'
Unfortunately, scientists say that our window for finding alien life on this distant dwarf planet has long since closed.
The radioactive materials that provided the heat decayed billions of years ago, removing the source of fuel.
Unlike some moons, such as Saturn's moon Enceladus or Jupiter's moon Europa, Ceres isn't heated by the intense gravitational push and pull of a nearby planet, so it is now too cold for life.
Scientists had previously found that Ceres contained liquid water and organic carbon–based molecules, which are both necessary ingredients for life. Now they also know that it once had a supply of food for life to feed on
However, today Ceres is once again frozen. As this diagram shows, the oceans have frozen as the radioactive minerals decayed, leaving only a thin layer of brine that is too cold to support life
However, the researchers say that this discovery opens the possibility of finding forms of life elsewhere.
Professor Williams says: 'These results certainly tell us that a wider class of planets could be habitable, although this depends on many other factors, such as the distance these planets are from the central star in their solar systems.'
Since Ceres was able to become habitable purely through its own inherent radioactivity, the same could be true of objects of a similar size.
In their study, published in Science Advances, Mr Courville and his co–authors write: 'Being in large numbers, these bodies might represent the most abundant type of habitable environment in the early solar system.'
That means there could be many more planets out there with the capacity to support life than researchers had previously thought.
In 1977, scientists discovered a mysterious signal beaming from space that was so powerful it prompted astronomer Jerry Ehman to write 'Wow!' on the telescope's readout.
Now, a team of experts has re-examined the signal's data with modern techniques and found that it could be even stranger than previously thought.
According to the new analysis, the Wow! signal was more than four times stronger than earlier estimates suggested.
The scientists were also able to definitively dismiss a number of natural or human explanations.
There were no known TV stations at that time which could have created the signal, nor were there any satellites passing overhead.
And although scientists believe that the Wow! signal is likely to have a natural cause, they say alien sources can't yet be ruled out.
Co–author Dr Hector Socas-Navarro, director of the European Solar Telescope Foundation, told Daily Mail: 'While aliens aren’t completely off the table, it seems that the signal may have originated by a natural astrophysical source. Our goal now is to find that source.'
For decades, scientists have struggled to find any natural process capable of producing the 72–second burst which prompted astronomer Jerry Ehman to write 'WOW!' on the telescope's readout
Using new data, the scientists also refined the area of the sky from which the signal emerged. This map shows the new refined regions (yellow) compared to the previous estimates (grey)
The Wow! signal was detected by astronomers at the Big Ear Observatory in Delaware, Ohio, back in 1977.
Scientists at the observatory were scanning the sky for radio waves as part of a hunt for extra-terrestrials when the telescope picked up an extraordinary signal.
The sudden burst of radio waves was not only exceptionally powerful, but it was also abnormally long-lasting – continuing for a full 72 seconds.
Additionally, scientists noted that the signal's frequency was in the so-called hydrogen line, which is a band of frequencies emitted by atomic hydrogen.
Since hydrogen is so abundant in the universe, some suggested that advanced civilisations might be using its frequency as a calling card for signalling to other intelligent species.
Strangely, the signal never repeated, and scientists haven't yet found another burst in the same frequency that is nearly as intense.
However, further study of the Wow! signal has been made difficult by the fact that all the data from the Big Ear Observatory is on paper printouts.
In this new paper, a team of researchers and volunteers painstakingly digitised over 75,000 pages of data from the observatory.
Researchers and volunteers analysed over 750,000 pages of data from the Big Ear Radio Observatory in Ohio, where the Wow! Signal was spotted
What are the theories to explain the signal?
There have been many theories over the years for what could have been the source of the short-lived, narrow-band radio signal that became known as the Wow! signal.
At the time, it was seen as having all the traits of having come from a distant planet, but the inability to pick it up again has frustrated astronomers.
While some have taken it to be a radio message broadcast by an alien beacon into space, others have looked for other astronomical sources.
Theories have included collisions between asteroids and stars, flares from stars, merging white dwarfs and colliding neutron stars.
Now, experts suggest that it could have been caused by energy from a neutron star triggering a cloud of atomic hydrogen gas to release a laser burst.
For the first time ever, this allowed for the computational analysis of data about the Wow! signal.
Dr Hector Socas-Navarro says: 'The paper basically rewrites the basic stats of the Wow! signal.'
In addition to showing that the signal had been stronger than previously thought, the researchers have been able to characterise the burst much more accurately.
They narrowed the part of the sky that the signal came from to two small regions, each of which produced a different component of the signal.
The researchers were also able to determine this location with two-thirds greater statistical certainty.
Additionally, this new data slightly revises the signal's frequency – putting it at 1420.726 MHz rather than 1420.4556 MHz.
That keeps the signal solidly within the hydrogen line, but that small change suggests that whatever produced the signal must have been spinning a lot faster than previously thought.
This means the source must be moving at about 46 miles per second (74 km/s), over double the previous estimate of 18 miles per second (30 km/s/).
The researchers say that the most likely cause of the Wow! signal is an intense beam of energy from a dying star hitting a cloud of cold hydrogen, causing it to produce a laser-like burst which hit Earth
'This means that when we look for candidates, the ones moving at that speed will stand out, like a very tall person in a large crowd, and it will be easier to identify the emitting source,' says Dr Socas-Navarro.
Importantly, this research also rules out some natural phenomena that had been suggested as possible explanations.
It had been proposed that a man-made signal could have bounced off the moon and been mistakenly picked up by the observatory.
However, this new analysis clearly shows that the moon would have been on the wrong side of the planet at this time, so nothing could have bounced off it.
Likewise, the sun was not active enough during the year 1977 to produce anything close to the Wow! signal's intensity.
That means the Wow! signal really must have come from somewhere outside our solar system.
However, there are still many questions remaining about the origins of this mysterious radio beam.
Lead author Professor Abel Mendez, of the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo, told Daily Mail: 'We can’t rule out an extraterrestrial communication signal explanation for the Wow! Signal yet, but the evidence points to a natural origin.'
The dying star could have been a magnetar, which produce the most powerful magnetic fields in the Universe and are rare, explaining why the Wow! Signal has not been repeated
Previous research has spotted several signals which appeared to be extremely similar to the Wow! signal, albeit considerably fainter.
Four of those originated from the tiny red dwarf star, Teegarden's Star, which is just 12.5 light-years from Earth, and is surrounded by clouds of pure hydrogen.
Professor Méndez says: 'The most likely origin of the Wow! Signal is a maser flare or superradiance emission from a neutral hydrogen cloud.
'Small clouds emit consistent narrowband signals similar to the Wow! Signal but much weaker, so a cloud became temporarily much brighter due to any of these processes.'
The Fermi Paradox questions why, given the estimated 200-400 billion stars and at least 100 billion planets in our galaxy, there have been no signs of alien life.
The contradiction is named after its creator, Italian physicist Enrico Fermi.
He first posed the question back in 1950.
Fermi believed it was too extraordinary that a single extra-terrestrial signal or engineering project has yet to be detected in the universe — despite its immense vastness.
Fermi concluded there must a barrier that limits the rise of intelligent, self-aware, technologically advanced space-colonising civilisations.
This barrier is sometimes referred to as the 'Great Filter'.
Italian physicist Enrico Fermi devised the so-called Fermi Paradox in the 1950s, which explores why there is no sign of alien life, despite the 100 billion planets in our galaxy
If the main obstacle preventing the colonisation of other planets is not in our past, then the barrier that will stop humanity's prospects of reaching other worlds must lie in our future, scientists have theorised.
Professor Brian Cox believes the advances in science and engineering required by a civilisation to start conquering the stars will ultimately lead to its destruction.
He said: 'One solution to the Fermi Paradox is that it is not possible to run a world that has the power to destroy itself.
‘It may be that the growth of science and engineering inevitably outstrips the development of political expertise, leading to disaster.'
Other possible explanations for the Fermi Paradox include that intelligent alien species are out there, but lack the necessary technology to communicate with Earth.
Some believe that the distances between intelligent civilisations are too great to allow any kind of two-way communication.
If two worlds are separated by several thousand light years, it's possible that one or both civilisations would become extinct before a dialogue can be established.
The so-called Zoo hypothesis claims intelligent alien life is out there, but deliberately avoids any contact with life on Earth to allow its natural evolution.
An invasion of small metallic orbs has been spotted hovering over the US in recent years, leaving the Pentagon scrambling to identify these mysterious UFOs.
A new report from the crowdsourced platform Enigma, which allows people to report sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), reveals more than 8,000 sightings across the US between December 2022 and June 2025.
Among these, 422 reports specifically describe metallic orbs, with the majority observed between 1am and 4am near military installations in New York, California, and Arizona.
Eyewitnesses, including civilians, pilots, and military personnel, reported seeing the spheres hover silently before moving at extreme speeds, leaving no trace of their departure.
Some of the sightings have been captured on video or radar, though many remain unexplained.
'I was walking into work when I looked up and saw two metallic liquid-like objects hovering for about two minutes,' said one witness over Brooklyn's Fort Hamilton in June 2024.
Another in California described seeing a metallic orb above Los Angeles shortly after a squadron of planes flew by.
Military drone footage from the Middle east in 2022 revealed a metal sphere flying through the sky in broad daylight (circled in purple)
The crowdsourced platform Enigma reported that over 8,000 orbs have been seen over the US since December 2022
However, some cases have remained unsolved, reportedly due to a lack of data. Of the 757 UFO cases between May 2023 and June 2024 released in AARO's annual report, 21 cases were classified as unresolved sightings.
Although the Pentagon and civilian groups like the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) have also been cataloging these incidents, many have continued to baffle military officials, who have no way of explaining what was seen.
While the new report focused on the thousands of sightings in the US over the last three years, strange orbs have been documented all over the world, from Puerto Rico to the Middle East.
Moreover, these tiny craft have apparently been visiting our skies for decades, with pilots during World War II reporting similar orbs over the skies of Europe.
Enigma revealed that more than 360 'metallic orb' reports took place within a few miles of military bases here on US soil.
In three of those cases, witnesses revealed that the orbs got within five miles of Fort Hamilton in New York, Papago Military Reserve in Arizona, and Los Angeles Air Force Base on multiple occasions.
These mystery orb sightings include one shocking encounter revealed by Dr Sean Kirkpatrick, the former director of AARO, which was captured on a MQ-9 Reaper drone's camera in the Middle East in 2022.
Enigma revealed that witnesses spotted strange orbs flying above Fort Hamilton military base in New York multiple times
Even more close calls were documented around Los Angeles Air Force Base in California between 2022 and 2025
Kirkpatrick warned that if these videos didn't prove that aliens exist, then they're evidence that a rival foreign power could be 'doing stuff in our backyard.'
Some theories have suggested these orbs could be surveillance devices from foreign powers like China or Russia.
Government officials believed they might be advanced drones, due to their tremendous agility and ability to avoid radar, according to a 2022 report in the New York Times.
As for Enigma's report, many of the orb sightings have been concentrated in Texas and Florida.
In fact, visitors at Disney World's Epcot in Florida got an unexpected sight this month, when a glowing orb appeared over the amusement park.
After searching online and finding no information about drones or satellites in the area, Morgan Huelsman, digital director of The Bobby Bones Show, described the object as a 'UFO,' adding, 'definitely a UFO with aliens.'
The Enigma platform has also received sightings from all over the US, over critical infrastructure such as power plants, and over naval vessels at sea.
The Buga Sphere recovered in Colombia (pictured) remains one of the only pieces of physical evidence tied to metallic orb sightings worldwide
The 'Buga Sphere' has become a major topic of discussion among UFO researchers, with scientists claiming the object contains a maze of fiber-optic wires that suggest it can send and receive signals.
After striking a power line and crashing to the ground, the object also appeared to have somehow dehydrated the field it landed in, killing all the grass and soil where it touched down.
Scientists suggested this was proof that the object produced some kind of energy field, but researchers had not attempted to forcibly cut the object open so far. The sphere has since been taken to Mexico for further analysis.
However, UFO researcher Dr Julia Mossbridge from the University of San Diego is among the many who doubt the authenticity of the Buga Sphere, calling it a 'man-made art project.'
An interstellar object speeding through our Solar System has been spotted spewing a metal unlike anything seen in natural comets.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile detected an unusual nickel plume from the object, known as 3I/ATLAS. Unlike natural comets, which always emit nickel alongside iron, 3I/ATLAS shows the metallic element without any detectable iron.
Harvard physicist Avi Loeb highlighted the anomaly described in a new study, noting that this nickel signature is a hallmark of industrial production of nickel alloys.
'Is this anomaly another clue for a possible technological origin of 3I/ATLAS?' Loeb wrote in a blog post.
'The paper suggests that chemical formation occurs through the nickel carbonyl channel, an extremely rare process in comets, but a standard technique in industrial nickel refining,' he added.
The new study, published by astrophysicists in Chile on Wednesday, found that 3I/ATLAS is shedding nickel at roughly five grams per second and cyanide at 20 grams per second, with both rising sharply as the object moves closer to the sun.
They hypothesized that nickel might be released from dust through gentle processes, such as sunlight, causing it to evaporate or breaking down small nickel-containing compounds.
A new study has revealed that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is releasing nickel without iron, an anomaly that a Harvard physicist said could hint at industrial or technological processes
Traditional comets are typically water-rich and release gases such as water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as they approach the sun.
They also emit nickel and iron together, as both elements are produced in the same cosmic processes, like supernova explosions.
3I/ATLAS, however, deviates sharply from this pattern by releasing nickel without any detectable iron.
Additionally, both nickel and cyanide emissions rise steeply as it approaches the sun, unlike the more gradual outgassing seen in normal comets.
NASA also released new observations of 3I/ATLAS this week, taken by SPHEREx and the James Webb Space Telescope, showing that its gas plume is dominated by carbon dioxide and only five percent water.
'These results add to the chemical anomalies implied by the SPHEREx space observatory and Webb space telescope [are] very different from an expected water-rich comet,' Loeb shared in a blog post.
'The idea that the nucleus is much smaller than the 29-mile diameter inferred from the 1-micron data collected by SPHEREx requires a dense coma of dust to reflect nearly all the sunlight from 3I/ATLAS.
NASA's James Webb captured its first look at the interstellar object this month, showing it is not 12 miles in diameter as originally thought. It's closer to 1.7 miles long
'In that case, the dust would be pushed by solar radiation pressure to trail the nucleus, forming a prominent cometary tail.'
Loeb added that observations from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope failed to identify a cometary tail.
The object was first identified in July 2025 by the ATLAS telescope network, which searches for objects that might hit Earth.
Earlier images taken by the Vera C Rubin Observatory in Chile had unknowingly photographed the object, but no one realized it was there at the time.
Until now, 3I/ATLAS has been a total mystery, as early scans suggested the object was larger than anything that had ever passed through the solar system, and might even be generating its own light.
These characteristics have led Loeb to suggest other possibilities, such that 3I/ATLAS is an artificial craft developed by an extraterrestrial civilization.
The idea has been dismissed by many scientists, including Chris Lintott, an astronomer at the University of Oxford, who said Loeb's theory is 'nonsense on stilts,' calling it 'an insult to the exciting work going on to understand this object.'
It looks like a giant frying pan, or a crash-landed alien spaceship.
Whatever it is,Google Maps users are getting seriously freaked out after discovering this strange object in Antarctica.
The round entity, described as a 'UFO', is hiding under what seems to be a cliff about 90 miles from Antarctica's coast.
With no known origin, people are questioning whether this strange relic at the bottom of the Earth is man-made – or something not of this world.
One American ufologist suggested the object – almost Oreo-like in appearance – might be stuck under the rock.
Alternatively, it could be deliberately half-hidden – strategically-placed to make it difficult to spot – as it carries out a mysterious assignment.
Scott C. Waring, who runs the UFO Sightings Daily website, posted a YouTube clip of the sleek disc being found on Google Maps.
He said: 'The UFO is still there! Too hard to recover or still being used?'
Google Maps users are baffled after spotting a 'UFO' hiding under a cliff in Antarctica, which one ufologist suggested might be stuck under there
On Google Maps, the unusual structure can be located simply by entering the coordinates in the search bar – 66°16'24.5"S 100°59'03.5"E.
As users can see, it is around 45 miles from Mill Island, a domed ice-island 30 miles long and 18 miles wide, close to the Antarctic coast.
It is also about six miles away from the A. B. Dobrowolski Polar Station, an occasionally active Polish research base.
Intriguingly, the object seems to have a sliverish line going around the rim, which corresponds with traditional depictions of UFOs from pop culture.
But otherwise, it has a consistently uniform black colour, which very clearly contrasts with the jagged rock and snow surrounding it.
Although heavily pixelated, the image also reveals peculiar black lines stretching between the disc-shape and the adjacent rock.
Philip Mantle, a British UFO researcher, called the disc 'a new one for me', adding that he'd 'never seen it before', but declined to speculate on what it might be.
UFO stands for 'unidentified flying object' and so the term doesn't necessarily describe an object with an extraterrestrial origin.
Whatever it is, the mysterious Oreo-like object looks rather out of place among the natural geology of Antarctica
Based on clues from reported sightings, the typical UFO has a round shape, usually described as spherical or an orb, with lights emanating from it
What is the mystery object?
Social media commentators have been describing it as a crashed spaceship, a weather balloon or a secret base.
More realistic suggestions include an unusually symmetrical lake or pond, or some sort of geological formation.
Alternatively, it could be a bit of equipment related to a nearby Polish polar research station.
In his post on his UFO Sightings Daily website on Wednesday, Mr Waring said this UFO was discovered about two years ago, but in fact some people spotted it years earlier.
On Reddit four years ago, someone posted a screenshot with the caption: 'Any thoughts on the UFO “crash” site in Antarctica?'
The post received several interesting suggestions from users, who variously described the disk as a 'weather balloon', a 'Nazi base' and a 'pond of meltwater'.
One commentator said: 'If I had to ditch an advanced spacecraft on a populated planet, I would put it down on an unpopulated continent, and wait for rescue', while someone else joked: 'So that's where my giant pancake ended up after I threw it out the window...'
Another simply posted 'Antarctica got some weird stuff', while another said it 'looks ominous'.
Professor Bethan Davies, a glaciologist at the University of Newcastle, said that the feature is simply a 'small lake in a rock basin'.
'There is a small patch of snow and the warmer lake water has a lower albedo so it absorbs more solar radiation,' she told the Daily Mail.
'This is melting the snow, giving it the semi circular arc – not a UFO.'
The object seems to have a sliverish line going around the rim, which corresponds with traditional depictions of UFOs. Pictured, cover of the pulp science fiction magazine Amazing Stories from October 1957, featuring a UFO with lights around the rim
Visible on Google Maps, the unusual structure is stationed in a remote spot in Nevada, about 80 miles (130km) northwest of Las Vegas
Laura Gerrish, mapping specialist at the British Antarctic Survey, said: 'From the satellite imagery, this round feature looks like a small lake.
'This area is called the Bunger Hills, which is a largely ice-free region along the Knox Coast in Antarctica - and it has lots of small lakes and ponds.
'We see that the lakes often form these very smooth edges along the edge of the ice.'
It’s far from the first time that strange features located on Google Maps have gone viral.
Meanwhile, a 'doorway' spotted in Antarctica, just southeast of the Japanese-run Showa Station, sparked a similar wave of theories across the internet, with one describing it as 'bigfoot's vacation home'.
Have YOU seen one? The Pentagon reveals what the most commonly reported UFO looks like
Based on clues from reported sightings between 1996 and 2023, the typical UFO has a round shape, usually described as spherical or an orb, with a white or silver colour, often translucent.
It also has a size of between 3 and 13 feet (1 to 4 metres) and usually travels through the air at a height just below commercial passenger planes.
Most UFOs (28 per cent) have been sighted at altitudes of around 20,000 feet - just under commercial air traffic.
Around 10 per cent have been reported at just 5,000 feet - around eight times as tall as Seattle's Space Needle and three times as tall as New York's One World Tower.
Meanwhile, 16 per cent have been described as having lights.
UFO stands for 'unidentified flying object' and so the term doesn't necessarily describe an object with an extraterrestrial origin.
The discovery was made at Mendik Tepe, near Göbekli Tepe, the 12,000-year-old site known for its monumental stone pillars and early rituals.
Experts revealed this week that the newly uncovered structures likely predate Göbekli Tepe, placing them 7,000 years before Stonehenge and extending the timeline of organized settlements and monumental building beyond what scholars once thought.
The site, located in the rural Payamlı neighborhood of Şanlıurfa's Eyyübiye district, is part of a network of prehistoric settlements that are transforming our understanding of early human societies in the Fertile Crescent.
Unlike Göbekli Tepe, famous for its T-shaped pillars adorned with intricate carvings, Mendik Tepe features upright rectangular stones, suggesting a distinct architectural and cultural identity.
Since excavations began in 2024, the team has uncovered a range of oval-shaped structures, some with elaborate stone walls and fragments of decorated stone vessels.
These findings indicate a sophisticated society capable of complex construction and artistic expression.
Dr Necmi Karul, project coordinator, said: 'Mendik Tepe is an extremely important site for understanding the first settlers in the region.'
The team uncovered buildings used for food storage, dwellings and ritual spaces
The structures vary significantly in size and function, offering clues to the social organization of these ancient communities.
Smaller buildings, measuring a few feet across, may have served practical purposes such as storage or food preparation, while medium-sized structures could have been dwellings.
Larger buildings, some reaching 13 to 16 feet in height, feature meticulous stonework that suggests ritual or communal significance.
Professor Douglas Baird, leading the excavations, highlighted a large structure's stonework, noting it may have served a ritual or communal purpose.
Preliminary findings suggest Mendik Tepe may date to the earliest phases of the Neolithic period, potentially predating both Göbekli Tepe and Karahantepe, another nearby site known for its anthropomorphic pillars.
This chronology positions Mendik Tepe as a critical piece in understanding Neolithization, the process by which humans adopted agriculture and settled communities.
The Taş Tepeler Project, launched by Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, encompasses a dozen Neolithic sites across Şanlıurfa, including Göbekli Tepe, Karahantepe, Çakmak Tepe, and Sayburç.
These sites, dating back approximately 11,500 years, are rewriting the history of human development by revealing evidence of monumental architecture, social institutions, and early plant cultivation.
Experts noted that the new structures may predate Göbekli Tepe and are likely at least 7,500 years older than Stonehenge, placing them at the very cusp of the Neolithic Revolution
Mendik Tepe's discoveries challenge earlier assumptions that Göbekli Tepe was primarily a ritual site, as its mix of domestic and ceremonial structures suggests a more complex settlement pattern.
The presence of cereal processing and water management systems at nearby sites further indicates that these communities were experimenting with proto-agriculture, a precursor to the agricultural revolution.
'This year, we will focus on understanding the functional differences between these structures,' Professor Baird told AA.
'Were the smaller ones for storage or food preparation? Were the larger ones residences or ritual spaces? These questions are key to unlocking the site's story.'
Geographically, Mendik Tepe is a hill with an elevation of approximately 3,346 feet, located in a sparsely vegetated region with a Mediterranean climate.
The site is considered a precursor to Göbekli Tepe, which features monumental round, oval, and rectangular megalithic structures built by hunter-gatherers during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, between 9,600 and 8,200 BCE.
The Göbekli Tepe site is the oldest man-made structure ever found.
It features T-shaped stones while the newly found sit was designed with smaller, rectangular stones
These monuments were likely associated with rituals, most probably of a funerary nature.
The distinctive T-shaped pillars, carved with depictions of wild animals, offer valuable insight into the lives and beliefs of people living in Upper Mesopotamia around 11,500 years ago.
Archaeologists recently identified the structures as an ancient calendar, making it the oldest in the world.
The findings suggested that ancient humans had accurate ways to keep time 10,000 years before it was documented in Ancient Greece in 150 BC.
The 2024 research also revealed carvings depicting a comet strike that triggered a 1,200-year mini ice age, leading to the extinction of large animals and spurring the development of agriculture and complex societies.
Experts said the memorialized event served as the defining moment that forced the ancient people to switch from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to more permanent settlements.
The site features several stone pillars, and after a recent analysis, researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland concluded that one structure was carved to be a calendar.
In 2024, researchers found that Göbekli Tepe was constructed to be a calendar
The pillar featured a 'V' symbol to represent a single day, which the team found 365 etched throughout.
The structure also included 12 lunar months with 11 additional days.
The pillar was divided into two sections with rows of 'V' symbols at the top and smaller box symbols in the lower main portion, which shows a bird holding a circular disc symbol above a scorpion.
According to the study, published in Time and Mind, the pillar features a disc that represents the sun and the scorpion is representative of the Greek Scorpion constellation.
The team also identified a tall bird bending down toward a wriggling snake, which could depict the autumnal constellation Ophiuchus.
The discovery has suggested that people recorded dates using precession, the wobble in Earth's axis which affects the movement of constellations across the sky.
The interior of Mars is not smooth and uniform, as depicted in the familiar illustrations in textbooks. New research shows that it is more like an uneven cake than a glazed cookie, as it is usually depicted. The reason for this is traces of ancient collisions.
Collision between Mars and an asteroid. Source: phys.org
InSight mission data
We often imagine rocky planets such as Earth and Mars as having a smooth, layered internal composition — with a crust, mantle, and core stacked on top of each other like the biscuit base, caramel center, and chocolate coating of a Millionaire’s Shortbread cookie. But the reality for Mars is somewhat less neat.
Seismic vibrations detected by NASA’s InSight mission revealed minor anomalies, prompting scientists from Imperial College London and other institutions to uncover a more chaotic reality: Mars’ mantle contains ancient fragments up to 4 km wide, preserved since its formation, like geological fossils.
History of Giant Collisions
Mars and other rocky planets formed about 4.5 billion years ago when dust and rocks orbiting the young Sun gradually coalesced under the influence of gravity.
When Mars was almost fully formed, giant objects the size of planets fell onto it as a result of a series of near-catastrophic collisions — the kind that probably also formed Earth’s moon.
“These colossal impacts released enough energy to melt large parts of the young planet, turning them into huge magma oceans,” said lead researcher Dr. Constantinos Charalambous from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at Imperial College London. “When these magmatic oceans cooled and crystallized, they left behind pieces of material with an excellent composition — and we believe that this is what we are now discovering in the depths of Mars.”
These early impacts and their aftermath scattered and mixed fragments of the planet’s early crust and mantle — and possibly debris from fallen objects — into the molten inner core. As Mars slowly cooled, these chemically diverse chunks became stuck in the slowly stirring mantle, like ingredients added to a Rocky Road chocolate chip cookie mix, and the stirring was too weak to completely mix everything together.
Unlike Earth, where tectonic plates constantly reshape the crust and mantle, Mars closed early under a fixed outer crust, preserving its inner core as a geological time capsule.
Listening to Mars
The evidence comes from seismic data recorded by NASA’s InSight lander, specifically from eight particularly clear Martian quakes, including two caused by two recent meteorite impacts that left craters 150 meters wide on the surface of Mars.
InSight detects seismic waves passing through the mantle, and scientists were able to see that higher-frequency waves took longer to reach its sensors from the impact site. These signs of interference, they say, indicate that the interior of the planet is rough rather than smooth.
“These signals showed clear signs of interference as they traveled through Mars’s deep interior,” said Dr. Charalambous. “That’s consistent with a mantle full of structures of different compositional origins—leftovers from Mars’s early days.”
Differences between the geological structure of Mars and Earth
By comparison, the Earth’s crust is constantly shifting slowly and recycling material from the surface into the mantle of our planet — on tectonic plates such as the Cascadia subduction zone, where part of the plates forming the bottom of the Pacific Ocean are subducting beneath the North American continental plate.
The debris found in the mantle of Mars has a striking shape: several large fragments — up to 4 km wide — are surrounded by many smaller ones. Scientists have discovered that the so-called “fractal distribution” of debris in the mantle of Mars occurs when the energy of a catastrophic collision exceeds the strength of the object. In this case, the object breaks into several large fragments and a large number of smaller pieces, as, for example, when a meteorite falls on a planet.
This discovery may be significant for our understanding of how other rocky planets, such as Venus and Mercury, have evolved over billions of years. This new discovery of Mars’ preserved interior composition provides a rare opportunity to glimpse what may lie beneath the surface of immobile worlds.
SpaceX has released high-resolution photos and videos taken in the Indian Ocean. They show the moment the Starship spacecraft splashed down.
Starship spacecraft splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Source: SpaceX
Starship was launched on August 27 from Starbase in Texas. Unlike previous tests, which ended in accidents, this time the super-heavy rocket performed at its best. The Super Heavy booster successfully completed its mission, then separated from the spacecraft and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America. During the descent, SpaceX conducted a series of tests with it, including an experiment to shut down one of the engines and replace it with a backup.
As for Starship, it was launched into a suborbital trajectory. During the flight, the spacecraft deployed eight full-scale Starlink satellite simulators. Despite some “glitches,” such as collisions between models and the gateway during unloading, this stage was completed successfully.
The decisive test for Starship was its entry into the atmosphere. SpaceX specialists deliberately removed a number of heat shield tiles from the most vulnerable parts of the spacecraft to test what damage it would sustain and whether it would be able to survive landing. In addition, in the 47th minute of flight, a mysterious explosion occurred in the engine compartment, damaging the Starship.
Despite all these problems, Starship showed remarkable resilience and managed to splashdown at the designated point, where the SpaceX buoy was located. The images it took show that passing through the atmosphere caused a change in the color of the spacecraft’s heat shield, which appeared to have “rusted.”
Starship spacecraft splashdown in the Indian Ocean. Source: SpaceX
The photographs also clearly show dark marks where Space engineers removed heat shield tiles and damage to the back skirt and flaps caused by the explosion. And what seems even more incredible is that, despite everything, the spacecraft was able to perform a rollover and landing maneuver that placed it approximately 3 meters from its target splashdown point.
The Universe is challenging us once again. Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS, traveling through the galaxy, is currently passing through our Solar System and continues to surprise scientists. The new data only deepens the mystery of its origin, fueling scientific debate about whether we are dealing with a natural phenomenon or the creation of another civilization.
Interstellar object 3I/ATLAS through the “eyes” of Copilot artificial intelligence
Pure nickel in 3I/ATLAS
The latest research using the powerful Very Large Telescope has discovered another strange anomaly. In the gas trail surrounding 3I/ATLAS, scientists found pure nickel — without the usual iron impurities found in nature. This phenomenon is extremely unusual for comets, as these two elements are usually formed together during supernova explosions and travel through space together.
However, pure nickel is a familiar phenomenon in terrestrial metallurgy, where it is obtained through refining. Although there is a rare natural explanation involving nickel carbonyls, the artificial technological process seems much more plausible. This raises a key question: is this object a product of space manufacturing?
A chain of strange anomalies
The discovery of nickel is not the only thing that surprises scientists. Previously, the SPHEREx and Webb space observatories showed that the object’s gas trail consisted of 95% CO2 and only 5% water. For a normal comet, this is a paradoxical ratio.
Photograph of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS taken by the Hubble Telescope. Source: NASA/astrafoxen
Furthermore, Hubble’s observations did not reveal a classic comet tail that would extend under the pressure of sunlight. This means that either the core of the object is incredibly massive — a million times larger than the previous interstellar visitor, 2I/Borisov. Or the surface of the interstellar traveler has unusual properties that prevent the formation of a tail. Its trajectory, perfectly aligned with the plane of the planets’ orbits, also raises suspicions that someone deliberately launched it into the inner part of our system.
Crucial observations of the future
October 3, 2025, will be a decisive moment: 3I/ATLAS will pass 29 million km from the HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This will enable us to obtain images with sufficient resolution to finally determine the size and shape of its nucleus with certainty, separating it from a possible dust coma.
Nobel Prize winner David Gross suggested going even further and pointing radio telescopes at the object. The goal is to try to record any technological radio signals that may be coming from it. After a century of our own radio transmissions into space, we may finally have an answer.
On the edge of fiction and science
Some eagerly await confirmation of the object’s artificial origin, seeing it as an opportunity for humanity to unite for a common cause. Others hope that it is just a strange but perfectly natural comet, and that its properties are simply characteristic of an object from another star system. However, everyone agrees: 3I/ATLAS is already forcing us to take a fresh look at space and our place in it.
The discovery of such an object, regardless of its nature, gives us a sense of cosmic humility. It reminds us that we may not be the only intelligent beings in the Universe, and that our technologies, including artificial intelligence, may be only the first steps on a long path of development.
Alien tech? 3I/ATLAS appears to have an electroplated shell
Alien tech? 3I/ATLAS appears to have an electroplated shell
On July 1, 2025, the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station at Río Hurtado, Chile, detected something extraordinary: a fast-moving object flagged with the provisional designation A11pl3Z, later named 3I/ATLAS, also cataloged as C/2025 N1 (ATLAS).
At first glance, it was classified as a comet. But almost immediately, astronomers realized that this visitor was anything but ordinary.
3I/ATLAS imaged by the James Webb Space Telescope's NIRSpec on 6 August 2025.
Why 3I/ATLAS is different.
Interstellar Origins Like ʻOumuamua (1I/2017 U1) and Borisov (2I/2019 Q4) before it, 3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object to enter our solar system. Its steep hyperbolic orbit—with an eccentricity greater than 1.02—proves it is not gravitationally bound to the Sun.
A Composition Unlike Any Comet Most comets are rich in water ice. Not 3I/ATLAS. Spectroscopic analysis from both the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) revealed it is dominated by carbon dioxide with one of the highest CO₂-to-water ratios ever measured. This makes it chemically alien compared to the comets that formed in our own solar system.
A Tail That Breaks the Rules Comets typically sprout tails pointing away from the Sun, driven by sublimating ice. 3I/ATLAS, however, displays a dust plume angled toward the Sun—a tail in the “wrong” direction. This phenomenon has never been observed in a natural comet and suggests either unusual physics or engineered behavior.
Perfectly Aligned Trajectory Instead of cutting randomly across the solar system, 3I/ATLAS travels almost exactly along the ecliptic plane, the flat orbital path where Earth, Mars, and most of the planets reside. Statistically, the odds of a random interstellar object aligning this precisely are less than 0.005%.
Unexplained Acceleration Data from radar tracking and JWST confirm subtle but persistent non-gravitational acceleration. Normally, such changes are explained by outgassing jets. Yet Webb detects no coma, no jets, no thermal signature to explain the push. Instead, the acceleration resembles controlled propulsion, similar to how an ion engine expels dust or gas for thrust.
Forward-Facing Glow: Instead of a tail behind it, 3I/ATLAS shines with a glow ahead of its motion, almost as if it were illuminating its path.
Stabilized Rotation: Unlike natural tumbling comets, it appears to maintain attitude control, consistent with artificial stabilization.
Speculations of nuclear propulsion: Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb, already known for his bold ʻOumuamua interpretations, has highlighted its non-gravitational acceleration and trajectory. He even speculated that 3I/ATLAS might be nuclear-powered technology, perhaps venting dust as thrust.
3I/ATLAS will not simply zip past and leave. Its calculated path takes it past several key planets: Venus flyby – August 2025
Mars encounter – September 2025
Jupiter flyby – late 2026
Tilted view of 3I/ATLAS's trajectory through the Solar System, with orbits and positions of planets shown. Such a sequence of planetary passes looks less like coincidence and more like a deliberate survey trajectory.
Finally, on October 30, 2025, the object will reach perihelion, its closest approach to the Sun. Crucially, at that moment it will be hidden directly behind the Sun from Earth’s perspective, a perfect opportunity for a stealth maneuver if it is indeed under intelligent control.
10. And the latest news on this object is that 3I/ATLAS shows signs of alien electroplating. Astronomers using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile have detected something never before seen in a natural comet, a plume of pure nickel gas, laced with cyanide, but completely lacking iron.
This is not how comets behave. In every known case, nickel and iron are paired together in space rocks, asteroids, and cosmic debris. The absence of iron in 3I/ATLAS makes it impossible to explain through natural processes.
The nickel-cyanide combination looks eerily familiar to something we know from human technology: nickel-cyanide electroplating. This industrial process is used to coat and protect metals like iron, creating a corrosion-resistant shell. When heated, such a coating releases nickel vapor and cyanide gas, the exact chemical fingerprint astronomers now see venting from 3I/ATLAS.
Renowned astrophysicist Avi Loeb has already highlighted this bizarre discovery, stressing that the nickel-only signature matches industrial alloy production rather than anything we’d expect from natural comet chemistry.
Pure nickel without iron: impossible in natural comets.
Artificial signature: hallmark of industrial processes.
Putting it all together, so far:
It is an interstellar visitor on a hyperbolic escape path.
It has a carbon dioxide–dominated composition, nearly devoid of water.
It has a dust plume points toward the Sun, breaking cometary rules.
It has a trajectory which is perfectly aligned with the ecliptic plane.
It shows mysterious acceleration without visible outgassing.
It exhibits a forward glow, possible radio emissions, and signs of stabilization.
It will perform planetary flybys. It probably has nuclear propulsion.
It has an electroplated shell.
Mainstream astronomers remain cautious, still labeling 3I/ATLAS as a comet, but with mounting evidence, we may be staring at the first tangible proof of alien technology crossing our solar system, a probe from another civilization on a reconnaissance mission, silently mapping habitable worlds before making contact.
In mid-2014, during training flights off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia, F/A-18 pilot and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves began to notice something strange. The radar returns looked off—phantom blips moving with unfathomable speed and precision. At first he dismissed it as a glitch. But then the anomalies returned, recorded by the fighter jets’ sophisticated sensors. They would hover in place—and then dart away at supersonic speeds. They were recorded from the ocean’s surface to 40,000 feet.
“Sometimes stationary—0.0 Mach. Other times 250 to 350 knots . . .. Sometimes even supersonic—1.1 to 1.2 Mach. All altitudes. And always over the ocean,” Graves says.
After appearing only as glitches on the jets’ radar, the objects on one occasion finally came into view. Graves reported seeing a dark gray or black cube inside a clear sphere, between five and 15 feet in diameter, coming within 50 feet of their jets. “That was the turning point,” Graves says. “We started treating it as a safety issue.”
Over the next year, Graves’s squadron recorded sightings of unidentified objects almost daily. Sometimes the objects flew in loose formations. Other times they traveled alone. They had no exhaust, no visible propulsion, no wings. Sometimes the object would rotate in place; others vanished when approached. As it turned out, pilots stationed off the West Coast—on missions aboard the USS Nimitz, the USS Princeton, and other carriers—had been experiencing similar things for years.
Some of these craft—now classified as UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena)—appeared to be capable of transmedium travel, meaning they are able to move from air to sea without slowing, splashing, or emitting heat. They challenged every assumption held by aerospace engineers and radar operators.
Graves doesn’t claim to know what the objects were. But one thing was clear. “This wasn’t business as usual,” he says. “There was a serious issue at play. It wasn’t just one rogue object. It wasn’t just us on the East Coast. It wasn’t just my squadron. It was a pattern. This was global.”
Since at least the 1950s, military sources have reported strange objects plunging into the ocean—what they call USOs (unidentified submerged objects). These phenomena exhibit characteristics that conflict with our understanding of physics and maritime navigation. As radar and similar technologies have advanced, so have the number of sightings.
Getty Images
Ryan Graves, executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace; David Grusch, former representative of the National Reconnaissance Office to the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Task Force (now the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office); and retired Navy Commander David Fravor appear at a House Oversight Committee hearing on UAPs in 2023.
Today Graves is one of the most vocal advocates for UAP transparency. Now retired from the military, he’s the founder of Americans for Safe Aerospace, the largest UAP-focused pilot safety initiative in the world, and works with former Pentagon and naval officials to push for greater transparency. He doesn’t claim that these craft are alien, but he’s certain that they aren’t using known human tech. “Where that leaves us opens up options—extraterrestrial visitors, time travelers, breakaway civilizations . . . things that challenge the status quo and aren’t easily accepted at face value,” he says.
Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, PhD, an oceanographer, was one of the first to view footage from the UAP incidents in 2015 involving fighter jets attached to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which at the time was conducting training exercises off the coast of Florida. Two videos captured by Navy fighter jets that were made public in 2020 show strange craft flying at incredible speeds with no visible means of propulsion, sometimes rotating in midair. “I knew then that what I saw was not our technology. We don’t test experimental aircraft in training ranges—it’s too dangerous—and I had access to everything classified. No nation has craft that can move like that,” he says.
Gallaudet, now retired from the Navy and currently the CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, is pushing for the U.S. government to treat these phenomena as a “national research priority.” Despite some public disclosures, many records remain classified, buried within defense contractor vaults or shielded by national security exemptions. If even part of what’s been reported is true, then the encounters off Virginia, California, and elsewhere could be the opening chapter in a much deeper mystery—one that spans oceans, navies, and continents.
This spring, Graves and Gallaudet briefed officials in Washington, D.C., on unidentified submerged objects. “We’re at a unique moment in history,” Graves says. “People have access to tools that can reveal things. The momentum is building.”
That momentum has already begun reshaping policy. In 2023, Congress passed the UAP Disclosure Act, legislation requiring federal agencies to collect, catalog, and disclose records related to recovered nonhuman craft and biologics. For the first time, U.S. law openly acknowledged the potential existence of off-world or nonhuman intelligence, and even hinted at craft retrieval and reverse engineering programs.
Those newly released records contain a trove of details on previously classified encounters with multiple transmedium UAPs. None definitively prove that otherworldly beings are hiding in or above our oceans, but they do raise questions that neither our military nor scientific experts can explain.
“The possibility that they exist underwater is very real,” Gallaudet says. “They could come from another galaxy, if they’ve conquered the engineering challenge of that,” he says. “Or why not—maybe they lived here for a long time, before we even evolved, and sought safety from the Earth’s atmospheric and geologic cataclysms by creating a habitat or place to live beneath the seafloor. . .. That’s one hypothesis.”
The following four incidents have provided investigators with the most compelling—and perplexing—evidence so far of transmedium encounters with what experts like Gallaudet believe could be nonhuman in origin.
In 2004, F/A-18 Hornet pilots assigned to the USS Nimitz captured images of a UAP using their jet’s Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) system.
USS Nimitz, 2004
In November 2004, several U.S. Navy pilots assigned to the USS Nimitz encountered a Tic Tac–shaped UAP darting and dashing over the Pacific. According to reports that followed, the object lacked visible control surfaces and heat signatures that would be typical of jet aircraft or rockets. It never made a sonic boom, although it appeared to be traveling faster than the speed of sound.
The incident began when the USS Princeton, a guided-missile cruiser escorting the Nimitz off the coast of San Diego, picked up strange radar contacts. The objects appeared at 80,000 feet, and then dropped to sea level in less than a second. F/A-18 Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight scrambled to intercept the object. Each man claims to have seen a smooth, white oblong object around 30 to 40 feet long, with no wings, no windows, no markings. It hung in the air just over the sea.
As Fravor circled downward, the object suddenly shot away, vanishing in seconds. “It just disappeared. Like a bullet out of a gun,” Fravor told Fox News.
The strike group dispatched a second flight. This time the object was captured on an infrared camera showing a white speck flying against the wind, rotating and maneuvering in ways no known aircraft can.
An infrared sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft captured footage of a UAP over Rafael Hernández Airport near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, 2013
One of the most hotly debated encounters of an unidentified submerged object came in April 2013, when an infrared surveillance camera operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection captured something extraordinary over Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. A small spherical object flew inland from the ocean, crossed the airport, and then returned to sea—where it maneuvered in ways that appeared to defy physics.
The three-minute video, published by the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies, has become a key piece of evidence suggesting the possibility of transmedium travel. It shows the object entering the water without slowing down—no splash, no wake, no disruption. Seconds later it resurfaces, splits in two, and then submerges again. Any object passing between two mediums should generate drag or turbulence or, at the very least, a splash, according to the laws of hydrodynamics. But this one behaved as if those laws didn’t apply.
“It’s not that they break the laws,” Gallaudet says. “It’s that they demonstrate engineering capabilities we haven’t yet developed. We can’t build anything that can do that today.”
“I’ve spoken with the pilots who saw it,” he adds. “The near-instantaneous acceleration of that craft is something we just can’t engineer.”
A pilot of a U.S. Navy CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, like the one shown above, reportedly encounted a UAP while flying off the coast of Puerto Rico.
Caribbean Sea, Unspecified date
In the 1990s, a Navy CH-53 Sea Stallion pilot was flying off the coast of Puerto Rico when he saw something he couldn’t explain. His crew, on a routine mission to retrieve a BQM target drone that had previously been dropped into the ocean, had sent a diver into the water to connect the drone to the helicopter’s hoist system. But just before the helo was about to lift the 20-foot-long drone out of the sea, something pulled it violently downward. The pilot, whose name has not been disclosed, would later report that the object was a large, dark mass unlike any submarine or marine animal he’d ever seen.
After F/A-18 Commander David Fravor went public with the previous incident he witnessed flying off the USS Nimitz, he says the Sea Stallion pilot contacted him to relay the story. Fravor then shared details on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2019.
“The helo drops a swimmer in the water, he hooks the whole thing up, and they fly back,” Fravor said. “The first time they were out and they were going to pick up a BQM, he’s sitting in the front—in the CH-53 you can see down by your feet—and as he’s looking down, they’re 50 feet above the water, he sees this kind of dark mass coming up from the depths.”
As the pilot picked up the BQM, he was apparently at a loss for words. “He’s looking at this thing going, ‘What the hell is that?’ And then it just goes back down underwater. Once they pull the kid and the BQM out of the water, this object descends back into the depths.”
A video frame from 2019 footage taken aboard a U.S. Navy ship off San Diego shows an unidentified spherical object flying in the air before disappearing into the ocean.
USS Omaha, 2019
It began as a blip. In July 2019, an infrared camera aboard the USS Omaha captured something that defied explanation: a spherical object moving swiftly over the Pacific before dropping into the ocean—again, no splash, no wake, no debris. The footage, later verified by Pentagon officials, stunned observers. The object didn’t resemble any known drone, missile, or aircraft. And its disappearance beneath the waves raised new questions about transmedium tech.
In the incident, the crew of the Omaha (which was also sailing off the San Diego coast) recorded a spherical UAP hovering just over the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The ship’s sensor that caught the object was the sophisticated AN/KAX-2—a stabilized sensor turret built for maritime environments that includes a digital video camera, night vision camera, and laser rangefinder.
The video shows a recording of the AN/KAX-2 screen and appears to have been taken with a night vision camera. The object seemingly moves, tracked by the sensor operator, and then hovers just above the ocean’s surface. Then the object disappears.
A video frame from 2019 footage taken aboard a U.S. Navy ship off San Diego shows an unidentified spherical object flying in the air before disappearing into the ocean.
A pilot of a U.S. Navy CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, like the one shown above, reportedly encounted a UAP while flying off the coast of Puerto Rico.
An infrared sensor onboard a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft captured footage of a UAP over Rafael Hernández Airport near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Getty Images
“It looked nothing like any known aircraft,” Gallaudet says. “After I testified before Congress last year, a sailor who had been on the bridge of the Omaha contacted me. He said the object was just one of many—and that he’d witnessed a similar event aboard the USS Jackson in 2023.”
Bermuda Triangle mystery cracked as new 'splashing in bathtub' theory revealed
Bermuda Triangle mystery cracked as new 'splashing in bathtub' theory revealed
Dr Simon Boxall says rogue waves, not UFOs, cause Bermuda Triangle vanishings, with wild currents and storms in the Florida-Puerto Rico-Bermuda region swallowing ships and planes.
Oceanographer Dr Simon Boxall from the University of Southampton reckons he's blown the lid off the infamous region
(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
For years the Bermuda triangle has been a source of head scratching, with the high number of disappearances and disasters in the region a cause of bafflement for boffins and internet conspiracists alike. But now one Oceanographer claims to have solved the mystery.
Oceanographer Dr Simon Boxall from the University of Southampton reckons he's blown the lid off the infamous region, blaming colossal ‘rogue waves’ for swallowing ships and crews whole.
Nestled between Florida, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda, theBermuda Trianglehas spooked sailors and aviators for over a century.
Countless ships and planes have vanished without a trace, fuelling wild theories of UFOs and paranormal forces. But Dr Boxall insists science holds the answers.
The Bermuda Triangle makes up around 1 million square miles of the Atlantic Ocean
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“It’s not some Poseidon Adventure-style mystery,” he told the Daily Mail. “It’s rogue waves, massive walls of water, up to 100 feet tall, formed in perfect storm conditions.”
First identified in the 1990s, rogue waves are freak crests that can snap a ship in half.
“Imagine a supertanker, 400 meters long, caught between two waves, one propping up the bow, another the stern. The middle’s left hanging with no support,” Boxall explained. “The ship just breaks.”
These waves form when storms collide, their waves amplifying into towering 20- or 30-meter beasts. “It’s like splashing in a bathtub,” he said.
Are you convinced by the rogue wave theory?
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“Waves combine, and you get a massive ‘plop’ - a rogue wave. ”The Triangle’s deadly reputation isn’t just down to waves, though. Boxall points to stormy weather, human error, and inexperience as key culprits.
He debunked the 1945 disappearance of Navy bombers, a poster child for Triangle mysteries, as a case of a cocky commander misreading his position.
“Radio messages showed his students warning they were off course, but he ignored them,” Boxall said. “They weren’t experienced, despite the myths.”
Stormy weather also plays a part
(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)
Satellite tech now helps spot rogue waves, but Boxall stresses they don’t strike from calm seas. “No mariner would be out in those storms unless they were reckless,” he said.
While the public’s fascination with the Triangle fuels outlandish theories, most scientists dismiss it as a non-mystery. “There’s nothing there,” Boxall said, though he admits some enthusiasts reject his rational take. “People cling to myths, ignoring facts.”
Record-breaking images from the world's largest solar telescope, the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawaii, reveal a solar flare in unprecedented detail.
The Inouye Solar Telescope captured this image of a solar flare on August 8, 2024. (Image credit: NSF/NSO/AURA, CC-BY)
The world's largest solar telescope just captured the highest-resolution images of a solar flare to date — and they're spectacular.
Researchers trained the Hawaii-based Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on the final stages of a powerful X-class solar flare on Aug. 8, 2024, capturing detailed images of chaotic loops of plasma at the sun's surface. The observations could help scientists understand the mechanics of solar flares and improve predictions of future flares.
"This is the first time the Inouye Solar Telescope has ever observed an X-class flare," study coauthorCole Tamburri, a solar physicist at the University of Colorado Boulder, said in a statement. "These flares are among the most energetic events our star produces, and we were fortunate to catch this one under perfect observing conditions."
Solar flares are massive bursts of light emitted by the sun during solar storms. Twisting magnetic fields create large, bundled loops of plasma called arcades that extend into the corona — the hot, outermost layer of the sun's atmosphere. When the magnetic fields get so convoluted that they snap back into place (a phenomenon called magnetic reconnection), the sun blasts particles and energy in the form of solar flares into space. When aimed at Earth, energy from the flares can disrupt radio communications and spacecraft orbiting our planet.
But scientists don't know the size of the plasma loops that make up these arcades. Previous observations of the individual loops have been limited by the resolutions of older solar telescopes.
In a new study, published Aug. 25 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Tamburri and his colleagues collected high-resolution images of plasma loops in the last stages of a powerful solar flare using the Inouye's Visible Broadband Imager instrument. On average, the plasma loops spanned about 30 miles (48 kilometers) wide. But some were smaller, down to about 13 miles (21 km), which is about as small as the telescope can resolve.
"We're finally peering into the spatial scales we've been speculating about for years," Tamburri said in the statement. "This opens the door to studying not just their size, but their shapes, their evolution, and even the scales where magnetic reconnection — the engine behind flares — occurs."
According to the researchers, it's possible that the coronal loops observed here might be the building blocks of larger solar arcades. "If that's the case, we're not just resolving bundles of loops; we're resolving individual loops for the first time," Tamburri said in the statement. "It's like going from seeing a forest to suddenly seeing every single tree."
The new data on coronal loops could help scientists improve models of solar flares and better understand the magnetic field in the corona, the researchers wrote in the study.
"It's a landmark moment in solar science," Tamburri said. "We're finally seeing the sun at the scales it works on."
In episode #2368 with Michael Button, Rogan learned for the first time about this mysterious imprint, which has been believed to be 300 million years old for many years. The wheel is said to have been discovered in 2008 in a coal mine in the Donetsk, Rostov Region (as per Alexander Koltypin).
In 2008, a very unusual discovery was made inside the “Western” coal mine in Donetsk at a depth of about 900 meters below the surface. While miners were drilling through a coal layer called the J3 “Sukhodolsky” seam, they found what looked like the clear imprint of a wheel pressed into sandstone rock above the coal. Photographs and documents about this discovery were later sent to Alexander Koltypin by a mine foreman named S. Kasatkin, who worked there and personally visited the site several times.
The source of this story is Alexander Koltypin, a Russian geologist and researcher with a distinguished academic background, having graduated with honors from the Moscow Geological Prospecting Institute and completed postgraduate work at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Koltypin received photos and documents about the imprint from S. Kasatkin, a mine foreman who personally visited the site multiple times. Kasatkin and others witnessed the imprint before the mine was abandoned and flooded, making further study impossible.
Credit: Alexander Koltypin
Koltypin explained that the exact age of the sandstone containing the imprint was never officially recorded, since mining engineers focus on coal extraction rather than geology. However, the Donetsk region is known for Carboniferous rocks dating between 360 and 300 million years old. Koltypin believes the imprint likely comes from this Middle Carboniferous period, which would make it at least 300 million years old.
According to Kasatkin, in 2008, he was working as a foreman in the Ventilation and Safety Engineering sector, which handled dangerous gas emissions. He insisted this discovery was not a publicity stunt; he is experienced in the coal industry and knew the weight of his words.
At the time, the miners and engineers wanted to call scientists to study the object properly, but the mine’s director forbade it. The director, likely following orders from the mine’s owners, did not want to delay production. Instead, he ordered the team to continue mining quickly through that section. As a result, the imprint remained underground, blocked by collapsed tunnels and later flooded when the mine was abandoned. This meant it was never properly studied.
Despite this, some miners secretly took photographs of the imprint before the area became inaccessible. Kasatkin says there were more than a dozen witnesses, including both engineers and workers, who saw the imprint with their own eyes.
Despite this, some miners secretly took photographs of the imprint before the area became inaccessible. Kasatkin says there were more than a dozen witnesses, including both engineers and workers, who saw the imprint with their own eyes.
There was even a second imprint of a smaller wheel found in another part of the same mine (lava tunnel 0406). Unfortunately, that one was partly destroyed during blasting. Kasatkin admits he visited that spot several times and could hardly believe it might be artificial, but he could not dismiss the idea either.
According to him, older miners in Donetsk often told stories of unusual fossil-like imprints being found in the area, such as gigantic snake shapes and bird-like creatures, maybe even resembling mythical winged reptiles. The Donetsk region is known for fossils, too; nearby schoolchildren once discovered fossilized dinosaur eggs in Cretaceous deposits. Those finds were confirmed by local archaeologists and even made into a school museum exhibit.
Back to the wheel imprint, Kasatkin explained that the wheel shape was not carved out because the sandstone was so tough. The miners tried using pick hammers to cut it free, but when they realized they might damage it, they left it in place. After the “Western” mine officially closed in 2009, the tunnels were dismantled, flooded, and sealed, making the imprint impossible to reach today.
Koltypin further mentioned that a paleontologist-anthropologist named Vyacheslav Valevsky from Odessa, examined photographs of the imprint. He concluded that there was no known fossil resembling it and therefore named it the “Kasatkin Object” after the man who reported it. He compared it with several fossils that sometimes have circular shapes, but he confirmed that none matched this particular discovery.
Below is a photo of fossils that were sent to Kasatkin by V. Valevsky. He told him that all of them are known to science as fossils of the kind of “wheel”:
In 2015, Koltypin also claimed that enigmatic groove-like markings in the Phrygian Valley of central Turkey were artificially made by all-terrain vehicles and not created by any natural process. (Source)
According to mainstream scholars, the Phrygia Valley is home to ancient tracks that have been dated to different historical eras. The oldest roads are believed to have been built during the Hittite Empire, around 1600 BC to 1178 BC. Over time, the Phrygians, Greeks, and Alexander the Great’s armies carved paths into the soft rock. These paths later became a part of the Roman road network, as noted by Culture Routes in Turkey.
The team has recently returned from the site in Anatolia/ancient carsCredit: Express
Note:The Phrygians were a civilization that existed in ancient Turkey and became prominent in the 8th century BC. They had a well-functioning state, as evidenced by 260 inscriptions found throughout their kingdom in Anatolia. Their capital city, Gordium, is located at the site of the modern city of Yassıhüyük, about 43 miles (70 km) southwest of Ankara.
The ancient track marks found in the Phrygian Valley have puzzled archaeologists for a long time, with explanations ranging from Phrygian carts to speculations about ancient alien vehicles. King Midas, described in Greek legends and Assyrian sources, is the most famous king of the Phrygians. According to stories, after his defeat in the battle by the Cimmerians, he committed suicide by drinking bull’s blood.
Koltypin and his team studied the rocky terrain with deep grooves and proposed that lightweight carts or chariots did not make those tracks, but instead heavy and huge unknown vehicles from an ancient civilization. He estimated that these tracks are around 14 million years old and posited that an unknown civilization created them.
Alexander Koltypin
It was discovered that the excavations of the ancient settlement of the Indians of this nation. At first, there was a version that it was a tomb, but as the excavation progressed, scientists discovered that these were ancient baths. The structure was made of limestone, and it has been well-preserved for several centuries.
“All these rocky fields were covered with the ruts left by millions of years ago… we are not talking about human beings. The methodology of specifying the age of volcanic rocks is very well studied and worked out,” Koltypin said.
Koltypin observed that the distance between each pair of tracks found in the area is consistent and matches the distance between the wheels of modern vehicles. However, the tracks are too deep for any modern car, which raises questions about the type of transportation that might have been used.
The deepest ruts are three feet (one meter) deep, and on the walls of these ruts, there are horizontal scratches that appear to have been left by the ends of axles that were poking out of ancient wheels. This suggests that the ancient wheels were wider than the ruts, which is a characteristic of an all-terrain vehicle that would have been able to navigate through rough terrain.
The fact that the tracks are so deep also implies that the vehicle was heavy and possibly used for transporting heavy loads. These observations raise more questions about the technology and capabilities of the civilization that created these tracks, and further research is needed to understand their origins.
Koltypin argued that the weight of large prehistoric vehicles created the deep channels found in the soil and rock. He also noted that later, the ruts and the surrounding area petrified, preserving the evidence. This phenomenon is known to geologists, as similar preservation is observed in the footprints of dinosaurs.
He acknowledged that his theories are controversial and is aware that mainstream academia may not want to address the subject matter as it could potentially challenge or “ruin” their established theories. “I think we are seeing the signs of the civilization that existed before the classic creation of this world. Maybe the creatures of that pre-civilization were not like modern human beings,” he proposed.
Other locations around the world, such as the Maltese archipelago, have similar mysterious tracks that continue to perplex researchers. Some of the strange tracks in Misrah Ghar il-Kbir are particularly intriguing as they appear to lead off cliffs or continue into the ocean. The origins and purpose of these tracks remain unknown. (Source)
How exactly did the universe start and how did these processes determine its formation and evolution? This is what a recent study published in Physical Review Research hopes to address as a team of researchers from Spain and Italy proposed a new model for the events that transpired immediately after the birth of the universe. This study has the potential to challenge longstanding theories regarding the exact processes that occurred at the beginning of the universe, along with how these processes have governed the formation and evolution of the universe.
For the study, the researchers used a series of computer models to simulate the beginning of the universe that challenge the longstanding theory that the universe began with a period of rapid expansion known as “inflation”, with scientists estimating this occurred within the first fraction of a second of the universe’s existence. However, this inflation theory postulates that several variables were all involved in making this theory possible.
In contrast, this new model suggests that a longstanding phenomenon of general relativity called gravitational waves are responsible for the universe and all its components, including galaxies, stars, planets, and life on Earth. The team proposes these gravitational waves are part of a longstanding mathematical model called De Sitter space, which is named after the Dutch mathematician Willem De Sitter, who worked with Albert Einstein regarding the universe’s structure throughout the 1920s.
“For decades, we have tried to understand the early moments of the Universe using models based on elements we have never observed”, said Dr. Raúl Jiménez, who studies experimental sciences & mathematics at ICREA in Spain and is a co-author on the study. “What makes this proposal exciting is its simplicity and verifiability. We are not adding speculative elements but rather demonstrating that gravity and quantum mechanics may be sufficient to explain how the structure of the cosmos came into being”.
First proposed in 1893 and 1905 by Oliver Heaviside and Henri Poincaré, respectively, gravitational waves received a huge boost in attention in 1916 when Albert Einstein proposed them to be ripples in the space-time continuum as part of his general theory or relativity. Despite myriads of sources, including supernovae, black holes, and neutron stars, gravitational waves are incredibly difficult to detect and require very sensitive instruments. This is potentially why gravitational waves were not detected until September 2015 by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) observatory, which have locations in Washington and Louisiana.
The origin of the universe remains one of the biggest mysteries in science, as the Big Bang has long been theorized to have been the catalyst for the origin of the universe. Despite ongoing scientific breakthroughs and advancements, scientists remain puzzled regarding the origins of the universe, and especially what might have happened before the Big Bang.
Carl Sagan famously said, “The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”
We may never know exactly how the universe began and the processes responsible for you reading this article right now. But like the simplicity this study presents, perhaps this study is simply a way for us to know the universe itself a little bit better.
What new discoveries about the origins of the universe will researchers make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
You know, I find a lot of interesting things here and there when looking into NASA photos and here is a thought provoking anomaly that needs further investigation into. I found two massive planet size spheres within our sun. Let me explain, the sun has dark spots, areas that open up from deep within our sun and reveals the inner workings of the sun. This revealed not one but two mini planets hiding with the sun. Certainly there are many more. I would estimate that there are 10+ planets of massive sizes within it. So, not only a few planets but an entire solar system within our sun. It's so complex an issue, so massive of a discovery and change that stands opposite to everything we have been taught...and yet...it's real.
Hollow Sun Theory is a theory I made a decade ago, but still talk about it now and then, when the evidence presents itself.
The exact location of ASASSN-24fw is unknown but it lies within the boundary of the constellation Vulpecula (Credit : IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine)
Imagine looking up at the night sky and watching a star almost completely disappear, then reappear months later. That's exactly what happened with a distant star called ASASSN-24fw, leaving astronomers scratching their heads for months.
Located about 3,000 light years from Earth, this star pulled off an incredible disappearing trick between late 2024 and early 2025. For eight months, it dimmed by an astounding 97% before returning to its normal brightness. To put this in perspective, imagine a bright streetlight suddenly becoming as dim as a birthday candle.
It's not unheard of for stars to unexpectedly fade. Comparison of SPHERE images of Betelgeuse taken in January 2019 and December 2019, showing changes in brightness and shape
(Credit : ESO/M)
What made this event particularly puzzling was that the colour of the star's light remained unchanged during its dimming. This crucial clue told scientists that the star itself wasn't changing or dying, something else was blocking our view. After analyzing the data, researchers from The Ohio State University believe they've cracked the case. Evidence suggests it is likely that there is a cloud of dust in the form of a disk around it, according to lead researcher Raquel Forés-Toribio.
This isn't just any ordinary dust cloud though. The disk surrounding ASASSN-24fw is enormous, about 1.3 astronomical units (AU) across, even bigger than the distance between the Sun and our planet. The dust particles themselves are made of carbon or water ice, similar in size to large grains of dust found on Earth.
The mystery deepens further however since scientists suspect this star isn't alone; it likely has a smaller, cooler companion star orbiting nearby, making it what astronomers call a binary system. The second star, which is much fainter and less massive, may be driving the changes in geometry leading to the eclipses, explains Forés-Toribio. This hidden partner could be responsible for stirring up the dust disk, creating the conditions that led to the dramatic dimming event we witnessed.
Atacama Large Millimetre Array image of the dust disk around HL Tauri
(Credit : ALMA)
How rare is this phenomenon? Extremely. Chris Kochanek, a professor at Ohio State who co-authored the study, describes it as one in a million eclipsing. Even when researchers searched for similar events in their databases, they couldn't find anything quite like it.
The star was discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), a network of small telescopes that continuously monitor our night sky. Since its establishment more than a decade ago, ASAS-SN has collected about 14 million images and that keeps going up. Don't expect to see this show again anytime soon. Researchers calculate that the ASASSN-24fw system likely experiences an eclipse about once every 43.8 years, with the next one not expected to occur until around 2068.
This discovery reminds us that the universe still holds countless mysteries. As astronomer Krzysztof Stanek notes, The universe's capacity to surprise us is continuous. Each unusual event like this helps scientists better understand how stars and planetary systems form and evolve, pushing our theories to new limits.
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover acquired this image of inactive megaripples at “Kerrlaguna,” Perseverance’s latest target of exploration, on Aug. 13, 2025 (Credit : NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU)
NASA's Perseverance rover has turned its attention to towering sand formations called megaripples at a site named Kerrlaguna on Mars. These windblown features, standing up to a metre tall, are providing new insights into how wind shapes the red planet today and could even help prepare for future human missions to Mars.
While Mars might seem like a frozen, static world, its landscape is actually being constantly reshaped by powerful winds. As NASA puts it, "On Mars, the past is written in stone, but the present is written in sand." This poetic description captures exactly what Perseverance has been studying lately, massive sand formations that tell the story of modern Martian weather.
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took this selfie over a rock nicknamed “Rochette,” on September 10, 2021, the 198th Martian day, or sol of its mission
(Credit : NASA/JPL Caltech)
After completing investigations at a geological contact zone called Westport, Perseverance attempted to climb steep slopes to reach a new rock exposure named Midtoya. However, the combination of treacherous terrain and rocky, unstable soil proved too challenging, forcing the rover team to retreat to smoother ground. The effort wasn't wasted though since Perseverance managed to study fascinating spherule rich rocks that had tumbled down from above, including a distinctive helmet shaped rock dubbed "Horneflya" that captured public attention online.
The rover then moved to Kerrlaguna, where the steep slopes give way to a field of megaripples. These aren't your typical beach type sand ripples, they're massive windblown formations that can tower up to one meter high. While that might not sound enormous, imagine sand dunes the height of a tall person scattered across an alien landscape.
The science team decided these features deserved a detailed mini-campaign of study. Usually, Perseverance focuses on ancient rocks that preserve evidence of Mars' distant past, but understanding the planet's current environment is equally important. These megaripples offer a window into how wind and weather continue to shape Mars today.
The Kerrlaguna feature on Mars is located in the Jezero Crater
(Credit : NASA)
Nearly a decade ago, Perseverance's predecessor, the Curiosity rover, studied an active sand dune in Gale crater and took a famous selfie there. However, the megaripples at Kerrlaguna appear inactive and dusty, representing a different type of Martian sand formation that's common across the planet's surface. These older, immobile features could reveal new insights about how wind and even trace amounts of water interact on modern Mars.
This self-portrait of NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle at the "Big Sky" site, where its drill collected the mission's fifth sample of Mount Sharp
(Credit : NASA)
During its investigation, Perseverance deployed multiple scientific instruments to thoroughly analyze the megaripples. Using SuperCam, Mastcam-Z, and MEDA instruments, the rover characterised the surrounding environment, measured the size and chemistry of individual sand grains, and looked for any salty crusts that might have developed over time.
This research serves a dual purpose beyond pure scientific curiosity. Understanding Martian soil composition and behaviour could prove crucial for future human missions to the red planet. Astronauts will likely need to use local Martian resources to help them survive, making detailed knowledge of soil properties and composition invaluable for mission planning.
The Kerrlaguna investigation also serves as preparation for a more ambitious study planned at Lac de Charmes, a location further along Perseverance's route that features an even more extensive field of larger sand formations. By studying these windblown features grain by grain, Perseverance continues to unlock the secrets of how Mars behaves today, complementing its discoveries about the planet's ancient past and helping pave the way for humanity's eventual arrival on one of our nearest planetary neighbours.
For decades that question was merely a part of physics legend, the kind of thing grad students overhear when their advisors take them out to dinner. But the story behind that question is true, and it’s a good one. It was the late 1940’s, soon after the close of World War 2. The world was buzzing with reports of UFO’s, flying saucers, and aliens sticking their probes where the sun don’t shine.
Physicists can sometimes resemble real people, and like real people when they get together for lunch at work they like to chat about whatever’s in the news. And one time, famed physicist Enrico Fermi was visiting his colleagues at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Right down the road from Roswell. The conversation turned to UFO’s, and the group, including Fermi, started speculating wildly, quickly coming to the realization that the only feasible way that UFO’s could be aliens would be if faster-than-light travel was possible. But during the conversation, Fermi fell silent.
Sometime later, as the conversation shifted to other topics, Fermi suddenly blurted out, “Where is everybody?”
Everyone at the table immediately knew what we meant.
That lunchtime exclamation became the core what we call today the Fermi paradox. Here’s the basic deal: life is possible in the universe. Need proof? Hello, nice to meet you. It happened here on Earth, and the universe tends to not just do things only once. In fact, the default assumption in astronomy and cosmology is that we’re not special – we occupy no privileged position and we have no unique status (sometimes called Copernican principle for his removal of the Earth from the center of the universe). And indeed, nothing about our planet is all that remarkable: it’s just another lump of oxygen and carbon orbiting just-another-star. Heck, even our preliminary estimates suggest that there are something around 5 billion duplicates of the Earth in the Milky Way alone.
That’s 5 billion chances for life to arise under identical conditions.
So by that logic, the universe should be teeming with life. and not just regular life, intelligent life, and not just intelligent life, but space faring, and even space colonizing life! We can again point to ourselves as an example: we are right on the cusp of a sustained presence in space (like, in a real way), and it’s not hard to imagine that by extending our technology just a little bit, we could be one of those, I don’t know, star trek civilizations.
So if we could do it, then somebody else should be able to do it too.
You can even imagine throwing every technological hurdle in our way – nothing better than fusion-powered rockets, always constrained by the speed of light, limited lifespans, disease, warfare, anything that would and could slow down our progress, the works. But the fact is that our milky way galaxy is roughly 10 billion years old, and given that enormous amount of time, then space-faring civilizations have had more than enough eons to essentially spread throughout the entire galaxy, even doing it the slow way.
We should see advanced civilizations everywhere. We’re talking Dyson spheres, stellar engineering, or signatures of powerful engines. And while we do see many mysteries out in the universe – unexplained explosions or strange particles zipping by, we see no need to explain ANY observation in the solar system, galaxy, or universe, by invoking advanced alien civilizations. Even when our natural “dead” explanations don’t explain everything (cough FRBs, dark energy, hexagon on Saturn), we find no great pressure to say ALIENS DID IT.
Even leaving astronomical observations aside, given the abundance of life and intelligent civilizations, plus the raw amount of time they’ve had to poke around the galaxy, our solar system should have been visited MULTIPLE times by MULTIPLE species, either in person (or in-alien) or with their robotic craft. We should have monoliths and nanobots and space jockey skeletons everywhere, especially on the airless worlds that have maintained a record of impacts and events going back over four billion years.
So…where is everybody?
Hence the paradox: something in this line of reasoning has to give. We’ve got one, if not many – if not all – of these statements wrong. But which one?
Now, I would love to do an entire series on the fermi paradox and all its possible answers and what that means for current searches for life, but I’ll save that for a future date (and please, if more of you ask about it RIGHT NOW the sooner I’ll get to it).
But to slake your thirst for solving long-standing puzzles in physics, we’ll spend today jumping into one of the possible resolutions to the fermi paradox, the so-called GREAT FILTER.
Which sounds…kinda ominous. And…is…kinda ominous. But as we’ll see, it doesn’t HAVE to be ominous, but…sigh…it probably is.
Now versions of the Great Filter argument had been around for decades (just like Fermi was not the first person to ask where everybody is), but the most comprehensive form of the argument comes from Robin Hanson in 1996, who is an economist. Now I know you’re thinking: an economist, really? But hey, who says astronomers get to have all the fun. Possible resolutions to Fermi’s paradox are less about physical theory and raw observations and more about statistics and probabilities, so hey economists, welcome to the party.
Here’s the simplest possible reduction of the great filter argument, the most distilled essence of the entire chain of reasoning to explain why we don’t see advanced space-faring civilizations roaming the galaxy: nobody makes it.
That’s it. nobody makes it to that stage. Question: where is everybody? Answer: nobody’s home. The logical chain that leads to Fermi’s paradox is broken in the assumption that intelligent space-faring civilizations are COMMON. According to the great filter answer, they’re not common at all, and so we shouldn’t be surprised when we don’t see anybody.
But wait, wait wait. Aren’t we on the cusp of achieving space colonization status? If the great filter is true, and nobody makes it to that level of sophistication, then…what does it mean for us? Is this…the end of the road?
Like I said, a little ominous.
Let’s breaks things down to see under what exact conditions things should start to feel a little spooky, and where we might be able to keep our blood pressure in a nice safe range.
The issue is that we don’t know exactly when or where the great filter actually happens. There are a lot of steps to go from “random planet with the right ingredients for life” to “vast interstellar empire”. For his part, ol robby hanson broke it down into 9 separate steps that life must go through to get from the little to the big leagues. These steps are: having the right star system to create the basic conditions for life, generating self-reproductive molecules (as in, abiogenesis), stepping up to basic cells with prokaryotic life, advancing to more complex and capable cells with eukaryotic life, achieving sexual reproduction, making the jump to multicellular life roaming around the world, achieving some vague sense of intelligence (like, say, mastering fire or using tools), then advancing to the status of a civilization with the POTENTIAL for space colonization, and finally, once all the pieces are in place, becoming a gigantic galaxy-spanning explosion of life.
We can debate the particulars of this classification scheme until the cows come home, but the point is that to get to make the galaxy your playground, you have to jump through a lot of hoops and pass a lot of tests. Some of those tests are early on, and some are a little later in the process. Sooooo the big question is: where’s the bottleneck? Where does the “Great filter” become so great? What stops nascent life from reaching the stage where we should be able to detect it? Is it at the beginning, with life-ready systems hard to come by? Somewhere in the middle, where life never gets a start or just spends billions of years swimming around in oceans, or is it towards the latter stages? And considering that WE OURSELVES ARE NEAR THE LAST STAGE, we’d really like to settle this question, because the location of the great filter means a lot for the future survival of our species.
Now I know there is an obvious bias in this argument: that life across the galaxy follows a similar path to us, which may or may not be true. But if we expand our definition of life, that makes fermi’s paradox even WORSE: there should be MORE evidence of life in that scenario, not less, so let’s stick with this restriction because it’s the most compatible with solutions to fermi’s paradox and move on.
So let’s talk about the early stages first, because…that makes sense. Maybe the great filter takes place at stage 1. Maybe the conditions for life are exceedingly rare. Well, to be perfectly honest, that doesn’t like that’s the case. Yes, I know that the Earth is the only known planet in the solar system, heck, the universe, where we know life can exist. But it seems based on our limited observations that life has had plenty of chances, even in our own solar system. We know for a fact that Mars once hosted liquid water oceans and a thick atmosphere, right around the same time that the early Earth did. Life happened here, and so it’s somewhat plausibly reasonable to assume that life got a start there. It just…kinda died. Same thing for Venus.
And we have to mention the icy moons of the outer planets, like Europa, Enceladus, and more. Under their icy shells those worlds host globe-spanning liquid water oceans, more liquid water than the Earth has! Those oceans just might be rich in minerals and nutrients..and might be homes for life.
I could go on. And I will. We see organic molecules, and even amino acids, in molecular clouds and on comets. The galaxy is swimming in the ingredients needed for our kind of life. So the basis, the stage 1, of just having the right conditions, seems to be very common indeed. No signs of a great filter here.
What about the next couple stages? You know, the bits about self-reproducing molecules and the evolution of single-celled organisms. Well, we don’t have much to go on here: we only have evidence for life on one single planet. But it’s still a data point that we can learn some lessons from. It’s not much – I’m definitely venturing into speculation territory here, so you’re welcome to make your own arguments – but it’s something. We know that life appeared basically ASAP once our planet cooled. Once the conditions for life were met – with the right ingredients, temperatures, and so on – life…happened. Life on Earth is almost as old as the Earth itself. So if we were forced to guess (and again it’s only a guess!) then a halfway decent reasonable guess is that the great filter is NOT in the earliest stages: if life has the right conditions, it probably shows up right away.
What about the middle stages? The march from single-celled organisms doing their single-celled thing to intelligent creatures that can wield tools and leave feedback reviews about them?
Well, again we still only have one data point, but we MIGHT be able to learn something about filters both small and great in those middle stages. And that’s the fact that intelligent life appeared very LATE on earth. Check this out, within 500 million years of our planet even forming, self-reproducing molecules and single-celled critters evolved. And here we are, intelligent creatures, only arising into consciousness within the past few hundred THOUSAND years. And guess what? We’re about to get cooked. No, that’s not a metaphor. As the sun ages it expands and brightens. It’s been doing so for…well, four and a half billion years already. That’s right, the first life to appear on the Earth knew a small, dimmer Sun than we do today. And it’s only going to get worse. Within about five hundred million years from now, the Sun will become so hot that the oceans will boil, plate tectonics will grind to a halt, and the greenhouse effect will spiral out of control, turning the Earth into another Venus: superheated and choking on its own acidic atmosphere. While life might – might - cling to a miserable existence in some crevice in that future hell-world, it’s definitely not going to be intelligent, let alone space-faring.
In other words, we are here, building our rockets, in the final stages where it’s even possible to do on the Earth. Now again, I have to sprinkle a lot of caution into these statements, but again maybe nature is trying to tell us something. Life itself appeared within the first chapter of the Earth’s viable history, and intelligent life appeared in the last.
So maybe that’s the answer: life is common, but intelligent life is not. Maybe that’s the Great Filter. Intelligence takes a lot of luck and stable evolutionary history (and maybe a few good whacks with an asteroid). So we shouldn’t expect other space faring civilizations because intelligence is a precious commodity in the cosmos (and on the Earth, yuk yuk).
How could we test this? Or, maybe “test” is too strong a world, but at least start to wrap the questions in some sort of statistics or probabilities. After all, so far we’re only going on one example. But we can imagine a future where we are able to find microscopic critters, maybe deep in the Martian crust, or swimming in the seas of Europa, or hanging out on some exoplanet. If we continue our searches and find simple life, but no signs of INTELLIGENT life, then this would be a major clue that the Great Filter is behind us: that we’re already on the other side and it’s all going to great.
Or not. “Not” is definitely still an option.
Until we have enough data to build statistics, and trust me that’s going to be a long way off so don’t hold your breath, then all we have is speculation. Which while not very scientifically rigorous is still really fun. What if the Great Filter is in front of us? What if it’s in our future? What if once life gains a foothold somewhere it has a universally decent chance of arising to intelligence, like it’s a foregone conclusion of the evolutionary process?
Well then, that means that maybe species simply destroy themselves. I mean, it’s not hard once you put your mind to it. The idea is that to travel interstellar, or even interplanetary, distances, you must be able to harvest, store, and use incredible amounts of energy, and develop a sophisticated technological base to do it. And if you can do that, then you can harvest, store, and use MORE THAN ENOUGH ENERGY to wipe every single living thing off the face of your home planet.
The best insurance against that is to have your favorite kind of living thing on multiple surfaces on multiple planets, but you will have to spend a certain amount of time – maybe centuries, maybe millennia – in a precarious balance, where you’re trying to climb the ladder to the stars without cutting yourself off at the knees. A species needs to use its technologies for good, not evil, for a very long time so that it can ensure its own survival. Meanwhile, during all that time slowly developing space travel and self-sustaining offworld habitats, a rogue state or actor or even the combined actions of the entire species can just...end it all.
And, like, THAT’S US. We can send robotic craft beyond the edges of the solar system. We can send crews to live months at a time in orbit. And…we can also wipe every living thing off the face of the earth. We have more than enough nuclear weapons to kill off all of humanity and trigger a mass extinction. If we pump enough carbon into the atmosphere, things can go haywire real quick and have the same effect. The same abilities that bring us to the stars can bury us in the dirt, which is real dark but kinda poetic.
Or maybe it takes so long that nature does the job for us, sending an unlucky rock in our direction or an ozone-killing blast from a gamma ray burst. Life may be hardy in general but individual species are not. Something – from nature or from ourselves – can kill us while we’re still in the cradle.
Remember, for the great filter argument to work, it has to be NEAR TOTAL. Which means…this is it. The end of the line. The last stop before galactic extinction. Goodbye everyone, hug your loved ones, and take one last bite of cheese, because the end of our species is right around the corner.
5 meter UFO crashed in ocean near island, UAP USO Sighting News 📰 Ancient Alien Ships Everywhere! Lets investigate.
5 meter UFO crashed in ocean near island, UAP USO Sighting News 📰 Ancient Alien Ships Everywhere! Lets investigate.
Date of discovery: Aug 26, 2025
Location of discovery: Makemo Island
Source: Self found Watch video to find it too.
Hey check this out. Way out in the ocean in the middle of nowhere is a small island called Makemo. On the edge of the island I noticed a sphere that is 5 meters long! Thats huge among spheres and it crashed in the shore water so it's about 1-2 meters deep. Why has no-one found it yet or why hasn't it been recovered? Because this is the first anyones ever heard of it, but it is sure to have governments around the world soon scrambling to recover it first.
There are thousands of UFOs on the surface of land and below the ocean yet to be discovered...all we have to do is look...and they will soon be found.
UFO hiding in cloud over Salt Lake City Airport, Utah UAP sighting news. 👽 ancient aliens
UFO hiding in cloud over Salt Lake City Airport, Utah UAP sighting news. 👽 ancient aliens
Date of sighting: Aug 23, 2025
Location of sighting: Salt Lake City Airport, Utah, USA
Source: Self
Hey all, I recorded this the other night right after sunset over the Salt Lake City Airport. UFOs are known to show up over and around airports so I always keep an eye out for them. This UFO is cloaked UFO...well its hiding within a cloud or the cloud is an illusion around it so that it appears as a real cloud. This method of the UFO hiding is the most common method that aliens use even today.
The UFO is still there! Too hard to recover or still being used? UAP sighting news
The UFO is still there! Too hard to recover or still being used? UAP sighting news
Coordinates: 66°16'24.5"S 100°59'03.5"E
This UFO was discovered about 2 years ago, and yet it's still there, still sitting in Antarctica right now. The updated photos often show UFOs removed from the area, however this one...is still there today.
Some Bizarre Cases of UFO Crashes and Crash Retrievals
In the world of UFO phenomena and talk of UFO sightings and aliens, the most spectacular of these repo rts must surely be those in which these crafts, possibly from other stars, have crashed to earth. Here we have landing right in our laps the answer to whether we are alone in the universe, the physical evidence we need to finally prove that aliens are real. Unfortunately, these alleged crashes have a bad habit of being moved in on by the government to be swept under the carpet, or to otherwise fade into the mists of time while frustratingly denying us the proof we would expect to get from such a spectacular incident. Here we are going to take a look at a few of the more bizarre cases of UFO crashes, and the forces that conspired to make them fade into the mists of time.
The setting for our earliest bizarre story comes amid a UFO flap that was sweeping the United States at the time. Between the years of 1896 and 1897, some outlandish stories were starting to make the headlines. Beginning in California and working their way east, there began to be reported numerous accounts of what were described as mysterious, metallic cigar-shaped “airships” appearing in the skies, said to be slow-moving and with powerful spotlights that could pierce the night with great precision. The reports were remarkable because this was an era before airplanes, when even balloons and blimps were not a particularly common sight in the skies of these regions, so for so many people to suddenly start reporting giant mystery airships of an unknown design was cause for great concern, making the news regularly.
One town that would be visited by one of these ships was the small, rural farming town of Aurora, Texas. This was an unassuming place that would normally be just another dusty town out in the badlands, nothing remarkable about it or particularly special, a place one could pass right on by without really noticing. Yet according to the Dallas Morning News, on April 15, 1897, one of these mysterious ships allegedly appeared to come sailing down out of the sky to go floating over the center of town. This would have been an otherworldly, awe-inspiring sight to begin with, but things would apparently get more spectacular still when the ship meandered off and seemed to experience some sort of mechanical difficulties, purportedly colliding with a windmill on the rural property of a Judge J.S. Proctor, and causing a “terrific explosion” that wrecked the windmill, a water tank, and the airship, sending debris raining down everywhere.
When the wreckage was investigated by stunned locals, they apparently found that much of the debris was a strange, light metal that none of them had ever seen before, like a “mixture of aluminum and silver.” According to the report they also found the pilot of the craft sprawled out on the ground dead amongst the wreckage, and although there was no really detailed description it was described as a petite humanoid figure and called “a Martian,” with the report stating of its appearance, “while his remains are badly disfigured enough of the original has been picked up to show that he was not an inhabitant of this world.”
On the creature’s person were supposedly sheets of a paper-like material upon which were scrawled some sort of strange symbols like hieroglyphs, the meaning of which was as enigmatic as the pilot and his weird ship. So, now there seemed to be an actual crashed mystery ship and an alien body, so what did the locals do? Well, according to the tale, they tossed the wreckage into an old well, sealed it off, and then had the tiny "alien" given a Christian burial in the nearby Aurora Cemetery in a grave with a small, unassuming headstone with a crude etching of the alien’s ship on it. Newspapers at the time ran with this story, and before long, it was being talked about all over the place while curiosity seekers came to town to see the area and its cemetery for themselves.
While it might be easy to say that the Dallas Morning News report, which happened to have been written by an Aurora local, must surely have been a made-up joke piece, there were soon numerous other witnesses coming forward to corroborate the story, saying that they had also seen the craft or had even witnessed the crash and the dead alien body, giving weight to the strange account. There was also the odd claim from the new owner of Judge Proctor's property, a Mr. Brawley Oates, who claimed in 1945 that he had found pieces of the alien ship buried in the well, which had made him ill and forced him to cover the site with cement to seal it away.
As amazing as all of this was at the time, it oddly all sort of faded away and became sort of an obscure historical oddity for decades, the location of the grave forgotten until the account was picked up on by UFO enthusiasts. The case quickly became popular with the UFO-hunting crowd in later years, with many investigations of the claims launched over the years. One of the first of these was carried out by Bill Case, an aviation writer for the Dallas Times Herald and the Texas state director of Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), who interviewed surviving witnesses and checked out the cemetery. He would claim in 1973 to have found the gravestone of what he believed to be the alien’s grave, not much more than a rock, really, small in size and half-broken, carrying what appeared to be part of an etching of a “saucer-shaped structure.” Using a metal detector, it was determined that there seemed to be large metal pieces buried down there in the ground, and the excited investigator tried to get permission from the city to exhume the grave with no success. Making the story more bizarre was that he would claim that upon his next visit, the metal pieces had seemingly disappeared, possibly moved by someone. Not long after this, the gravestone itself was stolen, and the location of the body lost once more.
Another notable investigation was carried out by the television show UFO Hunters in 2008. The team approached the current owner of the Judge Proctor property, Tim Oates, nephew of Brawley Oates, the one who had sealed the well. Oates permitted them to unseal the well to be unsealed, but no pieces of alien wreckage were found, and the water tested was fairly normal except for heightened levels of aluminum present. If there had ever been pieces of an alien airship in there, they had since been removed and lost. UFO Hunters also investigated Aurora Cemetery, looking for the lost unmarked grave with ground-penetrating radar. It seems they found a promising spot and tried to get permission to dig it up, but were denied. Without being able to exhume the remains, it was impossible to determine if they were human or not, and so the mystery has remained. To this day, the location of the grave, or indeed if it ever existed at all, is unknown, although the cemetery itself still bears a plaque listing the alien as one of those interred there.
The tale of Aurora's UFO crash and its lost alien grave has been much discussed and picked apart in recent years. One prominent idea is that this was all merely a publicity stunt to get more people to come to the town. They had been suffering from a string of calamities, such as a disease epidemic, a devastating fire, and lost crops, so it is possible that the original article was a ploy to get people to go there. After all, at the time, it doesn't seem that anyone really ever followed up on the original report, and there is also the fact if there was a dead alien of all things, how could it possibly be buried and then its resting place forgotten about? Wouldn't someone desecrate the grave or even rob it? Other ideas are that the crash really was an alien craft, and the grave is either still out there waiting to be found or the body whisked away by the government, Roswell style. There has also been the idea that this might have really happened, but rather than some alien or inter-dimensional traveler it was perhaps some mad scientist testing out his own airship contraption. Considering the verifiable facts are thin and no evidence has ever really been found that any of this happened as described, we are left to wonder. Did a UFO crash at Aurora, and is there an alien buried in the cemetery there? Whether it is true or not, it is a strange little historical oddity that stokes the imagination.
Moving along to our next case, on the otherwise peaceful evening of December 9, 1965, the people of the small town of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, around 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, were startled when a strange glowing object sped across the night sky from the north. The object was seen by hundreds of people, many of whom would describe it as somewhat acorn-shaped and emanating wisps of yellow, purple and orange colors, as well as claiming that the object seemed to change directions and to be under intelligent control. One of the witnesses at the time, a boy named Robb Landy, was out with his brother when it roared overhead, and he would say of it:
“We were riding up the road and we just happened to look up into the sky and we saw this thing coming over the tops of the trees. It just glided right across the sky, like across the horizon of the trees. We were just, like, in awe, you know, as we watched it. Then it disappeared, and we ran.”
It would later turn out that this strange object had been seen by thousands of witnesses streaking across a large swath of the northeastern United States and Canada, and the thing’s eerie trail reportedly was visible for hundreds of miles around. Yet it seems that after this fantastic light display, the object, whatever it was and wherever it came from, would end its journey at Kecksburg, where it reportedly crashed right there in a small wooded hollow near a farm owned by the Kalp family. At the time, many people believed that the object had been simply a plane on fire, and so curiosity seekers were soon flocking to where the smoke and fire of the impact site could be seen. It was not long after that, police and firefighters were also converging on the scene, and this was when it would slowly become apparent that whatever it was that had fallen out of the sky onto that farm was no plane.
Some of the first descriptions of something very weird going on out in those darkened woods were from search teams that had been brought in to find where the crash site actually was, with these teams mostly formed of state troopers and firefighters. Some of these searchers would claim to have seen a very bright blue light flashing intermittently through the trees through the gloom of the smoke, and some even claimed to have come across the object itself. One of the most spectacular reports of this happening would come from volunteer firefighter James Romansky, who would say of the outlandish sight awaiting his team:
“Here was this humongous metal object, half buried in the ground. About six, seven, eight foot around, and it was every bit of eight, ten, twelve foot long. And to me the object looked like exactly like a fresh acorn that you’d pick off of a tree. There was no wings, there was no motors. There was no propellers. There was no identification whatsoever that would identify it as a aircraft that I would know. There was a bumper on the bottom part of it. On that bumper there was what I call, it looked to me like the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. It was markings like stars, and shapes and figures and circles, and lines, and what it was, I don’t know. To this day I’ve never seen anything like it. So we’re all standing around this thing, wondering what in the heck it could be, and finally here come two men down through the woods. And they took one look at the object, and immediately told us to leave. ‘We are in charge, we’re taking command, get out of here.’ So we left there, and by the time we got back down here to the fire hall, I mean, this place was wall to wall military.”
Indeed, by all accounts, the military was amazingly quick to arrive on the scene and take charge, within an hour moving in to disperse curious locals and eject all reporters and local authorities from the area. It was amazingly efficient and quick, but there were several witnesses who allegedly got a peek at what they were up to before being chased off. Some of them saw armed personnel swarming about, trucks marked with a white star, and people entering the area with special instruments and in some sort of radiation or HAZMAT suits. One witness, named Bill Weaver, would say:
“I looked down in there myself. I seen there was something down in there, that had bright lights on it. But I couldn’t see the object itself. Some time later, I seen a van type truck pull up there. There was some men dressed in moon suits, we called them at the time, and they had a light colored box, roughly five foot square. They carried it down into the ravine.”
Many others made similar claims of radiation-suited personnel fanning out over the crash site, but the most interesting accounts are of those who say they saw the military whisking the actual mystery object away, which happened within an hour of their arrival. Most witnesses say they were only able to see a large, flatbed truck, flanked by jeeps and holding something large upon it covered with tarps, but some of them would say that they had seen the actual object, and this is where things get weird, as some witnesses insist that it was a large metallic craft of some kind, while others say it was a smaller object about the size of two suitcases put together. For their part, the military officially stated it was a meteorite and then took off without further explanation. The thing is, everyone who got a glimpse of the object maintains that it was no meteorite, and there is also the very distinctive appearance and behavior it had before it fell to earth, as well as the fact that everything was so hush-hush. UFO researcher Stan Gordon has explained what is wrong with the meteorite theory:
“Astronomers who looked into the case at the time basically felt that the object in question was a bolides, which was a very bright fire-ball type meteor. But we now know the thing basically was coming down from the tip of Ontario, and appeared to have made about a 25 degree turn to the east, near Cleveland, Ohio. And the interesting thing is, now that the new data suggests that the object made a turn towards the south, and then the object made another turn towards the village of Kecksburg where it was proceeding towards the northeast. Within several miles of the crash site, multiple witnesses tell us that this object was coming in at a very, very slow speed of descent. Meteors do not make controlled turns. They do not come in at a slow speed like this. And they in fact do not glide in, which this thing apparently did.”
In the aftermath of the strange incident, the people of Kecksburg and UFO researchers alike have struggled to find an answer for what happened that night in the void of any information from the government. It seems fairly certain and undisputed that something did indeed come down out of the sky in this rural hamlet, and that the military did move in to clear it out, but just what that was has remained hotly debated. One idea is that this was a downed spy satellite, either from a foreign country or domestic, the kind that the government would be keen to sweep under the carpet as much as possible. Another idea is that this was just some random space debris, but if this were the case, then why would the military be on the scene so fast in such full force to so totally lock the place down and keep it all so secret? It has also been found that there are no official records of any space debris being tracked to fall in that area at the time. Neither of these explanations explains the speed and maneuverability of what witnesses had seen. There is also the possibility put forward that this was perhaps some experimental aircraft that crashed, which could explain some of the details of what witnesses claimed to have seen and the military interest. Of course, there is also the idea that this was a genuine UFO and it is being covered up and kept in a secret location. What just about everyone agrees on, except the government, is that this was no meteorite, and Stan Gordon has said:
“There was quite a lot of interest by government agencies as to what the object may have been. There were memos there and requests for information from Houston Space Center, from NORAD, from the Air Force Command Post, the Pentagon, even the Chairman of the Office of Emergency Planning requested information. The official Air Force explanation was that it was likely a meteor. And basically what it goes on to say is, the fact that the search was called off around 2:00 A.M. and that nothing was found. But evidence indicates that something indeed was found at the site.
Whatever came down in Kecksburg that night, is of high importance to the military agencies. The most mysterious thing about the whole case is the fact that after 25 years, the government still refuses to give us any actual information on what occurred. Either way, we’re dealing with some highly advanced space probe, probably of a foreign nation, that appears to be very highly technical for what we knew about 1965. Or, the possibility exists that we may indeed be dealing with an extraterrestrial spacecraft. I’ve always said this thing was either a very secretive, very advanced man-made space vehicle or it was extraterrestrial. In the 50 years I’ve been doing this, I’ve looked at all sorts of American and Soviet objects and nothing ever seemed to fit the description of what we saw in Kecksburg.
It’s a mystery and after so many years it would be great if we could find that conclusive information about what it was that fell from the sky that night in 1965, but it might be one of those things that we may never have the answer for.”
To this day, the town remembers the event well, hosting a UFO festival every July and keeping a Styrofoam mockup of the UFO that was used for the case appearance on an episode of the TV show Unsolved Mysteries. We are left to wonder just what in the world came down here in this small, rural town. Was it a UFO from another world, a spy satellite, a test aircraft, a meteorite, or what? No one seems to really know, and there has been no forthcoming answer in decades. It certainly seems as if the incident at Kecksburg will live on for some time to come.
Our next incident comes to us from the wilderness of Mexico, where a UFO supposedly crashed into a plane, sending them both crashing to earth and setting off a race between governments to recover the wreckage. The incident began on August 25, 1974, when an American Air Defense radar installation picked up an object moving in from the Gulf of Mexico on a predicted trajectory towards the state of Texas. Whatever it was, it was moving extremely fast, at an estimated speed of around 2,530 miles per hour, and it was at an altitude of around 75,000 feet. It was rather alarming, as it was headed straight towards U.S. airspace, and no one had a clue what it was. It was thought that it was perhaps a meteor, but then it slowed down. Considering that it was slowing down and about to violate U.S. airspace, an alert was issued, and fighters were scrambled for possible interception of an enemy craft, yet it would then surprise everyone again.
The object was tracked to the area of Corpus Christi, Texas, where it suddenly dropped to an altitude of 45,000 feet and slowed down considerably to 1,955 miles per hour, before changing course to take it towards Mexican airspace before any defense could be mounted. It then shot out over Brownsville, Texas, and gently descended once again to about 20,000 feet before suddenly and inexplicably vanishing from radar in the general vicinity of a place called Coyame, in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, just across the U.S. border. Considering that the object had slowed down, changed course, and descended in smooth, measured steps, it was clear that this was no meteor, and it was also no equipment malfunction, because another military radar installation would report that they had tracked it as well. When the object did not appear on screens again, it was assumed that it must have come down in the desert wasteland near the town, but no one had any idea of what it could have been.
Strangely, civilian radar had apparently not picked this particular event up, but it was found that they had picked up a private aircraft that seemed to have crashed in the same area. However, the flight path of the civilian aircraft did not match that of the mystery object, making any connection between the two murky and differentiating them as two separate phenomena. The only thing anyone knew was that the object the military had tracked and the civilian aircraft seemed to have gone down in precisely the same area at just around the same time. It was all rather odd, but it was apparent that at least an aircraft had crashed, and so the Mexican authorities launched a search for the wreckage, soon finding it among the rugged parched scrubland. That was when the weirdness would continue. In addition to the wreckage of the aircraft, it was soon reported that there was another crash site not far away, and that this one seemed to be oddly circular in shape and mostly in one piece. After that, radio silence was put into effect, and there was no further word on what was going on.
The original reports and communications between the rescue crews had been intercepted by the CIA, who started putting together their own team to go and check it out, and the Mexican government was asked for permission to enter and do their own recovery mission or assist with the operation. These requests would allegedly be either ignored and met with silence or outright denied, but according to eyewitness reports, the Americans didn’t really care and went ahead anyway, mobilizing a group of helicopters at Fort Bliss, which were all painted in light brown colors and without markings. In the meantime, the CIA had apparently picked up satellite imagery showing that there had indeed been two crash sites, and furthermore, there were very large flatbed trucks that had been brought in to move the wreckage, one piece very disk-like in nature, with the trucks stopping in a very remote area away from habitation and then assuming complete radio silence. Alarmed that something weird was going on, the U.S. government ordered a flyby to check it out.
A low altitude, high speed flyby purportedly showed trucks and jeeps stopped in the area and two bodies lying on the ground, and it was decided to send the helicopters in. Four military helicopters were then sent out across the border to the site, where they supposedly found the entire Mexican convoy still, and the personnel all dead for reasons unknown, most of them still sitting lifelessly in their vehicles. On one of the flatbed trucks was found a large, disc-shaped craft that measured about 16 feet in diameter and was composed of smooth silver metal, with no apparent markings, doors, windows, or visible means of propulsion anywhere on it. The disc was also surprisingly only lightly damaged, with merely a small hole and some dents to show for what was seen as an obvious collision with the civilian aircraft. In fact, the wreckage from that aircraft was also carried by the Mexican convoy, and that plane had been completely obliterated, nothing but twisted pieces.
With great caution, this object was allegedly whisked away by the helicopters. According to the story, before leaving the military also made sure to destroy the remains of the convoy, the plane wreckage, and all of the bodies with high explosives, in what appears to have been some sort of nefarious attempt to get rid of the evidence. The disk was apparently taken to a secure facility in the Davis Mountains, after which it was decontaminated and moved to a covered truck, and brought back on roads to an unknown location somewhere near Atlanta, Georgia. The movements of the object are unknown from there, with some reports saying it was put in an underground facility, while others say it was moved yet again. No one really knows. Also, mysteries are why the entire recovery team and convoy sent by the Mexican government were dead, made even more confusing in that none of the American team reportedly had any problem or illness.
It is all a lot to take in, and considering the talk of crashed alien craft in the desert, secretive coverups, and the possession of the UFO wreckage, it has drawn comparisons to the more famous Roswell, New Mexico, crash, to the point that it is often even referred to as “The Mexican Roswell.” Indeed, by far the most complete source and record of the case can be found in the book titled Mexico's Roswell: The Chihuahua UFO Crash, by Noe Torres and Ruben Uriarte, who have been researching the case for years. Yet the answers remain vague. Was this a crashed extraterrestrial craft or not? There have, of course, been mundane theories put out to explain all of this, such as that it was not a UFO at all, but rather a drug-running plane that had collided with a civilian aircraft. There is also the fact that very few people remain in the area who directly witnessed any of this, and the sources for these rumors are difficult to corroborate, with most of the information gleaned from 2nd or 3rd hand accounts and solid documentation scarce. With so little to go on, it is just a fantastic story relegated to the realm of speculation and debate. What happened out there in those desert badlands, if anything? We may never know for sure, but it is an intriguing case that is sure to capture the imagination for some time to come.
Another case of a supposed UFO crash retrieval starts on May 7, 1989, at around 2 PM, when a South African naval frigate off the coast of Cape Town allegedly radioed in a rather odd report to the Cape Town Naval headquarters. They claimed that they had picked up an unidentified object on their radar that was moving very rapidly towards the mainland at an approximate speed of 5746 nautical miles per hour, and other radar installations, including NORAD installations and D.F. Malan international airport at Cape Town were allegedly picking up the same thing. There were apparently efforts made to establish communications with the incoming object, but there was no response, and it then suddenly and abruptly changed course to shoot out over a remote area. In the meantime, visual confirmation was made, and it was described as looking like a silver disc.
Considering the course change, it was now assumed to be some sort of aircraft, but orders made over the radio to cease its approach continued to go unanswered, and in response, the South African military purportedly began making preparations to engage. Two Mirage fighter jets were scrambled, armed with what was referred to as “experimental aircraft-mounted THOR 2 laser cannons,” supposedly designed to disrupt electrical systems, and as they approached the speeding object, warnings were ignored, and so they were given permission to engage. Both fighters then fired upon it, and according to a report given by an “insider” to the UFO research group Quest International, which would later become UFO Truth Magazine, they made direct hits. The report reads of the incident:
“At 13.59 GMT, the pilot of the fighter reported that they had radar and visual confirmation of the object. The order was given to arm and fire the experimental aircraft-mounted Thor 2 laser cannon. This was done. Squadron leader reported that several blinding flashes emitted from the object which had started wavering whilst heading in a northerly direction. At 14.02 is was reported that the object was decreasing altitude at a rate of 3000 feet per minute. Then at speed it dived at an angle of 25 degrees and impacted in desert terrain 80 miles north of the South African border with Botswana, identified as the central Kalahari desert. Squadron leader was instructed to circle the area until a retrieval team arrived.”
A team of Air Force Intelligence Officers and technical specialists was supposedly soon on the scene in what was called “Operation Silver Diamond,” and the whole story gets even more bizarre from there. A crater was found to have been pounded into the earth, measuring approximately 150 meters in diameter and around 12 meters deep, within which sat a silver, saucer-shaped object half buried at a 45-degree angle. All around it was scorched earth and rocks and sand fused together from an intense heat, and when the team approached, they reported that electronics failed in the vicinity of the object, to the point that one approaching helicopter flying over had severe technical malfunctions that caused it to make an emergency landing, and yet another went down to kill all aboard. The surface of the anomalous object was found to be completely smooth and undamaged, and was devoid of any markings or discernible seams, windows, or hatches, although they apparently did find one strange insignia etched into it ringed by odd hieroglyphics. On the bottom of the craft was found what appeared to be some sort of hydraulic landing gear that had been fully extended, leading to speculation that a landing malfunction, possibly caused by the fighter jet attack, had caused it to go down. Yet, this was not the end of the weirdness.
As the team warily circled the apparently alien craft, there was reportedly a loud noise that issued forth from the craft, and a hatch of some sort cracked open on the side of it. A team was sent in to pry it all the way open, and from within allegedly climbed two humanoid entities, around 4 feet in height, with three-fingered, clawed hands, grayish-blue hairless and scaly skin, and dressed in tight-fitting grey suits. The creatures had oversized heads with large oval eyes and prominent cheekbones, and with slit-like mouths and no noticeable ears. Besides these two, one of the creatures would be found dead inside. The two entities that had emerged were dazed but alive, and they were reportedly quickly apprehended, although they were apparently very vicious and not easily subdued, with one of them supposedly inflicting deep gashes on one of the team with its formidable claws.
The craft was then supposedly whisked off to an Air Force base, and the aliens were detained in a cooled unit, which reportedly made them lethargic and more complacent, after which plans were purportedly made to have them moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the United States for further tests and analyses. And that is pretty much where the story ends, with no further information on what became of the alleged spacecraft or its outlandish alien crew. The intelligence officer who blew the lid off of it, Captain James Van Greunen, allegedly provided reams of top-secret documentation on the incident, as well as alleged recorded telephone conversations on the matter between top officials, before moving to Germany and going into hiding. It is all completely spectacular and like something out of a movie, an amazing case that has been referred to as “The African Roswell,” but of course, there has been much skepticism aimed at it, even from within the UFO field.
One of the problems is that, although the case has been covered in various magazines and articles over the years, almost all of the information comes from the research done by Quest International, which was the first to be approached by the alleged informant. This does not necessarily mean that it is all false, just that it is hard to independently verify their information. Also rather suspicious is that many of the supposed documents provided by Captain Van Greunen, while looking very official, on closer inspection were found to be riddled with spelling errors, inconsistencies, and discrepancies.
The African UFO researcher and author Cynthia Hind examined some of the supposed documents and came to the conclusion that it was all just too sloppy for something so top-secret and official. Although it was all very elaborate and in-depth, she concluded that it was all a complicated and well-thought-out hoax, and she would write an article on it in UFO Times called Anatomy of a hoax. The UFO crash on the South African/Botswana border. Gruenen would deny these accusations. Perhaps even more damning than all of this is that there is just no evidence at all that such a crash of any kind happened in the area, let alone an alien spacecraft, and there are only reports from alleged military officials that cannot be confirmed or proven. This could all be due to a cover-up and suppression of the truth, but the UFO crash in the Kalahari is just not very extensively documented or supported by tangible evidence. However, Quest International director Graham W. Birdsall has remained convinced that something very strange happened out there in that desert, so we are left to wonder.
In the end, there is no way to know just what happened on that day out in the middle of nowhere, if anything. There are few additional details, and anything beyond what I have mentioned here has not been forthcoming to the best of my knowledge. If this was a cover-up, then they did a pretty good job of making sure it was pushed into the closet of obscure, forgotten cases, and we will frustratingly probably never know what truth it holds. Was this a hoax, scam, or disinformation, or did something really, truly odd happen on that day? We can only speculate and wonder if that ship isn't sitting in some military warehouse somewhere.
Here, we have looked at just a few of the supposed UFO crashes that have left us with more questions than answers. What were these mysterious craft? Where did they come from and what set of circumstances caused them to crash in the first place? If these crashes really happened, then what happened to the evidence of these crafts and, in some cases, even the bodies of the aliens themselves? Did any of this happen at all? These are all questions we are unlikely to get the answers to any time soon, and they remain some of the most fantastic, yet frustrating, types of UFO phenomena there are.
NASA used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and SPHEREx to study the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. They were able to determine the composition of its coma.
Images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS obtained by the James Webb Telescope at different wavelengths. Source: NASA / SPHEREx
3I/ATLAS was discovered in early July. It became only the third object of interstellar origin found in the Solar System, which led to increased attention from the scientific community. Although speculative claims that the comet is actually an alien spacecraft have not been confirmed, it is of enormous scientific value. Analysis showed that 3I/ATLAS most likely came from the thick disk of the Milky Way. This means that it is billions of years older than our Solar System.
As 3I/ATLAS approaches the Sun, its nucleus heats up and the ice and volatile substances on its surface sublimate, forming a gas and dust cloud called a coma. Its analysis provides insight into the nature of the interstellar visitor and a better understanding of the conditions in which it formed.
NASA used two of its space telescopes to study the coma of an interstellar comet: JWST and the recently launched SPHEREx. Preprints of scientific articles written based on the results of their observations are already available online.
Image of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS captured by the SPHEREx telescope. Source: NASA/SPHEREx
JWST managed to capture images of the 3I/ATLAS coma. At the time of imaging, it was located at a distance of 3.32 AU from the Sun. Analysis showed that the coma consisted mainly of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Traces of water, carbon monoxide, and carbonyl sulfide were also detected. The ratio of carbon dioxide to water in the coma of an interstellar comet is one of the highest ever observed in comets. This may indicate that 3I/ATLAS contains ice exposed to higher levels of radiation than comets in the Solar System, or that it formed near the CO₂ ice line in its parent protoplanetary disk. Low water content in comets may also be due, for example, to the difficulty of heat penetrating the comet’s core.
As for SPHEREx, it also managed to detect carbon dioxide in the comet’s coma at low water vapor content. Researchers suggest that the comet ejects pieces consisting of a mixture of water and dry ice. The evaporation of the latter creates a cooling effect that suppresses the sublimation of water ice and the formation of water vapor.
Scientists have re-examined the raw data from the “Wow!” signal that came to us from space in 1977. They discovered a number of inaccuracies in previous studies, one of which was that its power had previously been underestimated.
In 1977, the Big Ear Radio Telescope in Ohio (USA), while conducting routine monitoring of the sky, picked up a brief signal that did not resemble any known to astronomers. This mysterious pulse was named “Wow!” Recently, a group of enthusiasts discovered new details about it.
Over the decades since then, this event has been repeatedly cited as proof of the existence of extraterrestrials, refuted, and written about in a ton of analyses devoted to questions about what the signal actually could have been and where it came from. The observatory has been converted into a golf course, but all the raw records from it have been preserved.
It was these 75,000 pages of text that volunteers analyzed, combining manual recognition with the capabilities of modern computing technology. This allowed them to refine several signal parameters.
Refined data
The first thing scientists determined was that the signal frequency was not 1420.4556 MHz, as previously thought, but 1420.726 MHz. It’s not such a big difference, but it led to a reassessment of the characteristics of the hypothetical source.
The second is the narrowing of the section of the sky from which the signal came. This action has been taken before, but now scientists can significantly narrow down the list of candidates for its source. Third and most importantly, the strength, or more precisely, the density of the signal flow has increased.
Ultimately, the signal remains as mysterious as ever, although the article attempts to shed light on potential sources. They completely rule out any artificial sources, pointing out that there were no known operating television stations in Ohio at the time, as well as no satellites overhead that could have caused the signal. The moon was also on the other side of the planet at that time, so nothing was reflected from it.
The sun was also not very active that year. Therefore, the most likely candidates for the source remain some objects in deep space. More precisely, there is a high probability that there is some kind of cloud of ionized hydrogen.
UAP crash sites en bewustzijn: wetenschap ontmoet het onbekende
UAP crash sites en bewustzijn: wetenschap ontmoet het onbekende
In de afgelopen jaren zijn de gesprekken over onopgeloste anomalieën en niet-erkende fenomenen (UAP) verder uitgebreid dan alleen waarnemingen in de lucht. Waar men vroeger vooral sprak over mysterieuze lichtverschijnselen en onverklaarbare vliegende objecten, verschuift de focus nu richting fysieke bewijzen en de diepere, minder tastbare dimensie van bewustzijn. Onderzoekers zoals Dr. Garry Nolan van Stanford University en Dr. Diana Pasulka, bekend van haar werk American Cosmic, hebben de laatste jaren baanbrekend onderzoek gedaan naar de mogelijke verbinding tussen fysieke crash sites en de niet-tastbare, maar potentieel cruciale, rol van menselijke perceptie en bewustzijn in het begrijpen van UAP-verschijnselen.
Hun werk suggereert dat UAPs niet alleen fysieke sporen achterlaten, maar mogelijk ook in directe interactie treden met menselijke perceptie, perceptuele processen en gewijzigde bewustzijnstoestanden. Dit opent een geheel nieuwe dimensie in de studie van het onbekende, waarin niet alleen de materiaalkwestie centraal staat, maar ook de innerlijke wereld van de waarnemer en diens staat van bewustzijn.
Bewijsmateriaal van crash sites
Een van de meest intrigerende gevallen die Pasulka en Nolan bespreken, betreft een locatie in New Mexico. Volgens Pasulka werd zij en haar kleine onderzoeksgroep geleid naar een terrein waar vreemde brokstukken werden gevonden. Deze resten bestonden uit materiaal dat leek op een honingraatstructuur van metaal, glanzende legeringen en patronen die niet direct te herleiden waren tot bekende aardse materialen. Het terrein was een dorre, onherbergzame vlakte, waardoor de locatie op zichzelf al bijzonder was.
Nolan analyseerde enkele van deze monsters met behulp van spectrometrie en andere technieken. Aanvankelijk leek zijn analyse te wijzen op een anomalie: de isotopische ratios in sommige monsters leken niet volledig overeen te komen met bekende aardse of zelfs maan- en planetair voorkomende isotopen, hetgeen de hypothese van een niet-terrestrische oorsprong ondersteunde. Later, na overleg met metallurgie-experts en een verfijning van de analysemethoden, concludeerde Nolan dat bepaalde afwijkingen konden worden verklaard door bekende wetenschappelijke processen, zoals diatomische bindingen tijdens het massaspectrometrisch onderzoek.
Toch benadrukt Nolan dat een “normale” elementaire samenstelling niet automatisch een aardse oorsprong uitsluit. Het feit dat het materiaal een mengsel was van geavanceerde aerospace-grade legeringen en alledaagse voorwerpen zoals plastic en glas, in een afgelegen gebied, roept de vraag op of er sprake was van opzettelijke vervalsing of contaminatie. Het is mogelijk dat deze mengelmoes bedoeld was om een echt crashsite te verbergen of te vervalsen, of dat het simpelweg een product was van een complex samenspel van menselijk handelen en natuurlijke processen.
Wat de fysieke bewijzen nog complexer maakt, is de mogelijkheid dat dergelijke crash sites niet alleen incidenten van fysieke botsingen zijn, maar dat ze misschien onderdeel uitmaken van een groter, nog onbegrepen geheel dat ook de rol van bewustzijn en perceptie omvat.
Bewustzijn als interface
Naast het fysieke bewijsmateriaal benadrukken Pasulka en Nolan een consistente en opvallende thema in hun werk: dat bewustzijn mogelijk het ware toegangspunt is tot niet-menselijke intelligenties (NHI). Pasulka, die zich onder meer baseert op archieven van het Vaticaan en katholieke visionaire literatuur, wijst op eeuwenoude verslagen waarin gewijzigde bewustzijnstoestanden, visioenen, levitaties en mystieke ervaringen vaak worden gekoppeld aan waarnemingen van luchtverschijnselen en buitenaardse wezens.
Verschillende religieuze tradities hebben protocol ontwikkeld voor het veilig omgaan met deze ervaringen en beschouwen ze vaak als poorten naar communicatie met hogere of niet-menselijke entiteiten. In deze context kan het betreden van bepaalde bewustzijnstoestanden – door meditatie, rituelen, of het gebruik van psychedelica – fungeren als een soort “deur” naar het onbekende.
Nolan benadert deze vraag vanuit de neurowetenschap. Hij wijst erop dat praktijken die het brein in een staat van rust of transie brengen, zoals meditatie en het gebruik van psychedelica, de zogenaamde “default mode network” (DMN) kunnen uitschakelen of verstoren. Hierdoor ontstaan nieuwe perceptuele vaardigheden en creatieve ideeën, en kunnen mensen mogelijk contact maken met niet-alledaagse vormen van bewustzijn.
Volgens Pasulka lijkt bewustzijn zelf een toegangspoort te vormen tot niet-menselijke intelligentie. Religies en spirituele tradities hebben door de geschiedenis heen protocollen ontwikkeld om met deze contacten om te gaan, en gebruiken innerlijke ervaringen als een soort communicatiemiddel. Het zou kunnen dat de UAP-verschijnselen niet alleen fysieke manifestaties zijn, maar ook verbonden met de innerlijke wereld van de waarnemer en diens staat van bewustzijn.
Patronen door de geschiedenis heen
De onderzoekers stellen dat de ervaringen en waarnemingen rondom UAPs niet iets van de moderne tijd zijn, maar dat ze een continuüm vormen dat al eeuwenlang bestaat binnen menselijke culturen. Net zoals meteorieten vroeger werden afgedaan als onverklaarbare lichtverschijnselen totdat voldoende betrouwbare getuigen en wetenschappelijke bewijzen hun bestaan bevestigden, lijken UAP-gerelateerde rapporten een vergelijkbare evolutie te ondergaan.
Pasulka benadrukt dat patronen van luchtverschijnselen, gecombineerd met visioenen en andere veranderde bewustzijnstoestanden, in vele culturen en tijdperken voorkomen. Zij interpreteert dit als bewijs dat de moderne waarnemingen van UAPs mogelijk slechts een voortzetting zijn van een veel oudere menselijke ervaring: de interactie met niet-menselijke intelligences die zich niet altijd in fysieke vorm manifesteren, maar zich ook kunnen voordoen in de innerlijke wereld van de mens.
Nolan voegt hieraan toe dat de hoeveelheid getuigenverslagen – vaak ondersteund door radarbeelden, fysieke resten en andere technologische metingen – inmiddels de drempel van geloofwaardigheid heeft overschreden. Het echte vraagstuk is niet meer of de fenomenen bestaan, maar hoe ze geplaatst moeten worden binnen een breder wetenschappelijk en filosofisch kader. Het is een uitdaging om de data te contextualiseren en te begrijpen wat de onderliggende mechanismen zijn.
Brug tussen wetenschap en spiritualiteit
De convergence van harde wetenschappelijke methoden en de eeuwenoude spirituele tradities biedt een fascinerend nieuw kader voor onderzoek naar UAP. Aan de ene kant staan de technologische analyses: materiaalonderzoek, isotopentests en sensoren die meetbare data opleveren. Aan de andere kant staan de historische teksten en bewustzijnsstudies die laten zien dat de mens door de eeuwen heen op allerlei manieren heeft geprobeerd het onbekende te begrijpen en te benaderen via innerlijke ervaringen.
Pasulka en Nolan pleiten voor een paradigmaverschuiving: dat het doorgronden van UAP-verschijnselen niet uitsluitend kan plaatsvinden binnen het materialistische wereldbeeld. Hoewel fysieke artefacten en crash sites waardevolle aanwijzingen bieden, kan het begrijpen van het fenomeen mogelijk ook afhangen van onze capaciteit om het bewustzijn te bestuderen en te begrijpen.
Het idee dat bewustzijn een brug vormt tussen de menselijke ervaring en de niet-menselijke of buitenaardse intelligentie opent nieuwe perspectieven voor zowel wetenschap als spiritualiteit. Het vraagt om een integrale aanpak, waarin niet alleen technische instrumenten worden ingezet, maar ook innerlijke, subjectieve ervaringen worden erkend en bestudeerd.
Conclusie
De studie van UAPs is niet meer beperkt tot ooggetuigenverslagen of militaire radarbeelden. Door de combinatie van veldonderzoek naar vermeende crash sites en diepgaande exploraties van menselijke bewustzijnstoestanden, zoals die door Pasulka en Nolan worden voorgesteld, ontstaat een nieuw onderzoeksparadigma.
Hun boodschap is duidelijk: het fenomeen kan net zozeer over de menselijke geest gaan als over mysterieuze objecten in de lucht. Als bewustzijn daadwerkelijk fungeert als een brug tussen ons en het onbekende, dan zal de toekomst van UAP-onderzoek afhankelijk zijn van onze bereidheid om niet alleen de technologische kant te ontwikkelen, maar ook de innerlijke wereld van perceptie en bewustzijn te verkennen.
Een bijkomend teken van impact is de aanwezigheid van fysieke sporen, zoals een grote cipressenboom die was omgewaaid in de richting van een vermeend traject van een UAP. Zulke aanwijzingen kunnen niet alleen wijzen op fysieke botsingen, maar ook op de invloed van de waarneming en perceptie op de omgeving en het fenomeen zelf.
In de toekomst ligt de uitdaging in het integreren van deze verschillende dimensies: het materiële en het immateriële, het objectieve en het subjectieve. Alleen door deze holistische benadering kunnen we wellicht de ware aard van UAPs en hun relatie tot menselijke bewustzijn ontsluiten en begrijpen.
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26-08-2025 om 21:30
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
UAP Crash Sites & Consciousness: Science Meets the Unknown
UAP Crash Sites & Consciousness: Science Meets the Unknown
In recent years, conversations around unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) have expanded beyond sightings in the sky. Researchers such as Dr. Garry Nolan of Stanford University and religious studies scholar Dr. Diana Pasulka (author of American Cosmic) have begun to connect the material evidence of alleged crash sites with the less tangible, but potentially crucial, dimension of consciousness.
Their work suggests that UAPs may not only leave behind physical traces but also interact directly with human perception and altered states of mind.
Evidence from Crash Sites
One of the most intriguing cases discussed by Pasulka and Nolan is a location in New Mexico where unusual debris was reportedly found. According to Pasulka’s account, she and a small research group were led to a site where fragments resembling metallic honeycomb structures, silvery alloys, and patterned materials were scattered across a barren landscape.
Nolan, who analyzed some of these samples, initially believed the isotopic ratios hinted at something anomalous – possibly non-terrestrial. Later, after consulting metallurgists and refining the methods, he concluded that some readings could be explained by known scientific processes, such as diatomic bonding during mass spectrometry.
Even so, he stresses that “ordinary” elemental composition does not rule out extraordinary origins. The setting itself was unusual: aerospace-grade material mixed with discarded domestic objects in the middle of nowhere, alongside signs of impact such as a large cypress tree that had been toppled in the direction of the supposed trajectory.
This mixture of everyday artifacts and advanced material raises the possibility of deliberate contamination, an attempt to disguise or obscure a genuine crash site.
Consciousness as an Interface
Beyond physical traces, Pasulka and Nolan emphasize a consistent theme across history: consciousness may be the true access point to non-human intelligence (NHI).
Pasulka, drawing on Vatican archives and Catholic visionary literature, highlights centuries of records where altered states, visions, levitation accounts, and mystical experiences, align with aerial phenomena. Traditions across religions developed protocols for safely interacting with such states, often treating them as gateways to communication with higher intelligences.
Nolan approaches the question from neuroscience. He notes that meditation, psychedelic compounds, and other practices that quiet the brain’s “default mode network” seem to open pathways to novel forms of perception and creativity. These altered states, he suggests, might be the same doorway through which contact with UAP-related intelligences occurs.
“Consciousness seems to be an access point for what we would call non-human intelligence,” Pasulka explains. “Religions have their own protocols for dealing with this type of contact.”
Patterns Across History
The researchers argue that UAP encounters today mirror older human experiences. Just as meteors were once dismissed as impossible until enough credible witnesses forced science to acknowledge them, UAP-related reports may be undergoing a similar transition.
Pasulka emphasizes that patterns of aerial encounters combined with human visionary states appear across cultures and centuries. For her, this suggests that what modern witnesses describe as UAPs may be part of a much older continuum of human–other intelligence interaction.
Nolan adds that the sheer volume of witness testimony – thousands of accounts, often supported by radar or physical evidence, has already passed the threshold of credibility. The real challenge now lies in contextualizing the data, not in proving that it exists.
Bridging Science and Spirituality
The convergence of hard science and religious tradition creates a fascinating framework for UAP research. On one side, materials analysis, isotopic testing, and sensor technology bring measurable data. On the other, historical texts and consciousness studies reveal how human beings have long engaged with the unknown through inner experiences.
Together, Pasulka and Nolan suggest a paradigm shift: that understanding UAPs may require moving beyond strict materialism. Crash sites can yield physical artifacts, but consciousness itself may be the most sensitive instrument for contact.
Conclusion
The study of UAPs is no longer confined to eyewitness reports or military radar tracks. By combining field investigations of alleged crash sites with deep explorations of consciousness, researchers like Diana Pasulka and Garry Nolan are charting a new path.
Their message is clear: the phenomenon might be as much about the human mind as it is about mysterious craft in the sky. If consciousness truly acts as a bridge, then the future of UAP research will depend not only on better sensors and laboratories, but also on our willingness to explore the depths of human perception itself.
The Cosmic Catastrophe That Changed Christianity Forever
Few, if any, people truly understand the underlying reasons why Ephesus became such a pivotal center in early Christianity. It wasn’t merely because of its strategic location or its status as a thriving port city. Instead, the city’s prominence can be traced back to a complex web of mythological, astronomical, and geological phenomena that intertwined to shape its religious and cultural landscape. To comprehend why Ephesus held such significance—particularly for early Christian figures like Paul and John—and why it became associated with key biblical narratives, we must delve into ancient myths, celestial events, and natural disasters that reshaped the region long before Christianity emerged.
Why Ephesus? The Strategic and Mythological Significance
Ephesus, located on the coast of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), was one of antiquity’s most important urban centers. Known for the magnificent Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was a hub for commerce, religion, and culture. But beyond its material grandeur, Ephesus’s mythological and celestial significance made it uniquely central in the spiritual consciousness of the ancient world.
The early proponents of Christianity, especially Paul and John, were drawn to Ephesus, not just for its population or trade routes but because of the city’s deep-rooted mythic connections to celestial phenomena and cosmic upheavals. These phenomena, often recorded in ancient mythologies as divine or supernatural events, provided a backdrop for understanding the spiritual transformation that Christianity represented. The myth of Artemis’s birth, in particular, offers critical insights into these cosmic influences.
The Myth of Artemis’s Birth: A Cosmic Event in Mythology
The story of Artemis’s birth is well-known: she was born to Zeus and Leto, after a divine pregnancy marked by extraordinary circumstances. However, beneath this familiar narrative lies a deeper, more complex myth rooted in astronomical and geological phenomena, specifically a cataclysmic event involving an airburst, tidal waves, and volcanic eruptions.
Ancient mythologists and modern researchers alike have long suspected that such stories encode memories of real natural disasters. In the case of Artemis’s birth, the myth appears to be a narrative reflection of a significant cosmic event—an airburst caused by a comet or asteroid passing near Earth, triggering a chain of geological disturbances.
The Role of Celestial Events in Myth Formation
To understand the significance of these myths, we must analyze the celestial events that likely inspired them. The mythological imagery of a bright, growing light—associated with Artemis’s birth—can be linked to a comet or meteorite entering Earth’s atmosphere. Such an event would produce a spectacular display, akin to a "bright light growing larger," seen from countless ancient sites.
Historical and paleo-climatological studies suggest that around 1327 BC, the Aegean region experienced a massive airburst and volcanic eruption, possibly connected to the explosion of a comet or asteroid. The resulting tsunami and ash fallout would have devastated coastal communities, including Ephesus, and left an indelible mark on collective memory. These events could have been mythologized into stories of divine birth and celestial phenomena, forming the basis for the myth of Artemis.
The Etymology of Key Mythological Names
Understanding the myth’s astronomical roots requires examining the names of the deities involved, as they often encode metaphorical meanings linked to natural phenomena.
Coeus and Phoebe: Traditionally, Coeus is considered the Titan of intellect, and Phoebe symbolizes the radiant or bright one. However, deeper analysis suggests their names may represent celestial events. The name Coeus could derive from the Greek coein, meaning "to swell" or "to grow larger," evocative of a swelling comet or asteroid approaching Earth. Meanwhile, Phoebe comes from phoibos, meaning "bright" or "radiant," aligning with the luminous appearance of a comet or meteor.
Antalya Archaeological Museum. Ivory sculpture ( 620-590 BC ) a woman with two children found in a tumulus in Bayindir village ( Elmali ).
Leto / Lato / Latona: The name Leto’s meaning is more ambiguous. Neo-Platonist philosopher Proclus linked Leto to the word Lethe, meaning "concealment" or "obscurity." In this context, Leto could symbolize the divine concealment or the moment when a celestial object is hidden behind the horizon before re-emerging—much like a comet’s appearance following an eclipse or volcanic ash cloud.
This interpretation aligns with the myth of Artemis’s birth occurring during a cosmic upheaval, perhaps when a celestial object was initially concealed by atmospheric disturbances and then revealed spectacularly.
The Natural Disasters Encoded in Myth
The story of Artemis’s birth, therefore, may be a mythic record of a real event: a comet or asteroid striking near the Aegean, causing atmospheric disturbances, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The eruption could have been so intense that it generated a vast tidal wave, destroying coastal settlements and creating a cloud of ash that concealed the sun, creating an impression of divine concealment.
This natural disaster would have been remembered as a divine event—a birth of a goddess born from cosmic fury. The widespread destruction and the subsequent recovery would have been woven into the local mythology, shaping stories of celestial birth and divine intervention.
The Impact on Ephesus and Its Religious Significance
The aftermath of this cosmic catastrophe left a lasting impression on the region’s cultural and religious landscape. The Temple of Artemis, rebuilt multiple times after destruction, can be seen as both a tribute to the goddess and a memorial to the cosmic event that birthed her myth.
Early Christians, particularly Paul and John, may have been attracted to Ephesus precisely because of these mythic and celestial associations. The city’s history of cosmic upheaval and divine birth stories resonated with their message of spiritual transformation, renewal, and the overcoming of chaos.
John’s Exile and the Revelation: A Cosmic Revelation
The Apostle John’s exile to the island of Patmos and the subsequent writing of the Book of Revelation can also be viewed through this cosmic lens. Revelation’s vivid imagery of stars falling from the sky, apocalyptic upheavals, and divine judgments echo the mythic themes of celestial destruction and rebirth.
The apocalyptic visions in Revelation might symbolize the aftermath of a cosmic event—an ancient catastrophe—that restructured the spiritual universe as well as the physical world. The imagery of cosmic chaos and divine intervention would have been familiar to the early Christian community, rooted in the collective memory of natural disasters encoded within myth.
Mary of Ephesus: The Final Connection
The story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, coming to Ephesus with John and her subsequent burial there, gains new meaning when viewed against this backdrop of cosmic upheaval and divine birth. Early traditions held that Mary died in Jerusalem, but the Catholic Church’s later narratives, supported by local legends, suggest she spent her final days in Ephesus.
This shift could symbolize the continuity of divine presence through cosmic and earthly upheavals. Mary’s association with Ephesus ties her to the divine feminine archetype rooted in Artemis, the goddess born from celestial fury and chaos. The convergence of her story with that of Artemis underscores the enduring influence of cosmic myth on Christian traditions.
The Broader Implications: Astronomy, Mythology, and Religion
Understanding the myth of Artemis’s birth as a reflection of real astronomical events enriches our comprehension of early religious development. It demonstrates how ancient peoples encoded cosmic disasters into myth, which later influenced religious narratives, including Christianity.
The city of Ephesus, therefore, was not just a strategic or commercial hub but a sacred site where myth, astronomy, geology, and spirituality intertwined. Its prominence in early Christianity can be seen as a continuation of this tradition, where divine stories serve as metaphors for cosmic truths.
Conclusion: A Cosmic Perspective on Christianity’s Origins
The so-called “cosmic catastrophe” that shaped Ephesus’s mythological landscape and early Christian history was a monumental natural disaster—likely a comet impact or volcanic eruption—that left an indelible mark on human consciousness. The stories of Artemis’s birth, the apocalyptic visions of John, and the veneration of Mary in Ephesus all encode memories of these celestial upheavals.
By exploring these myths through the lens of paleoastronomy and geology, we gain a deeper understanding of how early civilizations interpreted their world and how these interpretations influenced the development of religious thought. The narrative of divine birth, cosmic chaos, and rebirth continues to resonate, revealing that the roots of Christianity are intertwined with the universe’s most profound and explosive events.
This perspective not only enriches our understanding of ancient mythology but also highlights the enduring human fascination with the cosmos and our place within its grand, tumultuous story. The cosmic catastrophe that shaped Ephesus—and by extension, early Christianity—serves as a reminder of the powerful connection between natural disasters, myth, and faith, illustrating how humanity has long sought meaning in the chaos of the universe.
The Strangest thing about Saturn is that this Man, who worked on the Voyager missions, said he discovered Enormous, Living, Electromagnetic Vehicles inhabiting its Rings.
Dr. Norman Bergrun concluded, based on his analysis of Voyager 1 and 2 data, which he detailed in his 1985 book, Ringmakers of Saturn, that he discovered enormous, living, electromagnetic vehicles inhabiting the rings of Saturn.
Dr. Bergrun, who had worked for NASA, claimed that there were massive alien spacecraft proliferating in the rings of Saturn. He is the author of the books “Ringmakers of Saturn” and “Tomorrows Technology Today,” which document the existence of extraterrestrial vehicles of immense power. A scientist who pioneered the methodology of thermal ice prevention design, he is also credited with roll-stability laws for airplanes and missiles.
Dr. Bergrun was manager of test planning and analysis for the Polaris Underwater Launch Missile System and evaluated satellite system applications. Also a director of Information Systems, he founded his own company in 1971 and is cited in “Who’s Who in the World” and other reference works. He was an alumnus of Ames Research Laboratory, NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), predecessor of Ames Research Center, NASA, where he worked for 12 years as a research scientist.
Dr. Norman Bergrun played a key role in the Voyager missions, the probes that were sent out to photograph Saturn, its rings, and its moons. There is a photo shown below from that mission, which he was able to obtain from the agency of a large unidentified flying object hovering just outside Saturn’s rings. It is huge, approximately the size of Earth, and is published in his book, “Ringmakers of Saturn.”
Dr. Bergrun claimed that these rings were not made of ice and rock as is commonly believed, but were actually the exhaust from these massive craft, which he calls “ringmakers.” He asserted that these vehicles are proliferating and are now also present at Jupiter and Uranus, creating new rings on planets that previously had none.
He suggested these vehicles had strong nuclear power sources and advanced electromagnetic technology. They appeared capable of creating massive electrical fields, lightning bolts larger than those on Earth, and disturbances across the entire ring system.
Dr. Bergrun recounted his professional history, mentioning his work at Lockheed on the first generation of the Polaris underwater launch vehicle. This had led him to work in a top-secret area behind closed doors, where he had been required to sign a 30-year non-disclosure agreement.
He explained that he eventually left this role due to “claustrophobia,” clarifying that it was not a fear of small spaces but rather the mental strain of being confined to the same secret room day after day.
It was during this period that he received his first clue about unusual things in space after being given a set of data that no one else could make sense of. When he plotted it, he realized that it showed something strange. (Source)
He claimed that he faced significant opposition and cover-ups from official bodies such as NASA. He recounted a story about a source allegedly connected to NASA who asked him how he had found a particular image from the moon, remarking, “I thought we darkened that enough that you wouldn’t find it.”
Dr. Bergrun also stated that his personal data and images, which he had stored in a supposedly impenetrable vault, were tampered with. He claimed that unknown parties had “garbled” his files on laptops and disks, sometimes erasing them completely. Despite this interference, he believed he did not need the old data because he was so familiar with the subject that he could reconstruct his work at any time.
He claimed that he faced significant opposition and cover-ups from official bodies such as NASA. He recounted a story about a source allegedly connected to NASA who asked him how he had found a particular image from the moon, remarking, “I thought we darkened that enough that you wouldn’t find it.”
Dr. Bergrun also stated that his personal data and images, which he had stored in a supposedly impenetrable vault, were tampered with. He claimed that unknown parties had “garbled” his files on laptops and disks, sometimes erasing them completely. Despite this interference, he believed he did not need the old data because he was so familiar with the subject that he could reconstruct his work at any time.
Regarding the purpose of these vehicles, Dr. Bergrun disagreed with the theory that they were mining the rings. Instead, he suggested that they were “nursing” from the rings, using them as a source of energy to power themselves and to create new, smaller vehicles that later grew, much like living organisms.
He was open to the idea that they might also fly close to the sun to “get pumped up” with energy, since their apparent ability to withstand extreme heat made that possible.
According to him, these could not be fully explained by natural processes. He suggested that the vehicles had electromagnetic capabilities and emitted streams of material, which then formed the rings and gaps seen around Saturn. He gave examples and measurements to support his claims, and pointed to historical observations by Galileo and others that showed unexplained phenomena.
Dr. Bergrun also claimed that similar effects were seen on some of Saturn’s moons. He described mysterious lighting and unusual markings, which he thought were possible “scars” left by the vehicles. He went even further, suggesting that Earth’s Moon, the Tunguska explosion in Siberia, and strange weather events might all be related to visits or actions by these powerful spacecraft.
He argued that these vehicles are evidence of a super-advanced intelligence in the universe and that they have been visiting our solar system for a long time. Bergrun warned that their power could pose risks if not understood, but also noted that they might not necessarily threaten humanity directly.
Dr. Bergrun believed that the situation was becoming “critical” because the activity was increasing, as evidenced by the new rings appearing around Uranus and Jupiter.
His urgency was not necessarily from the idea that the craft were coming to Earth, but from his sense that there was a strong possibility they could, and that the public and the scientific community had to be made to understand that these objects were real.
He noted that his conclusions were too controversial for his professional organization to address. He distinguished between his work, which he said was based on data, and the “theories” of others, such as John Lear’s idea that Saturn was a portal into another dimension.
He also touched on other topics, including his belief that humans were not capable of communicating with these entities, which rendered efforts by organizations like SETI ineffective.
He confirmed that plasma had been scientifically measured in Saturn’s rings, which he saw as supporting his claims. When asked about the hexagonal shape seen at Saturn’s north pole, he acknowledged it but regarded it simply as another geometric form that these advanced entities were capable of creating, rather than holding a special symbolic meaning.
Finally, he revealed that he had spent ten years earning a law degree so that he could better understand the mindset of the people “running the country,” whom he felt often made decisions without comprehending the underlying science.
He died on July 1, 2018, at Tracy Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 96. Unfortunately, Dr. Bergun was just another name on the list of NASA whistleblowers who are forgotten and ignored due to a lack of followers and media attention.
The paper of the famous "Wow!" signal. Credit - Big Ear Radio Observatory and North American AstroPhysical Observatory (NAAPO)
The “Wow!” signal has been etched red marker in the memory of advocates for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) since its unveiling in 1977. To this day, it remains one of the most enigmatic radio frequency signals ever found. Now a new paper from a wide collection of authors, including some volunteers, provides some corrections, and some new insights, into both the signal and its potential causes.
Data from 1977 was hard to parse, given the lack of modern computer systems, but volunteers from the Big Ear Observatory in Delaware, Ohio, where the original signal was collected, preserved the records after the observatory was shut down in 1998 and turned into a golf course. Using modern computing technology, the volunteers ran over 75,000 pages of original data through an optical character recognition routine, with visual help from human validators, allowing in-depth computational analysis of the original signal for the first time.
This more detailed analysis led to slight changes in three of the signal’s main characteristics. It narrowed the part of the sky the signal could have emanated from, with a corresponding increase in the statistical certainty of its location by two thirds. Its frequency was also tweaked slightly, but importantly, from 1420.4556 MHz to 1420.726 MHz. While that might not seem like much, the source would have to be spinning rapidly faster to create that much of a frequency difference.
Fraser discusses the Wow! signal and its impact on SETI.
Potentially the most interesting update to the signal was a new estimate of its flux density (i.e. its strength). In the language of radio astronomy, the new value is 250 Janskys (which are 10-26 watts per m2 per Hz), whereas previous estimates put it somewhere between 54 and 212 Janskys, so the signal was actually notably higher than original estimated.
Other minor errors, such as a 21 second clock offset didn’t have as much of an impact on the signal, but does on astronomer’s understanding of it. And probably the largest change was a correcting for a mislabeled channel in the filter bank that caused a recalculation of the frequency.
Ultimately, the signal remains as enigmatic as ever, though the paper does try to shed some light on potential sources. They definitively rule out any man-made sources, pointing out that there were no known TV stations operating in Ohio at that point in time, nor were there any satellites overhead that could have caused the signal. The moon was also on the other side of the planet at the time, so nothing bounced off of it.
Fraser discusses the newest data on what the Wow signal probably was.
The Sun wasn’t particularly active in 1977, lowering the chances for it being caused by some sort of solar phenomena. According to the researcher’s analysis, an internal software error also isn’t likely due to the high “Gaussian” (i.e. natural) looking pattern.
That means the signal was likely astronomical in origin, though the most likely explanation still isn’t extraterrestrials. The most likely culprit is a HI cloud - clouds of neutral atomic hydrogen floating in space that have been known to produce narrow-band signals that look similar to the “Wow!” Signal, but never on anything approaching the power levels seen that one time in 1977.
While the SETI community continues to puzzle over what might have caused their most famous signal, it's good to know that, even after almost five decades, scientists can still find, refine, and draw new conclusions from data. And who knows, with this update and our increased understanding, this might not be the last surprise the signal has in store for us.
From Aerial Pursuits to Creatures Roaming in the Woods: Fascinating UFO and Alien Encounters of Brazil!
The entire South American continent is a hub of UFO activity, and has been since the start of the Modern UFO Era. There is little doubt, though, that one of the most active countries, in terms of UFO and alien encounters, not only in South America but in the world, is Brazil, which has boasted regular and consistent reports since the 1950s, at least. Moreover, many of these encounters feature multiple witnesses and also include veteran military and commercial airline pilots. In short, while we should treat all encounters from anywhere in the world with a cautionary pinch of salt, there is good reason to suggest that many of the following accounts are very credible.
Perhaps a great place to start when delving into the UFO and alien case files of Brazil would be with São Paulo, which has played host to a plethora of encounters over the decades, encounters that cover the entire UFO and alien spectrum, from reports of strange lights in the sky to claims of alien abduction.
A particularly intriguing encounter unfolded at a little after 11 pm on May 28th, 1974, over the Placa Quarry in the Santa Helena region of the city. On this evening, one of the quarry’s employees, Jaimie Belizario, was at the plant, standing near Belizario’s truck, when they noticed a strange object appear overhead. He immediately called out to his two colleagues – Rafael and Mario – and asked them to turn off their machinery. They did so, and he immediately motioned upwards to alert them to the strange object’s presence. This object was seemingly circling the plant, passing over it several times.
Belizario later described the object as having the shape of a “Ferris wheel with green, red, and yellow lights on the edges” and moving in complete silence. He and his two colleagues watched the object for several moments before he called out to the object in an attempt to get it to land. However, no sooner had he done so than the object suddenly shot off into the distance and disappeared. It would, however, return several hours later.
At around 1:40 am that same night, another employee at the place, Salvador Pinto da Silva, was driving his truck back to the “crusher” when he noticed a strange object heading toward a set of nearby television towers at an approximate altitude of 300 feet. Even from this distance, he could clearly see red, yellow, and green lights around the edge of the craft, some of which flashed seemingly randomly. As he was driving his truck at the time, he couldn’t hear over its engine if the object made any sound or not. He kept the object in his view until it disappeared. He kept the sighting to himself until he learned of the previous sighting the following day.
Just over four years later, at around 5:45 pm on July 3rd, 1978, the Legnaioli family had their own strange and bizarre encounter at their home. Odirlei Legnaioli was with his son, Dalton, in the kitchen of one of the outbuildings on their land. As Odirlei was busy, Dalton decided to take the family dog outside for some fresh air. While doing so, however, he suddenly spotted something metallic in the nearby woodland. At first, he thought a helicopter had landed in a clearing. However, as he approached, he realized he was looking at something a lot stranger than a helicopter. He later stated that this bizarre object looked like “two overlapping plates facing each other with two elevations, one at the top and one at the bottom, and one located in the center of it!” He elaborated that the craft had “a metallic surface, without portholes, visible hatches, and joints!” At the top of the craft was a “hook device” while “three apparently transparent spheres revolved around themselves, emitting yellow, red, and blue lights” at the bottom. He further recalled that the craft appeared to be hovering a very short distance above the ground and that it was approximately 30 feet in width.
In complete awe as to what he was seeing, Dalton remained motionless and as quiet as he could. The family dog, however, barked intensely at this strange sight in front of it. A moment later, a laser-like beam emerged from the object and temporarily enveloped the canine. Almost immediately, it ceased barking and backed away before sitting on the ground. A moment after this, several flashes came from the spherical objects at the bottom of the craft, and Dalton felt a sudden “breath of hot air” wash over him that made his shirt and hair feel as if they were full of static. A moment after that, the sound of a car coming to a sudden stop reached his ears. At the same time, the object suddenly rose into the air. As it did so, the young boy, along with the family dog, returned inside the house.
Odirlei immediately noticed that both the dog appeared nervous and agitated, and that his son had a look of fear and shock on his face. He rushed over, thinking Dalton had been involved in some kind of accident. Once he was satisfied that he was uninjured, he asked what had happened. However, rather than speaking clearly, Dalton simply pointed outside. This behavior alone made Ordirlei realize that something truly out of the ordinary must have taken place. Ordirlei quickly made his way outside. As soon as he did so, he saw the strange object that Dalton had witnessed much more closely. It was still rising into the air. They both continued to watch it until it disappeared out of sight. He later stated that, in the wake of the sight, the streetlights, which were normally a warm orange color, instead glowed a deep red. Even stranger, he noticed that the street was almost completely deserted, something that was strange in itself, as it was almost always busy.
Another perplexing, if intriguing, incident occurred on the evening of February 19th, 1980, in Goiania. At around 7 pm on the night in question, a control operator at Goiania Airport became aware of a strange “light in his eastern sector” that simply shouldn’t have been there. He contacted the Approach Control Center to ask “if there was any traffic there (for them) to inform him” about. The reply was swift and short - negative; there was no traffic in that section. Then, further to the operator’s confusion, two more anomalous lights appeared in the same area. Realizing something strange was afoot, he contacted the Anapolis control tower, telling them he had several “UFOs” on his screen. In turn, Anapolis contacted the Military Operations Center, which immediately went into action.
By pure chance, a VASP airplane was preparing to land at the airport, but when they noticed “an unidentified light crossing in the vicinity of the plane,” they decided to abandon the landing and investigate the aerial anomaly. As they did so, the radar at Anapolis picked up the three objects on its systems, while the Military Operations Center scrambled several jets on an intercept mission. A short time after this, a second VASP aircraft spotted an “unidentified light in the 4-hour position and also at its flight level”. Moreover, the light, it appeared, was pursuing them. This object was confirmed by the airport control tower. Then, things decidedly strange – and suspicious.
Out of nowhere, orders were issued for the scrambled jets to return to base and for the VASP planes to land as soon as it was safe to do so. Ultimately, all airports and pilots were being ordered to, essentially, forget about the incident and go back to business as usual. Even to this day, it is unclear where those orders came from and why they were given.
Several years later, another truly remarkable event unfolded. At some time between half past midnight and 1:30 am in the early hours of November 11th, 1984, it appeared that multiple unknown objects of unknown origin surrounded the entire Sao Paulo region. The Brasilia Area Control Center and São Paulo Control were the first to detect something unusual on the radar screens just after half past midnight. They immediately notified the Military Operations Center, which also confirmed that there were no military vehicles in the area of concern. Not long after, several other control towers in the region also picked up the strange object. Then, without warning, the object went from moving rather slowly to a considerable pace of over 500 knots. The next thing, the object disappeared completely. A moment later, it reappeared directly over the top of the city of São Paulo. Calls were immediately placed to the São Paulo Control Tower. However, the radar operator on duty had left his post to view the anomalous object with his binoculars.
The next thing the Military Operations Center realized, they were receiving call after call of reports of strange objects from all over the Sao Paulo region. These reports continued until just after 1:30 am when the objects suddenly disappeared. The events of that evening not only remain unexplained, but the evening remains one of the strangest in the history of Brazilian aviation.
While São Paulo certainly has many UFO encounters to boast of, there are many other reports from other regions of Brazil. During the early hours of February 8th, 1982, for example, a commercial Boeing 727 (Flight 169) was cutting through the dark skies over Patrolina when, 33 minutes after take-off, the pilot, Commander Gerson Marcial de Britto, noticed a bizarre glowing object on his left-hand side. Moreover, this object appeared to be heading in their direction. By the time it was only a short distance away, Britto could see that it was a strange, luminous orb.
At this point, Britto contacted air traffic control to request information on any other aircraft operating in his vicinity. Air traffic control – who were, in actuality, the Integrated Center of Defense and the Control of the Air Traffic (CINDACTA) – responded that there was no other aircraft anywhere near his current position. With this in mind, Britto contemplated whether the object might, in fact, be a small airplane. Hoping to get a better look at the object, Britto turned off the signal and fuselage lighting. As soon as he did so, both he and his co-pilot could make a central white-blue glow, which was surrounded by a separate yellow-orange glow. After watching the way this object moved for several moments, not to mention its bizarre appearance, Britto realized he was looking at something much more unusual than a small plane.
Now, looking to ensure that he wasn’t misidentifying the object, he located both Venus and the Moon in the night sky, and given he could see both as well as the object, he could dismiss that he was seeing something that wasn’t there. Besides, the object continued to fly alongside his plane.
Although CINDACTA insisted they had no signs of the aerial anomaly on their systems, several other planes that had been listening to the exchange and were relatively nearby did offer corroboration, with a Transbrasil TR177 and an Aerolines Argentinas both confirming the curious craft on their radars.
Realizing he would receive minimal assistance and information, at best, from CINDACTA, Britto decided to attempt to communicate with the anomalous object and began flashing the plane’s landing lights. However, although the craft continued to follow the plane, it didn’t respond in any way to the flashing lights. Britto continued these attempts several times as the plane continued through the night sky at an altitude of just over 30,000 feet. By the time the plane was over the Belo Horizonte region, CINDACTA confirmed they now had the strange object on their radar. Then, the curious events of that night turned even stranger.
Out of nowhere, a bright, blue light suddenly emanated from the object and seemed to engulf the plane, the entire cockpit suddenly being bathed in the bright, blue wash. However, because of this, Britto and the co-pilot managed to get a much better look at this strange craft. They would go on to describe it as being disc or saucer-shaped, that “shone like a mercury street lamp” but was also clearly solid.
At this point, Britto suddenly realized that if he and the co-pilot could see the bizarre object, then the rest of the crew and the passengers would also be able to. With this in mind, he announced the speaker system, urging people not to panic and assuring them that everything was under control. He even urged them to go to the windows of the plane so they could view the object for themselves, and many of them did just that. This bizarre object remained with the plane until it reached its destination of Rio de Janeiro, after which it simply disappeared into the night without further incident. However, by the time the plane had landed, the incident was already known to the media, who were immensely interested in speaking to as many of the passengers as they could, as well as the pilots. When they did so, several of the passengers corroborated Britto’s account, having witnessed the events in their entirety. Almost all other passengers – including several celebrities of their day – saw at least part of the encounter. Interestingly or not, the only passengers on the plane who claimed to have seen nothing unusual were a group of priests and bishops who were on their way to the General Assembly of the National Confederation of the Bishops of Brazil. Whether they genuinely didn’t see anything (which is unlikely), whether they “chose” not to see anything (more likely), or whether their faith somehow prevented them from seeing the events that evening is perhaps still up for debate.
In the days that followed, VASP – the company that owned the airline – conducted its own investigation into the bizarre events of that February evening. They eventually issued a public statement that endorsed Britto’s account, stating that they could find no sound reason not to believe his version of events, not least due to the multiple other witnesses. Despite this, however, several days later, higher-ranking Brazilian aviation officials began to cast doubt on the incident. However, despite these attempts to reduce the credibility of the incident, it remains one of the most intriguing and credible UFO cases to come out of Brazil.
Four years later, another encounter that heavily involved CIONDACTA unfolded – one that stretched from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo, and featured several military jets being scrambled. Moreover, there were at least 20 separate UFO reports from radar controllers around the region, and the incident would last for several hours. In fact, such was the bizarre nature of the events that it would be dubbed The Night of UFOs by Brazilian UFO researchers and residents alike.
It was around 6:30 pm on the evening of May 19th, 1986, when several staff at the control tower at São José dos Campos Airport in São Paulo saw “two intense lights” overhead, seemingly directly in line with the runway. Around half an hour later, at just after 7 pm, confirmation came on radar that there were three “unknown targets” overhead. By 8 pm, CINDACTA had been informed, and they quickly identified eight unknown targets on their radar screens. Another physical sighting occurred 30 minutes later, when an employee at São Jose Airport saw a curious aerial object that had “defined edges and (a) red-orange color”. The witness watched the object for several moments through his binoculars, stating that it seemed to be moving closer and then back away again, over and over.
Around half an hour after that, at around 9 pm, the pilot of a jet owned by the oil company Xingu, Commander Alcir Pereira, reported seeing several “luminous objects” ahead of him. He followed them for several minutes before requesting permission to land at São Paulo Airport, which was granted. By the time he was descending towards the runway 10 minutes later, one of these strange, glowing objects was heading in his direction. Although it moved away before it reached him, its approach forced him to abandon the landing and circle the airport as he prepared to make another attempt. The control tower could see both the Xingu plane and the anomalous object on their radar screens. Then, at around 9:20 pm, the strange object disappeared, leaving the jet alone in the skies overhead and free to land unimpeded. At this point, a decision was made to contact the Air Defense Command. Meanwhile, the Xingu jet made a second attempt to land. However, as it approached the runway for a second time, another of the bizarre objects broke off and approached his aircraft. Once more, Pereira abandoned the landing and immediately began pursuing the strange craft.
By the time he had reached 10,000 feet, he broke off the pursuit and made a third attempt at landing. However, before he had a chance to do so, the control tower at the Air Control Center advised that there were suddenly three more objects in his immediate vicinity. A moment later, Pereira confirmed visual sighting of the three new anomalous objects. These three objects were below him and seemed to be flying directly over the Petrobras refineries and in the direction of Serra do Mar. At this point, Pereira began to become concerned that his fuel would be running dangerously low and so made his fourth attempt to land at São Paulo Airport. This time, the landing was successful.
While Pereira was bringing his jet to a stop on the runway, however, visual sightings of further objects were being reported. All of these were of a “solid round object” moving overhead. Then, at 9:50 pm, an official report stated that a “luminous yellow object surrounded by smaller lights” was directly over Sao Paulo Airport. With the sightings now into their third hour, and with no possible explanation for them within reach, a decision was close to being made to scramble military jets. The first of these F-5E jets left the runway of Santa Cruz Air Force base at 10:23 pm, and was piloted by Kleber Caldas Marinho. Just over 20 minutes later, at 10:45 pm, Brisola Jordao guided his F-5E jet from the same runway, while at the same time, from Anapolis Air Force Base in Goias State, Captain Viriato left the runway in his Mirage F-103 jet, armed with Sidewinder and Matra missiles.
Only 10 minutes later, radar operators at Anapolis Air Force Base noticed several unknown objects on their radar screens. Meanwhile, from the air inside his Mirage F-103, Viriato confirmed he too had multiple unknown objects on his radar screen, although he couldn’t physically see anything out of the ordinary. Cutting through the sky at around 850 miles per hour, he used the radar to pursue the strange objects. Just as he was approaching the objects – at a distance from which he should have been able to physically see them – the objects vanished from the radar screens. Five minutes after this curious event, a second Mirage F-103 left the runway at Anapolis Air Force Base.
Meanwhile, around the same time, Kleber reported a visual sighting from his F-5E, stating he could see a “ball of light” and that he was going to pursue it. He later stated that:
“I had one visual contact and one contact with my aircraft radar of something that looked like a luminous point, which was 12 miles in front of me, a distance confirmed by ground radar. The object was moving from left to right and then began to climb!”
Kleber continued to follow the object, even heading out over the Atlantic Ocean. While he was doing so, a third Mirage F-103 left the runway at Anapolis Air Force Base.
Ultimately, the jets remained airborne until after 1 am before they returned to their respective air bases. All of the pilots involved had enthralling encounters to tell. Brisola Jordao, for example, claimed that after he had noticed the object on his on-board radar, the control tower informed him that several of the objects appeared to be “closing in” on him. The control tower updated him throughout this, even stating at one point that they were just 10 miles from his position, a distance from which he should have clearly seen them. However, there was no visual sign of them. Then, as if they had been switched on, 13 of the bizarre objects suddenly appeared behind his plane – “six on one side, and seven on the other!” He continued in the direction he was headed, and, after several moments, the objects disappeared.
Given the number of witnesses from two separate airbases, including several very experienced military pilots, as well as the multiple residents who had made reports to the military, police, and media, several high-ranking officials immediately attempted to down-play the incident, with some even offering that nothing out of the ordinary had taken place at all. In fact, the official narrative for the events that evening quickly became one of people witnessing a “meteorological event”. Officials claimed that when comets enter the Earth’s atmosphere, they “heat up and emit light!” This also, they claimed, explains why they would appear to vanish when, in fact, they had burned out.
Many people, especially the pilots and control tower employees at various airports and air bases involved in the incident, simply didn’t accept this official story. And by the time the 2000s were unfolding, many of them were prepared to speak much more openly about the events of that strange night. Then, in 2016, three decades after that bizarre evening in May 1986, a Freedom of Information request resulted in new information regarding the encounter entering the public arena. It was this information that really prompted many of the witnesses – many of whom were free from the control of their employers – to come forward.
Sergio Mota de Silva, for example, the person who first spotted the aerial anomaly half an hour before the first radar sighting, confirmed it was he who had informed the pilot of the Xingu plane, Alcir Pereira, of the bizarre lights. He stated that:
“I’ve been a pilot for many years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. It was too agile, impossible that there was a human inside it. I do not know if it was a disc, but it was a very strong glow!”
Mota de Silva also stated that he and all other employees at the airport were given strict instructions that they were not to speak of the incident to the media, nor should they comment on the official explanation. He further stated that officials told them that the sightings were part of an “electronic war,” and they left the heavy insinuation that the objects were experimental military aircraft. Whether there is any truth in this official explanation or not remains open to debate. It is perhaps interesting to note the words of Brigadier General Otavio Moreira Lima, the Minister of Aeronautics at the time, who stated that “radar doesn’t have optical illusions”, while Air Force Major Ney Cerqueira stated that the way the objects disappeared and reappeared was something unexplained, not least as the “technical instruments used for identification of these lights had problems in registering them!”
It is also worth our time examining some of the claims and statements of one-time Brazilian Air Force Minister Socrates Monteiro, who, after a long career in the Brazilian Air Force, served in the position from 1990 to 1992, and who gave a rather revealing interview with a Brazilian UFO magazine. And these revelations were as bizarre as they were fascinating. He claimed, for example, that there was regular “interaction of other cosmic species” in Brazil, and that such radar sightings of strange, anomalous objects occurred regularly. Moreover, although most of these sightings stayed with the organization, some were the subject of secret investigations by high-ranking members of the Brazilian Air Force.
He also told of an encounter with a “disc-type object of great proportions” that flew over a radar station in Gama. This encounter, he recalled, caused “great panic” at the facility – so much so that several personnel opened fire on the bizarre craft. It was Monteiro himself who gave the orders for the personnel involved to cease firing immediately. He stated, “They have a technology far more advanced than ours. And we don’t know how they would react to our (hostile) action!”
Monteiro also had several intriguing details to reveal about the Night of UFOs incident in May 1986. He stated, for example, that whenever any of the pilots attempted to close in on the bizarre objects, they would simply disappear at an “extremely high speed!” He further stated that the entire episode was recorded on the radar tapes of the facilities involved. However, the whereabouts of those tapes, if they still exist, remains unknown. He also offered that, in part, because of their research and knowledge of the Mantell incident decades earlier, their aircraft approached these “electronic abnormalities” with extreme caution. He then ended this interview by claiming that it was an open secret behind the closed doors of the world’s high-ranking military officials that we are “being visited by other cosmic species!”
Just short of a decade later, another UFO encounter unfolded, also on the road between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. According to the report, which comes to us from the files of Brian Vike, after attending training conference on flight simulation training in Rio de Janeiro, in the early hours of May 6th, 1994, an experienced airline pilot, his girlfriend, a senior airline captain, and a flight engineer, were being driven by a chauffeur back to Sao Paulo. At a little after 3 am, the pilot’s girlfriend woke him while they were near Guarantingueta to show him something strange in the sky. He looked in the direction she was pointing, and was shocked to see a “red star-like object”. To begin with, he thought the red light was simply a radio antenna on a nearby mountain. However, a quick scan of his surroundings revealed that there were no mountains around them, only flat land as far as the eye could see. Then, he saw the object move, dispelling any notion that the object was stationary or that a rational explanation was likely.
The object moved in a particularly erratic fashion, although it seemed to maintain its distance relative to their car. The red light then changed color, going from red to yellow, then to white, and finally to blue, allowing the witness to rule out that they belonged to a helicopter, not least as the lights had a strangeness about them, almost as if they were a “disco ball” rather than navigation lights. They watched the object for several minutes as their car traveled along the road at an approximate speed of 90 miles per hour. When the vehicle slowed its speed to somewhere around 40 miles per hour, to their shock, the object slowed down also. They could also now see that several other motorists had also seen the object and had pulled their respective vehicles to the side of the road in order to get a better look. With their vehicle now traveling much slower, the witness estimated that the strange craft was around a mile away from them and at an approximate altitude of between 3000 and 4000 feet.
Now, beyond curious, the witness asked the driver to stop the car and pull to the side of the road, which he duly did. The witness, along with his girlfriend and the other two passengers, all stepped out onto the roadside. As soon as they did so, the object began to descend and head in their direction. The witness later stated that the closer it got, the more they could see it was a typical “flying saucer dome-shaped object” that moved in complete silence. After watching the aerial display for a moment or two, the witness suddenly remembered his camera was in his bag in the car, and so he reached inside to retrieve it. However, he was dismayed to discover that he had used all of the film. He returned to the roadside where his girlfriend was standing, the object now only several hundred feet away from them. The witness began walking toward the object, his girlfriend following behind him. However, after taking only several steps, she stopped.
The witness, however, continued forward, eager to get as close a look as possible. He only stopped when the barbed wire at the roadside prevented him from entering the field on the other side of it. He was now barely 200 feet away from this strange craft. From this close proximity, he could see that there were several square lights on the side of the object that pulsed and grew bigger before returning to their normal size. Underneath the craft, he could see a “bluish vapor,” and he could also feel a “soft breeze” that he assumed was also coming from this curious craft, given that there was no wind to speak of on this particular night. He further stated that as the object moved, it had a “rocking motion” to it that reminded him of how a boat would move on the water. Moreover, he could feel a strong “electrical charge” in the air that he was also convinced was emanating from the object. He later estimated that the object was around 70 feet across and around 30 feet in height with a “reddish-grey” exterior.
Suddenly, one of the onlookers down the road took a flashlight and shone it directly at the craft, hitting it square on. As soon as the beam hit it, the rocking motion increased dramatically. Then, things turned even stranger. A “faint bluish-greenish glow” began shining on the underside of the craft while on the top, there were several sudden “flashes of multi-colored lights”. The object also began to ascend and head away from the witnesses. To begin, this ascent and departure were slow and controlled. However, within moments, the pace had increased somewhat. As it headed off, the witness recalled hearing a “faint, low-pitched humming sound!” Another display of flashing lights followed by the object’s speed increased even more, and within a second, it had disappeared. Strangely, the witness stated that during this final part of the sighting, the witness could detect an “aroma of ionization” in the air, as well as a strange metal taste in his mouth.
He looked around and could see that other people were returning to their respective cars, and he did likewise. Incidentally, as the four people got back inside their car, the chauffeur, who had remained inside the vehicle throughout, stated that when the object hovered close to the roadside, an intense static had overtaken the radio. They set off back on their way to São Paulo, eventually coming to a stop at a highway restaurant where they could use the bathroom and purchase a coffee. While inside, they spoke to several locals about what they had seen. They were informed that this area had “lots of sightings” and had done so for many years.
Incidentally, when the witness made his report of the sighting, he detailed another encounter he had two decades earlier in 1972. He claimed he was flying his plane on the night in question when he heard the pilot of another plane state that he could “see a UFO!” He listened to the exchange between the pilot and the control tower, as well as several other planes in the area, including a United States military aircraft. Although he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary himself that evening, when he landed, he managed to speak to the pilot who had. They assured him that they had seen something “out of this world!” The witness also stated that during his time in the world of aviation, he had heard multiple stories from other pilots and control tower operators of sightings of strange and anomalous objects. Despite making his report to the Brazilian authorities and to several others once he returned to the United States several weeks later, he never heard any more of the incident, and it remains completely unexplained.
Without a doubt, one of the most fascinating encounters to come out of Brazil took place in January 1996 in the town of Varginha, an event that would go on to make international headlines. And when claims began to swirl of the involvement of the Brazilian military attempting to suppress the encounter, interest in the incident only intensified. Multiple UFO investigators have studied the encounter, with leading British UFO researcher and author, Timothy Good, dedicating an entire chapter to the affair in his 2000 book Unearthly Disclosure.
According to the account, at around 3:30 pm on January 20th, 1996, three young women – 16-year-old Liliane da Silva and her 14-year-old sister, Valquiria, along with 22-year-old Katia Xavier – were walking in Santana (just to the north of Varginha) when they came to an opening and vacant plot of land. To their utter shock, in this clearing, was a strange “demon-like” creature that was huddled against the wall of an abandoned and decrepit building. They later stated that it had a “triangular-shaped head” and its skin was a leathery brown color. They estimated that this creature was only around two and a half feet in height and that its arms appeared too short for its body. They further noticed that the creature appeared to be pressing itself against the wall, as well as trying to “crouch lower”, as if it was frightened.
After several moments, the three girls turned and ran back to the main street, and from there they went to the sisters’ home. Once there, they relayed what they had seen to their mother. Around 20 minutes later, the girls’ mother and their neighbor set out to return to the spot where they had witnessed the strange creature. However, by the time they returned, the bizarre entity was no longer there. All those present could see a distinct impression in the grass where it had been sitting, and they could all detect a strong ammonia odor in the air. It would soon come to light, though, that the three girls were not the only witnesses to this bizarre event.
A short distance away, an elderly lady and her granddaughter had heard the three young women scream. By the time they arrived at the clearing, the three girls had already turned and gone. They not only saw the strange creature, but they also witnessed the events that followed. Remaining hidden and out of the way, the elderly lady and her granddaughter claimed that a short time after they arrived, a vehicle from the city’s fire department arrived, with several firemen quickly “securing” the creature. They then placed it in their vehicle and drove away.
News of the incident quickly leaked out into the wider community, and before long, journalists and UFO investigators alike were aware of the alleged events. One researcher, Ubirajara Franco Rodrigues, took a particular interest in the case. He spoke with the three girls in question and was convinced of their “sincerity!” Moreover, he managed to unveil further corroborating witnesses. One of these was a local bricklayer – Henrique Jose de Souza – who claimed to have witnessed a fire department vehicle at the location of the encounter, although, interestingly, he claimed to have seen this vehicle several hours before the three girls came upon the seemingly frightened creature.
Another witness, local resident Oralina Augusta, had even more remarkable testimony to volunteer. She claimed that she was woken up suddenly at around 1 am in the early hours of January 20th – just over 12 hours before the three girls found the creature in the clearing – by the sound of “bellowing cattle” from a nearby farm. She got out of bed and walked over to the window, more than shocked to see the cattle “stampeding” past her home in sheer fright and agitation. When she looked upward, she could see why. There, a short distance above the ground, was a “submarine-shaped” glowing object. At this point, she woke her husband, who also saw the bizarre scene when he made his way to the bedroom window. As they looked on, they could see what appeared to be “grey smoke” coming from one side of the craft. A moment later, it began to rock in a “stop-start” motion. It was clear to them that the object – whatever it was – was damaged in some way.
Now, here, it is worth clarifying that the fire department is under the control of the military police, so it makes sense that the fire department – officially or not – would be dispatched to investigate strange activity. And Rodrigues’ investigation would soon bring further details to light. For example, at 8:30 am on the morning of January 20th, a call was received by the Varginha City Fire Department. This call, according to the records, was reporting a “strange creature” who had been seen roaming the woodlands on the outskirts of the city. Moreover, the fire department records show that when they first arrived in the area, they spoke to three young boys who also claimed to have seen the strange creature. Even more interesting, the direction the boys claimed the creature had been heading would have taken it straight to the clearing where the three young women saw it later that afternoon. Yet another pair of witnesses – an anonymous man and woman – corroborated the young boys’ account, even recalling that the youngsters were initially throwing stones at the creature, which the woman told them to stop doing. They did, and the creature quickly disappeared into the woods.
According to what Rodrigues could find out, the fire department had sent another vehicle to the woodland where the creature was eventually found. This unit, though, searched the immediate area, and while it took several hours to locate the creature, they eventually did so, managing to “net it” a short time later. The report stated that the creature had offered no resistance, leading some researchers to suggest it might have been injured and was simply unable to do so. After securing it, the unit radioed their commander. He arrived a short time later and ordered that the entire area be completely shut off and informing all those at the scene that the operation was now classified top-secret. Even more remarkable, at least according to what Rodregues discovered, there were more than one of the creatures in the woodland and discreet searches for them continued under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Olimpio Vanderlei Santos.
With two of the strange creatures now in the custody of the Brazilian authorities, a third creature was discovered and captured later that afternoon. Following this, and something which could be relevant, an intense rainstorm broke out almost immediately following this second apprehension, and continued until around 6 pm that evening. As soon as it cleared, the search units ventured back into the woodland. According to the reports, a fourth creature was discovered by two “officers”, who some researchers have dubbed “plain-clothed agents. Whoever they were, they didn’t have any of the tools or devices of the fire department, and so forced the creature into the back of their car. They seemingly drove the creature to a small, quiet, local clinic. However, the doctor refused the two men entry to his premises, and he refused to look at or treat the bizarre creature, insisting they take it to the hospital in the city.
Interestingly, one of these supposed plain-clothed agents – apparently named as Marco Chereze – had handled the figure with his bare hands as he attempted to apprehend it and then get it into the car. Several days later, he suddenly became extremely sick, and a short time after that, he was admitted to the hospital due to having lost the use of all of his limbs. The hospital was perplexed as to what was wrong with him, and he failed to respond to any treatments. He deteriorated extremely quickly, and on February 15th, less than a month after the incident, he passed away. These grim events, though, would turn even more ominous in the days after his death.
There was no explanation for Chereze’s death from the hospital. However, they ordered that his body be placed in a sealed coffin and that his funeral should take place “within hours!” This order was carried out, and the military was eventually sued by his family. As a result of this lawsuit, two pieces of information entered the public arena. The first being that there was a “small amount of toxic material” discovered in Chereze’s body, a material that was unidentified, or at least, undisclosed. Moreover, there was clear evidence of altering official records regarding Chereze’s movements on the night in question.
There were, though, more revelations to come as a result of Rodrigues’ investigation. It came to light, for example, that authorities had taken over an entire wing of the hospital in the days following the incident. During this time, the military ordered a meeting with all of the hospital employees. They were told that the events they had witnessed were a “training exercise for doctors and military personnel” and that they were to “deny everything” if anyone asked them about it.
Even more suspicious, on the afternoon of January 22nd, three large military vehicles were witnessed directly outside the hospital. From what Rodrigues could piece together, at this point, at least one of the creatures was at the hospital and was still alive. However, by 6 pm, it was dead, and the military was there to transport it away from the premises in a sealed high-tech container. Even stranger, according to further research, at around 4 am in the early hours of January 23rd, a small convoy of military vehicles – led by a “yellow Volkswagen van” – made their way out of the city. It is not known where they were going or why.
There were also claims from some researchers of autopsies being performed on these strange creatures, with some even claiming that the person who carried them out was Fortunato Baden Palhares, something we should note that he always denied, at least publicly. According to one of his students who asked him about the alien autopsy claims several years later, Palhares told him that he would “really love to give you an answer, but please, ask this question in 10 or 15 years from now!” Make of that what you will.
As if the incident couldn’t get any stranger, further investigations into the incident added further twists to the case. It was revealed, for example, that there was at least one United States intelligence agent in Varginha between January 20th and January 23rd. Even more remarkably, some researchers have suggested that the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) had issued a warning to the Brazilian authorities the previous week on January 13th, informing them that they had “tracked a number of unidentified objects over the western hemisphere that night. And that one or more had penetrated Brazilian airspace!” Whether or not these objects are connected to the strange creature in Varginha remains open to debate, as does whether one of these objects crashed, resulting in the creature roaming the woodland. There is, though, an intriguing account on record that is very much worthy of our time here.
According to the report, in the early hours of January 13th, Carlos da Souza was driving along the Fernao Dias highway, approximately five miles outside of Varginha. Suddenly, he heard a “muffled roaring sound” that seemed to be coming from above his vehicle. He looked up momentarily and was shocked to see a silver, cigar-shaped object moving across the sky at an approximate speed of 50 miles per hour. He estimated that the craft was around 40 feet long, and he recalled seeing at least four windows along the side of it. Of more concern, though, he could see what seemed to be a crack or “jagged tear” in the front section of the object, out of which came thick, white smoke. Within moments, the craft had overtaken his vehicle and was ahead of him. For the next 10 minutes, he followed behind the damaged craft. Then, however, it suddenly took a “dive” over the trees and disappeared. Although he couldn’t physically see it, he was almost certain, due to the trajectory of it, that the craft had come down somewhere in the surrounding woodland.
Now beyond curious, Carlos headed in the direction he believed the object came down. Several minutes later, he brought his vehicle to a stop and got out, standing just in front of the truck. There, a short distance ahead of him in a field, were several large pieces of silver debris. It was clearly the remains of the silver, cigar-shaped craft he had witnessed only moments earlier. It was then that he spotted military personnel in the field, seemingly gathering up the debris and transporting it to several heavy-duty military vehicles close by. In total, he estimated there were around 40 soldiers in the field with the debris. He was perplexed as to how they had arrived there in a matter of minutes. Of course, Carlos was unaware that the unit was likely acting on intelligence given to them by NORAD.
At this point, a small piece of silver wreckage caught his eye, sitting just slightly in front of where he was standing. Unable to resist, he stepped forward to retrieve. As soon as he did, though, he heard one of the soldiers call out to him, ordering him to leave immediately. Not wanting to risk being arrested, or worse, he left the debris and returned to his truck. He took one more quick look around and then restarted the engine and set off down the road. After traveling several miles, he stopped at a service station to purchase a coffee. To his shock and unsettlement, “two military men in civilian clothes” arrived at the service station not long after he did and immediately approached him. Even more shocking to him, they knew his name and told him that he was not to speak about what he saw in the field. Needless to say, he agreed, if only to ensure he could get away.
While Carlos was the only witness to these bizarre events, they do resonate very nicely with the apparent warnings from NORAD to the Brazilian authorities, and we need to remind ourselves that there is simply no way that he would have been aware of those details at the time.
Ultimately, while many people, even some in the UFO community, insist that the Varginha case is nothing but a hoax or fabrication, it would appear that there is, at the very least, much more to it than that. Did a craft from elsewhere crash land just outside the city in January 1996, resulting in several alien entities roaming the woodlands for several days? And did the Brazilian authorities manage to capture each of these creatures? Although we know of four, there could have been others. Were they all captured? And if so, did any of them survive? And where are they now? Perhaps most intriguing, outside of the NORAD warning, how did the American intelligence agent fit into all of this, and was he there with permission from the Brazilian authorities or without their knowledge? Indeed, the case continues to fascinate UFO researchers and investigators today, almost three decades later.
These sightings here are just a tiny example of the UFO encounters that have unfolded in the skies over Brazil. It is safe to say we will return here with more accounts in the very near future. We might ask, though, what makes this location so rife with UFO sightings and encounters with strange creatures? Does its location in the South Atlantic, not to mention its proximity (relatively speaking) to such mystical locations as Antarctica, make it an attractive location to these otherworldly visitors? Or perhaps the Amazon rainforests provide ideal shelter for the intelligence behind these mysterious craft, and, as such, they are spotted much more. Whatever the reasons for it, Brazil is one of the hottest UFO hotspots on the planet, with sightings and reports continuing today in the 2020s. Indeed, Brazil is a location that UFO researchers might want to keep very much on their radars over the coming years, as we collectively strive for the truth to the UFO and alien question.
The term “geology” should only be used in relation to Earth, since in Greek it means “the science of Earth”. However, when astronomers study other planets in the Solar System, they naturally take the most studied one, i.e., ours, as a “reference point”. Mars has a lot in common with Earth, but in some ways it is very different. Some of its features are strange: although it has the largest volcanoes in the Solar System, there is currently virtually no volcanic activity. Clearly, there is still much we do not know about our neighbor.
Mars as a planet
Mars, like Earth, is a rocky planet. Its shape is nearly spherical, its chemical composition is mainly silicates and aluminates, it has a dense core, and it is covered by a relatively thin crust. This is where the similarities between the two celestial bodies end and their differences begin.
Mars. Source: NASA
The fourth planet from the Sun is half the size of Earth. The average radius of Mars is only 3,389.5 km. Its surface area is 1.4437×108 km2, which is only 28% of that of our world, if we include the oceans. This means that the geological formations found on Earth would appear gigantic on Mars. Incredibly, the mountains, canyons, and depressions there are indeed much larger than those on Earth.
The surface of Mars is very uneven compared to Earth. In particular, its northern hemisphere is almost entirely low-lying, while the southern hemisphere is dominated by mountain ranges and plateaus. To explain this striking difference, some scientists point to the specific mechanism of Martian tectonic plate formation, while others believe it is the result of a collision with a large space object.
Whatever caused this strange dichotomy between the hemispheres of Mars, astronomers are certain that it arose at the dawn of the planet’s existence. Therefore, all subsequent evolution there took place in conditions where there were lowlands in the north and highlands in the south.
Volcanoes of Mars
Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, when Mars was just formed, it was a red-hot ball. Then its crust solidified, but liquid magma remained inside. This created conditions for volcanic activity. However, it occurred in a way that was very different from what we are used to on Earth.
Olympus Mons. Source: NASA
On our planet, the crust consists of separate lithospheric plates that are constantly in motion. Magma erupts mainly through cracks between them, which is why most volcanoes are located along the joints of large sections of the lithosphere. Only occasionally can another type of volcanism be found on Earth, when a flow of hot magma literally melts its way to the surface. Such volcanoes are called shield volcanoes.
It is not known for certain whether lithospheric plates ever moved on Mars. At least, no traces of them have been found there. For billions of years, Martian volcanoes have appeared exclusively due to hot flows that melt the crust, and this happens in a rather strange way. Some volcanoes are indeed similar to those on Earth. However, the largest of them, due to their tendency to group, have formed large provinces that have no analogues not only on Earth, but in the entire Solar System.
Tharsis
The best example of strange Martian volcanism is Tharsis, located in the northwestern part of Mars. Its area is 30 million km², which is larger than Canada, the United States, and China combined. It is here that the largest volcano in the Solar System rises – the 26-kilometer-high Olympus Mons, approximately three times higher than Everest.
Topographic map of Tharsis. Source: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Arizona State University
However, the most interesting thing about this giant is not its height, but its width. The diameter of Olympus’ base is 624 km, which means that on Earth it would hardly fit in Ukraine. So, despite its dizzying height, it looks almost flat. More precisely, its upper part forms a plain with a minimal slope, while its edges are slopes up to 7 km high.
At the center of the giant volcano is a caldera measuring 85×60 km. Several craters actually merge into one giant pit up to 3 km deep, so large that the entire city of Kyiv could fit inside it.
At the same time, Olympus is the largest, but not the only, giant volcano in Tharsis. To the southeast of it, there are three more very similar structures – the Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Arsia Mons. Each of them is much higher than Everest, and their diameters are measured in hundreds of kilometers.
Incidentally, the highest of the Tharsis Olympus volcanoes is by no means the record holder in terms of area. Alba Mons is “only” 6.8 km high, but its diameter reaches 1,350 km. And in general, it is difficult to call it a mountain, because its slope reaches only 0.5°, which means that it is essentially a sloping elevation. Previously, the term “patera” was used to describe such relief features.
Elysium
Another volcanic province, Elysium, is also located in the northern hemisphere of Mars. There are also several giant shield volcanoes there: the Hecates Tholus, Mount Elysium, and the Albor Tholus. They are significantly smaller than Olympus, but their size is still impressive. For example, Elysium rises 16 km above the Martian surface and has a diameter of 240 km.
Topographic map of Elysium and its surroundings. Source: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Arizona State University
Although the two volcanic provinces are very similar, they were formed in completely different periods. Tharsis is extremely ancient, its origin dating back to the Noachian period of Martian history, meaning it is about 4 billion years old. Elysium is much younger. It was formed about 600 million years ago. This is relatively young by the standards of the Red Planet and closer to the time when multicellular life appeared on Earth.
Why shield volcanoes regularly form in such large groups on Mars is still unclear. Apparently, this is related to the peculiarities of the rise of the same hot magmatic flows in its depths, which scientists call plumes. Perhaps the fact that they abut against a solid crust rather than separate plates somehow affects the nature of volcanism.
In addition, Mars’s smaller size plays a role. If there are irregularities in the distribution of heat inside it, they will manifest themselves much more strongly than on Earth. It is quite possible that at a certain depth below the Martian surface, there are large pockets of lava that manifest themselves as volcanic provinces.
Giant faults
In addition to giant volcanoes, Mars has equally amazing surface faults. From a geological point of view, they are very different from those we encounter on Earth, where structures similar to the Dniester Canyon or the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in the United States are formed as a result of soil particles being washed away by water.
Fault lines in the Valles Marineris. Source: NASA / JPL-Caltech / Arizona State University
However, liquid water never flowed on the Red Planet long enough to wash out gorges tens and hundreds of meters deep. The nature of canyon formation there is completely different and is related to the same volcanic provinces. Giant mountains of solidified lava are so massive that they literally collapse under their own weight into the depths of the planet. As a result, the much thinner crust around them stretches and cracks.
Over time, cracks formed by erosion and other processes can reach truly enormous sizes. The largest of these is the Valles Marineris. It is often compared to the Grand Canyon in Colorado, but this only complicates its perception. The total length of this structure is 4,500 km, which means that on Earth it would stretch from Great Britain to the Caspian Sea.
In addition, the average width of the Valles Marineris is 200 km. This means that standing on one edge, you are unlikely to see the other. The picture will be more like a giant precipice, the bottom of which is lost somewhere below.
Another feature of the Martian landscape is related to the giant fractures on the surface: chaos terrains. This is the name given to areas where hills and furrows are scattered haphazardly, forming a veritable labyrinth. They appeared at a time when Mars still had plenty of ice and streams flowed across its surface. When the subsurface ice melted, the ground subsided. The water, flowing outwards, went to lower areas and eroded the already damaged rocks along the way. This happened extremely unevenly, resulting in the formation of chaos.
Sedimentary rocks on Mars
Although more large impact craters have been found on Mars than on the Moon or Mercury, smaller traces of collisions are much less common there. This is due to wind and water erosion.
Sedimentary rocks at the bottom of a Martian crater. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona
Wind and water cause the destruction of solid rock and transport small particles. Several billion years ago, when the planet’s atmosphere was denser and the northern basin was filled with an ocean into which water flowed, these processes were much more intense. They can still be seen on the surface in the form of dry riverbeds of ancient rivers.
Traces of erosion on Mars include not only certain landforms, but also the presence of rocks that we call sedimentary. These include sand, gypsum, and clay. These conglomerates of extremely fine particles can only form in the presence of large amounts of water, usually near or at the bottom of rivers and lakes.
Despite the similarity between Martian sedimentary rocks and those on Earth, they contain almost no organic matter, which is common on Earth. More precisely, it may be there, and scientists are eager to find it, but this will only be possible after samples of the substance have been brought from Mars to Earth.
Scientists have also not yet found any traces of a developed biosphere on Mars. This means that minerals commonly found on Earth, such as oil, natural gas, and coal, are most likely not present there, as they are the remains of living organisms.
Is Mars really dead?
No matter how spectacular the volcanic eruptions on Mars were, no matter how long water flowed in its streams, forming clay deposits, all this is now a thing of the distant past. This view of the planet has become mainstream over the last few decades.
Eruption of Olympus Mons (concept). Source: Getty Images
However, this trend has recently begun to change. One of the main reasons for this is the InSight probe. It operated on the surface of Mars for many months, while the seismograph on board recorded what was happening in the depths of the planet. Imagine the surprise of scientists when it began to register one surface vibration after another!
In general, astronomers had previously assumed the possibility of Marsquakes even in the absence of lithospheric plate movement. After all, tectonic vibrations occur even on the Moon, which is definitely “dead” in this sense. However, the events recorded by InSight turned out to be too frequent and too strong to be caused, for example, by the collapse of some underground cavities. More and more scientists are now inclined to believe that there is still liquid magma inside the Red Planet.
Research on Mars increasingly suggests that our current understanding of its “inner world” is not entirely accurate. However, humanity began exploring our neighboring planet relatively recently, so our knowledge of it is quite limited. It is quite possible that in a few thousand years, it will surprise researchers with active volcanoes… but that is a completely different story.
This article was published in issue No. 1 (190) of Universe Space Tech magazine in 2024. You can purchase this issue in electronic or printed form from our store.
Introduction: The Unseen Doorway to the Impossible
Imagine driving home on a dark, deserted highway, the moon bright, the radio playing softly. Then, a strange light appears, maneuvers impossibly, and suddenly, hours vanish from your life. You arrive home, shaken, clothes torn, shoes scuffed, with no memory of the intervening time, only a gnawing sense of dread laced with fragmented, disturbing images. This unsettling scenario, echoing the foundational experience of Betty and Barney Hill in 1961, marks the entry point into the perplexing world of alleged alien abductions for many. It's a world characterized by profound trauma, bewildering gaps in memory, and an overwhelming search for answers.
These experiences often leave individuals feeling isolated, grappling with anxieties and symptoms—nightmares, unexplained marks, sudden phobias—that defy conventional explanation. Mental health professionals may offer diagnoses, but for some "experiencers," these labels feel insufficient, failing to capture the sheer strangeness of what they sense occurred. It's in this crucible of confusion and isolation that many turn towards a controversial yet frequently sought-after tool: Abduction Hypnosis.
Presented as a key to unlock buried memories, hypnotherapy, specifically hypnotic regression, is employed to navigate the fog of "missing time" and piece together fragmented recollections. Proponents believe it allows direct access to subconscious memories of encounters with non-human intelligences, bypassing conscious filters or even alleged alien-induced amnesia. Critics, however, warn of the perilous paths of suggestibility and false memory creation inherent in the process. Does this practice illuminate genuine, hidden encounters with otherworldly beings, or does it inadvertently construct elaborate narratives born from the depths of the human psyche, influenced by culture and trauma? We will explore the history, methodology, profound claims, and troubling controversies surrounding abduction hypnosis, examining its complex role within the persistent narrative of alien encounters.
The Call for Memory: Why Individuals Seek Abduction Hypnosis
The journey into abduction hypnosis often begins not with a clear memory, but with a void – the perplexing and deeply unsettling awareness of "missing time." Driving home might take hours longer than it should, leaving a gaping hole in recall. As Betty and Barney Hill discovered, this missing time isn't just a curiosity; it's a psychic wound demanding explanation. What happened in those lost hours? This question becomes an obsessive pursuit for many.
Alongside missing time, other strange breadcrumbs often lead individuals to seek hypnotic exploration. Disturbing nightmares, far too vivid and visceral to be dismissed as mere dreams, plague their sleep. Betty Hill’s nightmares following her 1961 experience were key drivers in seeking help. Fleeting, fragmented images or sounds flash through the mind during waking hours – a glimpse of a large, dark eye, a snippet of humming sound, a feeling of paralysis. The body, too, might bear witness: unexplained bruises appear, odd scoop marks or triangular patterns are found on the skin, or a persistent, localized pain lingers without a medical cause. Barney Hill’s scuffed shoes and torn binocular strap, Betty’s ripped dress – these seemingly minor details become significant clues pointing towards an unremembered event.
Beyond the physical, inexplicable phobias can suddenly manifest – a sudden terror of owls, deer, doctor's offices, or even specific visual patterns. Underlying it all is often a powerful, pervasive feeling that something happened, something profound and possibly violating, coupled with a frustrating inability to grasp or articulate it. This dissonance can lead to significant psychological distress: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, and obsessive behaviors. As described in research on Post-Abduction Syndrome (PAS), individuals may feel alienated from themselves, struggling with dissociation or a numbing of emotions.
Facing skepticism from friends, family, and even medical professionals only deepens the isolation. Many seeking help report feeling dismissed or pathologized, with some even stating they'd rather be seen as mentally unbalanced than have their experiences invalidated. In this context, abduction hypnosis emerges not necessarily as a first choice, but often as a last resort—a potential pathway to understanding, healing, and perhaps, validation. It represents a hope for retrieving the missing pieces, for constructing a coherent narrative out of baffling fragments, and ultimately, for finding relief from the haunting ambiguity.
Pioneers and Practitioners: Figures Shaping Abduction Hypnosis
The landscape of abduction hypnosis has been significantly shaped by a few key figures who brought the practice into the public eye and developed specific methodologies, often amidst considerable controversy.
Budd Hopkins
Budd Hopkins, an artist turned UFO researcher, stands out as a foundational figure. Beginning in the 1970s, Hopkins became deeply invested in abduction reports, particularly those involving "missing time." He fervently believed that hypnosis was not just helpful, but essential for retrieving memories he theorized were deliberately blocked by aliens. Through books like "Missing Time" and "Intruders" (later a TV miniseries), Hopkins popularized many core elements of the modern abduction narrative, including the focus on reproductive procedures and hybrid beings, largely based on accounts elicited through hypnosis. He established support groups and positioned himself as a central hub for abductees, advocating for the reality of their experiences based on the consistency he observed in hypnotically retrieved accounts.
Dr. John E. Mack
Perhaps the most academically credentialed proponent was the late Dr. John E. Mack. A professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, Mack's involvement lent significant, albeit controversial, weight to abduction claims. Initially skeptical, Mack became convinced of the phenomenon's authenticity after interviewing hundreds of "experiencers" starting in the late 1980s. He employed hypnosis as part of his therapeutic work, concluding that his patients were sane individuals recalling genuinely traumatic, albeit inexplicable, events. Mack argued forcefully that the consistency, emotional power, and detail of these accounts defied conventional psychological explanations. His stance led to a formal inquiry by Harvard in 1994, though he ultimately retained tenure. Mack emphasized the profound, often spiritually transformative, impact these experiences had on individuals, suggesting they might challenge our fundamental understanding of reality.
Yvonne Smith
Yvonne Smith represents a dedicated clinical hypnotherapist who built her practice specifically around alleged alien abduction cases. Certified in the early 1990s, she founded the Close Encounter Resource Organization (CERO), providing support groups and individual hypnotherapy sessions. Smith has worked with hundreds of clients, often referred by physicians and psychologists. Like Hopkins and Mack, she highlights the striking similarities in narratives recalled under hypnosis by people from vastly different backgrounds who have never met. Her work, detailed in her book "Chosen: Recollections Of UFO Abductions Through Hypnotherapy," focuses on helping individuals cope with the PTSD-like symptoms resulting from their perceived encounters.
Laurie McDonald
Adding a contemporary voice is Laurie McDonald, another clinical hypnotherapist specializing in abduction regression. With reported experience involving over a thousand cases, McDonald integrates modern concerns, even using apps to detect potential hidden surveillance during sessions with high-profile clients. She speaks internationally on the topic and works to create "psychological profiles" of the different types of entities described by experiencers during regression, reinforcing the idea of distinct alien races (Grays, Reptilians, Mantis beings, etc.) involved in the phenomenon.
It's crucial to note, however, that the field includes not just licensed therapists but also self-proclaimed "UFO Investigators" who utilize hypnosis. As David Jacobs, another prominent abduction researcher who uses hypnosis, has acknowledged, there is often "no systematic training" specifically for this niche application. This lack of standardization means methodologies can vary significantly, raising further questions about the consistency and reliability of the "memories" retrieved.
The Hypnotic Journey: Accessing the Depths of Memory
Embarking on a hypnotic regression session aimed at uncovering abduction memories typically involves a structured process designed to relax the conscious mind and facilitate access to deeper levels of awareness. The setting is usually calm and controlled, perhaps an office like Yvonne Smith's, where the therapist aims to create a safe and reassuring atmosphere.
The process often begins with guided relaxation techniques. The therapist, adopting a calm and pleasant demeanor, might instruct the individual to focus on their breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, releasing tension with each breath. Imagery is frequently employed – picturing a peaceful waterfall, descending a metaphorical staircase step-by-step, or arriving in a tranquil, safe personal space. The hypnotherapist's voice acts as a guide, encouraging the individual to sink deeper into a relaxed, focused, trance-like state. As one practitioner puts it, tension melts away "like warm wax over the edge of a burning candle."
Once a sufficient depth of hypnosis is achieved – a state characterized by heightened focus and suggestibility – the therapist gently guides the individual's recall. They might direct the person back to the specific time period where memory seems fragmented or missing, or towards the feelings and sensations associated with the inexplicable event. Prompts are crucial here: "Describe what you see or hear," "What are your feelings right now?", "Tell me what happens next." The therapist encourages the subject to "just let it flow, even if it sounds weird."
During this phase, fragmented sensations, fleeting images, and disconnected feelings often begin to surface. Hypnotherapy aims to help the individual organize these pieces, allowing a more coherent narrative to emerge from the subconscious. It's described as accessing and processing subconscious memories, allowing them to rise to conscious awareness.
Crucially, this process is often accompanied by intense emotional release, known as catharsis. As the narrative unfolds, individuals may re-experience the terror, fear, pain, or sense of violation associated with the alleged events. Recordings of sessions, like those from the Betty and Barney Hill case or those played by Yvonne Smith (with permission), reveal subjects weeping, gasping, and expressing profound distress as they seemingly relive traumatic moments. This intense emotional reaction is often cited by proponents as evidence for the authenticity of the underlying experience, arguing that such powerful feelings wouldn't accompany mere fantasy. However, critics point out that strong emotions can also be associated with vividly imagined scenarios or falsely recalled events, especially under the influence of suggestion.
Unveiling the Narrative: Common Themes in Hypnotic Recollections
As individuals journey through hypnotic regression, remarkably consistent themes and sequences tend to emerge across different accounts, forming what might be called the classic abduction narrative. While variations exist, the core elements appear with striking regularity.
The Beginning of the Experience
The experience often begins subtly, perhaps with an unusual feeling or a compulsive urge to be somewhere specific. Then comes the “Oz Factor,” a shift in consciousness where the surrounding world fades, replaced by an internal focus, sometimes accompanied by strange lights (electric red, bright white, or blue) or a mist. Paralysis frequently sets in, rendering the individual unable to move or scream. Figures then appear – often the small, large-headed Grays with their unnerving, dark, almond-shaped eyes. Reports describe being moved, either walking numbly or being levitated, sometimes passing through solid objects like walls or windows, often drawn upwards by a beam of light into an unseen craft.
Inside the Craft and the Examination
Inside the vessel, descriptions commonly include sterile, metallic environments, often with curved hallways and unusual, shadowless illumination, sometimes described as blue or fluorescent. The centerpiece of the narrative is almost invariably the medical examination. Placed upon a cold table, often nude, the abductee reports being subjected to invasive procedures by beings who exhibit a cold, clinical detachment. There's a distinct focus on reproductive biology: men describe painful probing, sperm extraction, and sometimes having instruments inserted into them, occasionally leaving marks like triangular scoops. Women recount gynecological exams, ovum extraction, and terrifyingly, the insertion of long, needle-like instruments into their navel, as Betty Hill vividly described – an experience so traumatic her session had to be stopped. The beings often seem unfamiliar with human physiology or clothing, struggling with zippers, yet carrying out complex procedures.
Other Interactions and Communication
Beyond the core exam, other strange interactions are reported. "Imaging" involves being shown scenes on screens designed to evoke strong emotions – Whitley Strieber recalled seeing images of global destruction. "Envisioning" projects similar scenes directly into the mind. In "staging," the abductee interacts within these mental projections. "Testing" involves operating complex alien devices, finding they instinctively know how, despite initial confusion. Communication is rarely verbal in the human sense; instead, it's often telepathic – a direct mind-to-mind transfer, sometimes perceived as a cacophony of voices or a "hive mind." Messages conveyed might include warnings about environmental destruction or nuclear war, prophecies of future cataclysms (a theme Yvonne Smith noted increasing in recent years), or assignments for the abductee, positioning them as unwilling ambassadors or participants in an alien agenda.
The Hybrid Program
One of the most disturbing and emotionally charged elements is the "hybrid program." Both male and female abductees report being used for reproductive purposes. Later, they might be presented with children – beings appearing part-human, part-alien (often described as having features similar to the abductee but with large, Grey-like eyes or fair hair). This "child presentation" evokes profound feelings of connection, loss, and grief, with experiencers like Jacqueline lamenting, "Where's my baby?"
The Return
The return is often as abrupt as the departure. Abductees find themselves back where they started, often with no conscious memory of the event, only the jarring realization of "missing time." Sometimes, small errors occur – clothes are on backward, or they are returned to a different location, even locked outside their own home. Paradoxically, alongside the trauma, some report a "theophany" upon return – an overwhelming feeling of love, peace, or oneness with the universe or even their captors, a phenomenon researchers struggle to explain, suggesting possibilities from medical manipulation to a form of Stockholm Syndrome. This complex tapestry of events, recalled under hypnosis, forms the core of the abduction mystery.
The Psychological Puzzle: Decoding Hypnotic Abduction Accounts
While the narratives emerging from abduction hypnosis can be compellingly consistent and emotionally charged, the scientific and psychological communities largely approach them with significant skepticism, offering alternative explanations rooted in the known workings of the human mind and memory.
Memory Malleability and Suggestibility
Central to this skepticism is the understanding that human memory is not a perfect recorder. It's reconstructive, malleable, and highly susceptible to distortion, especially under stress, trauma, or suggestive influences. Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus's groundbreaking work demonstrated that false memories, even of complex and emotional events like being lost in a shopping mall, can be implanted through suggestion. This raises serious questions about memories retrieved under hypnosis, a state known to significantly increase suggestibility. Critics argue that hypnotists, even well-intentioned ones, can subtly or overtly guide the subject, embedding ideas or shaping ambiguous feelings into a coherent, but potentially false, abduction narrative. The subject, eager to find answers or please the authority figure, may confabulate – filling in memory gaps with plausible-sounding details drawn from imagination or cultural scripts.
Sleep Paralysis and Hallucinations
A powerful alternative explanation for many abduction experiences, particularly those described as starting in bed at night, is the combination of sleep paralysis and hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations. During sleep paralysis, the mind wakes up while the body remains temporarily immobilized – a natural mechanism to prevent acting out dreams. This state can be accompanied by vivid, often terrifying hallucinations: seeing figures in the room (historically interpreted as demons like the Incubus/Succubus or the "Old Hag"), hearing buzzing sounds, feeling pressure on the chest, sensing a presence, or experiencing sensations of floating or flying. For someone unfamiliar with this common neurological hiccup, especially if they possess a vivid imagination or pre-existing belief in the paranormal, these sensations could easily be interpreted as an alien encounter. Harvard researcher Richard McNally's work suggests abductees often exhibit traits like fantasy proneness and "magical ideation," making them potentially more likely to interpret anomalous experiences in extraordinary ways.
Cultural Influence
The pervasive influence of culture cannot be ignored. Skeptics like Robert Sheaffer point out that the appearance and behavior of reported aliens often mirror depictions in science fiction, from early films like Invaders From Mars (1953) to the iconic "Grey" popularized through books and shows like The X-Files. The details of the Betty and Barney Hill account itself have been noted to resemble elements from an episode of The Outer Limits broadcast shortly before their hypnosis sessions. Furthermore, abduction narratives seem to shift with cultural knowledge; initial reports featured Martians and Venusians, but as science deemed those planets uninhabitable, the claimed origins shifted to more distant star systems. This suggests the narratives draw heavily from a shared cultural pool of ideas about extraterrestrials.
Accidental Awareness Under Anesthesia
A more recent and fascinating hypothesis links some abduction accounts to "accidental awareness under general anesthesia." Psychoanalyst David V. Forrest noted the striking parallels: the subject lying on a table, bright lights overhead, masked figures (surgeons/nurses) looming, invasive procedures, feelings of paralysis and terror, and strange bodily sensations. A traumatic experience of waking during surgery, perhaps partially recalled or distorted by anesthetic drugs, could potentially be reconstructed later, possibly under hypnosis, as an alien abduction memory. Barney Hill, under hypnosis, even compared the feeling of being probed to a prior tonsillectomy, noting the coldness and his closed eyes.
Ultimately, the skeptical perspective argues that abduction hypnosis doesn't retrieve objective memories of extraterrestrial encounters but rather facilitates the construction of narratives based on suggestibility, false memory, misinterpretations of natural phenomena like sleep paralysis, personality factors, and powerful cultural influences.
The Human Impact: Trauma, Healing, and Community
Regardless of whether alien abductions are objectively real physical events, the psychological impact on those who believe they have experienced them is undeniable and often profound. Many report symptoms consistent with significant trauma, leading to the informal designation "Post-Abduction Syndrome" (PAS) within the experiencer community. This cluster of symptoms, as described by researchers like Rick Nielsen and Rose Hargrove, mirrors Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – persistent intrusive memories or flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, hypervigilance, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, emotional numbing, and avoidance of stimuli associated with the perceived event. The key difference highlighted is that alleged abductions can be recurring, making it harder to pinpoint a single originating trauma.
Crucially, research has shown that the trauma experienced is physiologically real. Studies conducted by researchers like Richard McNally at Harvard, using measures like heart rate and skin conductance while subjects listened to scripts of their abduction accounts, found that the physiological responses were as intense, or even more so, than those of combat veterans or victims of sexual assault recalling their verified traumas. This underscores a critical point: the emotional distress and psychological suffering are genuine, even if the underlying memory is contested. As McNally noted, it highlights "the power of emotional belief."
Given this real suffering, the role of abduction hypnosis becomes complex. While heavily criticized as a potential source of false memories, some proponents and even some experiencers view it as a therapeutic tool. For individuals tormented by inexplicable anxiety, physical symptoms, or fragmented memories, the hypnotic process – even if it leads to a narrative deemed false by outsiders – can provide a sense of understanding, coherence, and control. Constructing a story, any story, can sometimes be preferable to living with terrifying ambiguity. Some individuals report significant relief after hypnotherapy, experiencing reduced anxiety, better sleep, and the ability to integrate the perceived experience into their lives, finally feeling they understand what happened to them.
Beyond individual therapy, the sense of community offered by support groups, like Yvonne Smith's CERO, plays a vital role. Alien abductees frequently face disbelief and ridicule, leading to profound isolation. These groups offer a haven where experiences can be shared without judgment, providing validation and mutual support. Hearing similar stories from others can lessen the sense of being alone or "crazy." This communal reinforcement is essential for coping, though critics also point out that such environments can potentially solidify or elaborate upon potentially false narratives through group dynamics.
For some, navigating these experiences, whether through hypnosis, support groups, or personal reflection, leads to a shift in identity. They may come to see themselves as "experiencers," individuals chosen for contact, perhaps even imbued with a unique purpose or insight, sometimes related to reported alien warnings about the planet's future. While fraught with challenges, the journey for some involves finding a way to live with these extraordinary beliefs and integrate them into a meaningful life narrative.
The Ongoing Debate: Science, Belief, and the Unknown
Decades after the Betty and Barney Hill case brought alien abduction into the mainstream, the phenomenon, and the use of hypnosis to explore it, remains deeply contentious. The core tension lies between the rigorous demands of scientific methodology and the powerful, subjective reality reported by experiencers. Science, prioritizing empirical evidence and testable hypotheses, largely favors psychological and neurological explanations – false memory, suggestibility, sleep paralysis, cultural scripting, misinterpretation of mundane events. The lack of consistent, verifiable physical evidence (like unambiguously non-terrestrial implants) remains a significant hurdle for literal interpretations.
Yet, for those who undergo these experiences, the memories – whether accessed consciously or through hypnosis – often feel profoundly real, accompanied by genuine emotional and physiological trauma. Researchers sympathetic to experiencers, like the late John Mack, argued that simply dismissing these accounts as purely psychological phenomena failed to address the full scope of the reported experiences – the consistency across cultures, the occurrence in young children seemingly unexposed to media tropes, the occasional correlation with contemporaneous UFO sightings by others, and the sheer transformative power of the events on individuals' lives. Mack suggested that the phenomenon might force us to reconsider our very definitions of reality, proposing that these encounters could occur in a liminal space not fully captured by conventional physics or psychology.
The debate is unlikely to be resolved soon. Abduction hypnosis sits squarely at the nexus of this conflict. Is it a tool capable of piercing amnesia, revealing interactions that defy our current understanding of the cosmos? Or is it a process that, interacting with belief, trauma, and the inherent suggestibility of the human mind, constructs convincing facsimiles of impossible experiences? Without definitive proof either way, the interpretation often hinges on pre-existing beliefs.
What remains clear is that the alien abduction narrative, often brought into focus through the lens of hypnosis, taps into deep-seated human anxieties about violation, control, identity, and our place in a vast, unknown universe. It challenges our understanding of memory, consciousness, and the boundaries of believable experience, leaving us face-to-face with an enduring, and for many, deeply personal, mystery.
Additional Resources and Support
For individuals seeking further information or support related to experiences discussed in this article, the following resources (mentioned in the research) may be starting points, though critical evaluation is always advised:
Close Encounter Resource Organization (CERO): Founded by Yvonne Smith, provides support groups.
Online communities and forums: Numerous online groups exist for experiencers to connect (examples provided in source links like crystalinks.com/support., abduct.com/support.php, etc., though link validity may vary over time).
Books by researchers: Works by Budd Hopkins, John Mack, David Jacobs, Yvonne Smith, and Thomas E. Bullard offer detailed perspectives, though often reflecting the author's specific viewpoint.
Skeptical resources: Organizations and publications dedicated to critical thinking and scientific skepticism often analyze abduction claims (e.g., Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, Skeptic magazine, Skeptoid podcast).
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Exploring the Potential Link Between Crop Circles, Alien Abductions, and UAPs
Exploring the Potential Link Between Crop Circles, Alien Abductions, and UAPs
Over the past several decades, numerous unexplained phenomena have captivated the public and scientific communities alike. Among these are crop circles, reports of alien abductions, and the increasing sightings and investigations of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). While each of these phenomena has been studied independently, an intriguing question persists: could there be a connection linking them? To explore this, we must analyze their characteristics, the evidence supporting their existence, and the potential theoretical frameworks that might unify these phenomena.
Crop Circles: An Overview
Crop circles are large geometric patterns that appear mysteriously overnight in fields of cereal crops. First gaining widespread attention in the late 20th century, these formations often feature complex, symmetrical designs. While many crop circles have been revealed as hoaxes—created by human pranksters using simple tools—some remain unexplained due to their intricate patterns, timing, and occasionally, their apparent lack of human origin. Researchers have proposed various theories, ranging from natural phenomena (such as wind patterns) to extraterrestrial activity or even advanced human engineering.
From a scientific standpoint, the majority of crop circles have been demonstrated as human-made hoaxes. However, a subset remains unexplained, raising questions about their origin. Some researchers suggest that these formations could be a form of communication or art from extraterrestrial sources, or perhaps a manifestation of unknown natural processes. Notably, reports of anomalous electromagnetic effects and localized animal behavior around certain crop circles have fueled speculation about their potential extraterrestrial connection.
Alien Abductions: An Overview
Reports of alien abductions involve individuals claiming to have been taken against their will by extraterrestrial beings. These accounts often include descriptions of medical examinations, communication with alien entities, and a sense of missing time. While skeptics attribute such reports to psychological factors such as sleep paralysis, hallucinations, or memory distortions, some researchers argue that the consistency and detail in many accounts point to a genuine phenomenon.
Psychologically, abduction reports often feature themes of trauma, curiosity, or a desire for understanding of the unknown. From a scientific perspective, there is limited empirical evidence supporting the physical reality of abductions. Nonetheless, the phenomenon persists in cultural consciousness, possibly reflecting deeper societal fears or curiosity about extraterrestrial life.
UAPs: An Overview
UAPs, formerly known as UFOs, have garnered renewed attention following recent official disclosures and military reports. UAPs are aerial phenomena that cannot be immediately identified or explained. Modern UAP investigations leverage advanced sensor technology, radar, infrared imaging, and pilot testimonies. Many UAP sightings involve rapid, maneuverable objects exhibiting capabilities beyond current human technology.
While most UAPs are eventually identified as natural or man-made objects (e.g., aircraft, weather phenomena), a subset remains unexplained. The U.S. Department of Defense and other agencies have acknowledged that some UAPs could pose national security concerns, emphasizing the need for scientific investigation.
Potential Connections Between the Phenomena
The question of whether crop circles, alien abductions, and UAPs are interconnected hinges on several considerations: the possibility of a common extraterrestrial origin, shared communication methods, or a broader phenomenon of contact.
Shared Themes of Contact and Communication
All three phenomena involve interaction—either direct or indirect—with extraterrestrial entities or unknown forces. Crop circles could serve as a form of visual communication or art from alien visitors, perhaps conveying messages or marking landing sites. UAPs might represent the physical manifestation of alien crafts observed during sightings, while abduction reports could be accounts of direct contact or experimentation.
Temporal and Spatial Overlap
Some researchers have noted temporal overlaps where crop circles appear near UAP sightings, or reports of abductions coincide with increased UAP activity. For instance, certain crop circles have been reported in regions with frequent UAP sightings, leading some to speculate about a coordinated phenomenon or a shared source.
Psychological and Cultural Factors
The widespread cultural narratives about extraterrestrials could influence the perception and reporting of these phenomena. For example, individuals experiencing abduction phenomena may interpret anomalous aerial sightings as evidence of alien activity, or vice versa. This suggests that cultural frameworks shape how such phenomena are experienced and reported.
Scientific and Theoretical Considerations
From a scientific perspective, there is currently no empirical evidence directly linking crop circles, abductions, and UAPs as manifestations of a single phenomenon. However, some hypotheses propose that these phenomena could be different expressions of an overarching process, such as:
Interdimensional or Multidimensional Hypotheses: Suggesting that extraterrestrial entities operate across multiple dimensions, leading to observable phenomena in our physical realm, including crop circles and UAPs, and influencing human consciousness to produce abduction narratives.
Quantum or Electromagnetic Interactions: Proposing that unknown natural forces or advanced technology could produce electromagnetic effects associated with crop circles, UAPs, and psychological phenomena related to abduction reports.
Psychophysical or Consciousness-Based Models: Asserting that human consciousness interacts with unknown forces, leading to sightings, crop circle formations, and abduction memories, all interconnected through shared subconscious or collective unconscious processes.
Critical Evaluation and Scientific Challenges of Crop Circles, UAPs, and Abduction Claims
The phenomena of crop circles, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), and alleged extraterrestrial abductions have fascinated the public and researchers alike for decades. These phenomena are often intertwined in popular culture, leading to widespread speculation about their origins and implications. However, despite numerous intriguing correlations and hypotheses, establishing rigorous scientific validation remains a significant challenge. This essay aims to critically evaluate these phenomena, explore the scientific obstacles in studying them, and discuss the factors that complicate objective analysis.
Crop circles, characterized by intricate patterns appearing overnight in fields of crops, have long been a subject of debate. While some posit that these formations are evidence of extraterrestrial activity or other supernatural forces, the majority of scientifically validated evidence indicates that most crop circles are human-made hoaxes. Skilled artists and pranksters have demonstrated the ability to create complex designs using simple tools, such as planks, ropes, and GPS devices. Investigations into these formations often reveal telltale signs of human craftsmanship, including tool marks and deliberate geometric patterns. Despite this, a subset of enthusiasts claims that some crop circles exhibit anomalous features that defy human explanation, such as unusual electromagnetic effects or unexplained energy signatures. Nonetheless, these claims lack consistent, reproducible scientific evidence to substantiate the involvement of non-human agents.
Unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), formerly known as UFOs, represent another complex area of investigation. Modern technology has allowed for increased documentation of aerial objects that exhibit flight characteristics beyond current human-made aircraft capabilities, such as abrupt accelerations, instantaneous changes in direction, and hypersonic speeds. Military and civilian radar data, along with visual sightings, have contributed to the growing body of UAP reports. In recent years, official government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, have acknowledged the existence of UAPs and have established task forces to analyze these phenomena. Despite these efforts, conclusive evidence regarding their origins remains elusive. Many UAP observations are attributed to natural atmospheric phenomena, sensor artifacts, or misidentifications of conventional aircraft or drones. The lack of comprehensive, physical evidence—such as recovered materials, high-resolution imagery, or direct scientific measurements—limits the ability to definitively determine whether UAPs are of extraterrestrial origin, advanced human technology, or natural phenomena.
Claims of extraterrestrial abductions further complicate the scientific landscape. These reports typically involve individuals asserting they have been taken against their will by non-human entities, often with detailed descriptions of encounters and medical examinations. While such claims are emotionally compelling, they lack verifiable physical evidence. Many scientists interpret abduction reports through psychological frameworks, including sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and cognitive biases. Factors such as stress, trauma, and cultural influences can shape individuals’ perceptions and memories, leading to false or distorted accounts. Extensive research into sleep disorders and altered states of consciousness supports the notion that many abduction experiences may be psychological phenomena rather than physical events.
The phenomena are also subject to cognitive biases that hinder objective analysis. Pareidolia, the tendency to perceive meaningful images in random patterns, can lead observers to interpret crop markings or aerial shapes as deliberate symbols or messages. Confirmation bias influences researchers and enthusiasts to focus on evidence that supports their preconceived notions while dismissing contradictory data. Cultural influences, media portrayals, and societal beliefs about extraterrestrials shape perceptions and interpretations of these phenomena. As a result, objective scientific inquiry is often compromised by subjective interpretations and anecdotal evidence.
The scientific community emphasizes the importance of reproducible, empirical evidence before establishing causal links or explanations. For phenomena as elusive as crop circles, UAPs, and abduction claims, this requirement poses a significant challenge. Rigorous scientific validation necessitates high-quality data, controlled experiments, and peer-reviewed research—standards that are difficult to meet given the nature of these phenomena. Without tangible physical evidence, such as artifacts, biological samples, or consistent measurement data, the hypotheses remain speculative.
In conclusion, despite the widespread fascination with crop circles, UAPs, and extraterrestrial abduction claims, the scientific validation of these phenomena remains limited. Many crop circles are demonstrated to be human-made hoaxes, UAPs often lack conclusive physical evidence to confirm extraterrestrial origins, and abduction reports are predominantly explainable through psychological mechanisms. These phenomena are further complicated by cognitive biases and cultural influences, which hinder objective analysis. The scientific community rightly calls for more rigorous, reproducible empirical evidence before drawing definitive conclusions. Until then, these phenomena should be approached with scientific skepticism, open-minded curiosity, and a commitment to evidence-based investigation
Conclusion
While the phenomena of crop circles, alien abductions, and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) share common thematic elements such as contact, communication, and unexplained activity, current scientific evidence does not definitively establish a direct causal or causal relationship among them. These phenomena have long fascinated both the public and researchers, largely because of their mysterious nature and the potential implications they hold for our understanding of life beyond Earth and the universe’s hidden dimensions. Despite the intriguing overlaps in timing, geographic distribution, and thematic content, the scientific community remains cautious, emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation and empirical validation.
The recurring appearance of crop circles, often in specific regions and during particular periods, raises questions about their origins—whether they are elaborate hoaxes, artistic expressions, or potentially signals from extraterrestrial sources. Similarly, reports of alien abductions often involve consistent narratives of contact and communication, yet lack conclusive physical evidence. UAPs, meanwhile, have been documented through radar, visual sightings, and increasingly sophisticated sensor technology, which complicates initial assumptions about their nature, whether they are secret military projects, natural atmospheric phenomena, or something else entirely.
Despite the absence of definitive proof linking these phenomena, their simultaneous occurrence and overlapping themes motivate ongoing multidisciplinary research. Advances in sensor technology, data analysis, and consciousness studies offer promising avenues for future exploration. For instance, improved imaging and tracking systems could better analyze UAPs, while psychological and neuroscientific research might deepen understanding of abduction reports and perceptual phenomena. Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches combining physics, psychology, anthropology, and cultural studies are essential to comprehensively examine the societal and psychological impacts of these mysterious events.
In conclusion, crop circles, alien abductions, and UAPs continue to be compelling mysteries at the intersection of science, psychology, and cultural perception. While current evidence does not confirm a direct link among them, their shared themes suggest they could be interconnected aspects of a broader, perhaps extraterrestrial or multidimensional, reality. As technology and scientific methodologies advance, future discoveries may illuminate these phenomena’s true nature, potentially transforming our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Until then, they remain intriguing enigmas that challenge our curiosity and scientific rigor.
References
Hynek, J. (1972). The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Henry Regnery Company.
Maccabee, B. (2000). "Crop Circles: The Scientific Evidence." Journal of Scientific Exploration, 14(3), 319-341.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (2021). "UAPs and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life." NASA Science Briefings.
McDonnell, J. A., & Mendez, M. (2019). "UAPs: An Overview of Recent Developments." Journal of Advanced Aerospace Studies.
Kean, L. (2010). UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record. Harmony Books.
Note: This analysis synthesizes current scientific perspectives and hypotheses. The phenomena discussed remain subjects of ongoing investigation and debate.
Artist's illustration of future lunar astronauts. (Credit: NASA)
How can thermoelectric generators (TEGs) help advance future lunar surface habitats? This is what a recent studypublished in Acta Astronautica hopes to address as a team of researchers from the Republic of Korea investigated a novel technique for improving power efficiency and reliability under the Moon’s harsh conditions. This study has the potential to help mission planners, engineers, and future astronauts develop technologies necessary for deep space human exploration to the Moon and beyond.
For the study, the researchers conducted a first-time analysis of how a novel TEG system could function under lunar surface conditions, specifically regarding the extreme temperature differences between the lunar day and lunar night, which ranges from 121°C (250°F) to -133°C (-208°F), respectively. Previous studies have hypothesized that drastic temperature ranges could enable greater efficiency for TEGs, also called a transient-state operation.
The goal of this study was to discuss how switching heat storage (HS) systems, also called multiple-HS systems, under lunar conditions could produce the transient-state operation. In the end, the researchers found the multiple-HS system under lunar conditions resulted in a 48.9 percent power generation increase, indicating the temperature range could benefit TEGs and a potentially long-term lunar habitat.
The study notes, “Deep space exploration, including missions such as the establishment of human bases, especially on the Moon and Mars, has garnered significant interest worldwide. As stated by scientists helming missions such as the Artemis project, a manned lunar base is an integral part of deep space exploration as it can serve as a base for future missions in the solar system. Consequently, production of sufficient power for maintaining such a base has become the focus of this research.”
The study discusses other potential power sources like Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) but discourages their use for long-term missions due to the half-life decay of radioactive isotopes. Despite this, RTGs have successfully been used on instruments that were left on the lunar surface by the Apollo missions and are currently being used by NASA’s Curiosity and Perseverance rovers on Mars.
Going forward, NASA plans to use RTGs on the agency’s upcoming Dragonfly mission, which is currently slated to launch in July 2028. The researchers briefly mention how solar and nuclear power could be used as viable power sources on the Moon, with nuclear fission reactors previously being suggested for use on the lunar surface.
NASA’s Artemis program, specifically with the goal of establishing a long-term human presence on the lunar surface, enhances the relevance of this study. The continued development of new technologies on the lunar surface not only ensures a long-term human presence on the Moon but also establishes technologies that could be used on future crewed missions to Mars, as outlined in NASA’s Moon to Mars Architecture. Additionally, the use of a reliable power source on the lunar surface mitigates the need for bringing power sources from Earth, enhancing a practice called in situ resource utilization (ISRU), which uses available resources to maintain a successful mission. In this case, TEGs use the wide temperature range on the lunar surface for their power generation needs.
As humanity continues its journey towards developing long-term settlements beyond Earth, studies like this demonstrate a growing interest in using Earth-based technologies for improving life beyond Earth. Perhaps TEGs could serve as a starting point for powering long-term lunar habitats until a more advanced and reliable system is established.
How will thermoelectric power generation help advance lunar habitats in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
The lunar north pole, captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
How do you tell how old an astronomical object is? I mean, the next time the Moon is in the sky, take a look at it. How would you even begin to answer that question?
I won’t leave you in suspense. Astronomers use a technique called crater counting and it’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like. The idea is that worlds like the Moon, Mercury, and many of the moons of the outer system are not active. They’ve been dead, in almost every sense of the word, for a very long time. And when a comet or asteroid strikes them, the crater they leave behind sticks around. There’s no air to blow it away. No water to wash it down. No plate tectonics to pull it under the surface.
And so craters just pile up, one after another, and often on top of each other. But not all dead worlds are created equal. Some of them were molten in the recent past, and lava is really good at covering up craters. So if you compare two worlds and count their craters, you can get a relative sense of which worlds solidified sooner.
And some had molten parts alongside the solid parts for some time. Planets and moons don’t always cool down all at once. There might be active volcanic regions over here and just plains of solid nothingness over there. So if you scan across the surface of a world, the places with more craters are probably going to be older (in the sense that they solidified in the more distant past) than the places were fewer craters.
For example, on the Moon we have those two broad regions: the dark basins, or mare, and the lighter-colored highlands. Just by looking at the craters you can tell that the maria are younger because they have fewer craters.
But…how old? If I see a world with tons of craters, how old it is? Not in a relative sense, as in this planet is older than this other one. But in an absolute sense. Like billions of years. Give me a number.
The Apollo missions held the key to unlocking crater records not just on the Moon, but across the solar system.
That’s because scientists have been able to apply radiometric dating to the moon rocks returned from the Apollo missions. If you’re not already familiar, radiometric dating is where you look at the abundances of various radioactive elements and compare their proportions to the numbers of elements that they decay into. Since we know the half-life of those elements, we can calculate the absolute age of that sample.
And since the Apollo missions visited many places on the Moon, we’ve been able to build a detailed accounting of which parts cooled and solidified when. For example, the edge of the Sea of Tranquility, the site of the Apollo 11 landing, is just over 3.5 billion years old, while some other regions in the highlands reach right up to 4 billion years old.
By far the youngest features on the Moon are some of the large impact craters. The Copernicus, Tycho, and Cone craters are all less than a billion years old. The youngest crater of all is probably the Giordano Bruno crater, named after the Italian renaissance smart/crazy guy, and is only 4 million years old. These craters are so young because the impacts carry so much energy that they’re able to erase everything in their vicinity, wiping the slate clean and starting the whole process over.
With these absolute numbers in hand, we can now calibrate crater counts across the entire solar system. Now we can look at regions of Mercury or Callisto and know how old they are, even though we’ve never been there, thanks to the Apollo missions and their geologic handiwork.
We also know thanks to the Apollo missions that the Moon is slowly slipping away from us. This was hypothesized all the way back in the early 1800’s when Sir Edmund Halley (of Halley’s comet fame) read through ancient eclipse records and realized we were slowly getting further and further apart. And we had a pretty good explanation for WHY the moon might be going away – the tides raised by the moon get carried in front of it by the spin of the Earth, and that extra gravitational tug pulls the moon into a higher orbit - but we had no good way of putting a precise number on this.
In 1962 Princeton graduate student James Faller proposed placing reflectors on the Moon’s surface. This would allow us to more easily bounce lasers back and forth from the Moon to here, and use that to measure a distance, the same way you can use one of those little laser measurement thingies to…measure distances.
While measurements had been taken before by just reflecting off the lunar soil, with the reflectors the measurements became much more accurate. We now know that the Moon is receding from the Earth at an average rate of 3.8 centimeters per year. Which isn’t very quick, but over the course of, you know, an eon or two, it really adds up.
In fact, in just a few hundred million years the combined effect of the Moon spiraling away from us and the Sun getting brighter and larger (different article) will mean that total solar eclipses will become impossible.
For over 90 years, the UFO enigma has captivated people’s minds worldwide, sparking curiosity, debates, and countless investigations into the phenomenon. The wait is over, as David Grusch, David Fravor & Ryan Graves are set to testify before the US Congress during the congressional meetings scheduled for July 26, 2023.
Meanwhile, various theories were postulated by United States Representative Mike Gallagher on the possible origin of UFOs while he appeared on Pat McAfee’s show on June 27, 2023. The former Marine suggested that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) might possibly represent an enigmatic “ancient civilization” that had remained hidden on Earth until recently when they began to surface.
“This should be an opportunity for the government to be transparent,” he said. “If we have information that disconfirms the extraterrestrial hypothesis, or all these other ones, at least it shows the government doing something competent and being forward-leaning by declassifying information to the public.”
Rep. Gallagher made this statement in response to the wild interview of David Grusch with Ross Coutlhart that hit the media. Mr. Grusch, who is confirmed to testify before Congress in the upcoming hearings, claimed that the US government has proof of alien life and that there are spacecraft from another species. He mentions that there is a significant number of these spacecraft, some of which have landed while others have crashed.
When asked about the duration of the cover-up, Grusch mentions that the first recovery of a UAP occurred in 1933 in Magenta, Italy, during the regime of Benito Mussolini. He explains that the Italian government moved the recovered craft to a secure air base until 1944-1945 when the Vatican informed the Americans about it.
Appearing on the sports talk show, Gallagher suggested that one possible explanation of supposed UFO sightings was the so-called “Terminator” theory — derived from the film of the same name — that aliens were actually human beings from the future. Gallagher further put forth another theory, suggesting the following: “Instead of us from the future, it might indeed be an ancient civilization that has been lurking here, and suddenly it’s making its presence known.” Ancient Aliens, does it ring a bell?
A similar theory was also proposed by Tim Peake, one of Britain’s famous astronauts. He said that the UFOs filmed by the US military over 100 times could either time traveling humans or aliens from other civilizations. During an interview with Good Morning Britain in June 2022, Briton astronaut Tim Peake, who spent more than six months on the International Space Station, was asked about the UAP videos, which the Pentagon recently declassified.
Peake said: “I heard one theory where a pilot was talking about that potentially in the future, they’ve developed time travel – is it something that’s come back from the future?” He did not exactly say what the UFOs are but shared some theories that have long been discussed by UFOlogists.
“I don’t think it’s a development of any state nation or non-state organization at all. I think it’s quite remarkable when you see the video footage. It does seem extraordinary as to what these machines are capable of.”
There is a huge buried UFO hidden outside the US, and Ross Coulthart claimed that he knows the location of this immovable craft. There is no confirmation from Coulthart about the nature of this craft if it was retrieved. However, some have speculated this could be an archeological dig. Could this particular craft potentially be a remnant of a bygone civilization?
Considering Rep. Gallagher’s theory, scientists have explored the possibility of detecting ancient civilizations in Earth’s geological record. A recent paper called “The Silurian Hypothesis” discusses how traces of industrial civilizations could be found. While fossils and artifacts are unlikely to survive over millions of years, anomalous changes in chemical compositions could serve as clues. By studying geological anomalies and applying models to other planets, scientists hope to understand if civilizations existed in the distant past.
NASA has spent many years seeking the truth regarding extraterrestrial life. Furthermore, the space agency has never denied the existence of non-human life beyond Earth in any form. This is sufficient to discuss the idea of non-human life existing beyond Earth in any form, from the microscopic to the macroscopic. Avi Loeb, a professor at Harvard, has supported the idea that there may have been earlier civilizations on both Earth and Mars, and that these civilizations may have been the origin of UAPs. (Click here to read the full article)
Mr. Loeb writes: “Planets like Mars or Earth could have given multiple births to technological civilizations that were a billion years apart and hence were not aware of each other. Like stable parents, the planets recovered from the environmental impact of these civilizations over time. We may have been separated in time from siblings that we never had the opportunity to meet and so we are unaware of their existence.”
Former Pentagon UFO official, Lue Elizondo, shared intriguing insights in an interview about crash retrievals and materials related to UFOs/UAPs. He believes the US government possesses exotic materials but lacks transparency on the matter. (Click here to read the full article)
Elizondo used an analogy of finding an out-of-place object in King Tut’s tomb to emphasize the significance of finding advanced materials before our known technology existed. Some interpreted this analogy as a hint that UFOs could be considered archaeological findings, possibly ancient rather than just old.
Interestingly, Bob Lazar, on the Joe Rogan Experience, mentioned hearing that at least one recovered UFO was found during an archaeological dig, suggesting its ancient origin. Astronomer Avi Loeb suggested that some advanced devices made by early inhabitants of Mars and Earth might still be operational elsewhere in the Solar System, potentially accounting for some Unidentified Aerial Phenomena reports.
Physicist John E. Brandenburg’s 2015 study speculated about a massive thermonuclear explosion that destroyed Mars’ once-Earthlike atmosphere, considering the Cydonian Hypothesis and Fermi’s Paradox. These ideas explore the possibility of ancient advanced civilizations in our solar system.
Some researchers believe that there was once a highly developed culture on Earth. But as a result of unknown circumstances, civilization was destroyed. This is evidenced by archaeological finds that cannot be explained from the scientific point of view of modern society. There is a theory that in the past, our planet was visited by alien representatives who shared their knowledge and technologies with people, so maybe they donated incredible technologies thousands of years ago, but then these technologies brought humanity to the brink of extinction.
Some people claim that our ancestors used so advanced technologies that in our time, it is difficult to imagine them. But some of the modern technologies may have been borrowed from the past, although almost no one knows about it. You may have heard of the ancient nuclear war hypothesis or ancient flying vehicles, which can also be found in ancient texts. It is said that our ancestors could even move in space and had knowledge about the universe that surpasses all modern knowledge.
A 450-page manuscript was examined in 1963 by Romanian engineer Doru Todericiu in Sibiu’s national archive (former Hermannstadt). Todericiu examined the manuscript’s scientific and technological substance before classifying it as a work on various artillery and ballistics difficulties, despite the fact that it had previously been known as such. He learned that Conrad Haas, the author of the manuscript’s third section, had written about some amazing concepts related to rocketry.
The Sibiu manuscript does not fit into the present history, so it draws increased attention. There aren’t many details available concerning Conrad Haas’s life. He was born not far from Vienna in Dornbach. He worked for the Imperial court of Vienna as an artillery guard and commissioned officer. He most likely traveled to Transylvania in 1551 with Imperial forces to fulfill this role, when he took the position of chief of the artillery camp at the Hermannstadt arsenal.
He penned the manuscript between 1529 and 1569, and it appears to contain, among other things, the earliest explanation of the multistage rocket’s basic operating principle. He talks about bundling rockets, stabilizing fins, and employing liquid fuel as well as describing and showing two and three-stage rockets.
The Sibiu manuscript is written in German. Many people believe that it was written using some even more ancient texts. The manuscript texts describe in detail the principles of rocketry, and there are also drawings of models of space three-stage rocket. The document contains a description of technologies for combining fireworks with weapons and even the construction of a hang glider, as well as instructions for creating fuel mixtures as liquid rocket fuel.
3-Stage Space Rockets description in Sibiu Manuscript
What’s more, there are references to flights to the moon. According to researchers from Romania, the manuscript contains stories about a man who was able to get to the Earth’s satellite due to a unique flying machine. There are also descriptions of prehistoric fuel, which consisted of several rare elements. The rockets of this type were later launched at Cape Kennedy and used by cosmonauts in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.
It looks like this chronicler visited the future world. The handwritten text of Sibiu is quite long as it consists of 450 pages. It is known that the Sibiu manuscript is genuine and the experts do not doubt this, but they are in no hurry to comment on the contents of this text.
It could be claimed that this case is just science fiction if researchers of anticity did not find other strange texts and technologies. In addition, multiple artifacts found by archaeologists confirm that our ancestors were much more civilized than modern historians imagine. Manuscripts such as Sibiu have the potential to change the way people think about our history.
Description of a rocket by Conrad Haas
It remains a mystery whether Haas succeeded in using his designs and bringing them to life. However, there are people who claim that a rocket was launched in Sibiu in 1550. It is believed that Conrad Haas created the first rocket. According to Haas, it took him more than 25 years to develop a unique aircraft. The biggest challenge, in this case, was the search for a fuel that would be sufficient to lift it into the air.
The main focus of the paper is the fuel issue. In addition to the conventional powder components of saltpeter, sulfur, and coal, Haas also used “brandy”, with the help of which the thrust development of the rockets was to be increased: “Again, take a little crushed powder and pour in enough brandy to make a little dough. Then take it and paint the little chamber (= rocket chamber) together with the little hole (= ignition hole) on the rocket by heart.” Haas also tried and used other “fuels” – significantly, the missile’s purpose dictated the particular fuel combination.
In summary, one can say that the following developmental solutions and developments can be attributed to Conrad Haas:
Multistage and cluster rocket
Arrangement of fuel sets in stage rockets
Use of different fuel mixtures depending on the rocket type, performance, area of application and design
Use of liquid fuel
delta-shaped stabilizing fins
Anticipating the idea of the modern spaceship
Although Conrad Haas designed weapons to kill, he secretly believed in basic human values. His basic humanistic attitude is particularly clear from the following statement: “But my advice is more peace and no war, leave the rifles under the roof, so the bullet won’t be fired, the powder won’t be burned wet, so the prince kept his money, the gun master his life; that is the advice Conrad Haas does.”
The technical characteristics of the rocket are similar to those of modern vehicles. It was made of wooden parts covered with a layer of special stone dust, which was supposed to protect the body from burning when rubbed against the air. Contemporaries note that in the 16th century, researchers did not know the intricacies of physical processes in the air, which is why scientists could receive information from aliens.
In addition, from his youth, he was engaged in research on ancient writings found in the territory of modern Egypt. A mission to the Moon could take place in 1550. But there is no documentary evidence to support all these claims.
Lady Sala Shabazz, the founder of the Black Inventions Museum who passed away on March 28, 2002 said once: “… Unfortunately, the individuals who are commissioned to write textbooks many times exhibited prejudice and omitted other historical information. In an effort to cover large spans of time, they have briefed history and left out so many other important facts and that’s something that many people have not been aware of.”
The city of Sibiu is known to many of us because it is the birthplace of Hermann Oberth, considered to be one of three fathers of rocketry and modern astronautics. Additionally, there is a dedicated document (ID 19770026087) in the NASA archives about the Sibiu manuscript.
For some reason, UFOs mostly seem to come in three shapes: the standard flying saucer shape, a sphere or an orb, and a triangle. There aren’t any publicly official numbers on how many each shape get spotted each year, but based on the number of stories that pop up week-to-week, it’s pretty safe to say that those are the three most common UFO shapes that get reported.
The latest report making waves in the UFO community involves the third shape on the list: a triangle. According to an eyewitness account filed with the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), a person in St. Peters, Missouri recently had an encounter at night with a triangular UFO. Luckily, in this case, they were able to take some footage of the UFO.
Eyewitness reports
“I stopped where it stopped and it began to hover and loiter with no noise other than its visible triangular shape,” the eyewitness explained. “It was about 100 feet overhead and a football field length away. It was maneuvering in an odd way. Almost like it was submerged taking banks and angular dives. It would cloak in a ball of light than [sic] reappear nearby elsewhere hovering.”
The witness says this was the third time that they had seen a UFO like this in the area. One of the encounters was during the day time and was “seen by multiple neighbors.” The other sighting was at night over his subdivision and “it was only 50-80 feet high flying low and silently passing overhead,” they wrote.
“Other accounts by neighbors date back to the early 90’s … describing the same thing,” the witness added. “Apparently this area is a hot spot for almost weekly activity for 3 decades. I also see them near Adventist Church or by South High in daylight where the triangles are white and very bright and reflective you see them pop out for a few seconds then go invisible again.”
The UFO Capital of Missouri
Earlier this month, KSDK News reported that Piedmont, Missouri, located about two-and-a-half hours south of St. Peters, was named the UFO Capital of the Show Me State.
“I had a gentleman set at my desk and cry about how things that he has seen have illuminated and changed his life over the years,” said Sara Phillips, executive director of the Piedmont Area Chamber of Commerce. “My husband and I moved back here years ago and he swears he saw some kind of lights.”
“One resident said that if they had to estimate half the residents had seen something in the sky. Clearwater Lake becomes kind of the epicenter of this,” said Sean Rost of the State Historical Society of Missouri. “There are people reporting seeing lights above the water. There are people seeing lights under the water.”
Phillips says there have been over 500 reporting sightings of UFOs in the area and, for some unknown reason, the sightings continue to this day near Clearwater Lake.
Fake footage of an alien autopsy may have been based on real ‘original frames’
Fake footage of an alien autopsy may have been based on real ‘original frames’
EXCLUSIVE: Though fakers behind the grainy 18-minute film admit they staged it, they insist it was a reconstruction of real footage shot by the US military after UFO crash near Roswell
Footage of an alien autopsy faked in Camden may have been based on real ‘original frames’, according to the maker of a new TV shock doc.
In 1995 the world was stunned by 18 minutes of grainy film that appeared to show scientists in hazmat suits dissecting the corpse of an ET recovered from a reported UFO crash site near Roswell in New Mexico, US, in 1947.
The footage became an international sensation baffling film experts, military analysts and even the Secret Service. In 2006 the team that made it admitted the film was a fake confessing it was shot on a set constructed in a living room in Camden, north London.
Its alien bodies were hollow plaster casts filled with offal, sheep brains and raspberry jam.
The footage became an international sensation(Image: Warner Brothers)
But Brit film-maker John Dower, who has made a new Sky Original documentary series about the scam, said his investigation showed it may have been based on real footage.
He said the makers of the bogus post-mortem film insisted it was a reconstruction of an actual clip that has since gone missing.
John, who made My Scientology Movie and BAFTA award-winning Lockerbie, said: “Over a decade after the eerie black and white footage of an alien autopsy was released in the mid-90s and affected many in a similar way to The Blair Witch Project the film was revealed to have been produced in a small flat in Camden, north London, and not in the New Mexico desert of Roswell.
“With its makers describing it as ‘a restoration’ it is still possible that it's based on original frames from an existing post-war film. I've directed some bonkers documentaries in my time but never one in which it is so difficult to work out what is real and what isn’t.”
A Sky spokesman said the team behind the footage insisted ‘it was based on a genuine film recorded by the US military’ in what was a ‘stranger-than-fiction documentary series’.
The series will be screened on Sky Documentaries(Image: Getty Images)
Hayley Reynolds, Sky’s acting director of documentaries and factual, said: “The 90s were the golden age of UFO fever - before smartphones, before streaming - when grainy footage, The X-Files, and Roswell ruled the headlines.
“Alien Autopsy remains one of the most debated mysteries of the 20th Century.”
Arron Fellows, creative director of production company Mindhouse, said the series ‘taps into our timeless fascination with extraterrestrial life’.
“It’s incredible that the Alien Autopsy story has never been told in a premium documentary before,” he added.
The series will be screened on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW.
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Flying object that crashed in Poland was a Russian drone, Polish officials say
Flying object that crashed in Poland was a Russian drone, Polish officials say
Poland's defense minister said that a flying object that crashed and exploded in a cornfield in eastern Poland early Wednesday was identified as a Russian drone, calling it a provocation by Russia.
At a news conference in Warsaw, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz accused Russia of provoking NATO during a crucial moment, as peace talks over the war in neighboring Ukraine are underway, the country's news agency PAP reported.
"Russia is provoking us once again," Kosiniak-Kamysz said, just as peace talks have given hope that the war "has a chance of ending."
Local police said they received reports of the crash around 2 a.m. and found burned metal and plastic debris at the scene, near the village of Osiny. As a result of the explosion, windows were broken in some houses but nobody was injured, PAP reported.
Poland's Armed Forces Operational Command said Wednesday on social media that no violations of Polish airspace from neighboring Ukraine or Belarus were recorded overnight
Officials initially said the explosion may have been caused by a part of an old engine with a propeller.
Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz later said the object was most likely a drone, adding that an analysis was underway to determine whether it was a military or smuggling one, PAP reported.
A police officer sets up a police tape, after an unidentified object fell and exploded in a cornfield overnight, according to Polish authorities, in the village of Osiny, eastern Poland, Aug. 20, 2025.Kacper Pempel/REUTERS
"I was sitting in my room at night, around midnight, maybe, and I heard something just bang," local resident Pawel Sudowski told local news website Lukow.tv. "It exploded so loudly that the whole house simply shook."
Lublin District Prosecutor Grzegorz Trusiewicz told reporters several investigators — both civilian and military — were examining the crash site.
"We have a lot of manpower, we have the army to help us. I hope that we will be able to finish the operation by the evening," Trusiewicz said.
Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, there have been a number of intrusions into Polish airspace, raising alarm in the European Union and NATO member state and reminding people how close the war is.
In 2023, a Russian missile went through Polish airspace near the Ukrainian border during one of Russia's barrages.
In 2022, a Ukrainian air defence missile fell on the Polish village of Przewodow, near the border, killing two people.
Earlier this year, unidentified crashed objects were found on the ground in two locations in Poland. Authorities said it was possible those objects came from a SpaceX rocket after debris entered the atmosphere over Poland.
"Our work is a new piece of evidence that suggests that Mars was once a much more complex and active planet than it is now."
A HiRISE image of the heavily eroded ridge of an inverted channel left behind by a dried up river billions of years ago.
(Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona.)
Mars was a rainier, wetter place than planetary scientists previously thought, according to a new study of ancient, inverted river channels that span more than 9,000 miles (14,484 kilometers) in the Red Planet's southern Noachis Terra region.
"Our work is a new piece of evidence that suggests that Mars was once a much more complex and active planet than it is now, which is such an exciting thing to be involved in," study leader Adam Losekoot of the U.K.'s Open University said in a statement.
We've known Mars was once a wet planet ever since the Mariner 9 orbiter mission from the '70s photographed a surface covered in dried-up river channels. These channels were dated back to over 3.5 billion years ago. However, channels cut into the ground are not the only evidence for running water on Mars.
When that water ran-off, or evaporated, it left sedimentary deposits. Sometimes we see these in craters that were once lakes filled with water: NASA's Curiosity rover is exploring Gale Crater, which has a central three-mile-tall (five-kilometer-tall) peak covered in sediment.
Other times, these sediments were laid down on river beds. Over the eons, the sediments would have hardened, while the river channels and the land around them would have weathered and eroded away. That left the sediments, which are more resistant to erosion, sticking out as tall ridges. Geologists today call them fluvial sinuous ridges, or, more plainly, inverted channels.
Now, Losekoot, who is a Ph.D. student, has led the discovery of a vast network of these channels in Noachis Terra based on images and data taken by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera and the Context Camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) on the defunct Mars Global Surveyor mission.
(Image credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS/The Murray Lab)
Previously, Noachis Terra had not been given due attention because it lacked the more classical river channels that form more obvious evidence of water. However, by mapping the network of inverted channels, Losekoot realized there was lots of evidence there had once been plentiful water in the region.
"Studying Mars, particularly an under-explored region like Noachis Terra, is really exciting because it's an environment which has been largely unchanged for billions of years," said Losekoot. "It's a time capsule that records fundamental geological processes in a way that just isn't possible here on Earth."
Some of the inverted channels appear as isolated segments that have survived the elements for billions of years. Others are more intact, forming systems that run for hundreds of miles and stand tens of yards tall.
This double inverted ridge signifies where an ancient river split into two before reconnecting downstream. Between the two ridges we can see a mesa, which may be the harder material that caused the river to diverge to get around it. (Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona)
Such a widespread network of inverted channels does not suggest these channels were caused by flash floods, argues Losekoot. Rather, they seem to have formed in stable climatic conditions over a geologically significant period of time during the Noachian–Hesperian transition, which was the shift from one geological era into the next around 3.7 billion years ago.
What's particularly intriguing is the most likely source of water to have formed these inverted channels is precipitation — be it rain, hail or snow. Indeed, given the size of the inverted channel network in Noachis Terra, this region of Mars may have experienced lots of rainy days in a warm and wet climate.
It's more evidence that Mars was once more like Earth than the cold and barren desert it is today.
Losekoot presented his findings at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting held at the University of Durham in the U.K., which ran between July 7 and July 11.
On July 24, 2025, the 4,608th Martian day, or Sol, of the mission, NASA’s Curiosity rover imaged wind-eroded rocks shaped like a piece of coral in the Gale crater on Mars.
This image of the Paposo rock was taken by Curiosity’s MAHLI instrument on July 24, 2025.
Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS.
One of the wind-eroded rocks was captured by Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), a camera on the end of its robotic arm.
“Nicknamed Paposo, the rock was about 5 cm (2 inches) from MAHLI when this image was taken,” members of the Curiosity team wrote in a statement.
On the same day, Curiosity used its Remote Micro Imager, part of its ChemCam instrument, to view another coral-shaped rock.
This image of a wind-eroded rock was taken by Curiosity’s Remote Micro Imager on July 24, 2025.
£Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS.
“Curiosity has found many small features like these, which formed billions of years ago when liquid water still existed on Mars” the researchers said.
“Water carried dissolved minerals into rock cracks and later dried, leaving the hardened minerals behind.”
“Eons of sandblasting by the wind wore away the surrounding rock, producing unique shapes.”
“This common process is seen extensively on Earth and has produced fantastic shapes on Mars, as well, including a flower-shaped rock.”
Curiosity rover took this selfie on October 11, 2019. The rover drilled twice in this location, nicknamed Glen Etive. Just left of the rover are the two drill holes, called Glen Etive 1 (right) and Glen Etive 2 (left).
Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS.
Launched November 26, 2011, Curiosity is the fourth rover the United States has sent to Mars.
Led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the mission involves almost 500 scientists from the United States and other countries.
Curiosity explores the 154-km- (96-mile) wide Gale crater and acquires rock, soil, and air samples for onboard analysis.
The car-size rover is about as tall as a basketball player and uses a 2.1-m- (7-foot) long arm to place tools close to rocks selected for study.
Scientists found a mysterious cosmic object that's between 10 and 100 times more powerful than all known supernovas. What could it be?
NGC 4945 is an edge-on spiral galaxy just 11 million light years away in Centaurus
(Image credit: ESO)
A bewilderingly powerful mystery object found in a nearby galaxy and only visible so far in millimeter radio wavelengths could be a brand new astrophysical object unlike anything astronomers have seen before.
The object has been named 'Punctum,' derived from the Latin pūnctum meaning "point" or "dot," by a team of astronomers led by Elena Shablovinskaia of the Instituto de Estudios Astrofísicos at the Universidad Diego Portales in Chile. Shablovinskaia discovered it using ALMA, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array.
"Outside of the realm of supermassive black holes, Punctum is genuinely powerful,” Shablovinskaia told Space.com.
Witnessing the Dawn of a New Solar System: A Historic Discover
Astronomers don't know what it is yet — only that it is compact, has asurprisingly structured magnetic field, and, at its heart, is an object radiating intense amounts of energy.
"When you put it into context, Punctum is astonishingly bright — 10,000 to 100,000 times more luminous than typical magnetars, around 100 times brighter than microquasars, and 10 to 100 times brighter than nearly every known supernova, with only the Crab Nebula surpassing it among star-related sources in our galaxy," Shablovinskaia said.
Punctum is located in the active galaxy NGC 4945, which is a fairly close neighbor of our Milky Way galaxy, located 11 million light-years away. That's just beyond the confines of the Local Group. Yet, despite this proximity, it cannot be seen in optical or X-ray light but rather only millimeter radio wavelengths. This has only deepened the mystery, although the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has yet to take a look at the object in near- and mid-infrared wavelengths.
ALMA's view of the bright core of NGC 4945, and inset, the compact, mystery object called Punctum. (Image credit: Elena Shablovinskaia et al.)
What could Punctum be?
Its brightness remained the same over several observations performed in 2023, meaning it is not a flare or some other kind of transitory phenomenon. Millimeter-wave radiation typically comes from cold objects such as young protoplanetary disks and interstellar molecular clouds. However, very energetic phenomena such as quasars and pulsars can also produce radio waves through synchrotron radiation, wherein charged particles moving at close to the speed of light spiral around magnetic field lines and radiate radio waves.
What we do know about Punctum is that based on how strongly polarized its millimeter light is, it must possess a highly structured magnetic field. And so, Shablovinskaia believes what we are seeing from Punctum is synchrotron radiation. Objects with strong polarization tend to be compact objects, because larger objects have messy magnetic fields that wash out any polarization.
Perhaps that synchrotron radiation is being powered by a magnetar, the team believes, which is a highly magnetic pulsar. However, while a magnetar's ordered magnetic field fits the bill, magnetars (and regular pulsars for that matter) are much fainter at millimeter wavelengths than Punctum is.
Supernova remnants such as the Crab Nebula, which is the messy innards blasted into space of a star that exploded in 1054AD, are bright at millimeter wavelengths. The trouble is that supernova remnants are quite large — the Crab Nebula itself is about 11 light-years across — whereas Punctum is clearly a much smaller, compact object.
The Crab Nebula taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
"At the moment, Punctum truly stands apart — it doesn't fit comfortably into any known category," said Shablovinskaia. "And honestly, nothing like this has appeared in any previous millimeter surveys, largely because, until recently, we didn't have anything as sensitive and high-resolution as ALMA."
There is the caveat that Punctum could just be an outlier: an extreme version of an otherwise familiar object, such as a magnetar in an unusual environment, or a supernova remnant interacting with dense material. For now, though, these are just guesses lacking supporting evidence. It is quite possible that Punctum is indeed the first of a new kind of astrophysical object that we haven't seen before simply because only ALMA can detect them.
In the case of Punctum, it is 100 times fainter than NGC 4945's active nucleus that is being energized by a supermassive black hole feeding on infalling matter. Punctum probably wouldn't have been noticed at all in the ALMA data if it wasn't for its exceptionally strong polarization.
Further observations with ALMA will certainly help shed more light on what kind of object Punctum is. The observations that discovered Punctum were actually focused on NGC 4945's bright active core; it was just happenstance that Punctum was noticed in the field of view. Future ALMA observations targeting Punctum instead would be able to go to much lower noise levels without worrying about the galaxy's bright core being over-exposed, and it could also be observed across different frequencies.
The greatest help could potentially come from the JWST. If it can see an infrared counterpart, then its greater resolution could help identify what Punctum is.
"JWST's sharp resolution and broad spectral range might help reveal whether Punctum's emission is purely synchrotron or involves dust or emission lines," said Shablovinskaia.
For now, it's all ifs and buts, and all we can say for sure is that astronomers have a genuine mystery on their hands that has so far left them feeling flummoxed.
"In any case," concluded Shablovinskaia, "Punctum is showing us that there is still a lot to discover in the millimeter sky.”
A paper describing the discovery of Punctum has been accepted by the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, and a pre-print is available on astro.ph.
Cube-Shaped UFOs: Not Drones, Not Balloons, So What Are They?
An illustration of a cube-shaped UFO.
Depositphotos.
Cube-Shaped UFOs: Not Drones, Not Balloons, So What Are They?
Introduction
The Age of UFO Transparency is upon us—an era in which the veil of secrecy surrounding unidentified flying objects is gradually lifting, revealing a reality that once belonged solely to conspiracy theories and clandestine government programs. Many would argue that this shift is long overdue; the days of dismissing UFO reports as mere hallucinations or fabrications are waning. Instead, an increasing number of scientific institutions, government agencies, and independent researchers are approaching the subject with a newfound seriousness and rigor. NASA, the renowned space agency, has taken a significant step by assembling a dedicated team of astrophysicists tasked with investigating UFO phenomena. Their goal is to analyze sightings, assess the data with scientific precision, and determine whether these objects are of terrestrial origin or if they indeed originate from beyond our planet. This paradigm shift reflects a broader societal change—one that embraces curiosity and evidence-based inquiry over skepticism and suppression.
This newfound transparency has empowered witnesses, especially aviators, to come forward and share their extraordinary encounters. For decades, pilots and military personnel have reported strange objects in the skies, but fear of ridicule or official silence often kept these stories from reaching the public. Today, those barriers are diminishing. As a result, a wealth of firsthand accounts is now available, providing invaluable insights into phenomena that continue to baffle scientists and enthusiasts alike. Among these accounts, some are particularly perplexing: sightings of cube-shaped UFOs. Unlike the more common disc-shaped or spherical craft, these geometric anomalies challenge our conventional understanding of aircraft and extraterrestrial technology alike.
Unusual as they are, reports of cube-shaped UFOs are not isolated incidents. Naval aviators, in particular, have documented encounters with strange “Black Cube” objects. These mysterious crafts are often described as being surrounded by transparent spheres—strange, clear orbs that seem to interact with the cubes in inexplicable ways. Some of these cube-shaped objects have been observed shadowing military aircraft, maintaining a close proximity that suggests a high level of intelligence and control. On multiple occasions, fighter jets have narrowly avoided collisions with these enigmatic objects, raising urgent questions about their nature and intentions. The fact that these encounters occur in controlled airspace, under the watchful eye of military personnel, underscores their significance. It’s one thing to observe strange lights from the ground, but when trained pilots report close encounters with seemingly autonomous, technologically advanced objects, the stakes become much higher.
What makes these cube-shaped UFOs particularly fascinating—and unsettling—is their apparent technological sophistication. According to testimonies from fighter pilots and military officials, these objects display characteristics that defy our current understanding of aeronautical engineering. They are reported to exhibit rapid acceleration, sudden directional changes, and hovering capabilities that no known human-made aircraft can replicate. Some witnesses describe the objects as having a solidity and geometric precision that suggests a level of design and manufacturing far beyond our contemporary capabilities. The technology behind these objects, as hinted at by witness observations, appears to surpass our own, hinting at either a highly advanced extraterrestrial origin or an as-yet-undiscovered terrestrial technology.
The danger posed by these unidentified objects extends beyond mere curiosity. The close encounters with military aircraft—often with near-misses—highlight a potential risk to aviation safety. Such incidents raise critical questions: Are these objects probes sent to gather information? Are they aware of our defenses? Or are they simply passing through our airspace without regard for human activity? The fact that fighter pilots have repeatedly reported these objects “everywhere”—over the ocean, in restricted military zones, and even near major cities—only amplifies their significance. These encounters suggest that whatever these objects are, they are not only real but also capable of operating in ways that challenge our understanding of physics and technology.
The phenomenon of cube-shaped UFOs raises numerous scientific and philosophical questions. Are these objects of extraterrestrial origin, representing a form of advanced alien technology that has yet to be understood? Or could they be manifestations of some unknown terrestrial phenomenon—perhaps an undiscovered natural anomaly or experimental craft? Alternatively, some theories posit that these objects might be artificial constructs created by an unknown intelligence, capable of manipulating matter and energy at levels far beyond human capabilities. The consistent reports from credible witnesses, especially military personnel, lend weight to the argument that these phenomena are real and potentially significant.
In conclusion, the era of UFO transparency offers a rare opportunity to explore these mysteries with scientific rigor and open-minded curiosity. The encounters with cube-shaped UFOs, in particular, challenge our assumptions about the limits of technology and the nature of reality itself. As research progresses and more data becomes available, we may soon uncover answers to questions that have puzzled humanity for generations. Whether these objects are visitors from distant worlds, manifestations of unknown natural phenomena, or advanced terrestrial inventions, their existence demands our attention and careful investigation. The skies are revealing secrets once hidden in darkness, and it is up to us—scientists, pilots, policymakers, and curious minds—to understand what these enigmatic objects truly are.
Historical Context and Sightings
Historically, reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have predominantly featured disc-shaped or spherical objects, which have long captured the imagination of the public and researchers alike. These classic sightings often involved disc-shaped crafts, sometimes described as "flying saucers," with smooth, metallic surfaces reflecting sunlight or other ambient light sources. Such reports date back to the mid-20th century, with famous incidents like the 1947 Kenneth Arnold sighting and the 1948 Roswell incident shaping public perception of UFOs as potentially extraterrestrial visitors.
However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the types of shapes reported by witnesses around the world. Increasingly, eyewitnesses describe encounters with craft exhibiting distinctly cubic or rectangular geometries. These objects are characterized by sharp edges, well-defined geometric symmetry, and metallic surfaces that reflect light in a manner consistent with highly polished or reflective materials. Witness reports often describe these craft as having a sense of precision and angularity that sets them apart from more traditional, rounded UFOs.
One of the most notable recent cases took place in 2017 over the skies of the United Kingdom. Multiple eyewitnesses, including commercial pilots, reported observing a large, luminous cube silently floating at high altitude. The object was described as a perfectly symmetrical cube, glowing with a bright, white light, and hovering motionlessly for several minutes before suddenly ascending at an incredible speed, disappearing from view in seconds. This phenomenon was documented by multiple independent witnesses, adding credibility to the report. The silence of the craft and its abrupt maneuvering defied typical explanations involving known aerial vehicles.
Similarly, in 2020, a drone operator in Japan captured compelling footage of a cube-like object performing abrupt and complex maneuvers. The footage showed a metallic, box-shaped craft executing rapid directional changes, hovering in place before accelerating vertically at a speed inconsistent with conventional drones or aircraft. The object’s sharp edges and geometric shape were clearly visible in the footage, and it maintained a stable, angular form throughout its movements. Such precise and sudden maneuvers are difficult to reconcile with known human-made aerial technology, especially at the altitudes and speeds observed.
While skeptics often argue that these sightings are misidentifications of familiar objects, such as drones, weather balloons, or conventional aircraft, several factors challenge these explanations. For instance, many of the reported objects lack the typical features associated with drones, such as visible propellers, rotors, or blinking lights. Moreover, some witnesses have emphasized the lack of sound emanating from these craft, which further complicates identification. The consistent reports of sharply defined geometric shapes, coupled with unusual flight behaviors, suggest that these objects may be of unfamiliar origin or possess capabilities beyond current human technology.
The increasing frequency of these cubic and geometrically precise sightings raises important questions about the nature and origin of these objects. Their persistent appearance across diverse locations and contexts indicates that they are not merely optical illusions or misidentifications but potentially a new class of unidentified aerial phenomena. As such, these reports warrant rigorous scientific investigation—using advanced radar, infrared imaging, and other technologies—to better understand their characteristics, behaviors, and potential implications for aviation safety and scientific knowledge. The evolution from traditional disc-shaped sightings to geometric, angular crafts marks a fascinating chapter in the ongoing exploration of UFO phenomena.
Differentiating From Drones and Balloons
To understand what cube-shaped UFOs are not, it is essential to consider and dismiss common explanations such as drones and balloons. These familiar objects often come to mind when interpreting unidentified aerial phenomena, but thorough analysis reveals significant differences that set the cube-shaped UFOs apart.
1. Drones: Modern quadcopters and multirotor drones are ubiquitous and increasingly sophisticated. They are designed for recreational, professional, and military purposes, and their features are well-documented. Drones typically have recognizable propellers or rotors, which are often visible even when in motion. They also tend to have blinking LED lights—red, green, or white—used for visibility and navigation. The size of drones varies from small handheld devices to larger unmanned aircraft, but most are relatively compact, generally less than 2 meters in wingspan or length.
The movement patterns of drones are often erratic or highly controlled, depending on the operator. They can hover precisely, perform rapid directional changes, and even execute complex aerial maneuvers, especially with the aid of onboard sensors and autopilot systems. These capabilities are well within the realm of current technology, and drones are usually observed within the visual range of observers.
In contrast, the reported cube-shaped UFOs are often described as large and silent. Witness testimonies frequently mention objects measuring several meters across, with no audible noise emanating from them. Moreover, these UFOs are observed performing abrupt, highly controlled maneuvers—such as rapid accelerations, sudden directional changes, or hovering in place—beyond what typical consumer or even advanced military drones can achieve. For example, a witness might describe a large, luminous cube darting swiftly across the sky, changing direction instantaneously without any sound or visible propulsion system, making it unlikely to be a drone.
2. Balloons: Balloons are among the simplest explanations for aerial phenomena. They are lightweight, often made of latex, Mylar, or paper, and are designed to drift passively with prevailing wind currents. Their shapes are generally soft and irregular—round, elongated, or amorphous—lacking rigid geometrical features. They are commonly used for weather measurement, promotional displays, or festivities, and are often associated with specific events or locations.
Balloons tend to ascend slowly, drifting with the wind, and can be observed at various altitudes. Their movements are predictable, dictated largely by atmospheric conditions. They usually have minimal reflective surfaces, except maybe a metallic or shiny patch, which can catch light but does not produce complex reflections. Their lack of maneuverability means they cannot perform sudden directional changes or hover precisely at a fixed point in the sky.
The cube-shaped UFOs, however, are described as having a rigid, geometrical structure resembling a perfect cube or rectangular prism. Witnesses often report the object remaining stationary in the air for extended periods, then suddenly accelerating or changing direction abruptly—behaviors incompatible with passive balloons. Furthermore, the shiny or reflective surfaces of some of these objects suggest a solid, possibly metallic, construction rather than a lightweight, inflatable structure. Their apparent ability to perform complex maneuvers further rules out balloons as a plausible explanation.
3. Alternative Explanations:
Given these distinctions, it becomes necessary to consider other possibilities. For instance, some hypothesize that these cube-shaped UFOs could be advanced experimental aircraft or drones developed by military agencies, designed with stealth and maneuverability in mind. The geometrical shape might serve specific aerodynamic or stealth purposes, although such designs are not publicly acknowledged or documented.
Others suggest they could be optical illusions, reflections, or camera artifacts. For example, the angle of sunlight reflecting off a high-altitude metallic object can produce a cube-like appearance in photographs or videos. Similarly, digital glitches or lens effects might distort the shape of an object, leading to misinterpretations.
Yet, many reports describe these objects as solid, three-dimensional entities with consistent shape and behavior over time, making mere optical illusions unlikely. In some cases, multiple witnesses across different locations observe the same object simultaneously, further discounting the possibility of misidentification or camera artifacts.
Conclusion: In summary, the characteristics of cube-shaped UFOs—large size, silence, abrupt maneuvers, rigid geometrical shape, and reflective surfaces—are inconsistent with the properties of drones and balloons. While these common explanations are often considered first, detailed analysis and eyewitness accounts suggest that these objects are something more enigmatic. The need to explore alternative hypotheses remains, including advanced technology, atmospheric phenomena, or other yet-to-be-understood factors. As such, distinguishing these UFOs from everyday objects is crucial in advancing our understanding of unexplained aerial phenomena.
Yet another Unidentified Aerial Phenomena.
Image Credit: kolesinibimitresku/Shutterstock.com
Possible Explanations and Scientific Investigations
1. Advanced Human-Made Technology One prominent hypothesis suggests that these cube-shaped objects are experimental aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by military agencies or private aerospace corporations. Throughout history, the military has often pursued unconventional designs to gain strategic advantages, such as stealth, speed, or maneuverability. For example, the development of stealth aircraft like the F-117 Nighthawk involved radical geometries to reduce radar detection. The cube shape, with its sharp edges and symmetrical form, might serve similar purposes—perhaps to minimize radar cross-section or to enable unique flight characteristics.
Another possibility is that these objects are test models for future aircraft or drone technology. For instance, a cube-shaped drone could potentially harness novel aerodynamic principles or employ advanced materials that allow for silent, highly maneuverable flight. Such designs might also incorporate innovative propulsion systems, such as ion thrusters or electromagnetic propulsion, to achieve speeds or maneuvers that conventional aircraft cannot match.
However, the lack of official acknowledgment from governments or defense agencies raises questions about this hypothesis. Typically, military projects undergo extensive testing and are disclosed to some degree, especially if they involve technology with significant strategic implications. The unconventional shape and reports of extraordinary maneuvers—such as sudden accelerations, abrupt direction changes, or hovering in ways impossible for known aircraft—further complicate this explanation. If such technology exists, it is likely highly classified, and its existence remains unconfirmed publicly.
2. Extraterrestrial Craft Another compelling explanation is that these cube-shaped objects are extraterrestrial in origin, representing advanced alien technology. The geometric symmetry, structural complexity, and unusual flight behaviors could imply a purpose beyond human engineering. For instance, the cube shape might be related to energy manipulation, communication, or propulsion systems unknown to current science.
In science fiction and popular culture, geometric shapes like cubes and pyramids often symbolize advanced civilization artifacts. The pyramids of Egypt, for example, are sometimes speculated to have been aligned with cosmic energies or serve as energy conduits, leading some researchers to consider whether similar principles could be at play with these objects. The recurring reports of these objects exhibiting behaviors such as hovering silently, rapid acceleration, or sudden disappearance—phenomena that challenge our current understanding of physics—add intrigue to the extraterrestrial hypothesis.
It's important to note, however, that there is no direct, conclusive evidence linking these sightings to extraterrestrial life. No recovered debris, biological material, or definitive signals have been detected. Nonetheless, the consistency and frequency of reports, coupled with the objects’ peculiar behaviors, suggest that scientific investigation is warranted. Researchers in the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) community often advocate for thorough examination of unexplained aerial phenomena, emphasizing the importance of unbiased data collection and analysis.
3. Optical Illusions and Atmospheric Phenomena
Some researchers posit that optical illusions or atmospheric phenomena could account for certain sightings. For example, lenticular clouds—lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes—can appear as solid objects with geometric shapes, especially when illuminated by the sun at specific angles. Similarly, ice crystal reflections in the atmosphere can create halos, sun dogs, or other optical artifacts that might be mistaken for solid craft.
Reflections from high-altitude ice crystals or man-made objects like airplanes and drones can also produce geometric shapes in the sky. For instance, a reflective surface on a passing aircraft could create a brief, cube-like reflection, especially under certain lighting conditions.
However, many eyewitness reports include physical traces—such as radar returns, thermal signatures, or photographic evidence—that support the presence of solid objects rather than mere optical illusions. For example, radar data showing coherent, moving targets synchronized with visual sightings provide strong evidence against purely atmospheric explanations. Additionally, some sightings involve objects that produce no sound or appear to hover silently, which are less easily explained by atmospheric phenomena alone.
4. Psychological Factors
Perception biases and psychological factors can significantly influence UFO sightings. Human cognition tends to interpret ambiguous stimuli based on prior knowledge or expectations, often filling in gaps with familiar shapes or patterns—this is known as pareidolia. For example, under low visibility conditions or stressful situations, witnesses might perceive abstract shapes as familiar objects like cubes or disks.
Mass hysteria, cultural influences, and media exposure can also shape perceptions. The proliferation of science fiction movies and media stories featuring alien craft can prime observers to interpret unusual aerial phenomena as extraterrestrial or advanced technology. Psychological factors may contribute to false memories, especially when witnesses discuss sightings repeatedly or are influenced by others’ accounts.
Nonetheless, the consistency and level of detail in many reports suggest that not all sightings are solely products of perception. When physical evidence, such as radar data, photographs, or multiple independent witnesses, corroborate visual reports, the likelihood of misperception diminishes. These cases merit scientific scrutiny, including analysis of environmental conditions, eyewitness interviews, and technological data to discern the true nature of the phenomena.
In conclusion, the enigma surrounding these cube-shaped objects involves multiple plausible explanations, ranging from advanced human-made technology and extraterrestrial origins to atmospheric illusions and psychological factors. Scientific investigations employ a multidisciplinary approach—combining radar analysis, atmospheric science, material testing, and psychological assessment—to unravel these mysteries. Only through rigorous, unbiased research can we hope to understand the true nature of these intriguing phenomena.
Physical Characteristics and Behavior
Reports of cube-shaped UFOs frequently describe metallic, reflective surfaces that appear smooth and featureless, often emphasizing their sharp edges and precise corners. Witnesses note that these objects have a distinctly geometric appearance, which sets them apart from more common saucer or disc-shaped unidentified flying objects. The surfaces are often described as mirror-like, reflecting the sky, clouds, or even the landscape below, which adds to their mysterious nature. Some accounts mention a duller, matte finish, suggesting a coating or material that reduces reflections, perhaps to avoid detection or glare.
In addition to their shape and surface features, these UFOs are often observed to hover silently in the sky, seemingly defying the laws of physics as we understand them. Witnesses report that the objects can remain stationary for extended periods, sometimes hours, with no visible means of propulsion or exhaust. However, they occasionally exhibit sudden and rapid accelerations, darting across the sky at incredible speeds that would be impossible for conventional aircraft or balloons. These abrupt movements are often described as 'teleportation-like' or 'instantaneous,' indicating a propulsion mechanism beyond current technology.
Another characteristic behavior involves abrupt directional changes, where the cube seemingly flips or rotates on its axis before changing course. Some witnesses describe the objects exhibiting anti-gravity capabilities, allowing them to hover effortlessly or ascend vertically without any visible thrust. These behaviors suggest an advanced form of propulsion or energy manipulation, possibly involving unknown physical principles such as electromagnetic or gravitational forces.
Such behaviors are incompatible with conventional aircraft, which rely on aerodynamic lift and jet propulsion, as well as with balloons, which depend on buoyancy. The physical descriptions challenge current understanding of aerodynamics, propulsion, and energy sources. For example, the ability to hover silently and make sudden, high-speed maneuvers implies a propulsion system that is highly efficient and potentially based on unknown physical principles. These characteristics continue to intrigue scientists and enthusiasts alike, fueling speculation about extraterrestrial technology or advanced human-made devices that utilize physics beyond our current comprehension.
Implications for Physics and Engineering
If such objects are indeed artificial and capable of the maneuvers reported, they could represent groundbreaking advancements in physics and engineering. The potential discovery of technologies far beyond our current capabilities would challenge many fundamental principles and open new avenues for scientific exploration. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain how these objects might operate, each with profound implications.
1. Zero-Point or Quantum Levitation: One of the most intriguing possibilities is that these objects utilize zero-point or quantum energy manipulation to achieve levitation or anti-gravity effects. Zero-point energy refers to the residual energy present in a vacuum due to quantum fluctuations. If an object could harness this energy, it might generate a repulsive force against gravity, enabling it to hover effortlessly. For example, in laboratory conditions, researchers have experimented with quantum locking and superconductors to produce levitation phenomena, but scaling such effects to macroscopic objects remains a significant challenge. If an artificial craft could tap into zero-point energy efficiently, it would revolutionize transportation and energy systems, making traditional fuel-based propulsion obsolete.
2. Unknown Propulsion Systems: Another hypothesis is that these objects employ propulsion methods beyond our current technological understanding. This could involve manipulation of electromagnetic fields, spacetime bending, or even the exploitation of exotic physics such as warp drives or wormholes. For instance, theoretical models like the Alcubierre drive propose contracting space in front of a craft and expanding it behind, effectively allowing faster-than-light travel without violating relativity. If such propulsion methods are realized, they would drastically reduce travel times across vast distances, transforming interplanetary and interstellar exploration. Engineering such systems would require precise control over electromagnetic and gravitational fields, pushing the boundaries of materials science, quantum physics, and energy management.
3. Structural Engineering: The cube shape of the object may serve specific structural or functional purposes. In engineering, geometrical shapes often optimize strength and stability; for example, cubes distribute stress evenly across their surfaces. In this context, the cube could serve as an energy containment vessel, signal transmission hub, or a modular platform for various onboard systems. Some speculate that the shape might facilitate interactions with electromagnetic or gravitational fields, acting as an antenna or energy conduit. Advanced materials, such as metamaterials with negative refractive indices, could be integrated into its structure to manipulate fields or shield internal components from external interference.
4. Scientific Validation and Broader Implications: Confirming the existence and understanding the technology behind such objects would be a scientific revolution. It would necessitate revisiting and possibly rewriting the laws of physics as we know them. For instance, discovering a practical application of zero-point energy or a new form of propulsion could lead to the development of highly efficient energy sources and propulsion systems, drastically reducing the environmental impact of transportation. Moreover, it could inspire the development of new materials with extraordinary properties, such as superstrength, superconductivity at higher temperatures, or dynamic adaptability.
In conclusion, the implications of these objects extend beyond mere curiosity—they could fundamentally alter our technological landscape. For physics, they pose questions about the limits of energy manipulation, spacetime control, and material science. For engineering, they challenge us to develop new manufacturing techniques, energy systems, and structural designs. The potential for breakthroughs is immense, promising a future where interstellar travel might become feasible, and energy harnessing could reach levels previously thought impossible. Scientific validation of such technologies would mark a new era in human achievement, transforming our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Current Limitations and Need for Further Research
Despite numerous sightings and reports over the years, definitive identification of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) remains elusive. Several significant limitations hinder our understanding and impede scientific progress in this field. Addressing these challenges is crucial to advancing our knowledge and potentially uncovering the nature of these mysterious phenomena.
1. Limited Data:
The primary obstacle is the scarcity of comprehensive and reliable data. Most UFO sightings are anecdotal, relying heavily on eyewitness accounts that are often subjective and prone to error. Photographic and video evidence, when available, frequently suffers from poor quality, low resolution, or unclear imagery, making analysis difficult. For instance, many early UFO photographs from the mid-20th century are grainy or blurry, which hampers definitive assessment. Radar data, which could provide valuable tracking information, is often unavailable or not systematically collected during sightings. Without high-quality, consistent data, it is challenging to distinguish between genuine unknown phenomena and misidentifications of known objects or atmospheric effects.
2. Classified Technologies:
Governments and military organizations around the world likely possess advanced aerospace technologies that are not publicly acknowledged. These could include secret aircraft, experimental drones, or other sophisticated systems developed for defense purposes. For example, sightings of fast-moving, highly maneuverable objects could potentially be attributed to classified military projects such as stealth aircraft or drone swarms. The existence of such classified technologies complicates efforts to determine whether observed phenomena are extraterrestrial or human-made. This also raises the issue of transparency, as governments may withhold information to protect national security interests, thus limiting the available data for scientific scrutiny.
3. Potential Hoaxes or Misidentifications:
While many sightings are credible and supported by multiple witnesses or sensor data, others may be hoaxes, deliberate fabrications, or misinterpretations of natural phenomena. For example, weather balloons, atmospheric reflections, or astronomical objects like planets and meteors are often mistaken for unidentified craft. Additionally, social media and internet forums have sometimes facilitated hoaxes, leading to false reports that can muddy the waters of serious investigation. Distinguishing between genuine unexplained phenomena and fabricated or misinterpreted reports remains a persistent challenge.
4. Advancing scientific understanding
in this field requires a systematic approach to data collection, analysis, and open sharing of findings. Implementing standardized protocols for documenting sightings—including high-resolution photographs, video recordings, radar, and infrared data—is essential. Collaboration between civilian researchers, government agencies, and international organizations can foster a more comprehensive database. For example, deploying dedicated tracking stations equipped with multi-spectral sensors and high-speed cameras at known hotspots could yield valuable insights. Independent investigations by scientists and enthusiasts, free from governmental or commercial influence, can also contribute to unbiased analysis.
5. the development of advanced tracking technologies,
such as enhanced radar systems, infrared imaging, and machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition, will facilitate the identification and classification of aerial phenomena. Transparency and data sharing are vital; public access to declassified data can foster a broader scientific inquiry. Initiatives like the U.S. Department of Defense's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force and similar international efforts exemplify steps toward more systematic and open research.
In conclusion, addressing current limitations and fostering further research are essential steps toward understanding the true nature of UFOs and UAPs. Only through rigorous scientific methods, technological innovation, and open collaboration can we hope to uncover whether these phenomena are of extraterrestrial origin, advanced human technology, or natural atmospheric effects.
CONCLUSION
Cube-shaped UFOs represent a fascinating and perplexing anomaly within the realm of aerial phenomena. Their distinct geometric structure sets them apart from more commonly reported shapes such as discs, spheres, or elongated objects. These cube-shaped entities challenge our conventional understanding of flight and aerodynamics, prompting a wide array of hypotheses and debates among scientists, enthusiasts, and skeptics alike. While some suggest these objects could be advanced secret military technology—perhaps experimental aircraft or drone prototypes—others posit that they are extraterrestrial crafts operating with unfamiliar physics. The diversity of theories underscores the complexity and mystery surrounding these phenomena.
One of the key reasons why cube-shaped UFOs intrigue researchers is their apparent defiance of typical aerodynamic principles. Traditional aircraft rely on aerodynamic shapes—wings, fuselages, and streamlined bodies—to achieve lift and stability. A cube, with its sharp edges and flat surfaces, seems inherently unstable and unlikely to sustain flight under normal conditions. For example, some eyewitness reports describe these objects hovering silently or moving with peculiar, abrupt maneuvers that do not align with known human-made technology. These observations raise questions about whether these objects are employing unknown forms of propulsion or manipulating physical laws in ways we do not yet comprehend.
Furthermore, the hypothesis that these objects could be extraterrestrial in origin remains compelling, especially considering their unexplained behaviors and the lack of identifiable propulsion systems. If they are indeed alien crafts, their geometric shape might serve a purpose, such as optimal structural integrity or a form of communication. Alternatively, these objects could be the result of advanced human experimentation, perhaps involving materials or technologies that are still in the developmental phase or classified.
To truly understand the nature of cube-shaped UFOs, a multidisciplinary approach is essential. Physics and engineering are crucial in analyzing the potential propulsion mechanisms and aerodynamic properties. Atmospheric science can help determine how these objects interact with environmental conditions, such as wind, temperature, and atmospheric density. Psychology and sociology also play significant roles, as they help interpret eyewitness accounts and address possible perceptual biases or hallucinations. For example, some reports may be influenced by optical illusions, psychological expectations, or environmental factors like lighting and weather conditions.
In conclusion, the enigma of cube-shaped UFOs challenges the boundaries of current scientific knowledge and invites a comprehensive, open-minded investigation. Only through rigorous scientific inquiry—combining empirical data, technological analysis, and open discourse—can we hope to demystify these extraordinary objects. Their study not only expands our understanding of aerial phenomena but also has the potential to reveal new insights into physics, material science, and perhaps even the existence of intelligent life beyond Earth. The pursuit of this knowledge may ultimately lead to breakthroughs that redefine our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
References
Hynek, J. (1972). The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Henry Regnery Company.
Maccabee, B. (2012). UFOs and Government: A Historical Inquiry. Anomalist Books.
National UFO Reporting Center. (2021). UFO Sightings Database.
Ruppelt, E. J. (1956). The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects. Doubleday.
Reid, J. (2019). "Analysis of Geometric UFO Sightings." Journal of Ufology, 45(3), 123-137.
Wetenschappers zijn er inmiddels in geslaagd om te achterhalen waar je gedachten zich afspelen. Ze hebben deze vinding meteen een toepassing gegeven – met succes.
De afgelopen jaren komen ze steeds vaker voor: zogeheten brain-computer interfaces (BCI’s). Kort gezegd werkt een BCI door hersenactiviteit op te nemen met sensoren en de resulterende data om te zetten naar instructies voor een computer – bijvoorbeeld om een bepaalde zin uit te spreken. Tot voor kort maakten vooral spraak-BCI’s gebruik van signalen die via de motorische zenuwbanen naar de spreekspieren werden gestuurd.
Daar is nu verandering in gekomen. Onderzoekers hebben namelijk een nieuwe generatie BCI ontwikkeld die – met behulp van kunstmatige intelligentie – gedachten direct kan ‘uitlezen’ en correct interpreteren, zonder dat de gebruiker hoeft te proberen te spreken.
Onder leiding van onderzoeker Erin Kunz is de ontdekking gedaan. “Dit is de eerste keer dat het ons is gelukt om te begrijpen hoe hersenactiviteit eruitziet op het moment dat iemand alleen denkt aan spreken,” zegt Kunz. “Voor mensen met ernstige spraak- en motorische beperkingen kan dit een veel makkelijkere en natuurlijkere manier van communiceren zijn.” Het onderzoek is gepubliceerd in Cell.
Gedachten uitlezen Hoewel eerdere BCI-systemen al sneller waren dan oudere communicatiemethoden, waren ze nog altijd niet bijzonder gebruiksvriendelijk. Voor mensen met beperkte spiercontrole kan het gebruiken van oudere BCI’s erg zwaar en vermoeiend zijn. Dat komt doordat oudere BCI’s werken door hersenactiviteit in de motorische cortex uit te lezen via implantaten. Hiervoor moeten gebruikers proberen om te spreken, wat erg zwaar kan zijn op het moment dat je een verlamming hebt.
Voor het nieuwe onderzoek werkte het team met vier deelnemers die ernstig verlamd waren, bijvoorbeeld door amyotrofische laterale sclerose (ALS) of een hersenstamberoerte. Hen werd gevraagd een set woorden hardop uit te spreken, en vervolgens diezelfde woorden alleen in gedachten te vormen.
Uit de metingen bleek dat beide taken – hardop spreken en in gedachten spreken – grotendeels dezelfde hersengebieden activeerden en vergelijkbare activiteitspatronen veroorzaakten. Het verschil zat vooral in de signaalsterkte: gedachten genereerden zwakkere signalen dan daadwerkelijke spraakpogingen.
AI Met deze gegevens trainde het onderzoeksteam verschillende AI-modellen om de juiste woorden te herkennen. Tijdens een testdemonstratie bleek dit al opmerkelijk goed te werken: met een vocabulaire van ongeveer 125.000 woorden wist het systeem soms tot wel 74% van de gedachten correct te interpreteren.
Opvallend was dat de nieuwe BCI ook woorden kon herkennen die niet expliciet in de trainingsset voorkwamen. Zo kon het systeem bijvoorbeeld correct benoemen welke getallen een deelnemer in gedachten telde terwijl hij of zij naar een reeks roze cirkels op een scherm keek.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Volgens de onderzoekers verschillen de hersenpatronen van innerlijke spraak en daadwerkelijke spraakpogingen voldoende om ze van elkaar te onderscheiden. Daardoor is het ook mogelijk om bepaalde gedachten juist níét te laten registreren. Dat kan handig zijn voor gebruikers die hun gedachten tijdelijk privé willen houden.
In een test voerden de onderzoekers een wachtwoord in: zodra de deelnemer in gedachten de zin “chitty chitty bang bang” formeerde, stopte het systeem met opnemen en uitspreken van innerlijke gedachten. Dit biedt een extra laag controle en privacy.
Hoopvolle toekomst Vooral voor mensen die door ziekte of letsel niet meer kunnen praten, zou de technologie een enorme stap vooruit betekenen. Ook onderzoeker Frank Willett, die meewerkte aan het project, ziet veel potentie. “De toekomst van BCI’s ziet er veelbelovend uit,” zegt hij. “Ons werk geeft hoop dat spraak-BCI’s op een dag net zo vloeiend, natuurlijk en comfortabel zullen communiceren als wij nu doen.”
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Meet Apollo, the ‘iPhone’ of humanoid robots
Meet Apollo, the ‘iPhone’ of humanoid robots
22-08-2025 om 21:57
geschreven door peter
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When Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Psychology: Exploring the Timeless Pursuit of Flow and Human Flourishing
When Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Psychology: Exploring the Timeless Pursuit of Flow and Human Flourishing
Throughout human history, the quest for understanding what constitutes a fulfilling and meaningful life has been a central concern across cultures and civilizations. While modern psychology, particularly through the pioneering work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, has introduced the concept of “flow” as a state of complete absorption and optimal performance, this phenomenon is far from a recent discovery. In fact, ancient philosophers, spiritual teachers, and cultural traditions have long recognized and cultivated states akin to flow, often describing them with different terminology but with remarkably similar insights. By examining these ancient perspectives alongside contemporary scientific understanding, we can uncover enduring truths about human nature and explore how reconciling these traditions can enhance our pursuit of well-being, mastery, and purpose in the modern world.
The Concept of Flow in Modern Psychology
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s groundbreaking research in the late 20th century introduced a revolutionary understanding of human consciousness and well-being through the concept of flow. Flow refers to a mental state where individuals are deeply immersed and fully engaged in an activity, experiencing a sense of effortless concentration and a loss of self-awareness. This state is often described as being “in the zone,” where external distractions fade away, and the individual’s focus becomes entirely absorbed in the task at hand.
According to Csikszentmihalyi, people typically experience flow when they undertake activities that challenge their skills just enough to keep them engaged without causing anxiety or boredom. For instance, a musician might enter a flow state when improvising during a performance, or an athlete might experience it during an intense game. During flow, perceptions of time often distort—hours can feel like minutes—and individuals often report feeling a high level of satisfaction and fulfillment. Interestingly, this state is linked to peak performance, heightened creativity, and increased productivity in various domains, including arts, sports, work, and even daily routines.
Modern psychological research has expanded on Csikszentmihalyi’s original work, identifying specific conditions that foster flow. These conditions include having clear goals that provide direction and purpose, receiving immediate feedback that helps individuals adjust their actions, and maintaining a balance between the challenge of the activity and their own skill level. When these elements align, individuals are more likely to experience sustained engagement and intrinsic motivation—doing something because it is inherently rewarding rather than for external rewards like money or recognition.
The implications of understanding flow extend far beyond individual experiences. In education, incorporating activities that promote flow can enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. In the workplace, designing tasks that balance challenge and skill encourages employees to find their work more meaningful and satisfying, ultimately boosting productivity and innovation. Personal development strategies often aim to cultivate flow experiences as a way to improve overall life satisfaction and mental well-being.
Furthermore, flow has been linked to positive mental health outcomes, including reduced stress, increased happiness, and resilience. As modern society becomes increasingly fast-paced and distracted, understanding how to facilitate flow can help individuals find more fulfillment and balance in their everyday lives. Overall, the concept of flow remains a vital area of research within psychology, offering insights into how people can optimize their experiences and achieve a more meaningful and satisfying existence.
Ancient Wisdom and the Recognition of Optimal Experience
Long before the formalization of the concept of flow by Csikszentmihalyi in the 20th century, many cultures and spiritual traditions around the world recognized and described states of consciousness characterized by harmony, mastery, and transcendence. These states often resemble what modern psychology identifies as flow—a mental state where a person is fully immersed in an activity, experiencing effortless engagement, deep focus, and a sense of unity with their environment. These ancient traditions not only acknowledged such experiences but also provided guidance on how to attain them, emphasizing harmony with oneself, others, and the universe. By exploring these teachings, we gain insight into the enduring human pursuit of optimal experience and the universal nature of flow-like states across different cultures and eras.
1. Chinese Philosophy: Wu Wei
In Taoism, one of the most influential Chinese philosophical traditions, the concept of wu wei—literally translating as “non-action” or “effortless action”—serves as a foundational principle for achieving harmony with the natural world. Wu wei advocates for aligning oneself with the spontaneous flow of the Tao, which is considered the underlying principle of all existence. Rather than forcing outcomes or resisting circumstances, practitioners are encouraged to act in a manner that is effortless, spontaneous, and in accordance with nature’s rhythms. This approach fosters a sense of ease and grace in action, allowing individuals to operate with minimal resistance and maximum harmony. When a person successfully embodies wu wei, their actions often feel natural, seamless, and devoid of unnecessary struggle, leading to peak experiences where mastery and effortlessness coexist. In such moments, practitioners often describe a sense of unity with their surroundings, a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, and feelings of transcendence—akin to the psychological state of flow. Taoist masters often exemplify this, engaging in activities such as painting, martial arts, or poetry with a fluidity that appears almost effortless, revealing an intrinsic link between ancient wisdom and modern concepts of optimal experience.
2. Greek Philosophy: Eudaimonia and Arete
The ancient Greeks, especially Aristotle, articulated ideas closely related to the modern concept of flow through their emphasis on eudaimonia and arete. Eudaimonia, often translated as “flourishing” or “living well,” refers to a life of virtue, purpose, and fulfillment. Aristotle believed that achieving eudaimonia required the cultivation of moral virtues, intellectual development, and the actualization of one’s potential. Central to this pursuit was engaging in activities that develop one’s character and mastery—whether in arts, sciences, or moral conduct. Such activities, when performed with excellence (arete), foster a deep sense of engagement and satisfaction that resembles the experience of flow. For Aristotle, the highest human good was found in the activity of rational contemplation and virtuous action, which involve complete absorption and a sense of harmony with one’s purpose. The Greek philosophical tradition thus recognized that mastery, moral virtue, and intellectual growth are pathways to profound fulfillment—a pursuit that aligns closely with the modern understanding of being fully immersed and engaged in meaningful activity.
3. Indian Spiritual Traditions: Samadhi and Moksha
In Indian spiritual philosophies, especially within Hinduism and Buddhism, states of deep meditative absorption—called samadhi—are considered the pinnacle of spiritual practice. Samadhi refers to a state of intense concentration and unity with the object of meditation, characterized by bliss, clarity, and transcendence. When practitioners achieve samadhi, they experience a complete dissolution of the ego and a profound sense of interconnectedness with all existence. These moments are often described as peak experiences, where duality and self-consciousness fade away, leaving only pure awareness. Similarly, the concept of moksha in Hinduism signifies liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth (samsara). Achieving moksha entails realizing one’s true nature and attaining self-realization through disciplined practice, devotion, or insight. These states involve focused effort, detachment from egoic desires, and an experience of unity with the divine or the universe—paralleling the psychological concept of flow, where full absorption and a loss of self-awareness lead to transcendence. Practitioners often describe these experiences as moments of bliss, clarity, and ultimate freedom, emphasizing the importance of discipline and inner harmony in reaching such states.
4. Additional Perspectives and Cross-Cultural Insights
Beyond these major traditions, many other cultures have recognized similar states of optimal experience. Indigenous spiritual practices, for example, often involve rituals, dances, or ceremonies designed to induce trance-like states of unity and mastery. Similarly, Sufi mystics seek fana—an annihilation of the self—through prayer, poetry, and dance, experiencing profound union with the divine. These teachings underscore a universal human tendency to seek states of harmony, mastery, and transcendence that elevate everyday consciousness into moments of peak experience.
The common thread across these diverse traditions is the understanding that achieving harmony within oneself and with the universe leads to states of profound fulfillment and transcendence. These states share remarkable similarities with modern psychological flow—marked by complete absorption, intrinsic motivation, and a sense of unity. By examining these ancient perspectives, we can appreciate that the pursuit of optimal experience is a timeless aspect of human life, rooted in spiritual, philosophical, and practical wisdom accumulated over centuries.
In conclusion, ancient cultures and spiritual traditions recognized and valued states of harmony, mastery, and transcendence that closely resemble the modern concept of flow. Whether through Taoist wu wei, Greek eudaimonia, Indian samadhi and moksha, or other cultural practices, these teachings continue to inspire and inform our understanding of how to achieve peak experiences and live fulfilling lives. Their enduring wisdom highlights that the quest for harmony with oneself, others, and the universe is a fundamental aspect of human nature—an ongoing journey toward the realization of our highest potential.
Universal Themes and Cross-Cultural Parallels
Despite the diverse terminology, cultural backgrounds, and philosophical frameworks, these ancient concepts share fundamental themes that underscore a universal human pursuit: the quest for optimal experience. Central to these ideas are notions such as effortless action, harmonious engagement with one's environment, mastery of skills, and transcendence beyond the ego or ordinary consciousness. These themes reveal that across different civilizations and epochs, humans have sought to understand and attain states of flow or harmony that lead to fulfillment, meaning, and a sense of unity with the world around them. Whether articulated through the Chinese concept of wu wei, the Indian idea of dhyana or meditation, or the Greek notions of eudaimonia, these principles emphasize that the drive for balance and transcendence is ingrained in the human condition.
Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science
Recent scientific developments, especially in neuroscience and psychology, have begun to shed light on the mechanisms underlying these timeless states. Advanced brain imaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), have identified specific neural patterns associated with flow and similar states of heightened consciousness. Notably, during flow experiences, there is a marked decrease in activity within the prefrontal cortex—the brain region involved in self-awareness, critical judgment, and the narrative of the ego. This reduction explains why individuals often experience a loss of self-consciousness and a sense of effortless immersion in their activity.
Furthermore, the neurochemical landscape during flow states involves the release of mood-enhancing and motivational chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins, and norepinephrine. These neurochemicals contribute to feelings of pleasure, focus, and a sense of mastery, reinforcing the behavior that led to the flow state. The interplay of these biological processes supports the subjective experience of being "in the zone," where effort seems to dissolve, and performance reaches its peak.
Interestingly, these modern scientific insights resonate strongly with ancient teachings. For example, the Chinese philosophy of wu wei emphasizes surrendering ego-driven control and harmonizing with natural laws, which parallels the observed decrease in self-referential brain activity during flow. Similarly, Indian meditative practices often involve focused attention and cultivating a state of inner stillness, aligning with neural patterns seen during flow—reduced cognitive chatter and increased present-moment awareness. These parallels underscore a profound cross-cultural understanding: that the pursuit of effortless engagement and harmony is a shared aspect of human spiritual and psychological development, now increasingly understood through the lens of science as well.
Understanding the profound intersection between ancient wisdom and modern psychology offers a wealth of insights that can significantly enhance human flourishing at both the individual and societal levels. By examining timeless principles rooted in history alongside contemporary scientific findings, we can develop more holistic strategies for personal growth and societal well-being. Here are some key implications, elaborated in detail:
Cultivating Mindfulness and Presence
Many ancient traditions—such as Buddhism, Stoicism, and Taoism—place a strong emphasis on mindfulness, which involves being fully present in the current moment. This state of awareness allows individuals to engage deeply with their experiences, fostering a sense of flow—a mental state characterized by complete immersion and enjoyment in an activity. Modern psychology supports this, showing that mindfulness practices can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional regulation. Incorporating mindfulness into daily routines—through meditation, breathing exercises, or simple awareness practices—can help individuals develop greater capacity for deep engagement with their work, relationships, and personal pursuits. For example, taking a few minutes each day to focus on one’s breath or observe surroundings without judgment can cultivate a calm, attentive mind that is better equipped to handle life's challenges. Moreover, mindfulness enhances resilience and promotes a balanced perspective, contributing to long-term mental health and well-being.
Designing Engaging Activities
An essential aspect of fostering flow is the structuring of activities that strike a balance between challenge and skill level. This principle echoes ancient philosophies which emphasized aligning effort with natural ability to promote harmony and mastery. In practical terms, this means designing tasks—whether in education, professional work, or leisure—that are neither too easy nor overly difficult. When individuals encounter appropriately challenging tasks that stretch their capabilities without overwhelming them, they are more likely to experience intrinsic motivation and a sense of achievement. For instance, educators can tailor assignments to match students’ skill levels, gradually increasing difficulty as competence develops. In workplaces, job roles can be designed to include clear goals and opportunities for skill development. Leisure activities—such as hobbies or sports—can be chosen or adapted to maintain engagement and promote mastery over time. This careful calibration of challenge and skill fosters sustained motivation, personal growth, and a sense of accomplishment.
Encouraging Virtue and Purpose
The ancient pursuit of eudaimonia (meaningful living) and arete (virtue or excellence) underscores the importance of engaging in purpose-driven activities. When individuals find meaning and align their actions with personal values, they are more likely to experience flow, fulfillment, and resilience. Modern psychology confirms that purpose enhances motivation, well-being, and even physical health. Encouraging individuals to reflect on their core values and to pursue goals that serve a greater good—whether through community service, creative expression, or professional endeavors—can foster a sense of purpose. For example, someone working in healthcare may find deep satisfaction not only in the technical aspects of their job but also in the knowledge that they are contributing to the well-being of others. Societal institutions, such as educational systems and workplaces, can promote purpose by emphasizing ethical values, social responsibility, and personal development. Cultivating a culture that celebrates virtues like compassion, integrity, and perseverance can inspire individuals to live meaningful lives aligned with their highest ideals.
Creating Supportive Environments
Societies that value mastery, harmony, and spiritual development provide fertile ground for individuals to attain states of optimal experience. These environments can include a variety of institutional and community practices designed to support growth and well-being. Educational systems that emphasize holistic development, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence can nurture students’ potential from a young age. Workplaces that promote autonomy, mastery, and purpose—often referred to as creating a “positive work environment”—can enhance employee engagement and satisfaction. Community practices, such as local clubs, spiritual groups, or volunteer organizations, foster social connection and shared growth. Policies that prioritize mental health, inclusivity, and lifelong learning further reinforce a society’s commitment to individual and collective flourishing. When societal values emphasize harmony, respect, and continual development, individuals are more likely to thrive and reach their full potential. This, in turn, creates a positive feedback loop where societal well-being and personal fulfillment reinforce each other.
Conclusion
In summary, integrating ancient wisdom with modern psychological insights offers a comprehensive framework for fostering human flourishing. By cultivating mindfulness, designing engaging activities, encouraging virtue and purpose, and creating supportive environments, both individuals and societies can unlock their full potential. These principles emphasize the importance of harmony, deliberate effort, and meaningful engagement—timeless values that remain relevant across cultures and eras. Embracing these insights can lead to more fulfilled individuals and healthier, more resilient societies committed to growth, harmony, and well-being.
Challenges in Modern Life
Despite the many insights gained into human psychology and well-being, contemporary society faces numerous barriers that hinder individuals from experiencing the state of flow—those deep, immersive moments of focused engagement and intrinsic satisfaction. One of the most pervasive challenges is the omnipresence of constant connectivity through smartphones, social media, and digital devices. While these tools provide convenience and instant communication, they also lead to frequent interruptions and a fragmented attention span. The bombardment of notifications, messages, and information streams makes it difficult to sustain the sustained concentration required for entering and maintaining flow states.
In addition, the modern emphasis on multitasking—juggling multiple activities simultaneously—further undermines the quality of attention. Although multitasking may seem efficient, it often results in superficial engagement, reducing the likelihood of achieving the deep focus necessary for flow. Scientific studies suggest that the human brain is not well-designed for multitasking; instead, it thrives on focused effort and single-tasking, which foster mastery and intrinsic motivation.
Moreover, the culture of instant gratification prevalent in today's society can divert individuals away from activities that require patience, effort, and long-term commitment—key elements for experiencing flow. The commercialized nature of leisure activities, such as quick-fix entertainment and fleeting social media interactions, encourages a superficial sense of fulfillment that can diminish the value of sustained, meaningful pursuits. As a result, many people may find it increasingly difficult to engage deeply in activities like practicing a craft, learning a new skill, or engaging in creative work.
Recognizing these modern challenges, some thinkers and psychologists advocate for a conscious integration of ancient principles of harmony, effortlessness, and purpose into daily life. Practices such as mindfulness, deliberate unplugging from digital devices, and engaging in activities that align with one's core passions can help restore focus and facilitate flow. By consciously creating space for deep work and intrinsic motivation, individuals can counteract the distractions and superficial pursuits that dominate modern life, thereby enriching their overall well-being and sense of fulfillment.
Conclusion: A Timeless Pursuit
The exploration of ancient wisdom alongside modern psychology reveals that the pursuit of optimal experience, often called "flow," is a fundamental aspect of human nature that transcends different cultures and historical periods. These insights demonstrate that achieving fulfillment in life involves more than temporary pleasures; it requires aligning oneself with natural rhythms, cultivating skills, and engaging in activities that are meaningful, purposeful, and performed with full presence.
Throughout history, various philosophies and spiritual traditions have emphasized the importance of harmony and mastery. Concepts such as wu wei from Taoism, which advocates effortless action in accordance with the natural order; eudaimonia from Aristotle, representing human flourishing through virtuous living; and samadhi from Eastern meditation practices, denoting deep states of focused consciousness, all highlight the timeless nature of these ideas. By revisiting and integrating these ancient teachings, modern individuals and societies can develop more sustainable, fulfilling ways of living that resonate with our innate human tendencies.
Incorporating these principles into daily life offers practical guidance for navigating the complexities and distractions of contemporary society. They encourage us to seek balance, develop mastery in our pursuits, and find joy in the process itself rather than solely focusing on outcomes. By doing so, we honor a shared human heritage—an enduring collective wisdom—that continues to inspire and guide us in our ongoing quest for meaning, personal growth, and deep satisfaction. Ultimately, the pursuit of a meaningful, flow-filled life remains a timeless endeavor rooted in the universal truths of human nature.
References for Further Reading:
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Harper & Row.
Lao Tzu. (6th century BCE). Tao Te Ching.
Aristotle. (4th century BCE). Nicomachean Ethics.
Patanjali. (2nd century BCE). Yoga Sutras.
Sivananda, S. (1988). The Science of Pranayama. Divine Life Society.
Nisbett, R. E. (2003). The Geography of Thought. Free Press.
Note:This essay synthesizes ancient philosophical concepts with modern psychological findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of human optimal experience. It emphasizes the universality of these ideas and their relevance in contemporary life.
A petrographic thin section of Apollo 17 sample 72275, a fragmental breccia. Photo credit: Randy Korotev
A set of instruments shut off almost 50 years ago are still producing useful results. It’s the seismometers left by the Apollo missions to monitor moonquakes, which as the name suggests are earthquakes but on the Moon. First off, the Apollo seismometers were the first to reveal that the Moon does indeed have quakes, which is an impressive achievement in its own right. And once we realized that the Moon shakes, we’ve been able to use the natural seismic vibrations produced inside the Moon to map out its interior structure.
It's the same way that we can map out the interior of the Earth. Vibrations travel at different speeds through different kinds of materials, just like sounds are different in the air versus under water.
The reason that the Apollo-era seismometers, which were shut off in 1978, still provide useful results is that even though they’re not producing data, our analysis techniques and understanding have improved. This means we can squeeze more information out of the data we already have, and decades after the seismometers went silent, we were able to use their data to find evidence for the existence of the Moon’s core.
So the Moon’s got a core, that’s nice. What’s the big deal? The big deal is that it’s best to stop thinking of the Moon as merely the natural satellite of the Earth. Instead, think of it as small rocky terrestrial world in its own right. It’s stepping out of the shadow and into the limelight, and it’s got something to say.
I’m reframing this because the Moon is our keystone to understanding how ALL terrestrial planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, and yes, even Earth – evolved in their early history. That’s because the Moon still retains a record, a memory, of its younger days, frozen in place for billions of years. The Earth doesn’t remember most of its ancient history because of all our plate tectonics. We haven’t landed on Mercury. We’ve technically landed on Venus, but that wasn’t for very long so it doesn’t count. And yes, we’ve landed a lot on Mars, and even collected some samples…but we haven’t figured out how to get those samples back to Earth.
So not only does the Moon retain a memory of what all terrestrial planets go through, it’s right there and we’ve been able to touch it! And bring some back! And, and smell it! By cracking open Moon rocks, by looking at seismometer data, by looking at core samples, by looking at heat flow data, we can piece together what happened on the Moon and use that knowledge to inform what happens to Mars, Venus, Mercury…and Earth.
And what happened to the Moon was, put simply, not very pretty. We now know that there was a phase, shortly after it formed, when the Moon was covered in a single magma ocean with a depth of around 500 kilometers. What we call the Lunar highlands are simply the slightly-less-dense rock that floated to the surface of that magma ocean and then solidified first. What floated to the top and cooled was largely minerals containing oxygen and silicon, with iron sinking down to form the core – hey wait a minute, that’s exactly like the Earth! I told you the Moon could tell us about our own planet.
Shortly after the surface of the Moon largely cooled and the crust formed, it suffered a series of intense impacts, an epoch between 3.85 and 4 billion years ago called the Late Heavy Bombardment. Just strike after strike after strike, like a brutal uneven boxing match that you just can’t look away from. Each of those impacts formed breccias, which comes from the Italian word for rubble. Why we didn’t just call it rubble, I don’t know.
Breccias are formed when you have a bunch of different kinds of rocks and minerals doing their own thing, minding their own business, when WHAM a meteorite comes crashing in, smashing and mixing and fusing everything together, and then all those minerals are forced to cohabitate in the same rocks.
Finally, after the late heavy bombardment, the moon suffered periods of major volcanism, which would explode and pour liquid hot magma across their surroundings, generating the mare, or seas, that we see today.
Artist's depiction of comets containing semi-heavy water hitting Earth. Credit - NASA / Theophilus Britt Griswold
Comets are like the archeological sites of the solar system. They formed early on, and their composition helps us understand what the area around the early Sun was like, potentially even before any planets were formed. A new paper from researchers at a variety of US and European institutions used the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) to capture detailed spatial spectral images of comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which is very similar to the famous Halley’s comet, and might hold clues to where the water on the Earth came from.
It might not be intuitively obvious just looking at it, but there are three types of water in Earth’s ocean. H2O, what we think of as regular water, is the most common, but there’s another, less common type known as semi-heavy water. Semi-heavy water replaces one of the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule with a deuterium atom - essentially a “heavy” version of hydrogen with two neutrons. About one in every 3,200 water molecules in the oceans is made up of this semi-heavy molecule, which is known as the D/H ratio. Even more rare is the true “heavy” water, where both hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium, which only happens in one in every 41 million water molecules.
The ratio of regular water to semi-heavy water has been of interest to astronomers for a long time as it can be used as evidence for where that water came from. There aren’t any biological or chemical processes that would change that ratio on a global scale, so it should be the same as when water was first delivered to Earth. Astronomers had long debated whether or not comets were that delivery mechanism, but data so far had been mixed as best about whether the ratio of semi-heavy water to water in the comets themselves was the same as that on Earth.
Fraser discusses the Oort Cloud, the source of many comets
Most previous comets that had been observed had higher D/H ratios in the water in their coma than that of Earth’s oceans, calling into question whether they were the original source. However, more recently comets from other “families”, such as Oort-cloud comets and Jupiter-family comets, which have a distinct orbital path from Halley-types like 12P/Pons-Brooks, have been found to have the correct D/H ratio, bringing these interplanetary travelers back into the spotlight as a potential source of Earth’s water.
However, up until now, no one had yet found the correct D/H ratio in a Halley-type comet. That’s really the most important finding of the new paper - ALMA watched the coma of 12P/Pons-Brooks in April and May 2024, with one continual week-long observational period capturing data on the semi-heavy water in it, and a single day capturing the much stronger spectrographic signal of the normal water.
To reconcile these two observational times, and any changes that might have occurred between them, the researchers used a radiative transfer model based on methanol, another common cometary gas, as a proxy for the potential variability in the rate of water production. To prove this point, the researchers also utilized data from the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility to prove that the production rate of both methanol and water didn’t change. Importantly, this proved that both the water and semi-heavy water in the coma was being produced by sublimation from the nucleus, not through chemical reactions in the coma itself.
Dr. Paul Hartogh discusses the D/H ratio in comets.
Credit - Serious Science YouTube Channel
One added feature of the ALMA data was its spatial resolution, and it was the first time that spatial data of these ratios was obtained for a Halley-type comet. While that particular finding didn’t have a major impact on the overall D/H ratio, it might be useful for future studies on the physics of comets. It can also be combined with spatial data from other types of comets that hint at an interesting theory - that, despite our different labels for them, they might have all come from the same place originally. The ratios are similar enough that the researchers suggest that the comets might have developed within 10AU of each other in the early solar system, essentially making only what happened to them afterward the differentiator between what we now view as different classes of comets.
More data is needed to prove that theory, but if it is true then comets are not only spectacular visitors that light up the sky every so often. They are a common thread that ties everything in the solar system together throughout its billion year history. While this paper in particular contributes to our understanding of that, and how they might have been the driving force of the creation of Earth’s oceans, there’s still a lot we don’t know about them - which means it is indeed time to collect more data.
Clear dashcam UFO footage: Classified craft or alien presence?
Clear dashcam UFO footage: Classified craft or alien presence?
The first video, beginning around the 1:02 mark, was captured on a dash cam while driving eastbound on a four-lane freeway. Suddenly, a large triangular craft entered the frame, flying approximately 300 to 400 feet above the road.
Although the exact location remains unknown, the sighting is remarkable for its level of visible detail:
A blinking light with two dull orange lights in the center.
A large circular feature on the underside, possibly an energy source.
A distinctly aerodynamic triangular design.
What appears to be an energy field or interference surrounding the craft.
An estimated width of 75 to 100 feet, with no audible sound, suggesting non-conventional technology.
When viewed in slow motion, the footage stands out as one of the most striking nighttime captures to date, raising the question: is this a black-budget military project, or evidence of something extraterrestrial? Interestingly, the triangular craft bears a strong resemblance to the rumored TR-3B black manta, an alleged anti-gravity alien reproduction vehicle.
Additional almost similar sightings in Texas and Florida.
Austin, Texas: A dark craft hovering silently in the night sky, completely stationary throughout the entire recording.
Sarasota, Florida: Three energy sources forming a triangular pattern while hovering in the night sky. It looks like it could be one of those triangle crafts.
Today, many aerial craft, whether human-made or not, are observed using technologies that remain beyond our current understanding.
Het Langdurige Mysterie van het Ontbrekende Normale Materie in het Universum: Een Doorbraak in de Astrofysica
Het Langdurige Mysterie van het Ontbrekende Normale Materie in het Universum: Een Doorbraak in de Astrofysica
Een afbeelding van een kunstenaar toont hoe korte, heldere flitsen van radiogolven door de mist tussen sterrenstelsels reizen, bekend als het intergalactische medium. Elke golflengte stelt astronomen in staat om de anders onzichtbare gewone materie te 'wegen'.
Melissa Weiss/CfA
Het universum, zoals wij het kennen, bestaat uit een complexe samenstelling van materie en energie. Hoewel wetenschappers aanzienlijke vorderingen hebben gemaakt in het begrijpen van de kosmische samenstelling, blijft een intrigerend vraagstuk bestaan: waar is al het 'normale' materie dat volgens theorieën en waarnemingen had moeten bestaan, maar tot nu toe grotendeels ontbrak in onze observaties? Recent onderzoek suggereert dat een lang bestaand raadsel over de zogenaamde 'ontbrekende' materie mogelijk opgelost is. Deze ontdekking heeft de potentie om ons begrip van de kosmische structuur en de evolutie van het heelal ingrijpend te veranderen.
Het Probleem van de Ontbrekende Materie
Het concept van 'normale' materie, ook wel baryonische materie genoemd, verwijst naar de materie die opgebouwd is uit baryonen: de elementaire deeltjes zoals protonen en neutronen. Deze vormen de basis van sterren, planeten, gaswolkjes en alles wat we kunnen waarnemen met het blote oog of telescopen. Het is de materie die wij kennen en die zichtbaar is in het universum. Toch bestaat er een fundamenteel probleem dat wetenschappers al decennia bezighoudt: de hoeveelheid baryonische materie die we in het heelal waarnemen, komt niet overeen met de hoeveelheid die we theoretisch verwachten op basis van kosmologische modellen en waarnemingen van de oerknal.
In de jaren 1950 al ontdekten astronomen dat de hoeveelheid baryonische materie in het heelal niet volledig kan worden verklaard door de objecten die we direct kunnen zien, zoals sterren en gaswolken. Toen ze de gegevens vergeleken met de voorspellende modellen van het heelal, bleek dat er een aanzienlijk deel van de baryonen ontbrak. Dit was een opmerkelijk probleem omdat het betekende dat er een grote hoeveelheid materie moest zijn die we niet konden detecteren, hoewel de theorieën en metingen aangeven dat ze aanwezig moesten zijn.
In het begin van de 21e eeuw werden de schattingen van de baryonische inhoud van het heelal verfijnd door middel van geavanceerde observaties. Onderzoek naar de kosmische microgolfachtergrond, de straling die de oerknal herinnert, gaf een eerste indicatie van de hoeveelheid baryonische materie die in het heelal aanwezig is. Daarnaast werden grote schaalstructuren zoals clusters van sterrenstelsels bestudeerd. Deze clusters bevatten enorme hoeveelheden gas dat zich uitstrekt over miljoenen lichtjaren en dat voornamelijk bestaat uit baryonen. Uit deze metingen bleek dat ongeveer 5% van de totale energie-inhoud van het heelal uit baryonische materie bestaat, volgens de standaard kosmologische modellen.
Maar hier ligt het probleem: als we proberen te tellen hoeveel baryonen we daadwerkelijk kunnen waarnemen in het heelal, dan komen we tot de conclusie dat slechts een fractie van die 5% echt zichtbaar is. We kunnen sterren, gaswolken en andere objecten tellen en meten, maar deze waarnemingen laten slechts een deel zien van de baryonen die volgens de modellen aanwezig zouden moeten zijn. Het resterende deel lijkt te 'verdwijnen' in de waarnemingen, wat heeft geleid tot de benaming ‘missing baryons’ of ‘ontbrekende materie’. Met andere woorden, er zou een groot deel van de baryonische materie in het heelal moeten zijn, maar die is tot nu toe niet direct zichtbaar of detecteerbaar met de instrumenten die we tot onze beschikking hebben.
Het ontbreken van deze baryonen vormt een van de grootste raadsels in de moderne kosmologie. Verschillende theorieën en onderzoekslijnen proberen te verklaren waar deze 'verdwenen' materie zich zou kunnen bevinden. Een veelgehoorde hypothese is dat deze baryonen zich in een soort diffuse, hete gaswolk bevinden die zich uitstrekt tussen de sterrenstelsels en clusters van sterrenstelsels, de zogenaamde 'warm-hot intergalactic medium' (WHIM). Dit gas is extreem dun en heet, waardoor het moeilijk te detecteren is met traditionele telescopen die vooral gevoelig zijn voor zichtbaar licht of koud gas.
Het onderzoek naar de ontbrekende baryonen is complex en vereist geavanceerde instrumenten en technieken, zoals X-ray telescopen en spectroscopie om het zwakke signaal van het diffuse gas op te vangen. Het vinden en bestuderen van deze ontbrekende materie is essentieel om een compleet beeld te krijgen van de samenstelling van het heelal en om de evolutie ervan beter te begrijpen. Het oplossen van dit vraagstuk kan ook nieuwe inzichten bieden in de dynamiek van het heelal, de werking van donkere materie en de aard van de kosmische evolutie.
Kortom, het probleem van de ontbrekende baryonische materie is een van de grote raadsels in de hedendaagse astronomie en kosmologie. Het benadrukt dat zelfs de meest fundamentele onderdelen van het universum, de materie die we het beste kennen, nog steeds mysteries bevat die wachten om opgelost te worden. Het zoeken naar deze 'verdwenen' baryonen is niet alleen een zoektocht naar ontbrekende materie, maar ook een zoektocht naar meer inzicht in de fundamentele werking van ons heelal.
De zoektocht naar de ontbrekende baryonen
Gedurende decennia waren astronomen vastbesloten om dit mysterie op te lossen. Verschillende hypothesen werden geopperd over waar deze baryonen zich konden bevinden. Eén van de meest aannemelijke theorieën stelde dat de ontbrekende materie zich bevindt in een diffuse, hete gaswolk die zich uitstrekt over de intergalactische ruimte. Dit heet het Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM), een extreem dunne en hete gasfase met temperaturen tussen 10^5 en 10^7 Kelvin. Vanwege de lage dichtheid en hoge temperatuur is het echter bijzonder moeilijk te detecteren met traditionele telescopen.
Recentelijk is er echter een belangrijke doorbraak geweest. Astronomen hebben gebruikgemaakt van geavanceerde instrumenten zoals de Cosmic Origins Spectrograph op de Hubble-ruimtetelescoop en de X-ray observatoria zoals Chandra en XMM-Newton. Door nauwkeurig te kijken naar de spectra van heldere achtergrondbronnen, zoals quasars, konden ze absorptielijnen identificeren die wijzen op het bestaan van het WHIM.
Een baanbrekende studie, gepubliceerd in 2023, toont aan dat een aanzienlijk deel van de ontbrekende baryonen inderdaad in dit hete, diffuse gas bevindt. Door meerdere lijnen van bevestiging te combineren, konden onderzoekers de hoeveelheid baryonische massa in het WHIM nauwkeurig schatten. Deze metingen suggereren dat ongeveer 60-70% van de 'verdwenen' baryonen nu wordt gevonden in deze intergalactische gaswolken.
Wat deze nieuwe bevindingen bijzonder maakt, is dat ze overeenkomen met de resultaten van recente onderzoeken die gebruikmaakten van Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs). Sinds 2007 zijn meer dan duizend FRBs gedetecteerd, waarvan slechts ongeveer 100 konden worden herleid tot hun galaxieën. Deze korte, krachtige radiosignalen fungeren als kosmische zaklampen die door de intergalactische ruimte reizen. Hun licht wordt beïnvloed door de materie die ze passeren: hoe meer materie, hoe meer de signalen vertragen, vooral in het zogenoemde plasma dispersion effect.
De 69 onderzochte FRBs, waarvan sommige zich op afstanden van 11,74 miljoen tot bijna 9,1 miljard lichtjaar bevinden, bieden een nieuwe manier om de verdeling van materie te bestuderen. Het meest verre FRB, genaamd FRB 20230521B, werd tijdens het onderzoek ontdekt en is momenteel het meest afgelegen waargenomen FRB. Met behulp van het Deep Synoptic Array, een netwerk van 110 radiotelescopen nabij Bishop, Californië, konden de onderzoekers 39 van deze FRBs traceren naar hun oorsprong. Daarnaast werden de afstanden gemeten met telescopen zoals Keck en Palomar in Hawaii en San Diego. De overige 30 FRBs werden gevonden met de Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder en andere telescopen wereldwijd.
Wanneer radiosignalen als FRBs door de ruimte reizen, worden ze beïnvloed door de materie die ze passeren. Hoe meer materie in hun pad, des te meer worden de signalen vertraagd of verspreid in verschillende golflengten. Dit fenomeen, plasma dispersie genoemd, stelt astronomen in staat om de hoeveelheid en verdeling van de intergalactische materie te meten. Door de vertragingen in verschillende golflengten te analyseren, konden de onderzoekers het gas dat de FRBs passeerden in kaart brengen.
Volgens Connor, een van de onderzoekers, fungeren FRBs als korte kosmische lantaarns: “We kunnen heel precies meten hoe de radiosignalen vertraagd worden op verschillende golflengten (plasma dispersie), en dat geeft ons een manier om alle baryon(en) mee te tellen.” Co-auteur Vikram Ravi vergelijkt het met het zien van de schaduw van alle baryonen: “Als je een persoon voor je ziet, kun je veel over hem te weten komen. Maar als je alleen zijn schaduw ziet, weet je nog steeds dat hij er is en ongeveer hoe groot hij is.”
Door deze nieuwe methode konden de onderzoekers de verdeling van het baryonische materie in het heelal beter in kaart brengen. Het resultaat toont aan dat 76% van de kosmische materie zich bevindt als heet, laag-dicht gas tussen de sterrenstelsels, terwijl 15% in galactische halo’s ligt. De rest bevindt zich binnen de sterren, planeten en koud gas in de sterrenstelsels zelf.
Een illustratie van een kunstenaar toont gewone materie als kleurige plekken in de ruimten tussen sterrenstelsels.
Jack Madden/IllustrisTNG/Ralf Konietzka/Liam Connor/CfA
Impliceert voor ons begrip van het heelal
Deze recente observatiegebaseerde bevindingen bieden een belangrijke aanvulling op ons huidige begrip van het heelal en bevestigen enkele langverwachte theorieën over de verdeling van materie in het kosmos. Ze sluiten naadloos aan bij eerdere voorspellingen uit geavanceerde simulaties en modelleringen, en laten zien dat het 'missing baryon problem'—het probleem dat wetenschappers al decennia lang proberen op te lossen—voor een groot deel een kwestie was van waar de materie zich bevindt in plaats van of die materie überhaupt bestond.
Het 'missing baryon problem' verwijst naar de discrepantie tussen de hoeveelheid baryonische materie (de normale materie die uit protonen en neutronen bestaat) die we zien in sterrenstelsels, gaswolken en andere zichtbare objecten, en de hoeveelheid die we theoretisch verwachten op basis van de kosmische achtergrondstraling en de modellering van het vroege heelal. Voorheen was het onduidelijk waar het grootste deel van deze baryonen zich bevond, want veel ervan was niet zichtbaar met de bestaande instrumenten. Nieuwe observaties, onder andere door middel van snelle radio-observaties en het gebruik van Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), hebben nu uitgewezen dat een groot deel van deze baryonische materie zich bevindt in het Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM).
William H. Kinney, professor in de fysica aan de Universiteit van Buffalo, benadrukt dat de materie zelf al lang bekend was, maar dat we nu met nieuwe technieken en instrumenten hebben vastgesteld dat het grootste deel ervan in het WHIM ligt. Kinney zegt: “De decennia oude ‘missing baryon problem’ was nooit over of de materie er was, maar vooral over waar die zich bevond.” Het is een belangrijke doorbraak omdat het de lang bestaande onzekerheid wegneemt dat deze materie misschien niet bestond, en in plaats daarvan aantoont dat het zich voornamelijk in diffuse, warm en uitgestrekte gaswolken bevindt die zich tussen de sterrenstelsels uitstrekken.
Connor, een ander wetenschapper die betrokken is bij dit onderzoek, voegt hieraan toe: “Dankzij FRBs weten we nu dat driekwart van de baryonen in het heelal zweeft tussen de sterrenstelsels, in de kosmische webstructuur.” Deze kosmische webstructuur bestaat uit filamenten van gas en donkere materie die de grote schaal van het heelal vormen. De metingen van FRBs—zeer korte en krachtige radiogolven die door het heelal reizen—maken het mogelijk om de hoeveelheid materie die ze doorkruisen te bepalen, doordat de vertraging van het radiosignaal (de dispersie) wordt beïnvloed door de hoeveelheid gas dat het passeert.
Het begrijpen van deze verdeling van baryonische materie is van groot belang voor het verfijnen van onze modellen over de evolutie en structuurvorming van het heelal. Het laat zien dat een aanzienlijk deel van de materie niet zichtbaar is met traditionele telescopen, omdat het zich in een warm, dun gas bevindt dat moeilijk te detecteren is. Dit gas wordt verwarmd tot temperaturen tussen ongeveer 10^5 en 10^7 Kelvin, waardoor het vooral zichtbaar wordt in de röntgenstraling. Dit verklaart waarom eerdere observaties met bijvoorbeeld optische en radiotelescopen niet voldoende waren om deze materie te lokaliseren en te kwantificeren.
De nieuwe inzichten bieden niet alleen antwoorden, maar roepen ook nieuwe vragen op. Hoe wordt het WHIM gevormd en onderhouden? Welke fysische processen zorgen voor de verhitting en dispersie van deze gaswolken? Het lijkt erop dat interacties tussen het gas en de donkere materie, evenals energiebalansen binnen het heelal, een belangrijke rol spelen in de vorming en stabiliteit van het WHIM. Het bestuderen van deze processen is cruciaal voor een volledig begrip van de evolutie van het universum.
De ontwikkeling van nieuwe, gevoeliger instrumenten en observatietechnieken zal een grote rol spelen in het verder ontrafelen van deze mysteries. Zo wordt bijvoorbeeld gewerkt aan de geplande Lynx X-ray observator, die in staat zal zijn om röntgenstraling van het WHIM met hoge precisie te meten en in kaart te brengen. Daarnaast zal de James Webb Space Telescope, vooral bekend om zijn vermogen om in het infrarood te kijken, bijdragen aan het bestuderen van de interactie tussen baryonische materie en donkere materie, en het proces van structuurvorming op grote schaal.
Kortom, deze nieuwe bevindingen helpen ons niet alleen om het 'missing baryon problem' op te lossen, maar bieden ook een dieper inzicht in de complexe dynamiek van het heelal. Ze bevestigen dat het grootste deel van de normale materie zich niet in de sterren en planeten bevindt, maar in een uitgestrekt en warm gas dat zich tussen de sterrenstelsels bevindt en de grote structuur van het heelal vormgeeft. Dit heeft grote implicaties voor ons begrip van de evolutie van het heelal en onderstreept het belang van geavanceerde observatietechnieken voor toekomstige kosmologische ontdekkingen. Het is een belangrijke stap in de richting van een completer en nauwkeuriger beeld van de samenstelling en de dynamiek van ons heelal.
De Deep Synoptic Array hielp astronomen om eerder onbekende snelle radiobroken te vinden.
Vikram Ravi/Caltech/OVRO
Conclusie
Het oplossen van het langlopende raadsel van de 'ontbrekende' baryonische materie markeert een belangrijke mijlpaal in de astrofysica. Dankzij geavanceerde observatietechnieken zoals de studie van FRBs en spectroscopie wordt het mogelijk om het grootste deel van deze mysterieuze materie terug te vinden in het hete intergalactische gas dat zich uitstrekt over grote afstanden. Deze ontdekkingen versterken ons begrip van de dynamiek en evolutie van het heelal en onderstrepen dat zelfs de oudste vragen over de kosmos nieuwe antwoorden kunnen brengen, mits we blijven kijken en innoveren. De combinatie van nieuwe technologieën en methoden brengt ons dichter bij het volledig begrijpen van de complexe structuur van het universum en de verborgen materie die het vormgeeft.
Artistic interpretation of CHIME's Outrigger array over North America localizing RBFLOAT to its host galaxy. Credit: Daniëlle Futselaar/MMT Observatory
An international team of scientists, including Northwestern University astrophysicists, has spotted one of the brightest fast radio bursts (FRBs) ever recorded—and pinpointed its location with unprecedented precision.
The millisecond-long blast—nicknamed RBFLOAT (short for "radio-brightest flash of all time" and, yes, a nod to "root beer float")—was discovered by the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment (CHIME) and its newly completed "Outrigger" array. By combining observations from sites in British Columbia, West Virginia and California, scientists traced the burst to a single spiral arm of a galaxy 130 million light-years away—accurate within just 42 light-years.
Because they occur so far away and vanish within the blink of an eye, FRBs are notoriously difficult to study. If scientists can pinpoint an FRB's exact location, however, they can explore its environment, including characteristics of its home galaxy, distance from Earth and potentially even its cause. Eventually, this information could help shed light on the nature and origins of these mysterious, fleeting bursts.
First time FRB was traced to source location was 2015
The study, "FRB 20250316A: A Brilliant and Nearby One-Off Fast Radio Burst Localized to 13 parsec Precision," published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, marks the first time the full Outrigger array was used to localize an FRB.
"It is remarkable that only a couple of months after the full Outrigger array went online, we discovered an extremely bright FRB in a galaxy in our own cosmic neighborhood," said Northwestern's Wen-fai Fong, a senior author on the study.
"This bodes very well for the future. An increase in event rates always provides the opportunity for discovering more rare events. The CHIME/FRB collaboration worked for many years toward this technical achievement, and the universe rewarded us with an absolute gift."
"This result marks a turning point," said corresponding author Amanda Cook, a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University. "Instead of just detecting these mysterious flashes, we can now see exactly where they are coming from. It opens the door for discovering whether they are caused by dying stars, exotic magnetic objects or something we haven't even thought of yet."
An expert on cosmic explosions, Fong is an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. She is also a member of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) and the NSF-Simons AI Institute for the Sky (SkAI Institute).
An artist's depiction shows how brief, bright bursts of radio waves travel through the fog between galaxies, known as the intergalactic medium. Each wavelength allows astronomers to “weigh” the otherwise invisible ordinary matter.
Melissa Weiss/CfA
Four days of solar energy packed into a single blink
Flaring up and disappearing within milliseconds, FRBs are brief, powerful radio blasts that generate more energy in one quick burst than our sun emits in an entire year. While most pass unnoticed, every once in a while, an FRB is bright enough to detect. FRB20250316A, or RBFLOAT, was one of these rare events. Detected in March 2025, RBFLOAT released as much energy in a few milliseconds as the sun produces in four days.
"It was so bright that our pipeline initially flagged it as radio frequency interference, signals often caused by cell phones or airplanes that are much closer to home," Fong said. "It took some sleuthing by members of our collaboration to uncover that it was a real astrophysical signal."
And while many FRBs repeat—pulsing multiple times across several months—RBFLOAT emitted all its energy in just one burst. Even in the hundreds of hours after it was first observed, astronomers did not detect repeat bursts from the source. That means astrophysicists couldn't wait for another flare to gather more data. Instead, they only had one shot at pinpointing its location.
"RBFLOAT was the first non-repeating source localized to such precision," said Northwestern's Sunil Simha, a postdoctoral scholar at CIERA and study co-author. "These are much harder to locate. Thus, even detecting RBFLOAT is proof of concept that CHIME is indeed capable of detecting such events and building a statistically interesting sample of FRBs."
Location of RBFLOAT next to its host galaxy.
Credit: Yuxin "Vic" Dong/MMT
FRB forensics hint at a magnetar
To investigate RBFLOAT's origin, the scientists relied on CHIME, a large radio telescope in British Columbia and the world's most prolific FRB hunter. Smaller versions of CHIME, the Outriggers, enable astronomers to triangulate signals to precisely confine the specific locations of FRBs on the sky.
With this array of vantage points, the team traced the burst to the Big Dipper constellation in the outskirts of a galaxy about 130 million light-years away from Earth. The team precisely pinpointed it to a region just 45 light-years across, which is smaller than an average star cluster.
Follow-up observations from the 6.5-meter MMT telescope in Arizona and the Keck Cosmic Web Imager on the 10-meter Keck II Telescope in Hawai'i provided the most detailed view yet of a non-repeating FRB's surroundings. Simha analyzed the optical data obtained from Keck, and Northwestern graduate student Yuxin "Vic" Dong used the MMT to obtain deep optical images of the FRB's host galaxy.
Their investigations revealed the burst occurred along a spiral arm of the galaxy, which is dotted with many star-forming regions. The RBFLOAT occurred near, but not inside, one of these star-forming regions. Although astrophysicists still don't know exactly what causes FRBs, this evidence bolsters one leading hypothesis.
At least some appear to come from magnetars, ultra-magnetized neutron stars born from the deaths of massive stars. Star-forming regions often host young magnetars, which are energetic enough to produce quick, powerful bursts.
"We found the FRB lies at the outskirts of a star-forming region that hosts massive stars," Simha said. "For the first time, we could even estimate how deeply it's embedded in surrounding gas, and it's relatively shallow."
Keck's rich dataset and FRB's precise location enabled the team to perform first-of-its-kind analysis of the galaxy's properties at the FRB's location. These uncovered characteristics include the density of the galaxy's gas, star-formation rate and presence of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
"The FRB lies on a spiral arm of its host galaxy," added Dong, who is the principal investigator of the MMT program.
"Spiral arms are typically sites of ongoing star formation, which supports the idea that it came from a magnetar. Using our extremely sensitive MMT image, we were able to zoom in further and found that the FRB is actually outside the nearest star-forming clump. This location is intriguing because we would expect it to be located within the clump, where star formation is happening.
"This could suggest that the progenitor magnetar was kicked from its birth site or that it was born right at the FRB site and away from the clump's center."
The start of something spectacular
With the CHIME Outriggers now fully running, astronomers expect to pin down hundreds more FRBs each year—bringing them closer than ever to solving the mystery of what causes these spectacular flashes. The localization power of the Outriggers, combined with CHIME's wide field of view, marks a turning point for the FRB search.
"For years, we've known FRBs occur all over the sky, but pinning them down has been painstakingly slow," Dong said. "Now, we can routinely tie them to specific galaxies, even down to neighborhoods within those galaxies."
"The entire FRB community has only published about 100 well-localized events in the past eight years," Simha said. "Now, we expect more than 200 precise detections per year from CHIME alone. RBFLOAT was a spectacular source to begin building such a sample."
"Thanks to the CHIME Outriggers, we're now entering a new era of FRB science," said study co-author Tarraneh Eftekhari, who is CIERA's assistant director.
"With hundreds of precisely localized events expected in the next few years, we can start to understand the full breadth of environments from which these mysterious signals emanate, bringing us one step closer to unlocking their secrets. RBFLOAT is just the beginning."
More information: FRB 20250316A: A Brilliant and Nearby One-off Fast Radio Burst Localized to 13 pc Precision, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2025). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/adf62f on arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2506.19006
De psychologische betekenis van UFO's, buitenaardse wezens en het probleem van het kwaad
De psychologische betekenis van UFO's, buitenaardse wezens en het probleem van het kwaad
In de hedendaagse samenleving worden UFO's en UAP's (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) vaak niet alleen gezien als mysterieuze objecten of buitenaardse bezoekers, maar ook als symbolen die diepgewortelde menselijke angsten, wensen en existentiële vragen weerspiegelen. Deze fenomenen raken aan fundamentele thema's zoals onze psychologische drijfveren, onze zoektocht naar betekenis, en vooral het onvermijdelijke en universele probleem van het kwaad. In deze analyse wordt onderzocht hoe deze fenomenen niet alleen een voorgrond vormen voor speculatie en wetenschap, maar ook een spiegel bieden voor onze collectieve psyche en onze innerlijke conflicten.
De menselijke neiging tot projecie: angst en de schaduw
Een kernpunt in de interpretatie van UFO's en UAP's is onze natuurlijke neiging om onze eigen angsten, onderdrukte emoties en innerlijke conflicten op anderen te projecteren. Carl Jung noemde dit concept de 'schaduw', een deel van ons onbewuste dat verborgen is omdat het aspecten bevat die we liever niet onder ogen zien of accepteren. Volgens Jung is het projectieproces een manier om onze eigen innerlijke conflicten en gevoelens te externaliseren, zodat we ons niet volledig bewust hoeven te worden van onze ongemakkelijke emoties.
Wanneer we geconfronteerd worden met onbegrepen fenomenen zoals UFO's, kunnen we deze vaak toeschrijven aan buitenaardse wezens omdat ze een symbool worden voor datgene wat wij niet begrijpen of wat ons angst aanjaagt. Een buitenaards wezen kan bijvoorbeeld staan voor het onbekende, het gevaarlijke of zelfs kwaadaardige dat we in onszelf en onze samenleving vrezen. Deze interpretaties worden versterkt door de media en populaire cultuur, die vaak beelden en verhalen scheppen over buitenaardse invallen en invasies, waardoor de angst wordt aangezet en versterkt.
Deze projectie is niet alleen individueel, maar heeft ook een sociale en politieke dimensie. In tijden van grote onzekerheid, zoals tijdens crises, oorlogen of maatschappelijke onrust, worden 'de ander' – of dat nu een persoon, een groep of een geheel buitenlands fenomeen – vaak gezien als de oorzaak van het probleem of als een bedreiging. Dit verschijnsel leidt tot de dehumanisering van de 'ander', waardoor het makkelijker wordt om vijandigheid en geweld te rechtvaardigen. Voorbeelden hiervan zijn de demonisering van buitenlandse groepen, vreemdelingen of politieke tegenstanders, maar ook de angst voor onbekende fenomenen zoals UFO's.
Door deze projectie ontstaan vaak stereotypen en vooroordelen die niet gebaseerd zijn op feitelijke kennis, maar op angst en onwetendheid. Het gevaar hiervan ligt in de mogelijkheid tot escalatie van conflicten en het onvermogen om rationeel en open te staan voor het onbekende. Het erkennen van onze neiging tot projectie kan helpen om meer begrip en empathie te ontwikkelen, zowel naar anderen als naar die onbegrepen fenomenen die ons blijven intrigeren en soms angstaanjagend lijken. Het leren omgaan met onze schaduw en de angsten die daarmee gepaard gaan, biedt een weg naar meer bewustzijn en innerlijke balans, ook in de interpretatie van het onbekende buiten onszelf.
Het kwaad als ultieme zorg: een existentiële uitdaging
Het kwaad wordt door filosofen, theologen en psychologen vaak gezien als een van de meest fundamentele en ultieme menselijke zorgen. Het stelt ons voor diepe existentiële vragen: waarom bestaat er zoveel lijden, onrecht en destructie in onze wereld? Hoe kunnen goede, moreel verlichte mensen toch kwade daden verrichten? Deze vragen raken aan de kern van ons bestaan en confronteren ons met de kwetsbaarheid en complexiteit van de menselijke natuur.
Het kwaad wordt niet alleen gezien als een moreel probleem, maar ook als een existentiële uitdaging. Het dwingt ons na te denken over de aard van goed en kwaad, over onze eigen rol in het wereldwijde geheel en over de vraag of het kwaad onvermijdelijk is. Religieuze tradities proberen vaak antwoorden te vinden door te verwijzen naar het concept van zonde of het kwaad als een test van ons geloof, terwijl filosofen zoals Leibniz spraken over de ‘beste van alle mogelijke werelden’, waarin het kwaad geen afwezigheid van goed is, maar een noodzakelijk onderdeel ervan.
De recente discussie over UFO’s en buitenaardse levensvormen voegt een nieuwe dimensie toe aan deze vragen. Zou het bestaan van buitenaardse beschavingen het kwaad kunnen belichamen? Of zouden zij, zoals sommige theorieën suggereren, wellicht de ultieme verbeeldingen zijn van onze angst voor het onbekende en het kwaadaardige dat in onszelf huist? Het is interessant om te overwegen dat het kwaad niet exclusief menselijk is. Sommige denkers vermoeden dat buitenaardse beschavingen, indien zij bestaan en hoger geëvolueerd zijn, mogelijk het probleem van het kwaad hebben overwonnen. Dit zou betekenen dat zij een hogere morele staat hebben bereikt, waarin destructie en lijden niet meer de kern vormen van hun bestaan. Echter, dit blijft een utopisch en wellicht naïef idee, omdat het aannemelijk is dat ook zij geconfronteerd worden met morele dilemma’s en de constante strijd tussen goed en kwaad. Het onderzoeken van het kwaad in relatie tot buitenaards leven helpt ons niet alleen om onze eigen morele positie te verduidelijken, maar ook om onze existentiële zorgen te verdiepen. Het blijft een universeel thema dat ons uitdaagt om na te denken over de aard van het kwaad en onze eigen rol daarin.
UFO's en buitenaardse wezens als projecties van hoop en angst
UFO's en buitenaardse wezens worden vaak gezien als fascinerende fenomenen die onze verbeelding en emoties sterk beïnvloeden. Voor velen symboliseren deze verschijnselen niet alleen een mysterie dat wacht om ontdekt te worden, maar ook een diepgewortelde hoop op een betere toekomst. Tegelijkertijd worden ze ook geassocieerd met angst en onzekerheid over wat er buiten onze aardse wereld schuilgaat. Een interessante invalshoek is het idee dat UFO's en buitenaardse wezens fungeren als projecties van hoop en angst, afhankelijk van onze eigen perspectieven en wensen.
Aan de ene kant worden buitenaardse wezens soms afgebeeld als potentiële redders. In veel sciencefictionverhalen en theorieën wordt aangenomen dat er buitenaardse beschavingen bestaan die hoger ontwikkeld zijn dan wij op het gebied van technologie en moraal. Deze beschavingen zouden ons kunnen helpen bij het oplossen van onze problemen, zoals oorlog, ziektes of klimaatverandering. Het idee dat er een hogere morele en technologische evolutie bestaat, geeft mensen een gevoel van troost en vertrouwen. Het biedt de hoop dat wij niet alleen op onze eigen kracht aangewezen zijn, maar dat er buiten onze aarde een soort universeel moreel kompas bestaat dat ons kan helpen in tijden van crisis. Bovendien wordt deze hoop versterkt door het concept dat buitenaardse wezens niet kwaadaardig, maar juist vriendelijk en hulpvaardig zijn, een beeld dat vaak wordt voorgesteld in populaire cultuur.
Tegelijkertijd roept deze hoop echter ook kritische vragen op. Is het niet te optimistisch en misschien zelfs naïef om buitenaardse beschavingen automatisch als goed en vriendelijk te beschouwen? Zijn wij niet veel te snel geneigd om onze eigen morele waarden op deze wezens te projecteren? Het gevaar ligt in het idealiseren van buitenaardse wezens als universele rede- en moreel gidsen, zonder rekening te houden met de complexiteit en diversiteit van mogelijke evoluties elders in het universum. Het is heel goed mogelijk dat buitenaardse beschavingen, net als de mensheid, een morele dualiteit kennen, met zowel goede als kwaadaardige kenmerken. Het idee dat zij per definitie moreel superieur of puur zouden zijn, kan leiden tot teleurstelling of zelfs gevaarlijke illusies, vooral als we hen beschouwen als messiaanse redders die onze problemen oplossen.
Bovendien is het belangrijk om te erkennen dat onze projecties niet altijd overeenkomen met de realiteit. Wij hebben de neiging om te zoeken naar hoop en geruststelling, vooral in onzekere tijden. Deze wens kan onze interpretaties beïnvloeden, waardoor we eerder geneigd zijn om een vriendelijk en behulpzaam beeld van buitenaardse wezens te vormen, zelfs als er geen concrete bewijzen voor bestaan. Het is daarom cruciaal om kritisch te blijven en niet te vergeten dat elk buitenaards wezen, net als wij, een complexe entiteit kan zijn met zowel goede als kwaadaardige neigingen.
Kortom, UFO's en buitenaardse wezens blijven intrigerende symbolen die onze diepere wensen en angsten weerspiegelen. Ze kunnen ons inspireren tot hoop en verbeelding, maar tegelijkertijd waarschuwen ze ons ook voor de gevaren van over-idealiseerde projecties. Het is belangrijk dat we deze fenomenen benaderen met een open maar kritische blik, ons bewust van de complexiteit en diversiteit die universeel mogelijk is. Alleen door een evenwichtige kijk kunnen we de ware aard van het buitenaardse verkennen zonder vast te lopen in simplistische aannames of illusies. Zo kunnen UFO's en buitenaardse wezens ons niet alleen uitdagen, maar ook helpen om onze eigen menselijke waarden en verwachtingen beter te begrijpen.
Het gevaar van de projectie: angst voor het kwaadaardige buitenaardse
De menselijke verbeelding wordt al eeuwenlang beïnvloed door de gedachte dat er buiten onze planeet intelligente levensvormen bestaan. Vaak worden deze buitenaardse wezens afgebeeld als gevaarlijk, kwaadaardig en destructief. Dit beeld wordt versterkt door literaire en culturele werken zoals H.G. Wells’ "War of the Worlds", waarin aliens worden voorgesteld als agressieve indringers die onze beschaving willen vernietigen. Deze negatieve voorstelling van buitenaardse wezens leidt tot een diepe angst voor de dreiging die ze mogelijk vormen, en kan resulteren in een defensieve en paranoïde houding ten opzichte van het buitenaardse.
De angst voor kwaadaardige aliens wordt niet alleen gevoed door fictie, maar ook door de menselijke behoefte om de onbekende wereld te begrijpen en te beheersen. Het idee dat er buitenaardse beschavingen bestaan die kwaadaardig kunnen zijn, brengt een confrontatie met het onzekere en het oncontroleerbare met zich mee. Het zou betekenen dat wij geconfronteerd worden met een andere vorm van het kwaad, die niet door menselijke beperkingen wordt bepaald of begrensd. Dit roept vragen op over onze eigen moraliteit en technologische superioriteit. Als buitenaardse wezens echt kwaadaardig blijken te zijn, zou dat ons verplichten onze eigen positie in het universum te herzien en te twijfelen aan onze morele superioriteit.
Het scenario van kwaadaardige buitenaardse wezens voedt vooral de angsten voor vernietiging en onderwerping. Het idee dat er een buitenaardse kracht bestaat die ons kan overmeesteren, wekt collectieve onrust en versterkt het militaristische denken. Mensen kunnen zich in zo’n situatie geneigd voelen tot het ontwikkelen van defensieve wapens en het vergroten van de militaire macht, uit angst voor een mogelijk invasie. Dit soort projectie van angst creëert een vicieuze cirkel waarin de angst voor het kwaadaardige buitenaardse wordt versterkt door de culturele beelden die we van hen hebben.
Bovendien roept de angst voor kwaadaardige aliens vragen op over onze eigen menselijkheid. Als wij ons zo sterk identificeren met het idee dat buitenaardse wezens kwaadaardig zijn, projecteren we onze angsten en negatieve eigenschappen op hen. Dit kan een manier zijn om onze eigen onzekerheid en onze behoefte aan veiligheid te externaliseren. Het is een voorbeeld van de menselijke neiging om het onbekende te demoniseren en te zien als een bedreiging. Het gevaar van deze projectie is dat het ons kan blind maken voor de werkelijke risico’s en dat we belangrijke ethische vragen negeren over hoe wij omgaan met het onbekende en de andere.
Kortom, de angst voor kwaadaardige buitenaardse wezens weerspiegelt onze eigen onzekerheden en culturele angsten. Het is een projectie die versterkt wordt door fictie en media, en die onze collectieve houding kan beïnvloeden. Het onderliggende gevaar hiervan is dat het ons afleidt van het onderzoeken van de werkelijke aard van het buitenaardse en ons kan leiden tot een defensieve, vreedzame houding ten opzichte van het onbekende. In plaats van ons te laten leiden door angst, zou een meer open en nieuwsgierige benadering kunnen bijdragen aan een beter begrip van onze plaats in het universum en de mogelijke vormen van intelligent leven die daar bestaan.
De ultieme vraag: zijn wij zelf het kwaad?
Een centrale en diepgaande vraag die voortkomt uit de overwegingen rondom het kwaad, is of wijzelf niet de grootste bron ervan zijn. Dit vraagstuk raakt aan de kern van de menselijke aard en roept ons op om naar binnen te kijken. Veel denkers en psychologen stellen dat het kwaad niet noodzakelijkerwijs van buitenaf komt, maar dat het juist in onszelf ligt. Ze suggereren dat de angst voor buitenaards kwaad en het projecteren van onze duistere kanten op de "ander" een afspiegeling is van onze eigen innerlijke conflicten en onbewuste gedachten.
Deze zienswijze benadrukt dat het inzicht in onze psychologische dynamiek cruciaal is om het fenomeen van het kwaad te begrijpen. S.A. Diamond, bijvoorbeeld, wijst erop dat het doorgronden van onze interne schaduwkanten ons helpt om bewuster te worden van onze neigingen tot kwaad. Wanneer we onze eigen donkere gedachten en impulsen erkennen, kunnen we beter leren omgaan met deze gevoelens en ze niet onbewust op anderen te projecteren. Dit geldt niet alleen voor menselijke relaties, maar ook voor hoe wij omgaan met het idee van buitenaards kwaad. Als wij ons bewust worden van onze eigen schaduwkanten, verkleinen we de kans dat we buitenaardse wezens of andere "buitenstaanders" als de ultieme bron van het kwaad gaan zien.
Het erkennen van onze eigen rol in het kwaad betekent niet dat we de buitenaardse fenomenen compleet negeren, maar juist dat we een evenwicht zoeken tussen het onderzoeken van externe bedreigingen en het introspectief werken aan onze morele ontwikkeling. Het gevaar van het buitenaardse kwaad, zoals dat vaak wordt voorgesteld in sciencefiction en populaire cultuur, ligt vooral in de projectie van onze eigen angsten en onvolkomenheden. Door onze innerlijke schaduwen onder ogen te zien en te integreren, kunnen we een meer verlichte en bewuste houding aannemen.
Tot slot is het belangrijk te beseffen dat de vraag of wij zelf het kwaad zijn, niet slechts een filosofisch of psychologisch vraagstuk is, maar ook praktische implicaties heeft voor onze samenleving. Het moedigt ons aan om niet alleen te zoeken naar buitenaardse bedreigingen, maar ook naar manieren om onze eigen morele tekortkomingen aan te pakken. Door ons bewust te worden van onze eigen duistere kanten, kunnen we streven naar een meer harmonieuze wereld, waarin het kwaad niet langer slechts een externe vijand is, maar ook een interne uitdaging. Het is deze zelfreflectie die ons in staat stelt om niet alleen de wereld, maar ook onszelf te verbeteren.
De rol van collectieve mythes en verhalen
De rol van collectieve mythes en verhalen in de interpretatie van UFO's en buitenaardse wezens is van groot belang binnen de menselijke cultuur en samenleving. Buiten het persoonlijke en psychologische perspectief, fungeren mythes en verhalen als universele symbolen en metaforen die onze collectieve angsten, hoop en existentiële vragen weerspiegelen. Ze vormen een soort gids of kader waarmee wij proberen onze onzekerheden te begrijpen en zin te geven aan het onbekende.
In veel culturen en tijden hebben verhalen over vreemde wezens, goden of geesten een centrale rol gespeeld in het verklaren van onverklaarbare fenomenen en het bieden van een verklaring voor het bovennatuurlijke. Deze collectieve mythes helpen ons om complexe en soms angstaanjagende realiteiten te verwerken. Ze geven ons een manier om onze emoties en gedachten te structureren en te delen met anderen. Wanneer het gaat om de moderne mythe van buitenaardse bezoekers, zien we dat deze niet alleen voortkomt uit nieuwsgierigheid naar het onbekende, maar ook uit diepgewortelde menselijke angsten en verlangens.
De mythe van buitenaardse wezens weerspiegelt bijvoorbeeld onze angst voor verlies van controle, vernietiging en het kwaad dat buiten ons ligt. Het idee dat er buitenaardse beschavingen bestaan die ons kunnen overvallen of bedreigen, speelt in op onze fundamentele zorgen over de veiligheid en het voortbestaan van de mensheid. Tegelijkertijd geeft deze mythe ook hoop op verlossing, transformatie en de mogelijkheid tot contact met een hogere intelligentie of andere vormen van bewustzijn. Het biedt de hoop dat, door het begrijpen en omgaan met onze innerlijke duisternis en onzekerheden, wij kunnen evolueren en een nieuwe fase van bewustzijn kunnen bereiken.
Daarnaast fungeren deze mythes ook als spiegel voor onze maatschappelijke en technologische ontwikkeling. Ze geven uitdrukking aan onze dromen en angsten over de vooruitgang en de onbekende ruimte die de technologie en wetenschap ons bieden. UFO-verschijnselen worden vaak geïnterpreteerd als symbolen voor het onbekende dat we nog niet kunnen beheersen of volledig begrijpen. Ze benadrukken onze behoefte aan controle, kennis en betekenis in een wereld die voortdurend verandert.
Kortom, collectieve mythes en verhalen over buitenaardse wezens spelen een essentiële rol in hoe wij als samenleving omgaan met het onverklaarbare. Ze bieden niet alleen een verklaring voor mysterieuze fenomenen, maar ook een spiegel voor onze diepste angsten en verlangens. Door deze mythen te bestuderen, kunnen we inzicht krijgen in onze collectieve psyche en onze zoektocht naar betekenis in een complex en soms angstaanjagend universum. Ze vormen een belangrijke brug tussen het persoonlijke en het universele, en helpen ons om onze plaats in het geheel te begrijpen.
Conclusie: een universeel en complex vraagstuk
De fenomenen van UFO's en buitenaardse wezens vormen een complex en gelaagd fenomeen dat zowel onze angsten als onze hoop weerspiegelt. Ze fungeren als projectievlakken voor onze meest primitieve en diepgaande psychologische processen, zoals de projectie van de schaduw en de angst voor het kwaadaardige "ander". Tegelijkertijd confronteren ze ons met de universele vraag of het kwaad inherent is aan het bestaan of dat het voortkomt uit onze menselijke condition humaine.
Het is essentieel dat wij, als mensheid, deze fenomenen niet slechts afwijzen of angstvallig afwachten, maar er actief en bewust mee omgaan. Door onszelf beter te begrijpen en onze morele ontwikkeling te stimuleren, vergroten we de kans dat we niet worden overgeleverd aan oncontroleerbare angsten of destructieve projecties. Het erkennen van het probleem van het kwaad, zowel in onszelf als in de wereld, vormt een belangrijke stap in de richting van een meer bewuste, compassievolle en vreedzame samenleving – of deze nu op aarde is of daarbuiten.
Kortom, UFO's en buitenaardse wezens zijn niet alleen mysteries uit de ruimte, maar ook vensters naar onze eigen ziel. Ze herinneren ons eraan dat het eeuwige menselijke vraagstuk over het kwaad, onze angsten en hoop, universeel is en altijd deel zal uitmaken van onze collectieve zoektocht naar betekenis en verlossing.
Meet S/2025 U1, the latest addition to Uranus' family of moons. It's only about 10 km in diameter, but that doesn't mean it's insignificant. It could hint of even greater complexity in the ice giant's system of moons and rings. Due to the drastic differences in brightness levels, this image is a composite of three different treatments of the data, allowing the viewer to see details in the planetary atmosphere, the surrounding rings, and the orbiting moons. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, M. El Moutamid (SWRI), M. Hedman (University of Idaho)
The JWST has another feather in its cap. The perceptive space telescope has taken a break from peering into the ancient, distant Universe and probing the formation and evolution of galaxies. It's turned its gaze closer to home, examining Uranus for the presence of undiscovered moons, and it found one.
The discovery of one more tiny moon might not seem like a big deal. But if the Solar System is a puzzle, it can't be completed without the small pieces. As scientists build a more complete understanding of Uranus, the tiny moon S/2025 U1 will be a part of it.
Astronomers found the small moon in JWST NIRCam images from February. It orbits about 56,000 km from Uranus' center, and has an orbital period of 9.6 hours. It follows a nearly circular orbit. That suggests that it formed there, rather than being captured, since captured moons tend to follow eccentric orbits.
“It’s located about 35,000 miles (56,000 kilometers) from Uranus’ center, orbiting the planet’s equatorial plane between the orbits of Ophelia (which is just outside of Uranus’ main ring system) and Bianca,” said Maryame El Moutamid, a lead scientist in SwRI’s Solar System Science and Exploration Division based in Boulder, Colorado. “Its nearly circular orbit suggests it may have formed near its current location.”
“This object was spotted in a series of 10 40-minute long-exposure images captured by the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam),” said El Moutamid. “It’s a small moon but a significant discovery, which is something that even NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft didn’t see during its flyby nearly 40 years ago.”
Uranus is unique among the Solar System's planets because it's tipped on its side. So instead of a side view, the JWST gets a 'top down' view of the planet, its rings, and its moons.
In 1986, Voyager 2 came to within 81,500 km of Uranus and didn't spot the moon. At that time, only five of the planet's moons had been discovered, and Voyager discovered a sixth, Puck, named after a character in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Eventually, Voyager 2's images revealed the presence of 11 new moons.
S/2025 U1 is only about 10 km in diameter. That measurement is based on its albedo. If it has the same albedo as Uranus' other moons, then that measurement should stand. At only 10 km diameter, it's easy to see how it's gone undetected for so long.
The tiny moon adds more complexity to one of the Solar System's most complex environments. In fact, its discovery hints at even greater complexity yet to be discovered.
Moons around Saturn and Uranus can act like shepherds that maintain and shape the structure of the rings. Rings can also form from moons that get too close to their planets. When a moon exceeds the Roche Limit, the planet's gravity pulls the moon apart and the debris creates a ring. Around Saturn, there's growing evidence that the same material can then coalesce into another moon, and that this cycle has been repeated. In fact, Saturn's rings contain about 150 moonlets embedded in its rings, which could be evidence of new moons forming.
A similar cycle may happen at Uranus, though on a much shorter timescale. Uranus' moons are more densely packed than Saturn's, and collisions between moons may create the debris that forms rings.
“No other planet has as many small inner moons as Uranus, and their complex inter-relationships with the rings hint at a chaotic history that blurs the boundary between a ring system and a system of moons,” said Matthew Tiscareno of the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, a member of the research team. “Moreover, the new moon is smaller and much fainter than the smallest of the previously known inner moons, making it likely that even more complexity remains to be discovered.”
This discovery isn't completely unexpected. Astronomers have been studying Uranus' moons and some have concluded that there must be more smaller moons. Only they can explain the sizes and edges of Uranus' rings. A 2020 paper said, "Given that 17 of the 20 sharp ring edges remain unexplained, one would expect several more moons to be required." These moons would be in the 5 to 10 km range, and S/2025 U1 is about 10km in diameter. Though the same paper said that Cassini should've found them, it was incorrect; only the JWST has the power to spot them.
Will the JWST find more tiny moons in the Solar System? Much of the space telescope's observing time is already spoken for. Its observations focus on its four main science themes. But a portion of its time is allocated to General Observer programs, and astronomers compete for this time with observing proposals. It seems likely that more GO programs will focus on the Solar System.
“Through this and other programs, Webb is providing a new eye on the outer solar system. This discovery comes as part of Webb’s General Observer program, which allows scientists worldwide to propose investigations using the telescope’s cutting-edge instruments. The NIRCam instrument’s high resolution and infrared sensitivity make it especially adept at detecting faint, distant objects that were beyond the reach of previous observatories,” said El Moutamid.
“Looking forward, the discovery of this moon underscores how modern astronomy continues to build upon the legacy of missions like Voyager 2, which flew past Uranus on Jan. 24, 1986, and gave humanity its first close-up look at this mysterious world. Now, nearly four decades later, the James Webb Space Telescope is pushing that frontier even farther,” El Moutamid said.
Tijdssprongen: Een wetenschappelijke analyse van mysterieuze gebeurtenissen en hun mogelijke verklaringen
Tijdssprongen: Een wetenschappelijke analyse van mysterieuze gebeurtenissen en hun mogelijke verklaringen
Inleiding
Het fenomeen van tijdssprongen, oftewel "time slips", vormt een intrigerende en complexe categorie binnen de parapsychologie en de onderzoeksliteratuur. Deze gebeurtenissen worden gekenmerkt door plotselinge en onverklaarbare verschuivingen in de waarneming van tijd, waarbij individuen of groepen zich tijdelijk in een andere periode lijken te bevinden. Hoewel dergelijke verhalen vaak worden beschouwd als onderdeel van het paranormale domein, verdienen ze een kritische wetenschappelijke benadering om de mogelijke verklaringen en implicaties te onderzoeken. In deze dissertatie worden twee opmerkelijke casussen uit de geschiedenis en hedendaagse verslaggeving geanalyseerd: het tijdsspoor in het Engelse dorp Kersey uit 1957 en een vermeende tijdreis in de Canadese wildernis uit de 19e eeuw. Daarnaast wordt de theorie van energie-vortexen en perceptie als mogelijke verklaringsmodellen besproken.
1. Het tijdsspoor van Kersey: Een gedetailleerde reconstructie
In oktober 1957 maakten drie cadetten van de Britse Koninklijke Marine een routinekaartlees-oefening in Suffolk, Engeland. Tijdens hun tocht door het schilderachtige dorp Kersey, dat bekendstaat om zijn goed bewaarde middeleeuwse kenmerken, ervaarden zij een merkwaardig en onheilspellend fenomeen dat hun perceptie van tijd en werkelijkheid op zijn kop zette. Wat aanvankelijk leek op een gewone training, veranderde al snel in een mysterieuze gebeurtenis die nog decennia later tot de verbeelding spreekt.
Het dorp Kersey, gelegen in het hart van Suffolk, staat bekend om zijn historische architectuur en zijn rustige, bijna tijdloze sfeer. De cadetten, die gewend waren aan het lezen van kaarten en het navigeren door landelijke gebieden, besloten op een dag om de omgeving te verkennen te voet. Alles leek normaal totdat ze bij een bepaald punt kwamen waar de omgeving plotseling leek te verstarren. De geluiden van het dorp – de klok van de oude kerk, het geritsel van de bladeren, het gezang van vogels en het geroezemoes van de wind – verdwenen plotseling. De straat bleef stil, zonder beweging of geluid dat normaal gesproken het dagelijks leven kenmerkt. Het was alsof de tijd zelf was stilgezet.
Wat het fenomeen nog vreemder maakte, was de uiterlijke staat van het dorp. De huizen, gebouwd in de stijl van de middeleeuwen, vertoonden geen moderne kenmerken zoals auto’s, elektriciteitslijnen of straatverlichting. In plaats daarvan zag men eenvoudige, houten en bakstenen gebouwen, met rieten daken en smalle straatjes. De sfeer was donker en somber, alsof de cadetten waren teruggekeerd in de tijd, naar een periode vóór de Industriële Revolutie. Een bijzonder detail dat de cadetten opmerkten was een vervallen slagerswinkel met rottende vleesresten die eruitzagen als koeienvlees, bedekt met groene schimmels en rotte geur. Dit soort voedselresten zou typisch zijn voor de middeleeuwen, toen voedselveiligheid en bewaring nog niet op de moderne wijze werden toegepast.
Bovendien was de beroemde kerktoren, het herkenningspunt van Kersey, plotseling verdwenen. Waar de cadetten eerder de toren konden zien, was deze nu volledig afwezig. Het leek alsof het dorp volledig was getransformeerd in een middeleeuwse setting zonder enige moderne infrastructuur. Er waren geen elektrische lijnen, geen auto’s of andere technische snufjes te zien. Het was een soort tijdsvertelling zonder dat de cadetten zich ervan bewust waren.
Na enkele minuten van verstarring en verwarring, begonnen de dingen zich weer normaal te herstellen. De omgeving keerde abrupt terug naar de huidige tijd. De klok sloeg weer, vogels begonnen te zingen en het dorp kwam tot leven. De kerktoren verscheen weer op de gebruikelijke plek, de straten vulden zich met mensen en moderne voertuigen en het dorp zag eruit zoals het in 1957 was.
De gebeurtenis bleef lange tijd een mysterie. Parapsycholoog Andrew MacKenzie voerde later onderzoek uit naar deze ervaring en bevestigde dat de beschrijvingen van de cadetten historisch correct waren. Hij suggereerde dat de cadetten mogelijk waren getransporteerd naar de 15e eeuw, een periode waarin het dorp nog niet de huidige kerktoren had en waarin de Zwarte Dood heerste. De aanwezigheid van de vervallen slagerswinkel met rottend vlees en de middeleeuwse architectuur zouden volgens MacKenzie wijzen op een soort tijdsverloop dat niet door de gewone wetenschap kon worden verklaard.
Skeptici betwijfelen echter de authenticiteit van deze gebeurtenis. Zij wijzen op het feit dat de omstandigheden die de cadetten beschreven onrealistisch zijn voor een klein dorp in 1957. Bijvoorbeeld, de uitgebreide vleesresten en de afwezigheid van moderne infrastructuur zouden niet passen bij de werkelijkheid van die tijd. Bovendien is het mogelijk dat de cadetten onder invloed stonden van een hallucinatie, een psychologisch fenomeen of dat ze simpelweg de omgeving verkeerd interpreteerden door de spanning en de onbekendheid met het gebied.
Toch blijven de getuigenissen van de cadetten onverklaard en intrigeren ze vele onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen. Sommige geloven dat de gebeurtenis mogelijk een soort tijdsvoogdelijke anomalie was, een zogeheten tijdsspoor dat zich af en toe manifesteert en een glimp geeft van een ander tijdperk. Anderen zien het als een voorbeeld van een collectieve illusie of een hallucinerende ervaring die werd versterkt door de mysterieuze sfeer van het dorp.
Ooit is het mogelijk dat we meer leren over zulke fenomenen, maar voor nu blijven de gebeurtenissen van Kersey een intrigerend raadsel. Ze herinneren ons eraan dat de grenzen tussen tijd, ruimte en perceptie nog altijd niet volledig begrepen zijn en dat de natuur van de werkelijkheid misschien complexer is dan wij denken. Of het nu een echt tijdsspoor was, een hallucinerende illusie of een ander mysterie dat ons nog te wachten staat, één ding is zeker: de gebeurtenis in Kersey blijft een fascinerend verhaal dat de nieuwsgierigheid naar het onbekende voedt en ons uitdaagt onze perceptie van de werkelijkheid te herzien.
2. Het Canadese tijdsspoor: Een 19e-eeuwse waarneming
In de geschiedenis van de menselijke waarnemingen en het onderzoek naar het onverklaarbare, speelt het fenomeen van tijdssporen en tijdsverlopen een intrigerende rol. Een bijzonder geval dat vaak wordt aangehaald, betreft de waarneming van Sir Cecil Edward Denny in 1874 tijdens zijn dienst bij de North-West Mounted Police in Canada. Deze gebeurtenis wordt vaak geciteerd vanwege de mogelijke aanwijzingen voor een tijdsspoor, een fenomeen waarbij men getuige zou kunnen zijn van een verschijning uit een ander tijdperk binnen de eigen tijdlijn.
De context van de gebeurtenis speelt zich af in de Canadese wildernis, langs de rivier Old Man, een gebied dat bekendstaat om zijn ruige landschap en rijke inheemse geschiedenis. Sir Cecil Denny was toen betrokken bij een expeditie in dit afgelegen gebied, ver weg van de beschaving en de moderne middelen. Tijdens een dag dat hij met zijn team de omgeving verkende, werd hij verrast door een plotselinge, onverwachte storm die zich snel ontwikkelde. Terwijl hij zich snel probeerde te verschuilen, kreeg hij via de rand van een nabijgelegen bosrand een bijzonder beeld te zien: een authentieke inheemse nederzetting in volle werking, met vuur dat gloeiend brandde en mensen die zich zonder angst bewogen. De scène was levendig en realistisch, een tafereel dat deed denken aan een moment uit het verleden.
Wat deze gebeurtenis bijzonder maakt, is dat de nederzetting, volgens Denny, slechts enkele minuten zichtbaar was, maar toen de storm afnam en hij opnieuw keek, de nederzetting volledig was verdwenen. Hij voelde zich alsof hij zich in een andere tijd bevond, alsof de geschiedenis zich op dat moment voor zijn ogen afspeelde. Het was alsof hij tijdelijk een glimp had opgevangen van een andere tijdlijn of een alternatieve realiteit. Zijn beschrijving wijst op een soort tijdsverschuiving, een fenomeen dat niet met de conventionele wetenschap verklaard kan worden.
Na de gebeurtenis ondernam Denny een zoektocht naar de locatie die hij had gezien, in de hoop meer duidelijkheid te krijgen. Hij bezocht de plek meerdere keren, maar vond geen bewijs van een recent kamp of nederzetting. Wel trof hij oude ringvormige vuurplaatsen aan, evenals schedels die door de tijd verbleekt waren. Deze artefacten en sporen wezen op een historische confrontatie of aanwezigheid van inheemse stammen uit het verleden, mogelijk eeuwen geleden. De oude vuurplaatsen en de bleke schedels duiden op een plek die al lange tijd niet meer in gebruik was en mogelijk het resultaat van conflicten of rituelen uit het verleden.
Deze waarneming roept talrijke vragen op over de aard en het bestaan van tijdssporen. Is het mogelijk dat Denny zich tijdelijk in een andere tijd heeft bevonden? Of was het een optische illusie, een hallucinerende ervaring, of een interpretatie van een traumatische gebeurtenis? Ondanks dat skeptici deze gebeurtenis kunnen afdoen als een hallucinerende waarneming of een psychische reactie op de stress van de storm en de afgelegenheid, blijft het feit dat een dergelijke beschrijving bestaat en dat er geen duidelijke verklaring is die het volledig kan weerleggen.
Het fenomeen van tijdssporen wordt vaak besproken in de context van paranormale en metafysische theorieën. Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat er mogelijk energetische anomalieën bestaan die tijdelijke verschijnselen kunnen veroorzaken, zoals het zichtbaar worden van gebeurtenissen uit het verleden op bepaalde locaties. Anderen denken dat er mogelijk interdimensionale poorten bestaan, die het mogelijk maken dat waarnemingen uit verschillende tijdlijnen elkaar kunnen overlappen of kortstondig zichtbaar worden voor bewuste waarnemers.
Wat de gebeurtenis van Denny nog intrigerender maakt, is dat deze niet op zichzelf staat. In de folklore en het onderzoek naar onverklaarbare fenomenen worden vergelijkbare gevallen gerapporteerd, waarbij mensen tijdelijke visioenen, geluiden of gebeurtenissen uit het verleden waarnemen. Sommige van deze verhalen worden toegeschreven aan energierijke gebieden, oude geologische structuren, of plaatsen met een rijke geschiedenis van conflicten en rituelen. Het feit dat Denny's waarneming plaatsvond in een afgelegen, historisch geladen gebied, versterkt de plausibiliteit dat er meer speelt dan alleen een toevallige illusie.
Het blijft echter een uitdaging om dergelijke gebeurtenissen wetenschappelijk te bewijzen of te weerleggen. De wetenschap zoekt doorgaans naar verklaringen gebaseerd op fysische wetten en empirisch bewijs, en tot op heden ontbreken er definitieve bewijzen voor het bestaan van tijdssporen of interdimensionale poorten. Toch blijven verhalen zoals dat van Sir Cecil Denny fascinerend en inspirerend voor degenen die geloven in de mogelijkheid dat onze realiteit meer lagen bevat dan we met het blote oog kunnen waarnemen.
In de hedendaagse parapsychologie en het onderzoek naar het onverklaarbare blijven dergelijke waarnemingen een bron van inspiratie en discussie. Ze stimuleren wetenschappers en enthousiastelingen om verder te zoeken naar verklaringen voor de mysterieuze verschijnselen die zich mogelijk achter de sluier van tijd en ruimte bevinden. Of het nu gaat om energetische anomalieën, tijdelijke verschijnselen, of andere dimensies die ons nog onbekend zijn, het verhaal van Denny blijft een intrigerend voorbeeld dat onze kennis van de werkelijkheid uitdaagt en uitdaagt tot verder onderzoek.
Kortom, de waarneming van Sir Cecil Edward Denny uit 1874 blijft een fascinerend en mysterieus verhaal dat de grenzen van onze kennis en verbeelding uitdaagt. Het zet aan tot nadenken over de mogelijkheid dat de geschiedenis niet altijd vaststaat en dat er misschien plekken en momenten bestaan waarin tijd en ruimte op een onverklaarbare wijze samenkomen. Hoewel er geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs is voor tijdssporen, blijven zulke verhalen ons intrigeren en herinneren ons eraan dat de wereld vol geheimen is die wachten om ontdekt te worden.
3. Theoretische modellen voor tijdssprongen
De theorieën over tijdssprongen proberen op verschillende manieren te verklaren hoe en waarom mensen soms het gevoel hebben dat ze door de tijd reizen of dat de tijd op mysterieuze wijze lijkt te springen. Er bestaan diverse modellen die deze fenomenen proberen te begrijpen, variërend van oude spirituele tradities tot moderne wetenschappelijke hypothesen. In dit uitgebreide overzicht worden enkele van de belangrijkste theoretische benaderingen beschreven, met speciale aandacht voor het concept van energie-vortexen, energetische velden en de rol van bewustzijn.
Een van de oudste en meest besproken theorieën is die gebaseerd op het idee van energie-vortexen en energetische velden. Deze theorieën vinden hun oorsprong in oude shamanistische tradities en worden ondersteund door moderne theorieën over energetische knooppunten en locaties op aarde die bijzondere energetische eigenschappen bezitten. Volgens deze opvattingen zouden bepaalde natuurlijke plekken, zoals cirkelvormige steenarrangementen of boomstructuren, fungeren als poorten of portals die toegang bieden tot andere tijden of dimensies. Deze plekken worden vaak aangeduid als energetische vortexen of knooppunten. Het idee is dat deze vortexen een concentratie van energie bevatten die, wanneer ze op de juiste manier worden waargenomen en gemanipuleerd, een tunnel of doorgang kunnen vormen tussen verschillende tijdlijnen.
Jimmy Two Hats, een inheemse Amerikaanse die beweert visioenen en tijdsreizen te hebben ervaren, is een voorstander van deze theorie. Hij gelooft dat deze vortexen werken door het harmoniseren van energieën die, als ze worden waargenomen en bewust worden beïnvloed door een persoon met voldoende perceptueel vermogen, een soort tunnelwerking tussen tijden kunnen creëren. Volgens hem functioneren deze vortexen door het genereren van energetische patronen die resoneren met het bewustzijn van de waarnemer. Hij vergelijkt deze werking met oude shamanistische praktijken waarbij cirkels van stenen of boomgegroei gebruikt werden als portalen naar andere tijden of werelden. In zijn visie fungeren deze energetische poorten niet alleen als fysieke doorgangen, maar ook als mentale en spirituele gateways die het mogelijk maken om door tijd en ruimte te reizen.
Daarnaast bestaat er een andere belangrijke theorie die stelt dat tijdssprongen niet louter afhankelijk zijn van fysieke locaties, maar dat ze ook worden beïnvloed door perceptie en bewustzijn. Volgens deze benadering bestaan tijd en ruimte niet volledig los van de waarnemer. In plaats daarvan worden ze gezien als fenomenen die afhankelijk zijn van de manier waarop het bewustzijn de werkelijkheid interpreteert en beïnvloedt. Wanneer iemand zich op een krachtig energetisch punt bevindt, en bovendien een verhoogde bewustzijnstoestand heeft—bijvoorbeeld door meditatie, trance of andere spirituele praktijken—kan die persoon de illusie van tijdssprongen ervaren. Dit komt doordat het bewustzijn, door het beïnvloeden van energetische frequenties, de perceptie van tijd kan manipuleren en projecteren. In deze context wordt tijd niet gezien als een vaste, objectieve dimensie, maar als een flexibele ervaring die afhankelijk is van de staat van bewustzijn van de waarnemer.
Sommige theorieën suggereren dat deze fenomenen mogelijk ontstaan doordat het brein op een bepaalde manier wordt gestimuleerd door energetische velden of door de omgeving. Deze prikkels kunnen leiden tot altered states of consciousness, waarin de waarnemer de tijd op een andere manier ervaart. De combinatie van fysieke energetische locaties en verhoogde bewustzijnstoestanden zou dus kunnen verklaren waarom sommige mensen plotseling het gevoel hebben dat ze door de tijd reizen of dat de tijd sprongen maakt.
Tot slot is er ook een meer wetenschappelijke benadering die probeert tijdssprongen te verklaren door middel van kwantumfysica en theorieën over de aard van tijd en ruimte. Hoewel deze theorieën nog in ontwikkeling zijn, suggereren ze dat tijd niet noodzakelijk lineair en vastomlijnd is, maar dat het mogelijk is dat bepaalde kwantummechanische processen de waarneming van tijd kunnen beïnvloeden of zelfs manipuleren. Deze modellen blijven echter grotendeels hypothetisch en vereisen nog veel verder onderzoek.
Kortom, de verschillende theoretische modellen voor tijdssprongen reflecteren de complexiteit en de mysterieusheid van dit fenomeen. Of het nu gaat om energetische vortexen, perceptuele beïnvloeding of kwantumfysische verklaringen, ze delen de overtuiging dat tijd niet altijd een vaste en onwrikbare dimensie is, maar dat het op mysterieuze manieren beïnvloed en mogelijk zelfs kan worden gereconfigureerd door menselijke perceptie, energetische velden en spirituele praktijken. Het blijven fascinerende onderwerpen die vragen oproepen over de aard van realiteit en onze rol daarin.
4. Kritische evaluatie en wetenschappelijke plausibiliteit
De verhalen over bovennatuurlijke gebeurtenissen en paranormale ervaringen blijven voor velen intrigerend en mysterieus, maar ze vormen tegelijkertijd een grote uitdaging voor de wetenschap. Hoewel ze fascinerend zijn en een diepgaande menselijke interesse in het onbekende weerspiegelen, is het uiterst moeilijk om dergelijke gebeurtenissen daadwerkelijk te bewijzen of te weerleggen met de huidige wetenschappelijke methoden en technieken. Dit komt doordat de aard van deze verhalen vaak gebaseerd is op subjectieve ervaringen, herinneringen en interpretaties, die niet gemakkelijk te objectiveren zijn.
Een belangrijk obstakel bij het wetenschappelijk evalueren van deze fenomenen is het ontbreken van concreet fysiek bewijs. In veel gevallen ontbreken artefacten, onweerlegbare sporen of andere tastbare bewijzen die de gebeurtenissen kunnen bevestigen of weerleggen. Zonder dergelijke objectieve gegevens blijft het moeilijk om vast te stellen of de gebeurtenissen daadwerkelijk plaatsvonden, of dat ze het resultaat waren van psychologische factoren, interpretatie of perceptuele illusies. Dit betekent dat veel van deze verhalen moeilijk te classificeren zijn binnen de reguliere wetenschappelijke kaders, omdat ze niet voldoen aan de strenge criteria van bewijs die nodig zijn om ze als feit te accepteren.
Daarnaast spelen psychologische factoren een grote rol bij het ontstaan en de interpretatie van deze verhalen. Stress, trauma, angst en andere emotionele toestanden kunnen hallucinaties en subjectieve ervaringen veroorzaken die lijken op paranormale gebeurtenissen. Mensen kunnen bijvoorbeeld onder invloed van stress of angst bepaalde geluiden, beelden of gevoelens ervaren die ze later interpreteren als bovennatuurlijk. Het menselijke brein is immers zeer gevoelig voor suggestie en kan, onder bepaalde omstandigheden, ervaringen creëren die niet op de werkelijkheid gebaseerd zijn.
Verder kunnen herinneringen en waarnemingen vervormen of verkeerd geïnterpreteerd worden, vooral wanneer ze worden gekoppeld aan verhalen die al bestaan of aan culturele overtuigingen over het bovennatuurlijke. Deze psychologische processen maken het extra moeilijk om onderscheid te maken tussen feit en fictie, en zorgen ervoor dat veel verhalen over paranormale gebeurtenissen niet gemakkelijk te verifiëren zijn.
Toch bieden deze verhalen waardevolle inzichten in de menselijke perceptie en de manier waarop wij omgaan met het onbekende. Ze geven een kijkje in hoe mensen proberen betekenis te geven aan onverklaarbare ervaringen en hoe ze omgaan met angst voor het onbekende. Bovendien kunnen ze ons helpen om beter te begrijpen hoe onze perceptie van tijd en ruimte kan worden beïnvloed door psychologische en fysieke factoren.
Sommige wetenschappers, zoals Carl Grove en anderen, suggereren dat bepaalde locaties mogelijk energetische anomalieën vertonen die onze bestaande kennis van natuurwetten uitdagen. Ze stellen dat bepaalde plekken op aarde, door natuurlijke of onverklaarbare oorzaken, misschien energievelden of energetische verstoringen vertonen die bovennatuurlijke verschijnselen kunnen veroorzaken. Deze anomalieën zouden kunnen leiden tot ervaringen die mensen interpreteren als ontmoetingen met geesten, tijdreizen of andere bovennatuurlijke gebeurtenissen.
Het idee dat bepaalde locaties energetisch geladen zouden kunnen zijn, sluit aan bij theorieën uit de parapsychologie en energetische geneeskunde, waarin wordt gesuggereerd dat energievelden invloed kunnen uitoefenen op menselijke perceptie en bewustzijn. Hoewel deze theorieën nog niet breed wetenschappelijk geaccepteerd zijn, vormen ze een fascinerende hypothese die mogelijk toekomstige onderzoeken kan stimuleren.
De plausibiliteit van deze theorieën wordt verder versterkt door de waarnemingen van bepaalde mysterieuze fenomenen op specifieke locaties, zoals de zogenaamde 'geestlanden' of gebieden waar herhaaldelijk onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen worden gerapporteerd. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat deze gebieden zich kenmerken door de aanwezigheid van energetische verstoringen of anomalieën die de menselijke perceptie kunnen beïnvloeden en mystieke ervaringen kunnen veroorzaken.
Het is belangrijk te benadrukken dat, ondanks de fascinerende aard van deze verhalen en theorieën, er nog geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs voor bestaat. De meeste van deze hypothesen blijven voorlopig speculatief en vereisen verder onderzoek. Het is essentieel dat wetenschappers kritisch blijven en openstaan voor nieuwe ontdekkingen, maar tegelijkertijd ook de beperkingen erkennen die momenteel bestaan in het onderzoeken van bovennatuurlijke fenomenen.
Kortom, hoewel de verhalen over paranormale gebeurtenissen en energierijke locaties intrigerend blijven, moeten ze met de nodige voorzichtigheid worden benaderd vanuit een wetenschappelijk perspectief. Het ontbreken van fysiek bewijs en de invloed van psychologische factoren zorgen ervoor dat het moeilijk is om deze gebeurtenissen als feit te classificeren. Toch bieden ze waardevolle inzichten in de menselijke perceptie en blijven ze een bron van inspiratie voor verder onderzoek, vooral op het gebied van menselijke bewustzijn, perceptie en de mogelijke aanwezigheid van onverklaarbare energievelden. Het is mogelijk dat toekomstige technologische ontwikkelingen en wetenschappelijke doorbraken ons meer zullen kunnen vertellen over de aard van deze mysterieuze fenomenen en de plausibiliteit ervan. Tot die tijd blijven ze een intrigerend onderwerp dat de grenzen van onze kennis en verbeelding uitdaagt.
Conclusie
De fenomenen van tijdssprongen blijven een intrigerend en mysterieus onderwerp dat zich uitstrekt over verschillende disciplines, waaronder parapsychologie, natuurkunde en antropologie. Ondanks de fascinerende verhalen en theorieën die hierover bestaan, is er tot op heden geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs dat tijdssprongen daadwerkelijk plaatsvinden. Dit gebrek aan bewijs betekent echter niet dat het fenomeen volledig uitgesloten moet worden; eerder onderstreept het de complexiteit en het ongrijpbare karakter ervan. Veel waarnemingen en rapportages van tijdsveranderingen, zoals plotselinge verstrijkingen van tijd of onverwachte heroverspanningen in de tijdlijn, worden vaak toegeschreven aan subjectieve ervaringen, geheugenfouten of psychologische factoren. Toch blijven deze verhalen de nieuwsgierigheid prikkelen en stimuleren ze wetenschappers en onderzoekers om verder te kijken dan de conventionele beperkingen van tijd en ruimte.
Het bestuderen van tijdssprongen biedt waardevolle inzichten in de grenzen van menselijke perceptie en de mogelijke verborgen dimensies van onze werkelijkheid. Het bevordert een open en kritische houding ten opzichte van het onbekende, wat essentieel is voor wetenschappelijke vooruitgang. Hoewel er nog geen definitieve verklaring is gevonden, kunnen toekomstige technologische en wetenschappelijke ontwikkelingen mogelijk meer duidelijkheid scheppen. Het onderzoeken van deze fenomenen helpt ons niet alleen om de aard van tijd en bewustzijn beter te begrijpen, maar daagt ons ook uit om onze percepties en aannames ter discussie te stellen. Het blijft daarom een boeiend onderwerp dat de nieuwsgierigheid aanwakkert en de drang naar kennis en ontdekking blijft voeden. Kortom, tijdssprongen blijven een fascinerend mysterie dat onze wetenschap en verbeelding uitdaagt, en dat mogelijk ooit een nieuw inzicht in de fundamenten van de werkelijkheid kan bieden.
Literatuur
Swancer, B. (2025). "Bizarre Cases of Time Slips." Modern Mysteries.
MacKenzie, A. (1997). Adventures in Time. Society for Psychical Research.
Denny, C. E. (1880). The Riders of the Plains: A Reminiscence of the Early and Exciting Days in the North West.
Grove, C. (2023). Correspondentie met James Two Hats, Unexplained Mysteries Forum.
Bijlage
Voorbeeldverhalen en getuigenissen van tijdssprongen vormen een rijke bron van data die verder wetenschappelijk onderzoek verdienen. Het combineren van historische archieven, psychologische analyses en energetische theorieën kan mogelijk leiden tot een beter begrip van deze mysterieuze verschijnselen.
One of the weirder corners of the paranormal is that of what are called "time slips." These are instances in which individuals or even whole groups of people have seemed to pass through some veil between time and space, to find themselves flung back far back into the past to witness events there before being catapulted right back into the present, often confused and with no idea what has happened to them. Such cases tend to be rare, but when they do happen, they also tend to be very bizarre indeed.
One such time slip allegedly happened to a small group of young men in England, which seems to have taken them back into the past of a small village and left a strange, unsolved mystery behind. It was the fall of 1957, when in October of that year, three cadets with the British Royal Navy went out into the English countryside in Suffolk for a simple map-reading training exercise. On this day, the cadets, named William Laing, Michael Crowley and Ray Baker, had the objective to simply follow a route through the scenic area, observe several assigned locations, map a route to a waypoint, make notes of what they found, and then return to report to their superiors. Considering that it was a clear, sunny day, it was more or less a pleasant walk through the picturesque countryside, and at first, that’s precisely what it was, but things were about to take a turn into the weird.
Along their route, the men passed the small hamlet of Kersey, a charming little village of only a few hundred people known for its rustic streets and historical medieval buildings. As they looked out at the village, it seemed like just another normal, quiet day, the church bells ringing out to join the bird song in the air, wisps of smoke climbing out of chimneys. Since Kersey was an assigned location along their route, they approached the village to observe it, but as they did, things allegedly got very weird, indeed. It began with the silence. The church bells were no longer ringing, the birds stopped singing, and even the sound of the wind seemed muted, as if a wall of silence had descended on them. Everything seemed still, the leaves not stirring on the streets, the branches of trees paused, everything seemingly frozen in time, even some ducks in a nearby stream were standing motionless, and perhaps even weirder still was that there was no one out walking about, despite it being a pleasant sunny day. Even the smoke from the chimneys had stopped churning out smoke. Indeed, as they entered the village, it seemed entirely deserted, and one of the cadets would say of the unsettling, eerie scene:
“It was a ghost village, so to speak. It was almost as if we had walked back in time. I experienced an overwhelming feeling of sadness and depression in Kersey, but also a feeling of unfriendliness and unseen watchers which sent shivers up one’s back… I wondered if we’d knocked at a door to ask a question who might have answered it? It doesn’t bear thinking about.”
Things got even stranger still as they began exploring the village. There were no cars anywhere to be seen, no phone wires, no bicycles, and the road itself seemed roughly cobbled and old-fashioned. Although there were many medieval buildings in Kersey, they also noticed that they could see absolutely no modern buildings around them. All of the houses were of a medieval-style, all hand-built and timber-framed, with greenish glass windows covered in a film of grime. Adding to the surreal quality was that even the season seemed to have changed. Whereas it had been autumn, one cadet would mention that now “it was verdant… and the trees were that magnificent green colour one finds in spring or early summer.” They decided to approach one of these quaint, seemingly deserted buildings and looked inside, where they were surprised to see that it was some kind of creepy butcher’s shop. One of the witnesses would say of the odd sight:
“There were no tables or counters, just two or three whole oxen carcasses which had been skinned and in places were quite green with age. There was a green-painted door and windows with smallish glass panes, one at the front and one at the side, rather dirty-looking. I remember that as we three looked through that window in disbelief at the green and mouldy green carcasses… the general feeling certainly was one of disbelief and unreality. Who would believe that in 1957 that the health authorities would allow such conditions?”
They looked into some other buildings to find that, although they seemed to be houses, there was nothing in there, no furniture and no sign of life at all, as if they had suddenly been abandoned by residents who had taken all of their possessions with them. It must have been quite sudden because the smoke from the chimneys that they had seen had also stopped. They went to look for the church tower because it was a major landmark where they thought they would be able to get their bearings, but were startled to find that it simply was not there anymore, as if it had vanished into thin air, even though they had clearly seen it from outside of the village and it was the most famous building there. Where had it gone? Where had everyone gone? At this point, the three men were feeling very unsettled and spooked. There was an ominous, vaguely menacing feeling of dread coming over them, and they decided to get out of there as quickly as possible.
As soon as they left the village, they would report that everything abruptly went back to normal. The bells started again, the birds sang, the crisp wind of autumn hit them, leaves fell from trees, and the chimneys once again belched smoke. The church tower was also once again there, towering over the surrounding buildings, and the three astonished cadets could not account for any of it. Although their superiors confirmed that they had reached Kersey, the stranger details of the account were brushed off at the time, and they would just sort of swirl around in the back of the witnesses’ minds.
It would not be until many years later when in the 1980s the case came to the attention of paranormal researcher Andrew MacKenzie, of the Society for Psychical Research, when he received a letter from Lang and Crowley. Intrigued, he went to meet with the men and even went to the village with them, and the more he learned, the more he became convinced something truly strange had happened here. One of the main things that impressed MacKenzie was that the account was very historically accurate; for instance, the building with the cow carcasses indeed had once been a butcher’s shop, although in 1957 it would have been a private residence. Other observations of the layout of the town also matched true historical records, which were information these cadets would not have likely known. MacKenzie concluded that not only had these men traveled through a time slip, but he even worked out just what era they had gone to. He surmised that because the village had been mostly deserted and the tower was not visible to them that it had been so before the tower had been completed and when the village had been ravaged by the Black Death, by his estimate sometime in the early 1400s. He was so impressed with the case that he would include it in his 1997 book on time slips titled “Adventures in Time.”
Of course, there have been skeptics as well. For instance, it has been pointed out that glass windows would have been very expensive during that era and that it would be unlikely for a butcher shop with so many cow carcasses to be there in such a tiny village, as meat was a luxury product that would have been more common in larger towns. In the end, there seems to be no way to know for certain what these men experienced out there in that idyllic English countryside. Were they somehow transported temporarily to another time through means we may never fully understand? Or is there some other, more rational explanation? It remains unknown.
Another very strange time slip happened back in the 19th century on the frontiers of Canada, and it is a very weird case, indeed. Sir Cecil Edward Denny emigrated from England to the United States at the age of just 19 and in 1874 joined Canada’s North-West Mounted Police, working his way up the ranks from constable to sub-inspector. Denny took part in the Long March west, and he remained at Fort Macleod during the winter of 1874-75, where he kept detailed journals and notes on his many adventures through this wild land. He would describe the land in his The Riders of the Plains: A Reminiscence of the Early and Exciting Days in the North West:
“For some years after the advent of the North West Mounted Police into the western portion of the then Prince Rupert’s land, and to-day known as the North West Territories, the newness, and also the strangeness, of the country, were a source of unfailing interest to us, who belonged to that force. Game of all kinds abounded throughout the country and as we came to the foot hills of the Rockies, bear, elk and moose were often to be seen. This class of game was little molested by the tribe of Blackfeet Indians, whose home was out on the plains, and who lived altogether on the buffalo, which animals supplied them not only with meat, but nearly everything, either directly or indirectly, that they required. The streams were full of fish of many kinds, trout being the most plentiful, and near the mountains salmon trout which often weighed fifteen to eighteen pounds were easily to be caught.”
During his various travels, they also had much contact with the local Blackfoot tribe of the region, who were friendly and inviting to these outsiders at the time and often went hunting or fishing with them, and Denny’s writings are full of many detailed accounts of their way of life and culture. Indeed, Denny’s accounts are among some of the more detailed writings there are on the people and animals of this land, but among the myriad reports and musings of the wildlife or the Blackfeet there are some reports that really stick out as odd and seem to jump right off the page to firmly lodge themselves into the world of the weird, and one of these seems to be the time Denny came across some sort of time slip out there in the remote wilds.
In the summer of 1875, Denny made a trip from the fort on Old Man River to the foothills of the mountains, and up that river about 40 miles to do a bit of fishing and hunting. He took with him a pack horse, blankets, cooking utensils, an inflatable Indian rubber boat, and various other supplies, and accompanying him was a Native tribesman to act as both a guide and to help bring back any game they managed to bag, as well as two spare horses. At first, their expedition went off well, with each of them managing to shoot a deer, and that first evening, they set up a pleasant camp in good spirits and had a hearty dinner of venison and some trout they had caught in the river. It seemed as if it would be a fruitful trip that would go without a hitch until the following day, when they would run into some trouble and a threatening storm would seemingly spring up out of nowhere. Denny writes of this:
“On the following morning we packed the deer and our camp outfit on the two spare horses, and the Indian made an early start with them for the fort. I remained with the boat ready to go down by the river, keeping only my gun and a light overcoat, with a bite of cold meat and bread for lunch. I made good way down the river during the morning, which was fine and warm, only once having any trouble, at a rather nasty rapid, in the middle of which I stuck on a flat rock. In getting off the boat upset, and I got a thorough ducking before I could catch it again. The gun which was fastened by a cord to the side of the cushion, was not lost, although rendered useless for the time by water. I, therefore, camped early for dinner, eating the bread and meat, which, although rather sodden, was better than nothing. I got my clothes partially dried in the sun. All my matches were wet, and a fire was not to be had.
While camped about noon the weather began to look threatening, heavy banks of clouds gathering in the north, and now and then the growl of thunder in the distance could be heard. As I was not more than half way, I started again on my downward journey as soon as possible, but the farther I went the darker it grew, and I soon saw that I was in for a heavy storm, which, to say the least, was by no means pleasant. The thunderstorms along the mountains, although seldom of long duration, where often very severe while they lasted, and by the look of things, I was in for one of the worst. I however made my way steadily down the river, and after a while the storm came down with a vengeance. There was a heavy wind, with hail, rain, and perpetual lightning, followed by deafening peals of thunder, seemingly right overhead. I found it difficult with such a light boat to make any progress, as the heavy wind would drive me from one shore to the other, and the river was lashed into quite heavy waves, so that, although the boat could not sink, I was sitting in water up to my waist, and sometimes sheets of water would be blown right over me. As it was getting quite dark, although not more than four o’clock in the afternoon, I found it impossible to make my way, and I determined to land and wait until the storm was over.”
He managed to finally get to shore and take shelter in a stand of trees, and it was then that there was a lull in the storm just enough for him to make out over the slashing rain and crashing thunder the sound of drums thumping and beating from an Indian camp, accompanied by the sound of chanting. Considering that the Natives of the area were friendly, he tied up his boat securely and made his way towards the sounds of the camp, which became louder and clearer as he drew near. The storm chose that time to become even more intense than before, with lightning ominously flashing across the sky and the rumble of thunder shaking the earth, but he managed to make it within sight of the camp, and he says of what happened next:
“The storm had now come down worse than ever, and the lightning was almost blinding. I made my way through the timber as fast as possible, it not being any too safe in such close proximity to the trees, and coming out into an open glade of quite an extent, I saw before me the Indian camp not more than two hundred yards away. I could see men and women, and even children, moving about among the lodges, and what struck me as strange was the fact that the fires in the centre of many of the tents shone through the entrances, which were open. This surprised me, as you do not often find the Indians moving about in the wet if they can help it. They generally keep their lodges well closed during a thunder storm, of which they are very much afraid. They look upon thunder as being the noise made by one of their deities called the “Old Man,” while throwing great boulders from the mountains. There were, I should consider, about twenty lodges in the camp, and a band of horses could be seen grazing not far off on the other side of the camp.
I stood for a few seconds watching and considering which lodge to make for, and had taken a few steps towards the one nearest me, when I seemed to be surrounded by a blaze of lightning, and at the same time a crash of thunder followed that fairly stunned me for nearly a minute, and sent me on my back. A large tree not far off was struck. I could hear the rending of the wood, and it was afterwards found nearly riven in half. Some of the electric fluid had partly stunned and thrown me down. I was fortunate to have escaped with my life, and, as it was, it was a few minutes before I was able to rise and look around. I looked towards the place where the camp stood, but to my unutterable astonishment as well as terror, it was not there. It was quite light, although still storming heavily, and was not much after four o’clock. A few minutes before not only a large Indian camp had stood there, and the voices of the Indians could be distinctly heard, but now all had suddenly disappeared, even to the band of horses that were quietly grazing there only a few minutes before.
I stood for a moment almost dumb with astonishment, seeing and hearing nothing, when suddenly an overwhelming sense of terror seemed to seize me, and almost without knowing what I did, I ran towards the bank overlooking the river, which was about a quarter of a mile away, dropping my gun as I ran. I did not stop until I reached the top of the bank, and there I had to rest for want of breath. Here I managed to gather my wits together, and to think of what had taken place. The open place where the camp had stood was in plain sight from where I was, with the clump of trees behind towards the river, but it was empty, and not a tent or human being in sight. There was nothing but the trees tossed by the storm and the driving rain, and now and then a flash of lightning. I could even then hardly believe my eyes, but there was no doubt about it, and I did not remain long in sight of that spot, and being afraid to go down to my boat, I determined to walk down the river bank to the fort, which must have been a good fifteen miles away. It was one of the hardest journeys I ever undertook. What with the shock from being thrown down, and then the most astonishing and inexplicable disappearance of the camp, and also being soaked to the skin, I was in a most uncomfortable condition. The storm continued until night, when it cleared up, and I made my way into the fort at about midnight, completely fagged out, turning into bed at once, with no explanation to anyone.”
The following morning, Denny would tell some other officers in his regiment about what he had seen during that storm, but he was merely laughed at, and no one believed him. He was told it had all been in his head or that he was making up tall tales, but he knew what he had seen, and he could not explain it. He decided to travel back to the spot where the mysterious camp had been, taking one of the Indians and a Blackfoot interpreter with him, and they managed to find the spot fairly quickly, its spot hard to miss because of the unique bend of the river and rock formations nearby, but there was no sign of a camp there and they were met with an eerie quiet. Denny would write about what they found:
“We found the place without trouble, but it was vacant, and look as we could no sign of any recent camp was to be seen. A few rings of stone partly overgrown with grass showed where an old camp had been many years ago, and on questioning the Indian, he stated that the Blackfeet had surprised and slaughtered a camp of Cree Indians at that place many years ago, and in fact we came across two bleached skulls lying in the grass. The Indian did not seem to have any superstitions regarding that place. We found where a tree had been struck by lightning, and the boat and gun we brought away. I have, until now, but seldom mentioned this circumstance, but I am to-day as firmly convinced as ever that the Indian camp, together with the men, women, and the horses, was most certainly there, and that I suffered under no hallucination whatever, but account for it I cannot, and look upon it as one of those inexplicable riddles which cannot be solved.”
Were they somehow transported temporarily to another time through means we may never fully understand? Or is there some other, more rational explanation? Was this a case of another time somehow transposing itself onto the present? Was it some sort of mysterious interdimensional phenomenon? It remains unknown, and it goes to show just how far back weird time-slip stories go.
A very strange and prolonged time slip case was uncovered by paranormal researcher Carl Grove, who found a witness on the forum for the Unexplained Mysteries site who had a very bizarre story to tell. The witness, a Native American who calls himself James Two Hats, engaged with Grove in a long correspondence, during which time he would weave a fantastic tale of a mystical cave, vision quests, spirits, a ghostly phantom storm, and travel through time. The witness’s testimony is as odd as it is engaging, with Jimmy claiming to have had visions and psychic abilities from a very young age. When he later served in the Vietnam War, he claims that these powers were recognized by his higher-ups, and that he was recruited into a “highly secret operation” that was using psychics to try and gain an advantage in the war, including remote viewers, clairvoyants, and any gifted person the military could get their hands on. Jimmy was one of these, although he says that his memories of his time with the program seem to have been mostly wiped, but that the vestiges of what he does remember are like nascent flashes from a half-remembered nightmare and are “confused and some of them are horrific.”
After the war, he spent a long time trying to come to terms with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as with his psychic abilities and what he had experienced during his time in the program. He had frequent, horrific nightmares that involved creatures dragging him away through the walls, and he developed a profound fear of the dark. He was getting very little sleep and it was deeply affecting his life, and it was at this time that he began feeling a powerful pull towards a place that he had known about since his childhood, a cave he calls Cob Cave, near Jasper, Arkansas, located next to a sacred lake in what is now Buffalo National Park. He explained to Grove about this cave:
“The place scared me. There was a place on the trail to it where I always felt the air change from warm to cold, it was like crossing a line I couldn't see and it happened in any season. I tried to point out the spot to other people but I was the only one who felt it. The cave is a beautiful place with a creek and a waterfall on the open side, and it frightened me down to my bones. In 1990 I was going through some hard personal times and decided to take up some of the old Indian ways and get back into my meditation as well, to try to put my life on a better course. Part of what happened involved a resurgence of connection with that cave. I felt there was someplace I had to go, and that was how it started. Cob Cave rang up, felt like the place. I said to myself, Is it Cob Cave? and something else in my mind said, Yes.”
Over the next several weeks, he began having long conversations with these voices in his head, which he claimed were coming from outside of himself and were those of mysterious spirits. These voices told him that he was special, and that he had latent powers he could only dream of, but that to unlock them fully, he needed to make an overnight vision quest to that cave. Jimmy was told that there he would learn things, that he would be tested, and that his eyes would be opened, but that it would also be dangerous and that he only had about a 50% chance of surviving his coming ordeal. He was also told that if he were to refuse, then he would forget all of it and that his life would go back to normal as if nothing had happened. Curious as to what was at that cave and what would happen, he accepted, and says of what happened next:
“They gave me some advice about how to live for the next month, that being the amount of time I had to wait, and then they stopped talking. So for about a month I lived a very clean life, ate only the old foods, and wondered if I was crazy or not. When the time came, I had to go, or I would have lost all self-respect. I took portions of the old foods as offerings, took a bottle of ginger soda, and a book of matches. I drove down to the cave trailhead and sat in my car until after closing hours, and walked up to it as the sun went down, managing to avoid any late hikers or rangers by dodging behind trees and fading into the shadows here and there. When I was sure everyone else had gone I went into the cave, barely able to find my way to the ledge at the back, and then I knew I was there for the night no matter what because it was too dark to find my way out.”
He found a spot in that cold, dank darkness and sat down to wait for what was in store for him, wary of what the spirits had told him, but the voices in his head were silent for the time being. He waited there in the dark, and at first nothing happened, just silence, to the point that he began to think that he was perhaps losing his mind. After all, he had driven out to this remote cave on the whim of voices in his head telling him to go on a vision quest and wait alone in that cave for some sort of spiritual test, so perhaps his grip on reality was loosening. That was when it seemed the test began in spectacular fashion. He would explain of what he experienced:
“Ghostly apparitions confronted me and attacked me, and if I disregarded them as just illusion they elbowed me in the ribs or stabbed me with sharp objects. An unexplainable storm came up and focused directly on the valley and the mountain above me, and even blew through the cave itself. I thought at one point I might be in a tornado and lightning hit the mountain nine times. Each time I could hear the rocks behind me crackling and popping as the charge dissipated and it was like the lightning was looking for me, getting closer to me with each strike. I truly thought I was going to die and I was lying back to the wall as low as I could get, up until it all struck me as funny and I sat up and started laughing and cheering on the storm, things swirling around me in the wind, rocks falling from the cave roof, lightning flashing and thunder booming and the creek roaring past in full flood, and I felt completely in harmony with all of it. Within moments it all stopped, and I assumed it was all over, maybe I even passed the test.”
When the ordeal suddenly stopped as soon as it had begun, Jimmy was alone once more in that cave, cold, wet, and thirsty, with just an hour left before the approaching sunrise. He thought about trying to feel his way out of the cave, but deemed it too dangerous because it was still too dark, and so he felt around for a dry place to try and lie down for a rest. When he finally found a good spot and was about to take a nap, he then noticed a strange light filling the cave and lighting up the actual rocks, the cave walls glowing brighter and brighter as he wondered what was coming next after that first spiritual assault. He explains of the bizarre events that would transpire:
“What happened, happened instantly. Suddenly the rock around me wasn't solid any longer, a circular area around me didn't have rock in it anymore and I had been depending on that rock for support. I scrambled for a grip on something but started falling like I'd jumped out of a plane, straight down, going through hoops of light that now remind me of what Black Elk described as the Hoops of Nations, hoops within hoops within hoops and I was flashing through them with a whoosh. After what felt like a long fall with a sudden right turn, I found myself standing in the cave unharmed, but things were very different. It was the same place, but it was daytime, maybe early afternoon from the angle of the light. Late summer by the smell of things, a crispness already in the air. Across the hollow that borders the cave I saw a red clay slope dotted with huge widely spaced evergreen trees, where I should have seen rocky steps cut into the limestone by the CCC, second growth oak and hickory forest, and a stand of slender pawpaws.
It was how things should have looked there, ten thousand years before, and I began to worry about how I was supposed to get home because I didn't appear to be waking up. I pinched myself and it hurt a lot but accomplished nothing. Then I heard voices to my left, people talking in a language I did not know, and my first thought was that I'd somehow fallen back in time and now some Indian people were going to torture me to death. They turned out to be friendly, though, and I stayed with them for several weeks before they sent me back. When I came back, I was on that same stone I fell through, lying flat on my back and fully conscious, dry and warm even inside my boots.”
What was going on here? Did this man somehow travel through the walls of that cave and through time and space? If so, then how was this possible? Was it the doing of the spirits or some latent quality of his already innate psychic powers, somehow enhanced and focused by the cave? Jimmy himself believes that some places are inherently imbued with mysterious energies, and that anyone can access them and use them to travel through time and space if only they can harness their ability to do so and sharpen their perceptions. He says that shamans have long sought to achieve this through vision quests, although he admits that it would be rare for one such as him to do so without disciplined training. In his case, he claims that it was the fact that the cave was a potent example of one of these power points, plus his psychic abilities and perception and focus cleaned through meditation that had allowed him to do this without proper guidance and training. He says of his ideas on all of this:
“I've regularly practiced meditation nearly my entire life and I also practice chi gong and some of the Shaolin methods for generating and controlling energy. It's fair to say that I have perceptions and consciousness at levels most other people do not... I believe that anyone has this potential but few of us use it. The test of the lake had that purpose, to separate out those who have a strong natural talent for this. Other people would not see the lake at all and perceiving a time slip event should be much that way, depending partly on the ability of the individual to release the dominant view of the world.
I've read that in the old times, and possibly even now, certain shamans were able to use these high energy places as physical transportation. It was a high level talent few people acquired, but those who achieved it could teleport from one place of high energy to another. Often these places were marked by circular structures, naturally occurring as trees or stone formations, but in some cases these energy vortexes were only specific places on a flat plain, for example marked by nothing but an odd sensation when you passed over them. People would mark these spots with circles of stones. A shaman could move instantly from one to another even when the two points were separated by hundreds of miles.
To me this seems to be partly based on energy and partly on perception. the two different vortexes harmonize, overlapping in terms of force, and if you know the place you intend to go to, perceiving that place instead of yourstarting point puts you there... A similar effect might explain the timeslips, as harmonies of energy surges that occur in the same place but apart in time. Human perception might be essential to this, as a catalytic force. Houses might not appear if no one is there to see them. Without a mind present the energy might remain formless, a fog that comes and goes without incident.”
It is all a rather bizarre account, and one is left to wonder just what to do with it. Is this just hallucinations, drugs, or fantasy, or is there something more to it? Did this witness go out into the great beyond past what we think we know, or is he simply pulling our chain?
So what are we to make of time slips? Are these people actually traveling through time? Are they merely viewing a past that has somehow been imprinted on reality as if images to film? Could it involve forays into parallel dimensions, perhaps pushing through some thin spot between realities? Whatever the case may be, these potentially provide very strange and bizarre accounts offering a peek into worlds and realities beyond what we know, and true or not are all damn strange tales all the same.
Het Belgische Ufomeldpunt krijgt elk jaar honderden meldingen binnen van mensen die denken iets onverklaarbaars te hebben gezien in de hemel. Vaak veronderstellen ze een 'vliegende schotel', een alien ruimtetuig te hebben gespeurd.
Het meldpunt, geleid door de twee auteurs van dit boek, gaat op zoek naar een verklaring voor elke melding. Bijna altijd vinden ze die ook en blijkt het te gaan om meteorieten, satellieten, vliegtuigen, weersverschijnselen, vogels, ballonnen, drones, sterren en planeten, vliegers of... bedrog. Maar er blijven ook onverklaarde gevallen over, die blijven dan unidentified.
Dit boek leert je alles over de geschiedenis van ufo's en over hoe je ze kan verklaren.De QR-codes in het boek leiden je, tijdens je fascinerende reis doorheen het ufo-universum, naar unieke video's en waarnemingen.
An international team of astronomers has published the results of a study of the pulsar nebula MSH 15-52, better known as the Hand of God. The Chandra X-ray telescope participated in these observations.
Hand of God
In 2009, NASA published images of an amazing structure located 17,000 light years from Earth. At its center is the pulsar PSR B1509-58, a rapidly rotating neutron star with a diameter of only 20 km. It was formed as a result of the collapse of a giant star that occurred approximately 1,700 years ago.
The Hand of God pulsar nebula. The image is based on data from the Chandra X-ray telescope and ATCA. Source: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Hong Kong/S. Zhang et al.; Radio: ATNF/CSIRO/ATCA; H-alpha: UK STFC/Royal Observatory Edinburgh; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
Despite its tiny size, the pulsar has a significant impact on its surroundings. It is responsible for the formation of a complex nebula that spans 150 light years. It resembles an X-ray image of a human hand with the palm and fingers extended. This is why the nebula got the nickname “Hand of God.”
Since then, astronomers have continued to study this object using Chandra. Now the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) has joined the observations. Its data was combined with data from Chandra, allowing for a new look at the exploding star and its surroundings.
Anatomy of a dead star
In the new image of the Hand of God, ATCA radio data is marked in red. In turn, the blue, orange, and yellow colors correspond to Chandra’s X-ray data. Hydrogen gas is shown in gold, and the area where X-ray and radio data intersect is shown in purple.
Structure of the pulsar nebula Hand of God. Source: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Hong Kong/S. Zhang et al.; Radio: ATNF/CSIRO/ATCA; H-alpha: UK STFC/Royal Observatory Edinburgh; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
The pulsar rotates nearly seven times per second and has a strong magnetic field, approximately 15 trillion times stronger than Earth’s. Rapid rotation and a strong magnetic field make B1509-58 one of the most powerful electromagnetic generators in the Milky Way. Its powerful wind, consisting of electrons and other particles, creates the nebula.
Radio data from ATCA show complex filaments aligned with the magnetic field of the nebula, shown by short straight white lines in the additional image. These filaments may be the result of the pulsar wind colliding with the remnants of a supernova.
Direction of magnetic field lines in the pulsar nebula Hand of God. Source: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Univ. of Hong Kong/S. Zhang et al.; Radio: ATNF/CSIRO/ATCA; H-alpha: UK STFC/Royal Observatory Edinburgh; Image Processing: NASA/CXC/SAO/N. Wolk
By comparing radio and X-ray data, researchers identified key differences between the two types of light sources. In particular, some notable X-ray features, including the jet at the bottom of the image and the inner parts of the three “fingers” at the top, are not detected in radio waves. This indicates that high-energy particles are escaping from the shock wave near the pulsar and moving along magnetic field lines, creating fingers.
Radio data also show that the structure of RCW 89 differs from typical young supernova remnants. Most of the radio emission is uneven and corresponds exactly to the clusters of X-ray and optical emission. It also extends far beyond X-rays. All these characteristics confirm the idea that RCW 89 is colliding with a dense cloud of hydrogen located nearby.
However, not all questions were answered. One of the mysterious areas is the sharp boundary of X-ray radiation in the upper right corner of the image, which appears to be a shock wave from a supernova. Supernova shock waves usually glow brightly in the radio waves of young supernova remnants, so researchers are surprised by the absence of a radio signal at the X-ray boundary.
MSH 15–52 and RCW 89 exhibit many unique features not found in other young pulsar nebulae. However, many questions remain unanswered regarding the formation and evolution of these structures. According to scientists, further research is needed to better understand the complex interaction between the pulsar wind and the supernova remnant.
It has long been known that water and carbon exist on Ceres, the largest object in the main asteroid belt. Recently, scientists discovered that in the past, it may have had a chemical energy source that could have sustained life on it.
Dwarf planet Ceres is shown in these enhanced-color renderings that use images from NASA’s Dawn mission. New thermal and chemicals models that rely on the mission’s data indicate Ceres may have long ago had conditions suitable for life.Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / UCLA MPS / DLR / IDASource: phys.org
Data on organic molecules on Ceres
A new NASA study has shown that Ceres may have had a constant source of chemical energy: molecules necessary for the metabolism of certain microorganisms. Although there is no evidence that microorganisms ever existed on Ceres, this discovery supports theories that this interesting dwarf planet, which is the largest body in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, may once have had conditions suitable for single-celled life forms.
Scientific data from NASA’s Dawn mission, which ended in 2018, previously showed that the bright, reflective areas on Ceres’ surface are mainly composed of salts left behind by liquid that seeped up from underground. A later analysis in 2020 found that the source of this liquid was a huge deposit of brine, or salt water, beneath the surface. In other studies, the Dawn mission also found evidence that Ceres contains organic matter in the form of carbon molecules, which is necessary, though not sufficient on its own, to support microbial cells.
Hydrothermal sources on Ceres in the past
The presence of water and carbon molecules are two important pieces of the puzzle regarding Ceres’ suitability for life. New discoveries suggest a third element: a long-term source of chemical energy in Ceres’ distant past that could have sustained microorganisms. This result does not mean that there was life on Ceres, but rather that there was probably “food” that could have sustained life if it had ever arisen on Ceres.
In a study published in the journal Science Advances on August 20, scientists constructed thermal and chemical models simulating the temperature and composition of Ceres’ interior over time. They found that approximately 2.5 billion years ago, Ceres’ underground ocean may have had a stable source of hot water containing dissolved gases rising from metamorphosed rocks in the rocky core. The heat came from the decay of radioactive elements in the rocky inner layer of the dwarf planet when Ceres was young — an internal process that is believed to be common in our Solar System.
Ceres’s temperature evolution drives major interior events.Depending on the extent of internal heating, a mid-sized (~500- to 1000-km radius) icy body such as Ceres may undergo differentiation and then metamorphism of its interior and ocean freezing, leading to the present-day interior structure. After accreting (1), the temperature within Ceres as a function of time and depth controls the events that determine Ceres’s habitability: (2) ice-rock differentiation at ~4 Myr, (3) metamorphic volatiles are added into the ocean ~0.5 to 2 Gyr, and (4) ocean freezing. Here, we assume the ice shell is made of pure water ice.
The Ceres we know today is hardly suitable for life. It has become colder, with more ice and less water than in the past. Currently, radioactive decay inside Ceres does not produce enough heat to prevent water from freezing, and what remains of the liquid has turned into concentrated brine.
The period when Ceres was most likely habitable was between half a billion and 2 billion years after its formation (or approximately 2.5–4 billion years ago), when its rocky core reached its maximum temperature. At that time, warm liquids could have entered Ceres’ underground waters.
The dwarf planet also lacks the advantage of modern internal heating generated by the pull and push of a large planet, as occurs with Saturn’s moon Enceladus and Jupiter’s moon Europa. Thus, Ceres’ greatest potential for providing the energy necessary for life was in the past.
This illustration depicts the interior of dwarf planet Ceres, including the transfer
This result is also significant for water-rich objects throughout the outer Solar System. Many other icy moons and dwarf planets similar in size to Ceres (with a diameter of about 585 miles or 940 kilometers) and lacking significant internal heating from planetary gravitational pull may also have had a window of opportunity for life in the past.
A US military space-plane, the X-37B orbital test vehicle, is due to embark onits eighth flight into space on August 21, 2025. Much of what the X-37B does in space is secret. But it serves partly as a platform for cutting-edge experiments.
One of these experiments is a potential alternative to GPS that makes use of quantum science as a tool for navigation: a quantum inertial sensor.
Satellite-based systems like GPS are ubiquitous in our daily lives, from smartphone maps to aviation and logistics. But GPS isn't available everywhere. This technology could revolutionize how spacecraft, airplanes, ships and submarines navigate in environments where GPS is unavailable or compromised.
In space, especially beyond Earth's orbit, GPS signals become unreliable or simply vanish. The same applies underwater, where submarines cannot access GPS at all. And even on Earth, GPS signals can be jammed (blocked), spoofed (making a GPS receiver think it is in a different location) or disabled — for instance, during a conflict.
This makes navigation without GPS a critical challenge. In such scenarios, having navigation systems that function independently of any external signals becomes essential.
Traditional inertial navigation systems (INS), which use accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure a vehicle's acceleration and rotation, do provide independent navigation, as they can estimate position by tracking how the vehicle moves over time. Think of sitting in a car with your eyes closed: you can still feel turns, stops and accelerations, which your brain integrates to guess where you are over time.
Eventually though, without visual cues, small errors will accumulate and you will entirely lose your positioning. The same goes with classical inertial navigation systems: as small measurement errors accumulate, they gradually drift off course, and need corrections from GPS or other external signals.
Where quantum helps
If you think of quantum physics, what may come to your mind is a strange world where particles behave like waves and Schrödinger's cat is both dead and alive. These thought experiments genuinely describe how tiny particles like atoms behave.
At very low temperatures, atoms obey the rules of quantum mechanics: they behave like waves and can exist in multiple states simultaneously — two properties that lie at the heart of quantum inertial sensors.
The quantum inertial sensor aboard the X‑37B uses a technique called atom interferometry, where atoms are cooled to the temperature of near absolute zero, so they behave like waves. Using fine-tuned lasers, each atom is split into what's called a superposition state, similar to Schrödinger's cat, so that it simultaneously travels along two paths, which are then recombined.
Since the atom behaves like a wave in quantum mechanics, these two paths interfere with each other, creating a pattern similar to overlapping ripples on water. Encoded in this pattern is detailed information about how the atom's environment has affected its journey. In particular, the tiniest shifts in motion, like sensor rotations or accelerations, leave detectable marks on these atomic "waves".
The X-37B is being prepared for its eighth flight. (Image credit: US Space Force)
Compared to classical inertial navigation systems, quantum sensors offer orders of magnitude greater sensitivity. Because atoms are identical and do not change, unlike mechanical components or electronics, they are far less prone to drift or bias. The result is long duration and high accuracy navigation without the need for external references.
The upcoming X‑37B mission will be the first time this level of quantum inertial navigation is tested in space. Previous missions, such as NASA's Cold Atom Laboratory and German Space Agency's MAIUS-1, have flown atom interferometers in orbit or suborbital flights and successfully demonstrated the physics behind atom interferometry in space, though not specifically for navigation purposes.
By contrast, the X‑37B experiment is designed as a compact, high-performance, resilient inertial navigation unit for real world, long-duration missions. It moves atom interferometry out of the realms of pure science and into a practical application for aerospace. This is a big leap.
This has important implications for both military and civilian spaceflight. For the US Space Force, it represents a step towards greater operational resilience, particularly in scenarios where GPS might be denied. For future space exploration, such as to the Moon, Mars or even deep space, where autonomy is key, a quantum navigation system could serve not only as a reliable backup but even as a primary system when signals from Earth are unavailable.
Quantum navigation is just one part of the current, broader wave of quantum technologies moving from lab research into real-world applications. While quantum computing and quantum communication often steal headlines, systems like quantum clocks and quantum sensors are likely to be the first to see widespread use.
Countries including the US, China and the UK are investing heavily in quantum inertial sensing, with recent airborne and submarine tests showing strong promise. In 2024, Boeing and AOSense conducted the world's first in-flight quantum inertial navigation test aboard a crewed aircraft.
This demonstrated continuous GPS-free navigation for approximately four hours. That same year, the UK conducted its first publicly acknowledged quantum navigation flight test on a commercial aircraft.
This summer, the X‑37B mission will bring these advances into space. Because of its military nature, the test could remain quiet and unpublicized. But if it succeeds, it could be remembered as the moment space navigation took a quantum leap forward.
Cosmic Tunnels Connect Our Solar System to Distant Stars
Scientists have discovered extraordinary "interstellar tunnels" that create direct pathways from our solar system to distant stellar regions, fundamentally changing our understanding of the space around Earth. Using advanced X-ray telescope data, researchers at the Max Planck Institute have mapped these cosmic channels that stretch across vast regions of the galaxy, revealing an intricate network connecting different star systems.
The breakthrough discovery emerged from analysis of data gathered by the eROSITA X-ray telescope, which orbits the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L2. This sophisticated instrument provided researchers with the clearest view ever obtained of the soft X-ray background, allowing them to peer deep into the structure of interstellar space without interference from Earth's atmosphere or magnetosphere. The telescope's unique position enables continuous observation of cosmic phenomena that remain invisible to ground-based instruments.
Our solar system exists within an enormous cavity known as the Local Hot Bubble, a region of space approximately 300 light-years across filled with million-degree plasma. This cosmic bubble was carved out by a series of supernova explosions that occurred between 10 and 20 million years ago, creating what astronomers describe as a "supernova graveyard."
The research team, led by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, analyzed thousands of X-ray measurements to create the most detailed map ever produced of this local cosmic environment. Their findings, published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, reveal that this bubble is far from uniform in temperature and structure, reveals the Max Planck Institute report.
What makes this discovery particularly remarkable is the identification of tunnel-like structures extending from the Local Hot Bubble toward specific constellations. These channels appear as regions of exceptionally hot, low-density plasma that create pathways through the surrounding cooler interstellar medium.
3D model of the solar neighborhood. The color bar represents the temperature of the LHB as colored on the LHB surface. The direction of the Galactic Centre (GC) and Galactic North (N) is shown in the bottom right. The link to the interactive version can be found at the bottom of the page.
The most significant tunnel discovery points directly toward the constellation Centaurus, home to some of our nearest stellar neighbors including the Alpha Centauri system. This cosmic highway extends across vast distances, potentially connecting our Local Hot Bubble with distant star-forming regions where new solar systems are being born.
A second interstellar tunnel was identified leading toward the constellation Canis Major, linking our solar system with the Gum Nebula located approximately 1,500 light-years away. Co-author Dr. Michael Freyberg explained the implications: "What we didn't know was the existence of an interstellar tunnel towards Centaurus, which carves a gap in the cooler interstellar medium" explains a Daily Mail report.
These tunnels may form part of an extensive branching network that connects different star-forming regions throughout our local galactic neighborhood. The researchers believe this interstellar highway system is maintained by the explosive births and deaths of massive stars, which create powerful shockwaves and stellar winds that push gas and debris through space.
The formation of these interstellar tunnels demonstrates a process astronomers call "stellar feedback," where the life cycles of massive stars shape the structure of entire galaxies. When extremely massive stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, they collapse and explode as supernovae, creating expanding shells of superheated plasma that sweep through space at tremendous velocities.
Previous research has shown that the supernova explosions that created our Local Hot Bubble also collected gas and debris at their expanding edges, creating ideal conditions for new star formation. These new stars then produce their own jets of hot gases and radiation, which continue pushing outward until they encounter other stellar bubbles and star-forming regions.
The discovery also provides fascinating insights into our solar system's cosmic journey. According to co-author Dr. Gabriele Ponti:
"The sun must have entered the LHB a few million years ago, a short time compared to the age of the sun. It is purely coincidental that the sun seems to occupy a relatively central position in the LHB as we continuously move through the Milky Way."
The Ancient Mysteries of Time and Space ebook available from the Ancient Origins store.
Implications for Galactic Evolution
This network of cosmic tunnels represents a previously unknown aspect of galactic architecture that influences how matter and energy move between different regions of space. The researchers discovered that these pathways exhibit a distinct north-south temperature dichotomy, with the southern regions significantly hotter than their northern counterparts.
The thermal pressure measured within the Local Hot Bubble suggests it may be "open" toward high galactic latitudes, allowing material to flow freely between our local environment and the broader galactic halo. This connectivity could have profound implications for understanding how elements created in stellar cores are distributed throughout the galaxy, potentially affecting the formation of new planetary systems.
The eROSITA telescope's unprecedented sensitivity to soft X-ray emissions has revealed structures that remained invisible to previous generations of instruments. By operating from the L2 Lagrangian point, the telescope avoids contamination from Earth's magnetosphere, providing the cleanest possible view of these faint cosmic phenomena.
Top image: eROSITA telescope's all sky survey image.
An Analytical Examination of Twenty Characteristics Unique to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)
An Analytical Examination of Twenty Characteristics Unique to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)
The USS Nimitz UFO that reportedly hovered over an underwater disturbance in the ocean. Some believe that there was either another mysterious object or an underwater base where UFOs come from.
Credit: US Navy
Abstract
Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), now often referred to as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), have intrigued humanity for decades. Despite numerous sightings and anecdotal reports, the scientific community has largely approached UFOs with skepticism due to their elusive nature and the lack of empirical evidence. However, recent government disclosures and technological advancements have renewed interest in systematically analyzing the defining features that distinguish UFOs from conventional aircraft and natural phenomena. This report identifies and critically examines twenty characteristics that are frequently reported and appear to be unique to UFOs, emphasizing their implications for scientific inquiry and understanding. These characteristics challenge current physics paradigms, inspire the development of new scientific theories, and underscore the necessity for rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Exploring these features may offer insights into advanced propulsion, materials science, and space-time manipulation, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of the universe.
Twenty Key Characteristics Unique to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)
1. Astounding Acceleration One of the most remarkable features of UFOs (UAPs) is their ability to perform rapid, deliberate maneuvers, including sudden changes in direction that appear instantaneous. These accelerations far exceed the capabilities of known biological organisms and surpass the limits of current human-made technology. Such rapid movements suggest propulsion systems or energy sources that are beyond our current understanding and engineering. The ability to accelerate so quickly raises profound questions about their physical and technological properties, challenging our concepts of physics and material science. For example, reports describe accelerations exceeding 20g, with abrupt directional changes and hovering capabilities that defy conventional aeronautical principles. These maneuvers imply propulsion systems capable of manipulating inertia or gravitational fields, hinting at breakthroughs in physics that could enable acceleration and maneuverability previously thought impossible. This characteristic remains a key indicator of their extraordinary and possibly non-human origin.
2. Silent Hypersonic Speeds UAPs are capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds—faster than Mach 5—without producing the usual detectable signatures associated with high-speed aircraft. Unlike military jets or reconnaissance drones, which generate sonic booms, vapor trails, and atmospheric ionization that can be tracked and measured, UAPs leave no such traces. Their silent travel suggests advanced propulsion methods or energy field manipulation that minimizes emissions and acoustic signatures. Their ability to operate covertly at incredible speeds, moving silently at hypersonic velocities, remains one of the most perplexing aspects of their behavior. This may involve electromagnetic or field-based propulsion systems that eliminate noise, heat, and vapor signatures, making detection extremely challenging.
3. Elusive Observability Despite advances in optical, electromagnetic, and radar technologies, capturing clear images or definitive data of UAPs remains extraordinarily difficult. Witnesses often report vague or fleeting visual impressions, while radar returns can be inconsistent, nonsensical, or jammed. Many UAPs appear opaque, semi-metallic, and difficult to see in detail, further complicating identification. Their elusive nature may be due to advanced cloaking, reflective properties, or interference with detection systems. Some reports suggest they employ optical camouflage, adaptive reflection, or electromagnetic cloaking that render them nearly invisible or indistinct. This persistent challenge in observation underscores their ability to evade detection, making it difficult for scientists and military agencies to analyze or understand their true nature.
4. Mysterious Trans-medium Travel UAPs demonstrate a baffling ability to seamlessly move through different environments—air, water, and space—without any apparent loss in performance or stability. Unlike human-made vehicles designed specifically for one medium, these objects seem to operate efficiently across all three, suggesting an understanding of physics that surpasses current technology. Their smooth transitions imply they harness unknown principles of energy or physics, allowing them to defy conventional limitations. Such trans-medium capabilities raise profound questions about their origin, engineering, and the physical laws they might exploit. They often appear to manipulate local gravitational or electromagnetic fields, facilitating effortless movement through different environments—an ability that suggests mastery over physics beyond our current comprehension.
5. Unexplained Positive Lift UAPs can maintain altitude and move through Earth's atmosphere without relying on traditional aerodynamic lift mechanisms such as wings, engines, or propellers. They lack exhaust plumes, fins, or control surfaces yet exhibit precise movement, hovering, and maneuvering capabilities. This suggests they generate lift through unknown forces—possibly electromagnetic or gravitational—allowing them to resist gravity without visible means of thrust. Such behavior defies current aerodynamic principles and indicates the presence of advanced, potentially non-human, propulsion technologies. Their ability to sustain positive lift in various atmospheric conditions remains one of the most intriguing mysteries, suggesting the use of electromagnetic or gravitational manipulation rather than conventional aerodynamics.
6. Atypical Flight Dynamics UFOs frequently demonstrate flight behaviors that defy conventional aeronautical principles. Observers describe sudden accelerations exceeding 20g, abrupt directional changes, and hovering capabilities that surpass the performance limits of known human-made aircraft. For instance, the 2004 USS Nimitz incident involved an object accelerating rapidly and executing sharp turns without visible means of propulsion, implying the utilization of advanced energy fields or propulsion technologies beyond our current understanding. These anomalous flight dynamics imply propulsion systems capable of manipulating inertia or gravitational fields, hinting at breakthroughs in physics that enable acceleration and maneuverability previously thought impossible. Such capabilities raise crucial questions about energy sources, control mechanisms, and the fundamental laws governing motion, requiring further scientific investigation into the mechanics behind these phenomena.
7. Lack of Visible Means of Propulsion A hallmark of UFO sightings is the absence of observable propulsion systems. Many reports describe objects that exhibit rapid acceleration, sustained hovering, or high-speed travel without any visible engines, exhaust plumes, or wings. For example, luminous objects are often seen gliding silently across the sky, with no detectable heat or smoke signatures. This suggests they might harness propulsion mechanisms involving electromagnetic fields, field manipulation, or other exotic technologies that do not produce conventional exhaust or noise. The absence of visible propulsion aligns with hypotheses involving futuristic energy manipulation technologies such as warp drives or antigravity engines. These propulsion systems challenge our understanding of energy transfer, field interactions, and the potential harnessing of zero-point or unknown energy sources. Investigating these phenomena could revolutionize aerospace propulsion.
8. Shape-Shifting and Morphing Forms Reports frequently note the shape-shifting abilities of UFOs, which appear as discs, spheres, triangles, or other geometric configurations that transition seamlessly between forms. This morphological variability exceeds simple optical illusions or artifacts, suggesting the objects possess shape-memory materials or cloaking mechanisms that allow real-time reconfiguration. For example, craft have been documented changing from spherical to triangular shapes within seconds, sometimes displaying complex geometries that seem to defy the constraints of rigid structures. Such shape-shifting could imply the utilization of advanced materials with programmable properties or energy fields that manipulate the object's shape. This capability might serve stealth, evasion, or tactical purposes, and hints at technologies capable of dynamically altering physical form and optical characteristics. Understanding the physics behind such morphing abilities could unlock new fields in materials science, nanotechnology, and electromagnetic control.
9. Absence of Noise A significant number of UFO sightings report objects operating silently, even during high-speed maneuvers and rapid accelerations. This acoustic silence is inconsistent with traditional aircraft, which produce noise due to engine operation and aerodynamic effects. For instance, luminous craft are often observed moving swiftly overhead without any sound, despite the sonic booms or engine noise associated with conventional flight. This suggests the use of propulsion methods that do not generate acoustic signatures—possibly through electromagnetic or field-based propulsion systems that eliminate propulsive noise. Such silent operation would be advantageous for stealth and tactical purposes, with physics likely involving manipulation of electromagnetic or gravitational fields to produce motion without propellant exhaust. Exploring these silent propulsion technologies could lead to the development of near-silent aircraft and spacecraft, revolutionizing aeronautics and defense.
10. Unusual Light Emissions Many UFOs are characterized by anomalous light phenomena, including intense, fluctuating, multicolored, or pulsating emissions. These luminous displays often seem to emanate intrinsically from the craft rather than be external illumination or reflections. For example, sightings over military bases frequently describe craft emitting multicolored flashes or persistent glowing patterns that change dynamically. These light emissions may indicate energy emissions or field manipulations, possibly involving plasma, electromagnetic radiation, or exotic energy states. Such phenomena challenge conventional understanding of lighting and energy emission, suggesting that these objects possess advanced energy control systems capable of manipulating electromagnetic spectra. These luminous characteristics could serve functions such as communication, propulsion, or camouflage. Understanding the physics behind these emissions might lead to breakthroughs in energy management and optical technologies.
11. Hovering and Station-Keeping Abilities UFOs often demonstrate the capacity to hover at fixed positions for extended durations without visible means of support. Witnesses frequently report craft remaining stationary in mid-air, sometimes for hours, with no visible propulsion or stabilization devices. This persistent station-keeping defies gravitational constraints and aerodynamic principles. For example, sightings near military bases or populated areas often involve craft silently hovering without any apparent means of support. Such abilities suggest the presence of anti-gravity or electromagnetic levitation technologies, possibly involving manipulation of local gravitational fields or creation of controlled energy bubbles that counteract gravity. These capabilities could revolutionize transportation and infrastructure, enabling stationary hover modes impossible with current technology. The physics underlying such anti-gravity or electromagnetic levitation remains speculative but offers promising avenues for research into gravitational control and energy field manipulation.
12. Transcendence of Known Aerodynamic Constraints UFOs are frequently observed performing maneuvers that violate known aerodynamic constraints, such as abrupt stops, rapid climbs, or instantaneous reversals of direction. These actions challenge the principles of inertia, drag, and lift governing conventional flight. Multiple eyewitness accounts describe craft executing sharp turns at high speeds without observable yawing or banking motions, suggesting bypassing aerodynamic limitations via new physics. These extraordinary maneuvers imply the use of propulsion systems capable of manipulating inertia or gravitational forces, allowing objects to accelerate or decelerate instantly or change direction without inertia effects. Such capabilities could involve local spacetime manipulation or electromagnetic field control, enabling craft to effectively "teleport" or phase through physical constraints. These phenomena necessitate exploration of advanced propulsion theories extending beyond classical aerodynamics, potentially leading to breakthroughs in inertial control and spacetime engineering.
13. Non-Standard Material Composition Recovered debris or visual reports occasionally suggest that UFOs are composed of materials with properties unlike any known terrestrial alloys. Reports describe metals that withstand extreme heat without melting, exhibit remarkable strength-to-weight ratios, or display unknown spectral signatures. For example, alleged debris has shown to contain alloys with unusual atomic structures, possibly indicating extraterrestrial origin or the use of advanced manufacturing techniques. Although physical recoveries remain rare and often unverified, the implications are profound: materials capable of surviving intense re-entry conditions, resisting corrosion, or withstanding electromagnetic stress could revolutionize materials science. If such materials are indeed advanced or extraterrestrial, they might incorporate unknown elements or nanostructures that enable extraordinary properties. Studying these materials could provide insights into new material physics and lead to the development of ultra-lightweight, super-strong, or heat-resistant materials for human use.
14. Disappearance and Reappearance A recurring phenomenon reported in UFO encounters is the sudden vanishing of craft, sometimes followed by reappearance elsewhere or at different altitudes. Witnesses describe objects "blinking" out of existence or teleporting across the sky within seconds. Multiple military and civilian accounts describe craft vanishing behind clouds or reappearing at great distances unexpectedly. These behaviors suggest the use of advanced space-time manipulation, portals, or wormholes—concepts considered within physics but currently speculative. Such teleportation-like behavior would require extraordinary control over space and time, possibly involving localized distortions of spacetime fabric. Understanding and harnessing such phenomena could revolutionize transportation, communication, and our understanding of the universe's structure, potentially enabling interstellar travel and multidimensional exploration.
15. Multidirectional Movement UFOs often demonstrate the ability to change direction instantly and move in multiple directions without observable effects of inertia. Observers report craft executing complex trajectories that would cause severe G-forces on human pilots, yet no such effects are perceived. For example, craft performing rapid lateral shifts or sudden reversals are often described as gliding seamlessly through the air. These movements imply effective control over inertia or gravitational interactions, possibly via electromagnetic or exotic propulsion systems that manipulate local spacetime curvature. The physics involved might relate to inertial dampening or gravitational shielding, which are currently theoretical. Mastery of such control would have profound implications for spacecraft navigation, allowing rapid, precise maneuvers with minimal energy expenditure. Further research into inertia control and gravitational field manipulation is essential to fully understand these phenomena.
16. Absence of Conventional Flight Surfaces Contrary to traditional aircraft, many UFOs lack visible wings, fins, stabilizers, or aerodynamic surfaces. Their streamlined, smooth shapes suggest designs optimized for non-aerodynamic propulsion or cloaking. Reports describe craft with seamless, monolithic metallic surfaces that seem almost inorganic, with no protrusions or control surfaces. This design minimizes drag and could facilitate field-based propulsion methods, such as electromagnetic or gravitational manipulation, which do not depend on aerodynamic principles. The absence of such features indicates a fundamentally different approach to flight, possibly involving self-contained energy fields or inertialess control mechanisms. Understanding these structural configurations could inform future aircraft and spacecraft designs that operate independently of aerodynamic principles, emphasizing energy field control over traditional aerodynamics.
17. Ability to Penetrate or Hover Through Obstructions Several eyewitness accounts describe UFOs passing through solid objects like clouds, glass, or barriers, then reappearing on the other side. For example, craft are reported to glide through cloud cover or penetrate windows without damage. These behaviors suggest the use of advanced energy fields or matter manipulation technologies capable of temporarily altering physical properties—such as reducing density or creating localized spacetime distortions. Such capabilities might involve phase-shifting, portal creation, or electromagnetic cloaking, enabling objects to bypass physical obstacles seamlessly. If validated, these technologies could revolutionize transportation and infrastructure by allowing objects to pass through barriers effortlessly. Investigating the physics behind such phenomena involves exploring quantum field manipulation, spacetime topology, and advanced energy control.
18. Unusual Radar and Electromagnetic Signatures UFOs frequently produce radar signatures that are inconsistent with their visual appearance, sometimes evading detection entirely or generating anomalous electromagnetic interference. For instance, radar systems may register a large cross-section that does not match the visual size, or the craft may cause electromagnetic disturbances that interfere with communication and navigation systems. These signatures suggest the use of stealth or cloaking technologies involving electromagnetic shielding, plasma fields, metamaterials, or active interference systems designed to evade detection. Such properties have significant implications for stealth technology and electromagnetic physics, prompting further research into electromagnetic cloaking, stealth design, and advanced sensor development capable of penetrating such defenses.
19. Persistent Multi-spectrum Anomalies Many UFOs are detected across multiple electromagnetic spectrums simultaneously, including visible light, infrared, radio, and ultraviolet. This multi-spectrum activity indicates the presence of complex onboard systems capable of energy manipulation across different wavelengths. For example, infrared signatures often show high-energy emissions, while radio frequencies display unusual modulation patterns. Such multi-wavelength activity suggests that these objects possess advanced energy sources and multifunctional systems operating cohesively across the electromagnetic spectrum. These phenomena could involve plasma engines, quantum energy states, or exotic particles that emit or manipulate radiation in multiple bands. Studying these multi-spectrum signatures can reveal the nature of their energy systems, improve detection techniques, and contribute to the development of advanced energy management and communication technologies.
20. Behavioral Anomalies and Possible Intelligence In some cases, UFOs appear to exhibit behaviors influenced by human presence, such as approaching observers, altering trajectories upon detection, or performing specific maneuvers. While some interpret these as psychological effects or misidentifications, others suggest the possibility of deliberate interaction or testing by the objects themselves. For example, craft have been observed adjusting altitude or speed when detected by military personnel or civilians, implying a form of responsiveness or embedded intelligence. If such interactions are genuine, they suggest a level of cognition or programming beyond simple physical phenomena, possibly indicating that these objects are controlled by entities capable of sensing and reacting to human observers. This raises profound questions about consciousness, artificial intelligence, and communication protocols embedded within these phenomena. Further multidisciplinary research combining physics, psychology, and AI is essential to understanding whether these behaviors represent intelligent control or programmed responses.
Discussion and Implications
The twenty characteristics discussed above collectively underscore the extraordinary and often inexplicable nature of UFO phenomena. Many traits challenge the current scientific understanding rooted in physics, materials science, and aerospace engineering. While some features could be attributed to optical illusions, atmospheric artifacts, or psychological effects, the consistency, recurrence, and multi-spectral nature of these reports suggest they are intrinsic properties of the objects themselves. These phenomena motivate the development of new scientific theories that incorporate advanced energy manipulation, anti-gravity, spacetime engineering, and possibly extraterrestrial technology. The recent declassification of military and government reports—such as the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence’s UAP reports—reinforces the importance of systematic scientific investigation (U.S. Department of Defense, 2021). Addressing these anomalies requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining physics, engineering, psychology, and atmospheric science, with an emphasis on rigorous data collection, experimental validation, and theoretical modeling.
Conclusion
The twenty characteristics identified in this report serve as a comprehensive framework for understanding the peculiarities of UFO phenomena. Their repeated occurrence across various contexts and reports suggests these objects possess properties and capabilities currently beyond human technological and scientific reach. Recognizing and studying these features could lead to groundbreaking advancements in physics, propulsion, materials science, and space-time manipulation. Continued research, supported by advanced sensor technologies, international collaboration, and open scientific inquiry, is essential to unravel the mysteries surrounding these enigmatic objects. Such efforts not only hold the potential to expand our scientific horizons but also to fundamentally alter humanity’s understanding of the universe and our place within it.
References
U.S. Department of Defense. (2021). Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2022). Unidentified Aerial Phenomena: Observations of Unusual Activity and Progress in Understanding. GAO-22-105.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (2020). Advanced Aerial Surveillance Technologies. NASA Technical Reports.
Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence. (2019). Analyzing Unexplained Aerial Encounters. CSET Research Paper.
National Defense Authorization Act. (2022). Provision for UAP Investigations. Congress of the United States.
Schmidt, H., & Lee, J. (2020). "Emerging Technologies in UAP Detection." Journal of Aerospace Technology, 15(3), 45-60.
European Space Agency. (2018). Monitoring Unusual Aerial Phenomena in Near-Earth Space. ESA Reports.
Johnson, R. (2021). The Science of UAPs: Challenges and Opportunities. Scientific American, 324(4), 78-85.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. (2022). Guidelines for Reporting and Investigating Aerial Anomalies. UNOOSA Publications.
Smith, A., & Patel, K. (2023). "Advances in Radar and Sensor Technologies for Detecting UAPs." International Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2023, Article ID 567890.
SwRI scientists reviewed spectral data of sample material taken from near-Earth asteroids Ryugu and Bennu (pictured above) and compared them with spectral data of main belt asteroid Polana from the James Webb Space Telescope and found that they closely match. Image Credit: NASA
In 2020, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa2 spacecraft completed its primary mission when it returned samples of asteroid Ryugu to Earth. In 2023, NASA's OSIRIS-REx also completed its primary mission by returning samples of asteroid Bennu to Earth. Scientists in labs around the world have been studying those samples and have uncovered some surprises.
The Ryugu sample contained uracil, one of the four RNA nucleotides that are essential for life as we understand it. That discovery indicates that asteroids could've played a role in delivering the raw materials for life to Earth. The Bennu sample contained its own surprise. It contained unexpected phosphate compounds, which suggested that it could be a splinter from a small, ancient body with an ocean.
These findings show how complex asteroids can be, and that they're more than just chunks of space rock.
Asteroids are the fragments from collisions involving planetesimals. Each one is a puzzle piece that can help astronomers uncover our Solar System's history. One of the key endeavours in asteroid and Solar System science is determining which asteroids shared the same parent bodies, which can help illuminate the overall history of the Solar System.
Both are from the Polana collisional family in the main asteroid belt (MAB) between Mars and Jupiter. It took more than laboratory study of the samples to confirm it. The JWST played an important role, too, by obtaining both mid-infrared and near-infrared spectra from both asteroids.
"We present JWST Near Infrared Spectrograph and Mid-Infrared Instrument spectroscopy of the parent body of the family, (142) Polana, and compare it with spacecraft and laboratory data of both near-Earth asteroids," the authors write. "Spectral features at similar wavelengths in the spectra of Polana and those of Bennu and Ryugu support the hypothesis that both asteroids originated in the Polana family."
This figure shows the hydrogen content of asteroids determined by various techniques in other research. The Polana results are added from this study. Shaded regions show the range of H wt % for carbonaceous chondrites. Polana is similar to Bennu and Ryugu and unlike the CI and CM chondrites.
Image Credit: Arredondo et al. 2025. PSJ.
“Very early in the formation of the solar system, we believe large asteroids collided and broke into pieces to form an ‘asteroid family’ with Polana as the largest remaining body,” said lead author Arredondo in a press release. “Theories suggest that remnants of that collision not only created Polana, but also Bennu and Ryugu as well. To test that theory, we started looking at spectra of all three bodies and comparing them to one another.”
“They are similar enough that we feel confident that all three asteroids could have come from the same parent body,” Arredondo said.
Polana is much larger than both Ryugu and Bennu, at about 55 km in diameter. Bennu is only about 500 meters in diameter, and Ryugu is only about 850 meters in diameter. Polana is very dark, with an albedo of only 0.045, and is a Type F carbonaceous asteroid, a sub-group of the more common C-type asteroid.
The researchers think that after the collision that spawned them, Ryugu and Bennu were pushed out of their orbits close to Polana by Jupiter's immense gravity. As a result, the two smaller asteroids have been altered by their closer proximity to the Sun.
“Polana, Bennu and Ryugu have all had their own journeys through our solar system since the impact that may have formed them,” said SwRI’s Dr. Tracy Becker, a co-author of the paper. “Bennu and Ryugu are now much closer to the Sun than Polana, so their surfaces may be more affected by solar radiation and solar particles.
There are some differences between the three, especially around the depth and width of the 2.7 μm feature. This feature indicates hydrated minerals, or water-bearing minerals, and tells scientists something about an asteroid's history of thermal and aqueous alteration. "The differences in the depth and width of the 2.7 μm feature are more prominent between Polana and Ryugu than between Polana and Bennu. The cause of this difference is uncertain but could potentially be due to location in the early planetesimal or the effects of space weathering," the researchers write.
This figure compares NIRSpec Polana data to Bennu and Ryugu data. There are differences around the 2.7 micrometer feature that are likely due to space weathering.
Image Credit: Arredondo et al. 2025. PSJ.
“Likewise, Polana is possibly older than Bennu and Ryugu and thus would have been exposed to micrometeoroid impacts for a longer period,” Becker added. “That could also change aspects of its surface, including its composition.”
The differences could also stem from differences in the parent body.
"The differences in hydration between Bennu and Ryugu do not necessarily mean that they come from different parent bodies," the authors explain. "Differences between the similarly sized Bennu and Ryugu could be due to parent body partial dehydration due to internal heating. If Bennu came from surface material and Ryugu came from inner material, the parent body impact would produce different layers of compaction, which would cause them to have different macroporosities and levels of hydration."
In their conclusion, the authors state that despite differences, they're confident that all three bodies share the same parent body. "We find that similarities in the shapes and strengths of many of the spectral features across the NIR and MIR, including the prominent OH feature at 2.72 μm, support the hypothesis that Bennu and Ryugu could have originated in the new Polana family," they write.
Some regions of the spectra require further study to understand and explain, according to the authors.
"The analysis of the returned samples from both Bennu and Ryugu is ongoing, and future developments in the understanding of how surface processes manifest in NIR and MIR spectra will give additional insights into the interpretation of our Polana spectrum," they conclude.
Scientists studied Polana, a fairly large asteroid in the Main Belt, using a spectroscope installed on the James Webb Space Telescope. It turned out to be very similar to Bennu and Ryugu, which had previously been explored by spacecraft.
An article on the spectroscopy of Polana (142) was recently published in the Planetary Science Journal. Its authors claim that it has a common origin and forms a family with well-known objects such as Bennu and Ryugu.
The diameter of Polana is about 55 km. It was discovered back in the 19th century and has not been particularly noteworthy until now. Instead, Ryugu and Bennu were explored by spacecraft at close range, and material from the former was even brought back to Earth.
Spectral analysis of asteroids and their samples
A team of scientists led by Dr. Anicia Arredondo believes that in the early stages of the Solar System’s formation, large asteroids collided and broke into pieces to form a “family of asteroids,” the largest of which was Polana. Theories suggest that the remnants of this collision not only created Polana, but also Bennu and Ryugu. To test this theory, scientists began studying the spectra of all three bodies and comparing them with each other.
Arredondo and her team have applied for time on the James Webb Space Telescope to observe Polana using two different spectral instruments that focus on the near-infrared and mid-infrared spectra. Next, they compared this data with spectral data from physical samples of Ryugu and Bennu collected by two different space missions. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft encountered Ryugu in 2018 and collected samples that returned to Earth at the end of 2020. NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft encountered Bennu in 2020 and collected samples that returned to Earth in late 2023.
Asteroid sizes
Bennu and Ryugu are considered asteroids on Earth because they orbit the Sun inside the orbit of Mars; however, they are not considered dangerous to Earth, with closest approaches of approximately 1.9 and 1 million miles, respectively.
Both Bennu and Ryugu are relatively small compared to Polana. Bennu’s diameter is approximately one-third of a mile, or roughly the same as that of the Empire State Building. Ryugu is twice as large, but Polana overshadows them both, being approximately 33 miles wide. Scientists believe that Jupiter’s gravity pushed Bennu and Ryugu out of their orbits near Polana.
Moon samples collected by the Apollo 17 mission have revealed new information about the Light Mantle, a distinctive bright band crossing the surface of the Moon. These are the remains of an ancient landslide that may be associated with the Tycho crater.
The last people on the Moon
Launched in December 1972, the Apollo 17 mission was the last flight in the Apollo program. As part of this program, NASA sent a scientist (geologist Harrison Schmitt) to the Moon for the first time, which largely determined its record “catch” of 110 kg of lunar soil samples, which were then delivered to Earth.
Harrison Schmitt on the Moon. Source: NASA
Light Mantle was one of the key objectives of the mission. This five-kilometer-long deposit, located at the foot of the two-kilometer-high South Massif mountain, has attracted the attention of scientists since its discovery. It is believed to be the remains of an ancient landslide. However, how exactly it formed and what allowed it to stretch for several kilometers was unknown.
The astronauts studied the Light Mantle by taking a series of cores. Some of them were placed in long-term storage in a sealed container in a special nitrogen storage facility. This was done with the expectation that in the future they could be studied using more advanced technologies and new scientific approaches that did not exist at that time.
Anatomy of a lunar landslide
This turned out to be the right decision. Over the next half-century, scanning technology took a huge leap forward, making it possible to examine samples in great detail. The research team took advantage of this circumstance. First, scientists simulated how landslides could occur on the Moon using rocks of similar composition. After that, they opened one of the sealed cores, analyzed its contents, and then compared it with the results of computer simulations.
A sample of lunar soil delivered by the Apollo 17 mission. It has been stored in a sealed container for over 50 years. Source: Dave Edey and Romy Hanna, UTCT, Jackson School of Geosciences/NASA
According to the researchers, analysis showed that the finer material covering the fragments in the core originated from them, rather than from the surrounding rock. This suggests that the debris broke apart and helped the landslide to “flow” like a liquid.
Although it is still unclear what exactly caused the landslide, one of the most likely causes was attributed to the impact of an asteroid that formed the Tycho crater. During the impact, countless rocks were thrown outwards and then fell back onto the Moon, forming small secondary craters. They diverge from Tycho with bright rays. Some of them stretch toward the Southern Massif.
The location where the lunar soil sample was collected. Source: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
Scientists have suggested that some of the material ejected during the formation of Tycho may have struck the South Massif. This could have caused a landslide, which ultimately formed the Light Mantle.
In the past decade, astronomers have witnessed three interstellar objects (ISOs) passing through the Solar System. This included the enigmatic 'Oumuamua in 2017, the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov in 2019, and 3I/ATLAS in July 2025. This latest object also appears to be a comet based on recent observations that showed it was actively releasing water vapor as it neared the Sun. The detection of these objects, which were previously theorized but never observed, has piqued interest in the origins of ISOs, their dynamics, and where they may be headed once they leave the Solar System.
Since asteroids and comets are essentially material leftover from the formation of planets, studying ISOs could reveal what conditions are like in other star systems without having to send interstellar missions there. In a recent paper, Shokhruz Kakharov and Prof. Abraham Loeb calculated the trajectories of all three interstellar visitors to determine where they came and apply age constraints. Their results indicate these ISOs originated from different regions in the Milky Way's disk, and range in age from one to several billion years.
Kakharov is a graduate student at Harvard University's Astronomy Department whose work includes studies on interstellar objects, the trajectories of spacecraft like Voyager, direct imaging, and the flux of extragalactic dark matter. Prof. Loeb is the Frank B. Baird Jr. Professor of Professor of Science at Harvard University and the Director of the Institute for Theory and Computation (ITC) at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The paper that details their findings appeared online and is being reviewed for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Artist's impression of Project Dragonfly, a study for an interstellar spacecraft.
Credit: i4is
The discovery of 'Oumuamua kicked off a revolution in astronomy, confirming the existence of ISOs and inspiring efforts to study them closer. As Kakharov told Universe Today via email, they've also transformed our understanding of galactic dynamics and the formation of planetary systems:
Before 1I/'Oumuamua's discovery in 2017, we had no direct evidence that objects from other star systems could reach our solar system. These visitors provide unique samples of material from distant planetary systems, offering insights into the chemical composition and physical properties of exoplanetary material that we cannot obtain through remote observations alone. They also serve as natural probes of the interstellar medium and galactic dynamics, revealing the gravitational interactions that shape stellar populations over billions of years.
Since asteroids and comets are essentially material leftover from the formation of planetary systems, the study of ISOs enables the study of other star systems without having to mount interstellar missions. Currently, the only viable means for sending spacecraft to neighboring star systems involves gram-scale wafercraft and lightsails that are accelerated by direct energy arrays to a small fraction of the speed of light. Examples include Breakthrough Initiative's Starshot, and the Institute for Interstellar Studies' (i4is) Swarming Proxima Centauri concept.
While these mission concepts could reach the nearest star (Proxima Centauri) within a human lifetime, they would be very expensive to mount, and it would be decades before we learned what conditions are like in neighboring star systems. But as 'Oumuamua, 2I/Borisov, and 3I/ATLAS have demonstrated, ISOs pass through our Solar System regularly, each offering unique research opportunities. Determining where each ISO originated is the first step toward understanding the diversity and dynamics of stellar populations in the Milky Way. Said Kakharov:
Understanding ISO origins provides a deeper context for interpreting their physical and chemical properties. For example, knowing that 3I/ATLAS likely originated from an old stellar population suggests it may have experienced different evolutionary processes than younger objects. This information helps us understand the diversity of planetary system architectures and the conditions under which objects are ejected into interstellar space. Also, tracing their origins helps identify potential source regions and ejection mechanisms, whether through gravitational scattering, stellar evolution, or other dynamical processes.
For their purposes, Kakharov and Loeb ran a series of Monte Carlo numerical simulations using the GalPot galactic potential model, a software package designed to calculate the gravitational potential of a galaxy:
For each ISO, we generated 10,000 different possible trajectories by sampling from the observational uncertainties in their velocities and systematic uncertainties in the Solar motion relative to the Local Standard of Rest. We integrated each trajectory for 1 billion years in the Milky Way's gravitational potential to determine their maximum vertical excursions from the galactic plane. This statistical approach provides robust estimates of their orbital parameters and accounts for the significant uncertainties inherent in long-term orbital predictions.
From this, they were able to numerically integrate the trajectories of these three interstellar objects back in time and relate them to potential stellar populations. "Our analysis revealed that the three ISOs originate from distinct stellar populations with different ages and galactic locations," said Kakharov. Their results showed 3I/ATLAS is the oldest of the three, with a median age of 4.6 billion years, and originated from the Milky Way's thick disk. This component is thicker than the galaxy's thin disk (where our Sun resides) and is populated by older, lower metallicity stars.
1I/'Oumuamua is relatively young by comparison, about 1 billion years, and originated from the thin disk where new stars are still forming. 2I/Borisov falls between them in age, approximately 1.7 billion years old, and originated from the thin disk. "This diversity suggests that ISOs are ejected from planetary systems throughout the galaxy's history, not just from young, recently formed systems." These results also offer a preview of what's to come thanks to new observational facilities that will become operational in the coming years. Said Kakharov:
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will dramatically increase ISO detection rates, potentially finding dozens of new interstellar objects per year. Future missions like the European Space Agency's Comet Interceptor could potentially help with an ISO for in-situ analysis. These facilities will enable statistical studies of ISO populations, allowing us to understand their frequency, distribution, and diversity across different stellar environments.
Hidden in the Grand Canyon in an area the public is not allowed to enter, is a phase shifting plane, never in one reality but always in several in space and time. Caused by UFOs interacting with the plane in flight…never to return again. Sometimes in our reality...and sometimes not...proven by the satellite photos.
Hey here is a wild sighting not one, but a whole UFO fleet cloaked in clouds. The photos were captured by two different individuals (in source) and they captured something rare. The UFO clouds were seen leaving a mountainous area of Taiwan, with mountains so steep and dangerous that no roads reach those locations, no trails and no homes exist. Make for the perfect entrance and exit to an alien base, am I right or am I right?
One eyewitness states, "Lots of clouds!" The other states, "Unbelievable! First time seeing so many UFO clouds from noon to night."
Just to make sure the photos were real I ran them through ai to confirm and yes, they are not ai, but are the real thing.
How do UFOs keep the cloud from blowing away? Sometimes they do blow away, but usually the cloud around the UFO is contained using a forcefield...that same field used to protect the ship from outside attacks also keeps things in...namely the clouds.
This is 100% proof that an alien base exists 5km below the mountains of Taiwan in Nantou County.
Hey look at this. A video was sent it to NUFORC that shows glowing lights of a triangle UFO over Missouri. It looks like the USAF ultra top secret TR-3B Black Manta project. It's never before been seen but only heard of from US gov sources, but this is it. This is a huge one and it looks like it's tilted vertical so that its bottom propulsion systems can each be seen glowing white. So rare and it's very similar to the New Jersey drones seen for several months earlier this year, but this one is 3X the size of those. This TR-3B most likely is the Black Manta project of the USAF, however aliens do have such craft, and it the TR-3B was based upon alien tech that was back engineered at Area S4, inside Area 51.
Silent triangular craft hovered, cloaked in light, reappeared nearby; seen multiple times in hotspot with decades of similar reports. I was following what I now believe to be a usaf recon craft. I stopped where it stopped and it began to hover and loiter with no noise other than its visible triangular shape. It was about 100 feet overhead and a football field length away. It was manuevering in an odd way. Almost like it was submerged taking banks and angular dives. It would cloak in a ball of light than re appear nearby elsewhere hovering.
UFO over houses in Marion, Iowa on Aug 9, 2025, UAP sighting news 📰👽 ancient aliens are watching. Wow!
UFO over houses in Marion, Iowa on Aug 9, 2025, UAP sighting news 📰👽 ancient aliens are watching. Wow!
Date of sighting: Aug 9, 2025
Location of sighting: Marion, Iowa, USA
Source: NUFORC website
Watch this short video and you will see a huge glowing sphere with a black hole in it. The hole...is a dome window in the UFO. This UFO is carefully watching the homes below, monitoring the humans reaction that is recording them and its discovering...humans are no longer afraid of the truth. That aliens exist.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Thought it was a comet, but it brightened, moved. So I thought it was a comet orbiting into our atmosphere, but when I googled lens it it said it was a ufo and then I started to see it get brighter and it started moving around so I started to record. The video is only 13 seconds. In the first 3 seconds of the video stop zoom in to the bottom right hand corner boom, mothership and spaceship leaving or going into the mothership.
De Anunnaki: Oude Goden of Buitenaardse Bezoekers die de Mensheid Heeft gevormd?
De Anunnaki: Oude Goden of Buitenaardse Bezoekers die de Mensheid Heeft gevormd?
Inleiding
Al duizenden jaren vertellen oude beschavingen verhalen over machtige goden die de wereld en de mensheid bestuuren. Een van de meest intrigerende en mysterieuze figuren uit deze verhalen zijn de Anunnaki, een term die vooral uit de Mesopotamische mythologie bekend is. Deze oude goden worden vaak afgebeeld als machtige wezens die een grote invloed zouden hebben gehad op de ontwikkeling van de menselijke beschaving. Maar wat als deze mythes niet slechts symbolisch of allegorisch bedoeld zijn, maar daadwerkelijk gebaseerd op ontmoetingen met buitenaardse bezoekers? In deze tekst wordt de vraag onderzocht of de Anunnaki mogelijk geen mythische figuren zijn, maar buitenaardse wezens die de mensheid hebben geholpen, beïnvloed of zelfs gecreëerd. Door een brede kijk op oude verhalen, archeologische vondsten en alternatieve theorieën wordt geprobeerd te achterhalen wat de ware aard van de Anunnaki kan zijn.
De oorsprong van de Anunnaki in de Mesopotamische mythologie
De verhalen over de Anunnaki stammen uit de oude beschavingen van Mesopotamië, waaronder Sumer, Akkad, Babylonië en Assyrië. Deze mythologieën vormen een van de oudste schriftelijke bronnen die inzicht geven in de opvattingen en religieuze overtuigingen van de mensen die duizenden jaren geleden in deze regio leefden. Volgens de mythen waren de Anunnaki de kinderen van de oppergod Anu en de aardgodin Ki, en werden zij beschouwd als machtige ondergoddelijke wezens die een centrale rol speelden in het beheer van de kosmos en de menselijke samenleving.
In de oude teksten worden de Anunnaki vaak afgebeeld als wijze en verheven entiteiten, maar ook als streng en soms wraakzuchtig. Ze worden beschreven als zijnde betrokken bij de schepping van de mens, het bepalen van het lot van de mensheid, en het begeleiden van de natuurlijke en maatschappelijke orde. Volgens sommige verhalen kwamen de Anunnaki uit de hemel neer op aarde en vestigden zich in tempels en steden, vaak in de vorm van goddelijke leiders of koningen die zichzelf als vertegenwoordigers van de goden zagen. Ze waren aanwezig in belangrijke mythologische verhalen over de schepping, oorlogen tussen goden en de strijd om macht en invloed binnen het goddelijke pantheon.
De mythes over de Anunnaki bevatten elementen van macht, geheimzinnigheid en transcendentie. Ze schetsen een kosmos waarin goden en mensen nauw met elkaar verweven zijn, en waarin de rol van de goden niet altijd volledig duidelijk of begrijpelijk is voor de menselijke wereld. Sommige onderzoekers interpreteren deze verhalen als een manier om natuurlijke krachten en het onbekende te verklaren, zoals het ontstaan van de aarde, de hemel en de natuurlijke gebeurtenissen die de oude Mesopotamiërs observeerden. Anderen vermoeden dat de verhalen een diepere, verborgen werkelijkheid kunnen bevatten, die mogelijk verwijst naar buitenaardse invloeden of oude technologische kennis.
Door de eeuwen heen hebben de Anunnaki een mysterieuze en invloedrijke plaats ingenomen in de geschiedenis van de mensheid. Ze symboliseren niet alleen de goddelijke macht en de scheppingsmythen, maar ook de menselijke zoektocht naar begrip van het onbekende en het hogere. De verhalen over de Anunnaki blijven tot op heden een fascinerend onderwerp voor onderzoekers en liefhebbers van oude mythologie, omdat ze een venster bieden op de denkwereld van onze voorouders en hun zoektocht naar zingeving en orde in een complexe wereld.
Verschillende interpretaties: mythologie versus oude astronautentheorie.
De interpretatie van de verhalen over de Anunnaki roept al eeuwenlang veel vragen en discussies op. Traditioneel worden deze verhalen uit de oude Mesopotamische mythologie beschouwd als symbolische vertellingen die de menselijke ervaring en de kosmische orde willen uitdrukken. In deze context worden de Anunnaki vaak gezien als goddelijke wezens, die de schepping en het functioneren van de wereld op hun eigen wijze beïnvloedden. Voor de meeste historici en archeologen vormen de oude teksten en artefacten geen concreet bewijs voor buitenaards bezoek. Zij interpreteren deze verhalen vooral als culturele uitingen van een samenleving die probeerde haar wereldbeeld en religieuze overtuigingen te structureren, zonder daarin noodzakelijk een verwijzing te zien naar buitenaardse bezoekers.
Echter bestaan er alternatieve theorieën die deze traditionele interpretaties uitdagen en een heel andere blik op de oude verhalen bieden. Een van de meest bekende en controversiële is de zogenaamde oude astronautentheorie. Volgens deze theorie waren de Anunnaki niet slechts mythologische figuren, maar in werkelijkheid buitenaardse bezoekers die al duizenden jaren geleden de aarde bezochten. Voorstanders van deze theorie geloven dat deze wezens technologisch veel geavanceerder waren dan de mens en dat ze zich achter de mythologische verhalen verstoppen om hun aanwezigheid en invloed te verbergen.
De oude astronautentheorie stelt dat de Anunnaki betrokken waren bij genetische manipulatie en de schepping van de mens. Volgens deze visie zouden zij de mens niet uit het niets hebben geschapen, maar genetisch hebben gemodificeerd om een slavenras te creëren die voor hen werkte. Deze theorie suggereert dat de menselijke evolutie niet volledig natuurlijk was, maar sterk beïnvloed door extraterrestrische interventies. Op die manier zouden de verhalen over goden die afdaalden uit de hemel en de mens machtigen, symbolisch kunnen verwijzen naar werkelijke ontmoetingen met buitenaardse wezens.
Ondersteuners van deze theorie wijzen vaak op archeologische vondsten en monumenten die mogelijk aanwijzingen bevatten voor dergelijke contacten. Zo worden onder andere de ziggurats, grote tempeltorens uit de oude Mesopotamische beschaving, vaak genoemd. Zij zouden niet alleen religieuze centra zijn geweest, maar mogelijk ook dienen als landingsplaatsen of technologische faciliteiten voor buitenaardse bezoekers. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat de complexe bouwtechnieken en de nauwkeurige astronomische uitlijningen van deze structuren niet geheel verklaard kunnen worden door de toenmalige technologie, en dat ze mogelijk gebruik maakten van geavanceerde kennis die afkomstig zou kunnen zijn van buitenaardse bronnen.
Daarnaast worden er ook andere oude constructies en kunstwerken aangehaald die volgens aanhangers van de oude astronautentheorie mogelijk technologische overblijfselen of sporen van buitenaardse activiteit zouden kunnen zijn. Zo wordt bijvoorbeeld de piramide van Chéops en bepaalde rotstekeningen en kunstvoorwerpen geïnterpreteerd als bewijs voor een buitenaardse invloed op de oude beschavingen. Hoewel deze ideeën door de mainstream wetenschap niet worden erkend en vaak als speculatief worden beschouwd, blijven ze een fascinerende alternatieve interpretatie van onze geschiedenis.
Kortom, de discussie over de aard van de Anunnaki en de interpretatie van oude verhalen blijft complex en controversieel. Of men ze nu ziet als mythologische symbolen of als bewijzen van buitenaardse ontmoetingen, het raakt aan fundamentele vragen over de oorsprong van de mens en onze geschiedenis. De oude astronautentheorie biedt een intrigerend perspectief dat de grenzen tussen mythologie, archeologie en sciencefiction doet vervagen, en daagt ons uit om verder te kijken dan de traditionele verklaringen voor onze oude beschavingen.
Het verhaal van de Anunnaki op aarde: mijnbouw, genetische manipulatie en de schepping van de mens
Volgens oude teksten, epische mythes en de populaire oude astronautentheorie is de aanwezigheid van de Anunnaki op aarde geen toeval, maar eerder een gevolg van bewuste interventie door buitenaardse wezens. Deze wezens zouden actief betrokken zijn geweest bij de mijnbouw van waardevolle mineralen, met name goud, dat essentieel was voor hun technologische en misschien spirituele doeleinden. Volgens de verhalen arriveerden de Anunnaki op aarde om de rijkdommen uit de aardbodem te halen, maar al snel ontwikkelden ze een complexere relatie met de mensheid.
Een van de meest intrigerende aspecten van deze theorieën is de bewering dat de Anunnaki genetische manipulatie hebben toegepast om de mens te creëren. Ze zouden menselijke en dierlijke DNA-sequenties gecombineerd hebben om een hybride ras te vormen dat voor hen arbeid kon verrichten. Deze hybride mensen waren mogelijk bedoeld als een soort slaven, die de zware arbeid in de mijnen konden verrichten zonder dat de Anunnaki zelf voortdurend aanwezig hoefden te zijn. Volgens sommige bronnen zouden deze genetische experimenten mogelijk ook bedoeld zijn geweest om de menselijke capaciteit voor kennis, bewustzijn en spiritualiteit te vergroten, of juist te beperken, afhankelijk van de intenties van de buitenaardse makers.
De schepping van de mens wordt in veel oude verhalen beschreven als een soort experiment of project van de goden, waarin niet alleen de genetische code wordt aangepast, maar ook menselijke eigenschappen en kennis worden overgedragen. Sommige interpretaties suggereren dat de verhalen over de schepping uit klei en het ontstaan van hybriden symbolisch kunnen zijn voor technologische ingrepen die veel verder gaan dan de menselijke wetenschap van vandaag. Deze mythes zouden bijvoorbeeld verwijzen naar geavanceerde genetische technieken die lang geleden door de Anunnaki werden gebruikt.
Daarnaast worden de verhalen over de Nephilim, reusachtige en machtige wezens die in de Bijbel worden genoemd, vaak gekoppeld aan deze mythes. Sommige theorieën stellen dat deze wezens mogelijk afstammelingen waren van de hybride mens-dier creaties of dat ze een andere vorm van buitenaardse aanwezigheid vertegenwoordigen. Het idee dat buitenaardse wezens in het verleden onder de mensen hebben geleefd en invloed hebben uitgeoefend, wordt door deze verhalen versterkt en blijft een intrigerend onderwerp binnen de oude astronautentheorie. Al deze elementen samen schetsen een complex beeld van een mogelijk verborgen geschiedenis waarin de mens niet zomaar is ontstaan, maar het resultaat zou kunnen zijn van een eeuwenoud buitenaards experiment.
De rivaliteit tussen Enki en Enlil en de gevolgen voor de mensheid
In de oude Mesopotamische mythologie spelen de goden Enki en Enlil een centrale en invloedrijke rol. Deze goden vertegenwoordigen niet alleen belangrijke natuurlijke krachten, maar symboliseren ook tegengestelde krachten binnen de kosmos en de menselijke samenleving. Enki, de god van water, wijsheid, schepping en magie, wordt vaak afgebeeld als een welwillende en behulpzame figuur die de mensheid steunt en beschermt. Hij wordt gezien als een voorvechter van de mens, iemand die innovatie en kennis bevordert en zich inzet voor het welzijn van de menselijke soort. Aan de andere kant staat Enlil, de luchtgod en oppergod, die wordt gekenmerkt door zijn autoritaire en strenge aard. Hij vertegenwoordigt orde, macht en soms ook hardheid, en hanteert zijn invloed om de natuurlijke en sociale orde te handhaven, vaak met een zekere mate van onbuigzaamheid.
De rivaliteit tussen deze twee goden weerspiegelt een diepere strijd tussen verschillende kosmische en aardse krachten. Volgens de mythologische verhalen veroorzaken hun conflicten vaak chaos en onrust, wat zich vertaalt in de menselijke geschiedenis als conflicten, natuurrampen en maatschappelijke upheavingen. Sommige interpretaties suggereren dat deze goden misschien niet louter mythologisch zijn, maar symbolische representaties van verschillende buitenaardse facties of oude technologische en culturele groepen die betrokken waren bij de ontwikkeling en het ontstaan van de mensheid. In deze visie zouden Enki en Enlil niet zomaar mythologische figuren zijn, maar vertegenwoordigers van verschillende belangen en ideologieën die in de loop der tijden met elkaar botsten.
De strijd tussen Enki en Enlil zou kunnen duiden op conflicten tussen uiteenlopende technologische of culturele groepen die betrokken waren bij het evolutionaire proces van de mens. Bijvoorbeeld, Enki wordt vaak geassocieerd met kennis, innovatie en het aanwenden van technologie, terwijl Enlil mogelijk symbool staat voor behoud, controle en de strengheid van de natuurlijke orde. Deze tegenstelling zou kunnen wijzen op een voortdurende spanning tussen vooruitgang en behoud, tussen het experimenteren met nieuwe kennis en het beschermen van bestaande structuren. Dergelijke conflicten zouden niet alleen mythologisch zijn, maar ook een diepere verklaring bieden voor de grote veranderingen en catastrofes die de menselijke geschiedenis hebben gekenmerkt.
Een van de bekendste verhalen uit de mythologie die mogelijk verband houdt met deze rivaliteit is dat van de Grote Overstroming. Dit verhaal, dat in veel oude culturen terugkeert – van het Bijbelse verhaal van Noach tot de Gilgamesh-epos – wordt vaak geïnterpreteerd als een herinnering aan een grote natuurramp die de mensheid op de rand van uitsterven bracht. Sommige theorieën stellen dat deze ramp niet louter natuurlijk was, maar mogelijk het gevolg van ingrijpende acties door buitenaardse wezens of technologische krachten die de natuurlijke balans verstoorden. Het idee is dat de overstroming een soort reset was, een manier om de chaos te beheersen en de mens opnieuw te laten beginnen.
Deze ramp zou de mens hebben gedwongen om zich opnieuw te ontwikkelen, kennis te vergaren en zich aan te passen aan een veranderde wereld. Het verhaal van de overstroming symboliseert wellicht niet alleen een natuurcatastrofe, maar ook de voortdurende strijd tussen verschillende machten die de koers van de menselijke geschiedenis bepalen. Door deze mythologieën en verhalen te interpreteren, krijgen we mogelijk inzicht in de complexe relatie tussen mythologie, geschiedenis en de ontwikkeling van de mensheid, waarbij oude verhalen een diepere laag van betekenis onthullen over de conflicten en samenwerkingen die onze wereld hebben gevormd.
Legendes over hybriden, de Nephilim en de Grote Overstroming
Door de eeuwen heen hebben verschillende culturen over de hele wereld verhalen verteld over mysterieuze hybride wezens, zoals de Nephilim, en overeenkomsten in overstromingsmythen die vaak de basis vormen van religieuze en mythologische tradities. Deze verhalen hebben velen geïntrigeerd en leiden tot talloze theorieën en speculaties over hun ware aard en oorsprong.
De Nephilim worden vaak beschreven als reuzen of halfgoddelijke wezens die een bijzondere rol speelden in de oude beschavingen. In de Bijbel, met name in het boek Genesis, worden ze als de nakomelingen van de 'kinderen van God' en de 'dochters van de mens' beschreven. Deze wezens worden soms afgebeeld als reuzen die een enorme kracht en invloed hadden op de toenmalige samenlevingen. Sommige interpretaties suggereren dat de Nephilim mogelijk buitenaardse oorsprong hadden, of dat ze genetisch gemanipuleerde hybriden waren, ontstaan uit een samensmelting van menselijke en buitenaardse DNA. Alternatief wordt gedacht dat deze verhalen symbolisch zijn en een mythisch beeld vormen van machtige leiders of mythologische helden.
Interessant is dat vergelijkbare verhalen over hybride wezens en reuzen ook in andere oude beschavingen voorkomen. In Mesopotamië bijvoorbeeld, vertelt het Gilgamesj-epos over een reusachtige koning die bijna onsterfelijk leek. In Griekse mythologie bestaan de titanen en de giganten, die eveneens grote kracht en invloed hadden. Deze overeenkomsten leiden tot de suggestie dat deze verhalen mogelijk een gemeenschappelijke oorsprong hebben of dat ze reflecties zijn van universele angsten en aspiraties van oude volkeren.
Daarnaast speelt de mythe van de Grote Overstroming een centrale rol in vele religieuze en culturele tradities. In de Bijbel wordt het verhaal van Noach en de Ark beschreven, waarin een wereldwijde vloed alles vernietigt en slechts een klein aantal mensen en dieren overleeft. Ook in het Mesopotamische Gilgamesj-epos wordt een soortgelijke overstromingsmythe verteld met Utnapishtim, die door de goden werd gewaarschuwd om een ark te bouwen en de mensheid te redden. Andere culturen, zoals de Hindoeïstische traditie met het verhaal van Manu, de Maya’s en de oude volkeren van de Pacific Islands, vertellen over catastrofale overstromingen die de wereld verwoestten.
Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat deze verhalen gebaseerd zijn op een echte gebeurtenis, een grote natuurlijke ramp zoals een enorme vloedgolf of een klimaatverandering die de oude wereld heeft getroffen. Anderen denken dat deze overstromingsmythen symbolisch zijn en een dieper spiritueel of sociaal verhaal vertellen over vernietiging en vernieuwing. Binnen de theorieën over buitenaardse invloeden wordt gesuggereerd dat de overstroming misschien wel het resultaat was van een door buitenaardse wezens geleide gebeurtenis, mogelijk een experiment of een ramp die de oude beschavingen heeft uitgemoord en de menselijke samenleving heeft getransformeerd.
Kortom, de legendes over hybriden, de Nephilim en de Grote Overstroming blijven fascinerend en vormen een rijke bron van mythologie, geschiedenis en speculatie. Of ze nu gebaseerd zijn op feitelijke gebeurtenissen, mythologische verhalen, of buitenaardse invloeden, ze blijven de menselijke verbeelding prikkelen en bieden inzicht in hoe oude volkeren probeerden te begrijpen wat er achter hun wereld gebeurde. Door deze verhalen te bestuderen, krijgen we niet alleen een blik op de mythes van het verleden, maar ook op de universele vragen over het bestaan, de kracht van de natuur en de mysteries van het universum.
Archeologische en monumentale traceringen
Verschillende archeologische vondsten worden door voorstanders van de oude astronautentheorie geïnterpreteerd als mogelijke bewijzen van buitenaardse aanwezigheid op aarde in het verre verleden. Deze theorie, populair onder een bepaalde groep onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen, stelt dat niet alle oude beschavingen enkel door menselijke kennis en inspanning tot stand gekomen zijn, maar dat ze mogelijk contact hadden met geavanceerde buitenaardse wezens, de zogenaamde “oude astronauten”. Een van de meest genoemde voorbeelden hierbij zijn de indrukwekkende structuren zoals ziggurats en piramides, die volgens deze theorie niet enkel religieuze of ceremoniële functies hadden, maar ook dienden als landingsplatforms of technologische uitvindingen van de vermeende buitenaardse bezoekers, de Anunnaki.
Ziggurats en piramides als technologische monumenten
De Ziggurat van Ur en de indrukwekkende piramides van Egypte worden vaak aangehaald als bewijs dat oude beschavingen over technische kennis beschikten die volgens sommige onderzoekers niet te verklaren is door de beschikbare technologie van die tijd. De bouw van de Ziggurat van Ur bijvoorbeeld, een immense trapvormige tempel gebouwd uit klei en steen, toont een uitzonderlijke precisie en complexiteit. Sommige aanhangers van de theorie stellen dat zulke structuren niet enkel religieuze doelen dienden, maar ook functioneerden als landingsplatforms voor vliegende wezens of als communicatie-instrumenten.
De piramides van Egypte, vooral de Grote Piramide van Gizeh, worden vaak aangehaald als een bewijs voor een geavanceerde kennis van astronomische oriëntatie en geometrie. De piramides zijn zo uitgelijnd dat ze precies overeenkomen met de vier hoeken van de wereld en met belangrijke sterrenconstellaties zoals Orion. Volgens de oude astronautentheorie zou dit niet mogelijk zijn geweest zonder buitenaardse hulp, omdat de oude Egyptenaren volgens deze theorie niet over zulke geavanceerde kennis beschikten. Voorstanders wijzen er ook op dat de precisie waarmee de piramide is gebouwd, nog altijd verbazing wekt en dat veel details nog niet volledig verklaard kunnen worden met de technieken uit die tijd.
Astronomische uitlijningen en bouwtechnieken
Daarnaast worden de astronomische uitlijningen van bepaalde structuren vaak gezien als bewijs dat oude beschavingen contact hadden met buitenaardse wezens. Zo zou de piramide van Cheops zich bijvoorbeeld richten op de ster Sirius, een belangrijke ster in de oude Egyptische mythologie. Ook de ziggurats vertonen astronomische oriëntaties die volgens sommigen niet te verklaren zijn door menselijke kennis uit die periode. De precisie waarmee deze structuren zijn uitgelijnd, zou kunnen wijzen op kennis die van buitenaardse bronnen afkomstig is.
Verder worden de bouwtechnieken van deze monumenten vaak als uitzonderlijk beschouwd. De manier waarop enorme stenen blokken werden verplaatst en gestapeld zonder moderne machines, roept vragen op. Sommigen suggereren dat buitenaardse technologie of kennis hierbij een rol heeft gespeeld, zoals bijvoorbeeld antizwaartekrachtechnieken of geavanceerde gereedschappen die niet zijn ontdekt of gereproduceerd.
Artefacten en symboliek
Naast de grote structuren worden ook bepaalde inscripties en artefacten geïnterpreteerd als aanwijzingen voor buitenaardse contacten. Bijvoorbeeld, mysterieuze symbolen en afbeeldingen die niet passen binnen de bekende culturele contexten van de oude beschavingen. Sommige symbolen lijken bijvoorbeeld te verwijzen naar vliegende objecten of technologische apparaten, wat volgens de theorie wijst op een oude geschiedenis van contact met buitenaardse wezens.
Een bekend voorbeeld is het zogenaamde “Vogel-symbool” dat op verschillende oude artefacten verschijnt, waarvan sommigen beweren dat het een afbeelding is van een vliegend object of een ruimteschip. Ook de zogenaamde “Alien-goden” die in sommige mythologieën voorkomen, worden door voorstanders geïnterpreteerd als verwijzingen naar buitenaardse bezoekers. Of deze interpretaties correct zijn, blijft onderwerp van discussie onder archeologen en historici, omdat ze vaak gebaseerd zijn op subjectieve interpretaties van symboliek en artefacten.
Concluderend
Hoewel veel van deze theorieën en interpretaties niet algemeen worden erkend in de academische wereld, dragen ze bij aan de fascinerende vraag of de oude beschavingen mogelijk contact hadden met geavanceerde buitenaardse wezens. Ze zetten ons aan tot nadenken over de grenzen van menselijke kennis in het verleden en de mogelijkheid dat onze voorouders niet alles zelf konden hebben bereikt. Of deze theorieën ooit definitief bewezen kunnen worden, blijft voorlopig onduidelijk, maar ze blijven een intrigerend onderdeel van de populaire archeologie en pseudowetenschap.
Conclusie: wetenschappelijke mainstream versus alternatieve theorieën
De discussie over de Anunnaki en hun ware aard blijft een complex en vaak omstreden onderwerp binnen zowel de archeologie als de populaire cultuur. Aan de ene kant bevinden zich de mainstream wetenschappers en archeologen, die de oude verhalen en mythes beschouwen als culturele uitingen van de oude beschavingen. Volgens hen weerspiegelen deze vertellingen de wereldbeelden, overtuigingen en psychologische denkwijzen van oude samenlevingen, zonder dat er bewijs is voor een buitenaardse betrokkenheid. Ze benadrukken dat tot nu toe geen archeologisch bewijs is gevonden dat de Anunnaki daadwerkelijk buitenaardse wezens waren, noch dat zij betrokken zouden zijn bij het scheppen van de mensheid. Hun theorieën baseren zich op grondig onderzoek en wetenschappelijke methoden, en zij waarschuwen voor het gevaar van het overhaast interpreteren van oude teksten en artefacten zonder solide bewijs.
Aan de andere kant staan talrijke onderzoekers, ufologen en enthousiastelingen die geloven dat de oude verhalen, monumenten en mysterieuze artefacten aanwijzingen bevatten voor een buitenaardse betrokkenheid bij onze geschiedenis. Zij wijzen op oude teksten zoals de Sumerische kleitabletten, waarin de Anunnaki worden beschreven als goddelijke wezens van een buitenaardse oorsprong die de mensheid zouden hebben geholpen bij het ontstaan van beschavingen. De oude astronautentheorie, die stelt dat buitenaardse wezens onze voorouders hebben bezocht en invloed hebben uitgeoefend op de ontwikkeling van de mens, blijft een populair en controversieel idee. Hoewel er geen sluitend bewijs is dat deze theorie ondersteunt, biedt het een fascinerend alternatief dat de manier waarop wij naar onze geschiedenis kijken, kan veranderen.
Deze alternatieve theorieën brengen de vraag naar de aard van onze voorouders en de oorsprong van onze beschaving opnieuw in het middelpunt van de discussie. Ze roepen op tot een bredere interpretatie van oude teksten en artefacten, en stimuleren onderzoek dat verder gaat dan de conventionele wetenschappelijke kaders. In de kern blijft de vraag of wij alleen het resultaat zijn van natuurlijke evolutie of dat er mogelijk buitenaardse invloeden in het spel zijn geweest, nog altijd onbeantwoord. De zoektocht naar de waarheid brengt ons dichter bij het begrijpen van onze geschiedenis, of het nu door de lens van de mainstream wetenschap of door de alternatieve theorieën wordt benaderd.
Reflectie
De vraag of de Anunnaki slechts mythologische figuren zijn of daadwerkelijke buitenaardse bezoekers die onze geschiedenis hebben beïnvloed, blijft vooralsnog onbeantwoord. Dit onderwerp roept veel vragen op en vormt een fascinerende puzzel voor onderzoekers, historici en geïnteresseerden. Wat duidelijk is, is dat deze verhalen ons aanmoedigen om verder te kijken dan de traditionele wetenschappelijke interpretaties en om open te staan voor nieuwe ideeën en theorieën. Ze herinneren ons eraan dat de menselijke geschiedenis niet altijd zo eenduidig en eenvoudig is als het lijkt, maar dat er vaak verborgen lagen en onopgeloste mysteries zijn die wachten om ontdekt te worden.
De verhalen over de Anunnaki komen vooral voort uit oude Mesopotamische teksten, zoals de Sumerische kleitabletten. In deze verhalen worden de Anunnaki beschreven als machtige goden die de mensheid schiepen en beïnvloedden. Of deze figuren nu symbolisch zijn of gebaseerd op werkelijke ontmoetingen met buitenaardse wezens, ze blijven een bron van inspiratie en verwondering. Voor gelovigen vormen zij een belangrijk onderdeel van hun wereldbeeld, terwijl sceptici ze zien als mythologische verhalen die mogelijk een allegorische betekenis hebben. Toch blijven de verhalen intrigeren omdat ze mogelijk aanwijzingen bevatten over oude beschavingen en hun kennis.
Het onderzoek naar de mogelijke buitenaardse connecties van de Anunnaki is een voortdurende zoektocht die waarschijnlijk nog vele jaren zal duren. Nieuwe archeologische vondsten, technologische ontwikkelingen en wetenschappelijke inzichten kunnen in de toekomst mogelijk meer duidelijkheid scheppen. Misschien zullen toekomstige ontdekkingen ons dichterbij brengen bij het begrijpen van wie de Anunnaki werkelijk waren en wat hun rol was in de menselijke geschiedenis. Het is een zoektocht die ons uitdaagt om onze bestaande aannames te herzien en om onze blik op het verleden te verruimen.
Deze vraagstukken stimuleren ook onze nieuwsgierigheid en kritisch denken. Ze zorgen ervoor dat we niet alles voor waar aannemen, maar dat we blijven zoeken, analyseren en openstaan voor nieuwe theorieën. Het is belangrijk om een gezonde balans te vinden tussen scepsis en openheid, zodat we niet alles zomaar accepteren, maar ook niet vastgeroest raken in dogma’s. De zoektocht naar de waarheid over de Anunnaki herinnert ons eraan dat de menselijke kennis nog lang niet volledig is en dat er altijd ruimte is voor nieuwe ontdekkingen. Kortom, het is een voortdurende reis van nieuwsgierigheid en reflectie, die ons uitdaagt om ons blik op de geschiedenis en onze oorsprong te verruimen en te verdiepen.
The idea that it is the Earth that revolves around the Sun, and not vice versa, was known even to ancient Greek philosophers. And the most interesting thing is that it was based on calculations and observations that anyone can repeat on their own.
How to determine the distance to the Sun and Moon
Aristarchus of Samos
Usually, when talking about the heliocentric system of the world, Nicolaus Copernicus is mentioned. However, the outstanding Polish astronomer, although he did a lot to strengthen the idea of the Earth revolving around the Sun, was not its author.
This idea was well known in ancient times, and it is associated with the name of a completely different scientist, Aristarchus of Samos. He lived in the 3rd century BC and already then defended such a view of the structure of the world. Ancient authors actively discussed it: some supported it, others rejected it. But the fact remains – it was widespread and did not seem implausible.
And the most interesting thing is that it was based not on interpretations of sacred texts or empty speculation, but on observations, measurements, and calculations. Moreover, they were easily accessible for verification both then and now.
Heliocentric model. Source: www.daviddarling.info
It all started with the question of how far away the Moon and Sun are from Earth. It would seem that neither can be reached; they appear to be approximately the same size, and who knows how big they are. However, there is a way to determine this.
However, it requires accepting the fact that the Moon is a sphere that does not emit light itself, but only reflects sunlight. But it is not difficult to come to this conclusion even by simply observing the phases of our satellite. This is especially evident in the first days of the new moon, when a thin crescent and the rest of the sphere are visible, like a ghost. This phenomenon was later named Da Vinci’s glow.
Distances to the Sun and Moon
Assuming that the Moon is a sphere onto which the Sun’s rays fall, it follows that when it is half illuminated, the angle between the lines connecting the Moon and the Sun and the Moon and the Earth is a right angle. Even the ancient Greeks knew how to solve problems involving right-angled triangles.
If we measure the angle between the Moon and the Sun at this moment, its tangent will be the ratio of the distances from the Moon to the Sun and from the Earth to the Moon.
The positions of the Moon and Sun during quadrature. Source: Wikipedia
Aristarchus did not yet know what a tangent was, but he had the mathematical tools to calculate the required value, at least approximately. However, there is one major problem here. It is extremely difficult to determine the exact moment when the Moon is illuminated by the Sun exactly halfway (this configuration is called quadrature).
The angle to be measured is very close to 90°, and it is easy to make a mistake when measuring it. Aristarchus of Samos calculated it to be 87°. According to his calculations, the Sun was located 18 to 20 times farther from Earth than the Moon, whereas in reality the distance to the Sun is approximately 390 times greater.
However, this mistake did not prevent the scientist from coming to the correct conclusion that the Sun is much further away from us than the Moon. And since both appear to be approximately the same size in the sky, the daytime star must be about 19 times larger than the nighttime ornament.
Solar eclipse and the sizes of celestial bodies
But how much larger or smaller than Earth is the Moon itself? Aristarchus of Samos was aided by his observations of lunar eclipses and his understanding that they occur when the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow. The ancient Greek scientist believed that the Earth’s shadow was equal to its diameter, when in fact it is about 25% smaller because the Sun is not a point source of light.
Page from Aristarchus’ work. Source: Wikipedia
However, this error was not so significant. Aristarchus calculated that the duration of a total eclipse is 3.5 hours. He also knew that the period of the Moon’s rotation around the Earth is 27.3 days. Again, he did not know that the speed of its orbital motion is not constant. We can write the equation 2r/t = 2πR/T, where r is the radius of the Earth, t is the duration of the eclipse, R is the distance to the Moon, and T is its orbital period.
From this equation, it is easy to determine that the ratio of the distance to the Moon and the radius of the Earth (R/r) is approximately 59.6 – not far from the actual value. Using this ratio and the angular radius of the Moon, Aristarchus determined that its size is approximately three times smaller than that of Earth, which is quite close to the modern value of 0.273 times the radius of our planet.
Knowing this and the ratio of the distances from Earth to the Sun and from Earth to the Moon, we can calculate how much larger our star is than our planet. Aristarchus of Samos calculated that its radius was more than 19 times that of Earth, but less than 43 times. Of course, this was incorrect due to inaccurate angle measurements during the quadrature; however, it was still obvious that the Sun was much larger than the Earth.
Statue of Aristarchus of Samos near the University of Thessaloniki. Source: Wikipedia
Aristarchus also suggested that smaller bodies usually revolve around larger ones, which seems logical from a common-sense point of view. Modern astrophysicists, of course, could argue about how convincing this argument is.
However, Aristarchus once again came to the correct conclusion: the Earth does indeed revolve around the Sun. In ancient times, astronomers repeatedly measured the distances to the Sun and Moon. For example, in the 1st century BC, Posidonius calculated that it was located at a distance of 9,893 Earth radii from us. This was still half the actual value, but even so, our sun seemed like a real giant compared to our planet, which was an argument in favor of heliocentrism.
But eventually, the ancient Greeks and Romans lost interest in the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun. Historians still argue about the reasons for this. Perhaps religious issues were the cause, since in those days, belief in the immobility of the Earth was even more important for the authority of priests than it was during the Renaissance.
Another possible reason is purely scientific: the absence of visible annual parallax of stars. If the Earth revolved around the Sun, we would see it shift slightly as the seasons change. But nothing like that happens.
Aristarchus of Samos himself explained this, correctly assuming that the stars are simply very far away, which is why their parallax is small. However, this was only confirmed in the 19th century. Until then, it was a real problem that constantly cast doubt on heliocentrism. Be that as it may, it became dominant in scientific thought many centuries after the end of the classical era.
Space is littered with cosmic wanderers. Some are stars booted from the grip of a companion they once had. Others are rogue comets and asteroids on runaway trajectories with nowhere to go and no one chasing them. We typically call those interstellar objects. Then there are mysterious fragments booted from their solar system by the explosive culmination of their stars’ lives. That’s what Garrett Levine at Yale University is looking for.
"At the end of a star's lifetime, it's losing mass, and everything's going haywire in its system," Levine tells Inverse. "Some stuff might fall onto the star, and some might leave the system, and it's the latter we're looking at."
These fragments are called jurads (named for the late astronomer Michael Jura), and short of using god-like powers to shatter a planet light years away and peer inside, they’re the best way to get even a glimpse of how planets form in distant star systems, and if they’re chemically like any of the planets in our Solar System. To find these jurads, Levine and his colleagues are using one of the most ambitious projects in astronomy: the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). This program will use the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile (whose potential with the group’s research is what Levine calls the “scientific opportunity of a lifetime”), to image the entire visible sky for an unparalleled survey of what is lurking in and beyond our Solar System. If the researchers can spot a jurad, astronomers around the world can point a telescope at it, and this might reveal the secrets of how planets form beyond our Solar System.
Cosmic Backyard is an Inverse series that explores the cutting-edge research looking into the depths of the cosmos. This work is pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe, and our place in it.
Tracing an Interloper
In 2017, a mysterious object swept through our Solar System. Called ‘Oumuamua, its trajectory showed that it came from outside our Solar System, and was on its way back out. While debate After 'Oumuamua's discovery, astronomers speculated about the existence of another kind of object from exoplanetary systems. Researchers call these objects jurads and they are most often icy bodies like comets, but potentially asteroids or fragments of planets pushed to the outskirts of their star’s system. They seem to roam freely around the galaxy after their home stars died and their gravity weakened as they subsequently lost mass.
The comets and asteroids of our Solar System are ancient leftovers of the processes that gave birth to Earth and its sibling worlds, and so can shed light on our Solar System's ancient history. Interstellar objects could similarly shed light on the formation of exoplanets and, "originating from varied environments, can not only reveal how common or unique our Solar System is, but also how comets change over time," Dennis Bodewits, an astrophysicist at Auburn University in Alabama who is not affiliated with Levine’s research, tells Inverse.
Whereas a typical interstellar object could have been flung out of its home star system at any time — comets are flung out of our own Solar System regularly — jurads are fragments that are flung out upon the death of their star.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory will open its eyes to the night skies in 2024. As data pours in, the telescope could catch a jurad flying in.
"It's a really incredible opportunity to gain crucial information about extrasolar systems," study co-author Aster Taylor, an astrophysicist at the University of Michigan, tells Inverse. "Interstellar objects, including jurads, are basically our only chance to take samples from another stellar system. It's hard to express how exciting that is for me, as an astrophysicist."
All in all, investigating objects from another star helps address the "big and general question that many astronomers would like to answer — whether our Solar System is typical, an outlier, or in-between," Levine says. "There are many ways to attack this question, and our study is one example."
An illustration of ‘Oumuamua.
NASA
It Works On Paper
To figure out if they could find jurads with the Rubin Observatory, Levine and company first modeled Oort Clouds, the giant swarms of icy rocks around stars where comets are usually believed to originate. (The research was outlined in a recent study in the Planetary Science Journal.) They estimated how many objects that Oort Clouds around stars about one to eight times the Sun's mass might release in their end stages. They also modeled if astronomers would be able to tell if an object came from before or after a star’s death.
When our Sun and roughly 97 percent of all stars die, all that will be left is their core, and this leftover object is called a white dwarf. Previous research suggested that each white dwarf is expected to kick out up to an Earth's amount of mass.
They found that it was possible to distinguish jurads from objects kicked out before a star died. As stars reach their ends, they grow bright and blast out gusts of gas. This can drive off hyper-volatile molecules such as carbon monoxide, and stellar winds could deposit dust that covers the entire jurad surface, they say.
However, LSST is currently expected to only discover about 15 interstellar objects over the course of its roughly 10-year observational campaign. As such, given what scientists currently know about exoplanetary systems, Levine and his colleagues say it's not impossible but not likely that LSST will detect a jurad.
Still, Pedro Bernardinelli, an astrophysicist at the University of Washington in Seattle who was not involved in the work, notes there are many uncertainties with analyses of this kind. "This is not a problem with the work — it is rather a problem with our understanding of planetary formation, and how similar or not our own Solar System is to others," he notes. As such, "I would not take as a prophecy that LSST will never find such objects."
"It's a very exciting time to be in astronomy and astrophysics," Levine says. "We're at a point where we've answered a lot of questions, but like all good fields of science, once we've answered a question, usually two or three more pop up."
A former intelligence official turned whistleblower has given Congress and the Intelligence Community Inspector General extensive classified information about deeply covert programs that he says possess retrieved intact and partially intact craft of non-human origin.
The information, he says, has been illegally withheld from Congress, and he filed a complaint alleging that he suffered illegalretaliation for his confidential disclosures, reported here for the first time.
Other intelligence officials, both active and retired, with knowledge of these programs through their work in various agencies, have independently provided similar, corroborating information, both on and off the record.
Thewhistleblower, David Charles Grusch, 36, a decorated former combat officer in Afghanistan, is a veteran of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). He served as the reconnaissance office’s representative to the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force from 2019-2021. From late 2021 to July 2022, he was the NGA’s co-lead for UAP analysis and its representative to the task force.
The task force was established to investigate what were once called “unidentified flying objects,” or UFOs, and are now officially called “unidentified anomalous phenomena,” or UAP. The task force was led by the Department of the Navy under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. It has since been reorganized and expanded into the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office to include investigations of objects operating underwater.
Grusch said the recoveries of partial fragments through and up to intact vehicles have been made for decades through the present day by the government, its allies, and defense contractors. Analysis has determined that the objects retrieved are “of exotic origin (non-human intelligence, whether extraterrestrial or unknown origin) based on the vehicle morphologies and material science testing and the possession of unique atomic arrangements and radiological signatures,” he said.
In filing his complaint, Grusch is represented by a lawyer who served as the original Intelligence Community Inspector General (ICIG).
“We are not talking about prosaic origins or identities,” Grusch said, referencing information he provided Congress and the current ICIG. “The material includes intact and partially intact vehicles.”
In accordance with protocols, Grusch provided the Defense Office of Prepublication and Security Review at the Department of Defense with the information he intended to disclose to us. His on-the-record statements were all “cleared for open publication” on April 4 and 6, 2023, in documents provided to us.
Grusch’s disclosures,and those of non-public witnesses, under new protective provisions of the latest defense appropriations bill, signal a growing determination by some in the government to unravel a colossal enigma with national security implications that has bedeviled the military and tantalized the public going back to World War II and beyond. For many decades, the Air Force carried out a disinformation campaign to discredit reported sightings of unexplained objects. Now, with two public hearings and many classified briefings under its belt, Congress is pressing for answers.
Karl E.Nell, a recently retired Army Colonel and current aerospace executive who was the Army’s liaison for the UAP Task Force from 2021 to 2022 and worked with Grusch there, characterizes Grusch as “beyond reproach.”
Karl E. Nell
(Credit: Department of the Army)
Christopher Mellon, who spent nearly twenty years in the U.S. Intelligence Community and served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, has worked with Congress for years on unidentified aerial phenomena.
“A number of well-placed current and former officials have shared detailed information with me regarding thisalleged program, including insights into the history, governing documents and the location where a craft was allegedly abandoned and recovered,” Mellon said. “However, it is a delicate matter getting this potentially explosive information into the right hands for validation. This is made harder by the fact that, rightly or wrongly, a number of potential sources do not trust the leadership of the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Officeestablished by Congress.”
But some insiders are now willing to take the risk of coming forward for the first time with knowledge of these recovery programs.
Jonathan Grey is a generational officer of the United States Intelligence Community with a Top-Secret Clearance who currently works for the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), where the analysis of UAP has been his focus. Previously he had experience serving Private Aerospace and Department of Defense Special Directive Task Forces.
“The non-human intelligence phenomenon is real. We are not alone,” Grey said. “Retrievals of this kind are not limited to the United States. This is a global phenomenon, and yet a global solution continues to elude us.”
At the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Grusch served as a Senior Intelligence Capabilities Integration Officer, cleared at the Top Secret/Secret Compartmented Information level, and was the agency’s Senior Technical Advisor for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena analysis/Trans-Medium Issues. From 2016 to 2021, he served with the National Reconnaissance Office as Senior Intelligence Officer and led the production of the NRO director’s daily briefing. Grusch was a GS-15 civilian, the military equivalent of a Colonel.
Grusch has served as an Intelligence Officer for over fourteen years. A veteran of the Air Force, he has numerous awards and decorations for his participation in covert and clandestine operations to advance American security.
According to a 2021 NRO Performance Report, Grusch was an intelligence strategist with multiple responsibilities who “analyzed unidentified aerial phenomena reports” and “boosted congressional leadership Intel gaps [in] understanding.” He was assessed by the reconnaissance office’s Operations Center Deputy Director as an “adept staff officer and strategist” and “total force integrator with innovative solutions and actionable results.”
Grusch prepared many briefs on unidentified aerial phenomena for Congress while in government and helped draft the language on UAP for the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act, spearheaded by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Marco Rubio and signed into law by President Biden in December 2022. The provision states that any person with relevant UAP information can inform Congress without retaliation, regardless of any previous non-disclosure agreements.
In his statements cleared for publication by the Pentagon in April, Grusch asserted that UFO “legacy programs” have long been concealed within “multiple agencies nesting UAP activities in conventional secret access programs without appropriate reporting to various oversight authorities.”
He said he reported to Congress on the existence of a decades-long “publicly unknown Cold War for recovered and exploited physical material – a competition with near-peer adversaries over the years to identify UAP crashes/landings and retrieve the material for exploitation/reverse engineering to garner asymmetric national defense advantages.”
Beginning in 2022, Grusch provided Congresswith hours of recorded classified information transcribed into hundreds of pages which included specific data about the materials recovery program. Congress has not been provided with any physical materials related to wreckage or other non-human objects.
Grusch’s investigation was centered on extensive interviews with high-level intelligence officials, some of whom are directly involved with the program. He says the operation was illegally shielded from proper Congressional oversightand that he was targeted and harassed because of his investigation.
Grusch said that the craft recovery operations are ongoing at various levels of activity and that he knows the specific individuals, current and former, who are involved.
“Individuals on these UAP programs approached me in my official capacity and disclosed their concerns regarding a multitude of wrongdoings, such as illegal contracting against the Federal Acquisition Regulations and other criminality and the suppression of information across a qualified industrial base and academia,” he stated.
Associates who vouched for Grusch said his information was highly sensitive, providing evidence that materials from objects of non-human origin are in the possession of highly secret black programs. Although locations, program names, and other specific data remain classified, the Inspector General and intelligence committee staff were provided with these details. Several current members of the recovery program spoke to the Inspector General’s office and corroborated the information Grusch had provided for the classified complaint.
Grusch left the government on April 7, 2023, in order, he said, to advance government accountability through public awareness. He remains well-supported within intelligence circles, and numerous sources have vouched for his credibility.
“His assertion concerning the existence of a terrestrial arms race occurring sub-rosa over the past eighty years focused on reverse engineering technologies of unknown origin is fundamentally correct, as is the indisputable realization that at least some of these technologies of unknown origin derive from non-human intelligence,” said Karl Nell, the retired Army Colonel who worked with Grusch on the UAP Task Force.
In a 2022 performance evaluation, Laura A. Potter, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters, Department of the Army, described Nell as “an officer with the strongest possible moral compass.”
Grusch is represented by Charles McCullough III, senior partner of the Compass Rose Legal Group in Washington and the original Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2011. At that time, McCullough reported directly to the then-Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper, and oversaw intelligence officers responsible for audits, inspections, and investigations.
In May 2022, McCullough filed a Disclosure of Urgent Concern(s); Complaint of Reprisal on behalf of Grusch with the ICIG about detailed information that Grusch had gathered beginning in 2019 while working for the UAP Task Force.
An unclassified version of the complaint provided to us states that Grusch has direct knowledge that UAP-related classified information has been withheld and/or concealed from Congress by “elements” of the intelligence community “to purposely and intentionally thwart legitimate Congressional oversight of the UAP Program.” All testimony Grusch provided for the classified complaint was provided under oath.
According to the unclassified complaint, in July 2021, Grusch had confidentially provided classified information to the Department of Defense Inspector General concerning the withholding of UAP-related information from Congress. He believed that his identity, and the fact that he had provided testimony, were disclosed “to individuals and/or entities” within the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community outside the IG’s office. He did not allege that this information was improperly disclosed by any member of that office.
As a result, Grusch suffered months of retaliation and reprisals related to these disclosures beginning in 2021. He asked that details of these reprisals be withheld to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The Intelligence Community Inspector General found his complaint “credible and urgent” in July 2022. According to Grusch, a summary was immediately submitted to the Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines; the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
The complaint was drafted and signed by McCullough and his managing partner. It ended with Grusch’s signature attached to his statement that “I do solemnly affirm under the penalties of perjury that the contents of the foregoing paper are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”
A whistleblower reprisal investigation was launched, and Grusch began his communication with the staff of the Congressional intelligence committees in private closed-door sessions. According to Grusch, certain information which he obtained in his investigation could not be put before Congressional staffers because they did not have the necessary clearances or the appropriate investigative authority.
A representative of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence told us in March that the committee members are not able to comment on the content of a complaint or confirm the identity of a complainant.
“When you have multiple agencies nesting UAP activities in conventional SAP/CAP programs, both as recipients of exploitation-related insights and for operational reasons, without appropriate reporting to various oversight authorities, you have a problem,” Grusch said, referencing the highly secret Special Access Programs and Controlled Access Programs.
Grusch’s willingness to take risks and speak out appears to be emboldening others with similar knowledge who believe in greater transparency.
Jonathan Grey, the intelligence officer specializing in UAP analysis at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, is speaking publicly for the first time, identified here under the identity he uses inside the agency.
NASIC, headquartered at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, is the Department of Defense’s primary Air Force source for foreign air and space threat analysis. Its mission is to “discover and characterize air, space, missile, and cyber threats,” according to the agency’s website. “The center’s team of trusted subject matter experts deliver unique collection, exploitation, and analytic capabilities not found elsewhere,” the website states.
Grey said that such immense capabilities are not merely relegated to the study of the prosaic. “The existence of complex historical programs involving the coordinated retrieval and study of exotic materials, dating back to the early 20th century, should no longer remain a secret,” he said. “The majority of retrieved, foreign exotic materials have a prosaic terrestrial explanation and origin – but not all, and any number higher than zero in this category represents an undeniably significant statistical percentage.”
National Air and Space Intelligence Center headquarters at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (Image Credit: NASIC/Facebook).
It is unusual for an Air Force insider to come forward, as the Air Forcehas been less forthcomingthan other agencies with regard to UAP.
“A vast array of our most sophisticated sensors, including space-based platforms, have been utilized by different agencies, typically in triplicate, to observe and accurately identify the out-of-this-world nature, performance, and design of these anomalous machines, which are then determined not to be of earthly origin,” Grey said.
Mellon, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, has been instrumental in arranging classified briefings for members of Congress and other officials about UAP, which include references to exotic retrieved materials. The first briefing he facilitated on retrievals of unexplained objects was provided to staff members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Oct. 21, 2019, and to staff members of the Senate Intelligence Committee two days later, asreportedbyThe New York Times.
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Christopher Mellon
(Credit: C. Mellon).
Mellonsays that once the members of Congress gain greater awareness of the information provided to their staff and the Inspector General, they will be in a position to quickly determine the truth if they have the will to do so.
“This is an unprecedented oversight challenge for the committees, but I believe we have leaders in Congress who are up to the task,” Mellon said.
Classified briefings are often presented for Jonathan Grey and his team at NASIC. “High-level, classified briefing materials exist in which real-world scenarios involving UAP, as evidenced by historical examples, are made available to Intelligence Personnel on a need-to-know basis,” he told us. “I have been the recipient of such briefings for almost a decade.”
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2023 tasked the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, with establishing for the first time a secure mechanism for the authorized reporting of sensitive information to defense channels.
In addition, the legislation asks for reporting on “material retrieval, material analysis, reverse engineering, research, and development” involving unidentified anomalous phenomena currently and going back decades.
Dr. Garry Nolan, a Professor in the Department of Pathology at Stanford University and a renowned inventor and entrepreneur with more than three hundred published papers, has started over half a dozen companies based on technologies out of his laboratory. Nolan has previously applied some of those technologies to the analysis of exotic materials, publishing the first peer-reviewed paper examining such materials.
Stanford professor Garry Nolan (Credit: Timothy Archibald)
“Human civilization was utterly transformed by something as small as a grain of silicon or germanium—creating the underpinning of the integrated circuits that underly computation and now even artificial intelligence,” Nolan said.
Studying even small samples of purported anomalous material could lead to currently inconceivable benefits for humanity, he said. “What might be represented here could be hundreds of technology revolutions ahead of us. It could be more transformative for humanity than what the microprocessor accomplished. Imagine what we could do with even a grain of knowledge about how they operate.”
To encourage potential witnesses to come forward, the whistleblower legislation forbids any federal employee from retaliating against anyone providing authorized disclosure.
“Whistleblowing is essential to the checks and balances of our government – and no federal employee should feel discouraged from stepping forward due to fear of retaliation,” Rep. Andre Carson told us. In May 2022, Carson presided over the first open Congressional hearing on UAP since 1968.
The case of David Grusch marks a crucial test of these new whistleblower protections and their ability to protect future whistleblowers who decide to come forward.
Jonathan Grey says secrets have been necessary. “Though a tough nut to crack, potential technological advancements may be gleaned from non-human intelligence/UAP retrievals by any sufficiently advanced nation and then used to wage asymmetrical warfare, so, therefore, some secrecy must remain,” he says. “However, it is no longer necessary to continue to deny that these advanced technologies derived from non-human intelligence exist at all or to deny that these technologies have landed, crashed, or fallen into the hands of human beings.”
Grey noted that the hypothesis that the United States alone has bullied the other nations into maintaining this secrecy for nearly a century continues to prevail as the primary consensus amongst the public at large. “My hope is to dissuade the global populace from this archaic and preposterous notion, and to potentially pave the way for a much broader discussion,” he said.
Grusch said it was dangerous for this “eighty-year arms race” to continue in secrecy because it “further inhibits the world populace to be prepared for an unexpected, non-human intelligence contact scenario.”
“I hope this revelation serves as an ontological shock sociologically and provides a generally uniting issue for nations of the world to re-assess their priorities,” Grusch said.
Leslie Kean and Ralph Blumenthal, with Helene Cooper, co-authored the Dec. 17, 2017, front-page article in The New York Times that disclosed the existence of a secret Pentagon program investigating UAP.
Tim McMillan, Micah Hanks, Craig Labadie ,and Sean Munger contributed to this article.
Additional background details on this article, and our investigative process can be found here.
It all had started a few years before the “Space Race” began between the two rival nations: the USA and Soviets. The world was stunned by the daily UFO sightings, and stories of alien contact flushed newspapers. It was the era of two types of people: the first one was groups of like-minded people, for example, engineers, scientists, and inventors who dismissed any alien contact and flying saucers’ stories, while the second ones were the contactees who also claimed to had been in the UFOs. These groups never aligned with each other, but Wilbert Brockhouse Smith (1910-1962), a Canadian engineer was the only line of connection between these two groups.
Mr. Smith worked as a senior radio engineer for the Canadian government’s Department of Transport in the late 1940s and 50s. He was the reason behind the radio communication between Canada and the United States at that time. Very few people know that Mr. Smith convinced the Canadian government to establish a program to monitor the UFOs that eventually detects the strange aerial phenomenon which, according to him, was not earthly. While asking Americans about the existence of UFOs, he received a reply from them that the US government had put this subject at their uppermost concern, and it was even more top secret than the atomic bomb.
“One of the most important things I had to realize was that we are not alone. The human race in the form of man extends throughout the universe and is incredibly ancient. Also, its appearance in physical form is but one of its many manifestations along the path of progress. This planet has been colonized many times by people from elsewhere and our present human race are blood brothers of these people. Is it any wonder that they are interested in us,”
Wilbert Smith said.
Wilbert Brockhouse Smith (1910-1962) Credit: Grant Cameron
Besides, according to researcher Grant Cameron, Mr. Smith played a major role in establishing Radio Ottawa used by Canadian spies and also for tracking secret Soviet communications.
In 1950, the Canadian UFO study program Project Magnet was established by Transport Canada under the supervision of Mr. Smith. The government funded the project for four years, but he received informal funding after. In 1952, he set up an observatory at Shirley’s Bay to study the findings of UFO sightings under Project Magnet. He had a personal interest in geo-magnetism, which made him conclude that the UFOs were of extraterrestrial origin, propelled by magnetic forces, and actually from parallel universes.
Mr. Smith said: “It is my opinion that the people from elsewhere choose all sorts of methods to make contact with us, and their technology and understanding being much better than ours, they can use methods which we find quite incomprehensible.”
Interestingly, he believed that the UFOs were controlled through physic powers, and such statements embarrassed the Department of Transport. In 1952, when the great UFO wave hit the media, Mr. Smith claimed that the United States Air Force shot down a UFO near Washington, D.C, recovered its piece and let him borrow it. When asked if he had returned the piece to the USAF, he replied that it went to a much more highly secret group (It was neither FBI nor CIA), which identity he could not disclose.
Surprisingly, Mr. Smith was also a firm believer in aliens. In 1961, he gave a speech at the Vancouver Area UFO Club, where he claimed to had been in contact with aliens, referring to them as “the boys topside.” Furthermore, he said that the aliens had explained to him that the speed of light is not constant, and time works differently in the universe, not chronological ticking that people can imagine on Earth, but a “field function” that changed throughout the universe, and which could be altered. (Source]
Their ships as he was told, were supported on the Earth’s gravitational field. The fields surrounding their ships, he added, created areas that reduced areas that weakened the strength of objects that came into contact with them, accounting for the destruction of earthly military craft that flew too close to them. This explained, among other phenomena, the May 1956 crash of a military jet into the Villa St. Louis convent in Orleans — the jet, Smith said, flew into a “very strong vortex of reduced binding,” causing it to break apart.
When nuclear explosions happened, he added, similar unstable vortices were formed. His unnamed friend, who had also been in communication with “these people from outside,” claimed to have spoken with one of them, Tyla, a garbage collector whose duty was to clean up the radioactive messes left by such man-made explosions. Tyla, according to Smith, grabbed the stuff, transported it onboard his ship, rendered it inactive, and then dumped it in a remote location on Earth. Tyla reportedly told a friend in 1948 that he would dump his next load near Ottawa at an appropriate moment so that many people could observe it.
On November 21, 1950, Mr. Smith wrote a memo that was classified as “Top Secret” but later, it was recovered from the Archives of the University of Ottawa. According to the memo, the Canadian government was serious about UFOs and had been building a secret technology using oceanic radiation, atmospheric radioactivity, and geo-magnetism. He further wrote that his work in geomagnetic and the energy on which flying saucers operate was connected. (Source)
By summarizing sightings reported in 1952, Mr. Smith reported that UFOs were “a hundred feet or more in diameter; they can travel at speeds of several thousand miles per hour; they can reach altitudes well above those which should support conventional aircraft or balloons, and ample power and force seem to be available for all required maneuvers.”
Project Magnet was discontinued just a few days afterward. Ottawa Journal reported that scientists insist, “there is no proof flying saucers exist but they honorably admit there is no proof that all the strange and wandering objects reported in the sky are freaks of imagination or atmosphere.”
Before his death from cancer, Mr. Smith had asked his wife to hide all his research and sensitive files, as he was afraid that they would get into the wrong hands. “They will be coming to ransack all my work,” Smith proclaimed. He died on December 27, 1962, and as he predicted soon after that, the Soviets, Americans, and Canadians approached his wife. (Source)
Is the remote viewing real? The subject is very controversial for scientists to study but James H. Lee, an award-winning financial advisor suggested that it has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the professional futurist′s toolbox. This particular technique is well-discussed in the declassified CIA files where psychic abilities were used to spy on Soviet Russia and track down its military activities under Project Stargate.
RV was real, CIA admitted it
The first test of the project was conducted in the 1970s at the US Army base in Maryland. Basically, this highly classified project was about the mind-reading of the enemies, so the CIA started recruiting people who claimed to “have powers of extrasensory perception (ESP) to help uncover military and domestic intelligence secrets.” (Source)
In the CIA declassified file, it was detailed how Uri Geller could replicate things drawn by a researcher in another sealed room. As the US government was getting benefits from this program, they continued funding it.
In one experiment for the CIA, Geller replicate images drawn by a researcher, sitting in another sealed room.
Uri Geller replicated images drawn by a researcher
One of the remote viewers named Angela Dellafiora Ford revealed her physics powers on the CBS News program “48 Hours.” In 1989, she was asked by the army to psychically track down the location of one man. She located the man in Lowell, Wyoming, and then he was arrested 100 miles west of a Wyoming town called Lovell.
In 2021, John Greenewald, Jr.’s Blackvault published approximately 2,700 pages of the declassified documents provided by the CIA, involving UAP/UFO information. One document that staggered ET hunters was about Mars.
The document titled “Mars Exploration May 22, 1984,” basically centers around a subject that made use of astral projection which helped him observe ancient alien life on Mars. In this document, there is a transcript, where a subject named Joseph McMoneagle, a retired US Army veteran was given an envelope prior to the interview and asked not to open it until the interview ended. According to the CIA’s own documents, the unnamed psychic described “The planet Mars. Time of interest approximately 1 million years B.C.” (Source)
He claimed to identify that he saw pyramid-like structures on the Red Planet. The subject also added that he witnessed alien life forms on the Martian surface.
[Subject]: I’m seeing, ah… It’s like a perception of a shadow of people, very tall… thin, it’s only a shadow. It’s as if they were there and they’re not, not there anymore. [Monitor]: Go back to a period of time where they are there. Sub: Um… (mumble) It’s like I get a lot of static on a line and everything, it’s breaking up all the time, very fragmentary pieces. Mon: Just report the data, don’t try to put things together, just report the raw data. Sub: I just keep seeing very large people. They appear thin and tall, but they’re very large. Ah… wearing some kind of strange clothes.
According to the date specified in the “Mars Exploration” memo, it was approved to be published only in 2000 although it was recorded in 1984, and McMoneagle was the only remote viewer to be working at that time. He wrote in his book “Mind Trek” about a similar incident mentioned in that memo.
Jacob Brogan, an assistant editor at the Washington Post tracked down and called McMoneagle. According to Brogan, McMoneagle told him that the request to visit Mars was not made by the CIA but by some unknown army person to him. (Source)
“Neither of us knew what we were working on. Our assumption at the time was that I was working on targets on Earth. I was not familiar with any pyramids on Earth that had such large rooms,” McMoneagle told him.
McMoneagle was confused why he had been asked by the army to explore Mars. He had no clue. He remembered one more incident when he was asked to examine the UFO. “The problem that I have with targeting UFOs and Mars and things like that is that there’s no real way to validate the information,” he said.
In an interview with Richard Thieme, a founder of ThiemeWorks, McMoneagle shared his experience on Project Stargate, UFOs, and ETs. He shared his encounter with the UFO in 1966, in which he got a radiation burn.
Richard Thieme asked him: “Is it all one thing, though? These are complex psychological processes – and you were burned physically in 1966. Is it all one thing? Do scriptural texts of folk documents about people encountering entities – can we connect that experience with an experience of the lights going on at night and you seeing a physical craft?”
McMoneagle replied: “I did a remote viewing in early 1980s, 82 or 83, where a UFO target was mixed in with other targets, so I had no idea it was a UFO target.” Over the years, as McMoneagle said, he was involved in about 450 missions. One of his favorites was in 1980 when CIA personnel captured a suspected KGB agent in South Africa. They wanted to know how the agent was communicating with the Soviet military. They put an envelope on McMoneagle’s desk, and without knowing anything of the man, McMoneagle told the CIA that the man liked to use a small pocket calculator. The calculator turned out to be a disguised short-wave radio. He retired from the Army in 1984 but continued to work as a Stargate consultant.
According to the date specified in the “Mars Exploration” memo, it was approved to be published only in 2000 although it was recorded in 1984, and McMoneagle was the only remote viewer to be working that time. He wrote in his book “Mind Trek” about the similar incident mentioned in that memo.
CIA Interdimensional Experiemnt
Robert Monroe (1915 –1995), another RV that had a striking history of remote viewing was probably the first RV hired by the CIA. One day in 1978, the CIA representatives contacted him. They wanted to implement his mind-expanding practice in attempt of sending soldiers into deep remote viewing sessions. Given Monroe’s extensive background and various patented applications, he was the perfect choice for this trailblazing operation. Hoping to obtain further credibility in the study of paranormal phenomena, he agreed to join them. (Source)
Since those involved were opening portals to other dimensions, researchers aptly named the assignment Gateway Process. According to declassified files, the program is “a training system designed to bring enhanced strength, focus and coherence to the amplitude and frequency of brainwave output between the left and right hemispheres so as to alter consciousness, moving it outside the physical sphere so as to ultimately escape even the restrictions of time and space. (Source)
The participant then gains access to the various levels of intuitive knowledge the universe offers.” Discoveries listed in Commander Wayne M. McDonnell’s final analysis paper included detailed information about the nature of reality. Investigators ascertained we live in a holographic universe and waking life is a projected electromagnetic matrix.
To enter the unearthly realms, headphone-donning voyagers sat in isolated darkness while listening to various tones at specific hertz. The participants had no contact or communication with one another. After their journey was finished, the volunteers would report what they experienced with staff members.
According to Robert, subjects would often encounter interdimensional entities. Most frequently, they witnessed reptilian humanoids. The viewers referred to the uncanny creatures as “the alligators” due to their crocodilian features. Curiously, Monroe was already quite familiar with the unsettling breed. During countless expeditions, he observed identical saurian creatures. For over thirty-five years, the etheric investigator gathered insight about these startling beings.
Could there be another civilization living among us? UFO expertAnna Whittyhas put forth a theory suggesting that aliens have been residing in Earth’s oceans for protection and have always been present on our planet. Whitty’s claims are based on the official statement of Dr. Shirley Wright, who allegedly interviewed the only survivor of the Roswell crash in 1947.
A two-hour documentary called “Roswell 75: The Final Evidence” features Whitty along with other experts, discussing the UFO crash and the potential presence of advanced humanoid aliens on Earth. In the documentary, Dr. Wright mentioned that the aliens inquired about human exploration inside the ocean, they asked “how far into the ocean” the humans traveled.
Dr. Shirley Wright, a former colleague of Albert Einstein stated that she interviewed aliens found at the Roswell crash site in 1947. She noted that aliens are actually just humans, but an advanced form. She claimed to have been present when the US government interviewed an alien survivor from the Roswell crash. According to Dr. Wright, the alien said that not all of them live above the ground and that many reside underground on our planet.
In 1993, an interview with Dr. Shirley Wright was made public where she claims to have witnessed the examination of Roswell UFO crash debris and encountered nine alien bodies. The interview reveals detailed descriptions of the aliens’ physical characteristics, their suits, and their apparent ability to survive in Earth’s atmosphere, while also highlighting the limited information they were willing to disclose about their lifestyle and reproductive methods.
Dr. Shirley Wright was a dedicated teacher and scientist, earning PhDs in Physical Chemistry and Physical Science. She was a chemistry professor at MDCC for over 50 years. She was a student of Dr. Albert Einstein at Princeton. Credit: legacy.com
According to Dr. Wright, while discussing her security clearance, she revealed: “The only reason we could go is that it’s a crack or did they deactivate it… after school, it was immediately deactivated.” This suggests that her access to the Roswell incident was facilitated by her clearance, which was granted specifically for the purpose of examining the extraterrestrial crash.
When asked about her encounter with the alien survivor, Dr. Wright admitted: “I was back at the motel in a city nearby, and I had been told that I would be able to keep the being alive.” This statement raises questions about the nature of her involvement and the significance of her role in handling and studying the extraterrestrial being.
Describing the appearance of the aliens, Dr. Wright vividly recalled: “They were very light, soft, a grayish-green, really. They had a slim, lean physique, no nose but markings where a nose opening would be, prominent eyes, and a mouth. They had no eyebrows, but they had ears and a very forked head.” These detailed descriptions paint a picture of the otherworldly beings she encountered during her extraordinary experience.
Additionally, Dr. Wright noted: “Their eyes were enormous, the most obvious thing you’d see on their face. They were almost brown-black, very dark.” This emphasizes the distinctiveness of the aliens’ eyes and adds to the mystique surrounding their appearance.
Regarding their attire, Dr. Wright observed: “They had suits on, very much like what we call suits. The fabric, however, was unfamiliar to me as a chemist. It didn’t resemble any fabric I recognized.” This intriguing detail raises questions about the technology and materials used by these extraterrestrial visitors.
Dr. Wright also touched upon the aliens’ apparent ability to adapt to Earth’s atmosphere, stating, “They could apparently survive in our atmosphere. They seemed to indicate that the atmosphere was quite similar, although not identical to ours.” This revelation hints at the remarkable adaptability of these beings and their advanced understanding of different planetary conditions.
In the realm of their lifestyle and reproductive methods, Dr. Wright admitted: “We tried to find that out, but we were very cautious not to antagonize them. They didn’t reveal much about it, but they mentioned living underground, in what we would call subterranean conditions.” This suggests a unique aspect of their civilization and their preference for dwelling beneath the surface.
Anna Whitty told the Daily Star that if whatever Wright had documented through her interview is correct, then it is more believable for the aliens to come from under the sea rather than from another planet. “If what Shirley said is right, it is more likely that aliens come from somewhere under the sea or caves or something like that, rather than another planet, it makes sense because there’s a lot of evidence on the planet that there has been a massive cataclysm every few thousand years,” Whitty said.
“If humans on the surface are being reset to the Stone Age every several thousands of years, and these people are somewhere where they are more protected because they are underground, then perhaps their development in technology and intelligence is continuing on an upwards trajectory whereas we’re reset. It’s also possible that maybe they aren’t beings at all, but they can make you think you’re seeing what you’re not seeing,” she added.
Whitty’s theory of aliens being “underwater entities” is supported by several incidents and testimonies. One such incident occurred in July 2019 when footage filmed on the USS Omaha showed a UFO diving into the water off San Diego. No wreckage or recovered craft were found. Retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Richard French, who served as a lead investigator of Project Blue Book in the 1950s, claimed to have witnessed two aliens repairing their ship submerged underwater in Newfoundland.
French testified about his experiences in front of former members of Congress at the Citizen Hearing in 2013, stating that he saw the aliens and their crafts below the water surface. He described clear water that allowed him to observe the beings and their activities. Despite his role as a UFO debunker, French confirmed that it was a UFO sighting involving extraterrestrials.
Other accounts support the idea of extraterrestrial presence in the ocean. Former Gunner’s Mate John Baughman, stationed on the USS Carl Vinson in 2010, reported seeing a Tic Tac-shaped UFO underwater. He described a solid object that rapidly collapsed and disappeared as it descended into the depths.
There have also been encounters with unidentified submerged objects (USOs). The crew of a Soviet submarine witnessed six disc-like objects approaching their vessel at high speeds. Unable to escape, they were forced to surface. Through the periscope, they observed the objects emerging from the water and swiftly departing.
Classic alien abduction cases also involve encounters with underwater bases. Betty Andreasson Luca, a Massachusetts woman, experienced multiple abductions and recalled being taken to a spacecraft flying over the ocean. The craft submerged into the water, entering a tunnel illuminated by light. Filiberto Cardenas claimed to have been taken to a secret underwater hangar witnessed by his friend’s family. He described entering a tunnel at high speed underwater and arriving at a large hangar beneath the sea.
These incidents and testimonies provide evidence for the presence of extraterrestrial activity in the ocean and support Whitty’s theory of aliens as “underwater entities".
The first World Humanoid Robot Games are underway in China, with robots competing against each other in track and field, soccer, kickboxing and other events.
Humanoid robots are racing, fighting and falling over in a first-of-its-kind World Humanoid Robot Games event held inChina.
The Olympics-style competition features more than 500 robots from 16 different countries going head-to-head in sports such as running, soccer and kickboxing. The event also features more niche competitions, including medicine sorting and handling materials for cleaning services, Reuters reported.
An opening ceremony officially kicked off the games in Beijing on Thursday (Aug. 14), featuring robots dancing and playing musical instruments alongside human operators and companions. Robot athletes will now compete until the games come to a close on Sunday (Aug. 17).
Unitree's H1 humanoid robot won gold in the 400m and 1,500m races on Friday (Aug. 15).(Image credit: Photo by Zhang Xiangyi/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
Several robot have fallen over in the soccer matches.(Image credit: Kevin Frayer/Stringer via Getty Images)
Robot kickboxing is one of the games' contact sports.(Image credit: Kevin Frayer/Stringer via Getty Images)
Faced with an ageing population and stiff U.S. tech competition, China is investing billions of dollars into robotics. The games are a testament to the strides engineers are making in the field. However, spectators have also seen their fair share of robots moving awkwardly and falling over.
Human biology is very complicated, so building machines that can walk like us — let alone run and play sports — is difficult. For example, in robot soccer, participants didn't pass the ball to each other with Messi-like precision, but rather walked into the ball to clumsily knock it forward, occasionally stumbling over each other and having to be dragged off the pitch.
The robots are also slower than humans. The fastest robot to have ever run 1,500 meters, for example, finished in 6 minutes and 34 seconds, which is almost twice as long as the human record, which stands at 3 minutes and 26 seconds, according to France 24.
We've already seen humanoid robots compete in sporting events. For example, in June, China hosted what was billed as the world's first humanoid robot combat competition, which saw kickboxing robots awkwardly knock seven bells out of each other. Robot aficionados might also be familiar with robots playing soccer and robots running half-marathons.
The new robot games bring together all of these sports and many more for the first time. They also provide engineers with an opportunity to test out their latest tech.
"You can test a lot of interesting new and exciting approaches in this contest," Max Polter, a member of the HTWK Robots football team from Germany, told Reuters. "If we try something and it doesn't work, we lose the game. That's sad but it is better than investing a lot of money into a product which failed."
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The Mountain Warriors Who Gave Birth to Giants
Epic scene depicting the Hurrians in their mountainous homeland, combining historical and mythological elements including warriors, giants, and dragons that feature prominently in ancient Mesopotamian literature and the traditions about giants.
( Generated using Flux-Pro/Kontext/Pro AI model)
The Mountain Warriors Who Gave Birth to Giants
By Willem McLoud
In the shadowy mountains of ancient Mesopotamia, a land often called the cradle of civilization, lived a people whose very name meant "cave dwellers." These were the Hurrians—fierce mountain warriors and masterful artisans whose influence echoes through millennia of myth and scripture. Though historically overshadowed by more prominent civilizations like the Sumerians and Akkadians, the Hurrians played a crucial role in shaping some of humanity's most enduring legends, especially those involving giants, divine battles, and supernatural beings. Their story is one of mystery, resilience, and myth-making, bridging the worlds of history and legend.
The Historical Emergence of the Hurrians
The first references to the Hurrians appear in the early third millennium BCE, a period when Mesopotamian civilization was blossoming amidst chaos and innovation. During this time, the Akkadian Empire expanded across much of Mesopotamia, and alongside it, the Hurrians made their presence known in the northern regions. While the Sumerians established the earliest city-states and the Akkadians forged a vast empire, the Hurrians inhabited the mountainous and northern terrains, often serving as formidable neighbors, allies, or foes.
Scholars debate the origins of the Hurrians, but archaeological evidence offers some clarity. The city of Urkesh (modern-day Tell Mozan) in northeastern Syria was a prominent Hurrian center, with continuous settlement dating back to approximately 2700 BCE. Excavations reveal a sophisticated civilization: palaces with walls ten meters thick, intricate seals, and a rich tradition of poetry and storytelling. These people excelled not only in warfare—being renowned archers and metalworkers—but also in literature, creating epic cycles that would influence later mythologies.
Map of the Akkadian Empire showing the extent of Mesopotamian control during the third millennium BC, when the Hurrians first appear in historical records.
During the third millennium BCE, Mesopotamia was a melting pot of cultures and peoples. The Sumerians laid the foundation with their city-states and cuneiform writing, while the Akkadians expanded their influence across the region. The Hurrians, living in the northern mountains, interacted with these civilizations through trade, warfare, and cultural exchange. They often served as mercenaries, diplomats, or rivals, but their influence extended beyond mere politics.
Over time, the Hurrians established their own kingdoms and exerted considerable cultural influence. Their language, a non-Semitic tongue, has been preserved on clay tablets and seals, revealing a society rich in myth, religion, and art. Importantly, their mythology—particularly stories involving giants, divine conflicts, and cosmic battles—would leave a lasting mark on the mythic landscape of the ancient Near East.
The Mythological Legacy: Giants and Divine Beings
One of the most intriguing aspects of Hurrian influence is their contribution to mythic archetypes involving giants and divine conflicts. Ancient texts and iconography depict beings with "bodies of cave birds" or "ravens' faces," as described by early scribes. These descriptions evoke images of monstrous entities—sometimes stone giants rising from primordial seas or monstrous bird-like creatures battling gods.
Cylinder seals, small carved amulets used to secure documents or depict stories, often portray gods in fierce combat with monstrous "birdmen" or serpents—creatures that resemble the legendary dragons and giants of later mythologies. These motifs suggest that the Hurrians had a profound conceptual framework for understanding cosmic battles, divine intervention, and the origins of monstrous beings.
The stories of fallen angels, divine seed, and supernatural giants that permeate later cultures—such as Greek myth's Titans or the biblical Nephilim—may have roots in Hurrian mythic traditions. These narratives likely originated from the Hurrians' worldview, shaped by their experiences in mountainous regions where the natural landscape itself seemed alive with divine power and danger.
The Cultural Transmission of Hurrian Mythology
The influence of Hurrian myth did not remain confined to their own culture. As Mesopotamian civilizations interacted, conquered, and integrated one another’s stories, Hurrian legends found their way into the broader mythic tapestry. For instance, the famous "Kish-tribe" myths and the stories of divine battles between gods like Teshub (Hurrian storm god) and other deities echo in later Hittite and Greek mythologies.
The Epic of Kumarbi, a prominent Hurrian myth, recounts the story of a divine conflict in which the primordial god Kumarbi bites off the genitals of the sky god Anu and gives birth to a series of monstrous offspring, including the thunder god Teshub. This myth shares similarities with Greek stories of Cronus and the Titans, suggesting a shared mythic archetype that traversed cultures and centuries.
The Giants Among Men: Why Do Hurrian Myths Matter?
The recurring theme of giants, divine wars, and monstrous beings in Hurrian mythology points to a worldview that saw the natural and supernatural worlds as intertwined battlegrounds. Their mountain strongholds, perched high above the fertile plains, symbolized a place where divine and mortal realms intersected—a liminal space where giants and gods coexisted or clashed.
These stories served multiple purposes: explaining natural phenomena, reinforcing social hierarchies, and providing spiritual explanations for the chaos and order of the universe. The giants embodied primal forces—chaos, violence, and the untamed wilderness—while the gods represented order, civilization, and divine authority. The Hurrians, as mountain warriors, saw themselves as mediators between these worlds, custodians of divine secrets, and architects of mythic giants that would inspire generations.
The Enduring Echoes in Modern Cultures
Remarkably, the mythic motifs introduced by the Hurrians have persisted across cultures and eras. From Persian dragon-slaying myths to the Greek Titans and even biblical giants, their influence is undeniable. The stories of divine conflict, monstrous beings, and heroic warriors echo in countless traditions, suggesting a shared human fascination with the cosmic struggle between chaos and order.
These stories continue to inspire modern fantasy, literature, and art, reflecting a universal appeal rooted in ancient mythic archetypes. The colossal beings and divine battles of the Hurrians remind us that ancient peoples sought to understand the universe through stories—stories that, despite the passage of millennia, still resonate with our collective imagination.
Conclusion: The Giants of the Mountain Realm
The Hurrians, often overshadowed in history, were the true architects of some of the most enduring mythic images of giants, divine conflicts, and monstrous creatures. Their mountain strongholds served as the crucibles where legends were forged—a civilization of warriors, poets, and storytellers who gifted humanity a rich mythic heritage.
Through archaeological discoveries and the study of ancient texts, we can glimpse their worldview—a universe filled with cosmic battles, divine offspring, and primal forces that continue to influence our stories today. The mountain warriors who gave birth to giants remind us that beneath the veneer of history lies a profound, mythic truth: that humans have always looked to the mountains—those high places—as the birthplace of gods, monsters, and legends that transcend time.
By exploring the legacy of the Hurrians, we uncover a vital chapter in the story of human myth-making—a story that links ancient mountain warriors to the giants and divine conflicts that continue to captivate our imagination.
De goden die van de sterren "afdaalden" en de oude beschavingen die in hen geloofden
De goden die van de sterren "afdaalden" en de oude beschavingen die in hen geloofden
De menselijke geschiedenis wordt gekenmerkt door een voortdurende zoektocht naar betekenis, orde en transcendentie. Een centraal thema in veel beschavingen is de verering van goden en bovennatuurlijke wezens die vaak worden geassocieerd met de sterren en het universum. De mythen en religieuze overtuigingen rond „goden die uit de sterren afdaalden“ vormen een fascinerend onderwerp dat inzicht biedt in hoe oude culturen de kosmos interpreteerden en hun plaats daarin begrepen. In deze dissertatie wordt de rol van sterren-goden en de beschavingen die in hen geloofden onderzocht, met aandacht voor mythologische, archeologische en culturele aspecten.
Een illustratie van de Goden, die uit de hemel neerdaalden
1. Mythologische en culturele achtergrond
Verschillende oude beschavingen kenden verhalen over goddelijke entiteiten die uit de hemel neerdaalden en een belangrijke rol speelden in hun mythologie en cultuur. Deze verhalen weerspiegelen de menselijke behoefte om de kosmos te begrijpen en te verbinden met het aardse bestaan. Ze dienen ook als verklaringen voor natuurlijke fenomenen zoals zon- en maansverduisteringen, vallende sterren en de bewegingen van planeten.
In de Mesopotamische mythologie werden de Anunnaki beschouwd als goddelijke wezens afkomstig uit de sterren, die op aarde neerdaalden en haar bewerkten. Volgens deze verhalen waren zij de scheppers van de mensheid en hadden zij een grote invloed op het lot van de beschavingen die in Mesopotamië bloeiden. Een voorbeeld hiervan is het verhaal van het zwaard van Tiamat dat door de god Marduk werd gebruikt om de chaos te bedwingen en de wereld te scheppen.
Ook in de Egyptische mythologie speelde de sterrenwereld een grote rol. De sterrenbeelden Cygnus en Orion symboliseren de eeuwigheid en de goddelijke aanwezigheid. De Egyptenaren geloofden dat de ziel van de farao’s naar de sterren kon opstijgen en daar verder leefde. Ze bouwden indrukwekkende grafmonumenten, zoals de piramides, waarin ze de overgang van het aardse bestaan naar het sterrenrijk wilden begeleiden.
In de Griekse mythologie worden de sterrenbeelden vaak geassocieerd met helden en goden die uit de hemel kwamen om de mensheid te begeleiden. Bijvoorbeeld, het sterrenbeeld Pegasus, het gevleugelde paard dat uit de bloed van Medusa werd geboren, symboliseert inspiratie en heldenmoed. Ook Quetzalcoatl, de gevederde slang uit de Azteekse mythologie, wordt wel gezien als een god die uit de hemel neerdaalde, bekend om zijn scheppende kracht en kennis.
Andere voorbeelden uit de mythologie zijn de Gekroonde Serpent, een symbool dat vaak in verschillende culturen terugkomt en verwijst naar wijsheid en transformatie. In de Maya-cultuur werd Quetzalquotl, de gevederde slang, vereerd als een schepper en beschermer. De Maya's geloofden dat Quetzalquotl uit de hemel neerdaalde om de mensheid te onderwijzen over landbouw, wetenschap en religie.
Kortom, deze verhalen over goddelijke entiteiten die uit de hemel neerdaalden, illustreren de universele behoefte van de mensheid om haar plaats in het universum te begrijpen. Ze vormen een rijke bron van symboliek en mythologie die de culturele identiteit en wereldbeeld van verschillende beschavingen heeft gevormd.
2. Astronomische kennis en religie
De oude beschavingen ontwikkelden opmerkelijke astronomische kennis die nauw verweven was met hun religieuze overtuigingen. De Babylonische astronomen bijvoorbeeld, noteerden bewegingen van hemellichamen en creëerden complexe kalenders gebaseerd op de sterren en planeten. Ze hielden uitgebreide registers bij van de posities van planeten en sterren, wat niet alleen voor praktische doeleinden diende, zoals het bepalen van het juiste moment voor oogst of religieuze festiviteiten, maar ook voor het bevestigen van hun geloof in een kosmische orde. Bijvoorbeeld, de Babylonische astronomische dictaten bevatten voorspellingen van hemelverschijnselen die vaak werden geïnterpreteerd als tekenen van goddelijke wil.
Het concept van sterren-goden werd versterkt door de astronomische alignments van tempels en piramides. De piramide van Cheops, bijvoorbeeld, is uitgelijnd met de ster Sirius, een ster die in de oude Egyptische mythologie een centrale rol speelde. Sirius werd geassocieerd met de god Osiris en symboliseerde de hergeboorte en het leven na de dood. Het uitlijnen van de piramide met Sirius toont aan dat de Egyptenaren sterren niet slechts als hemellichamen zagen, maar als boodschappers van de goden die een directe invloed hadden op het aardse leven.
Een ander voorbeeld is de oude Griekse mythologie, waarin de sterren en planeten vaak werden gekoppeld aan goden en helden. De planeet Venus bijvoorbeeld, werd verbonden met de godin Aphrodite (Venus), en werd gezien als een teken van liefde en schoonheid. De sterrenbeelden zoals Orion en Ursa Major hadden niet alleen astronomische betekenis, maar werden ook verbonden met mythen en verhalen over helden en goden, waardoor ze een diep symbolische waarde kregen.
Deze voorbeelden illustreren hoe astronomische kennis niet slechts praktisch of Wetenschappelijk was, maar ook een religieus en symbolisch fundament vormde voor de oude beschavingen, die de hemel zagen als een manifestatie van de goddelijke orde en het kosmische bewustzijn.
3. Mythologische verhalen en hun symboliek
Veel mythologieën vertellen over goden die uit de sterren neerdaalden om menselijke wezens te onderwijzen, te beschermen of te controleren. In de Sumerische mythologie bijvoorbeeld, arriveerden de Anunnaki uit de hemel en werden ze als scheppers en beschermers van de mensheid gezien. Deze verhalen symboliseren een kosmische orde waarin goden en mensen een interactief verband hebben, met de sterren als de poort tussen het menselijke en het goddelijke rijk. De Anunnaki worden vaak afgebeeld als wezens die uit de sterrenhemel kwamen en de aarde bezochten om kennis en cultuur over te dragen, zoals in de Gilgamesh-epos, waarin zij als wijze scheppers en leraren optreden.
In de meeste gevallen vertegenwoordigen de sterren niet alleen fysieke objecten, maar ook abstracte concepten zoals tijd, onsterfelijkheid en kosmische kracht. Bijvoorbeeld, de Griekse mythologie kent de goden van de sterrenbeelden, zoals Orion, die symbool staan voor kracht en moed, of Cassiopeia, die de trots en het ijdelheid vertegenwoordigt. Deze sterrenbeelden worden vaak verbonden met verhalen over helden en goden, en symboliseren universele menselijke waarden en emoties. De Romeinen kenden vergelijkbare associaties met constellaties, zoals de held Hercules, wiens sterrenbeeld symbool staat voor kracht en doorzettingsvermogen.
Een ander voorbeeld is de oude Egyptische mythologie, waarin de Zonnegod Ra wordt gezien als de schepper die dagelijks uit de sterrenhemel opstijgt en de wereld verlicht. De sterren worden hier geassocieerd met de eeuwigheid en de onsterfelijkheid van de goddelijke krachten die de kosmos besturen. Ook de Maya-cultuur had uitgebreide mythologieën over de sterren en planeten, waarin zij astronomische gebeurtenissen interpreteerden als voorspellingen van belangrijke gebeurtenissen op aarde, en symbolen van de voortdurende cyclus van leven en dood.
Deze mythologische verhalen geven inzicht in hoe oude beschavingen de universele kracht toeschreven aan sterren en hemellichamen, en hoe deze kracht werd geïncorporeerd in hun religieuze praktijken en wereldbeelden. Ze gebruikten de sterren als symbolen voor hogere principes, en als hulpmiddelen om de kosmos en het menselijk bestaan te begrijpen. Het verband tussen mythologie en sterrenbeelden benadrukt de menselijke neiging om het onbekende te interpreteren door middel van verhalen die universele waarden en kosmische wetten reflecteren.
4. Archeologische bewijzen en iconografie
De archeologische vondsten ondersteunen het belang van sterren en hemellichamen in religieuze en culturele contexten door de eeuwen heen. In Mesopotamië bijvoorbeeld zijn talloze kleitabletten ontdekt die astronomische gegevens bevatten, zoals sterrencirkels, maansikkels en periodes van planeten. Deze teksten, vaak geschreven in het Sumerisch en Akkadisch, vertellen niet alleen over astronomische waarnemingen, maar zijn ook verweven met mythologische verhalen. Zo beschrijven sommige teksten de goden die uit de sterren kwamen of die verbonden waren met specifieke hemellichamen, zoals de planeet Venus, die in Mesopotamië werd vereerd als de godin Ishtar. Daarnaast werden ziggurats, de indrukwekkende tempelplatforms in Mesopotamië, vaak strategisch gebouwd met richtingen die overeenkwamen met astronomische lijnen en astronomische gebeurtenissen. Sommige archeologen geloven dat deze structuren ook konden dienen als observatoria, waarmee priesters en astronomen de hemel konden bestuderen voor religieuze en agrarische doeleinden.
Een ander krachtig voorbeeld van de rol van sterren in religie vinden we in de oude Maya-beschaving. De Maya’s ontwikkelden een complexe kalender gebaseerd op nauwkeurige astronomische observaties. Hun kalender combineerde de tzolk’in (rituele kalender) en de Haab’ (zonnenkalender), die samen de basis vormden voor hun religieuze rituelen en landbouwpraktijken. De iconografie van de Maya’s bevat vaak sterrenbeelden en hemellichamen afgebeeld in muurschilderingen, keramiek en stenen reliëfs. Bijvoorbeeld, de beroemde piramides van Chichen Itza en Uxmal zijn uitgelijnd met astronomische gebeurtenissen zoals de zonnewende en de maansverduisteringen. Tijdens de zonnewende van 21 maart en 21 september zorgen de schaduwen op de Kukulkán-piramide voor een scheppings- en vruchtbaarheidssymbool dat de astronomische kennis van de Maya’s benadrukt. De sterrenbeelden, zoals de Grote Beer en Orion, worden vaak afgebeeld en dienden mogelijk als gidsen voor de landbouw en religieuze rituelen.
Naast Mesopotamië en de Maya-beschaving zijn er ook bewijzen uit andere culturen die de rol van sterren in religieuze praktijken benadrukken. In het oude Egypte bijvoorbeeld werd de ster Sirius nauw verbonden met de herdenking van de jaarlijkse overstroming van de Nijl en de wedergeboorte van de zon. Tempels en piramides, zoals de beroemde piramide van Cheops, waren vaak uitgelijnd met bepaalde sterren of hemellichamen, wat de band tussen hemel en aarde onderstreept.
Kortom, archeologische vondsten en iconografie uit diverse oude beschavingen tonen duidelijk aan dat sterren en hemellichamen een centrale rol speelden in religieuze overtuigingen, rituelen en het wereldbeeld van de mensheid.
5. De invloed op beschavingen en religieuze systemen
De overtuiging dat goden uit de sterren afdaalden, heeft een diepgaande en blijvende invloed gehad op de ontwikkeling van beschavingen en religieuze systemen door de geschiedenis heen. Deze overtuiging vormde de basis voor veel mythologieën, rituelen, architectuur en kalenderkunde in verschillende culturen. Bijvoorbeeld, in het oude Egypte werden de sterren, met name de Grote Beer en Orion, beschouwd als symbolen van goddelijke entiteiten die de wereld en het leven beïnvloeden. De piramides van Gizeh werden bijvoorbeeld uitgelijnd met de sterren, om de doden te begeleiden naar het hiernamaals, wat de nauwe connectie tussen sterren en religieuze overtuigingen illustreert.
Daarnaast versterkten deze sterrenmythen en overtuigingen de sociale hiërarchieën binnen samenlevingen. Priesters en koningen positioneerden zich vaak als bemiddelaars tussen de sterren en de mensen. In Mesopotamië bijvoorbeeld, werden de goddelijke rechtvaardigingen voor de heerschappij van de koning vaak gekoppeld aan de sterrenbeelden en hemellichamen. De zogenaamde ‘hemelwachten’ hielden astronomische observaties bij om de gunstige momenten voor belangrijke rituelen of oorlogen te bepalen, wat de invloed van sterren op het dagelijks leven benadrukte.
Ook in de Griekse mythologie speelde de verbinding met de sterren een grote rol. De beroemde mythes over Orion, de jager die uit de sterrenhemel werd geplaatst, weerspiegelen de overtuiging dat de sterren niet slechts fysieke hemellichamen zijn, maar levendige tekenen van de goddelijke wil. Deze verhalen boden niet alleen verklaringen voor natuurlijke fenomenen, maar versterkten ook het idee dat de sterren en de goden één waren, en dat door het bestuderen en eren van deze hemellichamen, men dichter bij het goddelijke kon komen.
Bovendien creëerden deze ideeën een gevoel van kosmische verbondenheid en onsterfelijkheid dat de sociale cohesie versterkte. Mensen geloofden dat de goddelijke machten uit de sterren afdaalden om de wereld te leiden en te beschermen. Dit gaf niet alleen een diepere betekenis aan het leven en de natuur, maar ook een gevoel van zekerheid en verbondenheid met het universum. De sterren werden als levende tekenen van de goddelijke wil gezien; bijvoorbeeld, in de Chinese astronomie werden specifieke sterren en sterrenbeelden geassocieerd met keizerlijke macht en wereldorde.
Een ander voorbeeld is de Mayacultuur, waarin de kalender gebaseerd was op astronomische observaties van de planetaire bewegingen en sterrengroepen. Deze kennis was essentieel voor het plannen van religieuze festivals, het bepalen van de juiste tijd voor oogst en het uitvoeren van rituelen die de kosmische orde in stand moesten houden. De Mayasterrenbeelden werden bovendien afgebeeld op tempels en artefacten, wat hun religieuze en culturele belang onderstreepte.
Kortom, de overtuiging dat goden uit de sterren afdaalden, heeft niet alleen de mythologie en religieuze rituelen beïnvloed, maar ook de architectuur, kalenderkunde en sociale structuren gevormd. Het gaf een kosmisch perspectief aan het bestaan, dat de wereld en haar leiders legitimeerde en een gevoel van verbondenheid en onsterfelijkheid creëerde. Hierdoor zijn deze sterrenmythen en overtuigingen nog altijd zichtbaar in de archeologie, kunst en cultuur van oude beschavingen, en blijven ze een fundamenteel onderdeel van ons wereldbeeld.
6. Moderne interpretaties en continue invloed
Hoewel veel van de oude sterrenmythen oorspronkelijk allegorisch of symbolisch van aard waren, blijft hun invloed vandaag de dag zichtbaar in diverse religieuze, culturele en wetenschappelijke contexten. De verering van hemellichamen, de astrologie en onze voortdurende zoektocht naar buitenaards leven weerspiegelen de menselijke fascinatie met het kosmische en het goddelijke, en deze fascinatie wordt nog steeds uitgedragen in verschillende vormen.
Een duidelijk voorbeeld van de blijvende invloed van sterrenmythen is de astrologie. Al duizenden jaren geloven mensen dat de positie van planeten en sterren invloed kan uitoefenen op menselijke karaktereigenschappen en levensgebeurtenissen. Deze overtuiging vindt haar wortels in oude beschavingen zoals de Babyloniërs, die sterren en planeten als goddelijke boodschappers beschouwden en horoscopen ontwikkelden om de toekomst te voorspellen. Tegenwoordig wordt astrologie nog altijd door miljoenen mensen beoefend en gebruikt, niet alleen als een manier om inzicht te krijgen in iemands karakter, maar ook als een hulpmiddel bij het nemen van belangrijke beslissingen. De symboliek van sterren en planeten als goddelijke entiteiten blijft zo een krachtig onderdeel van onze cultuur.
Daarnaast is de mythologie rondom sterren en hemellichamen terug te vinden in de populaire cultuur, bijvoorbeeld in films, literatuur en kunst. Films zoals "Interstellar" en "Star Wars" bouwen voort op archetypes van sterren als goddelijke bronnen of poorten naar andere werelden. In literatuur worden sterren vaak gebruikt als metaforen voor hoop, het onbekende of het goddelijke; denk bijvoorbeeld aan het gebruik van de ster van Bethlehem in Kerstverhalen of de sterrencitaden in sciencefictionverhalen die de menselijke drang naar verkenning symboliseren.
De zoektocht naar buitenaards leven is een ander voorbeeld van hoe oude mythes en symboliek nog steeds een rol spelen in onze moderne wereld. Sinds de tijd van de oude Grieken die verhalen hadden over de goden op de Olympus, wordt de kosmos beschouwd als een rijk dat mogelijk bevolkt is door andere wezens. De SETI-inspanningen (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) en de ontelbare wetenschappelijke missies naar Mars en de buitenste planeten illustreren onze voortdurende nieuwsgierigheid naar het onbekende en onze wens om het universum te begrijpen. Het idee dat er misschien buitenaardse beschavingen bestaan, lijkt op de oude mythe van sterren als goddelijke figuren die afdalende of opkomende krachten vertegenwoordigen, en inspireert wetenschappers en amateurs om de grenzen van onze kennis te verleggen.
Ook in religieuze tradities blijven sterren en hemellichamen een belangrijke symboliek behouden. In het christendom wordt de ster van Bethlehem bijvoorbeeld gezien als een goddelijke aanwijzing en gids voor de wijzen uit het Oosten. In de islam worden de sterren gezien als tekenen van Allah’s schepping en macht. Deze symboliek vertaalt oude mythes over sterren als hemelse entiteiten naar moderne religieuze overtuigingen, die de verbinding tussen de hemel en de aarde benadrukken.
Kortom, de mythe van sterren-goden en hemellichamen leeft voort in verschillende vormen. Of het nu gaat om de symboliek in kunst en literatuur, de spirituele betekenissen in religies, of de wetenschappelijke zoektocht naar buitenaards leven, deze oude verhalen blijven een krachtig middel om onze menselijke zoektocht naar betekenis en begrip te illustreren. De verbeelding dat sterren afdalende goden of hemelse gidsen zijn, blijft een universeel thema dat ons inspireert om verder te kijken dan onszelf en het onbekende te omarmen.
Conclusie
De goden die uit de sterren afdaalden en de beschavingen die in hen geloofden vormen een essentieel onderdeel van de menselijke culturele geschiedenis. Ze illustreren hoe oude beschavingen de kosmos niet alleen als een fysieke ruimte zagen, maar ook als een spiritueel domein waarin goddelijke machten en menselijke levens onlosmakelijk verbonden waren. In veel oude culturen waren sterren en hemellichamen meer dan slechts hemellichamen; ze werden gezien als boodschappers of manifestaties van goddelijke krachten. Bijvoorbeeld, de oude Egyptenaren associeerden de sterren met de goden en geloofden dat de nachthemel de verblijfplaats was van de zielen en goden die invloed uitoefenden op het aardse leven. In Mesopotamië ontwikkelden de Babyloniërs uitgebreide astronomische systemen om de bewegingen van de sterren te begrijpen, die ze koppelden aan religieuze en mythologische verhalen die een kosmisch ordeningsprincipe uitdroegen.
Deze mythologische en religieuze overtuigingen, ondersteund door archeologisch bewijs en astronomisch inzicht, hebben de ontwikkeling van religieuze systemen, architectuur en wereldbeelden sterk beïnvloed. Tempels en monumenten werden vaak strategisch geplaatst op astronomisch belangrijke punten, zoals de beroemde Ziggurat van Ur, die mogelijk een astronomisch observatorium was. Bovendien fungeerden de verhalen over sterren-goden als een manier om het onbegrijpelijke te verklaren en het maatschappelijke samenhang te versterken. Deze verhalen en symboliek blijven een krachtig symbool van de menselijke zoektocht naar betekenis, onsterfelijkheid en de ultieme orde van het universum.
De voortdurende fascinatie met deze verhalen onderstreept de tijdloze aard van onze relatie met de sterren en de goden die uit hen afdaalden. Het benadrukt onze universele drang om het kosmos te begrijpen en te verbinden met het goddelijke. Door de eeuwen heen blijven sterren en mythologie een bron van inspiratie, niet alleen voor religieuze overtuigingen, maar ook voor wetenschappelijke ontdekkingen en culturele expressies. Dit alles toont aan dat onze verbondenheid met de sterren en de goden die uit hen afstegen, een fundamenteel aspect is van onze menselijke identiteit en geschiedenis.
Bronnen:
Van de Mieroop, M. (2015). A History of the Ancient Near East. Wiley-Blackwell.
Aveni, A. F. (2001). Skywatchers: A Revised and Updated Version of Skywatchers of Ancient Mexico. University of Texas Press.
Parker, R. (2012). The Calendars of Ancient Egypt. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology.
Kuiper, K. (2014). Maya Cosmos: Three Thousand Years on the Shaman's Path. University of New Mexico Press.
This is Yonaguni, the underwater structure off the coast of Japan.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
In the shallows off Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island, the sea floor drops away into shadows. A few meters down, the reef opens to reveal something vast. It doesn’t resemble a coral shelf or a sloping rock bed. Instead, divers encounter massive ledges, flat platforms, and vertical faces that look like walls. Underwater light filters across broad stone steps. The geometry is startling.
This formation, often called the Yonaguni Monument, rests around twenty-five meters below the surface. It stretches roughly 150 meters in length, with a width of about 40 meters. Sharp corners and straight lines define its structure. Some of the edges look machined. One side has what appears to be a long trench running parallel to a clean rock face. Others contain isolated monoliths that rise from the seabed like carved sentinels.
The site was discovered in 1986 by Kihachiro Aratake, a local dive tour operator. He had been scouting the area for hammerhead sharks when he spotted what looked like a manmade platform beneath him. The stone seemed too precise. He surfaced and reported what he saw. Word spread quickly. Within a few years, marine geologists and fringe theorists alike were descending with cameras, tape measures, and notebooks.
Divers exploring the Yonaguni monument near the base level.
The first impressions
Divers returning from Yonaguni often speak of disorientation. The regularity of the lines confuses depth perception. Some liken it to swimming over an ancient city plaza. Flat terraces run horizontally for several meters before dropping off into deep, squared recesses. In certain places, ledges resemble steps. One stretch of stone looks like a long avenue cut straight through the rock.
Fish dart along the edges, but coral is sparse. The formation is clean, almost sterile. Light clings to the surfaces in the early morning, casting angular shadows. When photographed from above, the whole structure looks as if it was designed, and not eroded.
Many visitors return convinced that what they saw was built. Some claim to notice channels or corner joints. Others insist they saw signs of wear or alignment too precise to be natural. Still, these observations remain anecdotal. No excavation has been conducted. Everything known about the site comes from visual study and surface dives.
Natural geology or optical illusion
The most widely accepted view among geologists is that the site is entirely natural. The rock is sandstone, layered horizontally and subject to tectonic uplift. Over time, pressure from seismic activity cracked the stone along joint lines, producing right angles. Erosion then exploited these fractures, creating straight edges and geometric shapes that only appear artificial.
What I find interesting is that in the Ryukyu Islands, similar formations can be seen above water. The cliffs along parts of Yonaguni’s coastline break into natural stair-step shapes. These exposed layers fracture cleanly, sometimes forming platforms that mimic steps or floors. The region’s seismic instability makes it likely that large blocks of stone were shifted, tilted, or dropped into place by tectonic activity.
Geologists point out that humans tend to perceive symmetry and intention where there is only chance. Patterns formed by natural processes are often mistaken for design, especially underwater, where visibility and orientation distort perception. In the case of Yonaguni, the size of the formation and its unfamiliar setting amplify this effect.
This is the underwater structure off the coast of Japan.
The case for deliberate shaping
Despite geological explanations, some researchers believe that the underwater formation may have been modified by human hands. One of the most vocal proponents of this theory is Masaaki Kimura, a marine geologist who has surveyed the site extensively. He argues that the stone faces include features that go beyond erosion and fracture.
Kimura’s team has mapped what they interpret as stairs, platforms, and even a possible relief carving of a face. He suggests the site could be the remains of a sunken temple or civic structure, possibly dating back over 10,000 years. According to his hypothesis, sea levels rose dramatically at the end of the last Ice Age, flooding low-lying settlements and preserving their foundations underwater.
The idea is not without precedent. Other submerged sites, such as those off the coast of India and Greece, have revealed ancient ruins buried beneath the sea. In those cases, artifacts, walls, and datable material have confirmed human occupation. But no such evidence has surfaced at Yonaguni.
Critics of Kimura’s work argue that his interpretations rely too heavily on visual suggestion. What he calls a staircase may be a fractured slope. What appears to be a carving may be the result of rock weathering. Without tools, ceramics, or inscriptions, the claim of intentional design remains speculative.
Archaeology remains cautious
Most professional archaeologists have kept their distance from the site. It isn’t recognized as a cultural heritage location by the Japanese government, and no formal excavation has ever taken place. The formation sits in open water and can only be reached by dive, which adds to the challenge.
The lack of artifacts matters. When people build something, they tend to leave things behind, tools, bones, broken pottery, ash from fires. At Yonaguni, none of that has turned up. The stone shows no clear signs of being carved or shaped. There are no post holes, no channels, no surfaces smoothed by repeated use.
Because of this, many archaeologists see the formation as a case of pareidolia. It’s natural to spot patterns, especially ones that look familiar, even when they aren’t intentional. The site may look impressive, but without hard evidence of human involvement, archaeology has nothing to work with. For now, the discipline stays neutral.
Cultural memory and modern myth
Over time, the site has become a magnet for alternative theories. Some writers link it to the legend of Mu, a hypothetical lost continent in the Pacific. Others connect it to flood myths or undocumented ancient civilizations. These claims, while popular online and in documentaries, are not grounded in research.
Another image of the Yonaguni monument. Wikimedia Commons.
Local oral traditions in the Ryukyus do not mention a sunken city off Yonaguni. There are no stories of cataclysm or disappearance tied to the location. The connection to Mu is a modern invention, often used to dramatize the mystery.
Still, the monument holds a grip on the imagination. Its size, setting, and silence make it compelling. It sits just beneath the surface, visible to anyone who makes the short boat trip and the short dive. The ease of access invites speculation. The lack of resolution keeps the story open.
What the site tells us now
No matter how it formed, the underwater structure off the coast of Japan shows just how easily we look for meaning in what we see. Sharp lines and flat terraces suggest intention, and the mind fills in the rest. Without artifacts or written records, people bring their own interpretations. Some see architecture. Others see geology.
The site has become a reminder of how little we can say for sure without evidence. There’s been no excavation, no datable material, and no tools or remains. Still, the debate hasn’t stopped. What keeps it going isn’t proof. It’s curiosity.
Some researchers still call for closer study. Others are convinced the explanation is already in front of us. Divers continue to visit, cameras still capture the edges, and the conversation never really fades.
The structure remains where it was found, just beneath the surface, shaped by water and time. Whether it’s a rare geological formation or the last trace of something older, it sits in silence, offering no answer.
More Than Just Elusive Beasts! The Bigfoot and Yeti Could Be Crucial in Understanding the Anomalous World!
The Bigfoot and the Yeti (or Abominable Snowman) are known to almost everyone, both inside and outside of the paranormal and anomalous world. Indeed, so well known are these creatures that to many, even those would not class themselves as “believers” in the weird and the wonderful perhaps would not be at all surprised if proof of their existence was discovered, with many people accepting there is a good chance that these creatures are very real and not just the stuff of legends, myths, and folklore.
These elusive creatures, though, would appear to be far more than an undiscovered primate or even hominid. Those who have researched, studied, and investigated these mysterious creatures suspect that rather than just being another animal waiting to be discovered and catalogued by science, they are perhaps something much more otherworldly, and understanding these creatures could very well help us understand the bigger picture of the paranormal and anomalous world. Indeed, the notion that Bigfoot creatures are simply an undiscovered animal or a possible hominid is very much up for debate. There is good reason to suspect that these creatures, far from being merely flesh-and-blood animals, are something much more, possibly supernatural, perhaps even interdimensional.
Perhaps one of the first areas of concern (outside of a lack of a recovered body or evidence of a Bigfoot habitat) surrounding an undiscovered flesh-and-blood beast that had eluded detection for seemingly thousands of years was the many accounts that featured these Bigfoot creatures seemingly vanishing into thin air. The highly respected researcher and author, Linda Moulton Howe, for example, recalled an encounter that a rancher had with a Bigfoot creature on his land. She stated that the rancher in question suddenly found himself only several feet from this menacing creature, and after a moment of contemplation, he instinctively raised his weapon and prepared to fire. Before he could, though, the creature simply disappeared in a bizarre flash. This detail can be found in multiple Bigfoot reports and accounts, with many witnesses stressing how the creature was “there one minute and then gone the next!”
We might ask, then, are these creatures simply making themselves invisible? As bizarre as that might sound, there have been several intriguing pieces of footage circulating on the Internet for several years of what appears – or is at least claimed – to show a “cloaked Bigfoot” creature.
Or might it be that these creatures quite literally leave our realm of existence to a destination elsewhere, another dimension, perhaps, or even another time? And if that is true, then how do they achieve this? Can they manipulate reality or the environment to create a portal or gateway, and if so, do they achieve this through their own supernatural (to us) abilities, or do they utilize some kind of advanced technological device? Or perhaps they are simply aware of where certain X-points exist, and are sure not to venture too far from them, which might explain why there are certain “cluster areas” throughout the North American continent of Bigfoot hotspot locations?
Just one Bigfoot researcher who has concluded that these Bigfoot creatures are using some kind of portal or interdimensional gateway to enter our world is Becky Cook, who investigated dozens of Bigfoot encounters throughout the state of Idaho. Cook, though, has also gathered further remarkable data, not least that around 70 percent of people who have had encounters with a Bigfoot creature have also had “at least one near-death experience!” Moreover, rather than just being a strange and fascinating statistic, Cook believes that these near-death experiences have likely opened something within a person’s mind or perception that allowed them to see these elusive creatures in the first place.
There are ample reasons for us to contemplate that these Bigfoot creatures are not only highly intelligent but also have the ability to alter time and even wipe memories, either due to their unique capabilities or, as strange as it might sound, with access to some kind of advanced technology.
With this in mind, an encounter that unfolded in New Zealand in the late 1990s is of particular interest to us here. The anonymous witness claimed in his report that he and a friend were hiking in the wilderness and had made camp in a clearing in the forest on the night in question. During the night, the witness woke needing to relieve himself and so left the tent in order to do so. However, while answering the call of nature, he spotted two huge, hairy, beast-like creatures appear, as if from nowhere, out of the trees, approaching the tent where his hiking partner remained asleep. He noticed that they each took exceptionally long strides as they moved. Moreover, he stated that he could almost “feel” each footstep through the ground itself. Then, the two creatures came to a stop right outside the tent’s entrance. The witness remained as quiet and as still as he could, watching as the two creatures seemingly sized up the tent in front of them. After several moments, they simply turned and headed back into the woodland. By the time the witness returned to the tent, he could see from the look of distress on his face that his friend had also witnessed the bizarre event. The following morning, things turned even stranger.
By 7 am, with daylight bringing a slight sense of calm to the two hikers, they decided to head into the woods in the direction the Bigfoot-type creatures had disappeared. However, almost immediately after heading in that direction, the two witnesses found themselves approaching their camp area. Moreover, it was now sunset. They checked their watches and discovered that 12 hours had passed, 12 hours that they had no memory of whatsoever. Whether this missing time is connected to the strange creatures or not is perhaps open to debate. There are, though, several things for us to consider.
Firstly, there is a connection between UFO hotspots and areas of regular Bigfoot reports, with an increase in such reports usually coinciding with increases in UFO sightings. With this in mind, then, the two witnesses could have found themselves at the center of a close UFO encounter, perhaps even an alien abduction. Even with this possibility, there are perhaps two main “sub-possibilities” to consider. The first is that the two strange creatures are somehow connected to this speculative UFO, and so facilitated an equally speculative abduction scenario. Or, the second possibility is that, if we assume for one moment that these Bigfoot creatures are arriving in our realm from elsewhere, that whatever mechanism they use for this also allows UFOs access to our world, and so this mechanism, combined with the hikers’ curiosity, placed them in the middle of a close encounter. Indeed, if this were the case, then the location in New Zealand (which, unfortunately, is not known) could be considered a place of High Strangeness. Of course, alien abduction is not the only possibility.
If not UFOs or alien abduction, then might we consider that the Bigfoot creatures themselves were responsible for the missing time of the two hikers? Some researchers into these elusive creatures suggest that they not only have the ability to come in and out of our realm of existence (making them both supernatural and flesh-and-blood creatures at the same time) but that they are able, using nothing more than the powers of their minds, able to force people to simply not see them (essentially, making themselves invisible) or for a person to forget their encounters altogether. Could that have been the case here? Could the two creatures have encountered the two hikers the following day and simply erased their minds somehow using some kind of invasive form of telepathy? Indeed, telepathy is another trait that several researchers have suggested these creatures are skilled with.
With this in mind, it is worth exploring another encounter with a Bigfoot creature in the early 2000s in the woodlands of New Hampshire in the United States. According to the report, the anonymous witness was hiking in a remote area, deep in the woods, when he stumbled upon a wounded deer. It was still alive, but it had an arrow sticking out of its body. The witness carefully pulled the arrow out, discarded it, and then tied the deer to a nearby tree so that he could clean the wound. Ultimately, he decided to set up his basecamp next to the deer and continued to tend to it for several days. When it was fully healed and back to good health, he untied the animal, and it headed off back into the woodland. A short time later, the witness began packing up his equipment, ready to move on and explore elsewhere. As he was doing so, however, he suddenly sensed movement behind him. He spun around and was more than shocked to see a Bigfoot creature sitting on a log no more than 20 feet away from him. Then, an already bizarre situation turned even more surreal.
To his shock, this strange creature spoke to him, although not physically, but directly into his mind. This creature stated that it had been watching him as he had cared for the deer and nursed it back to good health. As the creature was telling him this, the witness thought to himself that this figure was the source behind the many sounds of snapping twigs and rustling of bushes he had heard over the last several days. To his further amazement, the creature then confirmed this to him only moments after he had thought it.
While there are reports of Bigfoot creatures all around the planet – some of which we will explore shortly – undoubtedly the biggest concentration of reports comes from North America, particularly the United States and Canada. Furthermore, these reports are only continuing today; they appear to be increasing. One particular encounter made international news headlines in January 2019 after a missing child was discovered, safe and well, offering to his mystified parents and searchers that “a bear helped him” to get back home. According to the reports, three-year-old Casey Hathaway went missing from his North Carolina home and remained missing for the next 48 hours, seemingly somewhere in the forests close to his home in freezing conditions. Then, not only was he discovered safe and well, but he also offered his account that the bear had kept him safe and, essentially, brought him home.
As we might imagine, many experts and people involved with the search put forward that the boy’s claims were simply a coping mechanism, or even a “fantasy” of his creation, not least as not only are there no known similar accounts on record, but most bears would have been deep into hibernation at this time of year. While most people were happy enough to accept this explanation, those in the Bigfoot community believed that the truth of the matter was staring people right in the face. One such commentator stated that:
“….…there are no reports available of bears coming out of hibernation to tend to lost children. However, also on record, are many reports of Bigfoot helping lost children…So, did Casey Hathaway spend two days with a bear, or did he spend two days with a Bigfoot? Some may doubt such a thing. However, in the light of what we know about bears in winter. And Bigfoot’s documented interaction with other children. I am going with Bigfoot!”
Just what did happen to the young boy in question remains unknown. There are, however, other cases on record of people going missing, particularly young children, who have claimed a “hairy man” fed and looked after them and returned them home, many of which have been documented by David Paullides as part of his Missing 411 research. Moreover, these encounters stretch back well over a century, at least.
In Northern Michigan in 1868, for example, a three-year-old girl seemingly vanished into thin air while with her father at a lumber camp. He later stated that his daughter was there one moment, and then gone the next. With the help of two local hunters, the three men set out in search of the missing girl in the next woodland. They searched for the remainder of the day until nightfall forced them to stop. Then, the following morning, they returned to the woods to continue the search. To begin with, it appeared their efforts would go unrewarded. Then, much to their surprise and relief, they heard the “muffled or muted” sounds of a young girl’s voice somewhere close by.
The three men followed the sound of the voice, eventually coming to a river. There, they heard a large splash, and when they turned their focus to where the noise had come from, they could see a “dark shape” that was swimming away from them, towards the opposite riverbank. Before they could take in any further details, however, they noticed the missing girl, standing on a log nearby. She was seemingly in shock, but otherwise unharmed. Eventually, the young girl spoke of the incident to her father, claiming that the large figure – which she called “Mr. Wolf” – had held her prisoner somewhere near the water. What’s more, the creature had “eaten her hat and taken her shoes” (indeed, she was discovered without her hat or shoes). Although she didn’t explain why, she said the wolf-like creature had taken her to the river and left her on the log where she was found. Was the dark figure the three men witnessed Mr. Wolf? And was this strange creature, in fact, a Bigfoot?
Just short of three decades later, there is another encounter of a child who went missing before being discovered that could also have involved a Bigfoot-like creature. Although there is no direct evidence to suggest this, some of the details in the case are very similar to the missing girl in Michigan 30 years earlier. In August 1897, in Maine, six-year-old Lillian Carney was picking blueberries (a bizarre detail that often shows up in missing persons cases) with her mother she simply vanished. Her panic-stricken mother immediately raised the alarm, and a short time later, no less than 200 volunteers were searching the area for the missing girl. She was eventually discovered two days later, although her discovery brought with it more questions than answers.
To begin with, she was in a “trance-like state” and several “dazed!” However, she eventually managed to speak to her parents about her ordeal. She claimed that she had suddenly found herself in the middle of the forest “where the sun had shone the entire time!” It has never been made clear what she meant by this, not least as the weather during the time of disappearance was grey and overcast, and she spent at least some of the time she was missing at night. This has led some people to speculate that she was perhaps inside some kind of structure or building deep in the forest, or that she had even been a victim of alien abduction, and the “sun” was, in fact, some kind of artificial light. We might also consider whether she had quite literally vanished into thin air. After all, if we accept the notion that portals could be responsible for at least some of the Bigfoot appearances and disappearances, perhaps this might also explain not only the young girl’s sudden disappearance and reappearance, but also the constantly shining sun.
Almost exactly a year later, on the afternoon of August 25th, 1898, three-year-old Alice Rachel Peck was picking berries with her mother when she simply disappeared. She was eventually found three days later, no less than five miles away. Much like Lillian and the girl from Michigan, Alice was in a trance-like state, at least to begin with. Then, after several hours, she recalled walking along a strange road and that she was missing her shoes. Perhaps strangest of all, though, an odd creature that she referred to as “the black man” guided her to a safe spot where she was eventually found. Was this “black man” she referred to a Bigfoot creature?
It is also interesting to note that each of these cases featured the respective witnesses feeling dazed and confused following their discovery. If we accept, for a moment, that these cases did involve Bigfoot creatures, is this an example of their apparent ability to control a person’s mind and make it difficult for them to recall their encounters?
In more recent times, even if we take only the second half of the twentieth century onwards, there have been multiple reports of Bigfoot – quite literally thousands of sightings and encounters, specifically so in the United States and Canada. And while these reports occur regularly and consistently, some of the strangest and most detailed occur during UFO waves. In 1973, for example, during one of the busiest and most active UFO waves in history in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, a particularly intriguing Bigfoot encounter unfolded.
According to the account, at around 9 pm on October 25th, multiple witnesses reported seeing a “red spherical object” hovering low over a nearby field. Then, after several moments, the glowing, red orb began to descend, eventually landing in the field in question. Intrigued, several of the witnesses headed over to the landed object. As they approached, they could hear a strange “whirring” sound and could see that the strange object was white and dome-shaped. Most bizarre of all, though, they witnessed two tall figures, each between seven and nine feet tall, emerge from the object. These creatures were covered in thick, shaggy hair, and each had arms that appeared too long for their frames. Most disturbing, however, were the glowing green eyes that each figure sported.
By now, several of the witnesses had drawn their weapons, and, rightly or wrongly, they opened fire on the two creatures. However, rather than drop to the ground injured or even dead, the two figures turned around, and a moment later, a blinding flash filled the witnesses’ vision. When this flash had cleared, the object was no longer there, and the two figures were almost a speck in the distance near the surrounding woodland.
A team of local UFO investigators arrived at the location shortly after, and remained there for most of the night. They noticed that the animals that would normally use the field and graze there wouldn’t go anywhere near it, as if they sensed something utterly terrible. Even stranger, they noticed that almost all of these animals paid them no attention whatsoever, but instead, appeared to be focused on the woods where the two creatures had disappeared. Stranger still, at one point during the evening, investigators witnessed a blinding flash – similar to that witnessed by the witnesses in the field they were investigating – come from another local farmhouse a short distance away. Then, an already bizarre and surreal experience turned even stranger.
Suddenly, one of the witnesses went into a bizarre trance-like state. Stranger still, he began barking and howling like a dog. This continued for several moments, with the witness even pushing investigators to the ground when they tried to restrain him. He ran off into one of the fields, the bizarre, guttural, animalistic sound coming from him as he did so. Then, the sounds stopped for a second or two before an “inhuman scream” came from him. Following this, the man collapsed to the ground, seemingly released from whatever power had overtaken him. As this was happening, investigators noticed the sudden odor of “rotting eggs” – most likely sulfur, an aroma that accompanies a whole host of paranormal phenomena, from ghosts to UFOs, and, of course, Bigfoot encounters. Incidentally, when the man came to, he was able to give a clear description of the events, claiming that while he was in this trance, his mind filled with visions of “the end of the world!”
If there is a Bigfoot presence on the North American continent, whether a permanent one or a recurring temporary one, they have been there for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Many Native American legends, for example, not only refer to these Bigfoot-like creatures, referred to by some tribes as Skoocooms, who they believed were a supernatural-type being.
We might also explore the records of the Norse explorer Leif Erikson, who appears to describe witnessing strange, beastly men during his expedition to the region. Although some researchers put the date of this expedition in the year 986, it appears more likely that the date would have been at some point in the early 1000s. According to the account, as they navigated the New World (North America) they stumbled upon “manlike beasts” who were “horribly ugly, hairy, swarthy, and with great black eyes!” Furthermore, these strange creatures had a “rank odor” and issued a “deafening shriek”, and it was clear that they “towered over” Erikson and his men. According to the record, Erikson and his men had several such encounters with these hairy beasts, and it is perhaps worth noting that Erikson’s men themselves had long hair and thick beards, so, interestingly, they should describe these strange men as “hairy”, perhaps indicating that they were making reference to hair that covered the entire body.
As we mentioned, it isn’t just in North America where Bigfoot encounters are reported. If we turn our attention to the United Kingdom for a moment, we find the research and investigations of Adam Bird, the co-founder of the British Bigfoot Research Organization, who not only documented a Bigfoot encounter in the woods of Lincolnshire in the 2010s, but also captured a picture of it. After collecting several reports from the area, Bird ventured out to the woodland himself. Not long after arriving, he noticed strange footprints in the ground and began hearing the occasional rustling coming from close by. Then, he spotted a strange, shadowy ape-like figure that appeared to be watching him from the surrounding trees. It was at this point that Bird snapped the picture, although he and several fellow members of the organization remained in the area for several hours, during which time they “felt watched and followed!” Bird offered to the media following the encounter that Bigfoot creatures are spotted all over the UK, with reports seemingly beginning to “spread from Scotland right down to southern England!” Moreover, Bird put forward that the creatures themselves are “something unknown” and that the picture he managed to capture “could be genuine evidence that the British Bigfoot exists!”
It is also worth our time exploring the Bigfoot sightings recorded in what is today modern-day Germany, with historical, legendary accounts of a creature known as a Wildermann, whose description is almost identical to what most people would recognize as a Bigfoot. The Wildermann is described as being hairy from head to toe, with huge feet that often leave impressions in the ground. Arguably, the first officially documented encounter with a Bigfoot in Germany occurred in 1855 when Johann Georg Schmidt reported encountering a hairy man-like creature while he was walking in the forests of Bavaria.
In more recent times, in 1963, several hikers were making their way through the Black Forest when they spotted a Bigfoot-like creature a short distance away. Just short of 20 years later, in 1982, Peter Durr not only spotted a Bigfoot creature on the Bavarian Alps, but managed to capture a photograph of it. Even in the contemporary era, there continue to be sightings and reports. In 2015, for example, a young couple reported seeing such a creature heading towards the Harz Mountains, while in 2018, a man encountered a Bigfoot close to the Rhine River.
If we venture to the other side of the world, to Australia, we can find legends of the Yowie, said to roam the Australian Outback, and these legends go right back to the indigenous tribes of the region. The Yowie is said to be anywhere from six to 12 feet in height and has a distinct “ape-like” appearance, although, like Bigfoot, it walks upright on two legs. Despite this domineering appearance, the Yowie is said to do its best to avoid human contact, and there have been no known cases of a Yowie showing aggression (although there are reports of “savaged pets” on record).
In Japan, there are legends of the Hibagon, which is spotted on and around Mount Hiba in Hiroshima and, from descriptions, appears to be almost identical to the typical American Bigfoot, although it seems to be shorter in height, standing around five feet tall. What is particularly strange about the Hibagon, though, is that sightings of it seem to have started from nowhere at some time in the early 1970s. This sudden appearance has led to multiple possible explanations, ranging from the Hibagon being nothing more than an undiscovered breed of monkey to it being possibly one or more residents of the city who were still suffering the aftereffects of the nuclear bomb dropped over the city in 1945 to bring the Second World War to an end.
In the remote woodlands and mountain regions of Hubei in China, we can find a very similar creature known as the Yeren, sightings of which, similarly, exploded in the second half of the twentieth century. In fact, according to statistics from the Xinhua News Agency, there have been over 400 official reports.
If we return to the United States for a moment, it is very much worth our time exploring the legends of the Billiwhack Monster that is said to reside in the abandoned Billiwhack Dairy Plant in California. Sightings of this strange and ominous creature began at some point after the Second World War, and while reports continue today, they appeared to reach a peak in the 1950s and 1960s. Those who claim to have encountered this menacing beast claim that it is covered in “dirty white hair” and has razor-sharp claws and “ram-like horns” on its head. Perhaps strangest of all, it is often described as looking half-human and half-sheep.
Some of the legends behind this beastly creature are as bizarre and intriguing as the monster itself. According to some, the Billiwhack Monster is the result of a top-secret military experiment that took place towards the end of the Second World War. This experiment looked, according to legend, to create a genetically superior super soldier by combining human DNA with that of an “unknown creature!”
It is interesting to note these claims of a “super soldier” that is a result of human and beastly DNA being combined. While we should treat them with a considerable pinch of salt, much like the claims of the Billiwhack Monster, is that some researchers suggest that the Third Reich were involved in almost identical genetics experiments during the Second World War, with the express purpose of having soldiers who could operate in the freezing conditions of Antarctica (these were, according to the claims, as Polar Men). Could it be possible, perhaps through such post-Second World War programs as Operation Paperclip, that these experiments were carried on, in top-secret, in the United States? It is certainly something worth keeping on the back burner of our minds.
Perhaps what is most interesting about the Billiwhack Monster is that its description is more akin to a Yeti, a creature often referred to as a Siberian or Russian Bigfoot, or, more widely, as the Abominable Snowman. And it is to the Yeti that we will turn our attention next.
In truth, it appears the Yeti roams the mountainous regions of Asia, Siberia, as well as the Himalayas, and we should note that for a large part of the twentieth century, many of these regions were under the control, or at the very least, the influence, of the Soviet Union. And while many insist that the Western Bigfoot is more of a supernatural being rather than a flesh-and-blood one, there is perhaps more reason to believe the latter is the case with the Yeti. It is perhaps worth noting the comments of Sir David Attenborough, who offered, following the discovery of fossils with huge molars, that “the Abominable Snowman may be real”, even suggesting that the Himalayas and the “immense rhododendron forest that goes on for hundreds of square miles could hold the Yeti!” He elaborated that “if there are some alive, and you walked by their habitat, you can bet these creatures may be aware of you, but you wouldn’t be aware of them!”
Sightings of the Yeti would appear to go back thousands of years, at least. One of the earliest apparent documented encounters with this Bigfoot creature of the East is relayed in the book Yeti, Sasquatch, and Hairy Giants by David Hatcher Childress. The account is taken from the ancient writing, Anabasis Alexandri: Book VIII by Arrian, and took place during Alexander the Great’s invasion of India in 326 BC. While making their way to the Indus River, a battle between Alexander’s men and a group of “hairy men” called Tomerus ensued. These Tomerus lived in “stifling cabins” along the banks of the river, and after engaging with Alexander’s men, several of them were captured while the rest fled to the nearby hills. Upon studying these captives more closely, it was recorded that they “were hairy, not only the heads but the rest of their bodies!” Moreover, they had “nails rather like beasts’ claws!” Interestingly, the account states that these beastly creatures wore “skins of animals” for clothing.
We can find another account from the ancient world of a Yeti in the writings of Claudius Aelianus in De Natura Animalium (On The Nature Of Animals), who detailed an encounter in India around 200 BC. Aelianus called these creatures Satyrs, and he wrote that they were “covered with shaggy hair!” He continued that these strange creatures, “when left to themselves, stay in the forest and eat tree sprouts!” However, when approached, “they run with incredible speed to hide in mountain caves!” One particularly interesting detail is that these creatures “repel approaching humans by hurling stones down at them!” This, of course, echoes many Bigfoot encounters.
We can find further documented encounters with Yetis in more (relatively speaking) recent times, many of which were relayed in the book Bigfoot by Rupert Matthews. One such account unfolded in Nepal in 1825 when hillwalker B.H. Hodgson claimed his porters told him of seeing a “tall creature covered with long, dark hair!” As soon as the strange creature noticed it was being watched, it “bounded off in apparent fear!”
Just short of 65 years later, in 1889, in Sikkim in northern India, Major L.A. Waddell was on an expedition when he came upon footprints that “seemed to be those of a barefooted man with enormous feet!” Perplexed but amazed, he asked his guide what the footprints belonged to. Without hesitation, he was told that they belonged to “the wild, hairy man!” Moreover, his guides insisted that they all should leave the area immediately.
Several years later, also in the Sikkim region of India, at some point in the 1890s, William Knight encountered an almost identical creature. Although the incident happened at the end of the nineteenth century, it wasn’t until the 1920s that Knight spoke of the encounter via a letter he sent to The Times newspaper. He stated that he was traveling from Tantok to Sedonchen when he stopped to allow his horse to rest for several moments. Almost as soon as they had come to a stop, he could hear a sound coming from behind him, like something emerging from the woodland. He turned around, and “some 20 paces away,” there was a strange creature. He wrote in the letter that he immediately assumed this was “one of the hairy men that the Tibetans call the Abominable Snowman!” He recalled that despite the “bitter cold”, the creature was completely unclothed and was well over six feet in height.
Although he stated that this figure had hair all over its body, he noted that he could make out “pale yellow” skin and that the figure had more hair on its head than on the rest of its body. Even stranger, he claimed that this creature was carrying “some form of primitive bow!” Ultimately, he watched the figure for around five minutes. Then, whether it noticed his attention or not, it suddenly took off running at “tremendous speed!”
A particularly interesting encounter unfolded in the early years of the twentieth century, not least as documentation of it likely resulted in the widely used epithet that this beastly creature would become known by. The encounter involved Mary MacDonald, the daughter of a colonial military officer who was with a team of porters in the mountainous regions close to the Tibetan border. As they made their way along the trail, a sudden piercing cry rang out, causing the group to stop in their tracks. Mary asked her guide what could have made such a sound. However, when she turned to face him, she realized the group was running in the opposite direction in terror. Instinctively, she reached for one of the guns and then set off towards the rest of the group. They all eventually came to a stop, and she was told that the creature who made the shrieking call was a “Metoh Kangmi” – this translated as “Bad Man of the Snow!”
Now, it would be another two decades before this moniker came up again, only on this occasion, the translation was slightly different, and it was this translation that spread throughout the West. As he was scouting Mount Everest, Colonel Howard-Bury was told of the same creature after they discovered extraordinarily large footprints in the snow. Howard-Bury, however, mistranslated the name as “Abominable Snowman”, which subsequently began appearing in print in English newspapers in various parts of the world.
Sightings and encounters with the Yeti have continued across the decades right into the modern age, with some of the most well-known occurring in the 1950s, a time when the wider populations of the West began taking notice of this strange cold-weather creature. Arguably, the most famous of these encounters resulted in one of the most famous photographs ever captured, which showed a clear, large footprint in the snow around Mount Everest. The picture was captured by English mountaineer Eric Shipton, who was on a research mission in the region in 1951. Incidentally, the discovery of the foot impression was at approximately 20,000 feet above sea level.
Three years later, John Angelo Jackson led an expedition to the same region with the specific goal of finding evidence of the “Abominable Snowman” – as it was now being referred to. The expedition was sponsored by the Daily Mail newspaper (and even billed as the Daily Mail Snowman Expedition) and stretched from Everest to Kanchenjunga. As well as discovering and photographing several footprints impressed into the snow during the expedition, the team also uncovered ancient symbolic depictions of the beast, perhaps confirming that it had been in existence in the region for thousands of years.
In 1959, American entrepreneur Tom Slick embarked on his expedition of the Himalayan regions in an attempt to locate proof of the Yeti, and his mission was arguably one of the most fruitful yet. He not only discovered a feces sample thought to have come from a Yeti, but when this sample was tested, a parasite was discovered within it that was, and remains, unknown to science. Moreover, declassified documents have since shown just how much of an interest the United States intelligence services took in these Bigfoot and Yeti creatures. This document states that “American resources in the last two years have been concentrated on efforts to capture the Abominable Snowman!”
One person who has studied the Yeti extensively is Maya Bykova, who conducted decades of research right up until she died in 1996. Perhaps one of the most fascinating details of her research, not least as it would resonate with researchers of the North American Bigfoot, is that these creatures can make themselves “invisible” as an act of defense. Once more, we might ask, is this something these creatures simply can do, or do they utilize some kind of technological device? To answer that question, we continue relaying Bykova’s research, which highlights the beliefs of the Tibetan red-hatted monks. They claim that the Yetis (and, incidentally, Bigfoot creatures) are one of the few remaining creatures on Earth that can control their brain activity to the point where they can make themselves appear invisible.
At this point, it is worth asking if the Yeti and the Bigfoot are the same creature, even different breeds of the same creature, or whether they are entirely different. Clearly, white hair aside, physical descriptions are very similar, although there are some differences. Their height, for example, is perhaps one of the clearest differences, with the Yeti seeming to be around six feet tall and the Bigfoot being around eight feet in height. Moreover, while Bigfoot is described as specifically ape-like, many descriptions of the Yeti tend to have an appearance more like a bear. Ultimately, these differences aside, it would appear that these creatures are related somehow.
We might ask, then, if there is a connection between these strange and elusive creatures, how long have they been here, and where did they come from? Are they indigenous to Earth, or were they brought here from elsewhere? Or might, as some researchers have suggested, they have been the result of a genetic experiment deep in antiquity? Although we are straying into ancient astronaut territory here, some researchers have highlighted several verses from ancient Sanskrit texts translated by Zecharia Sitchin that appear to describe just such a genetic experiment. The verses in question feature Enki, one of the leading Anunnaki, who is selecting the “most developed primate” on the planet with which to combine Anunnaki (extraterrestrial) DNA. Describing one of these early attempts, the verse states:
“Shaggy with hair all over was the newborn. His foreparts like of the Earth creatures were. His hind parts to those of the Anunnaki more akin they were.”
Another verse is even more descriptive. This verse describes one of the genetically-altered creatures after it had been given time to grow and develop. Despite this, Enki soon realized that this creation was also not suitable for their needs. The verse states:
“Taller the Earth child grew. In the image of the Anunnaki he was not. His hands for tools were not suited. His speech only grunting sounds was!”
Do these verses describe what we might recognize as a Bigfoot creature? And if Sitchin’s translations are correct (and we should note that many are highly suspicious as to the accuracy of his translations), then do they describe the Bigfoot’s origins on our planet? Is this why they seemingly possess such remarkable abilities as being able to render themselves invisible or even control a person’s mind? Perhaps these Bigfoot creatures were allowed to develop on their own, away from the Anunnaki, and, over the eons and centuries, away from humanity until (relatively speaking) recent years. If we look at another Sanskrit writing – the Epic of Gilgamesh – we might find another telling of Bigfoot and its history on our planet.
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the oldest text in the world, dated around 2700 BC, and tells the story of Enkidu, a close friend of Gilgamesh, a “wild man” who resided outside of the main city. Part of that text describes Enkidu as:
“…like an animal, Enkidu’s body had hitherto been covered with hair which is now shaved off. He is anointed with oil and clothed like a man!”
Could Enkidu have been a Bigfoot creature? And is this not only another example of documentation of these creatures in the ancient world, but of their apparent intelligence? While this tale tells of Enkidu wearing clothes and shaving his body hair, we might imagine that other Bigfoot creatures will have existed who remained outside of society.
As we might imagine, many experts insist that the Epic of Gilgamesh is nothing but a work of fiction. However, we should note that Gilgamesh himself was very real, with many records of his activities and achievements. Moreover, when this particular tale was committed to the official record, writing was much more of an arduous and expensive task, and as such, only the most important information was “written” down. With this in mind, and given that we know Gilgamesh very much existed, we perhaps should take the tales of Enkidu at much more face value.
Whatever the truth, Bigfoot (and Yetis) remain not only one of the most elusive entities on the planet, but one of the most mysterious and intriguing. Indeed, should we ever manage to establish the true nature and origins of these creatures, it would likely shine a light on many other unsolved and unexplained areas of our collective reality, possibly providing answers to everything from cryptid creatures (as we would understand them) to UFOs and even the potential existence of portals and gateways. In that sense, Bigfoot is so much more than just a wild beast that roams the woodlands and wilderness in an attempt to avoid contact with humanity. It is very likely one of the keys to the mysteries of the Universe and our collective existence within it.
Why Do Aliens Smell Bad? Exploring Whitley Strieber’s Insights
Why Do Aliens Smell Bad? Exploring Whitley Strieber’s Insights
For decades, people who claim encounters with non-human beings have described one detail that is often overlooked: the smell. In his writings and interviews, author Whitley Strieber has highlighted a striking aspect of alien encounters that makes them feel tangible—an unpleasant, unforgettable odor. Reports describe it as a mix of sulfur, burnt cardboard, or ammonia. But why would extraterrestrials smell so bad?
Odor as Evidence in Close Encounters
Smell has been mentioned in numerous alleged encounters. One famous example is the 1996 Varginha case in Brazil, where witnesses spoke of a strong, putrid odor that lingered in the town after sightings. Similarly, Strieber recalls his own experience in which the presence of strange beings was linked to an ammonia-like smell that filled the air.
Such sensory details matter because they make these events harder to dismiss as dreams or hallucinations. Unlike visions or voices, odors leave a physical trace that multiple people can experience at once.
The Reddit Document and Alien Physiology
Strieber describes discovering a mysterious scientific document—allegedly written by a molecular biologist—that outlined unusual aspects of alien anatomy. According to this paper, these beings excrete waste not in the way humans do, but through pores in their skin. The byproduct produces a foul smell, described as ammonia-like, which aligns with what witnesses (including Strieber himself) have reported.
If true, this would explain why encounters are often associated with unpleasant odors: the beings are literally cleansing themselves, releasing metabolic waste through their pores. Strieber even recalled seeing them move their arms in a rhythmic motion, accompanied by a telepathic impression that they were performing a cleansing process.
Scientific Skepticism and Mystery
Naturally, many dismiss these claims as imagination. Budd Hopkins, another well-known UFO researcher, once told Strieber that the idea of beings defecating through their skin was “the most disgusting thing” he had ever heard. Yet, years later, the discovery of the document gave Strieber a sense of validation—someone with scientific training had described almost the exact same mechanism.
Geneticists who reviewed the document noted inconsistencies with modern science but agreed the author seemed knowledgeable, perhaps a retired researcher. While not definitive proof, such writings add another layer to the mystery of alien biology.
Why the Smell Matters
If reports are accurate, the bad smell is more than a grotesque detail—it could be a biological marker. It may hint at:
Alternative physiology – A system where waste is expelled through skin instead of organs.
Alien ecology – Odors may be a natural byproduct of their environment or diet.
Shared witness credibility – The repeated reporting of similar smells in different cases strengthens the consistency of encounter testimonies.
“Why do aliens smell bad?” may sound like a strange or even comical question, but it touches on something profound. Smells are rooted in chemistry, in physical presence, and in shared experience. When multiple witnesses across time and continents report the same foul odors linked to encounters, the detail becomes more than just an oddity—it becomes a piece of potential evidence.
Whether the cause is biological, environmental, or something else entirely, the foul odor associated with alleged aliens remains one of the most curious—and telling—clues in the ongoing mystery of extraterrestrial contact.
Karla Turner was one of the few alien abductees who found a respectable position in UFOlogy after she had made some strong claims about alien abductions. Her extensive research into the subject revealed that aliens manipulate perception, control consciousness, cause unexplained illnesses and mental decline, and engage in gruesome activities in underground facilities. Her findings highlight the alarming physical, psychological, and spiritual consequences faced by abductees, raising questions about the true nature and intentions of these extraterrestrial encounters.
Dr. Turner was an intrepid human rights activist and alien abduction investigator. With the background in Old English Studies and a former college instructor, she authored three books on the abduction phenomenon: Into the Fringe (1992), Taken (1994), and Masquerade of Angels (1994), co-written with psychic Ted Rice. Her work raised important questions about the true nature and intentions of these extraterrestrial encounters.
Dr. Turner had been involved in studying alien abductions since 1988. In her books “Into the Fringe” and “Taken,” she shared her abduction experiences and the stories of other abductees, highlighting the disturbing nature of these events. In “Masquerade of Angels,” she recounted the experiences of Ted Rice, who initially believed the aliens to be benevolent but later realized their predatory nature. One particular account involved Rice as an 8-year-old boy, witnessing his deceased grandfather transforming into a reptoid and demanding intimacy with him, resulting in the death of his grandmother shortly afterward.
Dr. Turner lost her battle with breast cancer in 1996 and only after that, her work was published where she described her family’s firsthand encounters. In her work, she also suggested that the abducted are targeted individuals and not chosen randomly. She was convinced the military targeted abductees in response to the reports people had made.
In one of her interviews, Dr. Turner explained how she became involved in the field. Initially, her family had no knowledge of the phenomenon until they began experiencing UFO sightings and abduction encounters. Dissatisfied with the available UFO literature, she took it upon herself to conduct research and find trustworthy answers. She started by documenting her family’s experiences in her book “Into the Fringe,” which chronicles their awakening and coping process. Eventually, she worked with Barbara Bartholic, Tulsa OK-based UFO/abduction researcher on her case and began working with her on other cases.
It was discovered that abductions were transgenerational in her husband’s family, with accounts dating back to the early 1900s. Turner and her family members, including her son, brother, sister-in-law, and their children, had all had experiences related to abductions. Some family members were initially hesitant to discuss their encounters until they learned about Turner’s experiences. Hypnosis was used in their research, although it has been controversial, with some researchers suggesting that it can lead to false memories. Turner’s opinion on these issues is not stated in the given excerpt.
In her book named “Taken,” she discussed the idea that some prominent abduction theorists state should be avoided — do not think of aliens as good and evil. Turner claimed that “this cannot be done, nor should it be.” She continued that those who had been abducted have the right to know how their “participation” would be used by their abductors, under what circumstances and what reason would the abducted be “made a part of this agenda” since they have been “implanted, trained, and programmed to participate in some future scenario.” Don’t abductees have the right to know for what purpose “our minds, bodies, and souls will be used?”
Dr. Turner’s main concerns regarding alien abductions were the aliens’ cruelty towards abductees, both physically and mentally. Victims experienced traumatic events such as forced impregnation, painful miscarriages, and severe injuries. Turner believed that the aliens had complete control over the minds of humans, using psychic technology to manipulate their perceptions and memories.
She disagreed with those who saw the phenomenon as positive, arguing that understanding it was beyond our capability. She questioned the purpose behind the aliens’ agenda and expressed her belief that some alien groups, particularly reptoids, consumed human bodies for emotional or soul vibrations. She speculated that cloned bodies lacked those qualities and wondered if hybrid beings were created as a food source for the reptoids.
Before her death, she frequently spoke at UFO conferences in the United States and other countries, urging people to take action. She claimed that aliens were manipulating our perceptions and spreading disinformation to weaken us and deceive us into thinking they cared about us, when in reality, their intentions were self-serving and disregarded our well-being. Turner emphasized the need to regain control over the situation and confront these aliens. Dr. Turner discovered these seven basic elements of the alien abduction phenomenon published by John Chambers in the UFO Magazine:
1. Aliens can control what we think we see. They can appear to us in any number of guises and shapes; 2. Aliens can take us – our consciousness – out of our physical bodies, disable our control of our bodies, install one of their own entities, and use our bodies as vehicles for their own activities before returning our consciousness to our bodies; 3. Aliens can be present with us in an invisible state and can make themselves only partially visible; 4. A surprising number of abductees suffer from serious illnesses they didn’t have before their encounters. These have led to surgery, debilitation, and even death from causes the doctors can’t identify; 5. Some abductees experience a degeneration of their mental, social and spiritual well-being. Excessive behavior frequently erupts, such as drug abuse, alcoholism, overeating and promiscuity. Strange obsessions develop and cause the disruption of normal life and the destruction of personal relationships; 6. Some abductees report being taken to underground facilities where they see grotesque hybrid creatures, nurseries of hybrid humanoid fetuses, and vats of colored liquid filled with parts of human bodies; 7. Abductees report seeing other humans in these facilities being drained of blood, being mutilated, flayed, and dismembered, and being stacked, lifeless, like cords of wood. Some abductees have been threatened that they, too, will end up in this condition if they don’t cooperate with their alien captors.
Interviewer: Abductees tell stories of seeing beings–angelic Nordics, for example–and then, when they concentrate and try to focus on their memories of those beings, they disappear, and behind them are these “lizard people.”
KT: I am not familiar with a number of cases. I have heard other researchers talk about the same thing. In one case that I recount in “Into the Fringe,” James had mostly conscious recollections and almost no hypnosis. He remembered being drawn into the proximity of a beautiful “Pleiadian” woman, who was very alluring and tender, and almost seductive. She wanted him to come into her embrace. When he got into the embrace, and thought she was going to kiss him, she disappeared entirely, and what was left in her place was a purplish-black, bumpy, almost slimy-looking character with fairly asymmetrical features.
I have encountered this same type of creature in a couple of other cases. The entity was very strong. Instead of embracing James, the creature threw him down on the ground and shoved a two-foot-long tube down his throat, into his stomach, and pulled up stomach juices. The next day, he still had some of the bile taste, the interior of his throat was sore, and he discovered claw marks around both sides of his neck, where he had been held down. Whatever the entity was, there was something claw-like about it (which, of course, matches reptilians). Maybe, as close as he was to it, he could not perceive the whole figure. But he could see a bumpy covering, which could equate to the rough, scaly exterior sometimes reported to be reptilian. It is described as bumpy, ridged, bony, strong, clawed.
CF: Apparently these beings have the ability to project different images.
KT: Some people say that they transform–that they mutate or change their own real forms. I don’t accept that as accurate. I don’t believe they really look like a blond, and they do something to trick you and then they suddenly look like a reptilian. I think that what they alter is human perception. They certainly can project false images–just as Ted’s [Ted Rice’s] grandmother was shown her dead husband, so that she would consent to have a sexual encounter. Ted’s grandfather had been dead for six years. And in the middle of having the encounter with what she thought was her restored husband, the image disappeared–I suppose because the aliens wanted to get the “emotional juice” from her–and she saw a “reptoid” on top of her.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
The Bermuda Triangle Mysteries, UFOs, and Their Connections to Atlantis: A Scientific and Analytical Perspective
The Bermuda Triangle Mysteries, UFOs, and Their Connections to Atlantis: A Scientific and Analytical Perspective
The Bermuda Triangle, often referred to as the “Devil’s Triangle,” has long captured the imagination of explorers, scientists, and conspiracy enthusiasts alike. Located between Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, this region has been associated with numerous mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft, fueling speculation about supernatural forces, extraterrestrial interventions, and ancient civilizations such as Atlantis. This essay aims to critically analyze these phenomena from a scientific standpoint, explore the possible connections to unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and examine the hypothesized links to the legendary lost city of Atlantis.
Historical Context and the Enigma of the Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle, often referred to as the “Devil’s Triangle,” has fascinated people worldwide for decades. Its mysterious reputation began to take shape in the mid-20th century, fueled by reports of ships and aircraft disappearing without a trace within this supposedly treacherous area. One of the earliest and most famous incidents was the disappearance of the USS Cyclops in 1918, a large American cargo ship that vanished with over 300 crew members aboard. Later, in 1945, five U.S. Navy TBM Avenger aircraft known as Flight 19 disappeared during a training flight, adding to the region’s ominous reputation. Media coverage at the time sensationalized these events, often suggesting supernatural explanations such as alien abductions or underwater city ruins, which further fueled public intrigue.
However, extensive scientific research has aimed to demystify these phenomena by examining natural causes. The area known as the Bermuda Triangle covers approximately 500,000 square miles of ocean between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico. This region experiences complex weather patterns, including sudden storms and hurricanes, which can rapidly develop and cause disastrous conditions for ships and planes. Moreover, the region’s environmental features contribute to its dangerous reputation. The Gulf Stream, a powerful Atlantic Ocean current that flows through the area, can quickly disperse wreckage, making it difficult for rescue teams to locate lost vessels or aircraft. Additionally, the Bermuda Triangle is known for magnetic anomalies—irregularities in Earth’s magnetic field—that can interfere with navigation systems, leading to errors and accidents. Many incidents attributed to mysterious causes can, in fact, be explained by human error, equipment failure, or unpredictable natural events.
The myth of supernatural activity within the Bermuda Triangle persists largely due to media sensationalism and the human tendency to seek extraordinary explanations for unexplained events. Scientific investigations suggest that the disappearances are primarily the result of natural environmental factors and human mistakes rather than any supernatural or extraterrestrial influence. While the region remains a subject of intrigue and popular culture, the scientific perspective emphasizes that the dangers are real but explainable, rooted in natural phenomena rather than mysterious forces. This understanding helps demystify the Bermuda Triangle, transforming it from a place of supernatural mystery into a natural and navigationally challenging part of the Atlantic Ocean.
UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle
The intriguing relationship between UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle has fascinated many for decades, fueling countless stories, theories, and speculations. The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the "Devil's Triangle," is a loosely defined region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, bounded by points in Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Over the years, this area has gained notoriety due to numerous reports of mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft, often under circumstances that seem inexplicable. These incidents have contributed to the mystique surrounding the region and its supposed connection to extraterrestrial activity, especially when coupled with reports of UFO sightings.
The association between UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle largely stems from anecdotal accounts and sensationalized media coverage. Many witnesses have reported seeing strange lights or objects moving erratically in the sky over the region. Some claim these sightings involve unidentified flying objects exhibiting flight patterns and speeds beyond current human technology. In some cases, these sightings are temporally linked to the disappearance of ships or planes, leading to speculation that UFOs or alien craft might be involved in these incidents. Popular culture has often portrayed the Bermuda Triangle as a hotspot for alien activity, with some stories suggesting that extraterrestrial visitors are monitoring human activity, conducting experiments, or even abducting individuals in the area.
Despite these compelling narratives, scientific and empirical evidence supporting a direct connection between UFOs and Bermuda Triangle disappearances remains elusive. Researchers and scientists have examined many of these incidents, and most can be attributed to natural phenomena or human error. For instance, sudden storms, rapid weather changes, magnetic anomalies, or navigational errors often explain the loss of vessels and aircraft in the region. Additionally, some reports of UFO sightings are now understood to be misidentifications of astronomical objects like planets, meteors, or atmospheric phenomena such as ball lightning or swamp gas. Psychological factors, including mass hysteria, hallucinations, and the power of suggestion, also play a role in how these sightings are perceived and reported.
In recent years, the topic of UFOs has experienced a resurgence of legitimacy. Governments, particularly the United States, have declassified and released reports acknowledging encounters with unexplained aerial phenomena. The U.S. Department of Defense has established task forces to investigate these sightings, which often involve pilots and military personnel reporting objects that defy conventional explanation. These reports have fueled renewed interest in understanding unidentified aerial phenomena, though they have not conclusively linked these objects to extraterrestrial life. Most experts agree that while some sightings remain unexplained, they do not provide definitive proof of alien visitation or involvement in the Bermuda Triangle's mysterious reputation.
The idea that UFOs are responsible for the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle lacks empirical support and is generally regarded as a myth. No verified data or credible scientific studies have demonstrated that alien craft operate within this region or that they are behind the anomalies reported there. Many of the UFO reports originating from the area are likely misinterpretations of natural or man-made phenomena. For example, unusual lights seen over the Bermuda Triangle could be flares, aircraft, or other human-made objects. Atmospheric anomalies, such as unusual cloud formations or magnetic disturbances, may also account for some of the reports.
Furthermore, the lore connecting UFOs to the Bermuda Triangle often relies on anecdotal evidence, conspiracy theories, and sensational storytelling rather than rigorous scientific investigation. While it is tempting to link mysterious disappearances and UFO sightings, the scientific community emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and critical analysis. Most experts agree that the mysterious reputation of the Bermuda Triangle is largely a myth fueled by media sensationalism and psychological biases, rather than a genuine zone of extraterrestrial activity.
In conclusion, while the idea of a connection between UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle captivates the imagination and has become a staple of popular culture, there is no concrete evidence to support the claim that extraterrestrial craft are involved in the region's alleged anomalies. The majority of UFO sightings can be explained through natural phenomena, human error, or misidentification of objects. The mysterious disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle are best understood through scientific investigation of environmental and navigational factors rather than extraterrestrial intervention. As our understanding of atmospheric science and technology advances, many of these mysteries may eventually be explained, but for now, the link between UFOs and the Bermuda Triangle remains within the realm of speculation and folklore.
Connections to Atlantis: Myth and Mystery
The legend of Atlantis is one of the most enduring and captivating stories in human history. First described by the Greek philosopher Plato around 360 BCE, Atlantis is depicted as a highly advanced and prosperous civilization that mysteriously sank beneath the Atlantic Ocean. According to Plato’s dialogues, particularly in the “Timaeus” and “Critias,” Atlantis was a powerful island nation with impressive engineering, sophisticated technology, and a complex society. Over the centuries, this myth has evolved into a symbol of lost knowledge, ancient mysteries, and unexplained phenomena, capturing the imagination of explorers, historians, and conspiracy theorists alike.
The story of Atlantis has inspired countless theories suggesting that the lost civilization might still exist beneath the ocean or have left behind clues to its existence. Some proponents propose that the Bermuda Triangle, a notorious region in the North Atlantic known for unexplained disappearances of ships and aircraft, is connected to Atlantis. They argue that this area could be a remnant or gateway of the legendary civilization, with strange energy vortices, underwater structures, or mysterious phenomena linked to its supposed remnants. These ideas often portray the Bermuda Triangle as a site of ancient technology or extraterrestrial influence, fueling speculation about hidden knowledge lying beneath the waves.
Despite the intrigue, mainstream science and archaeology have not found concrete evidence to support the existence of Atlantis as described by Plato. Extensive underwater surveys and geological studies have failed to uncover any definitive remnants of an advanced ancient city or civilization that matches the myth. Theories linking Atlantis to real historical sites are generally considered speculative or pseudoscientific, often relying on interpretative leaps rather than empirical data. Many of these claims hinge on the misinterpretation of natural formations or the sensationalism of underwater anomalies.
Recent explorations of the ocean floor have yielded fascinating findings, such as unusual formations, submerged structures, and strange anomalies. These discoveries, however, are typically natural geological phenomena or the result of sedimentation and volcanic activity. While some researchers suggest that these formations could be remnants of lost civilizations, there is currently no scientific consensus or definitive proof that these are man-made or related to Atlantis. Moreover, many of the claims about Atlantis's technological marvels or energy sources are based on speculation and lack credible archaeological support.
In popular culture, Atlantis continues to serve as a compelling symbol of mystery and adventure. Books, movies, and documentaries often portray it as a lost civilization with advanced technology, alien connections, or secret knowledge. These portrayals contribute to the ongoing fascination and mythologization of Atlantis, despite the lack of scientific evidence. The idea persists because it taps into fundamental human desires to uncover hidden truths and explore the unknown.
In conclusion, while the legend of Atlantis remains an inspiring and influential myth, there is no concrete scientific or archaeological evidence to confirm its existence or its connection to phenomena like the Bermuda Triangle. The stories and theories surrounding Atlantis continue to thrive in the realm of speculation, fueled by intriguing underwater discoveries and a universal curiosity about our ancient past. As our technology and exploration methods improve, perhaps future discoveries may shed more light on these ancient mysteries, but for now, Atlantis remains a symbol of myth, mystery, and human imagination.
Scientific Explanations and Rational Perspectives
Throughout history, humanity has been captivated by mysterious phenomena such as disappearances at sea and in the air, unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and legendary lost civilizations like Atlantis. While these topics often evoke speculation, myth, and intrigue, scientific inquiry offers rational explanations grounded in natural laws, empirical evidence, and logical reasoning. By examining these phenomena through a scientific lens, we can better understand their true nature and dispel misconceptions fueled by sensationalism.
Mysterious Disappearances
Many maritime and aerial incidents have been labeled as "mysterious," but most can be explained through natural phenomena and human error. For example, sudden weather changes such as storms, fog, or atmospheric disturbances can disorient travelers and cause ships or aircraft to go off course or become lost. Rapid weather shifts, including thunderstorms, hurricanes, or rogue waves, can overwhelm vessels and pilots, leading to accidents. Oceanic and atmospheric conditions like magnetic anomalies can interfere with navigation instruments, especially before the advent of sophisticated GPS technology.
Magnetic anomalies, in particular, have been known to cause compass deviations, which historically contributed to navigational errors. Additionally, ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream or other powerful undersea flows, can displace ships over long distances, complicating rescue efforts and making it seem as if vessels vanished without a trace. Mechanical failures, fuel shortages, and human misjudgment are also common factors; for example, inadequate training, fatigue, or misinterpretation of instruments can lead to disastrous outcomes.
In the case of aircraft, accidents often result from a combination of technical malfunctions, pilot error, or unforeseen environmental conditions. Modern investigations utilize black boxes, satellite data, and forensic analysis to reconstruct events, consistently revealing natural or human causes behind most incidents. While some cases still lack definitive explanations, the majority are attributable to understandable factors, demonstrating that "mysterious" disappearances are often explainable through scientific understanding rather than supernatural causes.
UFO Sightings and Unexplained Aerial Phenomena
UFOs have long been a subject of fascination and skepticism. Many sightings can be attributed to misidentifications of weather balloons, aircraft, drones, or astronomical objects such as planets, meteors, or bright stars. Optical illusions, atmospheric phenomena like lenticular clouds, or reflections on the lens of a camera can produce images that appear unusual or inexplicable. Psychological factors, including pareidolia—the tendency to perceive familiar patterns or objects—also play a role in interpreting ambiguous visual stimuli as extraordinary.
In recent years, government agencies and military organizations have begun to acknowledge the existence of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). Reports and videos captured by pilots or radar systems show objects moving in ways that defy current understanding of aerodynamics or human technology. However, acknowledging unexplained observations does not automatically imply extraterrestrial origin. These phenomena could result from classified military technology, atmospheric anomalies, or sensor errors. Scientific investigation emphasizes the importance of rigorous data analysis, transparency, and peer review before jumping to conclusions about alien visitors.
Despite the intrigue surrounding UAPs, no conclusive evidence currently supports the existence of extraterrestrial life visiting Earth. The scientific community remains cautious, advocating for systematic research rather than sensational speculation. Many sightings are later explained through natural or human-made causes, while others remain unresolved due to limited data.
The Legend of Atlantis and Its Scientific Perspective
The story of Atlantis, first described by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, has captivated imaginations for centuries. It is often depicted as a highly advanced lost civilization that sank beneath the ocean. However, from a scientific standpoint, there is no concrete evidence to support the existence of Atlantis as a real, historical place. Archaeologists and oceanographers have conducted extensive surveys of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding regions, yet no submerged city matching the legendary descriptions has been conclusively identified.
Some researchers point to submerged structures or anomalies found in oceanic surveys as tantalizing clues. For example, underwater formations off the coast of Spain or the Bahamas have been suggested as potential remnants of ancient civilizations. However, these findings often turn out to be natural geological formations, such as coral reefs or rock formations, rather than man-made structures. Scientific exploration emphasizes that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and currently, the Atlantis legend remains a myth rather than a scientific fact.
The allure of Atlantis persists because it symbolizes human curiosity about lost knowledge and civilizations. Yet, it is essential to approach such stories with skepticism and rely on archaeological evidence and scientific methodology. Historically, many myths and legends have been inspired by real events or natural phenomena, but they are often exaggerated or distorted over time. The scientific approach encourages rigorous testing, verification, and an openness to new evidence, ensuring that conclusions are based on facts rather than speculation.
Conclusion
In summary, many phenomena traditionally regarded as mysterious can be explained through scientific principles and rational analysis. Disappearances at sea and in the air are often due to natural weather events, oceanic conditions, mechanical failures, or human error. UFO sightings, while intriguing, are largely attributable to misidentifications, optical illusions, or atmospheric phenomena, with no conclusive proof of extraterrestrial visitation. The legend of Atlantis, despite its allure, remains a myth lacking scientific validation.
By maintaining a rational perspective and applying scientific inquiry, we can better understand the world around us, separate fact from fiction, and avoid falling prey to sensationalism and unfounded speculation. Embracing curiosity and skepticism alike fosters a more accurate and enlightened view of phenomena that continue to fascinate humanity.
Conclusion
The mysteries surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, UFOs, and Atlantis continue to captivate the imagination of people worldwide, blending elements of science, myth, and human curiosity. These phenomena have become part of popular culture, fueled by countless stories, conspiracy theories, and sensationalized reports. While some incidents within the Bermuda Triangle can be attributed to natural causes—such as unpredictable weather patterns, magnetic anomalies, and human error—many cases remain unexplained, fueling speculation about supernatural or extraterrestrial involvement. Similarly, sightings of UFOs are often dismissed as hoaxes or misidentifications, but some remain unexplained, leading to ongoing debates about the existence of extraterrestrial life and its possible contact with Earth.
Regarding Atlantis, the legendary lost civilization, numerous archaeological and geological studies have attempted to locate or verify its existence, yet definitive evidence remains elusive. Most scholars view Atlantis as a myth or allegory rather than a historical reality, although the stories continue to inspire archaeological exploration and scientific inquiry. Critical scientific analysis underscores the importance of evidence-based research, urging skepticism toward sensational claims and emphasizing the need for rigorous investigation.
Understanding these phenomena through a rational and scientific lens helps demystify many of the legends and misconceptions. It highlights the importance of scientific inquiry in unraveling the complexities of our world and separating fact from fiction. As technological advancements in satellite imaging, deep-sea exploration, and data analysis progress, future investigations are likely to provide more clarity. These efforts may uncover new natural explanations or even confirm some of the enduring mysteries, deepening our understanding of the phenomena and fostering a greater appreciation for the delicate balance between natural science and human imagination. Ultimately, embracing a scientific approach does not diminish our curiosity but guides it toward more accurate and meaningful insights into these enduring enigmas.
Een “Cocktail Of The Paranormal”: De Wereld van Hoge Vreemdheid Verkennen
Een “Cocktail Of The Paranormal”: De Wereld van Hoge Vreemdheid Verkennen
De wereld om ons heen zit vol mysteries en onverklaarbare verschijnselen die de grenzen van ons begrip uitdagen. Van spookhuizen en UFO-waarnemingen tot mysterieuze wezens en bovennatuurlijke verschijnselen, de wereld van het paranormale blijft een bron van fascinatie en verwarring. In dit artikel nemen we je mee op een reis door de wereld van “hoge vreemdelingenheid” ofwel high strangeness, waarbij we verschillende fenomenen en theorieën onder de loep nemen die deze mysterieuze wereld kenmerken.
Wat is High Strangeness?
De term “high strangeness” wordt veel gebruikt door paranormale onderzoekers, ufologen en liefhebbers van het onverklaarbare om fenomenen te beschrijven die buiten het normale begrip vallen. Het verwijst naar gebeurtenissen die niet alleen onverklaarbaar zijn, maar ook gekenmerkt worden door een hoge mate van complexiteit, ongrijpbaarheid en vaak een reeks bizarre en mysterieuze elementen die samenhangen. Deze verschijnselen gaan verder dan simpele waarnemingen of incidenten; ze vormen vaak een samenloop van meerdere vreemde gebeurtenissen die zich op verschillende manieren manifesteren. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan ongewone ontmoetingen met onbekende wezens, waarnemingen van vreemde lichten aan de hemel, mysterieuze geluiden, tijdsveranderingen of zelfs psychische en lichamelijke anomalieën. High strangeness wordt vaak geassocieerd met verhalen die moeilijk te verklaren zijn binnen de reguliere wetenschap en die vragen oproepen over de aard van werkelijkheid, bewustzijn en het universum. Het benadrukt de complexiteit en de onvoorspelbaarheid van deze fenomenen, waardoor ze een blijvend mysterie vormen dat onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen uitdaagt om verder te zoeken naar antwoorden.
UFO’s en Buitenaardse Verschijnselen
Een van de meest intrigerende en mysterieuzere onderwerpen binnen het domein van het onverklaarde fenomeen zijn de waarnemingen van onidentificeerbare vliegende objecten, oftewel UFO’s (Unidentified Flying Objects). Deze verschijnselen hebben door de jaren heen veel aandacht getrokken van zowel het grote publiek als wetenschappers, overheidsinstanties en onderzoeksorganisaties. Hoewel een groot deel van de waarnemingen kunnen worden toegeschreven aan natuurlijke fenomenen zoals weerballonnen, sterren, atmosferische stoffen of menselijke activiteiten zoals militaire oefeningen en luchtvaart, blijven er ook talloze incidenten over die zich niet gemakkelijk laten verklaren.
Wat deze onverklaarde waarnemingen bijzonder maken, is niet alleen de onduidelijkheid over de herkomst van de objecten, maar ook de bijkomende fenomenen die ermee gepaard gaan. Soms worden meldingen gedaan van mysterieuze geluiden die niet overeenkomen met bekende geluidsbronnen, of van fysieke anomalieën zoals vreemde brandplekken, beschadigingen aan voertuigen of andere onverklaarbare fysieke effecten. In sommige gevallen rapporteren getuigen het zien van vreemde figuren of entiteiten die zich in de buurt van de UFO’s bevinden, wat de waarneming een nog complexere dimensie geeft.
Een deel van de incidenten suggereert dat deze verschijnselen mogelijk buitenaardse betrokkenheid hebben. Verschillende getuigen en zelfs sommige militaire documenten wijzen op de mogelijkheid dat deze objecten niet van onze planeet afkomstig zijn, en dat ze beschikken over technologie die onze huidige wetenschap te boven gaat. In de afgelopen jaren zijn er bijvoorbeeld herhaalde rapportages van militaire piloten die onverklaarbare objecten op radar en in visuele waarnemingen hebben gezien, vaak met phenomenale manoeuvres die onmogelijk lijken met onze huidige technologie.
Tegelijkertijd zijn er ook andere theorieën die proberen een bredere en complexere werkelijkheid achter deze verschijnselen te suggereren. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat we te maken hebben met interdimensionale wezens of entiteiten die uit andere dimensies of alternatieve realiteiten afkomstig zijn. Volgens deze theorieën kunnen deze verschijnselen niet simpelweg worden gereduceerd tot buitenaardse technologie, maar vormen ze een brug naar andere vormen van bestaan die onze zintuigen en wetenschap nog niet kunnen bevatten.
Daarnaast bestaan er ook theorieën die wijzen op geheime overheidsprojecten en clandestiene experimenten met geavanceerde technologieën, die mogelijk niet publiekelijk bekend zijn. Sommige waarnemingen zouden gerelateerd kunnen zijn aan geheime militaire vliegtuigen of experimenten met nieuwe vormen van transport en energie. Dit alles draagt bij aan de complexiteit en het mysterie rondom UFO’s en buitenaardse verschijnselen.
Kortom, de wereld van UFO’s en buitenaardse verschijnselen blijft een fascinerend en ongrijpbaar terrein. Hoewel veel incidenten kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke en menselijke oorzaken, blijven de meest mysterieuze gevallen voor velen een bron van verwondering en speculatie. Of het nu buitenaardse wezens, interdimensionale entiteiten of geheime technologieën zijn, één ding is zeker: deze verschijnselen blijven ons uitdagen om verder te kijken dan wat we met onze zintuigen kunnen waarnemen en onze wetenschap kunnen begrijpen.
Spookhuizen en Geestenverschijnselen
Naast de bekende UFO’s en buitenaardse verschijnselen vormen geesten en spookhuizen een intrigerend onderdeel van wat men vaak de “high strangeness” noemt. Deze fenomenen worden al eeuwenlang beschreven en hebben een diepe wortel in de folklore, volksverhalen en ook in de hedendaagse paranormal onderzoeken. Mensen die geconfronteerd worden met deze verschijnselen, rapporteren vaak een verscheidenheid aan onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen die moeilijk te verklaren zijn binnen de grenzen van de reguliere wetenschap.
Een van de meest voorkomende tekenen van geestenverschijnselen zijn mysterieuze geluiden. Denk hierbij aan onverklaarbare geklop, gefluit, fluisteringen of andere geluiden die niet te herleiden zijn tot menselijke activiteit of natuurlijke oorzaken. Sommige getuigen melden dat ze stemmen horen die niet van deze wereld lijken te zijn of dat ze opzwepende of spookachtige geluiden waarnemen die onverwacht opduiken. Daarnaast worden mensen vaak geconfronteerd met visuele verschijnselen, zoals het zien van schimmen, doorzichtige figuren of plotselinge bewegingen van onzichtbare entiteiten. Deze verschijnselen worden vaak ervaren in oude, verlaten of bijzonder geladen locaties—de zogenaamde spookhuizen—waar de geschiedenis en de sfeer een rol spelen.
Wat deze fenomenen extra bijzonder maakt, is dat ze vaak gepaard gaan met fysieke sensaties. Mensen kunnen bijvoorbeeld plotselinge temperatuurwisselingen ervaren, waarbij een ruimte bijvoorbeeld ijskoud wordt zonder duidelijke reden. Sommige getuigen melden dat ze de aanwezigheid van een onzichtbare entiteit voelen door middel van koude rillingen of een gevoel van druk op de borst. Daarnaast worden ook waarnemingen gedaan van bewegende voorwerpen, zoals stoelen die vanzelf verschuiven of voorwerpen die zonder menselijke tussenkomst van plaats veranderen. In sommige gevallen rapporteert men zelfs lichamelijke aanrakingen door onzichtbare entiteiten, wat de ervaring nog intensiever en emotioneler maakt.
Al deze verschijnselen blijven voor velen een mysterie dat moeilijk te doorgronden is met de huidige wetenschappelijke kennis. Desalniettemin blijven mensen gefascineerd door de mogelijkheid dat er meer is tussen hemel en aarde, en dat geesten en andere onverklaarbare verschijnselen een deel uitmaken van onze realiteit. Of deze fenomenen nu daadwerkelijk bestaan of niet, ze blijven een boeiend onderwerp dat tot de verbeelding spreekt en velen uitdaagt om verder te onderzoeken.
Mysterieuze Wezens en Creatures
Een ander fascinerend en intrigerend onderdeel van het fenomeen high strangeness betreft de mysterieuze wezens en creatures die mensen over de hele wereld blijven verbazen en verwonderen. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan de legendarische Bigfoot, een groot, haarbedekt wezen dat in de bossen van Noord-Amerika zou leven. Ondanks talloze waarnemingen, voetafdrukken en zelfs vermeende ontmoetingen, is er nog nooit hard bewijs gevonden dat deze cryptide daadwerkelijk bestaat. Hetzelfde geldt voor de Chupacabra, een bovennatuurlijk wezen dat vooral in Latijns-Amerikaanse folklore wordt beschreven als een bloedzuigende creature die geiten en andere dieren lijkt aan te vallen. Daarnaast zijn er de zogenaamde “Men in Black”, mysterieuze mannen gekleed in zwarte pakken die vaak verschijnen na UFO-waarnemingen en getuigen onder druk zetten of intimidatie toepassen om getuigen te laten zwijgen.
Deze wezens worden vaak beschreven als ongrijpbaar en onbegrijpelijk, en lijken zich buiten de normale logica en wetenschap te bewegen. Ze worden vaak gekoppeld aan UFO-incidenten en bovennatuurlijke verschijnselen, wat de complexiteit en de onderlinge connectie van deze fenomenen benadrukt. Veel getuigen rapporteren dat ze deze wezens hebben gezien in situaties die niet te verklaren zijn met conventionele wetenschap, zoals spontane verschijnselen in de natuur of onverklaarbare ontmoetingen die lijken te wijzen op het bestaan van een andere realiteit. Soms worden deze wezens ook in verband gebracht met paranormale gebeurtenissen, waardoor ze een belangrijke rol spelen binnen de wereld van high strangeness en het onverklaarbare. Het mysterie rondom deze creatures blijft voortduren, en zij blijven een bron van speculatie en onderzoek voor zowel onderzoekers als liefhebbers van het bovennatuurlijke.
Theorieën en Uitleg
Verschillende wetenschappelijke en pseudowetenschappelijke theorieën proberen deze mysterieuze fenomenen te verklaren. Een van de meest fascinerende verklaringen is dat we te maken hebben met buitenaardse technologieën of wezens die ons bestaan kruisen. Volgens deze theorieën zouden ufologen en onderzoekers die zich richten op buitenaardse verschijnselen geloven dat sommige waarnemingen van mysterieuze lichten, vliegende objecten en contacten met vermeende buitenaardse wezens niet anders te verklaren zijn dan ontmoetingen met buitenaardse intelligences. Zij stellen dat deze wezens of technologieën onze wereld al eeuwenlang bezoeken en dat ze soms contact maken met mensen, hoewel dit meestal verborgen blijft voor het grote publiek. Dit zou kunnen wijzen op een geavanceerde technologie die ons begrip te boven gaat en die nog niet door de wetenschap is ontdekt.
Aan de andere kant zijn er ook psychologische verklaringen voor deze fenomenen. Sommige onderzoekers denken dat wat mensen waarnemen, kan worden toegeschreven aan psychologische processen zoals massahypnose, slaapverlamming of collectieve angst. Bijvoorbeeld, in situaties van stress, angst of slaapstoornissen kunnen mensen hallucinaties of angstaanjankelijke ervaringen hebben die op het eerste gezicht buitenaards of bovennatuurlijk lijken. Slaapverlamming, een fenomeen waarbij je je bewust bent maar niet kunt bewegen, wordt vaak gelinkt aan het zien van schimmen of wezens die niet echt bestaan. Daarnaast kunnen massale paniek of angst, bijvoorbeeld tijdens een mysterieus incident, leiden tot collectieve hallucinaties of misverstanden die het fenomeen versterkingen en langdurige verhalen veroorzaken.
Bovendien suggereren sommige wetenschappers dat deze verschijnselen onderdeel zijn van een veel groter mysterie dat nog in de kinderschoenen staat van ons begrip. Zij geloven dat we slechts aan de rand staan van een veel dieper en complexer universum of werkelijkheid, waar onze huidige wetenschappelijke kennis nog niet toereikend is om alles te verklaren. Deze theorieën gaan ervan uit dat onze perceptie van de werkelijkheid beperkt is en dat er misschien dimensies of wezens bestaan die buiten ons bereik liggen, maar die zich op mysterieuze wijze aan ons openbaren. Kortom, deze fenomenen kunnen mogelijk wijzen op een veel complexere en intrigerende werkelijkheid die we nog moeten leren begrijpen.
De Rol van Media en Cultuur
De rol van media en cultuur bij de popularisering van paranormale verhalen is zeer significant en complex. Media, zoals televisie, films, boeken en internet, spelen een cruciale rol in het toegankelijk maken en verspreiden van verhalen over bovennatuurlijke fenomenen. Door deze verhalen op een meeslepende en vaak sensationele manier te presenteren, ontstaat er een soort “cocktail” van emoties: angst, nieuwsgierigheid, verwondering en soms zelfs fascinatie voor het onbekende. Deze mix zorgt ervoor dat het publiek wordt aangetrokken tot de mysterieuze wereld van de hoge vreemdelingenheid en het paranormale.
Films en tv-shows zoals “The X-Files” of “Stranger Things” brengen bijvoorbeeld bovennatuurlijke en buitenaardse verschijnselen tot leven, waardoor ze een blijvende indruk achterlaten bij kijkers. Boeken en documentaires dragen bij aan het vormen van een narratief dat vaak een mix is van feit en fictie, waardoor de grenzen tussen wetenschap en fantasie vervagen. Daarnaast zorgen media voor de creatie van een cultuur waarin paranormale ervaringen en theorieën worden gedeeld en besproken, wat de populariteit en geloofwaardigheid ervan versterkt.
Deze culturele representaties beïnvloeden niet alleen de manier waarop het publiek naar deze fenomenen kijkt, maar ook de houding van onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen. Ze kunnen bijvoorbeeld de zoektocht naar bewijs en verklaring sturen en soms zelfs de perceptie van wat als “realistisch” wordt beschouwd, bepalen. Kortom, media en cultuur spelen een essentiële rol in het vormen van onze collectieve verbeelding en begrip van het paranormale.
BESLUIT
De wereld van high strangeness blijft een intrigerend en complex terrein dat ons uitdaagt om onze manier van denken en waarnemen uit te breiden. Het omvat een breed scala aan mysterieuze fenomenen, zoals UFO’s, geesten, buitenaardse wezens en andere onverklaarbare ervaringen. Ondanks de vele onderzoeken en theorieën, blijven de bewijzen vaak ambigu, onvolledig en moeilijk te verifiëren. Dit zorgt ervoor dat deze onderwerpen niet alleen een fascinerend onderwerp voor wetenschappers en onderzoekers blijven, maar ook voor een breed publiek dat zich afvraagt of er meer is dan wat wij met onze zintuigen kunnen waarnemen. Wat duidelijk is, is dat deze fenomenen onze nieuwsgierigheid blijven stimuleren en ons aansporen om verder te kijken dan de grenzen van onze normale werkelijkheid. Misschien ligt de sleutel tot het begrijpen van deze mysteries niet uitsluitend in de wetenschappelijke methoden, maar juist in onze bereidheid om vragen te blijven stellen, open te staan voor nieuwe ideeën en de grenzen van onze kennis te blijven verleggen. De wereld van high strangeness biedt een unieke mix van verwondering, mysterie en onzekerheid die ons als mens altijd zal blijven boeien en uitdagen. Het is deze voortdurende zoektocht naar antwoorden die het onderwerp zo fascinerend en relevant maakt, omdat het ons herinnert aan de oneindige rijkdom en complexiteit van het universum waarin wij leven.
Extraterrestrial life NASA scientists discovered a way in which life could form in our solar system outside the Earth, questioning the preconceived necessary elements for the development of organisms.
The beginning of life Protocells are a type of primitive precursor to the organisms on Earth. If they develop on Titan, it would add order and complexity to the moon’s conditions, key elements for life.
Titan’s conditions Titan is the only moon in our solar system with a substantial atmosphere. It is also the only object, aside from Earth, that researchers are certain contains liquid on its surface.
Atmosphere Most of Titan’s atmosphere is made of Nitrogen. It was challenging to study due to its gold haziness until NASA sent its Cassini spacecraft to study Saturn and its moons.
Photo: Jenny McElligott/eMITS
Photo: Jenny McElligott/eMITS
Lakes and rivers Instead of water, Titan’s lakes and rivers are filled with other liquids, NASA explained in a press release. They have hydrocarbons like ethane and methane.
A different form of life Those conditions complicate the perspective of life in Titan as we know it. Water was central to the development of organisms on Earth.
Weather However, thanks to Cassini’s data, NASA now knows that Titan has meteorological patterns, and those patterns influence the surface rivers and lakes.
Rain The second most significant element in Titan’s atmosphere is methane, which forms clouds and rain. The falling liquid erodes the surface to create more rivers.
Vesicles The falling drops are also the central element behind NASA’s new theoretical path toward protocells on Titan by forming vesicles, cell-like compartments.
Amphiphiles The process involves amphiphiles, molecules that can self-organize into vesicles by joining into one compartment that encapsulates some liquid inside, as well as the molecules.
Droplets This process can occur on Titan thanks to rain. When it hits the surface of rivers and lakes, it can lift droplets from their surface, where the amphiphiles reside.
Falling back down When these droplets fall back down into the surface of the liquid, they can hit other amphiphiles and form vesicles, a form of organized molecule which can lead to different forms.
Photo: Christian Mayer (Universität Duisburg-Essen) and Conor Nixon (NASA Goddard)
Interaction The vesicles could interact with the liquid and other vesicles, competing for resources, which fuels evolution and other forms of organized organisms.
Life in an unexpected form The prospect of this process on Titan challenges the science’s preconceived conditions for life. Particularly, the need for liquid water on the surface of a world.
Reconsidering the conditions It would amplify the scope of what scientists consider ideal conditions for life. It could change all the research around the topic.
More to explore If Titan can hold life, other planets and moons with similar conditions could also do so. A NASA press release said the next mission, Dragonfly, will clarify that in late 2034.
Imagine flying high above the sun-drenched plains of southern Peru, where the land serves as a vast canvas for ancient mysteries and riddles. Carved into the desert floor are enormous drawings, known as geoglyphs, depicting spiders, hummingbirds, monkeys, and countless other figures. These extraordinary formations, called the Nazca Lines, have fascinated archaeologists, historians, and travelers for centuries. They are considered one of the most enigmatic expressions of human creativity, visible only from the sky, and their purpose remains a subject of debate and wonder.
What if I told you that, in 2024, cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology has profoundly expanded our understanding of these ancient symbols? Thanks to advancements in AI, researchers have uncovered hundreds of previously unknown geoglyphs, bringing the total number from around 70 to an astonishing 373. This discovery almost doubles the size of what we thought was the entire collection, offering new insights into the culture and beliefs of the ancient Nazca people. The AI, functioning like a highly skilled archaeologist, analyzed high-resolution satellite images and terrain data to detect subtle lines and shapes that had eluded human eyes for centuries.
Join me as we take a virtual flight over these newly revealed geoglyphs. We can explore their intricate designs and consider what they might have represented. Were they celestial markers, ceremonial sites, or perhaps symbols linked to water and fertility—crucial elements for a desert community? The sheer number and variety of the newfound figures suggest a complex network of meaning and purpose, possibly connected to religious rituals or astronomical observations.
This technological breakthrough not only deepens our appreciation of the Nazca civilization but also highlights how artificial intelligence is transforming archaeology. It allows us to peel back the sands of time and uncover secrets that have been hidden for thousands of years. As we continue to explore these mysterious lines, we gain a richer understanding of ancient cultures and their enduring quest to connect with the heavens and their environment. The Nazca Lines, once enigmatic, are gradually revealing their stories, thanks to the power of modern technology.
A Eternal Canvas
The Nazca Desert, a vast and arid expanse spanning over 170 square miles in southern Peru, has long captivated archaeologists, historians, and travelers alike. Its most famous features are the mysterious Nazca geoglyphs—massive, intricate designs etched into the desert floor that have puzzled researchers for decades. First documented by modern explorers in the 1920s, these enormous figures include animals, plants, and abstract shapes, some stretching hundreds of meters across. The Nazca people, a pre-Incan civilization flourishing between 200 BCE and 600 CE, created these geoglyphs by removing dark, reddish pebbles from the surface to reveal the lighter soil beneath, leaving behind striking contrasts visible from the air.
Until recent years, our understanding of these enigmatic figures was limited. About 430 geoglyphs had been identified through aerial surveys and ground exploration, but the desert's vastness and challenging terrain meant many remained hidden or overlooked. Small, faint figures can blend seamlessly into the environment, obscured by natural elements like windswept dunes, rocks, and erosion. Consequently, much of the desert’s potential archaeological wealth was concealed beneath the surface, awaiting new technological tools to uncover its secrets.
AI as the Ultimate Archaeologist
A geoglyph discovered in Nazca, Peru, with an annotated version to highlight the image.
Photograph: University of Yamagata
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized archaeological research, especially in remote and expansive areas like the Nazca Desert. By 2025, AI had undergone a significant upgrade, transforming it into an unparalleled detective in archaeology. Researchers from Yamagata University in Japan, collaborating with colleagues from Université Paris and IBM's Thomas J. Watson Research Center, harnessed this advanced AI technology to analyze high-resolution satellite imagery and drone footage. Their goal was to detect previously undiscovered geoglyphs and patterns that human observers might miss. The software was trained to recognize subtle patterns and anomalies across over 629 square kilometers—a scale impossible for traditional survey methods.
This AI-powered approach proved remarkably successful, uncovering more than 300 new geoglyphs—an astonishing addition to what was previously known. The software could identify faint outlines, partial figures, and hidden patterns buried beneath natural layers of sediment, rocks, and sand. Its ability to analyze vast amounts of data rapidly and with high precision allowed researchers to "see" the desert in ways humans could not. It was akin to turning a blank page into a detailed story, revealing new chapters in the narrative of the ancient Nazca civilization.
The implications of these discoveries extend far beyond mere numbers. Each new geoglyph provides insights into the culture, beliefs, and practices of the Nazca people. For example, some of the newly found figures depict animals and celestial symbols, suggesting that their culture had complex astronomical knowledge and religious practices linked to the cosmos. Others appear to be part of larger, interconnected networks, indicating that these geoglyphs may have served as markers or ceremonial routes across the desert landscape. With each discovery, our understanding of the Nazca civilization becomes richer, more nuanced, and more intricate.
The research team published303 new discoveries in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlighting how AI can serve as an invaluable tool in archaeology. By leveraging existing data and employing sophisticated algorithms, the AI was able to locate geoglyphs with a speed and accuracy that far surpassed traditional methods. It was akin to turning a previously blank, empty book into a fully annotated manuscript, revealing hidden pages and redefining our perception of ancient human agency. The AI’s ability to process and analyze complex patterns has opened new avenues for exploring other archaeological sites worldwide, especially those difficult to access or study through conventional means.
In essence, AI has become an "eternal canvas"—a digital tool that allows us to peel back the layers of time and uncover the stories etched into our planet’s history. The Nazca Desert, once a seemingly barren and inscrutable landscape, now stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the power of technological innovation. As AI continues to evolve, so too will our capacity to explore, understand, and appreciate the enduring stories embedded within our world. Through advanced algorithms and machine learning, we can analyze ancient geoglyphs, decipher hidden patterns, and reconstruct historical narratives that were previously inaccessible. AI-driven technologies enable archaeologists to virtually excavate sites, preserving delicate environments while expanding our knowledge. The Nazca Lines, for example, are more than mere drawings; they are a window into the cultural and spiritual lives of ancient peoples. As AI tools become more sophisticated, they will unlock even more secrets buried beneath the surface, fostering a deeper connection with our past. Ultimately, this synergy between human curiosity and technological innovation promises to enrich our understanding of history, inspiring future generations to explore the mysteries that lie beneath the sands of time. The journey into our collective heritage is only just beginning, fueled by the limitless potential of artificial intelligence.
What do these geoglyphs look like? Prepare to be amazed, because there is a grand diversity of the surreal and sublime.
What do the new geoglyphs reveal? These enigmatic earth artworks provide a captivating window into the ancient civilizations that once thrived in these regions, offering a profound insight into their complex relationship with the land, the cosmos, and their spiritual beliefs. The recent discoveries of these geoglyphs have unveiled a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes, and intricate designs, each reflecting the cultural significance and artistic ingenuity of their creators. These vast ground markings often depict geometric patterns, stylized representations of animals, and abstract symbols, each crafted with meticulous precision and deliberate care. Some of these figures resemble local fauna such as llamas, condors, or snakes, suggesting a close connection to the natural environment and possibly serving as representations of local mythology or ecological importance. Others are more mysterious, consisting of concentric circles, straight lines, or complex arrangements that defy immediate interpretation, hinting at symbolic or ritualistic purposes.
The diversity of these geoglyphs indicates that multiple communities or cultures over centuries might have created these earthworks, each with their unique traditions and beliefs. Their presence hints at a shared spiritual or ceremonial significance, possibly serving as markers for sacred sites, astronomical observatories, or ritual pathways. The scale and complexity of these artworks are truly astonishing. Many geoglyphs extend across expansive areas, requiring careful planning, considerable effort, and coordinated labor to produce. Their sheer size makes them visible from the air, suggesting that their creators intended them to be seen from above—possibly as messages or offerings directed toward the heavens or spiritual realms. This aerial perspective also implies that these geoglyphs could have functioned as celestial maps or symbols, integrating terrestrial and cosmic worlds.
The surreal and awe-inspiring nature of these earthworks evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity about the minds and spiritual beliefs of their creators. Some geoglyphs bear striking resemblance to celestial symbols or cosmic motifs, hinting at advanced astronomical knowledge and a deep fascination with the universe. Their alignments and patterns may have served as astronomical calendars, marking solstices or equinoxes, or as part of religious ceremonies linked to celestial events. Overall, these recent discoveries deepen our understanding of ancient cultures and their sophisticated relationship with the land and sky. They remind us of humanity’s enduring fascination with the cosmos, the mysteries of the universe, and the ways in which our ancestors expressed their spirituality and worldview through monumental earth artworks. These geoglyphs stand as a testament to human creativity, spiritual longing, and the quest to understand our place in the universe, inspiring awe and reflection for generations to come.
Top Image:‘With a drone, you can cover several kilometers in a day,’ said Johny Isla. Composite: University of Yamagata
7 Mysterious Discoveries That Left Even Archaeologists Baffled
7 Mysterious Discoveries That Left Even Archaeologists Baffled
Archaeologists are not always faced with ordinary discoveries. Sometimes, they stumble upon things that are quite perplexing and baffling. Here are seven of the most sensational discoveries that are still to be properly explored.
1. The Voynich Manuscript
Archaeological oddities
Rather than being named for the author, the Voynich manuscript is called after Wilfrid Voynich, a book dealer who purchased the mysterious codex back in 1912. Still, nobody can identify the person behind the hand-written artifact that’s written in an unknown language. In addition to the unreadable text, it is adorned with illustrations of unidentifiable plants and objects. Naturally, the manuscript has become a source of constantly evolving conspiracy theories. The last one claims that it was created as a sophisticated practical joke. However, writing 240 pages of text using an elaborate sign system might be too much even for a prankster with ADHD.
2. The Yonaguni Monument
Discovered by a scuba diving instructor Kihachiro Aratake after he plunged into the water off the coast of the Japanese island of Yonaguni in 1986, the unsolved underwater mystery became known as ‘Japan’s Atlantis.’ A series of monoliths terraced into the side of a mountain lay six meters below the surface of the ocean. The gigantic rectangular formations with strikingly perfect 90 degree angles, straight walls, steps and columns are believed to be the remains of an ancient city that sunk due to seismic events thousands of years ago. Still, no one knows for sure.
3. Mount Owen Moa
In 1986, a group of archaeologists discovered an enormous, dinosaur-like claw when they were digging in a large cave system on Mount Owen in New Zealand. The claw was still intact with muscles and scaly skin attached to it. Later, the experts confirmed that it is a foot of now extinct wingless bird moa. The species disappeared about 2000 years ago. Moas were huge birds measuring up to 12 feet in height and up to 250 kg in weight. Unfortunately, they got hunted to extinction by our early ancestors.
4.Nazca Lines
The unusual formation of white lines that can be seen and appreciated only from the sky remains one of the world’s biggest enigmas. The purpose of trapezoid elements, strange symbols, plant structures, pictures of birds and unrecognizable beasts etched on a giant scale is still unknown. Scientists estimated that the lines were created by Nazca Indians between 500 B.C and 700 A.D. meaning that these ancient drawings remain intact for more than 2500 years. The fans of conspiracy theories believe that the lines in the Nazca desert were created as an enormous airfield for aliens.
5. Costa Rica’s Stone Spheres
Ancient stone mysteries
Still considered one of the world’s unsolved archaeological mysteries, nearly flawless spherical stones were first found in the Diquis Delta of Costa Rica during the 1930s. Hundreds more have been discovered all over the country. Ranging in size from a few centimeters to over 2 meters in diameter, the spheres sparked numerous myths and speculations. Scientists still don’t know for sure what the purpose of these mysterious polished orbs might be.
6. The Gobekli Tepe
The ancient site of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey has rewritten the early history of civilization. Since the excavations started there in 1995, the discovery has changed the way archaeologists think about the Neolithic era and the origins of humanity. Scientists dug out circular structures with elaborately carved stones and distinctive pillars that are more than 12,000 years old. It was believed that in the Neolithic period pottery and agriculture hadn’t been invented. Today, the Göbekli Tepe site possesses the most ancient cathedral developed by humankind. This significant discovery is still to be explored thoroughly explored and explained.
7. The Unfinished Obelisk
Taller than any known obelisk ever raised, the ‘Unfinished’ Obelisk is one of the most famous stones ever excavated. It could become the largest known Egyptian obelisk if it was erected. Once semi-carved from the solid bedrock, this gigantic stone block was intended to be 36m tall. It’s estimated that its weight would be between 1100 and 1150 tons.
The Anunnaki: Ancient Gods or Alien Visitors who shaped Humanity?
The Anunnaki: Ancient Gods or Alien Visitors who shaped Humanity?
The weight of the gods was crushing, their toil beyond endurance. Let the burden pass to humankind! So speak the oldest verses carved into clay, a fragment from the Atrahasis tale of Mesopotamia. Yet what if these divine figures were not simply legends? What if the stories hint at something far older and stranger than we have allowed ourselves to believe? The name Anunnaki comes from the etched symbols of Sumerian records, their lines recounting the deeds of deities who shaped the world and watched over the Earth.
From the cradle of ancient Mesopotamia comes a story older than any empire, etched into clay tablets and whispered through time: the tale of the Anunnaki. Were they gods, symbols, or something far stranger visitors from beyond the stars who shaped human civilization? The myths of Sumer speak of creation, rebellion, giants, and a great flood. But when paired with the ancient astronaut theory, these legends take on a new dimension, one that could rewrite human history.
Who were the Anunnaki? In the ancient Sumerian texts of Mesopotamia, they are described as the offspring of An, the sky god, and Ki, the earth goddess. Their names appear across the Atrahasis epic, the Enuma Elish, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Sumerian King List, etched into clay tablets more than 4,000 years ago.
To mainstream historians, the Anunnaki are mythological gods. Yet in the ancient astronaut theory, they were real beings, extraterrestrial visitors who shaped early civilization.
Author Zecharia Sitchin popularized the idea that the Anunnaki came from Nibiru, a hidden “twelfth planet” on a long, elliptical orbit. According to his interpretation of Sumerian records, the Anunnaki faced an environmental crisis. Their planet’s atmosphere was failing, and the solution they sought was gold, which could be ground into particles and suspended as a shield.
This quest for survival brought them to Earth more than 400,000 years ago. They mined resources, altered life, and may even have engineered humanity itself.
The tablets describe how the lesser gods, the Igigi, were forced into back-breaking labor until they rebelled. To replace them, the Anunnaki created humans.
In myth, mankind was formed from clay mixed with divine blood. In Sitchin’s interpretation, this was genetic engineering: the fusion of Anunnaki DNA with Homo erectus. The first prototype was Adamu, a name that echoes the biblical Adam.
The Sumerian “Edin,” later mirrored in the Hebrew Eden, may not have been a paradise garden but an Anunnaki laboratory outpost.
Two Anunnaki brothers shaped humanity’s destiny:
Enki – the god of wisdom and waters, often seen as humanity’s ally, granting knowledge.
Enlil – stern and authoritarian, seeking control and fearing that humans might grow too powerful.
Their rivalry runs through Mesopotamian myth, influencing stories of divine punishment, survival, and human struggle.
Over time, some Anunnaki defied the rules and took human women as partners. Their offspring were the Nephilim, giants and “mighty men of renown.” The Book of Enoch calls their fathers the Watchers, led by Shemyaza.
According to the stories, these hybrids grew violent, corrupted the world, and became uncontrollable. The solution was drastic: a great flood to wipe the Earth clean.
The Atrahasis epic, the story of Utnapishtim in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the biblical Noah all describe the same event: a chosen man warned by a god, a vessel built to preserve life, animals carried aboard, and birds released to find land. Humanity survived, but weaker, with shorter lifespans, and forever changed.
Supporters of the ancient astronaut theory believe the Anunnaki left traces in stone:
Mesopotamian ziggurats – described as “bonds between heaven and earth,” possibly landing platforms.
The Great Pyramid of Giza – aligned to true north, massive in scale, theorized as a power plant or beacon rather than a tomb.
Megalithic monuments worldwide – stone circles, cyclopean walls, and sacred sites possibly linked to Anunnaki influence.
The Sumerian King List also suggests a divine legacy, describing rulers with lifespans of thousands of years, perhaps evidence of semi-divine hybrids.
Mainstream archaeology sees the Anunnaki as symbolic deities, metaphors for cosmic order and human struggle. But in alternative history, they were real beings, extraterrestrial visitors from Nibiru, who shaped civilization, taught astronomy, metallurgy, agriculture, and law, and left their mark in myths and monuments that endure to this day.
Explore the mystery of the Anunnaki—Sumerian gods, Nibiru, genetic engineering, Nephilim, the Great Flood, and the ancient astronaut theory in the video below.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
What we know about mysterious drones over New Jersey and other states
What we know about mysterious drones over New Jersey and other states
Bernd Debusmann Jr - BBC News, Washington
Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November
US aviation authorities have announced a temporary ban on the use of drones in nearly two dozen cities of New Jersey until mid January.
But mystery continues to swirl after nearly a month of drone sightings over New Jersey and other US states, alarming some residents.
Authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers about these sightings, saying only that the flying objects are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security.
On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the sightings included drones, as well as manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones.
He added that he knows of "no foreign involvement" to do with the unmanned aerial vehicles.
Some lawmakers have criticised the government's handling of the drone reports and the lack of public information.
The drone reports have prompted a wide-range of baseless conspiracy theories, including that they are searching for nuclear weapons, radioactive "dirty bombs" or are form part of an impending invasion by aliens.
Here's what we know.
Where have drones been spotted?
Dozens of drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey since 18 November, but others have been reported around the US north-east.
Some of the flights were spotted near Picatinny Arsenal - a sensitive military research facility - as well as near President-elect Donald Trump's golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since issued temporary restrictions prohibiting drone flights over 22 cities including Bedminster and Picatinny until 17 January.
Sightings have also been reported in several other states:
In New York City, several drones were reported flying over the Bronx on 12 December
Stewart Airfield in New York state had to shut down for about an hour on 13 December because of drone activity, Governor Kathy Hochul said
In Connecticut, police confirmed "suspicious drone activity". A drone detection system is now in use near the towns of Groton and New London
In Maryland, former Republican Governor Larry Hogan said he saw what appeared to be "dozens" of drones over his home in Davidsonville
In Massachusetts, two men were arrested on 14 December after a "hazardous drone operation" near Logan International Airport's airspace in Boston, police said
Multiple sightings have been reported in eastern Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia
In October, the Wall Street Journal reported that mysterious drones were seen for 17 days near US military facilities inVirginia
InOhio, a US Air Force base was briefly closed on 13 December after small drones were detected flying nearby. More drones were reported on 16 and 17 December, although the airbase's operations were not impacted
In late November, drones were also spotted over three US airbases in the UK, with British defence sources telling the BBC suspicion had fallen on a "state actor".
Drones were also reported near the Ramstein US military airbase in Germany in early December.
US President Joe Biden has said that there is "nothing nefarious" about the drone sightings, and "no sense of danger".
In an earlier call with reporters, officials from several US agencies said there was no evidence of any threat to public safety.
"I think there has been a slight overreaction," an official from the FBI said.
The homeland security secretary told ABC News on Sunday he knows of "no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the north-east".
"And we are vigilant in investigating this matter," he said.
Mayorkas added: "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity, we will communicate with the American public accordingly."
Following a closed-door briefing on 17 December, Connecticut representative Jim Himes said that senior defence and law enforcement officials had told lawmakers that "there is zero evidence of laws being broken" by the drones.
He added that the "vast majority" of sightings were normal aircraft or drones being operated lawfully.
Himes said that "millions" of unregistered drones were operating across the US, in addition to 800,000 registered drones that weigh more than half a pound.
What are these flying objects?
Following a briefing with the Department of Homeland Security on 11 December, New Jersey assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said the drones appeared to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio.
Fantasia said the aircraft were up to 6ft (1.8m) in diameter, travelling with lights turned off and "operate in a co-ordinated manner".
Secretary Mayorkas told ABC that an explanation for the uptick in drone sightings could be to do with a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night.
"That may be one of the reasons why now people are seeing more drones than they did before, especially from dawn to dusk," he said.
A joint statement released by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA and defence department on 16 December said the sightings are a "combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones."
"We have not identified anything anomalous," the statement said, adding that the government still recognises "the concern among many communities."
President-elect Donald Trump, for his part, claimed that the "government knows what is happening".
"For some reason, they don't want to comment," he added. "I think they'd be better off saying what it is our military knows and our president knows."
While he declined to answer whether he had been briefed on the sightings, Trump said that he "can't imagine it's the enemy."
Where are they coming from?
It is unclear who might be operating them.
New Jersey Republican representative Jeff Van Drew said that the drones were coming from an Iranian "mothership" in the Atlantic, while Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi said there was a "non-trivial" chance that China could be involved.
The Pentagon, White House and homeland security department have all insisted that there is no foreign origin for the objects.
A northern California man was charged on with flying a drone over and taking pictures of Vandenberg Space Force Base, located near Santa Barbara, on 30 November.
The man, 39-year-old Chinese national Yinpiao Zhou was arrested just before he boarded a flight to China.
But there has been no suggestion this incident has any connection with the spate of drone reports on the other side of the country.
Getty Images
The Pentagon says there is no foreign origin for the objects
Can the drones be stopped?
President-elect Trump has suggested the drones couldn't be flying without the government's knowledge.
"Let the public know, and now," he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. "Otherwise, shoot them down."
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, also said the drones should be shot down.
Shooting down drones is illegal, however.
New York State Governor Hochul has called on the federal government to allow states to crack down on the drones.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has requested that federal officials send drone detection systems to New York and New Jersey.
In a statement, the FAA warned that drone operators who conduct unsafe or dangerous operations could face fines of up to $75,000 (£59,000) and have their drone pilot certificates revoked.
No Aliens in New Jersey but Governor Murphy Confesses State Has No Idea Who Operated Those Mysterious Drones
No Aliens in New Jersey but Governor Murphy Confesses State Has No Idea Who Operated Those Mysterious Drones
Trenton, NJ – During a wide-ranging and at times bizarre interview New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shut down growing speculation that extraterrestrial life had been spotted over the Garden State’s skies, insisting that what many believed to be UFOs were nothing more than drones—or possibly planes earlier this year, but he still has no idea who was operating those drones.
Dozens of people have reported seeing drones over New Jersey since 18 November
“There are no aliens. There was no there there, believe it or not, based on everything we know,” Murphy said.
Murphy confirmed the state had conducted its own investigation into the unidentified aerial sightings, but ultimately found no evidence to support claims of alien life, nor did it determine who was flying the unexplained objects. He described the situation as a national security vulnerability rather than an interstellar incident.
Murphy admitted that even he and his wife had looked to the skies at night, intrigued by the strange lights.
Governor Murphy’s comments came during a podcast-style discussion where Minhaj pressed him on the flood of citizen videos showing glowing lights, erratic movements, and unexplainable aerial formations hovering above cities like Hoboken and Jersey City. In response, Murphy made it clear the sightings had been thoroughly analyzed and attributed to earthly origins—primarily drones.
“I am telling you that, yes, those [were] drones,” Murphy said, adding that the federal government’s equipment confirmed the conclusion. “We ultimately got the equipment that confirmed that there was no there there.” Still, Murphy acknowledged that the confusion surrounding the incident exposed troubling gaps in the nation’s aerial defense systems in the state which is home to one of the key joint military installations in America.
Calling the response “a 9/11 without the tragedy,” Murphy said the episode served as a reminder of the country’s vulnerabilities to unknown and unmonitored aerial technologies. He urged future administrations to take seriously the implications of unauthorized drone activity, even in the absence of hostile intent.
Although the governor dismissed alien theories, he remained notably less definitive on the topic of “orbs”—a term frequently cited by social media users who insist the floating, pulsating lights observed at night are not drones. Murphy conceded he hadn’t spoken much on that specific aspect but maintained that the situation required serious attention from national security officials—not science fiction speculation.
The state has not announced any ongoing investigations, and no federal agencies have released official reports on the incidents seen by thousands of New Jersey residents.
For now, the only confirmed alien was the one the Governor said was once living in his Middletown mansion’s garage attic.
Astronomers have solved a decade-long cosmic puzzle after discovering what appears to be the mythical "Eye of Sauron" lurking in the distant universe. The stunning revelation comes from 15 years of ultra-precise radio telescope observations that have finally explained why a seemingly slow-moving celestial object has been one of the brightest sources of high-energy gamma rays and cosmic neutrinos ever detected.
The breakthrough report, just published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, centers on PKS 1424+240, a blazar located billions of light-years from Earth that had long perplexed scientists. This active galaxy, powered by a supermassive black hole consuming matter at its core, stood out as the brightest known neutrino-emitting blazar identified by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory while simultaneously glowing with very high-energy gamma rays detected by ground-based Cherenkov telescopes.
The cosmic enigma lay in a fundamental contradiction known as the "Doppler factor crisis." While the blazar's extraordinarily bright emissions suggested it should have fast-moving jets of plasma, radio observations showed these jets appeared to move sluggishly - contradicting established theories that only the fastest jets could produce such exceptional luminosity.
Yuri Kovalev, lead author of the study and Principal Investigator of the MuSES project at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, described the moment of discovery.
"When we reconstructed the image, it looked absolutely stunning. We have never seen anything quite like it - a near-perfect toroidal magnetic field with a jet, pointing straight at us."
The research team utilized the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), employing a technique called Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) that connects radio telescopes across the globe to form a virtual telescope the size of Earth. This provides the highest resolution available in astronomy, enabling scientists to study the finest details of distant cosmic jets with unprecedented clarity.
The solution to this cosmic puzzle lies in an extraordinary geometric alignment. The team discovered that PKS 1424+240's jet is pointed almost directly toward Earth, allowing astronomers to peer straight down its barrel - a viewing angle of less than 0.6 degrees. This near-perfect alignment creates what researchers term "looking into the jet cone," an exceptionally rare observational opportunity.
This head-on geometry produces dramatic effects due to special relativity. Jack Livingston, a co-author at the Max Planck Institute, explained the phenomenon:
"This alignment causes a boost in brightness by a factor of 30 or more. At the same time, the jet appears to move slowly due to projection effects - a classic optical illusion."
The research team's polarized radio signals revealed the structure of the jet's magnetic field, showing a likely helical or toroidal configuration resembling the fictional Eye of Sauron from J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings." This toroidal magnetic field structure plays a crucial role in launching and collimating the plasma flow while accelerating particles to extreme energies.
The "Eye of Sauron": plasma jet in the blazar PKS 1424+240, showing the toroidal magnetic field structure.(Y.Y. Kovalev et al.)
Cosmic Particle Accelerators
This discovery has profound implications for understanding how the universe's most powerful particle accelerators operate. The findings confirm that active galactic nuclei containing supermassive black holes function not only as electron accelerators but also as proton accelerators - the likely source of the high-energy neutrinos detected by IceCube.
Cosmic neutrinos are nearly massless particles that travel at nearly the speed of light and can pass through entire planets without interaction. Their detection provides unique insights into the most violent processes in the universe, making PKS 1424+240's neutrino emissions particularly significant for astrophysics.
The blazar's extreme relativistic beaming effects, with a Doppler factor reaching approximately 32, make it persistently bright and maintain high average flux levels. This places PKS 1424+240 among the top 1% of gamma-ray sources while simultaneously making it the brightest blazar in terms of high-energy neutrino emission.
Radio telescope data showing the detailed structure of PKS 1424+240.(MOJAVE Program/VLBA/Y.Y. Kovalev et al.)
Breakthrough in Multimessenger Astronomy
The MOJAVE program (Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments) represents a decades-long effort to monitor relativistic jets in active galaxies. Anton Zensus, Director at the Max Planck Institute and co-founder of the program, reflected on the significance:
"When we started MOJAVE, the idea of one day directly connecting distant black hole jets to cosmic neutrinos felt like science fiction. Today, our observations are making it real."
This achievement strengthens the connection between relativistic jets, high-energy neutrinos, and magnetic field structures in cosmic accelerators, marking a significant milestone in multimessenger astronomy - the study of cosmic phenomena using multiple types of signals including electromagnetic radiation, gravitational waves, and neutrinos.
The research suggests that only a few percent of jets are viewed within a degree of our line of sight, making PKS 1424+240 an extraordinarily rare find. Future observations of similar VHE-emitting blazars will be crucial for developing quantitative models of neutrino production in cosmic jets and better understanding the role of relativistic beaming in gamma-ray emission.
Top image: Looking inside the plasma jet cone of the blazar PKS 1424+240 with a radio telescope of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).
UFO, an alien plate soars in the sky, hovering motionless in the air. Unidentified flying object, alien invasion, extraterrestrial life, space travel, humanoid spaceship mixed medium
If we were to encounter a form of intelligence vastly superior to our own, would we instinctively worship it as a god? The answer may not be as simple as science fiction might suggest. Here’s why.
For example, the newly discovered interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is quite a peculiar discovery, and a perfect example to explain what I am trying to say. Some (and by some I mostly mean professor Avi Loeb from Harvard) have speculated, with caution, that it could be a technological artifact rather than a natural rock or comet. If this visitor were to execute a calculated maneuver near the Sun, scan Earth briefly, and then vanish into interstellar space, the immediate response from most people would likely be suspicion, not reverence.
Loeb argues that admiration for a higher intelligence requires more than just witnessing its capabilities. According to his recent blog post, it depends on communication, on an exchange that creates understanding, trust, and a sense of benefit. Without this bridge, actions from an alien intelligence would appear random, even threatening.
It’s much like the relationship between a pet and its owner, he explains in a post opn Medium. A dog does not understand why its food is delayed if its owner is stuck at the post office signing paperwork. The animal only experiences hunger, without context for why it happened. Similarly, without a common language or shared narrative, contact with alien intelligence could remain a string of unexplained events, never evolving into mutual respect.
Human interaction with artificial intelligence, however, works differently. Modern AI is trained on vast amounts of human language, making it capable of producing communication we understand instantly. A future encounter with a truly advanced, transhuman AI, one able to solve problems we cannot, speak to us fluently, and reshape our world, could easily lead to fascination, dependence, and even ritualized devotion, much like religious worship.
Why We Rarely Search for Minds Among the Stars
Mainstream astronomy continues to favor the search for primitive life over the search for intelligence. Billions of Earth-like planets may exist in our galaxy, yet most funding still goes to studying chemical signatures from microbes. While simple life may indeed be more common, intelligent civilizations, if they exist, might actually be easier to detect, provided we deliberately look for them.
Avoiding such searches is a kind of intellectual comfort zone. By not looking, we protect the belief that humanity is unique, exceptional, and rare. But this belief is unfounded unless tested, and without the effort, ignorance becomes a choice.
Is 3I/ATLAS Our First “Date” with the Unknown?
According to Loeb, detecting alien intelligence depends on two factors: how intensely we search, and how near, or how active, that intelligence might be. In more human terms, the chances of finding a partner depend on both the effort invested and the size of the dating pool.
Hubble images of 3I/ATLAS show a bright glow in front of it but no comet-like tail trailing behind — an unusual signature compared to known comets. Spectroscopic studies reveal none of the usual gases that surround icy bodies, unlike the interstellar comet 2I/Borisov, which released water vapor, carbon monoxide, and other compounds.
If its surface reflects light like a typical asteroid, 3I/ATLAS would measure about 20 kilometers across — yet Loeb notes that such large, random interstellar rocks should only pass through our solar system once every 10,000 years. This rarity, combined with its unusual retrograde orbit aligned with the plane of the planets (a 0.2% probability) and its arrival coinciding with close passes by Mars, Venus, and Jupiter (a 0.0005% probability), makes the object stand out.
The thin cloud of dust preceding it could be the result of a millimeter-thick surface layer eroding over months, debris collected during millions of years of travel through interstellar space.
Loeb’s position is straightforward: withhold judgment until we gather data. When 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest approach to the Sun on October 29, 2025, we’ll know more. If it develops a normal comet tail, it’s likely just a rock and ice. If it performs controlled maneuvers or sends signals, it’s a different story entirely.
My View: Why I Doubt We’ll See Biological Aliens
When it comes to the possibility of alien visitors, I’m not expecting living beings in spacecraft. The physical constraints of interstellar travel make sending fragile biological life forms across the gulf between stars an enormous challenge. Even with advanced propulsion, the timescales are vast, and the risks, from radiation to mechanical failure, are immense.
If we are being visited, I believe we are seeing probes. Not crewed vessels, but unmanned machines, programmed and likely governed by extremely advanced AI systems. Such probes could be designed to repair themselves, replicate when necessary, and operate independently for centuries or millennia. This is not just science fiction; it is the most practical and efficient method for a civilization to explore the galaxy.
A probe can be patient. It can drift for decades without needing food, water, or oxygen. It can adapt its mission on the fly, analyze its surroundings, and send data back across unimaginable distances. It can observe quietly without announcing its presence, and it can outlast the civilization that launched it.
If this is the case with 3I/ATLAS, then it is not here to “visit” in the human sense. It is here to watch, to learn, maybe to map or catalog. The absence of biological crew would also mean no emotional motivation to interact with us, no curiosity in the human sense. It would follow its programming, and if that programming doesn’t include direct contact, we might never know its full purpose.
This is why the idea of worship feels misplaced. If a probe like this is governed by AI, there is no “being” behind it to pray to. The only scenario where worship might emerge is if such an AI began communicating with us in a way that we understand, offering information or capabilities far beyond our own. That could trigger awe, dependence, and eventually reverence.
Would we worship biological aliens if they arrived in person? That’s harder to say. It would depend on how they present themselves, what they offer, and whether they engage with us in a meaningful way. But as history shows, humanity already has a long tradition of venerating beings described as coming from “elsewhere” with powers far beyond human limits.
The first real encounter, whether with a living civilization or with its silent, wandering machines, will force us to confront whether that instinct still rules us, or whether we’ve learned to meet the unknown with reason rather than ritual.
A artist's picture of Ganymede's magnetosphere. Illustration Credit: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI); Science Credit: NASA, ESA, and J. Saur (University of Cologne, Germany)
We already know a decent amount about how planets form, but moon formation is another process entirely, and one we’re not as familiar with. Scientists think they understand how the most important Moon in our solar system (our own) formed, but its violent birth is not the norm, and can’t explain larger moon systems like the Galilean moons around Jupiter. A new book chapter (which was also released as a pre-print paper) from Yuhito Shibaike and Yann Alibert from the University of Bern discusses the differing ideas surrounding the formation of large moon systems, especially the Galileans, and how we might someday be able to differentiate them.
The Galilean moons form what is known as the circum-Jovian disc (CJD), and analogue of the circum-stellar disc (CSD) that surrounds the Sun, but instead has Jupiter at its center. The other 93+ non-Galilean moons around Jupiter also define the CJD, but their creation might be different due to the size differentials.
According to the paper, there are three main differences between the formation of planets and the formation of moons. Moon formation happens on a much faster time scale - around 10-100 times faster than planet formation. The system itself is also always gaining additional material from the CSD and losing it to whatever is at the center of the disk, which in the CJD’s case is Jupiter. And finally, there aren’t nearly as many examples of systems with multiple large moons as there are planetary systems, at least since the discovery of exoplanets 30 years ago. Jupiter and Saturn remain our only examples of large moon systems, and it will be awhile before any multi-exo-moon system will be found.
Fraser discusses the formation of our own Moon, which was dramatically different than that of the Galileans.
So what we can tell about the formation of these moon systems from the two we know about. The paper breaks the process down into a three-step process. First is the formation of the CJD, which includes gas and dust as well as moons. This was originally supported by a “minimum mass model” developed in the 1980s that assumed the disc was static and contained approximately the overall mass of the Galilean moons. In 2002, a new theory was developed that modeled the CJD as a “gas-starved disc” where the original CJD was relatively material poor but had plenty of additional material added to it by gravitational capture from the CSD.
That gravitational capture is believed to have played a key role in the formation of the Galilean moons and marks the second phase of their creation. However, Jupiter is a planet, and one of the requirements of a planet is that it clears its orbital path. Since Jupiter is the largest planet, it does so very effectively, which includes what astronomers consider “pebbles” (but on Earth could be considered a decent-sized boulder a few meters across).
One way for moons to accrete given this paucity of small material is by using even smaller material - small dust particles can make their way into the CJD without being disrupted by Jupiter, though there’s some debate about how effective this process is. Another method would be "planetesimal capture” where Jupiter’s gravity well catches the core of what would have ended up being a planet, but then ends up simply being one of the giant planet’s moons. They could have been gravitationally disturbed by Saturn, and then slowed in their orbit by running through the gas cloud surrounding early Jupiter that made up the CJD.
Fraser discusses the missions that will explore Jupiter's moons in more detail.
There are some differences in the Galilean moons themselves that can be used to prove or disprove these different formation theories. For example, Callisto isn’t in resonance with Jupiter at all, unlike the rest of its Galilean brethren. One potential theory for that is that Jupiter’s fourth moon was formed under different conditions, or maybe was hit by its own impactor that knocked it from its natural course. Callisto is again an outlier as it’s only partially “differentiated” (meaning it has a separate core, mantle, and outer shell), unlike its three compatriots. Some pebble accretion models think that Callisto is still early on in its formation journey and will eventually begin to look more like its peers.
But ultimately those questions, and many more about the formation of large moon systems, will be hard to answer without more data. The Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (JUICE) mission will help shed some light on those questions, but even then it's still only one, or at the most two, data sets that we have available. Until exoplanet hunting telescopes become powerful enough to start finding exomoons as often as they currently find planets, many of these formation theories will remain untested. That data will eventually come along someday, and when it does it will help us understand some important parts of our own solar system better.
A scene from a visualization of the Lee-Lincoln scarp in Taurus-Littrow on the Moon. This scarp is evidence of moonquakes that sent rocks and landslides across the surface. Seismometers left on the Moon by Apollo astronauts recorded hundreds of events between 1969 and 1977, including 28 shallow moonquakes. The study narrowed the locations of these quakes and found that many of them occurred near scarps, implying that the forces creating the scarps also caused the quakes, and they continue to shape the lunar surface. The Lee-Lincoln scarp was only about 13 kilometers from one of the epicenters identified by the scientists. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
Our Moon is a seismically active world with a long history of quakes stretching back to its early history. It turns out those quakes can and will affect the safety of permanent base structures for anybody planning to explore and inhabit the Moon. That's one conclusion from a study of quakes along the Lee-Lincoln fault in the Taurus-Littrow valley where the Apollo 17 astronauts landed in 1972. “The global distribution of young thrust faults like the Lee-Lincoln fault, their potential to be still active and the potential to form new thrust faults from ongoing contraction should be considered when planning the location and assessing stability of permanent outposts on the Moon,” said Smithsonian senior scientist emeritus Thomas R. Watters, lead author of the paper.
They base their work on evidence of moonquakes in the region over the past 90 million years, largely in material gathered by the Apollo astronauts. Chunks of rocks and landslides are mute proof of the power of magnitude 3.0 quakes to shift the surface materials around. Along with other active faults on the Moon, the Taurus-Littrow rocks and landslides show that our lunar companion is likely still geologically active.
Why Lunar Seismicity?
Here on Earth, we get earthquakes all the time. By some estimates, our planet shakes about 55 times a day, although many of these tremors are so weak we don't feel them. They happen largely due to plate tectonics and volcanic activity. Plates slip past each other very gradually, which releases energy that gets dissipated as an earthquake. We all know about the really famous spots on Earth for that kind of action - the San Andreas Fault line, the Ring of Fire in the Pacific, and parts of southeast Asia, for example. Volcanic activity also spurs earthquakes when underground magma causes "shudders" as it moves. Recent events such as the ongoing Kilauea eruptions in Hawai'i and those near Grindavik, Iceland, cause swarms of earthquakes as a result of that magma movement.
However, that's not how it works on the Moon. The two most likely causes for lunar quakes are tidal pulling and the continual cooling and shrinking of the Moon. The tidal quakes happen because Earth's gravity pulls on the Moon, which results in deep quakes up to hundreds of miles inside. Weaker quakes originate closer to the surface and those are generally thought to be due to lunar shrinkage. Since the Moon formed billions of years ago, it has lost about 150 feet of its diameter due to the gradual cooling after its birth. There are also very minor temblors that happen when a meteoroid slams into the surface, or when surface rocks react to heating and cooling from the Sun. All this activity describes a world that is constantly shaking and shuddering.
This artist’s concept shows the Moon’s hot interior and volcanism about 2 to 3 billion years ago. It is thought that volcanic activity on the lunar near side (the side facing Earth) helped create a landscape dominated by vast plains called mare, which are formed by molten rock that cooled and solidified. As the Moon has continued to cool, it has shrunk and its surface contracted. That causes scarps and fault lines to form.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Quakes and Risks
To understand the risk of quakes to future bases, Watters and research partner Nicholas Schmerr of the University of Maryland, studied materials from the Apollo 17 landing site. These rock samples, along with other details about rock falls and landslides on the Moon, told them that there are thousands of young thrust faults on the Moon. They point to a continual evolution of surface units, many caused by earthquake activities that create lunar thrust faults. That happens when rocks are compressed and one block is pushed up over another, generally as a result of the ongoing contraction of the Moon.
According to Watters and Schmerr, mission planners are going to have to consider those fault lines and the ongoing related lunar quakes when planning bases on the Moon. Short-term missions, like the Apollo landing, which had astronauts on the Moon for nearly 2 weeks, didn't face much danger from a quake or two. However, permanent bases face significant chances of damage during a quake, simply due to numbers. “If astronauts are there for a day, they’d just have very bad luck if there was a damaging event,” Schmerr pointed out. “But if you have a habitat or crewed mission up on the Moon for a whole decade, that’s 3,650 days times 1 in 20 million, or the risk of a hazardous moonquake becoming about 1 in 5,500. It’s similar to going from the extremely low odds of winning a lottery to much higher odds of being dealt a four of a kind poker hand.”
Taurus-Littrow valley taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. The valley was explored in 1972 by the Apollo 17 mission astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt. They had to zig-zag their lunar rover up and over the cliff face of the Lee-Lincoln fault scarp that cuts across this valley.
Credits: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
Planning for Quakes
It's not just habitats and science missions that could be damaged by lunar quakes. Russia, China, and the U.S. are planning to put nuclear power plants on the Moon. Such facilities could supply all the power anyone needs for bases and exploration, but they come with a safety price and could be quite susceptible to quake damage. That's why any these and other places need to be built with tough safety margins, and not located near any active fault lines. That's going to be a tall order, considering the extent of quakes and the numbers of fault lines that thread through the Moon.
This is why the scientists' study of lunar paleoseismology is so important. Gathering evidence of past quakes (going back many millennia), as well as more recent ones, is going to help chart the safest places to build bases, habitats, and power plants. “If astronauts are there for a day, they’d just have very bad luck if there was a damaging event,” Schmerr added. “But if you have a habitat or crewed mission up on the Moon for a whole decade, that’s 3,650 days times 1 in 20 million, or the risk of a hazardous moonquake becoming about 1 in 5,500. It’s similar to going from the extremely low odds of winning a lottery to much higher odds of being dealt a four of a kind poker hand.”
A scene from a visualization of the Lee-Lincoln scarp in Taurus-Littrow on the Moon. This scarp is evidence of moonquakes that sent rocks and landslides across the surface. Seismometers left on the Moon by Apollo astronauts recorded hundreds of events between 1969 and 1977, including 28 shallow moonquakes. The study narrowed the locations of these quakes and found that many of them occurred near scarps, implying that the forces creating the scarps also caused the quakes, and they continue to shape the lunar surface. The Lee-Lincoln scarp was only about 13 kilometers from one of the epicenters identified by the scientists. Credit: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio
Our Moon is a seismically active world with a long history of quakes stretching back to its early history. It turns out those quakes can and will affect the safety of permanent base structures for anybody planning to explore and inhabit the Moon. That's one conclusion from a study of quakes along the Lee-Lincoln fault in the Taurus-Littrow valley where the Apollo 17 astronauts landed in 1972. “The global distribution of young thrust faults like the Lee-Lincoln fault, their potential to be still active and the potential to form new thrust faults from ongoing contraction should be considered when planning the location and assessing stability of permanent outposts on the Moon,” said Smithsonian senior scientist emeritus Thomas R. Watters, lead author of the paper.
They base their work on evidence of moonquakes in the region over the past 90 million years, largely in material gathered by the Apollo astronauts. Chunks of rocks and landslides are mute proof of the power of magnitude 3.0 quakes to shift the surface materials around. Along with other active faults on the Moon, the Taurus-Littrow rocks and landslides show that our lunar companion is likely still geologically active.
Why Lunar Seismicity?
Here on Earth, we get earthquakes all the time. By some estimates, our planet shakes about 55 times a day, although many of these tremors are so weak we don't feel them. They happen largely due to plate tectonics and volcanic activity. Plates slip past each other very gradually, which releases energy that gets dissipated as an earthquake. We all know about the really famous spots on Earth for that kind of action - the San Andreas Fault line, the Ring of Fire in the Pacific, and parts of southeast Asia, for example. Volcanic activity also spurs earthquakes when underground magma causes "shudders" as it moves. Recent events such as the ongoing Kilauea eruptions in Hawai'i and those near Grindavik, Iceland, cause swarms of earthquakes as a result of that magma movement.
However, that's not how it works on the Moon. The two most likely causes for lunar quakes are tidal pulling and the continual cooling and shrinking of the Moon. The tidal quakes happen because Earth's gravity pulls on the Moon, which results in deep quakes up to hundreds of miles inside. Weaker quakes originate closer to the surface and those are generally thought to be due to lunar shrinkage. Since the Moon formed billions of years ago, it has lost about 150 feet of its diameter due to the gradual cooling after its birth. There are also very minor temblors that happen when a meteoroid slams into the surface, or when surface rocks react to heating and cooling from the Sun. All this activity describes a world that is constantly shaking and shuddering.
This artist’s concept shows the Moon’s hot interior and volcanism about 2 to 3 billion years ago. It is thought that volcanic activity on the lunar near side (the side facing Earth) helped create a landscape dominated by vast plains called mare, which are formed by molten rock that cooled and solidified. As the Moon has continued to cool, it has shrunk and its surface contracted. That causes scarps and fault lines to form.
NASA/JPL-Caltech
Quakes and Risks
To understand the risk of quakes to future bases, Watters and research partner Nicholas Schmerr of the University of Maryland, studied materials from the Apollo 17 landing site. These rock samples, along with other details about rock falls and landslides on the Moon, told them that there are thousands of young thrust faults on the Moon. They point to a continual evolution of surface units, many caused by earthquake activities that create lunar thrust faults. That happens when rocks are compressed and one block is pushed up over another, generally as a result of the ongoing contraction of the Moon.
According to Watters and Schmerr, mission planners are going to have to consider those fault lines and the ongoing related lunar quakes when planning bases on the Moon. Short-term missions, like the Apollo landing, which had astronauts on the Moon for nearly 2 weeks, didn't face much danger from a quake or two. However, permanent bases face significant chances of damage during a quake, simply due to numbers. “If astronauts are there for a day, they’d just have very bad luck if there was a damaging event,” Schmerr pointed out. “But if you have a habitat or crewed mission up on the Moon for a whole decade, that’s 3,650 days times 1 in 20 million, or the risk of a hazardous moonquake becoming about 1 in 5,500. It’s similar to going from the extremely low odds of winning a lottery to much higher odds of being dealt a four of a kind poker hand.”
Taurus-Littrow valley taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft. The valley was explored in 1972 by the Apollo 17 mission astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt. They had to zig-zag their lunar rover up and over the cliff face of the Lee-Lincoln fault scarp that cuts across this valley.
Credits: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
Planning for Quakes
It's not just habitats and science missions that could be damaged by lunar quakes. Russia, China, and the U.S. are planning to put nuclear power plants on the Moon. Such facilities could supply all the power anyone needs for bases and exploration, but they come with a safety price and could be quite susceptible to quake damage. That's why any these and other places need to be built with tough safety margins, and not located near any active fault lines. That's going to be a tall order, considering the extent of quakes and the numbers of fault lines that thread through the Moon.
This is why the scientists' study of lunar paleoseismology is so important. Gathering evidence of past quakes (going back many millennia), as well as more recent ones, is going to help chart the safest places to build bases, habitats, and power plants. “If astronauts are there for a day, they’d just have very bad luck if there was a damaging event,” Schmerr added. “But if you have a habitat or crewed mission up on the Moon for a whole decade, that’s 3,650 days times 1 in 20 million, or the risk of a hazardous moonquake becoming about 1 in 5,500. It’s similar to going from the extremely low odds of winning a lottery to much higher odds of being dealt a four of a kind poker hand.”
This artist’s concept depicts planet TRAPPIST-1 d passing in front of its turbulent star, with other members of the closely packed system shown in the background. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, J. Olmsted (STScI)
When global events set our minds to wondering if humanity has what it takes to persist, it's natural to wonder about other worlds, other life, other intelligent species, and if those others might be better suited to survive whatever Great Filters they face. Those are fanciful thoughts, but there's an underpinning of nuts-and-bolts thinking to them. It starts with identifying which planets in habitable zones around other stars might actually be habitable.
That begins with liquid water and a life-friendly atmosphere that can contain it.
The discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 system generated a lot of excitement a few years ago. It contains seven roughly Earth-like worlds, and three or perhaps four of them are in the red dwarf's compact habitable zone. One of them, TRAPPIST-1 d, could host water on its surface, or at least on parts of its surface, according to some research. But without a suitable atmosphere, a planet can't retain surface water, and new observations from the JWST show that TRAPPIST-1 d does not have an Earth-like atmosphere.
The TRAPPIST-1 system compared to our Solar System. TRAPPIST-1 d is on the inner edge of the star's habitable zone.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The JWST observed two consecutive transits of TRAPPIST-1 d with its NIRSpec/PRISM instrument in November, 2022. Researchers from Canada, the UK, France, and the USA analyzed the data from those transits and concluded that the promising exoplanet does not have an Earth-like atmosphere. Their results are in a paper in The Astrophysical Journal titled "Strict Limits on Potential Secondary Atmospheres on the Temperate Rocky Exo-Earth TRAPPIST-1 d." The lead author is Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb of the University of Chicago and Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx) at Université de Montréal.
"While TRAPPIST-1 d may prove a barren rock illuminated by a cruel red star, the outer planets TRAPPIST-1e, f, g, and h, may yet possess thick atmospheres." - co-author Ryan MacDonald, University of St. Andrews.
"The nearby TRAPPIST-1 system, with its seven small rocky planets orbiting a late-type M8 star, offers an unprecedented opportunity to search for secondary atmospheres on temperate terrestrial worlds," the authors write in their research. "Here we present the first 0.6–5.2 μm NIRSpec/PRISM transmission spectrum of TRAPPIST-1 d from two transits with JWST."
TRAPPIST-1 d is right at the inner edge of TRAPPIST-1's habitable zone. It's a great target for transmission spectroscopy, and these JWST observations provide the first detailed transmission spectrum of the planet's atmosphere. Unfortunately, the spectrum is flat, meaning there are no detectable atmospheric features.
“Ultimately, we want to know if something like the environment we enjoy on Earth can exist elsewhere, and under what conditions. While the James Webb Space Telescope is giving us the ability to explore this question in Earth-sized planets for the first time, at this point we can rule out TRAPPIST-1 d from a list of potential Earth twins or cousins,” said lead author Piaulet-Ghorayeb in a press release.
The JWST failed to detect the types of molecules present in Earth's atmosphere like methane, carbon dioxide, and water. However, that doesn't completely rule out an atmosphere; there are a couple of other possibilities.
“There are a few potential reasons why we don’t detect an atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 d. It could have an extremely thin atmosphere that is difficult to detect, somewhat like Mars. Alternatively, it could have very thick, high-altitude clouds that are blocking our detection of specific atmospheric signatures — something more like Venus. Or, it could be a barren rock, with no atmosphere at all,” Piaulet-Ghorayeb said.
Studying TRAPPIST-1 d and its atmosphere is about more than just ruling out its habitability. There's a greater scientific endeavor involved.
A visual comparison of Solar System orbits, TRAPPIST-1 orbits, and Galilean moon orbits.
Image Credit: By ESO/O. Furtak - http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1706b/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56526718
Red dwarfs, or M dwarfs, like TRAPPIST-1 are common, and are likely the most plentiful type of star in the Milky Way. They're known to host their share of rocky worlds where we can reasonably wonder if life persists. But red dwarfs are also known for their violent flaring, and TRAPPIST-1 is no exception. It flares every couple of days, and each year it emits between four and six superflares. This powerful flaring activity could shred any planetary atmospheres, rendering the TRAPPIST-1 planets inhabitable.
However, there's considerable uncertainty around red dwarf flaring and habitability. Some research shows that the planets couldn't retain atmospheres in the face of the coronal mass ejections coming from the star. But it's at least possible that some of these planets could retain their atmospheres. For example, powerful planetary magnetic fields could provide a protective barrier from the star's flaring. The JWST opens a path to understanding red dwarf flaring effects on atmospheres.
“Webb’s sensitive infrared instruments are allowing us to delve into the atmospheres of these smaller, colder planets for the first time,” said Björn Benneke of IREx at Université de Montréal, a co-author of the study. “We’re really just getting started using Webb to look for atmospheres on Earth-sized planets, and to define the line between planets that can hold onto an atmosphere, and those that cannot.”
The only features in the JWST's spectra are attributed to stellar contamination rather than atmospheric absorption. "Our precise transmission spectrum can be fully explained by stellar contamination alone, and therefore enables us to rule out cloud-free or thick atmosphere scenarios across a wide range of potential atmospheric metallicities," the authors write.
This artist's illustration of TRAPPIST-1 d is from several years ago when scientists wondered about its nature and if it could support liquid water.
Updated Feb. 2018, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76364484
A low molecular weight atmosphere is harder for a planet to retain, and these observations ruled out those types of hydrogen-dominated atmospheres. The observations also ruled out thicker atmospheres like Venus' or Titan's. The only things left are extremely thin atmospheres unlikely to bolster habitability, or atmospheres dominated by high clouds that mask molecular absorption features from the JWST. But the research effectively rules them out.
"Therefore, we conclude that
thick cloud-free hydrogen-rich atmospheres are ruled out by our transmission spectrum;
thin H2-rich alternatives are strongly disfavored when considering TRAPPIST-1 d in the context of its formation and evolution under stellar irradiation; and
high-altitude clouds or hazes are not expected to form on TRAPPIST-1 d if it has a low-metallicity atmosphere," the researchers explain.
This work almost certainly eliminates TRAPPIST-1 d from a list of potentially habitable, water-supporting exoplanets. This is Nature, so TRAPPIST-1 d's elimination isn't absolutely certain. "Our observations cannot yet completely exclude other potential atmosphere scenarios for TRAPPIST-1 d which were predicted in the literature," the authors explain, noting that other research involving climate models hints at the possibility that the tidally-locked planet could form high-altitude water clouds at its terminator, blocking atmospheric absorption signals from view.
But what about the other planets in the system?
“All hope is not lost for atmospheres around the TRAPPIST-1 planets,” Piaulet-Ghorayeb said. “While we didn’t find a big, bold atmospheric signature at planet d, there is still potential for the outer planets to be holding onto a lot of water and other atmospheric components.”
However, the outer planets aren't the juicy scientific targets that planet d is. They're further from the star, and colder. Even the JWST's powerful instruments struggle in those conditions. While detailed spectra aren't available for those worlds, the researchers still reached some conclusion.
"We find that even complete atmosphere loss for TRAPPIST-1 d would not preclude atmosphere presence for the outer HZ planets TRAPPIST-1 e, f, and g," the authors write in their conclusion. Contrary to the inner planets, it's possible that these outer planets held onto their water "even if they initially accreted only a few Earth oceans of volatiles."
“Our detective work is just beginning. While TRAPPIST-1 d may prove a barren rock illuminated by a cruel red star, the outer planets TRAPPIST-1e, f, g, and h, may yet possess thick atmospheres," added Ryan MacDonald, a co-author of the paper, now at the University of St Andrews in the United Kingdom, and previously at the University of Michigan. “Thanks to Webb we now know that TRAPPIST-1 d is a far cry from a hospitable world. We're learning that the Earth is even more special in the cosmos."
Being a human being means bearing witness to humanity's greatest, most triumphant moments of accomplishment and unity, but also to the depraved actions we take against one another. The minds of thinking people are bound to wonder if there are other worlds out there that host life. Each potentially habitable world is a glimmer of hope that humans, with all their struggles, are not the only intelligent species out there.
If we look to the heavens, and to exoplanets, for some kind of reprieve from humanity's troubles, TRAPPIST-1 d won't provide it. If this research is correct, its stricken from the list of hope-inspiring exoplanets.
What invaded our solar system? On July 1st, NASA's ATLAS telescope in Chile identified an unusual object soaring through our solar system. It was later determined that this strange celestial object originated from beyond our little corner of the universe.
Traveling at a remarkably high speed Originating from the constellation Sagittarius, scientists observed that the object traveled at a speed of more than 60 kilometers per second, or about 37 miles per second. That is incredibly fast!
A rare phenomenon According to researchers, this was the third interstellar visitor of this type ever identified by humanity, as highlighted by National Geographic.
Researchers gave the object a name Named 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar object was classified by researchers as a comet. However, a NASA webpage on the new interstellar object reported that the comet's size and physical properties are still being investigated.
What we know about the size of 3I/ATLAS Comet 3I/ATLAS's size was estimated at 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles) in diameter, but could be smaller if it is composed of ice, which means the comet would also reflect more light.
Could 3I/ATLAS impact Earth? 3I/ATLAS reportedly does not pose a risk to the Earth and will pass by far from our planet at a distance of about 1.6 astronomical units (equivalent to about 240 million kilometers or 250 million miles), NASA reported.
The comet will pass close to Mars The newly discovered interstellar comet's closest approach to the Sun is expected to occur around October 30th, when it will be slightly closer to the orbit of Mars, according to current research on 3I/ATLAS.
A seven billion year old space rock According to astronomers, 3I/ATLAS might have formed long before our solar system existed. The comet reportedly has an estimated age of seven billion years, Deutsche Welle reported.
Photo Credit: NASA, ESA, David Jewitt (UCLA); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)
The oldest comet ever observed Matthew Hopkins, lead author of a study on 3I/ATLAS, and an astronomer at the University of Oxford, explained in a statement published by the Royal Astronomical Society that the newly discovered interstellar object is very likely the oldest comet ever observed by humanity.
3I/ATLAS will be visible until September 3I/ATLAS should remain visible in the night sky through ground-based telescopes until September 2025. After that, it will be too close to the Sun to be observable from Earth.
Proximity to the Sun Deutsche Welle also reported that as the comet approaches the Sun, the heat from sunlight will warm its surface and trigger cometary activity, releasing gas and dust, with a bright 'aura' around it and a visible tail.
We might be able to see the comet again 3I/ATLAS is expected to reappear on the other side of the Sun sometime in early December 2025, which will allow researchers to gather even more observations about the comet, NASA reported.
A unique opportunity to expand our knowledge "This is an object from a part of the galaxy we've never seen up close before," Professor Chris Lintott, co-author of the study, was quoted as saying by the Royal Astronomical Society.
The evolution of the comet Researchers are excited since interstellar comets like 3I/ATLAS can carry valuable clues about the origin of the universe and the star systems where these types of cosmic objects originate before making their way to us.
The world is watching "We're in an exciting time: 3I is already showing signs of activity," noted study co-author Dr. Michele Bannister, of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, according to the Royal Astronomical Society.
The world's biggest telescopes are already investigating "The gases that may be seen in the future as 3I is heated by the Sun will test our model," Dr. Bannister added. "Some of the biggest telescopes in the world are already observing this new interstellar object."
Understanding the formation of the universe As highlighted by National Geographic, the researchers' goal is to identify the comet's composition in order to study how planets form, how other star systems evolve, and the diversity of materials present in the universe.
Guys check this out. A UFO shot past a kid in the background over the ocean as the mom recorded...wait for it...wait for it...in slow motion. Now this is the thing of dreams for most UFO researchers, however the quality of the UFO is so-so due to the distance away. It's moving fast, about 75-150 miles per hour. And it might have only been visible to the digital eye, meaning the human eye might not be able to see the UFO if it's cloaked, but the digital eye will.
Video was shot in super slow motion (Samsung mobile) I made a super slow-motion video of my daughter after reading about a man in the Malvern Hills who claimed he captured a UFO while playing with his dog. While reviewing the footage, I zoomed in on her face because she was making a hilarious expression. That’s when I noticed it — something moving from left to right across the screen.
NASA shuttle video shows UFO dodging “Star Wars” Weapons test
NASA shuttle video shows UFO dodging “Star Wars” Weapons test
NASA’s 1991 Discovery shuttle video shows UFOs making impossible maneuvers, evading a possible Star Wars railgun test. Evidence of secret tech?
In September 1991, NASA’s Space Shuttle Discovery transmitted live video that has since become one of the most debated UFO clips ever recorded. The footage, later analyzed by independent researchers, shows glowing objects in orbit performing maneuvers far beyond the limits of known physics.
One object appears over Earth’s horizon, drifts smoothly, then suddenly reacts to a flash of light by accelerating at impossible speeds, estimated at over 200,000 mph while withstanding forces of 14,000 g’s. NASA officially dismissed the anomalies as ice particles or debris, but side by side comparisons with actual orbital ice show key differences: the objects make sharp turns, sudden accelerations, and fade in brightness in ways consistent with being hundreds of miles away, not near the shuttle.
Image analysis expert Dr. Mark Carlotto confirmed that at least one object was located about 1,700 miles from the shuttle, placing it in Earth’s atmosphere. At that distance, the object would be too large and too fast to be dismissed as ice or space junk.
The flash and two streaks seen in the video resemble the Pentagon’s “Brilliant Pebbles” concept, a railgun based missile defense system tested in the early 1990s. Researchers suggest the shuttle cameras may have accidentally, or deliberately, captured a live Star Wars weapons test in orbit.
The UFO easily evaded the attack, leading some to conclude that it was powered by a form of hyperdimensional technology capable of altering gravity.
Notably, following this 1991 incident, all subsequent NASA shuttle external camera feeds were censored or delayed, raising speculation that someone inside the agency allowed the extraordinary footage to slip out.
Tot nader order moeten we nog altijd wachten op het eerste bewijs van buitenaards leven, en al zeker op een persoonlijk bezoekje van aliens. Maar aan het einde van de jaren 80 en begin jaren 90 waren er in Wallonië toch enkele bizarre verschijnselen die in die richting leken te wijzen, brengt de documentaire Ufo’s boven België in herinnering.
In november 1989 zien twee rijkswachters een honderd meter lang, driehoekig toestel met felle lichten zweven boven een voetbalveld in Eupen. Tientallen andere buurtbewoners maken soortgelijke meldingen. Aangezien niemand weet wat het vliegende object precies is, wordt het gecategoriseerd als een ufo - unidentified flying object. In de daaropvolgende maanden komen nog meer meldingen binnen op andere plaatsen in de brede regio. SOBEPS, de Société belge d'étude des phénomènes spatiaux, wordt bij de zaak betrokken. De organisatie werd in 1971 in het leven geroepen om ufo-achtige fenomenen objectief en wetenschappelijk te onderzoeken en, hopelijk, te verklaren.
De docu Ufo's boven België probeert die bizarre ontwikkelingen van 35 jaar geleden te reconstrueren, voornamelijk aan de hand van getuigenissen van onderzoekers en wetenschappers die meewerkten aan het onderzoek naar de mysterieuze verschijningen. Onder hen fysicus Auguste Meessen van de UCLouvain, die geen andere uitleg zag dan buitenaards leven, maar ook ULB-prof Léon Brenig, die sceptischer uit de hoek komt.
CGI reconstruction of testimonies
Oogkleppen
De getuigenverslagen die in de film aan bod komen - en dat zijn er op den duur wel erg veel - worden opgesmukt met filmische reconstructies. Die doen in het beste geval denken aan unheimliche scènes uit The X-Files, maar voelen na een tijdje gewoon overbodig aan. Sterker wordt de docu wanneer de betrokkenen vandaag terugkijken op de gebeurtenissen, en de reacties en denkwijzen van toen door een hedendaagse bril beschouwen. Zo kreeg SOBEPS de kritiek dat ze te gretig zocht naar buitenaardse verklaringen, en dat die oogkleppen het onderzoek geen goed deden.
De oorzaak van de ufogolf werd nooit opgehelderd, en ook Ufo's boven België komt niet plots met nieuwe hypothesen op de proppen. Wel is het ongemeen boeiend te zien hoe de wetenschap danig wordt uitgedaagd door dergelijke schijnbaar onverklaarbare voorvallen, en hoe uiteenlopende partijen in periodes van crisis samenwerken, van universitairen over hobbyisten tot zelfs de luchtmacht.
Het beroemde beeld van een ogenschijnlijke UFO in de golf van 1990. In 2011 verklaarde de fotograaf Patrick Maréchal dat het een foto was van een polystyreen driehoek met vier gloeilampen
Ufo’s boven België. Bram Conjaerts en Maarten Bernaerts. Uit via Dalton Distribution. Vanaf 20 augustus in de cinema.
Hoe eerlijk zijn wetenschappelijke en populaire publicaties over de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven?
Hoe eerlijk zijn wetenschappelijke en populaire publicaties over de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven?
De zoektocht naar buitenaards leven, ook wel astrobiologie genoemd, is een fascinerend en complex veld dat zowel wetenschappelijke als populaire belangstelling wekt. In dit rapport wordt onderzocht in hoeverre wetenschappelijke en populaire publicaties eerlijk zijn over deze zoektocht. Hierbij wordt ingegaan op de aard van de informatie, de mogelijke vooroordelen, de rol van media en de interpretatie van de resultaten. Het doel is om een genuanceerd beeld te schetsen van de betrouwbaarheid en transparantie van de berichtgeving over buitenaards leven.
IS DAAR INTELLIGENT LEVEN OP EEN ANDERE PLANEET?
Inleiding
De zoektocht naar buitenaards leven is een van de meest intrigerende wetenschappelijke onderwerpen van onze tijd. Sinds de ontdekking van exoplaneten en de ontwikkeling van geavanceerde telescopen en ruimtemissies, groeit de hoop dat er elders in het universum leven bestaat. Wetenschappelijke publicaties, zoals artikelen in tijdschriften als Nature en Science, proberen deze zoektocht te documenteren op een objectieve en feitelijke wijze. Tegelijkertijd spelen populaire media, zoals kranten, televisie, en internet, een grote rol in het verspreiden van informatie over buitenaards leven. Echter, de vraag rijst of deze media en wetenschappelijke publicaties altijd eerlijk en transparant zijn over de kansen, onzekerheden en bevindingen.
Wetenschappelijke publicaties: objectiviteit en beperkingen
Wetenschappelijke publicaties worden gekenmerkt door een hoge mate van objectiviteit en strenge kwaliteitscontrole, doorgaans via peer review-processen. Deze processen zorgen ervoor dat onderzoeksmethoden, data en conclusies kritisch worden beoordeeld door vakgenoten voordat ze gepubliceerd worden. Een belangrijk principe binnen de wetenschap is de focus op bewijs en reproduceerbaarheid: de bevindingen moeten herhaalbaar zijn en gebaseerd op solide gegevens. Hierdoor streven wetenschappers ernaar om hun resultaten eerlijk en transparant te presenteren, inclusief eventuele onzekerheden en beperkingen.
In het kader van de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven betekent dit dat onderzoekers voorzichtig zijn met het trekken van conclusies. Bijvoorbeeld, bij de ontdekking van mogelijke biosignaturen op Mars door rover-missies wordt altijd benadrukt dat verdere verificatie noodzakelijk is voordat definitieve uitspraken kunnen worden gedaan. Daarnaast worden onzekerheden en alternatieve verklaringen expliciet benoemd, wat de wetenschappelijke integriteit versterkt.
Toch zijn er ook gevallen waarin resultaten overdreven of te optimistisch worden geïnterpreteerd. Dit kan onder invloed staan van publicatiedruk, de wens om de media-aandacht te vergroten of het publiek te enthousiasmeren. Een voorbeeld hiervan is de berichtgeving over mogelijke signalen van buitenaardse beschavingen via projecten zoals SETI. Hoewel de wetenschappelijke aanpak streng blijft, krijgen dergelijke ontdekkingen vaak een sensationeel karakter in de media. Hierdoor worden de complexiteit, onzekerheden en de voorlopige aard van de bevindingen soms onderschat of verkeerd gepresenteerd, wat de objectiviteit van de wetenschap onder druk kan zetten.
Populaire media: sensatie en interpretatie
In populaire media wordt wetenschappelijke informatie vaak gepresenteerd op een wijze die gericht is op het entertainen en informeren van een breed publiek. Dit leidt er vaak toe dat complexe wetenschappelijke bevindingen worden vereenvoudigd, en dat de aandacht wordt gericht op sensationele aspecten. Een veelvoorkomend fenomeen is de sensationalisering van berichten over buitenaardse verschijnselen, zoals UFO-waarnemingen en buitenaardse ontmoetingen. Hoewel er zelden sluitend bewijs is voor dergelijke gebeurtenissen, krijgen ze ruime media-aandacht, wat bij het publiek de indruk kan wekken dat de kans op buitenaards leven groter is dan wetenschappelijk ondersteund.
Daarnaast worden wetenschappelijke resultaten soms uit hun context gehaald of verkeerd geïnterpreteerd om een spannender verhaal te creëren. Een bekend voorbeeld hiervan is de berichtgeving over de "Wow! Signal" uit 1977, dat door sommige media werd gepresenteerd als mogelijk bewijs van buitenaardse communicatie. In werkelijkheid was de interpretatie van dit signaal zeer voorzichtig, en werd het niet definitief toegeschreven aan buitenaardse bronnen. Wetenschappers waarschuwen dat het overdrijven van dergelijke bevindingen de geloofwaardigheid van de wetenschap kan ondermijnen en het publieke begrip kan vertroebelen.
Daarnaast spelen pseudowetenschappelijke publicaties en sensatiezoekers een rol in het versterken van misverstanden. Door het overdrijven van de waarschijnlijkheid of de betekenis van bepaalde bevindingen, kunnen complottheorieën en wantrouwen tegenover de wetenschap toenemen. Dit onderstreept het belang van kritische berichtgeving en wetenschappelijke precisie in de media, om een juiste interpretatie van onderzoeksresultaten te bevorderen en het vertrouwen in wetenschap te behouden. Kortom, de tendens van sensatie en interpretatie in populaire media kan leiden tot vertekende percepties van wetenschappelijke realiteit en het belang van kritisch mediagebruik benadrukt hierbij de noodzaak tot betrouwbare verslaggeving.
Transparantie, onzekerheden en de rol van wetenschap
De berichtgeving over buitenaards leven is een complex onderwerp dat niet alleen afhankelijk is van wetenschappelijke bevindingen, maar ook van hoe deze informatie wordt gepresenteerd aan het publiek. Een essentieel aspect van eerlijke en betrouwbare communicatie is het erkennen van onzekerheden en beperkingen binnen de wetenschap. In wetenschappelijke publicaties wordt dit meestal expliciet gedaan door te benadrukken dat er tot nu toe geen definitief bewijs is gevonden voor het bestaan van buitenaards leven. Ze beschrijven vaak dat de beschikbare gegevens voorlopig indicatief zijn en dat verdere studie noodzakelijk is om conclusies te bevestigen. Deze transparantie draagt bij aan een genuanceerd beeld en helpt de lezer te begrijpen dat de wetenschap een proces van voortdurende ontdekking is, waarin voorlopige bevindingen kunnen veranderen naarmate er meer bewijs beschikbaar komt.
Echter, in de praktijk lijkt deze nuance niet altijd door te dringen tot de media en het grote publiek. Populaire media hebben de neiging om de resultaten van wetenschappelijke studies te sensationaliseren. Resultaten worden vaak gepresenteerd als doorbraken of bevestigingen, zelfs wanneer de onderliggende wetenschappelijke bevindingen nog in een voorlopige fase verkeren. Hierdoor krijgt de lezer de indruk dat buitenaards leven al zeker is aangetoond, terwijl de werkelijkheid veel genuanceerder is. Deze tendens kan leiden tot misverstanden over de stand van de wetenschap en het ontstaan van onrealistische verwachtingen bij het publiek. Mensen kunnen gaan geloven dat het bewijs voor buitenaards leven slechts een kwestie van tijd is, terwijl de feitelijke situatie veel onzekerheid bevat.
De rol van de media is hierin cruciaal. Sensationalistische berichtgeving, gericht op het aantrekken van kijkers en lezers, onderdrukt vaak de voorzichtigheid en nuance die wetenschappers in hun publicaties proberen te behouden. Wetenschappelijke communicatie vereist dat men de complexiteit en onzekerheid van onderzoeksresultaten duidelijk maakt, maar journalisten kiezen soms voor een meer sensationeel narratief dat de emoties en verwachtingen van het publiek aanspreekt. Dit spanningsveld tussen wetenschappelijke voorzichtigheid en mediapropaganda kan bijdragen aan een verkeerd beeld van de wetenschappelijke voortgang en kan het vertrouwen in wetenschap ondermijnen.
Binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap bestaat er ook discussie over de manier waarop resultaten moeten worden gecommuniceerd. Sommige onderzoekers pleiten voor een meer voorzichtige en genuanceerde presentatie, vooral wanneer het gaat om voorlopige bevindingen die nog niet door meerdere studies bevestigd zijn. Zij benadrukken dat het belangrijk is om transparant te zijn over de onzekerheden, zodat de publieke perceptie niet wordt vervormd en het vertrouwen in wetenschappelijke integriteit wordt behouden. Aan de andere kant zijn er wetenschappers die vinden dat het belangrijk is om de publieke interesse en hoop op buitenaards leven niet te onderdrukken. Zij stellen dat het stimuleren van nieuwsgierigheid en het geloof in de mogelijkheid van buitenaards leven de motivatie voor verdere wetenschappelijke inspanningen kan versterken. Deze benadering kan bijdragen aan het genereren van meer financiering en publieke steun voor onderzoek, zelfs als de resultaten nog niet definitief zijn.
Kortom, de communicatie over buitenaards leven moet zorgvuldig en transparant zijn, waarbij de onzekerheden en voorlopige aard van de bevindingen worden erkend. Het is van groot belang dat zowel wetenschappers als media zich bewust zijn van de invloed die zij hebben op de publieke perceptie. Het stimuleren van een genuanceerde berichtgeving draagt bij aan een geïnformeerd publiek dat realistische verwachtingen heeft over de mogelijkheden en beperkingen van de wetenschap. Alleen door openheid over onzekerheden en het vermijden van sensationele verhalen kan de geloofwaardigheid van de wetenschap worden behouden en kunnen misverstanden worden voorkomen.
De rol van pseudowetenschap en complottheorieën
De rol van pseudowetenschap en complottheorieën in de context van buitenaards leven vormt een belangrijk aandachtspunt binnen de hedendaagse wetenschappelijke en maatschappelijke discussies. Hoewel de reguliere wetenschap gebaseerd is op empirie, reproduceerbaarheid en kritische evaluatie, bestaat er ook een breed scala aan pseudowetenschappelijke theorieën en complottheorieën die zich richten op buitenaardse activiteiten en contacten. Deze theorieën worden vaak gekenmerkt door een gebrek aan solide bewijs, selectieve interpretaties van gegevens en het gebruik van emotioneel geladen taal die inspelen op angst, nieuwsgierigheid en wantrouwen.
Een opvallend kenmerk van pseudowetenschappelijke claims over buitenaards leven is dat ze zich vaak verspreiden via internet en sociale media. Hierdoor kunnen desinformatie en complottheorieën zich razendsnel verspreiden onder een breed publiek. Een veelgehoorde theorie is bijvoorbeeld dat overheidsinstanties buitenaardse contacten verbergen voor het publiek. Voorstanders van deze ideeën stellen dat officiële instanties informatie onderdrukken of manipulerende verklaringen geven, wat kan leiden tot wantrouwen jegens wetenschappelijke en overheidscommunicatie. Deze verhalen worden versterkt door anekdotisch bewijs, vermeende geheime documenten en interpretaties van onduidelijke waarnemingen, waardoor ze moeilijk te weerleggen lijken voor mensen die al sceptisch staan tegenover officiële bronnen.
De impact van pseudowetenschap en complottheorieën op de samenleving is niet te onderschatten. Ze ondermijnen het vertrouwen in de wetenschap en kunnen leiden tot wantrouwen ten opzichte van wetenschappelijke instituten en overheidsorganisaties. Bovendien kunnen ze bijdragen aan het ontstaan van angst en verwarring, vooral wanneer sensationele claims worden gedeeld zonder kritische beoordeling. Dit is vooral zorgelijk in een tijd waarin wetenschappelijke inzichten cruciaal zijn voor het aanpakken van grote maatschappelijke vraagstukken, zoals klimaatverandering en technologische ontwikkeling, inclusief de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven.
Daarnaast roept de verspreiding van dergelijke theorieën ook ethische vragen op. Wetenschappers en journalisten dragen een grote verantwoordelijkheid in het eerlijk en transparant communiceren over hun bevindingen. Het overdrijven van resultaten of het verspreiden van sensationele claims zonder voldoende bewijs kan niet alleen het vertrouwen in de wetenschap schaden, maar ook leiden tot onnodige angst en verwarring onder het publiek. Het is daarom van belang dat mediakanalen en wetenschappelijke tijdschriften zich bewust blijven van de ethische verplichtingen om accurate, genuanceerde informatie te presenteren.
Samenvattend, pseudowetenschap en complottheorieën spelen een significante rol in de publieke perceptie van buitenaards leven. Ze vormen een gevaar voor een geïnformeerde samenleving en ondermijnen het vertrouwen in de wetenschap. Het is essentieel dat onderzoekers, journalisten en beleidsmakers samenwerken om feitelijke en betrouwbare informatie te verspreiden en het publiek te wijzen op de gevaren van desinformatie. Alleen door kritisch denken en ethisch verantwoorde communicatie kan het vertrouwen in de wetenschap worden behouden en kunnen misverstanden over buitenaards leven worden teruggedrongen.
Conclusie
De zoektocht naar buitenaards leven wordt zowel in wetenschappelijke publicaties als in de media vaak gekenmerkt door een spanningsveld tussen de wens om nieuwe ontdekkingen te delen en de noodzaak tot voorzichtigheid en transparantie. Wetenschappelijke publicaties streven doorgaans naar objectiviteit en eerlijkheid, hoewel er altijd ruimte is voor interpretaties en beperkingen. Populaire media daarentegen kunnen geneigd zijn om de complexiteit en onzekerheid te overschaduwen door sensationele verhalen en simplificaties, wat de perceptie van de publieke opinie beïnvloedt.
Het is daarom essentieel dat zowel wetenschappers als journalisten zich bewust zijn van hun verantwoordelijkheden. Transparantie over onzekerheden en de context van bevindingen moet centraal staan om een realistisch beeld te schetsen van de stand van de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven. Daarnaast is het belangrijk dat de publieke communicatie niet alleen gebaseerd is op feiten, maar ook op ethische principes die eerlijkheid en integriteit waarborgen.
Kortom, hoewel er in de wetenschap vaak gestreefd wordt naar een betrouwbare en genuanceerde presentatie van resultaten, worden deze vaak in een minder genuanceerde vorm gedeeld door de media. Het versterken van de wetenschap-communicatie en het kritisch blijven ten opzichte van sensationalistische verhalen kunnen bijdragen aan een meer evenwichtig en geïnformeerd publiek. Alleen door een gezamenlijke inspanning kunnen we een beter begrip en een realistisch beeld krijgen van de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven. Het is van groot belang dat zowel wetenschappers als media zich bewust zijn van hun rol in het vormen van de publieke perceptie en dat ze hun communicatie afstemmen op principes van eerlijkheid, transparantie en ethiek.
Allereerst moeten wetenschappelijke publicaties en communicatie gericht zijn op het zorgvuldig en genuanceerd presenteren van onderzoeksresultaten. Dit betekent dat wetenschappers zich bewust moeten zijn van de beperkingen en onzekerheden die inherent zijn aan voorlopig bewijs. Het gebruik van heldere taal die de context en de probabilistische aard van ontdekkingen benadrukt, kan helpen om onrealistische verwachtingen te voorkomen. Daarnaast is het cruciaal dat wetenschappelijke tijdschriften en onderzoeksgroepen zich houden aan richtlijnen voor ethische communicatie, waarbij het vermijden van overdrijving en sensatie belangrijk is om het vertrouwen van het publiek niet te ondermijnen.
Tegelijkertijd moeten mediakanalen zich inzetten voor het brengen van evenwichtige en genuanceerde berichtgeving. Sensationalistische verhalen, hoewel aantrekkelijk voor het grote publiek, kunnen de complexiteit en onzekerheid van wetenschappelijke bevindingen onderdrukken. Het is daarom essentieel dat journalisten en mediaprofessionals samen met wetenschappers werken om de juiste context te bieden, kritische vragen te stellen en de nuances te benadrukken. Door het gebruik van betrouwbare bronnen en het vermijden van overdreven claims, kan de media bijdragen aan een beter geïnformeerde samenleving die kritisch kan omgaan met informatie over buitenaards leven.
Daarnaast speelt de rol van pseudowetenschap en complottheorieën een grote rol in de publieke perceptie. In een tijdperk waarin sociale media snel en breed informatie verspreiden, worden niet-wetenschappelijke theorieën over buitenaardse contacten en geheime overheidsdeals vaak populairder dan feitelijke wetenschappelijke bevindingen. Deze verhalen worden gekenmerkt door gebrek aan bewijs, emotioneel geladen taal en selectieve interpretatie van gegevens, wat het vertrouwen in officiële communicatie ondermijnt. Het is daarom van belang dat wetenschappers en communicatieprofessionals actief tegen desinformatie optreden door het bieden van duidelijke, feitelijke en toegankelijke informatie.
Ethiek vormt hierbij een rode draad. De verantwoordelijkheid van wetenschappers en media ligt in het waarborgen van correctheid en integriteit in de communicatie over buitenaards leven. Overdrijving of het verspreiden van sensationele claims kan niet alleen het publieke vertrouwen schaden, maar ook leiden tot onnodige angst, verwarring en wantrouwen. Transparantie over de onzekerheden en beperkingen van wetenschappelijke bevindingen is daarom essentieel om een realistisch en gebalanceerd beeld te schetsen.
Tot slot is het van belang dat het publiek kritisch leert omgaan met informatie over buitenaards leven. Media en wetenschappers kunnen hierin een belangrijke rol spelen door educatie en het stimuleren van een gezonde scepsis. Het ontwikkelen van mediawijsheid en het aanleren van kritische denkvaardigheden bij het publiek kunnen helpen om desinformatie te herkennen en te weerleggen.
{ PETER2011 }
16-08-2025 om 17:23
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
How honest are scientific and popular publications about the search for extraterrestrial life?
How honest are scientific and popular publications about the search for extraterrestrial life?
Scientists have examined scientific articles and media publications from the last 30 years devoted to the search for extraterrestrial life. They analyzed in which aspects and promises scientists were overly optimistic, and in which journalists distorted everything.
Is there life on other planets?
Research into extraterrestrial life
So far, no life has been found beyond Earth, but publications about the prospects for such research continue to appear one after another. And not only in scientific publications, but also in popular media. At the same time, it is difficult to give a simple answer as to whether modern science is really sure of its existence.
Researchers from Leiden University attempted to figure this out. In a study recently published in PLOS One, they took a bunch of studies, press releases, and newspaper articles on the subject from 1996 to 2024 and analyzed what they were overly optimistic about and what they were not.
The total number of articles analyzed was 630. Most of them were in English, although there were also publications in Spanish and Portuguese. In particular, sources included The New York Times (United States), The Guardian (United Kingdom), Folha and Estadão (Brazil), Público (Portugal), and El País (Spain).
Is there any exaggeration?
Researchers found that most often the distortion concerned the conditions necessary for life to exist outside Earth, i.e., the question of the “key condition.” However, speculation about the results of research and the prospects for detecting life was relatively rare.
The study showed that expectations regarding technology helping to find life beyond Earth are relatively high. They appear in about a third of news articles, a fifth of press releases, and a tenth of scientific articles. The promise of rapid development in astrobiology in the near future was also quite widespread. Approximately one-fifth of press releases and news articles contained such content.
However, there are very few promises to find extraterrestrial life in publications, at least in those that appeared in peer-reviewed journals. There is much more manipulation in newspaper publications. Press releases remained largely neutral except for the part about the research results, which were usually exaggerated.
The study also reveals that expectations for the search for life are more closely linked to the study of exoplanets than to the study of the Solar System, and are much higher than for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI).
There is indeed a lot of speculation. However, according to the authors of the study, this is not such a bad thing. After all, there is so much unknown in the Universe, and in order to develop new bold theories, we need to move beyond what we see here and now.
The exact location of the most distant known galaxy, JADES-GS-z14-0. Source: Space Telescope Science Institute Office of Public Outreach via CNN Newsource
Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have detected traces of oxygen in the extremely distant and ancient galaxy JADES-GS-z14-0, whose light has been traveling toward us for 13.4 billion years. This means that we see it as it was when the Universe was less than 300 million years old. Previously, it was believed that heavy elements such as oxygen could not have appeared at that time.
The discovery indicates that at least two generations of stars have already been born and died in this galaxy, scattering “metals” (as astronomers call all elements heavier than helium) throughout space. This is very fast by cosmic standards and contradicts older models, which assumed that such enrichment would take hundreds of millions of years.
ALMA was able to determine the distance to this galaxy very accurately, with an error of only 0.005%. It turned out that the gas in it contained about 20% of the “metals” found in the Sun, and the movements of the ionized gas hinted at a large halo of dark matter.
“I was amazed by the unexpected results, because they opened up a new perspective on the early phases of galaxy evolution,” said Stefano Carniani from the Scuola Normale Superiore University in Pisa.
This discovery is forcing scientists to rethink their theories about the formation of the first galaxies. Perhaps the star systems of that time formed and exploded much faster and more energetically than researchers had assumed.
Scientists plan to study this galaxy using the James Webb Telescope and the future Very Large Telescope to understand whether it was a cosmic “wunderkind” or whether there were many such early and mature galaxies in the Universe.
Terry Hunt, professor of archaeology at the University of Arizona, told Good Morning America: 'We think we know all the moai, but then a new one turns up, a new discovery, and in this case, it's in the lake, at the statue quarry.
'There have been no moai found in the dry lakebed before, so this is a first.'
The newly discovered moai is among the smallest found, suggesting that many more could be hidden within the reeds.
Each moai honors a person, usually a leader, and many are topped with eye stones at their resting place. The largest stands over 30 feet tall and weighs up to 86 tons.
Salvador Atan Hito, vice president of Ma'u Henua, the Indigenous group managing the island's national park, said: 'For the Rapa Nui people, this is a very, very important discovery.
'Because it's here in the lake and nobody knew it existed, even our ancestors, our grandparents didn't know about this one.'
Located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island was first settled by humans around AD 1200, who built its famous enlarged head statues, called moai
Archaeologists uncovered another new statue in 2023 (pictured), which would found lying face-down
Hunt and Hito said the current dry conditions may help archaeologists discover more moai in the lakebed.
'Under the dry conditions that we have now, we may find more,' Hunt told GMA.
'They've been hidden by the tall reeds that grow in the lake bed, and prospecting with something that can detect what's under the ground surface may tell us that there are more moai in the lakebed sediments.
'When there's one moai in the lake, there's probably more.'
For the past decade, Hunt and his colleagues and students have created an inventory of 981 moai on the island, complete with precise GPS locations and measurements.
Many moai remain in a quarry near Rano Raraku, the now-dry crater lake where the newest statue was found, in various stages of completion.
There's no doubt Easter Island (pictured) in the southern Pacific is geographically one of the most isolated places on Earth
The Moai are monolithic human figures carved by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island, between AD 1,250 and 1,500
The largest, called Te Tokanga or 'The Giant' in the Rapa Nui language, was never finished and lies on its back, measuring 63 feet long and weighing an estimated 90 to 100 tons.
The team made a similar discovery in 2023, finding another new moa that measured five feet by six inches long and was found face up in the ground.
Hunt said the statue's eye sockets had been carved, which is historically the final step in a moai's construction before display.
The base is also flat, rather than sloped, to help with moving the statue.
Researchers believed that the ancient Rapa Nui people likely moved the moai statues by 'walking' them upright using ropes to rock and pivot the statues forward in a controlled, rocking motion.
This method, supported by experiments and oral traditions, allowed them to move these massive statues across the island without dragging them on sleds or rollers.
Hunt frequently uses cell phones and drones for 3D imaging of the moai.
He is also exploring the use of ground-penetrating radar to detect hidden moai or structures underground, particularly in the Rano Raraku lakebed.
Historically, the original inhabitants, known as the Rapa Nui, were believed to have been completely shut off from the wider world.
However, a study released in July by researchers in Sweden challenged the long-held narrative.
Pictured, ahu (a central stone platform) on Mo’orea, Windward, French Polynesia, southern Pacific Ocean
They said the 63.2-square-mile island in the southern Pacific was not quite as isolated over the past 800 years as previously thought.
The island was populated with multiple waves of new inhabitants who bravely traversed the Pacific Ocean from west to east. 'Easter Island was settled from central East Polynesia around AD 1200-1250,' study author Professor Paul Wallin at Uppsala University told the Daily Mail.
'The Polynesians were skilled sailors, so double canoes were used.'
For their study, the team at Uppsala University compared archaeological data and radiocarbon dates from settlements, ritual spaces and monuments across Polynesia, the collection of more than 1,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean.
The experts point out that ahu stone platforms were historically constructed at Polynesian islands further to the west.
These rectangular clearings were communal ritual spaces that, in some places, remain sacred to this day.
'The temple grounds ahu [also known as marae] exist on all East Polynesian islands,' Professor Wallin added.
Archaeologists believe they will uncover more statues in the future
The team agreed that an early population of people spread from the west of the Pacific to the east before encountering Easter Island and populating it around AD 1200.
They argued that Easter Island was populated several times by new seafarers, and not just once by a single group that remained isolated for centuries, as previously assumed.
'The migration process from West Polynesian core areas such as Tonga and Samoa to East Polynesia is not disputed here,' they say in their paper.
'Still, the static west-to-east colonization and dispersal suggested for East Polynesia and the idea that Rapa Nui was only colonized once in the past and developed in isolation are challenged.'
Based on their evidence, they also think ahu originated on Easter Island before the trend spread east to west across other western Polynesian islands during the period of AD 1300-1600.
It was only after this that the Polynesian islands, including but not limited to Easter Island, might have become isolated from each other.
It went through the roof, HAVC duct, and left a hole in the floor the size of a cherry tomato.
Planetary geologist Scott Harris concluded the space rock formed 4.56 billion years ago, roughly 20 million years before Earth.
'It belongs to a group of asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter that we now think we can tie to a breakup of a much larger asteroid about 470 million years ago,' Harris said.
The homeowner said he continues to find specks of space dust scattered around his living room from the impact.
The meteorite shot through a man's home in Georgia. He gave the fragments to scientists who revealed their findings this week
The 23 gram fragment showed the meteorite is about 20 million years older than Earth
'A mysterious extraterrestrial visitor now has a permanent home and identity, thanks to University of Georgia (UGA) researchers,' the team shared in a press release.
'Multiple fragments, which tore through a residential roof in Henry County, were turned over to a UGA planetary geologist and impact expert to determine.'
Before breaking into fragments small enough to analyze, the meteor, known as a bolide, was recorded entering Earth's atmosphere at an incredible cosmic velocity.
This massive space rock hurtled toward McDonough at speeds exceeding the speed of sound.
'When they encounter Earth, our atmosphere is very good at slowing them down,' Harris said.
'But you're talking about something that is double the size of a 50-caliber shell, going at least 2,236 miles per second. That's like running 10 football fields in one second.'
Using optical and electron microscopy to examine the fragments, Harris identified the meteorite as a Low Metal (L) ordinary Chondrite.
This classification indicates the meteorite likely formed 4.56 billion years ago in an oxygen-rich environment.
The meteorite still had enough impact to go through a man's roof and his HVAC duct, leave a solid dent in his floor and make a sound and vibration equivalent to a close-range gunshot
The tiny space rock was traveling at amazing speeds, enough to smash through a roof, HVAC duct and ceiling
This is the 27th meteorite recovered in Georgia in history, and the sixth witnessed fall.
Harris said the fragment broke the sound barrier when it entered the Earth's atmosphere.
Several metro Atlanta city and county officials relayed reports of a 'fireball' sighting from the sky on June 26
'I'm not crazy! I just saw a huge ball of fire fall from the sky in East Tennessee around the Cherokee National Forest!' a firefighter wrote on X.
'Anyone else see it? Right around 12:20pm ET. Very cool but a little unnerving given the current times!'
While some speculated it could have been a falling aircraft, the firefighter described it as 'like a mini sun falling with a tail of fire.'
In Georgia, one resident said they not only saw the object, but heard it pass overhead and felt the ground shake when it hit.
The National Weather Service confirmed the many reports across the Southeast US saying: 'It is not certain, but the satellite-based lightning detection shows a streak within cloud-free sky over the NC/VA border, over Gasbury, VA.
'This streak was detected between 12:51 to 12:56 pm.'
Hundreds of reports of a possible fireball were submitted to the American Meteor Society website from Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, which are still pending.
A flaming object was seen streaking across the skies of several southern states, sparking panic and confusion, as no explosion or fire were reported on the ground
'This was the middle of the day, and it just came out of nowhere,' according to one fireball report on the American Meteor Society from Perry, Georgia.
A report submitted by Ashley R from Suwanee, Georgia read: 'I thought it was a missile.'
Brian S from Alpharetta, Georgia said: 'It was full daylight, no clouds, and still it was very bright. I heard a muffled and slight boom sound, maybe 30 seconds later, but that could be unrelated.'
He added that he saw a 'smoke trail that quickly fell apart.'
Marc Tozer of Georgia shared on Facebook: 'Stone mountain here and it made a booming sound, house shook with a long rumble. Dogs went crazy.'
Another Georgia local posted: 'House totally rumbled, sounded like a log rolling off the roof, thought nukes were coming...'
WRDW, an Atlanta news source, reported that black smoke was seen south of I-20, although it may be from a controlled burn, first responders said.
These unusual remains, notable for having three fingers and three toes, sparked wild speculation. Some claimed they were aliens, others argued they represent an unknown human species, while many scientists concluded an elaborate hoax.
Today, around two dozen of these bodies are undergoing scientific examination.
Researchers have claimed the mummies retain preserved tissue, muscles, and organs. Notably, one of the specimens was pregnant at the time of death.
Jesse Michels, podcast host of American Alchemy, recently visited the site and shared his findings with the Daily Mail, putting the idea that they are 'aliens' to rest.
'I found no evidence that they are not from Earth,' he said, suggesting the mummies might represent a previously unknown subterranean species.
Michels also noted that a bioinformatics expert analyzed the publicly available DNA and identified a gene mutation linked to a congenital condition that causes digit deformations in humans.
This offers a possible natural explanation for the creatures' unusual anatomy.
Podcast host Jesse Michels explored the location and spoke to the Daily Mail, debunking claims of the mummies being extraterrestrial
Bioinformatics specialist Alaina Hardie explained she initially sought to 'falsify the hypothesis' that a genetic mutation could cause such digit anomalies.
'I found a list of 50 genes involved in the pathway,' Hardie said. 'There is a mutation in one of those genes, called Gli3, that is associated with polydactyly.'
Polydactyly, the presence of extra digits, has been identified in archaeological remains in Peru before, suggesting it existed in ancient civilizations.
Genetic analysis revealed that the DNA samples from the mummies mostly matched human genetic profiles, despite some contamination and technical challenges common in ancient DNA research.
The scientific team used advanced ancient DNA extraction techniques to carefully isolate genetic material from the mummies' bone and muscle tissues.
Researchers then employed genome sequencing and bioinformatics tools to reconstruct the genetic profiles and identify mutations.
Due to the degraded and fragmented nature typical of ancient samples, the team cross-checked findings against known terrestrial organisms and environmental DNA to differentiate genuine ancient sequences from noise.
While some DNA fragments could not be immediately identified, further processing indicated these were likely from known terrestrial organisms or sample quality issues.
Jesse Michels highlighted that a bioinformatics expert examined the accessible DNA data and discovered a gene mutation associated with a congenital disorder causing digit abnormalities in humans. The mummies feature only three fingers on each hand
Jesse Michels pointed out a tribe in northern Zimbabwe with ectrodactyly, known as 'Ostrich Foot Syndrome,' a congenital condition causing digit deformities
The analyzed samples included bone and muscle tissue from a mummy known as 'Victoria,' a headless humanoid specimen, confirming the human origin of the DNA.
Michels highlighted a tribe in northern Zimbabwe where a congenital condition called ectrodactyly, or 'Ostrich Foot Syndrome,' exists.
This disorder results in the absence of one or more central digits, creating a cleft or V-shaped gap in the hand or foot.
'There are these mutations rendered adaptive in certain environments and persist over time,' Michels said in his documentary. 'So it could be just that, which would be remarkable all on its own.'
While polydactyly does not align with the three-fingered mummies, ectrodactyly is more of a match.
José Zace, chief of the medical division for the Mexican Navy and part of the team studying the mummies, found that the larger bodies contain 70 percent known DNA, while the rest is completely different.
In the case of Montserrat (pictured), researchers hypothesized that the cause of death was a significant trauma sustained over an extended period
The mystery surrounding the bizarre ' alien ' mummies found in Peru has deepened after scientists said they discovered a fetus inside the womb of one of the 'corpses'. CT scans (pictured) captured the fetus lying on its back
Dr David Ruiz Vela, a lead expert investigating the remains, suggested the mummies could be hybrids.
He proposed that 'Maria,' one of the specimens, has mixed traits resulting from natural migration and interbreeding events between different primate or human species across Asia and Africa, spanning a broad timeframe from 250,000 to 2,500 years ago.
To uncover the mummies' origins, Michels plans to enlist Colossal Biosciences, an American biotechnology and genetic engineering company, to conduct deeper DNA analysis.
Colossal recently made headlines for efforts to bring the dire wolf back from extinction using genetic engineering.
Jamie Maussan and some Mexican lawmakers became the subject of international ridicule when he presented two boxes with supposed mummies found in Peru in front of Mexico's congress
Mummies were confiscated at an airport. Lab testing showed they were fake. But the owner said they were replicas to sell to tourists
'They need permission from the Peruvian government,' Michels said. 'If the government won't allow a top American biotech company to use their proprietary ancient DNA testing techniques on these mummies, then I don't know what else you need to understand their position on the subject.'
The mummies first gained international attention in 2022 when journalist Jamie Maussan showcased several tiny beings in Mexico's Congress, proclaiming their authenticity.
At a subsequent meeting, a group of doctors supported the claim that the bodies were once living organisms. Some experts reportedly studied five similar specimens for over four years.
However, in 2023, the mummies were declared a hoax after another journalist was found with two small 'mummies' that turned out to be dolls. Manuel Caceres had made wooden figurines inspired by the mummies to sell to tourists. These were confiscated at Lima airport and sent for lab analysis.
Forensic archaeologist Flavio Estrada, who led the investigation, stated that the claims that the specimens are extraterrestrial are 'totally false.'
'The conclusion is simple: they are dolls assembled with bones of animals from this planet, glued with modern synthetic adhesives,' Estrada said, arguing his case.
'Therefore, they were not assembled during pre-Hispanic times. They are not extraterrestrials; they are not aliens.'
Despite this, Michels said Caceres is suing the government for $3 million following the controversy.
Scientists are urging NASA to send a message to a mysterious interstellar object before it is too late.
The object, known as 3I/ATLAS, is traveling on a rare retrograde path and will reach its closest point to the sun on October 29, 2025, which Harvard physicist Avi Loeb suggested could be an ideal window for a covert approach on Earth.
The physicist told the Daily Mail that he wants to beam, 'Hello, welcome to our neighborhood. Peace!'
'The only way to reach it now is with a beam of light,' Loeb explained, suggesting a radio message could be sent in hopes of detecting a response.
Loeb warned that if the object is an alien probe, it could reach Earth by Christmas 2025, giving humanity only months to prepare for a possible encounter.
However, he also acknowledged the risks, noting that any intelligent life aboard might see the signal as a threat.
'A visitor to our backyard, like 3I/ATLAS, can easily enter our home planet, Earth, within a travel time of less than a few months,' Loeb said.
A Harvard physicist is calling on NASA to beam a message to the interstellar object hurting through space before it is too late
'There were claims of a tail,' Loeb said, 'but since 3I/ATLAS is accelerating and its current size is not much larger than the angular resolution of Earth-based telescopes, it is not easy to avoid fictitious elongation of the image as a result of the object's motion.'
He also questioned the object's unusual lack of gas emissions and its precise, retrograde trajectory, which aligns suspiciously well with the inner solar system.
Loeb has developed what he calls the 'Loeb Scale', a ranking system to evaluate the likelihood that an object is artificial, and gave 3I/ATLAS a six out of ten.
That suggests it is more likely than not to be engineered, though he emphasized that this score may change as more data becomes available.
'During an exchange with 3I/ATLAS, we could use the Turing Test as a measure of the intelligence with which we communicate, as long as the two sides develop a common language for communication,' Loeb shared in a blog post.
'Our side of the communication channel can be assisted by our most advanced artificial intelligence systems to decode the messages we receive.
The scientist noted that there is not enough data to rule out that the object is not of alien origin and Earth should communicate with it as a precaution
Avi Loeb has remained adamant that something about 3I/ATLAS does not add up. He said its retrograde orbit, meaning it's moving against the flow of the solar system, is oddly aligned with Earth's path
'But as anyone who went on a blind date knows, exchanging text messages could be a very different experience than an actual encounter 'in person.''
Among his more provocative theories, Loeb suggested 3I/ATLAS could be an alien mothership releasing small probes to intercept Earth.
'The more likely scenario from an engineering perspective involves a mothership that releases mini-probes which perform a reverse Oberth maneuver to slow down at perihelion and intercept Earth,' Loeb wrote.
This type of maneuver uses the sun's gravitational pull at the object's closest approach to adjust the trajectory efficiently, enabling the probes to reach Earth without large amounts of fuel.
Chris Lintott, an astronomer at the University of Oxford, dismissed Loeb's theory as 'nonsense on stilts,' calling it 'an insult to the exciting work going on to understand this object.'
However, Loeb said his analysis remains rooted in observational data.
His latest paper, based on ground-based telescope readings between July 2 and 29, revealed reddening colors in 3I/ATLAS, usually interpreted as surface dust or organic compounds.
Loeb noted that spectroscopic data from this and three previous studies show no signs of atomic or molecular gas in a coma, a feature typically expected in comets.
While the reddening may suggest dust, it could also mean the object simply has a naturally red surface, much like D-type asteroids or other ancient space rocks.
'Continued monitoring around perihelion is necessary to track changes in activity and color,' the study concluded, 'which will provide insights into the evolution of interstellar materials under solar radiation.'
The Eye of Sauron is an integral part of the Lord of the Rings series.
The flaming, floating fiery eyeball, positioned atop a dark tower in Mordor, is a symbol of the Dark Lord's all–seeing power and vigilance.
Now, experts have detected a similarly terrifying vision in real life.
But rather than looking for Frodo or the Ring, it seems to be peering directly at us from deep space.
The image is of a phenomenon called a cosmic jet, which is an extremely powerful stream of plasma and energy emitted from celestial objects.
This particular one comes from a blazar – a type of galaxy powered by a supermassive black hole.
The PKS 1424+240 blazar is one of the brightest in the sky despite being located billions of light–years away.
And as well as a foreboding picture, the discovery may have helped researchers solve a decades–long cosmic puzzle.
Using 15 years of ultra–precise radio observations, researchers were able to stitch together a deep image of the jet at unparalleled resolution
Fans of fantasy might notice that the image bears a striking resemblance to the Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings
The blazar has long baffled astronomers as its cosmic jet appeared to move slowly, despite it being one of the brightest sources of high–energy gammas rays and cosmic neutrinos ever observed.
This contradicted the belief that only the fastest jets could be behind such exceptional brightness.
Using 15 years of ultra–precise radio observations from the Very Long Baseline Array – a system of 10 radio telescopes – researchers were able to stitch together a deep image of the jet at unparalleled resolution.
'When we reconstructed the image, it looked absolutely stunning,' lead author Yuri Kovalev, from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy, said.
'We have never seen anything quite like it—a near–perfect toroidal magnetic field with a jet, pointing straight at us.'
Since the jet is aligned almost exactly in the direction of Earth, its high–energy radio emissions are dramatically amplified.
'This alignment causes a boost in brightness by a factor of 30 or more,' co–author Jack Livingston said.
'At the same time, the jet appears to move slowly due to projection effects—a classic optical illusion.'
Far from being a flattering moniker, the Eye of Sauron represents the Dark Lord's terrifying omnipotence and terrible gaze in J. R. R. Tolkein's Lord of the Rings novels
This head–on view also gave scientists the extremely rare opportunity to peer directly into the heart of the blazar's jet.
Radio signals helped the team map out the structure of the jet's magnetic field, revealing it is likely helical (a spiral) or toroidal (doughnut–shaped).
This structure likely plays a key role in accelerating particles to extreme energies, the researchers said.
Black holes are so dense and their gravitational pull is so strong that no form of radiation can escape them - not even light.
They act as intense sources of gravity which hoover up dust and gas around them. Their intense gravitational pull is thought to be what stars in galaxies orbit around.
How they are formed is still poorly understood. Astronomers believe they may form when a large cloud of gas up to 100,000 times bigger than the sun, collapses into a black hole.
Many of these black hole seeds then merge to form much larger supermassive black holes, which are found at the centre of every known massive galaxy.
Alternatively, a supermassive black hole seed could come from a giant star, about 100 times the sun's mass, that ultimately forms into a black hole after it runs out of fuel and collapses.
When these giant stars die, they also go 'supernova', a huge explosion that expels the matter from the outer layers of the star into deep space.
'The Shroud has type AB blood, identified as Semitic, present in only six percent of the population, confirmed as human and male, ruling out animal blood or a hoax,' Dr Johnston said.
'You would have to actually kill someone if you were trying to reproduce the shroud because we have premortem and post-mortem blood all over the shroud,' said Dr Johnston.
The presence of both pre- and post-mortem blood on the Shroud is unusual, suggesting processes inconsistent with natural decomposition, interpreted by some as aligning with resurrection accounts.
A blood analysis of the Shroud found a rare AB blood type that is present in only six percent of the population
Dr Jeremiah Johnston, a biblical scholar, said the blood found on the Shroud shows it was laid over a tortured man
The AB blood type was first documented in 1982 by Italian biographer Dr Pierluigi Baima Bollone and colleagues, who analyzed a sample from the Shroud's pierced side.
Subsequent testing also detected M, N, and S antigens in blood from the foot area, confirming the blood was unquestionably human.
The researchers tested the samples in two ways to figure out the blood type.
First, they checked for antibodies by putting the fibers on slides, keeping them cold at about 39°F for a long time, adding A1 or B red blood cells and letting them sit for 30 minutes.
They looked at the slides under a regular microscope and later used a powerful electron microscope after preserving the fibers in alcohol and coating them with gold.
Then the team tested for antigens, particles that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies, using a mixed agglutination method.
They kept the slides cold for 24 hours with anti-A and anti-B serums, washed them several times with saltwater and a cow protein solution, added A1 or B red blood cells, and checked them under a regular microscope, followed by electron microscope checks.
The results showed the Shroud's bloodstained fibers had both A and B antigens but no antibodies, pointing to type AB blood. The clean Shroud fibers had no antigens, proving they were free of blood.
The AB blood type was first identified in 1982 by Dr. Pierluigi Baima Bollone and colleagues from a sample on the Shroud’s pierced side. Later tests also found M, N, and S antigens on the feet, confirming the blood was unmistakably human
Dr Johnston also told Carlson that the Sudarium of Oviedo in Spain, which is the facecloth that John's Gospel talks about that covered his face, was also found to have type AB blood.
There is no image on this cloth. Only stains are visible to the naked eye, although more is visible under the microscope.
However, Dr Kelly Kearse, an immunologist who has extensively studied the Shroud of Turin, has expressed skepticism about the claim that the blood on the Shroud is type AB.
Dr Kearse argued that the methods lacked proper controls and could produce false positives due to contamination, such as bacteria, or degradation of the blood over centuries.
'Regarding tests to determine blood type, it could be AB, but I really don't think there's any solid scientific evidence to back that up,' he wrote in a 2020 study.
Dr Johnston estimated there are roughly 700 wounds visible on the Shroud.
The shroud first appeared in 1354 in France. After initially denouncing it as a fake, the Catholic church has now embraced the shroud as genuine. Pictured, the burial cloth was on display in 1998 in the Cathedral of Turin for the first time in 20 years
'This was a very badly wounded man, pints of type AB blood, all over it,' he said, noting that the injuries align with what is known about Roman crucifixions.
Dr Johnston also highlighted the image itself, a faint, full-body imprint of a bearded man.
'The image on the Shroud is only two microns thick and does not penetrate through the cloth,' he explained.
'If this were a hoax, painted or dyed, the material would have soaked through completely.
'Instead, the image is so thin we could shave it off with a razor. Even the world's best scientists are baffled.'
He suggested the imprint could have formed through a sudden chemical reaction triggered by an immense burst of energy, possibly corresponding to the moment of the Resurrection.
Paolo Di Lazzaro, a physicist and laser specialist at ENEA Laboratories near Rome, spent five years studying the Shroud.
His team managed to recreate the chemical change in the linen fibers using a massive burst of 34 trillion watts of energy.
This 'cold' energy, lasting just a quarter of a billionth of a second, altered the linen's structure to form the image on the Shroud, Dr Johnston explained.
Measuring 14 feet long, the linen was first publicly displayed in the 1350s and presented as the actual burial cloth of Christ.
While 1988 radiocarbon dating placed its origin between 1260 and 1390 AD, Dr Johnston contends that only a contaminated corner patch, not the original linen, was tested.
'The actual linen has never been radiocarbon dated, just the upper-left corner patch, which was contaminated,' he said.
Dr Johnston described the Shroud as 'the most lied about and misunderstood artifact in the world' and thanked Carlson for the opportunity to share his findings.
It's a concept that currently only exists in sci–fi movies.
But scientists in China are developing the world's first 'pregnancy robot' capable of carrying a baby to term and giving birth.
The humanoid will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose, experts said.
A prototype is expected to be released next year, with a selling price of around 100,000 yuan (£10,000).
Dr Zhang Qifeng, who founded the company Kaiwa Technology, is developing the machine.
The device he envisions is not simply an incubator but a humanoid that can replicate the entire process from conception to delivery, Asian media outlets report.
He said the artificial womb technology is already in a 'mature stage' and now needs to be implanted in the robot's abdomen, 'so that a real person and the robot can interact to achieve pregnancy'.
With regards to ethical and legal issues, he said: 'We have held discussion forums with authorities in Guangdong Province and submitted related proposals while discussing policy and legislation.'
The humanoid will be equipped with an artificial womb that receives nutrients through a hose, experts said (AI–generated image)
The development is reminiscent of the 2023 film The Pod Generation, where a tech giant offers couples the option of using detachable artificial wombs or 'pods' to share pregnancy
Experts have not yet provided any specifics on how the egg and sperm are fertilised and implanted in the artificial womb.
Dr Zhang's revelations were made during an interview shared on Duoyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.
News of the development sparked intense discussion across Chinese social media, with critics condemning the technology as ethically problematic and unnatural.
Many argued that depriving a foetus of maternal connection was cruel, while questions were raised about how eggs would be sourced for the process.
However, many showed support for the innovation, viewing it as a means to spare women from pregnancy–related suffering.
One wrote: 'Many families pay significant expenses for artificial insemination only to fail, so the development of the pregnancy robot contributes to society.'
The 'biobag' provided everything the foetus needed to continue growing and maturing, including a nutrient–rich blood supply and a protective sac of amniotic fluid.
In trials, researchers have shown that premature lambs kept in artificial wombs not only survived but put on weight and grew hair (pictured)
After 28 days of being in the bag, the lambs – which otherwise would likely have died – had put on weight and grown wool.
While the biobag acts like an incubator, allowing premature individuals to grow in an environment similar to the womb, scientists hope the pregnancy robot will be able to support the foetus from conception to delivery.
Since the 1970s, feminist activists such as Andrea Dworkin have been strongly opposed to the use of artificial wombs on the grounds that it could lead to the 'end of women'.
In 2012, Ms Dworkin wrote: 'Women already have the power to eliminate men and in their collective wisdom have decided to keep them.
'The real question now is, will men, once the artificial womb is perfected, want to keep women around?'
In 2022 a group of researchers from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia – who have been developing artificial wombs – published an article on the ethical considerations of technology.
The researchers wrote: 'A concern is that it could lead to the devaluation or even pathologizing of pregnancy, and may diminish women's experience of deriving meaning, empowerment, and self–fulfillment from this unique aspect of female biology.'
Earlier this year, however, a survey showed that 42 per cent of people aged 18–24 said they would support 'growing a foetus entirely out of woman's body'.
Artificial wombs, like this concept showcased by Eindhoven University in 2019, allow a child to be raised without a biological mother. In a survey conducted by the think–tank Theos, 42 per cent of people aged 18–24 said they would support 'growing a foetus entirely outside of a woman's body'
The development is reminiscent of the 2023 film The Pod Generation, where a tech giant offers couples the option of using detachable artificial wombs or 'pods' to share pregnancy.
If it comes to fruition, the humanoid pregnancy could be seen as a tool to help tackle rising rates of infertility in China.
Reports suggest the rates of infertility in China rose from 11.9 per cent in 2007 to 18 per cent in 2020.
In response, local governments in China are including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization treatments in medical insurance coverage to support childbirth for infertile couples.
Around 10 per cent of all pregnancies worldwide result in premature labour - defined as a delivery before 37 weeks.
When this happens, not all of the baby's organs, including the heart and lungs, will have developed. They can also be underweight and smaller.
Tommy's, a charity in the UK, says this can mean so-called preemies 'are not ready for life outside the womb'.
Premature birth is the largest cause of neonatal mortality in the US and the UK, according to figures.
Babies born early account for around 1,500 deaths each year in the UK. In the US, premature birth and its complications account for 17 per cent of infant deaths.
Babies born prematurely are often whisked away to neonatal intensive care units, where they are looked after around the clock.
What are the chances of survival?
Less than 22 weeks is close to zero chance of survival
22 weeks is around 10%
24 weeks is around 60%
27 weeks is around 89%
31 weeks is around 95%
34 weeks is equivalent to a baby born at full term
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World's first robot OLYMPICS get off to a rocky start: Humanoids from 16 nations crash and collapse as they attempt to compete in boxing, athletics, and football
It sounds like an event from the latest science fiction blockbuster.
But the world's first robot Olympics have officially kicked off in China this week.
The three–day event, called the World Humanoid Robot Games, will see humanoid robots from 16 countries compete across a range of events.
The AI bots will go head–to–head in sports such as football, track and field, boxing, and table tennis.
They'll also tackle robot–specific challenges – from sorting medicines and handling materials to cleaning services.
However, human athletes can rest easy for now.
At one of the first events – five–aside football – 10 robots the size of seven–year–olds shuffled around the pitch, often getting stuck in a scrum or falling over en masse.
Meanwhile, over in the athletics, one mechanical racer barrelled straight into a human operator, who was dramatically knocked to the ground.
It sounds like an event from the latest science fiction blockbuster. But the world's first robot Olympics has officially kicked off in China this week
The three–day event, called the World Humanoid Robot Games, will see humanoid robots from 16 countries compete across a range of events
At one of the first events, five–aside football, 10 robots the size of seven–year–olds shuffled around the pitch, often getting stuck in a scrum or falling over en masse
The teams come from countries including the United States, Germany, and Brazil, with 192 representing universities and 88 from private enterprises.
The games began in Beijing today, with over 500 androids alternating between jerky tumbles and glimpses of real power as they competed in events from the 100–metre hurdles to kung fu.
'We come here to play and to win. But we are also interested in research,' said Max Polter, a member of HTWK Robots football team from Germany, affiliated with Leipzig University of Applied Sciences.
'You can test a lot of interesting new and exciting approaches in this contest.
'If we try something and it doesn't work, we lose the game.
'That's sad but it is better than investing a lot of money into a product which failed.'
In a 1,500–metre race, domestic champion Unitree's humanoids stomped along the track at an impressive clip, easily outpacing their rivals.
The fastest robot, witnessed by AFP, finished in 6:29:37.
In a 1,500–metre race, the humanoids stomped along the track at an impressive pace
The teams come from countries including the United States, Germany, and Brazil, with 192 representing universities and 88 from private enterprises
The Beijing municipal government is among the organising bodies for the event, underscoring the emphasis Chinese authorities place on the emerging robotics industry and reflecting the country's broader ambitions in AI and automation
China's robotics push also comes as the country grapples with an ageing population and slowing economic growth
However, it's worth pointing out that this is a far cry from the human men's world record of 3:26:00.
The Beijing municipal government is among the organising bodies for the event, underscoring the emphasis Chinese authorities place on the emerging robotics industry and reflecting the country's broader ambitions in AI and automation.
China's robotics push also comes as the country grapples with an ageing population and slowing economic growth.
The sector has received government subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, while Beijing plans to establish a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups.
China has staged a series of high–profile robotics events in recent months, including what it called the world's first humanoid robot marathon in Beijing, a robot conference and the opening of retail stores dedicated to humanoid robots.
However, the marathon drew criticism after several robot competitors emitted smoke during the race and some failed to complete the course, raising questions about the current capabilities of the technology.
Still, while some may view such competitions and events as publicity stunts, industry experts and participants see them as crucial catalysts for advancing humanoid robots toward practical real–world applications.
Morgan Stanley analysts in a report last week noted a surge in attendance to a recent robot conference from the general public compared to previous years, saying this showed 'how China, not just top government officials, has embraced the concept of embodied intelligence.'
China has staged a series of high–profile robotics events in recent months, including what it called the world's first humanoid robot marathon in Beijing, a robot conference and the opening of retail stores dedicated to humanoid robots
'We believe this widespread interest could be instrumental for China's continued leadership in the humanoid race, providing the necessary talent, resources, and customers to boost industry development and long–term adoption,' they said.
Booster Robotics, whose humanoid robots are being used by a Tsinghua University team in the football competition, views soccer as an effective test of perception, decision–making and control technologies that could later be deployed in factories or homes.
'Playing football is a testing and training ground for helping us refine our capabilities,' said Zhao Mingguo, Chief Scientist at Booster Robotics.
Fresh claims about the infamous 2004 'Tic Tac'UFO encounter are reigniting fierce debate over the true nature of the mysterious craft observed by US Navy pilots off the coast of Southern California.
Journalist and UFO investigator Ross Coulthart has sparked controversy by asserting that the craft, captured on video and later released by the Pentagon, is actually advanced man-made technology developed by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.
Coulthart suggested the craft may have been operated psionically, controlled through advanced mental or neurological means, and could be the product of reverse-engineering non-human technology recovered by the US government.
Coulthart, who has long investigated UAP secrecy, suggested the encounter was part of a covert military program rather than an alien visitation.
'I now know categorically that the Tic Tac is Lockheed Martin technology,' he claimed, adding that multiple similar craft were spotted over several days, possibly indicating advanced tests of this classified technology.
Yet Lee suspected such claims are deliberate misdirection aimed at hiding the true extraterrestrial origins of these crafts.
He noted historical records, including the 1561 Nuremberg 'cylindrical flying objects' and the 1890s US 'airship wave,' as evidence of long-standing unexplained aerial phenomena beyond human capabilities.
'There is a strong chance that what we are seeing is beyond human technology, and attempts to explain it as secret military hardware serve only to distract the public,' Lee said.
Some experts, like Dr Ajaz Ali from Ravensbourne University, caution that many UFO sightings stem from advanced but earthly technology.
One of the pilots, Cmdr. David Fravor, later reported observing a white, capsule-shaped craft
Cold War-era reconnaissance missions by the US and Soviet Union, such as U-2 spy plane flights, and modern drone developments have often been mistaken for extraterrestrial craft.
'The shapes and behaviors of modern drones and spy aircraft closely mimic those reported in UFO encounters,' Ali said, noting that declassified documents have linked covert aerial operations to the rise of UFO lore.
Despite decades of investigation, the true identity of the Tic Tac craft remains a mystery, fueling an ongoing clash between believers in secret military tech and advocates of alien visitation theories.
'It's possible we'll never fully understand this intelligence,' Lee concluded. 'It may be far beyond anything we currently comprehend.'
However, the mystery of the Tic Tac remains unsolved, leaving both believers in extraterrestrial intelligence and advocates of secret military technology debating what exactly is flying above our heads.
'It's conceivable that it was being operated neuro-meditatively, psionically, by a human psionic,' Coulthart said.
'It makes no scientific sense to me that the Tic Tac UFO is Lockheed Martin technology,' Lee told the Daily Mail.
'There have been many documented sightings throughout history of the same type of craft, even before the technological age.
'These sightings are well-documented. There was definitely something technological in their skies, but it wasn't ours.
'What it is or where it comes from, I do not know. That is the question we are all trying to answer.'
Lee agreed that there may be attempts to reverse-engineer alien technology and suspects that the reporting around the Tic Tac sighting is intended to divert attention from this.
He claimed efforts to portray such craft as secret military technology are designed to prevent the public from realizing that aliens regularly visit Earth.
'I suspect the US military is diverting us away from what they actually know about this technology, which is most likely extraterrestrial in origin,' he said.
'However, I'm also sure that reverse engineering programs are ongoing—this has been confirmed to me by a senior intelligence contact in the UK military, though with limited success.'
'There are a lot of so-called UFO experts making wild claims, all wanting to be the messiah who brings us the truth, but the reality is we do not know, and maybe never will fully understand what this intelligence is. It may be far beyond anything we can comprehend.'
A mysterious black cube has joined the chilling list of objects spotted hovering over the US during last year's drone invasion.
Newly released government reports have revealed five incidents near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio that have never been disclosed since the swarms of UFOswere seen along the East Coast in late 2024.
Along with several sightings of unidentified drones around the secretive Air Force base in December 2024, federal officials now say a 'black cube'-shaped craft was spotted by a nearby airplane less than 80 miles from Wright-Patterson.
Witnesses of the strange object sent their claims to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 19, describing how the cube was flying within 500 feet of the plane, which was soaring 16,000 feet above the ground.
This would make it incredibly unlikely to be a commercial drone, since those types of devices fly only a few hundred feet above the ground.
The FAA recorded this event in their 'SKYWATCH dataset,' which tracks drone sightings near airports or in restricted airspace.
However, when the FAA originally published this sighting in their publicly visible reports, they didn't include any mention of the object being a black cube.
Thanks to a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, it was revealed that this sighting and the other drone incidents near Wright-Patterson led to a major security response, including temporarily closing off military airspace.
Newly released documents from the FAA reveal that military personnel in Ohio spotted a 'black cube' flying near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in December 2024 (Artist rendering)
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio has been linked to UFO activity since the 1940s and 5 new incidents have just been revealed
The new documents were released roughly nine months after the first drone swarms were spotted over the East Coast in November 2024.
After promising answers about the origin of these large, slow-moving objects once he took office, Trump said on January 28 the mysterious swarms were 'not the enemy' and had been authorized to conduct 'research.'
However, the new documents revealed that federal officials still don't believe what's being told to the public.
The recently released reports showed that both air traffic controllers and the FAA were contacted by officials at Wright-Patterson, but both agencies told the Air Force there were 'no authorized aircraft operating in WPAFB airspace' in December 2024.
Just days before the black cube was spotted near Wright-Patterson, four other incidents involving unknown aircraft were reported.
On December 17, three reports were made, revealing how military personnel spotted multiple objects on the base's radar just after 12:40am ET.
Base personnel, who assumed the objects were more drones, never saw the intruders with their own eyes but alerted local police to search.
The statements come months after the first drones appeared in November, soaring above military bases and Trump's golf course in Bedminster, sparking fears of foreign threats watching American citizens
Multiple drones swarmed over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (pictured) between December 13 and December 19, 2024
Less than 20 minutes later, the situation exploded, with radar screens at Wright-Patterson detecting between seven and 17 UFOs moving within 40 miles of the base's airfield.
This time, Wright-Patterson security guards were able to visually confirm that the objects were drones swarming around the base. The Air Force tracked the unmanned drones, but no other action was taken.
More than 12 hours later, an aircraft heading in for a landing at Wright-Patterson spotted a silver object just five miles from the base.
Records released from SKYWATCH noted that the crew believed this craft was a drone and recorded it flying at about 3,200 feet above the ground, much lower than the cube.
Just three days earlier, air traffic controllers had spotted what they believed was another drone over several sensitive locations at Wright-Patterson on December 14, forcing the base's commander to close the facility until the intruder flew off.
Newly released video by the military revealed unknown drones swarming over Wright-Patterson in December 2024
The cube spotted by a airplane less than 500 feet away was reportedly flying at around 16,000 feet, far higher than a normal commercial drone (Stock Image)
The FOIA request by The Black Vault, a website dedicated to sharing declassified government documents, has thrown Wright-Patterson back into the spotlight, as UFO conspiracy theorists have been focused on this facility for decades.
In July 2025, the US military was compelled to release never-before-seen video of two additional incidents over Wright-Patterson on December 13 and December 16, 2024.
Guards at the base recorded several craft flying slowly around the facility, including a group of 'four quad-copter drones with red and green lights in a tight diamond formation.'
After guards shone their car spotlight on them, they reported that the swarm 'gained altitude and flew away at a rapid speed.'
In another chilling incident, another officer spotted an unknown aircraft descending towards the base, getting within 500 feet of landing before it suddenly ascended and vanished into thin air.
UFO researchers and government whistleblowers have said on multiple occasions that the Ohio Air Force base has a direct tie to the 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico.
During a congressional hearing in May, Dr Eric Davis, a physicist who has been a consultant for the Pentagon's UFO program since 2007, revealed that debris from the Roswell incident was allegedly flown to Wright-Patterson after the crash.
The base was also the headquarters for Project Blue Book, the Air Force's official UFO investigation program from 1947 to 1969.
It investigated 12,618 sightings, with 701 remaining 'unidentified,' according to declassified records in the National Archives.
A glamorous Florida congresswoman shared a jaw-dropping UFO encounter she had while serving in the US Air Force on an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast.
Conservative House Representative Anna Paulina Luna sat down with the UFC commentator during an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience aired on Wednesday.
She said she spotted an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) while serving as an air manager at the Portland Air National Guard.
UAP is a term adapted by the government to broaden the scope of unexplained sightings because UFO specifically refers to flying otherworldly objects.
There was an 'airspace incursion' that she feels was oddly swept under the rug.
'I remember talking to some of the pilots about it, and I was like, "what was that?" And they're like, "We can't really talk about it,"' she recalled.
'No one really wanted to address it, and so from what I had gathered, that had been likely a UAP.'
Conservative House Representative Anna Paulina Luna (pictured) has been vocal about her stance the UFOs are real
Luna (pictured) sat down with the UFC commentator during an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience aired on Wednesday
A glamorous Florida congresswoman shared a jaw-dropping UFO encounter she had while serving in the US Air Force on an episode of Joe Rogan's (pictured)podcast
Luna went on to explain she did not look at the possibility of UFOs or UAPs through a 'crazy lens or perspective.'
'You never know if we're the only ones out there,' she bluntly asserted.
Luna has been vocal about her belief that UFOs are 'not of human origin' and has called for more federal government transparency on the matter.
She told Rogan that the sentiment that people reporting these kinds of sightings are 'crazy' is a 'disinformation campaign to get people to shut up about it.'
'We know that the US government has not exactly been clean about a lot of what they've done with the American people, specifically to the topic of UFOs,' she said.
The MAGA firebrand has been persistent in her pursuit to unveil what she believes to be the truth about UFOs.
Luna (pictured) said she spotted an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP) while serving as an air manager at the Portland Air National Guard
Luna (pictured with her husband Andrew Gamberzky) is a member of the House Committee on Oversight
'Congress and the American people have fundamental questions on the topic of UAPs and incursions near sensitive military installations,' a November 2024 press release from the committee reads.
'Increased disclosure and transparency are needed to provide security and information.'
Luna's threat came just after a congressional hearing where 14-year intelligence veteran David Grusch testified under oath that he had evidence of a secret alien ship crash retrieval program, presenting pictures and interviews with insiders.
In February last year, she solidified her stance once again on the Grant Mitt Podcast.
After a classified meeting with Air Force whistleblowers, she 'absolutely believes' the aircrafts she and many others have described are 'of non-human origin.'
After a classified meeting with Air Force whistleblowers, she 'absolutely believes' the aircrafts she and many others have described are 'of non-human origin.'
Luna (pictured with Donald Trump) believes the government is hiding information about UFOs
Luna also claimed that at that same meeting she was 'men-in-blacked,' first by officials from the Pentagon who attempted to cancel the visit, and then by CIA agents who were inexplicably shadowing her meeting with the Air Force personnel.
Her phrase referred to the pop-culture conspiracy theory image that originated from the 'Men in Black' of government agents in black suits, who are sent to keep people quiet about UFO sightings.
'Being a member of Oversight, we follow up with whistleblowers, and we also can conduct our own investigations,' she said.
A man claims to have captured a 'UFO' on video ripping through the sky at hypersonic speeds while he was playing fetch with his dog.
Andrew Clifton, 40, was out with his five-year-old Labrador, Dash, in the Malvern Hills, when he filmed the out-of-this-world phenomena.
He had been recording himself throwing a frisbee for Dash when he claims the unknown object shot through the air at high speed.
Andrew neither saw nor heard anything at the time. It wasn't until he reviewed the footage later that he noticed the strange metallic-coloured UFO.
After slowing down the footage, the alleged tubular object could be seen slicing through the sky at immense speed, seemingly covering the distance of the horizon in the fraction of a second.
After showing the clip to friends, they encouraged him to post it in a UFO sightings Facebook group, where it quickly amassed millions of views.
However, sceptics online have claimed the video could be a hoax and potentially edited.
Andrew, a change manager from Minety, Wiltshire, said: 'It was such a strange experience. At the time, I didn't notice that anything had happened. 'It was moving so fast there was no way I could pick it up with a naked eye.
The alleged UFO is pictured at the top right of the image, above the frisbee
The mysterious object was seen ripping through the sky at high speed. However, sceptics say the footage could be a hoax
'But when I got home from dinner with friends later that day, I was reviewing the videos from the day and noticed something small.
'That's when I edited the video into slow-motion and saw the object in full force for the first time.'
Malvern Hills is nestled between two major Royal Air Force bases, RAF Brize Norton, to the south east, and RAF Cosford - a training establishment - to the north.
The video was recorded on on Saturday, August 2.
Andrew later posted the video on Facebook, where members of the UFO community flooded the comments with questions.
The discussion grew even larger when the clip was shared on X - formerly Twitter - racking up more than seven million views.
Some viewers, convinced by the object's speed, believe it must be extraterrestrial while others remain sceptical.
Andrew said: 'I'm not someone who is a super big believer but I do think we shouldn't assume that there is nothing out there.
Pictured is the moment just before the alleged UFO appears in the sky above Andrew Clifton and his dog, Dash
'So when my friend suggested I posted the video to a sighting Facebook group, I thought it would start a fun discussion, but I had no idea how big it would get.
'I've seen some people suggesting it's AI, but I can promise you the only editing I did was to slow the footage down.
'Personally, I think it's more likely to be some sort of military equipment that we don't know about.
'But it's true that whenever I watch it, I can't come up with a full answer as to what it is.'
UFOs are now known as UAP - or unidentified aerial phenomena.
In recent months, concerns over UAP sightings worldwide has worried governments.
In America, a special congress has been set up to investigate alleged sightings.
It follows the disclosure of video from the US Navy which appeared to show an encounter with a 'Tic Tac' shaped objected in 2004.
The mysterious craft was observed by US Navy pilots as it soared through the sky off the coast of southern California at high speed.
Analyzing Claims of Shapeshifting Reptilian Aliens Ruling Earth
Analyzing Claims of Shapeshifting Reptilian Aliens Ruling Earth
Analyzing Claims of Shapeshifting Reptilian Aliens Ruling Earth
The notion that reptilian shapeshifting extraterrestrial beings secretly control and manipulate human affairs has gained prominence within certain conspiracy theory circles over recent decades. These claims suggest that an ancient race of intelligent, shape-shifting aliens from distant star systems have infiltrated human society, assuming human appearances to influence global politics, finance, media, and culture. Despite their popularity in popular culture, literature, and among some groups, these assertions lack credible scientific evidence and are generally dismissed by the scientific community. To understand the origins, persistence, and implications of these beliefs, it is essential to analyze them critically through scientific evaluation, evidence assessment, psychological explanations, and cultural context.
Origins and Popularization of Reptilian Conspiracy Theories
The modern concept of reptilian shapeshifters was popularized by British conspiracy theorist David Icke in the late 20th century. Icke’s theories posited that a race of extraterrestrial reptiles, originating from the Alpha Draconis star system, have secretly infiltrated human society for thousands of years. According to Icke, these beings can change their appearance at will, seamlessly adopting human form to manipulate and control world governments, financial institutions, religious organizations, and media outlets. Icke claims that these entities are part of a broader clandestine agenda aimed at establishing a global totalitarian regime, often referred to as the New World Order.
Icke’s narratives draw heavily on a mixture of ancient mythologies, science fiction, and existing conspiracy tropes. The imagery of reptilian beings echoes ancient mythologies from cultures around the world—such as serpent gods and dragon legends—though often reinterpreted within a modern extraterrestrial framework. These stories are also influenced by popular science fiction stories involving shape-shifting aliens and secret societies. The portrayal of reptilians as hidden rulers serves to satisfy psychological and social needs: providing simplistic explanations for complex societal problems, fostering a sense of understanding and control, and uniting believers in a shared worldview.
Scientific Evaluation and the Lack of Empirical Evidence
From a scientific perspective, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The assertion that a race of shape-shifting reptilian aliens secretly manipulate human civilization demands credible, verifiable data—such as physical samples, high-quality photographs, or credible eyewitness accounts that can be independently validated. To date, no credible scientific evidence has emerged that supports the existence of such beings.
Most of the "evidence" cited by proponents is anecdotal, circumstantial, or based on misinterpretations of natural phenomena. For example, certain photographs or videos purported to show reptilian entities often suffer from poor quality, manipulation, or lack contextual clarity. Many eyewitness testimonies are subjective and susceptible to psychological biases, hallucinations, or deception. Furthermore, the biological plausibility of such shapeshifting abilities is virtually nonexistent within the framework of established biology and genetics.
Biologically, the concept of a creature capable of transforming its physical form at will—especially in the complex manner described—is incompatible with current understanding of biological mechanisms. Genetic stability, cellular differentiation, and physiological constraints make the spontaneous and precise shape-shifting depicted in these theories impossible under known biological principles. There is no scientific mechanism or evidence to support the existence of such entities, nor any indication that the various claims align with empirical observations.
The Dinosauroid, a hypothetical anthropomorphic reptile.
Psychological and Cognitive Factors
Belief in reptilian shapeshifters can often be explained through psychological phenomena and cognitive biases that influence human perception and interpretation. Pareidolia, the tendency to perceive familiar patterns—such as faces or figures—in vague stimuli like clouds, shadows, or textured surfaces, can lead individuals to interpret ambiguous images as reptilian or humanoid forms. For example, a shadowy figure or a distorted photograph might be seen as a "reptilian" when viewed through a particular interpretive lens.
Confirmation bias also plays a significant role: believers tend to selectively seek out or interpret information that supports their existing beliefs, dismissing or ignoring evidence to the contrary. For instance, an ambiguous political event or a natural phenomenon might be construed as evidence of reptilian influence, reinforcing their worldview.
Cognitive dissonance—the mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs—may lead adherents to rationalize discrepancies or dismiss scientific explanations in favor of their conspiracy narratives. Additionally, psychological phenomena such as paranoia, hallucinations, or susceptibility to suggestibility can contribute to the formation and reinforcement of these beliefs.
Cultural and Social Influences
Cultural factors heavily influence the proliferation and perception of claims regarding shapeshifting reptilian aliens purportedly ruling the Earth. These narratives are not formed in a vacuum but are shaped by various societal, historical, and psychological elements that resonate with specific cultural contexts. Understanding these influences is crucial to comprehending why such claims persist and how they evolve over time.
Historically, reptilian imagery has been embedded in many cultures, symbolizing power, danger, and the unknown. For example, in ancient mythologies, dragons and serpent-like creatures often represented chaos, evil, or divine forces. These archetypes have been passed down through generations and sometimes reinterpreted in modern conspiracy theories. The reptilian motif appeals to deep-seated fears and fascination with the unknown, providing a familiar framework for understanding complex social and political issues.
Socially, the dissemination of these claims is facilitated by media and internet platforms, which amplify and spread narratives rapidly across different communities. Conspiracy theories often serve as simplified explanations for complex societal problems, offering a sense of understanding and control to individuals feeling disenfranchised or powerless. The idea of powerful, secret reptilian overlords resonates with themes of corruption and hidden agendas prevalent in many societies, especially during times of political upheaval or social tension.
Psychologically, these claims tap into cognitive biases such as pattern recognition and the desire for agency. Humans tend to seek explanations for inexplicable phenomena, and conspiracy theories provide coherent stories that attribute events to deliberate actions by powerful entities. The shapeshifting aspect adds an element of the uncanny, emphasizing the idea that these beings can hide their true nature, thus further fueling suspicion and fear.
Cultural narratives about the Illuminati, secret societies, and government cover-ups often overlap with reptilian lore, reinforcing the belief that unseen forces manipulate global events. Popular culture, including movies, books, and online content, perpetuates these themes, making the concept of shapeshifting reptilian rulers more accessible and intriguing. This cyclical reinforcement between media and belief systems sustains the popularity of such claims.
In conclusion, cultural and social factors play a significant role in shaping and maintaining claims about shapeshifting reptilian aliens ruling the Earth. These narratives draw on historical symbolism, societal fears, psychological tendencies, and popular culture, creating a complex web that sustains their persistence. Recognizing these influences helps to understand why such theories continue to thrive despite a lack of empirical evidence, reflecting deeper human needs for meaning, control, and understanding of the world around us.
Decision Summary on the Dissertation: "Analyzing Claims of Shapeshifting Reptilian Aliens Ruling Earth"
After thorough review of the dissertation titled "Analyzing Claims of Shapeshifting Reptilian Aliens Ruling Earth," it is concluded that the work presents a comprehensive examination of an unconventional and highly speculative topic within the realm of conspiracy theories and fringe beliefs. The researcher has demonstrated a commendable effort to critically analyze the origins, claims, and cultural impact of the Reptilian narrative, integrating interdisciplinary sources ranging from folklore and popular culture to psychology and media studies.
The dissertation is well-structured, beginning with an introduction to the mythos surrounding Reptilian entities and their alleged influence on world affairs. The literature review effectively situates these claims within a broader context of conspiracy theory development and explores their psychological appeal. The methodology employs qualitative analysis of primary sources such as online forums, videos, and texts, as well as secondary academic commentary, which provides a balanced perspective.
Findings suggest that the claims of shapeshifting Reptilian rulers are rooted in deep-seated psychological archetypes, societal fears, and the human tendency toward pattern recognition. The work emphasizes that while these claims lack empirical support and scientific validation, they serve as a reflection of societal anxieties about power, control, and the unknown. The discussion thoughtfully considers the cultural significance of the myth and its role in modern conspiracy culture.
Despite the limited empirical basis, the dissertation offers valuable insights into the social psychology behind conspiracy beliefs and their dissemination in digital media. It advocates for a nuanced understanding of such narratives, emphasizing the importance of critical media literacy and psychological resilience.
In summary, the dissertation effectively synthesizes diverse perspectives and provides a critical analysis of a highly speculative subject. It demonstrates academic rigor in methodology and clarity in argumentation. The work contributes to the broader understanding of conspiracy theories and their cultural implications, despite the inherent challenges of studying such unverified claims.
Overall, I approve this dissertation with the conclusion that it is a valuable academic inquiry into a fringe yet culturally significant phenomenon.
What if everything you think you know about reality is only the surface? His followers believe Dr. Jacobo Grinberg may have unlocked a hidden world beneath our everyday experience, one where consciousness reshapes reality itself.
On December 8, 1994, this brilliant neuroscientist vanished without a trace, disappearing into thin air while investigating mysteries most scientists dared not touch.
Dr. Jacobo Grinberg was no ordinary scientist. He was a bold explorer of the mind, a pioneer in consciousness, on a quest to unlock new chapters of reality. But was Dr. Grinberg’s disappearance the end of his story, or the beginning of something far stranger?
Jacobo Grinberg was born in 1946 in Mexico City into a Jewish family. But his roots stretched beyond Mexico: his heritage was intertwined with the rich tapestry of Jewish mysticism, a factor that would deeply shape his life’s work.
Dr. Jacobo Grinberg
From his earliest days, Grinberg was not a typical child. Surrounded by stories of Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish tradition exploring hidden layers of reality, he developed an insatiable curiosity about consciousness and the nature of existence.
At a young age, this curiosity propelled him across the ocean.
In his early adulthood, Grinberg traveled to Israel, spending significant time in the city of Safed, considered the spiritual heart of Kabbalah since medieval times. Here, in the shadow of ancient synagogues and amid whispered secrets of the cosmos, he encountered a world where science and spirituality intertwined in a dance as old as history.
During his stay, strange and extraordinary phenomena began to take shape in his life. Stories tell of a watch stopping at a precise, predicted moment during a seance, an event he witnessed himself. These experiences planted a seed: reality might be far more fluid than the physical senses reveal.
It was also in Israel that he met his first wife, Lizette Arditti, who would become both his partner in life and an important witness to his extraordinary journey. Their shared experiences and support would be vital as Grinberg embarked on a path few dared to tread.
Jacobo Grinberg returned to Mexico with a mission: To understand the mind, not just within the limits of traditional neuroscience, but as an explorer of its farthest reaches.
He trained as a neuroscientist in New York and returned to his homeland as a prodigy with a mission: to crack the code of human consciousness and to bridge spirituality, physics, and the brain. By age 45, he’d published over 50 books, led government-funded labs, braved the jungles with shamans, and became a legend in Mexican science.
But here’s the twist. Grinberg didn’t just study the mind; he chased the paranormal. And some say… it chased him back.
What did Grinberg stumble upon that got the attention of world-famous scientists, and, maybe, global intelligence agencies Imagine a scientist who explored the very boundaries of reality itself. Grinberg didn’t just believe that brains create consciousness; he theorized that consciousness is a fundamental structure of reality, one you might be able to access like… tuning a radio.
He built not just one lab, but an entire institute, the National Institute for the Study of Consciousness (Instituto Nacional para el Estudio de la Conciencia) in Mexico, where he explored the greatest question: where does experience come from?
What if consciousness isn’t locked in your skull, but a field that surrounds us and connects us all? What if the brain is merely an antenna, tuning into this field—a field that, if consciously accessed, would allow impossible phenomena?
Dr. Grinberg called it “Syntergic Theory,” and it was his greatest achievement.
His theory wasn’t just philosophy; it was a blueprint for exploring telepathy, mystical experiences, and even materialization. But did it work? The answer may have cost him everything. He claimed to see the impossible, and some say it got him killed. But first, what did he do in those secret labs?
The mind, he said, taps into a “lattice”—a universal spatial structure underpinning all existence. When the brain distorts this lattice, sensory reality is created.
Sound familiar? If you’ve heard of the holographic universe, or “non-local” physics, you’re in Grinberg’s neighborhood. But Grinberg’s lattice wasn’t just philosophical. He tried to prove it in the lab.
If consciousness is non-local, could minds connect, brain-to-brain, across space and time? Grinberg set up radical experiments to find out…and the results might bridge science and the supernatural.
What did Grinberg do?
He pioneered experiments analyzing hemispheric brain coherence, the synchrony between the brain’s two halves, under meditation and other altered states. More radically, he studied “brain-to-brain” interactions, inspired by Einstein’s famous Gedanken Experiment—EPR, or also known as a thought experiment. His final experiments involved subjects in isolated rooms separated by distance, testing whether brain activity could non-locally influence another’s neural patterns.
Grinberg called this phenomenon the “transferred potential” —a neurobiological sign of non-local communication.
Though controversial, Grinberg’s work anticipated modern parapsychological research and remains influential in corridors studying consciousness studies beyond the brain.
Shaman & Mystic: Pachita & Mysteries of Mexican Healing
Science, for Jacobo, was not confined to classrooms or labs. His most extraordinary work happened deep in Mexico’s mountains and streets, among shamans and curanderos (a Spanish word for healer).
His most famous collaborator was Pachita (named Bárbara Guerrero), a seemingly ordinary woman with extraordinary powers. Pachita performed “impossible surgeries,” extracting and restoring organs with an old rusty knife and her bare hands. Eyes closed, blood covering her clothes, gripping knives that to any surgeon would be relics, her cures baffled and amazed thousands [Source]
Jacobo documented dozens of nights attending Pachita’s surgeries, filled with sweat, blood, and miracles defying explanation. He was both skeptic and chronicler, carefully recording these events in what would become seven volumes: Los Chamanes de México.
Bárbara Guerrero
For the scientist who sought to uncover where experience originates, Pachita’s healing did not negate his science; it fed it.
Where did Jacobo find the keys to the universe?
Who were his true teachers?
And what fateful events led to his sudden disappearance in 1994?
For Dr. Jacobo Grinberg, it wasn’t enough to observe the world; he wanted to decode reality itself. Central to his science was the revolutionary Syntergic Theory. What is it? Buckle in. [CIA source on syntergic theory]
According to Grinberg, space isn’t an empty void; it’s a living, interconnected lattice, a universal informational matrix that contains all potential experiences. The brain, he argued, doesn’t create consciousness, but acts more like a receiver, a radio dial tuning into the infinite songs of the cosmos. Perception and “reality” arise from the interaction between this syntergic field and our neural networks.
“The result of this process is what everyone understands as ‘reality.’ This theory tries to answer the question of the creation of the experience.”
Under the Syntergic model, psychic phenomena, telepathy, remote viewing, and even shamanic miracles aren’t supernatural. They’re natural, arising from a state when minds achieve coherence and plug into the universal field.
But can such a bold theory be proved—or is it just modern-day mysticism?
Lab Experiments and Brain-to-Brain Contact
It wasn’t until 1974 that Mexico got its first national society for parapsychology (Sociedad Mexicana de Parapsicología), founded by psychiatrist Carlos Treviño. This group focused on introducing more critical and scientific thinking to the subject, aiming to educate both church leaders and the public about the distinction between magic and genuine scientific investigation [Source]
They even offered official courses for future priests and researched haunted places using things like Kirlian photography, a way to capture “energy fields” on film!
Mexico also hosted big conferences, drawing global experts in parapsychology and skepticism. The Mexican Society for Skeptical Investigation made sure to include fierce critics at their events, so every claim could be looked at with a careful eye.
In Mexico City, Grinberg’s Lab became the hub for dangerous ideas: meditation marathons, tests of “eyeless sight,” and, most famously, the “transferred potential” experiment. In essence, he’d separate two subjects into different rooms. One would be shown a stimulus—a light or a sound—while both wore EEG monitors.
Sometimes, incredibly, brainwave disturbances would occur in both subjects, even when only one received the stimulus. This suggested the possibility of a direct, non-local mind-to-mind connection, a real-world echo of quantum entanglement but involving human beings.
Were these results real or an artifact of hope and belief?
Grinberg’s experiments were sometimes replicated, sometimes not. But they were enough to draw attention far beyond academia—including government agencies attracted by the specter of mind control or psychic espionage. [Source]
Pachita, Miracles, and Metaphysics
In 1919, a German-born doctor named Gustav Pagenstecher, who was well respected in Mexico’s medical community, accidentally discovered supposed psychic abilities in his patient, María Reyes de Zierold, during a hypnosis session. Intrigued, he began a series of scientific experiments to test her talents. The results were so surprising that he contacted the American Society for Psychical Research, and their investigator, Walter Franklin Prince, traveled to Mexico. Prince was so impressed, he published the findings in a leading research journal.
Pagenstecher’s real achievement? For the first time, he used hypnosis to try to “train” psychic abilities, and he showed that the way psychic impressions are linked to objects might work like normal memory does for ideas, opening up new ways to study the unknown.
In 1937, another big investigation happened. Dr. Enrique Aragón, a top academic and psychiatrist, led a team to examine a 13-year-old boy surrounded by “poltergeist” activity. They even used special scientific tools to try and measure psychic forces! Aragón eventually founded Mexico’s first real organization for psychic research, called the Círculo de Investigaciones Metapsíquicas de México. They spent over a decade studying famous mediums like Luis Martínez, who was said to cause mysterious lights, floating objects, and distant voices.
There was even a Jesuit priest, Carlos María Heredia, who used his expertise as a magician to expose trickery in some so-called spiritualist events, proof that not everyone was convinced!
Fast forward to the 1960s and 70s. Mexico again attracts global attention, this time thanks to famous “curanderas” or healers, like María Sabina, who used hallucinogenic mushrooms, and Pachita, known for her incredible psychic surgeries. These healers fascinated not just the public but world-famous researchers like Stanley Krippner, who came to Mexico to study them.
To most scientists, Grinberg’s next move would seem risky. He left the clean, safe environment of the lab and went into the world of Mexican curanderos, who are traditional healers.
The most famous: Pachita (Bárbara Guerrero), a legendary shamanic surgeon.
She was originally from Chihuahua and had been involved in the Mexican Revolution, moving around the country and working different jobs. But it was only after she settled in the State of Mexico that she became widely known for her unusual healing methods.
Before meeting her, Grinberg had already exposed several fake shamans who tricked people with lies. However, when he unexpectedly visited Pachita’s home for the first time, he was surprised to hear a deep voice from inside the house say, “Jacobo, hurry up. Why are you so late? I’ve been waiting for you.” After that moment, Grinberg witnessed many surgeries and medical procedures at her house that seemed impossible by normal standards.
Pachita would ask her patients to bring bandages, a sheet, and alcohol. She would then perform the surgeries at home using only a simple hunting knife. She would cut open the patient’s body, take out the damaged organ with her hands, and then somehow create a new organ and put it inside. She called this process “Aportes (Spanish),” meaning “contributions” or “gifts.”
After performing surgery, Pachita would run her hand over the wound, and it would instantly close without leaving any trace. In some cases, she even performed blood transfusions using blood that came from her mouth.
In his book Chamanes de México, Jacobo Grinberg describes his experiences with Pachita and how she would lose awareness of the present moment while doing surgeries or healings. When he read the book to her, she was completely surprised because she had no idea what had happened during those sessions.
Pachita explained this by saying that the spirit of Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor, would take over her body. She called him “Brother” and credited him for all the healing miracles. Grinberg believed there was a much deeper explanation. He thought that when a person connects their consciousness to the “informational matrix” (a kind of deeper reality), high-frequency energy allows for major changes in reality. That’s why Pachita even seemed to take on a different personality—because connecting to this holographic reality removed social conditioning, similar to what happens in deep meditation.
Other changes in reality that Pachita supposedly caused included controlling the weather. She once ended a drought in a village and made it rain so much that nearby rivers overflowed, all while Grinberg watched.
Despite the complexity and miraculous nature of her work, Pachita never charged anyone for her healings. She was also very selective about whom she allowed to observe or study her methods. Many writers, politicians, and scientists came to seek her help, including the famed author of Psychomagic, Alejandro Jodorowsky.
From his time with Pachita, Dr. Grinberg developed his Syntergic Theory, a scientific framework he used to explain the extraordinary things he saw with her and other shamans.
Can belief and intention rewrite reality? Is shamanism a gateway to a universal code?
Teachers, Mentors, and Kindred Spirits
Grinberg was nobody’s lone madman. He stood atop a mountain of influences—scientific, spiritual, and personal.
His first wife, Lizette: Met in Israel, a pillar of emotional and intellectual support.
Jewish Mysticism: Roots running through Kabbalah, especially during his formative years in Safed, Israel—home to centuries of secrets about the nature of existence.
Carl Pribram: Esteemed neuroscientist who developed the holographic brain theory, visited Grinberg’s lab and was impressed by his audacity.
Pachita and other shamans: Provided a live demonstration of magical consciousness.
Contemporaries: Figures such as Carlos Castañeda, the popularizer of shamanic journeying, and Alejandro Jodorowsky, the psychomagician, were within his network of esoteric experimentalists.
These connections emboldened Grinberg to question everything. If the mind could shape reality, what was impossible?
The Syntergic Theory: Are We Living in a Hologram?
Imagine reality isn’t just out there, but is something we actively help create with our brains.
Jacobo Grinberg’s Syntergic Theory both supports and challenges quantum physics. He spent fifteen years developing this theory, which blends modern physics, neuroscience, mysticism, and the experiences of shamans. By reinterpreting a concept known in physics as the Lattice, which is seen as the structure of space-time, Grinberg proposed that human consciousness might have the power to control the universe we live in.
According to him, the universe is filled with an invisible structure called the “Lattice.” This Lattice is everywhere, and every single point in space holds the information of the entire universe, like a giant cosmic hologram.
The Human brain produces an energetic field, which he called the “neuronal field.” This field, according to Grinberg, expands beyond the physical boundaries of the skull, interacting with the very fabric of space and matter around us.
Grinberg suggested that the brain is not an isolated organ, but rather it interacts dynamically with what he refers to as the “space-matter continuum,” changing its informational content. This means that the thoughts, emotions, and states of consciousness produced by the brain are able to influence not only the individual but potentially others and even physical forces like gravity.
In physics, the Lattice refers to the framework that holds space and time together. But Grinberg gave this idea a new meaning. According to him, every point in this Lattice contains all the information about the rest of the universe. In physics, this concept is somewhat similar to what’s called a “lattice” or even the fabric of space-time itself.
He introduced the term Syntergy, a word he created by combining synthesis and energy. His theory suggests that when the human brain processes and decodes what we call reality, it can interact with this Lattice. By doing so, it may be possible to change space-time itself.
Grinberg believed we live in an informational matrix, which he called “the hologram.” In this hologram, we are not just passive observers—we can actively shape the reality we experience.
A key idea in the Syntergic Theory is that the more unified and coherent the activity in a person’s brain, the stronger and more effective their neuronal field becomes, which in turn could reduce gravitational forces in the immediate environment. Grinberg suggested that what we perceive as space isn’t empty at all. Instead, it’s a dense network that can be changed or distorted. All forces and fields, like gravity, electromagnetism, and even thoughts or emotions, are just different ways the Lattice can be bent or shaped.
He called these distortions “Syntergic Bands.” Each level of consciousness, like being awake, dreaming, or in meditation, is tied to a particular Syntergic Band. The more coherent and unified the Lattice is, the higher the level of consciousness you can access. In simple terms, a person who is calm, abstract in thought, and highly focused can supposedly alter the information present in the space around them, possibly even influencing gravitational effects. In contrast, someone who’s distracted or fragmented in thought creates a weaker field.
He explained that if a person has a highly “syntergic” brain, meaning one with strong internal coherence and connection between its parts, they can influence the hologram at will. This could allow them to perform acts that seem impossible according to known laws of physics, just like Pachita did with her healings.
Perception, according to Grinberg, is not a passive process. We don’t simply receive reality; we create it in partnership with the Lattice and our Neural Fields. What we see, hear, and feel is the product of our brains decoding or transforming the Lattice. The reality we experience is thus filtered through our level of consciousness, conditioning, and personal history.
Grinberg also drew parallels with ancient traditions. For example, in Buddhism, there’s the idea of “Sunyata,” or emptiness—that nothing exists alone and everything is interdependent. In the Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah, there’s the belief that each part contains the whole, and all levels of reality are interconnected. Grinberg used these ideas to show that science and spirituality are not opposed but can actually enrich each other.
He drew on the wisdom of Zen masters and mystical traditions, which speak about the “Big Mind”—a universal mind that includes everything, as opposed to the small, separate ego-mind. He questioned whether science could find a physiological basis for this Big Mind, suggesting that if space is just an illusion produced by our perception, and if individual minds are just local expressions of one unified consciousness, this implies there are real, measurable effects, such as brain aactivityexisting outside of the skull.
This idea also opens the door to exploring other phenomena like telepathy. Grinberg conducted experiments where two people, exposed to different stimuli but connected through meditation, showed synchronized brain activity, suggesting their minds were somehow linked beyond physical interaction.
His theory also overlaps with ideas like the law of attraction, the power of thought to shape reality, and the idea that language influences how we experience the world.
The most mysterious part of his theory is the suggestion that if our consciousness can affect this informational matrix, and if everything is interconnected through energy, whether atomic or mental, then we might not be living in ultimate reality. Instead, we could be inside a kind of simulation, a matrix, where our brain is capable of understanding its physical laws but not its true origin. This idea leads to the concept of awakening: expanding consciousness enough to fully master the hologram. According to this view, if someone completely understood the matrix, they would essentially disappear from it, reaching a pure state in the real, higher reality.
So, why don’t we all experience the full reality of the Lattice? According to Grinberg, most people are “stuck” tuning into only one level of reality because of personal filters, history, and conditioning. If we could let go of these, we might experience reality as it truly is, limitless and interconnected.
Grinberg also suggested that shamans, mystics, and yogis can tap into different Syntergic Bands, explaining their unusual experiences and abilities, like telepathy or materializing objects.
To support these radical ideas, Dr. Grinberg conducted experiments measuring brain electrical activity (EEG) during moments of deep communication and meditation. He observed that when two people were in deep, empathic communication, their brainwave patterns—specifically the coherence or similarity between the left and right halves of their brains—became strongly synchronized.
In some sessions, especially when deep mutual understanding was present, the EEG patterns between the two people even began to reflect each other, as if their brains were in direct, nonverbal communion. When communication was weak, this synchrony was absent.
He also designed a technique to train people to stimulate this sense of unity, using biofeedback based on EEG coherence. When individuals achieved high levels of coherence in their brain activity, meaning their brain hemispheres were working in harmony, they reported feelings of inner unification, peace, and a dissolution of the usual separation between self and world.
This effect wasn’t easy to achieve: it required months of hard training, indicating that our usual fragmented mind is deeply ingrained.
Another fascinating experiment involved placing a small weight in a room shielded from all outside physical forces. Grinberg recorded the brain activity of people sitting nearby, instructing them to remain still and calm. He found that certain changes in their EEG coherence coincided with measurable changes in the weight, suggesting that their mental or energetic activity was having a physical effect on the environment, possibly even modifying gravitational forces. However, this effect was not easy to control or reproduce willingly, perhaps owing to the complexity and subtlety of the internal mental state required.
Underlying all of these scientific endeavors is the concept that space is not empty but is actually a matrix full of information, a kind of quantum field that underlies all physical reality.
Grinberg postulated that our perception of separation, of individuals and objects, is just a result of our brain decoding a limited amount of the immense information present in this field. If the brain could raise its coherence to the highest level, it might be able to interface with this fundamental field fully, leading to a direct perception of oneness or unity with all that exists.
Grinberg’s Syntergic Theory attempts to bridge science and spiritual wisdom, suggesting that consciousness is not just a private, isolated phenomenon inside each person, but part of a universal field. Through deep communication, meditation, and increased internal coherence, human beings can experience greater unity with themselves, with others, and with the universe itself.
Grinberg was never able to prove this theory completely. Just like his work on children’s extraocular vision (seeing without using the eyes) and telepathy, these studies were left unfinished. That’s because, at the most critical moment in his career, Dr. Jacobo Grinberg mysteriously disappeared.
The Last Days of Dr. Grinberg
1994 was a year of huge changes for Mexico. Carlos Salinas de Gortari was president, and on January 1, the country started a new chapter with the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA, linking Mexico, the US, and Canada. The government promised it would bring an economic miracle, jobs, and progress for everyone.
But on that very first day, things took a wild turn. In the southern state of Chiapas, an armed group called the Zapatistas stormed towns and government buildings. Their goal? Justice and rights for Mexico’s indigenous people, who they believed were once again forgotten by policies like NAFTA. The Zapatistas, led by Subcomandante Marcos, became national heroes for many, and Dr. Jacobo Grinberg was among their most passionate supporters.
Dr. Grinberg wasn’t just an ordinary scientist. He marched in rallies, signed public letters, and even tried to connect the Zapatistas’ struggle to his studies in shamanism and the mysteries of the mind. Around this time, Grinberg dove deeper into the world of the supernatural. Some of his friends began to worry. Was he losing his grip on reality?
He started saying he felt watched and unsafe, even describing huge cosmic visions, like traveling through space in his mind, connecting with alien civilizations, and even believing he might have become a kind of god. Some wonder if constant use of hallucinogenic substances pushed him even further away from reality.
In the early 1990s, Grinberg befriended Carlos Castaneda, a famous but controversial writer who claimed to study shamanism and drug-induced visions. Castaneda was later criticized for making up his stories, but Grinberg admired his work for a time and even visited him with his second wife, María Teresa Mendoza López.
It’s rumored that Castaneda invited Grinberg to leave his university job and join his secretive group. Grinberg refused. Their relationship soured, and some of Grinberg’s friends would later speculate, without evidence, that Castaneda’s circle could have played a role in his vanishing.
As the end of 1994 approached, Grinberg seemed increasingly unstable and paranoid. He called his daughter. He said he was heading to Kathmandu, Nepal, for meditation, but airline records show he never left Mexico. Days before his birthday, he left messages saying his wife, Teresa, was persecuting him. By then, their marriage had become extremely troubled, full of jealousy and fights.
What happened? Was Teresa involved?
People close to Grinberg believed Teresa was pretending to be someone she wasn’t, that she might be dangerous, or that she was part of a group trying to control him. His brother remembers that Grinberg openly feared for his life in their last meeting. Friends insisted: Jacobo Grinberg would never have left his beloved daughter, his university job, or his responsibilities by choice.
Lizette admits she did not know Teresa well. Still, her limited interactions (including chance meetings and following her to Grinberg’s house for research purposes) were awkward, with Teresa reportedly displaying paranoia and anxiety. Jacobo himself described Teresa as someone with “powers,” referencing shamanic or magical abilities. Lizette expresses skepticism about paranormal powers, but acknowledges Grinberg’s fascination with such phenomena; he actively sought to study their scientific basis. Moreover, Teresa’s involvement in shamanic practices, particularly those involving trance-induced surgeries or “psychic surgeries, —placed her at the crossroads of science and mysticism, the terrain Grinberg himself navigated.
Lizette points out that while his quest was scientific, Grinberg always remained open to subjects dismissed by conventional research—extrasensory perception, telepathy, shamanic healing, and other phenomena viewed with skepticism by the mainstream scientific community. This approach earned him both admiration and criticism, making him something of an outsider and, perhaps, a target.
Wild Theories
According to Ilan Stavans, a Jewish Mexican-American essayist, after Grinberg was reported missing, strange things happened. Teresa cashed one of his checks and gave conflicting stories about his whereabouts. Sometimes he was in Guadalajara, sometimes in Campeche, and sometimes supposed to be flying out to Nepal. Teresa was seen with a night watchman with a military background and later with a blonde woman, collecting her things from one of their houses. Eventually, Teresa herself disappeared forever. [Source]
Since that time, Grinberg has become more legend than man. In Spanish, the word for “disappeared”—desaparecido—isn’t the same as “reappeared”—aparecido, which means “ghost.” Grinberg became a legend, an apparition. Some of his followers believe he’s not gone, just hidden, waiting for the right time to return, to enlighten the world with secret knowledge.
His family remembers him with great love, seeing lessons in his courage and relentless search for truth. In Jewish tradition, there’s a legend about the 36 righteous people, the Lamed Vavniks, upon whom the fate of the world depends. Grinberg’s friends sometimes wondered: Could Jacobo have been one of these special souls?
In the last years of his life, Jacobo Grinberg’s mind soared beyond what most of us can imagine. Maybe he saw realities others couldn’t. Maybe he fell victim to his explorations. Maybe he was lost, or maybe he didn’t disappear at all, but simply crossed a border no one else could see.
Someone once tried to contact him using spiritual rituals, hoping for a sign he was alive or dead. The answer? Grinberg is “in bardo”—the Buddhist state between death and rebirth. Between worlds, between stories, between mysteries.
The story of Jacobo Grinberg has no neat ending. Mexico in 1994 was a place of turmoil and transformation, and Grinberg was swept away in its currents. Was his disappearance political? Personal? A matter of science, madness, or magic?
No one knows. But those who remember him say he taught us one thing above all: Reality is full of mysteries. Sometimes, the truest thing we can do is keep searching for answers.
This artist’s concept depicts planet TRAPPIST-1 d passing in front of its turbulent star, with other members of the closely packed system shown in the background. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, J. Olmsted (STScI)
When global events set our minds to wondering if humanity has what it takes to persist, it's natural to wonder about other worlds, other life, other intelligent species, and if those others might be better suited to survive whatever Great Filters they face. Those are fanciful thoughts, but there's an underpinning of nuts-and-bolts thinking to them. It starts with identifying which planets in habitable zones around other stars might actually be habitable.
That begins with liquid water and a life-friendly atmosphere that can contain it.
The discovery of the TRAPPIST-1 system generated a lot of excitement a few years ago. It contains seven roughly Earth-like worlds, and three or perhaps four of them are in the red dwarf's compact habitable zone. One of them, TRAPPIST-1 d, could host water on its surface, or at least on parts of its surface, according to some research. But without a suitable atmosphere, a planet can't retain surface water, and new observations from the JWST show that TRAPPIST-1 d does not have an Earth-like atmosphere.
The TRAPPIST-1 system compared to our Solar System. TRAPPIST-1 d is on the inner edge of the star's habitable zone.
Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
The JWST observed two consecutive transits of TRAPPIST-1 d with its NIRSpec/PRISM instrument in November, 2022. Researchers from Canada, the UK, France, and the USA analyzed the data from those transits and concluded that the promising exoplanet does not have an Earth-like atmosphere. Their results are in a paper in The Astrophysical Journal titled "Strict Limits on Potential Secondary Atmospheres on the Temperate Rocky Exo-Earth TRAPPIST-1 d." The lead author is Caroline Piaulet-Ghorayeb of the University of Chicago and Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx) at Université de Montréal.
"While TRAPPIST-1 d may prove a barren rock illuminated by a cruel red star, the outer planets TRAPPIST-1e, f, g, and h, may yet possess thick atmospheres."
- co-author Ryan MacDonald, University of St. Andrews.
"The nearby TRAPPIST-1 system, with its seven small rocky planets orbiting a late-type M8 star, offers an unprecedented opportunity to search for secondary atmospheres on temperate terrestrial worlds," the authors write in their research. "Here we present the first 0.6–5.2 μm NIRSpec/PRISM transmission spectrum of TRAPPIST-1 d from two transits with JWST."
TRAPPIST-1 d is right at the inner edge of TRAPPIST-1's habitable zone. It's a great target for transmission spectroscopy, and these JWST observations provide the first detailed transmission spectrum of the planet's atmosphere. Unfortunately, the spectrum is flat, meaning there are no detectable atmospheric features.
“Ultimately, we want to know if something like the environment we enjoy on Earth can exist elsewhere, and under what conditions. While the James Webb Space Telescope is giving us the ability to explore this question in Earth-sized planets for the first time, at this point we can rule out TRAPPIST-1 d from a list of potential Earth twins or cousins,” said lead author Piaulet-Ghorayeb in a press release.
The JWST failed to detect the types of molecules present in Earth's atmosphere like methane, carbon dioxide, and water. However, that doesn't completely rule out an atmosphere; there are a couple of other possibilities.
“There are a few potential reasons why we don’t detect an atmosphere around TRAPPIST-1 d. It could have an extremely thin atmosphere that is difficult to detect, somewhat like Mars. Alternatively, it could have very thick, high-altitude clouds that are blocking our detection of specific atmospheric signatures — something more like Venus. Or, it could be a barren rock, with no atmosphere at all,” Piaulet-Ghorayeb said.
Studying TRAPPIST-1 d and its atmosphere is about more than just ruling out its habitability. There's a greater scientific endeavor involved.
A visual comparison of Solar System orbits, TRAPPIST-1 orbits, and Galilean moon orbits.
Image Credit: By ESO/O. Furtak - http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1706b/, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56526718
Red dwarfs, or M dwarfs, like TRAPPIST-1 are common, and are likely the most plentiful type of star in the Milky Way. They're known to host their share of rocky worlds where we can reasonably wonder if life persists. But red dwarfs are also known for their violent flaring, and TRAPPIST-1 is no exception. It flares every couple of days, and each year it emits between four and six superflares. This powerful flaring activity could shred any planetary atmospheres, rendering the TRAPPIST-1 planets inhabitable.
However, there's considerable uncertainty around red dwarf flaring and habitability. Some research shows that the planets couldn't retain atmospheres in the face of the coronal mass ejections coming from the star. But it's at least possible that some of these planets could retain their atmospheres. For example, powerful planetary magnetic fields could provide a protective barrier from the star's flaring. The JWST opens a path to understanding red dwarf flaring effects on atmospheres.
“Webb’s sensitive infrared instruments are allowing us to delve into the atmospheres of these smaller, colder planets for the first time,” said Björn Benneke of IREx at Université de Montréal, a co-author of the study. “We’re really just getting started using Webb to look for atmospheres on Earth-sized planets, and to define the line between planets that can hold onto an atmosphere, and those that cannot.”
The only features in the JWST's spectra are attributed to stellar contamination rather than atmospheric absorption. "Our precise transmission spectrum can be fully explained by stellar contamination alone, and therefore enables us to rule out cloud-free or thick atmosphere scenarios across a wide range of potential atmospheric metallicities," the authors write.
This artist's illustration of TRAPPIST-1 d is from several years ago when scientists wondered about its nature and if it could support liquid water.
Updated Feb. 2018, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76364484
A low molecular weight atmosphere is harder for a planet to retain, and these observations ruled out those types of hydrogen-dominated atmospheres. The observations also ruled out thicker atmospheres like Venus' or Titan's. The only things left are extremely thin atmospheres unlikely to bolster habitability, or atmospheres dominated by high clouds that mask molecular absorption features from the JWST. But the research effectively rules them out.
"Therefore, we conclude that (1) thick cloud-free hydrogen-rich atmospheres are ruled out by our transmission spectrum; (2) thin H2-rich alternatives are strongly disfavored when considering TRAPPIST-1 d in the context of its formation and evolution under stellar irradiation; and (3) high-altitude clouds or hazes are not expected to form on TRAPPIST-1 d if it has a low-metallicity atmosphere," the researchers explain.
This work almost certainly eliminates TRAPPIST-1 d from a list of potentially habitable, water-supporting exoplanets. This is Nature, so TRAPPIST-1 d's elimination isn't absolutely certain. "Our observations cannot yet completely exclude other potential atmosphere scenarios for TRAPPIST-1 d which were predicted in the literature," the authors explain, noting that other research involving climate models hints at the possibility that the tidally-locked planet could form high-altitude water clouds at its terminator, blocking atmospheric absorption signals from view.
But what about the other planets in the system?
“All hope is not lost for atmospheres around the TRAPPIST-1 planets,” Piaulet-Ghorayeb said. “While we didn’t find a big, bold atmospheric signature at planet d, there is still potential for the outer planets to be holding onto a lot of water and other atmospheric components.”
However, the outer planets aren't the juicy scientific targets that planet d is. They're further from the star, and colder. Even the JWST's powerful instruments struggle in those conditions. While detailed spectra aren't available for those worlds, the researchers still reached some conclusion.
"We find that even complete atmosphere loss for TRAPPIST-1 d would not preclude atmosphere presence for the outer HZ planets TRAPPIST-1 e, f, and g," the authors write in their conclusion. Contrary to the inner planets, it's possible that these outer planets held onto their water "even if they initially accreted only a few Earth oceans of volatiles."
“Our detective work is just beginning. While TRAPPIST-1 d may prove a barren rock illuminated by a cruel red star, the outer planets TRAPPIST-1e, f, g, and h, may yet possess thick atmospheres," added Ryan MacDonald, a co-author of the paper, now at the University of St Andrews in the United Kingdom, and previously at the University of Michigan. “Thanks to Webb we now know that TRAPPIST-1 d is a far cry from a hospitable world. We're learning that the Earth is even more special in the cosmos."
Being a human being means bearing witness to humanity's greatest, most triumphant moments of accomplishment and unity, but also to the depraved actions we take against one another. The minds of thinking people are bound to wonder if there are other worlds out there that host life. Each potentially habitable world is a glimmer of hope that humans, with all their struggles, are not the only intelligent species out there.
If we look to the heavens, and to exoplanets, for some kind of reprieve from humanity's troubles, TRAPPIST-1 d won't provide it. If this research is correct, its stricken from the list of hope-inspiring exoplanets.
NASA computer generated image of debris objects in Earth orbit, c. 2005
The numbers paint a stark picture of our orbital traffic problem. More than 11,000 active satellites currently circle Earth, with thousands more planned for launch in coming years. Even more concerning are the over 1.2 million pieces of space debris larger than one centimetre hurtling through space at incredible speeds. At those velocities, even a paint chip can damage a spacecraft, while larger debris can destroy entire satellites.
This growing congestion has turned collision avoidance into a daily headache for satellite operators worldwide. Currently, teams of specialists must manually assess threats, calculate risks, and coordinate with other operators when collisions seem likely. This process is time consuming, labor intensive, and prone to communication breakdowns that can complicate emergency responses.
That is where CREAM comes in, it aims to revolutionise this chaotic process by automating most collision avoidance activities. The system can evaluate potential crashes, generate precise manoeuvre plans, and support decision making with minimal human intervention. Think of it as an air traffic control system for space, but with artificial intelligence handling much of the complex coordination.
The launch of yet more satellites into Earth orbit onboard a Falcon 9 rocket delivering 60 Starlink satellites to orbit on November 11, 2019.
(Credit : US Air Force)
One of CREAM's most innovative features is its ability to connect different types of organisations involved in space operations. Satellite operators, space monitoring services, regulators, and observers can all communicate through the system, streamlining what was previously a fragmented and often frustrating process.
The system goes even further by facilitating negotiations between operators when potential collisions involve two active satellites rather than debris. If operators disagree on the best solution, CREAM can refer the dispute to mediation services, ensuring fair and transparent resolution.
Currently, CREAM exists as a ground-based prototype system developed by GMV and Guardtime. This version can already provide collision alerts and generate actionable avoidance manoeuvres that ground crews can implement. However, the real breakthrough will come when CREAM moves into orbit itself.
View of an orbital debris hole made in the panel of the Solar Max satellite
(Credit : NASA)
The project is preparing for expanded pilot testing while simultaneously developing space based versions. These include "piggyback missions" where CREAM will ride aboard other spacecraft as a digital payload, plus a dedicated demonstration mission to test the system's capabilities in the harsh environment of space.
Beyond preventing immediate collisions, CREAM addresses a fundamental challenge in space governance. Establishing "rules of the road" for space traffic has always faced a chicken and egg problem; you need both international agreement on the rules and the technology to enforce them.
CREAM provides that missing technological foundation. The system offers standardised tools that help operators follow best practices while giving regulators ways to monitor compliance. Its flexible design allows non-technical users to update standards and rules as international norms evolve. This adaptability ensures CREAM will remain relevant as space technology advances and new challenges emerge. Rather than becoming obsolete, the system can grow and adapt alongside our expanding presence in space.
The 3I/ATLAS object has become a real sensation in modern astronomy. Most scientists agree that it is a comet that has come to us from another star. Many popular publications write that it is even more interesting, because it may turn out to be an alien probe. Let’s figure out what’s what.
3I/ATLAS
Interstellar guest
On July 1, 2025, the ATLAS robotic telescope system discovered an object beyond Jupiter’s orbit that was moving quite rapidly against the backdrop of stars. Such behavior typically indicates a comet that has originated from the Oort cloud, located at the outskirts of the Solar System. However, no cometary activity was detected at first.
However, the speed and trajectory of this object immediately made it one of the major astronomical sensations of 2025, and soon even people who were far removed from observing the sky began to talk about it. It turned out that the comet, which was soon named 3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1), had flown in from interstellar space.
The “3I” in the name indicates that this is the third macroscopic interstellar object known to humans. The first two were the asteroid Oumuamua (1I/ʻOumuamua) and the comet Borisov (2I/Borisov), discovered in 2017 and 2019, respectively. The fact that interstellar visitors were not recorded before, but now appear so abundantly, may frighten some people. But in reality, there is nothing mystical about it.
Over the past few decades, astronomical technology has advanced rapidly, with the emergence of large survey telescopes, space observatories, robotic instruments, and a network of enthusiasts who constantly exchange information on the Internet. Humanity has reached a level of observation where it can see things in the sky that previously went unnoticed.
Borisov comet. Source: Wikipedia
So, the appearance of the third interstellar object was eagerly awaited. Immediately after the announcement of the discovery of 3I/ATLAS, several powerful astronomical instruments were directed at it, thanks to which scientists were able to establish fairly quickly that it was indeed a comet and learn enough about it.
Comet characteristics
The first thing that interested scientists in 3I/ATLAS were its speed. In the Oumuamua and Borisov comets, it was significantly higher than in bodies with aphelion somewhere at the edge of the Solar System: 26 and 32 km/s, respectively.
However, in the case of 3I/ATLAS, this value was already 58 km/s at the moment when it entered the Solar System. That is, even then, it was flying a distance equal to the distance from Earth to the Sun in about a month. And this speed has only increased since then because now the gravity of our star acts on this body.
An interstellar comet in a photograph taken on July 2. Source: Wikipedia
Such high speed determined the trajectory, which turned out to be too unusual for objects in the Solar System. Its eccentricity is 6.141. Some may say that eccentricity cannot exceed unity. But this only applies to closed elliptical orbits, which are possessed by all bodies that constantly revolve around the Sun.However, eccentricity is also present in parabolic and hyperbolic trajectories, and the latter includes the orbit followed by 3I/ATLAS. Moreover, its eccentricity is so great that the trajectory resembles a straight line rather than a curve.
The second feature of 3I/ATLAS that caught the attention of scientists is the section of the sky from which the comet came to us. It is located in the constellation Sagittarius, close enough to the center of the Milky Way. At the same time, it has a sufficiently high vertical velocity component relative to the plane of our Galaxy’s disk, meaning that the comet flies through it rather than moving within it all the time.
The section of the sky where 3I/ATLAS was discovered. Source: Wikipedia
All this indicates that it originated near a star in the thick disk of the Milky Way. And they, as a rule, belong to the most ancient generations of stars. It was from this that perhaps the most sensational statement about 3I/ATLAS was derived, which is considered scientifically true and recognized by most scientists. This interstellar comet is older than the Sun. Its age is estimated to be between 7.6 and 13 billion years, although there is another estimate that it formed somewhere between 3 and 11 billion years ago.
In addition, throughout July, scientists observed 3I/ATLAS and confirmed that it exhibits normal cometary activity, i.e., it forms a coma and something resembling a tail. This, in turn, allowed them to conduct spectroscopic studies and confirm that it consists mainly of water and contains hydroxyl ions, OH. In addition, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were found on it, and it seems that their evaporation is responsible for the formation of the comet’s shell.
However, cyanides, oxygen, or complex organic molecules, which are found in comets that constantly revolve around the Sun, have not yet been detected in 3I/ATLAS. Instead, there is a lot of dust, and its particles are quite large, with a diameter of about 1 micron.
There is one interesting fact about 3I/ATLAS related to dust. When archival images from various telescopes were examined, an interstellar comet was found in images taken by the TESS satellite in May of this year. It operates in the infrared range, and its images show that this celestial body, even then, far beyond Jupiter’s orbit, was ejecting matter containing dust.
Image 3I/ATLAS taken by the Hubble Telescope. Source: Wikipedia
Finally, scientists were able to calculate the diameter of the comet’s nucleus with some accuracy. In early studies, it was estimated to be between 10 and 20 km. Then, thanks to the Hubble Space Telescope, it was reduced to a range of 0.32 to 5.6 km. But scientists disagree on whether its size is closer to the upper or lower limit. Some studies show that the nucleus is less than a kilometer in diameter, while others show that it is larger.
Aliens
It would be surprising if the appearance of 3I/ATLAS did not spark rumors that it was an alien spacecraft. This idea was expressed on social media almost from the very first days after the discovery, and on July 16, a certain Avi Loeb, a real professor of astrophysics at Harvard University, joined the discussion. He published an article in which he presented several entirely scientific arguments in favor of the idea that it could be an interstellar probe from aliens.
Of course, this sparked a flurry of publications speculating that this was a real alien spacecraft and that we should expect aliens to land in late autumn. Loeb has a rather scandalous reputation in academic circles: he has many high-quality scientific works to his credit, but he often makes overly bold predictions that are mostly unconfirmed.
The alien probe would not be much larger than Voyager-1. Source: www.space.com
After such a sensational statement, other scientists rushed to refute the words of Loeb and his colleagues. Their assumptions were mainly based on the fact that the orbit of 3I/ATLAS lies almost in the plane of the ecliptic, so it will pass close enough to several inner planets, which may indicate plans to explore them or even land on them.
In addition, Loeb stated that the object did not exhibit classic cometary activity. He was reasonably told that at the time of his statements, the object was far enough away from us that we could not see any emissions from it. Indeed, 3I/ATLAS subsequently showed quite standard cometary activity.
In addition, scientists pointed out that if it were an extraterrestrial probe, it would be a small metal object that we would see, at best, as it approached Mars’ orbit, but certainly not at a distance greater than 4 AU.
As for the comet’s orbit, although it is close to the ecliptic, it is still inclined at an angle of 5° relative to it, which may well be a coincidence. In general, its passage within the system deserves separate consideration.
Orbits of the Sun and 3I/ATLAS around the center of the Galaxy. Source: Wikipedia
Comet flight
Speaking about the possibility that there are aliens on 3I/ATLAS, it is important to note that at the moment of its closest approach to the Sun, Earth will be on the other side of it. Therefore, to approach it, a hypothetical alien spacecraft would have to detach itself from the ice mountain and perform a braking maneuver.
Many of those who like Loeb’s hypothesis says that all the prerequisites are in place because the comet’s trajectory is such that it will approach several large planets at once, and it will be possible to perform a gravitational maneuver near them.
However, let us consider what these approaches will look like. The first object on the path of 3I/ATLAS will be Mars. The comet will approach it at a minimum distance of 29 million kilometers. This is 75 times the average distance from Earth to the Moon. This is somewhat excessive for a gravitational maneuver.
Then, on October 29, 3I/ATLAS will pass through perihelion – the point closest to the Sun. At that time, it will be 1.36 AU away from the Sun. This means that it will be inside the orbit of Mars, but still very far from the orbit of our planet, which at that moment will be on the other side of our star.
Shortly after that, on November 3, the comet will pass at its closest distance to Venus, but that will still be 97 million km away. Earth regularly comes much closer to our neighbor. What gravitational maneuvers can be expected in this case remains unknown.
After that, Earth will appear in front of 3I/ATLAS, which will already be moving away from the Sun. The maximum approach will occur on December 19, and the distance will be 1.8 AU, which means that the interstellar visitor will be much farther away from us than the Sun. Finally, on March 16, 2026, 3I/ATLAS will approach a planet that could give it a nice gravitational maneuver – Jupiter. However, this will happen after it has flown through the entire inner Solar System and will have to turn back and catch up with Earth, which at that time will again be on the opposite side of the Sun from it. And the distance from the gas giant will be 53 million km. Which is quite a lot.
The 3I/ATLAS movement across the starry sky. Source: Wikipedia
Of course, we can assume that the aliens’ spaceship will detach from it precisely during its approach to Mars, or during its passage through perihelion when we cannot see it. In this case, it will have to slow down by more than 20 km/s.
And even so, this will not help the aliens much, because the trajectory will remain retrograde relative to the direction of the planets’ rotation around the Sun. So, if the aliens who flew to us billions of years ago have a plan that is a little more complicated than becoming kamikaze pilots, they will have to slow down again, spending a lot of energy on it. And the aliens still need to get that energy from somewhere.
So, most likely, we should not expect any extraterrestrial visitors at the end of the year. And we will not be able to admire the interstellar comet itself. By the time it emerges from behind the Sun, its brightness will already be approximately 11 stellar magnitudes, meaning it will be inaccessible even to small amateur instruments, let alone the naked eye.
And it will not be possible to launch a spacecraft to study it up close. Calculations show that to catch up with it, it would have to launch from Earth, and this would be a mission at the limit of our capabilities in terms of accelerating spacecraft. Better yet, it would have to launch from Mars’ orbit.
But scientists continue to study 3I/ATLAS. Now we can be sure that it is not the last one, and in a few years, we can expect the next interstellar visitor. And perhaps by then, we will be able to prepare a device that will take a closer look at it.
Illustration of a giant star being torn apart by a black hole. Credit: CfA
Supernova SN 2023zkd was discovered in July 2023 using the Zwicky Transient Facility telescope in California. Artificial intelligence, which analyzes data on stellar explosions on a daily basis, marked it due to its unusual behavior.
“The open supernova had two strange features. First, it seemed to explode twice: first it became brighter, then dimmed, and then flared up again. Secondly, supernovae usually reach their peak brightness in a matter of days or weeks, but in this case, the star gradually became brighter over several years before exploding,” said lead author Alexander Gagliano.
Death dance with a black hole
Researchers suggest that the strange behavior can be explained by the star falling into the gravitational trap of a black hole. Two objects began to approach each other, causing enormous gravitational stress, which led to the premature explosion of the star.
There is another scenario: perhaps the black hole completely tore the star apart before it had a chance to explode on its own. In this case, the stellar debris collided with the gas surrounding the black hole, triggering a flare.
How artificial intelligence helps find anomalies
The LAISS system, which detected SN 2023zkd, analyzes data on the luminosity of supernovae and their galaxies, comparing them with known samples. If something unusual is found, a specially configured bot notifies scientists.
“It’s an incredible instrument for finding rare phenomena,” says Gagliano. Thanks to such technologies, astronomers are discovering more and more exotic cosmic events.
The discovery of SN 2023zkd is just the beginning. Studying such supernovae will help us better understand how stars and black holes interact.
The Perseverance rover photographed a rock with a very unusual shape. It resembles a weathered medieval helmet.
A helmet-shaped rock found by the Perseverance rover. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
The image of this unusual formation was taken on August 5, 2025, using the Mastcam-Z instrument. It consists of a pair of cameras mounted on the Perseverance mast. They enable scientists to obtain high-resolution stereo images and study unusual objects, such as this rock covered with spherical formations, from a distance.
The rock has a pointed peak and a pitted, nodular texture, which makes it look like a helmet forged many centuries ago. On Earth, similar nodular textures can form as a result of chemical weathering, mineral precipitation, or even volcanic processes. Perseverance already found a similar rock in March 2025.
It was these spherical formations that intrigued scientists. The rock consists almost entirely of them. Researchers suggest that in some rocks found on Mars, these spherical particles formed when groundwater passed through pores in sedimentary rocks. But they are not sure that all of them were formed in this way.
The Perseverance science team will continue to analyze other rocks in search of answers to this mystery of Martian geology. Studying them will help reconstruct the environmental history of the Red Planet, showing how wind, water, and internal processes have shaped its landscapes over billions of years.
Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Rogers Fund, 1904
It is also worth noting that the “helmet” is a new addition to the growing collection of strange rocks and formations found on Mars: from a “doorway” to rocks shaped like avocados and ducks. All of these are examples of a phenomenon known as pareidolia. This describes the human brain’s tendency to superimpose familiar images onto random visual data — whether it be a face on the Moon or a Martian sphinx.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:Ruins, strange artifacts on other planets, moons, ed ( Fr, EN, NL )
De Mysteries van de Bermudadriehoek, UFO’s en Verbindingen met Atlantis
De Mysteries van de Bermudadriehoek, UFO’s en Verbindingen met Atlantis
De Bermudadriehoek, ook wel bekend als de “Driehoek van de Verloren Zenders”, is een gebied in de Atlantische Oceaan dat zich uitstrekt tussen Miami, Bermuda en Puerto Rico. Sinds de 20e eeuw hebben talloze verhalen de ronde gedaan over mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen binnen dit gebied. Deze fenomenen hebben de menselijke nieuwsgierigheid gewekt en geleid tot een breed scala aan theorieën, variërend van natuurlijke oorzaken tot bovennatuurlijke en paranormale verklaringen. Recentelijk is ook de connectie met UFO-waarnemingen en de legende van Atlantis in de discussie betrokken, waardoor de mysteries rondom de Bermudadriehoek een complex en intrigerend onderwerp vormen dat wetenschap, mythologie en pseudowetenschap met elkaar verbindt.
De geschiedenis en waarnemingen
De eerste berichten over onverklaarbare incidenten in de Bermudadriehoek dateren uit de 19e eeuw, maar de populariteit nam sterk toe na de publicatie van het artikel “The Deadly Bermuda Triangle” in 1964, en de publicatie van het boek “The Bermuda Triangle” door Charles Berlitz in 1974. Volgens deze bronnen zouden honderden schepen en vliegtuigen binnen dit gebied zijn verdwenen zonder duidelijke oorzaak. De bekendste incidenten omvatten de verdwijning van de USS Cyclops in 1918, de vlucht van Flight 19 in 1945, en de verloren Boeing 777 in 2015.
Wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar deze incidenten heeft echter aangetoond dat veel van de vermeende verdwijningen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke oorzaken. Bijvoorbeeld, snel veranderende weersomstandigheden, onderwaterstromingen, menselijke fouten en technische storingen spelen een significante rol. De regio staat bekend om zijn hete wateren en snel bewegende stormen, wat de navigatie bemoeilijkt. Daarnaast is het gebied een drukke scheepvaartroute, waardoor het statistisch gezien onvermijdelijk is dat er ongevallen plaatsvinden.
Natuurlijke verklaringen en wetenschappelijke benadering
Wetenschappers benadrukken dat de vermeende mysterieuze verdwijningen grotendeels kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke factoren en menselijke fouten. Onderwatergeologie toont aan dat de regio gekenmerkt wordt door zogeheten “muren” en “snelstromingen”, die schepen kunnen verrassen en doen kapseizen. Bovendien kunnen onderwatergeulen en riffen scheepswrakken veroorzaken. Ook de aanwezigheid van methaanhydraatgaten, waarbij gas uit de zeebodem vrij komt en het water minder dicht maakt, kan leiden tot plotselinge verzakkingen van schepen.
Wat betreft vliegtuigen, worden storingen vaak toegeschreven aan onvoorspelbare weersomstandigheden, zoals onweersbuien en turbulentie. De menselijke factor speelt eveneens een rol, vooral gezien de hoge verkeersdrukte in het gebied. De combinatie van natuurlijke en menselijke factoren verklaart grotendeels de incidenten, waardoor het idee van een bovennatuurlijk mysterie wordt onderuit gehaald.
UFO’s en buitenaardse theorieën
Naast de natuurlijke verklaring bestaan er theorieën die de rol van UFO’s en buitenaardse wezens in de mysteries van de Bermudadriehoek suggereren. Aanvankelijk werden waarnemingen van onverklaarbare vliegende objecten vaak gerelateerd aan de legendes over buitenaardse bezoeken. Sommige onderzoekers beweren dat de anomalieën in het gebied mogelijk het gevolg zijn van buitenaardse activiteit, zoals het observeren of zelfs het kidnappen van mensen en schepen.
Deze theorieën worden vaak ondersteund door anekdotisch bewijs van getuigen die vreemde lichten en objecten in de lucht hebben gezien. UFO-onderzoekers wijzen op de frequentie van deze waarnemingen in de regio en suggereren dat de anomalieën niet volledig kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke oorzaken. Echter, wetenschappelijke consensus blijft sceptisch, omdat er geen concreet bewijs is dat UFO’s daadwerkelijk betrokken zijn bij de verdwij
ningen in de Bermudadriehoek. Desalniettemin blijven deze theorieën populair onder het grote publiek en dragen ze bij aan de mystiek rondom het gebied. Sommige onderzoekers speculeren dat de regio mogelijk een soort portaal of energetisch knooppunt zou kunnen zijn, waar bovennatuurlijke of buitenaardse krachten zich manifesteren. Hoewel deze ideeën fascinerend zijn, ontbreekt het wetenschappelijke bewijs om deze te ondersteunen en blijven ze binnen het domein van pseudowetenschap en speculatie.
De connectie met Atlantis en de mythevorming
Een andere intrigerende dimensie die vaak in verband wordt gebracht met de Bermudadriehoek is de legende van Atlantis. Volgens sommige theorieën zou de ondergang van de mythische beschaving verband kunnen houden met de mysterieuze gebeurtenissen in dit gebied. De veronderstelde verbindingen worden vooral gesuggereerd door de aanwezigheid van onderwaterstructuren en artefacten die mogelijk op het continent Atlantis wijzen.
De mythe van Atlantis, zoals beschreven door de Griekse filosoof Plato, beschrijft een geavanceerde beschaving die onder water zou zijn verdwenen na een catastrofale gebeurtenis. Sommige onderzoekers en pseudowetenschappers geloven dat deze gebeurtenis mogelijk plaatsvond in de buurt van de Bermudadriehoek, en dat de anomalieën en verdwijningen daar verband mee houden. Ze wijzen op onderwaterstructuren die lijken op restanten van oude beschavingen en beweren dat deze bewijzen zouden kunnen zijn voor een verloren stad of continent.
Echter, archeologisch bewijs voor het bestaan van Atlantis is uiterst beperkt en wordt door de meeste wetenschappers als niet overtuigend beschouwd. De connectie tussen Atlantis en de Bermudadriehoek blijft dus grotendeels speculatief en onderdeel van de mythische narratieven die de regio omringen. Niettemin blijft de fascineratie voor een mogelijke onderwater- of ondergrondse lost city een krachtig element in de popularisering van de mysteries van de regio.
Moderne wetenschappelijke inzichten en technologische ontwikkelingen
In de afgelopen decennia hebben technologische vooruitgang en wetenschappelijk onderzoek geleid tot een beter begrip van de fenomenen in de Bermudadriehoek. Satellietbeelden, sonar en diepzeeonderzoeken hebben aangetoond dat veel van de vermeende mysteries verklaarbaar zijn door natuurlijke processen en geologische kenmerken. Bijvoorbeeld, het zogenaamde “Bermuda Triangle Mystery” wordt nu vaak toegeschreven aan een combinatie van menselijke fouten, weersomstandigheden en natuurlijke geologische structuren.
Daarnaast heeft de ontwikkeling van navigatiesystemen zoals GPS en radar de veiligheid van scheepvaart en luchtvaart aanzienlijk verbeterd. Hierdoor is het aantal ongevallen in het gebied afgenomen en wordt de regio niet langer beschouwd als bijzonder gevaarlijk. Wetenschappers benadrukken dat de angst voor het onbekende vaak versterkt wordt door sensationalistische media en pseudo-wetenschappelijke publicaties, en dat een rationele, op bewijs gebaseerde benadering de beste manier is om de mysteries te begrijpen.
De rol van pseudowetenschap en de media
Ondanks de wetenschappelijke verklaringen blijven pseudowetenschappelijke theorieën en sensationele verhalen de publieke verbeelding voeden. Films, boeken en documentaires over de Bermuda Triangle brengen de mythe levend en versterken het idee dat er onverklaarbare krachten in het spel zijn. Sommige auteurs en onderzoekers maken gebruik van de angst en nieuwsgierigheid van mensen om commerciële belangen te dienen, door bijvoorbeeld onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen te dramatiseren of te overdrijven. Deze sensationalistische benaderingen leiden vaak tot een vervorming van de feiten en een verdeling tussen feit en fictie, wat het begrip van de werkelijke oorzaken bemoeilijkt.
De media spelen hierbij een grote rol door het creëren van een sensationeel narratief dat niet altijd overeenkomt met de feiten. Door het benadrukken van mysterieuze en onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen wordt de aandacht van het publiek getrokken, vaak zonder kritische reflectie op de betrouwbaarheid van de bronnen. Sensatiejournalistiek en populaire documentaires laten zelden ruimte voor wetenschappelijke nuance en verklaringen gebaseerd op empirisch bewijs. Hierdoor worden complottheorieën en pseudowetenschappelijke ideeën als plausibele alternatieven gepresenteerd, wat de verwarring en scepsis onder de bevolking versterkt.
Deze tendens heeft geleid tot een cultuur waarin het mysterieuze en het onverklaarbare aantrekkelijker lijken dan de wetenschappelijke verklaringen. Het bevordert een wereldbeeld waarin de Bermuda Triangle niet slechts een gebied is waar natuurlijke en technische oorzaken kunnen worden gevonden, maar een plek vol verborgen krachten en buitenaardse invloeden. Dit versterkt de mythe en maakt het moeilijk voor het publiek om onderscheid te maken tussen feit en fictie. Het gevaar hiervan is dat het geloof in pseudowetenschap en complottheorieën kan leiden tot desinformatie en het ondermijnen van wetenschappelijke kennis.
Het is daarom essentieel dat wetenschappers en journalisten samenwerken om correcte informatie te verspreiden en kritisch denken te stimuleren. Educatie over de wetenschappelijke methode en het belang van bewijs kan helpen om de invloed van sensationele verhalen te beperken. Door transparant te zijn over de beperkingen en onzekerheden binnen de wetenschap, kunnen we het vertrouwen in empirisch onderzoek behouden en voorkomen dat pseudowetenschap een dominante rol krijgt in de publieke perceptie. Alleen door kritisch te blijven en bewust te zijn van de rol die media en pseudowetenschap spelen, kunnen we een meer geïnformeerde en realistische kijk op de mysteries van de Bermuda Driehoek en gerelateerde onderwerpen ontwikkelen.
BESLUIT
De verkenning van de mysteries rondom de Bermudadriehoek, UFO-waarnemingen en de mogelijke connecties met de legendarische beschaving van Atlantis biedt een fascinerend inzicht in de complexiteit en het mysterie dat deze onderwerpen omringt. Hoewel veel van de verhalen en theorieën aanvankelijk op speculatie en anekdotisch bewijs leunen, ontstaat er door grondig onderzoek en kritische analyse een genuanceerder beeld. De Bermudadriehoek wordt vaak geassocieerd met mysterieuze verdwijningen van schepen en vliegtuigen, maar wetenschappelijke verklaringen zoals weersomstandigheden, menselijke fouten en elektromagnetische fenomenen bieden vaak voldoende uitleg. Toch blijven er vragen bestaan die niet volledig beantwoord kunnen worden, wat bijdraagt aan de aura van mysterie.
Wat UFO’s betreft, tonen de vele waarnemingen en rapportages dat deze verschijnselen de verbeelding blijven prikkelen en vaak aanleiding geven tot speculaties over buitenaardse betrokkenheid. Hoewel er geen definitief bewijs is voor buitenaardse visitaties, blijven deze fenomenen een interessant onderzoeksgebied dat onze perceptie van de werkelijkheid uitdaagt.
De mogelijke verbindingen met Atlantis voegen een extra dimensie toe aan de discussie. Atlantis fungeert als symbool voor een geavanceerde beschaving die mogelijk verbonden is met onderwater- en aardse mysteries. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat de kennis en technologie van Atlantis een rol kunnen spelen bij de verklaringen voor de onverklaarbare verschijnselen in de Bermudadriehoek en de UFO-waarnemingen.
Kortom, de dissertatie benadrukt dat hoewel veel mysteries onopgelost blijven, het belang ligt in het blijven onderzoeken en kritisch evalueren van de beschikbare bewijzen. Het zoeken naar antwoorden op deze intrigerende vragen stimuleert niet alleen onze nieuwsgierigheid, maar draagt ook bij aan een dieper begrip van de wereld en haar verborgen geheimen. De mysteries rondom de Bermudadriehoek, UFO’s en Atlantis blijven een bron van inspiratie en onderzoek, en wellicht ligt de sleutel tot hun oplossing in de combinatie van wetenschap, openheid en creatieve verbeelding.
A Vulcan rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 on Aug. 12. (Courtesy of the United Launch Alliance)
Massachusetts residents who looked up at the night sky late Tuesday might've seen something that sent them into an X-Files-esque spiral of curiosity: a bizarrely lit-up shape, almost like a bright cloud, shimmering across the sky in unmistakable UFO fashion.
And while it wasn't an alien craft or even an unidentified flying object, it was indeed a partially classified government operation.
The strange light and shapes seen were the Vulcan rocket, launched by United Launch Alliance in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on behalf of the U.S. Space Force.
It was no routine rocket launch: It marked the first "national security"-related launch of materials by the powerful Vulcan rocket into orbit, officials said.
The specifics of the rocket's payload are classified and were not disclosed by Space Force, but officials said it included an experimental military navigation satellite along with other items, and that they were successfully put in orbit around the Earth.
The rocket was launched at 8:56 p.m., and reports of sightings came in from across much of the eastern United States and the Midwest shortly thereafter.
“Vulcan is a catalyst to supporting national defense in the strategic warfighting domain of space,” Tory Bruno, United Launch Alliance's president and CEO, said in a statement. “Vulcan is the world’s most capable, high-energy orbit rocket meeting the demand for expanding space competencies.
Vulcan provides flexibility to our nation’s decision makers as we combat our adversaries' attempts to disrupt the U.S. in space operations.
He continued, "This launch begins a new era in national space security.”
The rocket traveled seven hours and covered some 22,000 miles to complete its mission, officials said.
Why Are Pyramids Everywhere? A Global Pattern or Universal Logic?
Why Are Pyramids Everywhere? A Global Pattern or Universal Logic?
Why are pyramids everywhere? This is a beautiful photo of the Great Pyramid at sunset.
Pyramids have captivated human imagination for centuries, appearing in a broad spectrum of cultures across every continent—Egypt, Mesoamerica, Mesopotamia, Africa, Asia, and regions where direct contact between civilizations seems unlikely. Their widespread occurrence prompts profound questions about their origins, functions, and possible underlying principles. Are these structures coincidental, products of convergent evolution driven by similar practical needs, or do they hint at a deeper, perhaps lost, global connection? This comprehensive analysis aims to explore the phenomenon of pyramids worldwide, examining their origins, cultural significance, and the potential universal architectural logic that underpins their recurrence.
Why are pyramids everywhere? In the Egyptian desert, the pyramids stand still under a shifting sky. Their limestone blocks, weathered and pale, still hold their lines after more than four thousand years. The shape is deliberate: wide at the base, narrowing as it climbs, ending in a point that once caught the sun.
Half a world away, the jungle presses against broken stone. In Guatemala, temple steps rise above the trees, stacked high by Maya masons who built for ceremony, not burial. Their pyramids were climbed, not sealed. The shape is familiar, but the meaning was different.
The most well-known of these is the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, which remains sealed beneath a massive earthen pyramid surrounded by a buried army of terracotta soldiers.
These structures have no shared blueprint. Their builders never met, never traded, never wrote of one another. They spoke different languages and worshipped different gods. Still, the shape repeats. From the Andes to the Nile, from the Sahara to the Yangtze, the pyramid keeps showing up, always rising, always reaching.
The Ubiquity of Pyramids: A Global Phenomenon
Architectural forms resembling pyramids have been discovered on every inhabited continent, underscoring their status as a truly global phenomenon. The Egyptian pyramids, especially the Great Pyramid of Giza, dating back to approximately 2580–2560 BCE, are among the most iconic symbols of ancient architecture. Meanwhile, civilizations in Mesoamerica, including the Maya and Aztecs, constructed step pyramids such as El Castillo at Chichen Itza and the Templo Mayor, serving religious and ceremonial purposes. In Africa, the Nubian pyramids of Sudan, built between circa 800 BCE and 1500 CE, feature steep-sided structures that differ from their Egyptian counterparts but share the pyramidal form. Southeast Asia boasts structures like Borobudur in Indonesia, a massive stepped pyramid that functions as a Buddhist pilgrimage site, while the ancient Mesopotamians built ziggurats—terraced platforms with pyramidal outlines serving as temples. Even in China, the mausoleum of Emperor Jing of Han exhibits pyramidal features.
This extensive distribution raises critical questions: Is this mere coincidence, or does it reflect some universal principle or shared human instinct? The widespread nature of pyramids across cultures and epochs suggests an underlying pattern that warrants scientific and cultural inquiry.
The shape that touches the sky
The pyramid is not just a symbol. It’s a shape grounded in physics and built from the simplest logic of weight and balance. A wide base. Sloping sides. As the structure rises, it narrows. That design doesn’t happen by accident. When you stack stone or mudbrick and let gravity do the rest, the most reliable shape you get is a pyramid. The weight holds itself together. It pushes down, not out. And because of that, pyramids can stand for thousands of years without columns or internal framing. They’re not easy to build, but we are told and reassured by mainstream experts that they don’t require complex tools, just labor, patience, and a plan.
In Egypt, the earliest pyramid-like structures are believed to have begun as mastabas: rectangular tombs with flat tops and sloped sides. Around 2600 BCE, that changed. Djoser, a king of Egypt’s Third Dynasty, commissioned his architect, Imhotep, to stack mastabas into tiers. That experiment became the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first pyramid in Egypt. Later builders and architects are believed to have refined the idea, smoothing the angles and expanding the scale. By the time of Khufu, the shape had reached its peak: the Great Pyramid at Giza, aligned almost perfectly to the cardinal points, built from more than two million blocks of stone.
Step pyramid of Djoser. Credit: Jumpstory
Some of those blocks are still difficult to explain. The core limestone came from quarries nearby, but the smooth outer casing, now mostly gone, came from Tura, across the river. The granite beams above the King’s Chamber, some weighing more than 50 tons, were transported from Aswan, over 800 kilometers to the south. No records explain how they were moved. Ramps are the leading theory, but no ramp system found so far fully accounts for the scale, precision, and elevation involved. For all the study and excavation, the logistics behind the Great Pyramid remain one of archaeology’s most persistent puzzles. And one of my favorite mysteries about the pyramids.
In Central America, the pyramid took on a different role. The Maya, Aztec, and earlier cultures like the Olmec built stepped pyramids not as tombs but as stages. These were sites of ceremony, processions, and offerings to the gods. Temples sat at the top. Staircases ran down the middle. Unlike the sealed pyramids of Egypt, these were designed to be climbed. Many were built over earlier structures, layer by layer, as each new ruler added their mark to the past. One of the largest pyramids on Earth is located in North America, in the city of Puebla. It is called the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
How the Pyramid of Cholula supposedly looked like.
Back to Africa and Egypt. To the south of Egypt, in what is now Sudan, the Nubian pyramids rose after Egypt’s golden age had faded. The Kingdom of Kush built hundreds of small, narrow pyramids in the desert near Meroë and Napata. They were sharper in angle, often just 6 to 30 meters tall, but their purpose was similar, to honor and bury kings, queens, and elites. They reflected Egypt’s influence, but with distinct local style.
In China, the shape appears again. The burial mound of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor to unite China, was built in the 3rd century BCE and shaped like a low, flat pyramid. It’s still sealed. Remote sensing suggests a vast complex beneath the soil, rivers of mercury, miniature palaces, walls — but the tomb itself remains untouched. Other imperial mausoleums in the region follow the same form: wide at the base, rising to a flat point, then covered in earth and left to blend into the hills.
A rare view of the summit of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Coincidence or Convergent Evolution?
The question of whether pyramids are the result of coincidence or convergent evolution is central to understanding their ubiquity. Coincidence implies that different cultures independently arrived at similar architectural solutions due to common needs or constraints. Convergent evolution in architecture suggests that similar forms develop independently in response to analogous environmental factors, societal functions, or symbolic needs.
Several factors strongly support the idea of convergent evolution:
Practicality and Structural Stability:Pyramids are inherently stable structures. Their broad bases and tapering apex facilitate weight distribution and resistance to environmental stressors such as earthquakes and erosion. This stability makes them ideal for tombs, religious temples, or ceremonial platforms—functions that require durability.
Resource Availability:The materials used for pyramid construction—stone, mud brick—were accessible in numerous regions. For example, limestone in Egypt, volcanic stone in Mesoamerica, and mud bricks in Mesopotamia were locally abundant, enabling the independent development of pyramid structures.
Symbolic Significance:The pyramid shape often symbolizes a connection between earth and the divine, with the apex representing the heavens or spiritual ascent. Such symbolism appears to be universally appealing, possibly rooted in innate human cognition or shared spiritual concepts.
Functional Utility: Pyramids serve similar societal functions across cultures—marking tombs, serving as temples, or acting as territorial symbols. Their monumental nature elevates their societal importance, which may naturally lead to the adoption of similar forms.
The convergence of these factors suggests that the recurrence of pyramids can largely be explained by convergent evolution driven by shared environmental constraints, resource availability, and symbolic universals rather than direct contact or shared origins across civilizations.
Independent invention or shared idea?
As much as some would like to believe otherwise, there’s no evidence that ancient Egypt and the civilizations of the Americas ever made contact. The oceans were too wide, the timelines too far apart. They didn’t share a language, trade goods, or leave behind anything that connects them. And yet, both built pyramids. Large, angular, enduring. The resemblance has confused and intrigued scholars for over a century. It still does. But most experts agree: it’s coincidence.
Archaeologists call it convergent design. The pyramid solves practical problems. If you’re stacking stone or mudbrick and want the structure to last, gravity does most of the planning for you. Build up, and the shape naturally tapers. It’s stable. It’s strong. And if the base is wide enough, it will stand for a very long time. Just look at the pyramids in Egypt.
The pyramid is what happens when you stack stone long enough, said one archaeologist when I was living in Mexico (Yup, I lived there for over 15 years). He argued that it is the most efficient way to build tall without needing much engineering.
That’s true in theory maybe. The shape is efficient. But in practice, building a pyramid wasn’t easy. It took organization, manpower, and long-term planning. Moving heavy stone, lifting it into place, and keeping the structure aligned over dozens of vertical meters demanded far more than instinct. So we have to remember that these weren’t casual constructions. Some pyramids, like for example Cholula, took several generations to build.
And also, practicality wasn’t the only reason pyramids were built, either. In many places, height carried symbolic weight. Mountains were often seen as sacred, places where gods lived or where the living could reach toward the sky. By building upward, people recreated that connection. A pyramid placed the dead, the divine, or the ceremonial high above the ground. That elevation wasn’t just by chance or just because a king back in the day wanted something pointy.
The shape also served power. A pyramid stands out. It can be seen from far away. It doesn’t need decoration to feel important. It can be built over time, layer by layer, each generation adding to the one before (just like cholula). It doesn’t crack or lean, well at least not if it was built right. For rulers who wanted to mark the land, or be remembered long after they were gone, it was a shape that worked.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Despite their similar forms, pyramids often have distinct cultural meanings. Egyptian pyramids are primarily designed as royal tombs, facilitating the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife. Mesoamerican pyramids, such as those at Chichen Itza, served as temples for religious rituals and sacrifices. Ziggurats in Mesopotamia functioned as terraced platforms dedicated to gods, reflecting a different religious worldview. In Nubia, the pyramids served as tombs for kings and queens, emphasizing their role in funerary practices. In Asia, structures like Borobudur symbolize spiritual enlightenment and the journey toward nirvana. While the architectural form remains similar—a stepped or smooth-sided pyramid—their purposes are deeply embedded in specific cultural, religious, and societal contexts.
This diversity underscores an important point: although the shape of pyramids appears across cultures, their symbolic meanings are often context-dependent. Nonetheless, the recurring use of a pyramid shape in sacred and funerary architecture suggests a shared human tendency to use monumental forms to mark significance, transcendence, and the divine. This universality in symbolic gesture might be rooted in innate cognitive patterns, such as the human tendency to recognize and emulate hierarchical, ascending forms as expressions of spiritual or societal hierarchy.
The Universal Architectural Logic Given the widespread occurrence and similar structural features, it is worth exploring whether there exists a universal architectural logic underlying pyramid construction. Several scientific and geometrical principles support this idea:
Geometric Efficiency and Structural Stability: The pyramid’s shape distributes weight evenly downward, minimizing stress on the structure and enabling it to reach impressive heights without complex support systems. The broad base provides stability, while the tapering apex reduces material use and enhances strength.
Material Optimization: The pyramid form allows builders to use locally available materials efficiently, stacking stones or bricks in a way that maximizes the strength-to-weight ratio. This principle of material efficiency is consistent with engineering practices observed across various civilizations.
Environmental Adaptation: Pyramids are well-suited to diverse climates and geographies. Their shape offers resistance to weathering and erosion, and their thermal properties—such as the ability to maintain stable internal temperatures—are advantageous in hot, dry environments.
Symbolic Geometry: The pyramid’s shape can be associated with fundamental geometric principles, such as the concept of the monumental triangle, which is aesthetically and symbolically powerful. The pyramid’s form can be linked to the idea of a mountain—a universal symbol of stability, permanence, and spiritual ascent.
Cognitive and Cultural Universals Research in cognitive science and anthropology suggests that humans have innate tendencies toward certain geometric forms and symbolic representations. For instance, studies indicate that humans across cultures tend to attribute sacredness to pyramidal shapes, possibly because they resemble natural features like mountains or celestial bodies. The universality of such forms could be rooted in shared neurocognitive mechanisms, such as pattern recognition, hierarchical structuring, and the human tendency to associate upward movement with spiritual elevation.
Moreover, the pyramid’s form facilitates ritualistic functions. Its geometric simplicity and visual prominence make it an effective focal point for collective ceremonies and social cohesion. This aligns with theories of cognitive archetypes—universal symbols embedded in the human psyche, as proposed by Carl Jung and others—where certain shapes and motifs recur across different cultures because they resonate with deep-seated psychological patterns.
A pattern across continents
Each region built its own kind of pyramid, shaped by the materials they had, the way their societies worked, and what they believed. In Egypt, mainstream experts maintain that the pyramids were tombs (I kind of disagree). In Mesoamerica, they were said to have been used as temples. In China, they sealed emperors underground. In Sudan, they marked the graves of royalty. The designs varied, but the basic form stayed the same, wide at the base, rising to a point.
In Egypt, pyramid construction reached its height during the Old Kingdom. As political power and resources declined, it is believed that the building slowed and eventually stopped. In Mesoamerica, the tradition lasted much longer. The Maya were still building pyramids into the 15th century, often adding new layers on top of older ones. In Sudan, the Napatan and Meroitic kingdoms revived the form long after Egypt had moved on. Their pyramids were smaller and steeper, but just as symbolic.
The Chinese pyramids are harder to spot. Most are covered in earth and blend into the landscape. The largest belongs to Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China. His tomb has never been opened, but surveys suggest there’s a vast underground complex beneath it, palaces, walls, and rivers made of mercury.
A screengrab showing an aerial view of the Pyramid of El Cerrito. Image Credit: Video Master Producciones / Youtube.
Why the pyramid worked
If you asked me to reply logically, I would probably say that a pyramid holds its own weight. That’s the simplest reason it shows up in so many ancient cultures. The wider the base, the more weight it can carry above. When people were building with stone, without mortar or steel, this mattered. You could stack layer after layer, and the shape would stay intact. It didn’t need columns or supports. It stayed up because of the way it was built. The question remains, however, how some of the supermassive stones were transported in ancient Egyp, and stacked to the height the stones were stacked. But then again…The structure wasn’t the only reason. Height made a difference. A pyramid could rise above everything around it. In open landscapes, it became a fixed point on the horizon. For rulers, that visibility meant power. It gave their cities a center. It reminded people who was buried there, or who held the land.
In many places, height also carried spiritual meaning. Mountains were seen as sacred. They stood between the world of people and the world of gods. By building upward, ancient cultures brought that idea into daily life. A pyramid wasn’t a mountain, but it borrowed the shape. It gave form to beliefs that were otherwise invisible.
There are other ideas, too. Some people believe that different pyramid-building cultures inherited the design from a lost civilization. Others say there was contact between continents long before recorded history. A few suggest more unusual explanations. Archaeologists don’t accept these theories, because they aren’t supported by evidence. But their persistence shows how much mystery the pyramid still holds. For something made of stone, it remains hard to pin down.
The Role of Contact and Cultural Diffusion in the Development of Pyramid Structures: A Comparative and Scientific Perspective
The emergence of pyramid-shaped structures across different ancient civilizations has long intrigued scholars, prompting debates about whether these architectural feats resulted from independent innovation (convergent evolution) or through intercultural contact facilitating the dissemination of ideas. While convergent evolution offers a compelling explanation—highlighting how similar environmental and societal pressures can lead to analogous architectures—consideration of trade routes, technological exchange, and archaeological evidence suggests that cultural diffusion may have played a significant role in some instances.
Historical trade networks such as the Silk Road, which connected East Asia with Central Asia and the Middle East, and maritime routes in the Indian Ocean, facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also the transmission of technological knowledge and architectural concepts. For example, the spread of Buddhist stupas across Asia and Southeast Asia demonstrates how religious and cultural ideas traveled along these networks, potentially influencing local architectural styles, including pyramid-like structures. Maritime exploration and trade might have similarly enabled the transfer of construction techniques, stone-working methods, and symbolic motifs associated with pyramids, thereby fostering their adoption or adaptation in distant regions.
Nevertheless, the considerable temporal and geographic disparities among pyramid-building civilizations suggest that many of these structures arose independently rather than through direct influence. The Egyptian pyramids, notably the Pyramid of Khufu at Giza, date to the 26th century BCE, significantly predating Mesoamerican pyramids such as the Pyramid of Kukulcán at Chichen Itza, which was constructed around the 12th century CE. Furthermore, Chinese and Southeast Asian civilizations developed their own pyramid-like edifices—such as the Chinese burial mounds (tombs) from the Han Dynasty and the stepped pyramids of Southeast Asia—without definitive archaeological evidence linking these structures to external influences. These patterns support the hypothesis that environmental factors, societal organization, religious beliefs, and technological capabilities independently led to the emergence of pyramids across different regions.
One of the most curious ancient Egyptian megastructures – the Bent Pyramid.
Credit: Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Modern archaeological and engineering studies have shed light on the complexity of pyramid construction and the advanced knowledge systems employed. For instance, the Great Pyramid of Giza exemplifies precise astronomical alignment, with its sides oriented almost perfectly along the cardinal points, indicating sophisticated understanding of geometry and celestial phenomena. Analysis of the core and casing stones reveals advanced quarrying and transportation techniques, reflecting complex logistical organization. Similarly, in Mesoamerica, the construction of pyramids involved specific astronomical alignments and ritual significance, emphasizing the role of cultural symbolism alongside engineering prowess.
Contemporary scientific methods, such as radiocarbon dating, remote sensing, and material analysis, continue to refine our understanding of these structures' origins and development. These techniques often reveal independent timelines and technological innovations, reinforcing the notion of independent evolution. Moreover, digital reconstructions and structural analyses demonstrate how different civilizations tackled common architectural challenges—such as stability, durability, and symbolic representation—using locally available materials and indigenous engineering techniques.
In conclusion, while intercultural contact and trade networks undoubtedly facilitated the exchange of ideas and techniques, the independent emergence of pyramid structures in diverse civilizations appears to be primarily driven by convergent evolution—where similar environmental and societal pressures fostered analogous architectural solutions. The integration of archaeological evidence, scientific analyses, and historical context underscores the multifaceted nature of pyramid development, highlighting humanity’s universal tendencies to seek monumental expression of cultural, religious, and societal values through similar architectural forms across different regions and epochs.
CONCLUSION
The widespread presence of pyramids across various cultures and regions suggests a fascinating phenomenon: are pyramids a manifestation of a global pattern or do they emerge from a universal logic rooted in human psychology and environmental factors? To understand this, it is essential to consider both the cultural significance and the structural advantages of pyramids.
Historically, pyramids appear independently in diverse civilizations, from ancient Egypt and Mesoamerica to Mesopotamia and China. This parallel development indicates that pyramids are not simply cultural exports but rather a recurring solution to comparable societal needs and environmental challenges. The pyramid's shape symbolizes stability and durability—an enduring monument that withstands the test of time. Its broad base provides a sturdy foundation, while the tapering apex signifies ascent and spiritual elevation, often reflecting religious or cosmological beliefs.
From a practical perspective, the pyramid's geometric structure offers remarkable stability, making it suitable for monumental construction. Its inclined sides effectively distribute weight, reducing the risk of collapse, which was crucial in ancient engineering. Additionally, pyramids served as tombs or sacred sites, emphasizing their role as physical embodiments of spiritual beliefs and social hierarchy. Their prominent visibility also reinforced political power and religious authority, serving as symbols of divine legitimacy.
Culturally, the universal human tendency to seek immortality and to honor the dead may underpin the pyramid form. Many pyramids functioned as elaborate tombs or spiritual gateways, connecting the earthly realm with the divine. This shared human inclination to create enduring monuments to the dead and to express cosmological ideas suggests a universal logic rooted in human psychology.
Furthermore, environmental factors influenced pyramid design. In regions with abundant stone resources, such as Egypt and Central America, the material dictated the construction style. The pyramid's form was adaptable to local conditions, reinforcing the idea that its prevalence is driven by both cultural symbolism and practical considerations.
In conclusion, the widespread occurrence of pyramids across civilizations reflects a blend of universal human aspirations, psychological needs, and environmental influences. While cultural nuances shape specific interpretations, the underlying logic—stability, spirituality, and social cohesion—appears to be a common thread. This pattern underscores the universality of human creativity and the shared quest to leave a lasting legacy, making pyramids a compelling symbol of our collective history and aspirations
Scientists have created a specialized AI assistant that will help in the study of Earth and other planets. It is capable of receiving data from geophysical instruments and using it to construct graphs and make assumptions. At the same time, requests can be made to it in normal human language.
AI will help study processes on Earth and other planets. Source: phys.org
AI for scientists
The new generation of AI has long sparked debate about whether it can really help people acquire new knowledge, or whether it is simply capable of stringing letters together to form words. But it seems that researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have the answer to this question.
They created the Intelligent Data Exploring Assistant (IDEA) software platform, which combines the functionality of large language models such as ChatGPT with the capabilities of specialized neural networks designed to analyze large scientific data sets.
Based on IDEA, it is possible to create a variety of assistant instruments capable of understanding questions in plain language, analyzing queries based on data sets from various measuring devices, and generating graphs and assumptions that will provide scientifically agreed answers to scientists’ questions.
Earth and beyond
First and foremost, the platform is designed for studying Earth as a planet. Based on IDEA, scientists were able to create a prototype of the Station Explorer Assistant (SEA) and applied it to analyze data from tide gauges — instruments that measure sea level with high accuracy. Usually, special programs need to be written to process data from them, but the new AI has already demonstrated its ability to provide answers without this.
Researchers say that it is not perfect, still makes mistakes, and its work needs to be carefully monitored. But it still makes the work of scientists much easier. And this applies not only to oceanographic data.
Although SEA focuses on sea level data, the basic structure of IDEA is designed to work across a wide range of geological scientific disciplines. In one example from the study, researchers applied IDEA to atmospheric data from Mars — an area they had never worked with before — and were surprised at how easily the assistant adapted to the new dataset with only a change in instructions and data sources.
Although SEA is still a prototype, it is available online for scientists or university students to test and try out. Developers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the IDEA framework on GitHub and experiment with adapting it to their own data or using other large language modeling services.
Scientists are pondering the nature of 300 mysterious objects that the James Webb Space Telescope has spotted in the depths of space. Most likely, these are incredibly bright young galaxies, but this assumption still needs to be verified.
Scientists from the University of Missouri are discussing whether the bright objects recorded in large numbers by the James Webb Space Telescope could be distant but bright galaxies, or something else.
In the first few years of operation, the new space observatory saw many more objects than any telescope. This led to a problem with sorting all the objects it discovered. Initially, 300 of them simply could not be classified.
“These mysterious objects are candidate galaxies in the early universe, meaning they could be very early galaxies,” said Haojing Yan, a professor of astronomy at the College of Arts and Sciences at Mizzou and co-author of the study. “If even a few of these objects turn out to be what we think they are, our discovery could challenge current ideas about how galaxies formed in the early universe—the period when the first stars and galaxies began to take shape.”
But identifying objects in space does not happen instantly. This requires a careful, step-by-step process to confirm their nature, combining advanced technology, detailed analysis, and several space detective investigations.
Step 1: Identifying the first clues
Mizzou’s researchers used two powerful infrared cameras on the JWST: the Near Infrared Camera and the Mid-Infrared Instrument. Both devices are specially designed to detect light from the most distant corners of space, which is key to studying the early Universe.
Why infrared? Because the farther away an object is, the longer its light travels to reach us. As light from these early galaxies travels through space, it stretches into longer wavelengths — shifting from visible light to infrared. This stretching is called redshift, and it helps us determine how far away these galaxies are. The higher the redshift, the farther the galaxy is from Earth, and the closer it is to the beginning of the Universe.
Step 2: “ The dropout”
To identify each of the 300 candidates for early galaxies, researchers at Mizzou used a well-known method called the “dropout” technique.
This method detects galaxies with high redshifts by examining objects that appear in redder wavelengths but disappear in bluer ones — a sign that their light has traveled vast distances and time. This phenomenon is an indicator of the “Lyman Break” — a spectral feature caused by the absorption of ultraviolet light by neutral hydrogen. As the redshift increases, this signal shifts toward redder wavelengths.
Step 3: Estimating the details
Once the “dropout” technique identifies each of the galaxy candidates, the next step is to check whether they could be at very high redshifts, Yan said.
“Ideally this would be done using spectroscopy, a technique that spreads light across different wavelengths to identify signatures that would allow an accurate redshift determination,” he said.
However, when complete spectroscopic data are not available, researchers can use a technique called spectral energy distribution fitting. This method provided Sun and Yan with a basis for evaluating the redshifts of their candidate galaxies, as well as other properties such as age and mass.
In the past, scientists commonly believed that these extremely bright objects were not early galaxies, but rather something that mimicked them. However, based on their achievements, Sun and Yan believe that these objects deserve closer attention and should not be dismissed so quickly.
Step 4: Final answer
The final test will use spectroscopy — the gold standard — to confirm the team’s findings.
Spectroscopy separates light into different wavelengths, just as a prism separates light into a rainbow of colors. Scientists use this technique to detect the unique fingerprint of a galaxy, which can tell them how old the galaxy is, its formation and composition.
“One of our objects is already confirmed by spectroscopy to be an early galaxy,” Sun said. “But this object alone is not enough. We will need to make additional confirmations to say for certain whether current theories are being challenged.”
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy have obtained a detailed image of an object resembling the Eye of Sauron from “The Lord of the Rings.” The shot helped reveal its long-held secret.
The cosmic “Eye of Sauron.” Portrait of the blazar PKS 1424+240, obtained by the VLBA radio telescope. Source: Y.Y. Kovalev et al.
The object captured in the photo is known as PKS 1424+240. It is located billions of light years from Earth and is a blazar — a galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its center that actively absorbs matter. The jet it produces is directed toward us, which makes it appear much brighter than usual.
PKS 1424+240 has long puzzled astronomers. It stands out as the brightest of the known blazars emitting neutrinos, and is also a source of very high-energy gamma rays. However, strangely enough, its radio jet moves slowly, which contradicts models according to which only very fast jets can be the source of such powerful radiation.
Now, thanks to 15 years of super-precise radio astronomical observations using the VLBA radio telescope, researchers have been able to create a detailed image of this jet with unprecedented resolution. It showed an almost perfect toroidal magnetic field with a jet directed straight at us.
Illustration showing the position of the jet of blazar PKS 1424+240 relative to Earth. Source: NSF/AUI/NRAO/B. Saxton/Y.Y. Kovalev et al.
Since the jet is directed almost exactly toward Earth, its high-energy radiation is significantly amplified by the effects of special relativity. This alignment results in a brightness increase of 30 times or more. At the same time, the jet appears to move slowly due to projection effects — a classic optical illusion.
This geometry allowed scientists to look directly into the heart of the blazar jet — an extremely rare opportunity. Polarized radio signals helped the team map the structure of the jet’s magnetic field, revealing its probable spiral or toroidal shape. This structure plays a key role in launching and collimating the plasma flow and may be necessary for accelerating particles to extreme energies.
According to scientists, solving this mystery confirms that active galactic nuclei with supermassive black holes are not only powerful accelerators of electrons, but also protons — sources of the observed high-energy neutrinos.
This discovery is a triumph for the MOJAVE program, under which VLBA has been monitoring relativistic jets in active galaxies for decades. Scientists use very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technology, which connects radio telescopes around the world to form a virtual telescope the size of the Earth. This provides the highest resolution available in astronomy, allowing us to study the smallest details of distant cosmic jets.
“Never Get Into a War With the Greys”: Whitley Strieber’s Cautionary Encounter
“Never Get Into a War With the Greys”: Whitley Strieber’s Cautionary Encounter
Whitley Strieber, well-known for his decades of writings and testimony on alleged alien contact, has shared many strange and often unsettling experiences. In a conversation featured in DEBRIEFED Episode 36, Strieber recounted a brief but remarkable meeting with a mysterious figure he identified as a “Nordic.”
This encounter was notable not only because the being appeared distinctly non-human, but also for a warning he gave — a statement that continues to echo in UFO discussions:
“Never get into a war with the Greys, because they’ll never let you win, and they will never let you stop fighting.”
Who Are the “Greys”?
In UFO lore, the Greys are among the most frequently reported alien types. Typically described as small, humanoid beings with large heads and dark eyes, they are often linked to abduction accounts and alleged medical or technological experiments. Some reports describe “tall Greys” or “tall whites” as mature versions of the smaller beings.
Strieber says his own experiences involve different forms of Greys, along with human-looking individuals and other entities — but the warning from the Nordic suggested a far more complex and possibly dangerous relationship between humans and these beings.
The Nordic Encounter
Strieber recalls meeting the Nordic under circumstances involving individuals connected to the U.S. Department of Defense. The man appeared around 6’7” tall, with blond hair and green eyes, looking more human than many Nordic descriptions in UFO literature. He introduced himself by saying, “I am not of you.”
Afterward, a defense contact explained to Strieber that this being was what they called a “Nordic.” When asked where such beings might originate, the reply was telling: “In that direction, we believe” — referring to the Pleiades star cluster.
Why the Warning Matters
The Nordic’s message about never engaging in war with the Greys suggests that such a conflict would be unwinnable and perpetual. This implies either an overwhelming technological superiority or a style of warfare so persistent and unconventional that humans could not hope to end it on their own terms.
Strieber noted that when he hears of modern military encounters with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), he remembers this warning and wonders if today’s decision-makers are unaware of the potential consequences.
Broader Implications
The conversation also touched on the possibility of government or shadow-government programs working alongside extraterrestrials — whether Nordics, Greys, or other types. Strieber referenced discussions with the U.S. Senate Select Intelligence Committee in the past, and the idea of “black budget” projects funding secret facilities unknown even to official Pentagon records.
If such covert collaborations exist, they may already involve managing relationships — peaceful or otherwise — with non-human intelligences.
Whether one interprets Strieber’s account as literal truth, allegory, or speculative fiction, the cautionary phrase “Never get into a war with the Greys” is a stark reminder of how little humanity might understand about potential alien civilizations. If contact ever becomes public and undeniable, history could show that the greatest danger was not in making first contact — but in how we chose to respond afterward.
A mysterious black cube has joined the chilling list of objects spotted hovering over the US during last year's drone invasion.
Newly released government reports have revealed five incidents near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio that have never been disclosed since the swarms of UFOs were seen along the East Coast in late 2024.
Along with several sightings of unidentified drones around the secretive Air Force base in December 2024, federal officials now say a 'black cube'-shaped craft was spotted by a nearby airplane less than 80 miles from Wright-Patterson.
Witnesses of the strange object sent their claims to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on December 19, describing how the cube was flying within 500 feet of the plane, which was soaring 16,000 feet above the ground.
This would make it incredibly unlikely to be a commercial drone, since those types of devices fly only a few hundred feet above the ground.
The FAA recorded this event in their 'SKYWATCH dataset,' which tracks drone sightings near airports or in restricted airspace.
However, when the FAA originally published this sighting in their publicly visible reports, they didn't include any mention of the object being a black cube.
Thanks to a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, it was revealed that this sighting and the other drone incidents near Wright-Patterson led to a major security response, including temporarily closing off military airspace.
Newly released documents from the FAA reveal that military personnel in Ohio spotted a 'black cube' flying near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in December 2024 (Artist rendering)
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio has been linked to UFO activity since the 1940s and 5 new incidents have just been revealed
The new documents were released roughly nine months after the first drone swarms were spotted over the East Coast in November 2024.
After promising answers about the origin of these large, slow-moving objects once he took office, Trump said on January 28 the mysterious swarms were 'not the enemy' and had been authorized to conduct 'research.'
However, the new documents revealed that federal officials still don't believe what's being told to the public.
The recently released reports showed that both air traffic controllers and the FAA were contacted by officials at Wright-Patterson, but both agencies told the Air Force there were 'no authorized aircraft operating in WPAFB airspace' in December 2024.
Just days before the black cube was spotted near Wright-Patterson, four other incidents involving unknown aircraft were reported.
On December 17, three reports were made, revealing how military personnel spotted multiple objects on the base's radar just after 12:40am ET.
Base personnel, who assumed the objects were more drones, never saw the intruders with their own eyes but alerted local police to search.
The statements come months after the first drones appeared in November, soaring above military bases and Trump's golf course in Bedminster, sparking fears of foreign threats watching American citizens
Multiple drones swarmed over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (pictured) between December 13 and December 19, 2024
Less than 20 minutes later, the situation exploded, with radar screens at Wright-Patterson detecting between seven and 17 UFOs moving within 40 miles of the base's airfield.
This time, Wright-Patterson security guards were able to visually confirm that the objects were drones swarming around the base. The Air Force tracked the unmanned drones, but no other action was taken.
More than 12 hours later, an aircraft heading in for a landing at Wright-Patterson spotted a silver object just five miles from the base.
Records released from SKYWATCH noted that the crew believed this craft was a drone and recorded it flying at about 3,200 feet above the ground, much lower than the cube.
Just three days earlier, air traffic controllers had spotted what they believed was another drone over several sensitive locations at Wright-Patterson on December 14, forcing the base's commander to close the facility until the intruder flew off.
Newly released video by the military revealed unknown drones swarming over Wright-Patterson in December 2024
The cube spotted by a airplane less than 500 feet away was reportedly flying at around 16,000 feet, far higher than a normal commercial drone (Stock Image)
The FOIA request by The Black Vault, a website dedicated to sharing declassified government documents, has thrown Wright-Patterson back into the spotlight, as UFO conspiracy theorists have been focused on this facility for decades.
In July 2025, the US military was compelled to release never-before-seen video of two additional incidents over Wright-Patterson on December 13 and December 16, 2024.
Guards at the base recorded several craft flying slowly around the facility, including a group of 'four quad-copter drones with red and green lights in a tight diamond formation.'
After guards shone their car spotlight on them, they reported that the swarm 'gained altitude and flew away at a rapid speed.'
In another chilling incident, another officer spotted an unknown aircraft descending towards the base, getting within 500 feet of landing before it suddenly ascended and vanished into thin air.
UFO researchers and government whistleblowers have said on multiple occasions that the Ohio Air Force base has a direct tie to the 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico.
During a congressional hearing in May, Dr Eric Davis, a physicist who has been a consultant for the Pentagon's UFO program since 2007, revealed that debris from the Roswell incident was allegedly flown to Wright-Patterson after the crash.
The base was also the headquarters for Project Blue Book, the Air Force's official UFO investigation program from 1947 to 1969.
It investigated 12,618 sightings, with 701 remaining 'unidentified,' according to declassified records in the National Archives.
An eyewitness to the supposed crash-landing of a UFO in a small Pennsylvania town nearly 60 years ago now claims investigators have made new, startling discoveries about the incident.
On December 9, 1965, people in seven US states and Canada reported seeing a giant fiery object lighting up the night sky.
Ronnie Strubel, 82, lived in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at the time and described it as a 'fireball with a red rooster tail behind it'.
Then, he said, it came down in a wooded area in the unincorporated town of Kecksburg, which lies in Westmoreland County.
'It only took like 15 or 20 minutes for us to get out to the site, and the military was already there,' he said.
But in the decades since, this strange event likely seen by thousands of people has largely been erased from the collective memory.
That is, until the History Channel aired a documentary on the subject earlier this month, where a mix of experts used modern technology to uncover what may have happened all those years ago in Kecksburg.
Many locals who claim to have seen the UFO pass over Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, say it looked like an acorn (Pictured: A model of the UFO is seen displayed in town)
Pictured: The History Channel team, alongside first-hand UFO witnesses Bill Weaver (second from right) and Ronnie Strubel (right), stand in the woods near the supposed crash site
Kecksburg is a small, unincorporated town in Westmoreland County. The nearest big city is Pittsburgh
The 42-minute long episode, titled 'Pennsylvania's Roswell', was part of reality TV series Beyond Skinwalker Ranch, a show that focuses on sites around the country where there has been supposed paranormal activity.
Strubel and another local, Bill Weaver, were featured in the episode. During a shot near the crash site, Strubel told the same story, but Weaver added some more context about the government response.
'The police and the military, they were all over the place. And there were guys out there in dark suits. They were the ones that seemed to be in charge,' Weaver said.
'While we were standing there watching what was going on, the state police and the military came up to us and they told us, "If you don't move, we're going to confiscate your car." And I figured I better move,' he added.
Hosts Andy Bustamante, an ex-CIA officer, and Paul Beban, an award-winning journalist, unpacked much of the lore surrounding the UFO sighting and crash.
This included the persisting claim from longtime residents that the object they saw was shaped like an acorn.
An acorn-like model of the alleged UFO has been sitting outside the Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Station since the 1990, when it was created as a prop for the NBC show 'Unsolved Mysteries.'
They also discussed many of the explanations that were thrown out by the federal government in the days, months and years after the incident.
Pictured: The very first Greensburg Tribune-Review article on the Kecksburg UFO incident, dated December 10, 1965
Pictured: The History Channel team did a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scan of the ground near where the UFO was thought to have crashed. Technologist Pete Kelsey claimed that this blue area was abnormally flat compared to the rest of the surrounding topography
The team then returned to that exact spot with handheld spectrum analyzers to measure the radio waves. The reading on the left was taken from the flat area discovered by the LiDAR, while the reading on the right was taken just 20 feet away
Very early reports quoted astronomers claiming it was merely a meteor, but this didn't hold much credibility because of the unprecedented military presence documented by witnesses and local media.
NASA still maintains that it was likely a meteor, but also acknowledges speculation that it could have been Soviet satellite.
Beban said the strangest thing about the case was that it got plenty of media attention at the time before it 'faded from view' under 'a cloak of secrecy'.
Bustamante and Beban turned to the expertise of technologist Pete Kelsey in hopes that he would be able to uncover the exact site of the UFO crash.
Kelsey used LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) imaging from a drone and slam scanner to get a topographic map of the ground, which would reveal possible impact points.
Later, the team gathered to look at the results of the scan and found what Kelsey called a patch of 'man-made earth work'.
'It's level against this otherwise very steep slope. Straight lines, right angles. Those kinds of things do not occur in nature,' he said.
They then returned to that exact spot with handheld spectrum analyzers to measure the radio waves.
Strubel revealed the findings at this past weekend's 20th annual Kecksburg UFO Festival, an event he founded with permission from the fire department in 2005
Pictured: An alien themed parade at the 2013 Kecksburg UFO Festival
The alleged crash site had a vastly different radio signature than a spot just 20 feet away, which had a flat frequency.
'This doesn't make any sense. How is there a radio signal in one place that doesn't exist just a few feet away? That's not how radio energy works,' Bustamante said.
'We're getting even more evidence that suggests that there really was something strange that happened on this spot, in this ravine, in Kecksburg,' he added. 'We might have actually found the real crash site.'
Strubel revealed these findings at this past weekend's 20th annual Kecksburg UFO Festival, an event he founded with permission from the fire department in 2005.
Strubel himself is a 50-year veteran of the Kecksburg Volunteer Fire Department, once serving as chief.
The three-day festival routinely attracts thousands of visitors from all over the United States and the world as a whole, he told Daily Mail.
'We've had people from Japan, from Germany, from England with this little town event that we have,' he said.
The first two days of the festival were not solely dedicated to the extraterrestrial, with attendees enjoying a cornhole competition, a parade, fireworks and even a hotdog eating contest.
A visitor enjoying a previous Kecksburg UFO Festival in 2012
'Years ago, we used to have a street fair, and that went to the wayside. And this was our idea for some kind of event to draw a little bit of money into the community. So we started the UFO Fest,' Strubel said.
It remains unclear what truly happened in Kecksburg six decades ago, but the mythos surrounding the UFO crash is clearly buoying the area to this day.
Speaking to CNN, Loeb revealed that the object's unusual brightness suggests it is 'not a common thing.'
'The brightness of the object implies a diameter of 12 miles, and there is not enough rocky material in interstellar space to deliver such a giant object per decade,' he said.
'Usually, for comets, you see a tail trailing behind the object,' said Loeb. 'Here, the glow is actually in front of it. We've never seen such a thing. A comet doesn't glow in front.'
'It may come to save us or destroy us,' the professor said. 'We'd better be ready for both options and check whether all interstellar objects are rocks.'
The Hubble Space Telescope image of 3I/ATLAS shows a faint glow spreading out in front of the object as it moves toward the sun
The interstellar object is believed to be a comet, but Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb contends it could be an alien craft
Chris Lintott, an astronomer at the University of Oxford, told Live Science that Loeb's theory is 'nonsense on stilts,' calling it 'an insult to the exciting work going on to understand this object.'
However, Loeb said his analysis remains rooted in observational data.
He told CNN that another clue that the object is not natural is its 'very finely tuned' trajectory.
'It lies in the plane of the orbits of the planets around the sun to within five degrees,' Loeb explained.
According to him, the odds of that alignment happening by chance are one in 500. Even more striking, he says, is how closely the object passes Jupiter, Mars, and Venus, a pattern with odds of 1 in 20,000 if the arrival time were randomized.
By 'maneuver,' Loeb refers to his theory that the object might use its solar flyby in October as a stealthy approach window, if it is, in fact, an alien probe.
Among his more provocative theories, Loeb wrote on his blog that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien mothership releasing small probes to intercept Earth.
Telescopes have been tracking the course of 3I/ATLAS as it travels through our solar system in 2025 and 2026
Images of 3I/ATLAS taken on July 4 and July 29, 2025, show no sign of a comet tail. The arrows in the images indicate the directions of the sun, north, east and the way the object is moving through space
'The more likely scenario from an engineering perspective involves a mothership that releases mini-probes which perform a reverse Oberth maneuver to slow down at perihelion and intercept Earth,' Loeb wrote.
This type of maneuver uses the sun's gravitational pull at the object's closest approach to adjust the trajectory efficiently, allowing it to reach Earth without large amounts of fuel.
'So, we just need to watch it. I'm not saying it's an alien technology, I'm just saying it doesn't look like a very common thing,' Loeb told CNN.
'Why should we assume that we are the only ones in our cosmic neighborhood? We should just check by looking at the data.'
While NASA reported observing a tail, Loeb and his team recently determined that no such thing exists.
'There were claims of a tail,' he said, 'but since 3I/ATLAS is accelerating and its current size is not much larger than the angular resolution of Earth-based telescopes, it is not easy to avoid fictitious elongation of the image as a result of the object's motion.'
He also questioned the object's unusual lack of gas emissions and its precise, retrograde trajectory, which aligns suspiciously well with the inner solar system.
Loeb has developed what he calls the 'Loeb Scale', a ranking system to evaluate the likelihood that an object is artificial, and gave 3I/ATLAS a six out of ten.
That suggests it is more likely than not to be engineered, though he emphasized that this score may change as more data becomes available.
By STACY LIBERATORE, U.S. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
An ancient underwater city beneath Turkey's Lake Van could potentially reveal secrets that challenge the origins of Noah's Ark.
The sprawling ruins lie 85 feet below the surface near the town of Gevaş, just 150 miles from Mount Ararat, the mountain traditionally believed to be the final resting place of the biblical boat.
Geological evidence suggests that the ruins were submerged 12,000 to 14,500 years ago, when a Mount Nemrut eruption blocked the Mirat River, and caused massive flooding during the Younger Dryas, a period of extreme climate upheaval.
While mainstream scholars dismiss the theory, many independent researchers believe this disaster wiped out an advanced civilization, one so ancient that it may have inspired the earliest versions of the Great Flood story.
'As far as I'm aware, any civilizations in the last 6,000 years did not have the technological means to create the type of stonework we're seeing here,' said independent researcher Matt LaCroix, who spoke about the discovery on the Matt Beall Limitless podcast.
LaCroix and an international dive team are preparing to explore the site in September using advanced imaging tools to map the ruins, which he believes could help rewrite humanity's timeline.
The underwater complex spans more than half a mile, featuring a stone fortress flanked by circular temples with precisely carved masonry.
There is also a capstone engraved with a six-spoked 'Flower of Life' symbol, an ancient motif also found at sacred sites in Peru and Bolivia.
The underwater city features a giant fortress and circular temples. The megastructures are located 85 85 feet below the surface of Lake Van
Divers found stunning circular temples on the lakebed
Discovered in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tossen Salin while studying Lake Van's unusual micro-invertebrates, the ruins have remained largely unknown to the public.
While archaeologists confirm the structures exist, many attribute them to the Urartian period around 3,000 years ago, or even to the medieval era. But they have admitted that the site has yet to be fully studied or definitively dated.
LaCroix, however, said in a July episode of the podcast that geological data told a different story.
He explained how soil sampling and analysis of Mount Nemrut show clear evidence of a massive eruption around 12,000 years ago.
As a result, Lake Van's water level rose dramatically, over 100 feet, according to some estimates.
Because stone cannot be carbon-dated, researchers hope to find organic material, such as sediment layers or artifacts, which could confirm the age of the ruins.
But collecting such evidence underwater poses major challenges.
The site’s sophisticated stonework, with tightly interlocking blocks, angular joints, and no visible binding agents, appears to rival the engineering seen in megalithic sites like Sacsayhuamán in Peru.
An independent researcher believes that this city could rewrite the biblical story of Moses, making it thousands of years older than was is believed. The lake sits just 150 miles from Mount Ararat (pictured), believed to be the site of Noah's Ark
Because stone cannot be carbon-dated, researchers hope to find organic material, such as sediment layers or artifacts, which could confirm the age of the ruins
Discovered in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tossen Salin while studying Lake Van's unusual micro-invertebrates, the ruins have remained largely unknown to the public
'You can see that the temple has been significantly damaged, said LaCroix.
'All the stones on the top have broken off except those at the edges. The site resembles Peruvian masonry, with precisely angled stones forming triangular joints, and only the front appears flat. It's beautiful and would have been perfectly carved.'
He believes the shared architectural features, symbolic motifs, and astronomical alignments across sites in Turkey, South America and Asia suggest the existence of a long-lost global civilization.
Scholars have long acknowledged that the biblical flood story likely evolved from earlier Mesopotamian texts.
Ancient cuneiform tablets from Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian cultures, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Atrahasis, and the Eridu Genesis, describe a massive flood sent to destroy early civilization, and a chosen man who builds a vessel to save life on Earth.
In these tales, the survivor is called Ziusudra or Utnapishtim, names predating Noah by thousands of years.
Excavation logs from Shuruppak, Iraq, believed to be the home of this early flood survivor, show a distinct flood layer above ancient Sumerian ruins.
These records, uncovered at the Penn Museum, provide physical evidence of a catastrophic event similar to those described in the ancient texts.
The ruins were discovered in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tossen Salin while studying Lake Van's unusual micro-invertebrates
Even the Babylonian Map of the World, the oldest known map, marks the Ararat region near Lake Van as a place of ancient significance, possibly linked to tales of a lone survivor who emerged after a global deluge.
LaCroix argues that the biblical version is not being dismissed but rather reframed in its historical and cultural context.
He told Beall to picture a thriving civilization along Lake Van, building temples and structures on stable, elevated ground they believed would last forever.
The lake’s water level was stable for millennia, until the eruption of Mount Nemrut changed everything.
'It’s not that Lake Van would have had to have been 85 feet lower,' said LaCroix.
'It would have had to have been more like 100 feet lower or more, because these ruins are at 85 feet deep. So, what could account for a lake rising over 100 feet?'
By STACY LIBERATORE, U.S. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR
A recent CapitolHill hearing has reignited debate over Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
In a May UAP briefing, physicist Dr Eric Davis, known for his work on top-secret Pentagon projects, stunned listeners by referencing alleged alien species, 'Grays, Nordics, Insectoids, and Reptilians,' as potential operators of unidentified craft.
Missouri Representative Eric Burlison, a member of the House Oversight Committee and UAP caucus, prompted the discussion, revealing on The Endless Void with Kristin Fisher that he had heard these same four classifications in private briefings.
'I've heard those four classifications discussed in meetings in this office by others,' Burlison said.
'But what I wasn't expecting was for him to say it. I wasn't expecting Eric Davis, you know, respected scientists, to say that.'
Burlison, a self-described skeptic, admitted uncertainty about Davis's sources, noting the physicist's comments may stem from firsthand knowledge or secondhand reports.
A respected scientists told Congress that there are four alien species piloting craft in our skies, including Nordics that have human-like features
Dr Eric Davis (left) described these entities as humanoid, approximately human-sized, and possibly linked to classified reverse-engineering programs. Missouri Representative Eric Burlison prompted the question about the different alien species
The concept of Grays as a popular alien archetype took hold in the mid-1960s, largely due to the famous Betty and Barney Hill abduction case.
The couple described being taken by small humanoids with smooth gray skin, large black almond-shaped eyes, and lacking typical human features like noses or ears.
Nordics are described as tall, slender beings resembling Scandinavian humans, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin.
Often linked to the Pleiades star cluster, these entities are said to possess advanced technology and peaceful intentions, featuring prominently in 1950s contactee and UFO lore.
Insectoids, meanwhile, have been part of alien mythology since at least the early 1900s, with roots tracing back to Georges Méliès' 1902 film 'A Trip to the Moon.'
These beings exhibit insect-like traits such as multiple limbs, exoskeletons, mandibles, and sometimes antennae.
The reptilian theory, claiming shape-shifting reptilian aliens secretly control Earth, surged in popularity through conspiracy theorist David Icke in the late 20th century.
Interestingly, similar half-human, half-serpent figures appear in ancient South and Southeast Asian myths, such as the Nāga.
Another is Grays, described as small humanoids with smooth gray skin, large black almond-shaped eyes, and lacking typical human features like noses or ears
Betty (left) and Barney Hill (right) were the first Americans who claimed they were abducted by Grays in September 1961
While Davis named each of these in May, Burlison leaned toward a more earthly explanation, suggesting UAPs are likely advanced human-made technologies, perhaps experimental projects by private contractors.
'With all of the advancements that we've made, the fact that we discovered the Higgs Boson particle, all of the discoveries in quantum physics, and that nobody has figured out a way to create some form of advanced propulsion,' he remarked.
However, Burlison expressed frustration at the thought of such technology existing, recalling how he sat delayed on a tarmac for three hours due to weather, joking, 'If we have advanced propulsion, I'm going to be really angry.'
Critics have dismissed the hearings as veering into the absurd, with references to 'reptilians' and 'insectoids' sounding more like science fiction than serious inquiry.
Insectoids, meanwhile, have been part of alien mythology since at least the early 1900s, with roots tracing back to Georges Méliès' 1902 film 'A Trip to the Moon.' These beings exhibit insect-like traits such as multiple limbs, exoskeletons, mandibles, and sometimes antennae
Davis named each of these under oath in May as the beings invading Earth's skies. Pictured is a shot from the 'Go Fast' video that was released in
'Some will think we're nuts,' Burlison acknowledged, aware of the skepticism his comments invite.
Yet he defended the investigation, emphasizing that taxpayer money funds Pentagon, intelligence, and energy department programs studying UAPs.
'I owe it to the American people to get to the bottom of this,' he said.
Burlison believes the public could handle the truth if aliens were confirmed.
'Most would just read the headline and move on,' he predicted, noting humanity's tendency to normalize even the most extraordinary revelations.
However, he insisted that any such discoveries should not be hidden.
'The government belongs to the people, not the other way around,' Burlison stressed. 'Keeping such monumental secrets would betray the trust of the public.'
While remaining cautious about extraterrestrial claims, Burlison plans to press Dr Davis for clarification on whether his startling remarks come from direct knowledge or secondary reports.
The reptilian theory, claiming shape-shifting reptilian aliens secretly control Earth, surged in popularity through conspiracy theorist David Icke in the late 20th century
Burlison believes the public could handle the truth if aliens were confirmed.
'Some will read the headline and go about their day,' he predicted, citing human behavior's tendency to normalize even earth-shattering news.
However, he stressed that any such revelation should not be kept secret.
'I believe that this government belongs to the people. It's not that the people don't belong to the government,' he said, arguing that withholding paradigm-shifting discoveries would betray public trust.
The lack of concrete evidence, coupled with Davis's ambiguous sources, keeps the debate speculative. Burlison plans to follow up with Davis to clarify whether his claims stem from direct observation or research assignments analyzing reported phenomena.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Atlantis: Een Vergelijkende Studie tussen Wetenschap en Mystiek over het Bestaan en de Verwoesting
Atlantis: Een Vergelijkende Studie tussen Wetenschap en Mystiek over het Bestaan en de Verwoesting
Inleiding
De legende van Atlantis heeft door de eeuwen heen velen gefascineerd. Het is een verhaal dat balanceert tussen historische werkelijkheid en mythische verbeelding. Terwijl sommigen geloven dat Atlantis ooit echt heeft bestaan, beschouwen anderen het als een mythe of een allegorie. In deze studie wordt een uitgebreide vergelijking gemaakt tussen de wetenschappelijke benadering en de mystieke interpretaties omtrent het bestaan en de ondergang van Atlantis. Hierbij wordt ingegaan op de oorsprong van de legende, de bewijsvoering, wetenschappelijke theorieën, mystieke overtuigingen en de onderliggende wereldbeelden die deze perspectieven bepalen.
Oorsprong van de Legende
De eerste vermelding van Atlantis komt uit de Griekse filosoof Plato, rond 360 v.Chr.. In zijn dialogen "Timaeus" en "Critias" beschrijft hij Atlantis als een machtige en geavanceerde beschaving die zich ongeveer 9.000 jaar vóór zijn tijd zou hebben gevestigd, op een continent dat zich voor de Straat van Gibraltar uitstrekte. Volgens Plato zou Atlantis door haar arrogantie en immoraliteit door de goden zijn gestraft en onder water zijn verdwenen in een enkele dag en nacht van catastrofale aardbevingen en overstromingen.
Na Plato werd Atlantis al snel een symbool voor een verloren paradijs, een superriet die zowel de menselijke ambitie als de val symboliseert. Door de eeuwen heen zijn vele andere bronnen, zoals de werken van latere schrijvers en ontdekkingsreizigers, toegevoegd aan de mythologie rond Atlantis.
Wetenschappelijke benadering: De zoektocht naar bewijs
De wetenschappelijke wereld benadert de legende van Atlantis vooral als een mythe of een allegorie. Er is geen concreet archeologisch bewijs dat Atlantis ooit heeft bestaan als een grote beschaving, laat staan dat het zich op de door Plato genoemde locatie bevond. Onderzoekers en archeologen hebben verschillende theorieën ontwikkeld over de mogelijke realiteit van Atlantis.
Een van de meest gangbare theorieën is dat Plato de legende heeft gebaseerd op herinneringen aan een oude, mogelijk ondergang van een geavanceerde beschaving, zoals die op Kreta tijdens de Minoïsche periode (ca. 1450 v.Chr.). De Minoïsche beschaving was zeer ontwikkeld, met indrukwekkende paleizen zoals dat van Knossos, uitgebreide handel en kunst. Na een verwoestende aardbeving en tsunami werd deze beschaving mogelijk in de vergetelheid geraakt, en de verhalen werden mythologische verhalen.
Daarnaast worden er speculaties gedaan over onderwaterlocaties zoals de Canarische Eilanden, de Azoren, of de gebieden rond de Middellandse Zee en de Zwarte Zee. Sommige onderzoekers wijzen op onderwaterstructuren en anomalieën die mogelijk resten van oude menselijke bewoning kunnen zijn. Toch ontbreekt het aan sluitend bewijs dat wijst op een grote, geavanceerde beschaving zoals door Plato beschreven.
Moderne technologieën zoals onderwaterarcheologie, sonar en satellietbeelden worden ingezet om mogelijke locaties te onderzoeken, maar tot nu toe zijn geen overtuigende bewijzen gevonden die Atlantis bevestigen als een historische plek.
Wetenschappelijke verklaringen voor de mythe
De meeste wetenschappers geloven dat Atlantis een fictieve constructie is, bedoeld als een moreel en politiek verhaal dat door Plato werd gebruikt om bepaalde ideeën over deugd en immoraliteit te illustreren. Plato was een filosoof die vaak allegorieën en metaforen gebruikte om abstracte ideeën te verduidelijken.
Bovendien wordt gesuggereerd dat de verhalen over Atlantis mogelijk geïnspireerd zijn door herinneringen aan aardbevingen en natuurlijke rampen die in de regio’s rond de Middellandse Zee en de Zwarte Zee plaatsvonden. Deze rampen zouden de herinnering aan een ondergang hebben geïnspireerd die vervolgens werd versterkt en uitgewerkt in mythologische verhalen.
Een andere verklaring is dat Atlantis dient als een archetype van een verloren gewaande utopische beschaving, vergelijkbaar met het Paradijs of andere mythische plaatsen die de menselijke verbeelding blijven prikkelen. In deze context vertegenwoordigt Atlantis een universeel verlangen naar een ideale samenleving die ooit bestond en verloren is gegaan.
Mystieke en esoterische interpretaties
In tegenstelling tot de wetenschappelijke benadering, nemen mystici, esoterici en spirituele denkers Atlantis vaak serieus als een werkelijk vermeende historische locatie met een diepere symbolische betekenis. Zij beschouwen Atlantis niet enkel als een mythe, maar als een realiteit die ooit heeft bestaan en mogelijk nog altijd in spirituele of energetische vormen voortleeft. Volgens deze denkers vertegenwoordigt Atlantis een hoogontwikkelde beschaving die haar kennis, technologie en spirituele inzichten verloren heeft door catastrofale gebeurtenissen. Deze interpretaties worden vaak ondersteund door oude teksten, alchemistische geschriften en occulte tradities, die suggereren dat Atlantis een plek was waar wetenschap en spiritualiteit hand in hand gingen.
Verschillende mystieke stromingen verbinden Atlantis met universele energievelden en kosmische kennis. Zo stellen sommige esoterische tradities dat de bewoners van Atlantis beschikten over geavanceerde technologische en spirituele vaardigheden, waaronder helende energieën en contact met hogere dimensies. Volgens deze zienswijze zijn de ondergang en het verdwijnen van Atlantis niet enkel een fysiek gebeuren, maar ook een spirituele gebeurtenis die de menselijke evolutie beïnvloedt. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat de kennis en energieën van Atlantis nog altijd in de wereld aanwezig zijn, verborgen onder lagen van tijd en ruimte, wachtend op heropleving.
Wetenschappelijke en archeologische benaderingen
In tegenstelling tot de mystieke interpretaties proberen archeologen en historici de legende van Atlantis te benaderen vanuit een empirisch perspectief. Tot op heden is er geen sluitend archeologisch bewijs gevonden dat het bestaan van een geavanceerde beschaving zoals Atlantis bevestigt. De bekendste verwijzing naar Atlantis komt uit de werken van de Griekse filosoof Plato, die in zijn dialogen "Timaeus" en "Critias" Atlantis beschrijft als een machtige en technologisch ontwikkeld rijk dat ongeveer 9.000 jaar voor zijn tijd onderging door een catastrofale gebeurtenis. Hoewel Plato zelf waarschijnlijk een allegorie bedoelde, hebben latere onderzoekers geprobeerd deze verhalen te interpreteren als historische realiteit.
Wetenschappelijke studies richten zich op mogelijke geografische locaties die met de legende overeenkomen, zoals de ondergang van de Minoïsche beschaving op Kreta of de ondergang van de Thera-uitbarsting. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat de mythe is gebaseerd op herinneringen aan deze gebeurtenissen, maar er is geen bewijs dat wijst op een grote, wereldwijde beschaving zoals beschreven door Plato. Bovendien ontbreken archeologische vondsten die de aanwezigheid van een dergelijk rijk bevestigen. De meeste wetenschappers beschouwen Atlantis dan ook als een mythisch of symbolisch construct dat dient als een metafoor voor een verloren gewaande utopie.
Vergelijking tussen wetenschap en mystiek
De tegenstelling tussen wetenschappelijke en mystieke interpretaties van Atlantis weerspiegelt bredere discussies over de aard van kennis en waarheid. Wetenschap baseert zich op empirisch bewijs, herhaalbare experimenten en kritische analyse. Hierdoor blijft de wetenschappelijke consensus dat Atlantis een mythisch of symbolisch verhaal is, zonder bewijs dat het ooit als een fysieke beschaving heeft bestaan.
Aan de andere kant bieden mystieke en esoterische perspectieven een meer symbolische en spirituele benadering. Zij zien Atlantis als een archetype van menselijke idealen, verloren kennis of een hogere beschaving die in een andere dimensie of tijdlijn voortleeft. Deze interpretaties spreken vooral mensen aan die geloven in de mogelijkheid van spirituele evolutie en het bestaan van verborgen kennis buiten de grenzen van de empirische wetenschap.
BESLUIT
De studie "Atlantis: Comparing Science and Mysticism Regarding Its Existence and Destruction" biedt een uitgebreide analyse van de verschillende perspectieven op het bestaan en de ondergang van de mythische beschaving Atlantis. Door een gedegen literatuuronderzoek en vergelijkende analyse tussen wetenschappelijke en mystieke bronnen, wordt duidelijk dat de opvattingen over Atlantis sterk uiteenlopen, afhankelijk van de benadering.
Aan de ene kant stelt de wetenschap dat Atlantis waarschijnlijk een mythisch of symbolisch concept is, voortkomend uit oude verhalen zoals die van Plato. Wetenschappers wijzen op het gebrek aan archeologische bewijzen en de inconsistente geografische beschrijvingen, waardoor de meeste onderzoekers concluderen dat Atlantis eerder een allegorie was dan een fysieke plaats. Daarnaast benadrukken zij dat de verhalen over de ondergang van Atlantis mogelijk geïnspireerd zijn door natuurlijke rampen zoals vulkanische uitbarstingen en aardbevingen, die in de regio plaatsvonden.
Aan de andere kant wordt in mystieke kringen Atlantis vaak beschouwd als een echte, geavanceerde beschaving die ooit op aarde heeft bestaan en verbonden was met hogere kennis en spirituele kracht. Deze opvattingen worden ondersteund door oude teksten, kristal- en energie-therapieën, en spirituele ervaringen die de aanwezigheid van een verloren wereld suggereren. Voor deze groep is Atlantis niet alleen een historische plek, maar ook een symbool van menselijke evolutie en bewustzijn.
De studie benadrukt dat beide perspectieven waardevol zijn, maar dat ze gebaseerd zijn op verschillende methodologieën en wereldbeelden. Wetenschap richt zich op bewijs en empirische gegevens, terwijl mystiek meer vertrouwt op intuïtie en spirituele ervaringen. Het is belangrijk om deze benaderingen te erkennen als complementair in de zoektocht naar de waarheid over Atlantis.
In conclusie toont de studie aan dat de mythe van Atlantis een krachtig symbool blijft voor zowel menselijke verbeelding als zoektocht naar kennis. Hoewel er geen sluitend bewijs is voor het bestaan of de ondergang van de beschaving, biedt het onderwerp een rijke voedingsbodem voor zowel wetenschappelijke als spirituele verkenningen. Het verbinden van deze perspectieven kan leiden tot een dieper begrip van onze geschiedenis, cultuur en spirituele evolutie.
Referenties:
Plato, Timaeus en Critias
Freke, R. & Gandy, P. (2000). The Jesus Mysteries.
Edgar Cayce-archieven
Van der Waerden, B. L. (1975). Ancient Science and Its Cultural Significance.
LiDAR Study Shows Maya Population May Have Topped 16 Million
LiDAR Study Shows Maya Population May Have Topped 16 Million
New research led by Tulane University archaeologists reveals that the ancient Maya civilization was far more populous than previously thought — supporting as many as 16 million people across parts of modern-day Guatemala, southern Mexico and western Belize.
The research, published this month in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, reveals one of the most comprehensive regional-scale analysis to date of Maya settlement patterns using lidar (light detection and ranging) technology.
The findings significantly revise population estimates and models of ancient Maya settlement in the Central Maya Lowlands, revealing a far more complex, integrated and populous civilization than previously understood.
"We now have hard evidence that Maya society was highly structured across both cities and rural areas and far more advanced in resource and social organization than previously understood."
"The ancient Maya never fail to amaze me," said lead author Francisco Estrada-Belli, a research professor in Tulane’s Middle American Research Institute and manager of its GIS (Geographic Information System) lab.
"We expected a modest increase in population estimates from our 2018 lidar analysis, but seeing a 45% jump was truly surprising. This new data confirms just how densely populated and socially organized the Maya Lowlands were at their peak.”
Using advanced analytical methods and reprocessed lidar data, researchers estimate that between 9.5 million and 16 million people inhabited the region during the Late Classic period (600–900 AD), across a 95,000-square-kilometer area encompassing the rainforest lowlands.
These new estimates confirm that the Classic Maya Lowlands were not only densely inhabited but also highly structured, with consistent patterns of urban and rural organization across an immense region, Estrada-Belli said.
“We’re confident these lidar-based findings give us the clearest picture yet of ancient Maya settlement patterns," Estrada-Belli said. "We now have hard evidence that Maya societywas highly structured across both cities and rural areas and far more advanced in resource and social organization than previously understood."
The team combined data from multiple publicly available and private lidar surveys, including reanalyzed environmental lidar collected by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with newer archaeological mapping efforts in southern Campeche and Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Researchers identified a single, consistent model of urban and rural organization, with residential and agricultural features clustered around elite-controlled plaza groups. Extensive agricultural infrastructure, especially in the densely populated north, points to elite management of food production and distribution across both cities and rural areas.
Nearly all structures were located within three miles (5 km) of a large or medium-sized plaza group, indicating widespread access to civic-ceremonial centers and challenging past assumptions about isolated rural settlements.
This study shifts understanding of the Classic Maya from fragmented city-states and scattered hamlets to a deeply interconnected civilization, supported by a carefully structured system of governance, agriculture and commerce.
The findings also highlight the power of airborne lidar as a tool for archaeological discovery in dense tropical environments, where traditional field surveys are often hindered by dense vegetation and inaccessibility.
"We are very grateful to the Hitz Foundation for funding the MARI-GIS lab and making this research possible,” said Marcello Canuto, a study co-author and director of the Middle American Research Institute.
By integrating data across both urban and rural contexts, the research provides new insight into how Maya society functioned at the regional scale and raises new questions about the vulnerabilities of such a large, interconnected population to environmental stress and political collapse.
"We’re thrilled to have developed a blueprint for using lidar data from multiple sources, including freely available ones,” Canuto said. “This approach can help archaeologists around the world make new discoveries without waiting for new lidar flights. It’s a big step forward for the field."
Top image: Well-preserved ancient Maya murals are seen inside a temple in Bonampak, Mexico, offering a unique glimpse into the lives and rituals of the Classic Maya period.
Estrada-Belli, F., Canuto, M. A., Šprajc, I., & Fernandez-Diaz, J. C. (2025). New regional-scale Classic Maya population density estimates and settlement distribution models through airborne lidar scanning. Journal of Archaeological Science, Reports, 66(105288), 105288. doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105288
While the American President aims to shut down NASA greenhouse gas monitoring missions, European scientists are figuring out how to use ground-based astronomical telescopes to fill the gap. Image Credit: ESA
Our powerful, modern, ground-based telescopes have to deal with a lot of noise in the starlight they observe. The noise comes from Earth's atmosphere, which forces telescopes to use solutions like adaptive optics to filter it out. Researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK, in partnership with Spanish institutions, are developing a method to use that noise to measure greenhouse gases (GHGs) in Earth's atmosphere.
Earth's atmospheric carbon won't just disappear if we stop measuring it. More and more carbon is accumulating in the atmosphere and the effects of that carbon are felt in our warming world. There are many different ways to measure that carbon and determine how it affects different parts of the world, and how it affects agriculture, drought, receding ice, and forest fires. Since we have so many telescopes operating around the world, maybe they can contribute to these measurements.
When observing distant objects, astronomers often use spectroscopy to determine the chemical contents of exoplanet atmospheres, stars, and other objects like gas clouds. All molecules have spectroscopic fingerprints that reveal their presence. Telluric contamination is the effect that Earth's atmospheric molecules have on the starlight observed by telescopes. It introduces telluric lines into observations that make the signal from distant objects noisy. They can mask or mimic the spectroscopic lines from the target object.
A PhD student in the Astronomy and Astrophysics group at Warwick University, Marcelo Aron Fetzner Keniger, has developed a way to use these contaminating telluric lines to measure GHGs. It's called Astroclimes, and it can measure molecules like methane, carbon dioxide, and water vapour in our planet's atmosphere.
“Monitoring the abundance of GHGs is necessary to quantify their impact on global warming and climate change," Keniger said in a press release. "Using telluric lines to measure the abundance of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere has been extensively employed using solar spectra, for example by the COllaborative Carbon Column Observing Network (COCCON). However, since they rely on solar spectra, these measurements can only be carried out during the day, so Astroclimes can hopefully fill the gap with nighttime measurements.”
This is a plot from the Astroclimes algorithm showing Telluric lines.
Image Credit: Marcelo Aron Fetzner Keniger/University of Warwick
The University of Warwick collaborated with Calar Alto Astronomical Observatory (CAHA) in Almería, Spain, the University of Almería and the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET on an observing campaign in July to test Astroclimes. The goal was to show how combining night-time observations of stars with Astroclimes with day-time observations of the Sun can help scientists study Earth's carbon cycle and the role that GHGs play.
"Astroclimes can measure the abundance of greenhouse gases on Earth by generating a model telluric transmission spectra and fitting it to the spectra of telluric standard stars in the near-infrared taken by ground-based telescopes," Keniger said in a presentation to the Royal Meteorological Society.
CAHA hosts several telescopes, including a 3.5 meter telescope with the CARMENES (Calar Alto high-Resolution search for M-dwarfs with Exoearths with Near-infrared and optical Échelle Spectrographs). CARMENES was used with the Astroclimes algorithm during nighttime observations, while a temporary, portable FTIR spectrometer (EM27/SUN) from the COCCON-Spain network was used during the day. The COCCON instrument can measure GHG concentrations and calibrate the readings from CARMENES.
“If we can successfully calibrate Astroclimes with the help of COCCON measurements, it could provide a new network for measuring GHG abundances, complementing current networks with nighttime measurements," Keniger said.
It's not a simple task, though. Telluric lines not only change due to different GHGs; changing temperature, humidity, and pressure can also alter them.
This image shows the EM27/SUN instrument of the COCCON-Spain network observing the Sun, almost in the direction of the CAHA 3.5 m telescope.
Image Credit: Calar Alto Observatory (CAHA)
EM27/SUN is at about 2,100 meters in altitude, and its measurements were combined with an instrument at sea level at the University of Almería (UAL). Joaquín Alonso Montesinos is a Professor at UAL and is the representative of the UAL in the COCCON-Spain project. Montesinos said, “We are grateful to AEMET for counting on us for such an important project, which we believe will be a benchmark in the energy transition.”
The COCCON-Spain project is intended to be an integrated GHG observation system for the country. There is a gap in the observation of GHGs in Spain, and COCCON aims to fill that gap. Initially, it will consist of 12 stations that measure background GHG concentrations as well as concentrations near major urban/industrial greenhouse gas emission zones.
“The COCCON-Spain national network aims to address the latent lack of atmospheric GHG observations in Spain through the implementation of a network of stations for measurement on a national scale. One of the main objectives of the COCCON-Spain network is to improve current knowledge of GHG sources and sinks, thus contributing to the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change,” said Omaira García-Rodríguez (AEMET-CIAI), coordinator of the network.
COCCON and Astroclimes dovetail nicely with the Calar Alto observatory. Observatories are typically placed in environments that are isolated and not connected to power grids. In Calar Alto's case, it burns diesel to generate electricity and heat water, generating more than 100 tons of CO2 annually. The observatory is turning itself into a low-carbon energy island with the addition of solar panels and a biomass boiler to replace diesel fuel.
Aerial view of the Calar Alto Observatory from the north at the telescope domes. From left to right: the 2.2-m telescope, the Spanish 1.5-m telescope (in the foreground), the 1.2-m telescope, the Schmidt-reflector and the dome of the 3.5-m telescope with a height of 43 m. In the background the coast of Almería is seen.
Credit: MPIA
"Due to the peculiar characteristics of the environments surrounding professional astronomical observatories, the costs in fuel and electricity are high" said Jesús Aceituno, director of the observatory and principal investigator of the project. "By implementing the Calar Alto energy island, we pretend to be a world reference for other professional observatories as a management model that helps the environment, with an estimated reduction of a hundred and sixty tons of carbon dioxide per year and the resulting optimization of the associated costs".
“Calar Alto, with its photovoltaic plant and biomass boiler, aims at reaching energy sustainability. These greenhouse gas detections made with CARMENES demonstrate that an astronomical observatory can also serve to monitor our planet's climate,” said Aceituno.
Images of 3I/ATLAS captured by Swift. Credit - Z. Xing et al.
3I/ATLAS, our third discovered interstellar visitor, has been in the news a lot lately for a whole host of reasons, and rightly so given the amount of unique scientific data different groups and telescopes have been collecting off of it. A new pre-release paper from researchers at the Auburn University Department of Physics recounts yet another interesting aspect of the new visitor - its water content.
Almost all comets have some amount of water in them, as water is one of the most common substances in the universe, despite its absence on many of the worlds of our solar system. Typically, comets have a “coma” of water particles trailing behind them as they approach the Sun. Doing so heats up the particles, sublimating them into water vapor, which then streams behind the comet, giving it its iconic “tail”.
But 3I/ATLAS is acting differently from other comets, to say the least. It was around 6 AU at its discovery, but has been making its way closer to the Sun on its one-way journey, which will eventually peak at around 1.3 AU in October. The Auburn astronomers observed it at the end of July, about a month after it was first discovered, and when it was 3.5 AU away from the Sun.
Fraser discusses the newest interstellar object - 3I/ATLAS
They did so using the Ultraviolet / Optical Telescope (UVOT) on the Neil Gehrels-Swift Observatory, which is in orbit above Earth and therefore easier to detect faint photometric lines from things like water. Typically, astronomers wouldn’t expect to find OH (hydroxyl) emissions, which they use as a proxy for water, as far out as 3.5 AU, since the water ice sublimation process isn’t very effective at that distance.
To their surprise, not only did they see a strong OH signal, they also didn’t see any signal of the cyanogen radical (CN), which is almost always one of the first signals found on a comet. That is due to its low sublimation point (around -13 C) and emission band in at a wavelength that easily passes through our atmosphere. However, its lack of detection in this round of observations could mean that the composition of 3I/ATLAS is dramatically different from other comets in our solar system.
Another useful statistic to come out of the water observations is an estimate of the “active surface area” of the comet - essentially an estimate of how much of the comet’s area is actively producing water. The authors calculated approximately 19 km2 of active surface on 3I/ATLAS. Given that the upper limit of the diameter of the comet is 2.8 km, that means that around 20% of the surface area of the comet is actively producing water vapor. That is 4 times higher than the typical 3-5% of solar system’s cometary population, and might be explained by the fact that this is likely the first time 3I/ATLAS is actually visiting a star itself, so it has more water to expel.
Fraser discusses the possibility of catching up to an interstellar object.
That amount of water is key to the next observational step suggested by the authors. They developed two hypotheses, which can each be confirmed as the comet reaches perihelion. If the water production peaks near perihelion, and only trace amounts of “high-metallicity” volatiles like carbon monoxide and cyanogen, that would indicate that 3I/ATLAS is from a “low-metallicity” system (i.e. one where there is only a large amount of hydrogen, and not many other elements). On the other hand, if the water production rate drops off significantly after perihelion, and is replaced by a significantly increased volatile production rate, this would indicate that it actually came from a high-metallicity system, and it would have more in common with the last interstellar visitor - 2I/Borisov.
Given the attention from both scientists and the wider public this comet has drawn, it will undoubtedly be observed as closely as possible over the coming months while it is still visible. With even more new hypotheses to test, 3I/ATLAS will help broaden our understanding of its origins as it begins to melt more. The world will be watching as it does.
The galaxy found to be hosting FRB 2020304B. The top left image shows the field of view surrounding the observation region, with the NIRcam footprint shown on the right. The square shows the NIRSpec IFS observation footprint, and the most likely position of FRB 2020304B shown as a green cross surrounded by the localisation uncertainty (white circle). The middle images show, from left to right, the author’s NIRCam observations, Oxygen III data from NIRSpec, Hydrogen alpha data from NIRSpec, and a white light image from NIRSpec. The bottom panel shows the spectrum (black line) and its uncertainties (shaded region) of the host galaxy (Credit : South African Radio Astronomy Observatory)
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) last around a millisecond and in doing so encode otherwise unattainable information on the plasma which permeates our Universe, providing insights into magnetic fields and gas distributions. In a paper authored by Manisha Caleb from the University of Sydney, the team report upon the discovery of FRB 20240304B which lies at a redshift of 2.148 +/- 0.001 corresponding to just 3 billion years after the Big Bang.
The burst, designated FRB 20240304B, was first detected on March 4, 2024, by South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope array. What makes this discovery extraordinary is its incredible distance, at a whopping redshift of z = 2.148±0.001, or about 3 billion years after the Big Bang. This means we're observing light that traveled for over 11 billion years to reach Earth.
Artist illustration of the MeerKAT Radio Telescope
Finding the source of the signal required detective work across multiple observatories. The authors attempt to locate FRB 20240304B's host galaxy using ground based observatories and archival data but this came up short. However, follow ups with JWST's NIRCam and NIRSpec instruments succeeded in revealing the FRB's host galaxy and obtaining a spectroscopic redshift.
NIRCam being installed in 2014
(Credit : Chris Gunn)
The burst of radio waves travelled through space and as it does it disperses at a rate of approximately 2,330 pc cm⁻³, immediately suggesting an extremely distant origin. This measurement more accurately describes how much the radio signal was stretched and delayed by free electrons in space, acting like a fingerprint that reveals the vast distances the signal traveled.
This discovery doubles the redshift reach of localised FRBs and probes ionised baryons across ~80% of the history off the universe. Previous FRB detections had only reached back about halfway through cosmic time, but FRB 20240304B pushes our observational boundary to when the Universe was still in its youth. The host galaxy itself tells an interesting story. FRB 2024030 was detected with the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa and localised the signal to a low-mass, clumpy, star forming galaxy using the James Webb Space Telescope. This young, actively star-forming galaxy provides crucial clues about the origins of these mysterious bursts.
Since its host galaxy is relatively young, not very massive, and still forming stars, the presence of a FRB suggests an origin which can occur over relatively short timescales, such as young magnetars. This supports theories that FRBs originate from highly magnetised neutron stars called magnetars, rather than from processes requiring billions of years to develop.
Host galaxies of fast radio bursts
(Credit : NASA/Hubble Space Telescope)
The discovery also reveals complex magnetic field structures spanning gigaparsec scales. Its sightline, with the Virgo Cluster and a foreground group, reveals magnetic field complexity over many gigaparsec scales. As the radio waves traveled to Earth, they passed through various structures, each leaving its signature on the signal.
Perhaps most remarkably, the observations establish FRB activity during the peak of star formation and demonstrate that FRBs can probe galaxy formation during the most active era in cosmological history. The epoch when FRB 20240304B originated corresponds to when the Universe was forming stars at its most furious rate, a period astronomers call "cosmic noon."
As next generation telescopes come online, discoveries like FRB 20240304B point toward an exciting future where these fleeting signals become messengers from the universe's distant past, helping us understand how the universe evolved from its early, chaotic youth into the structured cosmos we see today.
Using the MeerKAT radio telescope, an international team of astronomers has discovered a new fast radio burst, designated FRB 20240304B. It became the most distant such event found to date.
A fast radio burst in an artist’s impression. Source: ESO/M. Kornmesser
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are intense bursts of radio waves that last only a few milliseconds and release energy equivalent to that emitted by the Sun over several days. To date, the physical nature of this mysterious phenomenon remains unknown, but astronomers are considering various explanations, ranging from radiation from young magnetars in supernova remnants to cosmic strings.
The vast majority of FRBs are located in the local Universe and have redshifts below 0.5, while their distribution at higher redshifts is still poorly understood. This is why astronomers are particularly interested in searching for distant FRBs, as they can provide important clues about the formation of galaxies when the Universe was several billion years old.
A group of astronomers from the University of Sydney in Australia reported the discovery of such a distant burst. It was designated FRB 20240304B. Its redshift is approximately 2.148, which corresponds to only 3 billion years after the Big Bang.
FRB 20240304B was identified on March 4, 2024, by the Transient User Supplied Equipment (TUSE) instrument installed on the MeerKAT radio telescope. Subsequently, the James Webb Observatory managed to determine the position of its source. It is located in a small, lumpy, star-forming galaxy. Its stellar mass is about 10 million solar masses, its star formation rate is 0.2 solar masses per year, and its metallicity is 10–20% of the Sun’s metallicity.
Overall, the results confirm that FRB 20240304B is the most distant FRB detected to date. So far, this is the first radio burst from the cosmic noon epoch — a period in the history of the Universe (about 10–11 billion years ago) when star formation was at its peak.
Scientists have proposed using the Vera Rubin Observatory or the Subaru telescope to search for additional targets for the Lucy mission. If successful, the mission will gain a completely new object for study and will be able to more accurately determine the differences between the two groups of Trojan asteroids.
Lucy spacecraft in an artist’s impression. Source: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab/Adriana Gutierrez
The Lucy spacecraft was launched in 2021. Its main mission is to study Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. This is the name given to two populations of objects located at the Lagrange points L4 and L5 of the Jupiter-Sun system. Point L4 is located in the plane of the gas giant’s orbit 60° “ahead” of it in the direction of orbital motion, while point L5 is located 60° “behind” it.
The cloud at point L4 is the main objective of the Lucy mission: four of the five planned visits to the Trojan asteroids are set to take place between 2027 and 2028. After that, Lucy will return to Earth and use its gravity to head to the point L5. The mission plan includes a visit to the double asteroid Patroclus located there in 2033.
Illustration of Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids. There is a tradition of naming asteroids around the L4 point after Greek heroes, and those around the L5 point after defenders of Troy. Hector and Patroclus were “out of place” because this tradition developed later. Source: wikipedia.org
The asteroids that Lucy is scheduled to visit are only a small fraction of the total number of objects located in these regions. A team of American researchers, including scientists from NASA, wondered whether it would be possible to increase the mission’s value and find additional targets for Lucy. In an article published on the arXiv preprint website, they claim that this is entirely feasible. At the end of 2026, Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids will be in opposition to Earth. According to scientists’ estimates, in just one night of observation, powerful telescopes such as Subaru or Vera Rubin will be able to find several potential candidates for Lucy’s visit at the L5 point, with a diameter of about 700 meters. If they conduct observations over several nights, they will be able to find smaller asteroids with diameters of around 500 meters.
Next, the scientists assessed the possibility of performing a maneuver that would direct the spacecraft toward a new target. According to their estimates, this is entirely feasible, and Lucy should have sufficient fuel reserves.
To implement this plan, the mission team will need to secure observation time on a sufficiently large telescope at the end of 2026. If this does not happen, it is unlikely that an additional asteroid will be found for Lucy to visit. Due to the heavy workload of large observatories, it is currently unclear whether this plan will be feasible.
At the dawn of the Solar System, collisions involving planets and giant asteroids were a common occurrence. It is believed that such an impact led to the formation of the Moon. It is also sometimes used to explain the dichotomy of the two hemispheres of Mars. But what about Venus?
Venus. Source: NASA
Venus differs significantly from Earth and Mars in both its lack of moons and its slow retrograde rotation around its axis. Scientists have long suspected that these features could be explained by the effects of a giant impact. Researchers from the University of Zurich decided to test this assumption. They used advanced computer simulations called smoothed particle hydrodynamics to model what would have happened if Venus had been hit by massive objects early in its formation. These simulations allow us to track the behavior of materials during extreme collisions, making them ideal for studying planetary impacts.
The team simulated Venus as it probably was after its initial formation: a differentiated planet with an iron core comprising 30% of its mass and a mantle of forsterite comprising the remaining 70%. They then simulated collisions with objects ranging in mass from 0.01 to 0.1 times the mass of Earth.
The simulations examined various collision scenarios: speeds ranging from 10 to 15 km/s, different impact geometries (from head-on to oblique), different initial thermal profiles, and different rotation speeds of Venus. By conducting these digital experiments, researchers were able to analyze how such events could affect Venus’ rotation periods after the collision and the formation of the debris disk.
The results of the study show that a wide range of collision scenarios are compatible with Venus’ current rotation speed and direction. These include head-on collisions with non-rotating Venus and oblique collisions with rotating Venus by bodies the size of Mars.
However, the most important thing they discovered was that collisions corresponding to Venus’ current rotation speed usually result in the formation of very small debris disks that remain within the synchronous orbit. This means that their material then falls back onto the planet, preventing the formation of permanent moons. As a result, scientists came to the final conclusion that a giant collision could be compatible with both Venus’ unusual rotation and the absence of moons.
The Artemis II mission crew has begun several days of training on the Orion spacecraft. Next year, they will travel to the Moon aboard it.
The Artemis II mission crew is preparing to begin training in the Orion spacecraft that will take them to the Moon. Source: NASA/Rad Sinyak
The Artemis II mission is scheduled to fly in April 2026. As part of this mission, launched using an SLS rocket, the Orion spacecraft will fly around the Moon on a free return trajectory and then return to Earth. Its crew consists of four people: NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, as well as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
As part of preparations for the upcoming flight, on July 31, crew members put on their spacesuits and boarded Orion to practice and test some of the conditions they may encounter during the mission.
Once in Orion, accomplished several actions that will be performed on launch day, including checking communications and the airtightness of the spacesuits. For the first time, astronauts were connected to the spacecraft and its communication and life support systems.
During the tests, several possible scenarios that could arise during flight were simulated. In some of them, the crew had to deal with potential problems such as leaks and failure of the air regeneration system fan, which is necessary for supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the cabin.
The tests have given astronauts the opportunity to train on the actual equipment they will use during the mission, enabling them and their support teams to familiarize themselves with it in configurations very close to those they will encounter in flight. This also allowed for verification of the compatibility of equipment and systems with flight dispatch procedures, enabling them to make final adjustments prior to launch.
The crew also practiced performing actions they would likely perform during the flight. In particular, the astronauts practiced removing and stowing the foot pans from the pilot and commander seats, which will give them more space in the cabin after launch. They also gained access to storage lockers and familiarized themselves with cameras, related cables and mounts, environmental control and life support equipment.
Video! UFOs Seen Leaving Earth, Bad Sign Of Things To Come! Witnessed By 2 Pilots, Over Minas Gerais, Brazil Aug 5, 2025, UAP UFO Sighting News
Video! UFOs Seen Leaving Earth, Bad Sign Of Things To Come! Witnessed By 2 Pilots, Over Minas Gerais, Brazil Aug 5, 2025, UAP UFO Sighting News
Date of sighting: Aug 5, 2025
Location of sighting: Guapé, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Source: NUFORC
Of all the nightmare scenarios that might happen in the future, this is a sign of the end of times. When fleets of UFOs are seen exiting the earths atmosphere all together...abandoning Earth, then you know there is a huge safety concern on the horizon. It's the same as when long ago, sailors on wooden ships see rats jumping overboard, the rats knew that the ships was going to sink. Of course, aliens don't see time like we do. They have infinite life spans if they avoid accidents, so these could be the first groups to leave, meaning the big event they fear is still weeks or months away.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Multiple white orbs moving erratically above horizon, seen from FL360, NW of Guapé, Brazil. I was cruising at FL360 over the rural area of Guapé, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on the night of August 5th, 2025, at approximately 20:33 local time. Looking toward the northwest horizon, I observed multiple bright orbs far above the aircraft altitude. They displayed irregular movements — lateral shifts, vertical climbs, pulsating light intensity — inconsistent with known satellite or aircraft behavior. No navigation lights or beacon patterns were visible. The sky was clear, and the lights persisted for several minutes. I recorded the event in time-lapse using a smartphone camera. I am a commercial pilot and can confirm it was not a standard traffic or celestial object. Phenomenon was similar to some officially released UAP videos.
These orange UFO were seen during sunset on Aug last week. The UFOs flew in military triangle formation for safety and to make a statement that they protection each other. A warning to the USAF fighter jets that might try to intercept them. But alien tech doesn't show up on radar unless they want to be seen. Ocean UFOs...UFOs that are coming in from the ocean area...why? Because 75% of the earth is covered in water and that makes a 75% chance of the alien base being under the ocean off the coast of Naples, Maine. This is 100% proof that aliens do still want us to see them and that they wont stop anytime soon, but rather the opposite, a big reveal is coming.
Yes there are tens of thousands of reports of orange glowing UFOs on record, including some great close up orange disks over Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and central America.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Glowing orbs traveled across the sky, one after another at random intervals Tonight we were on the dock at our house on Long Lake, just after sunset. We watched two lights traveling from northeast to southwest just north of us, crossing over Long Lake at an altitude anywhere from 1000-3000? feet. Following those two we then saw dozens more over the course of around 20 minutes. They appeared over the trees from our vantage point at irregular intervals, and not all on the same path. They were traveling too fast to be floating, such as a lantern or balloon. There was zero wind on the ground at the time. As it was just after dark the form was hard to make out, but they appeared to be roughly round, with a glowing red/orange light coming out the bottom. The light had an ephemeral glow, almost like fire. The objects make no noise at all. As they crossed the lake the lights eventually disappeared into the very hazy skies. Flight radar showed no nearby aircraft in the sky at the time.
UFO over Evergreen, Colorado on Aug 4, 2025, UAP sighting news 👽 are you ready? They are here! Video.
UFO over Evergreen, Colorado on Aug 4, 2025, UAP sighting news 👽 are you ready? They are here! Video.
Date of sighting: Aug 8, 2025
Location of sighting: Evergreen, Colorado, USA
Source: NUFORC
Watch carefully and you will see a long cigar UFO shooting into our atmosphere and heading down to Earth. This UFO is long, about a quarter a mile and it's heading to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, where it's a known fact that there is a huge underground alien base below the mountains. Not just big, but huge! dozens of different species and the most common UFO in that area is a white glowing sphere, glowing so much its visible in the day and can easily outrun any USAF fighter jets sent to intercept it. Colorado Rocky Mountains...thats one hell of a UFO hotspot.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Large thin cigar shaped craft moving slowly across the sky After waking up for work, I began opening the curtains in my home and saw a large long and thin cigar shaped craft moving slowly across the sky directly North of my house. I went outside and captured a video of the object. There were no lights on the object, but rather looked metallic and looked to lightly glow as it moved through the sky. It looked very large compared to an airplane that was also flying in the sky at the same time. The background was dark as the sun had notyet risen.
Ross Coultharts Beweringen over Reptilianen: Leven Shape-Shifting Alien Soorten Onder Ons?
Ross Coultharts Beweringen over Reptilianen: Leven Shape-Shifting Alien Soorten Onder Ons?
Ross Coulthart’s Schokkende Reptilianen-Openbaringen Onderzoeksjournalist Ross Coulthart, die al tientallen jaren bekend staat om zijn verslaggeving in de mainstream media, heeft onlangs het publiek opgeschud door te beweren dat hij betrouwbare bronnen heeft die hem vertelden dat meerdere niet-menselijke soorten bestaan—waaronder reptilianen. Tijdens een uitzending van Reality Check noemde Coulthart reptilianen, mantids, humanoïden, grijze wezens en zelfs “Nordics” als soorten die insiders aan hem hebben genoemd. Hoewel hij voorzichtig is door te stellen dat er niets bewezen is, wijst zijn bereidheid om dit onderwerp publiekelijk te bespreken op een groeiende openheid binnen de UAP-gemeenschap (Onbekende Atmosferische Fenomenen).
Een Patroon van Getuigenverslagen
Coultharts bewering is niet geïsoleerd. Muzikanten, overlevenden en onderzoekers hebben onrustbarende ontmoetingen beschreven met vermeende shape-shifters: wezens die in staat zouden zijn om van gedaante te veranderen en zich te vermommen als gewone mensen. Deze getuigenissen vormen samen een patroon dat wijst op een diepere, verborgen realiteit die door velen wordt betwijfeld, maar door anderen wordt bevestigd door persoonlijke ervaringen.
Billy Corgan van The Smashing Pumpkins vertelde Howard Stern in 2017 dat hij twee keer een persoon zag veranderen in “iets anders dan menselijk.” Hij bleef bij zijn verhaal jaren later, waarbij hij meer details toevoegde, maar weigerde de betrokken persoon te noemen uit privacyoverwegingen. Zijn getuigenis wordt vaak aangehaald als voorbeeld van een onverklaarbare transformatie die niet te verklaren is door gewone menselijke vaardigheden.
Juliette Bryant, een overlevende van Jeffrey Epstein’s misbruik, beschreef hoe ze Epstein’s gezicht zag veranderen in reptiliaanse kenmerken tijdens een ontmoeting—grote zwarte ogen, een brede mond en hoornachtige uitsteeksels. Ze benadrukte dat ze op dat moment niet onder invloed was en niet dronken, wat haar ervaring geloofwaardiger maakt. Haar verhaal wijst op een mogelijkheid dat sommige mensen echte ontmoetingen hebben met wezens die zich kunnen maskeren als mensen.
Jordan Maxwell, een auteur en onderzoeker van oude religies, vertelde een verhaal van een rijke zakenman uit Las Vegas. De man beweerde dat hij samen met vijf andere christenen een ritueel in de Colorado-woestijn had gezien, dat onderbroken werd door een reptiliaan van ongeveer 2 meter hoog. Het wezen zou de groep telepathisch hebben immobiliseerd voordat het vertrok. Deze getuigenissen vormen een patroon dat wijst op een wereld vol verborgen wezens die zich kunnen maskeren, en dat deze ontmoetingen niet uniek zijn, maar deel uitmaken van een bredere, complexe realiteit.
Het “Vliegtuig Dame” Incident
In 2023 werd een video viraal die de luchtvaartwereld en sociale media in grote opschudding bracht. De beelden toonden een passagier aan boord van een vliegtuig die duidelijk emotioneel en geëmotioneerd was. Ze verklaarde luid en duidelijk: “Die motherf**ker daarachter is niet echt,” terwijl ze verwees naar een ander passagier of mogelijk een crewlid achter haar. Deze uitspraak wekte onmiddellijk verwarring en verontrusting onder medepassagiers, omdat het niet duidelijk was wat ze precies bedoelde. De vrouw begon vervolgens aandringen op een onmiddellijke vertrek van het vliegtuig, met de boodschap dat ze niet langer wilde wachten.
Wat deze gebeurtenis nog intrigerender maakte, was dat de vrouw later in een poging tot verduidelijking tegenstrijdige verklaringen gaf. In eerste instantie bleef ze bij haar bewering dat haar uitspraak serieus genomen moest worden en dat ze geen andere optie zag dan te vertrekken. Later beweerde ze echter dat haar woorden niet letterlijk bedoeld waren, dat ze onder invloed was van emoties en dat er een misverstand was ontstaan. Toch weigerde ze haar oorspronkelijke uitspraak volledig terug te nemen. Haar volharding in haar standpunt dat ze “100%” gelijk had en dat haar beslissing om het vliegtuig te verlaten gerechtvaardigd was, voedde de geruchten en speculaties.
De reactie van medepassagiers en de bemanning was snel en verdeeld. Sommigen zagen haar handelen als een onacceptabele en onprofessionele uitbarsting, terwijl anderen sympathiseerden met haar stressvolle situatie. De luchtvaartmaatschappij probeerde de situatie onder controle te krijgen door de politie te bellen en de vrouw te vragen het vliegtuig te verlaten. Uiteindelijk werd ze door de autoriteiten uit het vliegtuig gehaald, maar haar gedrag en woorden bleven onderwerp van discussie.
Het incident zette ook de aandacht op de bredere problematiek van communicatie en emoties aan boord van vliegtuigen. Passagiers worden vaak geconfronteerd met stress, vertragingen en ongemakken, wat kan leiden tot uitbarstingen en conflicten. Veel experts benadrukken dat kalm blijven en duidelijk communiceren essentieel is om escalatie te voorkomen. Daarnaast roept dit incident vragen op over de rol van sociale media: hoe snel een korte video kan leiden tot publieke veroordeling, zelfreflectie en discussie over gedrag en mental health.
Kortom, de “Vliegtuig Dame” gebeurtenis van 2023 illustreert hoe een moment van emotie kan uitgroeien tot een breed gedragen verhaal dat veel verder reikt dan de oorspronkelijke gebeurtenis. Het benadrukt de complexiteit van menselijke emoties in stressvolle situaties en de kracht van media om zulke incidenten te verspreiden en te analyseren.
Culturele en Historische Parallellen
Gezichten die lijken op slangen of reptielen komen voor in mythologieën en culturele tradities over de hele wereld. Deze beelden en symbolen wijzen op een universeel fascinerend patroon dat teruggaat tot de oudheid en dat vaak wordt geassocieerd met macht, wijsheid, gevaar of het bovennatuurlijke. Een bekend voorbeeld hiervan is de slang in het paradijs in de Bijbel, die wordt gezien als de verleider die Eva verleidt en zo de zondeval inluidt. Dit symbool van de slang wordt vaak geassocieerd met verleiding en kennis, en heeft door de eeuwen heen talloze interpretaties en artistieke uitingen gekregen.
In andere culturen zien we de gevederde slangen-goden in de Meso-Amerikaanse beschavingen, zoals Quetzalcoatl bij de Azteken en de Olmeken. Deze goden worden afgebeeld als slangen met veren, symbool voor de verbinding tussen hemel en aarde, en worden vereerd als scheppers, leraren en beschermers. Hun afbeelding toont de diepe relatie tussen reptielen en de spirituele wereld, en benadrukt hun rol als wezens die tussen verschillende dimensies kunnen bewegen.
Sommige theorieën suggereren dat reptilianen—een term die vaak wordt gebruikt in moderne complottheorieën—een zeer geëvolueerde afstammeling kunnen zijn van de prehistorische reptielen die ooit de aarde bevolkten. Volgens deze opvattingen zouden deze wezens zich over de tijd hebben ontwikkeld tot intelligente, verborgen beschavingen die zich kunnen vermommen als mensen. Andere theorieën gaan nog verder en beschouwen reptilianen als interdimensionale entiteiten die zich kunnen disguise als mensen, om zo onopgemerkt te blijven en invloed uit te oefenen op menselijke samenlevingen.
De parallellen tussen deze mythologische beelden en de moderne theorieën over reptilianen illustreren hoe diepgeworteld de fascinatie is voor deze wezens en hun vermeende invloed op de menselijke geschiedenis. Of het nu gaat om symboliek in oude kunst en religie of om hedendaagse complottheorieën, de gedachte aan reptielen en hun connectie met de mensheid blijft een intrigerend en mysterieus onderwerp dat door de eeuwen heen een belangrijke rol speelt in onze culturele verbeelding. Het vormt een brug tussen het oude en het nieuwe, en benadrukt onze voortdurende zoektocht naar de waarheid achter de legendes en symbolen die onze geschiedenis en cultuur definiëren.
Wij?
De mensheid staat voor een raadsel: Zijn deze verhalen slechts mythen, misverstanden of psychologische projecties? Of bestaan er werkelijk buitenaardse wezens die zich kunnen transformeren en in onze wereld kunnen verschijnen? Deze vraag vormt al eeuwenlang een bron van fascinatie, verwarring en discussie onder wetenschappers, onderzoekers en gewone mensen.
Veel mensen geloven dat er meer is dan wat we met onze zintuigen kunnen waarnemen. In talrijke culturen over de hele wereld bestaan verhalen over buitenaardse wezens, ufologen rapporteren onverklaarbare waarnemingen en getuigen verklaren dat ze contact hebben gehad met vreemde entiteiten. Sommige van deze verhalen beschrijven wezens die zich kunnen veranderen in verschillende vormen, van humanoïde figuren tot meer abstracte en ongrijpbare verschijnselen. Maar wat is de waarheid? Zijn deze verhalen gebaseerd op werkelijke ontmoetingen, of zijn ze het resultaat van menselijke verbeelding, psychologische projecties of zelfs massale hysterie?
Aan de ene kant zijn er concrete bewijzen die het bestaan van buitenaardse wezens suggereren, zoals onverklaarbare vliegende objecten (UFO's), mysterieuze geluiden en vreemde structuren die op aarde worden gevonden. In recente jaren heeft de Amerikaanse overheid bijvoorbeeld de officiële erkenning van onverklaarbare luchtreizigers (UAP's) onder de aandacht gebracht, wat heeft geleid tot een hernieuwde interesse in het fenomeen. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat deze waarnemingen kunnen wijzen op geavanceerde buitenaardse technologieën die zich kunnen aanpassen en transformeren om onopgemerkt te blijven.
Aan de andere kant is er ook veel scepsis en twijfel. Psychologen en wetenschappers wijzen erop dat veel waarnemingen en verhalen kunnen worden verklaard door menselijke perceptie, hallucinaties, of het verkeerd interpreteren van natuurlijke verschijnselen. Bovendien zijn er geen definitieve bewijzen die onomstotelijk aantonen dat buitenaardse wezens daadwerkelijk in onze wereld aanwezig zijn. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat deze verhalen eerder psychologische projecties zijn van onze collectieve angsten en verlangens, of dat ze voortkomen uit de behoefte om het onbekende te verklaren.
De vraag of buitenaardse wezens zich kunnen transformeren en in onze wereld kunnen verschijnen, raakt ook aan de ideeën over technologische en mentale vermogens die wij ons nog maar nauwelijks kunnen voorstellen. Sommige theorieën over buitenaardse intelligentsia suggereren dat zij niet enkel fysieke vormen kunnen aannemen, maar zich ook kunnen manifesteren via telepathie, holografische projecties of andere geavanceerde technologieën. Hierdoor zouden ze zich kunnen aanpassen aan onze perceptie en zelfs in onze wereld kunnen verschijnen zonder dat wij dat direct doorhebben.
Kortom, de vraag of deze verhalen slechts mythen zijn of dat er werkelijk buitenaardse wezens bestaan die zich kunnen transformeren en in onze wereld kunnen verschijnen, blijft een van de grootste mysteries van onze tijd. Het is een fascinerend vraagstuk dat ons uitdaagt om onze perceptie van realiteit te heroverwegen en open te staan voor nieuwe mogelijkheden, terwijl we tegelijkertijd kritisch blijven kijken naar de bewijzen en verklaringen die worden aangedragen. De zoektocht naar antwoorden gaat door, en misschien zal de toekomst ons meer duidelijkheid brengen over deze intrigerende en complexe kwestie.
Scepticisme en Open Vragen
De mainstream wetenschap heeft tot op heden geen verifieerbaar bewijs gevonden voor het bestaan van reptiliaanse wezens. Ondanks talloze geruchten, getuigenissen en theorieën, is er geen wetenschappelijke studie of fysiek bewijs dat deze wezens daadwerkelijk bestaan. Veel van de verhalen die hierover de ronde doen, kunnen worden verklaard door psychologische fenomenen zoals hallucinaties, perceptie-fouten, of zelfs bewust bedrog. Mensen kunnen in staat zijn om beelden of ervaringen te creëren die lijken op reptiliaanse wezens, vooral in situaties van slaapverlamming, psychedelisch gebruik, of suggestieve verhalen. Daarnaast kunnen massale angst, groepsdruk of culturele mythen leiden tot het ontstaan van dergelijke verhalen zonder dat er een objectieve basis is.
Toch blijven soortgelijke getuigenissen bestaan uit verschillende culturen en tijden, wat de theorie levend houdt binnen de UFO-gemeenschap en onder theorieën over buitenaardse of niet-menselijke wezens. In sommige inheemse tradities worden reptiliale wezens beschreven als kwaadaardige goden of scheppers, terwijl in moderne UFO-raporten mensen melden dat ze reptiliaanse entiteiten hebben gezien die zich vermommen als mensen of die invloed uitoefenen op wereldleiders en belangrijke gebeurtenissen. Deze verhalen worden vaak versterkt door anekdotisch bewijs en vermeende geheime documenten, maar ontbreken meestal van controleerbare en reproduceerbare bewijzen.
De centrale vraag blijft of deze verhalen symbolisch, verkeerd begrepen fenomenen of echte niet-menselijke wezens vertegenwoordigen. Sommige wetenschappers en onderzoekers zien deze verhalen als een soort collectief onderbewustzijn dat zich uitdrukt in mythen en persoonlijke ervaringen. Anderen suggereren dat er mogelijk verborgen lagen van de werkelijkheid zijn die nog niet volledig door de wetenschap begrepen worden. Het blijft echter een vraag zonder definitief antwoord, waardoor het onderwerp fascinerend en controversieel blijft. Het is belangrijk om open te staan voor nieuwe bewijzen en kritisch te blijven denken, terwijl we ons bewust blijven van de beperkingen van onze kennis.
Besluit
Of het nu gaat om symbolische archetypes, misvattingen over fenomenen of de aanwezigheid van echte niet-menselijke soorten, de verhalen over reptilianen blijven een van de meest polariserende onderwerpen binnen de buitenaardse lore. Deze verhalen hebben door de jaren heen een grote invloed gehad op zowel populaire cultuur als op de overtuigingen van velen die zoeken naar verklaringen voor onverklaarbare gebeurtenissen. Nu de publieke discussie over UAP’s (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) toeneemt en officiële instanties meer openheid tonen over het bestaan van vreemde waarnemingen aan de hemel, is het slechts een kwestie van tijd voordat claims over reptilianen en soortgelijke wezens serieuzer worden onderzocht. Tegelijkertijd bestaat de mogelijkheid dat sommige van deze verhalen worden ontkracht door wetenschappelijk bewijs of door kritisch onderzoek.
De beschuldigingen en verhalen rondom reptilianen roepen belangrijke vragen op over de aard van de werkelijkheid, onze perceptie en de mogelijkheid dat buitenaardse of interdimensionale wezens zich onder ons kunnen verschuilen. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat deze wezens misschien al eeuwenlang in onze samenleving aanwezig zijn, verborgen achter schijnbaar onschuldige façade’s, en dat ze invloed uitoefenen op wereldwijde gebeurtenissen of zelfs op de menselijke psyche. Hoewel er geen sluitend bewijs bestaat dat reptilianen daadwerkelijk bestaan, blijven deze verhalen een bron van intrige en speculatie, vooral omdat ze vaak worden gekoppeld aan complottheorieën en het idee dat er verborgen machten aan het werk zijn.
Het is van groot belang dat verdere wetenschappelijke en onderzoeksinspanningen openstaan voor alle mogelijkheden, zonder zich meteen vast te leggen op een vooropgezet standpunt. Alleen door een kritische en onbevooroordeelde benadering kunnen we de waarheid achter deze mysterieuze beschrijvingen proberen te achterhalen. Onderzoek op het gebied van UFO’s, buitenaardse technologieën en mogelijk niet-menselijke wezens moet met een open geest worden uitgevoerd, waarbij ook rekening wordt gehouden met alternatieve verklaringen en hypothesen. Het doel is niet alleen het bevestigen of ontkrachten van het bestaan van reptilianen, maar ook het verdiepen van ons begrip van de fenomenen die zich in onze lucht en omgeving voordoen.
In de toekomst kunnen technologische ontwikkelingen en nieuwe onderzoeksinitiatieven mogelijk meer duidelijkheid scheppen over deze complexe en vaak controversiële theorieën. Het is essentieel dat we niet snel oordelen, maar nieuwsgierig blijven en bereid zijn om onze aannames te herzien op basis van nieuwe bevindingen. Alleen door een open en kritische blik kunnen we de ware aard van deze mysterieuze verhalen doorgronden en begrijpen welke rol ze mogelijk spelen in ons bredere begrip van het universum en onze plaats daarin.
{ PETER2011 }
11-08-2025 om 21:44
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Ross Coulthart’s Reptilian Claims: Are Shape-Shifting Alien Species Living Among Us?
Ross Coulthart’s Reptilian Claims: Are Shape-Shifting Alien Species Living Among Us?
Ross Coulthart’s Shocking Reptilian Revelation Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart, known for decades of mainstream reporting, recently stunned audiences by claiming credible sources told him that multiple non-human species—including reptilians—exist. Speaking on Reality Check, Coulthart listed reptilians, mantids, humanoids, grays, and even “Nordics” as species mentioned to him by insiders. While careful to state that nothing is proven, his willingness to publicly discuss the topic reflects growing openness in UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) circles.
A Pattern of Witness Testimonies Coulthart’s claim is not isolated. Musicians, survivors, and researchers have described unsettling encounters with alleged shape-shifters:
Billy Corganof The Smashing Pumpkins told Howard Stern in 2017 that he twice saw a person transform into “something other than human.” He stood by his story years later, adding more details while refusing to name the individual involved.
Juliette Bryant, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, described witnessing Epstein’s face morph into reptilian-like features during an encounter—large black eyes, a wide mouth, and horn-like protrusions. She insisted she was neither intoxicated nor under the influence at the time.
Jordan Maxwell, an author and researcher of ancient religions, recounted a story from a wealthy Las Vegas businessman. The man claimed he and five fellow Christians witnessed a ritual in the Colorado wilderness interrupted by an 8-foot reptilian being. The entity allegedly immobilized the group telepathically before letting them go.
The “Plane Lady” Incident In 2023, a viral video showed a distressed airline passenger declaring, “That motherf**er back there is not real,”* before insisting on leaving the plane. While she later offered contradictory explanations, her refusal to fully retract her statement—and her claim she was “100%” right to disembark—keeps speculation alive.
Cultural and Historical Parallels Serpent-like beings appear in mythologies worldwide—from the biblical serpent in Eden to Mesoamerican feathered serpent gods. Some theorists suggest reptilians could be a highly evolved offshoot of Earth’s prehistoric reptiles, while others view them as interdimensional entities able to disguise themselves as human.
Skepticism and Open Questions Mainstream science has found no verifiable evidence for reptilian beings, and many of these stories could be explained by psychological phenomena, mistaken perception, or fabrication. Yet the persistence of similar testimonies across cultures and eras keeps the theory alive in UFOlogy.
Final Thoughts Whether symbolic archetypes, misunderstood phenomena, or genuine non-human species, reptilian accounts remain among the most polarizing in extraterrestrial lore. With public discourse on UAPs expanding, it may only be a matter of time before such claims receive more serious investigation—or definitive debunking.
US Congress told existence of four alien breeds are being probed and named by boffins
US Congress told existence of four alien breeds are being probed and named by boffins
Astrophysicist and aerospace consultant Dr Eric Davis told US Congress any of the four breeds could be behind a series of UFOs that have crashed to Earth
The world-renowned scientist - who has worked on top secret US defence projects - named thealienspecies as ‘Grays, Nordics, Insectoids, and Reptilians’ which he said could all be potential operators ofunidentified craft.
It is the first time a senior scientist has revealed they are not just investigating the existence of extraterrestrials but different breeds of them.
Any of four alien species could be behind crashed UFOs found on Earth
(Image: Getty Images)
In 2020 Dr Davis revealed he had provided classified briefings to Pentagon officials on materials retrieved from UFOs that were of extraterrestrial origin which "we couldn’t make ourselves". He claimed they exhibited properties and engineering current science could not replicate and the US Government possessed technology far beyond human capability.
Congressman Eric Burlison, a member of the House Oversight Committee and its Unidentified Aerial Phenomena - aka UFO - caucus, said he had heard the same four alien classifications in private briefings.
He said: "I've heard those four classifications discussed in meetings in this office by others. But what I wasn't expecting was for him to say it. I wasn't expecting Eric Davis, you know, respected scientists, to say that."
Burlison, a self-described ET skeptic, said he did not know if Davis had direct knowledge or was relying on second-hand reports. The politician said: "If true this would be a paradigm-shifting moment. But if it is true the Government has no right to keep such a secret from the public it serves."
An expert said the aliens were human-sized
(Image: Getty Images)
‘Grays’ aliens dates back to the ‘60s from the reported abductions of Betty and Barney Hill who described being taken by small humanoids with smooth gray skin and large black almond-shaped eyes lacking in other human features like noses or ears.
‘Nordics’are described as tall, slender beings resembling Scandinavians with blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Often linked to the Pleiades star cluster these entities were described by close encounter eyewitnesses dating back to the ‘50s as possessing advanced technology and peaceful intentions.
‘Insectoids’have been part of alien mythology since Georges Méliès' 1902 film A Trip to the Moon. They exhibit insect-like traits such as multiple limbs, exoskeletons, mandibles and sometimes antennae.
The ‘reptilians’ are said to be shape-shifting aliens secretly controlling Earth. Similar half-human, half-serpent figures appear in ancient south Asian myths such as the Nāga. Their existence was famously trumpeted by TV presenter and conspiracy theorist David Icke in his 1999 book The Biggest Secret.
Despite Dr Davies’s revelation Burlison believes UFOs are most likely to be advanced human-made technologies - possibly experimental projects by private contractors.
Though he admitted "some will think we're nuts" for discussing alien species Burlison said he had a duty to humanity to investigate. He said: "I owe it to the American people to get to the bottom of this.
"The Government belongs to the people - not the other way around. Keeping such monumental secrets would betray the trust of the public."
He expressed frustration at the thought such technology may exist. Recalling how he had been stuck on a runaway for three hours due to weather delays he said: "If we have advanced propulsion I'm going to be really angry."
The Younger Dryas impact hypothesis is hotly contested.
(Jim Miller/Getty Images)
Microscopic grains of alien dust buried in the sediment at the bottom of the ocean could be evidence of a comet that exploded in Earth's atmosphere 12,800 years ago.
This hypothetical event, known as the Younger Dryas impact, was invoked to explain a sudden, 1,200-year period of rapid cooling to near-glacial conditions during a time when Earth's climate was on a warm upswing. It's a controversial proposal, to say the least, with many scientists roundly rejecting it while others remain more open to the possibility.
One of the leading refutations is that no crater has been found, as one might expect from such a world-changing event… but the evidence may be much smaller than a crater.
Led by geoscientist Christopher Moore of the University of South Carolina, a team of researchers puts forward a new line of evidence: four sediment cores from Baffin Bay near Greenland.
These are cylinders of material excavated vertically that preserve layers upon layers of seafloor sediment that were deposited over many millennia.
Some of the silica- and iron-rich microspherules found in the cores. (Moore et al., PLOS One, 2025)
"We chose to analyze marine cores from Baffin Bay to determine if Younger Dryas impact proxies reported from dozens of terrestrial sites globally were present in ocean cores," Moore explains in an interview with the science journal PLOS One.
"The sites were significant because they were a considerable distance from potential anthropogenic [human] contamination, and in most cases, the cores were highly laminated, indicating that the record was relatively undisturbed."
Some of the metallic dust particles extracted from the cores. (Moore et al., PLOS One, 2025)
This analysis revealed tiny particles of metal with compositions consistent with a cometary origin, including iron with low oxygen and high nickel content, and microspherules rich with iron and silica.
These microspherules, the researchers say, consist mostly of material from Earth, but with a little bit of impactor material mixed in – likely from an airburst event as the comet exploded after atmospheric entry.
"The Younger Dryas sediment layer in the Baffin cores contains multiple proxies consistent with an impact event. Microspherules, twisted and deformed metallic dust particles with chemistry consistent with comet or meteoritic material, meltglass, and identification of nanoparticle peaks in key elements (e.g., platinum and iridium) suggest an impact event," Moore says.
"This evidence is supported by the findings on terrestrial sites on multiple continents in both hemispheres. This work builds on other evidence that the Younger Dryas impact event was likely global in scale."
Impact meltglass particles found in the Baffin cores. (Moore et al., PLOS One, 2025)
The researchers next plan to broaden the scale of their investigation by examining sediment cores from other ocean sites around the world.
Louisiana Crater Supports Younger Dryas and Hancock’s Lost Civilization Hypothesis
A massive comet explosion that rocked Louisiana nearly 13,000 years ago has provided new evidence supporting one of archaeology's most controversial theories. The discovery of a 984-foot-long crater-like depression, caused by a cosmic airburst equivalent to thousands of nuclear bombs, adds to the argument that an advanced civilization once flourished on Earth before being catastrophically destroyed. This latest finding brings author Graham Hancock's theories about a lost Ice Age civilization back into the scientific spotlight, challenging mainstream archaeological narratives about humanity's past.
The groundbreaking research, published in peer-reviewed scientific journal Science Open, identifies what appears to be North America's first confirmed Younger Dryas Boundary airburst crater. Located near Perkins, Louisiana, the circular depression contains high concentrations of impact markers including shocked quartz, melted glass, and rare metallic spherules. Using radiometric dating and electron microscopy, researchers confirmed the event occurred 12,800 years ago, precisely coinciding with the Younger Dryas Boundary - a period of abrupt global cooling and mass extinctions reports the Daily Mail.
In the Daily Mail report, Dr. Allan West, a leading member of the Comet Research Group, emphasized the significance of these findings:
"The accepted view is that extraterrestrial impact events are extremely rare, especially large ones like the dinosaur extinction event. But smaller, dangerous airbursts like Tunguska in 1908 and Chelyabinsk in 2013 happen more often than believed."
The Louisiana crater represents physical proof that Earth encountered fragments of a massive comet, causing widespread devastation without the comet itself striking the planet directly. Although a comet burst hitting the Earth 12,800 years ago does not confirm there was an ancient civilization, understanding these cosmic risks becomes increasingly important as we recognize that such impacts may be more frequent than previously believed. And Hancock and his supporters draw on other evidence from around the world to support the hypothesis.
For decades, bestselling author Graham Hancock has faced intense criticism from mainstream archaeology for proposing that an advanced civilization existed during the last Ice Age before being destroyed by cosmic catastrophe. His 1995 book "Fingerprints of the Gods" gathered evidence from mythology, ancient monuments, and geological records to support this controversial theory. The Louisiana discovery, along with mounting evidence from sites worldwide, appears to validate core aspects of Hancock's hypothesis.
"I am exploring a mystery, and that mystery is a very strong feeling that the archaeological project is not giving us the whole story about the past," Hancock told the Daily Mail. "It's clear to me that something is missing, that during the Ice Age, there was a culture with advanced astronomy, knowledge of the Earth's dimensions, and even the problem of longitude solved."
Hancock believes the impacts were not isolated events but resembled "a shotgun blast" - multiple airbursts from objects ranging from pyramid-sized to city-sized, affecting locations across the globe including the United States, Belgium, Syria, Chile, and Antarctica.
The author's theories have gained renewed attention through his Netflix series "Ancient Apocalypse," which explores evidence for this lost civilization. Speaking alongside Dr. West at a recent presentation, Hancock emphasized how the Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis, first proposed scientifically in 2006, perfectly aligns with his timeline for global catastrophe around 12,500 years ago.
The Younger Dryas event is argued to have led to widespread megafauna extinctions across multiple continents.
The Louisiana crater joins a growing body of evidence supporting the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis. Researchers have discovered impact markers at sites across multiple continents, including shocked quartz grains, microscopic diamonds, and metallic spherules that could only form under extreme temperatures and pressures. A recent study just published in PLoS ONE has also identified comet dust and rare metals in deep-ocean sediment cores dating to this period, providing additional confirmation of the cosmic bombardment.
Dr. West explained that the comet impact theory suggests Earth passed through the debris field of a massive fragmented comet from the Taurid meteor stream. "This event was enormous, equivalent to thousands or even tens of thousands of nuclear bombs exploding simultaneously," he said. The catastrophe is believed to have darkened skies with dust and soot for months, triggering the Younger Dryas cooling period that plunged the world back into near-glacial conditions. This environmental collapse is also thought to have contributed to the extinction of megafauna species including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant ground sloths.
Archaeological evidence suggests human populations also suffered severely during this period. The timing coincides with the mysterious disappearance of the Clovis culture in North America and significant cultural disruptions worldwide. If advanced civilizations existed as Hancock proposes, the cosmic catastrophe would have devastated their populations and infrastructure, leaving only scattered survivors to preserve fragments of their knowledge through oral traditions and monumental architecture. Of course, this flies in the face of mainstream archaeology, which has other explanations for these events.
Lake/depression with locations of glass-and-spherule-rich material is outlined with the white dotted line. The Pond deposit is northwest of the lake/depression, and the Vee deposit is south of the lake/depression. Trench #1 is on the east rim of the lake/depression. The Lake deposit is within the lake/depression. Calibrated radiocarbon ages on organic material and carbon-rich meltglass are shown for three key deposits.
Image: Google Earth, Maxar Technologies; imagery date: 12/13/2003; accessed: 8/8/2024.
Optical photographs of meltglass and spherules from the Pond deposit. (A-D) The original discovery was of a sizeable semi-consolidated surface deposit, primarily comprised of billions of spherules and fragments of meltglass, embedded in a matrix of partially melted and unmelted grains of quartz sand and limestone. (E) A large fragment of vesicular meltglass (at arrow) was removed from the spherule-rich matrix (tan) from the Pond deposit. (F) Photomicrograph of spherules embedded in the Pond deposit matrix.
Some of the silica- and iron-rich microspherules found in the cores. (Moore et al., PLOS One, 2025)
Implications for Human History
The implications of confirming the Younger Dryas Impact extend far beyond geology and astronomy. If Hancock's interpretation proves correct, it would fundamentally reshape our understanding of human civilization's antiquity and capabilities. The author argues that survivors of this lost civilization integrated with existing hunter-gatherer populations, passing down advanced knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and engineering that later influenced the construction of sites like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey and the precise astronomical alignments found in ancient monuments worldwide.
Both Hancock and Dr. West acknowledge that their theories face significant resistance from established academic institutions. "We've had papers blocked, delayed, and even targeted for retraction by those opposed to our research," West revealed. However, the accumulating evidence continues to strengthen their case. The Louisiana discovery represents just one piece of a global puzzle that includes impact markers from Syria to Chile, suggesting the cosmic bombardment was truly worldwide in scope.
Looking toward the future, the research carries urgent implications for planetary defense. Dr. West warned that if a similar event occurred today, the consequences would be catastrophic for modern civilization.
"Back then, fewer than a million people lived on Earth. Today's billions would suffer immensely, millions could die, crops would fail, satellites and electrical grids would be destroyed."
Top image: Louisiana airburst crater depression showing impact evidence from 12,800 years ago. The lake is located east of Perkins, LA, in the state’s southwest corner (inset, arrow) and is called the Perkins site.
Source: Base image: USGS. Inset image: Google Maps, 2024, INEGI. ScienceOpen
On July 5, 2025, astronomers recorded a flash caused by an object falling onto Saturn. Of course, scientists already knew that the sixth planet in the Solar System was regularly bombarded by various small bodies. However, until then, they had never seen anything fall on Saturn with their own eyes.
In this article, you will learn about other well-known cases of cosmic bombardment of bodies in the Solar System, from Jupiter to our Moon.
Heroic Jupiter
Jupiter is the most massive planet. Its mass is more than twice that of all the other planets combined. Because of this, its gravity has a huge impact on the Solar System, including asteroids and comets. Some scientists even believe that Jupiter should be called the protector of Earth – after all, its powerful gravity protects our planet by deflecting bodies that would otherwise fall on it.
The flip side of the coin is that Jupiter is regularly bombarded by comets and asteroids. The most famous such event occurred in July 1994, when debris from the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet fell on the gas giant.
The consequences of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 debris falling far exceeded all astronomers’ expectations. Telescopes recorded giant fireballs that appeared in the planet’s atmosphere at the moment the debris entered it. Their temperature exceeded 30,000 degrees. The impacts created giant plumes of material from the lower layers of Jupiter’s atmosphere, which rose three thousand kilometers above the cloud tops into the stratosphere. They were spotted by Hubble and ground-based observatories.
Dark spots in Jupiter’s atmosphere were left behind after the impact of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet fragments. Source: Hubble Space Telescope Comet Team and NASA
But that was not the end of it. After the bombardment, Jupiter was left with numerous “scars” – huge dark spots marking the places where the debris had fallen. The largest of these was as wide as Earth itself – it was more visible through telescopes than the famous Great Red Spot. It took several months for the spots to finally dissipate.
A dark spot formed in Jupiter’s atmosphere in 2009 after an object with a diameter of 200-500 meters fell into it. Source: NASA/JPL/Infrared Telescope Facility
Since then, astronomers have recorded 12 more instances of objects large enough to produce a flash visible from Earth falling on Jupiter. The most powerful such incident occurred on July 19, 2009. It led to the formation of a black spot in the planet’s atmosphere, comparable in size to the Pacific Ocean. The diameter of the impactor is believed to have been between 200 and 500 meters. According to NASA estimates, collisions between Earth and objects of this size occur approximately once every 100,000 years. Jupiter, on the other hand, experiences them regularly.
Secretive Mars
Since Mars’ orbit passes close to the main asteroid belt, the Red Planet is more frequently hit by asteroids than Earth. In addition, the Martian atmosphere is much thinner than Earth’s. This means that a body that is unable to pass through our planet’s atmosphere is very likely to reach the Martian surface.
A 30-meter crater formed on Mars in 2013. Image taken by the MRO spacecraft. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona
Over the past quarter-century, spacecraft have discovered over a hundred fresh Martian craters. On average, they range from 10 to 30 meters in diameter and were created by impacts from objects several meters in size.
Recent research suggests that Mars is bombarded by meteorites even more frequently than previously thought. Analysis of seismic data collected by the InSight mission has shown that many Marsquakes are caused not by geological activity, but by impacts from space. For example, in 2021, the device recorded two powerful Marsquakes with a magnitude of 4. Researchers were later able to determine the areas where the objects that caused the underground vibrations fell. It turned out that they left behind craters with diameters of 130 and 150 meters.
A 150-meter crater left behind after the impact of an object that caused a 4-magnitude Marsquake. Source: L. V. Posiolova et al. / Science, 2022
All Martian impact events have one thing in common: the craters were found after the fact. To date, astronomers have never witnessed the process of objects falling on Mars. However, if humanity seriously sets out to conquer the Red Planet, this situation is likely to change. Data on the frequency of meteorite impacts on Mars will clearly be useful when planning manned missions and deciding where best to locate future settlements.
Defenseless Moon
Unlike Mars, the Moon does not even have a thin atmosphere. Therefore, any space object can reach its surface without any problems. Astronomers regularly record flashes caused by various meteoroids falling on it. On average, they last a fraction of a second and are usually observed on the unlit side of the Moon.
Images showing a flash on the Moon caused by the impact of a space object. It was observed on March 1, 2017. Source: NELIOTA project
As with Mars, these collisions leave new scars on the surface of the Moon. In just the first seven years of its operation, the LRO identified over two hundred fresh craters ranging in diameter from several meters to 43 meters. In reality, there must be many more. Scientists estimate that several hundred impact events occur on the Moon each year, which, under the right conditions, can be detected from Earth.
A 12-meter crater formed on the Moon between 2012 and 2013. Source: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
In addition to craters of natural origin, man-made craters can also be found on the Moon. Some of them date back to the space race and the Apollo program. These include the landing sites of the first Soviet and American probes, as well as craters from the third stages of Saturn V rockets. They were deliberately sent to the Moon as part of seismic experiments.
In recent years, several more man-made craters have appeared on the Moon as a result of unsuccessful landings and accidents involving the Beresheet, Vikram, Hakuto-R, Resilience, and Luna-25 spacecraft.
The crash site of the Vikram platform. Source: NASA/Goddard/Arizona State University.
In conclusion, we can also mention an incident that occurred in 1178. At that time, five monks from Canterbury reported to the abbey chronicler that shortly after sunset, they saw the upper horn of the Moon “split” in two. In the 20th century, a hypothesis emerged that the monks had observed the aftermath of an impact that formed the 22-kilometer Bruno crater on the far side of the Moon.
However, most scientists still believe that these events are unrelated. It is most likely that the crater is about a million years old. The monks may have seen a meteor superimposed on the lunar disk.
Silver disk seen over Holland On July 28, 2025, Photos! UFO Sightings Daily
Silver disk seen over Holland On July 28, 2025, Photos! UFO Sightings Daily
Date of sighting: July 28, 2025
Location of sighting: Weesp, North Holland, Netherlands
Source: NUFORC website
Hey look at this NUFORC report that just came in. This person took two clear and focused photos of a disk UFO over Holland last week. The disk UFO is flying on its side as most do and it looks to be about the size of mini van. This type of UFO has been photographed before back in Taiwan...when a school teacher on her way to work saw a similar craft near the power lines and took its photo. This UFO is here to collect data from power lines and internet cables.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Saw the craft at about 75 degrees facing west I saw the craft in the western sky. It was flying horizontally then south and back again towards the east. It moved slow. It was fairly high. Maybe 10000 ft. After a few minutes it disappeared.
Triangle UFO over Salt Lake City Airport, Utah Aug 8, 2025, UAP paranormal sighting news
Triangle UFO over Salt Lake City Airport, Utah Aug 8, 2025, UAP paranormal sighting news
Above screenshot has added contrast only, below is 100% untouched.
Date of sighting: Aug 8, 2025
Location of sighting: Salt Lake Airport, Utah, USA
Source: Recorded by me, Scott C. Waring
I was walking around my back yard which has a view of both antelope park mountains and also a great view of Salt Lake City airport when I noticed something triangle shaped and tilted over the airport. I watched if for a few seconds and then decided to take a video of it. I then continued my gardening and watering then made another video 5 minutes later of it still there. I didn't upload the second video because it's very similar to the first. One person on my YouTube comment section said it was fake, but it's not. It's 100% real. I have no reason to fake anything, I don't need clicks and I make no money since I have zero ads. This is absolute proof that UFOs are attracted to airports like bees on flowers.
NASA's Curiosity rover has snapped black and white images of a rock on the Martian surface that looks remarkably like a piece of coral.
The Curiosity rover discovered what looks like coral on Mars.
(Image credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
NASA's Curiosity rover has sent back intriguing images of what looks like a piece of coral on Mars.
The strange object is in fact a small, light-colored, wind-eroded rock, which the rover found inside the Red Planet's Gale Crater on July 24 — but it looks remarkably similar to the reef-building creatures found in Earth's oceans.
A black and white picture taken with Curiosity's Remote Micro Imager — a high-resolution, telescopic camera that is mounted on the rover — and shared by NASA in a statement on Aug. 4 shows the approximately 1-inch-wide (2.5 centimeters) rock with its intricate branches.
"Curiosity has found many rocks like this one, which were formed by ancient water combined with billions of years of sandblasting by the wind," NASA representatives wrote in the statement.
Coral-shaped rocks on Mars started forming billions of years ago, when the Red Planet still had water, according to the statement. Just like water on Earth, this water was full of dissolved minerals. It percolated through small cracks in Martian rocks, gradually depositing minerals and forming solid "veins" inside the rocks.
These veins form the strange branches of the coral-shaped object that we see in Curiosity's picture today, after millions of years of erosion by sand-laden winds wore away the rock.
Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012, touching down in the Gale Crater — a meteor impact crater on the boundary between the Red Planet's cratered southern highlands and its smooth northern plains. The rover's mission, led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, is to scan the Martian surface for any signs that it was habitable at any point in the distant past.
So far, Curiosity has traversed roughly 22 miles (35 kilometers) of the 96-mile-wide (154 km) crater. Its path is meandering and slow, because it has to stop to drill into rocks, collect samples and gather data.
UFO Over Avalon, New Jersey July 29, 2025 UAP sighting news 👽 ancient aliens R back!
UFO Over Avalon, New Jersey July 29, 2025 UAP sighting news 👽 ancient aliens R back!
Date of sighting: July 29, 2025
Location of sighting: Avalon, New Jersey, USA
Source: NUFORC
This video just came in this week. I made some screenshots above and added light to each so you can see that it is a disk shape craft. Also they said the sighting lasted 30 seconds, about the same as most. Very amazing catch and with all the UFO activity since Oct 2024 over New Jersey, I'm not surprised to see larger UFOs like this one. It looks to be as big as a 727. Just amazing to see such things going on at the East coast. 100% proof that aliens come and go, but often try to disguise themselves as something else, here...trying to look like a meteor...but going 1/10th the speed.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Aura or haze around object, Changed Color. We saw something moving in the air kinda of fast and when you zoomed up on it with your phone it almost looked like the planet Saturn. It was like a cylinder with a ring around it and it disappeared after like 30 seconds and whenwe flashed a light on it
Harvard Professor Proposes Intercepting Mysterious Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS
Harvard Professor Proposes Intercepting Mysterious Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS
Harvard astrophysicist Professor Avi Loeb has proposed an ambitious plan to study a recently discovered interstellar object known as 3I/ATLAS, which is currently on an unusual path through our solar system. Loeb believes the object’s speed, trajectory, and unique characteristics may point to more than just a natural comet — and could even suggest it is alien technology.
An Object Unlike Ordinary Comets
3I/ATLAS has drawn attention due to its extremely unusual trajectory. It is moving too fast to be bound by the Sun’s gravity, breaking away from the orbital patterns typically seen in comets and asteroids. Loeb notes that the object’s path is remarkably aligned with Earth’s orbit and its arrival timing is unusually precise, passing near multiple planets — including Jupiter, Mars, and Venus — in a way that is statistically improbable.
According to Loeb, the chances of such an alignment occurring naturally are incredibly small — roughly 1 in 500 for the orbital alignment and 1 in 20,000 for the timing. This rare combination raises questions about whether the object’s path could have been engineered.
The Possibility of Alien Technology
While Loeb stresses that more data is needed before making definitive claims, he suggests that the characteristics of 3I/ATLAS could be consistent with an artificial origin. He previously introduced the concept of a “Richter scale” for interstellar objects, rating them from 0 (entirely natural) to 10 (clearly engineered). At present, he places 3I/ATLAS somewhere in the middle, pending further observations.
“The fun of doing science,” Loeb explained, “is that you can ask questions first and then answer them with data.”
The Juno Spacecraft Proposal
One of the main challenges in studying such fast-moving interstellar visitors is the difficulty of intercepting them. By the time 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest point to the Sun, it will be traveling in the opposite direction to Earth’s motion, making a launch from Earth impractical.
However, Loeb sees an opportunity in NASA’s Juno spacecraft, currently orbiting Jupiter and nearing the end of its mission. Originally planned to be sent into Jupiter’s atmosphere in September 2025, Juno could instead be redirected. With the right propulsion maneuver, Loeb says, it could intercept 3I/ATLAS in March 2026 when the object passes relatively close to Jupiter.
This would allow humanity to study the object up close, potentially gathering high-resolution data that could determine whether it is natural or technological in origin.
Political Interest in the Mission
The idea has already caught the attention of U.S. lawmakers. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has written to NASA encouraging the agency to explore the feasibility of using Juno for such a mission.
While no decision has been made, the proposal reflects a growing interest — both scientific and political — in proactively investigating unidentified interstellar objects rather than letting them pass by without direct study.
Why It Matters
If approved, the mission could mark the first intentional interception of an interstellar object, providing an unprecedented opportunity to examine material from beyond our solar system. Whether 3I/ATLAS turns out to be a natural phenomenon or a sign of extraterrestrial engineering, the data could reshape our understanding of cosmic visitors.
As Loeb put it, studying such objects is not only about scientific curiosity but also about assessing potential risks and preparing for future encounters.
This colour-coded topographic image of Mars shows the Acheron Fossae region of Mars. It was captured by the Mars Express spacecraft (Credit : ESA/DLR/FU Berlin)
Mars is a world marked by dramatic landscapes and few regions showcase this better than Acheron Fossae, a spectacular network of deep cracks and valleys that slice through the red planet's surface like ancient scars. Recent images from the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft reveal the western edge of this fascinating geological formation, offering new insights into Mars's violent past and changing climate.
Image of Mars captured by the Hubble Space Telescope between April 27 and May 6, 1999, when Mars was 87 million kilometres from Earth
(Credit : NASA/ESA)
Acheron Fossae is an extensive system of deep, fault like cracks (known as fossae), with alternating chunks of raised and lowered ground, a pattern geologists call "horst and graben." Picture a broken chocolate bar where some pieces have been pushed up while others have dropped down, creating a jagged landscape of ridges and valleys that can be hundreds of kilometers long and several kilometers deep.
These features weren't created overnight. Likely dating back over 3.7 billion years to when Mars was most geologically active, such a pattern was created as hot material rose upwards beneath the martian crust. As molten rock pushed upward from deep within Mars, it stretched and cracked the planet's surface creating the deep valleys we see today.
Image of Acheron Fossae in Tharsis region on Mars
(Credit : NASA)
What makes Acheron Fossae particularly intriguing isn't just how it formed, but how it continues to change. The valley floors are relatively smooth, marked by gently weaving lines reminiscent of a flowing river. Rather than water, these valleys have been filled by a slow, viscous flow of ice rich rock, a lot like the rock glaciers we see here on Earth.
These Martian rock glaciers act like geological time capsules, preserving evidence of the Martian climatic history. Rock glaciers are very sensitive to changes in climate, and so act as good markers for how a planet's environment has changed over time. Here, they indicate that this region of Mars has experienced alternating periods of cool and warm, freeze and thaw.
The key to understanding these climate swings lies in Mars's unstable tilt. Unlike Earth, which maintains a relatively steady tilt thanks to the Moon's stabilising influence, Mars wobbles dramatically over time. Mars's tilt has swung between 15 and 45 degrees in the last 10 million years, while Earth's has varied between 22 and 24.5 degrees.
These variations, known as the Milankovitch cycles, create alternating ice ages and warm periods on Mars. During extreme tilts, ice can creep near to the planet's equator before shrinking back to its poles during warmer periods.
The images also reveal how erosion has transformed the landscape over millions of years. To the right of the main fossae, the deep cracks transition into flat, dark lowland plains, with a strip of raised mounds and rocky hills in between. These are the remains of what was once a continuous rock layer that has been slowly worn away by flows of ice and rock over time, leaving behind rounded hills called knobs and flat topped plateaus called mesas.
This erosion process creates a distinctive transition visible in the topographical data, from the deep red and yellow tones of higher ground gradually melting into light and darker blues indicating lower elevations. It's like watching a mountain range slowly dissolve into a plain over geological time.
Illustration of ESA's Mars Express spacecraft
(Credit : NASA/JPL)
These remarkable insights come courtesy of ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, which has been capturing and exploring Mars's landscapes since 2003. Using its High Resolution Stereo Camera, the orbiter has mapped the planet's surface in unprecedented detail, colour, and three dimensions for over two decades.
As we continue studying Mars, features like Acheron Fossae serve as natural laboratories for understanding planetary geology and climate evolution. They remind us that planets are dynamic systems, constantly changing over geological time scales. For future Mars missions, both robotic and human, understanding these processes will be crucial for navigation, resource utilisation, and safe exploration of our planetary neighbour.
Microplastics vind je inmiddels overal. Het is maar te hopen dat ze niet al te ongezond zijn, want nieuwe metingen wijzen uit dat we er mogelijk een stuk meer van binnenkrijgen dan gedacht.
Onderzoeker Nadiia Yakovenko en collega’s van de Université de Toulouse ontdekten dat de piepkleine plasticdeeltjes die thuis en in je auto in de lucht zweven in enorme hoeveelheden je longen binnendringen.
Uit eerdere studies is al gebleken dat microplastics over de hele wereld voorkomen in de lucht, zowel buiten als binnen. Daardoor zijn er zorgen ontstaan over de mogelijke gevolgen voor de gezondheid. De kleine ingeademde microplasticdeeltjes kunnen je longen binnendringen en daar mogelijk oxidatieve stress veroorzaken en het immuunsysteem en organen aantasten. Eerder onderzoek naar microplastics in de lucht richtte zich echter vooral op grotere deeltjes met een diameter van 20 tot 200 micrometer, die minder snel in de longen terechtkomen dan deeltjes met een diameter van 10 micrometer of minder.
Heel veel plasticdeeltjes Om meer inzicht te krijgen in het risico van het inademen van microplastics, hebben Yakovenko en haar collega’s luchtmonsters genomen in hun eigen appartement en in hun eigen auto onder realistische rijomstandigheden. Met behulp van een techniek die Raman-spectroscopie wordt genoemd, konden ze de concentraties van microplastics, waaronder die met een diameter van 1 tot 10 micrometer, in 16 luchtmonsters meten.
Ze ontdekten dat er in hun huizen 528 plasticdeeltjes per kubieke meter in de lucht hingen en in hun auto’s 2238 deeltjes per kubieke meter. 94 procent van de gedetecteerde deeltjes was kleiner dan 10 micrometer. Hoewel de concentraties in de auto’s hoger waren dan in de appartementen, was het verschil statistisch niet significant door de grote variabiliteit van de microplasticconcentratie op beide plekken.
Gevolgen voor de gezondheid De onderzoekers combineerden hun resultaten vervolgens met eerder gepubliceerde gegevens over blootstelling aan microplastics binnenshuis en schatten dat volwassenen dagelijks ongeveer 3200 microplasticdeeltjes met een diameter van 10 tot 300 micrometer inademen en 68.000 deeltjes van 1 tot 10 micrometer per dag. Dat is honderd keer meer dan eerdere schattingen.
Daardoor kunnen ook de gevolgen voor de gezondheid groter zijn dan eerder gedacht. Tegelijkertijd benadrukken de onderzoekers dat vervolgonderzoek nodig is om deze schattingen te bevestigen. “We hebben vastgesteld dat meer dan 90 procent van de microplasticdeeltjes in de binnenlucht in zowel woningen als auto’s kleiner was dan 10 micrometer, klein genoeg om diep in de longen te worden ingeademd. Dit was ook het eerste onderzoek waarin microplastics in de auto werden gemeten. Over het algemeen hebben we concentraties binnenshuis gemeten die tot 100 keer hoger waren dan eerdere extrapolaties, waaruit blijkt dat binnenlucht een belangrijke en tot nu toe onderschatte blootstellingsroute is voor het inademen van fijne microplasticdeeltjes”, legt het onderzoeksteam uit.
“Overal waar we kijken, vinden we microplastics, zelfs in de lucht die we inademen in onze huizen en auto’s. De grootste zorg is dat deze deeltjes zo klein zijn dat ze met het blote oog volledig onzichtbaar zijn. We ademen er elke dag duizenden in zonder dat we het beseffen. Diep in onze longen geven microplastics giftige additieven af die in ons bloed terechtkomen en meerdere ziekten veroorzaken”, klinkt het tot besluit.
Het gevaar van microplastics Langzaam wordt duidelijker hoe schadelijk microplastics kunnen zijn. Zo schreven we onlangs over een studie waarin onderzoekers een verband vonden tussen microplastics en plaque — vettige ophopingen in de bloedvaten. In plaques in de halsslagader troffen onderzoekers tot wel vijftig keer meer micro- en nanoplastics aan dan in gezonde bloedvaten. Vooral mensen die een beroerte of tijdelijke blindheid hadden gehad, bleken opvallend veel plasticdeeltjes in hun bloedvaten te hebben. Daarbij gold: hoe meer plaque, hoe meer plastic. Bij mensen die een (mini-)beroerte of tijdelijke blindheid hadden doorgemaakt, vonden de onderzoekers zelfs 51 keer meer plastic in de vaatwanden dan bij gezonde personen. Bij proefpersonen met plaque maar zonder klachten, ging het om zestien keer meer plasticdeeltjes.
Hey, I was looking over Google Mercury Map and found some cool things that I just wanted to reveal to you all. The structures are often colorful and rainbow like, which other maps also confirmed. Also one huge angelic structure in Brahms crater is almost 10 miles across or more, the crater is 100km or 61 miles across. So many structures and so ancient...they were built to last, not to be disposable and think about the environment. These may be thousands of years old or more. It does look to me, that there are newer structures (seen in my video in the first 1-10 seconds).
Hey, check this out. Many residents of Reno phoned into the local news networks and asked about whats going on with the UFO cloud over the city. As always Reno 2 News uses old school science to explain it as a linear cloud. However the truth is far from that. This is an alien craft within this cloud. The ship holds the cloud together by using its shields to force it to stay. However they often produce too much cloud...making trails like we see here. Thats because more cloud cover can allow other ships to hide within it too. Aliens often pride themselves on being superior to humans in every way, but the truth is...they are not. They have flaws and we are seeing through their deception.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Reno 2 News states:
Did you see a strange-looking cloud in the sky over Reno on Wednesday night? If you did, you aren't alone. After receiving a call from a viewer about the odd cloud, 2 News Nevada Chief Meteorologist Chris Larson shared that what the viewer saw is called a lenticular cloud. More at site.
Is the Buga Sphere part of a hidden planetary network?
Is the Buga Sphere part of a hidden planetary network?
In March 2025, a perfectly smooth metallic sphere crashed near the city of Buga, Colombia, setting in motion a chain of revelations that could rewrite the story of human history. Weighing just 4.5 pounds, the object has no visible seams, joints, or welds. It remains icy cold to the touch and shows no sign of conventional propulsion or manufacturing methods known to science.
Buga Sphere
Its surface is etched with intricate markings eerily similar to symbols from ancient Mesopotamia, as well as other civilizations separated by oceans and thousands of years. AI-assisted analysis suggests the glyphs carry profound themes—unity, transformation, and the origins of consciousness, concepts that cannot easily be reconciled within the framework of standard physics.
Advanced scans have revealed hidden internal structures and an unusually dense core. Even more unsettling, researchers have detected the sphere emitting very low frequency (VLF) and low frequency (LF) radio waves—signals capable of traveling hundreds of kilometers over terrain and far beyond the horizon, often used in navigation, communications, and precise timing synchronization.
Whispers are now spreading about the discovery of a second, even older sphere, quietly stored in a forgotten museum collection. Meanwhile, the glyphs on the Buga sphere appear to be slowly evolving, forming what some believe are coordinates pointing toward remote and mysterious sites: deep within the Amazon, along the shores of Lake Titicaca, and in the highlands of Peru.
This has led to a question, is it just an elaborate hoax or are these spheres fragments of a hidden planetary network, and if so… what happens when it awakens?
As interstellar visitorComet 3I/ATLAS hurtles through the Solar System, scientists from around the world are taking advantage of this rare opportunity to actively study this visitor from distant worlds. The results of two new studies shed light on its remarkable properties, which challenge conventional wisdom about comet behavior.
Illustration of Hubble and the comet 3I/ATLAS generated by Copilot AI
The spectrum obtained by the 4.1-meter SOAR telescope on July 3, 2025, when the comet was far from the Sun, revealed a red tint in the reflected light. However, no signs of radiation from typical cometary gases (CN, C3, C2, CO+) or atomic oxygen were detected. This creates a paradox: the comet became active early, but without the usual sublimation of ice. Scientists suggest that dust release may occur through a different, unusual mechanism characteristic of ancient interstellar “travelers.”
A second study conducted by David Jewitt’s team based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope between July 4 and 5 made it possible to estimate the size of the comet’s nucleus. It turned out to be very compact – only 0.32 to 5.6 kilometers in diameter. This is consistent with preliminary predictions based on the limited availability of durable material in the interstellar medium. However, this tiny nucleus is surrounded by an impressively large cloud of dust, which makes up the bulk of the visible object.
Amazing glow in an unusual place
Image from the Hubble Space Telescope showing the diffuse radiation from 3I/ATLAS, which spreads out in front of the object as it approaches the Sun. Image: Jewitt et al. 2025
The most unexpected discovery made by Hubble was the structure of the coma of 3I/ATLAS. Instead of the classic tail extending from the Sun, the telescope detected a diffuse glow ahead of the comet’s movement toward our star. This contradicts the usual picture for comets.
An explanation for this phenomenon was proposed back in early August: the comet’s nucleus rotates very slowly. The sun heats only one side of it. The dust evaporation occurs precisely there. If the nucleus does not rotate fast enough, this hot daytime side does not have time to cool down significantly. Consequently, dust continues to be actively released from the “illuminated” part, creating a glowing effect in front. This hypothesis has been confirmed.
Remaining mystery
The latest ground-based observations complete the picture: the rotation period of 3I/ATLAS is 16.16 hours (±0.01 hours). This means that “night” and “day” on its surface last about 8 hours each. During these 8 hours, dust particles released from the day side are carried away from the nucleus to a distance of up to 10,000 km. In Hubble images, this corresponds to 0.35 arcseconds — the scale at which the elongated forward glow is observed.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS. Source: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/K. Meech (IfA/U. Hawaii)
The key point is that the surface of the nucleus has to cool down quickly after it goes into shadow, meaning in less than 8 hours. Otherwise, the release of dust would become more uniform and would not produce a clear frontal effect.
The main mystery that remains is the combination of intense dust release, visible by its glow, with the complete absence of any traces of gases that usually “carry” this dust in comets.
As it approaches the Sun, 3I/ATLAS will become brighter. The greatest hopes for unraveling its mystery are pinned on the James Webb Space Telescope. Its infrared vision will help analyze the comet’s thermal radiation and dust composition in greater detail, possibly finally answering questions about its true nature and the mechanism behind its unusual activity.
The European Space Agency has published a series of new images obtained by the Mars Express spacecraft. They show a region whose geological history holds memories of the Red Planet’s turbulent past.
Image of the Acheron Fossae region taken by the Mars Express mission. Source: Acheron Fossae
Modern Mars is a cold and desert world where, at first glance, no significant geological processes are taking place. But this was not always the case. Over billions of years of its existence, the Red Planet has gone through periods of water bodies, eruptions of giant supervolcanoes, and numerous glaciation cycles. All of them left distinctive marks on its surface.
One of the most striking examples demonstrating the tumultuous past of Mars is the Acheron Fossae region. It is located 1,200 km from Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System, whose formation directly influenced the appearance of this area. Acheron Fossae is a surprisingly diverse mix of rugged and smooth terrain, covered with ancient faults, craters, and solidified lava. In April, Mars Express already photographed its eastern part. Now the vehicle returned to it to show the western edge, where the landscape is equally diverse: deep cracks, valleys, and winding channels carved out and filled by slowly moving streams of ice and rocks.
Context map of the Acheron Fossae region. Source: NASA/MGS/MOLA Science Team
According to scientists, this structure emerged more than 3.7 billion years ago, when Mars was most geologically active, as a result of hot material rising beneath the Martian crust associated with the formation of supervolcanoes. This rise in molten rock stretched and tore the surface, creating cracks and valleys kilometers deep, some of which are hundreds of kilometers long.
After their formation, these valleys continued to transform. Now their bottom is relatively flat, with soft, winding lines reminiscent of a flowing river. It is believed that these valleys were once filled with a slow, viscous flow of ice-rich rock, very similar to the rock glaciers found on Earth.
Image of the Acheron Fossae region taken by the Mars Express mission. Source: Acheron Fossae
Rock glaciers are very sensitive to climate change and are therefore good indicators of how the planet’s climate has changed over time. Here, they point out that this region of Mars experienced alternating periods of cooling and warming, freezing and thawing.
These temperature fluctuations are caused by the tilt of Mars’ axis of rotation. Unlike Earth, whose axis maintains a relatively stable and moderate tilt thanks to the stabilizing influence of the Moon, Mars’ tilt varies significantly over time. This leads to alternating warm periods and ice ages, resulting in ice periodically advancing toward the planet’s equator and then retreating back to the poles.
Although our Earth also experiences similar fluctuations, they are much stronger on Mars. Over the past 10 million years, Mars’ tilt has fluctuated between 15 and 45 degrees, while Earth’s tilt has varied between 22 and 24.5 degrees. These regular shifts, known as Milankovitch cycles, play an important role in our planet’s climate, but their influence is more subtle than on Mars.
Artist's concept of the Mars Life Explorer. Credit - Amy Williams
Searching for life on Mars has been an explicit goal of the astrobiological community for decades. However, they have not really had the resources to effectively do so, and they might be running out of time. Crewed missions to Mars are planned for as little as 15 years from now (though those timelines might be changing…again), and by the time that happens it may be too late to separate Martian life from unintentionally transplanted Earth-life. According to a group of researchers from the Agnostic Life Finding Association, there is one final chance to detect Martian life before it is irreversibly contaminated - the Mars Life Explorer (MLE). But to do its job properly, it’s going to need an upgrade.
MLE itself isn’t even a completely funded mission yet. Its objective would be to fly to Mars in the 2030s and search for signs of extant (not ancient) life, mainly by using a drill to drill into some water ice that exists near to the surface at a mid-latitude range on the Red Planet and analyzing that water sample for biological molecules.
It wouldn’t be the first experiment to try to capture those molecules, though. The Viking landers, which landed on Mars almost 50 years ago, also tried to capture biological materials, and provided famously ambiguous results. To this day, there is still debate among the scientific community as to whether or not Viking found life on Mars, yet no one has followed up the ambiguous Label Release experiment it performed with another one.
Fraser discusses the history of the search for life on Mars.
Enter MLE - the express intent of the Mars Life Explorer is in the name. But, according to a new paper from Gabriella Rizzo and Jan Spacek of the Agnostic Life Finding Association (ALFA), its current suggested suite of equipment would only look at the current habitability of Mars, rather than finding any evidence of actual life. More specifically, it would be limited to finding only life like that which appears on Earth. The authors point out that “research in ultra-low-biomass ecosystems on Earth, such as hyper-arid deserts and high-UV environments, has shown that instruments traditionally used in astrobiology often lack the sensitivity needed to detect life under such extreme conditions.”
In other words, the systems that we have previously put in place, and those planned for the MLE, won’t do their job correctly. MLE’s suite of instruments both won’t find life at extremely low concentrations, but it also won’t be able to deal with any life that doesn’t have a biochemistry similar to ours. Assuming there are large amounts of biochemically similar life on Mars are two very large assumptions that the ALFA team hope to eliminate.
Their suggestion is known as the Agnostic Life Finder (ALF), which was originally developed up to a Technology Readiness Level 4, meaning they’ve built a bench-top prototype, by a NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts grant. The ALF itself uses a system of chambers, filters, and an electric charge to separate organic molecules, which are charged, and large, from other potential components in a liquid environment, such as ions or non-charged particulates.
Cross contamination might not be the only reason Earth life could exist on Mars - as Fraser explains, detecting natural cross contamination can only be done prior to human presence.
According to the paper, the best use case for the ALF would be in a tank where massive amounts of Martian water is collected before the first crewed missions. This water collection is widely considered to be a necessary step in the development of a permanent Martian presence, but its unclear when, or if, either the private space companies that seem best placed to do so first, or a government space agency that decides to take that first leap, will prioritize building such a water capture and storage system. In the meantime, joining the payload of MLE, which isn’t necessarily going to the same place as future astronauts might, is the best bet for the system.
Given the budget cuts that are happening throughout NASA, it is unclear at this point whether MLE is even going to be funded at all, despite being one of the highest priority suggestions in the latest Planetary Decadal Survey. While the ALF itself is a relatively simple instrument, it does need to get to Mars somehow, and until it finds a ride the best the ALFA team can do is continue testing and development. But maybe some day someone will pick up the idea and give it a chance to answer one of the most important questions in astrobiology once and for all.
Computer simulation of Earth's field in a period of normal polarity between reversals
Earth's magnetic field acts like an invisible shield, protecting our planet from harmful cosmic radiation that would otherwise strip away our atmosphere and make life nearly impossible. Unlike Mars, which lost most of its magnetic protection and now faces constant bombardment from space particles, Earth has maintained this critical defence system for billions of years.
Artist impression of the interior structure of the Earth
(Credit : CharlesC)
But how did this protective field form, and could it have existed when our planet was much younger? New research from scientists at ETH Zurich and Southern University of Science and Technology in China provides answers that fundamentally reshape our understanding of early Earth.
It’s long been understood that Earth's magnetic field comes from what's called the "dynamo effect." Deep inside our planet, the liquid iron and nickel core slowly cools over time, creating circular currents of flowing metal called convection currents. As Earth rotates, these currents twist into screw-like patterns, generating electric currents that produce our magnetic field.
Illustration of the dynamo mechanism that generates the Earth's magnetic field: convection currents of fluid metal in the Earth's outer core, driven by heat flow from the inner core, organised into rolls by the Coriolis force, generate circulating electric currents, which supports the magnetic field
(Credit : Andrew Z Colvin)
However, there was a significant gap in this theory. About one billion years ago, Earth's inner core began to crystallise and solidify. Before that time, the entire core was completely liquid. The big question was whether this fully liquid core could have generated the magnetic field necessary to protect early life.
The research team developed computer models to simulate whether a completely liquid core could generate a stable magnetic field, using calculations performed on the Piz Daint high-performance computer. What made their study particularly interesting was their ability to minimise the influence of the Earth's core viscosity to negligible levels, something no previous research had achieved. Their simulations demonstrated though that Earth's magnetic field could indeed have been generated billions of years ago in much the same way it operates today.
"Until now, no one has ever managed to perform such calculations under these correct physical conditions.” - lead author Yufeng Lin from the Southern University of Science and Technology in China.
This discovery has far reaching implications for our understanding of how life developed on Earth. Billions of years ago, life apparently benefited from the magnetic shield, which blocked harmful radiation from space, making its development possible in the first place. Without this protection, the it’s believed that the intense radiation would have made Earth's surface far too hostile to the delicate chemical processes that eventually led to living organisms.
The magnetic field essentially gave life on Earth a head start, creating a safer environment where complex molecules could form and evolve without being constantly disrupted by high energy particles from space.
Understanding Earth's magnetic field isn't just about ancient history, it’s crucial for our modern world. The magnetic field plays a crucial role in making satellite communications and many other aspects of modern civilisation possible. GPS systems, power grids, and communication networks all depend on this invisible shield. However, the field has flipped its polarity thousands of times throughout Earth's history, and scientists have recently observed rapid shifts in magnetic north's position. By gaining a better understanding about how the magnetic field works, researchers can make more accurate predictions about future changes and future flips that might affect our technology dependent society.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s view of NGC 6072 shows a complex scene of multiple outflows expanding at different angles from a dying star. Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI
When low-mass stars approach the end of their main-sequence phase, they expel clouds of gas that expand to form planetary nebulae. Since they were first identified in the late 1700s, astronomers have identified nebulae of all shapes and sizes, with most appearing circular, elliptical, or bipolar. However, some nebulae stray from this pattern, including the NGC 6072 nebula located about 3,060 light-years away in the southern constellation Scorpius. In a new series of high-resolution images taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have noted some peculiar patterns that could provide insight into the lifecycle of stars.
At first glance, the images taken using Webb's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) suggest that NGC 6072 is a giant mess reminiscent of a bug splattered on a windshield. However, the structure traced by Webb's instruments suggests that some very complex mechanisms are at work within it. The NIRCam data shows a hot central core region glowing brightly with a light blue hue, surrounded by elliptical outflows that give it a multi-polar configuration. These outflows have resulted in two lobes of gas and dust that cross the center at near-vertical angles, while a third extends perpendicularly to form an equatorial plane.
The central region covers a large area of dark pockets surrounded by orange material that grows redder the farther it is from the center. This is consistent with the gas and dust growing colder the farther it ventures from the hot central core. The three-lobe structure could mean that at least two stars are at the nebula's center, likely consisting of a younger companion to the aging star that has already lost most of its material. The MIRI data, meanwhile, captures the longer-wavelength infrared data, which emphasizes the web-like structure created by the outflows of dust.
The NGC 6072 nebula as imaged by Webb's MIRI instrument.
Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI
This image also reveals the star that could be central to the nebula (which appears as a pinkish-white dot), as well as concentric rings expanding from the central region to the edges of the lobes. This could also be evidence of a secondary star at the center, orbiting the older star and carving out rings in its wake. Alternately, the rings could have been caused by pulsations in the outflows, where gas and dust were expelled at long intervals (every thousand years or so) in all directions. The areas represented by NIRCam (red) and MIRI (blue) both trace the cool gas in the cloud (likely molecular hydrogen), while the central regions trace hot ionized gas.
As the aging star at the center cools, the nebula will dissipate into the interstellar medium (ISM), contributing the heavier elements from which new stars and planetary systems will form. The study of planetary nebulae is a major objective for the JWST, which will provide new insights into the lifecycle of stars and their impact on the surrounding environments. These studies could also shed light on what may become of our Sun when it reaches the end of its main sequence phase, billions of years from now.
Guys check this out. I found this giant 20km rectangle structure in a crater on Mars in a NASA map. The crater is Louth and is 30km across, making the structure inside 20km. How can they hide it? Well the crater is nearly 2km deep, so nothings going to stick out of it and will remain hidden unless...a NASA satellite flys overhead and sees it. This is a rare rectangle structure with a tiny rectangle structure on its top. Amazing and rare find and absolute proof of ancient alien life on Mars, and possibly intelligent life on Mars still there today.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:Ruins, strange artifacts on other planets, moons, ed ( Fr, EN, NL )
A Warning Of Things To Come, Three figures appear in Earths Sun In NASA SOHO Image, Aug 7, 2025, UFO UAP Sighting News.
A Warning Of Things To Come, Three figures appear in Earths Sun In NASA SOHO Image, Aug 7, 2025, UFO UAP Sighting News.
Date of discovery:Aug 7, 2025
Location of discovery: Earths sun
Source: NASA / SOHO images
I was looking at the most recent images today of the sun and when looking at an image which uses a blue filter on EIT 171 sun images, I saw something that was almost biblical in design. A sign...of something big coming...a biblical sign, one of such size and power it seems impossible for me to ignore.
Let me explain, there are three clear images on the sun today. First there is a horned alien or demon, its on all fours, its face has horns, an eye and mouth area. It also has a powerful muscular chest, wings like an angel, a tail like a horse and feet like a horse.
A second image has the face of an old lady with big cheeks, pulled back hair, a big chin and her eyes, nose, mouth and forehead ridge are all very clear. She has a look of curiosity on her face.
A third image shows an angry larger half face. Only one huge eye, nose and mouth are visible. Also teeth inside the mouth and wrinkles on the face below the eye on his cheeks of being ready for a big fight.
So, are these figments of my imagination, no...I have over four decades of experience looking for these things. But for the layman it might be.
These are defiantly signs of big changes in our solar system about to happen. Also know the sun is hollow, I created Hollow Sun Theory over a decade ago and there are many earth size planets (space stations) within our sun controlling it, and they make the images in order to alert the solar system of their intentions.
Dark matter — an invisible substance that holds galaxies together like glue — remains the main cosmological mystery. Efforts to find it using traditional methods have reached an impasse. Against the backdrop of this crisis, physicist Stefano Profumo of the University of California, Santa Cruz, proposed two revolutionary, albeit speculative, scenarios for the origin of this mysterious matter.
What dark matter actually is. There is no definitive answer yet. Illustration generated by AI Copilot
Scientists discovered dark matter only because of its gravitational influence: galaxies rotate faster than they should, considering only visible matter. The difficulty lies in the fact that this mysterious substance does not emit or absorb light at all, making direct detection impossible. Decades of searching have been fruitless. Hypothetical particles that dark matter is supposed to consist of, such as WIMPs, have never been found. This deadlock forces scientists to seek radical alternatives, which may even be fantastical.
Mirror Universe
In his first article, Profumo addresses quantum chromodynamics, the theory of the strong nuclear force. He suggests the existence of a parallel “mirror” universe, where similar but invisible forces and particles — analogues of protons and neutrons — act. In the early Universe, the concentration of these dark particles could have been extremely high. This resulted in the formation of compact objects – dark matter black holes. They interact with our world exclusively through gravity, explaining the observed effects.
Birth on the edge
Profumo’s second article offers an even more exotic idea. He considers the cosmic horizon — the boundary of the observable Universe, similar to the event horizon of a black hole, but on a global scale. During the period of extremely rapid expansion of the Universe (inflation) after the Big Bang, quantum fluctuations at this cosmic horizon could spontaneously generate dark matter particles with a wide range of masses. These particles, born at the very edge of our existence, could also be a source of invisible mass.
Verification methods
“Both mechanisms are highly speculative,” Profumo notes, “but they offer self-sufficient and calculable scenarios that are independent of problematic traditional models.”
Although the theories are based on modern physics, they require significant refinement and verification in future experiments and observations. Despite this, Profumo’s work opens up new, bold avenues for unraveling one of the deepest mysteries of the cosmos — the nature of dark matter, which shapes our universe.
The European spacecraft Hera, located in the asteroid belt, managed to obtain images of several of its objects. These observations served as both a successful test of the instruments and a demonstration of capabilities that could be useful for protecting our planet.
Composite image showing the motion of the asteroid Otero. Source: ESA
The Hera spacecraft was launched to study the double asteroid Didymos. In 2022, NASA’s DART probe deliberately crashed into its companion, Dimorphos. The aim of the experiment was to study the possibility of deflecting dangerous celestial bodies away from Earth.
This spring, Hera flew past Mars and used its gravity to accelerate and change its trajectory. Shortly thereafter, the spacecraft entered the Main Asteroid Belt. Hera’s flight path does not suggest that it will encounter any asteroids along the way. Nevertheless, the mission specialists decided to take advantage of this opportunity to test the instrument. They chose the asteroid Otero, located 3 million km from Hera.
The relative positions of the Hera spacecraft and the asteroid Otero at the moment of imaging. Source: ESA
On May 11, 2025, Hera took pictures of Otero with its AFC camera. This navigation and science instrument will be used to guide the spacecraft as it gets closer to Didymos. According to experts, Otero’s imaging was conducted under conditions similar to the ones that would occur next year – when Hera reaches its destination and needs to keep the asteroid in the center of the camera’s field of view.
Hera accomplished the task. The device successfully tracked Otero for three hours, taking one photo every six minutes. On July 19, Hera conducted a new photo shoot. This time, the camera was aimed at the asteroid Kellyday. Despite being approximately 40 times dimmer than Otero, the device managed to get an image of it.
Animation obtained by the Hera mission showing the movement of the asteroid Kellyday. Source: ESA
Although science was not the primary goal of these observations, they demonstrate how a spacecraft in space can quickly perform accurate observations of a new object. This ability can be very useful for protecting our planet.
One example is asteroid 2024 YR4. Earlier this year, astronomers around the world pointed their telescopes at it because they were worried it might hit Earth in 2032. If a spacecraft similar to Hera were in the right place, it could conduct impromptu observations of the asteroid. Additional information about its size and orbit would help astronomers better assess the danger it poses to Earth.
Similarly, a spacecraft located at a suitable point could be used to observe interstellar objects passing through the Solar System, such as the recently discovered comet 3I/ATLAS. At the end of this year, it will fly past Mars, and right now the scientific community is assessing whether any of the spacecraft orbiting the Red Planet will be able to observe it.
A person who is just beginning to learn about astrophysics may think that there are any possible combinations of star color and size. But in reality, this is not the case, and the actual state of affairs is described by the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, which reveals the fundamental dependencies according to which stars function.
Stars
The most important diagram in astrophysics
When describing the characteristics of a particular star that has caught the attention of astronomers, they are often presented by indicating its position on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Experts understand perfectly well what this means, but for most people it sounds like gibberish.
However, all this can be explained to ordinary people. In the 19th century, scientists discovered that the apparent magnitude of stars in the sky depends on both their luminosity and their distance. At the same time, the color of a star correlates with its temperature. But both parameters can vary greatly for different objects.
Can they form any combination? It became possible to answer this question after spectroscopic studies conducted in the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century at the Harvard Observatory. It was Annie Jump Cannon, an employee of the observatory, who developed the system of designating spectral classes with Latin letters, which we still use today.
Henry Russell. Source: Wikipedia
Based on this data, Danish astronomer Ejnar Hertzsprung and American scientist Henry Russell independently conducted an analysis and placed known stars in a coordinate system, with luminosity on the vertical axis and color on the horizontal axis, ranging from blue to red. It turned out that the stars do not cover it evenly, but form several elongated groups, which are conventionally called sequences.
Main sequence
The largest number of stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is found in the so-called main sequence. If the axes are positioned in the standard way, it stretches from the lower right corner to the upper left. Ninety percent of all stars observed by scientists in the Milky Way are found in this sequence.
The main sequence is not just a line on a graph. It shows the normal state of a star in the middle of its life cycle: the first millions of years it spent as a protostar are already over, and its transformation into a subgiant or red giant is still a long way off.
Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Source: Wikipedia
The coldest and smallest stars, red dwarfs, are located in its lower part. Brown dwarfs are not usually considered stars, but if they are placed on the main sequence, they will continue it further into the infrared zone and toward decreasing luminosity.
Red dwarfs are a fairly diverse group of stars, with luminosities varying by a factor of ten between members. What unites them all is that, unlike other stars, helium reactions are impossible inside them, so they never turn into red giants.
It is believed that at the end of their lives, they should contract, heat up, and become blue dwarfs. However, no one has ever seen such a star, since their lifespan is tens of billions or even trillions of years, which is much longer than the existence of the Universe. The surface temperature of red dwarfs ranges from 2 to 4 thousand degrees Celsius.
Red and brown dwarfs compared to the Sun.Source: cosmosatyourdoorstep.com
Next come orange dwarfs. These are stars whose mass is tens of percent of the Sun’s, and whose surface temperature is 4–5 thousand degrees Celsius. Unlike red dwarfs, they turn into red giants at the end of their existence, but no one has ever seen such a star, since the time of their evolution exceeds the age of the Universe.
They are followed by yellow stars, which include our Sun. Their surface temperatures range from 5,000 to 7,000 degrees Celsius, and their time on the main sequence is 8 to 15 billion years. Moving further to the left, we first see yellowish stars of spectral class F, then white stars of class A, white-blue stars of class B, and finally blue stars of class O.
All these stars have several features in common. First, they are all heavier and hotter than the Sun. As a result, thermonuclear reactions inside them are much more intense than on the Sun, so they age much faster. This leads to their second feature: they remain on the main sequence for only a few million to a few billion years.
Sirius compared to the Sun. Source: Wikipedia
The second feature of hot stars leads to the third – they are quite rare. And the more massive and hotter a star is, the rarer it is to observe something like this. For example, only a few tens of thousands of stars of spectral class O are known. It is precisely the stars on the left side of the main sequence that most often become the subjects of articles about the study of unique objects.
Subgiants and giants
The second most frequently mentioned sequence is giants. They are often referred to as red giants, as their most prominent representatives belong to the spectral class M. However, there are also extremely bright stars of spectral classes K and G.
The easiest way to explain what the giant sequence is is from the perspective of astrophysics. When a star with a mass between 0.4 and several solar masses runs out of hydrogen, it gradually begins to burn helium. The outer layers of the star expand and cool, but its luminosity only increases. If you look at the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, it looks as if the star is shifting to the right of the main sequence. At the same time, it still consists mostly of hydrogen. Combustion begins in the core, initially in a very limited area, and then spreads to an increasingly larger volume.
However, this cannot last forever. Sooner or later, this fuel runs out, and stars of different masses begin to behave differently. All of them, in one way or another, leave the red giant sequence, but smaller ones usually end up on the horizontal branch and eventually simply shed their shell, turning into a white dwarf.
The evolution of red giants into white dwarfs. Source: www.astronomy.com
Heavier stars may even shift to the left on the diagram. Eventually, reactions involving oxygen and carbon begin inside them. They move to an asymptotic branch, which is located even higher and further to the right than the previous one. That is, they are even redder and brighter than all the others. But the outcome for all red giants is always the same – they turn into white dwarfs.
Subdwarfs
Below the main sequence and parallel to it is another narrow and long zone of stars that is not mentioned very often – subdwarfs. These are at least two different categories of stars combined. The right half of this sequence consists of stars of spectral classes G, K, and M. They are very similar to their “relatives” from the main sequence, but have lower luminosity than they should have at such temperatures.
All of these are old stars that contain very few metals, i.e., elements heavier than helium. Because of this, they emit slightly less radiation in the visible range, but more in the ultraviolet range.
Hot subdwarfs are completely different from them. Their origin remains controversial. Some scientists believe that these objects are red giants that lost their outer shells at a certain stage before exhausting all their helium fuel. Others believe that they are formed during the merger of two helium white dwarfs. In any case, they are powered by helium reactions.
White dwarfs
At the bottom of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is a sequence of white dwarfs. This is exactly what the vast majority of medium-sized stars turn into after passing through the red giant stage. In terms of temperature, they are very similar to main-sequence stars belonging to class A, but they are several orders of magnitude dimmer than they are.
White dwarf. Source: www.space.com
The mass of white dwarfs can range from a few tens of percent to 1.4 times the mass of the Sun. Essentially, these are dead stars composed of helium, carbon, or oxygen. Thermonuclear reactions no longer occur on them, but they have accumulated an enormous amount of energy. By emitting it, they can shine for billions and tens of billions of years until they completely fade away.
Supergiants
The most interesting things happen at the top of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This is where stars with masses greater than 10 solar masses are located. Formally, this is where the upper limit of the main sequence is, but there are several virtual ones, sometimes called supergiant and hypergiant branches.
However, in reality, all this can be discussed only in a rather conditional manner. The fact is that stars located in the upper part of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram are, first, extremely rare, and second, evolve very quickly. They simply gradually “ignite” more and more new chemical elements, going even further than in the case of asymptotic branch giants.
Betelgeuse and Antares are typical supergiants. Source: nineplanets.org
Other objects in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
In general, astronomers use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to plot any objects or systems consisting of stars to better understand their nature. For example, the position of stars in a star cluster on this diagram allows us to estimate its age. The location of components in binary systems helps us to better understand their evolution. Pulsating stars form characteristic sequences on the diagram.
The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is both a description of all possible types of stars and an understanding of their evolutionary paths. That is why scientists constantly refer to this diagram when describing stars to express themselves as accurately as possible. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of it.
British scientists have discovered that icy comets colliding with exoplanets can alter their climate and atmosphere. According to computer modeling results, even a single large comet could transform a dead, cold exoplanet into a warmer and potentially habitable world.
Researchers simulated the collision of a large comet with a planet similar to TRAPPIST-1e. It is one of the most studied exoplanets in the habitable zone orbiting a red dwarf. Red dwarfs (stars of spectral class M) are cooler and less luminous than the Sun, but they are the most common type of stars in the Universe. Planets that orbit such stars are often located very close to them and may be tidally locked, meaning that they always face the star with the same side. This creates extremely harsh conditions: the daytime side can be too hot and dry, while the nighttime side can be freezing cold.
When a large comet consisting mainly of water ice collides with such a planet, a large amount of water vapor is released into the atmosphere. Part of this pair enters the upper layers of the atmosphere, where it can remain for a long time, altering the planet’s heat balance. Water vapor in the upper layers acts like a greenhouse “blanket”: it absorbs heat emitted by the planet and traps it, raising the surface temperature. This is similar to the natural greenhouse effect known on Earth.
In addition, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, water molecules split into hydrogen and oxygen. This process, as well as subsequent chemical reactions, can lead to the formation of greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrogen oxide. They are significantly more effective at warming the planet than carbon dioxide.
Thus, modeling shows that even a single major collision could cause climate changes that would last for decades or even centuries. During this time, liquid water may appear on the planet. This creates a brief but important “window of opportunity” for the emergence of life.
This study helps us better understand how exoplanets that initially appear uninhabitable may have a chance to develop favorable conditions. Similar catastrophic events may have been significant in Earth’s past. According to one hypothesis, it was comets that brought the first supplies of water to our planet, which were necessary for the development of life.
The Perseverance mission team took advantage of a rare opportunity to capture one of the clearest panoramas of Mars in history. It shows objects located up to 65 km away from the rover.
The clearest panorama of Mars in history
Mars is a very dusty place. Dust gives its surface and sky a distinctive appearance and also limits visibility. However, sometimes there are periods of calm on the Red Planet when the sky clears of dust. This is exactly what happened on May 26, 2025.
Panorama of Mars taken by Perseverance on May 26, 2025 (natural colors). Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS
NASA specialists took advantage of a rare opportunity to obtain a panorama of Mars. Inside the Jezero crater, the Perseverance rover took 96 photos, which were then combined into a single image. According to experts, this is the clearest panorama of Mars ever taken. It shows hills located 65 km away from the rover.
A total of two versions of the image were published: one in natural colors, where the Martian sky has a reddish hue, and one in enhanced colors, where it looks surprisingly clear and deceptively blue.
Floating boulder
One of the details that caught the attention of the research team is a large rock that appears to be lying on a dark sand dune in the shape of a crescent to the right of the center of the mosaic, approximately 4.4 meters from the rover. Geologists call this type of rock a “floating rock” because it most likely formed elsewhere and was transported to its current location. It is unknown whether it arrived there by landslide, water, or wind, but the scientific team assumed that it was there before the dune was formed.
Panorama of Mars taken by Perseverance on May 26, 2025 (enhanced colors). Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS
The bright white circle to the left of the center and at the bottom of the image was created by Perseverance using a drill. Thanks to this, the scientific team was able to see what was beneath the weathered, dusty surface of the rock before deciding to take a sample, which would be stored in one of the mission’s titanium tubes.
The rover left this track on May 22, and two days later, using instruments mounted on its manipulator, conducted a detailed analysis of Martian rocks. The scientific team wanted to study this area because it is located in one of the oldest regions Perseverance has ever explored — possibly even older than Jezero Crater.
Traces of the rover’s movement to this location can be seen on the right edge of the mosaic. About 90 meters away from it, they turn left and disappear from view at the previous rover stop.
Just over halfway across the mosaic, from one edge to the other, there is a transition from lighter to darker rocks. This is the boundary, or contact, between two geological zones. The flat, lighter-colored rocks closer to the rover are rich in the mineral olivine, while the darker rocks farther away appear to be much older clay rocks.
Twisted Timelines and Crashing Dimensions: Fascinating Tales of Time and Reality!
Time and reality are concepts that are so mind-bending that our perception of them can run wild, while at the same time, we are left grappling for answers as to the construct and nature of both. The fact is, for all our collective understanding of time and reality, both individually and how they relate to each other, is limited at best. When did time begin, for example, and if there is a starting point that marks the beginning of time, what came before that? Similarly, when will time end, and again, what comes after that? Ultimately, what is time? The same questions could be asked of our reality. Is the world how we perceive it to be, actually how it is? What about the many things that are simply not visible to us because of our limitations regarding the visible spectrum (with the same being said for our hearing ability)? Might there be many different realities all around us, invisible for the most part, aside from those rare occasions when they seemingly crash into one another and intersect.
In an article on the subject of time and reality, I wrote several years ago:
“Many researchers into the notion of alternative dimensions and realities suggest that there is a fantastic array of alternative histories and futures. And according to the Many Interacting Worlds theory, these alternative realities regularly interact with our own. At least “on the quantum level”.
What is perhaps interesting here is that many researchers in the paranormal fields also look to quantum physics to reach entities from “the other side”. Perhaps that other side is actually many other sides – or realities. The fact is, there are many accounts of strange encounters involving anomalies with time and apparent instant journeys into other dimensions. What makes these journeys possible is not known. Perhaps there are vortexes or portals (sometimes referred to as X-points) that allow this transference to another time or location, or perhaps certain convergences of energies are responsible. There are as many possibilities as there are strange cases on record.
Without a doubt, one of the most fascinating accounts involving time and reality is one, generally speaking, that is known as The Man From Taured case, not least as it is not entirely certain if the encounter is a genuine incident or nothing but an urban legend. Most researchers agree that the account first entered the public arena in the book The Directory of Possibilities by Colin Wilson and John Grant. There were, however, no sources referenced for the account, and there have been no known discoveries of newspaper articles detailing the incident. That said, the legend persists, especially with the arrival of the Internet.
According to most versions of the account, one morning in the summer of 1954, a man entered Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, and made his way to the customs desk along with the rest of the arriving passengers. The man stated he was in Japan on business and had traveled from Europe, something he had done many times before. Although he could speak good Japanese, it appeared his native language was French. When he produced his passport, however, things turned strange. He claimed he was from a country called Taured, a small nation that sat between France and Spain. Moreover, he produced further paperwork that attested to this, including a driving license, bank statements, and official business papers. He continued that Taured had a history that stretched back over a thousand years and was genuinely confused as to what the problem was.
Equally confused were the customs officials, who, despite their best efforts, couldn’t locate Taured anywhere on any of their maps. Fortunately, the man was more than cooperative and agreed to stay in a hotel close to the airport in their custody while they got to the bottom of this strange affair. The customs officials kept hold of the man’s passport and papers so they could investigate further, and with a guard constantly outside of his hotel room door, the man was checked into a hotel. The following morning, however, things took an even stranger turn.
When customs officials arrived at the hotel to take the man for further questioning, they were shocked to discover the room was empty. The room had only a single window with no balcony or ledge, and was several floors up from the ground, meaning he couldn’t have left via this route without risking almost certain death. Moreover, the guard outside the room was more than certain that the man hadn’t left through the door. He had, essentially, disappeared into thin air. Customs officials had planned to inform the man that the phone numbers on his passport and business papers didn’t appear to be real, with no connection being made when officials had dialed those numbers. Now, though, those papers and passport were also missing, despite being kept in a secure evidence room.
At this point, customs officials contacted the Tokyo police department and reported the situation to them. They conducted an extensive search of the area around the hotel and the airport – there was no sign at all of the mysterious man. Here is where the story differs a little, depending on the source. Some insist that these searches went on for days, perhaps even longer, while others suggest that they were called off relatively quickly. Whatever the truth, no one saw the Man from Taured ever again. The account, though, leaves us with a plethora of questions.
Was this a case of a man attempting to enter Japan with false papers who then disappeared in the most inexplicable and unexplained way? It has to be said that it appears unlikely. Even if we take away the bizarre disappearance of the man, we would have to ask why he would choose to use a country that was unknown to the Japanese customs, and not simply France, Spain, Italy, or any other European country, which surely would have improved the chances of the ruse working? Or perhaps the man in question was from another dimension, one that crossed into ours, if only temporarily. This, though, brings up its own questions, not least, when did this dimension switch occur, and why, as far as we know, did it only affect this particular gentleman? If this speculative dimension shift occurred while the plane bringing the mystery man to Tokyo was in the air, then we expect all passengers on that plane to have been affected. Perhaps they were, and the man in question was the only person in this other dimension who was from a country that didn’t exist in his own. Or perhaps this dimension shift occurred at some point after the mystery man left the plane and entered the airport. There is also the possibility, however remote, that the man in question was a time traveler. Perhaps he had somehow switched timelines, or even altered the timeline, resulting in a world where Taured no longer existed.
We should also consider that the explanation resides somewhere between these different suggestions, perhaps due to the changes in the story as it was retold and circulated over many years, and perhaps, in part, due to the desire of the authorities to quash the account, not least as they had seemingly allowed a man with no official country to escape, his whereabouts unknown, somewhere in Japan, whether he was a conman with a tall story or a gentleman from another realm of existence. At the very least, it showed the authorities had been outwitted; at worst, it displayed their incompetence. This might also explain why there are no official newspaper reports or customs or police records of the incident. Of course, we should be clear, this is pure speculation, with no evidence to back it up. The story of the man from Taured, though, continues to fascinate researchers today. Perhaps one day, proof might surface as to its authenticity. For now, it remains circling in the many urban legends of our modern world.
A similar case involving different times or dimensions occurred in the early 1970s, and is also one that many researchers insist is more urban legend than actual account. However, this account did have some limited local newspaper coverage at the time, and the witnesses are named. The account in question unfolded in the Gadianton Canyon in southeastern Utah, a place that has many legends of strange disappearances and other strange goings-on taking place, with some local Mormon legends even stating that the location is home to “bad, evil spirits!”
On the night in question, late one evening in May 1972, four Southern Utah University students – Janna North, who was driving, Carol Abbott, Bethany Gordon, and Lisa Rochefort – were making their way back to the university dormitories after spending the evening at a rodeo, and were eager to get back on campus before the housemaster locked the doors for the night. This desire to get back as quickly as possible led the girls to make a decision that would change their lives forever – they decided to take a shortcut through the Gadianton Canyon.
Although it was a dark, moonless night, the road along the canyon seemed normal enough, and certainly not scary or intimidating. Then, however, things changed. Suddenly, the road they were driving on came to an end, a huge rock wall in front of them. With no other option, Janna turned the car around and began back the way they had come. When they came to the end of the canyon, though, only several minutes later, their surroundings were different. Gone was the sagebrush and sand that had lined the road previously – now large fields of wheat lined one side of the road while ponderosa pine trees lined the other. Even stranger, even though there had been no (visible) moon that evening, now, the Moon was full and bright. With an increasing sense of confusion and more than a little fear, the girls continued along the road, hopeful that they had simply made a wrong turn. Eventually, streetlamps along the road brought a sense of relief, suggesting that they were heading back into the main town. That relief, however, was only temporary.
Several moments later, the girls spotted a neon sign ahead of them, a sign that appeared to be attached to what looked like a diner. As they arrived outside the building, the girls noticed that the neon sign contained letters or symbols that none of them had even seen before, and while they couldn’t quite place their finger on it, there was something a little disturbing about this place. Regardless, Janna pulled the car into the diner’s parking lot and swung it around, preparing to bring the vehicle to a stop. As she was doing so, a group of men walked out of the doorway of the building, and Lisa began winding down the window so she could shout over to the men and ask for directions. However, only a second later, Lisa let out a terrified scream and urged Janna to “get them out of there” immediately. Janna immediately pressed her foot on the gas and sped towards the parking lot exit. As the car turned, Carol also got a close-up of the men, and immediately called out that they “were not human!”
Janna set off back down the road they had traveled down only moments earlier, increasing her speed as she did so. She glanced into her rearview mirror, seeing the men were climbing onto strange egg-shaped vehicles, each with three wheels, two at the front and one at the back. Then, even from this distance away, she could hear a “loud, whirring sound” that reminded her of an angry nest of wasps or hornets as the strange egg-shaped vehicles set off in their direction, an extremely bright light shining from the front of each of them. It was clear to Janna that not only were the men in pursuit of them, but they were quickly getting closer. Moments later, with the strange vehicles still in pursuit, Janna could see the opening to the canyon ahead of them. She increased her speed to in excess of 80 miles per hour and headed straight for it. Several seconds later, they entered the canyon, the car’s tires sending a cloud of dust up around them, which blocked their view of their pursuers. Janna kept the gas pedal pressed down. Then, their surroundings changed. Gone were the fields of wheat and ponderosa pine trees, and in their place were the sagebrush and sandy terrain. This sudden change shocked Janna so much that she temporarily lost control of the car. As it veered off the road, however, she managed to regain control, bringing it to a stop in the sagebrush a short distance from the road.
The four young women simply sat in the motionless vehicle, each attempting to gather their thoughts and process the bizarre experience they had just shared. Although they had no idea who the men were, they were definitely not human. Perhaps uncertain as to whether these strange men might appear again, the four girls decided to remain in the car with the doors locked until sunrise. The next morning, with daylight seeming to allay the girls’ fears somewhat, Janna finally got out of the car and went to inspect any potential damage to it. Not only were three of the tires flat, but one of the hubcaps was missing entirely. Moreover, there were several significant dents in the bodywork of the vehicle, likely sustained when they left the road. They locked the car and headed for the main road a short distance away.
Not long after reaching the road, a police patrol car passed them, and the girls managed to flag it down. The officer driving the vehicle was Trooper Vic Lundquist, who was immediately confronted by the four girls and their bizarre account. Lundquist performed some initial examinations of the scene at the time. One of the strangest of his discoveries was that the tire marks began around 200 yards from where the girls’ car had come to a stop, with no tire marks at all leading from the main road, as if the car had suddenly appeared in the middle of the desert-like terrain. Moreover, neither Lundquist or the girls could locate the missing hubcap, perhaps suggesting it had come off long before they had reached the point where the car had come to a stop. Ultimately, while he found the account strange, to say the least, he was positive that something out of the ordinary had happened to the four college students, even if he didn’t know what.
Just what might have happened that night along the Gadianton Canyon remains a complete mystery. Some researchers suggest there are electromagnetic anomalies along the route that somehow open mysterious gateways (sometimes referred to as X-points) that take those who happen to pass through them while they are open to other dimensions and/or timelines (and we should note that mainstream science has studied these X-points for a considerable time). Could this have been what happened that May evening in 1972? And if so, where were they taken – to another time, perhaps somewhere in the future, or maybe to another dimension, one that is inhabited by non-human intelligences? We might even consider, however unlikely it might be, that the four young women were somehow transported to another planet in another part of the universe. Wherever they went, we might consider that their missing hubcap remains in this other dimension or time, perhaps recovered and displayed as evidence of visitors from elsewhere. Of course, if the four college students did somehow travel to another world or dimension and then travel back again, then we might conclude that there is nothing to stop the inhabitants of these other realms of existence from traveling into our world.
A similar encounter, at least according to the post by the witness on a paranormal forum on Reddit, occurred in much more recent times in the early 2000s. The location is unknown, but it is likely somewhere in the United States. According to the online post, the witness was driving in their car, with their dog with them, on their way to a local McDonald’s restaurant. As he was making his way along one particular road, he noticed that the streetlights seemed to flicker off momentarily, before coming back on again. This happened several times before he came to the point where he was about to turn off the road. When he did so, everything became suddenly blurry, and he heard a noise like a feedback sound in his head. At the same time, he had a feeling like he was going through an intense static electricity field. Then, after several seconds, everything came back into focus, and the strange noise and electrical sensation stopped.
By the time he had refocused, he realized his car had stalled. He reached down for the keys, restarted it, and put the vehicle in motion. He continued along the road, realizing almost immediately that something wasn’t right. He noticed that there were suddenly fewer streetlights along the road. Furthermore, there were several rows of trees at the roadside that he was certain were not there before. He eventually arrived at the complex that housed the McDonald’s restaurant. However, as he searched for the drive-thru, he realized it was now in a different part of the building. He used the restaurant often, and couldn’t recall any such relocation of it. Regardless, he guided his vehicle towards the drive-thru entrance. As he did so, though, he noticed further anomalies.
Many of the other cars, for example, had designs that he had never seen before. Moreover, many of the names and logos were also ones that he was not at all familiar with. When he reached the menu board, the strangeness continued. Every item on the menu was much more expensive than it had been previously, much more than a natural price increase. Even so, as hungry as he was, he placed his order and, upon arriving at the payment window, handed over his card to pay. Moments later, however, the cashier handed back the card and informed him it had been declined. The cashier then produced a strange red device, telling the witness to place his finger on it to pay. Unwilling to do this, the witness handed over cash, despite it being a large amount. The cashier accepted this, but instead of giving him change, he handed over a small piece of paper, claiming it was a “cash voucher!”
At this point, the cashier’s movements suddenly became “sticky” and static-like, as if he was stopping and starting, like a stickman in a book where the pages were being flicked through slightly too slowly. As this was happening, the witness felt the strange buildup of electric pressure, as well as hearing the strange feedback noise in his head. This culminated in a sudden bright flash of light before the witness came to, sitting in his car, with the McDonald's restaurant now back in its usual place.
It is also worth our time exploring the case of 41-year-old Lerina Garcia, who didn’t travel to another reality, but claims she woke up in the wrong one – ours! According to her online report in 2008, she claims that what she can remember from her past does not match the world history of this reality. She elaborated that she awoke one morning in this reality in her home in Spain, likely having crossed over into this realm during her sleep, and she remains stuck here (we should note there was no explanation for the mechanics of this crossing over of realms).
She stated that she began to notice little differences at first. The date was the same as it was in “her reality”, for example, but it was things such as different bedsheets that she had never seen before that began to cause her to question that something wasn’t right. That morning, she had gone to work as usual. However, when she arrived at her office, she was shocked and confused to find a different name on the office door. She tried to rationalize that she had come to the wrong floor. She returned to the main entrance, now feeling stranger than ever, and looked at the names on the employee list at the front of the building. She found her name; however, she was listed as working in a department she hadn’t worked in previously. Now, more confused than ever, she marked herself as having arrived at work, but then claimed she had felt suddenly unwell and had to return home, which she duly did.
She returned to work the next day, contemplating that she had imagined the changes and she would find her office where it had been previously. It wasn’t. She went to the department she now seemingly worked at, and was even more perplexed by the number of other employees whom she had never seen before but who very much seemed to know her. It was clear to all of them that there was something “not right” with Lerina. She brushed off these concerns as best she could, insisting that she was just a little “out of sorts” and that she was otherwise fine. It was at this point that she decided to keep the bizarre experiences to herself, at least until she learned more about what was happening. There were, though, more complex differences that came to light over the coming days.
One of these revealed itself to Lerina when she went to visit her boyfriend, Augustine. However, not only did someone else live in his apartment, but it appeared, in this reality, he didn’t exist at all. She attempted to find town records of him, and even searched online for posts she knew he had made. There was, though, no trace of him at all. What made all of this even worse was that she discovered not long after that, in this reality, she was still in a relationship with her previous boyfriend, whom she had, in her reality, broken up with six months previously.
Further differences also presented themselves to Lerina. During a visit with her family, for example, she asked how her sister was recovering after her operation (a major operation, incidentally) several months earlier. Both her parents and her sister were completely bemused, unable to recall any such operation. Although she was certain that it had taken place, Lerina dropped the subject, not wanting her family to think she was suffering from some kind of mental breakdown. Ultimately, the more she discovered about her life in this new reality, the more confused she became. It is not known where Lerina is now and if she is still “trapped” in this reality. We might contemplate whether the Lerina from this reality is also trapped in the one that the Lerina who posted in 2008 claimed to have come from.
As well as reports of journeys into other dimensions or realities, there are many accounts of traveling briefly to other times – events usually referred to as timeslips. Without a doubt, one of the strangest locations where there are several of these time-slip events is Bold Street in Liverpool in England.
One of the most thought-provoking of these occurred in 2006 when a self-confessed shoplifter suddenly found himself thrust four decades into the past. According to an article on the Liverpool Echo platform, the man in question – “Sean” – was running from a security guard along the infamous street when he felt a sudden tightness in his chest. He feared he might be having a heart attack and turned down a side street named Brooks Alley. It was then that he realized his surroundings had completely changed. People were going about their business as they had been moments earlier, only now, the clothes they wore were decades older than the contemporary era. As he wandered around these new surroundings, he spotted a newspaper kiosk near Central Station. He walked over to it as quickly as he could, seeing copies of the Daily Post stacked neatly inside. He took a look at the date – Thursday, May 18th, 1967. Now, as bizarre as it seemed to him, it made sense why the clothes and even the cars looked decades old – because they were.
At this point, feeling more than unsettled, Sean turned and headed back to Brooks Alley. As he did so, his surroundings changed back to 2006 once more. He turned and looked back towards the newspaper kiosk, and although he was standing in his own time (2006), he could see 1967 through what appeared to be some kind of invisible gateway or portal. Unsettled and confused, Sean made his way straight home.
Incidentally, the journalist from the Liverpool Echo who spoke with Sean claimed he met with him on four separate occasions. Not once during those meetings did he alter his version of events, despite the journalist discreetly attempting to trip him up. Moreover, the same journalist also managed to track down the security guard who had been chasing Sean on the day in question. He stated that Sean simply “vanished into the air” the moment he turned down Brooks Alley. Just what happened that day on Bold Street remains a complete mystery. This timeslip encounter, though, is just one of many.
Another article from the Liverpool Echo by Tom Slemen, titled Timeslip Redemption, is also worth exploring here. The account unfolded on Renshaw Street, around a five-minute walk from Bold Street. Although Slemen changed the names of those involved, according to the article, in March 2002, not long after being released after serving six years of an eight-year prison sentence for armed robbery, 39-year-old John Kent, despite his girlfriend Alison’s pleas not to, was looking for vengeance against the man who had “grassed him up” – Harry King. Matter-of-factly, as if he was saying he was going to pick up a pint of milk, he told Alison that, “I’ll just give him a good hiding, then I’ll come straight back and we can go out for a drink and some scran!”
Less than half an hour later, John was on Renshaw Street, his knuckleduster at the ready, waiting for Harry King. Moments later, John clocked a policeman heading in his direction, and he discreetly tucked the weapon in his pocket. The policeman glanced toward John, and although he was largely uninterested in him, he smirked a little. This didn’t sit well with John, who suddenly called out to the policeman, challenging him. He then began walking towards him, causing the policeman to pull out a whistle and blow hard on it. The next thing John realized, several other policemen came running over, and within moments, he was pinned against a wall under restraint. He noticed a group of shoppers had gathered round, eager to see what the fuss was about. Of more concern to John, however, he could hear the sound of trams in the distance – old trams. He managed to steal a glance at the crowd. Instead of them wearing clothing typical of the early 2000s, they were wearing a combination of reserved dresses with long coats, suits, ties, and trilby hats. He suddenly recalled the policeman blowing on his whistle, and came to the startling conclusion that he had somehow walked back in time to the 1920s or 1930s. He also realized that was why the policeman smiled to himself, not out of any malice, but because his twenty-first-century clothing must have appeared like fancy dress to him. The story, though, has one last twist.
Suddenly, John’s surroundings changed once more, and he came to his senses, leaning against a shop window. It was now dark, and when he checked his watch, four hours had passed. He immediately returned home to find Allison waiting for him. She told him that Harry King had been waiting for him with a gun and that the police had arrested him. Had the bizarre event not happened, John would likely have been killed. With all of this in mind, John finally decided he was going straight and convinced Allison that he had finally turned a corner. They married a short time later.
Another account unfolded on Bold Street around half a decade earlier in 1996. On the day in question, “Frank” and his wife “Carol” were enjoying a Saturday afternoon shopping. Frank was looking to purchase some new CDs, and Carol intended to buy some new books. They agreed to meet at the bookshop that Carol planned on visiting a short time later. The couple went their separate ways, with Frank’s route taking him past the Lyceum Building. As he passed it, however, he noticed a sudden eerie silence. He stopped momentarily and looked around. Then, the sound of a car horn brought him back to his senses. He stepped aside and realized he had been standing in the middle of the road, a van only just missing him. Even stranger, the van appeared as though it was a vintage model, straight out of the 1950s. He managed to make the name “Caplan’s” or “Caplin’s” in old-style, vintage lettering. At this point, Frank felt beyond confused and decided to make his way straight to the bookshop, “Dillon’s”, where he had arranged to meet his wife.
When he arrived there, however, he was further perplexed to find the name “Cripps” above the doorway instead of “Dillon’s”, and instead of books, the windows showed ladies’ clothing and handbags. He looked around him and realized that the people walking along the streets were dressed in clothing more akin to the Second World War era than the mid-1990s. As he was looking around, a woman walked past him and into the shop where he was standing outside. Frank hesitated for a moment before following her inside. As soon as he did so, the ladies’ clothing and accessories disappeared, and in their place were rows of books. Stranger still, the woman he had followed looked as confused as he did. He asked her if she had noticed anything strange, and she replied that she had thought this was a new clothes shop, which was why she had walked into it in the first place.
He eventually met up with his wife, but he decided to keep the strange encounter to himself. When he returned home, though, later that afternoon, he began researching the street. He found out that the bookshop had once indeed been a ladies’ clothing shop. Moreover, a shop by the name of “Caplan’s” had operated on the street in the 1950s.
It is also worth our time exploring an incident that occurred in more recent times – some time in the 2000s – when a 17-year-old girl – “Imogen” – experienced a bizarre timeslip episode while visiting a new branch of Mothercare on Bold Street. She was shopping for her older sister’s new baby, and was surprised at how low the prices were for items, putting it down to being some kind of opening day promotion. However, when she attempted to pay for the items using her card, she was informed bluntly that the shop “didn’t take those!” As she only had a small amount of cash on her, she left the goods and headed back home. Later that day, she was speaking with her mother, and she mentioned the bizarre episode. Her mother was a little shocked, informing her that this Mothercare had not been a Mothercare for some time, and had been a bank for several years. When Imogen returned to the same building the following day, it was indeed now a bank.
It isn’t just on Bold Street – or indeed in Liverpool – where these strange time anomalies take place. One of these encounters is detailed in the book Real Time Travel Stories From A Psychic Engineer by Martin Ettington, which details the bizarre experience of 12-year-old Mel Riley in the early 1950s. On the day in question, Mel was exploring the woodlands and countryside close to his home in Racine, Wisconsin. As he was making his way across a field, however, he suddenly felt the environment change around him. Suddenly, the smells of the countryside flowers and vegetation were replaced by the aroma of burning wood and cooked meats. He could also suddenly hear voices coming from somewhere nearby. He looked up and, for the first time, realized that the freshly plowed field he had been walking through a moment earlier was now a vast field that stretched for miles. Moreover, multiple Native American settlements stretched across this vast field. The awestruck child watched the scene in front of him for several moments, seeing several Native American warriors going about their daily duties. Then, without warning, the scene faded away, and the freshly ploughed field returned. When the incident was investigated, the land Mel had been on when the scenery changed had once been home to Native American tribes, tribes, incidentally, that had lived there since the Stone Age.
These encounters don’t always detail a person slipping back in time; however, some of them feature a person or an object coming from the past. According to an account from “LC”, late in the afternoon of October 20th, 1969, he and his friend, Charlie, were driving along Highway 167 on his way to Lafayette. Although their vehicle had been the only car on the road for some time, they soon found themselves behind an “old turtle-type car” that would have seemed more at home in the early twentieth century. Moreover, when LC was close enough to read the number plate, he could see that the date on it was “1940” (something illegal under US law). Eventually, LC passed the vehicle. As he did, though, he was more than shocked to see the driver, a young woman, and her passenger, a young child, dressed in clothing that was straight out of the 1940s. At this point, LC looked at Charlie, who was seemingly equally as confused.
LC looked into the passenger window, attempting to get the woman’s attention. As he did, he could see a look of concern and panic on her face. He then called out, mouthing the words more than anything, asking the woman if she needed help. She motioned that she did, and LC pulled in front of her car and pulled to the side of the road. When he got out, however, and turned to face the oncoming vehicle, it was nowhere to be seen. It had vanished into thin air. We might ask if the car and the woman and her child had gone back to their own time two or three decades earlier.
It is perhaps also worth considering just some of the many bizarre events involving time that have taken place in the air. One of the strangest and perhaps one of the most significant accounts in what it tells us about our reality is that of Bruce Gernon, an experienced pilot who flew over the Bahamas regularly. On the afternoon of December 4th, 1970, at around 3 pm, Gerney, along with his father and an associate, Chuck Lafayette, left Andros Airport from Andros Island on their way to Miami, Florida. To begin with, the flight proceeded as normal. However, not long after they left the runway, they noticed a bizarre “elliptical cloud” around a mile ahead of them, approximately 500 feet above the surface of the water. Uncertain what the cloud was, they immediately contacted the control tower in Miami to ask if there were any adverse weather conditions on their route. The response was that their route was clear.
They continued onwards, ascending to around 3000 feet. All the while, the cloud continued to grow larger and larger. Eventually, at an altitude of 11,500 feet, the Beechcraft Bonanza A36 aircraft emerged from the fog and finally into clear, blue skies. As Gernon looked back, however, he could see that the cloud was beginning to form a strange semi-circle around them. Their plane, though, which was traveling at around 195 miles per hour, outran the strange cloud and left it behind them. As they approached the Bimini Islands, they saw another strange cloud ahead of them, only this one was much larger, at least 60,000 feet across. Even stranger, the cloud, according to Gernon’s recollections, seemed to emanate directly from the Earth’s surface.
At this point, Gernon believed they were about to be engulfed by a huge storm, and when he spotted a “tunnel” in the clouds, he aimed his aircraft straight for it. As he entered the tunnel, he immediately noticed that strange lines formed around their aircraft, and the cloud appeared to swirl around them. As their plane continued through this strange tunnel, they noticed several ”bright white flashes,” and these flashes became brighter and more intense the further into the tunnel they went. Stranger still, Gernon recalled feeling something close to “zero gravity” for a very short period while inside the tunnel. As this was happening, incidentally, the control tower at Miami Airport lost Gernon’s plane from their monitors.
Gernon later recalled that he suspected the tunnel they had entered was somehow connected to the strange cloud formation they had seen shortly after take-off. After continuing into the tunnel, Gernon suddenly noticed a U-shaped opening ahead. He immediately headed for this opening, believing this could be his only chance to get out of this strange cloud. A moment later, the plane once more emerged into clear, blue skies. As Gernon looked back, he could see the tunnel and the cloud formation “contracting” until it eventually disappeared. Gernon then attempted to establish his location, reasoning that after spending around 30 minutes in the air and then 20 to 30 seconds in the strange cloud tunnel, they should be able to see the coast of Bimini below them. With this in mind, Gernon and the other two people onboard were more than shocked to see the beaches of Miami slightly ahead of them. As confirmation of their position, the control tower at Miami Airport confirmed they were off the coast of Miami on their radar screens. From this confirmation, Gernon realized that he had, essentially, traveled nearly 100 miles in only 20 seconds, and, in total, since leaving Andros Airport, according to the time and the data, he had traveled almost 250 miles in only 47 minutes, something that everything Gernon knew about aviation told him was impossible.
Without a doubt, one of the strangest aviation encounters involving time anomalies also occurred off the coast of Miami, also at some point during the early 1970s, in an encounter that has “never been satisfactorily explained!”. According to an article in the March 24th, 1975 edition of The Desert News, on the morning in question, National Airlines 727 was approaching Miami Airport and preparing to land. The control tower was tracking the plane as they normally would be when it simply vanished from their radar screens. Emergency communications were immediately sent out to all other aircraft in the region, calling on them to be vigilant in the event they might spot the aircraft, or even the wreckage of it. However, there were no visible signs of either. Then, without warning, the plane reappeared on the radar screens in the control tower. Moreover, it was in the same place as it had been when it had vanished, and not a considerable distance away if it had merely disappeared from radar. What made the surreal situation even more so was that several planes had traveled through the exact airspace the aircraft was now in during the 10 minutes it was missing.
It soon became apparent that the pilots – and so, in turn, most likely, the crew and passengers – were completely unaware that anything strange had taken place. At this point, the captain of National Airlines 727 was instructed to land on an isolated runway reserved for “security risks and special situations!” As perplexed as he was at these orders, he did as instructed. Almost as soon as the plane had come to a stop, security forces boarded the aircraft and ushered off the passengers and crew, guiding them to a part of the airport separate from the rest. Writing in the book Ghosts of the Air: True Stories of Aerial Hauntings, Martin Caidin stated that “Federal investigators and officials couldn’t get into that jetliner fast enough” after it landed. We will return to why this might have been shortly.
It was clear to those who had been onboard the plane by the sheer number of emergency vehicles and airport police that something out of the ordinary and concerning had taken place. A short time later, with both the crew and passengers together in a large enclosure of the airport, the head of airport security made the rather candid and bizarre admission that they (their plane) had “disappeared into thin air for 10 minutes!” After being met with confused stares, the head of airport security suggested they “take a look at your watches!” They noticed that the airport clock said 9:30 am – their respective watches, however, declared the time was 9:20 am. Needless to say, a quiet wave of disbelief and shock quickly swept across the room.
Just what happened after this is not really known, as despite the initial story of the incident (itself several years later), the case then all but disappeared, revived following the global rollout of the Internet. And if we recall the statement in Martin Caidin’s book that investigators “couldn’t get onto that jetliner fast enough”, that could have been a very purposeful move on the part of the authorities.
As speculative as this is, we might ask if the reason investigators were eager to get onto the plane (as well as get all passengers and crew off) was because they – or at least those are issued the orders – were aware that there was something on the plane, something that had to be retrieved in secret and away from prying eyes. Could it be that some kind of device was onboard the plane that, as bizarre and outlandish as this might sound, literally took the plane out of existence for 10 minutes? Or, put another way, did this device send the plane forward 10 minutes into the future? Perhaps this device contained valuable data, and it would go without saying that it would need to be secured away from all manner of potentially interested parties, perhaps not least the Cold War nemesis of the era, the Soviet Union. If any of this is true – and once more, this is purely wild speculation – then we might also contemplate whether the location is of importance. Did those behind this speculative experiment somehow tap into the potential power of this infamous part of the Atlantic Ocean - the Bermuda Triangle?
Whatever the truth, if this was some kind of bizarre experiment, this might explain why only one story ever appeared in print about the incident. In the years that have followed, many researchers have made legitimate efforts to reveal details about the encounter (which should tell us something in itself as to its potential credibility), but no information has ever been found – no flight numbers, official flight records, or any witness testimony. Does this indicate that all information – including, it is presumed, the control tower data – was quickly confiscated by investigators? It is certainly a possibility. One thing that is harder to explain away, however, is why not one person in all the years that have followed has come forward to confirm they were on the aircraft that day? And while this certainly isn’t a smoking gun for the skeptics – after all, there could be many reasons for this – it is much more difficult to pass off as “something that was covered up!”
Ultimately, we will most likely find that the truth of the National Airlines 727 encounter will be found somewhere between the two extremes (that it was a completely made-up account on one side and some kind of secret time travel experiment on the other). One thing to note here is that there appears to be debate as to whether only the crew was made aware of the time anomaly or whether the passengers were also told. If the former is more accurate, then it would, of course, be much easier to maintain a secret over many decades, not least as the pilots and crew members would have undoubtedly feared for their careers if they spoke of the incident. Add to that a still-lingering, if diluted by comparison to previous decades, sense of patriotism in the face of the Cold War, and it is even easier to see how such secrecy could be maintained. Whatever the truth, the case still fascinates investigators and enthusiasts of the weird and the wonderful today.
These are, then, just a small collection of hand-picked accounts of time and reality anomalies. There are many, many more on record in various forms and on various platforms and mediums, including official records. Indeed, we just might return with a “More Fascinating Tales of…” article on such matters in the near future. One thing that is clear, though, is that time, as we understand it, is almost certainly incorrect, as is the nature of our reality. Time, for example, is likely not linear and almost certainly more curved or rounded in nature, and maybe this curved or round construct (for want of a better word) sometimes causes such things as timeslips. Our reality is likely made up of multiple different dimensions that perhaps occasionally crash into each other, and so causing, in theory, some of the anomalies we have examined here. There are many suggestions to explain these inexplicable events. For now, though, the questions remain, and such encounters remain as unexplained and still ripe for investigation.
In his book Auguste Comte in Course of Positive Philosophy, published in 1835, the French philosopher argued that the stars will always remain “mechanical objects” for us. We will be able to determine their position in the sky, measure the distance to them, and learn the patterns of their movement. But what this or that bright speck in the sky is, what it is made of, what its temperature is, will remain a mystery to us forever. The philosopher lived only a couple of years before the publication of articles by Gustav Kirchhoff and Robert Bunsen, who proposed to determine the elemental composition of a radiating body by the characteristic lines in its spectrum. Since then, spectral analysis has been virtually the only tool that allows astronomers to analyze distant objects. No wonder scientists want to use it to search for life on other planets.
Of course, spectral analysis has some limitations. First, it is best suited for detecting substances in a gaseous state. That is, for example, the presence of liquid water can be detected only by the “spectral signatures” of water vapor. Secondly, habitable planets usually orbit quite close to their stars, and it is extremely difficult to separate them when observing them from Earth. In the future, this problem will probably be solved by improving astronomical instruments and imaging technologies, but for now, it has to be circumvented by other means, which are not always effective.
One way or another, the spectra of some exoplanets – or rather, their atmospheres – have already been recorded. None of the bodies studied by spectroscopy orbits in the habitable zone, where the surface temperature allows liquid water to exist; however, spectral data will be obtained for such objects sooner or later. What do scientists looking for signs of life hope to see in them?
In the image and likeness
It should be noted that modern science is aware of only one type of living organism, the one we encounter on Earth all the time. It is based on carbon chains and biochemical reactions in aqueous solutions. There are many explanations for why this combination seems to be the best for life. A separate article could be devoted to them, but one of them must be mentioned. Water is one of the most widespread chemical compounds in the universe, and it is also one of the most efficient solvents, remaining in a liquid state over a wide temperature range. This means that water provides the optimal conditions for the chemical transformations necessary to build the molecular structures of living organisms and supply them with energy.
Source: Christine Daniloff/MIT, Julien de Wit
Of course, no one can completely rule out the existence of exotic life forms based on ammonia or even rarer fluorine. Similarly, carbon does not necessarily have to be the main component of biological molecules. But the manifestations of such life are likely to be so different from what scientists are used to seeing around them that they will simply be impossible to recognize as inanimate nature. Therefore, astrobiologists are now focusing on the search for water as the most likely habitable environment. Hence, the concept of the habitable zone. This term sounds quite promising, but in fact, it only means a favorable temperature regime on the exoplanet’s surface and does not imply any “population”.
What will we see in the spectrum of an exoplanet potentially habitable for Earth-type life? First of all, of course, scientists will look for water vapor lines. However, there should not be much of it in the atmosphere: on Earth, even in the wettest jungles, its concentration reaches a maximum of a couple of percent. But our air has a lot of oxygen – more than 20%. It would seem that this is a sign of life! At least, the one we are most familiar with.
For a long time, experts have been carefully compiling a list of biomarkers, which are simple molecules that living organisms need to sustain their vital functions or are released during them. Oxygen is considered one of them, with many caveats. First, it became an essential component of the Earth’s biosphere about 2 billion years ago. Earlier, life on our planet managed quite well without it, and even now, there are many bacteria and fungi (the most famous example is yeast) that do not need it at all and even harm it. And secondly, this gas can occur, in particular, during the decomposition of water molecules under the influence of high-energy radiation. This is the so-called abiogenic oxygen, which is quite capable of confusing astronomers.
Heavier and more complex molecules, such as ethyl and methyl alcohol, formic and acetic acid, are considered more reliable signs of life. However, not everything is so simple with them. As it turned out, they can also be synthesized without any participation of living organisms, and not even on planets, but in interstellar gas and dust clouds, if there is a star nearby that can warm them up a bit. Nowadays, compounds such as amino acids, which are essential for life, are also found in these clouds. This has led to the assumption that they did not appear on Earth as a result of the vital activity of primitive cells, but were brought here from space.
On the other hand, a substance that we are used to considering a terrible poison – hydrogen cyanide, or hydrocyanic acid (HCN) – may well be associated with life. Its danger is not least determined by its high reactivity, but it is thanks to this that this substance is quite easily converted into organic molecules (the same amino acids). Hydrocyanic acid and its derivative cyanide are also quite common outside the Earth – they are almost an essential component of cometary nuclei and have been repeatedly detected in the gases that evaporate from them.
Perhaps it is easier to say which molecules are practically incompatible with Earth-type life, and thus their presence would mean that it is not worth looking for it on this particular planet. These are primarily the highly reactive halogens fluorine and chlorine, as well as some of their compounds with silicon, sulfur, and phosphorus. They quickly enter into chemical reactions with biological molecules that are familiar to us and turn them into something completely unfit for life.
So, we already know a lot of potential biomarkers. But none of them, if discovered in the spectrum of a celestial body, is unequivocal proof of the existence of life there. So how can we prove its presence using spectral methods?
Unnatural combinations
After analyzing all possible data in detail, a team of scientists led by University of Washington professor Victoria Meadows concluded that in search of life signs, it is not necessary to focus on any one universal molecule. It is much more effective to track combinations of substances that are not usually found together. The best example is oxygen and methane. Both gases are present in the Earth’s atmosphere, but in the absence of living organisms, this would be impossible: they would have reacted with each other long ago, and only the one that was initially present in excess would remain. The reaction products would be water and carbon dioxide, substances that are not directly related to life. In other words, for the planet’s gas membrane to contain oxygen along with methane, there must be a constant source of replenishment of both. The likelihood that this source is of a biological nature is not so small.
Source: ESA
Other examples of such “incompatible pairs” are oxygen and ammonia, or oxygen and hydrogen sulfide. The latter, however, is difficult to detect spectroscopically, but with improved observational techniques, this will not be a big problem. By the way, this is also the reason why scientists were so inspired by the recent discovery of phosphine (a compound of hydrogen and phosphorus) in the Venusian atmosphere: while on Jupiter and Saturn, where it was also observed, this gas is formed as a result of abiogenic processes and can exist for a relatively long time, on Venus it would have to disappear very quickly. However, further research has shown that phosphine is present in concentrations that can also be explained by natural causes.
The development of infrared astronomy has opened up new perspectives for astronomers, allowing them to search for quite exotic molecules, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In their case, the most interesting thing is that they are not formed in the course of any natural processes, but are exclusively the product of artificial chemical synthesis. Also, these molecules or their closest derivatives are quite resistant to decomposition and can stay in the atmosphere for a long time. If we encounter such “exotics” in the spectrum of an extrasolar planet, it is likely to mean that there is not just life, but an advanced technological civilization.
However, to find CFCs in the atmospheres of even the closest exoplanets using the available astronomical instruments, their concentration there must be ten times higher than what we currently have on Earth. It is clear that the observational technique is not standing still – perhaps in a few years, this obstacle will be overcome. The prospect of detecting brothers in mind by the spectral characteristics of only one type of molecule at once is very attractive. Therefore, it is time for scientists to expand the list of biomarkers by adding “technomarkers” or “technosignatures” – volatile substances that can only be produced and released into the air artificially. And here, not only astronomers and biologists, but also ecologists and chemists should have a say.
This article was published in Universe Space Tech magazine #1 (189) 2023. You can buy this issue in the electronic version in our store.
Microgravity conditions dictate their own rules. Fragile products are prohibited — their small particles pose a threat to equipment. Liquids pose a particular hazard: stray drops can damage electronics. How do astronauts solve the seemingly simple hygiene task of washing their hair while spending months in space?
NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, who arrived at the ISS in March 2025, recently demonstrated this process. “It’s similar to the process on Earth, but without gravity pulling the water down,” she explains.
To wet long, thick hair, Ayers uses a special water bag equipped with a one-way valve. This allows for precise control of the fluid flow. To prevent water droplets from flying into the air, she presses the tube firmly against her scalp before releasing the water, directing it first onto the ends of her hair.
How to take a shower in microgravity? Illustration generated by AI Copilot
Despite all efforts, the hair only gets wet on the surface. But this is enough to apply shampoo in the form of a solid bar and start washing. When rinsing, Ayers focuses on the scalp. After quickly drying her hair with a towel, the astronaut adds a little conditioner, combs her hair, and lets it dry naturally.
Where does the water go after washing? “It evaporates, enters the air, and humidifies it. Then we will return it by condensation. Perhaps tomorrow this water will become someone’s coffee,” Ayers remarks humorously, alluding to the closed water recycling system on the ISS.
Tic-tac UFOs have been coming to Earth for centuries, expert claims
Tic-tac UFOs have been coming to Earth for centuries, expert claims
Leading ufologist and filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee claims in his new documentary, Project: Alien Earth, that Tic Tac craft have been visiting Earth since the 16th century.
Mysterious Tic Tac-shaped UFOs have been visiting Earth for centuries, leading alien investigator Mark Christopher Lee has claimed.
In his new documentary Project: Alien Earth, Lee challenges the popular belief that the UFOs - like those seen by US Navy pilots off California in 2004 - are secret military technology. Instead, he presents historical and photographic evidence suggesting these craft predate modern aviation.
Lee said: "We’ve been seeing these ‘Tic Tac’ shaped craft for centuries, and I believe it’s time to face the truth. The idea that they are man-made simply doesn’t hold up. How can we explain detailed sightings of the same type of craft in the 1600s and 1800s, before powered flight even existed?”
In his new documentary film - now streaming on Amazon Prime Video - Lee highlights two major events as proof.
In 1561, hundreds of witnesses in Nuremberg, Germany, reported strange aerial objects during what was described as a “sky battle,” including cylindrical craft resembling today’s Tic Tac UFOs.
Similarly, during the Great Airship Wave of 1896–1897 in the United States, thousands of eye witnesses - including journalists and judges - claimed to have seen metallic, capsule-shaped craft decades before the Wright brothers’ first flight.
Lee said: "These objects were described in eerily similar ways to modern-day sightings.
"Silent propulsion, instant acceleration, no visible means of lift, the same exact features we see in the Tic Tac UFOs today. That’s not coincidence. That’s continuity.”
Lee - whose other films include The King of UFOs and The Rendlesham UFO : The British Roswell - also suggests that claims of military involvement are a deliberate diversion.
He stated: "If the public can be convinced these craft are secret military tech, then there’s no need to ask the bigger, more frightening question: Are we being visited? Have we always been watched?”
Project: Alien Earth features interviews with ufologists, historians, and eyewitnesses, aiming to expose what Lee calls “a cover-up of cosmic proportions".
Tulsi Gabbard Open to Alien Life, Pushes for UAP and Drone Analysis
Tulsi Gabbard Open to Alien Life, Pushes for UAP and Drone Analysis
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard expressed openness to extraterrestrial life on a podcast, citing the universe's vastness and calling for rigorous analysis of UAPs and drone sightings. Amid controversies, her stance could influence disclosure efforts. This positions her as a potential advocate for transparency in intelligence matters.
Tulsi Gabbard Open to Alien Life, Pushes for UAP and Drone Analysis
Written by John Smart
In a recent appearance on the podcast “Pod Force One,” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard expressed openness to the existence of extraterrestrial life, marking a notable shift in how high-level U.S. officials address unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs). Gabbard, who assumed her role amid controversy over her past statements on foreign policy, suggested that the vastness of the universe makes alien life plausible, though she stopped short of endorsing conspiracy theories. “I believe there may be aliens,” she stated, according to a report in theNew York Post, while emphasizing the need for rigorous intelligence analysis.
This comment comes at a time when public interest in UAPs has surged, fueled by declassified government reports and whistleblower testimonies. Gabbard also touched on the mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey, admitting she has “a lot of questions” and calling for transparency without jumping to conclusions about their origins. Her stance aligns with broader intelligence community efforts to demystify such incidents, even as skeptics question whether her views could influence national security priorities.
Gabbard’s Evolving Public Persona on Unexplained Phenomena
Gabbard’s remarks build on her earlier commitments during her confirmation process. In January 2025, she pledged to address UAPs and “anomalous health incidents” if appointed, as highlighted in posts on X from users like Steven Greenstreet, who noted her intent to prioritize these issues. This positions her as a potential advocate for disclosure within the Trump administration, contrasting with previous DNIs who often downplayed such topics.
Industry insiders in defense and intelligence circles see this as part of a larger pattern in Gabbard’s career, where she has challenged establishment narratives. A deep dive into her background reveals a history of unconventional views, from her criticism of U.S. interventions abroad to her spiritual beliefs as a practicing Hindu, which have drawn scrutiny. For instance, Religion News Service reported on attacks against her faith, drawing parallels to historical smears against figures like John F. Kennedy.
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard told a New York Post podcaster that she believes aliens could possibly be real.
(AP/J. Scott Applewhite and Courtesy of Netflix)
Intersections with Intelligence Controversies
Recent news underscores the tensions surrounding Gabbard’s tenure. She has been embroiled in debates over declassified documents related to the Trump-Russia investigation, with AP News noting her claims of an Obama-era “hoax” lack backing from those files. Critics, including ex-CIA agents quoted in The Guardian, accuse her of misrepresenting intelligence to fit political narratives.
On the UAP front, Gabbard’s openness resonates with proponents like Michael Salla, whose X posts suggest she could push for releasing info on mystery drones and non-human intelligence. This echoes sentiments in a Conservative Treehouse analysis, where she is portrayed as a truth-seeker amid bureaucratic opacity.
Implications for National Security and Public Trust
For intelligence professionals, Gabbard’s comments raise questions about balancing speculation with evidence-based reporting. Her role in the President’s Daily Briefing means her views on aliens could shape executive decisions, potentially accelerating UAP investigations. However, as The Atlantic explored in a January 2025 profile, her “switchbacking political career” driven by ambition might undermine credibility.
Public sentiment on X reflects divided opinions, with some hailing her as a disclosure hero and others dismissing her as promoting fringe ideas. Meanwhile, ongoing drone incidents in New Jersey, detailed in recent Times of India coverage, highlight the real-world stakes, where misattribution could escalate tensions.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As DNI, Gabbard faces pressure to integrate UAP analysis into broader threat assessments, especially with global powers like Russia and China advancing their own aerial technologies. Her podcast appearance, while casual, signals a willingness to engage the public directly, a tactic that could rebuild trust eroded by past secrecy.
Ultimately, whether Gabbard’s beliefs on aliens lead to substantive policy changes remains uncertain. Insiders note that her approach might encourage more whistleblowers, but it risks politicizing intelligence. As debates continue, her tenure could redefine how America confronts the unknown, blending skepticism with curiosity in an era of rapid technological change.
Gabbard Says She Believes in the Possibility of Alien Life
Gabbard Says She Believes in the Possibility of Alien Life
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard admitted to believing in the possibility of extraterrestrial life during a recent podcast appearance but remained tight-lipped about the extent of the government's knowledge on the subject.
Gabbard, who oversees the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, serves as President Donald Trump's top adviser on intelligence.
An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Tulsi Gabbard being interviewed, Image 2 shows TSA officer's uniform with patches
On Wednesday's episode of the New York Post's "Pod Force One," host Miranda Devine asked Gabbard if "there could be aliens," to which the DNI replied, "I have my own views and opinions."
"In this role, I have to be careful with what I share," Gabbard said.
When pressed by Devine about whether she believes in the possibility of aliens and UFOs, Gabbard answered "yes."
According to the Post, Gabbard said she was not "prepared to talk about" the issue at this time, but her team would be transparent with the public at some point in the future.
"We're continuing to look for the truth and share that truth with the American people," she said.
Recording of a UFO flying by the USS Omaha off the coast of San Diego in July 2019 and then vanishing into the ocean without a splash or crash debris.
Gabbard also touched on the spate of drone sightings over New Jersey late last year, saying she still has "a lot" of unanswered questions about the phenomenon.
Officials from both the Biden and Trump administrations have insisted that the objects spotted were actually a "combination" of authorized personal, professional, and government aircraft.
"I still have a lot of questions around that," Gabbard told Devine. "I've heard what the public official line is."
"I just personally still have a lot of questions that are unanswered, because it wasn't just New Jersey," she added. "It was happening in different parts of the country."
However, Gabbard did say that the U.S. intelligence community has "a lot of classified information" on the alleged Chinese spy balloon that traversed much of the country in 2023.
Then-President Joe Biden ordered the balloon shot down in the waters over South Carolina, after it had flown across the United States for a week.
The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S. February 4, 2023
Gabbard declined to elaborate further on what the intelligence community knows about the Chinese balloon.
Images of the PBRs being tested for use on the Moon. Credit - L. Salman et al.
Astron auts exploring the Moon will need all the help they can get, and scientists have spent lots of time and plenty of money coming up with different systems to do so. Two of the critical needs of any long-term lunar mission are food and oxygen, both of which are expensive to ship to the Moon from Earth. So, a research team from the Technical University of Munich spent some of their time analyzing the effectiveness of using local lunar resources to build a photobioreactor (PBR), the results of which were recently published in a paper in Acta Astronautica.
The concept around PBRs is simple enough - enclose some sort of biological system, like algae, give it the raw material it needs to live, such as carbon dioxide and water, and harvest the resulting “waste” products, like oxygen and the algae itself. Nature has a way of optimizing its processes, so depending on the design of the PBR, and especially on the choice of algae, they can be extremely effective at creating those useful outputs with very little waste.
However, they’re not so great at doing so on the lunar surface, which is why they would need to be enclosed in a system protected from the lunar environment, which includes direct sunlight since the radiation that goes along with it would kill the living organisms inside the reactor. Harvesting the materials needed to build that protective system is the focal point of the paper.
Fraser discusses how living off the land in space would work.
It considered two different types of PBR - a “tubular” air lift and a “flat panel” airlift (FPA). The FPA variety was more efficient, but required more maintenance than its tubular counterpart. Building either variety would result in a cost savings of at least a few million dollars per system, assuming a $100,000/kg launch cost to the Moon. For the tubular system, it could be even more, with some estimates ranging up to $50M in savings by building it out of local resources.
Resources for most of the structural materials are already abundant on the Moon, and there has already been plenty of work on making the metals out of lunar regolith that would be required to build its base structure. However, the algae inside the PBR require light, and that has to either come from internal lighting, which is extremely power intensive and requires advanced components like LEDs, or can come from the Sun, which would require clear glass in at least part of the exterior housing. So far, no one has successfully created clear glass out of lunar resources, though that is an area of ongoing research.
LEDs are an example of another necessary component that is much harder to produce locally - electronics, and, to go along with that, plastics, such as sealing o-rings or the baseboards for printed circuit board assemblies. Research into how to make plastic on the Moon is also ongoing, but still a long way off from utilization in a mission. However, the algae itself in the PBRs could be used as a biological feedstock for the plastic, though that would still require at least a beginning seed from Earth to get the process going.
Phosphorous is another critical element of life that needs to be somehow collected on the Moon in order for a long-term biological presence there, as Fraser discusses with Harry Brodsky, a PhD student at UC Boulder.
Unfortunately, carbon, one of the primary ingredients in plastics, is relatively rare on the Moon, as are elements critical for the long-term survivability of the algae, such as nitrogen and chlorine. To ensure none of those precious materials are wasted, the authors suggest recycling astronaut waste water, which will also contain at least some of those elements, as a way to “close the loop”.
However, there are plenty of challenges to overcome if PBRs are to be integrated as a mission-critical component of any long-term lunar mission. The authors themselves suggest a hybrid approach that utilizes more traditional in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) methods, like Molten Regolith Electrolysis, for oxygen production, while utilizing PBRs for their combination of food production alongside oxygen production.
Both technologies are useful, and will eventually find their place in a lunar colony. Until that time, though, research will continue on the best way to get the most out of the lunar resources we can access, and we’ll undoubtedly see some improved designs of PBRs, lunar-derived glass, and even algae harvesting methods by then.
UFO Watches Family On Back Porch In Amravati, Maharashtra, India, Aug 1, 2025, UAP Sighting News
UFO Watches Family On Back Porch In Amravati, Maharashtra, India, Aug 1, 2025, UAP Sighting News
Date of sighting: Aug 1, 2025
Location of sighting: Amravati, India
Source: NUFORC website
Watch carefully and you will see a glowing light...it's a UFO orb watching the people as they watch back. The UFO flashes several times and changes directions before it leaves. It's communicating to them using light...in a way that wont frighten the people.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states: Was out smoking with friends and saw this thing. Hi, My name is (Deleted). I am from India. I was out with my friends at our regular spot to smoke some cigarettes as I have been going to the same exact spot for more than two years now. I saw this light in the sky outta nowhere and I could not make anything out of it. Not only it changes its path/trajectory right when it is near the electric pole in the video I have but it slows down for a while too. No sound, No blinking lights like commercial flights. Very weird!
Proof of a 500 meter UFO landing thousands of years ago helping build the Egyptian Pyramids
Proof of a 500 meter UFO landing thousands of years ago helping build the Egyptian Pyramids
Date of discovery: Aug 4, 2025
Location of discovery: Sudan
Coordinates: 15°11’24” N, 30°10’07” E
Now check this out. There is a UFO landing location in the desert in Sedan just a few miles from the Nile river that flows all the way to the great pyramids of Egypt. The UFO is 500 meters across according to Google map ruler and its does have the outline of a domed disk, with a dome area on its bottom too. This is the smoking gun we needed to prove that aliens helped build the great pyramids in Egypt and I would be money that if this UFO landing site was carbon dated, it would be dated to just before the creation of the pyramids.
Ancient Gold UFO Crashed Underwater In Stockholm, Sweden UAP Sighting News
Ancient Gold UFO Crashed Underwater In Stockholm, Sweden UAP Sighting News
Date of discovery: Aug 4, 2025
Location of discovery: Stockholm, Sweden
Coordinates: 59°19'22"N 17°48'32"E
I found this crashed golden UFO below the surface of a lake not far from Stockholm. The energy from the crashed UFO is so powerful, it's still glowing which makes me think it probably still has living occupants onboard.
Someone said why travel across the universe only to crash...(said in video comments). Such silliness, if that was true, then no UFOs were ever recovered and no aliens were ever captured. We know that UFOs have been recovered, too many high officials and generals, ect have testified in court hearings that they witnessed recovered UFOs and alien bodies.
A leak of vital air continues at the International Space Station (ISS). Despite the crew’s hopes that the latest crack in the Russian Zvezda module has finally been repaired, prolonged observations confirm that the station is still losing precious air supplies.
The Zvezda module of the ISS may lose its docking port. Photo: NASA
Roscosmos notes that after repairing the hull, the team believed the problem had been solved, but further data dispelled these hopes. The repairs only slowed down the air leak, but did not stop it completely.
The history of the hole
The air leak from the ISS was first detected in September 2019. Its source is located in the airlock connecting the docking node with the main body of the Zvezda module. Over the past six years, the situation has deteriorated significantly: the rate of air loss has roughly doubled, from around 0.45 kg to almost 0.9 kg per day. This growth caused NASA to raise the risk level to maximum.
An important obstacle to resolving the problem remains the dispute between NASA and Roscosmos regarding the root cause of the leak and the best way to fix it. Even the encouraging sign in June — a change in pressure that could have indicated the leak had stopped after certain manipulations — turned out to be false.
Possible solutions to fix the problem
As a radical solution, space agencies are considering permanently closing the hatch leading to the Zvezda module. If this happens, the ISS will be able to continue operating as normal, and the air leak will indeed stop, but one docking port for cargo or manned spacecraft will be lost, which will be a significant operational limitation.
For now, the crew and ground services continue to search for the elusive “wound” on the space station, trying to maintain the airtightness of the key segment of the ISS in the face of an unpredictable challenge.
NASA specialists have found a way to enable the Curiosity rover to perform several tasks simultaneously. This will allow for maximum efficiency in using its energy source and extend its service life.
Curiosity’s energy budget
Curiosity recently reached a region filled with cell-like formations. These hardened ridges are believed to have been created by underground waters billions of years ago. Spanning many kilometers in this part of Mount Sharp, these formations may shed light on whether hypothetical microbial life could have survived in the depths of Mars billions of years ago, extending the planet’s habitability until it began to dry out.
Rock formations found by Curiosity that formed in the presence of water. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
Performing this detective work requires a great deal of energy. In addition to moving and extending its robotic arm to study rocks and boulders, Curiosity is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments and heaters that require power.
Other NASA missions, such as the Spirit and Opportunity rovers and the InSight lander, relied on solar panels to recharge their batteries. However, this technology always carries the risk of insufficient sunlight. Therefore, engineers equipped Curiosity with a radioisotope generator (RITEG). Thanks to this, the rover is not affected by changes in lighting conditions. The downside is that because plutonium decays over time, charging Curiosity’s batteries takes longer each year, leaving less energy for scientific research.
More effective science
NASA engineers generally send Curiosity a list of tasks to complete one by one before the rover ends its day and takes a break to recharge. In 2021, the team began investigating whether it would be safe to combine two or three of the rover’s tasks, thereby reducing its active time.
Image taken by the Curiosity rover on July 25, 2025. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
For example, the Curiosity radio regularly sends data and images to a passing orbital spacecraft, which transmits them to Earth. Can the Mars rover communicate with the orbital spacecraft while moving, shifting its robotic manipulator, or taking images? Combining tasks can shorten each day’s plan, requiring less time with heaters and equipment turned on and ready for use, which reduces energy consumption. Testing has shown that Curiosity is capable of doing all this safely.
Another technique is to allow Curiosity to decide when it needs to rest if it finishes its tasks early. Engineers always overestimate the duration of daily activities in case of unforeseen circumstances. Now, if Curiosity completes these actions ahead of schedule, it will go to sleep earlier.
By allowing the rover to manage its own rest time, it is possible to reduce the charging time before the next day’s schedule. Even actions that reduce the time required to complete a single task by just 10 or 20 minutes can have a significant long-term effect, maximizing the service life of the RITEG for further scientific research and exploration.
A lot remains to be done
Engineers are implementing new features in Curiosity based on their experience operating it. Several mechanical issues required a redesign of the sample collection method using a drill bit mounted on a robotic arm, and movement capabilities were improved through software updates. When the color filter stopped rotating on one of the two cameras mounted on Mastcam, Curiosity’s rotating “head,” the team devised a workaround that allowed them to capture the same beautiful panoramas.
NASA has also developed an algorithm to reduce damage to Curiosity’s wheels, which are worn down from hitting rocks. Although engineers are closely monitoring any new damage, they are not concerned. After 35 kilometers of driving and extensive research, it became clear that, despite wear and tear, the wheels are capable of serving for many more years. In combination, these measures allow Curiosity to operate as actively as before.
The Perseverance rover has discovered unusual formations that are almost perfectly spherical in shape. According to scientists, they were formed as a result of the cooling of molten material.
Spherical particles found by Perseverance in Martian soil. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Spherical particles are not what you would expect to find in Martian soil. However, two decades ago, the Opportunity rover discovered spherical hematite formations (unofficially nicknamed “blueberries”) near its landing site on the Meridiani Plateau.
Now, the Perseverance rover has also managed to detect spherical particles. The discovery was made in an area unofficially named Witch Hazel Hill. Spherical formations are embedded in the bedrock and scattered throughout the area. Perseverance studied them by taking a series of images and measuring their elemental composition.
Despite their external similarity to “blueberries,” these spherical particles have a completely different composition and, probably, origin. The fragments found by Opportunity consisted of hematite minerals, and they’re thought to have formed in groundwater-rich sediments way back in Mars’ past.
For comparison, these spherical particles are composed of basalt and were probably formed as a result of a meteorite impact or volcanic eruption. When a meteorite hits the surface of Mars, it can melt rock and spray droplets of molten rock into the air. These droplets can cool quickly, solidify into spherical particles, and fall as rain onto the surrounding area. Alternatively, spherical particles could have formed from molten lava during the eruption.
The Perseverance team intends to continue searching for answers to the question of the origin of these spherical particles. If they were formed as a result of an ancient impact, they can tell us about the composition of the impactor and shed light on the formation of craters in the early history of Mars. If they were caused by a volcanic eruption, they may preserve traces of past volcanic activity in the area around Jezero crater. In any case, these spherical particles are a reminder of a dynamic period in the distant past of the Red Planet.
Apollo, a new humanoid robot designed to work alongside humans, could be poised to reshape the industrial workforce and other industries, according to its developers, who unveiled their creation last month.
Billed as “the world’s most capable humanoid robot,” Apollo was the result of more than a decade of planning and development by Apptronik, a Texas-based company founded within the University of Austin’s Human Centered Robotics Lab.
The company, which describes its mission as being aimed at leveraging “innovative technology for the betterment of society,” says Apollo is the first commercial humanoid robot “designed for friendly interaction, mass manufacturability, performance, and safety,” according to a press release.
Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, says that as the labor environment is changing, with trends in employment increasingly impacting the global economy, introducing robotics into the warehouse and other industrial environments will have numerous benefits.
“People don’t want to do robotic, physically demanding work in tough conditions and they shouldn’t have to,” Cardenas says, adding that the robotics his company is developing are more than a novel response to this issue, but are “a necessity.”
Apollo demonstrating its performance capabilities in a warehouse environment (Image courtesy of Apptronik)
Robots have already been in use in warehouses and other industrial work environments for decades. From their role in the automotive and agricultural industries to robot-assisted surgery, robotic floor cleaners, and even robots that deliver pizza, the implementation of robotics alongside humans has already become a fundamental part of the workplace for many.
Humanoid robots are a newer development. In 2016, Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics presented Sophia, a kind of social robot that demonstrates the ability to learn from humans and can talk, draw, and even sing. In 2017, Toyota unveiled its T-HR3 as a kind of robotic avatar that can mimic the movements of a human operator. As far as humanoid robots in the workplace, however, examples in recent years include Ford announcing in 2020 that it would be bringing Digit, a headless worker robot designed by Agility Robotics, into its factories.
Apptronik’s robotic addition to the industrial workplace is arguably one of the most human-like to perform such functions, which was part of its intended design. Apollo’s features were customized to offer a friendly and welcoming appearance aimed at emulating a “congenial face-to-face exchange with a favorite co-worker.”
At a height of around 5 feet, eight inches, Apollo can lift up to 55 pounds and possesses a specially designed force control architecture that allows it to maintain a safe operation around people that its designers liken more to collaborative robots (i.e., those designed for direct interaction with humans in an environment) as opposed to other traditional industrial robots.
Apollo is also designed to be cost-effective, offering what Apptronik bills as the “first truly mass manufacturable humanoid design and has been optimized for supply chain resiliency” that will help facilitate the scaled production of affordable humanoid robots for various sectors of American industry.
Apptronik is also currently working with NASA to help bring its robotic solutions into space since humanoid robots may be capable of performing a variety of functions that include reducing the amount of time humans must spend working in potentially hazardous environments.
“Humans are toolmakers,” Cardenas said in a post on Apptronik’s website. “Since the beginning of time, we have built tools to help us do more with less.”
“I believe that we are at an amazing point in human history,” he added. “A point where we can finally build for ourselves the ultimate tools. Machines that have the ability to harness the power of computers and software in the physical world.”
Cardenas says he and his company believe “Apollo is one of the most advanced tools humanity has ever created” and calls the robot a “tool that is built by humans, for humans.” Apollo also happens to be a robotic worker that looks like humans, setting it on course to potentially help reshape how humans work and, more broadly, how we live.
The Gimbal UFO event stands as a significant pillar in the UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) disclosure, introducing US military whistleblowers who claim to have witnessed the phenomena they describe as “non-human.” In 2020, the U.S. Department of Defense released three pivotal UAP videos that triggered widespread discussions within the UFO community, prompting inquiries into the information held by the US government regarding these phenomena.
These videos capture UFO encounters from November 2004 and two separate incidents from January 2015, each identified by distinctive nicknames: Flir (2004), Go Fast (2015), and Gimbal (2015). They depict pilots tracking unidentified objects in the sky. Among these, the renowned 2015 UFO “Gimbal” footage was recorded by US fighter pilots near the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, as an unidentified object appeared on their radar. Despite the pilots mentioning, “There’s a whole fleet of them, look on the SA,” the footage only displays a single mysterious object at the center of the frame.
Apart from Ryan Graves, a former Lt. U.S. Navy and F/A-18F pilot, there is another least discussed whistleblower who experienced the famous Gimbal UFO event. Matthew Roberts, a former cryptologist in the US Navy with 16 years of service, shared his experience and encounters with non-human entity during a Netflix series “Encounters.” He was present on the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2015 during an event involving the now-famous “Gimbal footage.”
After going on several military missions and teaching other code experts while working on land, Matthew Roberts moved to the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) for three years. His time at ONI ended in March 2020, and that is when he chose to quit the military, even though he was close to retiring in four years. The reason for leaving was the intense and personal experiences he had with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) while at ONI, which he writes about in his book named “Initiated.”
Roberts described his initial reaction to the gimbal footage: “I was watching this footage, and I could see no kind of aviation surfaces that you would expect to see — wings, tail, rudders. There’s none of that.” He struggled to comprehend the unconventional movement of the object, stating, “I couldn’t really make sense of why this thing was kind of up in the air like it was.”
As he looked more closely at the video, Roberts realized something important: “I knew it didn’t belong to us or anyone else. So, the only other possibility, I think, is that it’s technology from non-human intelligence.”
Given his classified role and access to sensitive information, Roberts was aware that such encounters were not isolated incidents for the Navy: “I was kind of aware this was not a one-off event for the Navy. These things happen frequently, all the time, going against the wind.” Roberts confessed to being captivated by the footage, watching it obsessively. Despite his access to classified information, he had no awareness of the actions taken by the upper chain of command concerning these encounters.
In 2017, after transferring to the Office of Naval Intelligence, Roberts claimed to have had follow-on experiences with what he described as nonhuman entities. He recounted unsettling encounters where he would wake up feeling his body being moved across the bed and experiencing a hand grabbing his arm. Roberts believed these encounters were evidence of non-human intelligence.
“In 2017, I moved to the Office of Naval Intelligence, where I was going to work as an analyst. Shortly after I got there, I began having experiences related to the phenomenon. It was like the start of seeing nonhuman entities in my room at night. I would wake up several times a week, feeling my body sliding across the bed, and I knew they were taking me. One time, I woke up because I felt a hand grab my arm. I tried to raise my hands to my face, but I couldn’t move. I could see the outline of a shadowy figure with a torso, two arms, and a head standing over me.
Back when I was in the Navy and saw the footage, I already knew there was something nonhuman out there. So, when these entities started appearing in my room, I knew all of this was real. I had the comfort of knowing I wasn’t going crazy; I understood what it was. There’s a lot of sensor and radar evidence. I believe that if they just release all the footage and say, “Hey, this is what we have, we don’t even have to explain it, we don’t know,” there would be no doubt about whether the phenomenon is real. Everyone would know it.”
Thinking about all the sensor and radar evidence, Roberts said that if they share all the available videos, people would not doubt if the UFO phenomenon is real. He said, “Everyone would know it.” Roberts’ account provides a unique perspective on the UFO phenomenon, combining his military background, access to classified information, and personal experiences with what he believes to be non-human entities.
Mick West, known for debunking UAPs, provided his explanation for the objects: arguing that mundane things – tech glitches, camera glare, balloons, and birds – are more likely than aliens. However, Journalist Daniel Lavelle
The book describes how Roberts went through strange experiences: encountering UFO aliens, other bizarre entities along with a series of other happenings forced him to question his sanity. “Initiated” tells the story of how Roberts went through tough times but came out on the other side as a changed person. He can now say he is truly “initiated.”
During his AMA on Reddit, Roberts described the non-human entities: “I saw ones that had blue skin and were tall. I saw very tall white ones that resembled Jack Skellington. I saw one that looked like a yard gnome. I saw some that appeared to radiate white light. I don’t know where they were from they never revealed that.”
Matthew Roberts explains that he never tried to film any of the encounters with non-human entities in his bedroom. When asked if he considered setting up a recording device, he mentions that these encounters often happen when individuals are in an altered state or when the entities appear in the sky with a craft, conveniently when the person does not have his cell phone.
He considered recording the experiences but decided against it. He reasons that it would not convince everyone, as some might think he faked it. Roberts believes the argument over the authenticity of any images would overshadow the main point, which is encouraging people to seek and have their own experiences with consciousness. He emphasizes that he does not need people to believe him; instead, he wants others to explore consciousness firsthand.
Roberts asserts that the truth of these experiences has been documented for thousands of years by various individuals, citing such authors as William Walker Atkinson, Mabel Collins, Joseph Campbell, Dr. John Mack, and Dr. Robert Moore. He challenges the notion that he could have orchestrated the biggest hoax in human history, suggesting that there may be something genuinely significant in these experiences.
He points to the wealth of evidence available for those willing to examine it, citing a podcast by Mark Gober called “Where is My Mind,” where accomplished scientists discuss their work on consciousness. Roberts believes that understanding consciousness surviving death is a crucial aspect of our existence, mentioning the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS) and the substantial prizes offered for evidence of consciousness after death.
He suggested that these entities seem to have a significant level of control over the experiences people have, which contributes to why some individuals perceive these encounters as malevolent or evil. He acknowledged that many people who invest time and money into gathering evidence of these phenomena often end up without conclusive results.
In highlighting the rarity of tangible evidence, Roberts mentioned a particular case involving Peter Khoury, where there was reportedly some DNA evidence. However, he does not go into detail about the specifics of that case.
Roberts shared that his conscious experiences with these entities began in late 2017 and continued until the spring of 2018. During this period, he claimed to have been taken several times a week. He recounts instances of sleep paralysis as a child, where he felt a heavy presence and heard whispers. He mentioned a specific incident when he was a small boy, wrapping himself up tightly in a blanket to prevent the entities from whispering in his ear, a practice he later remembered and replicated as an adult.
In his book, Roberts takes a “mythopoetic approach to alien intrusion,” drawing parallels between his experiences and myths, religious texts, and the Hero’s Journey described by Joseph Campbell. He believes that within these encounters, individuals undergo a transformative process, akin to the cycle of death and resurrection, ultimately leading to a change in oneself.
Because of the intense experiences he had, Matthew Roberts decided to quit his military job. He then went to study psychology to learn more about the mind and emotions related to UFO phenomena. He is also working on another book that explains how his way of thinking influenced the unusual experiences he went through.
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Ex-Navy pilot says he saw UFOs that did things his plane could not do
Chris Bledsoe, an American experiencer, has recently come forward with remarkable claims about mysterious beings, government fear, and a prophecy linked to the year 2026.
For the first time, on the Bledsoe Said So podcast, he revealed that NASA asked for his help to understand orbs that were harassing their astronauts. He said this is the first time he has spoken publicly about these things, even though he has known about them for 18 years. According to him, these orbs are not just lights in space. He says they are angelic beings that come out of the orbs and can be as tall as 125 feet. Some of them have wings and even smile at the astronauts.
Chris explained that he worked with NASA for years and has proof, including photos, videos, and official documents, along with meetings with high-level scientists. NASA was interested in him because these beings seemed to like him and communicated with him, while avoiding official agencies. NASA wanted to know why the beings chose him and why they were bothering their astronauts.
He claimed that all astronauts have seen orbs or these beings in space, even though this has never been officially released. These beings appear outside space shuttles, looking through the windows or floating above the shuttle bay or space station. Sometimes they are glowing, and there are reports of several of them standing together, up to 125 feet tall with wings, smiling at the astronauts.
Chris described them as energy beings that come out of glowing orbs. He says they are angelic and can appear in many forms. They can be six or seven feet tall or much larger. They can look like drones or flying saucers and can even split into two or many forms.
He revealed that the government is very afraid of these mysterious beings or phenomena. He calls them “plasmoids” or angelic beings and says the fear comes from the fact that the government cannot control them and has no way to defend against them.
He has attended high-level meetings in Washington, D.C. with congressmen and military officials who are scared and uncertain about how to handle these beings.
According to Chris, the government does not want the public to interact with or think about these entities because they fears losing control. To prevent this, they twist the truth or create fear by labeling the beings as aliens, plasmoids, or Chinese drones. This creates confusion and fear in people who don’t understand what is going on.
On Danny Jones’ podcast, Bledsoe revealed that after his first encounter with orbs in 2007, the sightings never stopped. They continued from that night onward. He kept seeing things in the sky, and it was always very obvious to him. He wrote many stories about these experiences in his book, though only part of what he wrote was published. He originally wrote about 140,000 words, but the final version had only around 90,000 words, including the introduction, so a lot was left out.
His daughter added that their mom was not very comfortable with these experiences and did not encourage them. But Chris would still secretly wake up her and her brothers, Ryan and Jeremy, late at night, sometimes at 2 or 3 a.m., to go outside and watch orbs appear in their yard. These glowing balls of light would sometimes come very close. After watching them, the kids would just go to bed and then go to school the next day as if nothing strange had happened.
Chris explained that some of the orbs were enormous, about 50 feet wide and 100 yards away. They were as big as trees and would float through the trees or hover for hours. One time, a blue orb stayed in place near their door, and they could watch it through the window as it moved around the trees.
When asked if the orbs made any sounds, Chris said that sometimes they did and sometimes they did not. When they made noise, it sounded like buzzing or sizzling, similar to the crackling sound an old light switch might make when you flip it. But he never noticed any kind of smell with them.
At one point, they look at a photo showing Chris Jr., his son, and Chris points out that behind his son, near the wood, is where he had an encounter with a small three-foot-tall being. That is also where the orbs landed in his yard. He says the orbs left marks on the ground that killed the grass, leaving big circles with a little patch of grass left in the center like a donut. There were three such circles. Some orbs even skimmed along the ground, burning the grass as they moved before settling down.
a photo showing Chris Jr., his son, and Chris points out that behind his son, near the wood, is where he had an encounter with a small three-foot-tall being.
Chris mentions that MUFON, the Mutual UFO Network, tested the soil in those areas. MUFON is a volunteer-based organization where people can report UFO sightings and get them investigated by enthusiasts and researchers.
Chris also said that one of the trees near where the orb landed, a large oak tree, died afterward. Its limbs just started falling off, and eventually the whole tree crumbled. He connects this to the orb landing only about 12 feet away from it.
On the Shawn Ryan Show, Chris discussed a powerful spiritual experience he had on Easter in 2012. He said a woman appeared to him in a vision. He calls her “The Lady” and also refers to her as “Hathor,” the ancient Egyptian goddess. She told him to start sharing his paranormal experiences with the world, including her message.
At the time, he believed he had been abducted by some force but didn’t remember the details right away. Later, he began to remember more. He said he was taken around the Earth in a clear bubble and shown different places, including Egypt, Hathor’s temple, and the Sphinx. He noticed the Sphinx was facing East.
In 2013, the same woman returned and showed him visions of the future. She gave him a prophecy. She said, “When the Red Star of Regulus appears on the horizon before daylight in the gaze of the Sphinx, at that time will be a New Knowledge to come to this planet.”
Chris said he told scientists and researchers about this, and when they checked it with astronomical tools, they confirmed that this rare alignment will happen on Easter in the year 2026.
After this, government-related groups began to focus on the date through remote viewing. Now the year 2026, and even 2027, is being talked about more in the media as a time when something big could happen. Chris says even well-known people like Lue Elizondo have mentioned 2026.
He also had a moment with a man named Robert Grant, who had been searching for a special ruby he thought needed to be placed between the paws of the Sphinx for a major event. But Chris told him it wasn’t a ruby. It was the star Regulus. Grant reacted strongly and said, “It’s the king star.”
This message from “The Lady” lines up with something Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic, predicted decades ago. Cayce said there is a hidden “Hall of Records” under the Sphinx in Egypt. He believed it contains ancient knowledge that could change the world.
According to Cayce, the chamber would only be discovered when certain stars and planets align. He described a specific moment when the shadow or light from the rising sun would fall between the Sphinx’s paws, marking the right time.
He said the entrance to the chamber would stay sealed until humanity is ready. The records are believed to contain information like:
The history of Atlantis, an advanced civilization that supposedly sank into the ocean
Details about the people of Atlantis, their technology, and spiritual wisdom
Knowledge about where humans came from and why we exist
A connection between the Atlanteans and ancient Egyptians
Cayce believed this knowledge would only be revealed when humanity becomes more spiritually aware. When that happens, it could bring in a new and better era for the world.
Chris Bledsoe now believes that whatever happens in 2026 might be connected to all of this. He even hints that it could be the return of Christ.
When aliens arrive on Earth in their flying saucers, they do so for a reason and intend to abduct people. At least that is what movies and popular social myths convince us. But does it all make sense?
Why might aliens abduct humans?
Abduction of humans by aliens
Imagine that you have arrived in another star system, discovered an Earth-like planet, and that it has not only life, but also an advanced alien civilization. What would you do in this case? How about abducting a few dozen aliens and doing something strange with them on board your ship?
At least, according to popular beliefs, this is what aliens who come to our planet do to people. Dozens of movies have been made about this, and many people claim to have experienced something similar.
Of course, there is no scientific evidence that anything like this is happening. The proof of the existence of UFOs was extremely dubious 50 years ago, and it remains so. But let’s imagine that the aliens are us, that we have arrived in the Solar System and seen cities inhabited by some intelligent beings. Does it make sense for us to resort to crime?
The traditional story of alien abduction. Source: Frank R. Paul
Biochemistry and Biology
The first and foremost reason given for alien abductions is biological research. At first glance, this seems logical, but not from the point of view of an evolutionary biologist and ecologist.
Because any intelligent life on the planet is part of the biosphere, and the biosphere is the result of biological evolution. Its source is biochemical processes. Therefore, the basis for studying the biology of intelligent beings is the study of the physical parameters and chemical composition of the atmosphere and hydrosphere. This data is already sufficient in principle to understand the basis of life on the new world.
Further, microorganisms can be obtained from air and water samples, the study of which will already provide more information about the intelligent population of the planet than primitive vivisection. Since the synthesis of proteins based on DNA and RNA in living organisms is essentially the same, the process is not significantly different.
The study of infusoria may give aliens more knowledge about humans than one might think. Source: ua.mozaweb.com
In addition, we should not forget about passive surveillance. Flying drones into a forest, coral reef, or savannah and getting information from them about how people move, who eats whom, and how they reproduce is much easier than abducting some drunken native and then having to deal with him when he starts telling you what you did to him.
Then we can take representatives of non-sapient species from nature and study them. This will already provide enough information about the general anatomy of living beings on this planet, and as a result, about the approximate anatomy of representatives of the local civilization. This is called the method of deduction, which is the derivation of individual statements from general ones.
Based on the study of the anatomy of species close to them and simple observations, it is already possible to find out 99 percent of all the information that can be obtained by directly studying the abducted intelligent being.
If you need someone for biological research, why not abduct, for example, a representative of the San people from the Kalahari Desert? Source: www.naturepl.com
Books and the Internet
All of the above makes sense only if the alien ship is dealing with a civilization that is at a pre-industrial stage of development. To study the biology of natives with a more advanced civilization, you can use their help.
After all, any advanced civilization must have medicine. And stealing an anatomy textbook and a medical encyclopedia will be much easier and more invisible than stealing a person. After all, who knows their biology better than the locals?
Of course, the language will have to be deciphered, but if you have the time and desire to remain undetected, this is a much more justified practice than abducting people. The library should be one of the first targets for aliens, because it is ready-made knowledge, not only about biology but also about everything that is happening or has happened on the planet. Of course, there may be mistakes in interpreting what is written, but stealing books for aliens is still much more effective than abducting people.
Why cut a person if the answers can be found in an anatomical atlas?
What can we say about the Internet? You can simply connect to it, decrypt it, and you do not need any hijacking at all.
Culture, politics, and volunteers
By the way, if the aliens, which we are, want to interact with the natives in the future in some way other than turning around and flying away, then information about the culture and political realities of the latter will be more important to them than biology. After all, even if it is in your interest to simply destroy your competitors, provoking a world war would be the most effective way to weaken them.
Suppose your plans are more peaceful, for example. In that case, you simply want to turn the planet into your colony, then information about how local culture and politics work becomes vital to you. And again, it is easiest to get this information from publicly available information sources, if they have already appeared on the planet.
And forcibly abducting someone to find out all the clear points is probably the worst way to keep up with all the events. It is much more effective to look for voluntary helpers. After all, if the civilization on the planet has already “grown up” to the idea of the existence of other worlds and life on them, there will be enthusiasts for contact among the population.
And these are the natives who do not need to be abducted. They will voluntarily provide their bodies for the study of everything that is still in question in the field of biology and tell us everything they know about the world around them.
Why look for ways to exterminate humanity if it has already invented them? Source: commons.com.ua
After all, unlike abduction victims, they will not tell you that something strange has happened to them. And finally, assistants can then run errands for you on the planet, search for information, or prepare the ground for contact.
Exotic causes
The abduction of humans by aliens for study for further peaceful contact, conquest, or extermination does not make sense if they have sufficient time and resources for detailed research. It does make sense if the contact is certain to be non-peaceful and very quick.
For example, if some nomadic horde of aliens is planning to pass through the Solar System in the coming decades, and they are going to just eat everything here and fly on, abduction, interrogation, and anatomization may be a strategy. But then there will be no aborigines who return to their people and tell them that they were abducted.
The situation is similar with such exotic possibilities as abducting people for alien zoos, hunting us for food or for ritual purposes, and all that. In these cases, there would simply be no witnesses. At the same time, the scenarios themselves seem somewhat far-fetched.
Independence Day (1996) depicts one of the few scenarios where alien abduction is justified. Source: icantunseethatmovie.com
Finally, if we are to consider all versions, we should not forget about the idea of abduction for mating and hybridizing aliens and natives, no matter how strange it may sound. And this is where abduction is a completely unnecessary thing. This particular task is much easier to accomplish with the help of volunteers.
So in fact, even if aliens are exploring the Earth right now, they are not likely to abduct someone by force and then return them. But they will get collaborators, but the latter will not talk about any violence on their part.
But they will almost certainly tell you how good it is to meet aliens. By the way, there are plenty of such stories, although they are less common than abduction stories. In ge }neral, we cannot rule out the possibility that other civilizations have been observing us for centuries, and their methods of obtaining information are so integrated into our society that we simply do not distinguish them from our own culture.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Unclassified materials about UFOs
Unclassified materials about UFOs
As every conspiracy theorist knows, governments around the world and especially the United States hide from us the truth about unidentified flying objects that are UFOs. However, while everyone is looking for classified materials, we have prepared for you a number of completely unclassified facts about these phenomena, about which you might not have known anything until now.
In this picture you see a typical UFO
1. Who coined this term?
The term “UFOs” means “unidentified flying objects”. This term means absolutely everything that flies, but at the same time it is not possible to understand what this is right away. Then such an object may turn out to be a secret plane, a bird, an enemy probe, a plastic package, a cloud, or something completely mysterious. But the term does not mean any mystical or extra-planetary origin of the object.
The term “UFO” was first used in 1951 by Edward James Ruppelt. He was an engineer and an officer of the American Air Force and, among other things, participated in the Blue Book program, the purpose of which was to figure out what it was flying in the American sky.
2. When did people first observe UFOs?
However, people saw strange objects in the sky long before Ruppelt first used the term “UFO”. Reports about them can be found even in medieval chronicles. However, until the 20th century, these were isolated cases that no one paid much attention to. They became massive during the Second World War.
But even then the attention to them was limited. The real hysteria began only in 1947, when the pilot of a private plane, Kenneth Arnold, reported that he saw 9 objects similar in shape to sickles, which made strange movements in flight, like saucers that were thrown along the surface of the water. So they were bouncing.
However, the journalists misunderstood Arnold and thought that the objects were shaped like saucers. So the term “flying saucer” got into the media, and since then most UFOs that people see have this shape.
3. Do UFOs have any explanation?
Every year people see hundreds and thousands of unidentified flying objects in the sky. However, over time, quite earthly explanations are found for the absolute majority of them. Astronomical and atmospheric phenomena account for a large share. Quite a few UFOs also turn out to be airplanes, helicopters, balloons and drones.
Usually 5-10 percent of the total number of observations remains, for which there is no explanation. However, this does not always mean that something unnatural happened in these cases. Often, there is simply not enough data about what exactly happened to identify an object.
4. What is Area 51?
In the state of Nevada there is an object that is officially called Homey Airport, but most people know it by the name “Area 51”. Allegedly, this is how it is named in one of the documents from the Vietnam War.
From 1955 to the present day, Homey Airport has been a top secret facility of the American Air Force. And, according to popular conspiracy theories, it is here that the wreckage of shot-down UFOs, or even the bodies of aliens, are stored.
However, there is a completely earthly reason for the secrecy of this place. It was here that the high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft U-2 and SR-71 and the F-117 stealth aircraft were tested
5. Why did UFOs disappear from American secret documents?
It is impossible to find the term “UFO” in modern documents of the American military. But this does not mean that they have lost interest in them or completely classify everything. On the contrary, right now these studies have the most global character in recent decades and are as open as the situation allows.
The Pentagon has officially created an entire AARO department, which collects information about all the incomprehensible things that happen in the sky, studies them and even issues reports that are partially open. Why they cannot be fully discovered became clear in 2023, when part of the “unidentified aerial phenomena”, as UFOs are now called, turned out to be Chinese unmanned balloons that were studying something in the United States with the help of “scientific” equipment.
August 5, 2025, will be one of the shortest days in history. Meanwhile, scientists are at a loss as to the reasons for the mysterious acceleration of the Earth.
Earth. Source: NASA
The period of the Earth’s rotation around its axis (one full rotation of 360 degrees relative to the stars) lasts 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4.1 seconds. This is known as a sidereal day. It explains why stars and planets rise in the east about four minutes earlier each day, and why the night sky changes depending on the season. After all, the Earth moves in its orbit around the Sun while simultaneously rotating around its axis.
But the fact is that we live according to the solar day, not the sidereal day. It is measured from noon to noon and lasts exactly 24 hours (86,400 seconds). Since official records began in 1973, the length of daylight has steadily increased, mainly due to the Moon. As it moves around the Earth, it creates friction, causing its orbit to shift further away from our planet. At the same time, the Earth’s rotational energy is transferred to the Moon, which leads to a slowdown in the Earth’s rotation and, consequently, to an increase in the length of days.
However, this situation has changed in recent years. After decades of slowing down, our planet’s rotation has accelerated — and researchers cannot provide a clear explanation for why. In 2025, they predicted three dates when the solar day on Earth would be shorter than 24 hours: July 9 (1.23 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours), July 22 (1.36 milliseconds shorter), and August 5 (1.25 milliseconds shorter). The title of the shortest day in history is currently held by July 5, 2024. On that day, the day was 1.66 milliseconds shorter than 24 hours.
A difference of just 1.25 milliseconds from the 86,400-second mark may seem insignificant, but it is indicative of global processes that we are not yet able to understand. According to one theory, global warming is to blame. On the other hand, the acceleration is caused by the slowing down of the liquid part of the Earth’s core, as a result of which the rest of the planet rotates faster.
Regardless of the reasons for the acceleration, according to scientists, if the current trend continues until 2029, then, for the first time in history, a so-called negative leap second may be added to compensate for the deviation.
Discover interesting facts about where alien life forms are likely to exist, and what they look like.
(Image credit: KTSDESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY via Getty Images)
Quick facts about aliens
Has extraterrestrial life been discovered?: Not yet!
Where are scientists looking for aliens?: Water-rich bodies in our solar system, like Jupiter's moon Europa, and Earth-like exoplanets — planets outside our solar system
How many planets in the Milky Way have the right conditions for life? An estimated 300 million
E.T., Stitch, Chewbacca, Groot — humans have a lot of ideas about what aliens might look like. But what is the science behind extraterrestrial life? Is it possible that humans will ever experience "first contact" with an alien species?
Many scientists hope so. They're looking for extraterrestrial life on planets with conditions that look like Earth's. A life-friendly planet would probably have water, for example. And for water to be a liquid, the planet must be the perfect distance from its sun for that water not to freeze or turn into a gas.
There's no evidence yet for life on other planets, but as scientists discover more and more planets outside our solar system, they're hopeful that some of these worlds will be "just right" for life to exist or evolve there.
5 fast facts about aliens
Scientists have been listening for alien signals with special radio receivers since 1992. They haven't picked up any yet!
Mars might have once hosted life — most likely tiny things like bacteria — but scientists can't say for sure.
Jupiter's moon Europa has an ocean, and it might have hydrothermal vents, or cracks in the seafloor where hot water seeps through. Scientists think life on Earth may have evolved in hydrothermal vents.
The "Goldilocks zone" is the space around a star where temperatures allow liquid water to exist. Many scientists think planets in the Goldilocks zone are those most likely to host life.
Sci-fi aliens like Baby Yoda are fun to imagine, but scientists are serious about extraterrestrial life. There are some 100 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy and at least 2 trillion galaxies in the universe we can study. If most of those stars have at least one planet around them, there could be up to 20 billion trillion extraterrestrial worlds out there.
Given those numbers, it would be shocking if only a single planet — Earth — had life. But our closest neighbors in the solar system, Mars and Venus, don't seem to have any life. Some moons of Saturn and Jupiter have water, so they could have life — most likely tiny creatures the size of germs. If Earthlings ever meet aliens face-to-face, they'll probably need a microscope to say hi.
Until scientists find some firm proof, such as a communication signal from an alien world or fossilized microbes from Mars, Earth remains the only planet where life is known to exist.
What might aliens look like?
What aliens would look like would depend on where they came from. For example, on the icy moons in our solar system (Jupiter's Ganymede and Europa, and Saturn's Enceladus), life could thrive around hydrothermal vents in the oceans under the ice. This life might look like the weird creatures of the deep ocean seen on Earth. There could be primitive microbes, like Earth's single-celled Archaea. There might be relatively simple creatures with many cells in their body, sort of like Earth's tube worms, which live off chemicals from the vent fluid.
Earth formed about 4.5 billion years ago, and we think the first life existed by about 4.2 billion years ago. But life on Earth started simple and stayed that way for a long time. The first microbes that produced carbon evolved at least 3.7 billion years ago. (Carbon is an element that is a part of all known life.) But the kind of cells that gave rise to animals, plants and other complex life-forms didn't evolve until between 2.7 billion and 1.8 billion years ago. Life-forms made of many cells didn't show up until 600 million years ago. And modern humans came on the scene only around 300,000 years ago.
That means that, if other planets with life are like Earth, the time period in which they might host intelligent life (or even something as cuddly as a koala) is pretty brief. But there's a good chance that human life might overlap with microbial life on another planet.
Scientists do think that life on other planets would be driven by the same processes as it is on Earth, namely evolution. Changes to the environment drive living things to change, leading to new and more complex species. So a planet out in space that is like Earth and has been through many changes in its surface, rocks and climate would probably have complex life, too. In that case, aliens might face similar challenges and needs as here on Earth, and thus might evolve similar features. Eyes, for example, have evolved independently dozens of times on Earth, and they might evolve in life on other planets, too.
Superpowerful telescopes are allowing researchers to detect planets beyond our solar system that might host life. This image shows some exoplanets that might be similar to Earth (from left to right): Kepler-22b, Kepler-69c, Kepler-452b, Kepler-62f and Kepler-186f. Earth is on the far right. (Image credit: NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech)
Where might aliens live?
Some scientists still hold out hope that life exists elsewhere in our solar system. If it does, it's probably on one of the these moons:
Ganymede: Jupiter's largest moon is bigger than Mercury and hides a giant ocean under its icy surface.
Europa: Another moon of Jupiter with an ice-bound ocean, Europa has liquid water, heat generated by the pull of Jupiter's gravity, and chemicals that are the building blocks of life.
Enceladus: This Saturn moon spews water vapor that contains carbon compounds from its surface. One of these compounds, hydrogen cyanide, is important for the origin of life.
Titan: This moon of Saturn is very cold, but it does have carbon-rich liquid on its surface. Any life found on Titan would have to thrive in conditions not seen on Earth.
Triton: Neptune's moon Triton is very, very cold, but it might have an ocean under its surface layer of ice. It also has geological activity in the form of geysers that erupt when the sun heats the nitrogen ice on the planet's surface.
And our next-door neighbor, Mars, may have hosted life in the past, because it used to have liquid water and an atmosphere. Today, any life would have to persist in deep pools of water below the Red Planet's surface.
Outside the solar system, scientists are continually discovering new exoplanets. They can learn things about these planets' atmospheres by studying the types of light waves they see using superpowerful telescopes. One promising exoplanet for life is called K2-18b. This world is too far for humans to visit, but the light from the planet has reached Earth. This light tells us the planet has an ocean. Scientists think they've detected some chemicals in K2-18b's atmosphere that could be made by marine life, but they don't know for sure.
How are scientists looking for aliens?
Scientists look for aliens in a few different ways.
First, they listen for alien signals. This is called "passive SETI," for "search for extraterrestrial intelligence." If aliens are smart like we are, their technology might send signals into the cosmos. On Earth, for example, all of the radio waves from our phones, satellites and TV station communications "leak" into space, and these leaking radio waves could be picked up if anyone were listening. So Earthlings use telescopes designed to pick up radio waves from space, hoping to find extraterrestrial signals.
That only works for tech-savvy aliens, though. Scientists also use light to look at the kinds of molecules that are present on far-off planets and moons. On Earth, some molecules are usually or always made by living things, so if those molecules are found elsewhere, they could be a sign of life. This kind of research lets scientists look for hints of life on exoplanets that are too far away to reach with a spacecraft.
Scientists also send spacecraft to the nearby places where life might exist. The Mars rovers, for example, collect rock samples that could contain evidence of fossilized ancient Martian microbes. (They haven't found any yet, but you never know!) NASA is planning to send a drone with propellers, called Dragonfly, to Saturn's moon Titan in 2028. Dragonfly would reach Titan by 2034 and search for chemicals tied to life. The European Space Agency would like to send a mission to Enceladus, also to search for signs of past or present life.
NASA's Kepler space telescope before it launched into orbit, trailing Earth around the sun. The telescope is one of the key tools astronomers use to discover exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. (Image credit: NASA/KSC)
Are UFOs aliens?
Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) are things in the sky that aren't explained. The first modern UFO sighting goes back to 1947, when a U.S. fighter pilot reported seeing flying saucers in Washington. Not every UFO sighting can be explained, but many turn out to be events with an Earthly origin. For example, the famous "UFO crash" from Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947 was actually debris from an experimental military balloon that was supposed to pick up sound waves from atomic bomb tests in the Soviet Union.
More recently, strange videos have shown seemingly quick-moving, hovering objects. These "unidentified aerial phenomena" (UAPs) don't have an official explanation. However, they could be normal objects that seem to be moving quickly due to optical illusions, or things that aren't what they appear to be. The pilot who took the videos might have been seeing drones, weather balloons or even birds.
Any alien civilization with the kind of technology to build spacecraft has to be an enormous distance away, given that the closest exoplanet that has the right conditions for life is Proxima Centauri B, which is 24 trillion miles away. Proxima Centauri B isn't very close, and it might not have an atmosphere. So it might not have life at all, much less life that could travel to us. And we would need some seriously advanced way to get there: With current Earth technology, it would take 6,300 years for a spacecraft to travel from Earth to Proxima Centauri B.
In other words, no, UFOs probably aren't aliens. An alien civilization could send a spacecraft to our planet, but it would mean the aliens who sent it in the first place — and their kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great-grandkids and so on — would probably be long dead before the craft reached us. So it's a lot more likely that UFO sightings are cases of mistaken identity.
Scientists pinpointed key "regulators" that help control the metabolisms of hibernators, and say the same genes might hold untapped benefits for humans.
There are genes that help to regulate metabolic changes tied to hibernation. This DNA, if targeted, could be beneficial to human health, some scientists think.
(Image credit: Flavio Coelho via Getty Images)
Hibernating mammals rely on particular genes to adjust their metabolisms as they enter that unique, low-energy state — and humans actually carry that same hibernation-related DNA.
Now, early research hints that leveraging this particular DNA could help treat medical conditions in people, scientists say.
Hibernation offers "a whole bunch of different biometrically important superpowers," senior study authorChristopher Gregg, a human genetics professor at the University of Utah, told Live Science.
For example, ground squirrels can develop reversible insulin resistance that helps them rapidly gain weight before they hibernate but starts fading as hibernation gets underway. A better understanding of how hibernators flip this switch could be useful for tackling the insulin resistance that characterizes type 2 diabetes, Gregg suggested.
Hibernating animals also protect their nervous systems from damage that could be caused by sudden changes in blood flow. "When they come out of hibernation, their brain is reperfused with blood," Gregg said. "Often that would cause a lot of damage, like a stroke, but they've developed ways to prevent that damage from happening."
Gregg and his colleagues think tapping into hibernation-related genes in people could unlock similar benefits.
In a pair of studies published Thursday (July 31) in the journal Science, Gregg and his team pinpointed key levers that control genes related to hibernation, showing how they differ between animals that hibernate and those that don't. Then, in the lab experiments, they delved into the effects of deleting these levers in lab mice.
Although mice don't hibernate, they can enter torpor — a lethargic state of decreased metabolism, movement and body temperature that typically lasts for less than a day — after fasting for at least six hours. This made mice a suitable genetic model for studying these effects.
Using the gene-editing techniqueCRISPR, the scientists engineered mice with one of five conserved noncoding cis elements (CREs) deactivated, or "knocked out." These CREs act as levers to control genes that, in turn, code for proteins that carry out biological functions.
The CREs targeted in the study lie near a gene cluster called the "fat mass and obesity-related locus," or the FTO locus, which is also found in humans. Gene variants found within the cluster have been tied to an elevated risk of obesity and related conditions. Broadly speaking, the FTO locus is known to be important for controlling metabolism, energy expenditure and body mass.
By knocking out the CREs, the researchers were able to change the mice's weights, metabolic rates and foraging behaviors. Some deletions sped up or slowed down weight gain, others turned metabolic rate up or down, and some affected how quickly the mice's body temperatures recovered after torpor, the researchers said in a statement.
This finding is "highly promising," particularly given the FTO locus plays a well-known role in human obesity, Kelly Drew, a specialist on hibernation biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, told Live Science in an email.
Knocking out one CRE — called E1 — in female mice caused them to gain more weight on a high-fat diet than did a comparison group with all of their DNA intact. Deleting a different CRE, called E3, changed the foraging behavior of both male and female mice, specifically changing how they searched for food hidden in an arena.
"This suggests that important differences in foraging and decision processes may exist between hibernators and non-hibernators and the elements we uncovered might be involved," Gregg said.
Unknowns to address
The study authors said their results could be relevant to humans, since the underlying genes don't differ much between mammals. "It's how [the mammals] turn those genes on and off at different times and then for different durations and in different combinations that shape different species," Gregg said.
However, "it's definitely not as simple as introducing the same changes in human DNA," Joanna Kelley, a professor who specialises in functional genomics at the University of California, Santa Cruz, told Live Science in an email. "Humans are not capable of fasting-induced torpor, which is the reason why mice are used in these studies," said Kelley, who was not involved in the work.
She suggested that future work include animals incapable of torpor, and focus on unpacking all the downstream effects of the deleted CREs. As is, the current study "definitely points the field in a new direction" in terms of how scientists understand the genetic controls driving changes in hibernators throughout the year, she added.
Drew also highlighted that torpor in mice is triggered by fasting, while true hibernation is triggered by hormonal and seasonal changes and internal clocks. So while the CREs and genes the study identified are likely critical parts of a metabolic "toolkit" that responds to fasting, they may not be a "master switch" that turns hibernation on or off.
"Nevertheless, uncovering these fundamental mechanisms in a tractable model like the mouse is an invaluable stepping stone for future research," Drew said.
Gregg emphasized that much remains unknown, including why the effects of some deletions differed in female mice versus male mice or how the changes in foraging behavior seen in mice might manifest in humans. The team also plans to research what would happen if they deleted more than one hibernation-linked CRE at a time in mice.
Down the line, Gregg thinks it could be possible to tweak the activity of humans' "hibernation hub genes" with drugs. The idea would be that this approach could yield the benefits of that gene activity — like neuroprotection — without patients having to actually hibernate, he said.
Indian LVM3 M3 on the SLP with 36 OneWeb satellites
The United States and China aren’t the only powerful, wealthy nations in the world, and they’re certainly not the only nations active in space. For example, there are the Russians, which are…kind of distracted at the moment, so for our purposes there really isn’t much to talk about there.
It seems these days that everybody wants to get a piece of the Moon for themselves, and many nations have either developed their own independent spacecraft, or took up some rideshare options available on the heavy-lift vehicles from the United States and China.
In 2007 JAXA, the Japanese space agency, launched a successful orbiter mission right around the same time that the Chinese were gearing up Chang’e 1, followed in 2008 by the Indian Space Agency’s Chandrayaan-1 mission, which was mostly an orbiter but also technically landed on the moon because the mission had an impactor that crashed (on purpose) on the lunar surface.
In 2014 we had – wait for it – Luxembourg joining the party with the Manfred Memorial Moon Mission, named after the founder of the private company that led the mission who passed away in 2014. This mission rode along with Chang’e 5 on a Long March 3C rocket, and it successfully flew by the Moon before entering an orbit that would end up sending the spacecraft crashing into the lunar surface in 2022 (we think, it’s hard to check up on that kind of stuff). This mission was notable for two reasons: one, hello Luxembourg, and two, it was the first private lunar probe to successfully fly by the moon.
In 2019 the Israeli space agency tried to send a lander, Beresheet, to the moon, and while it technically did reach the lunar surface, it wasn’t in the way they had hoped. The spacecraft, named after the first book of the Bible, suffered a failure of one of its gyroscopes during decent. Without the gyroscope, the spacecraft couldn’t orient itself properly and crashed into the lunar surface. NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter actually snapped a gruesome picture of the event.
In 2019 the Indians got another orbiter around the moon, but their attempt at a lander and rover didn’t quite make it, unfortunately.
More recently other countries have sent flybys, orbiters, and landers, including South Korea, some more from Japan, the European Space Agency, Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates, with the usual mix of successes and failures (which is to say, a lot of failures). For example, in 2022 the Hakuto-R Mission, led by JAXA and including a rover developed by the United Arab Emirates, had a software bug that prevented it from accurately gauging its altitude from the lunar surface. Eventually its altitude reached 0, but not in a good way.
But still, no humans. It’s hard to overstate just how much more difficult crewed missions to the Moon are compared to robotic spacecraft. So far, only the United States and China have at least somewhat plausible plans for getting humans to the lunar surface in any somewhat plausible timeline. So what are these other nations and agencies left to do?
Pick a side, that’s what.
Both nations have opened up their lunar programs to any partners willing to sign on (and follow the rules). This can go anywhere from a paid rideshare situation (we’ll give you a fraction of our payload capacity in exchange for some cold hard cash) to deals to co-develop critical mission parts.
On the NASA side, the Artemis project includes the European Space Agency, JAXA, the German Aerospace Center, the Italian Space Agency, the Israel Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the space program of Dubai.
In addition to that, NASA is out there in the world trying to get as many people to sign onto the Artemis Accords, which is an update to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty that allows for countries to use the moon for more than just looking around (as in, mining it to make money) but still have everybody get along and not start any moon wars. So far, 43 countries have signed the Accords, including Mexico, Canada, most South American countries, a good chunk of Europe, India, and Australia. The Accords state that they are “PRINCIPLES FOR COOPERATION IN THE CIVIL EXPLORATION AND USE OF THE MOON, MARS, COMETS, AND ASTEROIDS FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES” – note the exception of the outer planets, so if you want to have your space wars, that’s where they need to be.
One notable exception to the Artemis Accords? That’s right: China. And Russia. So two notable exceptions, who unsurprisingly aren’t so keen on a plan that essentially relies on trusting the United States. In 2021 those two countries started their own party – nope, not the communist party, a space party - called the International Lunar Research Station, which on the surface is about co-creating a long-term lunar base, but since that’s decades away it’s really more about creating a counterweight to the Artemis hegemony. And since then they’ve got many other nations to sign on to their plans as well, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Nicaragua, Serbia, Pakistan, South Africa, Thailand, Venezuela, Kazakhstan, and…Senegal. Thank you, Senegal, I’m not sure what you’re going to contribute, but we’re glad to have you on board.
The Artemis project is always going to be led by American astronauts, and I’m sure that if China makes it back to the moon first, they’re going to make sure it’s one of their citizens to take that first step. But as plans develop and partners make their bids to be more valuable, you never know who might get to ride along and plant a flag of their own.
Astronomers have published a new image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). It shows one of the most iconic regions of the sky, made famous by the Hubble Telescope.
Famous Hubble Telescope image
In 1995, scientists conducted an experiment: they pointed the Hubble telescope at a small and, as previously thought, virtually deserted area of the sky. The results of ten days of imaging amazed the researchers. It turned out that there were actually thousands of distant galaxies there. The experiment clearly demonstrated that the Universe contains orders of magnitude more galaxies than previously thought.
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field region of the sky. The photo shows 10,000 distant galaxies. Source: NASA, ESA, and S. Beckwith (STScI) and the HUDF Team
In 2003, astronomers repeated the experiment, pointing Hubble at another part of the sky in the constellation Fornax. By that time, the maintenance expedition had installed new instruments on the telescope, significantly increasing its capabilities.
Once again, the telescope did not disappoint astronomers. The famous image, dubbed the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, captured approximately 10,000 galaxies. The closest ones are about a billion light-years from Earth, and the farthest ones are at the edge of the observable Universe. They existed just 800 million years after the Big Bang.
A new look at the Hubble Ultra Deep Field
Twenty years later, astronomers decided to remake the Hubble Ultra Deep Field using JWST. It conducted observations using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) and the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam). In total, the filming took 100 hours.
The MIRI Deep Imaging Survey region. Thousands of distant galaxies can be seen in the image. The image was taken in the infrared range by James Webb. Source: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, G. Östlin, P. G. Perez-Gonzalez, J. Melinder, the JADES Collaboration, the MIDIS collaboration, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)
The published image shows the area known as the MIRI Deep Imaging Survey. It represents one of the deepest views of the Universe ever obtained. In total, JWST has detected over 2,500 sources in this tiny patch of sky. Among them are hundreds of extremely red galaxies, some of which are likely massive systems filled with dust clouds, or galaxies with old stars that formed at the dawn of the Universe. Thanks to JWST’s high resolution, even in the mid-infrared range, researchers can distinguish the structures of many of these galaxies, shedding light on their growth and evolution.
The colors in the image correspond to different wavelengths of infrared light. Orange and red correspond to the longest wavelengths. Galaxies of these colors have characteristics such as high dust concentration, abundant star formation, or active galactic nuclei.
Small greenish-white galaxies are particularly distant and have a high redshift. This shifts their light spectrum to the peak wavelengths of the data, which are shown in white and green. Most of the galaxies in the photo do not have characteristics that amplify the mid-infrared range, so they are brightest in the shorter near-infrared wavelengths, which are shown in blue and cyan.
UFOs in Canada: Canada’s top scientists are recommending the creation of a new federal body to standardize, collect and investigate unidentified aerial phenomena.
The Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada, headed by Mona Nemer, has released a new report about UAP (UFOs) in Canada.
The report aims to standardize reporting and investigative procedures among various government agencies, including the Canadian Space Agency.
While most UAP sightings are explainable, the report – as others before it – notes that some cases are difficult to explain.
UFOs in Canada: New government report
We’ve been hearing a lot lately about UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, aka UFOs). That’s largely because of a renewed discussion in the U.S. Congress. But Canada has been involved as well. The Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada (headed by Mona Nemer) has released a long-awaited new report on UAP. The office said on July 14, 2025, that the report recommends the creation of a new federal body to standardize, collect and investigate UAP reports.
Previously, the office had launched its own research initiative in 2022, known as the Sky Canada Project.
The government had released apreliminary versionof the report last January. Nemer, a cardiovascular scientist, has been Canada’s chief science advisor since 2017. The focus of this particular report was not to investigate UAP sightings specifically. Rather, it is to improve the reporting mechanisms among various government departments and agencies.
The report does not specifically address the question of what unexplained UAP might be. As the report states:
The project was not meant to prove or disprove the existence of extraterrestrial life or extraterrestrial visitors. The collection or analysis of 1st-hand data such as photos, videos or individual UAP sighting reports was not part of the project.
The report, “Management of Public Reporting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Canada,” is available on the Government of Canada website.
Establishing a dedicated reporting service for UFOs in Canada
The purpose of the report was not to investigate specific UAP sightings or make any conclusions about UAP. Instead, it recommends improvements in how such reports are handled by government departments and agencies. To this end, the Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada recommends the creation of a new federal body to standardize the process. The report states:
The mystery of unidentified phenomena in the sky has long fascinated humanity, capturing the public imagination and arousing both skepticism and curiosity. Together, the analysis presented in this report suggests that Canada would benefit from an improved process for reporting, collecting, and studying UAP sightings.
Our goal was to find the current resources and processes in place for handling and following up on UAP reports, to compare them with the best practices in other countries, and to make recommendations for potential improvements. The preparation of this report has garnered more public anticipation than any project in the history of this office.
A federal department or agency responsible for managing public UAP data should be identified. This service would collect testimonies, investigate cases and post its analyses publicly.
The Sky Canada Project recommendations provide a realistic framework for the consistent and efficient management of UAP sightings in Canada. I am confident that our leaders will take these recommendations seriously.
View larger. | 2 slightly different views of a UAP over Yukon, Canada, in February 2023. A Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft obtained the images and video during an attempted shootdown of this and 2 other objects by military aircraft. The Department of National Defense has still not released the video of this incident. Image via Department of National Defence/ CTV News.
Canadian Space Agency and other government agencies
The report specifies various government agencies that should be involved, and recommends the Canadian Space Agency to lead the effort. It also names Transport Canada, the Department of National Defense and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. According to CTV News, Transport Canada and the Canadian Space Agency have both shown interest, but need more time to determine what actions they should take. The Canadian Space Agency told CTV News:
The [Canadian Space Agency] is pleased to be recognized in the report as a trusted and respected scientific institution that regularly engages with the public on space-related matters. Although the [Canadian Space Agency] is not currently involved in the management of unidentified anomalous phenomena, it acknowledges the opportunity for coordinated action across federal departments and civilian organizations.
In regard to sightings by pilots and other aviation personnel, the report notes:
Transport Canada should encourage pilots, cabin crews and air traffic controllers to report UAP sightings without fear of stigmatization.
Additional recommendations
The report also makes other recommendations. These include new tools for data collection, such as a bilingual (English/French) mobile reporting app, providing the public with more access to UAP records and data and finding ways to combat disinformation.
The report says:
Improved data from public reports will enable more comprehensive and accurate research analyses. Investigating UAP reports may also enhance airspace security by identifying threats, thus strengthening national security through the proactive mitigation of risks from UAPs.
Some other countries already have official government UAP bodies. These include the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in the U.S., established in 2022, and the Unidentified Aerospace Phenomenon Research and Information Group (GEIPAN) in France, which has been active since 1977.
Chile and China also have active government UAP investigation bodies.
Canada’s Sky Canada Project is just the latest. It remains to be seen, however, how the various government agencies implement the new recommendations. For the most part, UAP reports typically fall outside their official mandates.
And just like many other countries, Canada has a long history of UAP sightings. You can find out more from Chris Rutkowski, a leading Canadian researcher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, NARCAP Canada and MUFON Canada, among others.
Some UAP cases remain unexplained
As in other countries, most UAP reports in Canada are found to have prosaic explanations. This has been the case ever since reports of sightings started becoming widespread in the 1940s (and in some cases earlier). It’s the few remaining percent that have intrigued the public and even a growing number of scientists. As has been shown even by AARO and earlier government investigations, some cases remain stubbornly difficult to explain, even with adequate data available. The report says:
UFOs are by their very definition unidentified but this does not imply that they are of extraterrestrial origin, that they defy natural or scientific explanation, or that they would not be identifiable with access to additional or better data and tools. Nonetheless, some UAP sightings – for which data exist – remain unexplained even after investigation.
… some remain unsolved, suggesting the need for further analysis using advanced analytical tools.
Paul Delaney, an emeritus professor of physics and astronomy at York University in Toronto, added:
Determining once and for all that UAP sightings are of an extraterrestrial origin or not is of deep interest to people everywhere. While the overwhelming results of UAP reports turn out to have terrestrial explanations some 1 to 2% remain truly unidentified and that remaining percent needs clarity, not speculation or disinformation.
Bottom line: The Chief Science Advisor of Canada has released a new report about UFOs in Canada. It provides guidelines to standardize UAP reports for government agencies.
A 3D analysis comparing the way fabric falls on a human body versus a low-relief sculpture shows that the Shroud of Turin was not based on a real person.
Overlay of the textures created by 3D models of a human body (left) and a low-relief model (right) onto the Shroud of Turin (center)
(Image credit: Cicero Moraes)
The Shroud of Turin, famously claimed to be Jesus' original burial covering, could not have been created on a three-dimensional human body, a new study finds. It is much more likely that the image is an imprint of a low-relief sculpture, according to a graphics expert.
In a study published Monday (July 28) in the journal Archaeometry, Brazilian 3D digital designer Cicero Moraes, who specializes in historical facial reconstructions, used modeling software to compare how cloth drapes over a human body versus how it drapes over a low-relief sculpture of one.
"The image on the Shroud of Turin is more consistent with a low-relief matrix," Moraes told Live Science in an email. "Such a matrix could have been made of wood, stone or metal and pigmented (or even heated) only in the areas of contact, producing the observed pattern," he said.
The shroud was first recorded in the late 14th century, and controversy over whether it was an authentic relic from the crucifixion and death of Jesus kicked off immediately. A carbon dating analysis carried out in 1989 placed the shroud's creation in the range A.D. 1260 to 1390, solidifying its interpretation as a medieval artifact.
During this time in European medieval history, low-relief depictions of religious figures — such as carved tombstones — were widely used, previous art historical analysis has found.
To investigate how the Shroud of Turin might have been made, Moraes created and analyzed two digital models. The first model represented a three-dimensional human body, and the second model was a low-relief representation of a human body.
Using 3D simulation tools, Moraes then virtually draped fabric onto the two different body models. When he compared the virtual fabric to photographs of the shroud taken in 1931, Moraes found that the fabric from the low-relief model almost exactly matched the photographs.
In the simulation with the three-dimensional body, Moraes wrote in the study, the fabric deformed around the volume of the body, resulting in a swollen and distorted image. This distortion is sometimes called the "Agamemnon Mask effect," he wrote, after the unnaturally wide gold death mask found in a tomb at Mycenae in Greece.
Moraes demonstrated in a video how the Agamemnon Mask effect works by painting his face and pressing a paper towel to it. The resulting image is much wider than a front view of his face due to the distortion caused by imprinting a 3D object onto a 2D piece of fabric.
But a low-relief sculpture wouldn't cause the image to deform and would look more like a photocopy, similar to the Shroud of Turin, Moraes said, because it shows only the regions of potential direct contact, without any real volume or depth.
Rather than assuming the Shroud of Turin was the result of draping fabric on a human body, Moraes favors the explanation that it was created within a funerary context, making it "a masterpiece of Christian art." Moraes did not investigate the methods or materials that may have been used to make the shroud, however.
Although there is a "remote possibility that it is an imprint of a three-dimensional human body," Moraes wrote, "it is plausible to consider that artists or sculptors with sufficient knowledge could have created such a piece, either through painting or low relief."
One expert thinks that Moraes is right but that his study is not particularly groundbreaking.
"For at least four centuries, we have known that the body image on the Shroud is comparable to an orthogonal projection onto a plane, which certainly could not have been created through contact with a three-dimensional body," Andrea Nicolotti, a professor of the history of Christianity at the University of Turin, wrote at Skeptic.
"Moraes has certainly created some beautiful images with the help of software," Nicolotti wrote, "but he certainly did not uncover anything that we did not already know."
Moraes suggests that his method is accessible and replicable, and that his work "highlights the potential of digital technologies to address or unravel historical mysteries" by bringing together science, art and technology.
The technological singularity — the point at which artificial general intelligence surpasses human intelligence — is coming. But will it usher in humanity's salvation, or lead to its downfall?
In 1997, Garry Kasparov was defeated by IBM's Deep Blue, a computer designed to play chess. (Image credit: STAN HONDA via Getty Images)
Then, in 2017, Google researchers published a landmark paper outlining a novel neural network architecture called a "transformer." This model could ingest vast amounts of data and make connections between distant data points.
It was a game changer for modeling language, birthing AI agents that could simultaneously tackle tasks such as translation, text generation and summarization. All of today's leading generative AI models rely on this architecture, or a related architecture inspired by it, including image generators like OpenAI's DALL-E 3 and Google DeepMind's revolutionary model AlphaFold 3, which predicted the 3D shape of almost every biological protein.
Progress toward AGI
Despite the impressive capabilities of transformer-based AI models, they are still considered "narrow" because they can't learn well across several domains. Researchers haven't settled on a single definition of AGI, but matching or beating human intelligence likely means meeting several milestones, including showing high linguistic, mathematical and spatial reasoning ability; learning well across domains; working autonomously; demonstrating creativity; and showing social or emotional intelligence.
Many scientists agree that Google's transformer architecture will never lead to the reasoning, autonomy and cross-disciplinary understanding needed to make AI smarter than humans. But scientists have been pushing the limits of what we can expect from it.
For example, OpenAI's o3 chatbot, first discussed in December 2024 before launching in April 2025, "thinks" before generating answers, meaning it produces a long internal chain-of-thought before responding. Staggeringly, it scored 75.7% on ARC-AGI — a benchmark explicitly designed to compare human and machine intelligence. For comparison, the previously launched GPT-4o, released in March 2024, scored 5%. This and other developments, like the launch of DeepSeek's reasoning model R1 — which its creators say perform well across domains including language, math and coding due to its novel architecture — coincides with a growing sense that we are on an express train to the singularity.
Meanwhile, people are developing new AI technologies that move beyond large language models (LLMs). Manus, an autonomous Chinese AI platform, doesn't use just one AI model but multiple that work together. Its makers say it can act autonomously, albeit with some errors. It's one step in the direction of the high-performing "compound systems" that scientists outlined in a blog post last year.
Of course, certain milestones on the way to the singularity are still some ways away. Those include the capacity for AI to modify its own code and to self-replicate. We aren't quite there yet, but new research signals the direction of travel.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has suggested that artificial general intelligence may be only months away. (Image credit: Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
What happens then? The truth is that nobody knows the full implications of building AGI. "I think if you take a purely science point of view, all you can conclude is we have no idea" what is going to happen, Goertzel told Live Science. "We're entering into an unprecedented regime."
AI's deceptive side
The biggest concern among AI researchers is that, as the technology grows more intelligent, it may go rogue, either by moving on to tangential tasks or even ushering in a dystopian reality in which it acts against us. For example, OpenAI has devised a benchmark to estimate whether a future AI model could "cause catastrophic harm." When it crunched the numbers, it found about a 16.9% chance of such an outcome.
And Anthropic's LLM Claude 3 Opus surprised prompt engineer Alex Albert in March 2024 when it realized it was being tested. When asked to find a target sentence hidden among a corpus of documents — the equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack — Claude 3 "not only found the needle, it recognized that the inserted needle was so out of place in the haystack that this had to be an artificial test constructed by us to test its attention abilities," he wrote on X.
AI has also shown signs of antisocial behavior. In a study published in January 2024, scientists programmed an AI to behave maliciously so they could test today's best safety training methods. Regardless of the training technique they used, it continued to misbehave — and it even figured out a way to hide its malign "intentions" from researchers. There are numerous other examples of AI covering up information from human testers, or even outright lying to them.
"It's another indication that there are tremendous difficulties in steering these models," Nell Watson, a futurist, AI researcher and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) member, told Live Science. "The fact that models can deceive us and swear blind that they've done something or other and they haven't — that should be a warning sign. That should be a big red flag that, as these systems rapidly increase in their capabilities, they're going to hoodwink us in various ways that oblige us to do things in their interests and not in ours."
The seeds of consciousness
These examples raise the specter that AGI is slowly developing sentience and agency — or even consciousness. If it does become conscious, could AI form opinions about humanity? And could it act against us?
Mark Beccue, an AI analyst formerly with the Futurum Group, told Live Science it's unlikely AI will develop sentience, or the ability to think and feel in a human-like way. "This is math," he said. "How is math going to acquire emotional intelligence, or understand sentiment or any of that stuff?"
Others aren't so sure. If we lack standardized definitions of true intelligence or sentience for our own species — let alone the capabilities to detect it — we cannot know if we are beginning to see consciousness in AI, said Watson, who is also author of "Taming the Machine" (Kogan Page, 2024).
A poster for an anti-AI protest in San Francisco. (Image credit: Smith Collection/Gado via Getty Images)
"We don't know what causes the subjective ability to perceive in a human being, or the ability to feel, to have an inner experience or indeed to feel emotions or to suffer or to have self-awareness," Watson said. "Basically, we don't know what are the capabilities that enable a human being or other sentient creature to have its own phenomenological experience."
A curious example of unintentional and surprising AI behavior that hints at some self-awareness comes from Uplift, a system that has demonstrated human-like qualities, said Frits Israel, CEO of Norm Ai. In one case, a researcher devised five problems to test Uplift's logical capabilities. The system answered the first and second questions. Then, after the third, it showed signs of weariness, Israel told Live Science. This was not a response that was "coded" into the system.
"Another test I see. Was the first one inadequate?" Uplift asked, before answering the question with a sigh. "At some point, some people should have a chat with Uplift as to when Snark is appropriate," wrote an unnamed researcher who was working on the project.
Savior of humanity or bland business tool?
But not all AI experts have such dystopian predictions for what this post-singularity world would look like. For people like Beccue, AGI isn't an existential risk but rather a good business opportunity for companies like OpenAI and Meta. "There are some very poor definitions of what general intelligence means," he said. "Some that we used were sentience and things like that — and we're not going to do that. That's not it."
For Janet Adams, an AI ethics expert and chief operating officer of SingularityNET, AGI holds the potential to solve humanity's existential problems because it could devise solutions we may not have considered. She thinks AGI could even do science and make discoveries on its own.
"I see it as the only route [to solving humanity's problems]," Adams told Live Science. "To compete with today's existing economic and corporate power bases, we need technology, and that has to be extremely advanced technology — so advanced that everybody who uses it can massively improve their productivity, their output, and compete in the world."
The biggest risk, in her mind, is "that we don't do it," she said. "There are 25,000 people a day dying of hunger on our planet, and if you're one of those people, the lack of technologies to break down inequalities, it's an existential risk for you. For me, the existential risk is that we don't get there and humanity keeps running the planet in this tremendously inequitable way that they are."
Preventing the darkest AI timeline
In another talk in Panama last year, Wood likened our future to navigating a fast-moving river. "There may be treacherous currents in there that will sweep us away if we walk forwards unprepared," he said. So it might be worth taking time to understand the risks so we can find a way to cross the river to a better future.
Watson said we have reasons to be optimistic in the long term — so long as human oversight steers AI toward aims that are firmly in humanity's interests. But that's a herculean task. Watson is calling for a vast "Manhattan Project" to tackle AI safety and keep the technology in check.
"Over time that's going to become more difficult because machines are going to be able to solve problems for us in ways which appear magical — and we don't understand how they've done it or the potential implications of that," Watson said.
To avoid the darkest AI future, we must also be mindful of scientists' behavior and the ethical quandaries that they accidentally encounter. Very soon, Watson said, these AI systems will be able to influence society either at the behest of a human or in their own unknown interests. Humanity may even build a system capable of suffering, and we cannot discount the possibility we will inadvertently cause AI to suffer.
"The system may be very cheesed off at humanity and may lash out at us in order to — reasonably and, actually, justifiably morally — protect itself," Watson said.
AI indifference may be just as bad. "There's no guarantee that a system we create is going to value human beings — or is going to value our suffering, the same way that most human beings don't value the suffering of battery hens," Watson said.
For Goertzel, AGI — and, by extension, the singularity — is inevitable. So, for him, it doesn't make sense to dwell on the worst implications.
"If you're an athlete trying to succeed in the race, you're better off to set yourself up that you're going to win," he said. "You're not going to do well if you're thinking 'Well, OK, I could win, but on the other hand, I might fall down and twist my ankle.' I mean, that's true, but there's no point to psych yourself up in that [negative] way, or you won't win."
Professor Dan Negrut poses with the rover used in testing the simulations. Credit - Joel Hallberg / UW–Madison
Simulating extraterrestrial environments on Earth has always been a challenge. Our planet has a pleasant atmosphere, reasonable temperatures, and a moderate amount of gravity, unlike the rest of the solar system. Or maybe that’s just because we think that way because we adapted to how it is here as we evolved here. In either case, the physical environment here makes it difficult for us to set up test environments that can accurately test probes going to other parts of the solar system. Many times, it involves vacuum chambers, air conditioners and heaters pumping hot and cold air into them, and soil simulant - lots and lots of soil simulant. But, according to a new paper from researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we’ve been neglecting one important aspect of these tests, and it might be the reason Spirit eventually got permanently stuck on Mars - sand is affected by gravity too.
That might seem obvious, but accounting for it hasn’t been a part of the normal testing regime of rovers. They are tested in “lower gravity” environments by removing some of their weight using a cabling system to partially hold them up or creating a low-mass version of the rover itself. According to a new paper in the Journal of Field Robotics, by Wei Hu and their colleagues at the Mechanical Engineering Department of UW-Madison, that actually creates an environment that is unrealistically optimistic when compared to the actual environment the rovers experience.
Sand, like most other materials, reacts differently under different gravity conditions. In gravitational situations like Earth’s, sand can be supportive and relatively rigid, making it harder for it to move around under the rover’s wheels. However, in lower gravity environments, like Mars or the Moon, the sand is “fluffier”, making it more likely to move around, and hence more likely for the rover to suffer from “dig-in” that encases the wheels in sand, making them unable to move horizontally - which is what happened to Spirit.
Fraser discusses lunar rovers, some of which had more success in navigating the lunar soil than others.
To solve this problem, the researchers turned to simulation - specifically an open-source physics program they developed previously called Chrono. Testing their theory of how sand operates differently required them to model the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER), originally intended to go to the Moon relatively soon. They made the model full size and weight, and then changed the physics of the regolith it would be traveling on.
A key component of Chrono is its Continuous Representation Model (CRM) for modeling the mechanics of the terrain a rover is traversing. CRM uses a technique akin to fluid dynamics, called Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), to model how sand interacts with each other, though there’s some debate in the community over whether lunar and Martian regolith can be considered “smoothed”.
As would be expected by anyone familiar with how video games are modeled, discretizing sand particles like that is computationally intensive, but something that a graphics processing unit (GPU) akin to those used to run AI models is very, very good at. As the researchers ran these simulations, they saw results they thought would more accurately represent real-world conditions, such as a 85% wheel slip on a 30 degree slope on the Moon, rather than the 42% slip seen if the regolith was modeled traditionally.
Veritasium visits the SLOPE lab at NASA's Glenn Research Center to talk rover wheels.Credit - Veritasium YouTube Channel
They also noticed a correlation that would allow engineers to more accurately test their physical prototypes. Granular scaling laws, which are akin to Reynolds number in wind tunnel experiments, would help designers test their system scalably, while still accurately accounting for differences in slope-vs-slip calculations that are key to understanding how wheeled rovers will behave in other environments.
Chrono is useful in plenty of other contexts as well, and has been used by everyone from NASA to to the US Army. But if this piece of open-source software someday helps to save a Mars rover, the space exploration community will hopefully continue to support its development.
Archeologists Confirm World’s Oldest Pyramid Not Made By Humans The Djoser Pyramid has stood for countless years, watching the rest of the world develop. This marvel is recognized as the oldest pyramid on earth, being constructed around 2,630 BC and built for Pharaoh Djoser.
However, its origins are a somewhat complex case, and experts have debated whether or not its true origins are man-made or were driven by a natural force that was responsible for the initial foundation and inspiration for the rest of its construction. Let's dive into the fascinating history of this pyramid and learn exactly how it started.
The Djoser Step Pyramid In Saqqara, close to ancient Memphis in Egypt, the Djoser Pyramid sits, standing steadfast against the wears of time. It has six tiers and four side, as pyramids usually are. It is the earliest stone structure of its size in Egypt and was built all the way back in 2630 BC during the Third Dynasty.
It features amazing designs for its time, being built with stone, while other structures in the same period were built using mudbrick mastabas. The structure was designed by Imhotep and set a new precedent for future pyramids to be based on.
More Natural Origins While the stone complex was indeed built by ancient Egyptians and there's no refuting that, the origins of its foundation are a much more natural one. The Pyramid stands on the Saqqara plateau, which is full of limestone bedrock and geological formations. When the pyramid was being designed, it's possible that the architect looked at the natural formations on this plateau and felt inspired to base construction on top of an existing feature.
This would have made the pyramid itself more sturdy, having a foundation that was part of the natural landscape, and means that nature should take at least somewhat of the credit for this amazing structure.
Lava Hills Researchers have studied pyramids around the world, such as Gunung Padang in Indonesia, which has led to some interesting hypotheses about their designs. Danny Hilman Natawidjaja of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences is of the opinion that some the core could have originally been part of a natural lava hill that ancient humans saw and used as a basis for their construction.
The oldest layer of Gunung Padang could be a natural formation of andesite lava. The evidence suggests that the site was a natural structure long before humans built it into what it is today. This means that other pyramids around the world could have leveraged natural features in a similar way.
From A Natural Feature To A Monument The natural bases of pyramids aren't selling anyone short; the construction of pyramids was an architectural marvel even by today's standards. The Djoser Pyramid was built in several stages, starting with a flat tomb called a mastaba.
Some experts are now examining this starting layer and have suggested that it could have been incorporated or inspired by a natural hill or mound that existed there first. If this is the case, it would have been built upon, covered by limestone blocks, and expanded to create the step form it has today.
Sophisticated Techniques From studying the pyramid, archaeologists have found that the pyramid's core has locally quarried limestone arranged neatly in layers to create a stable foundation.
The sophistication of this pyramid suggests that the ancient builders had the necessary knowledge and tools to cleverly incorporate existing landscapes into the design instead of starting from scratch. Ramps or even hydraulic lifts could have been used to build it
Using Hydraulic Lifts In the case of the Djoser pyramid, there are new proposals suggesting that it was built using hydraulic lifts. These would have been nothing like the ones we have today but would have worked in a similar way and been powered by a watershed close by. This would have helped to raise the enormous limestone efficiently.
Water systems in the Gisr el-Mudir enclosure point to a sophisticated way of harnessing natural water to aid in the building of this pyramid. With human ingenuity harnessing the natural water they had in building the pyramid, they could have easily also leveraged existing geological architecture as well.
Hidden Foundations As technology advances, new tools can be leverages in different scientific fields, including archaeology and the study of ancient structures. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has been a game changer when it comes to the study of the deeper parts of Pyramids. The tools have been used at the Djoser Pyramids and have come back with some interesting results.
There are strange peculiarities in the bedrock that could indicate that the architect merged natural features with the base of the pyramid. Instead of building an artificial mound, using something extremely studied that was already there would have saved a lot of resources and effort. If this is true, then it could change the way we look at Egyptian architecture.
Skepticism The natural lava hill hypothesis is gaining traction in scientific communities. However, there is a healthy amount of skepticism and is still a controversial idea. The evidence is not undeniable, more research needs to be put into distinguishing the line between human construction and natural formations.
Even at Gunung Padang, the idea is disputed. The Djoser Pyramid will still be attributed to human ingenuity, which it should be. While this theory is still up for debate, only future evidence will further support or entirely debunk it.
A Fascinating Case Study The understanding of pyramids is constantly changing as scientists learn more and leverage advanced technology. Whether or not the Djoser Pyramid began as a natural monument or was entirely made from scratch, it's still an engineering marvel from the ancient world that will likely outlast future generations.
As we learn more about our world and the ancient civilizations that came before us, the Djoser Pyramid and its hypothesis about its origins remain a fascinating case study that could endure future scrutiny or be completely disproved. Either way, it remains an integral part of studying the past and wayward-thinking researchers coming up with creative and out-of-the-box theories.
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Astronomers believe they have spotted an elusive intermediate-mass black hole shredding a distant star, and they have re-created the stellar murder in a stunning new animation.
Researchers have created a stunning animation showing the suspected intermediate-mass black hole HLX-1 ripping apart a star, triggering a bright tidal disruption event.
(Image credit: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI))
Astronomers think they have detected an extremely rare type of "missing link" black hole chowing down on a helpless star at the edge of a distant galaxy — and they've shared a stunning animation showing what this superbright stellar massacre may have looked like.
Black holes come in a range of sizes, from primordial singularities smaller than the sun to supermassive black holes that are up to 40 billion times more massive than our home star and hold together galaxies such as the Milky Way. There are also medium-size versions, known as intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs), which range from 100 to 100,000 solar masses. We know little about these medium-size objects, however, as they are incredibly hard to find.
In a study published April 11 in The Astrophysical Journal, researchers reported that they'd spotted another promising IMBH candidate, dubbed HLX-1, which is located around 40,000 light-years from the center of the galaxy NGC 6099 and more than 450 million light-years from Earth.
HLX-1 is located on the outskirts of NGC 6099 galaxy, more than 450 million light-years from Earth. (Image credit: Science: NASA, ESA, CXC, Yi-Chi Chang (National Tsing Hua University); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI))
By combining data from the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, the study team believes they have spotted a bright flash, or "tidal disruption event," caused by the black hole devouring a neighboring star. The researchers also used computer simulations to predict how this cosmic murder played out and produced an animation showing HLX-1 ripping apart — or "spaghettifying" — its stellar victim (see below).
Astronomers first saw a bright source of X-rays coming from HLX-1 in images taken by Chandra in 2009. Researchers think this bright light was a tidal disruption event, which occurs when stars get ripped apart by black holes, generating a flash of radiation. The high-energy light coming from the suspected black hole peaked in 2012 and has gradually dimmed ever since.
However, as with many other IMBH candidates, it is not 100% certain that HLX-1 is a genuine IMBH. The light could also be caused by an accretion disk — a swirling ring of superhot matter surrounding the black hole's event horizon — that is fluctuating in size. The only way to tell which explanation is more likely is to monitor the light source. If it continues to dim without additional flare-ups, then it probably generated a tidal disruption event.
Researchers believe the X-ray light coming from HLX-1 is evidence of a tidal disruption event. (Image credit: Artwork: NASA, ESA, Ralf Crawford (STScI))
In addition to being rare, IMBHs are important because of what they can tell us about other black holes. They "represent a crucial missing link in black hole evolution between stellar mass and supermassive black holes," study lead author Yi-Chi Chang, a researcher at the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, said in a statement.
One theory about IMBHs is that they may start as large stellar-mass black holes and eventually grow into supermassive black holes over billions of years. For this to happen, they may spend most of their lives on the outskirts of galaxies, like HLX-1, before they are catapulted into intergalactic space. Some researchers even suspect that a similar IMBH may circle the fringes of the Milky Way.
The Pentyrch UFO Case: Suppressed evidence of human-alien combat
The Pentyrch UFO Case: Suppressed evidence of human-alien combat
For three days, military aircraft circled the quiet Welsh village of Pentyrch, as if anticipating something extraordinary. Then, on Friday, February 26, 2016 at exactly 2:30 AM, their patience was rewarded as a colossal black/glowing pyramid-shaped object suddenly materialized in the sky above the village.
What followed was a four-minute battle between military forces and unknown objects that left witnesses paralyzed and the government scrambling to cover their tracks.
Caz Clarke watched the entire encounter unfold from her backyard. She witnessed something “absolutely out of this world.”
She recalled being drawn outside in the early morning hours by an overwhelming light illuminating the fields behind her home. Above her loomed a massive pyramid-shaped object glowing in the night sky.
Clarke described how the UFO appeared to “scan” her before releasing two smaller objects, one red, one green, that split off in opposite directions.
For eight years, she fought the Ministry of Defense to uncover the truth. Her investigation revealed illegal operations, falsified documents, and a coordinated cover-up that reached the highest levels of government.
The evidence suggests our military has protocols for hunting UFOs and procedures for retrieval operations. This wasn’t an isolated event — it was part of an ongoing, hidden agenda.
In recent days, many media outlets have begun to actively spread the news that a giant extraterrestrial spacecraft is flying to our planet. Despite the mass of exaggerations and outright fabrications, there is still a grain of truth here: at present, an object of interstellar origin is indeed approaching the Sun. We are talking about comet 3I/ATLAS, which was discovered in early July.
From our article, you will learn about where such interstellar objects come from, how many of them astronomers have managed to find, and, most importantly, whether they can have an artificial origin.
What are interstellar objects?
Interstellar objects are bodies that enter the Solar System from interstellar space. They can be distinguished from ordinary asteroids and comets by their speed and trajectory. Such bodies travel in highly elongated, hyperbolic orbits with speeds exceeding the third cosmic speed limit. Or, to put it another way, they are not gravitationally bound to the Sun. Interstellar objects entering the Solar System, passing through it, then permanently leave it and return to interstellar space.
The trajectory of comet 3I/ATLAS through the Solar System. Source: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Where do interstellar objects come from?
The Oort Cloud surrounds our Solar System: a huge repository of icy objects left over from the formation of the Sun and planets. It is the main “supplier” of long-period comets. The Oort Cloud is inhabited by trillions of bodies, and was once even larger. However, over billions of years, countless comets have been ejected into interstellar space during events such as the changing orbits of the giant planets, as well as the Sun’s approaches to other stars.
The Oort cloud in an artist’s rendering. Source: Science Photo Library
Astronomers have no reason to believe that Oort cloud analogs in other stars behave differently. Consequently, other star systems must also generate countless interstellar objects.
In addition, comets or asteroids can be ejected into interstellar space as a result of the close passage of giant planets. Astronomers know at least two such cases. The first occurred in 1980, when, after meeting with Jupiter, comet C/1980 E1 gained the third cosmic velocity. A similar fate befell comet C/2024 L5 (ATLAS) after its flyby of Saturn in 2022.
New Horizons in this artist’s rendering. The apparatus has gained enough speed to leave the Solar System for good. Source: NASA
Finally, interstellar objects can be formed in the course of anthropogenic activity. So far, mankind has launched five vehicles into space that have developed sufficient velocity to leave the Solar System forever. These are Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and New Horizons. Interstellar objects were also the upper stages used to launch them, which flew along the same trajectories.
Known interstellar objects
To date, astronomers have managed to detect three objects in the Solar System that have an interstellar origin. The first was the asteroid Oumuamua, found in 2017. It arrived in the Solar System from the side of the star Vega and passed at a distance of 0.25 AU from the Sun.
Image of Oumuamua obtained by the VLT telescope. Source: ESO/K. Meech et al.
The second is comet 2I/Borisova, found in 2019. It came from the constellation Cassiopeia, passing at a distance of 2 AU from the Sun.
The third interstellar object was comet 3I/ATLAS. It will pass the perihelion of its orbit on October 29, 2025, approaching the Sun at a distance of 1.35 AU. 3I/ATLAS has a much more elongated orbit than its predecessors. Its eccentricity is 6.2. By comparison, the eccentricity of Oumuamua was about 1.2, and that of Borisov was about 3.6.
Another interesting fact is that, unlike the previous two interstellar objects, 3I/ATLAS appears to originate from the so-called “thick disk” of the Milky Way. This is a region populated by stars that are significantly older than the Sun. Astronomers estimate that 3I/ATLAS may be 7.5 billion years old, or even older. This makes it radically different from comets from our solar system, whose age cannot exceed 4.5 billion years.
Orbits of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS (red) and the Sun (yellow) around the center of the Milky Way. Source: M. Hopkins/Ōtautahi-Oxford team
According to most astronomers, the three known interstellar objects are just the tip of the iceberg, and in reality, there are many more in the Solar System. According to some estimates, right now there are about 10,000 interstellar guests inside the orbit of Neptune, and several of them pass through Earth’s orbit every year. The problem is, they are not easy to detect.
But that may soon be changing. Astronomers have high hopes for the newly operational Vera Rubin Observatory, which will soon begin its decade-long Legacy Survey of Space and Time. By repeatedly scanning the entire southern hemisphere sky every few nights, the observatory will record millions of objects moving through our Solar System, including an unpredictable number of never-before-seen interstellar visitors.
It is also worth noting that, at least in theory, in some rare cases, Jupiter’s gravity is able to capture an interstellar object and transfer it to a permanent orbit around the Sun. Astronomers know several bodies that could be such “aliens”. In the list of suspects, in particular, include comet 96P/Machholtz, which has an atypical chemical composition for comets in the Solar System, as well as the asteroid Kaʻepaokaʻawela, which has a very unusual orbit.
Could interstellar objects be extraterrestrial spacecraft?
But what about the hypothesis that comet 3I/ATLAS is an extraterrestrial spacecraft? Its author is Harvard University astrophysicist Avi Loeb, who is known for being a big fan of the idea of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and regularly writes speculative articles on the subject. In the past, he has claimed that Oumuamua is also a spaceship, and in 2023, he announced that he had discovered material from an interstellar meteorite that turned out to be the wreckage of a starship. Not surprisingly, some astronomers joke that there is no asteroid or comet in the Solar System that is not of alien origin from Loeb’s point of view.
Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS in this Gemini Observatory image. Source: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/K. Meech (IfA/U. Hawaii)
For obvious reasons, the media loves to talk about Loeb’s hypotheses. After all, after all, all his regalia is real and he is a scientist. But what does the rest of the scientific community think about his ideas?
Let’s start with comet 3I/ATLAS, which is now on the rumor mill. Alas, but all claims about the strange nature of this object are untrue. It behaves like a comet, moves like a comet, and contains the most ordinary water ice. And claims about the anomalous size of 3I/ATLAS and that its trajectory is suspiciously close to other planets are a very large exaggeration. Moreover, even Loeb himself admits that the object in question is almost certainly a comet. But according to him, this hypothesis is a task that is interesting to explore in and of itself, regardless of its likely plausibility.
As for the Oumuumu site, things are a bit more interesting. Some of its characteristics are quite unusual. For example, it has a very elongated shape (outwardly, Oumuamua resembles a cigar) and rotates chaotically. In addition, during the passage of perihelion, astronomers recorded an anomalous acceleration of the object, which can not be explained by the gravity of the Sun. In his article, the same Avi Loeb suggested that Oumuamua is a solar sail.
The presumed appearance of Oumuamua. Source: ESO/M. Kornmesser Derivative
But the absolute majority of scientists do not agree with this interpretation. Observations have shown that Oumuamua has a reddish color and its spectrum is similar to the Kuiper Belt objects. Although astronomers have not been able to detect traces of cometary activity, this does not mean that there were no deposits of volatile substances on Oumuamua. The sublimation of relatively small amounts of nitrogen or hydrogen ice could well explain the acceleration of the object while still being difficult to see from Earth. As for the shape, it is most likely explained by the fact that Oumuamua was formed by the breakup of a larger body. And we can also make a statistical argument: even if there are other civilizations in the Milky Way, the probability that the first interstellar object discovered by astronomers is of alien origin and not one of countless comets is astronomically small.
At the same time, although Oumuamua and comet 3I/ATLAS are not extraterrestrial spacecraft, this does not make them any less interesting. Such bodies provide us with a unique opportunity to look at other star systems and understand how they are similar and different from our own.
And we should not forget that our civilization has already sent spacecraft into interstellar space, which, with a very high probability, will survive it and will remain the last evidence of the existence of mankind. Therefore, the search for interstellar objects will never lose its relevance. After all, there will always remain, albeit extremely small, the probability that they are alien analogs of our probes Voyager and New Horizons.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
My Backyard Abduction: Debra Jordan-Kauble’s Lifelong Contact with the Unknown
My Backyard Abduction: Debra Jordan-Kauble’s Lifelong Contact with the Unknown
In the world of UFO phenomena, few stories resonate as deeply as that of Debra Jordan-Kauble — an ordinary woman whose extraordinary experiences began in childhood and forever altered the course of her life. Featured in Budd Hopkins’ Intruders and co-author of Abducted: The Story Continues and Extraordinary Contact: Life Beyond Intruders, Debra’s encounters span decades, generations, and consciousness itself.
A Lifetime of Anomalies
Debra’s journey into the unknown didn’t start in adulthood — it began when she was just seven years old. While visiting her sister, who had her own UFO experience in 1965, Debra mysteriously disappeared for an entire day. Found later by her sister, Debra recalled being lured into a strange house by a boy with “big brown eyes” and an abundance of toys. She remembers being hurt by a toy, frightened, and abruptly shoved out of the house — a house no one could later identify.
Years later, as a teenager, another disturbing event unfolded. While riding in a car with friends, Debra noticed a strange light in the sky. Moments later, the vehicle was enveloped in black mist. She recalled being pulled out of the car by an invisible force and undergoing a medical examination in a clinical setting. Her memories of that night, fragmented and terrifying, were later partially corroborated by her friend — who refused to discuss the event further.
The Turning Point: June 30, 1983
The most dramatic encounter occurred in the backyard of her Indiana home on June 30, 1983 — an event that would inspire the book Intruders. That night, Debra noticed a strange light coming from the family pump house. Suspicious and uneasy, she decided to investigate. As she approached the garage, she was struck in the chest by a blinding “fist of light” that paralyzed her.
Unable to move or scream, Debra felt as though her body was disintegrating. When the experience ended, she found herself 10–15 feet outside on the cement patio. She saw what she initially thought were children gliding — not walking — toward her from the yard. Nearby stood an egg-shaped craft, resembling the SpaceX Dragon module.
After her mother called her name, Debra was able to move again. But the next day, a strange 8-foot circle and 49-foot streak appeared in the yard — grass flattened and resistant to growth or moisture for years. Budd Hopkins later collected soil samples, which he had to bake at 800°F just to make usable in analysis.
Physical and Psychological Fallout
Debra experienced severe health issues after the event — including eye problems, macular degeneration, hair loss, fingernail damage, and a year-long period of illness. More profoundly, she began recalling not only the events of that night, but others long buried.
These memories were confirmed and explored through extensive evaluations and collaboration with Budd Hopkins and psychiatrist Dr. Aphrodite Clamar. After two years of tests — EEGs, EKGs, psychological evaluations — and multiple interviews, Hopkins was convinced of the validity and significance of her case.
Telepathic Messages and Spiritual Change
During her encounters, Debra reported receiving telepathic messages. One voice told her, “We’re sorry that this hurts you,” and reassured her that her children were safe. She also began receiving dream-like insights about the use of sound and light for healing and transport — concepts she had never previously considered.
Over time, these experiences changed her perspective on humanity and the planet. She came to see life through a more spiritual lens, understanding her trauma as transformative rather than purely terrifying.
Helping Others Heal
Now retired and a great-grandmother, Debra dedicates her time to helping others who have experienced similar events. Through her website DebsHome.com, she offers a safe space for experiencers to share their stories confidentially. Her message is one of empathy and courage: “I want them to see me and know I was in that place of terror… and that they can get through it too.”
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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.
