{ https://www.universetoday.com/  }

POSTED BY MARK THOMPSON

Plants Growing in Space are at Risk from Bacterial Infections

I have spent the last few years thinking, perhaps assuming that astronauts live off dried food, prepackaged and sent from Earth. There certainly is an element of that but travellers to the International Space Station have over recent years been able to feast on fresh salad grown in special units on board. Unfortunately, recent research suggests that pathogenic bacteria and fungi can contaminate the ‘greens’ even in space.

It’s been at least three years that astronauts have been able to eat fresh lettuce and other leafy items along with tortillas and powdered coffee.. Specially designed chambers on board allow them to grown plants under carefully controlled temperature, water and lights to ensure a successful harvest.  There is however an issue that the ISS is a relatively closed environment and so it is easy for bacteria and fungi to spread and astronauts to get ill. 

The International Space Station stretches out in an image captured by astronauts aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour during a fly-around in November 2021. Credit: NASA

A paper just published in Scientific Reports and NPJ Microgravity and authored by a team led by Noah Totsline explores what happens with lettuce grown under ‘simulated’ weightless environments (the device known as a clinostat rotate them so that plants did not know which way was up or down). This was achieved by being gently rotated. Plants it seems though, are pretty good at sensing gravity using their roots. The team found that plants under these conditions were more prone to infection than those on Earth in particular Salmonella.

One of the main lines of defence for plants is their stomata. These are tiny pores in the leaves, much like the pores in our skin, that close to defend when an environmental stress is detected, such as bacteria.  The team exposed plants in their micro-gravitational environment to find the plants opened the stomata instead of closing them. 

The team went a step further and introduced a natural bacteria known as UD1022 which usually helps to protect plants. In the clinostat however, it failed to help the plant to protect itself from other more harmful bacteria.

The research was not just an interesting scientific problem but does solve real world problems. Space is slowly opening up with more and more non-astronauts becoming astronauts and travelling into space and this is only going to increase. As SpaceX and the like press ahead with the commercialisation of space travel we absolutely must find a way to grow and farm sustainable and healthy food instead of prepackaged snacks if we are to become a truly space fairing civilisation. 

We are some way away from that of course but this is step one in a long journey. Sadly it is not as simple a task as sterilising the seeds since their could easily be microbes in the environment on board the ISS (or other space craft that come in the future) and perhaps it is these that pose the greatest risk. The team are now looking at ways to genetically modify plants to help them cope in the microgravity of space.

Source :

•  PROBLEMS WITH ROCKET SALAD

{ https://www.universetoday.com/  }

POSTED BY CAROLYN COLLINS PETERSEN

NASA Gives us an Update on its Long-term Plans for the Moon and Mars

Going to Mars is a major step in space exploration. It’s not a quick jaunt nor will it be easy to accomplish. The trip is already in the planning stages, and there’s a good chance it’ll happen in the next decade or so. That’s why NASA and other agencies have detailed mission scenarios in place, starting with trips to the Moon. Recently, NASA updated its “Moon to Mars Architecture” documents, including a closer look at some key decisions about Mars exploration.

Those decisions cover a wide gamut of challenges to living and working on the Red Planet. NASA planners narrowed them down to these key areas: science priorities, number of crew members on the first trip, how many on each follow-up trip, number of crew members per Mars location, Mars surface power generation technologies, what kinds of missions will be sent (the “target state”), and establishing what they call a “loss of crew risk” posture. That last one involves making the right decisions about missions based on risk to the crew’s health and performance.

NASA Plans for the Moon and Mars

Why create a mission architecture for the Moon and Mars? Essentially, anybody going to these other worlds needs a mutually agreed-upon “roadmap” that plans the explorations and technologies needed. That’s why NASA created its first Moon to Mars objectives in 2022 and has been refining them ever since. The agency’s roadmap includes feedback from a wide swath of society. Members of academia, U.S. industry, international partners, and the NASA workforce all contributed to the project.

“Our new documents reflect the progress we’ve made to define a clear approach to exploration and lay out how we’ll incorporate new elements as technologies and capabilities in the U.S. and abroad mature,” said Catherine Koerner, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This process is ensuring that everything we are doing as an agency and together with our partners is focused on achieving our overarching exploration goals for the benefit of all.”

The Key Decisions Regarding Mars Exploration

In a white paper published along with the Moon to Mars Architecture document, NASA explains key areas of concern when it comes specifically to Mars exploration. The first is science. It’s the main reason for going the both the Moon and Mars, and its needs will drive almost all other considerations. It will determine the resources needed, including crew numbers, payloads, technology deliveries, and power and communications infrastructure, and contingencies for possible accidents or other challenges.

An artist’s concept of Mars explorers and their habitat on the Red Planet. Courtesy NASA.

Once the science is determined, planners can decide on crew needs for the first and subsequent missions. As the white paper states, “…a series of focused science exploration missions to different landing sites would favor one architecture. Establishing a permanent, fixed base from which astronauts could conduct many surface missions supporting diverse and evolving exploration activities would favor a very different architecture.”

From there, planners will figure out the “cadence” of the missions and crew deployments. How often do we send missions and how many people will go? Just as an example, let’s say that the first mission will land in Jezero Crater, near the Perseverance rover. NASA could use its data to determine further science exploration at the site. That will drive the best placement for habitats and other infrastructure, and the type of mission will dictate the number of crew members needed.

Those decisions will then drive the infrastructure and technology needed for each step. Science stations need power to do the science, but also to sustain the habitats for the science teams. If those teams travel across the surface, their rovers will need power, fuel, and possibly replacement parts. Crew members themselves will need to be able to grow food, use local resources to extract fuel and water, and otherwise maintain safe living conditions. And, these are just the first steps in the long-term exploration of Mars, enabled by what people learn about living and working on the Moon.

Why Does NASA Want a Moon to Mars Plan?

While it may seem sexy to send people directly to Mars without any intervening stops at the Moon, NASA and other agencies want a measured approach. The idea to use the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars is not new. The Moon makes a good “training base” of sorts where we can “practice” with the technologies and techniques of living on another world. In addition, it offers a unique environment for astronomy and planetary science exploration. Astronauts learn in an environment close to Earth and if something dire happens to them, rescue is not far away.

Artist’s impression of astronauts on the lunar surface, as part of the Artemis Program. Credit: NASA

These ideas underlie the planning for the upcoming Artemis missions to the lunar surface. There’s supposed to be a gateway orbiting the Moon, to which astronauts and equipment will fly. Then, from there, materials and people head to the Moon to explore various sites, and begin the complex tasks of exploration and habitat construction. That set of missions will establish the foundation for scientific exploration, and land a diverse set of people on the lunar surface, all in cooperation with international partners. Ultimately, everything they learn on the Moon will prepare people for the leap to Mars.

The Moon to Mars mission architectural plans unite both lunar and Mars exploration in one timeline, identifying technologies and capabilities needed to accomplish each step. They are living documents, updated every year to reflect changes in any aspect of mission planning and technology.

For More Information

• NASA Shares Newest Results of Moon to Mars Architecture Concept Review
• Moon to Mars Architecture
• Key Mars Architecture Decisions (PDF)

{ https://www.universetoday.com/  }

Unraveling the Mysteries of Area 51: The Intriguing Accounts of Bob Lazar and John Lear

In the realm of UFO lore, few stories have sparked as much fascination and controversy as those surrounding Area 51, a highly classified United States Air Force facility in Nevada. Central to these tales are the figures of Bob Lazar and John Lear, whose claims about alien technology and government secrecy have captivated public imagination. Investigative reporter George Knapp played a pivotal role in bringing these narratives to light, challenging our understanding of the unknown.

Bob Lazar: A Glimpse into the Unknown

Bob Lazar emerged in the late 1980s as a figure of intrigue within the UFO community. Claiming to be a physicist, Lazar asserted that he was employed at a top-secret government facility known as S4, located near Area 51. His primary role, he said, was to reverse-engineer extraterrestrial technology from recovered alien spacecraft. Lazar’s descriptions of these crafts were detailed and technical, describing propulsion systems that defied known physics, specifically gravity manipulation through antimatter reactors.

His story extended beyond mere engineering marvels. Lazar spoke of various alien species and implied that the U.S. government was deeply involved in studying their technology. The veracity of Lazar’s claims has been widely debated, with skeptics pointing to inconsistencies and lack of evidence, particularly in Lazar’s educational and professional background.

John Lear’s Contributions

John Lear, a respected aviator and son of the inventor of the Learjet, William Lear, lent a significant voice to the UFO narrative. With ties to various intelligence agencies, Lear’s transition into UFO research added a layer of credibility to the discussions about extraterrestrial activities. He posited that the U.S. government had been recovering alien spacecraft since the late 1940s and that these activities were closely guarded secrets.

VIDEO:

• Bob Lazar and John Lear talk alien craft at Area 51 ~ with investigative reporter George Knapp

• https://youtu.be/FX8vuvECBIY

Lear’s role in the Lazar story is pivotal. He introduced Lazar to George Knapp, which eventually led to the public disclosure of Lazar’s experiences. Lear himself became an outspoken advocate for the existence of UFOs and alien visitors, contributing to the growing public discourse on the subject.

George Knapp’s Investigative Journalism

Enter George Knapp, an investigative reporter whose interest in Lazar’s and Lear’s accounts brought them into the public eye. Knapp’s journalistic rigor provided a platform for Lazar to share his experiences. His interviews and investigations into Lazar’s background added depth to the narrative, though they also raised questions about Lazar’s credibility.

Knapp’s work highlighted the challenges in investigating claims surrounded by secrecy. His efforts to verify Lazar’s employment history and academic credentials met with obstructions, fueling theories of a government cover-up. The questions raised by Knapp’s investigation continue to add to the mystique and skepticism surrounding Lazar’s claims.

The Legacy of Lazar and Lear

The stories of Bob Lazar and John Lear have become integral to the UFO mythology, particularly regarding Area 51. Their accounts have fueled debates about government transparency, scientific evidence, and the possibility of extraterrestrial contact. The continuing public interest in their stories is a testament to the enduring human fascination with the unknown and the unexplained.

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

Ben jij klaar voor de Apocalyps? Onthulling van de mysteries van het boek Openbaring

©Shutterstock

Ben jij klaar voor de Apocalyps? Onthulling van de mysteries van het boek Openbaring
Het Bijbelboek Openbaring staat bekend om zijn dramatische weergave van het einde der tijden. Het boek is de basis geweest voor veel afbeeldingen van de Apocalyps, die – in sommige gevallen – behoorlijk gruwelijk zijn. Maar wat weten we eigenlijk over de auteur van Openbaring; de Vier Ruiters van de Apocalyps, of de betekenis van het getal 666, ook wel het getal van het beest genoemd?

In deze galerij verkennen we het boek Openbaring om licht te werpen op deze vragen en meer. Klik verder om iets nieuws te leren!

©Getty Images

De focus ligt niet alleen op de apocalyps
Veel mensen geloven dat het boek Openbaring slechts een apocalyptisch verslag is van wat er gaat gebeuren, maar de auteur van het boek, Johannes, richtte zich vooral op de terugkeer van Jezus Christus.

©Getty Images

De focus ligt niet alleen op de apocalyps
In 70 GT maakte Johannes een tragische gebeurtenis in de geschiedenis mee toen Jeruzalem zwaar werd beschadigd door de Romeinen. Men geloofde dat Jezus terug zou komen om de Romeinen te verslaan en gerechtigheid te zoeken voor zijn dood en het lijden van de christenen.

©Getty Images

De focus ligt niet alleen op de apocalyps
Dit soort anti-Romeinse propaganda overtuigde christenen ervan dat hun leider en redder tijdens hun leven terug zou komen. Hoe zorg je ervoor dat christenen gemotiveerd blijven om christen te blijven? Deel een intrigerend verhaal met hen.

©Getty Images

The Apocalypse zou een script voor een horrorfilm kunnen zijn
Bepaalde delen van het boek Openbaring bevatten gewelddadige inhoud, vooral met betrekking tot de Apocalyps. Laten we onze discussie beginnen met de Vier Ruiters van de Apocalyps en hun kenmerkende paarden.

©Shutterstock

De vier ruiters van de Apocalyps
Openbaring 9:17-19 geeft details over het uiterlijk van deze paarden: "De hoofden van de paarden leken op de hoofden van leeuwen, en uit hun muilen kwam vuur, rook en zwavel." Vind je dat niet behoorlijk intimiderend? Maar er is meer aan de hand!

©Getty Images

De vier ruiters van de Apocalyps
"De kracht van de paarden zat in hun mond en in hun staart; want hun staarten waren als slangen, met koppen waarmee ze verwondingen toebrengen." Niemand zou een vrachtwagen met deze paarden hebben!

©Getty Images

De mensheid staat op het punt heel slecht te worden
Ze worden letterlijk gekookt door de zon, gebombardeerd met enorme hagelstenen, en dan wordt de zon pikzwart terwijl de maan een bloedrode tint krijgt. En alsof dat nog niet genoeg is, regenen de sterren uit de hemel, gevolgd door een enorme aardbeving. Ja, die tijden zijn serieus zwaar!

©Getty Images

Het wordt nog erger
Er is een verhaal over sprinkhanen wier ‘gezichten leken op menselijke gezichten. Hun haar was als vrouwenhaar en hun tanden waren als leeuwentanden.’ Bovendien bezaten ze een schorpioenachtige angel, maar het was hen verboden dodelijke slachtoffers te veroorzaken. In plaats daarvan zouden deze sprinkhanen individuen gedurende een periode van vijf maanden kwellen. De aard van deze situatie is zeer verontrustend.

©Getty Images

Openbaring is in de Bijbel terechtgekomen dankzij één enkele persoon
Het proces van het samenstellen van de Bijbel, ook wel de officiële verzameling genoemd, duurde meerdere jaren. Gedurende deze tijd werden talloze boeken geëvalueerd, waaronder de opmerkelijke opname van het boek Openbaring. Athanasius, een zeer invloedrijke priester, speelde een cruciale rol in dit streven.

©Getty Images

Openbaring is in de Bijbel terechtgekomen dankzij één enkele persoon
Ondanks dat hij vijf keer met ballingschap en afzetting te maken kreeg, verdedigde Athanasius de kracht van de Openbaring. Hij geloofde dat het stand kon houden tegen iedereen die tegen de Kerk was. Verrassend genoeg leidde zijn geloofwaardigheid ertoe dat het boek in het Nieuwe Testament werd opgenomen, zelfs toen anderen twijfelden aan de waarde ervan.

©Getty Images

Auteur van het boek Openbaring?
Het auteurschap van Openbaring is een onderwerp van discussie waarbij meerdere personen betrokken zijn die in de Bijbel Johannes worden genoemd, waaronder de apostel van Jezus en de schrijver van een van de evangelieverslagen.

©Getty Images

Auteur van het boek Openbaring?
Het gebruik van soortgelijke woorden heeft het argument versterkt van degenen die geloven dat de auteur van het boek Johannes en het boek Openbaring één en dezelfde zijn. Dit standpunt wordt echter niet door iedereen gedeeld.

©Getty Images

Wie schreef de Openbaring werkelijk?
De apostel Johannes noemt zijn eigen naam meerdere keren in zijn boek, maar volgt verrassend genoeg niet dezelfde stijl in Openbaring, waarbij hij elke verwijzing naar zichzelf weglaat, wat duidelijk niet zijn stijl was.

©Getty Images

Wie schreef de Openbaring werkelijk?
Beide auteurs gebruiken verschillende Griekse woorden om Jezus het lam te noemen. Bovendien is de Griekse schrijfstijl van de apostel verfijnder. De auteur van Openbaring lijkt geen moedertaalspreker te zijn.

©Getty Images

Hij was geen gewone christen
Gedurende die tijd kende het christendom verdeeldheid tussen de verschillende groepen, en Johannes, waarvan werd aangenomen dat hij een Jood was, beschouwde Jezus als de Joodse Messias.

©Getty Images

John's strikte mening
Het boek bevat verschillende aanwijzingen van de auteur. De auteur steunde bijvoorbeeld niet dat heidenen (niet-joden) volgelingen van Jezus zouden worden zonder zich te houden aan de regels die in de Thora zijn uiteengezet.

©Getty Images

John's strikte mening
Johannes was geen voorstander van de acceptatie van heidenen in kerken en noemde er één een ‘synagoge van Satan’.

©Getty Images

666 heeft geen verband met Satan
Het getal 666 wordt vaak geassocieerd met de duivel. Maar volgens Openbaring 13:18: "Dit vereist wijsheid. Laat degene die inzicht heeft, het getal van het beest berekenen, want het is het getal van een mens. Dat getal is 666."

©Getty Images

666 heeft geen verband met Satan
Dit aantal wordt echter niet geassocieerd met enige kwade connotaties. Het komt feitelijk overeen met de identiteit van een individu, zoals vermeld in het boek Openbaring. Deskundigen suggereren dat deze persoon niemand minder is dan keizer Nero.

©Shutterstock

Welke methode is gebruikt voor de berekening?
De informatie werd verkregen via gematria, een Hebreeuwse numerologische praktijk die waarden aan letters toekent.

©Getty Images

Waarom Nero?
Nero behandelde christenen op een zeer harde manier en nam zijn toevlucht tot het levend verbranden ervan. Dit maakte hem tot een sterke kanshebber voor de titel van het beest.

©Getty Images

Hoe zit het dan met het merkteken van het beest?
Er wordt gedacht dat het in Openbaring 13:16-17 genoemde merkteken verwijst naar Romeinse munten of postzegels die door het rijk werden gebruikt.

©Getty Images

Toen het einde van de wereld niet plaatsvond
Er zijn meerdere mislukte voorspellingen over de Apocalyps geweest, die allemaal gebaseerd waren op Openbaring. Eén zo’n voorspelling werd gedaan door de Schotse wiskundige John Napier, die het einde van de wereld in 1688 of 1700 voorspelde.

©Public Domain

Toen de voorspelde apocalyps nooit kwam
De Duitse predikant Johann Bengel voorspelde in 1836 dat de wereld in verval zou raken.

©Getty Images

Mislukte apocalypsvoorspellingen
Bovendien zijn er hedendaagse gevallen geweest, zoals de Branch Davidian-sekte, waarbij de leden helaas omkwamen bij het beruchte Waco-incident in Texas in 1993. Bovendien slaagde eindtijdcomplottheoreticus David Meade er de laatste tijd ook niet in om de apocalyps accuraat te voorspellen. zowel in 2017 als in 2018.

©Getty Images

Meer boeken over de Apocalyps
Er bestaan ​​​​andere joodse apocalyptische geschriften, zoals IV (of 4) Ezra, ook bekend als de Apocalyps van Esdras, die qua betekenis wedijvert met het boek Openbaring.

©Getty Images

De locatie waar Openbaring werd geschreven
Volgens Openbaring 1:9 werd de verblijfplaats van Johannes genoteerd als het Griekse eiland Patmos, waar hij schreef.

©Getty Images

De locatie waar Openbaring werd geschreven
Er wordt aangenomen dat een grot, omringd door een klooster, de plek is waar de auteur het boek schreef. Ondanks het ontbreken van bewijsmateriaal leidde de betekenis ervan tot de aanwijzing ervan als UNESCO-werelderfgoed.

©Getty Images

Openbaring vormde het Amerikaanse Midden-Oostenbeleid
Evangelicalen hebben een aanzienlijke invloed in de Amerikaanse politiek en zien de betekenis van Israël in relatie tot de profetie die in Openbaring wordt geschetst. Het geloof dat Joodse mensen naar Israël moeten terugkeren en Christus als hun verlosser moeten omarmen voordat Jezus terugkeert, is een belangrijk aspect van dit perspectief.

©Getty Images

Gebeurtenissen op verschillende manieren bekijken
Het Preterisme beschouwt de gebeurtenissen in Openbaring als hebbend plaatsgevonden in de periode tussen de bediening van Johannes de Doper en de val van Jeruzalem in 70 GT, toen de tekst werd geschreven.

©Getty Images

Gebeurtenissen op verschillende manieren bekijken
Sommigen geloven dat de apocalyps nog moet komen, terwijl anderen de gebeurtenissen interpreteren alsof ze al plaatsvinden. De ruiters symboliseren verovering, oorlog, hongersnood en dood. Is dit louter toeval?

Bron:

• (Grunge)

Zie ook: De schokkend nauwkeurige profetieën van 30 minder bekende profeten

 { http://starsinsider.com/ }

Details involving a mysterious object that was released during the test flight of an experimental Chinese spaceplane that landed this month were among several potential threats from space addressed in a recent report issued by a Washington-based think tank.

The assessment, produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Aerospace Security Project (ASP), examined the varieties of weapons most likely to pose a threat from orbit, as well as the nations capable of deploying them, specifically citing China and Russia as “both challenging the world order that has been in place and has secured peace since the end of World War II.”

Detailing counterspace weapons that “pose a serious risk to the space environment and the ability of all nations to use the space domain for prosperity and security,” the ASP assessment places particular significance on systems that result in orbital debris, focusing on four distinct types of weapons: kinetic physical, non-kinetic physical, electronic, and cyber counterspace weapons.

A portion of the report also focused on the recent launches of a pair of spaceplanes by China, one orbital, the other suborbital, from its Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

“[Few details have surfaced about either vehicle,” the report states, although it is known that the first spacecraft was launched in September 2020 by a Long March 2F and thereafter remained in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for close to 48 hours. During that time, it was observed to release a secondary object.

The mystery object, circled in red, appears some distance behind China’s spaceplane, circled in blue, during its operations in orbit

(Credit: Slingshot Aerospace/CSIS).

While little else is known about the mysterious object, it was determined to be “capable of broadcasting transmissions,” according to the ASP report.

The second test flight occurred on August 4, 2022, remaining in LEO for close to two months before raising its orbit on October 23, shortly before the spacecraft also released an object.

The ASP report says that publicly available data does not provide clear details on the exact time that the object was released from the second Chinese spacecraft. However, it was first recognized on

The Debrief previously reported that the object had been observed while China’s spaceplane had been carrying out its operations in orbit, which is believed to resemble the U.S. X-37B spaceplane, showing “a Chinese interest in matching U.S. capabilities.”

October 31, 2022, according to the U.S. Space Force space tracking database.

China’s ground-based space surveillance infrastructure is also addressed, citing knowledge of facilities it has built “in countries around the world, including as far away as South America.”

Apart from concerns over China’s space operations, extensive portions of the ASP report also address developments in Russia, which include mention of Dimitry Rogozin’s replacement last July by Yuri Borisov, changes that were “possibly a demotion for both men” on account of Rogozin’s social media activity which the report’s authors characterized as “erratic,” as well as Russia’s then-stated plans to depart from its operations aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Last month, Russia said in an about-face that it planned to continue its support of ISS operations at least until 2028, despite previous statements that it would end its support in 2024, and amidst rising tensions between Washington and Moscow related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A February 2022 incident involving a Viasat hack carried out by Russia was also addressed among the cyber-related activities the country has engaged in recently, citing it amidst information on a more recent similar cyber intrusion carried out against a “U.S. commercial satellite communications provider” last November.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security official serving as an analyst with CISA said that the Russian state-sponsored hacking group Fancy Bear had succeeded in the infiltration of the network, where they had reportedly been able to operate for several months before it was learned that the hack had occurred.

While countries like North Korea have shown significantly less in the way of space operations in recent months, the ASP notes in the report that such minimal counterspace weapons concerns are “overshadowed by the immense number of missile launches conducted in 2022.”

While the majority of the ASP space threat assessment addresses potential weapons and other dangers that may emanate the activities of various nations in space, there were also some positive developments, which included the absence of any confirmed ASAT tests within the last year, which the CISA says may be due to “greater recognition of the destructive potential of debris-generating activity in space,” which potentially impacts the safety of orbital operations for all nations and their space programs.

“In 2023, it will be important to monitor if this consequential trend is sustained,” the report concludes.

• Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on Twitter: @MicahHanks. 

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

Whitley Strieber’s Alien Abduction & Stranger Who Told Him ‘Mankind Is Trapped’

Whitley Strieber, born in Texas, United States, is a famous author known for his thought-provoking horror fiction. Strieber wrote a novel called The Wolfen, which later became a popular film in 1980. However, it was his book Communion that garnered significant attention, particularly from the UFO community. His book changed this dynamic almost instantly, attracting widespread interest beyond the usual UFOlogy circles.

Strieber’s writings have been adapted into various movies and TV shows, contributing to his global acclaim as a best-selling author. However, his popularity soared after the publication of “Communion” in 1987, a non-fiction novel detailing his encounter with non-human intelligent beings. The book became a major success, reaching the No. 1 spot on The New York Times’ non-fiction bestseller list.

In 1989, a film adaptation of “Communion” was released, featuring actors Christopher Walken and Lindsay Crouse. The author’s real encounter with aliens happened on December 26, 1985, when he was sleeping alone in his cabin in the woods, upstate New York. That night, Strieber was awakened by an unusual noise. When he opened his eyes, he saw a small alien creature approaching his bed.

“Throughout the world, there is a certain type of face, a being that’s seen again and again and again. With a long, thin face and big black eyes, sometimes the head seems quite big, as in the Betty Andreas case. In others, like in my case, they seem smaller, and the beings are taller. But that basic configuration, that basic sort of non-human configuration, seems to be repeated again and again and again in experiences all over the world,” Strieber said.

The next thing Strieber remembered was finding himself sitting in the surrounding woods with fragmented memories of what had transpired. To uncover the truth and regain his memories, he decided to undergo regressive hypnosis administered by Dr. Donald F. Klein. He recalled he had been abducted and physically assaulted by someone whom he designated as “Visitors” to keep the possibility of extraterrestrials’ involvement low.

Under hypnosis, Strieber recalled being “floated” out of his bedroom and taken aboard a UFO. During this experience, he encountered four different types of alien beings: a small robot-like being, a short and stocky type, a slender one, and a weak-looking being. Whatever he had recalled in the hypnosis became the story of his best-selling novel. Since that night, he was full of curiosity about the unknown visitors.

Read also:

• Pentagon Has Clear Image Of Triangle UFO Rising Out Of Ocean, Elizondo Confirmed
• Karla Turner Claimed She Found Evidence That Aliens Are Manipulating Human Reality
  by Ta

• Stanford Top Scientist Claims ‘100%’ Aliens Are On Earth; He Himself Saw Grey E.T.s
• Jacques Vallee On Footage Of UFO Landing At Holloman AFB: Occupant Carried Vertical Staff With Spiral Antenna

Strieber described that one of the beings had captivating black slanted eyes, while the last being had black button eyes. He further said that he underwent medical experiments conducted by those extraterrestrial beings. The experiments included a needle being inserted into his brain and an object being inserted into his rectum. Additionally, the beings extracted a blood sample from him by making an incision in his finger, indicating a series of invasive procedures.

As a result of the bizarre incidents described, Dr. Klein diagnosed Strieber with “temporal lobe epilepsy,” a condition known to cause hallucinations. However, Strieber did not accept this diagnosis and continued to claim that his abduction was a real experience. In fact, he went on to establish a foundation to provide support for other individuals who claimed to have been abducted by aliens, forming a support group for alien abductees.

In 1998, Strieber had another strange encounter at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. He was awakened at 2:30 in the morning by a knock at the door, expecting room service, but instead found a mysterious man. Stieber told the Huffington Post: “I got up to open the door, thinking it was the room service waiter. It was not. It was a man I described as about 5 and a half feet tall, older-looking, like someone in his 70s. He wore dark-colored clothing, a turtleneck, and charcoal slacks.”

Strieber described this encounter in his book “The Key: A True Encounter,” published in 2000. The stranger engaged Strieber in a conversation about life lessons, science, and ethics. He expressed a desire to help humanity escape from a cycle of violence and self-destruction. When asked about technology, the stranger mentioned that an intelligent machine would continually seek to enhance its intelligence for survival. The conversation touched upon various topics, including the existence of multiple universes and catastrophic events in Earth’s history.

During the 45-minute conversation, Strieber grew increasingly curious and asked many questions. However, at one point, the stranger offered him a drink, which caused him to fall asleep immediately. The stranger’s true identity remains unknown, leaving Strieber contemplating the future of humanity and the undiscovered realms of science.

While many people remain skeptical about Strieber’s claim of alien abduction, John B. Alexander, a former Green Beret Commander and weapons developer, has regarded Strieber as an intelligent and thoughtful researcher in the field.

Author Whitley Strieber approached the subject of alien abductions differently than his contemporaries in the 1980s. While others focused on the idea that extraterrestrial scientists were stealing human DNA, Strieber delved into the controversial aspects of his own experiences with what he called the Visitors. He used this term because he was not sure if his captors were truly alien in the conventional sense. Strieber believed they might represent something beyond human comprehension.

In his book “Transformation,” a sequel to “Communion,” Strieber explored traumatic encounters of abductees who believed the Visitors (also known as Greys) had the ability to extract the immortal human soul from the physical body. He received a response from the Visitors, explaining that they recycled souls and that Earth was like a school where souls learn, grow, and evolve through successive reincarnations.

Strieber’s realization that the abduction phenomenon was stranger than initially thought was shared by Harvard professor John E. Mack. Mack encountered abductees who believed the entities they encountered were soul-stealers. In Mack’s book “Passport to the Cosmos,” he recounted the story of an abductee named Greg who feared being separated from his soul, believing it would lead to the end of his consciousness and existence.

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

NASA's Perseverance rover confirms presence of ancient lake on Mars and it may hold clues to past life

"From orbit we can see a bunch of different deposits, but we can't tell for sure if what we're seeing is their original state, or if we're seeing the conclusion of a long geological story," David Paige, first author of the study, RIMFAX's deputy principal investigator and UCLA professor, said in the statement. "To tell how these things formed, we need to see below the surface."

Related: 

• Strange underground polygons on Mars hint at Red Planet's wet past

As Perseverance travels across the surface of Mars, the RIMFAX instrument sends radar waves downward at 4-inch (10-centimeter) intervals and measures pulses reflected from depths of about 65.6 feet (20 meters) below the surface to create a subsurface profile of the crater floor. 

The RIMFAX data showed evidence of sediment deposited by water that once filled the crater. It's possible that microbial life could have lived in the crater at this time and, if such life existed on Mars, sediment samples from this area would contain signs of their remains. 

Two distinct periods of deposition occurred, creating layers of sediments on the crater floor that appear regular and horizontal, much like strata layers seen on Earth. Fluctuations in the lake's water levels caused some of the sediment deposits to form an enormous delta, which Perseverance traversed between May and December 2022, according to the statement. 

The radar measurements also show an uneven crater floor below the delta, which is likely due to erosion before sediments were first deposited. After, as the lake dried up over time, the sediment layers in the crater were eroded, forming the geologic features visible on the Martian surface today. 

"The changes we see preserved in the rock record are driven by large-scale changes in the Martian environment," Paige said in the statement. "It's cool that we can see so much evidence of change in such a small geographic area, which allows us [to] extend our findings to the scale of the entire crater."

Their findings were published today (Jan. 26) in the journal Science Advances. 

This animated artist’s concept depicts water breaking through the rim of Mars’ Jezero Crater, which NASA’s Perseverance rover is now exploring. Water entered the crater billions of years ago, forming a lake, delta, and rivers before the Red Planet dried up.

NASA/JPL-Caltech

{ https://www.space.com/ }

Bizarre UFO Encounter Of US Farmer: Three Aliens Gave Him Pancakes

Simonton was rather curious to check on the object than shocked. When he stepped outside, a hatch on the disc opened and three dark-skinned humanoid figures appeared. According to the farmer, they were mute and looked like the Italian. The aliens were about five feet tall, dressed up in tight clothes from head to toes.

Read also:

• Former U.S. Secretary Of State Showed His Cousin 4 Aliens In Jar Under Capitol Building
• Moon-Sized UFO Again Flew Out Of Sun Through Portal, So Is Our Sun A Stargate?
• Aliens From Andromeda Told US Army Personnel That Humans Are Composite of 22 different E.T. races
• Ex-USAF Captain: UFOs Hacked Malmstrom AFB Nuke System, Deactivated 10 Missiles

The man said that one of the aliens had some vessel (like a bucket) and signaled him to fill it with water. He took the bucket, filled it with the water from the nearby pump, and returned it to the alien. Simonton noticed that inside the ship, it was totally dark and one of the ship’s crew was busy with the dashboard while others seemed to be prepared for cooking on a flameless grill. The creatures looked nice and offered him four pancakes that had tiny holes. After that, they closed the hatch, started the ship, slowly rose it some distance from the ground, and flew away tow ard the south. Simonton, holding four pancakes, watched this amazing scene with his eyes wide open.

Interestingly, at the same time, this incident caught one more witness. Savino Borgo, an insurance agent who was driving near Simonton’s farm, also saw a flying saucer.

Simonton tasted one of the pancakes but was not impressed by the friendly aliens’ cooking. According to him, it tasted like cardboard. Normally, such stories are called fake due to their bizarre nature but this one got the attention of the US authorities. After the neighbors spotted a UFO over Simonton’s farm, they called the US Air Force. They arrived with the members of Project Blue Book.

One of the aliens’ pancakes was given to a local judge by Simonton who vouched for his honesty and reliability. The second pancake was received by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and the third one was handed over to the Food and Drug Administration by the Air Force. After some analysis, it was found out that the pancakes were made from completely earthy products.

Within a few days, this strange story turned from an interesting UFO encounter into a nationwide joke. The newspapers spoke of the incident in a derisive tone, but the people who had known Simonton for a long time believed him. When Dr. Hynek met Simonton for the first time, he was quite impressed by his behavior. He wrote in one of his Project Blue Book reports that Simonton knew that they would not believe him but he did not care. He simply assured that whatever he witnessed had happened in reality.

Simonton lived In the Eagle River which is surrounded by forests and lakes and is close to the Michigan border. In the following month of the incident, the area suffered a power failure and all the telephone lines were also affected. Besides, a fighter jet (B-47 bomber) crashed 60 miles from Eagle River on February 24 of the same year, and on May 2, another plane crashed near that area. The pilot in the second crash said: “I felt this weightlessness and I was hanging by my straps” just before the crash. The place had many strange UFO sightings from 1959 to 1963 but never got public attention.

The Eagle River UFO incident has been unsolved. The Air Force said that Simonton mistook a dream and considered it a reality.

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

The findings could present complications for NASA’s Artemis program, particularly its third mission which will involve crewed lunar exploration that may use the Moon’s south pole for potential landing sites.

Tom Watters, a Senior Scientist with the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution, says current models reveal shallow moonquakes resulting from fault activity that could produce violent ground shaking in the Moon’s south pole region.

Watters, an expert on tectonic landforms on the Earth and the Moon and the lead author of a paper detailing the new findings, says the potential thrust fault activity in the region “should be considered when planning the location and stability of permanent outposts on the Moon.”

LRO image depicting the the Wiechert cluster of lobate scarps, as detailed with arrows pointing leftward, located near the lunar south pole

(Credit: NASA/LROC/ASU/Smithsonian Institution)

Currently, thousands of small, relatively new thrust faults have been detected in the lunar crust, as revealed in imagery collected by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). LRO Deputy Project Scientist Maria Banks, also a co-author of the new study, called the imagery “a good demonstration of one of the many ways in which LRO data is being used to assist planning for our return to the Moon.”

According to the team, these thrust faults detected in LRO imagery are the result of contractions driven by factors that include the Moon’s hot interior gradually cooling over time, which breaks the crust and misaligns the separate halves, producing steep banks resembling steps on a staircase.

Shallow moonquakes have also been detected in conjunction with the formation of these thrust faults by seismometers associated with the Apollo Passive Seismic Network, the strongest of which had an epicenter that was traced to the lunar south pole.

Based on models used in the recent study, the formation of a young thrust fault scarp in the de Gerlache Rim 2, a location NASA has identified as a potential landing site for Artemis III, could have been associated with a moonquake of comparable strength.

Also of concern is the potential for regolith landslides that may occur, which the recent study shows could result even from much milder seismic activity.

In the years ahead, NASA aims to work with its international and commercial partners to establish the first long-term human presence on the lunar surface under its Artemis program, in addition to landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.

However, Renee Weber with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and a co-author of the new study, says that understanding seismic hazards that may potentially impact future human lunar exploration during the Artemis missions, as well as those further in the future, will require additional seismic data from regions around the Moon, and not just its south pole.

“Missions like the upcoming Farside Seismic Suite will expand upon measurements made during Apollo,” Weber said in a statement, “and add to our knowledge of global seismicity.”

The team’s recent paper, “Tectonics and Seismicity of the Lunar South Polar Region,” was published on January 25, 2024, in The Planetary Science Journal.

• Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.

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

Turkey Kumburgaz UFO Videos Are 100% Real With Clear View Of Alien Entities Sitting Inside Craft

Yalman said he started recording the strange crafts as a hobby to pass his time in the night. Due to the shaky videos, some skeptics claimed that the mysterious objects over the skies of Turkey could have been a US stealth drone or other aircraft. However, numerous experts confirmed that the videos were authentic. Besides, many people witnessed the same unknown crafts in the sky. The sightings gained attention from locals, national media, and even CNN. Several videos were recorded between June 8 and 12, 2009, showing mysterious objects and lights.

Originally, the video was analyzed and made public by the Sirius UFO Space Sciences Research Center led by researcher Haktan Akdoğan. Haktan said the UFOs were often seen by civilians and military pilots during an International UFO Congress in 2009. (Source)

In 2009, after the conference, there were witnesses of 8-10 people including UFOlogist Dr. Roger Leir, who also witnessed and verified the Kumburgaz UFO sighting. Dr. Leir was present during the filming of one video on May 17, 2009, and confirmed that as the UAP turned, it was similar to the “Roswell” shaped craft (more boomerang-shaped) rather than a traditional disc. Dr. Leir discussed this incident that happened with him after the conference on Coast to Coast with George Knapp.

Dr. Leir told Knapp that he, Yalman and others went to Kumburgaz to film UFOs. The group stayed up from midnight to 4 o’clock in the morning to capture any possible sightings. The conditions were ideal, with clear skies and no obstructions. During the filming, they observed a bright object below the full moon, which initially appeared as a potential star or planet. As they focused on this object, they discovered a semi-circular craft with a multitude of lights, possibly shaped like a boomerang or a cylindrical saucer.

Dr. Leir said, 

“You’d think, ‘Well, gee, a bright sky, bright moon, you’re not going to see anything.’ But in this case, the moon was a big help. It essentially lit up the exterior portion of the craft, which initially, when we saw it, looked a bit like a boomerang because we weren’t seeing it straight on, so we couldn’t tell the exact shape of the craft. But then we went to full film on it, and we could see that it was either a boomerang, or we were looking at a certain portion of a cylindrical craft or a saucer.

Till this day, I don’t know, and I don’t know what the analysts said about the shape. But it was either one of the two: either a boomerang shape with a round front or a complete saucer. It did turn a couple of times, so we were able to see the side, and it looked like it could have been saucer-shaped. But then we got the biggest shock of our lives because we could see light that was emanating from the internal portion of the craft in three areas. One was directly in front, and one was on either side.

This was a full-on front view, and folks can look at the Coast website and they can not only see the video but please go to the Chilean analysis because there are some still photos there which show what we saw when we looked in the central portion. That was a big shock to look and see, not a Rorschach-type thing, but actual entities that were, whatever they were doing, looking out the front of the craft, just the same as we were looking at them.”

Video Observation

From 2007 to 2009, Yalman recorded approximately 30 videos. The footage was taken with a MiniDV Canon DM-GR1-A based on the NTSC system with a diaphragm set at a maximum of 1.8. It is a 3CCD 20x optic 100x with a teleconverter mounted on a 58 mm adapter. The tele-objective is a Sony VCL HGD 1758 model lens, x 1.7. [2007 to 2009 Original Raw Footage]

The videos were examined by two influential state-sponsored organizations in Turkey, “The Scientific and Technology Research Board of Turkey” and “The TUG National Observatory.” Their objective was to identify any evidence of forgery, but the results supported the authenticity of the videos. The original film cassettes were also studied by individuals from Japan, Chile, Brazil, and Russia, and despite several attempts, no one has been able to conclusively demonstrate evidence of a hoax, fraud, or manipulation, leaving the case unidentified.

Yalman’s camera was equipped with a zoom option which allowed him to even capture the pilots, sitting in one of the crafts. The image is shaky due to the hand movements while zooming. However, with the editing software, the video was stabilized, and the result shocked everyone. Two humanoid figures could be seen in the image with large black eyes and oversized heads.

Haktan Akdoğan noted that these are the most important images in Turkey and in the world, saying: “After doing all the necessary analysis which went on for several weeks, the board came to a definite conclusion with no doubt that these are 100% genuine videos. The objects sighted in the aforementioned footage that have a structure that is made of specific material are definitely not made up by any kind of computer animation nor are they any form of special effects used for simulation in a studio or for a video effect therefore in conclusion it was decided that the sightings were neither a mock up or hoax. It is concluded that these objects in the sightings that have physical and material structures do not belong in any category such as; planes, helicopters, meteors, Venus, Mars, satellites, fireballs, Chinese lanterns, fireballs, weather balloons, natural or atmospheric phenomenon etc. and but rather fall into the category of UFOs.”

“We see the heads of not only one UFO but also of two beings in the images. This is the first in the world.” He further added that those images would have a great impact on UFOlogy. He had been researching UFOs for 22 years and had never seen something like this. He stated: “These are the most remarkable images taken in Turkish history.”

[In translation] Akdoğan stated that “these beings are generally seen in areas rich with resources, volcanic areas, and historical places. They started to come more frequently after nuclear tests. Maybe the released radiation also harms the cosmic neighbors, we disrupt the balance in the universe. Maybe they observe this dangerous process.” (Source)

According to the report issued by the Scientific and Technology Research Board of Turkey, the examination of these frames has yielded the following results:

• The images were recorded in digital NTSC format by the above-mentioned camera.
• The date on the video indicates that the recordings were made during 2007, 2008, and 2009.
• The footage images of the object that visibly have a certain configuration are not computer animations, special video effects or studio-re-created images or models. The footage is genuine.
• The first observation made from the footage is that some of the images were recorded in the nighttime sky at a certain altitude from the horizon. The footage also covers images of the moon in some parts which proves that the video was shot in the nighttime and open air. But, the fact that digital date displays show AM in certain frames and PM in others, raises suspicion about the validity of the time in which the recordings were made.
• Since in some parts, there is no other object that can be featured as a reference in the close-up frames and no observable differences were found on background examination, the actual location, distance, dimensions and nature of the objects could not have been determined.
• Through the examination of shootings of multiple dates, it is a strong possibility that 2-3 different objects were captured. However, it is difficult to determine whether the objects are moving or not. Their movement is slow even if they do so.
• The reflections of light on the objects are sometimes caused by the moon which was in a convenient location at that time, and sometimes produced by some other sources of light.
• The light reflection from the left side of the object which is seen on the August 10th shootings is not produced by the moon. At that time, the moon was in a phase that was pretty close to the “new moon” phase and located approximately at a 10-degree proximity/angle to the horizon. Moreover, the image processing analysis conducted on some parts of the footage revealed that the center of the object has the same density as its background, namely is of a transparent nature.

Not Debunked

Adam Goldstack of UAP Media UK mentions that many debunkers try to explain the craft as cruise ships but according to former F-16 fighter pilot and researcher Chris Letho, it does not add up. Letho analyzed the videos and case and calculated the object’s size, horizon distance, plus visual angles from the Marmara Sea. He concluded the logistics of a cruise ship did not match the reported UAP. (Source)

Additionally, the triangulation of the UAP in most video cases was calculated to be too high to be a cruise ship or boat, by other researchers. Alternatively, in the fixed/stabilized camera videos (as shown below), we can see that the objects are motionless against a black background in the vast majority of videos. The motionless aspect of the UAP could also discount the “small-boat theory,” given that even on calm waters/oceans floating objects will still move and rock around slightly. Additionally, despite the mass mainstream media coverage in Turkey at the time, no person has ever come forward to state that the objects/boats belonged to them or that they were sailing off the coast in the middle of the night.

Goldstack writes, “From an analytical perspective, the Turkey Kumburgaz UFO case is unique with regards to the clear and multiple video footage obtained. Through this case, we also have sequential data that display behavioral patterns, times, and dates. We see all of the twenty-five video encounters/incidents at night-time/early morning (with one in the late evening), which is in keeping with the wider range of Ufology data that suggests UAP often appears at night-time.

We also see another significant pattern displaying the encounters around water – in this case, the Marmara Sea. The Sea of Marmara itself is a small sea with an area of 11,350 km2 (4,380 sq mi) and with dimensionsea of 280 km × 80 km (174 mi × 50 mi). The sea has a greatest depth of 1,370 m (4,490 ft). How significant the Sea of Marmara is to potential UAP has still not been explained. No connection to nuclr facilities or weapons has been linked in this case.”

Below is the video itself.

LINKS VIDEOS

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXznyjZiOoo
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJIYf62SdEw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KBU2HHX1GE

{ https://www.howandwhys.com/ }

Top 10 Must See UFO Docs

The enigma of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and the possibility of extraterrestrial life has always fascinated humanity. With countless theories, eyewitness accounts, and unexplained phenomena, the quest for the truth remains a topic of intrigue and debate. For those drawn to the mysteries of the cosmos and the unexplained, here is a curated list of the top 10 must-see UFO documentaries that delve into these perplexing mysteries.

Video:

• Top 10 Must See UFO Docs

• https://youtu.be/fbL0eOFXZ_g

Each of these documentaries offers a unique lens through which we can view the enduring mystery of UFOs. Whether you’re a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious, these films provide a compelling exploration of one of the most intriguing questions of our time: Are we alone in the universe?

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

The Moon is Still Shrinking, Explaining Why it Still Has Landslides

Our Shaky, Shrinking Moon

Moonquakes generally happen within a hundred miles or so of the lunar surface. On Earth, that might result in a fairly mild quake. But, since the Moon’s surface is so brittle, the effects of those “shakes” are much more noticeable. According to Nicholas Schmerr, a co-author of the paper and an associate professor of geology at the University of Maryland, this means that shallow moonquakes can devastate hypothetical human settlements on the Moon.

“You can think of the Moon’s surface as being dry, grounded gravel and dust,” he said. “Over billions of years, the surface has been hit by asteroids and comets, with the resulting angular fragments constantly getting ejected from the impacts,” Schmerr explained. “As a result, the reworked surface material can be micron-sized to boulder-sized, but all very loosely consolidated. Loose sediments make it very possible for shaking and landslides to occur.”

An LROC NAC mosaic of the Wiechert cluster of lobate scarps in Moon’s south pole region, left pointing arrows). A scarp crosscuts a small (?1 km) degraded crater (right-pointing arrow).

Quakes affect every part of the lunar surface. Global compressional stresses deform the surface, forcing splits and cracks to occur. These scarps—steep slopes and cliffs—exist everywhere there. In their paper, the team suggests that many are close to the epicenters of geologically recent quakes. And the regions where they occurred could still be active today. That includes the lunar South Pole.

Risks to Artemis

The team led by Watters examined data and images of the lunar South Pole and linked faults there to a major moonquake in the 1970s. The region is filled with scarps, which are prime evidence for moonquakes. Although they conclude that some regions in the area are probably safe enough for the Artemis missions, others are not. The team’s computer models show that the most dangerous areas are vulnerable to landslides triggered by seismic shaking. They continue to map the Moon and track its quakes to identify the riskiest areas for Artemis astronauts to land.

A mosaic of Shackleton Crater at the Moon’s south pole region. It shows a portion of an interior wall and floor, with arrows pointing to boulder falls likely created during seismic shaking during a moonquake. Image courtesy: NASA/KARI/ASU

That mission could take place by the end of the decade, when NASA hopes to establish long-term habitations for research and exploration. Schmerr points out that the risks to safety from even the slightest quakes can’t be overestimated. “As we get closer to the crewed Artemis mission’s launch date, it’s important to keep our astronauts, our equipment, and infrastructure as safe as possible,” Schmerr said. “This work is helping us prepare for what awaits us on the moon—whether that’s engineering structures that can better withstand lunar seismic activity or protecting people from really dangerous zones.”

The Artemis missions essentially mark NASA’s return to human exploration of the Moon. The idea is to collaborate with both commercial partners and international agencies to make this happen. Teams of lunar astronauts will establish an Artemis Base camp, and depend on a lunar gateway to connect the mission to Earth. Eventually, what they learn there will inform the first human missions to Mars.

For More Information

• The Moon is Shrinking, Causing Landslides and Instability in Lunar South Pole
• Tectonics and Seismicity of the Lunar South Polar Region
  
• Artemis

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

The Galactic Habitable Zone

And on top of it all, our neighborhood in the galaxy, on a small branch of a great spiral arm situated about 25,000 light-years from the center, seems tuned for life: a Galactic Habitable Zone.

Too close to the center and any emerging life must contend with an onslaught of deadly radiation from countless stellar deaths and explosions, a byproduct of the cramped conditions of the core. Yes, stars come and go, quickly building up a lot of the heavy elements needed for life, but stars can be hundreds of times closer together in the core. The Earth has already suffered some extinction events likely triggered by nearby supernovae, and in that environment we simply wouldn’t stand a chance. Explosions would rip away our protective ozone layer, exposing surface life to deadly solar UV radiation, or just rip away our atmosphere altogether.

And beyond our position, at greater galactic radii, we find a deserted wasteland. Yes, stars appear and live their lives in those outskirts, but they are too far and too lonely to effectively spread their elemental ash to create a life-supporting mixture. There simply isn’t enough density of stars to support sufficient levels of mixing and recycling of elements, meaning that it’s difficult to even build a planet out there in the first place.

And so it seems that life would almost inevitably arise here, on this world, around this Sun, in this region of the Milky Way galaxy. There’s little else that we could conceivably call home.

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

BY MARK THOMPSON

Another Asteroid Discovered Hours Before it Impacts the Earth

Sárneczky only had three observations when he submitted the data but continued to observe and over the course of the following minutes secured four more observations which he passed over realising it was heading straight for Earth. The actions that follow any such discovery like this are that the MPC alert others for follow up observations. Astronomers and automated impact monitoring systems including the European Space Agency’s wonderfully named ‘MeerKAT’ system sprang into action and more observations came in. 

With more data, came more accuracy and thankfully the knowledge the the impactor was only about a metre across and due to impact just west of Berlin in Germany. It is not unusual for asteroids of this size to hit Earth indeed, we get them every couple of weeks but they generally burn up in the atmosphere and pose no threat. Larger asteroids that do pose a threat are thankfully much rarer. Larger objects are also easier to spot so the majority have already been spotted and are already being tracked but there are automated searches and individuals like Sárneczky who are always on the look out.

The asteroid, which is now known as 2024-BX1 hit the Earth’s atmosphere just a few hours after discovery at 01:32 CET (00:32 UT) on Sunday morning the 21st January, 50km to the west of Berlin. It burned up, leaving a fabulous streak across the sky which people witnessed as a fireball even being spotted over here in the UK.

Worryingly it is actually quite an unusual thing for asteroids to have been discovered before they impact our atmosphere. Only eight have been spotted with the first back in 2008. The difficulty of course is to find them early enough to give us time to understand their trajectory and size to understand what level of threat they pose to us. I should add there are no known asteroids on a collision course with Earth  and fortunately there are people like Sárneczky and a number of automated search systems out there on the lookout for the next one. 

Source : 

• Asteroid 2024 BX1 spotted three hours before impact

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

What are they trying to tell us? Internal Pentagon report warns America is unequipped to defend itself from an ALIEN invasion

• The reported noted that the DoD needs formal policies to identify UAPs 
• The Pentagon watchdogs have made 11 recommendations in the report
• READ MORE: Ex-official weighs in on 'cube in a sphere' UFO at military bases

By STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

US officials do not have the capabilities to defend America against a hypothetical alien invasion, internal Pentagon watchdogs have determined.

A newly declassified document found the Department of Defense (DoD) lacks comprehensive or coordinated effort to track and analyze UFOs - which have been rebranded Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) in recent years.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) made the eerie conclusion that this blindspot in the DoD's defensive capabilities 'poses a threat to military forces and national security.'

To address the issues identified in this report, the OIG has made 11 recommendations, including the enforcement of protection policies and the development of new tools in the event of an extraterrestrial attack.

A newly declassified document determined the Department of Defense (DoD) lacks comprehensive or coordinated effort to track and analyze UAP, such as one spotted by the US Navy in 2004

'DoD efforts to identify and understand UAP has been irregular because of competing priorities, lack of substantive progress, and inconclusive findings,' reads 'Evaluation of the DoD's Actions Regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena', previously issued August 2023.

'However, military pilots have continued to report UAP incidents despite the sporadic efforts of the DoD to identify, report, and analyze the events'

The 2023 report was a collection of evaluations on whether the Pentagon, military branches, defense agencies and counterintelligence organizations conducted actions 'to detect, report, collect, analyze, and identify UAP.'

'The DoD has not issued a comprehensive UAP response plan that identifies roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination procedures for detecting, reporting, collecting, analyzing, and identifying UAP incidents,' OIG concluded.

The agency conducted the work for the evaluation from May 2021 through June 2023 and interviewed Presidential and DoD policies, directives and guidance.

Those individuals are tasked with establishing requirements for intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, force protection, and civil liberty protections for 

'As a result, the DoD response to UAP incidents is uncoordinated and concentrated within each Military Department.'

In July 2022, the Pentagon set up the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), to handle reports of UAPs.

AARO is responsible for synchronizing and standardizing the collection, analysis, and identification of UAP incidents.

Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced the declassification of the report on Thursday, noting it was released due to the 'significant public interest in how the DoD is addressing UAPs'

However, OIG has questioned the abilities of the nation to organize and defend itself in a summary of the classified report.

OIG found that due to a lack of DoD-level guidance, AARO has not developed a formal process to detect and report on unidentified object in US skies.

UAPs are designated as 'Special Interest Items' among military officials, who require aircrews to document and report sightings within  24 hours of shutting down the engines of their own aircraft.

Some of those unexplained observations have been sent to AARO, but the reported noted that the DoD does not require military services to do so. 

'DoD Components have largely excluded geographic combatant commands, which are responsible for detecting, deterring, and preventing threats and attacks against the United States and its territories, possessions, and bases in their respective areas of responsibility, in developing UAP policies and procedures,' OIG determined in the 16-page document. 

In July 2022, the Pentagon set up the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), to handle reports of UAPs. AARO is responsible for identification of UAP incidents such as this observation in 2023 above LAX

To address the issues identified in the report, the DoD OIG said they have made eleven recommendations to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.

For example, OIG recommended that the DoD issue a policy to integrate roles, responsibilities, requirements, and coordination procedures regarding UAP into existing intelligence, counterintelligence, and force protection policies and procedures,' the report reads.

The report also suggested the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff issue guidance to 'the geographic combatant commanders regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena detection, reporting, collection, analysis, and identification within their area of responsibility.

'At a minimum, the guidance should include tools to help commands determine the threats posed by unidentified anomalous phenomena.'

Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced the declassification of the report on Thursday, noting it was released due to the 'significant public interest in how the DoD is addressing UAPs.'

'We are releasing this unclassified summary to be as transparent as possible with the American people about our oversight work on this important issue,' Storch shared in a statement.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

Fossil of Giant Triassic Amphibian Unearthed in Brazil

by Enrico de Lazaro

A new genus and species of temnospondyl amphibian has been described by a team of paleontologists from the Universidade Federal do Pampa, the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Princeton University and Harvard University.

An artist’s impression of Kwatisuchus rosai.

Image credit: Márcio Castro.

The newly-identified temnospondyl species roamed our planet during the Early Triassic epoch, some 249 million years ago.

Named Kwatisuchus rosai, the ancient animal was approximately 1.5 m (4.9 feet) in length.

It belonged to Benthosuchidae, a small group of giant crocodile-like amphibians that lived during the Triassic.

These creatures were primarily aquatic, living in rivers and lakes. They were up to 2.5 m (8.2 feet) in length and have no direct living relatives.

“Kwatisuchus rosai can be confidently assigned to the Benthosuchidae, a stereospondyl clade with a distribution previously restricted to the East European Platform,” said Universidade Federal do Pampa paleontologist Felipe Pinheiro and his colelagues.

“Phylogenetic analysis confirms the relationship of the new genus to the trematosaurian lineage, being closely related to the genus Benthosuchus.”

The skull of Kwatisuchus rosai.

Image credit: Felipe Pinheiro.

The fossilized skull of Kwatisuchus rosai was found in August 2022 in the Sanga do Cabral Formation, a sedimentary rock formation found in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

“Kwatisuchus rosai was a survivor,” said Dr. Pinheiro, led author of a paper published in The Anatomical Record.

“It lived in an environment devastated by the greatest mass extinction in the history of the planet.”

“Since they were animals adapted to conditions of high environmental stress, temnospondyl amphibians became abundant throughout the world.”

“They help us understand how extinctions affected the planet and how we can understand their effects today.”

“This was the most diverse group of primitive tetrapods, recorded on every continent on Earth,” said Dr. Estevan Eltink, a paleontologist at the Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco.

“Temnospondyls survived the greatest mass extinction of all time.”

“They have a broad record across geological periods, and had several pulses of irradiation over the millions of years of their existence.”

• Felipe L. Pinheiro et al. Interrelationships among Early Triassic faunas of Western Gondwana and Laurasia as illuminated by a new South American benthosuchid temnospondyl. The Anatomical Record, published online January 19, 2024; doi: 10.1002/ar.25384

{ https://www.sci.news/ }