The purpose of this blog is the creation of an open, international, independent and free forum, where every UFO-researcher can publish the results of his/her research. The languagues, used for this blog, are Dutch, English and French.You can find the articles of a collegue by selecting his category. Each author stays resposable for the continue of his articles. As blogmaster I have the right to refuse an addition or an article, when it attacks other collegues or UFO-groupes.
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Deze blog is opgedragen aan mijn overleden echtgenote Lucienne.
In 2012 verloor ze haar moedige strijd tegen kanker!
In 2011 startte ik deze blog, omdat ik niet mocht stoppen met mijn UFO-onderzoek.
BEDANKT!!!
Een interessant adres?
UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
UFO's of UAP'S in België en de rest van de wereld Ontdek de Fascinerende Wereld van UFO's en UAP's: Jouw Bron voor Onthullende Informatie!
Ben jij ook gefascineerd door het onbekende? Wil je meer weten over UFO's en UAP's, niet alleen in België, maar over de hele wereld? Dan ben je op de juiste plek!
België: Het Kloppend Hart van UFO-onderzoek
In België is BUFON (Belgisch UFO-Netwerk) dé autoriteit op het gebied van UFO-onderzoek. Voor betrouwbare en objectieve informatie over deze intrigerende fenomenen, bezoek je zeker onze Facebook-pagina en deze blog. Maar dat is nog niet alles! Ontdek ook het Belgisch UFO-meldpunt en Caelestia, twee organisaties die diepgaand onderzoek verrichten, al zijn ze soms kritisch of sceptisch.
Nederland: Een Schat aan Informatie
Voor onze Nederlandse buren is er de schitterende website www.ufowijzer.nl, beheerd door Paul Harmans. Deze site biedt een schat aan informatie en artikelen die je niet wilt missen!
Internationaal: MUFON - De Wereldwijde Autoriteit
Neem ook een kijkje bij MUFON (Mutual UFO Network Inc.), een gerenommeerde Amerikaanse UFO-vereniging met afdelingen in de VS en wereldwijd. MUFON is toegewijd aan de wetenschappelijke en analytische studie van het UFO-fenomeen, en hun maandelijkse tijdschrift, The MUFON UFO-Journal, is een must-read voor elke UFO-enthousiasteling. Bezoek hun website op www.mufon.com voor meer informatie.
Samenwerking en Toekomstvisie
Sinds 1 februari 2020 is Pieter niet alleen ex-president van BUFON, maar ook de voormalige nationale directeur van MUFON in Vlaanderen en Nederland. Dit creëert een sterke samenwerking met de Franse MUFON Reseau MUFON/EUROP, wat ons in staat stelt om nog meer waardevolle inzichten te delen.
Let op: Nepprofielen en Nieuwe Groeperingen
Pas op voor een nieuwe groepering die zich ook BUFON noemt, maar geen enkele connectie heeft met onze gevestigde organisatie. Hoewel zij de naam geregistreerd hebben, kunnen ze het rijke verleden en de expertise van onze groep niet evenaren. We wensen hen veel succes, maar we blijven de autoriteit in UFO-onderzoek!
Blijf Op De Hoogte!
Wil jij de laatste nieuwtjes over UFO's, ruimtevaart, archeologie, en meer? Volg ons dan en duik samen met ons in de fascinerende wereld van het onbekende! Sluit je aan bij de gemeenschap van nieuwsgierige geesten die net als jij verlangen naar antwoorden en avonturen in de sterren!
Heb je vragen of wil je meer weten? Aarzel dan niet om contact met ons op te nemen! Samen ontrafelen we het mysterie van de lucht en daarbuiten.
29-06-2025
The UFOs that scientists think are real, but can't explain
The UFOs that scientists think are real, but can't explain
Nature's UFOs are even weirder and more mysterious than flying saucers.
Image credit: Alamy
BY Sue Nelson
New Jersey is the new Roswell – or so it might seem after a swarm of bright lights, glowing orange-red orbs and unidentified flying objects filled the skiesthroughout December 2024.
As expected, these strange orbs gave rise to a flood of conspiracy theories involving UFOs and foreign interference. One US Republican congressman even claimed the lights were aircraft originating from an "Iranian mothership," a theory swiftly dismissed by the Pentagon.
Although the exact source of the objects remains unconfirmed, US officials suggest that the majority of sightings were most likely caused by – you guessed it – civilian-operated drones.
The New Jersey drone saga is yet another example of how many so-called UFOs have perfectly logical explanations. But not all phenomena are so easily dismissed. For decades, scientists have been baffled by a different kind of mysterious light: ball lightning.
While it’s easy to roll your eyes at such stories, there have been eyewitness accounts of weird floating balls of light for centuries – the earliest thought to be in 1195. It’s only thanks to the sheer volume of accounts – and photographic evidence – that scientists have felt the need to investigate these mysterious sightings further.
Many of the reports are from credible sources.
For instance, in 1927, renowned quantum theory physicist Walther Gerlach claimed to have witnessed a “bright, luminous yellowish-white ball” emerge from a bolt of lightning.
Being a scientist, he used his own hastily acquired observations to work out that the ball of light had travelled 1,225m per second (a little over 4,000ft per second) – over three times the speed of sound.
Then there’s Dr Roger Jennison, a radio astronomer at the UK’s Jodrell Bank Observatory.
Dr Roger Jennison says he observed a "glowing sphere" travel along the aisle of the aeroplane he was aboard in 1963 Photo credit: ANL/Shutterstock
In 1963, he was travelling on an overnight flight from New York to Washington during a thunderstorm, when a loud, bright electrical discharge suddenly enveloped the plane. Passengers then observed something extraordinary, which Jennison later outlined in a letter to the prestigious journal Nature.
In the letter, he wrote: “Some seconds after this a glowing sphere a little more than 20cm [almost 8in] in diameter emerged from the pilot’s cabin and passed down the aisle of the aircraft approximately 50cm [19in] from me, maintaining the same height and course for the whole distance over which it could be observed.”
Descriptions around the world vary in detail, but often involve a thunderstorm and a ball of light, usually no larger than a football, in a variety of colours.
These luminous globes float through the air for a short period of time, some slowly, others extremely fast. There are reports of them disappearing, exploding or passing through walls or windows. Some leave behind an odour of sulphur.
Yet despite over 800 years of sightings, due to its elusive nature, scientists still don’t understand ball lightning. But there are clues that plasma might be the missing ingredient.
Plasma attack
Often called the fourth state of matter (the other three being solid, liquid and gas), plasma can be produced relatively easily.
“If you add high temperatures to a gas, you get a plasma – a charged, ionised gas – which can be influenced by electric and magnetic fields,” says Prof Ursel Fantz from the Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics near Munich. “This is very important as you can’t do that to the other states.”
“More than 95 per cent of the Universe is plasma,” she adds. “All the stars, interstellar space, interplanetary space, aurora and standard lightning. Plasma is also used in medicine and chemical energy storage."
Plasma too, according to some of Fantz's experiments, could potentially be the source of the floating orbs.
Using just a small beaker of salt water, a couple of electrodes and a high voltage (akin to a bolt of lightning – approx 300 million volts), scientists at Fantz’s institute created a 10–20cm [approx 4–8in] diameter plasma cloud – lasting just 0.3 seconds – resembling a glowing orb.
“There are some similarities with ball lightning, but we can’t say it is [ball lightning],” said Fantz, “as it exists for less than the time of a twinkle in your eye.”
In 2020, the experiment was recreated with more water and filmed. The resulting video showed ball lightning-style plasmoids rising from the water’s surface in slow motion.
Despite not hovering, as previous sightings have claimed, could these plasmas explain ball lightning orbs? Fantz isn’t sure. “All we have are people’s reports, and pictures are really rare,” she says.
Although floating balls of light like those that could pass through Jennison’s aircraft haven’t yet been recreated in the lab, scientists continue to speculate on how they might form without relying on plasmas.
For instance, in 2014, there were reports of ball lightning being caught on video by scientists at Northwestern Normal University in Lanzhou, China.
They were studying lightning during a thunderstorm in Qinghai and observed a ball of light form and travel about 20m (65ft) in 1.5 seconds. A spectrograph also identified the ball’s main components to be iron, silicon and calcium.
This unexpected observation chimed with one theory hypothesised by researchers in New Zealand, in 2000, which proposed that the glowing ball resulted from a lightning strike on the ground that vaporised grains of minerals (since all of those elements can be found in soil).
An illustration of plasma flowing from a ball Image credit: Science Photo Library
“There are lots of theories as to what they are, from mini black holes to antimatter,” says physicist Dr Stephen Hughes, an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Queensland, Australia.
He examined the evidence for green fireballs and ball lightning in a Proceedings of the Royal Society paper published in 2010, which detailed multiple eyewitness sightings over Brisbane and the Gold Coast a few years earlier.
“Ball lightning is definitely some kind of electrical phenomenon,” says Hughes. “People report hissing [and] sizzling sounds, which we associate with electricity. But its mechanism isn’t fully understood.”
The mystery is understandable since many eyewitness accounts are contradictory or simply baffling, Hughes adds.
For example, in 1974, during a thunderstorm, Philip Bagnall, the network director of the British Meteor Society, awoke to find an orange ball of light at the foot of his bed. When he reached out, he could feel heat radiating from about 10cm (4in) away.
While some reports describe shocks or partial paralysis upon contact with ball lightning, Bagnall experienced nothing after clapping his hands on it. The sphere then passed through his bedroom ceiling “like a Hollywood ghost.”
“Ball lightning has travelled down an aircraft [according to Jennison] and not caused any burning, although it could still be hot,” says Hughes. “Similar to how you can put your hand in an oven when it’s 230°C (446°F) and your hand doesn’t get burned as long as you don’t touch the metal.”
Learn to fly
While details differ, there’s something many ball lightning accounts have in common: the phenomenon is seen in and around aircraft.
For instance, in November 1944, during World War II, members of the US 415th Night Fighter Squadron reported seeing “8–10 bright orange lights off the left wing… flying through the air at high speed” north of Strasbourg.
At the time, there was a popular American comic strip called Smokey Stover about fire-fighters where the character Smokey was often referred to as a foolish ‘foo’ (fire) fighter. This led to the lights being called “foo fighters” by one of the crew.
This name for UFOs caught on and was used by Japanese, German and Allied pilots too when they filed similar reports of strange lights in the sky.
These ‘foo fighter’ lights could be red, orange or green, appear solo or in groups, and sometimes in formation. They accompanied aircraft flying at several hundred miles an hour, didn’t show up on radar and could outmanoeuvre any plane that tried to follow them – similar descriptions to many UFO sightings today.
Accounts of encounters with ball lightning date back centuries - Image credit: Alamy
“Some of the UFO reports talk about objects accelerating extremely fast, at impossible rates of acceleration. Fighter aircraft can’t stop and change direction that fast, but electrical phenomena can,” says Hughes.
“Electrons are very light and the electromagnetic force is so strong you get this insane acceleration. In just over 1cm (less than 0.5in), electrons can accelerate to half the speed of light.”
In 2024, scientists at the University of California, the University of Arizona and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, published their theory on the origin of ‘foo fighters’: plasmas in the thermosphere.
This is a region from about 90–600km (approx 56–370 miles) above Earth’s surface, where temperatures at the higher altitudes can reach 2,000°C (3,632°F) or more.
Although the story made national news in one UK paper, the theory was published in the Journal of Modern Physics, a publication that charges authors to publish their work. The theory asserts that the plasma in this region of the atmosphere could be a form of “pre-life”, one that’s “completely different from life as we know it.”
While the paper is speculative, it raises the question of whether these sightings of strange glowing balls might be interpreted as potential evidence of aliens.
Fantz, however, is far from convinced. "Plasma is atoms, ions, electrons and photons," she says. "And that's it."
Eyes on the skies
Be it plasmas, lightning vaporising minerals on the ground, or extraterrestrials, all current theories about the glowing balls of light remain exactly that – theories.
You might, like others, also think that the many accounts of these balls, from the foo fighters to Jennison’s plane aisle, can be explained through psychological means.
But evidence from scientists, such as Fantz’s floating plasma ball experiment, leaves little doubt there remains a lot to uncover about many phenomena on this planet. This is why government agencies are changing their approach and are now more prepared to keep an open mind.
“Just because we observe something we don’t understand and even surprises us, doesn’t mean that we’re crazy or wrong,” says ETH Zurich’s Prof Thomas Zurbuchen, the former associate administrator of NASA’s science directorate, who commissioned an independent study of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) in 2022.
“I believe in the power of science and the power of data,” he adds. “I’m not telling people what to believe and not believe. I think to some people [the report] demystified what was happening.”
The study, which features the likes of former NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and an array of prominent academics, included numerous images of known natural phenomena that are of ten mistaken for UFOs: such as the aurora borealis (northern lights), the Perseid meteor shower and red sprites – an eerie form of crimson lightning that resembles a glowing squid and shoots up, instead of down, into the atmosphere.
The final report stated: “It’s increasingly clear that the majority of UAP observations can be attributed to known phenomena or occurrences.” It found no evidence that UAPs were extraterrestrial, but it didn’t rule out the possibility.
Prof Ursel Fantz (front) with some of the equipment at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Germany Photo credit: MPI for Plasma Physics/Frank Fleschner
It therefore surprised many people when, in November 2024, two US subcommittees held a hearing in Washington DC titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth.”
The aim was to discuss the Department of Defense and the wider intelligence community’s lack of transparency regarding UAPs, and to increase disclosure.
The testimonies attracted a global audience who heard pilots testify that they saw unidentified objects, such as balls of light, on an almost “daily basis”. One former military intelligence officer even stated: “We’re not alone in the cosmos.”
The conclusion, however, was that there was no evidence for extraterrestrial life, but that such sightings should be studied further.
“So often, puzzling and disturbing observations indicate new discoveries. For example, we now know that a specific set of observations were indications of a new type of cloud we hadn’t known previously,” said Zurbuchen of the NASA report.
“Similarly, weather-related phenomena, such as temperature inversions or electrical phenomena in the atmosphere can lead to surprising observations that may, at first glance, look like UAPs, but are atmospheric science in action.”
This brings us back to ball lightning.
Unfortunately, we’re no closer to understanding how it forms, and whether it is or isn’t a plasma. Some have even referred to its elusive qualities as “tracking the Sasquatch of meteorology.”
Like Sasquatch, it can be faked too. A 2020 video of ‘ball lightning’ travelling above railway tracks went viral on Twitter (now X) and is still doing the rounds today, even though its Russian creator admitted he was testing visual effects.
Science, meanwhile, continues to unravel the cause of the glowing orbs and use the properties of plasma. In fact, a number of classified US research projects are now pivoting to research plasma.
While some have speculated that this is new evidence relating to UFOs, others have pointed to how plasmas could be used for military applications.
Whether these new studies eventually reveal the mysteries of plasmas, or if other scientists unlock hidden truths about the behaviour of lightning on Earth, the truth remains out there… for now.
About our experts
Prof Ursel Fantz is head of ITER Technology and Diagnostics Division at the Max Planck Institute of Plasma Physics near Munich, Germany. She has been published in the likes of Frontiers in Physics, Nuclear Fusion and Fusion Engineering and Design.
Dr Stephen Hughesis an honorary senior lecturer of mathematics and physics at the University of Queensland, Australia. He is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society, The Physics Teacher and Physics Education.
Prof Thomas Zurbuchenis the leader of ETH Zurich and former associate administrator of NASA's science mission directorate. He is an international speaker and appears in Netflix documentary film Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine. He is also published in Scientific American.
Five U.S. Navy Sailors Saw the Glowing ‘Tic Tac’-Shaped UFO. They Told Us Exactly What They Witnessed - PART I
Department of Defense
Five U.S. Navy Sailors Saw the Glowing ‘Tic Tac’-Shaped UFO. They Told Us Exactly What They Witnessed - PART I
What, exactly, did the Navy encounter 21 years ago off the Southern California coast, when fighter pilots spotted a UFO? These men were there, too—and it’s time they tell their side of the story.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on November 12, 2019
The five men share an easy rapport with each other, playfully ribbing one another while also communicating a deep sense of mutual respect. It’s clear they all share the bond of having once served in the armed forces. Yet for Gary Voorhis, Jason Turner, P.J. Hughes, Ryan Weigelt, and Kevin Day—assembled together in a private group chat by Popular Mechanics—something much bigger ties them together beyond simply serving in the U.S. Navy.
These men also share the connection of being witnesses to one of the most compelling UFO cases in modern history: the Nimitz Encounters, an event that the Navy confirmed in 2019 did indeed involve “unidentified aerial phenomena.”
Largely overshadowed by a grainy black-and-white video and a former TOPGUN fighter pilot eyewitness, these veterans offer new and intriguing details on what occurred with the Navy’s Strike Carrier Group-11 as it sailed roughly 100 miles off the Southern California coast in 2004—details that a former career intelligence agent who investigated the Nimitz Encounter while at the Pentagon can neither confirm, deny, or even discuss with Popular Mechanics.
Ultimately, these five men—the “other” Nimitz witnesses—could be key to understanding an event that a leading aviation defense expert says “likely wasn’t ours.”
So whose was it?
The Intercept
Stationed on the USS Princeton, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, the Nimitz carrier group went underway in early November 2004 for a routine training exercise. This would be the last time former Petty Officer 3rd Class Gary Voorhis would set sail aboard a Navy vessel.
Having already done almost six years in the Navy, including two combat tours, Voorhis was ready to transition to life outside the world of passionless gray metal hulls and vast leavening seas.
“The group was going to be deploying in a few months and there was a bunch of new systems, like the Spy-1 Bravo radar,” Voorhis tells Popular Mechanics. “It was really about getting all the kinks out.”
While chatting with some of the Princeton’s radar techs, Voorhis says he heard they were getting “ghost tracks” and “clutter” on the radars. For Voorhis, the Princeton’s only system technician for the state-of-the-art Cooperative Engagement Capability and AEGIS Combat System, news of these systems possibly malfunctioning was especially concerning.
Fearing the ship’s brand-new AN/SPY-1B passive radar system was malfunctioning, Voorhis says the air-control systems were taken down and recalibrated in an effort to clear out what he assumed to be false radar returns.
“Once we finished all the recalibration and brought it back up, the tracks were actually sharper and clearer,” Voorhis says. “Sometimes they’d be at an altitude of 80,000 or 60,000 feet. Other times they’d be around 30,000 feet, going like 100 knots. Their radar cross sections didn’t match any known aircraft; they were 100 percent red. No squawk, no IFF [Identification Friend or Foe].”
Pixel-Pushr//Flickr
The USS Princeton Command Information Center.
Sitting in the Princeton’s Combat Information Center (CIC), Operations Specialist Senior Chief Kevin Day was tasked with the critical role of protecting the airspace around the strike group. “My job was to man the radars and ID everything that flew in the skies,” Day said in the documentary film The Nimitz Encounters.
On or around November 10, 2004, roughly 100 miles off the coast of San Diego, Day began noticing strange radar tracks near the area of San Clemente Island. “The reason why I say they’re weird [is] because they were appearing in groups of five to 10 at a time and they were pretty closely spaced to each other. And they were 28,000 feet going a hundred knots tracking south,” Day said in the documentary.
In another YouTube clip, Ryan Weigelt, the former leading petty officer and power plant specialist for the SH-60B “Seahawk” helicopter, recalled the tone aboard the missile cruise at the time.
“Senior Chief Day, his name, was being called over the comms, no bullshit, every two minutes.” Weigelt said. “I recall hearing something, like a big, real-world scenario was going on, but I just didn’t really understand.”
While Day and the Princeton’s air traffic controllers continued to monitor the strange radar returns, Voorhis says he began to take the opportunity to use the ship’s advanced tracking systems to catch a glimpse of whatever these objects were.
“When they’d show up on radar,” Voorhis says, “I’d get the relative bearing and then run up to the bridge and look through a pair of heavily magnified binoculars in the direction the returns were coming from.” Describing what he saw during the daytime, Voorhis says the objects were too far off to make out any distinguishing features, however, he could clearly see something moving erratically in the distance.
“I couldn’t make out details, but they’d just be hovering there, then all of a sudden, in an instant, they’d dart off to another direction and stop again,” Voorhis says. “At night, they’d give off a kind of a phosphorus glow and were a little easier to see than in the day.”
By November 14, the strange returns had been continuously showing up for close to a week. With an air-defense exercise scheduled for that morning, Day convinced his commanding officer to let him direct aircraft to attempt an intercept of these anomalous radar returns. Day’s decision led the VFA-41 Squadron Commander David Fravor to encounter what an “unofficial executive summary” later described as “an elongated egg or a ‘Tic Tac’ shape with a discernible midline horizontal axis” of approximately 46 feet in length.
Wikimedia Commons
An unofficial executive summary of the Nimitz encounter.
With the intercept too far away for even high-powered binoculars, Voorhis, Day, and the rest of the Princeton crew could only listen to the live communications chatter, as the unidentified craft effortless evaded the two fighter jets by demonstrating “an advanced acceleration, aerodynamic, and propulsion capability,” per the unofficial summary. Outmaneuvered by an object that’s colloquially become known for its shape as the “Tic Tac,” Fravor and his wingman returned to the USS Nimitz.
Thanks to a state-of-the-art ATFLIR targeting pod, in a subsequent flight by another F/A-18, Lt. Chad Underwood would successfully capture video of the “Anomalous Aerial Vehicle,” or “AAV.”
For 13 years, the incredible story of the U.S. Navy being harassed and outperformed by UFOs was largely unknown to the greater public. However, in December 2017, after To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science—a verbosely named UFO think tank founded by former Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge—and TheNew York Times published a 1:16 clip of the ATFLIR video, the world suddenly became very familiar with the Nimitz encounters.
Gimbal: The First Official UAP Footage from the USG for Public Release
What hasn’t been discussed, however, is what the Nimitz’s enlisted witnesses say happened after the now-famous intercept with the “Tic Tac.” Their testimony raises many more questions, debate, and even some controversy.
The Mystery
Like many of the other sailors aboard the USS Princeton, former Petty Officer 3rd Class Jason Turner knew something was up, but didn’t exactly know what had been going on inside the CIC. It was only during a chance encounter while delivering supplies to the ship’s Signal Exploitation Space that Turner found himself being another unwitting witness to the Nimitz’s UFO event.
A video playing on one of the console monitors immediately caught Turner’s eye. In it, the “Tic Tac” performed a number of seemingly impossible maneuvers, not seen in the brief clip released in 2017. Turner described what he saw in the Nimitz Encounters documentary:
“This thing was going berserk, like making turns. It’s incredible the amount of G forces that it would put on a human. It made a maneuver, like they were chasing it straight on, it was going with them, then this thing stopped turning, just gone. In an instant. The video you see now, that’s just a small snippet in the beginning of the whole video. But this thing, it was so much more than what you see in this video.”
Even now, Turner still appears visibly disturbed by whatever it is he saw that day. “I asked a good friend of mine who worked in that area, is this the training we’re going through?” he tells Popular Mechanics.
“No,” the friend replied. “This is real life.”
Equally by chance, during the time of the now-famous intercept, after being called to have a conversation with another detachment, Ryan Weigelt found himself inside the Princeton’s CIC. According to Weigelt, a video of an F/A-18 trying its best to catch the elusive “Tic Tac” was playing on the monitors. Like Turner, Weigelt says what he saw was a lot longer than the brief clip released in 2017.
“I was in there for quite a while and it was on the screen the whole time. I could not tell you how long, but it was playing when I went into combat and it was playing when I left,” Weigelt said in a YouTube interview.
The Nimitz Encounters Updated With New Info
Voorhis tells Popular Mechanics that he, too, saw a much longer and clearer version of the ATFLIR video through the ship’s Top Secret LAN network. “I definitely saw video that was roughly eight to 10 minutes long and a lot more clear,” Voorhis says.
Did what he saw resemble any type of conventional aircraft?
“Umm, no!” he says with a laugh. “In the video I saw, you got a good sense of how the pilot was having a difficult time trying to keep up with this thing. It kept making tight, right angle turns.”
The most shocking claim these Navy veterans make is in what they say happened with all the data tapes for the various systems that recorded these UFO events.
The Visitors
Miles away from Voorhis, Day, Turner, and Weigelt, on the deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, Petty Officer Patrick “PJ” Hughes was unaware of the unidentified objects the Carrier group had been dealing with for the past several days. Instead, as an aviation technician, one of Hughes’ jobs was to secure the hard drive data recorders from the airborne early-warning aircraft, the E-2 Hawkeye.
“We call them bricks, but they contain the software to run the airplane and they also record or can record a lot of the data that the air crew sees during the flight,” Hughes said in a YouTube interview.
On November 14, as Hughes performed this routine task, he was unaware that the E-2 hard drives he was securing away in a classified safe had just come from the Hawkeye that Day first tried to use to intercept the mysterious UFOs.
Shortly after securing the data bricks, Hughes said he was visited by his commanding officer and two unknown individuals. “They were not on the ship earlier, and I didn’t see them come on. I’m not sure how they got there,” Hughes said.
According to Hughes, his commanding officer told him to turn over the recently secured hard drives. “We put them in the bags, he took them, then he and the two anonymous officers left,” Hughes said.
Inside the Princeton, Voorhis had a similar encounter. “These two guys show up on a helicopter, which wasn’t uncommon, but shortly after they arrived, maybe 20 minutes, I was told by my chain of command to turn over all the data recordings for the AEGIS system,” says Voorhis.
In addition to turning over his data tapes, Voorhis says he was told by this chain of command he needed to reload the recorders for the ship’s advanced Combat Engagement Center because it had also been wiped clean, along with the optical drives with all the radio communications. “They even told me to erase everything that’s in the shop—even the blank tapes.” Voorhis says the only other time he can recall having to turn over his tapes like this was after an aircraft crash during one of his combat deployments.
Up on the Princeton’s flight deck, Weigel says the two men initially arrived on the Princeton via helicopter, wearing generic flight suits. According to Weigelt, the men boarded one of his detachment’s SH-60B helicopters and flew off for a time before returning with “a bunch of bags.” Weigelt says the two men retired to the “Admiral’s Quarters”on the Princeton and a guard was staged outside of the door.
The Doubter
In an interview for The Fighter Pilot Podcast, Cmdr. David Fravor told fellow retired F/A-18 pilot and host Vincent Aiello that the squadron’s video tapes of the “Tic Tac” intercept had mysteriously vanished. Fravor said he believes it’s likely the tapes were inadvertently recorded over.
“You know how it is when you go to and from cruise,” Fravor said. “Someone goes, ‘What are these? Hey, they look like blank 8mm tapes. We’ll just use them.”
In an interview with Popular Mechanics, Aiello detailed the processes for securing flight tapes as Fravor mentioned. Though these materials are classified, a number of different qualified squadron personnel would have access to the safe where the tapes would have been kept.
“It’s very common, even for tapes you’ve marked and want to save, to inadvertently get put back into circulation, handed out, and recorded over,” Aiello says. “I think Cmdr. Fravor’s opinion on how the tapes went missing is the most plausible explanation. However, a lot of squadron personnel have access to those materials, so it leaves the door open that someone could have intentionally taken them.”
Though Fravor has acknowledged the disappearance of data records, the Nimitz’s most well-known witness has equally pushed back on some of the enlisted sailor’s accounts.
Speaking at the McMenamin’s UFO festival this past May, Fravor admonished some of the “other witness” accounts, saying only the four pilots involved ever personally saw the “Tic Tac,” that no one was asked to sign non-disclosure agreements [NDA], and that “men in suits” never showed up on the ships.
During an October appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Fravor said, “There’s still groups of people making stuff up, like someone came out on ours and was talking about, he’s like, I saw the whole video, the whole video is like 10 minutes long and it was doing all this. That’s bullshit.”
Twitter/Jeremy Corbell
From left: David Fravor, filmmaker Jeremy Corbell, and claimed “Area 51 whistleblower” Bob Lazar.
Fravor told Rogan that he was one of the top 20 highest ranking members of the carrier group, and had there been any kind of formal investigation, he’d have known about it.
“Okay, I’ll give you credit, if they did, why wouldn’t they show up and talk to the guys who witnessed it, chased it, and one of the senior guys in the battle group?” Fravor asked.
Voorhis claims that in the days prior to the intercept, he witnessed indistinct objects far in the distance. But regarding Fravor’s intercept, he says, “His intercept? Nope, we were too far away, plus I would not have known about it or the bearing of it. Just that it was happening.”
“I just knew they were there for a reason, to do something they have to do, and just stay the hell out of the way.”
None of the witnesses Popular Mechanics spoke with claimed they’d seen Fravor’s intercept of the unknown object.
In The Nimitz Encounters documentary, Hughes said a friend and aircrew member on one of the E-2 Hawkeye aircraft told him he had to sign an NDA about the incident. Since the E-2 planes would have been in Carrier Wing Nine’s Airborne-Early Warning Squadron VAW-117 (“The Wallbangers”), and not strike fighter squadron under Fravor’s command, the possibility exists that the E-2’s squadron commander could have issued an NDA to their crew without Fravor’s knowledge. However, Popular Mechanics has not verified what Hughes was told. None of the witnesses we spoke with claimed they had signed an NDA.
The Nimitz’s enlisted witnesses stand by their claims that two unknown officials showed up shortly after the UFO incidents. However, they don’t describe them as being the sinisterly sounding “Men in Black,” as Fravor has implied.
According to Weigelt, it wasn’t at all uncommon to have people coming and going that weren’t stationed on the ships. For him, it was only when he heard Voorhis’ and Hughes’ accounts that the arrival of the two individuals on the Princeton seemed to become related to the UFO events.
“I just knew they were there for a reason, to do something they have to do, and just stay the hell out of their way,” Weigelt said.
“Squadron aircrew wouldn’t normally be notified if the ship’s radar or other information was being used for an investigation,” says Guy Snodgrass, a former F/A-18 pilot, Topgun instructor, and communications director for former Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis.
While Snodragss wouldn’t comment directly on the UFO event, he said he served alongside the weapons systems officer inside Fravor’s plane during the intercept.
“He’s a talented weapons systems officer (WSO) who has dedicated himself to the naval aviation profession,” Snodgrass says about the pilot, who has never spoken publicly and Popular Mechanics is choosing not to name, as he is still serving in the U.S. Navy. “He also has the acumen to correctly characterize anything out of the ordinary that he might have seen, so I would bias towards giving his account more, not less, weight.”
Sgt. Sara Wakai
“What really made this incident alarming was when a Blackhawk helicopter landed on our ship and took all our information from the top secret rooms,” the witness says.
The Defenders
While investigating these claims, Popular Mechanics was able to locate and speak to a previously unknown witness who was with the Nimitz carrier group in 2004. Unaware of some of their fellow shipmates previously coming forward, and out of concerns related to security oaths, the witness agreed to speak only under the condition of anonymity.
“I do remember the events of 2004 very well,” says the witness, who at the time was an Operations Specialist aboard the USS Princeton. “The decision was made to scramble two fighter jets to investigate. From what the pilots described, the movement of the UFO was defying the laws of physics.”
Popular Mechanics didn’t provide the witness with any of the previous claims.
“What really made this incident alarming was when a Blackhawk helicopter landed on our ship and took all our information from the top secret rooms,” the witness says. “We were all pretty shocked and it was an unspoken rule not to talk about it because we had secret clearances and didn’t want to jeopardize our careers.”
Regarding whether or not there was originally a longer recording than the infamous UFO intercept, Aiello says that’s “entirely possible.”
“From what the pilots described, the movement of the UFO was defying the laws of physics.”
“The 8mm tapes in use at the time had two hours of recording time, and it was not uncommon for aircrew to leave it on for most of the flight,” Aiello says. “It’s plausible that they simply recorded a short segment of the tapes down in CIC, but that the rest of the tapes were available … up until they were either recorded over or whatever happened.”
Aiello, who was on the Nimitz aircraft carrier in 2004 but was assigned to another strike-fighter squadron, says he doesn’t have any direct information on the incident, but he’s willing to offer his opinion based on his experience as a military fighter pilot for over 20 years.
The enlisted witnesses say it’s disappointing to hear Fravor suggest some of their accounts are inaccurate. However, they all stand by their experiences, and equally support Fravor’s account. For them, they say the only reason they ever came out with their story was to support Fravor and their fellow sailors. “That’s what it’s always been about since day one,” Turner says.
But even if Fravor isn’t buying the witnesses’ stories, that doesn’t mean others don’t believe.
“The combination of those aviators, the Princeton Aegis Radar operators, and the E-2 crew convinced me beyond a doubt of the veracity of the story,” says Paco Chierici, a former F-14 pilot, author of Lions of the Sky, and the person credited with first sharing the news of the Nimitz event in a 2015 Fighter Sweep article. “I know those people and how that world works. There is no way it could have been fabricated or misinterpreted.” (Fravor did not respond to several requests for an interview.)
To be clear, the only Nimitz witness Chierici personally knows is Fravor. “But,” he says, “I know these people. I worked and lived with them for 20 years, operating at very high tempos and stress levels. They’re all, from the enlisted radar operators, to the squadron COs, incredibly professional and competent. The absolute best at what they do.”
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Former Navy Pilot Details Tic Tac UFO Encounter | Joe Roga
Five U.S. Navy Sailors Saw the Glowing ‘Tic Tac’-Shaped UFO. They Told Us Exactly What They Witnessed - PART II
Department of Defense
Five U.S. Navy Sailors Saw the Glowing ‘Tic Tac’-Shaped UFO. They Told Us Exactly What They Witnessed - PART II
What, exactly, did the Navy encounter 21 years ago off the Southern California coast, when fighter pilots spotted a UFO? These men were there, too—and it’s time they tell their side of the story.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on November 12, 2019
The five men share an easy rapport with each other, playfully ribbing one another while also communicating a deep sense of mutual respect. It’s clear they all share the bond of having once served in the armed forces. Yet for Gary Voorhis, Jason Turner, P.J. Hughes, Ryan Weigelt, and Kevin Day—assembled together in a private group chat by Popular Mechanics—something much bigger ties them together beyond simply serving in the U.S. Navy.
Dave Beaty
From Left: Patrick “PJ” Hughes, Dave Beaty, Kevin Day, Gary Voorhis, and Jason Turner.
The Truth...
By the Nimitz’s “other” witnesses’ accounts, there’s overwhelming evidence to suggest someone was very interested in this event when it occurred. Since none of the witnesses or pilots involved say they were ever interviewed at the time, it appears the most significant concern for the witnesses was the ship’s electronics data. What this data reveals, however, remains a mystery.
Popular Mechanics spoke with the man who says he investigated UFOs while working for the Office of the Under Secretary for Defense for Intelligence: Luis Elizondo. When asked about the existence of a longer video than what’s been publicly released, Elizondo—who now serves as the Director for Global Security and Special Programs for To the Stars Academy—says, “Unfortunately, I’m unable to comment at this time as to what is in the possession of the U.S. government.”
Elizondo simarily parried additional questions about the missing electronic data, saying only, “A comprehensive investigation was conducted, including various data sources, in which conclusions remain in the providence of the U.S. government.” On whether or not other non-Navy sources were used during this investigation, Elizondo says he was “unable to confirm or deny any information as it relates to coordination with other U.S. Government elements.”
As for whether or not other data sources (which may or may not exist) helped influence the Navy’s public stance that these objects are still “unidentified,” Elizondo is coy. “It is certainly plausible,” he says, “in addition to the other numerous reports by pilots in the U.S. Navy.”
And as far as why other data may be being withheld from public release, Elizondo says this could have more to do with what was used than what was actually recorded.
“Many of the systems and the manner in which data is collected remains classified in order to protect tactics, techniques, and procedures,” says Elizondo. “I am not at liberty to discuss any of those systems.”
Elizondo says he would “absolutely” encourage other military witnesses to come forward with their accounts. “Many of our service members are highly trained observers,” he says. “Data obtained by these types are always considered valid observations, although the nuances may not be immediately known.”
Nick Cook, the former aviation editor for Jane’s Defense Weekly, says there are a number of reasons why personnel might have boarded ships and seized electronic data. “It could mean it was sensitive information,” he says. “It could mean this was an exercise.”
Regarding the latter possibility—that this was a secret military test of some sort—Cook, a career defense journalist, says in his opinion it was unlikely this was a classified test. “It’s not impossible, but I wouldn’t think it’s likely. It would be so against the norm of my experience with how the black world conducts testing.”
Having spent a decade investigating the potential for secret highly advanced aerospace technology, and publishing these efforts in The Huntfor Zero Point, Cook was cautious in offering any definite conclusions as to what the Nimitz carrier group had encountered. Cook says it’s possible, but not likely, that the “Tic Tac” was some type of classified drone.
“I searched for 10 years, and never found any compelling evidence that the type of technology exists,” Cook says. “[That] doesn’t mean it couldn’t still exist … I just never found any smoking gun for it.”
But when pushed, the career aviation journalist soberly says, “In the balance of probabilities, I don’t think it’s ‘ours.’”
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Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story:
The U.S. government perpetuated myths about UFOs at Area 51, according to an exposé from The Wall Street Journal.
Former officials may have unknowingly advanced similar myths about aliens and unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) in Congressional hearings.
These stories may have spread because we assume the government knows more than we do, an expert explains.
The U.S. government allegedly recovered crashed UFOs with “non-human biologics” on board, suggesting aliens, according to Dave Grusch, a former member of the Pentagon’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force. Grusch was one of several whistleblowers who testified at a congressional hearing regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) two summers ago. While explosive, his claims have never been authenticated, and Grusch himself has admitted that he’s never seen crashed UAPs with his own eyes.
The Pentagon found that at the origin of some of the UFO conspiracy theories came from the Department of Defense itself, the details of which were kept out of last year’s transparency report.AP
And that July 2022 congressional hearing wasn’t the first time whistleblowers sounded the UAP alarm. In 2022, officials created a new department called the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to address concerns related to all things extraterrestrial. When the office was founded, the task force had two main jobs. The first was to collect data on UAP sightings, most of which they chalked up to balloons, satellites, and birds. The second was to investigate claims that the Pentagon operated a secret division to harvest alien technology; shockingly, the team found the Pentagon was doing quite the opposite.
Several of the theories stemmed from the agency’s need to keep its newly developed aircraft and weapons programs concealed near Area 51.
AP
AARO discovered that Washington was behind at least one myth about extraterrestrial spacecrafts, according to a bombshell Wall Street Journalreport published earlier this month. Some of the fabrications uncovered by Sean Kirkpatrick, the former head of AARO, seem unthinkable. Others align suspiciously well with the alleged experiences of recent whistleblowers—who may have unknowingly perpetuated UFO myths, themselves.
One of the schemes started back in the 1980s just outside what is perhaps the most iconic UFO site in the world: Area 51. The Pentagon team interviewed a now-retired Air Force colonel who admitted that he fed doctored images of flying saucers to a nearby bar to create a cover for the top-secret site. Unbeknownst to locals, the Air Force was developing advanced stealth fighters to gain a critical post-Cold-War edge on the Soviet Union. Officials felt it was better to let the public think they saw a UAP rather than risk leaking information about U.S. weapons developments to the Soviets.
Perhaps these rumors worked a little too well, as we still see ripples of that falsehood today. Even just a few years ago in 2019, social media was overrun with the “Storm Area 51 trend” in which internet users joked about breaking into the base to see if there were any little green men hiding there. The lighthearted internet fun turned much more serious when people actually showed up to the site, resulting in at least one person getting arrested at the base.
The report raises questions about new reports of UFOs released by the Pentagon, including this 2020 footage from Navy pilots.
DoD/AFP via Getty Images
Kirkpatrick and his team also investigated an incident from 1967 when a group of Airmen saw a glowing orange oval hovering above the front gates of their outpost. Shortly after, an alarm sounded, telling the Air Force captain, Robert Salas, that their missiles were disabled. According to the Journal, Salas told Kirkpatrick that he was taken back to base and ordered never to discuss the incident. Despite the command, the five witnesses began sharing their experiences with the media several years later.
When AARO looked into the incident, it found there was a much more logical explanation for the orb than an alien spacecraft. In reality, scientists were testing the missile bunker’s vulnerability against storms and used an electromagnetic pulse to simulate a lightning strike. Officials never told the witnesses about the testing out of fear the Soviet Union would catch wind of the weakness and disable the weapons.
Looking into a third instance of UAP myths perpetuated by the government, Kirkpatrick interviewed a former Air Force officer who was visibly shaken when he told the investigator that he’d been sworn to secrecy about a special alien task force called Yankee Blue. Unlike the other two schemes, this rumor wasn’t a well-spun web of disinformation—it was just a practical joke that went too far, a decades-long prank on new Air Force commanders. Kirkpatrick soon realized the officer wasn’t the only one who had been duped.
As a part of their introductory briefs, the new recruits would receive a printed photo of a UFO and learn that their “task force” was working to reverse engineer the spacecraft. It’s unclear where the lie started and whether it was a test of loyalty or something more nefarious. Despite Kirkpatrick uncovering the hazing ritual, the damage had already been done. According to the Journal, some personnel never even learned the task force was fake.
So why did these extraterrestrial myths spread so effectively among pedestrians and Air Force personnel? Perhaps it was human connection, explains Derek Arnold, an expert on conspiracy theory rhetoric and a professor at Villanova University. “We love a good story, and stories are such a big part of how conspiracy theories get transmitted.”
The Area 51 conspiracy theory was planted to hide the development of the F-117, the world’s first stealth fighter jet.
REUTERS
Arnold also suggests that people might believe myths because they’re looking for some sort of stability. “People just have a tendency to want to listen to those stories because they say, ‘if I don’t have control over my own life, it’s nice that somebody does,’” he explains. “For a lot of us, it’s like religion,” Arnold continues. “For others, the people that we vote into government at the highest levels. We think, ‘well, they probably know more than we do.’”
Despite the Journal’s investigation, many people still aren’t buying the UFO myths being just that—myths. In fact, some commenters suggest the exposé is a cover-up itself.
One person even commented on the Journal’s story: “So, the government finally answers the full expanse of all UAP sightings and experiences. And we’re supposed to believe them this time, but not last time. So, are we to believe them next time? Because we know another explanation is coming.”
One the rumors stemmed from years of officers hazing subordinates about the existence of a supposed UFO program, a well-known practice the Pentagon put a stop to in 2023.
AP
Some feel that AARO’s report is discredited by the whistleblowers who testified claiming that they’ve seen UAPs firsthand. Perhaps Kirkpatrick and the rest of the team’s investigation exposed the origin of these extraterrestrial myths—or maybe the AARO report is just another smokescreen in the history of ufology.
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UFO researchers in Mexicoclaim that a group disguised as police have tried to steal the mysterious orbscientists believe may prove the existence of aliens.
Dr Steven Greer, an American ufologist and retired physician, revealed on X that 'fake policemen' attempted to enter the vault in Mexico City where the suspected UFO is being kept while scientists examine it.
Known as the Buga Sphere, the small, metal orb was spotted in March over the town of Buga in Colombia, zig-zagging through the sky in a way that defies the movement of conventional aircraft.
The object was recovered shortly after it landed and has since been taken to Mexico to be analyzed by scientists, who have discovered a maze of fiber-optic wires inside that suggest it can send and receive signals.
Controversial UFO researcher Jaime Maussan, who has had several claims about extraterrestrials debunked in recent years, hosted an international conference to discuss the latest findings on the Buga Sphere on June 20.
US Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri and Dr Greer were among a group of American officials in attendance when Maussan claimed that the imposters attempted to steal the Buga Sphere.
Greer added that scientists have already taken samples of the UFO that 'will be tested in a state-of-the-art lab' to determine if the sphere really is from another planet.
'Those scientists and their information have been provided to the top law enforcement... Any sort of attempts to interfere with this examination will be known, and the people and perpetrators will be held to account for it,' Greer said in a June 21 post on X.
The Buga Sphere (pictured) was recovered by local residents in Colombia in March and has been in the care of scientists in Mexico ever since
US Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri (pictured) attended the June 20 conference in Mexico City, examining the sphere and alleged alien remains presented by UFO researcher Jaime Maussan
Congressman Burlison added that it was his belief that governments and other groups may be working to suppress the public's knowledge of UFOs and alien life.
'It's not any government's right to protect knowledge about extra terrestrials, if it exists,' Burlison said on Friday. 'We have too many people reporting and too many videos to ignore it.'
According to researchers at the conference, this is the first UFO recovered by private citizens and solely controlled by non-government scientists.
The attempted robbery came right after Maussan and other researchers revealed that they are trying to reactivate the sphere using an electrical charge.
According to Rodolfo Garrido, a Mexican engineer working with scientists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the sphere gave off a strong, decaying ionized field.
That field was responsible for somehow dehydrating the field it landed in, killing all the grass and soil there.
Maussan has had several claims about UFOs debunked over the years. He has been at the forefront of 2 major extraterrestrial cases currently: the Buga Sphere and alleged alien mummies from Peru
The June 20 presentation also revealed new images of the interior of the Buga Sphere, showing the nucleus of the device appeared to be similar in design to inventor Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower from the early 1900s.
The concept of the tower was to send electrical power through the air and ground without using wires, potentially providing free or cheap energy to homes, businesses, and even ships or planes.
Garrido said the Buga Sphere may have operated in a similar way, with a miniature Wardenclyffe Tower hidden inside the UFO.
However, the engineer told reporters that scientists have no plans of cutting the sphere in half to reveal what's really inside.
Instead they're working on plans to power it back up so the sphere will begin rotating and levitating again.
'It could be a theory that once it levitates, it could have direct communication with whoever sent it,' Garrido said through a translator.
Engineer Rodolfo Garrido revealed that the interior of the Buga Sphere appears to look like a proposed wireless energy generator invented by Nikola Tesla in the 1900s
Engineer Rodolfo Garrido believes that the strange sphere may be some type of advanced probe capable of using an electromagnetic field to fly
For now, Greer said that scientists examining the Buga Sphere at UNAM are setting up security for the metal samples headed for further testing.
There has been no confirmation of Maussan's claims about the robbery attempt.
The journalist has been tied to several debunked claims, including multiple incidents where Maussan claimed to have evidence of a real UFO sightings, only for it to be debunked as a comet or star in the night sky.
Maussan has also claimed to have discovered physical evidence of mummified alien corpses on three separate occasions, but none of the incidents have been proven true.
During the June 20 conference, Maussan put pieces of these alleged corpses on display for the researchers and government officials, including Greer and Burlison, who were allowed to hold the specimens while wearing gloves.
A UFO slammed into a US fighter jetover Arizona, cracking the canopy protecting the pilot, and forcing the $63 million plane to land, new reports have revealed.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the F-16 Viper fighter jet was hit by an 'orange-white UAS' - which stands foruncrewed aerial system, better known as a drone - on January 19, 2023.
Within a day of this collision, there were three more unidentified aircraft sightings over the Air Force's Barry Goldwater Range, where the fighter was damaged, the documents stated.
Barry Goldwater Range is an expanse of desert along the Arizona-Mexico border where the military practices air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
The FAA's report of the F-16 collision revealed that the fighter was flying in restricted airspace near Gila Bend, Arizona, when it was hit by the object in the rear of the canopy, the glass bubble which protects the pilot.
No injuries were reported. The Air Force did not reveal how much damage the jet suffered, but the plane was grounded for repairs.
These new details come as a stunning report from the Department of Defense's All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) shows there have been hundreds of UFO reports made in recent years and Arizona is becoming the nation's new UFO hotspot.
AARO serves as a centralized department which looks into all things related to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings and reports which could impact national security or air safety.
In 2023, an F-16 Viper (pictured) was struck by an unidentified flying object that federal officials believe was some type of drone
The 2023 incident was one of several UFO sightings reported by pilots in restricted airspace (pictured) over Arizona's many military bases
The F-16 collision is just one of 22 incidents involving Air Force fighter pilots seeing or crashing into strange objects between October 2022 and June 2023, according to azfamily.com.
Most of the encounters took place within 100 miles of Luke Air Force Base, where many of the F-16 fighter jets using Barry Goldwater Range launch from.
Although the FAA said there's no evidence that the collision involved something extraterrestrial, it's one of several recent UFO incidents that have plagued US airspace over Arizona.
In fact, some of these strange sightings involved swarms of up to eight mysterious objects flying over Air Force training bases along the US border with Mexico.
Between 2016 and 2020, military pilots reported seeing unidentified drone-like objects over the state eight times.
The new FAA details come as another government report shows that there were 757 sightings of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) worldwide reported between May 2023 and June 2024 alone - and only 49 of these cases have been solved.
When incidents like the F-16 collision occur, the pilot files a report, which the FAA investigates using radar and other data. If the incident involves a UFO, it's sent to AARO for further investigation.
At least 410 of these 757 new UAP reports from around the world occurred over the US, with the vast majority being sent in by the FAA between May 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024.
However, many more of these encounters took place over restricted military airspace, and the AARO report did not reveal where exactly these sightings occurred.
UFO whistleblower Bob Thompson shared a never-before-seen video of a cigar-shaped UFO flying over Arizona in early 2020
Despite the secrecy, UFO whistleblowers are revealing that many are taking place in Arizona. That includes Luis Elizondo, a former government intelligence officer who investigated these cases before leaving the Pentagon.
'A lot of people reporting a lot of things out of Arizona, particularly on the border,' Elizondo disclosed.
Bob Thompson, who spent 14 years with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), also recently shared never-before-seen videos of UFOs spotted over Arizona.
'I've seen orbs that were off in the distance. I've seen crafts that were cigar-shaped, I've seen triangles,' the whistleblower told NewsNation.
Thompson added that over 100 CBP agents have confessed to him that they have seen strange and unidentified objects flying along the US border.
These sightings included US border agents witnessing terrifying 'portals' opening into the sky.
'I got told that they witnessed a portal opening up in the sky and there were pictures of it on a camera that I was able to see,' Thompson revealed.
Although hundreds of these strange sightings sent to AARO are still marked as open investigations, many in the government are blaming Mexico - not aliens.
Numerous 'car-sized' drones first appeared over New Jersey in mid-November, and have since been reported by eyewitnesses all across the Northeast. Similar drone sightings have been taking place along the US southern border, with government officials suspecting Mexican cartels may be involved
'We're seeing drones… used as scouting patrols, to watch Border Patrol,' NewsNation's border report Ali Bradley explained.
Unlike drones which the US government believed were launched by China, these new drones are harder to detect and also larger so they can potentially carry bigger packages of drugs across the border.
Trump Administration border czar Tom Homan has added that many of these sightings are likely high-tech drones spying on US military bases in Arizona.
Bradley noted that one of the cartels' top goals is to infiltrate US military facilities, so they can stay one step ahead of patrols enforcing illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Of the 49 AARO investigations that have been closed, the UFOs were determined to be airplanes, balloons, birds, drones, and satellites that were mistaken as alien aircraft.
AARO has recommended that another 243 cases be closed for the same reasons.
A veteran US fighter pilot has broken his silence about a near-collision with a UFO that defied the laws of physics and left the Air Force in stunned disbelief.
Major Ryan Bodenheimer, a retired F-15 and F-16 combat pilot, revealed in aYouTube video that one of the 'wildest experiences' of his career involved a close encounter with a rectangle-shaped UFOas he flew with his squadron over southern Wyoming.
Bodenheimer, who served in the Air Force for 13 years, said the large craft suddenly appeared out of nowhere during a training mission and looked to be on a collision course with his plane.
'Then I realized we weren't going to hit, and all of a sudden it came more into view, and it was a rectangular shape. This was like essentially a perfect rectangle,' Bodenheimer revealed in his video on June 8.
The military veteran described the UFO as being 30 to 50 feet in height and appearing to be glowing around the edges of its bright white body as it flew alongside the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's elite aerobatic demonstration squadron.
Bodenheimer added that this craft had no visible vapor trail coming from an engine, no radar signal, and was traveling at approximately 400 knots (460 miles per hour).
'It really was defying any type of aeronautical laws that I've learned,' Bodenheimer said.
Bodenheimer then revealed that his report to air traffic control left officials in 'dead silence' before the entire matter was apparently dismissed as an 'anomalous object.'
Major Ryan Bodenheimer (pictured) spent 13 years flying F-15s and F-16s for the US Air Force and said that he had 2 encounters with unexplainable UFOs over the US
Bodenheimer described one of the UFOs as a perfect triangle that was glowing around its edges and was transparent at its center (AI-generated recreation)
The strange rectangle UFO got so close to Bodenheimer's F-16 Falcon at 30,000 feet in the air that he said he could make out every detail of the craft before it eventually flew off and was never seen again.
When air traffic controllers in Denver asked Bodenheimer if he could give them any more details about the UFO, he revealed that it had a cream-colored interior that became transparent or had a hole in its center.
'I know it sounds like I'm talking about a delicious pastry, but this was the wildest experience I've ever had,' the fighter pilot joked.
The only evidence of Bodenheimer's sighting was a report made by air traffic control saying that an object had been spotted in the area where the Thunderbirds were training that day, but he never heard from anyone about the incident again.
The former combat officer explained on his channel, Max Afterburner, that this UFO could not have been a weather balloon, a high-tech drone, or some kind of light trick.
'There was nothing that made me think this was some sort of illusion. It was clear as day. It was right down our wing line, a 30 to 50 foot object,' the pilot continued.
Bodenheimer then speculated whether this could have been an extraterrestrial craft, noting that he's never been a fan of 'science fiction' but admitted that his encounter matched many of the incidents involving military pilots that 'defied physics.'
'Going against aerodynamics definitely blows my mind. Anti-gravity, something that cloaks radar, I didn't see anything on the radar,' he added.
The object wasn't even tilted to deflect the wind while traveling at that speed. It stayed completely vertical as if the wind did not affect the UFO's ability to fly at over 400 mph.
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Bodenheimer revealed what he had seen while flying with the Thunderbirds during his YouTube podcast on June 8
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Bodenheimer said that he has never heard about the UFO sighting since he reported it to officials with air traffic control in Denver
This wasn't the only time the Air Force veteran had encountered a UFO. He added that 'lightning-fast triangle' while training with the Thunderbirds near Area 51 - the military's top secret base in Nevada.
'There's been lots of crazy stuff that's been reported out there,' Bodenheimer said.
On this day, the mysterious jet-like object flew past Bodenheimer's F-16 as his squadron was coming in for a landing.
'This lightning-fast triangle blitzed past me as we were setting ourselves up on a final [approach],' the pilot revealed.
'I just remember this thing going massively fast past me... It had basically done an interceptor maneuver, a dust-off. So maybe this was its way of having fun, saying maybe this should be Top Gun 3,' Bodenheimer detailed.
The pilot noted that he hopes coming forward will encourage more of his fellow pilots to reveal what they've seen during their time in the military, noting that there have been roughly 800 UFO reports in just the last four years.
A flaming object was seen streaking across the skies of several southern states, sparking panic and confusion as no explosion or fire was reported on the ground.
Police scanner audio in Spartanburg, South Carolina captured a call from a woman who reported a 'giant ball of fire' falling from the sky, a sight echoed by witnesses from Tennessee to Georgia.
'I'm not crazy! I just saw a huge ball of fire fall from the sky in East Tennessee around the Cherokee National Forest!' a firefighter wrote on X.
'Anyone else see it? Right around 12:20pm ET. Very cool but a little unnerving given the current times!'
While some speculated it could have been a falling aircraft, the firefighter described it as 'like a mini sun falling with a tail of fire.'
In Georgia, one resident said they not only saw the object, but heard it pass overhead and felt the ground shake when it hit.
The National Weather Service confirmed the many reports across the Southeast US saying: 'It is not certain, but the satellite-based lightning detection shows a streak within cloud-free sky over the NC/VA border, over Gasbury, VA.
'This streak was detected between 12:51 to 12:56 pm.'
A flaming object was seen streaking across the skies of several southern states, sparking panic and confusion, as no explosion or fire was reported on the ground
Weather Impact Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich said: 'Looking at the videos, this is very low in the atmosphere. I am curious if this was a piece of space debris, a rocket body or degrading space junk.
'For something to be that bright in the middle of the day, it was most likely burning up in the atmosphere. If it were a meteor, it would have had to be very large to be that bright in the middle of the day.'
A driver traveling on I-85 SB in Upstate South Carolina captured the fireball falling through the sky using their dashcam.
'Weird atmospheric sounds in GA today. Sounded like a fireball or rocket burning through the sky, shaking the house... followed by 2 or 3 helicopters not listed on the Flight Radar,' an X user shared shortly after the incident.
Hundreds of reports of a possible fireball were submitted to the American Meteor Society website from Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, which are still pending.
'This was the middle of the day, and it just came out of nowhere,' according to one fireball report on the American Meteor Society from Perry, Georgia.
A report submitted by Ashley R from Suwanee, Georgia read: 'I thought it was a missile.'
Brian S from Alpharetta, Georgia said: 'It was full daylight, no clouds, and still it was very bright. I heard a muffled and slight boom sound, maybe 30 seconds later, but that could be unrelated.'
The National Weather Service confirmed the many reports across the Southeast US. The large blue streak appears to be what was spotted falling from the sky
Several metro Atlanta city and county officials have relayed reports of a "fireball" sighting from the sky on Thursday afternoon
He added that he saw a 'smoke trail that quickly fell apart.'
Marc Tozer of Georgia shared on Facebook: 'Stone mountain here and it made a booming sound, house shook with a long rumble. Dogs went crazy.'
Another Georgia local posted: 'House totally rumbled, sounded like a log rolling off the roof, thought nukes were coming...'
WRDW, an Atlanta news source, reported that black smoke was seen south of I-20, although it may be from a controlled burn, first responders said.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it had 'no reports of unusual aircraft activity in the area,' Atlanta News First reported.
There were no immediate reports of damage linked to the fireball, and it's unclear whether the wide range of sightings may have been caused by multiple fragments from the same potential meteor.
These images captured by the Curiosity rover in 2014 reveals yet another unexplained aerial phenomenon in the Martian atmosphere, a cigar-shaped object with a consistent width and rounded ends.
What makes this anomaly particularly compelling is the sharp clarity of the image. According to Jean Ward the stars in the background appear crisp and unblurred, indicating that the object is not the result of motion blur or a long exposure. Notably, the object appears in five separate frames over an 8-minute span, suggesting it is moving relatively slowly through space, uncharacteristic of a meteorite entering the atmosphere. It also lacks the fiery tail typically associated with atmospheric entry.
Rather than a meteor, the object more closely resembles a solid, elongated craft of unknown origin. When oriented horizontally, it even appears to feature a front-facing structure, possibly a porthole or raised dome, hinting at a cockpit or command module.
Whether this object is orbiting beyond the visible horizon or connected to the surface far in the distance, its sheer size is unmistakable. Its presence raises compelling questions, could this be further evidence of intelligently controlled craft, whether of extraterrestrial or covert human origin, navigating through Martian airspace?
A new NASA-commissioned independent study report recommends leveraging NASA’s expertise and public trust alongside artificial intelligence to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) on Earth. As such, today NASA Director Bill Nelson announced the appointment of a NASA Director of UAP Research to develop and oversee implementation of investigation efforts.
“The director of UAP Research is a pivotal addition to NASA’s team and will provide leadership, guidance and operational coordination for the agency and the federal government to use as a pipeline to help identify the seemingly unidentifiable,” Nicola Fox, associate administrator of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA, said in a release.
Although NASA officials repeated multiple times that the study found no evidence of extraterrestrial origin, they conceded they still “do not know” the explanation behind at least some of the documented UAP sightings. Nelson stressed the agency’s aim to begin minimizing public stigma surrounding UAP events, and begin shifting the subject “from sensationalism to science.” In keeping with this strategy, the panel report relied solely on unclassified and open source UAP data to ensure all findings could be shared openly and freely with the public.
“We don’t know what these UAP are, but we’re going to find out,” Nelson said at one point. “You bet your boots.”
According to today’s public announcement, the study team additionally recommends NASA utilize its “open-source resources, extensive technological expertise, data analysis techniques, federal and commercial partnerships, and Earth-observing assets to curate a better and robust dataset for understanding future UAP.”
Composed of 16 community experts across various disciplines, the UAP study team was first announced in June of last year, and began work on their study in October. In May 2023, representatives from the study team expressed frustration with the fragmentary nature of available UAP data.
“The current data collection efforts regarding UAPs are unsystematic and fragmented across various agencies, often using instruments uncalibrated for scientific data collection,” study chair David Spergel, an astrophysicist and president of the nonprofit science organization the Simons Foundation, said at the time. “Existing data and eyewitness reports alone are insufficient to provide conclusive evidence about the nature and origin of every UAP event.”
Today’s report notes that although AI and machine learning tools have become “essential tools” in identifying rare occurrences and outliers within vast datasets, “UAP analysis is more limited by the quality of data than by the availability of techniques.” After reviewing neural network usages in astronomy, particle physics, and other sciences, the panel determined that the same techniques could be adapted to UAP research—but only if datasets’ quality is both improved and codified. Encouraging the development of rigorous data collection standards and methodologies will be crucial to ensuring reliable, evidence-based UAP analysis.
Although no evidence suggests extraterrestrial intelligence is behind documented UAP sightings, “Do I believe there is life in the universe?” Nelson asked during NASA’s press conference. “My personal opinion is, yes.
The new system reviews UAP videos on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
Credit: University of Albany
An international team of physicists has developed a new methodology to aid NASA and other government agencies in their ongoing investigations into unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). The result is a novel strategy integrating a specially designed artificial intelligence program that was partially inspired by the physicists’ own hunt forelusive dark matter.
More popularly known as unidentified flying objects or UFOs, UAPs aren’t necessarily considered as outlandish as they were decades ago. Setting aside the various theories that point to mysterious visitors from another planet, analysis increasingly centers on determining more worldly explanations. UAPs are often explained by classified experimental aircraft, astronomical events, or simply a case of mistaken drone identity. Meanwhile, a small percentage of sightings continue to baffle experts.
Over the last few years, the US government has attempted to present a more transparent approach to its UAP research, while the military continues a campaign to destigmatize reporting sightings among its ranks. In November 2024, Congress held a publicly televised joint subcommittee hearing about UAPs featuring a former US Navy rear admiral and NASA administrator. While not without its fair share of criticism, these and similar events are shifting the overarching narrative around unidentified aerial phenomenon.
Researchers like Matthew Syzdagis at the University at Albany have followed this evolving discourse for years. An associate professor of physics focused on dark matter, Syzdagis recently began collaborating with over 30 colleagues around the world to determine if this approach to hunting dark matter could be adapted to the search for UAPs. Their results, published this month in the journal Progress in Aerospace Studies, offer a new interdisciplinary methodology to review the past and future UAP sightings.
“As this process moves forward, it’s critical that future study of UAPs follows a rigorous, repeatable method that can be tested and confirmed by other researchers,” Syzdagis said in a statement. “We aim to establish a roadmap for these efforts with this paper.”
The team relied on an array of datasets and tools to build their framework, including publicly available Doppler weather information from the National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS data was used to corroborate observations from additional equipment and determine if any of them simultaneously recorded a given anomaly. They then utilized Cosmic Watch, a radiation-detection system, to assess if a target UAP observed by infrared cameras was accompanied by ionizing radiation.
To help analyze the infrared data, Szydagis created a new software program called Custom Target Analysis Protocol (C-TAP) that utilizes machine learning alongside human verification to review individual camera frames on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Inspired by similar strategies used to scan for direct evidence of dark matter, C-TAP then flags and separates actual UAP observations from any digital noise. Finally, these results were overlaid with trigonometric calculations to exclude any known objects in the sky like satellites or the International Space Station.
To test it all out, Szydagis and colleagues used their new methodology to review observable light and infrared images collected on a 2021 field expedition around Laguna Beach, California, amid a period of heightened UAP reports. In total, the team reviewed about one hour of triggered visible and night-vision video footage along with over 600 hours of infrared data and 55 hours of background radiation measurements. Of the multiple anomalies initially flagged, researchers were able to offer plausible and likely explanations for all sightings except for one—a collection of bright white dots inside a dark spot recorded across multiple videos. And even then, it seems unlikely that the UAP event was unique.
“At this point, none can be classified as true anomalies, although further study of remaining ambiguities may alter this conclusion,” the study’s authors wrote in their conclusion.
Moving forward, the team hopes their methodology will help more researchers around the world continue to vet UAP sightings on a scientific, unbiased basis.
“Given the longstanding, global nature of the UAP/UFO question, [and] the air safety and security implications of their presence… studying and understanding these phenomena is of great and urgent importance,” added University at Albany physics professor and study lead author Kevin Knuth.
British UFO hearings planned with MPs set to hear from alien whistleblowers
British UFO hearings planned with MPs set to hear from alien whistleblowers
The US-style hearings will allow RAF, Army and Navy whistleblowers to tell all about experiences they have been previously banned from revealing under military non-disclosure rules and for fear of ridicule
Britain is set to hold public hearings at which military personnel can disclose their close encounters with UFOs. The US-style hearings will allow RAF, Army and Navy whistleblowers to tell all about experiences they have been previously banned from revealing under military non-disclosure rules and for fear of ridicule.
The UK’s new UFO Disclosure Group has secured a meeting with a minister from the House of Lords to set up a forum where alien whistleblowers can come forward with their evidence. The group was set up by documentary film maker Mark Christopher Lee to push for transparency on reported sightings of UFOs - aka unidentified aerial phenomena or UAPs.
As Daily Star revealed previously a letter from the body calling for full disclosure in the UK was sent to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Now an associate of the Brit leader has arranged for a minister from the House of Lords to meet with Mark to put the first steps in place to create a select committee to hear evidence from UFO experiencers.
Similar hearings before the US Congress have led to the release of previously classified documents revealing reported close encounters between military personnel and mystery craft.
Mark said it is essential whistleblowers can come forward without fear of ridicule.
Speaking at a screening of his latest documentary The Rendlesham UFO – The British Roswell at the Raindance Film Festival he said: “One of Sir Keir Starmer’s friends and associates is arranging a meeting with someone from the House of Lords - one of the ministers. So that’s a start.
“I’m looking forward to setting up a formal meeting with someone from Sir Keir Starmer’s Government. A select committee is the place to start.
“They can get all the evidence together - get people to go there and get evidence under oath. That’s what we want.
“I’ve got RAF pilots coming up to me saying they’ve had incidents in the sky. They won’t talk about them for fear of ridicule.
Keir Starmer is said to be being briefed on UFO encounters
“The other day I had a Met Police officer - same thing. He had a UFO sighting, doesn’t want to talk about it.He wants to go on record but won’t for fear of ridicule.
“We want to ask the government to provide a safe platform for whistleblowers to come forward so we can catch up with the US.
“The US is where it’s all happening. We’ve got Congress talking about it. We’ve got credible witnesses giving evidence under oath. We want the same in the UK.”
Mark has been informed Sir Keir is being briefed on UFO activity around the globe and King Charles III is pushing for UFO disclosure due to his own interest and that of his late mum and dad Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in extraterrestrial activity.
The film-maker said: “I think the chances are high. I know from sources that Sir Keir is being briefed by other UFO authorities from America.
“And the King wants to get involved as well. That’s what I’ve heard from one of his channels.
“We know that he is in contact with various people about this. He’s the King of all faiths. How would it affect Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the UK if we were to find out that we’re not alone.
“Would that create an existential paradox? Whose god is it?”
Mark’s previous documentary The King of UFOs included evidence the Royals took the UFO phenomenon seriously with Philip collecting military reports and inviting experts for private briefings.
Colin Andrews, a prominent crop circle researcher, personally briefed both Philip and Prince Charles on cases involving UFO activity.
Huge Tictac UFO Over Greenwich, Rhode Island, USA June 22, 2025, UAP Sighting News.
Huge Tictac UFO Over Greenwich, Rhode Island, USA June 22, 2025, UAP Sighting News.
Date of sighting: June 22, 2025
Location of sighting: Greenwich, Rhode Island USA
Source:NUFORC.org
Now look at this report just in at NUFORC, I personally work with them and saw this just now. I made a full screen version and added the original at the end of the video. Its short, just 18 secs or so but its loaded with information about how fast it moves, its 747 size, its lack of color blending into the environment, and its flying low over the coast area. This probably came from the ocean where 75% of the earth is covered in water making it 75% chance that the alien base it came from or is going to is also under the ocean somewhere off Rhode Island.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Saw the object from a distance moving very slowly from west to east. It was very large. Looked big and had no lights. I checked the flight radar and saw nothing in that location. It slowly drifted towards Providence and then went out of sight.
Orb Ship On Landing Pad ET Base, Proof They Live On Earth 🌍 UFO UAP Sighting Breaking News 📰
Orb Ship On Landing Pad ET Base, Proof They Live On Earth 🌍 UFO UAP Sighting Breaking News 📰
Now this is something unusual, I found something really makes me think about all the white sphere sightings around the world, but especially in Denver, Colorado along the Rocky Mountains. This is a parked white sphere at an alien base. Some governments give land to aliens and then restrict all access to it from humans calling it secret military land. Yeah...but we know better right? 100% alien orb on landing pad here. 👽
There is a crashed disk in forest of Hawaii where. Google Earth 🌍 Map, UFO UAP Sighting News 📰 ET Thoughts?
There is a crashed disk in forest of Hawaii where. Google Earth 🌍 Map, UFO UAP Sighting News 📰 ET Thoughts?
Hey I found this the other day and just thought it makes sense that aliens might land in an isolated forest of Hawaii, who wouldn't want too right? This way, they can interact, live, work, influence all humanity and still go back to the ship when they need too.
ILLINOIS — Whether you’re a believer or skeptic, World UFO Day on July 2 is an occasion to ponder unexplained phenomena seen over the skies of Illinois over several decades.
World UFO Day 2025 commemorates the 78th anniversary of what became known as the “summer of the flying saucers.” It started with the first widely publicized U.S. sighting of an unidentified flying object by a civilian pilot searching the Cascade Mountains of Washington for a crashed military aircraft, followed by the crash of a mysterious object near Roswell, New Mexico, on July 2, 1947.
Together, those incidents more or less made it safe for Americans to talk about strange occurrences in the sky.
The National UFO Reporting Center takes thousands of reports a year from people who can’t explain what they’re seeing, whether a bright light, a peculiarly shaped object, or an aircraft that rapidly accelerates and decelerates just as quickly, seemingly exceeding current understanding of propulsion.
Sightings In Illinois
This year alone, 34 reports have been made about strange sightings in the skies over Illinois. Some examples:
June 15 - Witnesses saw a triangle shaped UFO hovering above the high school football field in Johnston City
May 18 — Chicago resident recorded a strange sound during sleep, and a crystal sphere appeared in the bedroom window.
April 27 — A solid metal offset stacked flat cylinders was seen over Lake Michigan watching over Chicago
April 8 — Witness in bed saw outside their window saw an orb shaped craft about 300 feet away in Gurnee.
Jan. 26 — A Steeleville resident said they had stepped out of the garage heading to the house, and it floated above the house heading NW. "It was dead silent and had glowing lights on the bottom," they said.
‘Summer Of The Flying Saucers’
On June 24, 1947, civilian pilot Kenneth Arnold was flying near Mount Rainier, Washington, when he saw nine crescent-shaped objects flying in formation at about 10,000 feet at about a nearly impossible speed for the times of 1,200 to 1,700 mph.
It wasn’t the first sighting of a UFO, but the public quickly became fascinated — and slightly terrified — after Arnold’s sighting was reported worldwide. News coverage often included references to a “flying saucer,” a play on Arnold’s statement that the object moved “like a saucer would if you skipped it over water.”
More reports followed during what became known as the “summer of the flying saucers,” including the Roswell incident. The Roswell Army Air Field announced in a July 8, 1947, news release that it had recovered the wreckage of a “flying disc” from W.W. “Mac” Brazel’s ranch about 75 miles north of Roswell.
The release was straightforward, noting:
“The many rumors regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the intelligence office of the 509th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, Roswell Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the cooperation of one of the local ranchers and the sheriff's office of Chaves County.
“The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week. Not having phone facilities, the rancher stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the sheriff’s office, who in turn notified Major Jesse A Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group Intelligence Office.
“Action was immediately taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher’s home. It was inspected at the Roswell Army Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher headquarters.”
The Roswell Army Air Field mentioned nothing in its press release about alien life, but people were already growing uneasy about what might be circling overhead. Brazel was among them.
He thought the object he found on his ranch was similar to what Arnold had seen, or to the objects described in stories about flying saucers and discs, so he gathered some of the material from the wreckage, including rubber strips, tinfoil and thick paper, and deposited them with Sheriff George Wilcox, who in turn turned it over to the commanding officer of the Roswell Army Air Field.
UFO testimony via military recounts 'nonhuman' pilots and 'superior tech'
U.S. NAVY
Military Said It Was Mistaken
Within 24 hours of the original press release, the military backtracked and said a mistake had been made and the “flying disc” was in reality a crashed weather balloon.
The story was widely accepted, and the Roswell incident might have become a forgotten chapter in history if not for a 1978 conversation between physicist and ufologist Stanton T. Friedman and Marcel, by then retired, according to an account in BBC’s Sky At Night Magazine.
Marcel said the weather balloon story had been a cover, the photos had been staged, weather balloon debris had been substituted for the real wreckage, and that everyone involved in the retrieval believed it to be an extraterrestrial craft. The story was corroborated by a number of other retired military personnel who had been at Roswell at the time.
Some skeptics dismissed it as a tall tale, saying Marcel and others were seeking attention or writing themselves into the story. Regardless, Roswell became embedded in pop culture books, documentaries and movies.
One story that captured the attention of conspiracy theorists was that the wreckage had been seized by the military to reverse-engineer an extraterrestrial flight at Area 51 — a highly classified Air Force military installation in the Nevada desert primarily known for its role in developing and testing experimental aircraft and weapons systems. And a fake film clip purported to show “an alien autopsy” connected to Roswell.
Bowing to public pressure about the incident in the 1990s, the government launched a retrospective investigation that concluded the object that crashed was a Project Mogul weather balloon carrying top-secret equipment designed to search the atmosphere for evidence of Soviet nuclear tests.
A Government-Fueled Conspiracy?
2025 brings an interesting new twist to the story.
According to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal published on June 6, the government fueled the UFO conspiracy theories, especially during the Cold War, to hide its true mission at Area 51. Specifically, the Pentagon wanted to conceal the development of advanced aircraft, such as the otherworldly-looking F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, according to the report.
The disinformation campaign was uncovered by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, established by the Pentagon in 2022, to investigate UAP reports. A report last year dismissed the notion that the government covered up the existence of extraterrestrial life But, The Journal reported, “public disclosure left out the truth behind some of the foundational myths about UFOs: The Pentagon itself sometimes deliberately fanned the flames, in what amounted to the U.S. government targeting its own citizens with disinformation.”
As an investigation of the possibility of deliberate misinformation to hide secret programs continues, the government continues to take UAP and other unexplained phenomena seriously, The Associated Press reported.
A Scientific Examination of Key Characteristics Unique to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)
A Scientific Examination of 17 Key Characteristics Unique to Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)
Introduction
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) have fascinated both scientists and the general public for decades. These mysterious sightings often involve objects that move in ways impossible for known aircraft, such as sudden accelerations, abrupt stops, or changes in direction. Many UAPs are observed with advanced radar and visual confirmation, yet they lack clear explanations. Researchers continue to study these phenomena, considering possibilities like advanced foreign technology, natural atmospheric effects, or even extraterrestrial origins. Governments around the world have declassified some information about UAPs, acknowledging their existence but not providing definitive explanations. The study of UAPs challenges our understanding of aerodynamics, propulsion, and physics, prompting scientists to explore new theories and technological possibilities. While definitive answers remain elusive, ongoing investigations aim to uncover the truth behind these intriguing aerial mysteries.
The USS Nimitz UFO that reportedly hovered over an underwater disturbance in the ocean. Some believe that there was either another mysterious object or an underwater base where UFOs come from. Credit: US Navy
Unidentified Aerial
1. Unusual Flight Maneuvers
Many UFO sightings are characterized by their extraordinary flight patterns that defy the laws of physics as we understand them. Witnesses frequently report objects executing abrupt, sharp turns that seem impossible for conventional aircraft, often at high speeds. These maneuvers include sudden stops, rapid accelerations, and instantaneous changes in direction which suggest the presence of propulsion or control mechanisms far beyond current human technology. Such capabilities imply an advanced understanding of aerodynamics and physics, potentially involving anti-gravity or other exotic propulsion systems. The precision and agility displayed by these objects raise questions about their origin and purpose. They may be controlled by intelligent entities or advanced technology not yet available to humans. These flight characteristics continue to puzzle scientists and enthusiasts alike, fueling speculation about the nature of these mysterious aerial phenomena and their possible connection to extraterrestrial intelligence or unknown terrestrial technology.
2. Silent Hypersonic Speeds
UFO reports frequently mention objects moving at hypersonic velocities, often exceeding Mach 10, which is ten times the speed of sound. Such extraordinary speeds are well beyond the capabilities of modern man-made aircraft, which are limited by material strength, heat resistance, and aerodynamics. The ability to reach and sustain these velocities suggests the use of propulsion systems that are either highly advanced or fundamentally different from our current understanding. These speeds would generate immense heat and aerodynamic stress, implying the existence of materials capable of withstanding such conditions or innovative cooling and energy management techniques. Achieving hypersonic travel also raises questions about how these objects maneuver, decelerate, and maintain control at such velocities. Their ability to traverse vast distances quickly could explain some of the rapid appearances and disappearances reported in UFO sightings. The existence of hypersonic UFOs challenges current scientific theories and hints at revolutionary propulsion technologies.
UFO sightings have happened all over the world, including Rendlesham forest in Suffolk in 1980
Getty Images
3. No Visible Means of Propulsion
A striking feature of many UFO sightings is the absence of any visible engine, exhaust, or other signs of traditional propulsion methods. Unlike conventional aircraft and rockets, these objects often appear to have no external propulsion system, yet they move swiftly and perform complex maneuvers. This lack of visible indicators suggests that they might utilize energy sources or propulsion techniques that are invisible or operate on principles yet to be discovered. Some hypotheses include the use of electromagnetic fields, anti-gravity, or other forms of energy manipulation that do not produce exhaust or heat signatures detectable by current instruments. This invisibility of propulsion mechanisms makes it difficult for observers and scientists to analyze or track these objects using standard detection methods. It also raises questions about how they generate thrust, control movement, and sustain flight. The mystery of their propulsion systems remains one of the most intriguing aspects of UFO phenomena, pointing to potential breakthrough technologies.
4. Shape Diversity
UFOs are reported in a remarkable variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from classic disc or saucer forms to spheres, triangles, cylinders, and more intricate geometries. This wide diversity suggests that multiple types of craft or different origins might be involved. Some shapes, like the disc or sphere, are often associated with traditional extraterrestrial craft, while triangular or angular objects may hint at experimental terrestrial technology or secret military projects. The variety could also reflect different functions, such as surveillance, transportation, or communication, each requiring specific design features. The complex geometries point to advanced engineering capabilities, whether from an alien civilization or human inventors pushing the boundaries of aeronautics. Additionally, the shape diversity complicates identification and analysis, as each form may employ different propulsion, control, and stealth technologies. Overall, the wide array of UFO shapes underscores the multifaceted nature of the phenomena, suggesting multiple sources, purposes, and technological paradigms behind what observers see in the sky.
5.Persistent Luminosity or Illumination
Many UFO sightings describe objects that emit their own light, often appearing bright, steady, or pulsing. Sometimes, their colors change, adding to their mysterious nature. This persistent luminosity indicates the presence of highly advanced energy sources onboard these crafts. Such energy manipulation might involve exotic power fields or plasma-based systems that can sustain a luminous glow over extended periods. The steady light emission often defies conventional propulsion methods, hinting at technologies that generate or harness energy in ways that are currently beyond human understanding. The ability to produce light autonomously also raises questions about the materials and energy containment systems used, which could involve advanced superconductors or energy fields capable of sustaining luminous displays without external illumination. This characteristic suggests that these objects are not merely visual phenomena but are powered by sophisticated energy systems that enable continuous illumination, reinforcing the idea that they are technologically advanced beyond our current capabilities.
6. Lack of Sound
One of the most intriguing aspects of many UFO sightings is the complete absence of sound, regardless of the object's size or speed. Witnesses often report observing large objects moving silently across the sky, which is highly unusual compared to conventional aircraft that produce noise due to engine exhaust and aerodynamic interactions. The silent operation indicates that these crafts utilize propulsion systems that do not create sonic booms, jet noise, or other mechanical sounds typical of human-made aircraft. This could imply the use of advanced anti-gravity or inertial propulsion technologies that eliminate the need for jet engines or propellers, thus producing no noise pollution. Such silent movement might also involve energy fields or force manipulation that suppress sound waves, making the objects virtually inaudible. This characteristic not only enhances their mysterious presence but also suggests a level of technological sophistication that allows for near-silent operation at high speeds, further differentiating these entities from traditional aircraft and emphasizing their potentially extraterrestrial or highly advanced origin.
7. Hovering Capabilities
UFOs are often observed hovering motionless in the sky for extended periods, sometimes for hours. This ability to remain stationary without visible support systems is extraordinary, as conventional aircraft require wings, engines, or rotors for stabilization and lift. The hovering phenomenon strongly suggests the use of advanced stabilization technologies, such as anti-gravity or gravitational manipulation, which counteract Earth's gravity to keep the craft suspended effortlessly. These technologies might involve manipulating local gravitational fields or generating gravitational shields that provide lift without any visible means like rotors or propellers. The ability to hover for prolonged periods also indicates precise control over position and stability, possibly through sophisticated onboard computers or inertial dampening systems. Such capabilities imply a mastery of physics that far surpasses our current understanding, hinting at alien technology or future human innovations capable of defying gravity and maintaining stationary flight in a controlled manner.
8. Rapid Acceleration and Deceleration
UFOs are frequently reported to accelerate or decelerate in fractions of a second, far beyond the limits of any known human-made aircraft. This extraordinary maneuverability suggests the presence of propulsion systems capable of manipulating inertia, gravity, or spacetime itself. Conventional aircraft rely on jet engines or propellers, which have physical and aerodynamic limits; in contrast, these crafts can change velocity instantaneously, indicating the use of advanced propulsion technology such as electromagnetic or plasma drives. Such systems might generate powerful force fields or warp spacetime to achieve rapid movement without the physical stresses experienced by traditional craft. The ability to decelerate suddenly without any apparent mechanical braking system further emphasizes their control over fundamental forces. This rapid acceleration and deceleration demonstrate that these objects possess a highly advanced understanding of physics, enabling them to perform maneuvers impossible with current technology and suggesting an extraterrestrial origin or future human technological evolution.
9. Ability to Penetrate Physical Barriers
Many eyewitness accounts and photographic evidence suggest that UFOs can pass through physical barriers such as fog, clouds, and even solid objects without any visible disturbance or damage. This phenomenon implies that these craft might possess some form of advanced technology capable of manipulating physical matter or bypassing the laws of physics as we understand them. Some researchers hypothesize that UFOs utilize cloaking or phase-shifting technologies, allowing them to become intangible or invisible to the human eye and detection systems. This ability could be achieved through highly sophisticated energy fields or localized spacetime manipulation, enabling these objects to traverse obstacles seamlessly. Such capabilities challenge conventional understanding of aerodynamics and physics, hinting at the existence of physics principles beyond our current scientific knowledge. The implications are profound, suggesting that these objects operate on a different technological level that allows them to bypass physical constraints effortlessly.
10. Non-Standard Trajectories
UFOs frequently exhibit flight patterns that defy our conventional understanding of aerodynamics and physics. Unlike traditional aircraft, which are limited by gravity, air resistance, and propulsion technology, these objects often perform sudden, sharp turns, rapid ascents, or dives that seem impossible within normal parameters. Witnesses report witnessing craft making abrupt directional changes at high speeds, sometimes accelerating or decelerating instantaneously. Such movements challenge existing aerodynamic models and imply the use of propulsion systems far more advanced than current human technology. The trajectories often appear to be controlled by intelligent guidance rather than natural phenomena, further suggesting an advanced level of technological sophistication. These unusual flight patterns raise questions about the fundamental principles of physics that these objects might be exploiting, such as manipulating inertia or gravity.
11. Multi-Object Sightings
Repeatedly, multiple witnesses report observing the same UFOs simultaneously, often describing formations or coordinated movements that suggest a high degree of control and communication among these objects. These multi-object sightings frequently involve complex patterns, such as geometric formations, synchronized maneuvers, or seemingly tactical positioning. The consistency and coordination imply that these craft are not random or independent phenomena but are part of an organized fleet or system capable of precise control and communication. Such observations challenge the idea that these objects are mere natural phenomena or simple drones, instead favoring the hypothesis that they are operated by intelligent entities with advanced technological capabilities. The ability to coordinate multiple objects over vast distances and with such precision indicates a level of technological sophistication that surpasses current human capabilities, pointing to potentially extraterrestrial origins or unknown terrestrial technologies.
12. Electromagnetic Interference
Many UFO encounters are characterized by disruptions or anomalies in electronic systems, including interference with radio signals, radar detection, GPS navigation, and communication devices. Witnesses often report their electronic instruments malfunctioning or experiencing loss of signal when a UFO is nearby. Such electromagnetic interference suggests that these objects emit or interact with powerful electromagnetic fields or energy sources that disrupt human-made electronic systems. This behavior indicates an ability to manipulate electromagnetic energy, possibly for propulsion, cloaking, or communication purposes. The interference is often localized and intense, pointing to the presence of advanced energy manipulation technologies that can affect surrounding electronic infrastructure. This phenomenon not only complicates efforts to detect or track UFOs using conventional radar but also hints at the existence of technologies that operate on principles beyond our current scientific understanding, possibly involving unknown energy sources or field manipulation techniques.
13. No Visible Means of Lift
Many UFO sightings describe objects that appear to float or move effortlessly through the sky without the usual indicators of flight, such as wings, rotors, or jet engines. This absence suggests that these crafts might be utilizing unconventional lift mechanisms. Some hypotheses propose that they operate using anti-gravity technology, which cancels out gravitational forces, allowing for smooth, silent movement. Others speculate electromagnetic propulsion, where powerful electromagnetic fields generate lift and thrust without traditional engines.
The lack of visible propulsion systems challenges our understanding of aerodynamics and physics, hinting at advanced technology far beyond current human capabilities. Researchers continue to investigate these phenomena, considering whether these crafts rely on unique energy sources or physical principles that bypass conventional aeronautical design. This mystery remains one of the most intriguing aspects of UFO encounters, fueling theories about extraterrestrial or highly advanced terrestrial technology that defies our standard notions of flight.
UFOs (UAP) can resist Earth’s gravity without the usual aerodynamic means for lift and thrust, such as engines, propellers, exhaust plumes, wings, rudders, ailerons, or fins. Despite lacking these features, they still move precisely in our atmosphere.
14. Ability to Change Size and Shape
Numerous reports describe UFOs that can alter their physical dimensions and form during flight or observation, suggesting advanced, adaptable technology. These craft often seem to morph from small, compact objects into large, complex structures or change their shape seamlessly, sometimes appearing as disks, spheres, or elongated forms. This ability to morph could be achieved through the use of highly advanced materials capable of changing shape on command, similar to programmable matter or flexible, lightweight composites. Another theory involves holographic or optical illusion effects, where the craft projects different shapes or sizes to observers, creating the illusion of transformation. Such capabilities imply a high level of technological sophistication, possibly involving nanotechnology or shape-shifting materials that can respond instantly to control inputs. The purpose of this ability might be for evasion, communication, or intimidation, making these crafts incredibly difficult to analyze or track using conventional methods.
15. Absence of Contrail or Exhaust
Unlike traditional aircraft, which produce visible contrails or exhaust plumes due to combustion engines, many UFOs are observed leaving no such trails. This absence indicates the use of propulsion systems that do not rely on combustion or produce minimal emissions. One possibility is that these crafts utilize advanced energy sources, such as zero-point energy or highly efficient plasma drives, which generate propulsion without heat or visible exhaust. Alternatively, they could be employing electromagnetic or gravitational propulsion that inherently leaves no physical trail in the atmosphere. The lack of emissions not only makes these objects harder to detect and track but also raises questions about the nature of their energy systems and their environmental impact. This stealth characteristic suggests a level of technological advancement that allows for silent, clean, and highly efficient flight, further fueling speculation about their extraterrestrial origin or the existence of secret human-developed propulsion technologies.
16. Elusive Observability:
The challenge of observing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) or UFOs is a significant aspect that complicates their study and understanding. Whether detected visually through the naked eye, captured via electro-optical sensors, or identified through electromagnetic means such as radar, these objects consistently prove difficult to observe clearly. Witnesses often report that UAPs are difficult to describe accurately, as their appearances are ambiguous and elusive. Radar technology frequently produces nonsensical or inconsistent returns, which are sometimes jammed or disrupted, further obscuring the objects’ true nature. Additionally, the physical appearance of these entities is often described as opaque, semi-metallic, or reflective, which hampers visual identification and prevents a detailed analysis of their structure and size. This opacity makes it nearly impossible to determine their internal mechanisms or any other defining features. The combination of visual ambiguity, electromagnetic interference, and the objects’ semi-metallic, opaque surfaces contributes to their elusive nature, fueling ongoing debates and skepticism about their origins and capabilities.
17. Mysterious Trans-medium Travel:
UFOs, also known as UAPs, demonstrate an extraordinary ability to travel effortlessly across different physical environments—air, water, and space—without losing performance or functionality. Unlike human-engineered vehicles, which are typically designed for specific mediums such as aircraft for the air, submarines or ships for water, or spacecraft for space, these unidentified objects appear to operate seamlessly across all three. Their capability to transition between these environments suggests an advanced, possibly non-conventional form of physics or propulsion that defies current scientific understanding. Witness reports often describe objects that can plunge into the ocean and emerge at high altitude, or move from space-like conditions directly into the atmosphere without any apparent loss of speed or control. This ability to navigate through multiple mediums indicates a level of technological sophistication that surpasses current human engineering and challenges our fundamental understanding of physics, material science, and aerodynamics. The phenomenon raises questions about the existence of new physical principles or technologies that enable such trans-medium travel, remaining one of the most intriguing aspects of UAP studies.
The Role of Technology and Radio Signals in UFO Investigations
Discussion
The characteristics described above collectively point toward technological capabilities that, at present, surpass our current scientific understanding and engineering achievements. While some features—such as high speeds and rapid maneuverability—might be tentatively explained by experimental human-made technology or advanced military projects, the consistency and corroboration of reports across multiple independent sources strongly suggest the involvement of highly advanced, potentially non-human, origins.
One of the most intriguing aspects is the apparent absence of visible means of propulsion. Conventional aircraft and spacecraft depend on visible engines, thrusters, or exhaust plumes to generate movement. In contrast, these objects appear to operate silently, without the typical visual cues associated with propulsion systems. The combination of silent operation and lack of visible exhaust or contrails implies that their propulsion mechanisms are fundamentally different from those of conventional vehicles. This raises the possibility that they manipulate gravitational forces or harness zero-point energy—concepts that remain largely theoretical within our current scientific framework.
The ability of these objects to penetrate physical barriers presents another extraordinary feature. Reports frequently describe entities passing through solid objects such as walls, windows, or even the Earth's crust without any apparent resistance or damage. Such capabilities suggest the existence of advanced technologies capable of altering or bypassing the physical properties of matter, potentially through sophisticated field manipulation or spacetime distortion. If substantiated, this would challenge and potentially revolutionize our understanding of physics, particularly concepts related to inertia, density, and material integrity.
Furthermore, the shape-shifting nature of these objects—altering size and form—indicates a high degree of intelligent control and adaptability. Unlike fixed-shaped aircraft or spacecraft, these entities seem capable of morphing their form at will, which may serve specific functional purposes or aid in evading detection. This shape-shifting ability could also function as an advanced camouflage mechanism, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings or mimic natural phenomena. Such adaptability suggests not only advanced engineering but also the possible presence of artificial intelligence or autonomous control systems embedded within these objects.
The frequent observations of hovering and sudden, rapid maneuvers further attest to their advanced control systems. These objects can seemingly maintain stationary positions in mid-air for extended periods and then accelerate instantaneously in various directions, perform complex aerial maneuvers, or change altitude abruptly. Achieving such feats would typically necessitate enormous energy reserves and precise control mechanisms, pointing to a technology far beyond current human capabilities. Their ability to perform these maneuvers with apparent ease hints at control over electromagnetic fields, gravitational forces, or other fundamental forces.
Additionally, reports often describe electromagnetic interference during encounters—disturbances in radio, radar, and other sensor systems when these objects are nearby. This interference could be a byproduct of their electromagnetic activity or a deliberate attempt to disable detection systems. Notably, the objects themselves do not produce visible exhaust gases or contrails, suggesting their energy systems are highly efficient and possibly involve mechanisms that do not generate significant heat or emissions detectable by conventional sensors.
Collectively, these features—silent operation, invisibility to certain sensors, rapid and complex maneuvering, shape-shifting, and the ability to pass through solid matter—strongly support the hypothesis that these objects operate via mechanisms unknown to current science. If these capabilities are conclusively demonstrated and understood, they could precipitate a paradigm shift in physics, materials science, and energy research. Mastery of such technology could revolutionize transportation, energy efficiency, and expand our understanding of the universe itself.
In conclusion, while many of these phenomena could potentially be misidentifications, hoaxes, or experimental human technology, the consistency and nature of the reports suggest a genuine phenomenon warranting further scientific investigation. The hypothesis that these objects are of non-human origin or involve technology far beyond our current capabilities remains compelling. Unlocking the secrets behind these phenomena could catalyze a new era of scientific discovery, transforming our civilization in profound and unforeseen ways. Continued research, advanced instrumentation, and open scientific inquiry are essential to uncover the truth behind these extraordinary phenomena.
Conclusion
The 17 key characteristics identified in UFO reports highlight phenomena that challenge current scientific understanding and technological capabilities. While some features may be attributable to experimental human craft or natural phenomena misidentified, the recurring combination of these traits across multiple independent sightings suggests that UFOs possess attributes indicative of advanced, possibly non-terrestrial, technologies. To fully appreciate the significance of these observations, it is essential to explore each characteristic in detail and consider their implications for our scientific paradigms and technological development.
Many reports describe objects exhibiting extraordinary flight capabilities, such as instantaneous acceleration, sharp turns, and high-speed maneuvers that surpass the known limits of human-made aircraft. For instance, witnesses have observed objects accelerating from a standstill to hypersonic speeds within seconds, with no visible means of propulsion or exhaust. Such behaviors imply propulsion systems that operate beyond our current understanding of physics, possibly involving anti-gravity, warp drives, or other exotic mechanisms. These capabilities challenge our existing technological frameworks and suggest that the observed phenomena could be using advanced energy sources or propulsion methods not yet publicly known.
Another prominent trait is the apparent invisibility or cloaking ability. Numerous sightings report objects that suddenly appear or vanish, often without any apparent transition. Some witnesses have described objects that become transparent or blend seamlessly into their surroundings, indicating the existence of advanced stealth and cloaking technologies. The development of such systems would require manipulation of electromagnetic spectra or spacetime itself, pointing toward technological mastery far beyond current human capabilities.
Furthermore, many reports mention anomalous physical effects associated with these objects, such as electromagnetic interference, unexplained radiation, or disturbances to local environments. For example, some witnesses have experienced electronic malfunctions, compass anomalies, or disturbances in nearby instrumentation when in proximity to these objects. These effects suggest that the UFOs may emit or interact with electromagnetic fields in ways that we do not yet understand, hinting at a sophisticated control over energy and matter.
The persistent observation of structured craft with defined shapes—such as disks, triangles, or other geometric forms—also raises questions about their purpose and design. The symmetry and complexity of these objects imply advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Some reports indicate that these craft are capable of hovering silently at high altitudes or moving through the atmosphere with minimal noise or detectable emissions. Such traits reinforce the idea that these phenomena are not merely natural occurrences but are engineered constructs with specific technological objectives.
The recurring combination of these features across diverse geographical locations and independent sightings suggests a pattern that cannot be dismissed as coincidence or misidentification. Instead, it points toward a phenomenon that operates according to principles fundamentally different from those of conventional aircraft or natural phenomena. This realization compels us to reconsider the scope of our scientific inquiry and the potential existence of technologies that could revolutionize our understanding of physics and energy.
Given the complexity and the profound implications of these observations, future research must adopt a comprehensive and systematic approach. This includes establishing standardized data collection protocols, employing high-resolution sensors, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among physicists, engineers, and other scientists. Experimental replication of observed behaviors in controlled laboratory settings could provide insights into the underlying principles governing these phenomena. Additionally, the development of new theoretical models that incorporate quantum physics, spacetime manipulation, and advanced energy systems is crucial to accommodate the extraordinary characteristics observed.
Investing in advanced detection and analysis tools, such as radar, lidar, infrared imaging, and electromagnetic field sensors, will enhance our ability to gather reliable data. Public and governmental cooperation is also essential to facilitate open information sharing, reduce stigma associated with reporting sightings, and promote scientific curiosity. Only through rigorous investigation and openness to revolutionary ideas can we hope to understand these enigmatic phenomena truly.
The presence of these seventeen unique observations compels us to reevaluate our understanding of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs). To unravel this mystery, we need more comprehensive data and sustained research efforts. The confluence of unusual flight dynamics, cloaking capabilities, electromagnetic effects, and structural complexity suggests that what we are witnessing may be beyond current human technological reach—potentially of non-terrestrial origin. As such, these phenomena represent not just isolated incidents but a challenge to our scientific and technological paradigms. Embracing this challenge could lead to groundbreaking discoveries that expand our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Ultimately, continued investigation and open-minded scientific inquiry are essential to deciphering the true nature of these extraordinary phenomena.
‘Disc-shaped UFO’ captured by US military flying through sky in never-before-seen footage
‘Disc-shaped UFO’ captured by US military flying through sky in never-before-seen footage
'Ufologist celebrity' Jeremy Corbell leaked the video and said it has 'implications that are huge'
Jess Battison
In never-before-seen footage, it’s said the US military captured a ‘disc-shaped’ UFO flying through the sky.
American artist, filmmaker and a ‘ufologist celebrity’ Jeremy Corbell has been publicly sharing the video that left him stunned over the ‘implications’.
He has previously leaked footage from the US forces and shared this latest clip on his social media earlier this week.
Corbell says the video comes from 23 November 2020 and was filmed by a platform ‘operating under the direction of the United States Air Force’.
The clip does appear to show a huge disc weaving in and out of the clouds with co-ordinates indicating it was filmed somewhere over Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Corbell claims the video captures unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and that officials have admitted it’s a ‘disc’.
The 'disc-shaped' sighting was recorded in 2020.
(X/@JeremyCorbell)
“This is the first time in history that military filmed footage of a disc-shaped UAP, designated as such by the military, has been captured on camera and released to the public,” the ufologist told DailyMail.com.
“It has implications that are huge.”
Corbell claims US officials said the craft ‘displayed abrupt movement and intelligent control’, with it seeming to suddenly change directions in footage.
He added to NBC News: “It’s a perfect-looking disc, maybe it’s an orb.”
It’s believed the object is somewhere between 200 and 400 metres in diameter but the exact size is apparently still being debated.
There’s no heat signature in the video, and nothing you’d expect ‘for a normal aircraft’.
And Corbell says it’s ‘astonishing’ that a UFO with a shape like this could move about without emitting heat signatures.
“You do not see plumes of heat coming off this disc-shaped object,” he explained.
·FollowLARGE “DISC” UAP / ACTIVITY : UAP NAVIGATES THROUGH CLOUDS / DETECTION : AIR FORCE / 23 NOV 2020 *** Investigative journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp obtained and are revealing for the first time - military filmed footage of a UAP - officially documented and catalogued
“This was captured on a thermal sensor - it should have detected heat if any traditional propulsion was present. But there's nothing. That's one of the wildest aspects.”
The filmmaker claims the forces still consider the sighting a UAP and are continuing to investigate it, with him calling it a first of its kind.
During an episode of their podcast Weaponised, his cohost George Knapp said the source is ‘legit’.
“We know it’s real,” he said. “It was not supposed to be made public. But it should have been.”
The pair say they spent over two years validating the clips with a number of sources – apparently including people who work in official US government UFO programmes.
“This is just the start,” Corbell added.
When approached for comment, a spokesperson from the US Department of Defence said to LADbible: “We have nothing to offer on that.”
America has duly adopted the lead believer of aliens over the decades, with over 100,000 sightings since 1947. But how do other countries compare?
When rooting around for interviews, stories, and commentary on UFO / UAP sightings over the last few months, I feel like I’ve been boxed into some kind of American discourse.
Don’t other countries have a shared curiosity, too? I had to go a bit deeper.
Global curiosity, local differences
Japan, for example, has a high output of sci-fi culture in anime and manga, but far fewer UFO sightings. It seems escapist culture is firmly tied to the arts there and not caught up in delusion.
Germany has a high military and tech history, too, and still less public UFO appeal.
Only Brazil and Russia come anywhere close to reporting UFOs – the former being on a more spiritual level and the latter intertwined with the Soviet Union's position in the space race.
To get expert insight, we spoke with Joe Gutheinz, a retired NASA Senior Special Agent and former Army Intelligence Officer who has extensively researched UFO phenomena and military secrecy.
“The old Soviet Union had an equally gullible population and would literally hide military towns and launch pads from the Russian population, letting fantasies replace logic when observations were made,” explained Gutheinz.
And Russia lacks a glossy fictive producer like Hollywood to drive the narrative forward.
Image via Getty
Fiction weaponized as cover
This might explain how the US military could have deliberately created fake UFO stories to mask secret weapons and aircraft.
A skeptical school of thought has the Cold War–era US military creating fake UFO stories to cover secret aircraft and weapons, with Area 51 myths and staged leaks uniquely fuelling US UFO lore.
“US military disinformation gave Americans an edge… the intelligence community happily fuels fantasies by classifying info,” Gutheinz contextualized.
American kids are glued to TV and social media, unlike any other country… science fiction rules over science, so people often see clouds as flying saucers.
Gutheinz explained.
Hollywood and US media saturate global culture with alien themes, shaping public perception, with many shows and movies perpetuating the myth – some believe that it helps drive paranoia.
“Pop culture like The X-Files created believers who think they’re tracked by aliens or government agents,” ventured Gutheinz.
It seems that historical narratives – chiefly the Cold War – are a huge part of why UFO sightings persist so strongly in the US.
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Video of a large flying saucer-shaped UFO recorded by a military sensor over a conflict zone has now been released to the public for the first time. The video of the UFO, labeled a UAP (or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) by the U.S. Department of Defense, had been hidden for years by the government.
According to investigative journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp, this particular UFO video was recorded by government personnel over the Afghan-Pakistan border in November of 2020. They were finally able to release it to the public on the most recent episode of their Weaponized podcast.
The UFO video contains raw thermal imagery, as well some enhanced images, taken during a mission by a high-altitude U.S. Air Force reconnaissance platform.
“This is the first time in history that military filmed footage of a disc-shaped UAP, designated as such by the military, has been captured on camera and released to the public,” Jeremy Corbell told DailyMail.com. “It has implications that are huge.”
“The source is legit. We know it’s real,” Knapp said. “It was not supposed to be made public. But it should’ve been.”
While discussing the UFO, the Weaponized co-hosts noted how the UFO, which they estimate the was between 200 and 400 meters in diameter, was “navigating through clouds” and abruptly changing directions without any visible heat signature.
“You do not see plumes of heat coming off this disc-shaped object,” said Corbell, adding, “This was captured on a thermal sensor – it should have detected heat if any traditional propulsion was present. But there’s nothing. That’s one of the wildest aspects.”
Corbell also pointed out, “There’s depth of field. There’s relative distance. The shape is undeniable. And the movement? It’s extraordinary. You’re seeing it dip into clouds, then emerge and reverse direction. That’s not an artifact. That’s a real object in motion.”
“The public has a right and a need to know,” Corbell said. “This capture is worthy of serious discourse – not just in the UFO community, but in international and scientific conversations. It challenges our understanding of what’s flying through our skies.”
The co-hosts also touched on the recent report that the Pentagon has secretly been spreading Area 51 and UFO stories to hide classified weapons programs, casting doubt on the authenticity of thousands upon thousands of UFO sightings and the testimony of credible whistleblowers. As the point out, this message is also meant to dissuade future whistleblowers from going public with their testimonies.
“I think [the CIA and the Pentagon] are covering up criminality,” said Knapp. “They’ve misled Congress. They’ve certainly misled major media like the Wall Street Journal, like the New York Times, like us, like everybody. They’ve lied for 75, 80 years and so piercing the veil and figuring out what’s true and what isn’t is hard.”
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Over mijzelf
Ik ben Pieter, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Peter2011.
Ik ben een man en woon in Linter (België) en mijn beroep is Ik ben op rust..
Ik ben geboren op 18/10/1950 en ben nu dus 74 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Ufologie en andere esoterische onderwerpen.
Op deze blog vind je onder artikels, werk van mezelf. Mijn dank gaat ook naar André, Ingrid, Oliver, Paul, Vincent, Georges Filer en MUFON voor de bijdragen voor de verschillende categorieën...
Veel leesplezier en geef je mening over deze blog.