Yayimages/Curiosmos

2. It Was Built in Japan by Riken and Fujitsu

Fugaku is the product of a collaboration between Riken, one of Japan’s leading research institutes, and Fujitsu, a major technology company. It’s located in Kobe, Japan, and plays a crucial role in scientific research—not just in Japan, but globally.

3. It Uses ARM-Based Chips Instead of Traditional Processors

Most supercomputers rely on Intel or AMD processors, but Fugaku is different. It runs on Fujitsu A64FX ARM-based chips, which makes it more energy-efficient and incredibly fast at handling complex data. It was the first ARM-powered supercomputer to reach number one in global rankings, proving that ARM chips aren’t just for smartphones.

4. It Helps Solve Real-World Problems

Supercomputers aren’t just for theoretical science—they’re used to solve real challenges. Fugaku has been involved in climate modeling, earthquake prediction, medical research, AI development, and even space exploration. Its ability to process massive amounts of data quickly makes it an essential tool for researchers across different fields.

5. It Played a Major Role in COVID-19 Research

During the pandemic, Fugaku was used to study how respiratory droplets spread in indoor spaces, helping researchers develop better social distancing guidelines. It also helped scientists analyze potential drug treatments for COVID-19, accelerating the search for effective therapies.

6. It Has Over 7 Million CPU Cores

Most high-end gaming PCs today have 8 to 32 processor cores. Fugaku? It has more than 7.6 million cores spread across 158,976 computing nodes. That’s an almost unimaginable amount of processing power, making it one of the most advanced computing systems ever created.

7. It’s Being Used to Predict Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and Fugaku is helping scientists better understand these natural disasters. By running advanced simulations, it helps researchers improve early warning systems and predict the potential impact of major earthquakes and tsunamis—knowledge that could save countless lives.

8. It’s Now a Hybrid Quantum Supercomputer

Fugaku is already one of the most advanced supercomputers in existence, but it recently became even more powerful. Scientists have now integrated it with a quantum computer called Reimei, making it a hybrid quantum-classical system. This means it can handle even more complex calculations by combining traditional computing power with the advantages of quantum technology.

9. It’s Designed to Be Energy-Efficient

With all that power, you might assume Fugaku is an energy-hungry machine. But thanks to its ARM-based architecture, it’s actually one of the most energy-efficient supercomputers ever built. It delivers extreme performance without consuming as much power as other machines of its size, making it a leader in sustainable high-performance computing.

10. It’s Paving the Way for the Next Generation of Supercomputers

Fugaku is just the beginning. Japan is already working on its next-generation exascale supercomputer, which will be at least 1,000 times faster than today’s most powerful systems. Once completed, it will push the boundaries of what’s possible in scientific research, artificial intelligence, and beyond.

Supercomputers like Fugaku are changing the world.  Scientists are using them for things like helping fight diseases, predicting disasters, and even for developing new technology. So a lot of innovations and a lot of research is in fact powered by machines we don’t often think about.

{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

15-02-2025 om 18:39 geschreven door peter  

This Woman Claims She Died, Traveled Through a Velvety Void, Lived as a Mantis Creature on Another Planet, and Witnessed Visions of Earth’s Future

At that moment, she had an out-of-body experience. She “ejected” from her body and found herself looking down at her own face, but she didn’t feel any fear or concern. Instead, she felt completely free from pain, as if she had returned to her true self. She was overwhelmed with love and peace.

At the same time, she was aware of her husband in the room, watching her die and feeling deep sorrow. She could feel his emotions intensely and understood that their connection was more than just a regular marriage—it was something deeper and more spiritual. She also saw the doctor and nurse reacting to her condition. With 360-degree vision, she could see everything at once, including the nurse moving past her to lower the tilt table and bring her back to life.

As this was happening, she became aware of a new space near her, something different from the hospital room. She turned her focus toward it and found herself slipping into what she calls the “black velvety void.” It wasn’t just complete darkness—it had a softness and depth to it, almost like a tunnel with a gentle, comforting texture. It felt peaceful, quiet, and safe. She also saw an entity there, appearing in human form, though she wasn’t sure if it was truly human or just presenting itself that way.

This was her experience on the “other side” before she returned to life.

Angela still felt at peace, full of love, and completely comfortable. There was no fear—just a deep sense of calm.

Beside her was a woman named Melanie, moving alongside her as if they were walking together. What struck Angela as strange was that they were in the middle of a conversation, as if they had been talking for a long time. Yet, before she died, she had no memory of Melanie at all. But here, in this place, it felt like they had known each other forever—like best friends chatting naturally.

Their conversation wasn’t about the fact that Angela had just died. Instead, it was more of an understanding between them. Melanie reassured her, explaining that she had been released from her body and was now moving forward into a new space.

Angela could clearly see Melanie’s appearance. She had long, dark hair and deep, chestnut-colored eyes. She was conventionally beautiful and wore a creamy-colored robe, similar to what others who’ve had near-death experiences describe. In her arms, Melanie carried a book. Angela never saw a title, and Melanie never opened it, but Angela strongly felt that it was the book of her life—holding the story of everything she had experienced.

As they moved forward, Angela sensed movement around her, as if the velvety black space were shifting. Ahead, she saw a tiny pinprick of light that quickly grew larger. As they approached, she began to see shapes and movement within the light, as if things were coming into focus.

When they finally entered the space, it felt to Angela like riding a subway. In the dark tunnels between stations, everything is dim and quiet, but as the train reaches the station, the light suddenly surrounds you. That’s what it felt like—moving from the darkness into something bright and full of life.

Angela describes moving from the black velvety void into a new space—a white, soft, cloud-like place with no walls. It felt gentle and comforting, almost like cotton. Unlike some near-death experiences, she didn’t hear music, but she did see a huge group of people waiting for her. They were overjoyed to see her, like a big welcoming party.

As she looked at the crowd, she realized she recognized everyone, even those farther away who appeared as shadows. She knew them instantly, remembering not just people from her current life but also from past lives. The souls closest to her were family members—her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even some friends who had passed away.

She was able to hug them, and the hugs felt completely real. They even kissed each other on the cheeks, just like in life. But the most amazing part was that when she hugged someone, she didn’t just remember their shared experiences—she felt them from both perspectives.

For example, when she hugged her uncle, she was instantly transported to a memory of being on his farm on a warm summer day. She could feel the heat of the sun, hear the sounds of the creaking barn gates, the goats, chickens, and dogs, and even smell the hay. It wasn’t just a memory—it was like reliving the moment all over again. But what made it even more special was that she wasn’t just experiencing her own memory—she was also feeling it through her uncle’s perspective. It was a deep, shared connection beyond anything she had ever felt before.

During her near-death experience, she was able to connect with people she had lost, including her grandparents and a high school friend who had taken their own life. These moments were beautiful and healing, allowing her to see both sides of their experiences and gain deep understanding. This has changed how she approaches life—she is now more intuitive, open in communication, and mindful of people’s emotions, even when they don’t express them clearly.

As she continued in this experience, she started thinking about her family back on Earth. When she did, a portal of white light opened, allowing her to see her husband in the hospital room and her children where they were at that moment. However, something strange happened—her children appeared to “flicker,” like a light switching on and off. When the light was on, she saw them as they were in that moment; when it was off, she saw them as their future selves.

Read also:

• Tucker Carlson Says ‘There Are Forces That Are Not Human, Existing in a Spiritual Realm We Cannot See’
• Ex-DARPA Manager Claims Encounter with 7-Foot Humanoid Who Told him Human Body Is A Machine Designed To House Soul For Lifetime
• This New UFO Whistleblower Blowing The Lid Off Everything Says He Saw An “Egg-Shaped UAP” With No Visible Propulsion System

She saw her young daughter, who was in first grade at the time, as a grown woman wearing a white lab coat. She also saw her other daughter, who was in fourth grade, as a man in the future. Years later, this vision came true—her child, Lily, transitioned and became Adam. Angela never told her children about what she had seen until they had made their own choices and fully embraced their identities on their own.

Past, Present, Future!

As all of this was happening, she felt like she was truly “home.” She realized that Earth was just a temporary place, almost like a vacation, and that her true self belonged elsewhere.

She also had instant access to knowledge—whenever she had a question, the answer immediately came to her, as if she were standing in a river of infinite wisdom. She compares it to standing in a flowing stream as a child, feeling the water rush past her hands.

This knowledge included the past, present, and future, as well as the different possibilities that could unfold depending on free will. Some might call this the “Akashic Records,” but to her, it simply felt like an endless stream of knowing. She could access it whenever she recalled a memory or had a question about anything.

“I remember standing in a river, putting my hands out as the water flowed past me, and feeling its path. That’s what it reminds me of—having access to the past, present, and future, all from the perspective of where I was in that moment. I could see all the possible changes that could happen through free will. Some might call it the Akashic Records, but to me, it was a river of all-knowing. I entered this river whenever I recalled a memory of who I was or had a question about something.”

Mantis Like creature Encounter

Angela describes how she moved through different experiences after entering the black velvety void. She was able to “rush off” to different places, reliving memories from both human and non-human lives. She could also see possible futures. When she traveled, it felt like moving at warp speed, like in Star Trek or Star Wars, with darkness and stars flying past her at high speed.

At one point, she found herself observing another version of herself—a part of her soul—living in a different body on another planet. She entered the space over the left shoulder of this being, who had blue skin. The entity acknowledged her presence by turning and looking at her, though she couldn’t see any surroundings, like a room or a spaceship, behind it.

She also saw herself as an insect-like creature, similar to a mantis. This version of her had a rusty red exoskeleton, round dark eyes that reflected light, a segmented body with a thorax and abdomen, and long, thin legs. The creature also had small arms and antennae on its nose, which was something she had never seen before.

Although she didn’t speak with these beings, they exchanged a silent understanding. Just by looking at them and feeling their presence, she instinctively knew that both were versions of herself in different forms.

She sees herself living another life—not as a human, but as a being that many would consider an alien.

However, she realizes that this alien is simply another soul, just like her, living on a different planet, doing similar things to what she does on Earth. This revelation was difficult for her to accept at first.

It took time, reflection, and hearing others share similar experiences before she felt comfortable talking about it. She reassures anyone who has had such moments that they are not alone and that she is open to discussing them.

She then shifts to a vision of the future. In this future, humanity has moved away from the globalized society we live in today. Wars have led to a significant loss of population, and people have returned to a more localized way of life.

However, it’s not a primitive or agrarian society. Technology still exists, but it is used differently and more peacefully. People farm, create what they need, and live in small, self-sufficient communities while still being connected in a less centralized way.

A major shift has also happened regarding migration. Today, migration causes fear, conflict, and tension, but in this future, that division no longer exists. Humanity comes to understand that we are all one, from the same source, and we live together in peace. While she doesn’t have an exact timeline for when this happens, she feels that it is not too far off.

After these visions, she experiences a “life review,” a moment many people with near-death experiences describe. She finds herself back in a white space, surrounded by family and loved ones, including someone named Melanie. Her life review isn’t like watching a movie on a screen—it is more immersive as if she can access every moment from her past all at once. She sees both the good and the bad.

One of the most profound things she learns is about the existence of “bad people” and why evil happens. Angela had a happy childhood overall, but she reveals that her father had a sex addiction, which affected her.

During her life review, she gains a new understanding—she sees that souls plan their lives before coming to Earth, even choosing to take on roles that might be seen as “good” or “evil.” As painful as it is to accept, her father’s actions were part of his soul’s journey, meant to teach and strengthen not only himself but everyone connected to him. She acknowledges that this idea is difficult for many to hear, but she believes that everything happens for the growth of the collective soul, as all souls are ultimately one.

While she was in the “other side,” she realized that she and her husband had chosen to be in each other’s lives to help their souls grow. This understanding helped her make sense of their struggles and experiences together. She also went through a “life review,” where she could see and feel everything from her life, but instead of being judged by a higher power, the only one judging her was herself. Every other soul around her was filled with love, compassion, and encouragement.

At first, she was hard on herself, thinking she should be punished for her mistakes, because that’s what people on Earth believe about good and evil. But in that moment, she heard a telepathic message from another soul—Melanie—telling her she was deeply loved and supported. Then, her late mother-in-law suddenly said she needed to take care of the kids, and just like that, Angela woke up back in her hospital bed.

When she returned to her body, she didn’t want to be awake. The other side had been so peaceful and beautiful that she tried shutting her eyes tightly, hoping to go back. But it didn’t work. She became fully aware of her body again, which felt heavy, hot, and strange—almost like an empty, black shell. It took time for her to settle back into it.

This experience completely changed her. People who knew her before say she’s a different person now—not in a drastic way, since she was always kind—but she now makes different choices. She’s much more compassionate, loving, and calm. She sees life through a new lens. Music feels different, and even something as simple as walking outside fills her with awe. Every tree, every cloud, even a tiny chipmunk reminds her of the beauty of life and the deep truth that we are not just humans—we are souls temporarily living in human bodies.

She encourages others to embrace this knowledge and move through life with love.

{ https://howandwhys.com/ }

15-02-2025 om 18:22 geschreven door peter  

US Congresswoman Claims She Saw Photo Evidence Of UFO Technology Not Made By Humans

During the July 2023 UAP hearings, US Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna was the central figure in bringing the historical testimony of three whistleblowers. She is pushing hard to get the truth to the public and says she will not stop until they get to the bottom of the UFO mystery, and she will take drastic measures, including the potential withdrawal of funding for the salaries of the Pentagon executives.

Rep. Luna, who is also a member of the House Oversight Committee, said that she became interested in UFOs when serving in the US Air Force. She revealed that she is asking the Defense Department and intelligence agencies for the classified reports that Grusch made, including his alleged evidence.

David Grusch testified that the U.S. government has been hiding a long-running program that retrieves and reverse engineers UFOs/UAPs. He firmly believes that the U.S. government possessed UAPs based on interviews with over 40 witnesses spanning four years and claimed to have exact knowledge of UAP locations. He reportedly shared this information with the Inspector General and intelligence committees.

Grusch revealed in the hearings that he personally interviewed individuals with direct knowledge of non-human origin craft, and he has knowledge of non-human intelligence, but not of collaboration with adversarial foreign governments. He could not openly discuss “intact 

During the hearing, Luna queries Grusch about his choice of terminology, using “nonhuman origin” instead of “extraterrestrial.” Her involvement with the UAP matter began when she was approached by Representative Matt Gaetz, and she expressed concern after reviewing evidence from a UAP encounter off the coast of Florida.

Luna and Representative Tim Burchett organized a hearing aimed at increasing transparency on this matter. She calls for the release of classified documents related to UAPs and rejects the idea of dismissing the issue.

Luna is concerned about the stigma that prevents service members from reporting UAP sightings out of fear for their careers. She asked Grusch if he had ever been in fear for his life due to addressing these issues, to which he responded affirmatively. Luna emphasized the significance of Grusch’s willingness to come forward despite the fear of reprisal.

Luna stresses the bipartisan nature of the investigation, involving various House members from different states and affiliations. She, Gaetz, Moskowitz, and Burchett even sent a letter to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy requesting the establishment of a select committee to investigate UAPs. Luna’s underlying message revolves around the necessity of transparency, accountability, and addressing potential national security risks posed by unidentified aerial phenomena.

In an interview with FOX 13, Rep. Luna said: “It does appear, and for what I’m saying, based on the stonewalling, that they are hiding something. If these are programs that are being set up without congressional oversight and are responsible for, you know, billions of dollars being lost, that could be going towards other things. I think that that’s something that absolutely is pertinent.”

During the hearings, extraordinary claims were presented, including the recovery of “non-human biologics” from a crashed aerial craft. Although Rep. Luna herself has not witnessed a UAP, she mentioned having observed evidence that seemed reminiscent of science fiction.

Read also:

• US Senator Says Government Is Hiding UFOs & ‘Evidence Of Non-Human Intelligence’
• Leslie Kean: Varginha UFO Crash Was Real; Alien Organism Found In Police Officer Body Who Died of Infection
• U.S. Congressman Says UFOs May Be Machines of a Hidden ‘Ancient Earth Civilization’
• Avi Loeb Soon to Prove Whether Aliens Exist: He & Garry Nolan Saw UFO That Poses Huge Implications for Humanity

Drawing from her experience, she explained: “Based on the evidence that I have personally seen, the technology that exists is something that I don’t think any government has currently.” She recalled encountering a photograph and conversing with pilots about an object that she believes is beyond the capabilities of the Department of Defense.

Rep. Luna is actively working to declassify the photograph and to bring more information to light. She highlighted the dual importance of this matter, characterizing it as both a significant national security concern and a transparency issue within the government.

Luna finds this situation disturbing, especially since Grusch shared information suggesting threats to his life, harm caused to individuals, and advanced technology that is not publicly known. Despite Luna and Rep. Tim Burchett having “Need To Know” clearances, they were not granted access to this information, which prompts Luna to express the urgent need to uncover the truth.

Luna revealed that her interest in UFOs was first piqued while serving as an Air Force airfield manager at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, in 2018, before becoming a politician.

“During shifts one day, there had been a response from some of the pilots to something that had violated our airspace…When they got back, I asked them what happened. They said ‘we can’t really talk about it.’ Later on, one of the pilots pulled me aside and was like, we think it might have been a UFO or UAP. This was a pretty credible person, I obviously knew them to be sane, of sound mind,” she said.

A lot more information is hidden, as Whistleblower Ryan Graves confirms in his latest Newsweek edition. He writes “What I Told Them Was the Tip of the Iceberg.” Graves, who is a founder of “Americans for Safe Aerospace,” the fastest-growing UAP nonprofit in the world, writes that during his tenure as a Naval pilot, he and his team regularly encountered aircraft off the coast of Virginia Beach that “had no visible propulsion… but could remain motionless in Category-4 hurricane winds, accelerate to supersonic, and operate all day, outlasting our fighter jets.”

Graves highlights the lack of a direct reporting process within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for commercial pilots to report these phenomena, leading to stigma, fear of retaliation, and a reluctance to come forward. Graves questions why the government is not taking these reports more seriously, especially when experienced pilots are witnessing routine and unexplained occurrences. He calls for increased attention and awareness of the UAP issue to ensure flight safety and national security.

The Hill will host an event on August 17, 2023, featuring discussions among lawmakers, experts, and administration officials to analyze potential national security risks related to UAPs. The speakers include Rep. Tim Burchett, Greg Eghigian of Pennsylvania State University, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, with the event being moderated by Mychael Schnell, a Congressional Reporter from The Hill.

{ https://howandwhys.com/ }

15-02-2025 om 17:21 geschreven door peter  

UFO Coverup: Pentagon Is Hiding Holy Grail Evidence - James Fox & Jason Sands ( Video)

In this 15 January 2025 video, host Jukian Dorey welcomes back James Fox for the third time on Julian Dorey Podcast to discuss his latest Documentary, “The Program” which goes behind the Congressional hearings to leave skeptics astounded by new assertions from a growing chorus of high-level insiders who insist there is definitive proof we are not alone.

Jason Sands is a new UFO whistleblower, who has recently come forward with claims about his involvement in a 20-year black budget program and a surreal Alien encounter.

• https://youtu.be/4-2RnLj_e_8
• https://www.youtube.com › watch

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – James Fox from The Phenomenon to ‘The Program’, D.C. Investigation
10:01 – James Disastrous Film Company Lawsuit, 
26:54 – Most Satisfying UFO Documentary (Devastating Setbacks)
31:21 – Pivotal UFO Interview Moments, Disclosure vs UFO Evidence
38:51 – Reads Congressional Source Document, Photographs & Evidence 
46:31 – Intel Agency Individuals & Obfuscation, Evidence Behind Jason Sands Encounter
52:03 – Telepathic Communication Residue, Devil’s Advocate & Possibly Being Lied Too
01:00:30 – Why Does Jason Sand’s Have Immunity vs Coworkers, Top Secret Information SCIF (James Fox)
01:10:45 – Special Access Programs & How Information is Controlled & Not Leaked, Black Budget Programs
01:21:21 – Hearing Craziest Stories During Black Budget Program

{ https://beforeitsnews.com/v3/list/v2_top_beyond_science.html }

15-02-2025 om 16:24 geschreven door peter  

UFO Historian Richard Dolan on the Drone Mystery and Disclosure in 2025 (Video)

In this 17 January 2025 video, WatchMjo dives back into the topic of UAPs or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena with UFO researcher and historian Richard Dolan. Richard has over 30 years of experience studying UFOs and he joins us to talk about the ongoing drone mystery over the Northeastern seaboard of the United States. He also shares some insights into possible disclosures that could happen in 2025 as well as some of the broader implications of a non-human intelligence being revealed to the general public.

• https://youtu.be/baliOIBs4Dc

{ https://beforeitsnews.com/v3/list/v2_top_beyond_science.html }

15-02-2025 om 16:13 geschreven door peter  

China Has Launched New Generation Transport Shocking the US

China is rapidly emerging as a global leader in engine innovation, showcasing impressive advancements that are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Their technology is developing at a breakneck pace, challenging the US to keep up with their rapid revolution. While China has consistently delivered awesome, futuristic innovations, their dominance now extends to the engine department. It’s time for the market to meet these new-generation engines, combining both beauty and quality .

{ https://beforeitsnews.com/v3/list/v2_top_beyond_science.html }

15-02-2025 om 16:06 geschreven door peter  

The concept they used is called inertial morphing. In the case of SPLITTER, the robots “adjust inertia with changes in limb configurations and tether length,” according to lead author Yusuke Tanaka in an interview with TechXplore. The researchers turned to a technique called Model Predictive Control (MPC) to determine how each variable needs to be adjusted.

MPC is used in various industries and comes as advertised, with a model (i.e., a mathematical representation of the robots) and a prediction, which reflects what the software estimates will happen to the model next. With the model’s current state and expected next state, a controller can change the variables that affect the model’s state. Those changes will result in a stable flying path, allowing SPLITTER to soar through the skies, even without air. It also uses a physical phenomenon known as the Tennis Racket Theorem, which describes how an object can flip rotation around its intermediate axis while rotating around it. Most famously, this was demonstrated on the ISS with a t-handle. It looks chaotic, but the mathematics behind the motion are well-understood.

Implementing it in a tethered robotic system is another matter altogether, though. While SPLITTER is flying, it looks a lot like a bola used in ladder ball, except instead of round spheres on each end, it’s a robot body with four legs splayed out in different directions. The orientation of how those legs are spread out and the length of the tether connecting the two ends are the variables the MPC controls to stabilize its flight. SPLITTER can operate without heavy attitude control hardware, like reaction wheels or thrusters.

It also allows the system to perform other actions, like spelunking, where one robot is anchored firmly to the top of a cave system while the other rappels using the tether. Both robots only weigh about 10kg each on Earth, as well, which would make them even more agile on a world with smaller gravity like the Moon or an asteroid.

This isn’t the first robot system the RoMeLa lab designed for this purpose. They initially worked on a robot called the Spine-enhanced Climbing Autonomous Legged Exploration Robot) (SCALER), which had its limitations as they found the limbed climbing robot was too slow.

With SPLITTER, the research team thinks they have a better concept that can both traverse terrain faster and collect data that a robot tied to the ground would be unable to do. Unfortunately, for now, at least, SPLITTER is best described as a computer model, though some preliminary work has been done on the physics of MPC controlling a reaction wheel. Researchers at the lab intend to continue working on the concept, so maybe soon we’ll see a bola robot test jumping near Los Angeles.

Learn More:

• TechXplore – Modular robot design uses tethered jumping for planetary exploration
• Tanaka, Zhu, & Hong – Tethered Variable Inertial Attitude Control Mechanisms through a Modular Jumping Limbed Robot
• UT – Miniaturized Jumping Robots Could Study An Asteroid’s Gravity
• UT – A Jumping Robot Could Leap Over Enceladus’ Geysers

Lead Image:

• Depiction of one SPLITTER robot descending into a crater while the other anchors on the rim.
  Credit – Yusuke Tanaka, Alvin Zhu, & Dennis Hong

{ https://www.universetoday.com/  }

15-02-2025 om 16:00 geschreven door peter  

Large asteroids in the Main Asteroid Belt (MAB) are easier to study. Their large sizes mean they produce a bigger signal when observed, and astronomers can more easily determine their orbits. However, the MAB holds many smaller asteroids around 100-200 meters. There could be hundreds of millions of them. They’re big enough to devastate entire cities if they strike Earth, and they’re more difficult to track. The first step in determining their orbits is determining their distances, which is challenging and takes time.

Recent research submitted to The Astronomical Journal presents a new method of determining asteroid distances in much less time. It’s titled “Measuring the Distances to Asteroids from One Observatory in One Night with Upcoming All-Sky Telescopes” and is available at arxiv.org. The lead author is Maryann Fernandes from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University.

The Vera Rubin Observatory (VRO) should see its first light in July 2025. One of its scientific objectives is to find more small objects in the Solar System, including asteroids, by scanning the entire visible southern sky every few nights. If it moves and reflects light, the VRO has a good chance of spotting it. However, it won’t automatically determine the distance to asteroids.

“When asteroids are measured with short observation time windows, the dominant uncertainty in orbit construction is due to distance uncertainty to the NEO,” the authors of the new paper write. They claim their method can shorten the time it takes to determine an asteroid’s distance to one night of observations. It’s based on a technique called topocentric parallax.

Topocentric parallax is based on the rotation of the Earth. In a 2022 paper by some of the same researchers, the authors wrote that “Topocentric parallax comes from the diversity of the observatory positions with respect to the center of the Earth in an inertial reference frame. Observations from multiple observatories or a single observatory can measure parallax because the Earth rotates.”

In the two years since that paper, the researchers have refined their method. The research expands on previous algorithms and tests the technique using both synthetic data and real-world observations.

“In this paper, we further develop and evaluate this technique to recover distances in as quickly as a single night,” the authors write in the new paper. “We first test the technique on synthetic data of 19 different asteroids ranging from ~ 0.05 AU to ~ 2.4 AU.”

The figure below shows the results of the test with synthetic data. Each asteroid was observed six times in one night, and two different equations were employed to process the data.

The researchers also tested their method by taking 15 observations of each asteroid over five nights (3 per night). In this test, Equation 1 performed poorly, while Equation 2 performed well.

Of course, the distance to the asteroid affected the accuracy of the measurements. The closer the object was, the more precise the measurement was. The paper notes that the method was able to recover distances “with uncertainties as low as the ~ 1.3% level for more nearby objects (about 0.3 AU or less) assuming typical astrometric uncertainties.”

After these tests with synthetic data, the team acquired their own single-night observations of two asteroids using a different algorithm. The real observations produced a less precise result, but it was still a meaningful improvement. The authors explain that they were able to recover distances “to the 3% level.”

So, what do all these tests, equations, and algorithms boil down to?

When we hear of an asteroid that could potentially strike Earth in a few years, people can wonder why the situation is so uncertain. Shouldn’t we know if an asteroid is heading straight for us? Trying to determine the orbit of these small rocks from tens of millions of km away is extremely difficult. An AU is almost 150 million km (93 million miles). 2024 YR, the latest asteroid of concern, is only 40 to 90 metres (130 to 300 ft) in diameter. Those numbers illustrate the problem.

If this method can improve the accuracy of our distance measurements and do it based on a single night of observations, that’s a big improvement.

The technique can be applied to data generated by the Vera Rubin Observatory and the Argus Array. According to the authors, “distances to NEOs on the scale of ~ 0.5 AU can be constrained to below the percent level within a single night.” As the study shows, the accuracy of those measurements from a single-site observatory depends heavily on the spacing between individual observations. If multiple observatories at different sites are used on the same night, the accuracy increases.

Though larger asteroids, like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, tend to remain stable in the main asteroid belt, smaller asteroids are more easily perturbed and can become part of the NEO population. An impact from a smaller asteroid might not spell the end of civilization, but it can still be extremely destructive.

Anything humanity can do to understand the asteroid threat is wise. Many asteroids have struck Earth in the past, and it’s only a matter of time before another one comes our way. If we can see it coming in advance, we can try to do something about it.

Research: 

• Measuring the Distances to Asteroids from One Observatory in One Night with Upcoming All-Sky
  Telescopes

{ https://www.universetoday.com/  }

15-02-2025 om 15:39 geschreven door peter  

UFC Legend George St-Pierre Reveals Close Encounter With a UFO!

George St-Pierre, one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history, has always been known for his discipline, precision, and ability to control the fight. However, in a revelation that has left many intrigued, the former welterweight and middleweight champion shared his personal experience with an unidentified flying object (UFO). This encounter, which he describes as both surreal and unexplainable, has fueled ongoing discussions about the existence of extraterrestrial life and unexplained aerial phenomena.

The Encounter: A Night to Remember

According to St-Pierre, the incident occurred while he was in the company of four friends. They were outdoors, engaged in conversation, when they suddenly noticed an unusual object in the sky. What initially appeared to be a bright light soon began to exhibit behavior that defied conventional explanations. The object hovered in place, made abrupt movements, and vanished at a speed that no known aircraft could achieve.

The UFC legend, known for his methodical approach to fighting and analytical mindset, was left speechless by what he saw. Unlike anything he had ever witnessed, the object’s movements and speed challenged his understanding of physics. St-Pierre, who has trained his mind and body to react quickly in high-pressure situations, admitted that this experience left him baffled.

Skeptic Turned Believer?

St-Pierre has always been a man who relies on logic and reason, making his encounter with a UFO even more intriguing. While he refrains from making definitive claims about extraterrestrial life, he remains firm in his assertion that what he saw was beyond normal human comprehension. His curiosity about the unknown was further heightened by this event, leading him to explore topics related to consciousness, perception, and reality.

In various interviews, he has discussed his interest in subjects like remote viewing, out-of-body experiences, and altered states of consciousness. His journey into understanding these phenomena suggests that he is open to the idea that human perception is limited, and there might be more to existence than what we currently understand.

UFOs and the Martial Arts Mindset

For St-Pierre, martial arts have always been about pushing boundaries—both physical and mental. His UFO experience seems to have added another dimension to his exploration of the mind. He acknowledges that the world operates on principles that we do not fully understand, and his encounter has led him to seek deeper knowledge about the universe.

His perspective aligns with the growing body of evidence suggesting that unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) are being observed worldwide. With government agencies such as the Pentagon openly investigating these occurrences, St-Pierre’s testimony adds to the credibility of firsthand accounts from highly trained individuals.

VIDEO:

George St-Pierre’s encounter with a UFO serves as a compelling testament to the mysteries that still exist beyond our understanding. His disciplined approach to life and deep curiosity about human consciousness make his experience even more fascinating. Whether or not the object he saw was extraterrestrial remains unknown, but his willingness to question reality and seek answers showcases his relentless pursuit of knowledge—both in and out of the octagon.

As more people, including trained professionals and high-profile individuals, come forward with similar experiences, the discussion around UFOs and UAPs continues to gain momentum. If nothing else, St-Pierre’s story reminds us that the universe is vast, and there is still much to discover beyond the confines of our daily experiences.

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

15-02-2025 om 12:19 geschreven door peter  

Scientists Uncover Possible Explanation for Bizarre ‘Atmospheric Ghosts’ Phenomenon

To be clear, we’re talking about the afterglow from transient luminous events, not the specters of dead people.

by Doris Elín Urrutia

 

Thomas Ashcraft

Four years ago, a green “ghost” appeared over a thunderstorm cloud in the Mediterranean Sea. To the delight of Spanish scientists, this ephemeral sighting finally offered a rare window into a little-known phenomenon playing out high in Earth’s skies.

When lightning strikes, it sometimes triggers the release of a violent optical emission at altitudes between 50 and 90 km above the thunderstorm cloud. These millisecond-long events, called transient luminous events (TLEs), are mysterious.

They can be shaped like jellyfish. These are known as sprites. Other TLE forms exist, boasting playful names like halos and elves. Just a few years ago, thrill seekers and citizen scientists discovered a new TLE, hovering above a sprite, called a ghost. While sprites appear red owing to the nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere, and blue at more shallow altitudes due to higher atmospheric pressure, ghosts are green. They appear during and after the sprites, like fuzz on top of the jellyfish.

This puzzling afterglow was the subject of a new paper published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.

Finding a Good Ghost

Researcher María Passas Varo led a team to use a special instrument called the Granada Sprite Spectrograph and Polarimeter (GRASSP), located outside Barcelona, to make a clear ghost sighting.

She and other atmospheric researchers were intrigued when, in the early half of 2019, storm chaser Hank Schyma noticed something new: in the wake of a sprite over the skies of Oklahoma, there was a greenish afterglow. He called the emerald-colored splotch a ghost, short for Green emissions from excited Oxygen in Sprite Tops. The idea behind the name was that, since oxygen is associated with the verdant tones of auroras, that the gas creates the ghosts.

Passas Varo, a telecommunications engineer, spectroscopist, and surveyor of atmospheric electricity based at the Astrophysics Institute of Andalucía in Spain, searched relentlessly for a new ghost. But finding one that GRASSP could glean a lot of data from was hard.

“We have analyzed more than 2,000 spectra, one by one, with the naked eye. We only found one good spectrum of a ghost. So, it is a lot of work. It is tedious,” she tells Inverse.

Then they finally found a science-worthy ghost, radiating from a thunderstorm cloud in the Mediterranean Sea on September 21, 2019. It was their best candidate for spectrographic analysis, in which the team peered into light from the ghost for clues about its composition.

They found a surprise. Oxygen was present, as they expected. But the team also found evidence of iron.

Iron is present in Earth’s upper atmosphere. It comes from the interplanetary dust particles that enter our atmosphere. But according to Passas Varo, it’s usually found at much higher altitudes.

Approximately one in every 100 sprites have ghosts. These events sometimes happen, but aren’t consistent. What makes a ghost appear could be a combination of different phenomena, and iron might provide a special clue.

A Need for Harmony

Cumulonimbus clouds are towers made of water droplets and ice crystals. These tiny particles journey along the updraft from the hot base of the cloud higher and higher until they reach the chilly top. Sometimes, they become larger molecules. If they bang against one another, they produce static electricity. These charged particles create lightning.

What goes down must be balanced in another form, and this need for harmony could be what causes the sprites and jets and all the other TLE oddities.

“When the lightning occurs, when the lightning strikes the ground, then an electric field appears above the cloud because you have to maintain, somehow, the balance of the electric field of the global electrical circuit,” Passas Varo tells Inverse. “Once you have this big discharge in the form of huge lightning downwards, then an electric field develops upwards. And this electric field develops a transient luminous event.”

One possible explanation for ghosts is that the sonic boom we know as thunder is, in one way or another, disrupting the iron from its usual altitude. Gravity waves on Earth, which are vertical, could also be playing a role in producing ghosts.

But what is clear is that a plethora of new observations are necessary. Passas Varo and the team have one good spectrum of a ghost but say it will take 99 more to get a clearer picture of what’s really happening.

{ https://www.inverse.com/ }

15-02-2025 om 00:00 geschreven door peter  

2006 Chicago O’Hare UFO Sighting: 22ft Long Alien Craft Witnessed by Many

The UFO event over Chicago’s O’Hare Airport in 2006 is one of the most intriguing UFO sightings in recent history. Despite being unremarkable as far as UFO sightings go, the reaction of the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was anything but ordinary, suggesting some type of cover-up between the implicated authorities.

On November 7, 2006, United Airlines Flight 446 was preparing to depart from O’Hare International to North Carolina when a dozen of airline employees, including mechanics and pilots, spotted a gray and metallic saucer-like object hovering above Gate C17 of the United terminal. The object remained there for several minutes before flying off into the clouds at an unnatural speed. This event was captured in official FAA audio recordings, with a United controller and a colleague discussing the sighting.

The disc was estimated to be at least 22 feet in diameter and hovered around 1,500 feet off the ground, below a heavy cloud cover at 1,900 feet. One grounded pilot announced his sightings over the radio, alerting a taxi mechanic and several other pilots to the presence of the object. At least two grounded pilots were able to lean out of their cockpit windows and see the object in great detail.

The story of the O’Hare UFO incident went almost completely unnoticed until the Chicago Tribune published an article on December 31, 2006, nearly two months after the incident. The story became the highest-hitting article in the website’s history, and other news outlets picked up the story as well.

Jon Hilkevitch, a transportation reporter with the Chicago Tribune, started interviewing the witnesses. Initially, both the FAA and United Airlines denied any knowledge of the event but were forced to admit that this was a lie when an audio tape was leaked to the press that captured a United Airlines radio conversation on the date of the event.

The FAA supervisor identified as “Sue” was asking several controllers at O’Hare if they had seen a flying disc over gate C-17. They initially laughed off the question, but she called back 15 minutes later to confirm that several pilots had seen the disc and that one had captured a photograph of it. Unfortunately, this alleged photograph has never surfaced.

The tape also recorded the control tower operators warning outgoing planes of the UFO and advising them to be cautious. Even in the wake of the tape, United Airlines and the FAA continued to brush off the incident. The airline prohibited any employees from discussing the incident with the media.

However, after the Chicago Tribune article compelled them to address the situation, a spokesperson from the FAA claimed that the alleged disc was nothing but the reflection of airport lights off the low cloud cover. However, this explanation was unconvincing, as the sighting occurred in daylight, before any of the airport’s lights were turned on.

Read also:

• Elizondo & Tom Delonge Found Photos Of Italian Helicopter Destroyed By UFO In 2004
• Famous 19-Sec UFO Footage Could Be Greatest Leak: CGI Experts Say It Is Real Deal
• Stanford Top Scientist Said Intelligence Community Thinks Greys Are Intermediaries: Bio-Robots
• Top Scientists Told US Congressman That Extraterrestrial Craft Are In Our Airspace

Despite the assertions of several credible witnesses, the airline and the FAA declined to investigate the matter further and wrote it off as a rare weather phenomenon known as a fallstreak or “hole-punch cloud.” However, Mark Rodeghier, the director for the Center for UFO Studies Scientific Director, did not accept this explanation and stated:

“It’s an unknown object over O’Hare, and it’s seen by official personnel and does United or the FAA take it seriously? Of course not, they have zero interest because UFOs can’t exist. But how can you not worry about something hovering over an airport after 9/11? It doesn’t make sense.”

This explanation did not stand up to reason too, as journalist Leslie Kean soon discovered. Hole-punched clouds form, when ice crystals from higher clouds fall down through a lower cloud shelf, punch a hole in it, and evaporate in the warm air below, only forming in below-freezing temperatures. The air at the altitude of the sighting on the day in question was 53 degrees Fahrenheit, which was above freezing.

Despite the FAA’s lack of interest in the O’Hare UFO incident, an independent investigation group called NARC conducted their own research. The team of former NASA scientists, pilots, meteorologists, and aerospace engineers, among others, prepared a 154-page report that confirmed the presence of a physical object over O’Hare. The report stated that the object’s maneuvers could not be explained by conventional means and advised the FAA to launch their own investigation. However, to this day, the FAA has not acted upon this recommendation. (Source)

“There have been documented cases where safety appears to have been implicated, and more and more we are coming to the point of view that we are dealing with an intelligent phenomenon. We must be proactive before an aircraft goes down,” said Richard Haines, a former chief of the Space Human Factors Office at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

The reaction of the airline and the FAA in the aftermath of the incident suggests some type of cover-up between the implicated authorities. The airline prohibited its employees from sharing the details of the incident, and the FAA provided unconvincing explanations for the UFO sighting, such as the reflection of airport lights off low cloud cover or a misidentified weather phenomenon. These explanations were quickly debunked by journalists and independent investigators.

Jon Hilkevitch emphasized how unusual it is for the FAA to ignore such a significant UFO sighting. The FAA has launched investigations for far less extraordinary incidents, such as spilled coffee pots and airport aisles. This lack of interest in the O’Hare UFO incident raises questions about the extent of government involvement in hiding the truth about UFOs from the public.

The taxi mechanic described Chicago’s O’Hare UFO as follows:

“The craft appeared to be hovering right below the ceiling of the cloud cover (about 700 or 800 feet). The cloud ceiling that day was 1900 feet. The top of the craft was clearly outlined as a very dark gray material, but the bottom and the edges of the craft were hazy like when you see the mirage-like surface of the road on a hot day.

The other interesting observation was that after the craft accelerated straight up (observed by other witnesses), there was a hole punched in the clouds. The hole in the clouds was about the same size as the unidentified craft. It looked like a cookie cutter hole stamped out of dough ‘very similar in size’ to the craft. The hole stayed for a little while and then dissipated into the overcast clouds. The sighting lasted about 20 minutes from the time of the first radio call to the time when the mechanic and witness parked the Boeing 777 that he was taxiing across the airport.”

Reddit user Buddy_Felcher describes what he saw during the 2006 O’Hare Airport UFO sighting:

“I was working at American Airlines as a ramp service clerk at O’Hare when that thing came. I saw it, and only one other coworker saw it as well. And nobody believed me even after other airline workers said they saw it too. Until I heard other people saw it everyone had me convinced I was crazy…

Have you ever seen the movie flight of the navigator? That’s what it sort of looked like but also kind of like it was a chrome bubble of air or like the way invisible people in movies look when it’s raining on them. I only saw the latter part of it being there, the guy I worked with said it was solid grey at first and then changed to what I saw.” (Source)

{ https://howandwhys.com/ }

14-02-2025 om 23:59 geschreven door peter  

{ https://scientias.nl/}

14-02-2025 om 23:44 geschreven door peter  

Scientists pinpoint exactly WHERE the 'city-destroying' asteroid could strike Earth in 2032

• READ MORE: Video shows 'city-killer' asteroid hitting Earth in 2032

By WILIAM HUNTER

The terrifying prediction that a 'city-destroying' asteroid is hurtling towards Earth has set alarm bells ringing at the world's space agencies.

Now, a NASA scientist has predicted exactly where the asteroid 2024 YR4 could strike.

David Rankin, an engineer with the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey Project, has sketched the 'risk corridor' according to the asteroid's current trajectory.

If 2024 YR4 really does hit Earth in 2032, it should fall somewhere in a narrow band stretching from northern South America across the Pacific to sub-Saharan Africa and into Asia.

Worryingly, this path extends over several densely populated regions including Chennai, India and Hainan Island, China.

Currently, NASA estimates that the asteroid has a one in 48, or 2.1 per cent, chance of colliding with the planet on December 22, 2032.

And with a diameter of up to 90 metres (300ft), or roughly the size of the Statue of Liberty, it could cause devastating damage to any populated area along the risk corridor.

If it were to strike, experts suggest it could unleash a blast equal to eight megatons of TNT - more than 500 times the size of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Scientists have predicted the exact path (shown in red) where the city-destroying asteroid 2024 YR4 could hit Earth. It should fall somewhere in a narrow band stretching from northern South America across the Pacific to sub-Saharan Africa and into Asia 

2024 YR4 was first detected in December last year but has quickly shot to the top of NASA's and the European Space Agency's (ESA) impact risk tables.

The asteroid is currently the only large asteroid with an impact probability greater than one per cent and has been awarded the rare rating of three on the Torino Scale, a scale for measuring the danger posed by asteroids.

The 'God of Chaos' asteroid 99942 Apophis is the only other object in the history of astronomy to be given a rating of three or higher on this scale.

While the odds of 2024 YR4 hitting Earth are still slim, Dr Rankin was able to use data about its orbit to predict where it might hit.

In the scenario where the asteroid does indeed collide with Earth, the 'risk corridor' threatens countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Where it lands will also determine just how powerful the impact is, with regions at the end of the corridor more likely to receive a glancing blow. 

However, there currently isn't enough information to say where along this risk corridor the asteroid is most likely to hit.

Dr Rankin told Space.com: 'Size and are big players in possible damage, along with impact location.

NASA predicts that the asteroid 2024 YR4 currently has a one in 48, or 2.1 per cent, chance of hitting Earth on December 22, 2032 (stock image)

'It's hard to constrain size and composition with the current orbital situation, as it's outbound. Typically, the best way to constrain size is with radar observations and those are not possible right now.'

It is currently estimated that the blast would be similar in size to the Tunguska asteroid which detonated in an air-burst explosion in 1908.

While this blast hit an unpopulated area, the shockwave still flattened an estimated 80 million trees over 830 square miles (2,150 square kilometres) - more than twice the land area of New York.

At the higher end of estimates, scientists suggest this explosion could have been equivalent to 15 megatons of TNT.

A blast this powerful would topple residential buildings and cause fatalities up to 12 miles (18.9 km) in any direction from the epicentre.

In the coming months, NASA and ESA hope to use Earth's most powerful telescopes to further refine their predictions about the asteroid's orbit.

This includes a rare emergency decision to grant an international team of scientists the use of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study 2024 YR4.

This team will use the JWST's infrared sensors to measure the heat radiating from the asteroid to make a better prediction of its size and orbit.

With an estimated size of up to 90 metres (300 ft), or roughly the size of the Statue of Liberty, 2024 YR4 could hit Earth with a blast equal to eight megatons of TNT (artist's impression)

Asteroid 2024 YR4 is about the same size as the Tunguska asteroid, which caused the largest impact event in recorded history when it shot through Earth's atmosphere in 1908, flattening 830 square miles (2,150 square km) of forest (pictured)

Scientists will also have a good opportunity to learn more about the asteroid when it makes its first close pass of Earth in March at a distance of around 5 million miles (8 million kilometres).

The world's space agencies currently predict that the impact probability will drop towards zero as they learn more, but an impact cannot currently be ruled out.

A new simulation of the asteroid's path also presents a slim possibility that it could hit the moon instead of Earth.

Dr Rankin's calculations suggest that there is a one in 333 chance that 2024 YR4 will collide with the lunar surface, creating a brilliant but otherwise harmless explosion that could be seen from Earth with the naked eye. 

However, for the countries along this predicted risk corridor, these predictions raise the chilling possibility that they may face a devastating collision within the next eight years.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-02-2025 om 22:00 geschreven door peter  

•  READ MORE: Disturbing truth behind 'HELP' signs seen in LA on Google Maps

By STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

A mysterious structure in a mountainous region of New Mexico has taken the internet by storm, sparking an investigation to uncover the truth.

Google Map users spotted a large, white disc poking out from the ground at an elevation of 7,400 feet. Its coordinates are 34°24'21.6"N 107°05'44.5"W.

The location, about 34 miles from the Sevilleta National Refuge in La Joay, is nestled in the Sierra Ladrones with no clear roads or homes nearby.

Google Map images of the site show the top of the disc features metallic hardware and part of one side has since been covered by vegetation.

Users speculated it could be 'a UFO that has been lodged in this mountain for centuries' or a 'ceiling hatch of a subterranean hanger for a UAP [Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena].'

Others claimed they saw windows, a fuselage and electrical circuits on the object.

Some Google Map users have looked back at historical images of the area, finding a black, box-shaped structure in the same spot in 1975. A look forward to 2003 showed the disc among the barren landscape.

The images were shared on X where people are calling for someone to send a drone to the mountain and capture images of the scene.

A mysterious structure in a mountainous region of New Mexico has taken the internet by storm, sparking speculations of a UFO crash site

Google Map users spotted a large, white disc poking out from the ground at an elevation of 7,400 feet. Its coordinates are 34°24'21.6"N 107°05'44.5"W

The Google Map images were shared by X user Steph Kent who posted: 'Something in the shape of a disc embedded in a mountain in New Mexico, USA, at an altitude of 2,255 meters.'

Commenters suggested it could be an observatory, old water reservoir or a crash alien craft. 

The earliest Google image, in 1996, revealed a completely barren landscape without a dirt path or the disc. 

YouTuber MrMBB333 shared a video in August while investigating the site on Google Maps.

'This is a very remote location, nothing going on up here,' he said in the clip.

'This looks very much like a disc that is stuck in the top of this mountain. I measured the disc from side to side, it's around 30 feet across.'

He claimed that 'whenever it crash landed in the mountains,' it lunged forward and became buried in the ground. 

While the YouTuber's theory suggested the object was a crash UFO,  a user of Mick West's Metabunk website had a more realistic investigation. 

The post initially claimed the object was a crashed disc when the user started the thread last August, but they later updated it to read: 'The structure has been identified as a rainwater catchment that has since been removed and replaced by a different structure.'

They searched through historical records on the US Geological Survey, uncovering images dating back to 1975 that showed a black dot where the white disc is now. 

There is also a clear path leading from a clear to the site. 

Some users have looked back at historical images of the area, finding a black, box-shaped structure in the same spot in 1975 

A look forward, and the white disc appeared in 2003

An image from 2013 shows the disc has not yet been overgrown by vegetation, but has suffered some damage

'So what is it? A research station of some kind? Something related to the nearby testing range,' they asked in the post dated August 26. 

'Some suggested a wildlife catchment tank (which looks similar if not a bit smaller) or a Frank Lloyd Wright project (it's not). 

Wright was an American architect famous for unusually designed homes, some of which that were circular. 

'From a quick search there appears to have been a structure built on that exact spot from at least the 1975 so it seems unlikely anything coincidentally 'crashed' there,' the MetaBunk user shared. 

Google Map users have come across many strange locations worldwide with a recent one in Los Angeles when people spotted 'HELP' spelled out with various materials on a plot of storage or waste facility in Los Angeles, California.

A 2017 images shows part of the disc had been covered by vegetation. An internet investigation ound the object was a rainwater catchment that has since been removed and replaced by a different structure

Disturbing messages written on the ground in Los Angeles have taken the internet by storm last month

This area is about one mile east of Los Angeles City Hall, situated between the Los Angeles River, North Mission Road and E Cesar E Chavez Avenue. Its coordinates are 34°03'18'N 118°13'30'W. 

The Spanish words 'TRAFFICO' (traffic) and 'TERRORISMO,' (terrorism) also appear, as well as 'LAPD,' 'FEDERAL,' and 'FBI.'

The images went viral on social media over the weekend, sparking fears that someone may be trying to alert the public or law enforcement to a human trafficking operation in the area.

One Reddit user wrote: 'This sounds like someone or a group are being trafficked and used materials available to them to spell out an SOS. I hope if a random person noticed, authorities noticed as well.'

'We have all known for a long time that shipping containers are being used for human trafficking,' one X user posted, referencing the location's close proximity to the shipping yard.

Concerned viewers also pointed out what appears to be holes or tunnel entrances nearby, speculating that nefarious activity may be taking place inside.

One such person, who goes by 'LAguy' on X, spoke with a woman experiencing homelessness who lives near the lot.

She told him the words were written by a man named Jose who has been writing them 'for years.'

'[José's] the one who puts [help] all the time,' she said. 'He writes it everywhere [...] it's been years,' she added, though she made clear she didn't know the reason why he has been writing the messages.

Others claiming to live nearby offered similar explanations.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ }

14-02-2025 om 21:41 geschreven door peter  

DE VLAAMSE UFOLOGEN

Inleiding tot de Vlaamse Ufologie

De belangstelling voor UFO's (ongeïdentificeerde vliegende objecten) en gerelateerde fenomenen is wereldwijd een onderwerp van fascinatie en controverse. In Vlaanderen, zoals in veel andere regio's, zijn er verschillende ufologen die zich hebben toegelegd op het bestuderen van deze mysterieuze verschijnselen. Onder hen zijn enkele opmerkelijke figuren zoals Marc Broux, Wim van Utrecht, Pieter Hendrickx en Ghislain Struys. Dit artikel biedt een overzicht van hun bijdragen aan de ufologie in Vlaanderen, hun onderzoeken, publicaties en de bredere context waarin zij werken.

De Opkomst van de Ufologie in Vlaanderen

De ufologie begon in België en Vlaanderen serieus aandacht te krijgen in de jaren '50 en '60, parallel aan de wereldwijde UFO-hype. De Belgische UFO-golf in de jaren '80, met een aantal gerapporteerde waarnemingen, waaronder de beroemde waarnemingen van "de Belgische driehoek", heeft de interesse in het onderwerp verder aangewakkerd. Dit leidde tot de oprichting van verschillende organisaties en initiatieven die zich bezighouden met het onderzoeken van UFO-waarnemingen en het verspreiden van kennis over het fenomeen.

1. Marc Broux { UFO-BELGIUM, BUFON }

Marc Broux is een prominente figuur binnen de Vlaamse ufologie, een niche die zich bezighoudt met het bestuderen van onverklaarde vliegende objecten en de mogelijke aanwezigheid van buitenaards leven. Zijn bijdrage aan dit vakgebied is veelzijdig en omvat onderzoek, publicaties en het organiseren van evenementen. Broux heeft niet alleen bijgedragen aan de verspreiding van kennis over ufologie in Vlaanderen, maar heeft ook een brug geslagen tussen wetenschappelijk onderzoek en de interesse van het bredere publiek.

Een van de belangrijkste aspecten van Broux' werk is zijn rol als onderzoeker. Hij heeft talloze meldingen van UFO-waarnemingen geanalyseerd en bestudeerd. Door zijn methodische aanpak en kritische blik heeft hij geprobeerd om objectieve gegevens te verzamelen en te interpreteren, wat essentieel is voor het serieus nemen van dit onderwerp. Broux heeft verschillende publicaties op zijn naam staan waarin hij zijn bevindingen deelt, wat bijdraagt aan de academische en populaire literatuur over het onderwerp. Deze publicaties hebben niet alleen de interesse in ufologie aangewakkerd, maar ook de noodzaak benadrukt van een zorgvuldig en kritisch onderzoek naar UFO-verschijnselen.

Daarnaast heeft Marc Broux ook een belangrijke rol gespeeld in het organiseren van evenementen, zoals lezingen en symposia, waarbij hij zowel experts als geïnteresseerden samenbrengt. Deze evenementen bieden een platform voor discussie en kennisuitwisseling, en stimuleren een bredere belangstelling voor het onderwerp. Door het organiseren van deze bijeenkomsten heeft Broux bijgedragen aan de opbouw van een gemeenschap van ufologie-enthousiastelingen in Vlaanderen, wat cruciaal is voor de verdere ontwikkeling van het vakgebied.

Een ander belangrijk aspect van zijn werk is de educatieve component. Broux hecht waarde aan het informeren van het publiek over het fenomeen UFO’s en de verschillende theorieën die daarmee gepaard gaan. Hij heeft geprobeerd om het onderwerp toegankelijk te maken voor een breder publiek, en om mythes en misvattingen te ontkrachten. Dit is bijzonder belangrijk in een tijd waarin de media vaak sensationeel omgaan met UFO-incidenten, wat kan leiden tot desinformatie en wantrouwen.

Broux heeft ook de samenwerking met andere UFO-onderzoekers en organisaties bevorderd, zowel nationaal als internationaal. Deze samenwerkingen hebben geleid tot een uitwisseling van ideeën en methoden, wat de kwaliteit van het onderzoek ten goede komt. Door deze netwerken heeft hij bijgedragen aan een meer gestructureerde en professionele benadering van de ufologie in Vlaanderen.

Samenvattend kan gesteld worden dat Marc Broux een sleutelrol speelt in de Vlaamse ufologie. Zijn onderzoek, publicaties en organisatorische inspanningen hebben niet alleen de kennis over UFO's vergroot, maar ook de interesse van het publiek gestimuleerd en een gemeenschap gecreëerd rondom dit fascinerende onderwerp. Dankzij zijn inzet is de Vlaamse ufologie in staat om een meer serieuze en wetenschappelijke benadering te hanteren, en dit heeft een blijvende impact op hoe het fenomeen UFO’s wordt waargenomen en bestudeerd in Vlaanderen.

2. Wim van Utrecht { SVLT }

Old famous triangular ufo pic, has it been debunked?

Wim van Utrecht is een prominente figuur binnen de Vlaamse ufologie, het bestuderen van onverklaarde vliegende voorwerpen (UFO's) en gerelateerde fenomenen. Zijn bijdrage aan dit veld kan niet worden onderschat, zowel op het gebied van onderzoek als in de popularisering van de ufologie in Vlaanderen. Dit artikel verkent wat Wim van Utrecht betekent voor de Vlaamse ufologie en waarom zijn werk van groot belang is.

Ten eerste heeft Wim van Utrecht zich onderscheiden door zijn gedegen onderzoekswerk. Hij heeft talloze getuigenissen van UFO-waarnemingen verzameld en geanalyseerd, wat heeft geleid tot een beter begrip van de fenomenen die zich in Vlaanderen voordoen. Door zijn methodische aanpak heeft hij bijgedragen aan een serieuze en wetenschappelijke benadering van ufologie, wat vaak wordt geassocieerd met pseudowetenschap en speculatie. Van Utrecht pleit voor een objectieve en kritische benadering van UFO-waarnemingen, waarbij hij het belang van bewijs en documentatie benadrukt.

Daarnaast heeft Van Utrecht een belangrijke rol gespeeld in het creëren van een netwerk van onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen in Vlaanderen. Hij heeft verschillende evenementen en conferenties georganiseerd waar mensen hun ervaringen konden delen en discussiëren over UFO-verschijnselen. Dit heeft niet alleen geleid tot een grotere zichtbaarheid van de ufologie in de regio, maar ook tot de oprichting van samenwerkingsverbanden tussen verschillende onderzoekers en organisaties. Door deze netwerken heeft hij een platform gecreëerd waar serieuze discussies over UFO's kunnen plaatsvinden, wat de legitimiteit van het vakgebied versterkt.

Wim van Utrecht is ook actief geweest in de media, waar hij zijn kennis en ervaring heeft gedeeld met een breder publiek. Door zijn aanwezigheid in kranten, tijdschriften en op televisie heeft hij de interesse in ufologie aangewakkerd bij mensen die anders misschien nooit in contact zouden komen met het onderwerp. Zijn vermogen om complexe onderwerpen toegankelijk te maken voor een breed publiek is een van zijn grootste kwaliteiten. Dit heeft geholpen om de stigma's die vaak aan ufologie kleven te doorbreken en heeft veel mensen aangemoedigd om open te staan voor het verkennen van onverklaarde fenomenen.

Bovendien heeft Van Utrecht aandacht gevestigd op de noodzaak van samenwerking met andere wetenschappelijke disciplines. Hij heeft vaak gepleit voor een interdisciplinaire aanpak van ufologie, waarbij inzichten uit de psychologie, sociologie en natuurkunde kunnen bijdragen aan een beter begrip van waarnemingen en de impact die deze hebben op de samenleving. Door deze benadering heeft hij de ufologie gepositioneerd als een onderwerp dat niet alleen relevant is voor UFO-enthousiastelingen, maar ook voor academici en onderzoekers in andere velden.

In conclusie betekent Wim van Utrecht voor de Vlaamse ufologie een belangrijke schakel in de ontwikkeling van een serieuze en respectabele benadering van het onderwerp. Zijn onderzoeksinspanningen, netwerken, media-activiteit en pleidooien voor interdisciplinaire samenwerking hebben de ufologie in Vlaanderen gestimuleerd en geprofessionaliseerd. Door zijn werk heeft hij niet alleen bijgedragen aan een beter begrip van UFO-verschijnselen, maar ook aan de acceptatie en erkenning van ufologie als een legitiem onderzoeksgebied. Als gevolg daarvan heeft hij een blijvende impact gehad op hoe zowel het publiek als de academische wereld naar dit fascinerende onderwerp kijkt.

3. Pieter Hendrickx

link http://blog.seniorennet.be/peter2011/

Pieter Hendrickx is een expert op het gebied van UFO-onderzoek in België en heeft een significante bijdrage geleverd aan de Vlaamse ufologie. Hij is vooral bekend om zijn gedetailleerde analyses van specifieke UFO-waarnemingen en zijn vermogen om complexe gegevens te interpreteren. Hendrickx heeft een wetenschappelijke achtergrond en benadert het onderwerp vanuit een kritisch en analytisch perspectief.

Pieter Hendrickx is een invloedrijke figuur in de Vlaamse ufologie, een niche binnen de bredere studie van onverklaarde vliegende objecten (UFO's) en gerelateerde fenomenen. Zijn bijdrage aan dit vakgebied is van groot belang, zowel op academisch als op praktisch niveau. Hendrickx heeft zich ingezet om de ufologie in Vlaanderen een serieuze en wetenschappelijke benadering te geven, waardoor het onderwerp niet langer als een marginaal of belachelijk fenomeen wordt gezien.

Een van de belangrijkste aspecten van Hendrickx's werk is zijn focus op het verzamelen en analyseren van getuigenverslagen. Hij heeft talloze getuigen geïnterviewd en hun verhalen gedocumenteerd, wat heeft geleid tot een schat aan gegevens. Deze systematische benadering is cruciaal, omdat het laat zien dat veel meldingen van UFO-waarnemingen serieus genomen moeten worden. Hendrickx pleit voor een wetenschappelijke methode in de ufologie, en zijn werk is een voorbeeld van hoe dit kan worden gedaan.

Daarnaast heeft Hendrickx zich actief ingezet voor de bewustwording van het fenomeen UFO's in Vlaanderen. Hij heeft lezingen gegeven, boeken gepubliceerd en media-interviews gedaan om het publiek te informeren over de verschillende aspecten van ufologie. Zijn educatieve inspanningen hebben geholpen om de stigma's rond het onderwerp te verminderen en meer mensen aan te moedigen om openlijk over hun ervaringen te praten. Dit is van groot belang, omdat het delen van getuigenissen kan leiden tot een beter begrip van het fenomeen en tot verdere onderzoeksinitiatieven.

Een ander belangrijk kenmerk van Hendrickx's benadering is zijn kritische houding ten opzichte van het fenomeen. Hij is zich bewust van de vele pseudowetenschappelijke claims die circuleren binnen de ufologie en kiest ervoor om deze te weerleggen met feiten en logica. Dit maakt zijn werk geloofwaardig en helpt om de ufologie te positioneren als een serieuze tak van onderzoek. Hendrickx benadrukt het belang van kritisch denken en het vermijden van sensatiezucht, wat essentieel is voor de ontwikkeling van een betrouwbare onderzoeksomgeving.

Hendrickx heeft ook samengewerkt met andere onderzoekers en organisaties, zowel nationaal als internationaal. Deze netwerken zijn van groot belang voor de uitwisseling van kennis en ervaringen, en ze versterken de positie van de Vlaamse ufologie op het wereldtoneel. Door samen te werken met andere wetenschappers en onderzoekers, draagt Hendrickx bij aan een bredere discussie over UFO's en aanverwante onderwerpen, wat kan leiden tot nieuwe inzichten en ontdekkingen.

Tot slot is Pieter Hendrickx niet alleen een onderzoeker, maar ook een pleitbezorger voor het recht van mensen om hun ervaringen te delen zonder vooroordelen. Hij heeft een veilige ruimte gecreëerd voor getuigen om hun verhalen te delen, wat leidt tot een grotere diversiteit aan meldingen en inzichten. Dit is cruciaal voor het begrip van het fenomeen UFO's, omdat het de menselijke ervaring centraal stelt in het onderzoek.

In conclusie, Pieter Hendrickx heeft een significante impact gehad op de Vlaamse ufologie door zijn systematische, wetenschappelijke benadering, zijn educatieve inspanningen en zijn pleitbezorging voor getuigen. Zijn werk helpt om de ufologie te legitimeren en te positioneren als een serieus onderzoeksgebied binnen de bredere wetenschappelijke gemeenschap.

4. Ghislain Struys { UROS }

Ghislain Struys is een belangrijke figuur in de Vlaamse ufologie, een studie die zich richt op het onderzoeken van ongeïdentificeerde vliegende objecten (UFO’s) en de mogelijke implicaties daarvan. Zijn bijdrage aan dit veld is veelzijdig en heeft een aanzienlijke impact gehad op zowel de populariteit van het onderwerp als de serieuze benadering ervan binnen de Vlaamse gemeenschap.

Struys is vooral bekend als oprichter van de "Vlaamse Vereniging voor Ruimteonderzoek" (VVRO), een organisatie die zich richt op het verzamelen en analyseren van getuigenissen, het onderzoeken van waarnemingen en het bevorderen van wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar UFO-verschijnselen. Zijn inzet voor de vereniging heeft bijgedragen aan het legitimeren van UFO-onderzoek in Vlaanderen en heeft het mogelijk gemaakt om dit vaak beladen onderwerp in een meer serieuze context te plaatsen.

Een van Struys' belangrijkste bijdragen aan de Vlaamse ufologie is zijn focus op het verzamelen van betrouwbare gegevens en getuigenissen. In tegenstelling tot de vaak sensationele berichtgeving in de media, heeft hij gepleit voor een meer methodische en wetenschappelijke benadering van UFO-waarnemingen. Dit houdt in dat hij de nadruk legt op het documenteren van feiten, het analyseren van gegevens en het onderzoeken van getuigenissen met een kritische blik. Door dit te doen, heeft hij geholpen om een cultuur van ernst en integriteit in de ufologie te bevorderen, wat essentieel is voor de acceptatie van het onderwerp in bredere wetenschappelijke en maatschappelijke kringen.

Struys heeft ook bijgedragen aan de educatie rond UFO-onderzoek. Hij heeft lezingen gegeven, artikelen geschreven en documentaires ondersteund die het publiek informeren over de geschiedenis van UFO-waarnemingen, de verschillende theorieën die erover bestaan, en de relevante wetenschappelijke inzichten. Door deze educatieve inspanningen heeft hij een brug geslagen tussen de ufologie en het bredere publiek, waardoor meer mensen geïnteresseerd raken in en openstaan voor het onderwerp.

Een ander belangrijk aspect van Struys’ werk is zijn betrokkenheid bij de internationale ufologie. Hij heeft samengewerkt met verschillende organisaties en onderzoekers over de hele wereld, wat heeft geleid tot een uitwisseling van ideeën en kennis. Deze internationale samenwerking heeft niet alleen de Vlaamse ufologie verrijkt, maar heeft ook bijgedragen aan een beter begrip van UFO-verschijnselen op globaal niveau.

Bovendien heeft Struys’ werk de aandacht gevestigd op de culturele en sociale impact van UFO-waarnemingen. Hij heeft erop gewezen hoe deze verschijnselen diepgeworteld zijn in de menselijke ervaring en hoe ze de manier waarop we naar onszelf en onze plaats in het universum kijken, kunnen beïnvloeden. Dit heeft geleid tot een bredere discussie over de betekenis van UFO’s in de moderne samenleving en de vragen die zij oproepen over technologie, wetenschap en zelfs spiritualiteit.

In conclusie, Ghislain Struys heeft een fundamentele rol gespeeld in de ontwikkeling van de Vlaamse ufologie. Zijn methodische benadering, educatieve inspanningen en internationale samenwerking hebben niet alleen de legitimiteit van het onderwerp vergroot, maar ook bijgedragen aan een dieper begrip van de sociale en culturele implicaties van UFO-verschijnselen. Hierdoor blijft zijn invloed voelbaar in de hedendaagse discussie over UFO’s en hun betekenis voor de mensheid.

5. Jan Deceuster

Jan Deceuster is een bekende naam in de Belgische ufologie. Hij staat vooral bekend om zijn systematische benadering van UFO-waarnemingen en zijn betrokkenheid bij het documenteren van getuigenissen. Deceuster heeft in de loop der jaren talloze getuigeninterviews afgenomen en veel aandacht besteed aan de verificatie van de feiten rondom UFO-waarnemingen. Zijn werk heeft bijgedragen aan een beter begrip van de fenomenen die vaak als UFO's worden gekarakteriseerd.

Deceuster heeft ook samengewerkt met verschillende organisaties en heeft zijn bevindingen vaak gedeeld in lezingen en publicaties. Hij is van mening dat het belangrijk is om een wetenschappelijke benadering te hanteren bij het bestuderen van UFO's, en hij pleit voor een objectieve evaluatie van de beschikbare gegevens. Dit is essentieel voor het scheiden van serieuze waarnemingen van hoaxes of misverstanden.

6. Julien Weverbergh

Julien Weverbergh is een andere prominente figuur in de Vlaamse ufologie. Hij is vooral bekend om zijn boeken en publicaties die de geschiedenis van UFO-waarnemingen in België en de rest van de wereld onderzoeken. Weverbergh heeft zich intensief beziggehouden met het bestuderen van de verschillende theorieën rondom UFO's, inclusief de mogelijkheid van buitenaardse levensvormen en interdimensionale reizen.

Een van de meest opmerkelijke bijdragen van Weverbergh is zijn focus op de culturele en psychologische aspecten van UFO-waarnemingen. Hij heeft betoogd dat veel waarnemingen niet alleen kunnen worden verklaard door fysieke objecten, maar ook door de manier waarop mensen deze ervaringen interpreteren. Dit maakt zijn werk bijzonder waardevol, omdat het niet alleen de feiten rondom UFO's onderzoekt, maar ook de impact ervan op de menselijke psyche.

Weverbergh heeft ook aandacht besteed aan de rol van de media in de verspreiding van UFO-verhalen. Hij heeft erop gewezen dat de manier waarop UFO-waarnemingen worden gepresenteerd vaak invloed heeft op hoe het publiek deze fenomenen waarneemt en begrijpt. Dit heeft geleid tot een grotere bewustwording van de noodzaak om kritisch te kijken naar de informatie die beschikbaar is.

7. Frederick Delaere { Belgisch UFO-meldpunt }

Frederick Delaere is een opmerkelijke figuur binnen de Vlaamse ufologie, en zijn bijdrage aan het onderzoek naar onverklaarde vliegende objecten in België is van groot belang. Delaere, geboren en getogen in Vlaanderen, heeft zijn leven gewijd aan het bestuderen van UFO-waarnemingen en het verzamelen van gegevens over dit intrigerende fenomeen. Zijn werk heeft niet alleen bijgedragen aan de lokale kennis over UFO's, maar heeft ook een bredere impact gehad op de internationale ufologie.

Een van de belangrijkste aspecten van Delaere's bijdrage is zijn methodische benadering van het onderwerp. In tegenstelling tot veel andere UFO-onderzoekers, die soms worden gekarakteriseerd door speculatie en sensatie, heeft Delaere altijd de nadruk gelegd op een wetenschappelijke en analytische benadering. Hij verzamelt gegevens, analyseert getuigenverklaringen en probeert objectieve feiten van fictie te scheiden. Dit heeft hem geholpen om geloofwaardigheid te verwerven binnen de gemeenschap van onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen, en heeft zijn werk relevant gemaakt voor zowel academici als leken.

Delaere is ook bekend om zijn vermogen om de complexe wereld van UFO-waarnemingen toegankelijk te maken voor een breder publiek. Hij heeft verschillende boeken en artikelen geschreven waarin hij zijn bevindingen op een begrijpelijke manier presenteert. Door deze communicatieve vaardigheden heeft hij de interesse in ufologie in Vlaanderen aangewakkerd en een platform gecreëerd voor discussie en onderzoek. Zijn werk heeft bijgedragen aan het normaliseren van het gesprek over UFO's, wat voorheen vaak als taboe werd beschouwd.

Een ander belangrijk aspect van Delaere's impact is zijn rol als netwerker binnen de ufologische gemeenschap. Hij heeft talloze lezingen en presentaties gegeven, waarbij hij niet alleen zijn eigen onderzoek deelt, maar ook anderen aanmoedigt om hun ervaringen en waarnemingen te delen. Dit heeft geleid tot een sterke gemeenschap van onderzoekers en geïnteresseerden in Vlaanderen, die samenkomen om kennis en ervaringen uit te wisselen. Delaere fungeert vaak als een brug tussen verschillende generaties van ufologen, en zijn invloed heeft geholpen om de volgende generatie onderzoekers te inspireren.

Bovendien heeft Delaere bijgedragen aan het verzamelen van gegevens over de beroemde Belgische UFO-golf van de jaren '80 en '90. Deze golf, gekenmerkt door talloze waarnemingen van onverklaarbare vliegende objecten, heeft wereldwijd aandacht gekregen. Delaere's gedetailleerde documentatie en analyse van deze gebeurtenissen heeft niet alleen de lokale geschiedenis van UFO-waarnemingen rijker gemaakt, maar heeft ook internationale onderzoekers geholpen om deze fenomenen beter te begrijpen.

In het bredere perspectief van de Vlaamse ufologie kan men zeggen dat Frederick Delaere een sleutelfiguur is die de deur heeft geopend voor een serieuzere en meer gestructureerde benadering van het fenomeen UFO's. Zijn toewijding aan feiten, zijn communicatieve vaardigheden en zijn netwerkcapaciteiten hebben een blijvende impact gehad op zowel de lokale als de internationale ufologische gemeenschap. Door zijn inspanningen blijft de interesse in UFO's en de mysteries die ze met zich meebrengen groeien, en daarmee ook de zoektocht naar antwoorden op deze intrigerende vragen. Delaere's werk zal ongetwijfeld nog vele jaren voortleven in de annalen van de Vlaamse ufologie.

8. LEVI BOTERDAEL

Levi Boterdael is een opmerkelijke figuur binnen de Vlaamse ufologie, een discipline die zich bezighoudt met het bestuderen van ongeïdentificeerde vliegende objecten (UFO's) en het fenomeen van buitenaardse leven. Sinds zijn jeugd is Boterdael gefascineerd door de mysteries van de ruimte en de mogelijkheid van leven buiten de aarde. Deze interesse heeft hem ertoe aangezet om zich diepgaand te verdiepen in de verhalen, getuigenissen en wetenschappelijke studies rond UFO's.

Boterdael wordt vaak beschreven als een gedreven en gepassioneerde onderzoeker. Hij heeft talloze boeken en artikelen geschreven over UFO-waarnemingen, zowel in Vlaanderen als internationaal. Zijn werk is niet alleen gericht op het documenteren van getuigenissen, maar ook op het analyseren van de psychologische en sociale aspecten van UFO-verschijnselen. Hij gelooft dat het begrijpen van deze fenomenen niet alleen een kwestie is van het verzamelen van feiten, maar ook van het begrijpen van de menselijke ervaring en de impact die deze ervaringen hebben op individuen en gemeenschappen.

Een belangrijk aspect van Boterdaels werk is zijn inzet voor het bevorderen van serieus onderzoek naar UFO's. Hij pleit voor een wetenschappelijke benadering van het fenomeen, waarbij objectieve gegevens en rigoureuze methodologieën centraal staan. Boterdael heeft verschillende lezingen en seminars gegeven, waarin hij zijn bevindingen deelt met zowel geïnteresseerden als sceptici. Hij moedigt een open dialoog aan, waarbij mensen worden aangemoedigd om vragen te stellen en kritisch na te denken over wat ze horen en zien.

Boterdael is ook actief binnen verschillende organisaties die zich bezighouden met ufologie. Hij werkt samen met andere onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen om informatie uit te wisselen, onderzoek te coördineren en bewustwording te creëren over het fenomeen. Zijn netwerk strekt zich uit over de grenzen van Vlaanderen, en hij is betrokken bij internationale initiatieven die zich richten op het onderzoeken van UFO-verschijnselen.

Naast zijn onderzoek is Levi Boterdael ook een fervent voorstander van het behoud van getuigenverklaringen en het archiveren van gegevens. Hij begrijpt dat persoonlijke verhalen een cruciale rol spelen in het begrijpen van het fenomeen en dat deze verhalen vaak een rijke bron van informatie bieden. Boterdael werkt eraan om een platform te creëren waar mensen hun ervaringen kunnen delen, zonder angst voor oordeel of ridicule.

In de loop der jaren heeft Boterdael verschillende prijswinnende documentaires en publicaties op zijn naam staan, die zowel educatief als verkennend zijn. Hij blijft een invloedrijke stem binnen de Vlaamse ufologie, waarbij hij niet alleen de mysteries van de lucht onderzoekt, maar ook de diepere vragen over ons bestaan en onze plaats in het universum. Door zijn toewijding en passie heeft Levi Boterdael een blijvende impact gehad op de manier waarop UFO's worden waargenomen en bestudeerd in Vlaanderen en daarbuiten.

9. ANDRE SKONDRAS

André Skondras is een belangrijke figuur binnen de Vlaamse ufologie, en zijn bijdragen hebben een aanzienlijke impact gehad op de manier waarop UFO-waarnemingen en het fenomeen in het algemeen worden benaderd in Vlaanderen en daarbuiten. Skondras is vooral bekend om zijn diepgaande analyses van UFO-verschijnselen en zijn vermogen om critici en sceptici te confronteren met wetenschappelijke en logische argumenten.

Een van de belangrijkste bijdragen van Skondras aan de Vlaamse ufologie is zijn kritische benadering van getuigenissen. Vaak worden UFO-waarnemingen gekarakteriseerd door subjectieve ervaringen en emotionele reacties, maar Skondras pleit voor een methodische en objectieve evaluatie van deze getuigenissen. Hij verzamelt gegevens, interviewt getuigen en probeert fenomenen te verklaren vanuit een wetenschappelijk perspectief. Hierdoor heeft hij een brug geslagen tussen de vaak gefragmenteerde wereld van UFO-enthousiastelingen en de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap.

Daarnaast heeft Skondras bijgedragen aan de popularisering van ufologie in Vlaanderen. Hij heeft verschillende lezingen en presentaties gegeven waarin hij de basisprincipes van ufologie uitlegt en het publiek bewust maakt van de verschillende aspecten van het fenomeen. Zijn vermogen om complexe ideeën toegankelijk te maken voor een breed publiek heeft geleid tot een grotere belangstelling voor het onderwerp. Hij heeft ook samengewerkt met andere ufologen en onderzoekers, wat heeft geleid tot een netwerk van mensen die zich inzetten voor serieuze studie van UFO's.

Skondras heeft ook aandacht besteed aan de culturele en maatschappelijke impact van UFO-waarnemingen. Hij onderzoekt hoe deze fenomenen niet alleen wetenschappelijk, maar ook psychologisch en sociologisch van belang zijn. Door UFO's te plaatsen binnen een bredere culturele context, helpt hij om te begrijpen waarom mensen in bepaalde periodes en plaatsen meer UFO-waarnemingen doen en hoe deze waarnemingen hun wereldbeeld kunnen beïnvloeden.

Een ander belangrijk aspect van Skondras' werk is zijn betrokkenheid bij het documenteren van UFO-verschijnselen in Vlaanderen. Hij heeft verschillende rapporten en studies gepubliceerd die zich richten op specifieke waarnemingen en trends in de regio. Deze publicaties zijn niet alleen waardevol voor onderzoekers, maar ook voor beleidsmakers en de bredere gemeenschap die geïnteresseerd is in de UFO-onderwerpen.

Tot slot is Skondras een pleitbezorger voor openheid en transparantie binnen de ufologie. Hij moedigt zowel onderzoekers als getuigen aan om hun bevindingen te delen en samen te werken aan het begrijpen van het fenomeen. Dit heeft geleid tot een meer samenwerkende en minder gefragmenteerde gemeenschap van ufologen in Vlaanderen, wat de kwaliteit van het onderzoek ten goede komt.

In conclusie, André Skondras is een sleutelfiguur in de Vlaamse ufologie. Zijn kritische benadering, zijn inzet voor wetenschappelijke integriteit, en zijn vermogen om het onderwerp toegankelijk te maken voor een breed publiek zijn waardevolle bijdragen aan het vakgebied. Door zijn werk heeft hij niet alleen de studie van UFO's in Vlaanderen bevorderd, maar ook bijgedragen aan een beter begrip van de culturele en maatschappelijke implicaties van deze mysterieuze verschijnselen.

De Vlaamse Ufologie Gemeenschap

De Vlaamse ufologie gemeenschap is een diverse en dynamische groep van onderzoekers, schrijvers en enthusiasts. Naast de bovengenoemde figuren zijn er nog veel andere ufologen actief in Vlaanderen, die bijdragen aan het onderzoek en de verspreiding van kennis over UFO's. Deze gemeenschap organiseert regelmatig lezingen, conferenties en andere evenementen om het onderwerp onder de aandacht te brengen en om ervaringen en kennis te delen.

Kritiek en Controverse

Net als in andere delen van de wereld, is de ufologie in Vlaanderen niet vrij van kritiek en controverse. Veel wetenschappers en sceptici beschouwen het onderzoek naar UFO's als pseudowetenschappelijk en twijfelen aan de validiteit van getuigenverklaringen en de interpretatie van gegevens. Dit heeft geleid tot een spanningsveld tussen ufologen en de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap.

De Vlaamse ufologen, waaronder Broux, Van Utrecht, Hendrickx en Struys, hebben deze kritiek vaak moeten weerleggen. Ze pleiten voor een open en wetenschappelijke benadering van het onderwerp, waarbij ze benadrukken dat het belangrijk is om niet alle waarnemingen onmiddellijk af te doen als onzin. In plaats daarvan moedigen ze een zorgvuldige en kritische evaluatie van gegevens aan.

De Toekomst van de Ufologie in Vlaanderen

De toekomst van de ufologie in Vlaanderen lijkt veelbelovend, met een groeiende interesse in het onderwerp en een toenemende acceptatie van de noodzaak voor serieus onderzoek. De Vlaamse ufologen blijven zich inzetten voor het verzamelen van gegevens, het documenteren van waarnemingen en het delen van kennis met het publiek.

Technologische ontwikkelingen, zoals de opkomst van drones en verbeterde camera's, bieden nieuwe mogelijkheden voor het vastleggen van UFO-waarnemingen. Dit kan leiden tot een beter begrip van het fenomeen en mogelijk zelfs tot de ontdekking van nieuwe inzichten.

Conclusie

De Vlaamse ufologen, zoals Marc Broux, Wim van Utrecht, Pieter Hendrickx en Ghislain Struys, spelen een cruciale rol in het onderzoek naar UFO's en het verspreiden van kennis over dit fascinerende onderwerp. Hun bijdragen zijn essentieel voor het legitimeren van de ufologie als een serieuze tak van onderzoek, en hun inzet voor een kritische en open benadering is van groot belang.

De gemeenschap van Vlaamse ufologen blijft groeien en evolueren, en met de voortdurende belangstelling voor UFO's en het verkennen van het onbekende, blijft de toekomst van de ufologie in Vlaanderen een spannend en onvoorspelbaar avontuur.

• Als je aanpassingen aan dit artikel wilt doen, laat het weten. Dit is een overzicht zoals A1 ChatGPT OF AI de Vlaamse ufologen ziet.

{ PETER2011 MET BEHULP VAN ChatGPT }

14-02-2025 om 21:10 geschreven door peter  

It’s a familiar sight to see astronauts on board ISS on exercise equipment to minimise muscle and bone loss from weightlessness. A new study suggests that jumping workouts could help astronauts prevent cartilage damage during long missions to the Moon and Mars. They found that the knee cartilage in mice seems to grow stronger after jumping exercises, potentially counteracting the effects of low gravity on joint health. If effective in humans, this approach could be included in pre-flight routines or adapted for space missions.

In space, astronauts experience significant loss of bone and muscle mass due to microgravity. Without Earth’s gravitational pull, bones lose density, increasing fracture risk, while muscles, especially in the lower body and spine, weaken from reduced use. This deterioration can impair mobility when back on Earth and effect overall health. To combat this, astronauts follow rigorous exercise routines, including resistance and cardiovascular training, to maintain strength and bone integrity. 

The next obvious step as we reach out into the Solar System is the red planet Mars. Heading that far out into space will demand long periods of time in space since its a 9 month journey there. Permanent bases on the Moon too will test our physiology to its limits so managing the slow degradation is a big challenge to space agencies. A paper published by lead author Marco Chiaberge from the John Hopkins University has explored the knee joints of mice and how their cartilage grows thicker if they jump! They suggest astronauts should embed jumping activities into their exercise regiment. 

Cartilage cushions the joints between bones and decreases friction allowing for pain free movement. Unlike many other tissues in the body, cartilage does not regenerate as quickly so it is important to protect it. Prolonged periods of inactivity, even from bed rest but especially long duration space flight can accelerate the degradation. It’s also been shown that radiation from space can accelerate the effect too. 

To maintain a strong healthy body, astronauts spend a lot of time, up to 2 hours a day running on treadmills. This has previously shown to slow the breakdown of cartilage but the new study has shown that jumping based movements is particularly effective. 

(Credit: Merlin74/Shutterstock)

The team of researchers found that, over a nine week program of reduced movement, mice experienced a 14% reduction in cartilage thickness in joints. Other mice performed jumping movements three times a week and their cartilage was found to be show a 26% increase compared to a control group of mice. Compared to the group that had restricted movement, the jumping mice had 110% thicker cartilage. The study also showed that jumping activities increased bone strength too with the jumping mice having a 15% higher density than the control.

An interesting piece of research but further work is needed to see whether jumping would herald in the same benefits to humans but the study is promising. If so, then jumping exercises are likely to be a part of pre-flight and inflight exercise programs for astronauts. It is likely that for this to be a reality in the micro-gravitational environment, astronauts will be attached to strong elasticated material to simulate the pull of gravity. 

Source : 

• Jumping Workouts Could Help Astronauts on the Moon and Mars, Study in Mice Suggests.

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

14-02-2025 om 18:22 geschreven door peter  

via GIPHY

Earth has noctilucent clouds, too. They form in the upper atmosphere and are only visible during twilight when the atmosphere’s lower layers are in the shade and the upper atmosphere is sunlit. They form from water ice crystals between 76 to 85 km altitude and are the highest clouds in the atmosphere.

Mars’ noctilucent clouds are similar, but the main difference is that they contain carbon dioxide ice. They form at an altitude of around 60 to 80 km and are also classified as mesospheric clouds. On Mars, they occur in the Fall over the southern hemisphere. Only Mars’ high-altitude clouds containing carbon dioxide ice display iridescent colours.

This is the fourth year in succession that Curiosity has seen these noctilucent clouds. Its Mastcam instrument has different filters that let it see different wavelengths of light, and some of those filters are used to study the composition and particle size in clouds. It also has stereo vision, which helps scientists determine cloud height, shape, and the speed at which they’re moving. It can also observe the Sun through filters and determine how much sunlight the atmosphere is blocking. That tells scientists how much dust and ice is in the atmosphere and how it changes over time.

A November 2024 paper titled “Iridescence Reveals the Formation and Growth of Ice Aerosols in Martian Noctilucent Clouds” summarized Curiosity’s images and findings. The lead author is Mark Lemmon, an atmospheric scientist with the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

“I’ll always remember the first time I saw those iridescent clouds and was sure at first it was some color artifact,” he said in a press release. “Now it’s become so predictable that we can plan our shots in advance; the clouds show up at exactly the same time of year.”

These clouds form only in early Martian fall and only in the southern hemisphere. Their iridescence is from uniform particle size, which indicates that the clouds had a brief evolution in a uniform environment. When clouds are both noctilucent and iridescent, they’re called nacreous clouds. It’s interesting to note that these colours would be easily seen by an astronaut on the Martian surface.

One of the mysteries behind these clouds concerns their location. They’re only seen in Mars’ southern hemisphere, and the Perseverance rover, which is in the Jezero Crater in the northern hemisphere, has never seen them. It seems pretty clear that they only form in certain locations, but the reasons why are unknown.

Lemmon says that gravity waves, which are atmospheric phenomena separate from astrophysical gravitational waves, could be responsible. They cool the atmosphere and could give rise to clouds of frozen CO2. “Carbon dioxide was not expected to be condensing into ice here, so something is cooling it to the point that it could happen. But Martian gravity waves are not fully understood, and we’re not entirely sure what is causing twilight clouds to form in one place but not another,” Lemmon said.

Scientists need more data to better understand these clouds. Curiosity wasn’t the only one to see them; the InSight lander did, too. But they could only see for a few hundred kilometres around their landing sites and their data is incomplete. “Orbiters capable of sunset and twilight times could constrain the cloud altitude,” Lemmon and his co-authors write in their paper.

There are unanswered questions about these clouds. Scientists would like to understand how quickly particles in these clouds evolve. They’d also like to know what the nature of the corona-forming layer is. A larger data sample could help answer these questions, as could more time-lapse imagery.

• Press Release: A Rainbow-colored “Feather” in the Martian Sky
• Press Release: NASA’s Curiosity Rover Captures Colorful Clouds Drifting Over Mars
• Published Research: Iridescence Reveals the Formation and Growth of Ice Aerosols in Martian Noctilucent Clouds

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

14-02-2025 om 18:01 geschreven door peter  

Alien life breakthrough as astronomers detect 'coherent' radio signal from distant planet

Astronomers have detected a 'coherent' radio signal from a distant planet, reigniting hope for the existence of extraterrestrial life.

The signal is thought to originate from a far-off, Earth-sized planet, suggesting it might possess a magnetic field similar to our own.

Scientists regularly monitor exoplanets and their potential to carry life. 85 new exoplanets were discovered outside our solar system, which could unlock secrets of the universe.

American astronomers have christened this rocky exoplanet 'YZ Ceti b,' asserting that it's a prime candidate for an Earth-like magnetic field, which could be crucial in humanity's quest for alien life.

The discovery has been hailed as significant for identifying a planet likely to have a magnetic field and offering a future technique to discover more such planets.

Using a radio telescope, the scientists detected a recurring radio signal from exoplanet YZ Ceti b, located approximately 70.5 trillion miles from Earth.

They speculate that these waves could be produced by interactions between the exoplanet's magnetic field and its host star, a small red dwarf named YZ Ceti.

This finding is essential for pinpointing a planet likely to have a magnetic field and establishing a foundation to discover similar planets in the future.

The researchers further suggested that this could mean witnessing the Northern Lights phenomenon - a result of interactions between magnetic fields and solar weather - on distant planets and stars could be possible.

Magnetic fields are vital in preventing a planet's atmospheric erosion caused by stellar emissions over time.

Drs. Sebastian Pineda and Jackie Villadsen have recently identified a repetitive radio signal from YC Ceti, a red dwarf star located 12 light years away. For context, one light year is nearly 5.88 trillion miles.

The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array, a prominent radio telescope managed by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory under the US National Science Foundation, was the instrument that allowed them to gain deeper insights into the magnetic dynamics between distant stars and their planets.

This groundbreaking work, outlined in Nature Astronomy, was also funded by the independent federal agency, the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Joe Pesce from NSF, who works as the program director for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, hails these discoveries as key in the ongoing quest to find life on other worlds, emphasizing, "The search for potentially habitable or life-bearing worlds in other solar systems depends in part on being able to determine if rocky, Earth-like exoplanets actually have magnetic fields."

Recent research marks a significant advancement in exoplanet studies, indicating that some rocky planets beyond our solar system may have magnetic fields. This discovery was achieved through a novel technique that could help identify more of these intriguing worlds.

Dr. Pineda of the University of Colorado, located on America's west coast, expressed the team's elation at detecting planetary radio emissions similar to those Earth emits: "We saw the initial burst, and it looked beautiful," he said enthusiastically.

Moments of scientific triumph followed as Pineda recounted: "When we saw it again, it was very indicative that, OK - maybe we really have something here."

Dr. Pineda noted that a sturdy magnetic field can be pivotal for a planet's ability to retain its atmosphere.

From the other side of the country, Assistant Professor Villadsen of Bucknell University remarked on the distinctiveness of their findings: "I witnessed something that no one has observed before."

Prior detections of exoplanetary magnetic fields were mainly limited to gas giants resembling Jupiter. However, unearthing Earth-sized counterparts calls for different, refined methods.

Since magnetic fields are inherently intangible, detecting their presence around distant planets poses a significant astronomical challenge that Assistant Prof Villadsen and her team are committed to addressing.

She explained their strategy: "We're looking for planets that are really close to their stars and are a similar size to Earth."

"These planets are way too close to their stars to be somewhere you could live, but because they are so close the planet is kind of ploughing through a bunch of stuff coming off the star."

"If the planet has a magnetic field and it ploughs through enough star stuff, it will cause the star to emit bright radio waves."

{ https://www.the-express.com/ }

14-02-2025 om 17:05 geschreven door peter  

Strange Rock Found on Mars with Zebra Markings Has NASA Scientists ...

NASA Discovers New Substances on Mars: Implications for Future Exploration and Understanding of the Red Planet

Introduction

The quest to understand Mars has captivated scientists and enthusiasts alike for decades. With its striking similarities to Earth and its potential to harbor life, the Red Planet has been a focal point of exploration for NASA and other space agencies around the globe. Recent discoveries of new substances on Mars have opened up exciting avenues for research and exploration. This article delves into the significance of these findings, the methods used to uncover them, and what they mean for the future of Mars exploration.

The Historical Context of Mars Exploration

Mars, often referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance from iron oxide (rust) on its surface, has been a subject of human fascination for centuries. The first observations of Mars were made through telescopes in the 1600s, but it wasn't until the 20th century that space missions began to provide detailed information about its atmosphere, surface, and potential for life.

NASA's Viking missions in the 1970s were pivotal, providing the first close-up images and data about the Martian surface. Subsequent missions, including the Mars Pathfinder, Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), and the Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity), have progressively advanced our understanding of the planet.

The Curiosity rover, which landed in Gale Crater in 2012, has been a key player in Mars exploration. It has analyzed various rocks and soil samples, providing evidence of past water flows and organic molecules, which are crucial for understanding the planet's potential for life.

NASA Finds Ancient Organic Material, Mysterious Methane on Mars - This low-angle self-portrait of NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover shows the vehicle at the site from which it reached down to drill into a rock target called “Buckskin” on lower Mount Sharp. 

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Recent Discoveries: New Substances on Mars

NASA's ongoing missions have recently reported the discovery of new substances on Mars, particularly through the Perseverance rover and the Ingenuity helicopter. Perseverance, which landed on Mars in February 2021, has been tasked with seeking signs of ancient life and collecting rock and soil samples for future return to Earth.

1. Organic Molecules and Their Significance

One of the most groundbreaking discoveries from Perseverance has been the identification of organic molecules in Martian rocks. Organic molecules are carbon-based compounds that are often associated with life. Their presence does not confirm life on Mars but suggests that the building blocks of life may exist on the planet.

NASA scientists have detected these molecules using the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument, which utilizes advanced spectroscopy techniques to analyze the composition of rock samples. This discovery has revived discussions about the potential for past microbial life on Mars.

2. Salts and Their Geological Implications

Another significant finding from Perseverance is the presence of various salts in the Martian soil. These salts, including perchlorates, are of particular interest because they can provide insights into the planet's past climate and potential for habitability. Salts can indicate the presence of liquid water in the past, as they often form in evaporative environments.

The discovery of salts raises questions about the history of water on Mars. Understanding the distribution and concentration of these salts can help scientists reconstruct the planet's climatic history and assess whether conditions were ever suitable for life.

3. Unusual Rock Formations and Their Composition

Perseverance has also encountered unusual rock formations that suggest a complex geological history. These formations, characterized by unique textures and mineral compositions, may tell a story of past volcanic activity, sedimentation, and erosion.

Researchers are employing a variety of analytical techniques to understand the mineralogy of these rocks. The ChemCam instrument, which uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, has been instrumental in identifying the elemental composition of Martian rocks, revealing a diverse geological landscape.

The Role of Ingenuity in Exploration

The Ingenuity helicopter, accompanying Perseverance, has demonstrated the feasibility of powered flight on another planet. Its successful flights have not only provided aerial perspectives of the Martian terrain but have also guided Perseverance to scientifically interesting locations.

Ingenuity's ability to scout the landscape has been invaluable in directing the rover to areas with promising geological features. This synergy between the two missions highlights the potential for innovative technologies in planetary exploration.

A photograph of a "Silver Mountain" rock sample collected by NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover as it explores the rim of Jezero Crater. 

(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Implications for Future Mars Missions

The discoveries made by Perseverance and Ingenuity have profound implications for future Mars exploration. As NASA plans for the Artemis program and aims to return humans to the Moon, the lessons learned from Mars missions will inform the agency's approach to exploring other celestial bodies.

1. Sample Return Missions

One of the most ambitious goals of the current Mars exploration program is the return of samples to Earth. The Mars Sample Return mission, a collaboration between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), aims to bring back rock and soil samples collected by Perseverance. Analyzing these samples in terrestrial laboratories could yield insights that are currently beyond our reach with remote sensing and in-situ analysis.

2. Search for Life

The discoveries of organic molecules and salts have intensified the search for life on Mars. Future missions will likely focus on identifying biosignatures—chemical indicators of past or present biological activity. This search will involve more sophisticated instruments capable of detecting and analyzing potential life forms, including microbial life.

3. Human Exploration

As NASA prepares for the eventual human exploration of Mars, understanding the planet's geology, climate, and potential hazards will be crucial. The presence of resources, such as water in the form of ice or brines, will play a significant role in sustaining human life on Mars. Future missions will prioritize the identification and assessment of these resources.

Public Interest and International Collaboration

The discoveries on Mars have also sparked renewed public interest in space exploration. NASA's commitment to transparency and engagement with the public has fostered a sense of excitement and curiosity about the Red Planet. Educational outreach programs and interactive platforms have allowed people worldwide to participate in the journey of discovery.

Moreover, international collaboration in space exploration has become increasingly important. As countries like China, the United Arab Emirates, and India launch their Mars missions, the sharing of data and findings can enhance our collective understanding of the planet. Collaborative efforts can also help address the challenges of planetary exploration, including technology development and resource allocation.

Conclusion

The recent discoveries of new substances on Mars mark a significant milestone in our exploration of the Red Planet. The identification of organic molecules, salts, and unique geological formations has profound implications for our understanding of Mars' past and its potential to support life.

As NASA and other space agencies continue their missions, the integration of innovative technologies and international collaboration will be key to unlocking the mysteries of Mars. The quest for knowledge about our neighboring planet is not only a scientific endeavor but also an opportunity to inspire future generations to explore the cosmos.

In the coming years, as we await the return of samples from Mars and prepare for human exploration, the discoveries made today will shape our understanding of life beyond Earth and our place in the universe. The journey to Mars is just beginning, and the excitement of discovery continues to propel us forward into the unknown.

{ PETER2011 }

14-02-2025 om 16:46 geschreven door peter  

Story by Laura Paddison, CNN

From a distance, the Ivanpah solar plant looks like a shimmering lake in the Mojave Desert. Up close, it’s a vast alien-like installation of hundreds of thousand of mirrors pointed at three towers, each taller than the Statue of Liberty.

When this plant opened near the California-Nevada border in early 2014, it was pitched as the future of solar power. Just over a decade later, it’s closing.

The plant’s co-owner NRG Energy announced in January it was unwinding contracts with power companies and, subject to regulatory approval, would begin closing the plant in early 2026, readying the site to potentially be repurposed for a new kind of solar energy.

For some, Ivanpah now stands as a huge, shiny monument to wasted tax dollars and environmental damage — campaign groups long criticized the plant for its impact on desert wildlife. For others, failures like this are a natural part of the race to find the winning solutions for the clean energy transition.

When Ivanpah was conceived, its technology, called concentrated solar or thermal solar, was considered a potential breakthrough.

It works like this: Hundreds of thousands of computer-controlled mirrors called “heliostats” track the sun and concentrate its rays onto three towers, each around 450 feet tall and topped with water-filled boilers. The sun’s hyper-concentrated energy turns this water to steam, which drives a turbine to create electricity.

One of the key selling points of this solar technology is the ability to store heat, allowing the production of electricity at night or when the sun isn’t shining without needing batteries.

The project got buy-in from the government with $1.6 billion in Department of Energy loan guarantees, and from utilities Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Edison, which both entered long-term agreements to buy Ivanpah’s power.

In 2014, it started commercial operations as the world’s largest solar thermal plant, spread across around 5 square miles of federal desert.

“This project is a symbol of the exciting progress we are seeing across the industry,” said then Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, in February 2014 during a dedication ceremony at the site.

So, where did it go wrong?

First, the technology proved finnicky and never quite worked as well as intended, said Jenny Chase, a solar analyst at BloombergNEF.

These kinds of plants “are just technically really difficult to operate,” she told CNN. They combine all the tricky, mechanical parts of a fossil fuel plant — running a turbine and maintaining many moving parts — with the challenges of a distributed energy source. The technology relies on mirrors tracking the sun exactly. “It’s really hard to get those all lined up perfectly and keep them lined up at all times,” Chase said.

But perhaps the biggest problem for Ivanpah is that photovoltaic solar — the technology used in solar panels — became really, really cheap.

In some parts of the world “you can basically buy a solar module for the price of a fence panel,” Chase said. At the time Ivanpah was built, “nobody really would have dreamed that photovoltaics would be this cheap, and batteries are doing a similar thing,” she added.

California's $2.2 billion dollar Ivanpah Solar Plant is a concentrated solar thermal plant in the California Mohave Desert.

Jason Andrew/Redux

Ivanpah's around 350,000 mirrors focus sunlight onto three towers, where water is turned to steam to generate electricity.

Jim West/REA/Redux

Wild burros are seen near the Ivanpah solar power plant on August 26, 2022. 

David McNew/Getty Images

A spokesperson for NRG said prices were competitive when the power agreements were signed in 2009. But over time, advancements in other types of solar technology “led to more efficient, cost effective and flexible options for producing reliable clean energy.”

In January, NRG finalized negotiations with PG&E to terminate power purchase agreements which were supposed to end in 2039. This “will provide significant savings for California ratepayers,” the company’s spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for Southern California Edison said it was in ongoing discussions with the plant owners and the DOE about its contract.

For critics of Ivanpah, its imminent demise is proof the plant should never have been built.

It “was a financial boondoggle and environmental disaster,” said Julia Dowell, senior campaign organizer at the Sierra Club, an environmental organization. “The project’s construction destroyed irreplaceable pristine desert habitat,” she told CNN.

Ivanpahs’s location in the sweeping, sun-drenched Mojave Desert may have seemed ideal for generating solar power, but it is also a habitat for threatened desert tortoises. While the plant’s developers agreed to a series of measures to protect and relocate the animals, many environmentalists believed the plant should not have been approved.

The Ivanpah plant is set to begin closing in 2026, with units decommissioned to prepare the land to potentially be repurposed for a different kind of solar power.

Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images

The other big issue was bird deaths. Reports of “streamers” — birds incinerated midair by the beams of intense heat from the mirrors — solidified opposition.

NRG did not respond to specific questions about the plant’s impact on wildlife.

Some commentators are using Ivanpah to make the case that renewable energy projects should not receive government money, a view that appears to fit with the new administration’s. One of President Donald Trump’s first actions was to pause approvals of new renewable energy projects on federal land.

But renewable energy experts say it’s important for governments to invest in a range of clean technologies, and many of those they have invested in, such as photovoltaics, have worked out.

It wasn’t clear which solar technologies would prove most cost effective when Ivanpah was being built 15 years ago, said Kenneth Gillingham, an economics professor at Yale School of the Environment.

“Picking winners is extremely difficult,“ he told CNN, “and it’s not a problem that some technologies are outcompeted by others, as long as innovation continues occurring.”

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{ https://edition.cnn.com/climate }

14-02-2025 om 16:10 geschreven door peter