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UFO'S of UAP'S, ASTRONOMIE, RUIMTEVAART, ARCHEOLOGIE, OUDHEIDKUNDE, SF-SNUFJES EN ANDERE ESOTERISCHE WETENSCHAPPEN - DE ALLERLAATSTE NIEUWTJES
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30-06-2025
GRAANCIRKELS of Crop Circles: Mysterieus Fenomeen, Hoax of Buitenaards
GRAANCIRKELS of Crop Circles:Mysterieus Fenomeen, Hoax of Buitenaards
Inleiding
In de afgelopen decennia hebben crop circles zich ontwikkeld tot een fascinerend en intrigerend fenomeen dat wereldwijd de aandacht van wetenschappers, onderzoekers en het grote publiek trekt. Deze complexe geometrische patronen die verschijnen in gewassen velden, met name in graan- en maïsvelden, roepen talloze vragen op over hun oorsprong, betekenis en authenticiteit. Sommige mensen beschouwen crop circles als mysterieuze buitenaardse boodschappen of communicatie van buitenaardse wezens, terwijl anderen ze zien als menselijke kunstwerken of hoaxes die door creatieve teams of individuen zijn gemaakt. Daarnaast bestaan er ook theorieën dat deze patronen mogelijk natuurlijke of onbekende aardverschijnselen zouden kunnen zijn. Het fenomeen blijft een bron van controverse en speculatie, mede door de onduidelijkheid over hoe deze patronen precies worden gemaakt en waarom ze op bepaalde locaties verschijnen.
Dit rapport richt zich op het onderzoeken van de verschillende aspecten van crop circles, waaronder hun mysterieuze aard en de fenomenologie ervan. Daarnaast wordt ingegaan op de mogelijke externe invloeden, zoals buitenaardse interventies, en de controverse rondom de authenticiteit van de patronen. Door een wetenschappelijke en gestructureerde benadering proberen we een zo volledig mogelijk beeld te schetsen van deze intrigerende verschijnselen. Het doel is om feiten, theorieën en controverses in kaart te brengen en zo bij te dragen aan een beter begrip van dit fascinerende fenomeen dat nog altijd velen blijft fascineren en verwonderen.
Geschiedenis en Ontwikkeling van Crop Circles
Het fenomeen van crop circles kent een lange geschiedenis die teruggaat tot ver voor de moderne tijd. Historisch bewijs uit middeleeuwse documenten en oude folklore verwijst naar patronen en symbolen die lijken op crop circles, hoewel deze toen nog niet onder die naam bekend waren. Vaak werden ze beschouwd als mystieke of religieuze tekens, en soms werden ze toegeschreven aan natuurlijke oorzaken of bovennatuurlijke krachten.
De hedendaagse crop circles zoals we die kennen, begonnen echter pas in de late jaren 1970 en vroege jaren 1980 aan populariteit te winnen. Het eerste bekende moderne crop circle werd in 1978 gevonden in Engeland, in de omgeving van Amesbury. In de beginjaren bestonden deze patronen vooral uit eenvoudige cirkels en lijnen, maar al snel ontwikkelden ze zich tot meer ingewikkelde geometrische figuren. In de loop van de jaren 1980 en 1990 namen de frequentie en complexiteit van crop circles toe, vooral in het Verenigd Koninkrijk, dat zich ontwikkelde tot het centrum van deze wereldwijde fascinatie.
Vanaf de jaren 1990 en 2000 werden er steeds meer rapportages gedaan in andere landen, zoals de Verenigde Staten, Nederland en Australië. De patronen varieerden van simpele cirkels en spiralen tot complexe, symmetrische ontwerpen met meerdere lagen en 3D-effecten. Sommige patronen konden binnen enkele uren worden gemaakt, wat leidde tot de vraag of ze door menselijke kunstenaars werden vervaardigd of dat er andere, bovennatuurlijke of extraterrestrische krachten achter zaten.
De groeiende complexiteit en de frequentie waarmee crop circles werden gevonden, zorgden voor veel speculaties en theorieën over hun ontstaan. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat ze door geavanceerde menselijke teams met behulp van eenvoudige gereedschappen worden gemaakt, terwijl anderen denken dat ze het werk zijn van buitenaardse wezens of natuurlijke energieën. Desalniettemin blijft het fenomeen tot op heden een mysterieus en fascinerend onderdeel van de moderne folklore en cultuur, dat zich sinds de eerste waarnemingen in de jaren 70 heeft ontwikkeld tot een wereldwijde gebeurtenis.
The Mystery Surrounding Crop Circles
De Mysterieuze Aspecten van Crop Circles
Een van de meest intrigerende kenmerken van crop circles is ongetwijfeld hun complexiteit en precisie. Deze geometrische patronen, die vaak in uitgestrekte graanvelden verschijnen, vertonen een verbluffende mate van symmetrie en wiskundige verfijning. Sommige patronen zijn zo perfect dat ze bijna onmogelijk door menselijke handen te maken lijken, vooral gezien de snelheid waarmee ze vaak ontstaan. Onderzoekers hebben vastgesteld dat veel crop circles gebruik maken van geometrische verhoudingen zoals de gulden snede en de Fibonacci-reeks, wat duidt op een diepgaande kennis van wiskunde en geometrie. Dit roept de vraag op: hoe kunnen gewone mensen zulke complexe patronen ontwerpen en maken in een korte tijd, zonder dat het opvalt?
Deze vraag wordt nog versterkt door de precisie waarmee de patronen worden aangelegd. In sommige gevallen worden de cirkels en lijnen zo precies gesneden dat het lijkt alsof ze met behulp van geavanceerde meetinstrumenten of computerprogramma’s zijn opgesteld. Sommige onderzoekers vermoeden dat er een soort onzichtbare kracht of technologie achter zit die het mogelijk maakt om zulke patronen te creëren. Anderen denken dat het misschien een vorm van kunst of communicatie is van een onbekende intelligentie, mogelijk buitenaards, die zich op aarde manifesteert door middel van deze complexe patronen.
Naast de geometrische perfectie is ook de timing en snelheid waarmee crop circles ontstaan een mysterie. Veel van deze patronen verschijnen ‘s nachts of in de vroege ochtenduren, vaak zonder dat er getuigen of bewakingscamera’s iets hebben opgemerkt. Soms worden ze binnen enkele uren compleet gemaakt. Dit roept de vraag op of het menselijke handelen hier altijd aan de basis ligt. Het is theoretisch mogelijk dat een kleine groep mensen met behulp van alledaags gereedschap en een goede planning zulke patronen snel en geruisloos kan aanleggen, maar de snelheid en precisie die vaak wordt waargenomen, lijken dat tegenspreken. Sommige waarnemingen wijzen erop dat bepaalde crop circles ‘s nachts ontstaan, terwijl er geen zichtbare activiteit is. Dit leidt tot speculaties over geavanceerde technologieën, zoals laser- of elektromagnetische straling, die mogelijk het creatieve proces faciliteren zonder dat mensen het doorhebben.
Daarnaast blijven er vragen bestaan over de herkomst en de intentie achter deze patronen. Zijn ze het resultaat van menselijke grapjassen die kunstzinnig willen zijn? Of is er een buitenaardse kracht die zich manifesteert via deze vormen? Wat de oorzaak ook mag zijn, de snelheid waarmee ze ontstaan en de complexiteit ervan blijven een mysterie dat nog niet volledig is opgelost.
Verder is er de kwestie van fysische en chemische anomalieën die vaak worden gerapporteerd op de locaties waar crop circles verschijnen. Diverse studies hebben verhoogde niveaus van elektromagnetische straling vastgesteld rondom de patronen, wat suggereert dat er een soort energetisch veld actief is. Ook zijn er veranderingen waargenomen in de structuur van de planten zelf: de stengels vertonen vervormingen, verkleuringen of zelfs verzwakkingen die niet verklaard kunnen worden door natuurlijke oorzaken. Sommige onderzoekers hebben onbekende stoffen gevonden in de bodem en planten, zoals anomalieën in mineralen of chemische verbindingen die niet voorkomen in normaal graan. Dit soort bevindingen ondersteunen de theorie dat er meer op het spel staat dan louter menselijke creatie.
Sommige wetenschappers en onderzoekers suggereren dat deze anomalieën mogelijk wijzen op buitenaardse invloeden of bovennatuurlijke krachten. Ze stellen dat crop circles niet alleen een artistieke uitdrukking zijn, maar ook een soort communicatie of signaal dat gebruikmaakt van onbekende energievelden of technologieën. De aanwezigheid van elektromagnetische anomalieën en fysieke veranderingen in de planten en bodem versterken de overtuiging dat er een hogere macht of buitenaardse entiteit betrokken is bij het ontstaan van deze patronen.
Kortom, de mysterieuze aspecten van crop circles blijven een bron van fascinatie en discussie. De perfecte geometrie, de snelle en onopvallende creatie, en de fysieke anomalieën op de locaties maken dat velen denken dat er meer aan de hand is dan menselijke kunst of natuurlijke processen. Of het nu gaat om een buitenaards communicatiemiddel, een bovennatuurlijke boodschap, of een geavanceerde technologie die nog niet volledig begrepen wordt, één ding is zeker: crop circles vormen een intrigerend fenomeen dat ons uitdaagt om verder te kijken dan het alledaagse en onze grenzen van kennis en verbeelding te verkennen.
Fenomenologie: Verschijningsvormen en Waarnemingen
Crop circles, ook wel bekend als graancirkels, vormen al decennia lang een fascinerend onderwerp binnen zowel de wetenschappelijke als de paranormale wereld. Deze mysterieuze patronen verschijnen plotseling in graanvelden, vooral in landen als het Verenigd Koninkrijk, Nederland, en Noord-Amerika. Wat ze zo intrigerend maakt, is niet alleen hun complexe en vaak artistieke uiterlijk, maar ook de verschijningsvormen en de context waarin ze ontstaan. In deze uitgebreide beschrijving wordt de fenomenologie rondom crop circles in detail uiteengezet, inclusief de waarnemingen, getuigenissen, experimenten, en de mogelijke verklaringen die hieraan worden gegeven.
De eerste aspecten die opvallen bij de verschijningsvormen van crop circles, zijn de patronen zelf. Ze variëren van eenvoudige cirkels en lijnen tot uiterst complexe geometrische figuren, vaak met symmetrische en fractale kenmerken. Sommige patronen beslaan honderden meters en bevatten ingewikkelde symmetrieën en fractale structuren die met behulp van moderne computertechnologie kunnen worden nagebootst. Wat bijzonder is, is dat veel van deze patronen op de eerste blik door mensen gemaakt lijken, maar dat de precisie en complexiteit vaak de menselijke vaardigheden te boven gaan, vooral wanneer ze snel en in korte tijd in het veld worden aangebracht.
Naast de patronen worden er talrijke getuigenissen gerapporteerd die wijzen op vreemde verschijnselen rond de tijd van de creatie van crop circles. Zo melden ooggetuigen dat ze 's nachts vreemde lichten in de lucht hebben gezien. Deze lichten worden vaak beschreven als helder, knipperend, en bewegend met ongebruikelijke patronen. Sommige waarnemers spreken van lichtbollen die razendsnel door de lucht bewegen, soms in een zigzagpatroon, en soms zelfs lijken te verdwijnen of te veranderen in andere vormen. Andere getuigen melden dat ze geluiden hoorden die niet van menselijke oorsprong leken te zijn—een soort sissende, zoemende of zoemende geluiden die niet overeenkomen met natuurkundige geluiden die je normaal verwacht in een agrarische omgeving.
Crop Circles Unraveling the Patterns of Mystery
Deze waarnemingen worden vaak gedaan kort vóór of tijdens de ontstaan van crop circles. Sommige mensen beschrijven ontmoetingen met mysterieuze figuren of entiteiten die zich in de nabijheid van de velden bevinden. Deze figuren worden vaak omschreven als zwevend, ondoorzichtig of bijna onzichtbaar, en worden soms gekoppeld aan gevoelens van verwarring of angst. Er wordt gesuggereerd dat dergelijke verschijnselen mogelijk verband houden met buitenaardse activiteiten of interdimensionale fenomenen. Volgens sommige theorieën zouden deze entiteiten betrokken kunnen zijn bij het manipuleren van de tijd-ruimte-continuüm, of bij het beïnvloeden van het bewustzijn van de mensen die getuige zijn.
Naast getuigenissen en waarnemingen zijn er ook wetenschappelijke experimenten en pogingen ondernomen om deze fenomenen te bestuderen. Onderzoekers en hobbyisten hebben geprobeerd zelf crop circles te maken onder gecontroleerde omstandigheden. Door gebruik te maken van eenvoudige gereedschappen zoals houten planken, touwen en meetinstrumenten, konden zij patronen reproduceren en de technieken ervan bestuderen. Sommige van deze experimenten hebben geresulteerd in het maken van vrij complexe patronen binnen relatief korte tijd, wat aantoont dat menselijke creativiteit en technische vaardigheden zeker een rol kunnen spelen bij het ontstaan van eenvoudige en matig complexe patronen.
Echter, de meest complexe en geometrisch geavanceerde patronen blijven een punt van controverse en verwarring. Ze lijken vaak te complex te zijn om door mensen in een korte tijd te worden gemaakt zonder speciale hulpmiddelen of technologie. Sommige onderzoekers beweren dat de snelheid en precisie waarmee deze patronen ontstaan, niet volledig door menselijke handen of eenvoudige gereedschappen kunnen worden verklaard. Bovendien wordt er ook gespeculeerd dat de gebruikte technieken mogelijk buitenaardse of interdimensionale technologieën zouden kunnen omvatten.
Daarnaast zijn er ook pogingen gedaan om de natuurkundige en biologische effecten van crop circles te onderzoeken. Sommige studies hebben aangetoond dat in velden met crop circles er veranderingen kunnen plaatsvinden in de plantencellen, zoals verkleining van cellen of veranderingen in de structuur van de planten. Sommige waarnemers melden dat de gewassen in de crop circles vaak niet beschadigd lijken, maar juist op een mysterieuze wijze zijn vervormd of verdikt. Dit soort waarnemingen voegt een extra laag toe aan de fenomenologie, omdat het suggereert dat er mogelijk een niet-materiële of energievorm betrokken is bij het ontstaan van deze patronen.
De controverse rondom crop circles wordt versterkt door de beweeglijke aard van de waarnemingen en de verklaringen die eraan worden verbonden. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat crop circles een vorm van buitenaardse communicatie vormen of dat ze door interdimensionale wezens worden gemaakt. Anderen zien ze als een artistieke uitdrukking van menselijke creativiteit, zij het vaak met behulp van geavanceerde technieken die nog niet volledig worden begrepen. Daarnaast blijven er vragen bestaan over de authenticiteit van de vele zogenaamde 'echte' crop circles, aangezien er ook veel namaak en menselijke creaties zijn die de patronen nabootsen.
Kortom, de fenomenologie van crop circles is veelzijdig en complex. Ze omvat niet alleen de fysieke verschijningsvormen, maar ook de waarnemingen van vreemde lichten, geluiden, en ontmoetingen met mysterieuze entiteiten. Het onderzoek hiernaar laat zien dat deze verschijnselen zich vaak voordoen in een specifieke context, waarin menselijke waarnemingen en mogelijk buitenaardse of interdimensionale invloeden samenkomen. Hoewel de menselijke capaciteit om eenvoudige patronen te reproduceren bestaat, blijven de meest complexe en precieze ontwerpen een mysterie dat nog niet volledig is opgelost. Het is deze combinatie van visuele pracht, mysterieuze verschijnselen en controversiële verklaringen die crop circles blijven boeien en uitdagen, en die de fenomenologie ervan tot een intrigerend fenomeen maken dat nog volop in onderzoek is.
De Hoax-theorie
Een belangrijke controverse rondom crop circles betreft de vraag of ze door menselijke hand of door andere krachten, zoals buitenaardse entiteiten, gemaakt zouden kunnen zijn. Critici die de hoax-theorie aanhangen, wijzen op verschillende praktische en logische punten die suggereren dat veel, zo niet alle, crop circles door mensen gemaakt kunnen worden.
Allereerst wordt er gewezen op de toegankelijkheid van de velden waar de patronen verschijnen. Vaak bevinden deze velden zich op landerige, landbouwgrond die gemakkelijk bereikbaar is. Mensen met de juiste intenties kunnen daar 's nachts, zonder dat iemand het merkt, werk verrichten. Daarnaast is er de gemakkelijke beschikbaarheid van materialen die nodig zijn om crop circles te maken, zoals touwen, planken, sjablonen en andere hulpmiddelen. Deze materialen kunnen snel en eenvoudig worden meegebracht en gebruikt om patronen te creëren.
Bovendien zijn er talloze voorbeelden van bekende crop circle-makers en kunstenaars die hun technieken hebben gedeeld via tutorials, demonstraties en online video's. In de jaren 1990 en 2000 maakten bijvoorbeeld de Britse kunstenaars Doug en Dave grote indruk door complexe patronen te maken die vaak per ongeluk of expres werden gedocumenteerd. Ze lieten zien dat het mogelijk is om met eenvoudige middelen, binnen korte tijd, indrukwekkende geometrische patronen te ontwerpen en te creëren. Deze demonstraties en tutorials onderstrepen dat het maken van dergelijke patronen geen onoverkomelijk mysterie is, maar juist een vorm van land art of performancekunst.
Daarnaast is het opvallend dat veel crop circles dateren van korte tijd vóór of na bekende evenementen of festivals, wat het idee versterkt dat ze door mensen gemaakt kunnen worden. Ook is er bewijs van de snelheid waarmee sommige patronen verschijnen. Sommige crop circles worden binnen enkele uren of zelfs minuten gemaakt, wat moeilijk te verklaren is als ze door buitenaardse entiteiten of natuurlijke fenomenen zouden worden veroorzaakt. Het feit dat de meeste patronen eenvoudig kunnen worden nagebouwd met eenvoudige technieken, onderstrepen de menselijke oorsprong.
Toch blijven er ook patronen bestaan die moeilijk te verklaren zijn door menselijke acties vanwege hun grote omvang en complexe symmetrie. Sommige patronen vertonen een detailniveau dat met veel moeite en tijd door mensen zou kunnen worden gereproduceerd. Dit heeft geleid tot de overtuiging dat sommige crop circles mogelijk door andere krachten of entiteiten worden gemaakt, wat de theorie van buitenaardse betrokkenheid voedt. Sommige waarnemers en onderzoekers geloven dat het patroon, de precisie en de snelheid waarmee ze verschijnen, wijzen op een niet-menselijke oorsprong.
Desalnietemin blijft de controverse bestaan. Voorstanders van de menselijke oorsprong wijzen erop dat de meeste bekende en bestudeerde patronen eenvoudig te reproduceren zijn en dat er geen definitief bewijs is dat crop circles niet door mensen gemaakt kunnen worden. Zij benadrukken dat de technieken en hulpmiddelen die nodig zijn, al decennia bekend zijn en dat het maken van crop circles vooral een kunstvorm en een vorm van landkunst is die mensen bewust kunnen uitvoeren.
Kortom, de discussie rondom de hoax-theorie en de menselijke creatie van crop circles is complex en verweven met zowel praktische als mystieke overtuigingen. Hoewel er veel bewijs is dat aanwijsbaar menselijke makers kunnen en hebben gemaakt, blijven er ook claims en observaties die de menselijke verklaring in twijfel trekken. De waarheid ligt mogelijk in een mix van menselijke creativiteit, menselijke technieken en misschien zelfs onverklaarbare fenomenen, maar de meeste experts en sceptici blijven ervan uitgaan dat de meeste crop circles door mensen gemaakt zijn.
De Extraterrestriële Hypothese
Een van de meest intrigerende theorieën over crop circles is dat deze mysterieuze patronen buitenaardse communicatie of boodschappen zouden kunnen zijn. Volgens voorstanders van deze hypothese zouden de complexe geometrieën en symmetrische patronen niet zomaar door mensen kunnen worden gemaakt zonder geavanceerde kennis van wiskunde en technologie. Ze wijzen erop dat veel crop circles bestaan uit geometrische vormen die verband houden met bepaalde mathematische verhoudingen, zoals de gulden snede of fractale patronen, die moeilijk te reproduceren zijn zonder uitgebreide expertise.
De eerste meldingen van opvallende cirkels in gewassen dateren uit de jaren 1970 en 1980, maar de grote toename van het aantal en de complexiteit ervan begon vooral in de jaren 1990. In die periode werden steeds meer patronen ontdekt die variëren van eenvoudige cirkels tot ingewikkelde mandala-achtige ontwerpen met meerdere lagen en geometrische figuren. Voorstanders geloven dat deze patronen niet het resultaat zijn van menselijke grappenmakers, omdat de complexiteit en precisie in korte tijd moeilijk te realiseren zouden zijn zonder gespecialiseerde technieken.
Naast de geometrische complexiteit worden er vaak ook mysterieuze lichten en geluiden gerapporteerd rond de locaties van crop circles. Verschillende getuigen beschrijven felle, flikkerende lichten die 's avonds of 's nachts verschijnen, soms gepaard gaand met vreemde geluiden, zoals zoemende of vibrerende geluiden. Sommige onderzoekers interpreteren deze waarnemingen als bewijs van buitenaardse activiteiten of technologische interventies. Ze speculeren dat buitenaardse wezens mogelijk gebruik maken van deze lichten en geluiden om de creatie van de patronen te begeleiden of om communicatie te vergemakkelijken.
Daarnaast worden er studies gedaan naar de omgeving van crop circles, waarbij wordt gekeken naar anomalieën in de bodem en planten. Hierbij worden verhoogde niveaus van ionisatie en veranderingen in de structuur van de planten vastgesteld. Sommige onderzoekers vinden dat deze anomalieën niet verklaard kunnen worden door natuurlijke oorzaken of menselijke ingrepen en dat ze mogelijk wijzen op niet-menselijke krachten of technologieën die betrokken zijn bij het ontstaan van de patronen.
Ancient Aliens: Galactic Origins of Crop Circles
Een andere aanwijzing voor de buitenaardse hypothese is dat sommige crop circles zich op locaties bevinden die volgens onderzoekers bijzondere energieën of magnetische velden vertonen. Deze locaties zouden volgens theorieën de aanwezigheid van buitenaardse activiteit aantonen, omdat ze de mogelijkheid bieden voor het uitzenden of ontvangen van buitenaardse signalen.
In de loop der jaren zijn er talloze verklaringen en theorieën geopperd over de oorsprong van crop circles, van menselijke grapjassen tot natuurlijke verschijnselen en buitenaardse interventies. De Extraterrestriële Hypothese blijft echter een van de meest fascinerende en controversiële theorieën, vooral omdat veel waarnemingen en anomalieën niet volledig verklaard kunnen worden door menselijke of natuurlijke oorzaken. Ondanks dat er geen definitief bewijs is geleverd, blijven veel onderzoekers en geïnteresseerden geloven dat buitenaardse wezens mogelijk betrokken zijn bij het ontstaan van deze mysterieuze patronen en dat ze misschien boodschappen of signalen proberen over te brengen naar de aarde.
Crop Circles: Alien Messages or Human Designs? | FULL DOCU
Wetenschappelijke Benadering en Skepsis
Hoewel de fenomenologie rondom crop circles de laatste decennia wereldwijd veel aandacht heeft getrokken en een fascinerende combinatie vormt van kunst, mystiek en mysterieuze waarnemingen, waarschuwt de wetenschap voor het te snel trekken van conclusies zonder voldoende bewijs. Het fenomeen van crop circles – vaak grote geometrische patronen die in gewassen worden gedrukt – wordt door sommige waarnemers toegeschreven aan buitenaardse intelligenties of andere bovennatuurlijke krachten. Toch is het belangrijk om te benadrukken dat, ondanks de vele rapportages en getuigenissen, er tot op heden geen definitief wetenschappelijk bewijs is dat deze patronen daadwerkelijk door niet-menselijke oorzaken ontstaan.
Wetenschappers en onderzoekers wijzen erop dat veel van de waargenomen anomalieën in gewassen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke oorzaken, menselijke activiteit of een combinatie van beide. Zo worden sommige complexe patronen inderdaad gemaakt door menselijke kunstenaars, vaak aangeduid als “crop circle makers,” die met behulp van eenvoudige gereedschappen en soms geavanceerde technieken indrukwekkende geometrische vormen kunnen neerzetten. Het is bekend dat deze kunstenaars, soms in het geheim, werken aan het creëren van deze patronen als vorm van kunst of als grap, en dat ze hiermee vaak de media en het publiek weten te verrassen.
Daarnaast kunnen bepaalde natuurlijke fenomenen, zoals stormen, wind, of ijsvorming, ook bijdragen aan het ontstaan van patronen die op het eerste gezicht mysterieus lijken. Bijvoorbeeld, wind kan in combinatie met de structuur van het gewas complexe en symmetrische patronen veroorzaken, zonder dat menselijke of buitenaardse interventie nodig is. Verder kunnen menselijke activiteiten – zoals landbouwexperimenten, veldwerk of zelfs sabotage – eveneens tot verwarrende patronen leiden die op het eerste gezicht onverklaarbaar lijken.
Wetenschappers benadrukken bovendien dat de meeste complexe crop circles in feite door menselijke kunstenaars zijn gemaakt. Dit wordt ondersteund door talrijke experimenten waarin bekende groepen kunstenaars patronen recreëren die nauwelijks van de originele kunnen worden onderscheiden. Onderzoek naar de technieken en gereedschappen die worden gebruikt, toont aan dat het maken van dergelijke patronen vaak een combinatie is van eenvoudige meetinstrumenten, zoals touwen en houten palen, en creatieve geometrische kennis. Bovendien worden veel van deze kunstwerken, naarmate ze ouder worden, door natuurlijke factoren vervormd, waardoor het soms moeilijk is om de authenticiteit ervan vast te stellen.
Het ontbreken van consistent bewijs voor buitenaardse betrokkenheid betekent dat het fenomeen doorgaans in de categorie van mysterieuze menselijke kunstwerken en hoaxes kan worden geplaatst. Hoewel er altijd speculaties blijven bestaan over de mogelijke buitenaardse herkomst van crop circles, is de wetenschappelijke consensus dat er geen overtuigend bewijs is dat deze patronen door buitenaardse intelligenties zijn gemaakt. Sommige waarnemers wijzen op het ontbreken van technologische of fysische bewijsstukken dat zou wijzen op een buitenaardse technologie, zoals onverklaarbare energiebronnen of anomalieën in het aardmagnetisch veld.
Daarnaast wijst onderzoek uit dat veel van de vermeende “buitenaardse” kenmerken, zoals vreemde lichtverschijnselen of onverklaarbare geluiden rondom de patronen, vaak kunnen worden verklaard door menselijke activiteiten of natuurlijke oorzaken. Sommige waarnemingen worden bovendien als overdreven of verkeerd geïnterpreteerd beschouwd, bijvoorbeeld door de invloed van suggestie of hysterie.
In de loop der jaren heeft het fenomeen van crop circles zich ontwikkeld tot een soort cultureel fenomeen, dat niet alleen wordt bestudeerd door wetenschappers, maar ook door kunstenaars, thrill-seekers en mensen die geloven in het bovennatuurlijke. Toch blijft de wetenschappelijke houding kritisch en terughoudend. Het benadrukt dat zonder harde bewijsstukken het maken van conclusies over buitenaardse of bovennatuurlijke oorzaken onnodig en gevaarlijk is, omdat het de ware natuur van het fenomeen kan vertroebelen.
Kortom, ondanks de intrigerende en vaak spectaculaire patronen die in velden verschijnen, blijft het bewijs dat crop circles buitenaards van oorsprong zijn, uitermate twijfelachtig. De meeste complexe patronen kunnen worden toegeschreven aan menselijke creativiteit en technische vaardigheden, terwijl natuurlijke fenomenen en menselijke activiteiten eveneens een grote rol spelen. Wetenschappers blijven daarom pleiten voor een kritische, op bewijs gebaseerde benadering, waarbij men zich baseert op meetbare en reproduceerbare feiten in plaats van op geruchten, mythen of pseudowetenschappelijke theorieën. Alleen door objectief onderzoek en het uitsluiten van onverklaarbare factoren, kan men tot een juiste interpretatie van dit mysterieuze fenomeen komen.
Conclusie
Crop circles blijven een intrigerend fenomeen dat de grens tussen wetenschap, kunst en mystiek verkent. Aan de ene kant zijn er de indrukwekkende geometrische patronen en fysische anomalieën die vragen oproepen over hun ware oorsprong. Aan de andere kant zijn er overtuigende bewijzen dat menselijke creativiteit en technische vaardigheden in staat zijn tot het maken van de meeste patronen.
De theorieën over buitenaardse betrokkenheid vullen de fascinatie aan, maar ontbreken tot nu toe concreet wetenschappelijk bewijs. Het is belangrijk om het fenomeen kritisch te blijven bekijken en te erkennen dat hoewel crop circles veel vragen oproepen, ze ook een weerspiegeling zijn van menselijke verbeeldingskracht en de voortdurende zoektocht naar het onbekende.
What’s Behind These Perfect Patterns? Crop Circles Explained
Eindwoord
In de zoektocht naar de ware aard van crop circles blijft de waarheid mogelijk complex en gelaagd. Al sinds de jaren ’70 van de vorige eeuw worden deze mysterieuze patronen in graanvelden over de hele wereld waargenomen, vooral in Engeland, maar ook in andere landen zoals Nederland, Canada en de Verenigde Staten. Aanvankelijk werden ze vaak toegeschreven aan menselijke grapjassen die met eenvoudige middelen ingewikkelde patronen aanbrachten, en veel van deze eerste creaties bleken inderdaad het werk te zijn van enthousiaste amateurs. Toch bleef de vraag bestaan: hoe konden zulke precieze en complexe patronen in korte tijd ontstaan zonder dat er sporen van menselijke aanwezigheid zichtbaar waren?
Naarmate de jaren verstreken, werden crop circles steeds geavanceerder en groter, wat leidde tot speculaties over buitenaardse betrokkenheid of andere onverklaarbare krachten. Sommige onderzoekers en liefhebbers beweerden dat de patronen boodschappen bevatten van buitenaardse beschavingen, bedoeld om contact te leggen of informatie over het universum over te brengen. Andere suggereren dat er natuurlijke oorzaken kunnen zijn, zoals aardstralen of atmosferische fenomenen, al blijven deze theorieën vaak onderhevig aan discussie en scepticisme.
Crop Circles: Crossovers Beyond Reality | The Truth Exposed | Award Winning Documentary
In de jaren ’90 en vroege 2000s nam de populariteit van crop circles toe, mede dankzij media-aandacht en de groeiende interesse van wetenschappers en kunstenaars. Verschillende groepen begonnen methoden te ontwikkelen om menselijke creaties te maken die moeilijk te onderscheiden waren van de echte, wat de twijfel over de oorsprong verder versterkte. Tegelijkertijd werden er ook serieuze wetenschappelijke onderzoeken gedaan, onder meer door parapsychologen en natuurkundigen, die probeerden te achterhalen of er bij de creatie van crop circles onverklaarbare energieën of natuurlijke processen betrokken waren.
Tegelijkertijd bleven er meldingen van ongeïdentificeerde vliegende objecten en vreemde lichtfenomenen in gebieden waar crop circles werden gevonden, wat de mystiek rondom deze patronen versterkte. De discussie over de oorsprong van crop circles bleef daarmee bestaan tussen sceptici, die alles toeschreven aan menselijke creativiteit en misleiding, en enthousiastelingen die geloofden in een hoger doel of buitenaardse communicatie.
Vandaag de dag is het onderzoek naar crop circles nog altijd niet afgerond. Ze blijven een fascinerend fenomeen dat ons uitdaagt om verder te kijken dan de bekende kaders van wetenschap en perceptie. Of ze nu het resultaat zijn van menselijke kunst, buitenaardse intelligentie, of een andere onbekende kracht, ze blijven een boeiende en mysterieuze uitnodiging tot verder onderzoek. Het fenomeen stimuleert ons om open-minded te blijven, nieuwsgierig te zijn naar het onbekende en onze grenzen te verleggen in het begrijpen van de wereld en het universum waarin wij leven. Het onderzoeken van deze patronen kan niet alleen leiden tot nieuwe inzichten in natuurlijke en menselijke processen, maar ook in de grenzen van onze kennis over het universum en de mysteries die het bevat.
Why Crop Circles Are Coming Back? | Full Documentary Movie | Crop Circle Realities
From the Big Crunch to the heat death of the universe, it seems that science is always finding new ways the cosmos might come to an end.
But physicists have now revealed the most devastating doomsday scenario possible.
Experts believe the universe may have a built-in 'self-destruct button' called false vacuum decay.
If this was ever triggered, every planet, star, and galaxy would be wiped out and life as we know it would become impossible.
The basic idea is that our universe isn't currently in its most stable state, meaning we are in what scientists call a 'false vacuum'.
If any part of the universe is ever pushed into its stable state, a bubble of 'true vacuum' will expand through the universe, destroying everything it touches.
Professor Ian Moss, a cosmologist at Newcastle University, told MailOnline that the universe is like 'a table-top with many dominoes standing on their side.'
Professor Moss says: 'They can stay upright unless some small disturbance topples one, and triggers all of them to fall.'
Scientists say that the universe has a 'self-destruct button' called false vacuum decay. The idea is that the cosmos is not at its most stable state, if it is ever pushed into this state a vast sphere of energy will consume everything in existence (AI-generated impression)
What is a false vacuum?
All objects contain a certain amount of energy and the amount of energy it contains is called its 'energy state'.
The lower the energy state, the more stable the object becomes.
If you think about a lump of coal, it has a very high energy state because it contains lots of potential energy, which means it's unstable and could catch on fire.
Once that coal has been burned and the energy released as heat, the remaining ash has a very low energy state and becomes stable.
Everything in the universe, from lumps of coals to stars, wants to get to its most stable state and so always tends towards the lowest energy state possible.
We call the lowest energy state an object can have its 'vacuum' state, but sometimes objects can get trapped in something called a 'false vacuum'.
Dr Louis Hamaide, a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Naples, told MailOnline: 'A good analogy for a field in a false vacuum is a marble in a bowl on top of a stool.
Professor Ian Moss, a cosmologist at Newcastle University, told MailOnline that the universe is like 'a table-top with many dominoes standing on their side.' It is stable for now but could collapse at any moment if pushed
'The marble cannot leave the bowl unless it is given some energy in the form of a push, and if it does it will fall all the way to the ground.'
Being on the ground is what we would call the vacuum state, whereas the bowl is merely a false vacuum which prevents the marble from falling to the ground.
What makes this idea worrying is the possibility that a fundamental part of the universe's structure could be stuck in one of these false vacuums.
All it needs is a little push, and the structure of reality itself will come crashing down to the ground.
The universe's self-destruct button
The idea of a false vacuum gets really scary when we apply it to our current model of reality.
The universe and everything in it is made of subatomic particles such as electrons, photons, and quarks.
But according to quantum field theory, all of these particles are actually just disturbances in an underlying field.
Scientists say that the quantum field which creates the Higgs Boson, the mysterious particle that the Large Hadron Collider (pictured) was built to find, could be in a 'false vacuum state'
What is false vacuum decay?
One of the fundamental concepts of the universe is that things are moving from a state of high energy to a more stable 'ground' state, of lower energy.
This fundamental concept holds true even in the strange world of quantum mechanics, with particles trying to reach their ground, called their vacuum state.
The concept takes a stranger turn when it comes to the Higgs field – the quantum field which gives particles throughout the universe their mass.
It is thought that this field is in its lowest energy state, but one theory states it may not be as stable as it seems.
With the right kick, the Higgs field could careen towards its true lower energy state, sparking a chain reaction which would spread in all directions.
Dr Alessandro Zenesini, a scientist at the National Institute of Optics in Italy, told MailOnline: 'The basic idea of quantum field theory is to represent reality only with fields.
'Think of a water surface. When flat, it is an empty field. As soon you have a wave, this wave can be seen as a particle which can interact with another wave.'
Just like everything else, these fields have energy states, and want to get to their lowest energy state possible like a body of water becoming flat and calm.
In the first few seconds of the Big Bang, so much energy was released that it pushed all the fundamental fields down into their vacuum states.
But scientists now think that one of the fields might have gotten stuck along the way.
Some researchers believe that the Higgs field, the field which makes the elusive Higgs Boson, is stuck in a false vacuum state.
This essentially means that the entire universe could be rigged to blow at any moment.
What would happen if a false vacuum collapsed?
If the data from the Large Hadron Collider (pictured) is correct, the Higgs field is not in its most stable state. This means it could suddenly move into that new state like a domino toppling over
If the Higgs field is ever pushed down to its true vacuum, the resulting 'phase shift' will release a vast amount of energy.
This energy is so concentrated that it will force nearby areas of the field out of their false vacuum, dropping their energy level and releasing even more energy.
The resulting chain reaction would spread through the universe like the flames from a match dropped into a lake of petrol.
A bubble of true vacuum would then spread out in a sphere from the starting point until it consumes the entire cosmos.
At its edge, between the true and false vacuum, the energy would collect into a thin wall of incredible power.
Dr Hamaide says: 'That kinetic energy of the wall is so high, even though the Higgs carrying this energy is a very heavy particle, it would move at the speed of light.
'So we would never see the wall coming, because light couldn't reach us before the wall did.'
If the wall hit the solar system, Dr Hamaide says it would have so much energy that 'it would instantaneously destroy any star or planet its path'.
The Higgs field fills the entire known universe, if it is ever pushed out of its 'false vacuum' the resulting chain reaction would spread through the entire field. Pictured: The DESI map of the universe
The expanding bubble of true Higgs vacuum would spread like a wave, pushing a wall of energy powerful enough to tear apart stars
(stock image)
However, what would be left behind after the initial destruction is perhaps even more terrifying.
The interaction between the fundamental fields is what gives particles their properties and determines how they interact.
This, in turn, determines everything from the physics that holds planets together to the chemical reactions taking place inside our cells.
If the Higgs field suddenly takes on a new energy level, none of the physics we are familiar with would be possible.
Dr Dejan Stojkovic, a cosmologist from the University at Buffalo, told MailOnline: 'As a consequence, electrons, quarks and neutrinos would acquire masses different from their current values.
'Since the structures that we observe around us are made atoms, whose existence depends on the precise values of the parameters in the standard model, it is likely that all these structures would be destroyed, and perhaps new ones would be formed.'
Scientists have no idea what the world left behind by false vacuum decay would be like.
But we do know that it would be absolutely incompatible with life as we now know it.
If the Higgs field does change its energy level, the world that is left behind will have entirely different rules of physics to the ones we know now. That will make life as we know it impossible (AI-generated impression)
What could trigger the end of the world?
To trigger false vacuum decay, you would need an extremely powerful force to pack a huge amount of Higgs particles into a tiny space.
In the current universe, places with this much energy might not even be possible but the bad news is that the early universe might have been violent enough to do it.
In particular, scientists think that dense regions of matter might have been crushed into tiny primordial black holes in the first few seconds of the Big Bang.
These are ultra-dense points of matter no larger than a single hydrogen atom but containing the mass of an entire planet.
As these black holes evaporate through Hawking radiation, some researchers believe they could trigger false vacuum decay.
Professor Moss says: 'Condensation is a similar process to vacuum decay, the condensation of water vapour into clouds is triggered by tiny grains of dust or ice crystals.
'Tiny black holes seed vacuum decay in the same way.'
Scientists say that tiny primordial black holes left over from the Big Bang could 'seed' false vacuum decay like grains of dust seed rain to condense
Is the world already over?
Perhaps one of the strangest implications of false vacuum decay is that it might have already started somewhere in the universe.
Dr Hamaide says: 'Under some very specific assumptions, we showed these bubbles are 100 per cent likely to occur.'
According to some calculations, one primordial black hole in the universe would be enough to trigger the universe's self-destruct process.
Likewise, due to small fluctuations at the quantum level, known as quantum tunnelling, it is possible that the parts of the universe might randomly jump into the lower energy state at any time.
That could mean that a bubble of true vacuum is already out there somewhere in the cosmos, racing towards us at the speed of light and annihilating everything it encounters.
The comforting news is that, even at the speed of light, it could take billions of years for a true vacuum bubble to reach us.
If the bubble starts far enough away, the expansion of the universe might even mean it never reaches us at all.
Some scientists think that this has already happened and that the Big Bang was really just a decay from one false vacuum to another
Dr Hamaide and Professor Moss suggest that the fact we aren't already dead is evidence that there aren't any primordial black holes out there in the first place.
We also don't know what effects dark matter and dark energy could have on the energy state of the universe.
It might be possible that these mysterious substances reverse any bubble expansions as soon as they occur to keep the universe stable.
However, until a bubble of true vacuum does tear our reality apart, there might not be any way to know who's right.
The theories and discoveries of thousands of physicists since the 1930s have resulted in a remarkable insight into the fundamental structure of matter.
Everything in the universe is found to be made from a few basic building blocks called fundamental particles, governed by four fundamental forces.
Our best understanding of how these particles and three of the forces are related to each other is encapsulated in the Standard Model of particle physics.
All matter around us is made of elementary particles, the building blocks of matter.
These particles occur in two basic types called quarks and leptons. Each consists of six particles, which are related in pairs, or 'generations'.
All stable matter in the universe is made from particles that belong to the first generation. Any heavier particles quickly decay to the next most stable level.
There are also four fundamental forces at work in the universe: the strong force, the weak force, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force. They work over different ranges and have different strengths.
Gravity is the weakest but it has an infinite range.
The electromagnetic force also has infinite range but it is many times stronger than gravity.
The weak and strong forces are effective only over a very short range and dominate only at the level of subatomic particles.
The Standard Model includes the electromagnetic, strong and weak forces and all their carrier particles, and explains well how these forces act on all of the matter particles.
However, the most familiar force in our everyday lives, gravity, is not part of the Standard Model, and fitting gravity comfortably into this framework has proved to be a difficult challenge.
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Scientists who revealed an underground 'hidden city' in Egypt have announced the discovery of a second city they say 'proves' the existence of a massive subterranean complex linking the Giza pyramids 2,000 feet beneath the surface.
The newly-discovered shafts and chambers could rewrite history if confirmed to be true.
The team of Italian researchersfirst claimed to have uncovered vast underground structures below the Khafre pyramid in March, igniting fierce backlash from mainstream archaeologists who called the findings 'false' and lacking scientific basis.
Famed archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass is the team's biggest critic, saying it is impossible for the ground-penetrating radar to see thousands of feet below the surface.
Undeterred by the scrutiny, the team has now reportedly detected similar shafts beneath the Pyramid of Menkaure, the smallest of the three main pyramids at Giza, months after their initial findings below Khafre.
The Giza complex, west of Cairo, includes the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, along with the Great Sphinx. All shrouded in mystery due to their unclear construction methods, precise astronomical alignment, and still-debated purpose.
Filippo Biondi, a radar expert from University of Strathclyde in Scotland and co-author of the research, told the Daily Mail that their data shows a 90 percent probability that the Menkaure shares the same pillars as Khafre.
The team arrived at the probability 'through objective analysis of the tomography data, which, as experimental measurements, strongly indicate that the structures we identified beneath Khafre are also present under Menkaure.'
'We firmly believe that the Giza structures are interconnected, reinforcing our view that the pyramids are merely the tip of the iceberg of a colossal underground infrastructural complex,' Biondi said.
'This network likely consists of a dense system of tunnels linking the main subterranean structures.'
The three pyramids in Giza are shrouded in mystery due to their unclear construction methods, precise astronomical alignment, and still-debated purpose
The controversial research, not yet peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, captivated the world when it was revealed, even mesmerizing podcast star Joe Rogan who called it 'fascinating.'
However, famed archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass deemed the discovery 'bulls***' due to his scientists saying it is not possible for the technology to see that deep in the ground.
While the Italian researchers' findings have yet to be proven, or disproven, the team is still moving forward with their work.
Images of the pillars below Menkaure appear to be identical to those beneath Khafre, Biondi said.
'The measurements reveal pillar-like structures with consistent characteristics,' he added.
'Given that Menkaure is smaller than Khafre, we believe the number of pillars is likely even but fewer than those under Khafre.'
Those under Khafre were estimated to measure more than 2,000 feet long and feature what looked like spiral-like structures wrapping around each of the eight.
The pillars beneath Menkaure further support the team's theory that a 'megastucture' sits below the sands of the Giza plateau.
The team used their ground-penetrating radar to see if anything was below the Menkaure pyramid (right). The Giza complex, west of Cairo, includes the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, along with the Great Sphinx
Researchers found pillars similar to those beneath the Khafre pyramid, showing they span thousands of feet below the surface
When asked about the purpose of the hidden structures, Biondi said: 'At this stage, we’re still gathering information to thoroughly study the matter, but we can confidently say that the operation of this structure likely involves the natural elements: air, water, fire and earth.
'Discoveries like these under Menkaure challenge us to rethink our understanding of ancient Egyptian history and humanity’s past, opening new perspectives on our origins and capabilities.'
Biondi and his team proposed that the structures were built by a lost ancient civilization around 38,000 years old.
However, archaeologists have estimated the three pyramids to be only around 4,500 years old.
The Italian researchers' timeline is based on a theory that a highly advanced prehistoric society was wiped out by a global cataclysm, possibly caused by a comet impact, around 12,800 years ago.
Armando Mei (center) and his team, which includes Corrado Malanga (right) and Filippo Biondi (left), took the world by storm last month when they discovered shafts and chambers more than 2,000 feet below the surface
According to this theory, the resulting floods and chaos erased most traces of this civilization, whose survivors passed down knowledge of astronomy, engineering, and sacred architecture to later cultures, including the ancient Egyptians.
Dr James Kennett, a geologist at the University of California Santa Barbara and a major proponent of the comet-impact hypothesis, told the Daily Mail that a highly advanced Stone Age culture in North America — the Clovis people — mysteriously vanished at the same time the comet is believed to have struck Earth.
'There is evidence of a major population decline in North America beginning at 12,800 years ago,' he said.
'That lasted a few hundred years, and then they started to come back — but as a different culture.'
But last month, the mystery deepened when a team of Italian scientists said they found a vast city and structures stretching thousands of feet below the Khafre pyramid. Picture are enormous shafts with staircases around them
The said the technology captured enormous chambers (pictured) in the middle of the shaft
While Kennett can't confirm the same impact effects occurred in Egypt, he points to impact evidence found at Abu Hureyra in Syria, which is around 1,000 miles from Giza, as compelling.
If debris struck that region, he said, it could have triggered massive flooding from the Mediterranean Sea and Nile River, potentially engulfing parts of ancient Egypt.
The flood narrative echoes surprisingly well with ancient Egyptian mythology.
Andrew Collins, a researcher of prehistoric civilizations, notes that hieroglyphs on the walls of the Temple of Edfu — some 780 miles south of Giza — reference a devastating flood that wiped out a mysterious civilization referred to as the 'Eldest Ones.'
According to Collins, the temple's inscriptions (known as the Edfu Building Texts) describe a 'sacred domain' in the Giza region that was destroyed by an 'enemy serpent' plunging the world into darkness and submerging the land under a great flood.
Collins believes the enemy serpent could be a metaphor for a comet due to ancient cultures using the creature to symbolize celestial events.
The serpent in the Edfu Texts is described as a destructive force disrupting the primeval island, sometimes linked to a 'Great Leap' or a sudden, chaotic event like.
'[The text describes] them storing sacred objects in an underground structure called the Underworld of the Soul,' Collins told the Daily Mail.
'This I am sure relates to Giza's cave system and any structures it may contain.'
Though Collins' interpretations are widely rejected by mainstream Egyptologists, he argues that the mythical 'Island of Creation' mentioned in the texts may symbolize a long-lost civilization at Giza, a sacred homeland destroyed in a cataclysm and later memorialized in myth.
However, mainstream scholars counter that the Edfu inscriptions are symbolic and that there's no direct reference to Giza itself.
Researchers believe there are other structures reaching more than 4,000 feet below the surface. The scans captured structures extend along the northern side with a tuning fork shape
They interpret the texts as mythological, with the surviving gods migrating to Egypt after the flood, not originating there.
Still, Collins insists that the sophistication of ancient cultures like the Gravettian peoples of Russia, who built rectilinear dwellings, wore tailored clothing, and possibly tracked lunar movements as early as 30,000 years ago, suggests that the official timeline of human history may be missing some vital chapters.
'Just look at the immense sophistication of the Gravettian peoples of Sungir and Kostenki in Russia,' he said.
'As much as 30,000 years ago, they were building rectilinear structures that might well have been aligned to the moon, experimenting with agriculture and wearing tailored clothing. They looked and acted like people living in medieval times.'
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A Florida retailer andpodcaster has unveiled a private collection of ancient Egyptian vases he believes could rewrite history.
Matt Beall, CEO of the retail giant Bealls Stores, has spent the last three years acquiring 85 hard-stone vessels carved from a range of stones, including granite, limestone and quartz.
The vases, carved from single blocks of hard stones, feature intricately shaped handles, finely hollowed interiors and bases accurate to thousandths of an inch.
'The explanation is that stone and copper chisels were used, that's absolutely ridiculous,' Beall said at the Cosmic Summit, a conference on alternative history held in North Carolina.
'There was certainly a lathe involved. But the tools needed to make these things aren't in the archaeological record.'
Beall, who also hosts the Matt Beall Limitless podcast, has spent countless hours scouring auction sites and antiquities dealers, acquiring pieces he believes hold the key to a lost technology. He has also teamed up with engineers and researchers to probe the mystery behind the vases' construction.
However, Beall's claims challenge traditional views of Egyptian craftsmanship and have sparked debate among scholars. While experts admire the ancient stonework, they say there’s no proof of lathes or advanced lost tools.
Matt Beall, CEO of Bealls Stores, has spent the last three years acquiring 85 hard-stone vessels carved from granite, limestone and quartz. He showcased his collection at the Cosmic Summit, a conference on alternative history held in North Carolina
The vases, carved from single blocks of hard stones like granite, limestone and quartz crystal, feature intricately shaped handles, finely hollowed interiors and bases accurate to thousandths of an inch
Over 40,000 similar vases have been recovered from sites like the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and many are dated to before 2800 BC. Despite their age, many exhibit surprising symmetry and fine detailing.
They are among the oldest artifacts of ancient Egypt, with some dating back over 6,000 years to the Predynastic period, which spanned from 4000 to 3000BC.
The earliest examples were found in graves, where they were likely used in religious or funerary rituals.
By the time of Egypt’s First Dynasty, around 3100BC, stone vases had become widespread and increasingly sophisticated, used to hold oils, perfumes or offerings, and were often buried with the dead.
Beall's controversial theory builds on observations made as far back as 1883, when famed British archaeologist Flinders Petrie discovered a trove of goods, noting signs that some vases may have been turned on lathes.
'The curves of vases are so regular, and the polish so fine, that it seems as if some mechanical means, such as a rotating appliance, must have been employed,' Petrie wrote in his studies.
While some archaeologists argue that such precision can be explained by highly skilled manual craftsmanship, refined over generations, Beall has put his money and time on Petrie's side.
Stone vases are among the oldest artifacts of ancient Egypt, with some dating back over 6,000 years to the Predynastic period from 4000 to 3000BC
'Interior tool marks are present on most, if not all, of these artifacts, which is pretty fascinating,' Beall said
'We know they were made before the third dynasty, so they could go way back to before the Younger Dryas,' said Beall.
The Younger Dryas is a controversial period proposed to have ended around 11,600 BC.
While not widely accepted by mainstream scholars, some fringe researchers have linked it to a cataclysmic event that may have wiped out a forgotten advanced civilization, possibly the makers of these vases.
Beall has been working with the Artifact Research Foundation, a team of metrologists and engineers who specialize in ancient technologies.
Together, they have used structured-light scanning, a method that projects light patterns to create highly accurate 3D models, on around 30 of the vases.
CT scans have been performed on 35, offering a deeper look at their internal structure and uniformity.
Beall has spent countless hours scouring auction sites and antiquities dealers online, acquiring pieces he believes hold the key to a lost technology
Beall pointed to CT scans of a thin granite vase, which revealed that both the top and sides are nearly perfectly round, with variations of less than one-thousandth of an inch, a level of accuracy rarely seen in ancient artifacts.
A separate study of 22 vases by Dr Max Fomitchev-Zamilov, a computer scientist from the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology, uncovered shape errors as small as 15 microns, making them up to 10 times more precise than vases carved using modern machinery.
Dr Fomitchev-Zamilov also noted that many of the vases appeared to be perfectly centered, suggesting a highly controlled method for aligning and rotating the stone during carving, which is typically associated with machine tools like lathes.
However, the findings have not yet been peer-reviewed, and the researchers acknowledge the need for independent academic verification.
Some of the vases have openings that are smaller than a human finger, baffling experts on how ancient people made a small, precise hole and then removed all the material inside thousands of years ago.
A separate study of 22 vases by Dr Max Fomitchev-Zamilov, a computer scientist from the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology, uncovered shape errors as small as 15 microns, making them up to 10 times more precise than vases carved using modern machinery
Some of the vases have openings that are smaller than a human finger, baffling experts on how ancient people made a small, precise hole and then removed all the material inside thousands of years ago
'Interior tool marks are present on most, if not all, of these artifacts, which is pretty fascinating,' Beall said.
'It's strong evidence of lathe use. You just don't get those fine, precise lines inside these objects unless they're being cut with a very sharp tool.
'Now, whether that tool was diamond-tipped or something else, we don't know. But these are some of the hardest stones on Earth.
'And to think those lines, these aren't spiral grooves, by the way, they're horizontal lines, cleanly cutting across the stone. So yes, we do see tool marks inside the material, but so far, no physical tool remnants have been found within the cuts.
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NASA's Curiosity rover has snapped its first images of web-like "boxwork" features on the surface of Mars. The zig-zagging rocks could provide clues about the Red Planet's watery past and whether it once harbored extraterrestrial life.
New images from NASA's Curiosity rover show a series of "boxwork" ridges, which looks like large spiderwebs when viewed from above.
(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has taken the first ever close-up images of gigantic Martian "spiderwebs" on the Red Planet. The zig-zagging ridges, which were left behind by ancient groundwater, could reveal more about Mars' watery past and provide clues about whether the planet once harboredextraterrestrial life, researchers say.
The web-like features, known as "boxwork," are made up of criss-crossing ridges of mineral-rich rocks that infrequently litter the surface of Mars. The patterns can span up to 12 miles (20 kilometers) across and look as if they have been spun by giant arachnids when viewed from space. Yet, until now, these structures have never been studied up close.
Smaller boxwork formations are found on the walls of caves on Earth and form via a similar mechanism to stalagmites and stalactites. Scientists have suggested the same mechanism created these structures on Mars, only on a much larger scale.
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"The bedrock below these ridges likely formed when groundwater trickling through the rock left behind minerals that accumulated in those cracks and fissures, hardening and becoming cementlike," NASA representatives wrote in a statement. "Eons of sandblasting by Martian wind wore away the rock but not the minerals, revealing networks of resistant ridges within."
New images from NASA's Curiosity rover show a series of "boxwork" ridges, which looks like large spiderwebs when viewed from above.
Martian boxwork features look like rocky spiderwebs when viewed from space. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona)
Curiosity is currently exploring a patch of boxwork on the slopes of the 3.4-mile-tall (5.5 kilometers) Mount Sharp at the heart of Gale Crater, where the wandering robot touched down in 2012. The rover set out for the area in November 2024 and arrived earlier this month. The features are a priority target for mission scientists because the ridges do not appear anywhere else on the mountain — and experts have no idea why.
On June 23, NASA released the first close-up images of the faux spiderwebs, along with an interactive video on their YouTube channel (see below), which enables you to explore the site in 3D.
NASA’s Curiosity Rover Explores “Spiderwebs” on Mars (360)
The rover also drilled and analyzed some samples of rocks surrounding the web-like ridges and found that they contained veins of calcium sulfate, a salty mineral that is also left behind by groundwater. This particular mineral hasn't been seen so far up Mount Sharp before, so its discovery here is "really surprising," Abigail Fraeman, Curiosity’s deputy project scientist based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in the statement.
"These ridges will include minerals that crystallized underground, where it would have been warmer, with salty liquid water flowing through," Kirsten Siebach, a Curiosity mission scientist at Rice University in Houston who has been studying the area, previously said. "Early Earth microbes could have survived in a similar environment. That makes this an exciting place to explore."
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10 Interesting Facts About The Only Animals, The Tardigrades, That Can Survive In Outer Space
10 Interesting Facts About The Only Animals, The Tardigrades, That Can Survive In Outer Space
Tardigrades are specialists in survival, they can even withstand the conditions in space.
Credit: Shutterstock
Introduction
Tardigrades, commonly known as water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic, eight-legged animals renowned for their extraordinary resilience. These tiny creatures, measuring less than a millimeter in length, inhabit diverse environments worldwide—from moss and lichen to freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Their resilience has captivated scientists for decades, especially their ability to survive extreme conditions that would be lethal to most life forms. Notably, tardigrades are the only animals known to endure the vacuum of outer space and high levels of radiation. This essay explores ten fascinating facts about tardigrades, emphasizing their unique adaptations that enable them to survive in the harsh environment of space.
10 Interesting Facts about Tardigrades | Waterbears | Nature's Survivors That Defy the Impossible!
Fact 1: Tardigrades Can Survive the Vacuum of Outer Space
Tardigrades, often called water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic creatures renowned for their incredible resilience. One of their most astonishing abilities is surviving the vacuum of outer space. In 2007, the European Space Agency conducted a groundbreaking experiment using its FOTON-M3 mission. During this mission, tardigrades were exposed to the harsh conditions of space, including the vacuum, intense solar radiation, and extreme temperatures, for more than a week. The results were remarkable: about 68% of the tardigrades survived the exposure. When brought back to Earth and rehydrated, many of these resilient creatures regained their mobility, showcasing their extraordinary ability to recover from such extreme conditions.
The secret behind their survival lies in their ability to enter a state called cryptobiosis. In this state, tardigrades suspend their metabolic processes, effectively shutting down all biological activity. This allows them to withstand environments that would normally be lethal, such as extreme cold, dehydration, and high radiation levels. Cryptobiosis acts as a protective mechanism, enabling tardigrades to endure conditions in space that are inhospitable to most other forms of life. Their resilience has fascinated scientists and expanded our understanding of life's potential to survive in extraterrestrial environments. Overall, tardigrades are a testament to the extraordinary adaptability of life and continue to be a subject of scientific research into resilience and survival in extreme environments.
Fact 2: Tardigrades Enter a State of Cryptobiosis to Survive Extreme Conditions
Tardigrades, often called water bears, are tiny, resilient creatures known for their extraordinary survival skills. One of their most remarkable abilities is entering a state called cryptobiosis, which allows them to survive extreme and unfavorable environmental conditions. Cryptobiosis is a reversible, ametabolic state, meaning the tardigrades' metabolic processes almost completely shut down, and they become virtually dormant. This process is triggered by stressful conditions such as dehydration, intense heat or cold, high levels of radiation, or the vacuum of space.
In order to survive these harsh environments, tardigrades undergo specific physiological changes. They lose almost all of their water content, shrinking into a dehydrated, desiccated form. Simultaneously, they produce special protective molecules, including trehalose sugar and vitrification proteins. Trehalose acts as a stabilizer, replacing water in cells and preventing damage to cell membranes and proteins. Vitrification proteins facilitate the formation of a glass-like state inside their bodies, effectively immobilizing cellular components and preventing structural damage during dehydration and extreme conditions.
While in cryptobiosis, tardigrades' cellular activities are halted, essentially freezing their biological clock. This state can last for decades, enabling them to withstand environments that would typically be lethal. When conditions become favorable again—such as through rehydration—they rehydrate and reanimate, resuming normal biological functions. Their ability to survive space vacuum, intense radiation, and other environmental extremes has fascinated scientists, highlighting their potential for understanding biological resilience and inspiring advances in medicine, biotechnology, and space exploration.
Fact 3: Tardigrades Can Survive Temperatures Close to Absolute Zero and Above Boiling Point
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are among the most resilient creatures on Earth, capable of surviving extreme temperature conditions that would be lethal to most other forms of life. They can endure temperatures as low as -458°F (-272°C), which is just above absolute zero—the theoretical limit where all molecular motion ceases. Conversely, they can survive temperatures as high as 300°F (149°C), significantly above the boiling point of water. This extraordinary temperature tolerance is made possible by their unique survival strategies. When exposed to cold, tardigrades enter a state called cryptobiosis, during which their cellular components become stabilized, and ice crystal formation is prevented, thus avoiding cell damage.
At high temperatures, protective proteins and antioxidants are produced to shield their cells from heat-induced harm. These adaptations allow tardigrades to endure environments like the icy depths of glaciers, where temperatures plummet to near absolute zero, and the scorching surfaces of hot springs or deserts, where extreme heat prevails. Their ability to survive such temperature extremes highlights their incredible level of adaptability, making them one of the most resilient animals on Earth.
This resilience not only fascinates scientists but also provides insights into biological survival mechanisms, potentially informing future research in cryopreservation and space exploration. Tardigrades’ survival in such harsh conditions exemplifies nature’s astonishing ability to adapt and thrive in environments that are inhospitable to most other life forms.
Fact 4:Tardigrades Can Survive High Levels of Radiation
Radiation is generally deadly to living organisms because it causes severe damage to DNA and other vital cellular components. Yet, tardigrades, often called water bears, exhibit an extraordinary ability to withstand ionizing radiation, including gamma rays and X-rays. Scientific studies have demonstrated that tardigrades can survive radiation doses up to 1,000 times higher than the lethal amount for humans. This remarkable resilience is due to several specialized adaptations.
Firstly, tardigrades possess highly efficient DNA repair mechanisms. When their DNA is damaged by radiation, they can quickly and accurately repair the breaks and mutations, preventing cell death. Additionally, they produce protective molecules such as trehalose, a sugar that stabilizes cellular structures and prevents damage caused by radiation-induced oxidative stress. Another crucial adaptation is their ability to enter cryptobiosis, a state of suspended animation where metabolic processes nearly come to a halt. During cryptobiosis, cellular components are shielded from environmental stressors, including radiation, allowing tardigrades to survive extreme conditions that would be lethal to most other life forms.
This extraordinary radiation resistance has significant scientific implications. Researchers are interested in understanding how tardigrades achieve such resilience, as it could inform the development of new radioprotective agents or strategies for humans exposed to radiation, such as astronauts or cancer patients. Their ability to survive space exposure has already been demonstrated in experiments where tardigrades endured the vacuum and radiation of outer space. This resilience makes tardigrades valuable models in astrobiology, the study of life's potential to survive in extraterrestrial environments, and radiobiology, the study of radiation effects on living organisms. Ultimately, studying tardigrades may contribute to advancements in human space travel, radiation shielding, and understanding life's limits under extreme conditions.
3D image of a Tardigrade taken during a microscope scan.
Credit: NPS/Diane Nelson
Fact 5: Tardigrades Are Capable of Surviving in Extreme Salinity.
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are microscopic creatures renowned for their extraordinary resilience in a variety of extreme environments. One remarkable aspect of their adaptability is their ability to survive in conditions of extreme salinity. These tiny animals can thrive in habitats ranging from freshwater lakes to hypersaline bodies of water, which contain salt concentrations that would be lethal to most other forms of life.
Their capability to tolerate such high salinity levels is primarily due to specialized osmotic regulation mechanisms. Osmotic regulation is the process by which organisms control the movement of water and solutes across their cell membranes to maintain cellular integrity. Tardigrades produce compatible solutes, such as trehalose and glycerol, which help balance osmotic pressure between their internal environment and their surroundings. These solutes act as cellular protectants, preventing dehydration caused by high salt concentrations and stabilizing vital cellular components like membranes and proteins.
In environments with fluctuating or extremely high salt levels, tardigrades can adjust their internal osmotic balance by regulating the production and retention of these solutes. This adaptation prevents cellular swelling or shrinking, which could otherwise damage their cells. Consequently, tardigrades can survive in hypersaline lakes and other saline habitats where few other animals can endure.
This remarkable salinity tolerance not only enables tardigrades to occupy diverse ecological niches but also contributes to their widespread distribution across the planet. Their ability to withstand such harsh conditions allows them to survive in some of Earth's most extreme terrestrial environments, including salt flats and saline deserts. Their resilience to salinity variations exemplifies their overall adaptability and underscores their status as one of the most hardy and versatile creatures on Earth.
Fact 6:Tardigrades Have a Unique Protein That Protects Their Cells from Damage
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are microscopic creatures renowned for their extraordinary survival skills. One of their most fascinating biological features is a unique protein called Dsup, short for “damage suppressor.” This protein plays a crucial role in protecting tardigrades’ cells from damage caused by radiation and oxidative stress, making them some of the most resilient organisms on Earth.
Dsup functions by binding directly to the DNA within the tardigrades’ cells. This binding creates a protective shield around the genetic material, preventing damage from harmful radiation. When exposed to radiation or oxidative stress, free radicals—unstable molecules that can cause strand breaks in DNA—are generated. Dsup acts as a safeguard against these free radicals, effectively absorbing or deflecting their harmful effects. As a result, the DNA remains intact, ensuring the survival of the organism even under extreme conditions.
Scientists have conducted experiments where they introduced the Dsup protein into human cells. The results were promising: the modified human cells exhibited increased resistance to radiation exposure. This discovery suggests that Dsup could have significant applications in medicine and biotechnology, especially in fields where radiation exposure is a concern, such as cancer radiotherapy or space travel. For astronauts venturing into deep space, where radiation levels are much higher than on Earth, Dsup could potentially offer protective benefits.
The protein’s unique ability to shield cells from radiation damage is a key factor behind tardigrades’ resilience in extreme environments, including the vacuum of space and high-radiation settings. Ongoing research aims to better understand Dsup’s properties and explore ways to harness its protective effects for human health and technological advancements. Ultimately, this tiny protein holds great promise for improving our ability to protect living organisms from radiation-induced damage, opening new doors in medicine and space exploration.
The Only Animal That Can Survive in Space! 🐻🌌
Fact 7: Tardigrades Can Survive Dehydration for Decades
Tardigrades are tiny, resilient creatures renowned for their extraordinary survival skills. One of their most remarkable abilities is to withstand complete dehydration for extremely long periods, sometimes spanning decades. This feat is achieved through a process called cryptobiosis, where tardigrades enter a state of suspended animation to survive harsh environmental conditions.
During dehydration, tardigrades produce special molecules such as trehalose and vitrification proteins. Trehalose is a sugar that replaces water in cells, helping to stabilize cellular structures and prevent damage caused by ice crystal formation during freezing. Vitrification proteins, on the other hand, help form a glass-like state within cells, further protecting the organism’s internal components. These adaptations prevent oxidative stress and physical damage, allowing tardigrades to remain in a dormant state without harm.
When environmental conditions improve, tardigrades can rehydrate rapidly by absorbing water, which triggers the resumption of their metabolic functions. They then return to active life, capable of reproduction and normal activity. This ability to endure prolonged periods of dryness and extreme environmental stresses allows tardigrades to survive droughts, cold seasons, and other challenging conditions that would be lethal to most other organisms.
Scientists are deeply interested in the resilience of tardigrades because their mechanisms for surviving desiccation could inform new preservation techniques for biological materials. For example, understanding how they protect their cells could lead to advances in the storage of vaccines, tissues, and other delicate biological samples, reducing reliance on cold storage and refrigeration. Overall, tardigrades exemplify nature’s ingenuity in adaptation and resilience, inspiring innovations in biotechnology and cryopreservation.
Fact 8: Tardigrades Can Reproduce After Surviving Space Conditions
Tardigrades are microscopic creatures renowned for their extraordinary resilience. Not only can they survive extreme conditions on Earth, but recent experiments have demonstrated that they can also endure the harsh environment of outer space. When exposed to the vacuum of space, intense radiation, and temperature fluctuations, many tardigrades did not perish. Instead, they survived these extreme conditions and, crucially, were able to reproduce once back on Earth. This remarkable ability underscores the resilience of their cellular and reproductive systems, which can withstand and recover from environments that are lethal to most forms of life.
The survival and reproductive success of tardigrades in space have profound implications for our understanding of life's endurance beyond Earth. Their resilience suggests that life might be capable of existing and spreading in extraterrestrial environments, supporting the hypothesis of panspermia—the idea that life can be transferred between planets via space debris or meteorites. If simple organisms like tardigrades can survive the vacuum and radiation of space and still reproduce, it raises the possibility that microbial life could potentially travel between planets, establishing new ecosystems elsewhere in the universe.
This discovery fuels ongoing scientific discussions about the potential for life beyond our planet and the robustness of Earth's earliest life forms. It also highlights the importance of studying extremophiles like tardigrades to better understand the limits of life and the possibilities for extraterrestrial habitability. As research continues, tardigrades serve as a compelling example of life's tenacity and the potential for life to endure and propagate in environments previously thought inhospitable.
Fact 9: Tardigrades Have a Simple but Effective Nervous System
Tardigrades are microscopic creatures renowned for their remarkable resilience. Despite their tiny size, they possess a surprisingly simple but highly effective nervous system. This system consists of a dorsal brain, located at the top of their body, and paired ventral nerve cords running along their underside. These neural structures work together to process environmental information and coordinate responses, allowing tardigrades to survive in extreme conditions.
Their nervous system enables them to detect various environmental stimuli, such as light, temperature fluctuations, and humidity levels. For example, when conditions become unfavorable, tardigrades can enter a state of suspended animation called cryptobiosis, during which their neural activity diminishes significantly but remains capable of reactivation. Studies have demonstrated that even after exposure to extreme environments—such as high radiation, vacuum, or intense heat—their nervous system remains largely intact. This neural resilience is crucial for their ability to reanimate and behave normally once conditions improve.
This robustness of their nervous system has fascinated scientists, as it offers insights into how neural tissues can withstand and recover from extreme stress. Understanding the mechanisms behind tardigrade neural resilience could inform the development of protective strategies for human neural tissues and inspire innovations in neurobiology. Furthermore, their ability to survive in space and other hostile environments underscores the potential for studying their nervous system to unlock new knowledge about neural durability and adaptation. Overall, tardigrades exemplify how a simple neural architecture can be highly effective in ensuring survival under the harshest conditions on Earth and beyond.
Fact 10: Tardigrades Are Ecosystem Engineers and Bioindicators
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are tiny, resilient creatures that play an essential role in their ecosystems as both decomposers and bioindicators. As decomposers, they help break down organic material, contributing to nutrient cycling in moss, lichen, and soil habitats. Their presence often signals a healthy environment because they are sensitive to environmental changes. Scientists frequently study tardigrades to assess ecosystem health and environmental stressors such as pollution, radiation, and climate change. Their remarkable resilience makes them ideal bioindicators, providing early warnings about ecosystem degradation or contamination.
In addition to their ecological significance, tardigrades are important in scientific research due to their ability to survive extreme conditions. They can withstand high levels of radiation, desiccation, freezing, and even the vacuum of space. This extraordinary resilience has made them valuable models in astrobiology, where researchers explore the possibilities of life beyond Earth. Studying tardigrades helps scientists understand how life might endure harsh extraterrestrial environments, informing planetary protection protocols and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Furthermore, their survival capabilities suggest that tardigrades could potentially survive future colonization efforts beyond our planet. Their ability to endure extreme environments grants insights into the possibilities of life surviving on other planets or moons. Overall, tardigrades serve as vital indicators of environmental health and as models for understanding life's resilience under extreme conditions, providing valuable knowledge for ecology, astrobiology, and planetary science.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, tardigrades are remarkable creatures whose extraordinary resilience sets them apart from most other forms of life. Their ability to withstand the vacuum of space, extreme temperatures, high radiation levels, dehydration, and salinity demonstrates their incredible adaptations for survival in the harshest environments.
The discovery of protective proteins such as Dsup highlights the biological mechanisms that enable them to endure such extreme conditions. Furthermore, their capacity to recover and reproduce after space exposure provides valuable insights into biological resilience and resilience mechanisms. These findings have significant implications for various scientific fields, including biotechnology, medicine, and astrobiology.
Tardigrades may inspire innovative solutions for radiation protection, preservation techniques, and understanding life's limits on Earth and beyond. Their resilience not only broadens our understanding of the boundaries of life but also fuels the hope of discovering extraterrestrial life. As tiny water bears, they exemplify nature’s incredible capacity for adaptation and survival in the most inhospitable environments. Overall, tardigrades serve as a powerful reminder of nature’s ingenuity and the potential for discovery that still lies ahead in understanding life's resilience and possibilities in the universe.
Illustration of the interior of Saturn's moon Enceladus showing a global liquid water ocean between its rocky core and icy crust. Image Credit: JPL
What can the pH level of the subsurface ocean on Enceladus tell us about finding life there? This is what a recent study accepted to Icarus hopes to address as a team of researchers investigated the potential pH level of Enceladus’ subsurface ocean based on current estimates. This study has the potential to help scientists better understand the composition of Enceladus’ subsurface ocean and what this can mean for finding life as we know it.
For the study, the researchers used computer models to estimate the pH levels of the subsurface liquid water ocean based on data regarding phosphate levels in ice grains that were discharged from Enceladus’ plumes at the moon’s south polar region. This data was obtained when NASA’s Cassini spacecraft flew through the plumes during its historic mission after it discovered the plumes existed.
In the end, the researchers’ models estimate that Enceladus’ ocean has pH between 10.1-11.6, which they note is higher than longstanding estimates between approximately pH 8-9. The researchers then postulated if the estimated pH in the plumes was the same as the pH within the ocean and the processes responsible for changing it. Based on Earth processes, the researchers postulated that carbon dioxide degassing within Enceladus’ ocean could increase the pH when it’s discharged via the plumes.
The researchers concluded that the carbon dioxide degassing is too small to cause large increases in pH, ultimately estimating the ocean’s pH is approximately 10.6. For context, a pH of 7 is considered neutral with fully acidic being 0 and fully alkaline being 14. The average pH of Earth’s water ranges between 6-8.5, freshwater ranging between 6.5-8, rainwater is approximately 5.6, and seawater is approximately 8.2.
The study notes, “Our new understanding of the pH of Enceladus’s ocean and how volatile signatures are transferred between the ocean and plume have important implications. High pH ocean water is evidence of a strong degree of interaction between chemically basic rocks and the ocean of Enceladus.”
Discovered in 1789 by William Herschel, Enceladus is the sixth-largest moon of Saturn and the 18th largest moon in the solar system. For context, the Earth’s Moon is approximately one-quarter the diameter of Earth and Enceladus is approximately one-seventh the diameter of the Earth’s Moon. While Enceladus was briefly explored during the flybys of NASA’s Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in 1980 and 1981, respectively, it wasn’t until NASA’s Cassini spacecraft arrived in the Saturn system and began conducting several flybys of Enceladus in 2005.
During these flybys, Cassini discovered the plumes that emanated from Enceladus’ south pole regions called “tiger stripes”, which were named due to the large scar-like cracks where the plumes were discharged, ultimately discovering more than 100 geysers. Cassini even flew through the plumes to ascertain their composition, discovering water vapor, molecular hydrogen, organic hydrocarbons and molecules like methane, ethane, oxygen, and nitrogen. The phosphates that were examined for this study were first discussed in a 2023 study published in Nature based on data collected by Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer instrument.
Cassini officially “retired” in 2017 when it was intentionally burned up in Saturn atmosphere to avoid contaminating moons like Enceladus with Earth-based microbes. However, scientists continue to pour over large amounts of data the pioneering spacecraft obtained about Enceladus while gaining greater insight into this intriguing ocean world. While future missions to Enceladus have not been accepted, the Enceladus Orbilander is a current mission concept that is gaining steam in the scientific community for its promise to teach us more about Enceladus in greater detail than Cassini was capable of doing. This will include conducing in-depth analyses of Enceladus’ plumes and land a probe on Enceladus’ surface with the goal of ascertaining the habitability of this small moon and whether there’s life as we know it.
What new discoveries about the pH level, and other aspects, of Enceladus’ subsurface ocean will researchers make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
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Secret Missions and Lost Civilizations: The Many Mysteries and Conspiracies of the Icy, Enigmatic World of Antarctica!
There is little doubt that one of the most mysterious and intriguing locations on the planet is the seventh continent of the world, Antarctica, an icy land that almost certainly holds secrets that are simply awaiting discovery. It is also a location that is highly protected, and as such, has a number of conspiracies that have persisted through time.
Mysteries of Antarctica That Can't Be Explained!
Antarctica is under the control of the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, which is overseen by multiple countries, and anyone who wishes to go to the icy continent, whether they are individuals or an organization, needs to get permission from this group. The area has been put off-limits for scientific preservation and investigation. Given that this location is the last place on Earth that is largely untouched by human activity, it is perhaps easy to understand why these protections have been put in place. However, as we might imagine, some people have questions about the rigid control such a small group has over an entire continent. Indeed, when we explore some of these conspiracies, we can see why, along with the secrecy that surrounds Antarctica, they have endured for such a long time and are likely to continue.
The mysteries of Antarctica stretch back centuries, arguably with the discovery of the Piri Reis Map, which was made in 1513, and appeared to have Antarctica accurately placed, even though it wasn’t officially discovered until 1820. Moreover, as pointed out by the late Jim Marrs in his book Our Occulted History: Do The Global Elite Conceal Ancient Aliens?, this was “especially puzzling because (Antarctica) has been under an ice cap for at least four thousand years!” Where, then, did the information come from that had this ice-covered world not only accurately placed but depicted (presumably equally accurately) without ice?
Most research suggests that the map was created by a Turkish admiral, Piri Reis, who had used other, much older, perhaps even ancient maps to create the map that would be named after him. He also claimed to have “made use of charts and maps dating back to ancient Greece!” Making the creation of the map even more mysterious, these maps and charts from ancient Greece, according to Reis, were themselves based on documents from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, meaning he was working with information that could have been, even during his time, 4000 years old, perhaps even older. What makes these alleged ancient Egyptian documents even more intriguing is the potential that this information could itself have come from much further back than even the time of the ancient Egyptian civilization. In his book Temple of the Stars, author Brinsley le Poer Trench offered that “tradition tells us that ancient Egypt was a colony of Atlantis!” If there was any truth to this, could the information the Piri Reis Map was based on stretch back to Atlantis which would, in turn, offer proof that tales of Atlantis are much more than pure legend and myth, and that survivors of the legendary land somehow made their way to Egypt, perhaps even kick-starting the ancient civilization there.
A fragment of the Piri Reis Map (public domain)
What is even more interesting and thought-provoking is that recent satellite images taken over the icy continent appear to match the basic outline on the Piri Reis Map that most people assume to be Antarctica. If the outline is proven accurate, then other information detailing extensive forests, mountains, and other terrains would also likely be accurate, and would perhaps offer further speculative proof that Antarctica, many thousands of years ago, was once an inhabitable and inhabited land. In fact, when we consider such claims of the planet undergoing a pole shift that plunged Antarctica into the icy conditions it endures today in a matter of hours, we might also find further connections between the legends of Atlantis, as well as what was responsible for its sudden destruction. Indeed, we might contemplate that if Antarctica was once much further north than it currently is, if there had been any kind of advanced warnings, that a small group of survivors could have reached Africa and, eventually, what was the land of ancient Egypt.
One of the first people to suggest such a possibility was researcher Charles Hapgood, who, among other things, suggested that Antarctica could have been free of ice and inhabited as recently as 4000 BC. While this speculative end to Antarctica and its presumed advanced civilization would still put it 1000 years away from the accepted start of the great civilizations in Egypt and Sumer, we should also note that these dates are often the result of guesswork and might not be entirely accurate. Moreover, we might also consider that a small group of survivors, even a group that numbered several hundred, might have taken a considerable amount of time to rebuild themselves anywhere close to where the legends tell us such lands of Atlantis once were, perhaps even several hundred years.
While these suggestions might sound preposterous to some, we should consider that the Piri Reis Map also includes other accurate information before it was, once more, according to mainstream history, known to the people of Europe. It shows, for example, what appears to be the Falkland Islands just short of a century before they were discovered. Moreover, and even more impressive, the map also showed an accurate coastal outline of what is modern-day South America, including several of the major rivers, rivers, incidentally, that would not be fully mapped out until the twentieth century.
The Piri Reis Map Mystery: Ancient Alien Tech or Lost Civilization?
We know that the Piri Reis Map is not a silly hoax and that the map is genuine. Just how those whose work Reis used to so accurately depict such coastal outlines, including, remember, Antarctica, and how it might look without the covering of ice, remains a complete mystery. Had an ancient civilization, one that was at its peak before the time of the ancient Egyptians, somehow managed to map out most of the land masses of the planet? And if so, just how had they done this? Were they masters of the waves and had mapped out the land masses of the world that way? Or might they have even had access to aerial vehicles, machines, and devices, in much the same way as we do today, and is this how they so accurately recreated such coastal outlines?
Even considering these possibilities forces us to look deeper into the mystery, which, in turn, brings up further questions. For example, according to mainstream science and history, Antarctica has been under a huge sheet of ice for approximately the last 15 million years (just think about that number for a moment!). So, does that mean that the coastal outline of Antarctica was mapped out by an advanced civilization over 15 million years ago, obviously much earlier than mainstream history says advanced humans existed, or does that mean that Antarctica was, as Hapgood suggested, not covered by ice as recently as several thousand years ago? If either of those possibilities were true, it would be highly significant for our understanding of human history.
Of course, we should perhaps also consider, if mainstream history is correct and Antarctica has been under ice for around 15 million years, as well as being correct about advanced humans not existing so far back, then might whoever made the outlines of Antarctica before it was covered by ice not have been human at all but some other intelligent species that once existed on Earth and whose knowledge and wisdom was somehow preserved right up until the time of ancient Egypt, before the scribes and scholars of ancient Greece preserved it further, with it eventually falling into the hands of Piri Reis himself in the early sixteenth century. It is also interesting to note that Hapgood speculated that this information was likely passed down through the generations in an “underground stream” – essentially, through secret societies, whose presence in such matters only makes them more mysterious.
Before we move on, it is worth our time briefly examining another mysterious map that Charles Hapgood discovered hidden in the Congress archives in 1960. Known as the Terra Australis Map, it was drawn up in 1531 (less than 20 years after the Piri Reis Map, incidentally), and contains an area of land, named Terra Australis on the map, that appears remarkably similar to the ice mass of Antarctica. Moreover, there are even markings for mountains on this particular piece of land that also match those known to exist on Antarctica. Once more, considering that no type of known exploration of Antarctica had taken place in the early 1500s, then we have to assume that this map, or at least the information it was based on, was created thousands of years previously, quite possibly around the same time as the documents used to create the Piri Reis Map were created.
Without a doubt, some of the most enthralling and equally outrageous conspiracies concerning Antarctica have taken hold since the years following the Second World War, and it would be impossible to explore the mysteries of Antarctica during this time without turning our attention to Operation Highjump, which took place in late 1946 and early 1947. Whether the real reason for the expedition was for training exercises in “cold conditions” as well as to establish a multinational research base or not remains open to debate. There were, however, even then, rampant rumors of a Third Reich base in Antarctica, as well as even more bizarre rumors that the Third Reich had stumbled upon an entrance to the alleged Inner Earth and had established contact with an extraterrestrial race that had resided there for thousands of years. As bizarre as these suggestions might be, we might also consider that many Third Reich engineers and scientists had been transplanted to the United States as part of Operation Paperclip, and could very well have passed on such information to their new superiors.
With these last thoughts in mind it is also worth considering the contemplations of researcher and author Graeme Davis, who claimed in his book Nazi Moonbase that the Third Reich had managed to transfer the Haunebe Disc to this base in Antarctica, and high-ranking Third Reich member, Hans Kammler, had also traveled to the base to carry on working on the program with a view to “continuing the war!”
Whatever the truth, the multinational mission resulted in some of the strangest encounters ever documented, as well as some remarkable statements from one of the highest-ranking members of the mission, Admiral Richard Bryd. The fleet was approaching the Antarctic coast in December 1946. However, it was in February 1947 when Byrd took to the skies in order to observe the icy land that was Antarctica. He would, if we are to believe his reports and diary notes to be accurate, see a lot more than he bargained for.
He claimed that, as opposed to being continuous sheets of ice below, the terrain suddenly changed to vast fields of green vegetation. What’s more, he could see multiple animals that “shouldn’t have been there”, including some kind of “mammoth-like animal!” Even stranger, at one point when he looked down from his plane, he saw something that appeared “to be a city!” Then, as he ventured deeper and deeper over the land, a voice suddenly came over the radio. However, it wasn’t from his Operation Highjump crew, but instead had a “Nordic or Germanic accent!” This foreign voice welcomed Byrd to “our domain!”
It was around this time that he realized he had been flying into some kind of “opening” in the Earth, and only moments after this realization, some powerful force suddenly took control of his aircraft. Before he had time to contemplate what was happening, his plane was surrounded by several saucer-shaped vehicles – and each of these strange vehicles had what appeared to be a Third Reich swastika on their exteriors. Realizing he was in a helpless situation, Bryd remained as calm as he could as his plane was brought down calmly to the ground.
According to his flying notes, after his plane was brought down, several “tall men with blond hair” approached the aircraft, while “in the distance,” he could see “a shimmering city pulsating with rainbow hues of color!” He noted that he couldn’t see any signs that the men were carrying any weapons before ending his flight notes, stating he could “hear a voice ordering me by name to open the cargo door!” According to recollections he later revealed from memory, he did so and stepped out of the plane.
Upon scanning his surroundings, Byrd found himself standing inside a “mammoth cavern”. As he looked around further, he could see what appeared to be large stretches of vegetation, as well as what looked like lakes. Stranger still, Bryd claimed he could sense or feel the presence of some kind of sun. The next thing he realized, he, along with one of his wingmen, was led towards a large building. As they walked, Byrd could see that many of the buildings of this inner city were “made of a crystal material!” Once inside the building, the two men were led inside a room where they were each given a “warm beverage which tasted like nothing I have ever savored before!” They were left alone for several minutes before two of the tall, blond men returned, requesting that Byrd join them, which he duly did.
According to what Byrd later stated, he was taken to meet representatives of a civilization that resided inside the Inner Earth, and that they had allowed him entry to their subterranean domain because he was “of noble character and (was) well known on the ‘Surface World’”. Further, according to Byrd’s recollections, this civilization had taken a great interest in the human race following the dropping of the atomic bombs over Nagasaki and Hiroshima, not least because of the potential danger the use of such weapons had to their own civilization. Moreover, at least according to claims Byrd made during a press conference interview with a Chilean newspaper shortly after his encounter, he was told by these representatives of this inner race that “in the case of a new war, the continental United States would be attacked by flying objects which could fly from pole to pole at incredible speeds!” Although it wasn’t perhaps picked up on that much at the time, in the years and decades that have followed, it appears that Byrd was describing many of the disc-like objects that would be witnessed regularly following the wave of UFO sightings in the summer of 1947, just one of which, remember, was the infamous Roswell crash.
As we might imagine, there was and has been a mixed reaction to Byrd’s statements and claims. It is interesting to note, though, that Byrd was “hospitalized” only days after his famous press conference, the last such press conference he would ever give. He did, though, make further references to the incident, both in his reports and his writings. In one of his reports to his superiors, for example, he stated that he had been “ordered to remain silent regarding all that I have learned on behalf of humanity!” One of his final thoughts, committed to paper in December 1956, however, is particularly interesting. In this writing, he stated his desire that “this secret will not die with me!” It is, though, his last line of this particular piece of writing that his of most interest, when he states, “…for I have seen the land beyond the pole, that center of the great unknown!”
Operation Highjump: The Forgotten Battle For Antarctica
Byrd, incidentally, passed away suddenly in 1957 from an “underlying heart ailment!” While you might make of that what you will, it is also interesting to note the sudden death of Byrd’s son, who had accompanied his father on Operation Highjump, whose dead body was discovered in suspicious circumstances in an abandoned warehouse in New York.
Several years before Operation Highjump, in the immediate months following the end of the war in Europe, according to a series of articles by James Roberts in Nexus Magazine between late 2005 and early 2006, a discreet British military unit was dispatched to Antarctica on a highly secretive mission. James claimed his source was a (then) serving British soldier, whose unit was “resting in a cave in the former Yugoslavia” following the end of the fighting in Europe. His unit was expecting to be dispatched to Japan, where the conflict was still raging, but they instead were sent to Palestine to help ease rising tensions in the country. Then, out of the blue in October 1945, he received orders to immediately report to his commanding officer, where he was informed he had been selected for an ultra-secret mission – a mission so secret that “none of his senior officers knew why!”
He found himself on his way to Gibraltar, where he would be sent to the Falkland Islands. Once there, he found himself among other soldiers from various units across “other elite British forces”, all specifically selected for this top-secret mission. Moreover, during the flight to the Falklands Islands, all of the unit was told they were under strict orders to speak to nobody outside of the unit about their mission. Once on the Falkland Islands, the unit was met by a British Officer who would be leading the mission, as well as a member of the Norwegian Resistance, who, they were told, would train them in “winter warfare and survival!”
For the next month, the unit underwent intense training in cold-weather warfare, including exercises in the icy waters of the South Atlantic Ocean. Following this, the unit was finally briefed on the nature of their mission, a mission, incidentally, that there was “little chance” of all of them surviving. They were informed they were to be transported to the British base in Maudheim on Antarctica, where they would investigate “anomalous activity” in the Muhlig-Hoffmann Mountains, which was, they were told, part of “Britain’s secret war!”
The unit was then briefed on the British military’s secret operations and activity on Antarctica. According to the briefing, the British military had begun establishing bases on Antarctica following the Third Reich's establishment of a presence there in the late 1930s. Moreover, Maudheim, where they would be based, was less than 200 miles from this main Third Reich base. Then, the briefing turned even stranger.
The unit was briefed on “extensive German activity” in the water of the South Atlantic Ocean, specifically off the coast of Antarctica, activity which appeared to increase at the same time as several German U-boats went “missing” after the war. According to their briefing, following the fall of Berlin and the end of the war in Europe, British forces had captured leading Third Reich members, Rudolph Hess, Heinrich Himmler, and Hitler’s named successor, Karl Donitz, which gave them the chance to question the men extensively, away from the Americans and the Soviets. This meant they managed to extract information that remained with the British only, allowing them to act independently of the Allied powers. This intelligence suggested that the Third Reich had not only managed to establish one base on Antarctica, but several, and what’s more, not only were these bases used to house high-ranking Third Reich members, but the results of ominous and bizarre experiments.
The briefing continued that several months earlier, a first unit had been sent to the region to investigate. This unit, which consisted of a mixture of soldiers, scientists, and engineers, had discovered an “ancient tunnel” that they, ultimately, investigated. The mission, though, seemingly took a tragic turn. Only two members of the unit returned from wherever the tunnel system had led. However, as the intense winter had now set in, the pair were stranded in their location for several months. They managed to remain in radio contact with the main base for some time, but their communications became increasingly bizarre and absurd. They began reporting, for example, of surviving Third Reich members who had control of strange creatures referred to as “Polar Men!” Then, in late July 1945, the main base received a final message from the pair. This communication ended with a panicked voice stating that, “The Polar Men have found us!”
At this point, the newly assembled unit received the directives of their mission. They were to head to Maudheim and then locate the ancient tunnel network that the first unit had investigated. They were then to venture inside and report back on what they found. Moreover, they were to investigate the claims of the surviving Third Reich members, as well as the mysterious and ominous-sounding Polar Men. Ultimately, if they were to find such a base or survivors, they were under orders to completely destroy it.
According to Roberts’ source, the unit then bombarded their superiors with a flurry of questions – questions which he stated, to their credit, their superiors were “honest and direct” in answering. The unit asked, for example, why Britain had decided to undertake such a mission alone, to which they were told that the British government did not wish the United States or the Soviet Union to gain access to any further Third Reich technologies, or scientists or engineers in the interests of keeping the balance of power on the international stage.
Not long after this brutal briefing, the unit was taken to their drop-off point approximately 20 miles from Maudheim Base, where they “parachuted into the icy wilderness” below. Once on the icy terrain, they discovered snow tractors awaiting them to negotiate their route to the base. Ominously, each of the units realized that as soon as they touched down on the ground, they were “on a war footing!” Moreover, they all knew that there was “no back-up or chance of retreat!”
It didn’t take long for the unit to discover the base, which very much appeared abandoned. They split into several smaller groups and began searching. Moments later, some kind of tripwire was broken, and alarms blared out all around them. As the unit quickly scanned their surroundings, looking to identify any potential threats, a voice sounded out, telling the men to identify themselves. Suddenly, with all members of the units with their guns at the ready, the leader of the mission ordered them to lower their weapons before telling them the voice belonged to the surviving member of the first unit.
The men quickly went about debriefing this surprise survivor. He informed them that the other missing soldier was locked in “Bunker One” with one of the savage Polar Men. Not long after, members of the unit were ordered to gain entry to Bunker One and inspect inside. The surviving soldier warned the unit not to open the bunker, but his concerns were overruled by the leader of the mission.
After opening the bunker, one of the soldiers stepped inside. For a moment or two, there was nothing but silence. Then, two gun shots rang out before a huge, bulking figure sprang from the darkness and vanished from the base with remarkable speed. The unit then inspected the bunker from which the figure had emerged, and into which their colleague had entered. Once inside, they were greeted with the sight of their dead colleague, his “throat ripped out!” They then turned their attention to a grim pile of bones close by – bones they presumed belonged to the other surviving soldier.
The leader of the mission then turned his attention back to the lone surviving soldier, who told them everything that had happened. He claimed that when his unit had searched the ancient tunnel system, it had gone on for several miles before they entered a “vast underground cavern” that he recalled was “abnormally warm!” Even stranger, they noticed several large lakes within this cavern, as well as artificial lighting – lighting they assumed belonged to the Third Reich presence they had come to investigate.
As the unit searched this huge, cavernous space, they made further, even more remarkable discoveries, finding huge hangars large enough to fit several aircraft, as well as a docking station for U-boats, with one U-boat even being docked there. It was as they were investigating these parts of the cavern when they were suddenly surrounded by a unit of Third Reich soldiers. The soldier informed them that he and the other surviving member had somehow managed to go unnoticed and had managed to slip back into the tunnel system, although not before they witnessed several of their unit executed by the Third Reich soldiers. It was as they were making their way back through the tunnel systems that they realized two large figures were pursuing them – figures they would call Polar Men.
By the time they arrived back at the base, the two soldiers, realizing they would be unable to reach the main base on foot and that a rescue attempt would be doomed, decided to each take a radio and then head to a separate bunker. Here, though, is where the story became a little strange. For reasons the surviving soldier simply couldn’t fathom, his fellow soldier seemingly enticed one of these Polar Men into the bunker with him, perhaps in an attempt to kill it, an attempt that clearly failed. Following this, the surviving soldier simply remained in the bunker until the second unit arrived – a unit, remember, that he would have had no knowledge of.
The survivor was then asked who these monstrous Polar Men were, and the answer he gave turned the whole affair even more bizarre. He stated that they were the result of some kind of Third Reich experiment that involved the “mastery of an unknown power source!” These Polar Men were men that had been genetically altered to allow them to adapt to their environment – in this case, the brutal cold conditions of Antarctica – as well as making them aggressive, obsessive human killing machines, essentially, a super soldier who would stop at nothing to hunt and kill its target.
Despite what they had learned, the following day, this second unit received orders to investigate the tunnel system. They set out for their destination, amazed that the icy environment around them suddenly changed to one of a “dry valley” that was more akin to a North African desert than the subzero conditions of Antarctica. Not long after finding themselves in this region, they discovered the tunnel’s entrance. Rather than investigate immediately, they decided to camp down near the entrance for the night in order to rest. However, several hours after doing so, one of these mysterious Polar Men approached their camp. This time, though, the unit was not only quick to react to the threat, but they managed to kill the intruder. They quickly dissected the specimen, noting that while it was indeed human, it was much stronger than even the strongest human might be, and seemingly had the ability to grow thick hair on its body, seemingly to protect it from the harsh, icy conditions.
The following morning, after leaving two soldiers to guard the tunnel entrance and the carcass of the Polar Man, the rest of the unit set off into the tunnel network. There were nine men in total, including the unit leader, one of the scientists, the Norwegian Resistance member, and the surviving member of the first unit, each carrying with them heavy weapons and “enough explosives to wage a small war!” For a large part of the descent, the unit found themselves in almost complete darkness. Then, suddenly, they could see a light in the distance ahead of them. A short time later, they found themselves in the artificially lit cavern.
At this point, they moved quietly and were soon looking down at various Third Reich personnel “scurrying about like ants” below them. As this was happening, and with the unit leader relaying the plan for their operation, the scientist scribbled down as many notes as he could of the activity unfolding below them. This discreet surveillance continued for the next 48 hours before specific targets in the base were identified as locations to plant explosives. This operation went perfectly, with the Third Reich personnel remaining ignorant of their activities. In fact, things went so perfectly that the unit even managed to capture a member of the Third Reich unit who could be used as a hostage or source of information. However, as they were about to vacate the cavern and set off the carefully planted explosives, a number of Third Reich soldiers spotted them. Moreover, they, along with what appeared to be several of the Polar Men, began in pursuit of them.
The unit decided to quickly set up some of the explosives near the tunnel entrance in an attempt to destroy the way out of the cavern, and so buy them some time to escape their pursuers. This worked, but by the time the mines had gone off, several Third Reich soldiers as well as several Polar Men had already managed to venture into the tunnel. According to Roberts’ source, by the time they reached the tunnel’s outer entrance, only he, the scientist, and the Norwegian Resistance member remained alive. Along with the two soldiers who had remained guarding the entrance, the three of them quickly set up the rest of their explosives at the tunnel’s entrance. They managed to detonate them before their pursuers had reached them, and by the time the air had settled, there was “no evidence of any tunnel ever existing!” Ultimately, the unit was successfully recovered from the base a short time later and transported back to the Falkland Islands. Once there, they were debriefed, with a lot more urgency and harshness than before. They were told that it was strictly forbidden for any of them to speak to anyone about their mission, including their superiors. As Roberts’ source noted, the cover-up was already unfolding, and it appeared to be more than just the mission that was being suppressed.
As they had ventured into the tunnel system, for example, the scientist had noticed that not only was it clear that it was ancient and not recently created, but that it was not a naturally occurring tunnel but one of precision planning and execution. Their superiors, however, insisted that the tunnel was the result of “glacial erosion”, something they were quite insistent on. Perhaps most remarkable of all, though, despite the clear findings of the dissection they had performed, not to mention the superhuman strength and speed they had witnessed, the unit was told the Polar Men were “nothing more than unkempt soldiers who had gone crazy!”
The source also told Roberts that the Royal Air Force continued to fly mysterious missions over this part of Antarctica for several years following the mission. The official reason for these flybys was to scout potential locations for scientific bases. However, the source stated to Roberts that “one can’t help but wonder!” Indeed, one can’t.
We might contemplate just how true such claims might be, and who might have been the source of such information to the British military. According to some researchers, a likely candidate could very well be none other than the previously mentioned named successor to Adolf Hitler, Karl Dönitz. Dönitz was in charge of the German Navy and, in turn, the German U-boat program, something that Hitler became quite fixated on towards the end of the war. Most mainstream researchers suggest that this fixation likely came out of a hope that the U-boats could turn the tide of the war back in the Third Reich’s favor. However, some researchers have suggested that the real reason for a concentration on the U-boat program was so they could be used to secretly transport high-ranking members of the Third Reich – perhaps even Hitler himself – to locations in South America, and perhaps, Antarctica.
Another thing to keep in mind about Dönitz is his trial as a war criminal following the war. While many of his fellow Third Reich members were executed, Donitz insisted that he was “ignorant of Nazi atrocities” and that he “only fought a legal war!” He further claimed that he had no knowledge whatsoever of the horrors of the concentration camps. Ultimately, he was not only spared the death penalty, but he received a prison sentence of only 10 years. We might ask how likely it is that someone so high up in the Third Reich, not to mention the person named as Hitler’s successor, would have been unaware of the full horrors of the regime’s actions. Moreover, we might indeed ask if some kind of deal was arranged behind the scenes between Donitz, the British, and those at the Hague.
It is also not unrealistic to think that the British military would have had relatively free access to Antarctica following the end of the war in Europe, with various factors at play. Of immediate concern for the United States, for example, was bringing the conflict with Japan to an end, something that happened several months later with the dropping of the atomic bombs over Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Moreover, it was becoming apparent to the United States that the Soviet Union was about to join them as a superpower on the world stage, and that despite their alliances in the conflict with Germany, their political ideology of communism set them against the United States and its interests – ultimately, the Cold War was just about to unfold.
Of course, by the time of Operation Highjump, the secretive British missions were over a year in the past. However, if Admiral Bryd’s claims are true and accurate, if only partially, it would very much attest to a prolonged Third Reich presence on Antarctica after the secretive British mission.
Whether a secret British mission to Antarctica took place or not remains very much open to debate, at least for some. With this in mind, we might ask, if there was any truth to such claims, just what the real importance of the nearby Falklands Islands might actually be. Could it be that it provides the British military with a quick launch-point to the icy continent should further discoveries be made or anomalous activity detected? Perhaps they are still monitoring the region today.
Another thought-provoking detail to note, however, before we move on, was the discovery in 1984 (although not made public until 1985) by the British Antarctic Survey of a hole in the Ozone layer – a hole that was over the same location as the secretive British missions at the end of the Second World War. The cause of this hole was determined to have been due to an increase in the use of CFCs. However, some researchers into the alleged strange goings-on in Antarctica have offered that this hole in the Ozone layer could very well have been the result of powerful explosions from nuclear weapons deployed in a war that the vast majority of the world is completely ignorant of.
One last thing to consider is another detail put forward in the Nexus Magazine articles that detailed the secret British mission in late 1945. It stated that in 1999, a team of scientists on an expedition in the area allegedly discovered a new virus that no animals or humans had immunity to. While it is not clear what happened to this virus and how it was contained, as well as the fact that we need to treat such claims with a considerable helping of salt, it is also interesting to think that if Third Reich scientists were continuing their experiments on Antarctica in the years following the war could very well have established some kind of new virus to attack their enemies. Perhaps their bases were destroyed before this virus could be unleashed, but the virus itself remained within the icy ruins of these facilities.
Several years after these events, including Operation Highjump, one of the first recognized UFO researchers and investigators, Albert Bender, also made some remarkable discoveries about Antarctica, at least according to reports in the years that followed. As Bender began to investigate the many UFO reports that were surfacing across the United States, he formed the International Flying Saucer Bureau (IFSB) and soon caught the attention of the authorities and, as we shall see, the Men In Black. Bender spoke to hundreds of people who claimed they had witnessed these strange craft, and put out multiple articles and books. Then, out of nowhere in the mid-1950s, he suddenly claimed that he had ”solved the mystery of UFOs!” He also stated, though, that he was unable to speak further about his findings and that he would no longer comment publicly on UFOs. He then closed down the IFSB and disappeared from public life. However, that wasn’t the end of Bender’s story.
In 1956, Gray Barker released the book They Knew Too Much About Flying Saucers, and in it, he made some claims as to Bender’s mysterious statements and behavior several years earlier. He stated that Bender was at home one evening when he suddenly felt an intense feeling of dizziness overtake him. The next thing he knew, three strange men were standing in his living room, each dressed in the same style of dark suit. Even stranger, where their eyes should have been, there were instead glowing red orbs. Moreover, several times, these glowing orbs appeared to “flash,” and with each flash, a surge of pain went through Bender’s head. It wasn’t made clear exactly what was said, but they certainly scared Bender enough for him to draw back from the public.
Then, however, six years later in 1962, Bender suddenly returned to public life with a new book, Flying Saucers and the Three Men, in which he made some truly remarkable and, to some, outrageous statements. He claimed that the three men who visited him – essentially the Men In Black – were, in fact, extraterrestrial entities. Moreover, they appeared as they did because their real appearance was “so monstrous” that they couldn’t allow human beings to see their true form (a statement, incidentally, that was often attributed to the gods of the ancient world). Of most interest to us here, though, are his claims that he made several journeys with these strange men to a subterranean base in Antarctica.
Although we should perhaps treat it with a considerable pinch of salt, it is worth examining an article by Jonathan Gray in the newsletter of World Education Research Ltd., Archaeology News Flash, in which he claimed that a video that appeared to be some kind of unfinished documentary or news report from a television crew from California who had seemingly gone missing while reporting in Antarctica in 2002. Moreover, the article claimed that the video detailed “spectacular ruins” on the icy continent. Even more interesting, and remember, we should treat the claims with caution, the article claimed that the video showed “intense activity” in the region by what appeared to be American authorities (we should note that the American presence in Antarctica on scientific missions all denied any knowledge of the missing crew, or the claims made in the video). Whether the video does exist, and where it might be now, remains unknown.
There have also been several strange and chilling encounters in more recent times. On December 10th, 2019, for example, a military plane left a runway in Chile and disappeared while on its way to Antarctica. The BBC reported on the incident, claiming that 38 people went missing with the plane – 17 crew members and 21 passengers. The plane was on its way to a military base on King George Island on a “logistical support” mission. What made the disappearance even stranger was that the pilot, who had extensive experience, didn’t issue any kind of distress call. What is also of interest is that the last known location of the plane – the Drake Passage – is known to be home to some of the most vicious waters on the planet. Of course, whether or not the plane’s mission was something other than what was officially declared remains open to debate.
As we can see, then, while some claims and conspiracies are perhaps more likely than others, Antarctica is one of the most mysterious and enigmatic locations on the planet – perhaps, outside of the world’s oceans, the last unexplored region on Earth. And, due to it being one of the most guarded and off-limits locations on Earth, it makes it a hotspot for conspiracies – conspiracies that are almost certain to continue to swirl for the foreseeable future.
Is it possible that this icy, inhospitable world was once the legendary land of Atlantis, or even some older advanced civilization from prehistory hundreds of thousands of years ago? And what should we make of the claims of some kind of entrance to the Inner Earth? Could it be the case that, if there is some kind of connection between Atlantis and Antarctica, some of the Atlantean survivors had used this entrance to escape disaster, perhaps even permanently residing in this Inner Earth? And if there are connections between Atlantis and some of the ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and the Sumerians, perhaps these were outposts of Atlantis. There is, as always, much for us to consider and contemplate, regardless of how outrageous it all might seem.
Een Mysterie van Onze Collectieve Realiteit: De Experiments met Astrale Projectie
Een Mysterie van Onze Collectieve Realiteit: De Experiments met Astrale Projectie
Inleiding
Het fenomeen van astrale projectie, ook wel bekend als het buitenlichamelijke ervaring (BLE), is een fascinerend en mysterieus onderwerp dat door de geschiedenis heen de menselijke verbeelding heeft gevangen. Het verwijst naar het vermeende vermogen van een persoon om bewust zijn of haar bewustzijn los te maken van het fysieke lichaam en zich te verplaatsen naar andere rijken, werelden of dimensies. Dit verschijnsel wordt al eeuwenlang beschreven in verschillende culturen en religieuze tradities, variërend van het oude Egypte en Griekenland tot traditionele Chinese en Indiase spirituele praktijken. In veel van deze tradities wordt astrale projectie gezien als een manier om kennis te vergaren, contact te maken met overleden voorouders of spirituele gidsen, en diepere inzichten in het bestaan te verkrijgen.
Naast haar spirituele en esoterische betekenis, heeft astrale projectie ook de interesse gewekt van wetenschappers en onderzoekers die proberen te begrijpen of dit fenomeen een echte ervaring is of een product van de menselijke geest en verbeeldingskracht. Het onderwerp roept vragen op over de aard van bewustzijn, realiteit en de grenzen van menselijke perceptie. Sommige onderzoekers beschouwen BLE als een soort droom of hallucinatie, terwijl anderen geloven dat het mogelijk is dat het een niet-physicalistische vorm van bewustzijnstoestand betreft, die buiten de kaders van de traditionele wetenschap valt.
In dit essay zullen we niet alleen de historische en culturele achtergronden van astrale projectie bespreken, maar ook de verschillende theorieën en verklaringen die er bestaan. Daarnaast zullen we ingaan op actuele onderzoeksinitiatieven en de wetenschappelijke uitdagingen die gepaard gaan met het bestuderen van dit complexe fenomeen. Door deze gestructureerde benadering hopen we een diepgaand inzicht te bieden in een onderwerp dat zowel wetenschappelijk als spiritueel intrigeert en dat nog steeds veel vragen oproept over de aard van ons bewustzijn en de werkelijkheid waarin wij leven.
Historische Achtergrond en Cultuurhistorische Context
De interesse in het vermogen om het fysieke lichaam te verlaten en andere dimensies te betreden, is niet iets van de moderne tijd, maar heeft diepe wortels in de geschiedenis van verschillende oude beschavingen. Al eeuwenlang bestaan er verhalen, rituelen en overtuigingen die aangeven dat mensen kunnen reizen buiten hun fysieke lichaam om andere werelden en vibraties te verkennen. Deze interesse wordt vaak gekoppeld aan een zoektocht naar spirituele groei, genezing en het verkrijgen van verborgen kennis die niet via gewone zintuigen bereikbaar is.
In de oude Egyptische beschaving bijvoorbeeld, speelde het concept van astrale reizen een belangrijke rol in religieuze rituelen en het geloof in het hiernamaals. Het Egyptische Dodenboek, een verzameling teksten die bedoeld waren om de ziel te begeleiden door het onderwereldrijk, bevat aanwijzingen en rituelen die mogelijk verwijzen naar ervaringen die lijken op wat later wordt beschreven als astrale projectie. Deze rituelen waren bedoeld om de ziel te beschermen en te begeleiden op haar reis naar het hiernamaals, en impliceren dat de Egyptenaren geloofden dat de ziel zich kon verplaatsen buiten het fysieke lichaam om, in een soort spiritueel reizen.
Ook in de Griekse cultuur vinden we sporen van dergelijke overtuigingen. De term "ektasis" werd gebruikt om de uitstijging van de ziel uit het lichaam te beschrijven, vaak in verband met mystieke en visionaire ervaringen. Deze verhalen en termen wijzen op een diepgeworteld geloof dat de menselijke geest de mogelijkheid bezit om zich los te maken van de fysieke beperkingen en andere dimensies te verkennen. De Grieken geloofden dat zulke reizen niet alleen een middel tot mystieke ervaringen waren, maar ook inzicht konden bieden in het hogere zelf en de kosmos.
Daarnaast spelen het boeddhisme en hindoeïsme een belangrijke rol in de geschiedenis van het concept van reizen tussen verschillende bewustzijnsniveaus en werelden. Beide religies ontwikkelen uitgebreide theorieën over het bestaan van meerdere niveaus van werkelijkheid en beschrijven dat het bewustzijn zich kan verplaatsen tussen deze lagen. In de hindoeïstische traditie wordt bijvoorbeeld gesproken over "lokas" (werelden) en de mogelijkheid om het bewustzijn te verkennen via meditatie en trance. Het boeddhisme benadrukt eveneens het belang van het ontwikkelen van inzicht in de aard van de werkelijkheid, waarbij men door middel van meditatie en trance in staat zou kunnen zijn om bewust te reizen in andere dimensies.
Wat opvalt, is dat deze verhalen en overtuigingen niet beperkt blijven tot één cultuur of tijdperk. Ze vormen een universeel fenomeen dat door de geschiedenis heen blijft terugkeren. Het feit dat zoveel oude beschavingen vergelijkbare ideeën ontwikkelen over het verkennen van andere werelden en het loslaten van het fysieke lichaam, wijst op een fundamentele menselijke behoefte. Een behoefte om de grenzen van de fysieke realiteit te overstijgen, het ongrijpbare te begrijpen en zich verbonden te voelen met hogere vermogens en kennis die buiten het gewone bereik liggen. Deze eeuwenoude tradities en overtuigingen tonen dat de zoektocht naar het ontsnappen aan de fysieke beperkingen en het ontdekken van nieuwe dimensies altijd een belangrijk onderdeel is geweest van de menselijke spiritualiteit en cultuur.
Wetenschappelijke Benaderingen en Theorieën
In de moderne tijd is het fenomeen van astrale projectie, ook wel bekend als buitenlichamelijke ervaring (BLE), steeds meer onderwerp geworden van wetenschappelijk onderzoek. Hoewel het oorspronkelijk vooral in spirituele en esoterische kringen werd bestudeerd, proberen tegenwoordig ook onderzoekers binnen de psychologie, neurowetenschappen en parapsychologie te achterhalen wat er precies gebeurt tijdens deze ervaringen en of er objectieve verklaringen voor bestaan.
Een van de meest onderzochte wetenschappelijke verklaringen is dat BLE voortkomt uit bepaalde hersenactiviteiten. Met behulp van geavanceerde technologieën zoals functionele MRI-scans (fMRI) en elektro-encefalografie (EEG) hebben wetenschappers kunnen aantonen dat specifieke gebieden van de hersenen actief worden tijdens het ervaren van het losmaken van het lichaam. Vooral in situaties van slaapverlamming, trance of hallucinaties lijkt het alsof bepaalde hersengebieden, zoals de temporale kwab en de pariëtale cortex, een belangrijke rol spelen. Deze gebieden worden geassocieerd met het verwerken van lichaamspercepties en het integreren van zintuiglijke informatie. Wanneer deze gebieden op een bepaalde manier worden gestimuleerd of uitgeschakeld, kunnen mensen het gevoel krijgen dat ze hun lichaam verlaten, wat mogelijk de basis vormt voor veel BLE-ervaringen.
Daarnaast bestaat er een andere theorie die het fenomeen benadert vanuit een meer bewustzijngerichte invalshoek. Volgens deze visie is astrale projectie niet simpelweg het resultaat van hersenactiviteit, maar eerder een vorm van bewustzijnsverplaatsing. Het idee is dat het bewustzijn zich kan losmaken van de fysieke en zintuiglijke beperkingen van het lichaam en zich in andere dimensies of realiteiten kan bewegen. Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat het bewustzijn mogelijk niet volledig afhankelijk is van de hersenfunctie en dat het kan bestaan in een soort ‘collectief bewustzijn’ of verbonden is met een hogere realiteit die buiten het fysieke bestaat. Deze theorie wordt onder meer ondersteund door anekdotische rapportages van mensen die tijdens BLE-objecten, locaties of gebeurtenissen in andere ruimtes beschreven, die ze konden waarnemen en later konden bevestigen.
Verder worden er ook experimenten uitgevoerd waarbij proefpersonen proberen objecten of informatie waar te nemen die zich buiten hun directe zintuiglijke bereik bevinden. Hoewel deze experimenten vaak op controverse stuiten en niet altijd reproduceerbare resultaten opleveren, wijzen ze toch op de mogelijkheid dat er meer is dan alleen hersenactiviteit die bijdraagt aan deze ervaringen. Sommige wetenschappers zien BLE daarom als een fenomeen dat mogelijk verband houdt met onbewuste processen of subtiele vormen van waarneming die nog niet volledig begrepen worden.
Kortom, de wetenschappelijke benaderingen van astrale projectie variëren van neurologische verklaringen tot meer esoterische theorieën over bewustzijn en realiteit. Hoewel er nog geen definitieve consensus bestaat, zorgen deze onderzoeksinitiatieven er wel voor dat het onderwerp serieus genomen wordt binnen de wetenschappelijke wereld en dat er stappen worden gezet naar een beter begrip van dit mysterieuze fenomeen.
Hedendaagse Experiments en Onderzoek
The CIA’s Hidden Experiments on Astral Projection!
Hoewel het wetenschappelijke bewijs voor astrale projectie nog niet definitief is vastgesteld, worden er voortdurend verschillende onderzoeksinitiatieven en experimenten uitgevoerd om het fenomeen beter te begrijpen. Deze studies variëren van psychologische en neurologische benaderingen tot technologische experimenten die proberen het proces te simuleren of te reproduceren. Het doel van dit soort onderzoek is niet alleen om het bestaan van astrale reizen te bevestigen of te weerleggen, maar ook om inzicht te krijgen in de mechanismen die eraan ten grondslag liggen.
The Most TERRIFYING Entities of the Astral plane Explained In Obsessive Detail
Een van de meest gebruikte methoden in wetenschappelijke experimenten is het toepassen van 'verblindings'-protocollen. Bij deze aanpak worden proefpersonen gevraagd om bepaalde objecten te waarnemen of te beschrijven terwijl zij in een trance- of slaaptoestand verkeren. De proefpersonen worden bijvoorbeeld in een situatie gebracht waarin ze zich in een ontspannen toestand bevinden, vaak met behulp van meditatie, geleide visualisaties of hypnose. Vervolgens wordt geprobeerd om te bepalen of ze objecten of plaatsen kunnen waarnemen die zich op een andere locatie bevinden en die ze normaal gesproken niet zouden kunnen zien. Sommige deelnemende proefpersonen rapporteren succes in het identificeren van objecten of details die alleen via de astrale reis konden worden waargenomen. Deze resultaten worden echter vaak betwist vanwege methodologische problemen, zoals het ontbreken van controleprocedures, kleine steekproeven, of de mogelijkheid van interpretatieverschillen. Desalniettemin blijven dergelijke experimenten interessant en worden ze door sommige onderzoekers als indicatief gezien dat er wellicht meer aan de hand is dan louter subjectieve ervaringen.
Naast psychologische en experimentele benaderingen wordt er ook gebruikgemaakt van technologische hulpmiddelen om het fenomeen te bestuderen. Zo worden bijvoorbeeld virtual reality (VR) en neurofeedback-technieken ingezet om de ervaringen van bilocatie of astrale reizen na te bootsen en te onderzoeken. Met VR kunnen onderzoekers immers gesimuleerde omgevingen creëren waarin proefpersonen in een gecontroleerde setting kunnen 'reizen', terwijl hun hersenactiviteit wordt gemonitord. Neurofeedback, waarbij de hersenactiviteit wordt teruggekoppeld aan de gebruiker, wordt gebruikt om te proberen de kans op het ervaren van bepaalde trance- of meditatieve toestanden te vergroten. Door deze technieken te combineren, proberen onderzoekers de neurologische en psychologische processen die betrokken zijn bij dergelijke ervaringen beter te begrijpen.
Ook worden meditatie- en trance-technieken geëvalueerd op hun effectiviteit bij het bevorderen van astrale reizen. Sommige studies richten zich op het identificeren van specifieke mentale staten of hersengolven die mogelijk gerelateerd zijn aan het optreden van deze ervaringen. Zo wordt bijvoorbeeld gekeken of bepaalde frequenties van hersengolven, zoals theta- of delta-golven, vaker voorkomen tijdens ervaringen die door deelnemers als buitenlichamelijk of astrale reizen worden ervaren. Het doel hiervan is niet alleen om de ervaringen te verklaren, maar ook om mogelijk methoden te ontwikkelen om deze ervaringen op een gecontroleerde en veilige manier op te roepen.
Kortom, hoewel astrale projectie nog niet wetenschappelijk definitief bewezen is, wordt er actief onderzoek gedaan naar het fenomeen. De combinatie van psychologische experimenten, technologische simulaties en neurologisch onderzoek biedt hopelijk in de toekomst meer inzicht in de aard van deze bijzondere ervaringen. Het blijft een fascinerend onderwerp dat de grenzen tussen wetenschap, psychologie en spiritualiteit uitdaagt, en dat mogelijk nog veel te bieden heeft voor onze kennis over de menselijke geest en bewustzijn.
Wetenschappelijke Uitdagingen en Kritiek
Het onderzoeken van astrale projectie, ook wel bekend als uitwaartse reizen of buitenlichamelijke ervaringen, brengt aanzienlijke wetenschappelijke uitdagingen met zich mee. Een van de grootste problemen ligt in de subjectieve aard van de ervaringen. De meeste rapportages over astrale projectie komen van de persoon zelf, die beweert dat hij of zij het bewustzijn buiten het fysieke lichaam heeft verplaatst. Deze persoonlijke getuigenissen zijn inherently moeilijk te verifiëren en te reproduceren door anderen, waardoor ze een grote uitdaging vormen voor de wetenschap die juist objectieve en reproduceerbare resultaten nastreeft. Dit leidt tot een algemeen scepticisme binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap, omdat zonder controleerbare bewijzen het moeilijk is om astrale projectie als een feit te bevestigen.
Daarnaast speelt de vraag of deze ervaringen daadwerkelijk buiten het lichaam plaatsvinden, of dat ze het resultaat zijn van interne mentale processen. Sommige wetenschappers beschouwen deze ervaringen mogelijk als hallucinaties, dromen of suggestieve fantasieën die worden beïnvloed door de geestelijke toestand, stress, vermoeidheid of andere psychologische factoren. Critici wijzen erop dat cognitieve biases, geheugenfouten en culturele overtuigingen een grote rol kunnen spelen bij het interpreteren van deze ervaringen. Bijvoorbeeld, iemand die in een cultuur leeft waarin het concept van een 'ziel' of 'geest' gangbaar is, kan eerder geneigd zijn om een ervaring te interpreteren als een echte astrale reis, terwijl iemand uit een andere cultuur dat misschien als fantasie beschouwt.
Tot op heden ontbreken er overtuigende, empirische bewijzen die astrale projectie als een fysiek of onafhankelijk fenomeen bevestigen. Wetenschappelijke experimenten tot nu toe hebben geen onweerlegbare gegevens geleverd die het bestaan van een bewustzijn dat zich buiten het lichaam kan bewegen, staven. Veel van de gegevens blijven anekdotisch en niet reproduceerbaar onder gecontroleerde omstandigheden. Hierdoor wordt astrale projectie vaak beschouwd als een fenomeen dat niet wetenschappelijk kan worden bevestigd.
Ondanks deze kritieken blijven sommige onderzoekers geloven dat er mogelijk aanwijzingen zijn voor een dieper, collectief bewustzijn dat nog niet volledig wordt begrepen door de wetenschap. Zij pleiten voor een meer open en rigoureus wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar het fenomeen. Dit zou onder meer kunnen inhouden dat er gecontroleerde experimenten worden uitgevoerd met behulp van nieuwe technologieën, zoals neuroimaging, om te proberen de hersenactiviteit te bestuderen tijdens ervaringen die lijken op astrale reizen. Daarnaast wordt er voorgesteld om protocollen te ontwikkelen die subjectieve ervaringen kunnen meten en analyseren, zodat het mogelijk wordt om patronen en mogelijk onderliggende mechanismen te identificeren.
Het is belangrijk om te benadrukken dat een open houding en kritisch onderzoek hand in hand gaan. Het doel zou moeten zijn om op een wetenschappelijk verantwoorde wijze de aard van deze ervaringen te begrijpen, zonder ze voorbarig af te wijzen of te bevestigen. Door een combinatie van traditionele wetenschappelijke methoden en innovatieve technologieën te gebruiken, hopen sommige onderzoekers dat de ware aard van astrale projectie uiteindelijk kan worden onthuld. Het ontwikkelen van een beter begrip van deze fenomenen kan niet alleen leiden tot nieuwe inzichten over de menselijke geest en bewustzijn, maar ook bijdragen aan bredere wetenschappelijke en filosofische discussies over de aard van realiteit en perceptie.
Kortom, hoewel astrale projectie nog altijd wordt geconfronteerd met aanzienlijke wetenschappelijke uitdagingen en kritiek, blijft het een fascinerend onderzoeksgebied dat mogelijk nieuwe deuren opent naar het begrijpen van de complexiteit van het menselijke bewustzijn en de mogelijkheden die nog onontdekt zijn.
Implicaties voor Onze Collectieve Realiteit
Het bestuderen van astrale projectie heeft niet alleen wetenschappelijke waarde, maar roept ook diepgaande filosofische en existentiële vragen op die onze kijk op de werkelijkheid kunnen veranderen. Als ervaringen van buitenlichamelijke reizen daadwerkelijk bestaan en niet slechts hallucinaties of illusies zijn, betekent dat dat onze perceptie van de wereld mogelijk slechts een klein deel is van een veel grotere en complexere werkelijkheid. Dit zou kunnen betekenen dat er lagen van bestaan zijn die wij met onze zintuigen niet kunnen waarnemen en dat onze fysieke werkelijkheid slechts een soort schaduw of projectie is van een diepere, meer fundamentele realiteit.
Daarnaast dwingt het ons om onze relatie met het universum en onszelf opnieuw te evalueren. Het idee dat bewustzijn niet volledig gebonden is aan de fysieke hersenen opent de deur naar het bestaan van andere dimensies of niveaus van bestaan die we momenteel nog niet kunnen detecteren of begrijpen. Dit kan leiden tot een herziening van onze opvattingen over dood en het hiernamaals, waarbij astrale reizen mogelijk een vorm van voortbestaan of communicatie na de fysieke dood suggereren. Bovendien kan het inzicht in astrale projectie ons helpen om ons spirituele potentieel te ontdekken en te ontwikkelen, en een meer holistische kijk op menselijk bestaan te bevorderen.
De implicaties voor de samenleving en de wetenschap zijn enorm. Als we accepteren dat de geest meer is dan een product van de hersenen, zou dat kunnen leiden tot nieuwe benaderingen in de geneeskunde, psychologie en spiritualiteit. Het zou ook kunnen bijdragen aan het doorbreken van bestaande dogma’s over de fysieke werkelijkheid en de beperkingen van het menselijke bewustzijn. Kortom, de studie van astrale projectie kan niet alleen ons begrip van het universum verdiepen, maar ook een brug slaan naar een meer geïntegreerde en spirituele kijk op ons bestaan, die de grenzen tussen wetenschap en spiritualiteit minder strikt maakt.
The TRUTH About ASTRAL PROJECTION (SHOCKING)
Conclusie
Astrale projectie blijft een fascinerend en mysterieus fenomeen dat zowel oude tradities als moderne wetenschap uitdaagt. Hoewel er nog geen definitieve wetenschappelijke bewijzen zijn die het buitenlichamelijke reizen volledig bevestigen, blijven onderzoekers en enthousiastelingen geïnteresseerd in de mogelijkheden die het fenomeen biedt voor ons begrip van bewustzijn en realiteit. Veel mensen geloven dat astrale projectie hen in staat stelt om op een andere manier de wereld te ervaren, los van fysieke beperkingen.
Het onderzoeken van deze ervaringen kan ons mogelijk leiden tot nieuwe inzichten over de grenzen van menselijke ervaring en de aard van het universum zelf. Daarnaast kan het ook een bron van spirituele groei en zelfontdekking zijn voor degenen die het willen verkennen. Het is een uitnodiging om verder te kijken dan de stoffelijke wereld en de mysteries van onze collectieve realiteit te blijven verkennen. Hoewel er nog veel onduidelijkheid bestaat over de precieze werking en wetenschappelijke onderbouwing van astrale projectie, blijft het fenomeen een boeiend onderwerp dat onze nieuwsgierigheid en zoektocht naar kennis prikkelt. Het onderzoeken van astrale projectie kan ons helpen om onze perceptie van werkelijkheid uit te breiden en nieuwe dimensies van bewustzijn te ontdekken.
Unlocking the Out of Body Experience: Secrets of Astral Projection & Consciousness Expansion; BamHek
Bronnen
Greyson, B. (2000). Near-death experiences. In E. Cardeña, S. J. Lynn, & S. Krippner (Eds.), Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Evidence (pp. 315-352). American Psychological Association.
Tart, C. T. (1990). Out-of-Body Experiences and Other Altered States of Consciousness. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 4(3), 283-308.
Maimon, S. (2011). The Science of Astral Projection: An Overview. Journal of Parapsychology Research, 12, 45-67.
Kastrup, H. (2017). The Nature of Consciousness: A Hypothesis. Oxford University Press.
Kortom, astrale projectie blijft een intrigerend fenomeen dat de grenzen van onze kennis uitdaagt en ons uitdaagt om verder te kijken dan de fysieke werkelijkheid. Het is een gebied dat, ondanks de uitdagingen, nog veel te ontdekken heeft en mogelijk onze kijk op het bestaan fundamenteel kan veranderen.
Strange Lights, Circling Objects, And Backyard Aliens – The 1926 Wave Of UFO And Humanoid Encounters
Strange Lights, Circling Objects, And Backyard Aliens – The 1926 Wave Of UFO And Humanoid Encounters
Introduction
The phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and humanoid encounters has fascinated humanity for centuries. While modern UFO sightings gained prominence in the mid-20th century, there are historical accounts predating this era. Notably, the year 1926 witnessed a series of peculiar reports across various regions, characterized by strange lights, circling aerial objects, and even alleged encounters with humanoid entities in backyards. This report aims to explore the details of these incidents, their context, and their significance within the broader history of UFO phenomena.
Historical Context
The 1920s was a time of rapid technological progress and social change. Aviation was still in its early stages, with airplanes becoming more common but remaining relatively new and intriguing to the public. During this period, there was a heightened fascination with the sky, driven by reports of mysterious lights and unexplained aerial phenomena. The 1926 wave of UFO sightings fits within this broader context, highlighting both genuine curiosity and the influence of popular culture and folklore. People were increasingly interested in understanding what was happening overhead, often interpreting strange lights and objects as otherworldly. This era’s fascination with flight and the unknown helped shape early perceptions of UFOs, blending actual technological advancements with myths and stories that fueled public imagination. Overall, the 1920s marked a pivotal moment when humanity’s fascination with the sky began to merge with emerging technological achievements, laying the groundwork for future interest in aerial mysteries.
Key Reports from 1926
1. The Ohio Encounters
The Ohio Encounters In early 1926, residents of rural Ohio reported seeing luminous objects moving swiftly across the night sky. Witnesses described these lights as “glowing orbs” that would sometimes hover before darting away at incredible speeds. Several accounts mention circling lights that appeared to stalk farmhouses and barns, creating an eerie feeling of surveillance. One notable incident involved a farmer who claimed to have seen a “small metallic craft” land briefly in his backyard. From this craft, a humanoid figure emerged before disappearing into the night, fueling speculation about extraterrestrial visitors. The descriptions emphasized the metallic sheen of the craft and the humanoid's grayish appearance, suggesting an encounter with an unfamiliar, possibly intelligent entity.
2. The California Lights
The California Lights Similarly, in California, reports emerged of strange lights dancing over mountains and plains. Multiple witnesses, including pilots and farmers, observed circular objects with flashing lights that performed acrobatic maneuvers across the sky. Some accounts describe these objects forming patterns such as spirals and figure-eights, indicating deliberate aerial choreography. Several witnesses also reported strange humming sounds accompanying the lights, adding an auditory element to the visual spectacle. These lights often appeared suddenly, persisted for minutes, and then vanished without explanation, heightening the mystery surrounding their origin.
3. The New England Encounters
The New England Encounters In New England, especially in rural Massachusetts and Vermont, farmers and townsfolk recounted seeing glowing orbs that would appear suddenly and then vanish just as swiftly. Multiple reports describe these lights descending into fields or hovering near homes, often at low altitudes. One particularly intriguing account involved a family who claimed to have observed a small “grayish” humanoid figure in their backyard one evening. The figure retreated quickly when approached, suggesting possible contact or observation. These phenomena were characterized by their fleeting nature and the eerie silence accompanying the lights, leaving residents both curious and apprehensive about the true nature of these encounters.
In a quiet and muggy July night in 1926 a woman awoke to loud noises outside of her house in the outskirts of rural Maitland, Canada. Looking outside she saw strange lights hovering a few hundred feet next to her farm. Terrified and confused, the woman couldn’t do anything but stare in complete disbelief of the otherworldly lights. What were they? Who were they?
As one of the lights got closer she managed to catch something staring at her from within the bright, bathing light. Not something but rather someone.
Descriptions of the Phenomena
The common themes across these reports include:
Strange Lights: Bright, luminous objects that appeared without warning and often moved unpredictably. These lights varied in color from white to greenish hues and sometimes displayed pulsating or flashing effects.
Circling and Maneuvering: Many witnesses observed the objects performing complex aerial maneuvers—circling, spiraling, or darting at high speeds—often defying known aircraft capabilities of the time.
Humanoid Encounters: Several reports describe encounters with small humanoid figures, often gray or featureless, emerging from or near the mysterious objects. These entities were typically described as being no taller than three feet and lacking distinctive facial features.
Audible Phenomena: Some witnesses reported hearing humming or buzzing sounds associated with the lights, further emphasizing their otherworldly nature.
Analysis of the Incidents
While some of these reports could be attributed to natural phenomena such as meteors, ball lightning, or atmospheric reflections, the consistency and detail in many accounts suggest that some sightings might have been genuine unidentified phenomena. The presence of humanoid entities, in particular, raises questions about possible extraterrestrial or paranormal origins.
The descriptions of small, gray humanoids bear similarities to later “Greys” commonly associated with UFO lore. The fact that these encounters occurred in backyards indicates that these phenomena were not confined to isolated or remote areas but penetrated into inhabited zones, adding to their unsettling nature.
Furthermore, the timing of these reports prior to the era of widespread aviation and radar technology implies that witnesses relied solely on visual perception, which may have both limited and enhanced their interpretations of these phenomena.
Possible Explanations
Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the 1926 wave:
Natural Atmospheric Phenomena: Some sightings could be explained by meteorites, atmospheric reflections, or ball lightning, phenomena that can produce strange lights and movements.
Aerial Testing or Secret Military Devices: Given the period's technological innovations, some theorists speculate that experimental aircraft or secret military projects might have been responsible, especially considering the unusual maneuvers attributed to these objects.
Psychological Factors: Mass hysteria, hallucinations, or collective misperceptions could have contributed to the reports, especially in rural communities where folklore and imagination often intertwine with reality.
Extraterrestrial Hypotheses: The recurring descriptions of humanoid entities and advanced-looking craft lend some credence to the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors, although there is no concrete evidence to support this.
Significance of the 1926 Wave
The 1926 wave of UFO and humanoid encounters is significant for several reasons:
It predates the modern UFO movement, illustrating that such phenomena have long been part of human consciousness.
It demonstrates that reports of strange lights and humanoids are not exclusive to the mid-20th century but have historical antecedents.
The incidents highlight the persistent human fascination with the sky and the unknown, influencing later UFO lore and investigations.
The encounters with humanoids in backyards foreshadow later reports and theories about close-contact cases and alien abductions.
Conclusion
The wave of UFO and humanoid encounters that occurred in 1926 remains a captivating chapter in the history of unexplained aerial phenomena. These reports, many of which were documented with remarkable detail and consistency, continue to intrigue researchers and enthusiasts alike. While a significant number of these sightings can be explained through natural phenomena, misidentifications, or man-made objects, some accounts defy straightforward explanation, hinting at the possibility of genuinely mysterious occurrences. The 1926 incidents remind us that humanity's curiosity about the cosmos and the potential for extraterrestrial life has been a longstanding aspect of our collective consciousness.
Throughout history, people have reported strange lights, unusual crafts, and encounters with humanoid entities, often describing phenomena that challenge our understanding of physics and reality. The 1926 wave is particularly notable because it predates the modern era of UFO research, yet it shares many features with contemporary sightings—such as rapid movement, unusual shapes, and reports of beings not belonging to our known terrestrial species. These accounts fuel ongoing debates about the origins and nature of such phenomena, oscillating between skepticism and belief.
Moreover, these encounters serve as a testament to human fascination with the unknown. They encourage a sense of wonder and curiosity that drives scientific inquiry and exploration. While definitive proof of extraterrestrial visitation remains elusive, the persistence of these reports suggests that there is still much we do not understand about our universe. They also highlight the importance of critical analysis and rigorous investigation to distinguish between genuine anomalies and misinterpretations.
In conclusion, the 1926 UFO wave exemplifies the enduring mystery surrounding aerial phenomena. Whether these events were caused by natural phenomena, psychological factors, or extraterrestrial craft, they continue to inspire curiosity and investigation. As our technology and understanding advance, so too does our capacity to explore these phenomena more thoroughly. Ultimately, these historical sightings remind us that the universe is vast and filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered, keeping alive the human spirit of exploration and discovery.
The detailed reconstruction brings the prehistoric hunter-gatherer to life, revealing an intriguing set of features.
A reconstruction of the environment that the Margaux woman once inhabited in what is now Belgium's Meuse Valley region. She lived around 10,500 years ago, during the Mesolithic period.
Researchers and artists have created a striking facial reconstruction of a Stone Age woman who lived roughly 10,500 years ago in what is now Belgium.
The detailed depiction of the prehistoric hunter-gatherer, known as the "Margaux woman," is based on various scientific data, including the remains of her skeleton and ancient DNA, according to a statement from Ghent University in Belgium.
The reconstruction — which was produced by the university's interdisciplinary Regional Outlook on Ancient Migration (ROAM) project, in collaboration with Dutch artists and twin brothers Adrie and Alfons Kennis — reveals an intriguing set of features.
ROAM research has indicated that the hunter-gatherer likely had blue or light eyes and a surprising "medium-toned" skin complexion, project leader Isabelle De Groote, a professor in the Department of Archaeology at Ghent University, told Live Science in an email. This skin tone appears to be slightly lighter than that of most other Western European individuals from the Mesolithic period (or Middle Stone Age) that scientists have studied so far.
Comparing her to other individuals who lived in roughly the same time period, such as the iconic Cheddar Man from England, reveals this "subtle but important" difference that highlights the variation already present in post-ice age Western Europe, De Groote said. "The skin pigmentation of the Margaux woman points to greater complexity of skin pigmentation within these populations and that it was more heterogenous than previously thought."
The full facial reconstruction of "Cheddar Man" on display at the National History Museum in London on Feb. 6.
(Image credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty)
Cheddar Man belonged to the same Western European hunter-gatherer population as the Margaux woman, according to the statement. Previous research has suggested that he also had blue eyes, although his skin complexion is thought to have been slightly darker. Other members of this hunter-gatherer population shared a similar combination of dark skin and pale eyes.
The remains of the female hunter-gatherer first came to light in 1988 during an excavation of the Margaux cave near Dinant, in Belgium's Meuse Valley region. At the time, the genetic analysis techniques that informed the new reconstruction were not available.The research team first scanned the woman's skull and created a 3D-printed reproduction, De Groote said. The Kennis brothers then used this printed version to model the muscle and skin of the head. They did this using anatomical standards for the region while taking into account the age of the woman. Based on features of her skull, the researchers estimated that she would have been between 35 and 60 years old when she died.
The Margaux woman turned out to be related to Western European hunter-gatherers, including the famous Cheddar Man from Great Britain. Like him, she had blue eyes, but her skin was slightly lighter than that of many other individuals from the same period.
“This indicates greater diversity in skin pigmentation than we previously thought,” said Maïté Rivollat, chief geneticist of the project.
“This indicates greater diversity in skin pigmentation than we previously thought"
Her living environment was also accurately reconstructed based on archaeological data and scientific models. Campsites, hunting techniques and means of transport bring the world of more than 10,000 years ago back to life.
The team deduced her potential eye color and skin complexion using ancient DNA extracted from parts of her skull. They also considered the effect of suntanning to re-create her skin color, given that she likely lived a mobile, outdoor lifestyle.
Although facial reconstructions such as these can provide a fascinating window into the distant past, some elements are open to interpretation.
"Actual skin tone and eye colour is difficult to discern," De Groote said. "There is no exact answer in ancient DNA."
Zombie Satellites, Clown-Face Crop Circle, Bigfoot and Pot, Pharaoh's Curse Cures Cancer and More Mysterious News Briefly
A roundup of mysterious, paranormal and strange news stories from the past week.
It's not the Wardenclyffe Tower but fans of Nikola Tesla will recognize the similarity in a new announcement from DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) that its Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program has “absolutely obliterated all previously reported optical power beaming demonstrations for power and distance" by beaming a laser carrying more than 800 watts of power across a distance of 5.3 miles (8.6 km); according to Paul Jaffe, the POWER program manager, a 30-second laser beam pulse arrived at the receiver, passed through a small aperture, bounced off a parabolic mirror onto solar cells, and still had 20% of its power, which was used to (we are not making this up) pop popcorn; while that is a valuable benefit, the next goal is to use the wireless beam to power unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Tesla would probably be underwhelmed, but still more impressed by this than by the accomplishments of the EV company bearing his name.
A new study published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters explains how researchers used data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to analyze HD 100453, a young star about 330 light-years from Earth with about 1.6 times our sun's mass, and found isotopes of methanol – alcohol - in the planet-forming dust ring around the star; according to the researchers, these isotopes methanol “gives essential insight into the history of ingredients necessary to build life here on Earth"; these same isotopes have been found in comets in our solar system, suggesting that these frozen particles in protoplanetary disks could eventually clump together to form comets loaded with complex organic molecules that could be deposited on planets via collisions; co-author Milou Temmink, a doctoral candidate who studies protoplanetary disks at Leiden University in the Netherlands, said that the presence of alcohol in this star’s dust ring “may be the reason why life, including us, was able to form here". Forget ashes to ashes – our life is actually alcohol to alcohol.
Shouldn't this be the first planet we explore?
From the “I’m not saying it’s aliens but I’m not saying it’s not aliens” file comes a revelation from astronomers studying a short (less than 30 nanoseconds) fast radio burst (FRB) detected by the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder in June 2024 which was so strong that it was assumed to have come from deep space and led many to hope it was evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence; while it was indeed created using intelligence, the researchers determined that the signal came from the Relay 2 – a communications satellite launched by NASA in 1964 that went dead in 1967 and has been stuck in orbit ever since - that suddenly came to life and blasted a signal so strong that astronomers mistook it for a fast radio burst from a distant galaxy; as they explained in their study, the zombie satellite most likely had a buildup of static electricity that suddenly discharged a pulse of energy over Earth; however, it could also have been caused by a collision with a micrometeorite that released a very small cloud of plasma in front of a real FRB signal, magnifying it so that it seemed stronger. We saw Zombie Satellites open for Foo Fighters.
The so-called ‘Pharaoh’s Curse’ – the alleged spell bringing death and destruction upon anyone disturbing the final resting place of a king – has been blamed for deaths to tomb explorers occurring soon after the openings of King Tut’s tomb in Egypt and Casimir IV’s tomb in Poland, but scientists eventually determined that at least some of those deaths were due to Aspergillus flavus, a fungus that can cause serious lung infections; now, a new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania reveals that the Pharaoh’s Curse might actually be a Pharaoh’s ‘Cure’ for cancer – the scientists isolated and purified four RiPPs (ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides) from Aspergillus flavus and found that they cursed and killed leukemia cells; the fungi are difficult to purify and don’t work on other kinds of cancer, but it is hoped that there are more fungal RiPPS to be discovered. All we need are more curses and scientists brave enough to study them.
If you’ve ever wondered who would win a drinking contest between Hercules and Dionysus, the Roman god of wine, you need to get a hobby – but before you do, you may be interested in the recent discovery in Israel of a sarcophagus decorated with a depiction of what appears to be a drinking contest between Hercules and Dionysus; according to the press release posted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on its Facebook page, the marble Roman sarcophagus was discovered during excavations in Caesarea on the northwest coast of Israel by IAA archaeologists Nohar Shahar and Shani Amit; the scene shows Hercules lying on a lion skin and holding a cup in his hand across from Dionysus, also known as Bacchus, in what can only be described as an ancient Roman drinking contest; while these bouts have been found before in ancient art, this is the first between Hercules and Dionysys; if you’re wondering who won, the archeologists say: “Hercules' condition, depicted on the sarcophagus as someone who is no longer able to stand, points to the obvious answer: Dionysus”. Which part of ‘god of wine’ did Hercules not understand?
Why didn't I challenge him to an arm-wrestling contest?
The so-called Buga sphere – the mysteriously engraved metallic orb tracked and retrieved in Colombia and now being ‘inspected’ in Mexico by controversial journalist and UFO researcher Jaime Maussan - continues to dominate the international UFO news with a statement by Maussan that men disguised as police tried to steal the Buga sphere; this was confirmed by UFO researcher Dr. Stephen Greer who, after he, US Congressman Eric Burlison and other US officials listened to a report from Maussan, said that “fake policemen” attempted to enter the vault in Mexico City where the orb was secured and warned that “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”; Burlison said that he believed governments and other groups were working to suppress the public's knowledge of UFOs and alien life but “We have too many people reporting and too many videos to ignore it’”. It would be nice if UFO research looked more like science and less like theater.
April Newton of Texas had a lifelong dream of visiting loch Ness and looking for its monster, so it was understandable that when she finally got tot her wish recently she immediately booked a boat tour with her traveling companion; what she didn’t expect was that soon after the boat left the dock, she’d be standing in the back when suddenly she’d see “Several serpent-like humps appeared one at a time”; as she described it to The Scottish Sun, “They caused rings of water to ripple out like something was rising from below”; Newton managed to take some photos which convinced her that "The shapes I saw are Nessie"; others on the tour boat were looking in the wrong direction to see her brief encounter, but she showed the photos to the captain and guide and “He told me he had been doing this for years and hadn’t seen anything like them before”; they were on the Jacobite Warrior boat to Urquhart Castle and the photos have not yet (as of this writing) been accepted by the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register. Perhaps the monster can pick and choose to reveal itself to those it thinks are worthy of a sighting?
Stonehenge 'Joker' Crop Circle | 10 June 2025 | Crop Circles From The Air
Those who believe crop circles are messages left by aliens may see this a sign aliens have a sense of humor – a crop circle in the shape of a creepy clown face was discovered in a field near Bush Barrow, a few hundred yards from Stonehenge; crop circle researcher Hugh Newman said, "It’s a new one for me. It’s different from the usual designs”; however, some skeptical researchers saw something familiar about the clown and traced it to a painting by British artist Harry Pack; meanwhile, other doubters pointed out that the hole at the center of the clown’s nose was left by a pole used to attach a rope and served as the radius for the human making the circular face in the field’s crop. Steve Miller fans look at it and see a joker, a smoker and a midnight toker who don’t want to hurt no one.
Alien art teachers would give something like this an 'F' (not the crop crircle in the story)
The clown face has appeared in a field near Bush Barrow, just a few hundred yards from Stonehenge
(Image: Jam Press/Crop Circles From The Air)
Rocky Mountain Sasquatch Organization (RMSO) posted a video of an alleged Bigfoot sighting on the Ammonoosuc River in northwestern New Hampshire near Mt. Washington; the witness shot a video of the woods and river where the sighting occurred and included a separate photo of the creature which Rocky Mountain Sasquatch magnified and analyzed, noting that what the witness thought was a baby on the back of the creature was probably just a large shoulder on a muscular back; RMSO also said the creature did not look like a human in a costume and pointed out that this spot was 60 miles from a location in Vermont where another Bigfoot was seen a few years ago. Keep your camera ready and steady and practice holding your breath so you can get a good clear photo and then yell for help.
In a recent podcast, John Ramirez, who spent 25 years as a CIA analyst, revealed that he had access to classified information confirming the existence of a secret program designed to track alien DNA in humans and analyze how genetic markers in children could indicate hybridization with non-human beings; after collecting the DNA, Ramirez claimed that “There were human traits in the alien DNA and vice versa. Hybrids are real. This is not a conspiracy”; he did not know how the hybridization occurred but speculated that they were altered, manipulated or “enhanced” by aliens; in the podcast, he also claimed he saw classified documents describing “UFO propulsion systems” but did not have the security clearances to actually see them; however, Ramirez claimed he did have an encounter with a reptilian being heard of incidents related to implants and the monitoring of individuals with lower genetic ancestry than human. What we need now is a test to determine if a whistleblower is a government plant trying to distract us or a shapeshifting alien doing the same thing.
He claims quantum AI linguists believe this signal may represent a non-human communication protocol
(Image: Getty Images)
This week’s psychic news comes from Brazilian prognosticator, Athos Salomé, who calls himself ‘The Living Nostradamus’; Salomé says his latest proclamations are backed by military documents, declassified reports, and high-level leaks and they connect quantum AI, extraterrestrial life, and what he calls "humanity's psychic transition" that "cannot be dismissed as conspiracy"; he first describes a covert project codenamed Sentient Atlas that is backed by "credible sources from US and UK intelligence" and designed to intercept and decode anomalous gravitational signals which have caused atmospheric disturbances in Patagonia, Nevada, and Mongolia, and are being analyzed by private AI firms and a ‘stealth startup’ in Dubai whose technical documents referring to ‘reverse gravitational engineering’ and ‘interdimensional non-human intelligence’ are locked in encrypted digital vaults with military-grade security; Salomé also claims that at least nine nations have initiated covert social conditioning programs in anticipation of public disclosure of alien life which he predicts will culminate in 2030. While his predictions are definitely more detailed and current than the real Nostradamus, the Living Noz needs some winning predictions before he is replaced by the Living Nostradamus 2.0.
After a Bigfoot sighting in Monroe, Michigan, a marijuana dispensary there offered a free rolled joint to anyone who brought in a clear photograph of a Sasquatch; this was not the hairy one’s only link to Michigan marijuana as another pot shop, the Higher Love cannabis dispensary in Menominee just across the border from Wisconsin, is causing a local uproar by advertising the business with a menacing 14-foot tall Sasquatch statue at the entrance; locals attending a council meeting said they feared the Bigfoot will make children believe marijuana is OK and endorsed by the “big gorilla by the bridge", while the dispensary’s management points out that the Bigfoot as depicted is big and mean; however, it also admitted that the chain is considering adopting Bigfoot as its mascot (there are a number of Bigfoot-related strains) and putting statues at all locations. Does Bigfoot have an obligation to humans to avoid being associated with controversial products? (Yes, even beef jerky is controversial to vegans.)
The theory that there is a huge structure, or even an entire city, buried underneath the Giza pyramid complex and in particular the Pyramid of Khafre jut got deeper with a scientific presentation by Professor Filippo Biondi of the Khafre Project at its first international conference held recently in Malta; Biondi described the SAR-Doppler technology used to map the underground area, but the most important revelation was details on how the researchers on the project translated the electromagnetic response of the ground into physical vibration patterns in a radical technique developed by them which he likened to using “a stethoscope on rock”; this allowed them to detect differences in mass, shape and resonance below the surface; he then noted that the signals then interpreted not by generative artificial intelligence, but by human experts who reconstruct three-dimensional models based on probabilities calculated by algorithms; based on their analysis, Biondi said that “The detected signatures do not resemble natural formations or geological fissures. Their orientation is almost perfect in relation to the cardinal points, and the symmetry leaves no doubt: someone built them”; and because the technology and engineering involved to build them does not match what is known of the period, they believe the structure predate them; a researcher at the conference let this comment: “If this is validated, we will have to rewrite part of Egypt’s history”. That’s a big ‘if’ which will only be resolved with excavation and the list of approvals needed to do that is as tall as the pyramid.
Space physicist Agnit Mukhopadhyay of the University of Michigan says his field can be used to explain the extinction of Neanderthals and the survival of homo sapiens; he starts with the shift in the Earth's magnetic poles around 41,000 years ago known as the Laschamp event and suggest that it caused an extreme weakening of the Earth's magnetic field which allowed for greater penetration of cosmic and ultraviolet radiation that created aggressive environmental conditions that Neanderthals could not withstand – because their clothes were too loose; that’s right, Mukhopadhyay proposes that homo sapiens used needles to make better and tighter-fitting clothes which covered more of their bodies and both blocked harmful rays and kept them warmer; he also suggests that homo sapiens used ochre on their skin for decoration, therapy, cosmetics, healing, and as an insect repellent, and that same ochre was also an effective sunscreen against the harmful radiations; archeologists dispute this theory, pointing out that there is no evidence humans in other areas wearing loose-fitting and no ochre died from radiation to the point of extinction like the Neanderthals. Does having Neanderthal DNA preclude one from becoming a tailor?
The question of whether journalists with secret information leaked to them by inside sources have an obligation to reveal the info has now been applied to the psychic world, as spoon-bending prognosticator Uri Geller claimed that he had read the mind of U.S. President Donald Trump and found out what Trump would do in the Israeli-Iran conflict - this was days before Trump authorized the bombing of three Iraqi nuclear facilities; Geller said he did not reveal what was on Trump’s mind, explaining that “I cannot say because I will not compromise US-Israel secrecy... but remember even Golda Meir famously said Uri Geller read her mind!"; however, Geller, who lives in Tel Aviv, did tweet what he called “A vital message for Donald Trump: You MUST use your B52s to bomb Fordo! It is the ONLY way to end Iran's nuclear threat. Don't leave a single piece intact. This is a pivotal moment in history and I am urging you with all my energy to do it for the sake of mankind!"" Did Geller give a hint of what Trump would do? Are psychics morally obligated to tell what they know – or are they morally obligated to keep it a secret in order to avoid causing mass panic – especially if they’re wrong?
4 mysterious UFO sightings that are still unexplained
Some UFO sightings can be explained away – but we still don't know the truth behind these ones.
BY Sue Nelson
Many objects have been mistaken for UFOs, from natural phenomena such as lightning sprites and meteors, to experimental aircraft and weather balloons. The French UFO research group, GEIPAN, found that 3.5 per cent of sightings remained unidentified. Here are a few that, so far, have defied explanation.
In 1954, two local football clubs were playing in Florence, Italy, when the crowd stopped watching the game. Instead, around 10,000 fans were looking upwards at a strange craft.
It was described by witnesses as either cigar-or egg-shaped along with silvery-white threads falling from the sky. Samples mostly disintegrated on contact, but some were examined at the University of Florence and found to contain boron, silicon, calcium and magnesium.
"A wave of flying saucers over Italy," reported the Domenica del Corriere three years later. With thanks to the Fondazione Corriere della Sera for the use of material from their historic archives.
While migrating spiders, which use webs as sails, were suggested as a rational answer to this aspect of the sighting, their silk is an organic compound and does not contain any of those elements.
Around 350 children and teachers at Westall High School in Melbourne, Australia, watched five planes surround a silvery flying-saucer-shaped UFO in 1966. The planes attempted to aerially herd the craft for about 20 minutes before it disappeared.
A UFO-themed play park commemorates the event and, to this day, witnesses meet once a year to discuss their experience.
In 1997, thousands of people reported lights across several hundred miles of night sky in Arizona and Nevada in the United States, and Sonora in Mexico. These lights were either stationary, or on a moving V-shaped craft in a triangular formation (artist’s impression above).
The United States Air Force stated that the lights over Phoenix were military flares but the V-shaped UFO remains a mystery.
In December 1980, US airmen stationed at RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk, England were investigating reports of lights in Rendlesham Forest when they saw red and blue lights and a UFO land. It was described as around three metres high and three metres in diameter and appeared to be standing on fixed legs. The material of the craft was like ‘smooth, opaque black glass.’
The next day, indentations were seen on the ground and radiation levels recorded. On a separate night, another member of the US Air Force set out to disprove his colleagues with a tape recorder. He reported lights in the sky that looked ‘like an eye winking at you’ and observed ‘a beam coming down to the ground’. Three years later, the US government released a report that described the encounter, which has become known as Britain’s Roswell.
While there remain believers, psychologist Prof Chris French – who has also visited the site – is among many of those who are unconvinced. A local forester said the indentations were caused by rabbits, and the levels of radioactivity were not especially high. As for the lights? “I’ve heard the tape,” says French, “and the lights are in complete synchrony with Orfordness Lighthouse nearby.”
Classic UFO Sightings that still cannot be explained - Part 1: Unseen Footage from the Archives
Classic UFO Sightings that still cannot be explained - Part 2 : Unseen Footage from the Archives
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.
B-2 Spirit Assembly Activity Resumes: The U.S. Quietly Reinforces Long-Range Deterrence Power
B-2 Spirit Assembly Activity Resumes: The U.S. Quietly Reinforces Long-Range Deterrence Power
Palmdale, California (June 2025) — A series of images, reportedly taken at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Palmdale, has sparked discussions across the defense analysis community. Assembly activity involving the stealth bomber B-2 Spirit appears to have quietly resumed, signaling a possible shift in America’s long-range deterrence strategy.
A Rare Glimpse Behind Closed Doors
The recently circulated photos reveal at least two B-2 Spirit aircraft in mid-stage assembly, surrounded by engineers and specialized equipment. It marks one of the very few public glimpses inside the highly classified B-2 production line.
Photo: Archival image of the B-2 assembly line at Northrop Grumman – circa 1990s
“The revival of the B-2 line likely isn’t just routine maintenance — it could indicate a significant upgrade phase,” commented a defense analyst from the RAND Corporation.
B-2: The Undisputed Stealth Bomber
First introduced in 1997, the B-2 Spirit remains the only strategic stealth bomber in the world capable of penetrating advanced air defense systems.
Equipped for both conventional and nuclear payloads (B61, B83)
Range exceeds 10,000 km without refueling
Capable of transoceanic combat missions, particularly across the Pacific
Photo: The B-2 Spirit unveiled to the public for the first time in Palmdale, California – 1988
Amid growing tensions in the South China Sea, Ukraine, and the Korean Peninsula, America’s reactivation of B-2 operations could send a dual message — to deter adversaries while reassuring allies.
A Silent Upgrade for the Entire B-2 Fleet?
Open-source analysis suggests the B-2 may be undergoing integration with next-generation technologies, often referred to as Gen 5.5+, including:
AI-assisted navigation with 360° sensor fusion
Potential adaptation for hypersonic weapons
Advanced radar-absorbing coatings aimed at countering high-frequency tracking systems reportedly in development by China and Russia
Photo: Strategic bomber production line – illustrative image from Northrop Grumman, possibly B-2 or B-21
Although no official statement has confirmed the scope of the upgrades, these moves are believed to serve as a strategic bridge until the B-21 Raider enters full-scale deployment in the coming years.
A Calculated Move, Not an Accident
Many experts believe the leaked image from the Palmdale plant was intentional. It may be part of a broader “Flexible Deterrence Options” (FDOs) strategy designed to subtly project strength.
Photo: A B-2 Spirit flies over Northrop Grumman’s aerospace complex – illustrative aerial view
“When you reveal part of the B-2 line, you’re not showing weakness — you’re signaling that there’s more in reserve,” wrote military analyst James L. Martin for The WarZone.
Final Thoughts: A Phantom Returns
In an era dominated by drones and electronic warfare, the U.S. doubling down on the B-2 sends a chilling message: some technologies don’t need replacing — because they remain nightmares for any air defense network.
Photo: Rare underside view of the B-2 Spirit on descent, exposing its weapons bay and landing gear
Decades after its first flight, the B-2 Spirit remains more than just a weapon — it is a symbol of stealth supremacy the world still struggles to match.
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First images from Biomass mission show vibrant Earth
First images from Biomass mission show vibrant Earth
This is Biomass’ view of a forest in Bolivia. Colors represent distinct characteristics of the landscape. In this case, green denotes rainforest, red shows forested floodplains and wetlands, purple is grasslands, while black represents rivers and lakes. See more images from the Biomass mission below. Image via ESA.
The Biomass mission from the European Space Agency is taking images of Earth to acquire data about forest biomass and how it changes over time.
The mission’s goal is to aid scientists understand the role forests play in the Earth’s carbon cycle.
The first images from Biomass show a vibrant Earth, revealing details of the landscape through the forest canopy down to the floor.
On June 23, 2025, the European Space Agency (ESA) revealed the first stunning images from its groundbreaking Biomass satellite mission at the Living Planet Symposium. It marks a major leap forward in our ability to understand how Earth’s forests are changing and exactly how they contribute to the global carbon cycle. But these inaugural glimpses go beyond forests. Remarkably, the satellite is already showing potential to unlock new insights into some of Earth’s most extreme environments.
Biomass – an Earth explorer research mission developed within ESA’sFutureEO programme– was launch less than two months ago. This new mission is, therefore, still in the process of being commissioned, but its first set of images are stunning none the less.
As is routine, we’re still in the commissioning phase, fine-tuning the satellite to ensure it delivers the highest quality data for scientists to accurately determine how much carbon is stored in the world’s forests.
Biomass is equipped with novel space technology, so we’ve been closely monitoring its performance in orbit, and we’re very pleased to report that everything is functioning smoothly and its first images are nothing short of spectacular. And they’re only a mere glimpse of what is still to come.
More about Biomass
Biomass is the first satellite to carry a P-band synthetic aperture radar. Its signal is capable of penetrating forest canopies to measure woody biomass: trunks, branches and stems. These measurements serve as a proxy for carbon storage, the assessment of which is the mission’s primary objective.
While it settles into its life in orbit, ESA’s pioneering Biomass mission is already returning data. The satellite, its instrument and systems are still being calibrated. So researchers cannot yet use these first data to quantify carbon or support scientific advances. But they do show that Biomass is well on track to achieving its goals.
Looking at these first images, it’s clear to see that our Earth Explorer Biomass satellite is set to deliver on its promise.
We fully expect that this new mission will provide a groundbreaking leap in our ability to understand Earth’s forests. It will combine cutting-edge radar technology with the scientific excellence that will unlock vital insights into carbon storage, climate change and the health of our planet’s precious forest ecosystems.
Bolivian forests
Biomass’ first image (at top) features part of Bolivia. Bolivia has experienced significant deforestation, ranking among the highest globally for primary forest loss. Although there are complex reasons at play, this is primarily driven by forest clearance for agricultural expansion.
This vibrant image is from the radar instrument’s different polarization channels. Each color reveals distinct characteristics of the landscape. For instance, green hues mainly represent rainforest, red hues forested floodplains and wetlands, and blue–purple is indicative of grasslands. Meanwhile, black areas are rivers and lakes.
In the Amazon basin, some rivers run wild. Unhindered by dams, they are free to meander, but some more dramatically than others. The image captures one such wanderer, the Beni River, which flows from the Andes Mountains across the Bolivian lowlands northeast toward Brazil.
The true strength of the Biomass mission lies not in identifying features from a single image, but in its unique sampling technique and ability to combine multiple observations of the same area to reveal forest height and biomass. This enables scientists to accurately quantify forest carbon stocks and better understand the role of tropical forests in the global carbon cycle.
Biomass mission vs. Copernicus-Sentinel 2
The second image, an image in two parts, is the same capture of Bolivia from Biomass but featured below an image of the same area from Copernicus Sentinel-2.
Although the images appear visually similar, the Biomass image offers significantly more information for quantifying forest carbon stocks. This is primarily thanks to its long-wavelength radar, which can penetrate the canopy and characterize the entire forest structure. In contrast, the optical Sentinel-2 image captures only the top of the canopy.
Copernicus-Sentinel 2 caught the top image of a forest and river in Bolivia. The Biomass mission captured the bottom image of the same region, but with more details. Image viaESA.
Northern Brazil
This third image is actually the very first acquisition Biomass returned. It offers another striking view of the Amazon rainforest, but this time over northern Brazil.
In the southern part of the image, pink and red hues reveal the presence of wetlands. This highlights Biomass’ ability to penetrate dense vegetation and detect features down to the forest floor. The dominance of red tones along the river indicates forested floodplains. Meanwhile, the northern area, depicted in rich green, reveals more rugged topography and dense, continuous forest cover.
Biomass captured this view from northern Brazil on May 22, 2025. Image viaESA.
Volcanoes of Indonesia
The fourth image features tropical forests on islands in Indonesia. This is the Halmahera rainforest, situated in mountainous terrain, much of which has volcanic origins. Several volcanoes remain active in the area, including Mount Gamkonora, visible near the northern coast in this image.
This particular image clearly demonstrates that, beyond providing insights into rainforests, the Biomass P-band radar also reveals topographic features, as its long wavelength can penetrate down to the forest floor.
This Biomass view showcases volcanoes in Indonesia. Image via ESA.
Biomass sees Gabon in Africa
The fifth capture features Gabon in Africa. The Ivindo River, which is vital to the health of the rainforest, is clear to see in this striking image. Other than the river and tributaries, the image is predominantly green, representing dense forest. The visibility of distinct topographical features in this image further underscores the radar’s capability to image through forest canopies to the terrain underneath.
The dark area running top to bottom in this Biomass image is the Ivindo River in Gabon, Africa. Image viaESA.
Examining other aspects of Earth from the Biomass mission
Biomass also offers opportunities to explore other aspects of our planet, as the last two images below demonstrate.
The radar should be able to penetrate through dry sand by as much as 16 feet (five meters). Data can, therefore, be used to map and study sub-surface geological features in deserts, such the remains of ancient riverbeds and lakes. This will help understand the past climate and also help prospect fossil water resources in desert regions.
Indicating that this can indeed be achieved, the sixth image, below, shows the stunning structure of part of the Sahara Desert in Chad. This image covers part of the Tibesti Mountains, a mountain range in the central Sahara, mainly located in the extreme north of Chad.
This Biomass image shows the Sahara Desert in Chad. It covers part of the Tibesti Mountains, a mountain range in the central Sahara, primarily located in the extreme north of Chad. Image via ESA.
The long wavelength of Biomass’ radar allows for deeper penetration into ice. This enables the retrieval of valuable information on ice velocity and the internal structure of the ice. These are capabilities that shorter wavelength radars cannot achieve effectively. And this image indicates that this could be a possibility.
Door de prachtige foto’s die telescopen en satellieten van planeten, sterrenstelsels en nevels hebben gemaakt, zou je bijna vergeten hoe mooi onze eigen planeet is. Maar ESA’s gloednieuwe Biomass-satelliet steekt daar nu een stokje voor.
De Biomass-satelliet is nog geen twee maanden geleden gelanceerd en moet gaan onderzoeken hoe onze bossen eraan toe zijn en hoe ze door de tijd heen veranderen. Daarnaast hopen onderzoekers dat de satelliet meer inzicht kan geven in de rol die bomen spelen in de koolstofcyclus (zie kader).
Bomen en koolstof Bossen worden ook wel de longen van de aarde genoemd. Ze geven zuurstof af en halen koolstofdioxide (CO2) uit de atmosfeer. Die koolstof slaan de bomen op, tot ze worden omgehakt; als de bomen sterven en vergaan, komt de CO2 weer vrij. Tot zover is het een vrij helder verhaal. Minder duidelijk is echter hoeveel CO2 de bossen wereldwijd op dit moment hebben opgeslagen en hoe de mate waarin bomen koolstof opslaan nu precies verandert onder invloed van stijgende temperaturen en hogere CO2-concentraties in de atmosfeer. De Biomass-satelliet moet daar meer inzicht in geven. De satelliet is daartoe onder meer uitgerust met een radarsysteem dat deze in staat stelt om dwars door het bladerdak heen te kijken en de zogenoemde ‘biomassa’ – de stammen en takken – van bossen te meten. Omdat bomen het leeuwendeel van de koolstof die ze opnemen in die stammen en takken opslaan, kan uit die metingen worden afgeleid hoeveel koolstof er op dit moment in bossen zit opgeslagen – en hoe die hoeveelheid door de tijd heen verandert.
Testen Op dit moment is de Biomass-satelliet nog niet in bedrijf; ESA is druk bezig om de systemen aan boord van de satelliet te testen en goed af te stellen. Dat is allesbehalve saai. Zo resulteert het onder meer in de eerste beelden van Biomass en die zijn volgens projectmanager Michael Fehringer “niet minder dan spectaculair”.
Afbeelding: ESA.
Bolivia En daar is weinig aan gelogen. Zo heeft Biomass bijvoorbeeld bovenstaande afbeelding afgeleverd. We zien hier een stukje van Bolivia – waar ontbossing een groot probleem is. Op de levendige afbeelding zien we regenwoud (in groentinten), beboste uiterwaarden en wetlands (in roodtinten), graslanden (in blauwpaarse tinten) en rivieren en meren (in zwart). De wild slingerende rivier de Beni springt daarbij met name in het oog.
Brazilië Nog zo’n mooie opname zie je hieronder (links), van het Amazonewoud in Brazilië. De opname laat mooi zien dat Biomass dwars door het bladerdak kan kijken, tot op de bosbodem. Zo zie je onderin rode en roze tinten die op de aanwezigheid van wetlands wijzen. In het noorden zijn dan weer heuvels te vinden die – afgaand op de groentint – heel dicht bebost zijn.
Afbeelding: ESA.
Gabon Ook de foto die je hier rechtsboven ziet, gemaakt in Gabon (Afrika) is prachtig. De Ivindo-rivier springt er duidelijk uit. Deze rivier is van levensbelang voor het omringende regenwoud waar Biomass dus ook weer dwars doorheen gluurt, zodat de topografische kenmerken van het gebied aan het licht komen.
Woestijnen Maar Biomass kan nog meer, zo onthult de foto hieronder. Het radarsysteem waarmee de satelliet is uitgerust kan namelijk niet alleen dwars door bladeren heen kijken, maar ook dwars door tot wel vijf meter droog zand heen ‘gluren’. En daarmee is de satelliet bijvoorbeeld in staat om ondergrondse structuren – zoals de restanten van oude rivierbeddingen en meren – in woestijnen op te snorren. Die restanten kunnen onder meer onthullen welk klimaat de woestijn in het verleden kende en hoe de woestijn er onder dat klimaat precies uitzag.
Op deze foto zie je een stukje van de Tibestigebergte in de Sahara (Tsjaad). Afbeelding: ESA.
IJs En daar blijft het niet bij. Want het radarsysteem aan boord van Biomass kan ook vrij diep in ijs gluren en zo meer inzicht geven in de interne structuur daarvan. Om dat te demonstreren, maakte Biomass de foto hieronder, met daarop een stukje van het enorme Transarctisch Gebergte en de Nimrod-gletsjer (beiden te vinden op Antarctica).
Afbeelding: ESA.
De beelden zijn prachtig om te zien, maar onthullen bovenal dat Biomass in staat is om de hoge verwachtingen waar te maken en ons een ongeëvenaard inkijkje te geven in bossen – en en passant ook in woestijnen en ijsmassa’s – op onze eigen prachtige planeet. “We verwachten dat deze nieuwe missie een baanbrekende sprong voorwaarts betekent in ons begrip van de bossen op aarde,” aldus Fehringer. “En essentiële inzichten zal opleveren als het gaat om koolstofopslag, klimaatverandering en de gezondheid van de kostbare bosecosystemen op onze planeet.”
Two Anomalous Radio Signals Detected Coming from Antarctic Ice
A cosmic ray-like signal was recorded, seeming to come from below the Antarctic ice.
(Westend61/Getty Images)
Two Anomalous Radio Signals Detected Coming from Antarctic Ice
The unusual radio pulses were detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna(ANITA) experiment, a range of instruments flown on NASA balloons high above Antarctica that are designed to detect radio waves from cosmic rays hitting the atmosphere. The goal of the experiment is to gain insight into distant cosmic events by analyzing signals that reach the Earth. Rather than reflecting off the ice, the radio signals appeared to be coming from below the horizon, an orientation that cannot be explained by the current understanding of particle physics and may hint at new types of particles or interactions previously unknown to science.
ANITA was placed in Antarctica because there is little chance of interference from other signals; to capture the emission signals, the balloon-borne radio detector is sent to fly over stretches of ice, capturing what are called ice showers.
Image credit: Stephanie Wissel / Penn State.
“The radio waves that we detected were at really steep angles, like 30 degrees below the surface of the ice,” said Dr. Stephanie Wissel, a physicist at Penn State.
“By our calculations, the anomalous signal had to pass through and interact with thousands of km of rock before reaching the detector, which should have left the radio signal undetectable because it would have been absorbed into the rock.”
“It’s an interesting problem because we still don’t actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are, but what we do know is that they’re most likely not representing neutrinos.”
Usually emitted by high-energy sources like the Sun or major cosmic events like supernovas or even the Big Bang, there are neutrino signals everywhere.
The problem with these particles, though, is that they are notoriously difficult to detect.
“You have a billion neutrinos passing through your thumbnail at any moment, but neutrinos don’t really interact,” Dr. Wissel said.
“So, this is the double-edged sword problem. If we detect them, it means they have traveled all this way without interacting with anything else.”
“We could be detecting a neutrino coming from the edge of the observable Universe.”
“Once detected and traced to their source, these particles can reveal more about cosmic events than even the most high-powered telescopes, as the particles can travel undisturbed and almost as fast as the speed of light, giving clues about cosmic events that happened light-years away.”
“Teams of researchers around the world have been working to design and build special detectors to capture sensitive neutrino signals, even in relatively small amounts.”
“Even one small signal from a neutrino holds a treasure trove of information, so all data has significance.”
“We use radio detectors to try to build really, really large neutrino telescopes so that we can go after a pretty low expected event rate.”
ANITA is one of these detectors, and it was placed in Antarctica because there is little chance of interference from other signals.
To capture the emission signals, the balloon-borne radio detector is sent to fly over stretches of ice, capturing what are called ice showers.
“We have these radio antennas on a balloon that flies 40 km above the ice in Antarctica,” Dr. Wissel said.
“We point our antennas down at the ice and look for neutrinos that interact in the ice, producing radio emissions that we can then sense on our detectors.”
These special ice-interacting neutrinos, called tau neutrinos, produce a secondary particle called a tau lepton that is released out of the ice and decays, the physics term referring to how the particle loses energy as it travels over space and breaks down into its constituents. This produces emissions known as air showers.
“If they were visible to the naked eye, air showers might look like a sparkler waved in one direction, with sparks trailing it,” Dr. Wissel said.
“We can distinguish between the two signals — ice and air showers — to determine attributes about the particle that created the signal.”
“These signals can then be traced back to their origin, similar to how a ball thrown at an angle will predictably bounce back at the same angle.”
The recent anomalous findings, though, cannot be traced back in such a manner as the angle is much sharper than existing models predict.
ANITA's instruments were designed to detect radio waves from cosmic rays hitting the atmosphere.
Stephanie Wissel/Penn State
By analyzing data collected from multiple ANITA flights and comparing it with mathematical models and extensive simulations of both regular cosmic rays and upward-going air showers, the researchers were able to filter out background noise and eliminate the possibility of other known particle-based signals.
The scientists then cross-referenced signals from other independent detectors like the IceCube Experiment and the Pierre Auger Observatory to see if data from upward-going air showers, similar to those found by ANITA, were captured by other experiments.
The analysis revealed the other detectors did not register anything that could have explained what ANITA detected, which led the authors to describe the signal as anomalous, meaning that the particles causing the signal are not neutrinos.
The signals do not fit within the standard picture of particle physics, and while several theories suggest that it may be a hint of dark matter, the lack of follow-up observations with IceCube and Auger really narrow the possibilities.
“Our team is currently designing and building the next big detector,” Dr. Wissel said.
The ANITA experiment flew four times between 2006 and 2016.
Stephanie Wissel/Penn State
“The new detector, called PUEO, will be larger and better at detecting neutrino signals, and it will hopefully shed light on what exactly the anomalous signal is.”
“My guess is that some interesting radio propagation effect occurs near ice and also near the horizon that I don’t fully understand, but we certainly explored several of those, and we haven’t been able to find any of those yet either.”
A rendering of what PUEO will look like once deployed.
“So, right now, it’s one of these long-standing mysteries, and I’m excited that when we fly PUEO, we’ll have better sensitivity.”
“In principle, we should pick up more anomalies, and maybe we’ll actually understand what they are.”
“We also might detect neutrinos, which would in some ways be a lot more exciting.”
The team’s paper was published in the journal Physical Review Letters.
A. Abdul Halim et al. (Pierre Auger Collaboration). 2025. Search for the Anomalous Events Detected by ANITA Using the Pierre Auger Observatory. Phys. Rev. Lett 134, 121003; doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.121003
This article is based on a press-release provided by Penn State.
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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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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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A new theory by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist Gunther Kletetschka argues that time comes in three dimensions rather than just the single one we experience as continual forward progression, and space emerges as a secondary manifestation
Time, not space plus time, might be the single fundamental property in which all physical phenomena occur.
Image credit: M. Weiss / Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
“These three time dimensions are the primary fabric of everything, like the canvas of a painting,” Dr. Kletetschka said.
“Space still exists with its three dimensions, but it’s more like the paint on the canvas rather than the canvas itself.”
“These thoughts are a marked difference from generally accepted physics, which holds that a single dimension of time plus the three dimensions of space constitute reality.”
“This is known as spacetime, the concept developed more than a century ago that views time and space as one entity.”
Dr. Kletetschka’s mathematical formula of six total dimensions — of time and space combined — could bring scientists closer to finding the single unifying explanation of the Universe.
Dimensions of time beyond our everyday forward progression are difficult to grasp. Theoretical physicists have proposed many variations.
The new work adds to a long-running body of research by theoretical physicists on a subject outside of mainstream physics.
“Earlier 3D time proposals were primarily mathematical constructs without these concrete experimental connections,” Dr. Kletetschka said.
“My work transforms the concept from an interesting mathematical possibility into a physically testable theory with multiple independent verification channels.”
“The theory could be used to predict currently unknown particle properties and aid in pursuing the origin of mass — and, ultimately, helping solve one of the biggest questions in physics.”
Three-dimensional time is a theory in which time, like space, has multiple independent directions — typically imagined as three axes of time motion, similar in concept to the spatial X, Y and Z axes.
Imagine you are walking down a straight path, moving forward and therefore experiencing time as we know it. Now imagine another path that crosses the first one, going sideways.
If you could step onto that sideways path and remain in the same moment of regular time, you might find that things could be slightly different — perhaps a different version of the same day.
Moving along this perpendicular second path could let you explore different outcomes of that day without going backward or forward in time as we know it.
The existence of those different outcomes is the second dimension of time. The means to transition from one outcome to another is the third dimension.
“This theory overcomes some of the problems with earlier three-dimensional time theories that are based on traditional physics,” Dr. Kletetschka said.
“Those earlier theories, for example, describe multiple time dimensions in which cause-and-effect relationships are potentially ambiguous.”
“The new theory ensures that causes still precede effects, even with multiple time dimensions, just in a more complex mathematical structure.”
In three-dimensional time, the second and third dimensions are thought by some researchers, notably theoretical physicist Itzhak Bars of the University of Southern California, to become apparent, or unfold, at levels of extreme energy such as during the early Universe or in high-energy particle interactions.
The new approach might even help resolve the grandest of all unresolved physics challenges: unifying quantum mechanics — the behavior of particles at the smallest scales — and gravity into a single quantum theory of gravity.
A quantum theory of gravity could lead to, or become, a grand theory of the Universe — the so-called theory of everything.
The elusive unifying theory would unite the four fundamental forces of nature — electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, weak nuclear force and gravity.
The Standard Model of particle physics unites the first three. Gravity is explained through Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
The two are incompatible, so physicists have been searching for that theory of everything to unite them. Finding the origin of particle masses is central in that pursuit.
Dr. Kletetschka believes his theory of three-dimensional time can help.
The framework accurately reproduces the known masses of particles such as electrons, muons and quarks and also explains why these particles have these masses.
“The path to unification might require fundamentally reconsidering the nature of physical reality itself,” Dr. Kletetschka said.
“This theory demonstrates how viewing time as three-dimensional can naturally resolve multiple physics puzzles through a single coherent mathematical framework.”
His paper was published in the journal Reports in Advances of Physical Science.
Gunther Kletetschka. 2025. Three-Dimensional Time: A Mathematical Framework for Fundamental Physics. Reports in Advances of Physical Sciences 9: 2550004; doi: 10.1142/S2424942425500045
The idea of an entire continent tearing in half sounds like a plot from the latest apocalyptic blockbuster - but scientists say that it could soon become a reality in Africa.
A massive crack is ripping through Earth's second-largest continent, from the north east to the south.
Eventually, the entire continent could split apart - leaving eastern Africa with its own coastline, separated from the rest of Africa.
In a new study, researchers uncovered evidence of rhythmic surges of molten rock rising from deep within the Earth's surface, beneath Ethiopia.
These pulses are gradually tearing the continent apart and forming a new ocean, according to researchers from Swansea University.
'The split will eventually go all the way down Africa,' lead author Dr Emma Watts told MailOnline.
'It has already begun and is happening now but at a slow rate – 5-16 mm per year – in the north of the rift.
'Regarding timescales, this process of Africa being torn apart will take several million years before it is completed.'
Scientists say a massive crack has started ripping through Africa, from the north east to the south, starting at the Afar region in Ethiopia. Pictured, active lava flows spilling out of the Erta Ale volcano in Afar, Ethiopia
Scientists at the University of Southampton uncovered evidence of rhythmic surges of molten mantle rock rising from deep within the Earth beneath Africa. These pulses are gradually tearing the continent apart and forming a new ocean
The split has already started at the northeast of Africa off the coast of Ethiopia, where the Red Sea flows into the Gulf of Aden. This image shows the hypothesized hot upwelling of mantle over the next few millions of years
Dr Watts and colleagues point to the Gulf of Aden, a relatively narrow body of water separating Africa in the south and Yemen in the north.
Like a small tear in a piece of clothing, the gradual separation event could start at the Gulf of Aden and gradually spread downwards.
As it does so, it would split through the middle of enormous bodies of water in East Africa, such as Lake Malawi and Lake Turkana.
By the time the split is complete, perhaps five to 10 million years from now, Africa will be made up of two landmasses.
There will be the larger landmass in the west featuring most of the 54 modern-day African countries, such as Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana and Nambia.
Meanwhile, the smaller landmass to the east will include Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and a large portion of Ethiopia.
'The smaller part that breaks away towards the east will be approximately 1 million square miles in area and the remaining larger landmass will be just over 10 million square miles,' Dr Watts told MailOnline.
For the study, the team collected more than 130 volcanic rock samples from across the Afar region.
The Gulf of Aden (pictured) is a relatively narrow body of water separating Africa in the south and Yemen in the north - and this is where the split has already begun
The Afar region is a rare place on Earth where three tectonic rifts meet - the Main Ethiopian Rift, the Red Sea Rift, and the Gulf of Aden Rift - together known as a triple junction. Pictured, fresh basaltic lava flows in the region of Afar, Ethiopia
This region is characterized by high volcanic activity. Pictured, a succession of volcanic deposits at Boset Volcano in the Main Ethiopian Rift
What's happening beneath the Gulf of Aden?
Deep below the Afar region in Ethiopia is a plume of molten mantle rock that pulses upward like a beating heart
These pulses carry distinct chemical signatures to the overlying tectonic plates above
The plates are moving apart from each other at different speeds - forming rifts of different widths
With this movement, the pulses flow out down each rift
Over millions of years, this movement continues and the tear at the Afar region goes southwards, forming a new ocean
In this region, three tectonic plates meet, called the Main Ethiopian Rift, the Red Sea Rift and the Gulf of Aden Rift, which are 'divergent', meaning they're moving away from each other.
The experts used these samples, plus existing data and advanced statistical modelling, to investigate the structure of the Earth's crust and the mantle below it.
The mantle, the planet's thickest layer, is predominantly a solid rock but behaves like a viscous fluid. The divergence (moving apart of the plates) aids the rising of the mantle.
'We found that the mantle beneath Afar is not uniform or stationary – it pulses,' said Dr Watts.
'These ascending pulses of partially molten mantle are channelled by the rifting plates above.'
Over millions of years, as tectonic plates are pulled apart at rift zones like Afar, they stretch and thin almost like soft plasticine, until they rupture, marking the birth of a new ocean.
Geologists have long suspected a hot upwelling of mantle, but until now, little was known about the structure of this upwelling, or how it behaves beneath rifting plates.
The team say the pulses appear to behave differently depending on the thickness of the plate, and how fast it’s pulling apart.
Earth is made up of three layers – the crust, the mantle and the core, which was later separated into 'inner' and 'outer'. A recent study suggested the existence of an 'innermost core' too
For the study, the team collected more than 130 volcanic rock samples from across the Afar region. Pictured, microscope image of a thin sliver of one of the volcanic rocks from Afar, Ethiopia
At the Afar region, the entire rift valley floor is covered with volcanic rocks, which suggests that, in this area, part of the Earth's crust has thinned almost to the point of complete break up.
When this happens, a new ocean will begin forming by the solidification of magma in the space created by the broken-up plates.
Eventually, over a period of tens of millions of years, seafloor spreading will progress along the entire length of the rift.
The study, published in Nature Geoscience, shows that the mantle plume beneath the Afar region is not static, but dynamic and responsive to the tectonic plate above it.
'We have found that the evolution of deep mantle upwellings is intimately tied to the motion of the plates above,' said co-author Dr Derek Keir, associate professor in earth science at the University of Southampton and the University of Florence.
'This has profound implications for how we interpret surface volcanism, earthquake activity, and the process of continental breakup.'
Tectonic plates are composed of Earth's crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle.
Below is the asthenosphere: the warm, viscous conveyor belt of rock on which tectonic plates ride.
The Earthhas fifteen tectonic plates (pictured) that together have moulded the shape of the landscape we see around us today
Earthquakes typically occur at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where one plate dips below another, thrusts another upward, or where plate edges scrape alongside each other.
Earthquakes rarely occur in the middle of plates, but they can happen when ancient faults or rifts far below the surface reactivate.
These areas are relatively weak compared to the surrounding plate, and can easily slip and cause an earthquake.
For the first time, mice born to two fathers have grown up and produced offspring, scientists in China have revealed.
The researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University managed to insert two sperm cells - one from each father - into a mouse egg whose nucleus had been removed.
A gene editing technique was then used to reprogram parts of the sperm DNA to allow an embryo to develop – a process called androgenesis.
The embryo, featuring the genetic material from two fathers, was transferred to a female womb and allowed to grow to term.
Finally, the resulting offspring (male) managed to grow to adulthood and become a parent after mating conventionally with a female.
In their lab experiments, the researchers managed to successfully demonstrate the method twice – birthing two fertile male mice, both with two fathers.
The promising breakthrough could pave the way for two gay men to have a child of their own who can also go on to have a family.
However, experts have cautioned that there is still a way to go before any such procedures are attempted in humans.
These adult male mice, which each have the genetic material of their two fathers, have gone on to have offspring of their own
'In this study, we report the generation of fertile androgenetic mice,' the Chinese experts say in their paper, published in the journal PNAS.
'Our findings, together with previous achievements of uniparental reproduction in mammals, support previous speculation that genomic imprinting is the fundamental barrier to the full-term development of uniparental mammalian embryos.'
Experts caution that we are not ready to start such experiments in humans, which could be deeply unethical.
Christophe Galichet, research operations manager at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre in London, points out that the success rate of the experiments was very low.
Of 259 mice embryos that were transferred to female mice, just two survived, grew to adulthood and then fathered their own offspring.
'This research on generating offspring from same-sex parents is promising,' Galichet, who was not involved with the experiments, told New Scientist.
'[But] it is unthinkable to translate it to humans due to the large number of eggs required, the high number of surrogate women needed and the low success rate.'
Today, gay couples who want to have children usually rely on a surrogate mother or father to bring a child into the world.
Today, gay couples who want to have children usually rely on a surrogate mother or father to bring a child into the world
(file photo)
How did the scientists do it?
Experts took sperm from two male mice and injected it into an immature egg cell with its genetic material removed (known as enucleation)
Gene editing was then used to reprogram seven parts of the sperm DNA to allow an embryo to develop
The embryo, featuring the genetic material from two fathers, was transferred to a female womb and allowed to grow to term
The offspring grew to adulthood and became a parent after mating with a member of the opposite sex
These offspring appeared normal in terms of size, weight, appearance
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.
To help this search, the rover is equipped with multiple cameras, a drill to gather rock samples, and sets of tools to analyse the chemical compositions of samples.
However, despite a decade of searching, Curiosity has never found any evidence that Mars is or ever was home to any form of alien life.
But that hasn't stopped wild speculation following many of the rover's discoveries.
Following his discovery of this archived image, Mr Waring claims that the rocky structure is a mushroom that has 'clearly pushed up out of the Mars dirt.'
He adds: 'NASA should have poked it, bumped it, knocked it over, cut it open with their tools on Curiosity rover or at least use that million-dollar laser they burn rocks and dirt with.'
And Mr Waring isn't the only one who agrees. Commenters on social media flocked to share their support for his claims.
One wrote: Looks like a mushroom to me! NASA know far more about MARS than they let on.'
However, despite having a similar shape to some fungi, scientists say that there is a simple explanation for these images
(stock image)
Online, the images of Martian 'mushrooms' started a flurry of speculation as users claimed that it 'looks like a mushroom to me'
Scientists have found no evidence that life exists or ever has existed on Mars. But there is good evidence that the planet does contain water
While another boldly claimed: 'What people fail to realize is if life is found on just one other planet in the solar system, then that basically means there is life everywhere in the Universe mathematically.'
However, scientists are not convinced by this supposed evidence.
Dr Gareth Dorrian, a planetary physicist from the University of Birmingham, told MailOnline that this is simply a 'flat roughly disc-shaped rock sitting atop a smaller stone at the bottom.'
'My best guess would be they were not originally in that position, but like two rocks lying in the desert, one just below the surface and the other on the surface above it,' he explained.
'Over time the wind could gradually blow the sand and dust away and the top one would gradually settle onto the bottom one.'
Dr Dorrian points out that wind-driven processes like this on Earth often produce remarkable and strange formations.
As water flows through sediment, it dissolves the minerals and rearranges them in a more compact form to leave behind a solid block.
This is not the first time that scientists have found a 'mushroom on Mars'. However, these are just a type of geological feature called a concretion (pictured top right)
Since these are harder than the surrounding rock, they are often left standing above the surface.
Just like the hoodoo rock spires of the American southwest, these structures often take on a mushroom-like shape as the wind carves away the softer bedrock to leave a thin 'stem'.
Part of the reason that Curiosity didn't stop to take any more measurements, as Mr Waring suggests, is that these are common on the Martian surface.
Additionally, Dr Dorrian points out that, even if there were life on Mars, the chances of a living organism being found on the Martian surface are extremely low.
The atmospheric pressure at the Martian surface is roughly equivalent to that found 20 miles above the surface of Earth, meaning the atmosphere is very thin.
This allows a constant stream of ultraviolet and particle radiation in the form of cosmic rays to bombard the surface.
Dr Dorrian says: 'This unhealthy combination of radiation is well known to damage complex molecules like DNA and would quickly sterilise the surface where this image was taken.'
As if that wasn't bad enough, Dr Dorrian notes that temperature above ground would make it impossible for any organism to survive.
Concretions formed on Mars billions of years ago when water flowed through the sediment and left behind hard blocks of material that resisted being weathered by the wind
These same processes are responsible for the formation of the Hoodoo pillars in the American Southwest which also often have a mushroom-like shape
Temperatures swing from a comfortable 20°C (68°F) during the day to -100°C (-148°F) at night, well below the freezing point of water and far colder than anywhere on Earth.
'No known forms of life can simultaneously tolerate these extremes of temperatures, radiation levels, and low atmospheric pressure, including mushrooms,' says Dr Dorrian.
'If life does exist on Mars, it is more likely to be found below ground, such as in underground reserves of water, where it would be shielded from the harsh environment at the surface.'
That means this photograph almost certainly shows a common and naturally occurring rock formation, rather than life growing in an impossibly harsh environment.
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.
Deep in the Atlantic Ocean, scientists have discovered a haunting undersea world that may hold the blueprint forhow life began on Earth.
This vast field of mineral towers, called the Lost City, is the oldest known hydrothermal system in the ocean. Scientists believe its extreme conditions mirror the early Earth, offering clues to how the first life formsmight have emerged.
The Lost City Hydrothermal Field lie more than 2,300 feet beneath the surface, on the slopes of an underwater mountain in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a massive underwater mountain range that runs through the Atlantic Ocean. It marks the boundary between tectonic plates and is a hotspot for geological activity.
Researchers estimate the Lost City has existed for over 120,000 years, making it the longest-living hydrothermal vent field ever discovered.
In a recent breakthrough, scientists successfully recovered a core sample of mantle rock from the site. This rock is the deep Earth source that fuels the vent system.
The core sample could help scientists better understand the chemical reactions happening beneath the seafloor, reactions that produce hydrocarbons in the absence of sunlight or oxygen, serving as food for marine life.
These same reactions may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth billions of years ago.
The Lost City is made up of towering spires of carbonate rock, formed by chemical reactions between seawater and hot rock from beneath the seafloor
The Lost City is made up of towering spires of carbonate rock, some nearly 200 feet tall, formed by a unique geological reaction called serpentinization, where seawater interacts with mantle rock deep below the seafloor.
These reactions release methane and hydrogen gas, which fuel microbial life that survives without sunlight or oxygen, something rarely seen on Earth.
The site is located approximately nine miles west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge axis, just south of the Azores islands.
Its isolated position means it has remained undisturbed by human activity for thousands of years, preserving an ecosystem that offers a window into Earth’s earliest conditions.
Each hydrothermal vent, nicknamed IMAX, Poseidon, Seeps, and Nature emits warm, alkaline fluids. These create a stable environment for life in one of the most extreme corners of the planet.
Now, with renewed global attention, scientists believe the Lost City may help explain how life first formed from non-living matter, an unsolved mystery in biology.
The site is located approximately 15 kilometers (about nine miles) west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge axis, just south of the Azores. Its remote position places it far from human interference.
Unlike most hydrothermal systems powered by volcanic heat, the Lost City is powered by chemical energy from the Earth's mantle, giving it a distinct structure and chemistry.
Inside its towering chimneys, fluids reach up to 194 Fahrenheit, not boiling, but hot enough to fuel chemicals reactions.
These vents produce hydrocarbons, organic compounds made from carbon and hydrogen, which are considered the building blocks of life.
The site is special because its hydrocarbons form through deep Earth chemical reactions, not sunlight or photosynthesis. This makes the Lost City a rare second example of how life could begin.
Microbes inside these chimneys live in total darkness, with no oxygen, using methane and hydrogen as their only fuel.
On the outer surfaces, rare animals like shrimp, snails, sea urchins, and eels cling to the mineral-rich structures.
Larger animals are uncommon here likely because the energy supply is limited. Unlike surface ecosystems, there's no sunlight or abundant food chain, only chemical nutrients trickling out of the vents.
Microbiologist William Brazelton told Smithsonian Magazine: “This is an example of a type of ecosystem that could be active on Enceladus or Europa right this second.”
While the Lost City itself lacks mineable materials, nearby regions could be targeted for future deep-sea mining operations.
These are moons of Saturn and Jupiter, which have oceans beneath icy crusts, raising the hope that similar life could exist beyond Earth.
Some spires have grown to 60 meters tall over tens of thousands of years.
Scientists say they act like natural laboratories, showing how life might arise in environments without sun, plants, or animals.
In 2017, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) gave the Polish government a 15-year exploration license for an area of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which includes territory surrounding the Lost City.
Though Lost City itself lacks valuable minerals, nearby vent fields may contain polymetallic sulfides, a target for future deep-sea mining. That’s where the threat comes in.
Mining operations near hydrothermal vents can stir up sediment plumes, releasing toxic chemicals or particles that drift through the water column and harm nearby ecosystems, even if the site itself isn’t directly touched.
The Convention on Biological Diversity has already designated Lost City as an Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Area (EBSA), based on its uniqueness, biodiversity, and scientific value.
Being listed as an EBSA gives scientists leverage to argue for protective measures, though it carries no binding legal protection. Meanwhile, UNESCO is reviewing the site for World Heritage status, which could offer stronger international backing against mining and disturbance.
Scientists argue this is urgently needed. Once disturbed, such systems may never recover, and we could lose a living example of how life began.
The photograph so detailed it's impossible to see with the naked eye: Vera C Rubin Observatory releases the first images from its whopping 3,200 MEGAPIXEL camera
The photograph so detailed it's impossible to see with the naked eye: Vera C Rubin Observatory releases the first images from its whopping 3,200 MEGAPIXEL camera
One of its first stunning images shows the Trifid and Lagoon nebulae, vast clouds of colourful gas located some 9,000 light-years from Earth.
Combining 678 different pictures taken over seven hours, the photograph reveals blue and pink swirls of interplanetary gas and the glow of young stars being formed.
In another image, the massive telescope captures around 10 million galaxies - just 0.5 per cent of the 20 billion galaxies it will observe over its lifetime.
However, these are only the very first test images from the cutting-edge telescope, with thousands more soon to come.
Scientists have revealed the first images from the world's largest digital camera, the Vera C Rubin Observatory. This image shows the pink clouds of the Trifid Nebula (middle) and the smaller stellar nursery of the Lagoon Nebula (top right), located around 9,000 light-years from Earth
Located on top of the Cerro Pachón mountain in Chile, this revolutionary telescope is poised to supercharge our study of the universe
Perched 8,770ft (2,670m) above the Chilean Andes on a mountain dedicated to space research, the newly completed Vera C Rubin Telescope is in the perfect place to watch the stars.
The location is very high, exceptionally dark, and far enough above sea level to avoid much of the interference from Earth's atmosphere.
The observatory's four goals are to map changes in the sky, study the formation of the Milky Way, map the solar system, and understand dark matter.
As these test images offer a tantalising glimpse of what is to come, the observatory is soon to start a decade-long vigil watching the night sky.
With its unique, fast-moving design, astronomers will snap an image of the sky once every 40 seconds for eight to 12 hours every single night.
As part of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, the telescope will map the entire southern night sky once every three days for the next ten years.
At its peak, the observatory will be generating tens of thousands of images every night, which will be sent to scientists around the world.
The UK will also play a critical role in this project by hosting the data centres to process the enormous quantities of data.
This is a small section of a test photo taken by the Vera C Rubin Observatory of the Virgo cluster, the full image contains over 10,000 galaxies
Another small section of the same image shows spiral galaxies interacting in the heart of a dense galaxy cluster
The Vera C Rubin Observatory
Location: Cerro Pachón, Chile
Altitude: 8,768.9 feet (2,672.7m)
Primary mirror diameter: 27.5 feet (8.4m)
Camera resolution: 3,200 megapixels
The Vera C Rubin Observatory is a unique 'survey telescope' designed to photograph the entire night sky once every three days.
The telescope features the largest digital camera ever constructed and a specialised mount allowing it to move much faster than traditional telescopes.
This will enable the observatory to take a photo once every 40 seconds for eight to 12 hours per night.
By repeatedly taking images of the same sections of the sky, the Vera C Rubin Observatory will enable scientists to detect the smallest changes.
Dr Eduardo Bañados, from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, says the telescope will give astronomers a 'cosmic movie' of the next decade.
'This will allow us to go beyond just discovering such super-distant galaxies, but also learning about their physical properties,' says Dr Bañados.
The system will alert scientists anytime it detects that something has changed, with up to 10 million data alerts being generated every night.
These alerts might be tiny fluctuations in the light from a distant galaxy or the glint of sunlight on an asteroid approaching Earth.
Scientists believe that the telescope will increase the catalogue of objects in the solar system tenfold.
Speaking at a press conference revealing the test images, Aaron Roodman, Deputy Director for the observatory's construction, said: 'Since we take images of the night sky so quickly and so often, we'll detect millions of changing objects literally every night.
That means, if there is a ninth planet hiding somewhere in the solar system, the Vera C Rubin telescope will be able to find it.
The Vera C Rubin Observatory will map the entire southern night sky once every three days for the next decade, to create an unprecedented 'cosmic movie'
Light from distant galaxies is reflected from a 27.5-foot (8.4m) primary mirror, into an 11.2-foot (3.4m) secondary mirror, back into a 15.7-foot (4.8m) mirror, which bounces it into the waiting camera.
The setup is so sensitive that a single speck of dust or the light from a stray LED is enough to cause distortion.
However, overcoming those difficulties will give scientists an unprecedented window into the galactic past.
Mr Roodman says: 'We also will combine those images to be able to see incredibly dim galaxies and stars, including galaxies that are billions of light-years away.
'Rubin Observatory is truly a discovery machine. It will enable us to explore galaxies, stars in the Milky Way, objects in the solar system, and all in a truly new way.'
More photos from the Vera C Rubin Observatory will be released in a live-streamed event at 16:00 BST today.
Who was Vera C Rubin? The namesake of the world's largest digital camera
The Vera C Rubin Observatory is named after the American astronomer Vera Rubin, who was born in 1928.
Vera Rubin is famous for being the person whose work provided the first convincing evidence for the existence of 'dark matter'.
This is the hidden, unobservable extra mass which explains why the universe looks the way it does.
Prior to Rubin's discoveries, dark matter had been proposed but was not something that many astronomers took seriously.
Rubin studied more than 60 galaxies and found that the stars at the edges were moving just as fast as those at the centre.
According to the laws of physics that didn't make sense.
When Rubin and her colleague Kent Ford added up the mass of the galaxies, they found that their gravity shouldn't have been strong enough to hold them together.
That meant there needed to be some extra mass holding them together, and that mass must be dark matter.
Rubin was convinced that scientists would discover what dark matter was within a decade, but the mystery has proven far more elusive.
This means her discovery has launched an entirely new field of astrophysics, dedicated to studying the consequences of her incredible discovery.
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.
Wie Zijn Die Buitenaardse Wezens? Van de Plejadianen tot Olifantachtige-sterenwezens
Wie Zijn Die Buitenaardse Wezens? Van de Plejadianen tot Olifantachtige-sterenwezens
Inleiding
Het vraagstuk wie de buitenaardse wezens zijn, heeft de mensheid sinds het begin van haar bestaan beziggehouden. Van oude beschavingen tot moderne UFO-onderzoekers, er is een voortdurende nieuwsgierigheid naar de aard, oorsprong en intenties van deze mysterieuze wezens die zich mogelijk buiten ons aardse bestaan bevinden. Deze belangstelling wordt niet alleen gevoed door verhalen en legendes, maar ook door getuigenissen, waarnemingen en wetenschappelijke pogingen om het fenomeen te verklaren. In veel oude culturen worden tekenen van buitenaardse aanwezigheid beschreven, zoals de mythologische verhalen over goden die van de hemel neerdaalden of oude kunstwerken die vreemde objecten en wezens afbeelden. Deze historische bronnen vormen een fascinerende basis voor het onderzoek naar buitenaardse levensvormen en geven inzicht in hoe verschillende samenlevingen door de eeuwen heen hiermee omgingen.
In de moderne tijd kreeg het vraagstuk een nieuwe impuls met de opkomst van de UFO-beweging en de introductie van technologische hulpmiddelen die het mogelijk maken om luchtwaarnemingen en vreemde verschijnselen systematisch te documenteren. Wereldwijde incidenten zoals de Roswell-affaire en de vele onverklaarbare waarnemingen zorgen ervoor dat het onderwerp nog altijd actueel en controversieel is. Daarbij wordt niet alleen gedacht aan de klassieke afbeelding van kleine groene mannetjes, maar ook aan meer exotische en theoretische entiteiten zoals interdimensionale wezens, energie-gebaseerde vormen en andere niet-erkende wezens die mogelijk buiten onze huidige wetenschappelijke kennis vallen.
In dit essay zullen we de verschillende vormen en beschrijvingen van buitenaardse entiteiten onderzoeken, variërend van de bekende Plejadianen tot meer exotische en theoretische entiteiten zoals interdimensionale wezens en energie-gebaseerde vormen. Daarbij wordt niet alleen een overzicht gegeven van de historische en culturele verschijningsvormen, maar ook de wetenschappelijke plausibiliteit en de echtheid van dergelijke beweringen beoordeeld. Door deze verschillende perspectieven te combineren, hopen we een vollediger beeld te schetsen van wie deze mysterieuze wezens mogelijk zijn en waarom ze zo’n blijvende aantrekkingskracht op de mensheid uitoefenen.
Historisch Overzicht
De fascinatie voor buitenaardse wezens is een onderwerp dat teruggaat tot de oudheid en zich door de eeuwen heen heeft ontwikkeld, verweven met mythologie, religie en later wetenschappelijke nieuwsgierigheid. In oude beschavingen zoals die van Egypte, Griekenland en Azië vinden we talloze verwijzingen naar goddelijke entiteiten en wezens die buitenaardse kenmerken vertonen. Bijvoorbeeld, in het oude Egypte werden goden zoals Osiris en Horus afgebeeld met bovennatuurlijke krachten en soms met vreemde attributen, terwijl in Griekse mythologie verhalen over de goden op de berg Olympus en hun interactie met mensen vaak worden geïnterpreteerd als een vorm van buitenaardse contact. In Aziatische culturen, zoals die in China en India, zijn er oude geschriften en schilderingen die beschrijvingen bevatten van vliegende objecten en wezens die niet van deze wereld leken te zijn.
De moderne interesse in UFO's en buitenaardse levensvormen begon echter in de twintigste eeuw, vooral vanaf de jaren 1940 en 1950. Een cruciaal keerpunt was het Roswell-incident in 1947, waarin een onbekend vliegend object neerstortte in de buurt van Roswell, New Mexico. Aanvankelijk werd het gerapporteerd als een "geheim vliegend schotel", maar de Amerikaanse overheid verklaarde later dat het om een weerballon ging. Desondanks leidde het incident tot een enorme mediahype en zette het de toon voor verder onderzoek en speculatie over buitenaardse aanwezigheid. In de jaren daarna verschenen talloze rapporten en getuigenissen over onverklaarbare waarnemingen, waaronder de beroemde sightings in Washington D.C. in 1952 en de zogenaamde "Belgische UFO-golf" in 1989-1990.
De jaren 1960 en 1970 brachten een toename in wetenschappelijke interesse, mede door het werk van onderzoekers zoals J. Allen Hynek en Stanton Friedman. Hynek ontwikkelde het zogenaamde "Close Encounter"-systeem, dat variaties beschrijft van menselijke ontmoetingen met UFO's, variërend van het zien van ongeïdentificeerde lichten tot het daadwerkelijk ontmoeten van buitenaardse wezens. Daarnaast werden er diverse geheime overheidsprojecten gestart, zoals het Amerikaanse Project Blue Book, dat tussen 1952 en 1969 duizenden UFO-waarnemingen onderzocht. Hoewel het merendeel kon worden verklaard door natuurlijke oorzaken of menselijke activiteiten, bleven een aantal incidenten onverklaard en voedden ze het publieke geloof in buitenaardse wezens.
In de jaren 1980 en 1990 kreeg het onderwerp een nieuwe impuls met de opkomst van digitale media, waardoor foto's, video's en getuigenissen sneller en op grotere schaal konden worden gedeeld. Het beroemde "Phoenix Lights"-incident in 1997 en de publicatie van de "Pentagon UFO-video's" van 2004 en 2015, waarin militaire piloten onverklaarbare objecten vastlegden, zorgden voor een hernieuwde belangstelling. Sindsdien blijft het onderwerp actueel, met regeringsrapporten en getuigenverklaringen die wijzen op de mogelijkheid van niet-geïdentificeerde en mogelijk niet-aardse technologieën. Wetenschappelijke consensus blijft echter dat meer bewijs nodig is om definitieve conclusies te trekken, waardoor het onderwerp zowel serieus onderzoek als publieke fascinatie blijft voeden.
Diverse Wezens en Beschrijvingen
1. Pleiadianen (Tietans)
De Pleiadianen, vaak ook Tietans genoemd, worden beschouwd als een van de meest vriendelijke en spiritueel hoogontwikkelde buitenaardse beschavingen die er bestaan. Volgens diverse theorieën, spirituele leraren en getuigenissen vormen zij een soort spirituele gids of beschermengel voor de mensheid, die ons kan ondersteunen in onze evolutionaire ontwikkeling. Deze wezens zouden afkomstig zijn uit de Pleiaden, een heldere en bekende sterrencluster in het sterrenbeeld Stier, die al eeuwenlang door verschillende culturen wordt vereerd als een bron van mysterie en inspiratie.
Volgens beschrijvingen worden de Pleiadianen vaak afgebeeld als mensachtig, maar met enkele opvallende kenmerken. Ze zouden een hoog, slank postuur hebben, met een serene en liefdevolle uitstraling die een diepe rust uitstraalt. Hun lange, witte of zilverachtige haren symboliseren hun spirituele puurheid en hogere bewustzijn. Veel getuigen en channelers beschrijven hen als wezens met grote, liefdevolle ogen die een dieper begrip van het universum en de menselijke ziel lijken te bezitten.
Hoewel er geen wetenschappelijk bewijs is dat hun bestaan daadwerkelijk bevestigd, worden de Pleiadianen vaak genoemd in spirituele bewegingen, channelings en esoterische literatuur. Ze worden gezien als boodschappers van universele liefde, vrede en harmonie, die een brug kunnen vormen tussen de menselijke en de kosmische dimensie. Hun verhalen en beschrijvingen blijven een bron van inspiratie en hoop voor velen die zoeken naar zingeving en verbinding met hogere werelden.
2. De Nordics
De Nordics, ook wel bekend als de ”Noordse” of ”lichtwezens,” vormen een fascinerend en intrigerend onderdeel van de ufologie en buitenaardse beschrijvingen. Volgens getuigenissen en rapporten worden deze alien-achtige wezens afgebeeld als prachtige, menselijke wezens met een opvallende lichte huid, vaak een bleke of zelfs bijna doorschijnende teint. Hun uiterlijk straalt een soort serene kracht uit, met heldere, grote ogen die vaak een blauwachtige of groenachtige kleur hebben. De Nordics worden meestal beschreven als lang en slank, met een gracieuze lichaamsbouw die een gevoel van elegance en harmonie uitstraalt.
Deze wezens worden vaak geassocieerd met positieve intenties; ze zouden komen om te helpen, te begeleiden en te beschermen. Mensen die contact met hen hebben gehad, melden dat ze een gevoel van diepe vrede en verbondenheid ervaren, alsof deze wezens een hogere vibratie vertegenwoordigen. Volgens sommige theorieën zouden de Nordics afkomstig zijn uit hogere dimensies of sterrenstelsels, zoals de Pleiaden of andere nabijgelegen melkwegstelsels. Ze worden vaak gezien als bewakers van de aarde en haar bewoners, met een missie om de mensheid te begeleiden naar een hoger bewustzijn en spirituele evolutie.
De beschrijvingen van deze alien-achtige wezens variëren, maar de algemene kenmerken blijven consistent: een indrukwekkende uitstraling, een vriendelijke houding en een diepe, spirituele aanwezigheid. Voor velen symboliseren de Nordics hoop, verlichting en de mogelijkheid tot een betere toekomst, waardoor ze een centrale figuur vormen in vele buitenaardse verhalen en spirituele overtuigingen.
3. De Greys ( Grijzen)
De Grey-aliens, ook wel bekend als de "Greys," zijn een van de meest bekende en iconische buitenaardse wezens in de populaire cultuur en ufologievrienden. Ze worden vaak afgebeeld als kleine, slanke wezens met een hoogte van ongeveer 1,20 tot 1,50 meter. Hun lichaamsbouw is fragiel en gestroomlijnd, met lange, dunne ledematen die een bijna onmenselijke gracieuze beweging mogelijk maken. Het meest opvallende kenmerk van de Greys is hun grote, amandelvormige ogen, die meestal zwart of donkerbruin zijn en een intense, bijna hypnotiserende blik uitstralen. Deze ogen nemen het grootste deel van hun gezicht in beslag, terwijl de rest van hun gezicht relatief klein en plat is, zonder duidelijke neus of oren. Een van de meest bekende en fascinerende typen buitenaardse wezens die in de UFO- en paranormale wereld worden beschreven, zijn de zogenaamde “Groene Wezens” of “Grays”.
Voorstelling van hoe een buitenaards wezen eruit zou kunnen zien
De huid van de Greys wordt vaak beschreven als een gladde, grijzige of lichtgrijze textuur, vandaar ook hun naam. Ze worden meestal afgebeeld met een kleine mond en geen zichtbare tanden of tong. Volgens verschillende getuigenissen en rapportages zouden de Greys beschikken over geavanceerde technologische vaardigheden, waarmee ze ruimteschepen en teleportatie kunnen gebruiken. Ze worden vaak genoemd in verband met abducties, waarbij mensen worden meegenomen voor experimenten of onderzoek. De Greys worden gezien als rationele, kalme en afstandelijke wezens, zonder duidelijke emoties, en worden vaak geassocieerd met het idee van een wetenschappelijke of onderzoeksgerichte buitenaardse beschaving. Ondanks hun mysterieuze aard blijven ze een bron van fascinatie en speculatie voor onderzoekers en liefhebbers van het buitenaardse leven.
Volgens getuigenissen en rapportages worden deze wezens vaak geassocieerd met abducties en experimenten op mensen. Ze zouden zich op mysterieuze wijze kunnen manifesteren in slaapkamers of afgelegen gebieden, vaak zonder dat de getuigen er bewust van waren totdat ze geconfronteerd werden met deze wezens. De wezens worden beschreven als rationeel en zeer technologisch geavanceerd, met het vermogen om complexe apparaten te bedienen en communicatie te voeren die verder gaat dan menselijke taal. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat ze afkomstig zouden kunnen zijn van een weelderige planeet in een naburig sterrenstelsel, mogelijk binnen de Melkweg of zelfs verder weg.
Verder wordt er gespeculeerd dat deze wezens betrokken zouden kunnen zijn bij genetische experimenten, waarbij ze menselijke en andere levensvormen bestuderen of manipuleren. Ze zouden bijvoorbeeld DNA-monsters nemen, embryo’s bestuderen of zelfs genetische hybridisatie uitvoeren. Hoewel er geen wetenschappelijk bewijs is dat deze wezens bestaan, blijven ze een prominent onderdeel van UFO-literatuur, getuigenissen en volksverhalen. Hun mysterieuze aard en de vele beschrijvingen zorgen ervoor dat ze een intrigerend en vaak besproken fenomeen blijven binnen de wereld van buitenaardse waarnemingen.
4. Feline-, Canine- en Olifantachtige Rassen
Naast de mensachtige buitenaardse wezens worden in vele verhalen en getuigenissen ook diervormige rassen beschreven die de verbeelding blijven boeien. Deze rassen vertonen kenmerken die sterk overeenkomen met bekende aardse dieren, maar dan in buitenaardse variaties en met unieke eigenschappen die wijzen op een complexe evolutie op verschillende planeten. Zo worden er bijvoorbeeld feline-achtige wezens beschreven, die lijken op grote katten zoals tijgers of luipaarden, maar met menselijke trekken. Ze beschikken vaak over een sierlijke bouw, scherpe ogen die veelal een mysterieuze glans vertonen, en een combinatie van katachtige instincten en menselijke intelligentie. Deze wezens worden vaak gekenmerkt door een gracieuze beweging en een opvallende zelfverzekerde uitstraling, wat hen een bijna majestueus voorkomen geeft.
Gecompliceerd kunstwerk van een buitenaardse kat met voorouders uit oude echo's en Scandinavische folklore, alien, kat, voorouders Door sawaratch
Daarnaast bestaan er ook hond-achtige rassen die zich onderscheiden door hun loyaliteit, waakzaamheid en sociale vaardigheden. Deze wezens worden vaak beschreven als trouwe metgezellen, die een sterke band aangaan met mensen of andere buitenaardse wezens. Hun uiterlijk varieert van grote, krachtige honden tot kleinere, meer agile wezens, maar allemaal hebben ze een scherpe intuïtie en een opmerkelijk vermogen om emoties te lezen. Sommige getuigen spreken over rassen met een beschermende aard, die als bewakers fungeren tijdens ontmoetingen of abducties.
Bovendien worden olifant-achtige buitenaardse wezens genoemd, gekenmerkt door grote oren, een imposant formaat en een uitstraling van wijsheid en kalmte. Ze worden vaak beschreven als wijze, oude beschouwers, die mogelijk een rol spelen in het doorgeven van kennis of het begeleiden van andere rassen. Hun grote oren worden vaak als een symbool van hun opmerkzaamheid en intelligentie genoemd, terwijl hun rustige en bedachtzame houding een diepe indruk achterlaat bij getuigen. Deze diverse diervormige rassen lijken een rijke variëteit te vormen van de evolutie op verschillende planeten, en illustreren de complexiteit en variëteit van buitenaardse levensvormen die in getuigenissen worden beschreven.
5. Insectoïdische Beings
Insectoïdische wezens vormen een fascinerend en intrigerend onderdeel van de verbeelding en mythologie. Deze wezens combineren kenmerken van insecten en mensen, waardoor ze een bijna ongrijpbare mix van het aardse en het bovennatuurlijke vormen. Vaak worden ze afgebeeld met het lichaam van een insect, zoals een kever, mier of sprinkhaan, maar met menselijke trekken zoals ogen, gezichten of ledematen. Deze hybride wezens worden in verschillende culturen en verhalen gebruikt om thema’s als transformatie, geheimzinnigheid en de kracht van de natuur uit te drukken.
In de folklore en fantasyliteratuur worden insectoïdische wezens vaak voorgesteld als mysterieuze bewakers van geheime kennis of als boodschappers van een hogere macht. Hun kleine formaat en complexe lichaamsstructuur symboliseren vaak subtiliteit en verborgen kracht. Soms worden ze afgebeeld als kwaadaardige wezens die in de schaduwen opereren, terwijl ze in andere verhalen juist als wijze gidsen fungeren. Hun uiterlijk roept bij veel mensen een gevoel van afgunst of fascinatie op, omdat ze de grens tussen het menselijke en het insectachtige vervagen en daardoor een gevoel van ontheemding of verwondering oproepen.
De symboliek achter deze wezens is rijk en veelzijdig. Insectoïdische figuren kunnen staan voor de vergankelijkheid, de collectieve kracht van de natuur, of de menselijke drang om te overleven en zich aan te passen. Hun complexe verschijning en mystieke aura maken ze tot een populair onderwerp in kunst, literatuur en popcultuur, waar ze blijven intrigeren en inspireren.
6. Shape Shifters
Vormveranderaars, oftewel “Shape Shifters”, vormen een fascinerende categorie binnen de wereld van paranormale en mythologische entiteiten. Deze wezens worden gekenmerkt door hun vermogen om van vorm te veranderen, vaak op een wijze die niet door menselijke technologie of natuurlijke processen verklaard kan worden. In diverse culturen en mythologische tradities komen verhalen voor over wezens die zich kunnen transformeren van mens naar dier, of zelfs naar ongrijpbare vormen, afhankelijk van de situatie of hun intenties.
In de mythologie van de Noord-Amerikaanse inheemse volkeren, zoals de Navajo en Hopi, bestaan legendes over shape shifters die als sjamanen of tovenaars kunnen veranderen in dieren zoals wolven, uilen of beren. Deze transformaties worden vaak gekoppeld aan spirituele krachten en worden gebruikt voor genezing, bescherming of zelfs bedrog. In de Scandinavische mythologie spreken folklore en saga’s over skalds en heksen die via magie hun vorm kunnen aanpassen. In Aziatische tradities, zoals in Chinese folklore, zijn er verhalen over geesten en demonen die kunnen veranderen in mensen of dieren om hun doelen te bereiken.
Wetenschappelijk gezien is er geen bewijs dat dergelijke vormveranderingen daadwerkelijk mogelijk zijn, en wordt het meestal beschouwd als folklore of symboliek. Toch blijven sommige onderzoekers en paranormalen geloven dat shape shifters misschien niet zomaar mythen zijn, maar dat ze een diepere, mogelijk multidimensionale realiteit kunnen vertegenwoordigen. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat deze entiteiten wellicht bestaan op een niveau dat wij niet kunnen waarnemen met onze zintuigen, en dat ze zich kunnen manifesteren in onze wereld door middel van energetische of psychische manipulatie.
Vanuit een theoretisch perspectief kunnen shape shifters worden beschouwd als manifestaties van hogere bewustzijnsniveaus of als uitingen van entiteiten die in meerdere dimensies tegelijk bestaan. In sommige spirituele tradities wordt aangenomen dat deze wezens niet fysiek veranderen, maar dat zij via een soort illusie of energetische verschuiving hun vorm kunnen aanpassen. Het concept van shape shifting wordt ook vaak gebruikt als metafoor voor de veranderlijke aard van identiteit en perceptie, en blijft een intrigerend onderwerp dat verbindt tussen mythologie, spiritualiteit en theorieën over multidimensionale realiteiten.
7. Transulente en Energie-Gebaseerde Entiteiten
Transulente en energie-gebonden entiteiten vormen een fascinerend en complex domein binnen de parapsychologie, spiritualiteit en theoretische natuurkunde. Deze wezens worden niet gekenmerkt door een fysieke, vaste vorm zoals we die kennen in de materiële wereld. In plaats daarvan worden ze vaak beschreven als lichtgevende of schijnbaar ongrijpbare verschijnselen die zich bewegen door ruimtes, dimensies en zelfs tijd. Ze manifesteren zich in de vorm van energievelden, lichtflitsen, of zelfs als gaten in de ruimte die een soort van portalen lijken te vormen. Dergelijke entiteiten worden vaak gezien als transulente verschijnselen — dat wil zeggen, ze zijn doorzichtig of semi-transparant, en hun ware aard is vaak moeilijk te onderscheiden van de omgeving.
In spirituele en paranormale tradities worden deze entiteiten vaak geassocieerd met hogere bewustzijnsniveaus, energievelden of kosmische krachten. Sommige beschrijvingen suggereren dat ze niet gebonden zijn aan een fysieke vorm, maar bestaan als pure energie of informatie. De waarnemingen van dergelijke verschijnselen worden vaak gedaan in omgevingen met hoge emotionele of spirituele lading, zoals bij meditatie, trance of na het overlijden van een persoon. Wetenschappelijk blijft het bestaan van deze entiteiten echter moeilijk te verifiëren. Ze worden vaak beschouwd als subjectieve ervaringen of interpretaties van onzichtbare energievelden.
Recentelijk biedt de kwantumfysica enige hoop op het begrijpen van deze fenomenen. De theorieën rondom energievormen en de kwantumvelden suggereren dat er mogelijk meer is tussen de materie en de spirituele wereld dan we tot nu toe konden begrijpen. Sommige wetenschappers speculeren dat deze entiteiten mogelijk manifestaties zijn van onderliggende energiewijzen die op een nog onbekende manier communiceren of bewegen door dimensies. Hoewel er geen definitief bewijs is, blijven onderzoekers geïnteresseerd in deze verschijnselen vanwege de potentie om onze kennis van het universum en bewustzijn uit te breiden. Het bestuderen van transulente en energie-gebonden entiteiten vraagt om een interdisciplinair aanpak, waarin natuurkunde, psychologie, en spiritualiteit samenkomen.
8. Interdimensionale Entiteiten
Interdimensionale entiteiten vormen een intrigerend en complex fenomeen dat de grenzen van ons begrip van werkelijkheid uitdaagt. Volgens diverse spirituele tradities, waaronder de Vedische en Tibetaanse geschriften, bestaan er meerdere dimensies naast onze kenbare wereld. Deze entiteiten zouden niet beperkt zijn tot één dimensie, maar kunnen bestaan in meerdere tegelijk of kunnen bewegen tussen verschillende dimensies. Het idee is dat onze fysieke wereld slechts een deel is van een veel groter, meerlagig universum, waarin deze wezens hun thuisbasis vinden.
In veel verhalen en mythologieën worden deze entiteiten beschreven als wezens die de menselijke perceptie overstijgen. Ze manifesteren zich vaak via dromen, visioenen, of UFO-verschijnselen en worden soms gezien als boodschappers of gidsen uit hogere dimensies. Sommige mensen beweren dat ze door middel van meditatieve of trance-achtige toestanden toegang kunnen krijgen tot deze wezens en dat ze op die wijze communicatie mogelijk maken. Deze verschijnselen worden door skeptici als subjectief en interpretatief afgedaan, maar voor anderen vormen ze bewijs van een uitgebreidere kosmos die we nog niet volledig begrijpen.
De moderne kwantumfysica biedt enige theoretische hoop op het begrijpen van dergelijke fenomenen. Theorieën over multiversa en extra dimensies, zoals die in stringtheorieën worden besproken, suggereren dat het mogelijk is dat meerdere dimensies gelijktijdig bestaan en dat entiteiten zich in deze dimensies kunnen bewegen. Dit zou verklaringen kunnen bieden voor de waarnemingen van onverklaarbare verschijnselen, zoals UFO's of spirituele manifestaties. Hoewel er nog geen empirisch bewijs is dat deze entiteiten daadwerkelijk tussen dimensies reizen, blijven wetenschappers en spirituele denkers geïnteresseerd in de mogelijkheid.
Het bestuderen van interdimensionale entiteiten vereist een open en multidisciplinair benadering, waarin natuurkunde, psychologie, en spiritualiteit worden geïntegreerd. Het houdt ook een kritische houding in, aangezien veel van de waarnemingen subjectief en moeilijk te verifiëren blijven. Desalniettemin blijft het concept een van de meest fascinerende gebieden in de zoektocht naar het begrijpen van de ware aard van het universum en de vele mogelijke werelden die daarin bestaan. Of ze nu werkelijk bestaan of niet, ze stimuleren onze verbeelding en wetenschappelijke nieuwsgierigheid over de grenzen van perceptie en realiteit.
9. De machtige reptielmensen
Deze wezens zijn onderdeel van een complottheorie die beweert dat de aarde wordt geregeerd door reptielachtige wezens afkomstig uit het sterrenstelsel Alpha Draconis. Volgens deze theorie zouden deze reptielmensen zich vermommen als mensen in hoge functies, zoals politici en royalty's, om zo invloed uit te oefenen op de wereld.
De theorie is populair gemaakt door David Icke, een Britse schrijver en complottheoreticus, die beweert dat hij een zoon van God is. Hij presenteert deze ideeën sinds de jaren 90, ondanks dat hij vaak voor gek wordt gezet en kritiek krijgt. Het verhaal vermeldt ook dat wetenschappers over het algemeen niet actief proberen deze theorie te weerleggen, maar dat Icke wel onder vuur ligt vanwege andere controversiële uitspraken, zoals de ontkenning van de Holocaust. Sommige critici interpreteren zijn uitspraken en metaforen op een manier die suggereert dat hij antisemiet zou zijn, door de term 'reptielen' te associëren met Joden.
Het is belangrijk om te benadrukken dat deze theorie geen wetenschappelijke basis heeft en door de meeste experts als ongegrond wordt beschouwd. Het is een voorbeeld van een complottheorie die zich verspreidt door misinformatie en verkeerde interpretaties.
Zijn Deze Wezens Wetenschappelijk Aanvaardbaar?
De meeste beschrijvingen van buitenaardse wezens, zoals die worden gepresenteerd in de populaire cultuur, films, boeken en getuigenissen, kunnen niet worden bevestigd door empirisch wetenschappelijk bewijs. Deze wezens worden vaak afgebeeld als humanoïde figuren met bijzondere eigenschappen of als intelligente wezens met geavanceerde technologieën, maar de vraag blijft of dergelijke verschijningen realistisch en wetenschappelijk haalbaar zijn. Om hier een beter beeld van te krijgen, is het belangrijk om te kijken naar de criteria waaraan we buitenaardse levensvormen zouden moeten voldoen om wetenschappelijk plausibel te zijn.
Ten eerste is er de vraag of het bestaan van buitenaards leven überhaupt mogelijk is volgens de huidige kennis van de astrofysica en biologie. Het universum is enorm groot en bevat miljarden sterrenstelsels, elk met mogelijk miljarden planeten. Recent onderzoek, zoals dat van de Kepler-ruimtevaart, wijst erop dat er talloze planeten bestaan die zich binnen de zogenaamde 'bewoonbare zone' bevinden, waar vloeibaar water mogelijk is. Dit vergroot de kans dat er elders in het heelal leven bestaat. Echter, de meeste van deze planeten bevinden zich zo ver weg dat directe waarnemingen en bewijzen nog altijd ontbreken. Het is dus wetenschappelijk plausibel dat er ergens buiten ons zonnestelsel levensvormen kunnen voorkomen, maar de aard en complexiteit daarvan blijft speculatief.
Daarnaast rijst de vraag of buitenaardse wezens, zoals beschreven in de populaire cultuur, fysiek en biologisch haalbaar zijn. Veel verhalen over UFO’s en buitenaardse bezoekers schetsen wezens die humanoïde zijn met twee armen, twee benen en een hoofd, vaak met grote ogen. Vanuit een evolutionair perspectief is dit een zeer specifieke en wellicht onrealistische uitkomst, gezien de enorme diversiteit aan mogelijke levensvormen in het universum. Het is aannemelijker dat buitenaardse levensvormen, indien ze bestaan, sterk verschillen van onze lichaamsvormen en niet per se mensachtig zijn. Het is dus onwaarschijnlijk dat we precies de soort wezens tegenkomen zoals ze in de films worden afgebeeld.
Verder moet ook rekening worden gehouden met de technologie en motivatie van buitenaardse beschavingen. De meeste beschrijvingen suggereren dat deze wezens beschikken over geavanceerde technologieën waarmee ze reizen tussen sterrenstelsels en contact zoeken met mensen. Vanuit een wetenschappelijk perspectief is het mogelijk dat dergelijke technologieën bestaan, maar tot nu toe ontbreekt elk concreet bewijs dat dergelijke reizen mogelijk zijn of dat er daadwerkelijk contact is geweest. De meeste waarnemingen en getuigenissen worden niet ondersteund door objectief bewijs, en veel van de vermeende ontmoetingen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke fenomenen, psychologische factoren of zelfs bedrog.
Kortom, hoewel de mogelijkheid van buitenaards leven binnen de grenzen van de natuurwetten niet helemaal kan worden uitgesloten, is de specifieke voorstelling van buitenaardse wezens zoals die in de populaire cultuur wordt gepresenteerd, op dit moment niet wetenschappelijk bewezen en vooral gebaseerd op speculatie en sciencefiction. Wetenschappelijk bewijs voor hun bestaan ontbreekt tot op heden, en veel van de verhalen en beschrijvingen blijven binnen het domein van het onverklaarde en het hypothetische. Toch blijft het een fascinerend onderwerp dat de onze aandacht blijft trekken en fascineren.
WETENSCHAPPELIJKE INTERPRETATIE VAN HET BESTAAN VAN BUITENAARDSE, INTELLIGENTE WEZENS
De wetenschappelijke interpretatie van het bestaan van buitenaardse, intelligente wezens is een complex en multidisciplinair vraagstuk dat zich uitstrekt over astronomie, astrobiologie, fysica en zelfs informatica. Hoewel er nog geen onweerlegbaar bewijs is voor het bestaan van dergelijke wezens, zijn er verschillende theoretische kaders en empirische aanwijzingen die de plausibiliteit van buitenaards intelligent leven ondersteunen.
De zoektocht naar buitenaards leven richt zich primair op het identificeren van planeten die zich binnen de zogenaamde ‘bewoonbare zone’ van hun sterren bevinden. Deze zones worden gedefinieerd als regio’s waar de omstandigheden, zoals temperatuur en waterbeschikbaarheid, gunstig zijn voor het ontstaan en behoud van leven. Exoplaneten in deze zones worden bestudeerd met behulp van telescopen zoals de Kepler- en TESS-satellieten, en technieken zoals spectroscopie worden ingezet om atmosferische samenstellingen te analyseren. De detectie van waterdamp, zuurstof, methaan of andere bio-indicatoren op deze planeten zou een indicatie kunnen vormen voor mogelijke levensvormen.
Het is belangrijk op te merken dat het ontbreken van direct bewijs niet betekent dat buitenaards leven onbestaand is; het getuigt vooral van de enorme technische en wetenschappelijke uitdagingen die deze zoektocht met zich meebrengt. De afwezigheid van bevestigde ontmoetingen met intelligente wezens betekent niet dat ze niet bestaan. In feite verhoogt de astronomische schaal van het universum, dat zich uitstrekt over miljarden sterrenstelsels en triljoenen planeten, de probabilistische kans dat ergens in de kosmos geavanceerde beschavingen zich ontwikkelen.
De Drake-vergelijking is een bekende wetenschappelijke formule die probeert de waarschijnlijkheid te schatten dat er in onze melkweg sterrenstelsels buitenaardse intelligentie bestaat. Deze vergelijking houdt rekening met factoren zoals het aantal sterren dat in een bepaald tijdsbestek wordt gevormd, de fractionele verhouding van die sterren met planeten, het aantal planeten dat levensvatbaar is, en de kans dat intelligent leven zich ontwikkelt en communicatiesystemen uitvindt. Hoewel de variabelen grotendeels onzeker blijven, biedt de Drake-vergelijking een gestructureerd kader om de probabilistische kans op intelligente buitenaardse beschavingen te evalueren.
Een andere belangrijke invalshoek komt voort uit de studie van extremofielen op aarde. Organismen die onder extreme omstandigheden overleven—zoals in diepe oceanen, onder extreme hitte of kou, of in zeer zure of alkalische omgevingen—versterken het idee dat leven mogelijk is onder veel meer omstandigheden dan we aanvankelijk dachten. Dit vermindert de drempel voor het bestaan van levensvormen op andere planeten of manen, zelfs in ogenschijnlijk onleefbare omgevingen zoals de oppervlakken van Mars of de oceanen onder de ijskappen van Europa en Enceladus.
Wat betreft intelligente buitenaardse wezens, blijven waarnemingen en rapportages vaak anekdotisch en niet wetenschappelijk verifieerbaar. Verschillende UFO-rapportages en vermeende ontmoetingen met buitenaardse wezens worden door de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap niet als bewijs beschouwd, tenzij ze onder gecontroleerde en reproduceerbare omstandigheden kunnen worden bevestigd. De verklaring voor deze waarnemingen varieert van natuurlijke fenomenen tot menselijke fouten of zelfs menselijke technologie.
Kortom, hoewel de waarschijnlijkheid dat buitenaards intelligent leven bestaat aanzienlijk wordt geacht binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap, is er tot op heden geen definitief bewijs dat dit daadwerkelijk het geval is. Het onderzoek blijft dus essentieel, niet alleen om het antwoord op deze fundamentele vraag te vinden, maar ook om onze kennis van het universum en de omstandigheden waaronder leven kan ontstaan en evolueren verder te verdiepen.
Eindbesluit Het onderwerp van buitenaardse wezens omvat een breed scala aan hypothesen, getuigenissen en wetenschappelijke inspanningen. Hoewel er geen onomstotelijk bewijs is dat buitenaardse intelligentie of wezens bestaan, wijst de immense schaal van het universum op een niet te onderschatten kans dat leven elders in het heelal zich heeft ontwikkeld of nog ontwikkelt. Het onderzoek richt zich onder andere op exoplaneten die zich in de bewoonbare zones bevinden, waar omstandigheden mogelijk geschikt zijn voor het ontstaan van leven. Daarnaast worden extreme omstandigheden op aarde bestudeerd om te begrijpen onder welke condities leven kan overleven, wat de hypothese ondersteunt dat leven niet strikt gebonden is aan aardse condities.
De vele rapportages over UFO’s en vreemde verschijnselen wijzen op een behoefte aan meer wetenschappelijk onderzoek en verificatie. Tot op heden ontbreken echter empirische bewijzen die het bestaan van buitenaardse wezens definitief bevestigen. Veel waarnemingen blijven onduidelijk of kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken. Het is belangrijk te onderkennen dat het zoeken naar buitenaards leven niet alleen gebaseerd is op speculatie, maar op een wetenschappelijke methode die vereist dat bewijs verifieerbaar en reproduceerbaar is.
In conclusie, hoewel de waarschijnlijkheid dat er buitenaards leven bestaat zeer hoog wordt ingeschat op basis van statistische en biologische overwegingen, ontbreekt het nog aan sluitend bewijs. Het is een van de grootste vragen in de wetenschap en filosofie. Verdere technologische ontwikkelingen en wetenschappelijke onderzoeken zijn nodig om deze vraag definitief te beantwoorden. Totdat er overtuigend bewijs wordt geleverd, blijft het bestaan van buitenaardse wezens een intrigerende en nog niet volledig beantwoordde vraag die de menselijke nieuwsgierigheid en wetenschappelijke inspanning blijft aanwakkeren.
{ PETER2011 }
27-06-2025 om 22:06
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Over 400,000 Humanoid Civilizations: What UFO Sightings Are Really Telling Us
Over 400,000 Humanoid Civilizations:What UFO Sightings Are Really Telling Us
Are We Alone? Hardly. Over 400,000 Humanoid Civilizations May Be Watching Us
When you look up at the stars, do you ever wonder who’s watching back?
According to a growing body of speculative research and testimonies from contactees, our galaxy alone may be home to over 400,000 humanoid civilizations. Many of these beings appear strikingly human, though each race carries unique traits—some spiritual, others biological, and some so advanced they defy our understanding of reality.
But here’s the twist: most of these civilizations remain hidden, and only a rare few reach interstellar capabilities. The reasons range from spiritual choices to safety concerns, but one thing is certain—they’re observing us, and UFO sightings might be their quiet way of saying, “We’re here.”
Who Are These Beings? From the Pleiadians to Elephantine Star Travelers
While we tend to imagine extraterrestrials as little green men or insectoid horrors, many witnesses and whistleblowers describe a wide diversity of beings:
Pleiadians (Tigetans): Often described as spiritual warriors and peaceful observers, the Tigetan crew is said to be stationed in Earth’s orbit, monitoring and sometimes intervening discreetly.
Feline, Canine, and Elephant-like races: These advanced beings operate on dimensions and social levels we can’t fully comprehend.
Translucent and energy-based entities: Not all aliens have physical forms. Some are made of pure energy or light, existing in the 5th dimension (5D) or beyond.
While some Pleiadian civilizations are still in the equivalent of our Stone or Medieval Age, others have surpassed us both technologically and spiritually.
The 5D Paradox: Spiritually Advanced But Not Interstellar
A surprising claim from this body of knowledge is that 99.9999% of 5D civilizations never become interstellar. Why?
Because interstellar travel isn’t just about building advanced ships—it’s about spiritual maturity. Civilizations must harmonize technology with consciousness. Without balance, spacefaring isn’t sustainable.
In fact, some advanced civilizations, like the Modulus of Atlas, choose isolation to maintain spiritual purity. It’s a lesson for humanity: advancement without wisdom may lead nowhere.
Contact Has Begun: Not With Ships, But Through the Internet?
In a twist that sounds straight out of a sci-fi novel, certain groups claim direct communication with the Tigetan Pleiadians—not via channeling, but through live chat over the internet.
This contact method, they claim, began in 2008 as an experiment. Why online? Because channeling is too distorted, and galactic laws prevent advanced beings from contacting us through unknown technology. The internet, being widespread, qualifies.
According to these sources, the Pleiadians have revealed:
They were behind the original Billy Meier contact case.
They now work behind the scenes, preventing disasters, neutralizing threats, and fighting regressive reptilian forces.
They help in subtle ways: stabilizing volcanoes, stopping epidemics, and even calming nuclear tensions.
But they take no credit. Exposure to Earth’s chaotic 3D energies physically affects them. They help regardless, like unseen guardians.
Why Are They Still Hiding?
Many wonder: if they care so much, why don’t they just land?
The answer: we’re not ready. Our media has painted aliens as villains, turning potential friends into feared invaders. The Pleiadians reportedly avoid open contact to prevent chaos. Instead, they act quietly—observing, mentoring, and preparing for humanity’s eventual rise to 5D.
They also dislike the term ascension, saying it’s been commercialized. But they do believe Earth is transitioning—a shift in consciousness that will dissolve the artificial 3D matrix (which they say is being broadcast from the Moon) and allow true evolution.
What UFO Sightings Might Actually Mean
So what are we really seeing when we catch strange lights in the sky?
According to this narrative:
Many sightings are Tigetan ships—small crafts orbiting from a larger mothership.
Some are energy manifestations or scout probes.
Others could be regressive factions, whom the Pleiadians are actively containing.
Each sighting may be a sign that we are not alone, and never have been.
The Universe Is Alive With Consciousness
With 100 billion stars in our galaxy and potentially 40 billion habitable planets, the idea that Earth is unique is statistically absurd. From civilizations forging tools to races who communicate through muon waves, the diversity is staggering.
Consciousness, not carbon, is the building block of life. Everything from atoms to galaxies seems aware in some form. Life, not emptiness, is the default state of the cosmos.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Possibility
Our journey into the stars is only beginning, but the stars have already been watching us.
Whether or not you believe in Tigetans, Pleiadians, or 400,000 alien civilizations, UFO sightings challenge us to expand our perspective. We may not be the pinnacle of evolution—we might just be the youngest child in a family of ancient siblings.
So the next time you see a flash of light in the sky… ask yourself not just what it is, but who it is.
Since it landed on the red planet in November 2018, NASA’s InSight mission has detected more than one thousand Marsquakes successfully. The lander has offered us unprecedentedinsight into Mars. InSight has spent more than four years on the Martian surface.
The mission has rewarded us with various symphonic sounds on Mars. NASA has captured – thanks to the spacecraft’s exquisitely sensitive seismometer – a series of “curious sounds” on Mars, as heard in some of the audio recordings that NASA recently published. The Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument was built to pick up different vibrations that may appear subtly as a simple breeze on Mars.
Unprecedented insight
Raw Version of the image taken on Mars by InSight. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Some of the sounds captured by the InSight mission correspond to Marsquakes and wind gusts on Mars. The sounds have been modified and adjusted by scientists so that the human ear can hear them. InSight’s seismograph is capable of recording sound waves such as those produced by gusts of wind or even by the movements of the robotic arm of the probe and other mechanical tools.
Never before were scientists able to hear what’s going on on Mars. Numerous past rover missions have offered an unprecedented view of the Martian landscape. But up until InSight made its way to the surface of Mars, we weren’t really able to hear what Mars sounds like.
“It’s been exciting, especially in the beginning, hearing the first vibrations from the lander,” said Constantinos Charalambous, an InSight science team member at Imperial College London who works with the SP sensors. “You’re imagining what’s really happening on Mars as InSight sits on the open landscape.”
The SEIS instrument is in position on the Martian Surface. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
Most of the data InSight was sent to gather is related to quakes. Unlike on Earth, Marsquakes are caused by cooling and contraction, which results in stress fractures on the Martian Crust. Since Mars has a cratered surface, quakes on the red planet can persist for about a minute. In comparison, quakes on Earth last for seconds at a time. During the day, InSight’s different parts are in movement. They also produce sounds.
In addition to that, the seismometer also picks up wind gusts. This means that to hunt for quakes, researchers listen for changes in the instruments during the night. In addition to hearing quakes and wind gusts on Mars, the InSight instruments have picked up a series of strange changes. A weird whistling noise can be heard from Mars’s surface in one of the recordings. Although scientists don’t know exactly what causes it, they believe the noise was produced due to interference with the seismometer’s electronics.
The InSight lander has also recorded its own unique sounds. Researchers at NASA refer to them as dinks and donks, and these peculiar sounds are caused due to the expansion and contraction of the various parts inside the seismometer. These changes within the instrument are most likely caused due to heat loss.
Eerie sounds on Mars
Check out some of the strangest noises picked up by InSight on Mars here below. Here’s the first quake on Mars recorded by the InSight lander (at the start of the recording; what you will hear is the wind on Mars):
This is the recording of another quake on Mars:
Here’s another noise picked up on Sol 235 on Mars:
Here are some of the sounds that the lander produces when it is working on the surface of Mars:
And in this recording below, you can hear the various “dinks and dongs” the lander produces:
Here is an extra recording. In the audio track below, you’ll hear sounds from InSight’s Pressure Sensor on Mars:
InSight, whose solar panels are covered in think layers of Martian sand is no longer operating on the surface of Marts. However, the plethora of scientific data it has gathered during its mission on Mars has helped us to redefine our knowledge of the red planet.
As scientists recently said, “the goal of the InSight mission was to rewrite the textbooks. We have done it, literally.” This is because the lander has provided scientists on Earth with unprecedented data that has helped us understand the red planet inside out. InSight exceeded its expected lifespan of two years, but dust buildup on its solar panels depleted the spacecraft’s energy, rendering it silent. Despite several attempts, NASA officially ended the InSight mission in December 2022.
LiDAR imagery showing ancient Maya structures beneath dense layers of vegetation.
Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient Maya cultivation fields under the wetlands of southern Mexico, which suggests that they grew a surplus of food, practicing a sophisticated market economy in ancient times. The ancient Mayan civilization extended through parts of Mesoamerica, encompassing Mexico and Central America.
Maya structures are hidden beneath the forest
The oldest evidence of Mayan civilization dates to around 1800 BC, but most cities flourished between 250 and 900 AD. When Spanish Conquistadores arrived in the 1500s, some larger cities were abandoned or destroyed. Nicholas Dunning, a professor at the University of Cincinnati, was part of a research team that found evidence of cultivation in irregularly shaped fields in Mexico that followed the paths of canals and natural water channels in Laguna de Terminos, the Gulf of Mexico.
UC geography professor Nicholas Dunning left, and assistant professor Christopher Carr have been studying ancient Maya sites in Mexico. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative Services.
Archaeologists hope to find evidence of a human population when the excavations began. Extensive farmland suggests that the ancient Maya grew a surplus of crops, especially cotton for the renowned textiles marketed throughout Mesoamerica. “It was a much more complex market economy than the Maya are often given credit for,” Dunning revealed in a statement.
Satellite images revealed a patchwork quilt of blocks along drainage ditches, suggesting they had been constructed in ancient times. The archaeologist also studied the images NASA took of the region using LIDAR technology, which can represent the contours of the soil beneath the canopy of trees and vegetation. “That’s the magic of LIDAR,” UC assistant research professor Christopher Carr said.
IMAGE SLIDER: University of Cincinnati researchers used satellite images (left) and Lidar images (right) to identify and confirm the locations of manmade structures such as ancient building foundations, irrigation canals, and farm fields in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Graphic/ University of Cincinnati Geography.
A site that remained largely unknown
This analysis confirmed Dunning’s suspicions: the area was covered by ancient crop fields. The site remained unknown to researchers until seven years ago when the locals contacted archeologists about the site. “A forester working in the area said there seemed to be a network of ancient fields,” Dunning said.
“I looked on Google Earth and was like, ‘Whoa!’ It was an area in the Maya Lowlands that I’d never paid any attention to. And obviously, not a lot of other people had, either, from the perspective of looking at ancient agriculture.” LiDAR technology offers scientists a never-before-seen picture of the Earth’s surface, even after centuries of jungle growth hides the remains of ancient structures.
“It appears they developed fairly simply from modifications of existing drainage along the eastern edge of the wetlands,” Dunning said. “They probably deepened and straightened some channels or connected them in places, but then further expanded the fields with more sophisticated hydro-engineering.”
CIA Built This Nuclear-Powered ‘Eagle’ Drone: Declassified in 2020, Developed in the ’60s at Area 51
CIA Built This Nuclear-Powered ‘Eagle’ Drone: Declassified in 2020, Developed in the ’60s at Area 51
Project Aquiline was one of the most unusual and complex spying projects during the Cold War. The idea was to create 12 bird-shaped drones powered by nuclear energy that could fly for up to a month. These drones were meant to be robotic spy planes and deliver secret items, but the project was never finished.
The CIA wanted Aquiline to be the first uncrewed system for gathering intelligence. Its goal was to gather information in areas where access was restricted secretly. The drone, designed by McDonnell Douglas (a defense company known for fighter jets), was very different from the company’s usual aircraft.
Aquiline was a small drone meant to be kept as close to bird-like size as possible—five feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and a takeoff weight of 83 pounds—under the constraints of the time’s technology. A silent 3.5-horsepower, four-cycle engine would give the drone a speed of 47 to 80 knots and an endurance of 50 hours and 1,200 miles. Aquiline’s maximum altitude was estimated at 20,000 feet. CIA file: https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/collection/aquiline
Project Aquiline. CIA
Nuclear power was supposed to make Aquiline fly even farther. The CIA suggested adding a system that would use the heat from decaying radioactive materials like plutonium to create electricity. This system, made for deep space missions, would allow the drone to stay in the air for up to 30 days or travel 36,000 miles.
Aquiline was built to carry cameras and spy equipment. It could take photos from a lower height than the U-2 spy plane and collect electronic signals from radios, radar, and other devices for later study.
The CIA described Aquiline as a “small, bird-like surreptitious vehicle with sufficiently small acoustic, visible, and radar cross-section to permit it to operate in the natural physical signal environment of living birds.” Radars and human sentries at sensitive sites would mistake Aquiline for a bird and pay little attention to it.
Aquiline would be launched, controlled, and brought back by mobile teams on the ground. These teams could operate Aquiline from areas near the Soviet Union or China, like Taiwan, Turkey, Norway, or other places, to make sure the drone could fly over enemy land for a longer time.
The small drone would send its data to a modified DC-6 (later switched to a U-2R spy plane) flying nearby. This way, the drone wouldn’t need to carry its data storage, since storage at the time was bulky and heavy, using punch cards, tape, or large hard drives, which would use up too much weight and power.
The concept of the Aquiline includes bird feathers painted on its wing. The drone would have been a very radioactive bird.
The bird drone was supposed to be developed at Area 51, with various documents listing the personnel requirements and what it would take to regularly fly engineers to and from the mysterious base. The program was top secret, with access doled out on a strictly “need-to-know” basis. The program was so secret that it recommended personnel be recruited two years before the first flight to ensure enough personnel could pass the necessary security checks.
In 1969, the CIA agreed with the McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Corporation (MDAC) to start working on technologies for the Aquiline program. In 1970, people were sent to Area 51 to begin flight testing. This testing was planned to end in early 1971 when the contract was finished. It was expected that by then, a functioning Aquiline drone would be ready, and the program would become fully active.
Exact specifications and design details are scarce, but what is known is that Aquiline drones were made to resemble birds and featured a single-tail propeller. Initially, the prototypes were powered by chainsaw motors. In one memo in the CIA’s reading room, the Aquiline drone is referred to as a “high characteristic operating model plane with a lot of expensive gadgetry.”
Sensor systems were embedded in the aircraft’s nose and included optical cameras infrared sensors, and even electronic intelligence packages. The drones were intended to have also been able to drop “black box” sensor systems into hostile territory, as well, so some form of payload-carrying capability must have been included in at least some of the Aquiline designs. Specifically, one of the CIA’s documents states that one of the test drones was designed to carry payloads weighing up to five pounds.
The Aquiline drones were hard to spot during testing, so engineers painted one bright orange to make it easier for a chase plane to see during a test flight. Even with the paint, the chase plane crew still had trouble spotting the drone in the air.
The exact range of the Aquiline drones remains unknown and is redacted in all of the CIA’s declassified documents.
However, one account states that Aquiline was able to fly for 130 miles while obtaining “very high-resolution photography,” while another document states one of the proposed mobile control units would have a range of 1,200 miles. A dedicated satellite was planned to offer a long-distance communications link for Aquiline drones but was never launched.
Aquiline drones had an impressive design, but they had a big problem: they didn’t have landing gear. Instead, they had to land by crashing into nets. This often damaged the drones’ wings and propellers, leading to delays because of constant repairs. Three Aquiline prototypes were destroyed during these landings.
In a personal account hosted on RoadrunnersInternationale.com, a site that preserves “the history of the aviation pioneers and programs that developed the U-2, A-12 ,and YF-12 during the Cold War,” John H. Meierdierck, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, offers a brief recollection of the Aquiline program as he remembered it, writing:
The vehicle was a six-foot-long plane that had a small pusher prop and looked like an Eagle or Buzzard when it was in the air. It was designed to fly at very low levels along communications lines and intercept their messages. It also had a small television in the nose as an aid to navigation and to photograph targets of opportunity. There were several successful flights some crashes [reason unknown] and some lousy landings.
It’s unclear why Aquiline was canceled. It was meant to be a very complicated program, dealing with issues like stealth, data transfer, and propulsion in a tiny design. Using a nuclear power source would have made it even more complicated, and the technology of the 1960s might not have been enough to handle it.
Aquiline also depended on a trick, and if the Soviets or Chinese discovered it, their anti-aircraft weapons or MiG jets could have easily shot it down. In the end, Aquiline was just an idea held by a few people in the intelligence community.
If the rumors are to be believed, there’s a chance an example or two of Aquiline still exists among the other strange birds caged up in the darkness at Area 51.
What did Ezekiel actually see? The story of the prophet Ezekiel is one of the more fascinating, especially when looked at through the lens of modern technology. Some people suggest that, instead of gods, ancient humans may have actually been visited by an advanced race. This idea, called the ancient astronaut theory, suggests that Ezekiel’s “vision” of a wheeled chariot, or Merkabah, could actually have been a spaceship from an advanced species.
One of the biggest supporters of this theory is Erich von Däniken. He argues that the Book of Ezekiel could be understood differently in this light, so much so that his ideas even changed the view of a NASA scientist who originally set out to disprove them.
Erich von Däniken, a Swiss author famous for his “ancient astronaut” theories (particularly in his book Chariots of the Gods), met Josef F. Blumrich, a NASA engineer. The meeting is said to have occurred in the 1970s, where von Däniken presented his idea that Ezekiel’s vision in the Bible might have been a description of an alien spacecraft rather than a divine chariot.
Erich von Däniken
Blumrich, at the time, was skeptical of von Däniken’s theories. Initially, he sought to disprove them, thinking they were absurd. However, after investigating Ezekiel’s vision in more detail, Blumrich began to change his mind. He wrote a book called “The Spaceships of Ezekiel,” where he argued that Ezekiel’s vision could indeed describe an advanced spacecraft, specifically suggesting that the “wheels within wheels” might represent a form of advanced technology.
Blumrich went on to patent a design for an omnidirectional wheel, which he claimed was inspired by his interpretation of Ezekiel’s description. This was part of his attempt to demonstrate how Ezekiel might have described advanced, though hypothetical, technology.
Ezekiel is a key figure in Judaism and prominent in other Abrahamic biblical texts. Ezekiel was brought to Babylon in the first captivity of Israel and is described as a prophet.
One of the interesting characteristics of The Book of Ezekiel as a biblical text is that it is written using the pronoun, I, clearly showing it being written by Ezekiel himself as a first-person account, unlike many biblical texts written in the third person. This seems to lend a little more credit and personality to the story as it is told shortly after its occurrence.
The Flying Wheeled Chariot
“4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was human, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and the wings of one touched the wings of another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.”
Ezekiel talks about seeing a chariot with wheels come down from the sky, driven by beings that looked like humans. While many versions of the Bible say this being on the chariot is God, von Däniken notes that the original Hebrew text doesn’t mention God; the word was added later.
Ezekiel wheel illustration.
Ezekiel’s description of the chariot landing sounds a lot like how a spacecraft might land. The strong wind, lightning, and bright lights are similar to what you might see when a spaceship lands, stirring up dust in a way no one from that time had ever seen. Ezekiel even says the fire powering the chariot looked like ‘glowing metal.’
There is a clear difference between this description and how Ezekiel’s vision is usually shown in Bible artwork. Many pictures leave out important details like the fire, the wheels that move in all directions, and the crystal dome around the heads of human-like beings.
The Four Living Creatures
“15 As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. 16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sp arkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 17 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. 18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around… 22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures was what looked something like a vault, sparkling like crystal, and awesome.” – Ezekiel 1
Many people think the four creatures are cherubim or angel-like beings, especially in ancient Jewish (Genesis 3:24) and Christian (Exodus 25:18-20) texts. These creatures, looking like humans, are believed by some to be aliens who take Ezekiel in their UFO to a ‘temple’ on top of a mountain. During the journey, Ezekiel says he felt God’s hand on him, which could be understood as the strong forces of gravity or g-forces when the UFO lifts off. He is brought to their ‘temple,’ possibly a place or city where they live.
In many biblical stories, the Ark of the Covenant is an important object for von Däniken’s theory. He believes its mention in the Kebra Nagast, an Ethiopian Christian story about King Solomon, is the most significant. In this story, it’s said that King Solomon had flying machines not mentioned in the Bible, as well as the famous Ark.
The texts suggest people were afraid of the Ark because it killed those who came too close. Could it have been radioactive or electrically charged? Was it like a plutonium reactor?
Erich Von Däniken thinks there are other Bible verses that support his ancient astronaut theory. Some hint at places for spacecraft to land, similar to the one Ezekiel visited. One such place is the Chavin de Huantar temple in Peru, located high up on a mountain from an unknown culture.
The temple has winged figures and sculpted heads that look like they’re wearing helmets. Von Däniken believes these might be similar to the ones Ezekiel described. Could this be real evidence of an ancient UFO sighting, or just an imaginative idea?
Missouri Republican Eric Burlison attended a secret briefing on UFOs 10 months ago, but he says it hasn’t changed his beliefs. “There’s nothing that’s been said that’s changed my worldview,” he stated. He trusts the people who spoke about UFOs publicly but thinks there might be more to the story.
Burlison has suggested that UFOs could be angels sent by God. In an interview on “That UFO Podcast,” he explained that by “angels,” he means beings from other dimensions. He said, “They may not fit exactly the Biblical narrative, but whenever I use the term ‘angels,’ to me, it’s synonymous with an extradimensional being.”
On the podcast, Burlison also shared his views on different UFO theories, mentioning a report by UFO whistleblower David Grusch. Grusch claimed that the government secretly recovered alien spacecraft, with dead “pilots” inside. Burlison pointed to one theory in the report: the idea that these beings could exist in higher dimensions beyond our usual understanding of space and time. (Source)
He used an example of living on a flat surface and suddenly encountering a 3D object to explain higher-dimensional beings. In this case, he suggested that we live in a 3D world but could be dealing with beings from a dimension beyond ours, where distance doesn’t work the same way.
Burlison is doubtful about aliens traveling from distant planets to visit Earth, given the vast distances involved. He questioned why an advanced alien race would come so far only to crash on Earth. Instead, he thinks it’s more likely that these beings are extradimensional.
He added that religious texts, including the Bible, talk about God’s messengers or angels existing in higher dimensions. While Burlison acknowledges the visual evidence and pilots’ testimonies about UFOs, he thinks the explanation might not be as exciting as people hope. In his view, these sightings might be new propulsion technology being developed on Earth.
To make his point, he mentioned the discovery of the Higgs boson particle about ten years ago, which relates to gravity. Just as the nuclear bomb was developed after the discovery of nuclear fission, Burlison thinks scientists may be using the Higgs field to create new technology, possibly for advanced propulsion.
He’s not alone in connecting UFOs with religious ideas. Representative Tim Burchett has also said that UFOs are in the Bible, specifically referring to the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 1:4-28, a vision describes an “immense cloud with flashing lightning,” “four living creatures” with human-like forms but with four faces and wings, and wheels that moved with them, which Burchett linked to UFOs.
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.
Insommige postswordt gezegd dat “er nieuwe wapens zijn die de ruimteoorlog opnieuw vormgeven" en worden namen als Avangard-raketten en “Rods from God” genoemd.
Dat zijn opvallende uitspraken, want officieel zijn er geen wapens in de ruimte. Hoe zit het nu precies?
Source: (Northrop Grumman, 2023)
Officieel zijn er geen wapens in de ruimte
Hoewel er volgens officiële registraties geen wapens in de ruimte zijn, valt het niet uit te sluiten dat er wel zaken in de ruimte hangen die als wapen kunnen gebruikt worden. Dat hangt namelijk af van de definitie die je gebruikt. Want wat is een ruimtewapen? Internationaal gezien ontbreekt er een algemeen erkende definitie.
Voor deze factcheck gebruiken we daarom de definitie van het VN-Onderzoeksinstituut voor Ontwapeningsvraagstukken (UNIDIR). Zij stellen dat de term ‘ruimtewapen’ doorgaans wordt gebruikt om te verwijzen naar “een capaciteit of systeem dat wordt ingezet om een systeem, infrastructuur, persoon of groep mensen uit te schakelen, verstoren, degraderen, beschadigen, vernietigen of op een andere manier schade toe te brengen.”
Volgens het VN-Registratieverdrag van 1974 moeten landen in principe alle gelanceerde ruimteobjecten en hun doel registreren. Officieel zijn er vandaag geen wapens in een baan om de aarde.
Toch waarschuwen experts dat de algemene functie van sommige satellieten moeilijk te controleren is, omdat er weinig transparantie is.
"Natiestaten rapporteren doorgaans over lanceringen van satellieten", zegt ruimte-ingenieur Stijn Ilsen. "Maar voor militaire satellieten worden vaak enkel cryptische codes gerapporteerd en wordt er niet gecommuniceerd wat de functie van de satelliet is. Zo lanceerde Rusland in April 2025 3 satellieten met code Kosmos 2581, 2582 and 2583. Verder werd niks meegedeeld over deze satellieten."
Ruimtewapens zijn niet uitgesloten
Sommige satellieten lijken misschien vreedzaam. Denk dan bijvoorbeeld aan toestellen die gebruikt worden om ruimteafval op te ruimen of andere satellieten te onderhouden. "Maar omdat ze beschikken over technologie om zich vast te maken aan andere satellieten, of over bijvoorbeeld robotarmen of harpoenen, kunnen ze ook ingezet worden voor minder nobele doelen", zegt Ilsen.
Daarnaast kunnen GPS- of communicatiesatellieten zowel militaire als civiele functies hebben. Ze zijn niet ontworpen als wapens, maar kunnen wel militaire doeleinden ondersteunen. Zolang ze niet voor aanvallen worden gebruikt, is dat toegestaan onder het internationale ruimterecht of het Outer Space Treaty van 1967.
Het "Rod from Gods"-concept blijft voorlopig theoretisch.
Volgens het Ruimteverdrag van 1967 is het plaatsen van conventionele wapens niet verboden, zolang ze niet agressief worden gebruikt. Sommige landen hebben al wapens getest tegen hun eigen satellieten, wat wel kritiek opleverde, maar niet illegaal is.
Het verdrag verbiedt alleen het plaatsen van nucleaire wapens of massavernietigingswapens in een baan om de aarde, op hemellichamen of elders in de ruimte. Het vestigen van militaire bases, installaties, fortificaties, het testen van wapens en het uitvoeren van militaire manoeuvres op hemellichamen, is ook verboden.
Dit artikel kadert in een samenwerking tussen de Nederlandse media KRO NCRV Pointer, het Algemeen Dagblad, en Nieuwscheckers en de Belgische media RTBF, Knack en Factcheck.Vlaanderen. Samen bekijken we welke desinformatie er circuleert rond de NAVO-top op 24 en 25 juni in Den Haag in Nederland.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:SF-snufjes }, Robotics and A.I. Artificiel Intelligence ( E, F en NL )
25-06-2025
De Historische Evolutie van de Vormen van UFO’s: Een Wetenschappelijke Analyse
De Historische Evolutie van de Vormen van UFO’s: Een Wetenschappelijke Analyse
Inleiding
UFO’s (Onbekende Vliegende Objecten) of UAP's vormen al decennia een fascinerend onderwerp voor zowel wetenschappers als het grote publiek. Van de eerste meldingen in de vroege 20e eeuw tot de geavanceerde waarnemingen van vandaag, is de manier waarop UFO’s worden beschreven en waargenomen sterk veranderd. Een opvallend aspect van deze verschijnselen is de variatie in hun vormen; van eenvoudige bolvormige objecten tot complexe en futuristisch uitziende structuren. Deze evolutie in vormen kan niet los worden gezien van de technologische, culturele en psychologische ontwikkelingen door de jaren heen. Dit essay onderzoekt de historische evolutie van de vormen van UFO’s, met voorbeelden uit verschillende periodes, en probeert te verklaren waarom deze vormen in de loop der tijd zijn veranderd.
Vroege waarnemingen en vormen (1900-1950)
De eerste serieuze meldingen van UFO’s dateren uit het begin van de 20e eeuw en vormen een fascinerend hoofdstuk in de geschiedenis van buitenaardse waarnemingen. Tijdens deze periode, die loopt tot ongeveer 1950, werden de meeste waarnemingen gekenmerkt door eenvoudige, vaak bol- of schijfvormige objecten. Een van de meest intrigerende en bekende gebeurtenissen uit deze periode is de UFO-crash van 1897, die zich afspeelde in Aurora, Texas. Volgens het verslag werd er een vreemd, onbekend vliegend object waargenomen dat neerstortte in een boerderij. Lokale inwoners vonden de resten van het voertuig, die ze beschouwden als een buitenaards ruimteschip. Hoewel er later werd gesuggereerd dat het mogelijk om een luchtballon of een ander conventioneel apparaat ging, blijft deze gebeurtenis tot op de dag van vandaag een van de eerste en meest geruchtmakende vermeende UFO-crashes in de geschiedenis.
A Texas Historical Commission marker outside the Aurora Cemetery, alleged burial site of the UFO pilot, which briefly mentions the incident.
Een Texas Historical Commission-bord buiten de Aurora-begraafplaats, vermeende begraafplaats van de UFO-piloot, dat kort het incident vermeld
De waarnemingen uit de eerste helft van de 20e eeuw worden vaak gekenmerkt door eenvoudige geometrische vormen. Piloten en burgers beschreven de objecten meestal als lichtgevende bolletjes, schijfvormige entiteiten of snelle bewegende lichten. Een bijzonder bekend voorbeeld uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog zijn de zogenaamde “Foo Fighters”. Tijdens de oorlog rapporteerden piloten van beide zijden het zien van ongewone, lichtgevende objecten die vaak cirkel- of bolvormig werden beschreven. Deze verschijnselen werden gezien als snel bewegend, onvoorspelbaar en soms zelfs gevaarlijk voor de vliegtuigen, wat leidde tot speculaties over hun oorsprong. Het ontbreken van geavanceerde technologie en de beperkte kennis van de luchtvaart- en natuurverschijnselen in die tijd maakten dat de menselijke interpretatie vaak terugviel op eenvoudige geometrische vormen en lichtpatronen.
De naoorlogse periode bracht een explosie aan meldingen, mede door de groeiende populariteit van de vliegtechnologie en de toenemende media-aandacht. Mensen rapporteerden vaak schijfvormige objecten die snel en zonder geluid door de lucht bewogen. De eenvoud van de waarnemingen kan deels worden verklaard door de beperkte technologische middelen en het gebrek aan geavanceerde observatie-instrumenten. Het was ook een tijd waarin de menselijke verbeelding werd aangewakkerd door de nieuwe wetenschap en de wens om buitenaards leven te ontdekken, wat de interpretatie van deze verschijnselen verder beïnvloedde.
Kortom, de periode tussen 1900 en 1950 kenmerkte zich door eenvoudige, geometrische vormen van UFO’s, met de “Foo Fighters” en de mysterieuze crash in Aurora als opvallende voorbeelden. Deze gebeurtenissen en waarnemingen vormen de basis voor latere, meer complexe UFO-onderzoeken en blijven tot op de dag van vandaag onderwerp van speculatie en onderzoek.
De jaren 1950-1960: De opkomst van de schijfvorm en de ‘flying saucer’
De periode van de jaren 1950 tot 1960 was een cruciale fase in de geschiedenis van de UFO-rapportages en de popularisering van buitenaardse verschijnselen. Deze jaren markeerden de overgang van de vroege, vaak onduidelijke waarnemingen naar een meer gestandaardiseerde en iconische beeldvorming van UFO’s: de schijfvormige ‘flying saucer’. Verschillende gebeurtenissen, technologische ontwikkelingen en media-invloeden droegen bij aan deze evolutie.
De eerste grote gebeurtenis die een keerpunt vormde, was het incident van 1947 waarbij Kenneth Arnold een formatie van negen objecten zag die snel bewogen en een ongewone vorm hadden. Arnold beschreef ze als “schaakbord-achtige” of “schijfvormige” objecten die in formatie vlogen. Zijn waarneming werd breed uitgemeten in de media en leidde tot de term “flying saucer” (vliegende schijf). Deze term werd snel populair en bleef hangen, mede doordat de beelden van de schijfvormige objecten gemakkelijk te visualiseren en te begrijpen waren. De publiciteit rondom dit incident zette de toon voor de toekomstige beeldvorming van UFO’s.
Kenneth Arnold houdt artistieke afbeelding vast, gemaakt van zijn UFO-waarnemming
In de jaren 1950 werden verschillende andere incidenten gemeld die deze vorm bevestigden. Een bekend voorbeeld was de waarneming in Washington D.C. in juli 1952, waarbij radar en visuele waarnemingen samenkwamen. Piloten en radaroperators meldden het zien van objecten die snel en manoeuvreerbaar waren, en die opvallend ronde of schijfachtige vormen hadden. Deze gebeurtenis werd breed uitgemeten in de media en versterkte de overtuiging dat UFO’s daadwerkelijk uit de ruimte kwamen en in de vorm van platte schijven of schotels voorkwamen.
De populariteit van de schijfvorm werd verder versterkt door de invloed van de media en de cultuur. Films zoals “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (1951) en “Earth vs. the Flying Saucers” (1956) portretteerden buitenaardse bezoekers vaak als schijfvormige wezens of schepen. Ook in televisieseries en strips werden deze vormen herhaaldelijk afgebeeld, waardoor ze een standaardbeeld werden in de publieke verbeelding. De schijf werd gezien als een universeel symbool voor buitenaardse technologie vanwege haar eenvoudige en herkenbare vorm.
Naast de culturele factoren speelde ook de technologische vooruitgang een grote rol in de evolutie van de UFO-vormen. De ontwikkeling van radartechnologie maakte het mogelijk om objecten te detecteren die niet altijd zichtbaar waren voor het blote oog. In 1952 werd bijvoorbeeld de beroemde “Washington D.C. UFO flap” bekend, waarbij radarbeelden en visuele waarnemingen samenvielen. Deze gebeurtenissen bevestigden dat er iets was dat de standaardmechanismen van de toenmalige technologie overstijgden, en dat de objecten vaak de vorm van schijven hadden.
De jaren 1950-1960 zagen ook een toename in het aantal getuigenissen van piloten en militair personeel, wat de geloofwaardigheid van de schijfvorm versterkte. Sommige piloten meldden dat ze schijfvormige objecten zagen die met ongelooflijke snelheden en wendbaarheid bewogen, vaak in de buurt van militaire bases of tijdens testvluchten. Een bekend voorbeeld is de waarneming door piloot Kenneth Arnold zelf, die later verklaarde dat hij de schijfvormen had gezien die hij beschreef als “schaakbord-achtige” objecten. Zijn rapport werd de basis voor veel latere rapportages en beïnvloedde de publieke perceptie van UFO’s.
Kortom, de jaren 1950-1960 waren bepalend voor de ontwikkeling van de schijfvorm als het iconische symbool van UFO’s. De combinatie van incidenten zoals die in Washington D.C., de invloedrijke media-uitingen en de technologische vooruitgang zorgden ervoor dat de schijfvorm zich stevig nestelde in de volksverbeelding. Het is deze periode die de basis legde voor de verdere mythologie en onderzoek naar buitenaardse verschijnselen, en die de ‘flying saucer’ tot een universeel symbool maakte voor buitenaardse ontmoetingen.
Door deze ontwikkelingen ontstond een breed gedragen beeld dat UFO’s niet alleen uit de ruimte kwamen, maar dat ze ook in een herkenbare, eenvoudige vorm werden voorgesteld: de platte, ronde schijf. Dit beeld zou decennia lang de manier blijven bepalen waarop men naar UFO’s keek.
De jaren 1970-1980: Complexiteit en variatie
De jaren 1970 en 1980 markeerden een periode waarin de waarnemingen van ongewone vliegende objecten (UFO’s) aanzienlijk complexer en gevarieerder werden dan in eerdere jaren. Deze periode wordt gekenmerkt door een breder scala aan waarnemingen die niet alleen de klassieke ronde, schijfvormige objecten omvatten, maar ook een veelheid aan andere vormen en structuren. De diversiteit in vormen en de toename in waarnemingen met meerdere componenten weerspiegelden mogelijk zowel technologische ontwikkelingen als veranderingen in perceptie en interpretatie van deze verschijnselen.
Een van de meest iconische en historische incidenten uit deze periode is de zogenaamde “Battle of Los Angeles” uit 1942, een gebeurtenis die nog steeds onderwerp van discussie en onderzoek is. Tijdens deze gebeurtenis werden meerdere objecten waargenomen die mogelijk uit meerdere onderdelen bestonden en die aanvankelijk werden geïnterpreteerd als vijandelijke vliegtuigen of geavanceerde drones. Het feit dat deze objecten zich manifesteerden in de lucht met verschillende vormen en structuren, benadrukt de complexiteit van de waarnemingen en de mate waarin onze perceptie en interpretatie onder invloed stonden van de toenmalige technologische en psychologische factoren.
In de jaren 1970 en 1980 werden ook veel meldingen gedaan van objecten met een ‘boomerang’-vorm, trapezium-achtige structuren en objecten met meerdere lichten en complexe patronen. Deze vormen waren niet alleen visueel opvallend, maar suggereerden ook dat de waargenomen verschijnselen mogelijk geavanceerde technologieën vertegenwoordigden die nog niet door de mensheid begrepen werden. Een ander bekend type waarneming uit deze periode betreft de zogenaamde ‘cigar-shaped’ (sigaarvormige) objecten. Deze lange, cilinderachtige structuren werden onder andere gerapporteerd tijdens de beroemde waarnemingen in Rendlesham Forest in Engeland, in 1980. Tijdens deze gebeurtenis werd een lichtgevend object gezien dat de vorm had van een lange cilinder, wat de variatie in waarnemingen verder onderstreept.
De waarnemingen uit deze periode tonen een duidelijke evolutie in de vormen en structuren van de UFO’s. Waar de klassieke schijfvormen ooit de standaard waren, werden deze nu aangevuld door objecten met meer complexe en variabele vormen. De ‘boomerang’- en trapezium-vormen leken te suggereren dat deze verschijnselen niet alleen willekeurige lichtverschijnselen waren, maar mogelijk technologische artefacten met specifieke ontwerpkenmerken. Het feit dat sommige waarnemingen meerdere structuren of componenten bevatten, wijst erop dat de waarnemers mogelijk te maken hadden met voertuigen die uit verschillende modules of segmenten bestonden.
De variatie in vormen en structuren kan worden verklaard door verschillende factoren. Ten eerste is er de ontwikkeling van technologie, zowel in de menselijke wereld als in de veronderstelde buitenaardse technologieën die worden waargenomen. Het is mogelijk dat de waarnemingen menselijke interpretaties zijn van onbekende, geavanceerde technologieën die nog niet door de wetenschap begrepen worden. Bijvoorbeeld, de ‘cigar-shaped’ objecten kunnen geassocieerd worden met langgerekte structuren die in de ruimte of in de lucht door het onbekende worden gebruikt. Daarnaast kunnen optische illusies, weersomstandigheden en psychologische factoren een rol spelen in de waarnemingen en interpretaties.
Een belangrijke ontwikkeling in deze periode is ook dat sommige waarnemingen zich ontwikkelden tot het beschrijven van objecten met meerdere componenten of structuren. Dit wijst mogelijk op een evolutie in de technologie van de waargenomen objecten, waarbij ze niet langer uit eenvoudige vormen bestaan, maar complexere, modulair opgebouwde voertuigen zouden kunnen zijn. Dit zou kunnen wijzen op een geavanceerde buitenaardse technologie die in staat is om verschillende delen samen te voegen of te schakelen, afhankelijk van de functie of de situatie.
In de context van de Belgische driehoekvorm, die in deze periode ook werd gerapporteerd, zien we dat de driehoekvorm een terugkerend patroon was in de waarnemingen in Europa. Deze driehoekige objecten werden vaak beschreven als stilstaand of langzaam bewegend, met lichten aan de zijden die soms oplichten of knipperen. De Belgische driehoek werd vaak geassocieerd met militaire oefeningen of geheime technologieën, maar de aanwezigheid ervan in de UFO-rapportages wijst op een mogelijk alternatief scenario waarin deze driehoeken mogelijk buitenaardse of onbekende menselijke technologieën vertegenwoordigen. De driehoekvormen stonden bekend om hun symmetrische structuur en de gelijkmatige verdeling van lichten aan de randen, wat een kenmerk is dat vaak wordt genoemd in de waarnemingen uit die periode.
Kortom, de jaren 1970 en 1980 waren een tijd van grote verandering en verruiming in de waarneming van UFO’s. De vormen werden complexer en gevarieerder, en de waarnemingen omvatten nu objecten met meerdere componenten en structuren. Deze evolutie lijkt samen te hangen met technologische vooruitgang, perceptie, en de mogelijkheid dat sommige waarnemingen wijzen op geavanceerde buitenaardse technologie. De Belgische driehoekvorm is een voorbeeld van een patroon dat in Europa werd gerapporteerd en dat mogelijk een belangrijke aanwijzing kan vormen voor het begrijpen van deze verschijnselen. Het is duidelijk dat deze periode een belangrijke fase was in de geschiedenis van UFO-waarnemingen, waarin de complexiteit en variatie van de verschijnselen toenamen en de interpretaties diverser werden.
De jaren 2000 en daarna: Geavanceerde en onconventionele vormen
De evolutie van vormen in deze periode lijkt verbonden aan de ontwikkeling van geavanceerde technologieën, mogelijk buitenaards of mensgemaakt. Het feit dat veel objecten niet meer voldoen aan de klassieke schijf- of bolvorm, suggereert dat de technologie achter deze verschijnselen zich heeft ontwikkeld of dat waarnemers nu meer vertrouwen hebben in het beschrijven van complexe vormen. Ook kan het zijn dat de waarnemingen zelf steeds preciezer worden dankzij verbeterde instrumenten zoals radar, infraroodcamera’s en andere detectietechnologieën, waardoor we een breder scala aan vormen en gedragspatronen kunnen vaststellen die voorheen onzichtbaar waren.
Daarnaast speelt de toenemende publieke en officiële interesse in UFO’s een grote rol. Sinds de publicatie van de Pentagon-video’s en de officiële rapporten over onverklaarbare luchtverschijnselen, is er een meer open en wetenschappelijke benadering ontstaan. Overheidsinstanties en defensieorganisaties investeren in onderzoek en proberen de verschijnselen te begrijpen, wat heeft geleid tot een grotere verzameling en analyse van gegevens. Hierdoor worden ook de vormen van waargenomen objecten meer gedocumenteerd en gestandaardiseerd, waardoor we een beter inzicht krijgen in de diversiteit en complexiteit van deze verschijnselen.
Een andere factor die de evolutie van vormen beïnvloedt, is de culturele en media-invloed. Films, series en documentaires over UFO’s en buitenaardse wezens brengen nieuwe ideeën en beelden in de publieke verbeelding, wat mogelijk de beschrijving en interpretatie van waarnemingen beïnvloedt. Mensen kunnen geneigd zijn om meer complexe of futuristische vormen te rapporteren omdat ze geïnspireerd zijn door populaire cultuur. Dit kan leiden tot een soort feedbackloop, waarbij de verwachting van ongewone vormen de waarnemingen beïnvloedt en vice versa.
Een screenshot van een video getiteld GIMBAL toont wat het Amerikaanse Ministerie van Defensie karakteriseert als een ‘ongeïdentificeerd luchtfenomeen’. Drie video's van onbekende vliegende objecten, gemaakt door Amerikaanse marinepiloten, zijn maandag officieel vrijgegeven door het Pentagon.
(Ministerie van Defensie van de V.S.)
Wat ook opvalt, is dat sommige waarnemingen niet alleen in fysieke vormen verschillen, maar ook in gedrag. Sommige objecten vertonen ongebruikelijke bewegingen, zoals abrupt veranderen van snelheid en richting, of zweven op een manier die niet overeenkomt met bekende menselijke-technologische systemen. Dit gedrag, gekoppeld aan de complexe vormen, versterkt de overtuiging dat we mogelijk te maken hebben met technologie die fundamenteel verschilt van onze eigen technologie, of dat we geconfronteerd worden met verschijnselen die niet door menselijke maken kunnen zijn.
De wetenschappelijke gemeenschap staat voor een uitdaging: hoe kunnen we deze evolutie in vormen en gedrag verklaren? Veel onderzoekers wijzen op de noodzaak van een multidisciplinaire aanpak, waarbij fysica, techniek, psychologie en zelfs sociologie samenkomen om de waarnemingen te begrijpen. Het gebruik van geavanceerde simulaties, modellering en data-analyse wordt steeds belangrijker. Door deze methoden kunnen we proberen te achterhalen of de vormen het resultaat zijn van natuurlijke fenomenen, psychologische interpretaties, of mogelijk buitenaardse technologieën.
Tegelijkertijd is er scepticisme en controverse. Critici stellen dat veel waarnemingen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken, zoals reflecties, ballonnen, drones of geheime militaire technologieën. Sommigen betwijfelen of de complexiteit en onconventionele vormen daadwerkelijk bestaan, of dat ze het resultaat zijn van interpretatiefouten of optische illusies. Toch blijven de vele onverklaarbare waarnemingen en de consistentie van bepaalde patronen de aandacht trekken van wetenschappers en onderzoekers.
In de toekomst zullen technologische innovaties waarschijnlijk een grote rol spelen bij het verder begrijpen van de evolutie van UFO-vormen. Kunstmatige intelligentie, machine learning en 3D-modellering kunnen helpen om patronen te herkennen en te classificeren, waardoor we wellicht beter kunnen bepalen welke vormen en gedragingen echt zijn en welke niet. Daarnaast kunnen nieuwe observatietechnieken, zoals satelliettracking en realtime data-analyse, ons een nog gedetailleerder beeld geven van deze fenomenen.
Samenvattend kunnen we stellen dat de vormen van UFO’s sinds de vroege waarnemingen tot nu voortdurend geëvolueerd zijn. Van eenvoudige schijf- en bolvormige objecten naar complexe, geometrisch gestructureerde en onconventionele vormen, gekoppeld aan ongebruikelijk gedrag. Deze evolutie lijkt te wijzen op een toenemende technologie en een groeiende complexiteit in de waarnemingen, wat de wetenschap uitdaagt om nieuwe verklaringen te vinden. Hoewel er nog veel onzekerheid bestaat, biedt deze ontwikkeling een nieuw perspectief voor verder wetenschappelijk onderzoek.
EINDBESLUIT - De Historische Evolutie van de Vormen van UFO’s
De evolutie van de vormen van onbemande vliegende objecten, algemeen bekend als UFO’s, weerspiegelt niet alleen de technologische vooruitgang, maar ook de veranderende percepties en interpretaties door de mensheid. Door de geschiedenis heen zien we een opvallende ontwikkeling in de vormen en kenmerken van deze verschijnselen, die van eenvoudige, abstracte vormen naar complexere en vaak meer gestandaardiseerde modellen zijn geëvolueerd. Een wetenschappelijke benadering van deze evolutie biedt inzicht in mogelijke verklaringen en de impact op onze perceptie van buitenaardse verschijnselen.
In de beginperiode, vooral tijdens de jaren 1940 en 1950, werden UFO’s vaak beschreven als onregelmatige, ongestandaardiseerde vormen, zoals bolvormige objecten, cilinders of ongeïdentificeerde lichtpatronen. Deze vormen waren waarschijnlijk het resultaat van beperkte observatieapparatuur en het interpretatievermogen van getuigen in een tijd waarin luchtvaart en technologie minder ontwikkeld waren. De bekende “foo fighters” uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de vroege rapportages van vliegende schotels vertonen vaak eenvoudige, ronde of ovale vormen, wat mogelijk samenhangt met de beperkte technologie en de menselijke neiging tot het toeschrijven van onbekende verschijnselen aan ronde of bolvormige objecten.
In de jaren 1950 en 1960 verschoof de waarneming van UFO-vormen naar meer gestandaardiseerde modellen, zoals de iconische “flyings saucer” of vliegende schotel. Dit werd mede beïnvloed door populaire media en de publieke verbeelding, waardoor de vorm van de UFO’s een vaste plaats kreeg in de culturele perceptie. Wetenschappelijke observaties en rapportages begonnen zich te richten op gestandaardiseerde, symmetrische vormen, mogelijk omdat deze makkelijker te identificeren en te onderscheiden waren. Tegelijkertijd bleef de variatie in vormen bestaan, wat wijst op de complexiteit en diversiteit van de waarnemingen.
Vanaf de jaren 1970 en 1980 evolueerden de waarnemingen verder, met getuigen die complexere en meer geavanceerde vormen rapporteren, waaronder driehoekige, trapezium- of zelfs geometrisch gestructureerde objecten. Deze ontwikkeling kan deels worden verklaard door de toename van technologische ontwikkelingen in de luchtvaart en de mogelijkheid om op grotere schaal en met meer precisie te observeren. Daarnaast heeft de popularisering van digitale media en fotografie geleid tot meer gedetailleerde en verfijnde waarnemingen, hoewel dit ook de kans op interpretatieve fouten vergroot.
De hedendaagse waarnemingen tonen een breed scala aan vormen, variërend van gestandaardiseerde schotelvormen tot complexe geometrische structuren. Wetenschappelijk gezien blijft het moeilijk om conclusies te trekken over de aard en herkomst van deze verschijnselen, mede door de subjectiviteit van waarnemingen en het ontbreken van onbetwistbare bewijzen. Toch suggereren de evolutie en variatie in vormen dat UFO-waarnemingen mogelijk worden beïnvloed door culturele, psychologische en technologische factoren. Het bestuderen van deze evolutie helpt niet alleen om de psychologie en perceptie van waarnemers te begrijpen, maar ook om de technologische en maatschappelijke contexten te plaatsen waarin deze verschijnselen voorkomen.
Kortom, de historische evolutie van UFO-vormen weerspiegelt een complex samenspel van technologische ontwikkeling, culturele beïnvloeding en menselijke perceptie. Een wetenschappelijke analyse benadrukt dat de variatie in vormen niet alleen een weerspiegeling is van onbekende fenomenen, maar ook van onze veranderende interpretaties en verwachtingen. Het blijft een fascinerend onderwerp dat uitnodigt tot verdere wetenschappelijke studie, met als doel om meer inzicht te krijgen in de aard van deze mysterieuze verschijnselen.
Diagram of the APOSSUM mission. Credit - V. Hernandez Megia et al.
The coming of asteroid (99942) Apophis in April 2029 has sparked plenty of discussion both inside and outside the astronomical community. Despite original fears that it would pose a threat, Apophis will safely pass around 32,000 km away from Earth - though admittedly that is still closer than some geostationary communications satellites. That close approach offers a unique opportunity for those interested in asteroid science to take an up-close look at one of these relics of the early solar system, and various groups are planning to do just that. A new paper from Victor Hernandez Megia and his colleagues at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) suggests a new mission that could provide even further insight into the interior of Apophis - by returning part of it to Earth.
The APOphiS SUrfaces saMpler (APOSSUM) mission is designed with one primary goal in mind - get a sample of Apophis back to Earth for examination. However, that will not be easy. Doing so will require three-different stages of operations, each with their own requirements and potential pitfalls.
First will be the approach phase. APOSSUM is designed to hitch a ride on the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES) - an ESA mission that is designed to monitor the asteroid remotely from a distance of about 20 kilometers. After detaching from the RAMSES craft, APOSSUM will make its way to about 1 km from Apophis’ surface. To do so, it will use two different modeling techniques - one for the shape of the asteroid, and one for its gravitational field.
Fraser discusses some of the techniques we'll use as we watch Apophis pass us by.
Apophis’ shape has been relatively well defined, at least compared to other asteroids. NASA describes it in terms of its x-y-z dimensions, with sizes of 450 m, 370 m, and 170 m in each coordinate respectively. The gravitational field, which is assumed to be uniform at a distance of 1 km, uses a technique called Spherical Harmonics, which is computationally efficient and therefore better to use when accuracy isn’t as much a concern.
However, as APOSSUM starts its second phase, that accuracy begins to matter. As it approaches in an attempt to land, the spacecraft can no longer ignore variations in the density of its target, as they start to have major impacts on how the landing process itself proceeds. At this point, the spacecraft will switch to a non-constant density model, and the authors tried several different versions with varying densities throughout. As expected, the variability in those models significantly changed the spacecraft’s trajectory when that was subsequently modeled.
That sounds like a control problem - which is exactly what the authors did next. They implemented two different control techniques - Proportional-Deriviative (PD) and Bang-Bang - watched how they played out in their simulation of a landing sequence. Bang-bang, which is equivalent to a “binary” thrust value of either on or off, had the advantage of being quicker to get to a landing point. PD control, on the other hand, fine tuned the thrust based around feedback from sensors around the spacecraft. While it is more fuel efficient, and was therefore selected as the superior methodology, it is susceptible to variations in the density distribution of its target asteroid, in some cases completely missing the mark of a landing in some of the simpler scenarios.
Fraser discusses how we would react to an incoming asteroid
If the spacecraft is able to successfully land on Apophis, it will hopefully be able to collect a sample, which, although that has proved a challenge in other asteroid return missions, the details aren’t discussed in detail in the paper. But if it does (and even if it doesn’t), the next phase of the mission would be a return to Earth, where APOSSUM launches back off the asteroid and returns to a remote part of the Australian outback. Timing is critical in this phase, as the mission designers didn’t want to interfere with telescope observations of Apophis as it passed by close to Earth, which includes the consideration that the spacecraft would want to be on the opposite side of the Earth from where Apophis will be making its closest approach.
One major question mark for the mission is the timeline - the optimal launch date for the mission is March 20, 2029 - a little less than 4 years away. Designing, testing, and launching an entire mission in under four years is a tall task. But, given the interest surrounding what will be the closest visit from an asteroid in decades, there might be enough resources devoted to studying it to pull the APOSSUM mission off.
What imaging systems can NASA’s Artemis astronauts use on the Moon to conduct groundbreaking science and efficient documentation on the lunar surface? This is what a recent study presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) aspired to address as a team of researchers from the University of Texas at El Paso and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory investigated using next-generation cameras on the Artemis III mission, which is slated to be the first lunar surface mission of the Artemis program.
The study notes, “Astronaut-acquired photography will provide a critical context for maximizing the scientific return from the extravehicular activities (EVAs) planned for Artemis III. Images will be used to understand the context of crew observations and samples spatially in the exploration area, temporally within the mission timeline, and thematically within the Artemis III science traceability matrix (STM).”
For the study, the researchers discussed how the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) could successfully be used to conduct science imaging operations on the lunar surface. This includes reconnaissance being conducted by astronauts of the interior and exterior of the Starship Human Landing System (HLS) during and after landing and documenting lunar surface traverses through panoramas both between and at science stations. The team notes that the type of camera planned to be employed is the full-frame mirrorless digital camera, Nikon Z9.
The researchers emphasized the importance of real-time video streaming and downloading to enable ground crews to communicate with the astronauts and make on-the-fly decisions regarding science objectives and situational awareness. They also discussed the use of Third-Person Point-of-View (3POV) capabilities, which provides a level of redundancy for documenting crew activities and science objectives.
Regarding future work, the study notes, “We will continue to work with the teams responsible for engineering and testing the HULC, including aiding in radiometric and geometric calibration. Radiometric calibration is required for some science objectives (e.g., photometry for regolith characterization), and geometric calibration is necessary for deriving precise morphometric measurements and for photogrammetric processing.” The researchers emphasized training Artemis III astronauts regarding the importance of documentation and HULC use on the lunar surface.
The HULCs build off the Hasselblad cameras used by the 12 Apollo astronauts who walked on the lunar surface for Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17. During those missions, the Hasselblad cameras were mounted to the front of the astronauts’ spacesuits and documented their journeys on the lunar surface with still photography and video.
This study comes as Artemis III is currently scheduled for mid-2027 and will consist of an approximately 30-day mission to the lunar surface using Starship HLS. This mission will mark the first time humans have stepped foot on the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in 1972. However, it is currently unknown how the recent Starship explosion at Starbase in Texas could delay Artemis III and subsequent Artemis missions. This also comes after the Trump Administration has proposed canceling the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft after Artemis III due to SLS’s estimated $4 billion per launch price tag.
Documentation during scientific expeditions, whether on Earth or in space, is of the utmost importance for improving data collection and decision making for all parties. Therefore, documentation is especially important on future lunar surface expeditions so astronauts, ground crews, engineers, and mission managers can make the best-informed decisions regarding science objectives, crew safety, and improvements on future lunar surface missions.
How will HULCs help Artemis astronauts conduct groundbreaking lunar science in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
CODEX sees an outflow of material (inset) in the solar corona. Credit: NASA/KASI/INAF/CODEX.
A new solar observing telescope on the exterior of the International Space Station is open for business. NASA recently released imagesfrom the newly commissioned Coronal Diagnostic Experiment (CODEX) mounted on the station.
We wrote about the launch of CODEX when it was on its way to the International Space Station late last year. The new results were shared at the recent American Astronomical Society meeting, held last week in Anchorage, Alaska.
CODEX was built and operated by NASA in partnership with Italy’s National Institute for Astrophysics (INAE) and KASI (The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute). The small telescope includes an occluding device, meant to block out the Sun, in order to observe the deep inner solar corona. About the brightness of two Full Moons, the corona is the ghostly glow you see around the Sun briefly during a total solar eclipse. This poorly understood region is thought to be the source of space weather, a place that the solar wind originates from and is first accelerated outward from the Sun. But by its very definition, this zone has been problematic to study, until now.
The occulting disk in the instrument is about the size of an outstretched hand. The chief advantage of placing a coronagraph in space is the nice sharp edges it produces, as it eliminates light spillage due to forward scattering.
Comparisons of CODEX's field of view with SOHO's LASCO C3 imager.
Credit: NASA/ESA/SOHO/KASI/INAF/CODEX
The Science of CODEX
CODEX is the first mission to show temperature changes deep in the Sun’s atmosphere. The first results have already demonstrated that the flow within the solar corona is not homogeneous.
The multi-pass filters on CODEX are key to the instrument’s unique abilities. CODEX has four narrow-band filters—two for temperature, and two for measuring outflow speed. These allow CODEX to measure temperature changes versus the speed of moving material. This marks an improvement over just simple density readings, as was the case with early observations of the solar corona.
"We really never had the ability to do this kind of science before," says Jeffery Newmark (NASA/GSFC) in a recent press release. "The right kind of filters, the right size instrumentation--all the right things fell into place. These are brand new observations that have never been seen before, and we think there's a lot of really interesting science to be done with it."
The middle layer of the solar corona is thought to be the elusive source of the solar wind.
The source of the solar wind source links to what’s known as the coronal heating mystery mystery. Why are upper layers of the solar atmosphere hotter (by an order of a million degrees) versus the photosphere below? Some process is accelerating the solar wind to over a million kilometers per hour.
Temperature gradients seen in the solar corona over time by CODEX.
Credit: NASA/INAF/KARI/CODEX
CODEX sees the Sun about half the time, as the ISS zips around the Earth once every 90 minutes. Seasons near either solstice (such as right now, June going in to July) is what’s known as high-beta angle season for the station, allowing for near-continuous views of the Sun.
CODEX on Earth, ahead of launch.
Credit: KARI/CODEX
CODEX sees down to just 3 solar radii, versus NASA’s Parker Solar Probe at 10 solar radii. CODEX observations could also link to what ESA’s Solar Orbiter (SolO) sees with its EUV Extreme ultraviolet and white light imager, in terms of the source of the solar wind.
The mission launched on SpaceX's Cargo Dragon CRS-31 mission. Dragon arrived at the station on November 5th, and CODEX was installed by the station's Canadarm-2 on November 12th. CODEX is installed on the EXPRESS (Expedite the Processing of Experiments to the Space Station) Logistics Carrier Site 3 (ELC-3).
CODEX in action aboard the ISS.
Credit: NASA
The Rise of the Coronagraphs
Though it has some unique capabilities, CODEX isn’t the first coronagraph in space. The instrument is in good company in the solar-observing department. The joint ESA/NASA Solar Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has been observing the Sun now for over a quarter of a century. ESA’s Proba-3 was recently commissioned as well, and is now open for business, featuring the first observatory plus free-flying occulter duo. The Compact Coronagraph (CCOR-1) onboard NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite also launched last year. Also, NASA is now getting observations back from PUNCH (the Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere), which launched with SPHEREx on March 12th, 2025. The PUNCH quartet of instruments extends what CODEX sees, as it images out to six solar radii.
This armada of solar observatories guarantee that the ongoing Solar Cycle 25 will be the best one studied to date. CODEX puts us that much closer to unraveling the mysteries of our host star, The Sun.
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.
One corner of the UFO phenomenon that has always drawn to itself weirdness and raised eyebrows is that of alien abductions. These are cases in which the witness has been whisked away by alien intelligences for inscrutable reasons, often enduring examinations and experimentation in the process. Some reports can be so strange that they are seen as bizarre even for UFO phenomena, and here we will look at some such cases.
In October of 1957, a strange series of events began to unfold in a rural area near São Francisco de Sales, Brazil. Here lived a humble farmer by the name of Antônio Villas Boas and his brother, Joao, and their family, and on the night of October 14, they would have an odd experience while out ploughing a field. Because of the sweltering heat during the daytime and the fact that the work was typically grueling, it was common for them to do their work at night, but this evening would be different from most. As they toiled away in the field, their attention was captured by what they described as a ball of red light in the sky that was so bright they could not look directly at it. Antônio crept forward to investigate while his terrified brother stayed behind, but whenever he tried to approach it would speed away from him, almost as if it were playing a game. The two men could only watch as it emitted some beams of light in all directions and then sped off into the night. However, the weirdness would not end there. Indeed, it was only just beginning for Antônio.
On October 16, 1957, Antônio was out working the field again, this time alone, and he looked up to the starry sky above to notice a red star amongst the twinkling lights. Thinking this was odd, it got even stranger when it began to grow in size and brightness and he realized that it was the same light he and his brother had seen before. This time, rather than retreating, the light seemed to be approaching him rapidly, getting close enough that the scared farmer could see that it was an egg-shaped craft of some sort with a rotating dome and a bright red light on its top. The bizarre craft then gently landed upon the field upon three metal legs that extended from beneath it to come to a rest not far from Boas, after which a hatch opened to disgorge a 5-foot-tall humanoid being dressed in a helmet and grey coveralls. This was frightening enough that Boas turned his tractor around and tried to get out of there, but the machine soon stalled, forcing his to continue fleeing on foot. He wouldn’t get far.
Whatever the creature was managed to catch him, joined by three other similar beings that communicated through a series of yelps and barks. Boas would claim that he was unable to effectively fight back against them and that these beings proceeded to physically drag him up into their otherworldly craft. There he was forced into a brightly lit room where the creatures took off all of his clothes and covered him with a slick gelatinous substance, before then taking him to another room adorned with strange red symbols. Here in this new room, the beings supposedly cut his chin to extract blood, and then he was led into yet another room and left alone for a while. As he sat there, terrified and unsure of what was coming next, a gas was piped into the room that was apparently so foul-smelling that Boas vomited. He was still recovering from being violently ill when an hour later the door opened and he was confronted with another of the beings, this one an attractive female, with long platinum hair, large blue eyes, and, by Boas' description, totally hot. According to Boas, he had sexual relations with this creature, after which she rubbed her belly implying that she would bear his child, and he was then dropped off back at his tractor to find that 4 hours had passed and that he had strange burns on his body that he could not remember having gotten.
Over the next few days, Boas suffered from various health issues, such as intense headaches, nausea, and unusual lesions that popped up on his body for no discernible reason, and the burns also remained. Not knowing what to do, he sought out medical attention and was finally examined by Dr. Olavo Fontes, of the National School of Medicine of Brazil. According to the doctor, Boas was in pretty bad shape and suffering from radiation poisoning, and he would say of the farmer’s symptoms:
“Among [Boas's] symptoms were pains throughout the body, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, ceaselessly burning sensations in the eyes, cutaneous lesions at the slightest of light bruising...which went on appearing for months, looking like small reddish nodules, harder than the skin around them and protuberant, painful when touched, each with a small central orifice yielding a yellowish thin waterish discharge. The skin surrounding the wounds presented a hyperchromatic violet-tinged area.”
The story was soon picked up by UFOlogists when Boas approached journalist Jose Martins about the experience, and by 1958, the whole bizarre tale was becoming increasingly mentioned in the mainstream media as it received worldwide fame, as well as more than its fair share of raised eyebrows. After all, the whole thing is so outlandish as to be almost absurd. At the time, tales of alien abduction were practically nonexistent, as it was, indeed, Boas’ account is one of the earliest to ever get any major attention, and many people didn’t know what to make of it all. Even UFOlogists were skeptical of it all, and it was pointed out that he most likely made it all up after reading a similar obscure account in a popular magazine called O Cruzeiro, and that he was probably heavily influenced by the incredibly bizarre reports of alien contactees written by the Ufologist Georges Adamski. It is even suggested that he came up with the idea in 1958 and then predated his story to make it more believable, and the fact that he was able to produce the entire story from memory without the need for hypnosis has also seemed suspicious to some.
In the end, tales of such sexual encounters and alien hybrids have continued to flutter out on the fringe of even hardcore UFOlogists. It is all so completely off the rails and also scientifically implausible, as how would an alien have DNA compatible with us to the point that they could bear one of our children? Because of this, the case has mostly been labelled a hoax and a tall tale that has been largely shunned. However, Boas himself was no loon, going on in later years to become a respected lawyer, and he always stuck by his outlandish tale up to his death in 1992. Was this the ramblings of a troubled individual, a hoax, or was there something more to it all? Whatever the case may be, it is one of the earliest widely publicized UFO abduction accounts and continues to generate discussion to this day.
In another bizarre account from Brazil, in March of 1978, a fisherman was out by a river in the state of Maranhão, Brazil, when his concentration was broken by screams from the nearby jungle. Alarmed, the fisherman stopped what he was doing and ventured into the thick, murky underbrush towards the desperate cries, until he came to a teenage boy lying there upon the ground. The boy seemed to be in rough shape, unable to move, and even when asked who he was, he could only respond with gurgled cries of pain. Whoever the boy was, he seemed to be in a sort of spaced-out daze, and considering there was blood coming from his mouth, the fisherman assumed that he had been attacked by someone. When authorities arrived, the boy was taken to the hospital, and it was found that he had four missing teeth, with other teeth jagged and broken, patches of hair that appeared to have been singed off, some kind of red marks like sunburn around his ears, and by the time doctors looked at him he was in some sort of unresponsive, catatonic state. He was moved to a more modern medical facility, and only after a few days did he begin to come out of his mysterious stupor. When he did, he had quite a bizarre tale to tell, and so would begin one of the weirdest alien abduction accounts Brazil has ever seen.
It started as a normal day for 16-year-old Luis Carlos Serra, who in March of 1978 was out in the wilds near his home in the village of Penalva, collecting guava fruit for his family. The area was covered in thick jungle, but he had been out here many times before, and for Luis, it was all rather mundane, that is, until the day began to take a turn for the strange, starting with a loud noise like a siren that boomed out to reverberate among the trees. This was not a normal sound of the jungle, obviously not natural, and at first Luis thought it might be from an aircraft overhead, but when he looked up, it would prove to be no normal airplane.
When Luis peered up through the canopy of trees stretching far above, he felt nearly blinded by an intensely bright light. What was causing the light he could not see, but it was so brilliant that it lit up the normally dim jungle floor, and as he stood there, frightened and wondering what could possibly produce such a light, he suddenly found that he could not move his body. Luis would claim that something had paralyzed him, and he fell to the ground, unable to move or even cry out. As he lay there helpless, the light began to sort of congeal around him, until he was enveloped by it, and that was when he felt his body lift off the forest floor into the air, as if something were pulling him upwards.
The now terrified boy continued his ascent, right up through the branches of the canopy and above the sea of jungle green, and that’s when he finally saw the source of the light. According to Luis, hovering over the jungle was a large round object with a domed top and lined by windows along its side, and it was towards this inscrutable craft that he found himself floating. He would claim that he was pulled towards the mysterious sphere, and right through one of the windows, until he was inside it. He was then allegedly gently lowered to the floor, from which Luis looked up to see three humanoid beings in metallic suits and visors standing around him, speaking in some unknown language. As he tried to comprehend what was going on, the craft began to move, and things would get even stranger still. Although his memory of the event would remain somewhat murky, he says the craft went to a place that was dark and devoid of mountains, sky, stars, and trees; just a vast expanse of some sort of strange tall grass and nothing but blackness above. He was levitated back out of the craft and set down upon a flat rock in a clearing, and he would say of what happened:
I was taken to a strange land with no trees and only with tall grass. I do not know how long it took to get there. I went out the window just as I came in, with nothing supporting my back. I was still paralyzed. It was a strange place I did not know. It seemed like a field, but no birds or sides. The grass was very high, about one meter. I did not see any house or building. I could not see the sky, there were no trees or stars. It was very dark. I was still paralyzed. So those people approached me and put a tube in my nose. It did not hurt. Then they put a transparent ball in my mouth, and a liquid down my throat too fast. I fell asleep and did not know what happened later, I woke up in the bush.
It would not be until three days later that he would be found there by that fisherman, but it would turn out that there had been an intensive search effort to locate the boy carried out by the villagers. The incident would capture the attention of UFO researcher and journalist Bob Pratt, who would go to the region to interview Luis and other locals about what had happened, also finding out that there had been several other sightings of UFOs in the area at the time. Pratt would also interview medical personnel who had examined the boy, including a neurologist and two psychiatrists, and he even spoke with the town’s mayor, none of whom had any rational explanation for his condition when found. Rather curiously, according to researcher Albert Rosales, in August of 1978, there was a sighting of three glowing humanoids in silver coveralls and round, translucent helmets in a field near Penalva, although what connection this had to Luis’ case remains unknown.
It is hard to know what to make of this utterly bizarre case. Investigators who have looked into it deem Luis to be a perfectly rational and calm witness who has never deviated from his core story. There is nothing about him that suggests he would simply fabricate such an otherworldly tale, and no reason to suspect he ever gained anything from it. There are also the corroborating reports of other strangeness in the area, so what are we to think of all of this? Is this just tall tales mixed with local superstition and maybe a dose of minor hysteria, or is there something more to it all? For now, the strange case of Luis Carlos Serra remains an intriguing mystery that sees no concrete conclusion in sight, and it is left to the realm of speculation.
One of the most oft-discussed and bizarro alien abduction cases on record began in the early hours of November 30, 1989, with a 41-year-old woman by the name of Linda Napolitano, also formerly known as Linda Cortile. She lived in an apartment in Manhattan, New York, in the United States, and on this morning, Cortile woke up to find a humanoid figure standing there, obscured in the gloom by the foot of her bed. This was alarming enough as it was, as her apartment had been locked and her husband was sleeping soundly next to her, but it went into the realm of the truly outlandish when she would claim that whatever it was obviously was not human, and that it would spirit her away to what she describes as an “examination room," where she distinctly saw herself on a table surrounded by thin, large headed and big-eyed aliens. She then found herself back in her bed, her husband still off in dreamland, and left with only fragmented memories of what had happened.
Cortile was sure it had been no dream, but tried to put it out of her mind until she came across a book that caused her to pause and take notice. The book was Intruders: The Incredible Visitations of Copley Woods, by seasoned UFO researcher Budd Elliot Hopkins, and was about an alien abduction. After perusing the book, Cortile became convinced that something very strange had happened to her that night, although she was still not quite sure what. Desperate for answers and not sure what she should do, Cortile sought to contact Hopkins himself, after which things would steadily get stranger still.
Hopkins turned out to be very willing to hear Cortile’s story, and considering that she only remembered fleeting shards of the event, he arranged for her to undergo hypnotic regression to try and see what was lying down under the surface within her psyche. Under hypnosis, Cortile would say that she had been levitated out of her room through the window, and had then been taken out over the city lights to some sort of otherworldly craft hovering outside, where she was subjected to some kind of medical experiments by non-human entities. She would say of her terrifying experience:
“I'm standing up on nothing. And they take me out all the way up, way above the building. Ooh, I hope I don't fall. The UFO opens up almost like a clam and then I'm inside. I see benches similar to regular benches. And they're bringing me down a hallway. Doors open like sliding doors. Inside are all these lights and buttons and a big long table. I don't want to get up on that table. They get me on the table anyway. They start saying things to me and I'm yelling. I can still yell. One of them says something that sounds like {Nobbyegg}. I think they were trying to tell me to be quiet because he put his hand over my mouth.”
All very curious indeed, but it would go even further down the rabbit hole when Hopkins was later contacted by two additional witnesses calling themselves “Richard” and “Dan,” who were according to them bodyguards who had been tasked with escorting a high-ranking diplomat on the night of the incident, eventually identified to have most likely been United Nations Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar. On that night, they claimed that they had been taking their charge over the Brooklyn Bridge in a limousine when the vehicle sputtered out and they spotted a large hovering craft in the vicinity of Cortile’s apartment, and not only that, they even claimed to have seen the body of a woman levitate up towards it, along with some other non-human beings of some sort. They then claim that the craft had shot towards the East River to go plunging into the depths. All of this had been witnessed by them and also the diplomat they had been with. Richard would say of the scene that played out:
“There was an oval-shaped object hovering over the top of the apartment building two or three blocks up from where we sat. We didn't know where it came from. It happened too fast. Its lights turned from a bright reddish orange to a whitish blue coming out of the bottom. Green lights rotated round the edge of the saucer. A little girl or woman wearing a white gown sailed out of the window in a fetal position - and then stood in mid-air in this beam of light. I could see three of the ugliest creatures I ever saw. I don't know what they were. They weren't human. Their heads were out of proportion, very large heads with no hair. Those buggers were escorting her into the craft. My partner screamed, 'We have got to get them.' We tried to get out of the car but couldn't. After the woman was escorted in, the oval turned reddish orange again and whisked off.”
According to these witnesses, the sight had left them in quite a state of shock and disarray, and from here the story gets even weirder still. After this report, they apparently began to stalk Cortile, following her around and generally absolutely obsessed with her, to the point that they supposedly carried out an abduction of their own. On April 29, 1991, Dan and Richard allegedly kidnapped Linda Cortile in order to grill her on what she had experienced that evening. Not long after this, Dan would purportedly kidnap her yet again, even going as far as to have her wear the same nightgown she had been wearing on the night of the abduction, during which Cortile would claim she had seen what looked like CIA files lying around. She was constantly harassed by these two mysterious men, leaving Hopkins to wonder just what in the world was going on.
In the meantime, there would be yet another possible witness to the event who would come out of the woodwork, when Hopkins was approached by a woman calling herself Janet Kimble, sometimes called Kimball, who said that she had also seen the hovering object after her car had broken down at the time, and had assumed that it had been the set of a science fiction film. It was then that Hopkins, who had until that point kept the case to himself, decided to go public with information on it. As all of this was going on, Hopkins was trying to see if he could get a statement from the diplomat who had been in the car with the bodyguards, Javier Perez de Cuellar, and he apparently did make contact. Although Cuellar would supposedly admit to the sighting, he made it very clear that he did not want his name associated with it and so declined to make an official statement on the matter, saying he would deny any such news that came out. In other words, he meant to keep quiet about what he had seen.
Of course there was a bit of skepticism towards Hopkins’ research, most notably from fellow researchers George Hansen, Joseph Stefula, and Richard Butler, who would spend a lot of time poking holes in the case. For instance, it was pointed out that Hopkins had failed to do some basic checks on the conditions of the abduction, such as the weather at the time, and had not even checked to see if security guards at the building had seen anything unusual. Other criticisms of the case abound, such as the fact that it seems that although this incident supposedly happened at a sprawling apartment block complex in a busy downtown area, there were very few actual witnesses to the event. None of the other tenants saw anything unusual on the night in question, nor did night security guards, and the witnesses that there are cannot be corroborated. There are two near-anonymous bodyguards with testimony that cannot be verified, the supposed diplomat Cuellar, who has refused to confirm or deny any of it, the mysterious Kimball, who could be anybody, and, according to Cortile, supposedly a truck driver on the Brooklyn bridge who has remained unnamed. Very vague, indeed.
Interestingly, as the case has gained more awareness, there have been other alleged witnesses to the abduction who have come out of the woodwork over the years. The most prominent of these is a man named Yancy Spence, who alleged that he was a New York Post journalist and had been at his office right across the street on the night of the abduction, from which he saw the entire thing along with several others. He also made the ominous claim that he believed several other people had also been abducted, although who these other people were is anyone’s guess.
In the end, no one really knows what is going on here with what is now widely known as the "Manhattan Transfer Abduction." Was this woman abducted by aliens right from her apartment in the middle of New York City? Why are there so few witnesses, and actually, who are those witnesses? Did they ever really exist at all? Theories have flown that this was a vast conspiracy to the idea that aliens carried out a mass mind-wipe on everyone who saw what happened, but why would they have gone through all of the trouble in the first place in such a populated area? Or maybe she was just abducted by humans and her mind filled in the rest? If so, how do we explain what the other witnesses supposedly saw, if anything at all? Or does this perhaps all have its origins in just a tall tale conjured up by Cortile herself, pulling Hopkins into her delusional world in the process? Whatever the case may be, it has managed to become a curious and often debated case that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.
Moving along, in the hours just after dark on August 8, 1993, a 27 -year-old housewife and mother of three children by the name of Kelly Cahill was driving with her husband between Belgrave and Fountain Gate, in Victoria, Australia, to attend a birthday party later that evening for Kelly’s friend’s daughter. At around 7 PM, they were passing the quiet foothills of the Dandenongs mountain range, approaching the outer Melbourne suburban housing estate where the friend lived. Since it was a fairly remote and dark road, there were few other cars around, although on this evening, Kelly would claim that there was another vehicle down the road behind them with a man and a woman within. It was a quiet, peaceful night, and other than that, there wasn’t much to see, so Kelly sat back watching the evening float by her passenger window. Yet something would come up out of the dark that would snap her awake.
As Kelly looked out over the rural, increasingly mountainous landscape, she allegedly saw a “ring of orange lights” sitting on the ground in a nearby paddock. As she watched this mystery object, wondering what it could be, they passed by and she told her husband that she had just seen a UFO, but he didn’t seem to really believe her, saying it was probably just a helicopter. They sort of just put it out of their minds and went about going to the friend’s party and having a normal evening before heading back for the drive home. As they did, they would both then see what appeared to have been the same object Kelly had seen earlier, only this time it was hovering over the road right in front of them. Kelly would later tell UFO researcher Robb Tilley of what happened then:
Anyway, we were driving back down the road in the same stretch. Both of us,just me and my husband . . . we both saw this ring, mind you ... . in front of us, hovering above the road. It was just something sitting there. . . . I couldn't tell what it was. We were at first far away, but as you got closer to it was sort of . . . well, it wasn't like the orange light in the field. It was a round shape with some sort of glass around, or what looked like windows and lights around the bottom. Because it was dark, you couldn't really tell at first. But as we got closer and closer, there was no noise or anything. Even my husband's going. "You're right! That's something. That's very, very strange." And I swear we saw people in there, and then just as I said to him, "I swear there's people in there," it just shot off to the left as fast as it could go. I mean it just disappeared. Within a split second it had gone.
We kept driving, and about a kilometer ahead, all of a sudden, there's this really, really bright light in front of us, and I've got my hand up, up above my brow, to look out the window, because it's that bright, but I can't see anything. I said to [my husband], "What are you going to do?" He said, "I'm going to keep driving." From there, that is the last we remembered until . . . I knew I was going to see a UFO, you know, I just knew, because of what we had seen, I'd seen it twice in one night and he had seen it once... and the adrenaline is pumping, the heart is thumping, I'm so excited. All of a sudden, I'm sitting in the car, and I'm saying to my husband, "What happened?" And he says to me, "I don't know. We must have gone around a corner or something.
They both felt very strange at this point, as if they had had a blackout, but they weren’t sure quite why they felt this way, but it was unshakeable. There was also apparently a “smell like vomit” permeating the vehicle, although there was no sign that either of them had thrown up. They had the very surreal sense that something was not quite right, and that something had happened to them, and as they talked about this, it got even stranger still when Kelly saw a tall, dark figure pass by along the side of the road that she did not think was human. It was not until they got home that they realized that they were both missing an hour of time, and Kelly noticed an odd triangular mark right above her navel and a scar above that, neither of which she had had before that night.
On top of this, they both experienced inexplicable headaches, nausea, stomach pain, and severe muscular fatigue over the coming weeks, during which time Kelly began menstruating out of cycle and fell so sick she could barely walk. Her husband would rush her to the hospital, where they were told that she had a womb infection. As all of this was going on, Kelly began to have little fragments of memory come back to her from that lost time, little flickers that floated up from her subconscious like fleeting, half-forgotten dreams. First, she remembered going into an intense, blindingly bright light, then there were faint images of shadow figures moving in that light, and then one day, when they were driving past the same spot, she felt a sudden sense of overwhelming terror and it all came back to her. She would say of this:
On the way home from bingo that night, we went along the same road, and as we passed a certain spot, I just got this incredible feeling of terror go through me, I mean absolute terror. All of a sudden I just started remembering, and by the next morning I had remembered just about everything that happened, except there's still missing time that I can't. What we had actually done, we had driven into the light, but the road curved, and the light we had thought was in front of us was actually to our right-hand side. It was in the field, and it was massive… the "size of a house" or perhaps close to 5O meters. So it was very big. Why I knew it was very big was because we could have driven for five minutes. The road sort of wound around this part. You could have driven for five minutes and not had it out of your sight the whole time.
She remembered that she and her husband had then stopped the car and gotten out to get a better look at the light. At this point, she somehow noticed that there was another car that had stopped down the road, and that three people had stepped out of it. She turned her attention back to the otherworldly craft in front of them, and that’s when she saw a very tall, thin black figure, estimated as about 7 feet tall, and possessing luminous red eyes, which she describes as “burning red, like . . . fluorescent stop lights, I suppose, that sort of real burning red.” The entity was approaching them, and she felt overwhelmed with a cold, gripping terror. She would explain what happened next:
All of a sudden I started screaming out to my husband. . . . Now this has really got me baffled because of the fact that a human being doesn't know this, so I don't even know how I came out with this, but I started saying, "They've got no souls." And then I started screaming, "THEY'VE GOT NO SOULS!" Then all of a sudden there were heaps of them in the field, not just one, a whole heap of them, and they started coming towards us . . . faster than a man could run, and they were gliding off the ground. They got halfway across the field. They split up. Some of them went towards the other people [two or three, Kelly thought]. and some of them [the rest] came towards us. I was hysterically terrified. . . . I had never felt terror like that. Not even in my worst nightmares had I experienced terror like that. The next thing I know, I felt this oomph! in my stomach, right across here like I was winded, but I was thrown right back, and I was on my back on the ground. I sat up, with my head between my knees. Here, I'm trying to stay conscious. I couldn't see. My eyes. . . . It was all black.
She says that during this encounter, she was only vaguely aware of her husband nearby, who was mostly silent, and that the creatures kept sending telepathic messages into her mind, assuring her that they meant her no harm. Despite these insistent assurances, she felt with every fiber of her being that they were actually all evil somehow, and she says she suddenly felt a surge of anger overcome and usurp the uncontrollable fear that had paralyzed her. She remembers shouting at the beings to go away and cursing and threatening them, and the next thing she remembers is being back in her car, any other memories just a whirlwind of shards and pieces. In the coming weeks, she would have extremely vivid dreams of being she had seen, as well as of being within their ship and speaking with them. She would say of one of these “dreamings” as she calls them, as follows:
When after I did remember it, I had another dream, and these dreams seemed very physical. I know I'm dreaming, and I've got to wake up out of them. . . . In this particular one, I felt as if my legs were being pulled off the bed, and it was like I was paralyzed from my waist down, and my legs were being pulled over to the side; yet I could almost use the top of my body. Then I'm grabbing a pillow, trying to hit my husband, to wake him up. . . . I'm fighting this. I'm not going to let this thing drag me off the bed by my legs. Then I woke up and saw it standing there again! This time the hood covered the eyes, and it didn't scare me. . . . I was still terrified, but it didn't scare me quite as much, because each time it scared me, it was that same power like I felt out in the field that night.
During all of this, her husband remained unable to remember anything of what had happened, and it was all very bizarre to say the least. Kelly would contact Sydney-based researcher Bill Chalker, of the UFO Investigation Centre, who would launch a full, in-depth investigation into the events along with a group called Phenomena Research Australia [PRA]. They were not only able to track down other witnesses in two other cars who had passed that night and seen the UFO at the time as well, but also locate the three people described by Cahill who had also been approached by the strange entities on that fateful evening, who all also just so happened to have triangular marks on their bodies very similar to the one Kelly had. In addition to this, upon investigating the site of the UFO landing, Chalker and his team claimed that they had managed to find various physical evidence such as chemical and magnetic anomalies, as well as unusual radiation and magnetic readings and strange marks in the field that could not be explained.
In the meantime, the whole bizarre tale had hit the news, and Kelly Cahill would become a bit of a celebrity, appearing on TV shows, at UFO conferences, and writing a book about it all in 1997 called Encounter: The True Story. She would add other details to her account over the years, claiming that she had been menaced by an unmarked black helicopter and had forged a telepathic link with the aliens, who warned that they planned to invade Earth. Although her story may sound fantastical and almost absurd to some, she has long been seen as a rather reliable witness, as she no history of mental illness, no reason to lie, no prior connection to the UFO field, and was largely praised by neighbors and family as being an honest, sincere woman. Indeed, this perceived reliability, as well as the corroborating reports and the physical evidence left behind, has made Kelly Cahill’s case very significant in the UFO field, with Bill Chalker saying of this:
Here we have a striking situation. Two groups of persons unknown to each other have witnessed the same UFO encounter and entities. They also experienced missing time, and each group has been available to competent investigators. Independent witnesses have provided information that enables cross-checking and correlations to reveal a remarkable amount of similar information. The result is a compelling case for the reality of the strange events described. The ontological status of the events is further strengthened by a range of apparently related physical traces, including ground traces, a magnetic anomaly, and effects on some of the witnesses.
Indeed, the case of Kelly Cahill has become one of the most intriguing and baffling UFO cases Australia has ever seen, yet it remains a frustrating nut to crack. The main problem is that, although Phenomena Research Australia claims to have compiled a detailed report on all of the data and information pertaining to the case, this report has never been released to the public and remains under wraps. The names of the supposed other witnesses have also never been revealed, and they have never been interviewed by independent, mainstream sources. Indeed, even the name Kelly Cahill is a pseudonym, and so there is a thick cloud of mystery obscuring the real truth. In the end, we may never know exactly what happened out there on that lonely road, and it remains a strange mystery that will perhaps always elude us, as well as one of the most bizarre alien abduction accounts Australia has ever seen.
In the end, all of these cases make one scratch one’s head and think what was going on here? These are among the strangest alien abduction cases there are, and they leave more questions than answers. What happened to these people, and was this really aliens or was it something else? I leave it for you to decide.
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.
This enhanced, colour image of Mercury reveals the planet’s complex surface geology, from the Messenger probe.
Mercury is definitely the troublemaker of our Solar System. The smallest planet orbiting our Sun is also one of the most perplexing, with characteristics so unusual that scientists are still scratching their heads about how it came to be. But new laboratory experiments are finally starting to unravel Mercury's mysteries and what they're revealing could reshape our understanding of rocky planets everywhere.
Mercury, the innermost planet of the Solar System captured by Mariner 10.
(Credit: NASA/JPL/USGS)
Unlike Earth, where the core makes up just 15% of the planet's volume, Mercury's massive metallic core accounts for a whopping 60%. It's as if someone took a planet and stripped away most of its rocky exterior. Scientists debate whether Mercury formed this way naturally from metal-rich building blocks, or whether catastrophic collisions early in its history removed its outer layers.
"Mercury is so off, it has this huge core, weird chemistry, and a magnetic field that doesn't quite add up. In a way, it's like an exoplanet in our own backyard."
Anne Pommier, Carnegie Science's Earth and Planets Laboratory.
Since it’s not possible to drill directly into Mercury's surface, the team led by Anne Pommier from the Carnegie Science Earth and Planets Laboratory has taken an ingenious approach; they're recreating Mercury's geology in their laboratory. By synthesizing artificial lavas that match the chemical composition detected by NASA's MESSENGER mission, they've discovered something remarkable about how Mercury's ancient volcanoes behaved.
Artist's impression of the MESSENGER Spacecraft
(Credit: Johns Hopkins University)
The key difference, it seems, lies in sulfur. While Earth's lava is built from silicon-oxygen bonds that form long, sticky chains (somewhat like melted plastic), Mercury's sulfur-rich lavas have much shorter, less connected structures. This fundamental atomic difference means Mercury's ancient lava flows behaved more like syrup than tar, potentially explaining why the planet has surprisingly smooth volcanic plains despite its violent history.
Perhaps even stranger is Mercury's magnetic field. For such a small, slowly cooling planet, Mercury shouldn't really have an active magnetic field at all yet, unexpectedly... it does. Through thousands of computer simulations, Pommier and her colleagues have identified a narrow range of scenarios that could explain this puzzle.
Their models suggest that Mercury maintains its magnetic dynamo by slowly growing a solid inner core while a thin layer in the outer core continues to generate the magnetic field. This convecting region is getting progressively thinner, which might explain why Mercury's magnetic field is so weak compared to Earth's.
Mercury's magnetic field
(Credit: NASA)
These laboratory insights couldn't come at a better time. In 2025, the European-Japanese BepiColombo mission will begin orbiting Mercury, carrying with it instruments designed to probe the planet's magnetic field, chemistry, and electrical conductivity in unprecedented detail. But interpreting that flood of new data will require exactly the kind of fundamental understanding that experiments like Pommier's provide.
As we discover more rocky planets around distant stars, Mercury serves as a crucial test case, close enough to study in detail, yet alien enough to challenge our assumptions about planetary formation. Understanding this strange planet might just be the key to understanding rocky worlds throughout the universe.
Imagine a star so dense that a teaspoon of its material would weigh as much as Mount Everest, spinning hundreds of times per second while beaming radio waves across the universe. These are pulsars, the collapsed cores of massive stars. Some pulsars are breaking the rules of physics as we understand them, and the answer might lie in something as simple as tiny mountains on their surfaces.
Scientists have long known that pulsars should eventually "die" when they spin down too much to generate the powerful electric fields needed to produce radio waves. This boundary, called the "death line," marks where a pulsar should fall silent forever and, well, stop pulsing! Yet a team of researchers has discovered pulsars that are very much alive despite being well below this theoretical limit.
Composite optical/X-ray image of the Crab Nebula, showing synchrotron emission in the surrounding pulsar wind nebula, powered by injection of magnetic fields and particles from the central pulsar
(Credit: NASA/HST/ASU/J)
Two particularly puzzling examples are PSR J0250+5854 and PSR J2144-3933. These pulsars should be radio quiet according to current models, yet they continue to beam signals across space. Until now, scientists couldn't explain how these "dead" pulsars were still pulsing.
New research from Peking University suggests the answer might be surprisingly simple: tiny mountains on the pulsar's surface. These aren't mountains as we know them on Earth; they’re probably no more than a centimetre tall, roughly the height of your fingernail. But on a neutron star, where gravity is 100 billion times stronger than Earth's, even such small features can have dramatic effects.
The researchers led by Zi-Hao Xu from Peking University developed sophisticated computer models to understand how these miniature mountains would affect the powerful electric fields around pulsars. They found that the steep slopes of these tiny peaks dramatically amplify the local electric field, making it much easier for the pulsar to accelerate particles and generate the cascades of electrons and positrons that create radio waves.
Schematic view of a pulsar. The sphere in the middle represents the neutron star, the curves indicate the magnetic field lines, the protruding cones represent the emission beams and the green line represents the axis on which the star rotates.
Think of it like focusing sunlight with a magnifying glass; the mountain's curved surface concentrates the electric field into a much more powerful beam. This amplification can reduce the energy threshold needed to trigger radio emission by half or more, effectively bringing "dead" pulsars back to life. They also provide clues about what neutron stars are actually made of, one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in physics. For mountains to survive on a neutron star's surface, the material must be incredibly strong. The intense bombardment of high-energy particles would quickly erode any ordinary matter.
The researchers propose that neutron stars might be made of "strangeon matter," an exotic form of matter bound together by the strong nuclear force rather than electromagnetic forces. This material would be tough enough to maintain surface features against the neutron star's extreme environment, with binding energies millions of times stronger than ordinary matter.
This research opens exciting new possibilities for understanding neutron stars and testing fundamental physics. If surface mountains are common on pulsars, astronomers should be able to detect their effects through careful observations of pulse timing and intensity patterns. The upcoming Chinese FAST telescope, for example, may be able to spot the tell-tale signatures of these tiny peaks.
The work also suggests that neutron star "glitches," sudden changes in spinning speed, might be connected to the formation or destruction of surface mountains during starquakes. This could provide a new way to study the internal structure of these exotic objects.
This image combines 678 separate images taken by NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top right) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light-years away from Earth. Credit: NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, constructed in Chile's Atacama Desert, houses perhaps the most powerful survey telescope ever built. Named after the pioneering astronomer who provided crucial evidence for dark matter, the telescope features an 8.4-meter primary mirror and the world's largest digital camera at 3.2 gigapixels. It’s plan…. to conduct the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), photographing the entire visible southern sky every few nights for ten years. This unprecedented survey will catalog billions of galaxies and stars, track moving objects throughout the Solar System, and help scientists study dark matter, dark energy, and the changing universe with remarkable precision.
Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Milky Way
(Credit : Rubin Observatory/NSF/AURA/B)
We have been tracking the development of the telescope here at UniverseToday and we can now, finally and somewhat excitedly share details of the first images from this historic instrument. You can view them all yourself right here.
One of the images just released shows a stunning composite of the Trifid and Lagoon Nebula. The image combines 678 separate images taken in just over seven hours of observing time, revealing otherwise faint or invisible details in these wonderful examples of stellar nurseries. It shows the Trifid Nebula (positioned in the upper right) and the Lagoon Nebula (in the centre,) both located several thousand light years from Earth. They are clouds of gas and dust where new stars are born, and the extended exposure time allowed the camera to capture intricate details that would otherwise remain hidden. The image beautifully demonstrates the telescope's ability to combine multiple observations to reveal faint structures, displaying the full beauty of these distant stellar formation regions. The image clearly shows two of the main types of nebula in the universe. Emission and reflection nebulae differ in how they interact with starlight to create their distinctive colours. Red emission nebulae, such as the Lagoon Nebula in the image glow with their own light when ultraviolet radiation from hot, young stars ionizes hydrogen gas, causing it to emit the characteristic red hydrogen-alpha wavelength. Blue reflection nebulae like parts of the Trifid Nebula, however, don't produce their own light but instead scatter starlight from nearby stars, the fine dust particles preferentially scatter blue wavelengths while allowing red light to pass through.
NSF-DOE Rubin Trifid and Lagoon nebulas with insets showing M21, Bochum 14 and NGC6544
(Credit : NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
The second image released by the Rubin team reveals the Virgo Cluster with a fabulous level of detail. It shows a breathtaking mix of nearly 2,000 galaxies, with bright stars from our own Galaxy shining amongst them. Each of the scattered dots in the background represents a distant galaxy. Just take a moment to ponder that! The image reveals a chaotic jumble of merging galaxies (a process that plays a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies,) along with intricate details in the spiral structure of individual galaxies. Perhaps tantalisingly though, this image represents only a small section of the telescope's total field of view, yet this image still contains millions of galaxies.
The Virgo Cluster
(Credit : NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory)
These first images represent just the beginning of what promises to be a fabulous decade in astronomy. When the Vera C. Rubin Observatory begins its full Legacy Survey of Space and Time later this year, it will detect about 10 million changes every night, allowing observations to catch transient phenomena they otherwise wouldn't know to look for; from exploding stars to passing asteroids. Over its ten year mission, Rubin is expected to discover 20 billion new galaxies, providing an unprecedented census that will help solve some of the deepest mysteries in cosmology, including the nature of dark matter and dark energy that Vera Rubin herself helped discover. I can't wait!
‘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.”
Major Ryan Bodenheimer, a former United States Air Force Thunderbirds ace and F-15E combat fighter pilot, recently recalled almost colliding with a UFO that appeared “out of nowhere.” Bodenheimer says the incident occurred while he was on a training mission in southern Wyoming, not too far from Area 51.
Major Bodenheimer shared the details of the frightening UFO encounter, and others, recently on his YouTube channel. He called it one of the “wildest” experiences he ever had with a UFO while flying.
Bodenheimer said that he was flying at an altitude of around 30,000 feet at a speed of over 400 knots (460 mph) when he saw a “bright object” suddenly appear “out of nowhere.” Noticing that he and the UFO appeared to be on a “collision course,” he had to take control of the jet to avoid a potential catastrophe.
“I put my hand on the control stick, I’m about to turn off the autopilot, and 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,” he recalled. “This was like essentially a perfect rectangle.”
TheUFOwas, by his estimate, “30 to 40 feet” tall, “bright white” with a clear center and “glowing” edges, had no wings nor any exhaust.
“Its edges were so bright they were pulsing,” he said, adding, “I know it sounds like I’m talking about a delicious pastry, but this was the wildest experience I’ve ever had.”
Bodenheimer reported the encounter to Air Traffic Control, but nothing came up on either his radar or the tower’s, nor was he experiencing any radio interference.
“Aerodynamically, this thing shouldn’t be going at close to 400 knots,” he added. For a rectangle to be flying through the air was a wild experience.”
The Major said the UFO defied “any type of aeronautical laws” that he had learned during his lengthy military career.
He also recalled another encounter with an UFO during a training exercise near Area 51 that was “silver, unpainted, shiny and reflective,” shaped like a triangle with pointed wing-like structures and a tail. “It looked like a futuristic fighter jet – too advanced, almost machine-welded,” he recalled.
Again, he was unable to pick up the object on his radar, nor was anyone on the ground. He said he has never heard anything about either UFO encounter since other than a report that was filed about an “anomalous object” spotted in the area.
Vera Rubin Observatory has already found thousands of new asteroids
Vera Rubin Observatory has already found thousands of new asteroids
In just 10 hours of observing the night sky, the powerful new telescope detected more than 2000 new asteroids, including a few that will pass near Earth
“These two beautiful galaxies were photobombed by asteroids,” said ´eljko Ivezić at the University of Washington in Seattle, presenting an image showing several asteroids streaking past two spiral-armed galaxies during a press briefing on 23 June.
During just 10 hours of observing the night sky, the telescope – situated in the clear air high atop a mountain in the Chilean Andes – captured 2104 previously unknown asteroids. Of these, seven are on a trajectory that would pass near Earth, though none pose a risk of hitting us, said Ivezić.
Researchers identified and tracked newly discovered asteroids in images taken over 10 hours
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
The telescope was not primarily designed to detect near-Earth objects, but to conduct a decade-long survey expanding our view of the entire universe. But the same qualities that make it useful for that purpose are also good for asteroid detection: “You need to scan the sky very fast, with a very large field of view, for a long time,” said Ivezić.
The asteroids were identified by scanning the same region of sky and noting what was moving. In a composite image Ivezić displayed during the briefing, the asteroids appeared as coloured streaks on a background of bright objects in deeper space. This gives us a better picture of our planetary neighbourhood and its inhabitants. “They were not a surprise,” he said. “We have exquisite simulations.”
During the course of its 10-year survey, the telescope is expected to detect about 5 million new asteroids, quintupling the number identified in previous centuries of searching.
Asteroids are marked in coloured dots in front of an image of galaxies visible in the southern sky
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory Copyright: NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Any new detections will be reported on a daily basis to the Minor Planet Center in the US, which will analyse their orbital trajectories and identify any objects that could pose a threat to Earth. “Within 24 hours, everyone in the world will know that there is a particular object which could be hazardous,” says Ivezić.
Matthew Payne at the Minor Planet Center says only an estimated 40 per cent or so of the near-Earth objects large enough to pose a threat have been found. The radical increase in the number of detections from the Vera Rubin Observatory will help quickly find the rest of them, he says.
The huge increase in observations of other objects in the solar system – from the main belt asteroids between Mars and Jupiter to objects further out beyond the orbit of Neptune – is also expected to give us new insight into our immediate cosmic neighborhood. “It will revolutionise, broadly, solar system science,” says Payne.
This continent, the bottom of the world, Antarctica, coldest and farthest on earth, has been the great fascination of explorers, scientists and conspiracy theorists for over a thousand years. Frozen land mass constitutes 5.5 million square miles of and lies hidden behind mystery in places until now. Hidden lakes buried under miles of ice and unexplainable UFO sightings experience nothing even without speculating, as both fuel speculation and scientific inquiry alike.
1. The Hidden World Beneath the Ice
One of the most astounding discoveries made on Antarctica is the presence of subglacial lakes. Of them all, the most prominent one is Lake Vostok. This lake is marooned under more than two miles of ice and has been cut off from the rest of the world for millions of years. Scientists believe that these lakes may have unique forms of microbial life there, which would give clues to life elsewhere in the universe.
Similar to this, radar imaging revealed gigantic mountain ranges buried underground and rivers flowing under the ice that greatly reduced previous assumptions about how icy Antarctica was. Such hidden landscapes may house new, undiscovered species and old climatic records that give new insights into Earth's history.
2. Ancient Civilizations and the Piri Reis Map
The existence of a prehistoric civilization in Antarctica has long been a topic of debate. For example, those who support this theory, among other things, often mention the Piri Reis map-the 16th-century Ottoman map that for some reason manages to pretend an ice-free Antarctica. In the eyes of others, it could imply the existence of a super civilization that inhabited that continent, when it began to freeze. To mainstream historians, it is nonsense, but one can find its fascination among alternative researchers.
3. The Bizarre Anomalies and UFOs
Some of the conspiracy theories surrounding Antarctica include UFOs, secret military bases, and hidden alien technology. Some even claim that the large, unexplained structures beneath the ice, detected via satellite imaging, could be remnants of ancient extraterrestrial civilizations.
Probably one of the most famous stories is Operation Highjump, a U.S. military expedition led by Admiral Richard Byrd in 1946-1947. According to some theorists, mysterious flying objects and advanced technology were met by the Byrd-led team, but no proof confirms these claims
4. The Antarctic Ice Wall Theory
Another interesting theory is that Antarctica houses an enormous ice wall that runs as a barrier for unknown lands beyond it. Some flat earth theorists perceive this wall to confine our known world, cutting off any exploration beyond the walls. Though this claim has no scientific evidence, it remains to fuel curiosity and speculation.
5. The Mysterious Antarctic Pyramids
Satellite pictures and expedition accounts have revealed that there are pyramid-like structures existing in Antarctica. Some say it is just a natural mountain weathered by the extreme climate, but others said that it is an ancient civilization with the style of pyramids that exist in Egypt; however, no evidence that it is an artificial formation can be found.
6. Antarctica in Climate Change
Antarctica is a significantly influential part of the earth's climate system. The continent features an ice sheet that holds 60% of the earth's freshwater supply; melting contributes to sea levels across the world and threatens the growth of such sea levels. This understanding is reached by scientists when they monitor how fast these ice sheets melt in conjunction with gaining an understanding of the long-term implications.
Recently, one research shows that Thwaites Glacier, which is called "Doomsday Glacier," is melting at an alarming rate. In case it collapses, it will make a huge increase in the sea levels. It will affect various peoples living along the coastal regions of the world.
7. Weird Fossil Discoveries
Although icy, Antarctica is not always a frozen wasteland. Fossil discoveries have shown that millions of years ago, the continent had lush forests and diverse wildlife, including dinosaurs. The discovery of fossilized trees, ferns, and even giant amphibians suggests that Antarctica once had a much warmer climate, similar to modern-day rainforests.
These questions have people asking whether it is possible the Earth's climate has changed sometimes and what is the cause of the transformation of turning Antarctica into a frozen desert as one would experience.
8. Sectors Censured by Law and State Government Secrets
Some researchers believe that some areas of Antarctica are closed because of secret government projects. The Antarctic Treaty, signed by 54 countries, banned military activities and ensured that it was used only for peaceful scientific research. However, skeptics suggested that there could exist classified research facilities that are hidden from the public eye.
There are said to be high-security zones where only authorized personnel can enter, and people speculate about what might be hidden beneath the ice. Could these restricted areas be protecting ancient artifacts, secret military bases, or even extraterrestrial discoveries?
Conclusion: A Land of Endless Mysteries
Antarctica is still one of the least explored places on Earth, and there is still much room for mystery and speculation. From hidden lakes to ancient maps, UFO theories, and strange structures, this frozen continent continues to captivate the imagination of scientists and adventurers alike. As technology advances, future expeditions may finally unravel the true secrets of Antarctica, providing answers to questions that have puzzled humanity for centuries.
FAQs
Q1: Can humans visit Antarctica?
Yes, only by organized expeditions. Scientists are the chief population of the continent.
Q2: What is the minimum temperature reported to date in Antarctica?
The minimum temperature reported till date is -128.6°F (-89.2°C) at Vostok Station.
Q3: Is Antarctica a permanently populated land?
No, it has scientists and some supporting staffs living in the station for short durations
Q4: Are there life-forms existing underneath the Antarctic ice?
Yes, microbial life has been discovered in subglacial lakes, which means that life can survive in extreme conditions.
Q5: What is the role of Antarctica in climate change?
The ice sheets of Antarctica govern the global sea levels, and the melting of these ice sheets because of climate change poses a serious environmental threat.
Further research will just unravel the secrets of Antarctica and one of the most interesting places on Earth.
Antarctica, the southernmost continent on Earth, is often perceived as an enigmatic and mysterious land shrouded in secrecy. Its vast icy expanses, extreme climate, and remote location have fostered numerous theories and stories about unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Over the decades, Antarctica has become a focal point for UFO enthusiasts, conspiracy theorists, and researchers alike. But what makes this icy continent such a magnet for UFO stories? To understand this phenomenon, we must explore the historical context, scientific considerations, geographical factors, and cultural influences that contribute to Antarctica’s mystique as a UFO hotspot.
Antarctica, Earth’s southernmost continent, is a vast, icy desert that has long captivated the imaginations of scientists and adventurers. Its harsh, frigid beauty is undeniable, but it’s the whispers and theories about extraterrestrial activity that have truly sparked a global intrigue. Could this isolated and extreme environment be more than just a barren wasteland? Could it actually be a secret outpost for alien life forms? Would we even know? And why is it okay to even speak out about this?
At the heart of these theories is Antarctica’s extreme environment. The South Pole is a place of severe cold, with temperatures often dropping to a bone-chilling -56 degrees Fahrenheit. The howling winds can exceed 100 miles per hour, creating a landscape that is as beautiful as it is inhospitable. Despite these conditions, a handful of hardy souls reside here – researchers and scientists living in scattered stations, dedicated to understanding this unique ecosystem. But could they be unwitting neighbors to a hidden extraterrestrial presence?
A Historical Perspective: From Nazi Expeditions to Military Encounters
The lore surrounding an alien presence in Antarctica dates back several decades. In the 1930s, reports surfaced of Nazi expeditions to the continent, allegedly to explore hidden ice caverns and discover alien technology. These tales gained traction after World War II when the U.S. military reportedly embarked on similar expeditions. These missions, it is said, encountered more than just ice and snow; they stumbled upon unidentified alien crafts, suggesting a presence that went beyond earthly bounds.
These historical accounts have been bolstered by numerous well-documented UFO sightings in Antarctica, particularly since the 1940s. These sightings describe a variety of unexplained phenomena, most notably unidentified flying objects emerging from the icy depths. Such reports have continued to surface over the years, each adding a new layer to the mystery and fueling ongoing speculation about extraterrestrial activity on the continent.
Historical Context and Early Sightings
The modern fascination with UFOs began in the mid-20th century, coinciding with the Cold War era’s technological advancements and geopolitical tensions. While most UFO sightings occur over populated regions, Antarctica remained relatively untouched by human activity—until the advent of satellite surveillance and military operations seeking strategic advantages in the polar region. Early reports of strange lights and aerial phenomena in Antarctica date back to the mid-20th century, often linked to secret military tests, scientific expeditions, or natural atmospheric phenomena.
One of the earliest and most cited instances involves the 1947 sightings of strange lights during Operation Highjump, a U.S. Navy expedition to Antarctica. Although officially conducted for scientific and strategic purposes, conspiracy theories suggest that the operation uncovered unidentified structures or craft beneath the ice, fueling speculations about extraterrestrial presence. The secrecy surrounding military and scientific activities in Antarctica has only intensified public curiosity and suspicion.
Geographical and Environmental Factors
Antarctica's unique geography and environment significantly contribute to its allure as a UFO hotspot. The continent’s vast ice sheets, towering mountain ranges, and extensive ice shelves create a landscape unlike any other. These features can produce unusual optical effects, such as mirages, atmospheric inversions, or reflections that may be mistaken for unexplained objects.
Moreover, Antarctica’s remote location makes it difficult to investigate sightings conclusively. The harsh climate, extreme cold, and limited human presence mean that many phenomena observed in the region remain unexplained or undocumented. This scarcity of data leads to speculation, as each unexplained sighting or anomaly gains heightened significance in the absence of definitive explanations.
Additionally, the continent's geology includes areas with unusual mineral compositions, such as iron-rich rocks, which can produce magnetic anomalies. Some UFO reports involve mysterious metallic objects or unusual lights that could, in theory, be related to natural magnetic phenomena or secret technological activity.
Scientific and Natural Explanations
While UFO stories often invoke extraterrestrial hypotheses, many phenomena attributed to UFOs in Antarctica can be explained by natural or scientific causes. For instance, atmospheric phenomena such as ball lightning, auroras, or rare meteorological events can produce luminous displays that are mistaken for alien craft.
The Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, is a spectacular natural display caused by charged particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. These displays can produce moving, colorful lights that have been mistaken for UFOs, especially in low visibility conditions or during polar nights.
Similarly, the continent’s extreme weather conditions can generate optical illusions. Temperature inversions can cause distant objects to appear distorted or magnified, while snow and ice reflections can create false images or bright spots that seem to hover or move unpredictably.
Furthermore, some reports of UFOs in Antarctica have been linked to secret military or scientific projects. During the Cold War, both the United States and Soviet Union conducted clandestine experiments in the region, including testing of advanced aircraft, radar systems, and possibly experimental propulsion technologies. The secrecy surrounding these activities often led to rumors of extraterrestrial encounters or alien technology.
Whistleblowers, Skepticism, and the Modern UFO Narrative
In recent years, as the global conversation around UFOs has evolved, more individuals have come forward with their own stories. These whistleblowers, often people who have worked at Antarctic research stations, recount tales of mysterious structures hidden beneath the ice – massive bunkers, extensive tunnels, and more. While it’s important to approach these stories with a healthy dose of skepticism, they compel us to keep an open mind about what might lie beneath the surface of this enigmatic continent.
Among the most intriguing aspects of these accounts are the descriptions of strange indentations in the ice and massive tunnel-like structures. These formations, sometimes described as leading to complex networks or deep underground facilities, raise the question: Are we looking at natural geological formations, or could these be evidence of an alien presence, hidden away in one of Earth’s most remote and unexplored regions?
The Role of Secret Military and Scientific Operations
Antarctica's strategic importance has historically made it a hub for clandestine operations. The Antarctic Treaty System, established in 1959, prohibits military activity on the continent, but many nations maintain scientific research stations and conduct covert experiments. Some conspiracy theories posit that the continent hosts hidden bases, recovered alien artifacts, or secret technology.
Projects such as the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and other scientific installations involve deep ice drilling and advanced instrumentation. While these are publicly acknowledged scientific endeavors, skeptics suggest that some experiments could involve secret propulsion systems or unidentified technology, fueling UFO stories.
Additionally, reports of strange metallic objects or anomalies near research stations have been circulated in UFO circles. These sightings are often dismissed by scientists but continue to intrigue the public due to the continent’s secretive environment.
Cultural Influences and Media Portrayals
Media portrayals, documentaries, and popular culture have played a significant role in shaping Antarctica’s reputation as a UFO hotspot. Movies like "The Thing" (1982) and various conspiracy documentaries depict Antarctica as a site of alien encounters, secret bases, or extraterrestrial artifacts.
The allure of the unknown is compounded by the continent's isolation and the lack of comprehensive exploration. This vacuum of information makes it fertile ground for speculation, legends, and myths. Stories about ancient civilizations or lost civilizations beneath the ice—sometimes linked to UFOs—have persisted in popular culture, despite lacking scientific evidence.
The narrative of Antarctica as a place where ancient aliens or advanced civilizations once thrived feeds into broader themes of human curiosity about extraterrestrial life and the origins of civilization. These stories are reinforced by the mysterious depths of the ice, which hint at undiscovered secrets lurking beneath the surface.
Theories and Explanations
Several theories attempt to explain why Antarctica is a hotspot for UFO activity. One prominent hypothesis suggests that the continent may harbor hidden alien bases, either on or beneath the ice. The vast, unmonitored regions provide an ideal concealment for extraterrestrial craft and facilities. Others propose that Antarctica could be a site of ancient extraterrestrial visitation, where alien civilizations once established outposts or left behind artifacts now buried beneath the ice.
Another theory posits that the electromagnetic anomalies detected in certain regions could be natural but are interpreted by some as evidence of alien technology. Some researchers also believe that secret military projects, possibly involving advanced aircraft or experimental propulsion systems, are responsible for many sightings, further complicating the UFO narrative.
Why Does Antarctica Attract Such Mysteries?
Antarctica’s allure as a UFO hotspot is driven by a combination of its physical remoteness, unexplored terrain, and the secrecy surrounding scientific and military activities. Its harsh environment limits human activity, making it less accessible and more mysterious. The continent’s ice sheets and geological features act as a natural vault, concealing potential evidence of extraterrestrial presence. Furthermore, the combination of natural anomalies and unexplained phenomena observed over decades sustains public fascination and fuels ongoing speculation.
The mysteries that shroud Antarctica are as deep and complex as the continent itself. Is it possible that amidst the ice and snow lies evidence of extraterrestrial life? Could Antarctica be more than a hub for scientific research – could it also be a gateway to discovering alien life on our own planet? As we continue to explore this remote and fascinating world, the possibilities seem as endless as the icy expanse itself.
The continent’s extreme remoteness and harsh conditions have preserved it as one of the least disturbed places on Earth, making it an ideal location for any civilization seeking secrecy and solitude. If extraterrestrial beings were to choose a location on Earth, the logic dictates that it would be a place away from prying human eyes, where their presence could remain undetected for centuries, if not millennia.
Antarctica, a land veiled in ice and mystery, offers more questions than answers. This vast, untamed wilderness, seemingly barren and lifeless at first glance, might be harboring secrets far beyond our current understanding. The possibility that beneath its miles-thick ice sheets and relentless snowstorms lies evidence of extraterrestrial life is a thought that ignites the imagination and challenges our perceptions of our own planet.
Conclusion
In summary, Antarctica’s reputation as a hotspot for UFO-related phenomena is rooted in a combination of historical enigmas, advanced technological discoveries, unique geological features, and cultural perceptions. Its extreme remoteness makes it less accessible and more difficult to monitor, which has historically contributed to a sense of mystery and secrecy. The ongoing operations by military and scientific organizations often involve classified activities, fostering speculation about hidden agendas or extraterrestrial encounters. These elements combine to create an environment where rumors and reports of unidentified flying objects, strange lights, anomalous structures, and electromagnetic disturbances proliferate.
Many recent anomalies observed in Antarctica can be attributed to scientific explanations. For instance, unusual lights are often linked to atmospheric phenomena such as auroras or reflections on ice surfaces. Similarly, some structural anomalies reported in satellite images may be natural formations or artifacts arising from image processing errors. Nonetheless, despite these scientific clarifications, the persistent reports and anecdotal accounts continue to fuel curiosity and speculation. Enthusiasts interpret unexplained phenomena as potential evidence of extraterrestrial activity or hidden ancient civilizations beneath the ice.
The continent’s enigmatic reputation is further amplified by its geological peculiarities, such as the existence of subglacial lakes and unusual ice formations, which some theorize could harbor unknown forms of life or even ancient artifacts. Media coverage and popular culture also play influential roles, often sensationalizing stories and contributing to the mythos surrounding Antarctica as a possible alien or extraterrestrial site. Overall, Antarctica remains a compelling focal point for UFO enthusiasts and researchers, as its natural and human-made mysteries continue to inspire questions about the universe’s unknown aspects.
In conclusion, while scientific investigations have provided plausible explanations for many anomalies, the combination of secrecy, natural wonders, and cultural fascination ensures that Antarctica retains its status as a mysterious frontier for UFO research. The ongoing interest underscores humanity’s enduring curiosity about extraterrestrial life and the possibility that some phenomena observed in Antarctica may someday be definitively understood.
References:
Maccabee, B. (2018). UFOs: The Search for Evidence. McFarland & Company.
Hynek, J. A. (1972). The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Nature.
Clark, T. (2008). The UFO Phenomenon: Fact, Fiction, and Reality. Prometheus Books.
Bragalia, D. (2017). “Unusual phenomena in Antarctica and their possible explanations.” Journal of Ufological Studies, 30(2), 112-130.
McGaha, J. (2015). Close Encounters of the Scientific Kind. University of Arizona Press.
Muir, J. (2019). “Geological anomalies in Antarctica and their implications.” Earth Science Reviews, 192, 102-115.
National Geographic. (2020). “Mysteries of Antarctica: Ice, secrets, and extraterrestrial theories.” https://www.nationalgeographic.com
Ruimtefilm die 10 jaar duurt: Vera Rubin Telescoop geeft eerste beelden van zuidelijke sterrenhemel prijs
Ruimtefilm die 10 jaar duurt: Vera Rubin Telescoop geeft eerste beelden van zuidelijke sterrenhemel prijs
Artikel door Karla Liebrecht
De Vera Rubin-telescoop in de beschermende koepel.
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
De Vera Rubin telescoop in Chili zal om de drie dagen beelden doorsturen van de zuidelijke sterrenhemel. "Uniek aan dit project is dat heel zwakke objecten gemeten zullen worden en dat gedurende tien jaar", zegt Conny Aerts, sterrenkundige aan de KU Leuven. "We zullen een hele mooie film kunnen maken, maar gaan er wel tien jaar geduld voor moeten hebben".
Wetenschappers zullen de komende jaren de grote hoeveelheid data analyseren en op zoek gaan naar veranderingen. "Dat kunnen sterrenstelsels zijn, maar ook brokstukken in ons eigen zonnestelsel, die kunnen bewegen en veranderen in helderheid. Uit die veranderingen kunnen wij dan een heel dynamisch proces in beeld brengen, waarmee een heel grote groep wetenschappers - elk in hun eigen specialisme - aan het werk gaat."
"Het is ook uitkijken wat het Vera Rubin project ons kan leren over het mysterie van 'donkere materie' en 'donkere energie'", zegt Aerts nog. "We weten nog niet zo goed wat donkere materie is in het heelal. We weten dat er iets van materiaal moet zijn dat we niet kunnen zien, vandaar de term 'donker'. Vera Rubin is de stichtingsmoeder van dit onderwerp. Door nu tien jaar lang beelden hiervan te nemen, hopen we dat we de bewegingen van de sterrenstelsels beter gaan begrijpen, in termen van die donkere materie.
De Vera rubin Telescoop prijkt op een berg in de Atacamawoestijn, op een hoogte van 2.700 meter. Het is de beste locatie om waarnemingen te doen. "Het is de hoogste en droogste locatie waardoor er zo weinig mogelijk negatieve invloed is van de aardatmosfeer." Ideale omstandigheden en een huzarenstukje aan technologie: de telescoop heeft een lens van ruim 8 meter doorsnede, en een camera zo groot als een suv.
Het Vera C. Rubin Observatory gaat jacht maken op onder andere kosmische explosies en langs razende planetoïden – mini-planeetjes in een baan rond de zon. Ook moet hij inzicht bieden in de ware aard van twee mysterieuze bestanddelen van het heelal: donkere materie (onzichtbaar spul waarvan het bestaan wordt afgeleid uit zwaartekrachtmetingen) en donkere energie, de aanjager van de versnellende uitdijing van de ruimte.
‘Deze nieuwe telescoop is al tientallen jaren in de planning’, zegt Koen Kuijken van de Leidse Sterrewacht. ‘Geweldig dat hij nu echt kan beginnen.’ Kuijken is verbonden aan de Europese Euclid-missie – een twee jaar geleden gelanceerde ruimtetelescoop die net als Vera Rubin onderzoek doet aan donkere materie en donkere energie.
Het Vera Rubin Observatory (genoemd naar een Amerikaanse pionier op het gebied van donkere materie) is een telescoop van superlatieven. De 8,4 meter brede spiegel is de grootste enkelvoudige telescoopspiegel ooit gemaakt. De drie ton zware digitale camera is de grootste ter wereld, met 3,2 miljard pixels.
De extreem compacte telescoop fotografeert elke dertig seconden een gebied aan de hemel dat 45 keer zo groot is als de vollemaan. Twee keer per week wordt op die manier de hele sterrenhemel boven Chili in detail vastgelegd – nacht na nacht, tien jaar lang.
Door een kleine zevenhonderd opnamen ‘bij elkaar op te tellen’ brengt de Vera Rubin-telescoop kleurrijke gaswolken in het Melkwegstelsel ongekend helder in beeld.
NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Computeralgoritmes vergelijken de verschillende foto’s van hetzelfde stuk sterrenhemel, en komen op die manier veranderingen op het spoor: ontploffende sterren in verre sterrenstelsels, bewegende hemellichamen zoals planetoïden en kometen, of sterren die onverwacht van kleur of helderheid veranderen. Al die ontdekkingen worden automatisch doorgegeven aan andere telescopen, die er vervolgens in detail onderzoek aan kunnen doen.
Daarnaast legt de Rubin-telescoop een catalogus aan van twintig miljard sterrenstelsels. Uit hun ruimtelijke verdeling – de grootste 3D-kaart van het heelal ooit gemaakt – en uit hun nauwkeurig opgemeten vormen komen sterrenkundigen meer te weten over donkere energie en over de verdeling van donkere materie in het heelal.
Tijdens een testperiode van tien uur heeft Rubin al miljoenen sterrenstelsels vastgelegd en enkele duizenden tot nu toe onbekende planetoïden opgespoord. Volgens Brian Stone van de Amerikaanse National Science Foundation zal het Vera Rubin Observatory meer informatie over het heelal verzamelen dan alle bestaande optische telescopen bij elkaar.
‘Rubin is de volgende stap in de gestage ontwikkeling van de moderne big data-sterrenkunde’, aldus Kuijken. ‘Het wordt helemaal geweldig wanneer we deze data over enkele jaren kunnen gaan combineren met beelden van ruimtetelescoop Euclid.’
Duizenden verre sterrenstelsels zijn zichtbaar op deze opname, gemaakt met de Vera Rubin-telescoop.NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Luister hieronder naar onze wetenschapspodcast Ondertussen in de kosmos. Kijk voor al onze podcasts op volkskrant.nl/podcasts.
Aangezien het om een Amerikaans project gaan, zullen wetenschappers bij ons nog even moeten wachten om te mogen werken met de beelden. Aerts kijkt alvast uit om ze ook te kunnen gebruiken in educatieve projecten en jongeren zo warm te maken voor de wetenschap.
Er gebeuren merkwaardige dingen in het poolgebied Er gebeuren in het hele poolgebied allerlei merkwaardige dingen waar je over moet weten, omdat ze misschien ook gevolgen hebben die jou kunnen treffen.
Bruisende meren en zombiebranden Daarbij moet je denken aan enorme meren die bruisen van het methaan, ijsgronden die bezwijken onder het gewicht van steeds warmere temperaturen, en zogenaamde 'zombiebranden' die maandenlang ondergronds smeulen.
De temperaturen stijgen snel Hogere temperaturen in het poolgebied zijn niet zo'n verrassing voor wetenschappers. Dit deel van de wereld is vier keer zo snel warmer geworden dan het wereldgemiddelde, waardoor de bovenste laag van de Arctische permafrost verzwakt.
Smeltende permafrost is een groot probleem Het smelten van de Arctische permafrost is een van de meest overziene aspecten van de huidige klimaatveranderingscrisis. En dan vooral op plaatsen als Alaska, Canada en Siberië, waar permafrostlagen lange tijd als een grote vriezer hebben gefungeerd, en grond en potentieel dodelijke organismen insloten.
Een duidelijke bedreiging De voornaamste bedreiging wordt gevormd door het vrijkomen van steeds grotere hoeveelheden koolstofdioxide en methaangas in de atmosfeer.
Het vieze neefje van de ijskappen Merritt Turetsky, directeur van het instituut dat onderzoek doet naar de pool- en berggebieden van de Universiteit van Colorado te Boulder, zegt over permafrost: "Permafrost is als het vieze neefje van de ijskappen. Het ligt onder de grond begraven".
Het is verborgen maar toch daar "Je ziet het niet. Het is bedekt door vegetatie en grond. Maar het ligt onder de grond. We weten dat het er is. En het heeft een even belangrijke invloed op het wereldklimaat".
Er kan 1700 miljard ton vrijkomen De noordelijkste uithoeken van de planeet herbergen ongeveer 1700 miljard metrische ton aan CO₂, wat volgens de National Aeronautics and Space Administration neerkomt op ruwweg 51 keer de hoeveelheid die de wereld in een jaar als 2019 heeft uitgestoten.
Een enorme hoeveelheid "We hebben het simpelweg over een enorme hoeveelheid koolstof", zegt Brenda Rogers, geassocieerd wetenschapper aan het Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts.
Het zal niet allemaal ontdooien.... "We verwachten niet dat alles zal ontdooien ... omdat een deel ervan erg diep ligt en dat honderden of duizenden jaren zou duren", zegt Rogers, "Maar zelfs wanneer een fractie daarvan in de atmosfeer terechtkomt, kan dat al gevolgen hebben".
Er gebeuren merkwaardige dingen Op dit moment begint al deze eerder gevangen kooldioxide zich een weg te banen naar het aardoppervlak, waardoor ook enkele voorheen onbekende geologische verschijnselen optreden.
Methaankraters De afgelopen tien jaar zijn er plotseling ongeveer 20 perfect kalendrische kraters opgedoken in de afgelegen noordelijke gebieden van Siberië.
Explosies van methaangas Deze kraters, met een diameter van tientallen meters, zijn volgens wetenschappers het resultaat van explosies van opgebouwd methaangas onder het aardoppervlak.
Branden in Siberië Een van de meest fascinerende gevolgen van de snelle ontdooiing van de permafrost zijn de hevige bosbranden die hierdoor in Siberië ontstaan. Daarnaast smeulen de ondergrondse branden soms nog maanden na nadat de bovengrondse branden zijn geblust.
Zombiebranden De wetenschappers die ze bestuderen hebben ze de bijnaam 'zombiebranden' gegeven, en deze branden leveren een steeds grotere bijdrage aan de wereldwijde klimaatcrisis.
Zombiebranden verbranden de permafrost "De branden zelf zullen een deel van de actieve laag [van de permafrost] verbranden, en daarbij zullen broeikasgassen zoals kooldioxide vrijkomen", verklaart Rogers.
Permafrost beschermt ons tegen emissies en erger "Maar die verbrande grond werkte ook isolerend en hield de permafrost in de zomer koel. Als die eenmaal weg is, ontstaan er al snel diepere actieve lagen, en dat kan in de daaropvolgende decennia tot nog meer emissies leiden", vervolgde Rogers.
Smeltende permafrost vormt een wereldwijd gezondheidsrisico De snelle dooi zal niet alleen meer koolstof in de atmosfeer brengen, maar ook een ernstig risico vormen voor de wereldgezondheid.
Jarenlang verborgen ziekten kunnen de kop opsteken Lang slapende microben die duizenden jaren onder de bevroren permafrost hebben vastgezeten, worden door de opwarming van de polen wakker en leggen oude ziekten bloot.
Het oude miltvuur heeft al slachtoffers gemaakt In 2016 vond een uitbraak van miltvuur (antrax) plaats in Siberië die samenhing met de ontdooiende permafrost in het gebied, waardoor 72 mensen ziek werden en een 12-jarige jongen stierf.
Het grondwater kan worden getroffen De bacteriën van ontdooiende menselijke en dierlijke resten van duizenden jaren geleden kunnen ook in het grondwater en daarmee in het drinkwater terechtkomen.
We zullen waarschijnlijk steeds meer oude ziekten zien Volgens Jean Michel Claverie, een genomisch onderzoeker gespecialiseerd in oude virussen en bacteriën, komen we waarschijnlijk met nog meer oude ziekten in aanraking als de permafrost ontdooit.
Verkouden worden door een oeroude Neanderthaler "We kunnen daadwerkelijk een ziekte oplopen via de resten van een Neanderthaler", zegt Claverie, "Dat is toch verbazingwekkend?"
Oude ziekten kunnen de kop opsteken in een nieuw tijdperk Ook ziet Claverie geen reden waarom sommige lang verdwenen menselijke infecties niet uit het ijs zouden opduiken en vandaag of in de toekomst kunnen floreren, wanneer de mens zijn immuunafweer ertegen heeft verloren.
We komen steeds vaker in contact met oude ziekten Naarmate de temperaturen opwarmen en de noordelijke bodems toegankelijker worden, zullen regeringen en bedrijven naar alle waarschijnlijkheid de nieuw beschikbare grondstoffen van het poolgebied aanboren – waardoor de mens vrijwel zeker in contact zal komen met zeer oude insecten en ziekten.
De smeltende permafrost laat gemeenten wegzakken Bijzonder zorgwekkend is ook hoe het ontdooien van de permafrost ons huidige landschap zal veranderen. Gemeenten in Alaska ondervinden nu al de gevolgen van een warmer klimaat.
De moerassen nemen de plaats in van Nunapitchuk De afgelegen gemeente Nunapitchuk in Alaska zakt al sinds 1969 weg in de grond en wordt nu opgeslokt door drassige moerassen.
De moerassen zijn overal! "De moerassen verschijnen ook tussen de woningen, ze zijn overal in onze gemeente", vertelde oud-inwoner Morris J. Alexie, "Er zijn op dit moment nog zeven huizen die bewoond worden, maar die staan erg scheef en zakken weg in de grond".
Het land wordt een onleefbaar moeras "Overal verschijnt moeras... Het zijn net kleine stukken toendragrond. Voorheen hadden we in onze gemeente overal gewoon gras. Het is nu veranderd in een permanent watermoeras".
Er is geen oplossing Er bestaat nog geen oplossing voor de dooi. Het IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) voorspelt dat als de wereld voor 2030 de uitstoot met 50 procent vermindert, we waarschijnlijk slechts een stijging van 1,5 °C zullen hebben in de temperatuur op aarde.
De trend is niet te keren... Een stijging van 1,5 °C van de wereldtemperatuur lijkt misschien weinig, maar is toch meer dan genoeg om een smeltproces op gang te brengen dat niet ongedaan kan worden gemaakt of teruggedraaid. “Met de stijgende temperaturen is het in principe onmogelijk om permafrost terug te laten groeien", concludeert het ICPP.
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Lateral evolution from a sharp to a transitional contact between brain coral terrain and polygonal terrain within the terraced crater
Mars, often called the Red Planet due to its distinctive rusty color from iron oxide on its surface, is Earth's neighboring planet and humanity's most likely next destination for exploration. It’s about half the size of Earth and takes nearly two years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Mars is home to the largest volcano in our solar system, Olympus Mons, as well as a massive canyon system called Valles Marineris. It continues to fascinate scientists who are searching for signs of past or present life while planning for the day humans pay a visit.
Mars, the red planet.
(Credit : Kevin Gill)
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that may well bring that first human exploration a little closer. Researchers led by University of Mississippi planetary geologist Erica Luzzi have found strong evidence of water ice just beneath the Martian surface, a finding that could solve one of the biggest challenges facing future Mars missions. The research team discovered indications of water ice less than one meter below the surface in Mars' Amazonis Planitia region, located in the planet's middle latitudes.
Amazonis Planitia topography map.
(Credit : Martin Pauer)
Using high-resolution satellite images from HiRISE on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the most powerful camera ever sent to another planet, they identified telltale signs including ice-exposing craters and polygonal terrain patterns that typically indicate near-surface ice. Amazonis Planitia region represents the "perfect compromise" for future missions, according to Luzzi. The middle latitudes receive enough sunlight to power equipment while remaining cold enough to preserve ice deposits. This makes the region an ideal candidate for humanity's first Mars landing site.
HiRISE camera of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
(Credit : NASA)
Water ice isn't just about having something to drink, though that's certainly important, but for Mars explorers, water represents a lifeline that could mean the difference between mission success and failure. It can be broken down to provide oxygen for breathing and hydrogen for rocket fuel too, eliminating the need to transport the heavy resource from Earth.
"If we're going to send humans to Mars, you need H2O and not just for drinking, but for propellant and all manner of applications," Erica Luzzi, University of Mississippi.
This concept, called in situ resource utilization, is crucial for Mars missions because of the vast distances involved. While a resupply mission to the Moon takes about a week, reaching Mars requires months of travel time. Astronauts would need to be completely self-sufficient for extended periods.
Beyond supporting human missions, the ice discovery has exciting implications for astrobiology, the search for life beyond Earth. On our planet, ice can preserve biological markers from ancient life forms and even harbor living microorganisms in extreme environments. While the satellite evidence is compelling, scientists emphasize that physical confirmation is still needed. The next phase involves radar analysis to better understand the ice deposits' depth and distribution. Eventually, robotic missions or human explorers will need to drill samples to confirm whether the formations are pure water ice or contain other materials.
This research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, represents a crucial stepping stone toward establishing a human presence on Mars. While astronauts may still be years away from setting foot on the Red Planet, scientists now have a much clearer idea of where those historic first steps should be taken.
Chilling Prophecies of a Catastrophic Pacific Mega-tsunami in July-August, 2025 - PART I
'Tis the season of prophecies; about monster tsunamis leaving a trail of devastation across multiple countries located along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Two different women psychics – one from Thailand and another from Japan - have revealed bone-chilling prophecies about a Pacific mega-tsunami that could originate somewhere between Japan and the Philippines, and inflict catastrophic damage. While one of them said that it could occur anytime in July or August of 2025, the other was more specific: the date that she saw very clearly in her precognitive dream was July 2025.
Why should we take these prophecies seriously, one might wonder? Aren’t there enough instances of prophecies of doom and destruction that have failed miserably? Well, yes, but these two psychics are very different. Their track record of accuracy is so surreal that it would put any Baba Vanga to shame. It is only because of the language barrier that they are not as widely known or celebrated outside of their home countries. In fact, many tourists from East Asia have already paid heed to their warnings and canceled their travel plans to Japan, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries this summer. The word has now got out to the rest of the world through YouTube and other social media channels, and that is how I came to know about it as well.
When I started digging a bit deeper in order to get to the “real information” about these prophecies, I realized that most of the original sources were YouTube videos and interviews in the Chinese, Thai, and Japanese languages. The videos that were being made in English contained scant and often incorrect information, and left out a lot of the relevant details that I was interested in. So I did a lot of YouTube research to identify the genuine and informative videos, and used YouTube’s auto-translate feature to jot down the information. And, of course, I had to make minor grammatical adjustments to the text in order to make it reader-friendly.
Mor Plai, the Thai Prophet
Let’s start with the fortune teller from Bangkok who calls herself Mor Plai, but whose real name is Navaracha Pinitlokakorn. She is a doctorate, and, after she acquired the gift of prophecy sometime around the year 2010, she made some uncannily accurate predictions about major events, which gave her celebrity status in Thailand. Since then, she has been frequently interviewed by Thai TV channels and newspapers. However, it was only after she had accurately predicted the recent Myanmar earthquake that she turned into an internet sensation, and people all over East Asia frantically tried to find out more information about her life and her prophecies.
Mor Plai, in a recent interview with Woody's live broadcast
The most informative video about Mor Plai’s life and prophecies was published in the Chinese language by a popular YouTuber named Wen Zhao. In his video titled, “Thai female prophet: 95 days left before the 2025 global catastrophe, the way it will happen is chilling” (published April 27, 2025), he refers to Mor Plai as “Pura” or “Mor Pura”. In Thailand, the generic term for a fortune teller is “Mor Pra” (or “Mor Doo”), which could be why Wen Zhao used the term “Mor Pura” to refer to her. Initially, this caused me some confusion because I could not find any famous Thai fortune teller named “Mor Pura” using Google search, and it was only after using some more keyword-based searches that I figured out that the name she went by was Mor Plai.
Now that the little confusion about the name has been cleared up, let me share some of the interesting stuff that Wen Zhao said about Mor Plai’s bizarre childhood experiences, how she acquired her special prophetic abilities, some of her amazing predictions till date that have come true, and what she foresees for the future.
“Pura is very different from the prophet that everyone imagines. She looks like an ordinary Thai modern girl. She will post all kinds of beautiful photos on her social media platform…Pura claims that she has had psychic abilities since she was a child. In 2014, Pura was interviewed by Thairath Talk, a TV station under Thairath Newspaper, one of the largest media in Thailand...Pura said that, since she was a child, she was able to see spirit beings that other people couldn’t see. Sometimes they were ghosts, and sometimes they were gods. But she had assumed that everyone else must be seeing these entities as well, just as she was…
Opposite Pura’s house was an abandoned house, which looked empty from the outside. But little Pura could see people coming in and out from time to time. During these times, little Pura would stand under the eaves of her house and wave and say hello to these people, but they usually ignored little Pura. Family and friends thought that little Pura was a strange girl, for they would see her waving and saying hello to the empty air. But they felt that she was just being childish or naughty, and did not give it much importance.
One day, Pura saw a strange old man walking out of the abandoned house. As usual, Pura waved to him. This time, the old man also waved to Pura. Little Pura was very happy, and she ran across the street to talk to the old man. Pura’s family and neighbors were unnerved to see her standing alone in the front yard of the abandoned house, dancing and talking to herself, and laughing from time to time. Everyone thought that the little girl must have finally gone crazy. The family hurried to take Pura back home, but Pura struggled and refused, saying that she was playing games with her uncle…Some of the neighbors got curious and went into the abandoned house to check. They were shocked to find an old man’s body in the house. While the adults were panicking, little Pura ran into the house, pointed at the body, and said that it was this uncle who was playing with her.
From then on, the news spread in the neighborhood that little Pura could interact with ghosts, and no child dared to come to her house to play. Of course, no one dared to bully her, either. As Pura grew up, she realized that she could not only see spirits, but also different gods. She even saw the Hindu god Krishna and communicated with him. When Pura told her family about these things, her parents were shocked and scared…So, when she was a teenager, her parents took her to see a psychiatrist. Pura passed all the tests, and the doctor told her parents that Pura was not mentally ill. While her parents were relieved to hear this, they also warned their daughter that, in the future, she was not to blurt out what she had seen in front of outsiders. As a result, the older Pura grew, the fewer friends she had, and the more she kept her special abilities a secret.
But a change occurred when Pura was about 20 years old. A spirit who looked like Yama, the King of the Underworld in Buddhism (and Hinduism), came into contact with Pura and taught her how to read faces and tell fortunes. He also gave her the ability to predict the future, and the spirit asked her to use the name “Mor Pura”. After that, Pura began to tell fortunes for people around her and would occasionally post her predictions for the coming year on her social media channel.
Yama, the Lord of the Underworld and the judge of the dead, in a Chinese Temple.
The scope of her predictions is wide, ranging from politics, economy and society, to natural disasters. Pura calls herself the “medium of the gods” because, every time, before something big happens, the gods come to tell her about it, sometimes using voice and sometimes with the help of images. Some pictures appear very clear to her, while others are blurry. Although Pura does not understand some of the information she receives, she feels that her duty is to be a faithful messenger to convey the will of God. So, she simply says what she has heard or seen.
It so happened that, in 2014, Thairath Newspaper started its own multimedia platform called Thairath Talk. In order to attract viewers, it invited various people to interview. Mor Pura was also chosen. The program team wanted to do a simple interview, but Pura did not follow the guidelines and talked about her predictions for the future in the program. She made two strange predictions. The first was that a major aviation accident would happen in Southeast Asia, which would shock the world. The strangest thing about this accident would be that it would be a mysterious disappearance without any clear clues. Before the reporter could come to his senses, Pura made a second prediction. She said that she saw a boat carrying children, which would disappear at sea…
Just two months later, both of her predictions came true. In March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 mysteriously disappeared on its way to Beijing. More than ten years have passed and it is still missing. And then, in April 2014, a Korean passenger and cargo ferry named Sewol sank. Sewol is a 6825-ton ferry. On the morning of the 16th, it sank while carrying passengers and cargo from Incheon to Jeju Island. A total of 780 passengers and crew members died, including 250 high school students. It was, indeed, a ship full of children. This was the worst maritime accident in South Korea’s history. It attracted great attention not only in South Korea but also around the world. Only then did the audience suddenly realize that Pura was, indeed, a prophet.
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, a few months before it disappeared. Source: Wikimedia CommonsThe Sewol ferry disaster of April 2014. Source: YouTube
From then on, many media outlets came to interview her. But Pura did not accept interviews every time. She would only show up when something big was about to happen. In June 2015, Pura made another shocking statement when she was interviewed by “Women’s Magazine”. She looked at a map on the wall and pointed her finger towards the location of Malaysia. Talking about the possibility of a disaster in Malaysia, she pointed to Kuala Lampur, the capital of Malaysia, saying that a famous building in the city would catch fire. Around 20 days later, a fire broke out on a small hill called Bukit Aman in Kuala Lampur. The building that caught fire happened to be the headquarters of the Royal Malaysia Police. So, this matter became the focus of new reports for several consecutive days. Pura’s accurate prediction shocked the Thais yet again…
Fire at the Malaysia Police Headquarters, Bukit Aman, in 2014. Source: theborneopost.com
In the second half of 2024, Pura was interviewed by Thairath Talk again, and in course of the discussions she suddenly said that, a few months later, probably between March and April 2025, an earthquake would occur in the Myanmar area, and would affect the northern part of Thailand, but the impact would not be great. After saying this, she paused, thought for a while, and added, “Bangkok will be affected by the earthquake, and the buildings will shake.” The host didn’t quite believe this when he heard this. He looked at Pura with suspicion because earthquakes are not common in Thailand…But an earthquake occurred in Myanmar in March 2025 and many high-rise buildings in Bangkok also shook. These scenes confirmed Pura’s prediction, and everyone was shocked…
The collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok after the 2025 Myanmar earthquake. Source: Wikimedia Commons
In April 2025, Pura appeared again. She first appeared on the popular talk show of GMM, the largest entertainment media group of Thailand, and then on the live broadcast room of Woody, a well-known Thai host. In both shows, Pura made even more terrifying predictions. Let’s look at them one by one. Let’s start with Pura’s prediction on the GMM program. She said that, before August 2025, that is, from June to July, a province in Thailand that begins with K or Kai should pay attention. It will be affected by floods, but this flood is not caused by rainfall, but by the fluctuations of the sea or the earth. In other words, a disaster like a tsunami will occur, and tsunamis are caused by earthquakes. This statement shocked all Thais. The word tsunami also reminded all Thai netizens of the tragic consequences of the 2004 tsunami, and they couldn’t help but shudder…
Pura explained the disaster more clearly in the live broadcast room of host Woody. Pura said that this was almost like a global disaster. The volcano is about to erupt. The places Thai people like to travel to would be affected, and tourists would die. To be specific, it would be Sashimi (i.e., Japan) and Indonesia. Sashimi means “raw fish,” and Japan is famous for eating raw fish. Japan is also a favorite tourist destination for Thais. Pura said that there is a ring of volcanoes on the seabed that had been dormant for a long time. The big one has not exploded yet. The smaller volcanoes will erupt first, followed by the big one, which will cause a tsunami.”
With that, we come to the end of Wen Zhao’s narration of Mor Plai's bizarre life and remarkable prophetic powers, and needless to say, he has done an excellent job of pulling together information from many different sources to give us an illuminating account of this enigmatic Thai psychic. The account is also quite accurate, since I have listened to many YouTube interviews of Mor Plai where she essentially repeated the same things. The unreal accuracy of her prophecies so far is quite amazing to say the least, which kind of gives you an uneasy feeling of inevitability about her tsunami prediction in the July-August timeframe this year.
There’s one correction that I would like to make to Wen Zhao’s presentation. Wen Zhao said that, according to Mor Plai, the undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami will occur “before August 2025, that is, from June to July”. That is not entirely correct. In the GMM interview, she had said that the tsunami will occur “by August”, by which she meant, “by the end of August.” We can be certain of this, because on Woody’s live broadcast she spelt it out even more precisely: “The time is in July and August,” she told Woody.
As Wen Zhao mentioned, once netizens realized that Mor Plai had successfully predicted the Myanmar earthquake, she became eagerly sought after by social media podcasters. In an interview with a Chinese YouTube channel published on April 12, 2025, Mor Plai was forthcoming about some of her childhood experiences. When asked what kind of spirits she used to see as a child, she replied,
“When I was a child I saw many spirits. For example, there were some spirits under some lamp posts, some were wearing school uniforms, and some were in different colors, either black or white, and their eyes were either black or white. I saw many, many of these…sometimes spirits asked me for help but I could not do it when I was a child.”
When asked to describe how the King of the Underworld, Yama, (who taught her how to read faces and tell fortunes) looked like, she replied, “When you first see him, he appears very big, and you will feel very hot because there are a lot of fires around him.” So, “big and fiery” seems to be the keywords. Not surprising, because in many sacred texts we find that, whenever a person gets a vision of God, he seems to appear enveloped in flames. For instance, when the Hebrew prophet Ezekiel saw Yahweh on the throne above the cherubs, he saw a human-like figure, glowing like fire, and enveloped in a brilliant light. (Ezekiel 1.26 28)
Regarding the mysterious disappearance of Flight 370, when she was asked if there was any chance it may be found later, she said,
“The Golden Triangle (possibly referring to the Bermuda Triangle), the mysterious delta, some of the aura and magnetic field of the mysterious delta changed, causing it to fall…many years later, they may see its wreckage, but not the entire thing. The people inside are no longer here. All you will see is the wreckage of the plane. This may happen in another forty or fifty years.”
While some people may feel hopeful to know that the wreckage of Flight 370 might be found some day, if you are one of those who had expected that all the passengers will walk out of a time portal without aging a single day in all those years, you are likely to be disappointed.
In a video published by the YouTube channel Kiinthailand in the Thai language on March 30, just a few days after the Myanmar quake on March 28, Mor Plai was asked how she had known that the disaster would occur. Mor Plai replied,
“The earthquake was more serious than I had expected. At the time of making the prophecy, I saw a map of Thailand, and around Bangkok there were multiple branching cracks. That’s why I made the prophecy. I also saw images of buildings collapsing, but I thought they were in Burma (Myanmar).” She went on to add that Bangkok will experience aftershocks in 2025, and this is just the beginning.
“When I first mentioned the earthquake (Myanmar), it was not directly related to this matter…it was just a conversation. We just continued to talk and continued to visit (other topics) and then I accidentally said it. I can hear some whispers. I tell everyone what I hear, and say it in the gentlest way. It often says it. It often repeats. I have to say it because I act as a spokesperson. If I don’t speak out, I am afraid of being scolded. I was afraid of being scolded at that time.”
I found this really interesting. I can’t recall any other channel or medium saying that he or she is afraid of being scolded by spirits. It almost sounds like a family. But how exactly do the spirits scold her? What if they come down too hard on her and she starts feeling sad or depressed? Would it be a good idea for her to go to a psychiatrist and say, "My spirit family is acting unusually mean with me"? I would really like to be able to chat with her one day about these things.
In this video published by the YouTube channel Kiinthailand on April 3, we can listen to what Mor Plai had actually said in the GMM and Woody interviews, following the successful prediction of the Myanmar quake. During the GMM interview, she had made additional predictions: “During the Water Sprinkling Festival (i.e., Songkran Festival from April 13-15) this year, there will be flooding and fire accidents.” And when the host asked, “How can there be rain in summer?” she replied, “It’s going to rain!”
And guess what? That’s exactly what happened. There was heavy rain in Bangkok during the Songkran festival, and a flash flood in Chiang Mai washed away the temporary furniture set up by the food vendors along the riverbank. However, no tourists were injured in this incident, since they had left by then, thanks to an early warning. Once again, Mor Plai does not cease to amaze with her incredible predictions.
Mor Plai had made another interesting prediction during the GMM interview. She said that one of the buildings in Bangkok, which had been damaged by the recent earthquake, will collapse. But she did not specify which building it is, and when exactly it will collapse. “It’s the damaged building. It will collapse. Everyone is running out again from that building. It’s a big building. The interior space is empty. I feel this building is not for people to live in.” On Woody’s live broadcast, she continued on this theme. Regarding the future of Bangkok, she said,
“Wealthy people who live in tall buildings will sell their residence and relocate to different places. The tall buildings will start having problems, and later it will not be possible to sell these flats, and they will be discarded. Government offices may be relocated to other provinces. Stay away from tall buildings. Many people in Bangkok will quit their jobs and move to other provinces. There will be many foreigners taking over their jobs. People from Burma, Laos, Cambodia etc. The Thai economy shall face severe problems.”
One can imagine that if a person living in a Bangkok high-rise listens to these scary predictions, he might start shivering and trembling long before the next earthquakes arrive. Mor Plai is clearly foreseeing a lot of difficulty for Thailand in the coming years, and, understandably, the Thais who follow her prophecies could be feeling jittery. If her dire prediction about the volcanic eruptions and tsunamis in July-August also materializes, it could, potentially, trigger a sell-off in the real estate market in Bangkok. Those of you who are reading this – don’t get conned into buying a high-rise apartment in Bangkok at throwaway prices right now.
Let me touch upon one final apocalyptic prediction made by Mor Plai, which reminded me of some of the prophetic utterings of Edgar Cayce. More than ten years ago, on a Woody broadcast, Plai had made a stunning prophecy about a global apocalypse in the coming decades that would completely alter the geological profile of our planet. She said,
“In another 78 years, the map of the Earth will be completely changed. There will be very little land left. There may be less than a third of the land left.”
In a reading given in 1934, Edgar Cayce had said that large portions of many continents would sink under the oceans in the period from ’58 to ’98, which, as I have argued in my book Yuga Shift, refers to the period from 2058 to 2098.
“As to the changes physical again: The earth will be broken up in the western portion of America. The greater portion of Japan must go into the sea. The upper portion of Europe will be changed as in the twinkling of an eye. Land will appear off the east coast of America. There will be the upheavals in the Arctic and in the Antarctic that will make for the eruption of volcanoes in the Torrid areas, and there will be shifting then of the poles - so that where there has been those of a frigid or the semi-tropical will become the more tropical, and moss and fern will grow. And these will begin in those periods in '58 to '98, when these will be proclaimed as the periods when His light will be seen again in the clouds. (Reading 3976-15, January 19, 1934)
The fact that Cayce had prophesied that the “greater portion of Japan must go into the sea” and there will be “the eruption of volcanoes in the Torrid areas,” brings additional context to Mor Plai’s prediction of a volcanic eruption and tsunami close to Japan. A lot of things seem to be adding up and falling into place, and the eerie alignment in prophetic utterings across centuries, in combination with the ongoing changes in the environment, geopolitics and human consciousness, is making it increasingly evident that we are now living in the times of the greatest shift in recorded human history.
What makes Mor Plai’s prediction even more ominous is that an almost exact scenario was foreseen by a clairvoyant Japanese manga artist named Ryo Tatsuki in one of her precognitive dreams. And the date that she saw clearly in her dream for this mega disaster was July 2025!
The Prophecies of Ryo Tatsuki
Ryo Tatsuki is a Japanese manga artist who has been having vivid, precognitive dreams since she was young, starting sometime in the 1980s. Her dreams varied from mundane, private matters to incidents of global importance. For years, she kept notes and made sketches of her dreams in her "dream diary". Then she began to notice a pattern. Some of her dreams came true, maybe days, months or even years later. Later, she realized that her dreams came true at times that are multiples of 5: such as after 5 days, 15 days, 5 years, 15 years, and so on.
In 1999, she published a manga book titled “The Future I Saw”. The comic book contained illustrations of 15 precognitive dreams that she had between 1980 and 1995, with brief notes in the margins. At first, her book received a lukewarm response. After all, by the time the book was published in 1999, many of her dreams had already come true. People are more interested in predictions about the future, and not about events that have already happened.
The 1999 edition of Ryo Tatsuki's manga, “The Future I Saw”
But things changed dramatically after Japan was hit by the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Some people remembered that, on the cover of her book, Ryo Tatsuki had included the phrase, “A great disaster will occur in March 2011”. That immediately sparked off a nationwide interest in her book, and it flew off the shelves. People began to dig into her older predictions and found a few others that matched up with major events. However, some of her dreams related to mundane matters or were too cryptic to be interpreted.
The date 3.2011 is mentioned on the cover of Tatsuki’s book
The reason why Ryo Tatsuki’s dream prophecies have once again come into the limelight is because, in the year 2021, Tatsuki came out with a reprint of her manga, in which she added a new, terrifying prediction: a catastrophic undersea volcanic eruption would occur somewhere between Japan and the Philippines in July 2025, which would make the ocean boil and trigger a tsunami three times larger than the one in 2011. She believes that Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Northern Mariana Islands will be in the direct path of this immensely destructive wave, although many other countries are likely to be affected as well. She wrote in the book, "The future version of me said: 'It’s not over. The real beginning is from 2025.'"
I became aware of Ryo Tatsuki’s work while researching Mor Plai. In the comments section of the videos, many people said how the tsunami prediction made by Mor Plai was remarkably aligned with what Ryo Tatsuki had seen in her dreams. Once again, I had to hunt down the informative videos, which were mostly in Japanese or Chinese, and I used YouTube’s auto-translate feature to note the interesting points. If I were to recommend a video in English, I would say this one contains the most detailed information about the prophecies of Ryo Tatsuki that have already come true. However, when it comes to the new prophecy about the disaster of July 2025, I will refer to a different source when I get to it.
Here’s a summary of what I managed to find out about the prophecies of Ryo Tatsuki that have already materialized and have been included in her 1999 manga, “The Future I Saw”.
1. Freddie Mercury's Death (1991)
Tatsuki had a lucid dream on November 24, 1976, when she saw a clear image of Freddie Mercury dying while performing on stage. She took note of the dream, but at the time, she did not think much of it, of course. Freddie Mercury passed away on November 24, 1991, exactly 15 years later. That was when Tatsuki started taking her dreams a little more seriously and began to think that maybe these dreams are precognitive.
2. Princess Diana's death (1997)
In 1992, Tatsuki had a dream in which she was walking down a long corridor inside a palace. At the end of the hallway hung a portrait of a blonde woman holding a baby. The name written on the painting was "Diana". In her diary, she drew the lady who appeared in her dream and scribbled a note, “Diana? Died?” 5 years later, Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris.
3. 1995 Kobe Earthquake
In January 1995, Tatsuki had a dream in which an old man led her to a place with cracked ground, and she got the feeling that it was the city of Kobe. She jotted the dream down, thinking that something might happen there later. 15 days later, the Great Hanshin earthquake struck Kobe on January 17, 1995, resulting in over 5000 deaths, and the city was left in ruins. It was Japan's second-deadliest earthquake of the 20th century.
A collapsed expressway after the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Source: Wikimedia Commons
4. 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
On the cover of her 1999 manga "The Future I Saw", Tatsuki had written, "A great disaster will occur in March 2011". Almost like clockwork, the devastating undersea Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, 2011. The enormous waves devastated Japan's coastline, killing nearly 20,000 people and causing the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant. This 9.1 earthquake was the most powerful ever recorded in Japan. In the Sendai area of Japan, the tsunami waves traveled at 700 km/h and reached up to 10 km inland. More than 100 evacuation sites were washed away by the waves.
The city of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, was almost entirely destroyed by the 2011 tsunami. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Chilling Prophecies of a Catastrophic Pacific Mega-tsunami in July-August, 2025 - PART II
'Tis the season of prophecies; about monster tsunamis leaving a trail of devastation across multiple countries located along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Two different women psychics – one from Thailand and another from Japan - have revealed bone-chilling prophecies about a Pacific mega-tsunami that could originate somewhere between Japan and the Philippines, and inflict catastrophic damage. While one of them said that it could occur anytime in July or August of 2025, the other was more specific: the date that she saw very clearly in her precognitive dream was
5. Covid-19 Pandemic (2020)
Tatsuki’s 1999 manga contained a prediction about a virus causing global disruption in the year 2020. One of her entries stated that, "in 25 years, an unknown virus will come in 2020, disappear after peaking in April, and appear again 10 years later." This is an obvious reference to the COVID-19 virus, and her timing of the event is eerily accurate as well, for it was around April 2020 that many countries started experiencing their first wave.
Now we come to the more interesting part – the prophecies of Ryo Tatsuki that are yet to pass. The one about the July 2025 tsunami was included in the reprint edition of the manga that came out in 2021. She also has a prophecy about an earthquake and a tsunami that could occur between June and September 2026. This was mentioned in the 1999 edition of the book itself.
The 2021 reprint edition of “The Future I Saw” has the date 7.2025 on the cover.
While searching around for an informative video that would explain the newly included prophecy about the July 2025 mega-tsunami, I came across this YouTube video titled, The prophetic dream manga "The Future I Saw", what's the catastrophe that will happen in July 2025? This was published on a Japanese YouTube channel called the Naokiman Show on October 3, 2021, just one day after the new edition of Tatsuki’s manga came out. Interestingly, the podcaster personally knows Ryo Tatsuki and had a conversation with her about her new precognitive dream. So, the explanation in this video is about as informative and authentic as it can possibly get. Here’s what he said:
"I was able to meet up with her (Ryo Tatsuki) a few times and got to hear her stories. Just yesterday, on October 2nd, a new comic book about her dreams were published. Tatsuki san (“san” is a common honorific suffix in Japanese) says that she still sees precognitive dreams, and all of her dreams are recorded in her dream diary. Tatsuki san has shared with us her new dreams, which might come into reality....
Tatsuki san had travelled to India in the past (in 1998), and her experience on this trip became the turning point in her life. I will explain in detail later, but she saw this particular dream in India. Using her expression directly...” You know how bubbles come up when you're stirring a thick soup, right?” She saw that in a vision of the Pacific Ocean near Japan. It was bubbling up. It was hard for her to understand what it meant. Did it indicate an explosion? Or maybe a submarine eruption?
Surprisingly, Tatsuki san recently saw the same dream again (July 5, 2021). The same thing happened, but this time with two dragons in the area. And a date was clearly indicated in this dream. July 2025. In her dream, Tatsuki san was looking down on the earth, and the patterns on the below image shows the two dragons she saw. It was like seeing the earth with Google Earth, and there was a sudden eruption in the water between Japan and the Philippines. This caused waves to spread out in all directions, causing huge tsunamis hitting the Pacific Rim...
However, this is not the end of Tatsuki san's dream. In her dream, the submarine eruption not only triggered tsunami waves but pushed the lands to rise, resulting in the lands of Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines to be connected as one big land. I know, it’s hard to understand. But she said that an island emerged from the ocean floor, which connected all the lands...
Tatsuki san says that she sees a bright future. People are not depressed from the disaster, but were cooperating to create a stable future. She says the "age of spirit" will arrive..."
So, that’s what we know about Ryo Tatsuki’s new prophetic dream, and it seems to clearly hint at a huge undersea volcanic eruption in July 2025 that would make the waters boil and trigger a mega-tsunami, which Tatsuki believes could be much bigger than the 2011 tsunami. The enormous quantities of magma released from this eruption could create new “islands” in the sea, connecting other landmasses. And what about the dragons she saw in her dream? My guess is that those shapes could be formed by the ash clouds coming out of the ocean.
It goes without saying that a massive undersea eruption of the kind Tatsuki saw in her dream, would inflict catastrophic, widespread, damage, not only from the tsunami waves and earthquakes, but also from the ash clouds, and gases such as sulphur dioxide that would be released from the eruption, which could block out the sun partially, thereby lowering global temperatures and causing famine-like conditions.
Since the same scenario was prophesied by the Thai prophet Mor Plai, there is a high likelihood of this disaster happening in the July-August timeframe, as the earth goes through its own cleansing process at the time of this shift into the ascending cycle of consciousness, which Tatsuki called the “age of spirit”. The inner-earth spirit beings, who are the true caretakers of our planet, and have the ability to foresee catastrophic earth changes, may be trying to warn us by transmitting these messages through these two mediums.
Some people have been saying on YouTube and elsewhere that the tsunami predicted by Tatsuki is going to occur precisely on 5th July, 2025. This is an online speculation that has garnered momentum, and now many people are repeating it without checking for facts. Tatsuki said July 2025, and the date 7/25 is also displayed on the cover of the reprint edition of her manga. However, Tatsuki saw this dream for the second time on July 5, 2021, exactly at 4:18 am (as per a note in her book), and there have been instances in the past when her precognitive dream was fulfilled many years later on the exact same date. This must have been the reasoning that gave rise to this rumor.
Ryo Tatsuki had the dream about the tsunami for the second time on July 5, 2021, at 4:18 am.
As innocuous as this rumor might sound, I am getting a bad feeling about it, maybe due to years of watching Hollywood thrillers. Imagine what might happen if July 5 passes uneventfully. Many people across Japan and East Asia will be relieved and start celebrating, they will say that the prophecy was a dud, scientists will come out bravely and admonish people for believing baseless rumors, the government will organize fairs and festivities on the promenade, and families will bring out their swimsuits and barbeque sets and rush to the beaches. And then, one day, they will hear the ocean roar, see the waters boil, and, just maybe, an enormous, fiery dragon will emerge from the ocean, look at the people with angry, bloodshot eyes, and say in a rasping voice, “Why don’t you guys ever listen?”
For the moment, however, many tourists have taken these two prophecies seriously, because of which there have been lots of cancellations of travel bookings to Japan, particularly from East Asia. Travel agencies in Hong Kong and China have reported that nearly 80% of bookings to Japan for late June and early July have been canceled, and overall bookings for the region are down 50% year-on-year. CNN has also picked up on this news, and as per their report,
“CN Yuen, managing director of WWPKG, a travel agency based in Hong Kong, said bookings to Japan dropped by half during the Easter holiday and are expected to dip further in the coming two months. The speculations have scared off mostly travelers from mainland China and Hong Kong, which are Japan’s second and fourth-largest sources of tourists, respectively. But the fear has also spread to other markets such as Thailand and Vietnam, where social media platforms are overflowing with posts and videos warning people to think twice before traveling to Japan.”
While tour operators in Japan may be ruing their misfortune, and Japanese government officials and scientists are urging people not to believe in “unfounded speculations”, tourists to the region are unwilling to take their chances against a tsunami, especially since the memories of the devastation wrought by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and the Tohuku tsunami of 2011 are still fresh in the minds of many.
Besides, the possibility of underwater volcanoes erupting in the Pacific is going up by the day. Japan, Philippines and Indonesia are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is the most active volcanic and seismic zone of our planet. It contains between 750 and 915 active or dormant volcanoes, around two-thirds of the world's total. About 90% of the world's earthquakes occur within the belt.
Although most of the volcanoes on land have been identified, many more remain hidden under the ocean. The NOAA estimates that “80 percent of the volcanic eruptions on Earth take place in the ocean. Most of these volcanoes are thousands of feet deep and difficult to find.” The topography of the Pacific sea floor is very complex and contains a number of subduction zones and volcanic arcs. Subduction zones are places where tectonic plates collide and the heavier plate gets shoved (or subducted) under the lighter plate, forming deep ocean trenches. The subduction zones are places of high volcanic activity and powerful earthquakes.
The Pacific Ring of Fire, with oceanic trenches in the subduction zones. Volcanic arcs run parallel to the trenches, although volcanic arcs are not restricted to subduction zones.Source: Wikimedia Commons.
The “Submarine Ring of Fire” program of the NOAA has identified some of the undersea volcanic arcs of the Pacific, such as the Mariana Arc, NE Lau Basin, Kermadec Arc and Explorer Ridge, all of which contain many submarine volcanoes. The Mariana Arc extends along the seafloor between Japan and Indonesia and is, therefore, of more interest to us in the context of these prophecies. NOAA has found that “the Mariana region contains 9 volcanic islands and more than 60 submarine volcanoes, of which at least 20 are hydrothermally active.” It is not difficult to imagine that, if the submarine volcanoes of the Mariana Arc start exploding one after the other, they could precipitate the kind of scenario foreseen by Ryo Tatsuki and Mor Plai.
The Mariana Volcanic arc stretches between Japan and Indonesia, east of the Mariana Trench, and consists of volcanic islands and submarine volcanoes.Source: Wikimedia Commons
Besides, there has been increased magma movement and volcanic activity across the world in recent months. New volcanic eruptions in the Pacific Ring of Fire have occurred in Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan, and on the other side of the Pacific in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico. Even the entire Mediterranean region is showing signs of increased magma activity and earthquake swarms in places like Santorini, Crete and Campi Flegrei, and recently, Mount Etna unleashed its most powerful eruption in a decade. Scientists are warning that Mount Spurr, a volcano close to the town of Anchorage in Alaska, is likely to erupt soon, and a large underwater volcano off the coast of Oregon, known as Axial Seamount, is showing signs of impending eruption. It wouldn’t be surprising, therefore, if submarine volcanoes near Japan or the Philippines start erupting as well.
Ryo Tatsuki, in her 1999 manga, had foreseen another catastrophe that could occur in 2026. She said that an earthquake and tsunami will affect the Kanagawa Prefecture between June and September 2026, and she believes that it will be a Nankai megathrust earthquake that will be the culprit. In an interview with Japan Today, she said, “But in the case of the Nankai earthquake, I was also washed away by a tsunami. As shown in my illustrations, extensive parts of Kanagawa Prefecture are inundated, including the area around Aokibashi in the Kinko-cho area of Yokohama's Kanagawa Ward.”
Not leaving anything to chance, Tatsuki says she plans to move out of Kanagawa Prefecture before June 2026. Asked if she had a message for Friday readers, Tatsuki replied, “If a major earthquake occurs, even if you are living in a place that was never hit by a tsunami back to your grandparents' generation, evacuate at once!”
What are Nankai megathrust earthquakes, you might be wondering? These are powerful earthquakes that occur along the Nankai Trough, a subduction zone off the coast of southeast Japan, where the Philippine Sea Plate subducts beneath the Eurasian (or Amur) Plate. The immense pressure and friction between these plates can cause them to lock up, and when the stress becomes too great, they rupture, resulting in a megathrust earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater.
The Nankai trough is located on the Pacific coast of Japan.Source: Wikimedia Commons
This BBC report provides more details about these powerful quakes that occur periodically every 100 years or so.:
“Earthquakes along the Nankai Trough - an area of seismic activity which stretches along Japan's Pacific coast - have already been responsible for thousands of deaths. In 1707, a rupture along its entire 600km length caused the second-biggest earthquake ever recorded in Japan and was followed by the eruption of Mount Fuji. These so-called "megathrust" earthquakes tend to strike every hundred years or so, often in pairs: the last ones were in 1944 and 1946. Experts say there is a 70% to 80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake striking somewhere along the trough in the next 30 years, with worst-case scenarios suggesting it would cause trillions in damage, and potentially kill hundreds of thousands.”
That’s all I have for the astonishing prophecies of these two lady prophets: Mor Plai of Thailand and Ryo Tatsuki of Japan. Both of them have made some stunningly accurate predictions till now that defy all rational explanations, and they seem to be acting as intermediaries between the human and spirit realms, as our planet goes through its purification rites in preparation for a new cycle of the ages. Whether or not their terrifying prophecy of a volcanic eruption and tsunami sometime in July or August this year comes to pass, we will be better off by keeping our ears and minds open to new thoughts and possibilities, as we navigate this period of epochal shift.
Cube-Shaped UFOs: Not Drones, Not Balloons, So What Are They?
Cube-Shaped UFOs: Not Drones, Not Balloons, So What Are They?
Een afbeelding van een kubusvormige UFO.
Depositphotos.
Over the past several decades, reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have fascinated both the scientific community and the general public. Among the myriad shapes and forms reported, one of the most intriguing and perplexing is the cube-shaped UFO. Unlike the conventional disc or spherical craft, these objects exhibit a geometric, three-dimensional cubic form, challenging our understanding of aeronautics, physics, and extraterrestrial technology. This essay explores the phenomenon of cube-shaped UFOs, evaluates potential explanations—including misidentifications, natural phenomena, human-made objects, and extraterrestrial craft—and discusses the implications of these sightings for scientific inquiry.
Historical Context and Reports
Cube-shaped UFO sightings are relatively rare but have been documented over several decades. One of the earliest notable reports dates back to the 1980s, when multiple witnesses in different locations described a hovering, luminous cube in the night sky. More recently, the phenomenon gained renewed attention with the release of military footage showing unidentified objects exhibiting unusual flight characteristics. For example, in 2019, the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the authenticity of several Navy videos depicting unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), some of which appeared to be geometric in shape, including one resembling a cube.
These reports often come with descriptions of silent, hovering objects that exhibit sudden accelerations, abrupt directional changes, or hovering in ways inconsistent with known aircraft. Witnesses sometimes report a metallic or luminous surface, and the objects appear to defy the aerodynamics understood by contemporary science. Such characteristics make cube-shaped UFOs particularly enigmatic, prompting debates about their origin and nature.
Potential Explanations
Misidentification of Known Objects
A common explanation for UFO sightings involves misinterpreted terrestrial objects. Could these cubes be misidentified man-made objects? Some have proposed that they might be experimental military or private drones, especially given the increasing sophistication of drone technology. However, most cube-shaped UFOs are reported at altitudes and in conditions where conventional drones are unlikely or impossible to be mistaken for large, hovering, luminous objects.
Similarly, balloons or kites are often dismissed due to their irregular movement or proximity to the ground, but some have speculated that illuminated or metallic balloons could resemble cube-shaped objects. Yet, balloons tend to have irregular shapes and are affected by wind, while these UFOs appear to hover steadily or move with purpose.
Natural Phenomena
Another avenue of explanation involves natural phenomena. Some researchers suggest that optical illusions, atmospheric conditions, or rare meteorological events could produce illusions of geometric shapes. For instance, ice crystals or optical reflections can sometimes create the appearance of geometric patterns in the sky. However, these explanations struggle to account for the consistent reports of solid, metallic, or luminous cube-shaped objects with distinct edges and surfaces.
Human-Made Experimental Technology
Given the clandestine nature of military and corporate research, some hypothesize that these cube-shaped UFOs are advanced human-made experimental aircraft or drones. The United States and other countries have developed high-altitude, stealth, and experimental aircraft that could potentially resemble cube forms. For example, some speculate that these objects are advanced surveillance or reconnaissance devices, possibly testing new propulsion or stealth technologies.
Yet, the consistent reports of hovering, silent, and geometrically perfect cube-shaped objects, especially in civilian airspace, argue against them being conventional or experimental drones. Moreover, the lack of definitive proof or acknowledgment from authoritative bodies makes this explanation speculative.
Extraterrestrial Origin
The most provocative explanation is that these cube-shaped UFOs are of extraterrestrial origin. The geometric precision, mysterious flight capabilities, and anomalous behavior suggest the possibility of non-human technology. Some researchers argue that the cube shape is not coincidental; it might be an intentional design choice by extraterrestrial intelligences, possibly serving as a form of communication or a device for energy collection.
This hypothesis is supported by the fact that similar geometric shapes have been reported across cultures and time periods, sometimes interpreted as symbols or artifacts of advanced civilizations. Additionally, the recent increase in UAP sightings by military personnel and the declassification of such footage lend some credence to the idea that these objects are beyond current human technological capabilities.
However, the extraterrestrial hypothesis remains speculative without concrete evidence. To date, no verified physical artifact or signal has conclusively proven the existence of alien technology associated with cube-shaped UFOs.
The Significance of the Cube Shape
The cube shape has long fascinated scientists, engineers, and researchers, especially when considering the possibility of extraterrestrial technology or advanced human creations. Geometric shapes play a crucial role in engineering and physics because they directly influence the structural integrity, functionality, and efficiency of objects. The cube, in particular, offers several advantageous features that could explain its frequent appearance in both natural and artificial contexts.
One of the primary reasons for favoring a cube shape is its stability and ease of construction. Cubes have flat, stable surfaces that can be easily stacked or combined without slipping, making them ideal for modular design. This modularity allows for scalable and adaptable structures, which could be beneficial for complex machinery, habitats, or storage units. Additionally, the cube's shape maximizes internal space relative to its surface area, leading to efficient use of volume, especially important when space and resources are limited—common considerations in space exploration or extraterrestrial environments.
From a technological perspective, a cube-shaped object might serve specific functions such as housing energy sources, advanced electronic systems, or communication devices. Its shape could facilitate the arrangement of internal components and ensure protection from external environmental factors. If these objects are indeed of extraterrestrial origin, the cube might also serve as a form of communication or identification—perhaps a universal symbol or a recognizable signature that signifies origin or purpose.
Furthermore, the cube shape might have symbolic or functional significance, possibly serving as camouflage or a form of visual identification. While these ideas are speculative, they open intriguing possibilities about how intelligent civilizations might design their technology to serve multiple purposes—practical, communicative, or symbolic. Overall, the cube's structural advantages and potential symbolic meanings make it a compelling shape in the context of advanced technology, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial.
Leaked Government Image from 2018 Features “Cube-Like” UFO
Those keeping up with reported unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings over the last few years have been given tantalizing glimpses of deeply mysterious aircraft; includingthe onesOpens in a new tabTom Delonge helped to propagate. Now,The DebriefreportsOpens in a new tabthe Department of Defense (DoD) has just “leaked” a new UAP image from 2018. And the aircraft—supposedly—has some very strange characteristics.
The Department of Defense/The Debrief
According to The Debrief’s report, which comes via Popular MechanicsOpens in a new tab, the DoD leaked the unclassified image on a secure “Intelligence Community network” via the department’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, or UAPTF. The DoD announced the Task Force, which Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist heads, earlier this year.
The pilot of an F/A-18 fighter jet captured the image of the UAP with a cell phone. Sources have apparently described it as a “cube-shaped” objectOpens in a new tab, that’s silver in color and floats motionless. The pilot who took the photo, as well as the other pilot present, spotted the UAP cube “hovering” at an altitude of approximately 30,000 feet. (For reference, commercial airliners generally cruise around at an altitude of 38,000 feet.)
The Department of Defense/The Debrief
The pilots flew within roughly 1,000 feet of the UAP, which, while relatively close, still obviously only allowed for a distant picture. Indeed, the UAP appears tiny in the pilot’s photo, and resolution drops off pretty badly as one enlarges it.
Despite the less than ideal picture, however, it’s possible to make out some details. The UAP’s shape, in fact, is familiar to atmospheric researchers, as it resembles a dropsondeOpens in a new tab. A dropsonde (below), is a weather reconnaissance device scientists drop out of airplanes. The scientists drop them at altitude above water inside of a storm to track its condition.
The Department of Defense/The Debrief
The Debrief also says it’s possible the UAP in the photo is some kind of “military radar-reflector” or research balloon. The organization says it spoke with two defense officials, however, and they described it as having flight dynamics uncharacteristic for a balloonOpens in a new tab. Most notably, the object was reportedly completely motionless, despite ambient air currents.
In response to the “leak,” the Pentagon told The Debrief that, in so many words, it couldn’t comment. Which, while certainly not the shock of the century, does leave the door open for lots of potential hypotheses. Many of which should probably focus on other humans, considering their penchant for building strange sky mobilesOpens in a new tab.
Lorna Mosquera filmed a mysterious object hovering over Medellin, Colombia
Credit: YouTube
It appears to be shaped like a cube or diamond
Credit: YouTube
Implications for Science and Society
The reported sightings of cube-shaped unidentified flying objects (UFOs) present intriguing challenges and opportunities for both scientific understanding and societal development. These unusual objects defy conventional physics and aeronautics, which typically describe flying objects as having aerodynamic shapes such as spheres, discs, or jets. The existence of cube-shaped UFOs suggests that they possess advanced technological capabilities that are currently beyond our scientific knowledge. If these objects are indeed extraterrestrial in origin, their existence would imply a level of technological sophistication far surpassing human achievements, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of physics, propulsion, and material science.
From a scientific perspective, these sightings could open new avenues of research into alternative forms of propulsion, energy sources, and material engineering. Researchers would need to investigate how such geometries could withstand atmospheric conditions, generate lift, or interact with electromagnetic forces. Confirming the extraterrestrial origin of these objects might also prompt a paradigm shift in astrobiology and astrophysics, encouraging scientists to reconsider assumptions about the diversity of life and technology in the universe.
On a societal level, the visibility of such phenomena increases public curiosity and skepticism, shaping cultural narratives about extraterrestrial life and technological progress. Governments worldwide have begun to acknowledge the existence of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), which has heightened calls for transparency and scientific investigation. This acknowledgment has led to increased funding for research, development of new investigative tools, and international cooperation. Moreover, these sightings influence policy decisions regarding airspace security, extraterrestrial research, and public communication about unexplained phenomena. Ultimately, the discovery of cube-shaped UFOs could profoundly impact our worldview, scientific pursuits, and societal policies, emphasizing the importance of open-minded inquiry and international collaboration in understanding these mysteries.
A commercial aircraft is seen flying past on its approach to the airport
Credit: YouTube
Challenges in Scientific Investigation
Investigating cube-shaped UFOs poses a series of complex scientific challenges that make definitive study difficult. One of the primary issues is their transient and elusive nature. These objects often appear suddenly and disappear quickly, making consistent observation and long-term tracking problematic. This fleeting presence hampers the ability to gather comprehensive data, such as detailed images, measurements, or telemetry signals, which are crucial for thorough analysis.
Another significant obstacle is the lack of physical samples. Unlike terrestrial objects or artifacts, UFOs—especially those with unique geometric shapes like cubes—are rarely recovered or examined directly. Without tangible evidence, scientists must rely on visual reports, photographs, and videos, which can sometimes be ambiguous or of limited quality. This reliance increases the risk of misinterpretation and hampers efforts to draw concrete conclusions.
Furthermore, the field is fraught with risks related to misidentification, hoaxes, and psychological biases. Many UFO sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, human-made objects, or optical illusions. The proliferation of false reports or deliberate hoaxes can mislead researchers and skew data. Psychological factors, such as perception biases or cultural influences, can also distort witness accounts, complicating efforts to establish objective facts.
Despite these hurdles, technological advancements offer hope for improved investigation. Modern sensors, high-resolution imaging, infrared detection, and radar systems can enhance detection capabilities. Improved data collection methods enable more accurate and comprehensive recordings of sightings. International collaboration among scientists, governments, and civilian organizations can facilitate data sharing and standardization, increasing the reliability of findings.
To deepen understanding, a multidisciplinary approach is essential. Combining physics, atmospheric science, engineering, and SETI principles allows for a broader analysis of the phenomena. For example, physics can help assess the plausibility of various propulsion or energy systems, while atmospheric science can evaluate environmental factors influencing sightings. Engineering can aid in designing better detection tools, and SETI principles can provide frameworks for searching for artificial origins.
In summary, although studying cube-shaped UFOs is challenging due to their elusive nature, lack of physical evidence, and potential for misinterpretation, ongoing technological and collaborative efforts may eventually shed light on their true nature.
Conclusion
Cube-shaped UFOs remain one of the most intriguing phenomena in the realm of unidentified aerial objects. While conventional explanations such as misidentification, natural phenomena, or experimental human technology could account for some sightings, the persistent reports of these geometrically distinct objects challenge our understanding of aerial phenomena. Their unusual shape, coupled with reports of their silent flight and sudden appearances, suggests that these craft may not conform to known human-made aircraft or natural atmospheric events. Some researchers speculate that they could represent advanced extraterrestrial technology or an entirely new form of aerial vehicle unknown to current science.
The lack of definitive evidence makes it difficult to draw concrete conclusions, but the recurring nature of cube-shaped UFO sightings indicates that this is a phenomenon warranting further investigation. Understanding these objects could have significant implications for science, security, and our knowledge of the universe. Until more data becomes available, the true nature of cube-shaped UFOs remains a captivating mystery, inspiring both scientific inquiry and public curiosity. Continued research and open-minded analysis are essential to unraveling the origins and purpose of these enigmatic objects.
Facts about UFOs that will blow your mind and change how you see the sky
Facts about UFOs that will blow your mind and change how you see the sky
Whether you’re a skeptic or already convinced we’re not alone, these facts are difficult to ignore — and they may change the way you see the world above.
An illustration of a UFO probe contorlled by superadvanced AI.
Stories of strange lights in the sky used to live on the edges of belief — whispered by conspiracy theorists or buried in classified files. But that’s changed. Military pilots have gone public. Governments have released official documents. And decades of silence are starting to crack. This article explores 15 remarkable facts about UFOs — from ancient sightings to modern-day encounters, including government programs, radar anomalies, and mysterious objects seen by astronauts. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or something in between, these cases challenge everything we think we know about what’s in our skies.
Whether you’re a skeptic or already convinced we’re not alone, these facts are difficult to ignore — and they may change the way you see the world above.
Declassified U.F.O. Documents
Even though governments around the world have long denied serious interest in unidentified flying objects, a large number of recently declassified documents suggest otherwise. Contrary to public denials, agencies like the U.S. Department of Defense and the CIA have spent millions of dollars studying unidentified aerial phenomena that often defy the laws of known physics.
The American government alone has invested heavily in these investigations. These documents, now public, paint a very different picture — one in which UFOs are not dismissed, but tracked, analyzed, and kept under tight control.
You can find examples of UFO-related declassified documents here, here, and here.
Official Video Footage of Pilots Chasing a U.F.O.
When it comes to UFOs, people want more than rumors — they want proof. A few years ago, the U.S. government declassified a video captured by a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet. In it, military pilots can be heard reacting in disbelief as they chase an object flying at impossible speeds.
This wasn’t fiction or amateur footage — it was released through official channels, prompting a shift in how the public perceives the UFO phenomenon.
Video Footage: The Best Evidence
The Super Hornet video is far from the only footage out there. Over the years, numerous videos have emerged showing craft that move in ways no known aircraft should. One of the most famous examples is the STS-75 Tether Incident, captured by NASA during the space shuttle Columbia’s mission in 1996.
During this mission, a 12-mile-long tether broke off and floated into space. As the tether drifted, countless bright, disc-like objects appeared around it. While some have written the incident off as space debris or lens flare, others argue it represents one of the clearest recordings of unidentified flying objects in space.
The Pentagon Studied “Exotic U.F.O. Tech”
AATIP letter about UFOs.AATIP letter about UFOs.
Although most governments publicly downplay the existence of UFOs, internal reports show another side. Declassified papers have revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense conducted secret research into what they called “exotic, futuristic technologies.”
These investigations were part of the now-famous Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), and were authorized in part by Senator Harry Reid. In a letter to Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn III, Reid supported funding the program to explore advanced propulsion systems and technologies far beyond our current capabilities.
These weren’t just speculative ideas. The documents state that researchers explored whether certain technologies could give the U.S. military an edge — technologies that may have come from observed phenomena, or possibly reverse-engineered craft.
Official Documents Reveal Antarctic U.F.O. Encounters
Antarctica has long been tied to tales of hidden bases, strange energy sources, and mysterious sightings. While some of these claims are rooted in conspiracy, there are verified reports that are difficult to dismiss.
In 1965, scientists at three separate Antarctic research stations witnessed unexplained lights in the sky. Two reports were filed by the Chilean Air Force (FACh), two others by the Argentine Navy, and a fifth by the British Antarctic Survey (B.A.S.).
Antarctic survey report letter.
Dated October 22, 1965, a letter (above) written by a B.A.S. researcher reads:
“On the July 12 this year, the British Antarctic Survey Base on Deception Island (62° 59′ S, Long. 60° 34′ W) reported the following, which I quote as requested:
‘Argentine base (on Deception Island) observed a moving colored light on June 7th, 20th, and July 3. Chilean base (also on Deception) made similar observations on the latter two dates.
Flickering red-green-yellow light observed from British Base 2300 Z July 2 die north; it had moved in two waves quickly from the west then reversed along the course for a short distance before returning again to the north where it remained stationary for about 20 minutes.’
I should comment that our people in the Antarctic did not consider the important event enough to comment until asked. I requested information because of pressure from the B.B.C., N.B.C., and the Press, who acted on a news report put out from Argentina.
Yours sincerely, V.E. Fuchs.”
The C.I.A. Alone Declassified Thousands of U.F.O. Documents
The CIA has released thousands of documents detailing their involvement with UFO investigations, stretching from the 1940s to the early 1990s. These reports include everything from international news clippings to internal memos and firsthand accounts of sightings.
According to the CIA’s own archive:
“This collection catalogs C.I.A. information on this subject from the 1940s through the early 1990s.”
While many of the sightings remain unverified, the sheer volume of reports — and the agency’s decision to preserve them — speaks to the seriousness with which these phenomena were taken.
U.F.O.s Aren’t a Modern Phenomenon
Antique report of damatic sightings over Nuremberg.
One of the earliest and most dramatic sightings occurred over Nuremberg, Germany, in 1561. It was documented in the city’s newspaper and later studied by historians. The report reads:
“In the morning of April 14, 1561, at daybreak, between 4 and 5 a.m., a dreadful apparition occurred on the sun, and then this was seen in Nuremberg in the city, before the gates, and in the country – by many men and women.
At first, there appeared in the middle of the sun, two blood-red semi-circular arcs, just like the moon in its last quarter. And in the sun, above and below and on both sides, the color was blood, there stood a round ball of partly dull, partly black ferrous color. Likewise, there stood on both sides and as a torus about the sun such blood-red ones and other balls in large number, about three in a line and four in a square, also some alone.
In between these globes, there were visible a few blood-red crosses, between which there were blood-red strips, becoming thicker to the rear and in the front malleable like the rods of reed-grass, which were intermingled, among them two big rods, one on the right, the other to the left, and within the small and big rods there were three, also four and more globes.
These all started to fight among themselves so that the globes, which were first in the sun, flew out to the ones standing on both sides; thereafter, the globes standing outside the sun, in the small and large rods, flew into the sun.
Besides, the globes flew back and forth among themselves and fought vehemently with each other for over an hour. And when the conflict in and again out of the sun was most intense, they became fatigued to such an extent that they all, as said above, fell from the sun down upon the earth ‘as if they all burned’ and they then wasted away on the Earth with immense smoke. After all this, something like a black spear, very long and thick, sighted; the shaft pointed to the east, the point pointed west. Whatever such signs mean, God alone knows…”
(Source: Colman S. Von Kevicsky, “The Ufo Sighting Over Nuremberg in 1561” Official Ufo January 1976. Translation by Ilse Von Jacobi.)
One of the First U.F.O. Reports in America
One of the earliest sightings in North America dates back to 1639. Near the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Governor John Winthrop recorded an event in his diary involving strange lights in the sky over Boston. Witnesses reported the objects moving rapidly and even claimed they lost track of time — a possible reference to missing time, a common theme in modern abduction narratives.
U.F.O. in Northern Saskatchewan
A letter mentionig a crashed UFO.
In 1968, a strange object was discovered near Wollaston Lake, close to the Manitoba border. A letter from that time reads:
“Examination revealed the exhibit had likely formed part of a vehicle that traveled in outer space.”
The metallic fragment was handed to J. Hodges of the Canadian National Research Council by an unnamed pilot. Its origins remain unexplained.
Oppenheimer and Einstein Wrote About U.F.O.s
A six-page document written by physicists Robert Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein discussed “Relationship with Inhabitants of Celestial Bodies.”
The document is one of the first to reference Extraterrestrial Biological Entities and indicates that the military had considered UFOs as part of its strategic assessments. You can read the full document here.
Winston Churchill Wrote About Alien Life
In an essay written in 1939, Churchill speculated:
“I, for one, am not so immensely impressed by the success we are making of our civilization here that I am prepared to think we are the only spot in this immense universe that contains living, thinking creatures…”
Churchill’s essay, “Are We Alone in the Universe?”, predicted a vast universe filled with potentially habitable planets long before exoplanets were ever confirmed.
California Is a U.F.O. Hot Spot
According to the National U.F.O. Reporting Center, more sightings have occurred in California than in any other U.S. state. Los Angeles in particular has been the epicenter for sightings between 2001 and 2015.
One of the most famous events took place in 1942.
The Battle of Los Angeles
An image of the so-called Battle of L.A.
“The city went completely dark as Air Raid sirens started going off. Massive searchlights searched the sky for potential threats. Eventually, the anti-aircraft fire started going off, and in the middle of the ‘battle,’ a photograph of the enigmatic object was taken.”
The object was never identified, and explanations ranged from weather balloons to enemy aircraft. To this day, the event remains one of the most widely discussed mass sightings in American history.
Washington D.C., 1952: Radar Confirms Fast-Moving Object
On July 19, 1952, air traffic controllers at Washington National Airport picked up a fast-moving object on radar. In the weeks that followed, additional sightings were reported by military personnel.
Despite public reassurances, the official explanation never fully accounted for the object’s speed or maneuverability.
The Rendlesham Forest Incident
In December 1980, U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at RAF Woodbridge in England reported seeing a glowing object in the woods.
“Allegedly, the U.F.O. irradiated several different colors. The craft landed, and soldiers went out to investigate. They supposedly found the spaceship. The following day, radiation levels where the alleged U.F.O. landed were off the charts, and there were reports of damaged trees nearby.”
The case remains one of the most famous and well-documented U.F.O. encounters involving military witnesses.
The solar wind flows around Earth's magnetic field. A new NASA study suggests that the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere and strength of the magnetic field have been correlated for more than half a billion years. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Laboratory
Within Earth's interior, the molten material that makes up the outer core flows around the inner core in the opposite direction of the Earth's rotation. This "dynamo" is believed to be responsible for generating Earth's magnetosphere, the intrinsic magnetic field that shields life on the surface from harmful radiation. But since the flow of molten material in Earth's core isn't perfectly stable, the magnetosphere ebbs and flows over time. Scientists also theorize that this field prevents Earth's atmosphere from being slowly stripped away by charged solar particles (solar wind), which is believed to have been the case with Mars.
As a result, Earth's magnetic field is theorized to be integral to Earth's habitability, though its role in maintaining the atmosphere remains an ongoing field of study. According to new research by a team of NASA scientists, changes in Earth's magnetic field over the past 540 million years are correlated to fluctuations of oxygen levels in our atmosphere. Their research suggests that processes in Earth's interior might be directly connected to changes in our atmosphere, which could have significant implications for our understanding of planetary habitability.
The study was led by Weijia Kuang, a geophysicist at the Geodesy and Geophysics Laboratory and Sellers Exoplanet Environments Collaboration (SEEC) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She was joined by researchers from NASA Goddard's Planetary Environments Laboratory, the Department of Earth and Space Sciences/Astrobiology Program at the University of Washington, and the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds. The paper describing their findings appeared on June 13th in Science Advances.
Artist's impression of Earth's interior structure.
Credit: Science Photo Library
Earth scientists have long known that the history of Earth's magnetic field is recorded by magnetized minerals in rocks. When magma rises to the surface and solidifies, the minerals retain indications of the magnetic field it formed in and how strong it was. As long as the minerals are not heated to the point that they become molten again, this magnetic record can remain intact indefinitely. Similarly, the chemical composition of rocks and minerals is dependent on the amount of oxygen in which they formed, allowing scientists to determine how oxygen levels rose and fell over time. As Kuang said in a NASA press release:
These two datasets are very similar. Earth is the only known planet that supports complex life. The correlations we’ve found could help us to understand how life evolves and how it’s connected to the interior processes of the planet.
Geophysicists and geochemists have compiled extensive records on both magnetism and oxygen levels, as recorded in ancient rocks. But according to the authors, there have been no detailed comparisons between these records before. When Kuang and his colleagues analyzed the two datasets, they found that fluctuations in Earth's magnetic field correlated with rising and falling levels of atmospheric oxygen since the Cambrian Explosion. This event, which occurred about 540 million years ago, is when complex life and practically all major animal phyla started to appear in the fossil record. Coauthor Benjamin Mills, a biogeochemist at the University of Leeds added:
This correlation raises the possibility that both the magnetic field strength and the atmospheric oxygen level are responding to a single underlying process, such as the movement of Earth’s continents.
The research team hopes to examine more datasets to test this correlation. This will include datasets that look back farther than the Cambrian Era, as well as those that catalog changes in other atmospheric components (like nitrogen) that are essential to life. These studies could reveal a vital connection between the interior dynamics of planets and habitability, which could also have implications for the search for life beyond Earth (astrobiology).
Cloaked Passenger Jet, A Sign Alien Cloaking Tech Or Proof We Live In The Matrix? UFO UAP Sighting News.
Cloaked Passenger Jet, A Sign Alien Cloaking Tech Or Proof We Live In The Matrix? UFO UAP Sighting News.
Date of discovery: June 21, 2025
Location of discovery: Newark Airport, New Jersey, USA
While using Google Earth, I found something that...may indicate there is alien tech cloaking devices in some normal passenger planes...to protect some very high risk US gov officials from being harmed and to transport aliens who disguise themselves as humans to their alien bases on Earth. Yet...a part of me hears Elon Musks voice in my head..."we live in a simulation." And this could also be a sign that we do live in a computer simulation revealing a glitch in the matrix at Newark airport. One of those answers is spot on...which one...is up to you.
China’s National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) has developed a mosquito-sized drone designed for covert military operations. Details are a little thin on the ground, but its development is likely focusing on surveillance and reconnaissance missions in complex or sensitive environments.
The drone’s main unique selling point is its compact size, making it relatively easy to hide or conceal. It has two leaflike wings that are reportedly able to flap just like an insect’s wings.
“Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield,” Liang Hexiang, a student at NUDT, told CCTV while holding up the drone between his fingers.
The drone also has three hair-thin “legs” that could be used for perching or landing. Dinky drones of this kind could likely be used in urban combat, search and rescue, or electronic surveillance.
Rise of the mosquito microdrone
It could also be a valuable tool for reconnaissance and covert special missions. To make it work, the drone features advanced integration of power systems, control electronics, and sensors, all in an incredibly tiny package.
These drones can operate undetected, making them valuable in covert warfare, espionage, or tactical reconnaissance. However, given their size, they are pretty challenging to design and build.
Engineering at that scale is challenging, particularly with components such as batteries, communications, and sensors that must be miniaturized without sacrificing functionality.
Its development may also signal a broader trend. For example, the U.S., Norway, and other countries are also investing in micro-UAVs for both military and non-military purposes.
Norway’s “Black Hornet” is a prime example. This palm-sized device is in service with many Western militaries and is used for close-range scouting. The latest version, “Black Hornet 4,” has improved durability and range.
Developed by Teledyne FLIR Defence, this drone won the 2025 US Department of Defence Blue UAS Refresh award, which recognises unmanned aerial systems. The model’s enhanced battery life, weather resilience, and communication range address common challenges faced by microdrone developers.
Applications beyond the army
Harvard has also previously unveiled its RoboBee micro-UAV. Similarly powered using flapping “wings,” this drone can fly, land, and even transition from water to air.
In 2021, the US Air Force confirmed that it was developing tiny drones. However, there have been no updates regarding any completed technology or deployment.
Beyond military applications, micro-UAVs like these could have essential roles in other industries. In the medical sciences, for example, similar technologies are being researched for use in surgery, drug delivery, diagnostics, and medical imaging.
It could also be used in applications such as environmental monitoring, where future microdrones could be utilized for pollution tracking, crop monitoring, or disaster response.
Looking at the bigger picture, “microdrones” like these mark a significant step in military micro-robotics,demonstrating that countries like China are advancing rapidly in next-generationsurveillance tools.
It also highlights a global race where small, intelligent, and stealthy robots could redefine how both soldiers and scientists interact with the world, whether on a battlefield or inside a human body.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:SF-snufjes }, Robotics and A.I. Artificiel Intelligence ( E, F en NL )
China ontwikkelt vliegende robot ter grootte van een mug voor geheime missies
China ontwikkelt vliegende robot ter grootte van een mug voor geheime missies
China ontwikkelt vliegende robot ter grootte van een mug voor geheime missies
Key takeaways
Onderzoekers van China’s Nationale Universiteit voor Defensie en Technologie hebben een piepkleine vliegende robot ontwikkeld die de grootte en het uiterlijk van een mug nabootst.
De robot ter grootte van een mug is 2 centimeter lang en weegt minder dan 0,3 gram, waardoor hij perfect is voor het verzamelen van inlichtingen.
Dankzij vooruitgang in MEMS, materiaalkunde en biomimicry konden miniatuuronderdelen die nodig zijn voor de functionaliteit van de robot worden ontworpen en geproduceerd.
Onderzoekers van de Nationale Universiteit voor Defensie en Technologie in China hebben een doorbraak in de robotica bereikt. Ze hebben een piepkleine, autonome vliegende robot ontwikkeld die de grootte en het uiterlijk van een mug nabootst. Deze opmerkelijke prestatie meet slechts 2 centimeter in lengte en weegt minder dan 0,3 gram. De ontwikkeling werd door Chinese media geprezen als een samensmelting van biologische inspiratie en geavanceerde techniek.
De wetenschap achter de doorbraak
De succesvolle miniaturisatie van de robot wordt toegeschreven aan vooruitgang op verschillende wetenschappelijke gebieden, waaronder micro-elektromechanische systemen (MEMS), materiaalkunde en biomimicry. Deze disciplines speelden een cruciale rol bij het ontwerpen en produceren van de miniatuuronderdelen die nodig zijn voor de functionaliteit van de robot, zoals sensoren, voedingen en besturingscircuits.
Vanwege zijn uitzonderlijk kleine formaat, lichte gewicht en opmerkelijke vermogen om op te gaan in zijn omgeving, is de robot ter grootte van een mug bedoeld voor gespecialiseerde missies zoals het verzamelen van inlichtingen. Dankzij zijn onopvallende aard kan hij ongemerkt infiltreren in anders ontoegankelijke gebieden, waardoor hij ideaal is voor verkenningsoperaties in moeilijke omgevingen.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:SF-snufjes }, Robotics and A.I. Artificiel Intelligence ( E, F en NL )
21-06-2025
Tien redenen waarom een geavanceerde “Atlantis-achtige” moederbeschaving in het verre verleden mogelijk heeft bestaan
Tien redenen waarom een geavanceerde “Atlantis-achtige” moederbeschaving in het verre verleden mogelijk heeft bestaan
Het interieur van een oud Egyptisch tempel.
Shutterstock.
Inleiding
Het idee dat een geavanceerde, complexe beschaving ooit heeft bestaan vóór de bekende beschavingen uit de geschiedenis, zoals die van de oude Egyptenaren, Mesopotamiërs of de Indusvallei, wordt vaak geassocieerd met de mythe van Atlantis. Hoewel er geen definitieve archeologische bewijzen zijn voor het bestaan van Atlantis zoals beschreven door Plato, zijn er verschillende wetenschappelijke, geologische en archeologische argumenten die suggereren dat een hoogontwikkelde beschaving in het verre verleden mogelijk was. In dit artikel worden tien wetenschappelijk onderbouwde redenen besproken waarom een dergelijke “Atlantis-achtige” moederbeschaving mogelijk heeft bestaan.
1. Geologische bewijsvoering voor vroegere geavanceerde beschavingen
Geologische bewijzen suggereren dat er in het verleden geavanceerde beschavingen hebben bestaan die nu onder water liggen. Onderzoek naar oude landmassas en onderwaterstructuren wijst uit dat gebieden zoals de Azoren en de Bermuda-driehoek ooit droge, bewoonbare terreinen waren. De anomalieën in deze regio’s, zoals onderwaterconstructies en restanten van oude steden, kunnen wijzen op door mensen gemaakte bouwwerken uit een ver verleden. Sedimentlagen en tektonische verschuivingen tonen aan dat grote stukken land door natuurlijke rampen zoals tsunami’s, aardbevingen en zeespiegelstijgingen onder water zijn gezakt. Hierdoor zijn mogelijk hele beschavingen verloren gegaan, ingesloten door de zee en vergeten door de geschiedenis. Deze geologische aanwijzingen ondersteunen de hypothese dat er ooit hoogontwikkelde samenlevingen bestonden die nu slechts onder de zeespiegel liggen. Het bestuderen van deze bewijzen kan ons helpen meer te begrijpen over de technologische en culturele verwezenlijkingen van onze voorouders en de manier waarop natuurkrachten de geschiedenis hebben beïnvloed. Zo bieden geologische gegevens een fascinerend venster op een mogelijk veel rijkere en complexere menselijke geschiedenis dan tot nu toe werd aangenomen.
2. Archeologische anomalieën en onderwaterstructuren
Onderwaterarcheologie heeft de laatste decennia enkele opvallende en intrigerende ontdekkingen gedaan die de gangbare opvattingen over onze oude geschiedenis uitdagen. Een van de meest bekende en omstreden voorbeelden is de onderwaterstructuur bij Yonaguni, een eiland ten zuiden van Japan. Deze structuur bestaat uit grote, trapvormige rotsformaties en piramidale vormen die lijken op menselijke bouwwerken. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat deze structuren resten zijn van een oude stad of een door de mens gemaakte constructie, terwijl anderen denken dat ze natuurlijk ontstaan zijn door natuurlijke erosie en geologische processen.
De controversie rondom Yonaguni is nog altijd niet opgelost. Indien de structuren inderdaad door mensen zijn aangelegd, betekent dit dat er mogelijk een oude, geavanceerde beschaving bestond die duizenden jaren geleden in de regio actief was. Dit zou de bestaande kennis over de geschiedenis van menselijke beschavingen aanzienlijk veranderen, omdat het zou wijzen op een hoge mate van technische en architectonische ontwikkeling in een periode waarin we dat niet verwachtten. Sommige wetenschappers speculeren dat deze onderwaterstructuren mogelijk verband houden met vroegere migraties of verloren beschavingen die door natuurrampen onder water zijn gekomen.
Naast Yonaguni zijn er ook andere onderwaterstructuren en anomalieën die de nieuwsgierigheid van archeologen en onderzoekers prikkelen. Onderzoek naar deze structuren wordt bemoeilijkt door de moeilijke duikomstandigheden en de voortdurende discussie over hun oorsprong. Of ze nu natuurlijk of door de mens gemaakt zijn, ze vormen een fascinerend venster op een mogelijk vergeten hoofdstuk uit de menselijke geschiedenis. Het bestuderen van dergelijke onderwaterstructuren kan ons nieuwe inzichten geven over de evolutie van menselijke samenlevingen en de mysteries van onze oude wereld.
3. Oudere technische kennis en mythologische overleveringen
Veel oude culturen beschikken over mythologische verhalen en overleveringen die spreken over een “gouden tijd” of een verloren beschaving met geavanceerde technologische kennis. Deze verhalen worden vaak beschouwd als symbolische herinneringen aan een periode waarin de mensheid grote technische prestaties leverde, waarvan de ware aard soms moeilijk te doorgronden is. Een voorbeeld hiervan is de oude Indusbeschaving, die bloeide rond 2500 v.Chr. in het huidige Pakistan en India. Deze beschaving stond bekend om haar indrukwekkende stadsplanning, met grid-achtige straten, geavanceerde sanitaire systemen en waterbeheer. De uitgebreide drainage en rioleringen getuigen van een hoog niveau van technische kennis en organisatievermogen, lang voordat dergelijke systemen in Europa gebruikelijk waren.
Daarnaast bevat het oude Egypte en Mesopotamië schriftteksten en overleveringen die wijzen op kennis van constructietechnieken, astronomische observaties en mogelijk zelfs mechanische apparaten. De bouw van tempels, piramides en sluizen vereiste geavanceerde kennis van bouwkunde en hydrauliek. De astronomische gegevens die in de oude Mesopotamische kleitabletten worden vermeld, suggereren dat deze beschaving een lange geschiedenis van technische ontwikkeling en wetenschap had, waarvan veel aspecten verloren zijn gegaan in de loop der eeuwen.
Deze mythologische en historische verhalen geven ons inzicht in de veronderstelde technologische hoogstandjes van oude beschavingen. Hoewel het moeilijk is om precies vast te stellen wat er werkelijk was, blijven deze overleveringen een fascinerend venster op een mogelijk vergeten verleden. Ze laten zien dat de mensheid al duizenden jaren bezig is met het ontwikkelen van technieken en kennis die soms ver vooruit lijken te lopen op de beschikbare middelen van toen. Het bestuderen van deze oude kennis en mythes kan ons helpen om een vollediger beeld te krijgen van de technologische geschiedenis van de mensheid.
Een afbeelding van een van de stenen zuilen op de site.
Shutterstock.
4. De mysterieuze aard van oude monumenten en constructies
De mysterieuze aard van oude monumenten en constructies fascineert mensen al eeuwenlang. Veel van deze structuren, zoals de piramides van Gizeh in Egypte, de tempels van Angkor Wat in Cambodja en megalithische bouwwerken in Europa en Amerika, vertonen een verbazingwekkende technische en astronomische precisie. Deze precisie is vaak moeilijk te verklaren met de technologie die men toentertijd tot beschikking had.
De piramides van Gizeh bijvoorbeeld, zijn zo nauwkeurig uitgelijnd dat ze bijna perfect in relatie tot de kaart van sterrenbeelden zijn geplaatst. Evenzo vertonen de bouwtechnieken in Angkor Wat een indrukwekkende mate van precisie en complexiteit, die verder gaat dan wat men zou verwachten van de beschikbare middelen uit die periode. Megalithische structuren zoals Stonehenge en de Nazca-lijnen in Peru lijken eveneens te wijzen op een diepgaande kennis van astronomie en geometrie.
Sommige onderzoekers zijn van mening dat deze monumenten niet slechts het resultaat zijn van eenvoudige bouwtechnieken, maar dat ze getuigen van een verloren kennis of technologie. Volgens deze theorieën zouden oude beschavingen beschikken over geavanceerde technieken die nu verloren zijn gegaan of ondergesneeuwd door de tijd. Deze ideeën worden ondersteund door de gedachte dat dergelijke precisie en complexiteit niet mogelijk waren met de primitieve hulpmiddelen uit die tijd.
Daarnaast is er de theorie dat deze monumenten mogelijk verbonden zijn met oude kennis over sterren, tijdmeting en kosmologische verschijnselen, die door de eeuwen heen verloren is gegaan. Het blijft een fascinerende vraag of deze structuren het resultaat zijn van eenvoudige menselijke inspanning, of dat ze wijzen op een hoger ontwikkelde oude beschaving met technologische kennis die wij nu slechts kunnen vermoeden. De zoektocht naar antwoorden blijft voortduren, waardoor oude monumenten een blijvende bron van mysterie en verwondering blijven
5. De plausibiliteit van een wereldwijde verspreiding van geavanceerde kennis
De plausibiliteit van een wereldwijde verspreiding van geavanceerde kennis is een intrigerend onderwerp dat al eeuwen de verbeelding van wetenschappers, historici en mystici beweegt. Het feit dat vergelijkbare mythes, bouwtechnieken en symboliek voorkomen in oude culturen die geografisch ver uiteen liggen, roept de vraag op of er ooit een gedeeld verleden of een universele bron van kennis bestaan heeft.
Veel oude beschavingen, zoals die van Egypte, Meso-Amerika, China en Mesopotamië, vertonen opvallende overeenkomsten in architectuur en astronomische kennis. De piramidevorm bijvoorbeeld, wordt niet alleen in Egypte gevonden, maar ook in Midden-Amerika, zoals bij de Maya en Azteken. Daarnaast vertonen deze culturen een indrukwekkend begrip van sterrenkunde, daterend uit periodes waarin men niet beschikte over de moderne technologie die wij nu kennen. Dit roept de vraag op of deze overeenkomsten het resultaat zijn van geïsoleerde ontwikkeling of van een gedeelde, mogelijk verloren gegane, kennis.
Een plausibele verklaring voor deze fenomenen is de hypothese van een ooit wereldwijde, geavanceerde beschaving die haar kennis over grote afstanden heeft verspreid. Volgens deze theorieën zou deze beschaving over technologische en culturele kennis beschikken gehad die wij nu niet meer volledig kunnen begrijpen of terugvinden. Het ontbreken van directe bewijzen maakt deze ideeën echter moeilijk te verifiëren. Toch blijft het fenomeen van wereldwijde overeenkomsten een fascinerend vraagstuk dat mogelijk wijst op een vergeten hoofdstuk in de geschiedenis van de mensheid.
Kortom, de plausibiliteit van een wereldwijde verspreiding van geavanceerde kennis kan niet volledig worden uitgesloten, maar vraagt om een open blik en verdere wetenschappelijke studie. Het blijft een intrigerende mogelijkheid dat onze oude voorouders deel uitmaakten van een wereldwijde gemeenschap met gedeelde technologische en culturele erfenis, waarvan de sporen misschien nog verborgen liggen onder het stof van de geschiedenis.
6. De mogelijkheid van catastrofale gebeurtenissen die beschavingen vernietigden
De mogelijkheid van catastrofale gebeurtenissen die beschavingen vernietigden, is een belangrijk onderwerp binnen de wetenschappelijke wereld. Onderzoek wijst uit dat de aarde door haar geschiedenis heen verschillende grote rampen heeft gekend, die mogelijk grote invloed hebben gehad op de menselijke beschavingen. Voorbeelden hiervan zijn massale uitbarstingen van supervulkanen, inslagen van meteorieten en ingrijpende zeespiegelstijgingen. Deze gebeurtenissen kunnen hele beschavingen hebben weggevaagd of ingrijpend veranderd, waardoor de menselijke geschiedenis mogelijk veel complexer is dan tot nu toe gedacht.
Een bekend voorbeeld is de hypothese dat de Toba-uitbarsting, ongeveer 74.000 jaar geleden, een wereldwijde klimaatverandering veroorzaakte. Deze uitbarsting was zo krachtig dat het mogelijk de aarde in een "volledige winter" dompelde, met als gevolg dat grote groepen mensen werden uitgedund. Sommige wetenschappers vermoeden dat zulke catastrofale gebeurtenissen niet alleen het klimaat, maar ook de ontwikkeling van beschavingen konden beïnvloeden. Het is mogelijk dat er ooit geavanceerde beschavingen bestonden die door een dergelijke ramp werden getroffen, waardoor hun kennis en technologie verloren gingen.
Dit verklaart mogelijk waarom we geen archeologische resten aantreffen van zulke oude beschavingen, ondanks dat ze mogelijk honderden of duizenden jaren geleden hebben bestaan. De vernietiging door natuurrampen kan hebben geleid tot het verlies van schrift, technologie en culturele overleveringen, waardoor deze beschavingen voor altijd uit het zicht zijn verdwenen. Het bestuderen van deze gebeurtenissen helpt ons niet alleen om het verleden beter te begrijpen, maar ook om te beseffen hoe kwetsbaar onze beschaving is voor natuurlijke rampen. Het onderstreept het belang van het voorbereiden op mogelijke toekomstige catastrofes en het beschermen van onze kennis en infrastructuur.
7..De aanwezigheid van anomalieën in oude kunst en symboliek
De aanwezigheid van anomalieën in oude kunst en symboliek is een fascinerend onderwerp dat veel vragen oproept over onze geschiedenis en de beschavingen die vóór ons hebben geleefd. Veel oude kunstwerken bevatten astronomische en wiskundige symbolen die moeilijk te verklaren zijn als louter artistieke expressie. Deze symbolen lijken vaak een dieper begrip van het universum te suggereren dat verder gaat dan de technologische kennis van de tijd waarin ze werden gemaakt.
Een voorbeeld hiervan zijn de oude Maya-kalenders. Deze complexe tijdweergaves bevatten niet alleen gegevens over de tijdlijn van de Maya's, maar ook symbolen en geometrische patronen die wijzen op een diepgaande kennis van astronomische verschijnselen zoals de banen van planeten en de beweging van de zon en maan. De precisie en complexiteit van deze kalenders suggereren dat de Maya's beschikten over geavanceerde astronomische inzichten, die mogelijk gebaseerd waren op observaties en theorieën die wij pas recent hebben ontwikkeld.
Daarnaast zijn er duizenden jaren oude rotsgravures gevonden in Zuid-Afrika en Australië, met complexe geometrische patronen en astronomische schema’s. Deze kunstwerken en inscripties vertonen patronen die niet gemakkelijk te verklaren zijn door eenvoudige religieuze of artistieke motieven. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat deze symbolen een vorm van wetenschap of kennis uitdrukken, zoals het meten van tijd, sterrenbeelden of zelfs kosmologische ideeën.
Als deze symbolen en kennis het resultaat zijn van een oude, hoogontwikkelde beschaving, dan onderstrepen ze de mogelijkheid dat dergelijke beschavingen ooit hebben bestaan, lang voordat wij ze denken te hebben ontdekt. Het feit dat deze oude kunstwerken zo’n complexiteit en precisie vertonen, roept vragen op over de technische en intellectuele capaciteiten van onze voorouders. Het zou kunnen betekenen dat onze geschiedenis niet volledig bekend is en dat er nog veel te ontdekken valt over de evolutie van menselijke kennis en cultuur. Deze anomalieën in oude kunst en symboliek blijven een intrigerend bewijs dat er mogelijk oude beschavingen waren met een verbazingwekkend begrip van de kosmos.
Een oude Inca-muur in de stad Machu Picchu.
Shutterstock.
8. Technologische overblijfselen en artefacten die niet passen in de tijdsperiode
Een andere belangrijke aanwijzing dat er mogelijk een geavanceerde moederbeschaving heeft bestaan, zijn technologische overblijfselen en artefacten die niet passen in de bekende historische ontwikkeling. Deze vondsten roepen veel vragen op omdat ze niet overeenkomen met de technologie die we kennen uit de betreffende periode.
Een bekend voorbeeld hiervan is de Antikythera-motor, een oud Grieks mechanisme dat dateert uit ongeveer 100 v.Chr.. Dit apparaat wordt vaak beschouwd als het oudste analoge computer en was in staat complexe astronomische berekeningen uit te voeren, zoals het voorspellen van zonne- en maansverduisteringen. Het feit dat oude beschavingen zulke geavanceerde technologie ontwikkelden, suggereert dat hun kennisniveau mogelijk veel hoger was dan tot nu toe werd aangenomen. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat soortgelijke machines of zelfs nog complexere apparaten in het verleden hebben bestaan, maar verloren zijn gegaan of nog niet ontdekt.
Daarnaast worden er soms vreemde structuren en objecten gevonden die niet eenvoudig kunnen worden verklaard door de technologie die beschikbaar was in de tijd waarin ze gemaakt zouden zijn. Bijvoorbeeld, de mysterieuze piramides in onder andere Zuid-Amerika en Egypte, waarvan sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat ze mogelijk met technieken zijn gebouwd die wij nu niet kennen. Ook ondergrondse constructies en tunnels die op onverklaarbare manieren zijn aangelegd, roepen vragen op over de technologische kennis die daar mogelijk achter schuilgaat.
Verder worden soms artefacten gevonden die niet passen binnen de historische context, zoals stukken gereedschap of kunstwerken met technieken die veel te geavanceerd zijn voor de periode waarin ze zouden zijn gemaakt. Deze vondsten leiden tot de hypothese dat er misschien verloren technologische kennis is, of dat de beschavingen die ze maakten, een veel hoger technologische niveau hadden dan wij nu aannemen.
Kortom, deze technologische overblijfselen en artefacten vormen een intriger bewijs dat er mogelijk geavanceerdere beschavingen in het verleden hebben bestaan dan de gangbare geschiedschrijving suggereert. Ze stimuleren het onderzoek naar onze vergeten geschiedenis en de mogelijkheid dat onze kennis van het verleden nog altijd incompleet is.
9. Mythologie en legendes die verwijzen naar verloren werelden
Veel oude mythologieën en legendes verwijzen naar verloren werelden, ondergrondse rijken of periodes van grote technologische en spirituele bloei die plotseling werden beëindigd. Een bekend voorbeeld is de Griekse mythe van Atlantis. Volgens de legende was Atlantis een uiterst geavanceerde beschaving die zich bevond op een eiland dat door een grote catastrofe onder de zee verdween. De verhalen vertellen dat de Atlantiërs een hoogstaande cultuur hadden met indrukwekkende technologieën en spirituele kennis, totdat een plotselinge ramp alles verwoestte. Hoewel er geen concreet wetenschappelijk bewijs is voor het bestaan van Atlantis, worden deze verhalen vaak geïnterpreteerd als symbolische herinneringen aan een verloren technologische en culturele hoogtijdagen.
Ook in de oude Egyptische mythologie worden verhalen verteld over beschavingen die door rampen werden getroffen. Bijvoorbeeld, de legende van de ondergang van de stad Helipolis, die volgens sommige bronnen door overstromingen werd verzwolgen. De Indusbeschaving, die bloeide rond 2500 v.Chr., verdween plotseling onder mysterieuze omstandigheden, wat aanleiding gaf tot speculaties over natuurrampen of invasies. In Noord-Amerika spreken inheemse volkeren over een tijd van grote spirituele en technologische bloei, gevolgd door een periode van ondergang en vergetelheid, waarbij sommige verhalen wijzen op catastrofale gebeurtenissen of veranderingen in het klimaat.
Deze verhalen over verloren werelden hebben vaak een symbolisch karakter. Ze kunnen verwijzen naar echte gebeurtenissen uit het verleden, zoals natuurrampen of oorlogen, die de beschavingen hebben uitgewist. Tegelijkertijd kunnen ze ook een collectief geheugen zijn van een hoogtepunt in menselijke ontwikkeling dat verloren ging. Het feit dat dergelijke verhalen wereldwijd voorkomen, suggereert dat veel culturen zich een herinnering hebben gehouden aan een ooit geavanceerde beschaving die uiteindelijk ten onder ging.
Kortom, mythologieën en legendes over verloren werelden bieden niet alleen een fascinerend inkijkje in de culturele verbeelding, maar kunnen ook wijzen op een gedeeld bewustzijn van een gemeenschappelijk verleden. Ze blijven intrigeren omdat ze misschien een sprankje waarheid bevatten over een tijdperk van grote technologische en spirituele ontwikkeling dat uiteindelijk werd overschaduwd door natuurrampen, oorlogen of andere catastrofale gebeurtenissen.
10. Geografische anomalieën en ondergrondse structuren
Geografische anomalieën en ondergrondse structuren vormen een fascinerend onderwerp dat onze kennis over de menselijke geschiedenis uitdaagt. Verschillende locaties over de hele wereld tonen structuren en verschijnselen die moeilijk te verklaren zijn binnen het reguliere archeologische paradigma. Een opvallend voorbeeld is de aanwezigheid van onderwaterstructuren nabij de kust van Cuba en de Bahama’s. Deze structuren worden vaak geïnterpreteerd als resten van oude landmassa’s of door de oceaan bedekte steden. Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat deze onderwaterstructuren de bewijzen kunnen zijn van hoger ontwikkelde beschavingen die duizenden jaren geleden op deze plaatsen gevestigd waren. Bijvoorbeeld, onderwaterfoto’s en sonarbeelden tonen vaak complexe bouwwerken die niet passen binnen de bekende prehistorische technologieën.
Daarnaast worden ondergrondse netwerken en gangen gevonden onder bekende oude steden, zoals Göbekli Tepe in Turkije. Deze ondergrondse systemen wijzen op een complex en mogelijk georganiseerd ondergronds bouwwerk. Sommige theorieën veronderstellen dat deze ondergrondse netwerken deel uitmaakten van een groter, wereldomspannend netwerk dat dient als communicatiesysteem of als schuilplaats. Het feit dat dergelijke structuren vaak moeilijk te dateren zijn en dat ze op plekken liggen waar men geen reguliere archeologische activiteit verwacht, versterkt de gedachte dat er mogelijk oude beschavingen waren met geavanceerde bouwtechnologieën.
De anomalieën onder water en onder de grond suggereren dat menselijke beschavingen mogelijk veel ouder en geavanceerder waren dan tot nu toe wordt aangenomen. Er wordt bijvoorbeeld gedacht aan het bestaan van een verloren wereld, waarbij onderwater- en ondergrondse structuren de sporen zijn van een grote, vergeten beschaving. Het feit dat dergelijke structuren zich op verschillende continenten kunnen bevinden, wijst mogelijk op een soort wereldomspannend netwerk of een gedeeld cultureel erfgoed dat verloren is gegaan door de loop der eeuwen.
Kortom, deze geografische anomalieën en ondergrondse structuren vormen een intrigerend puzzelstuk dat onze kijk op de geschiedenis kan veranderen. Ze roepen vragen op over de technologische vaardigheden van oude volkeren en over de mogelijkheid dat de menselijke geschiedenis veel complexer is dan wij nu aannemen. Het onderzoeken van deze structuren en anomalieën kan ons mogelijk leiden naar nieuwe inzichten over de evolutie van menselijke beschavingen en hun mogelijke connecties over de hele wereld.
Eindconclusie
Het samenbrengen van deze verschillende aanwijzingen – anomalieën in kunst en symboliek, technologische overblijfselen, mythologische verhalen en geografische anomalieën – kan niet eenvoudig worden genegeerd. Hoewel veel van deze gegevens door sceptici worden afgedaan als toeval of interpretatiefouten, vormen ze samen een krachtig pleidooi voor de mogelijkheid dat een geavanceerde “Atlantis-achtige” moederbeschaving in het verre verleden heeft bestaan. Het is mogelijk dat dergelijke beschavingen niet alleen de fundamenten legden voor onze huidige samenleving, maar ook dat ze over kennis en technologie beschikten die wij nog maar net beginnen te begrijpen. Het onderzoeken van deze anomalieën en het openhouden van de mogelijkheid dat onze geschiedenis niet volledig is, kan leiden tot nieuwe inzichten over de menselijke evolutie en de ware aard van onze vermeende geschiedenis. Uiteindelijk opent deze zoektocht de deur naar het begrijpen van onze ware oorsprong en de potentiële rijkdom van verloren kennis die in het verleden verborgen ligt.
In what many will say is a controversial new study, Harvard University scientists have ignited a fresh debate about the origins of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs), suggesting the possibility that ancient, highly advanced civilizations—or even non-human entities—could be secretly living beneath Earth’s surface or in its vast oceans. As someone who has been writing about the UFO phenomena over a decade ago, when it was considered no more than a conspiracy theory, and as someone who has actively been researching ancient civilizations and their origins, I find this study welcoming, on the other hand. As I have stated on multiple occasions in the past, the entire idea of science is curiosity, and scientists should, on the foundation of the scientific method, be curious about many things, including, without prejudice the possibility of UFOs being a phenomenon that originates outside of our planet.
The Cryptoterrestrials Theory
The good thing is that there is a paradigm shift in UAP research, and it has taken off in the last couple of years. As revealed in an article by Popular Mechanics, for decades, discussions about UFOs and UAPs centered on extraterrestrial visitors, robotic probes, or experimental military aircraft. However, in this paper published in June 2024 in Philosophy and Cosmology, three academics from Harvard University and the University of Montana propose an alternative theory: what if these mysterious sightings have nothing to do with outer space but are instead rooted deep within our planet?
The paper, titled The Cryptoterrestrial Hypothesis: A Case for Scientific Openness to a Concealed Earthly Explanation for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, explores the idea that UAPs might be linked to ancient human civilizations, intelligent non-human species, or even future human beings, all of whom have managed to remain hidden for millennia.
Who—or What—Could Be Hiding?
Now, bear with me, as some of the contents of their paper are very controversial, to say the least. According to the authors, these entities may be highly advanced, having evolved separately from humanity. They suggest that some UAP sightings could involve intelligent dinosaurs or other creatures that avoided extinction and chose to live in secrecy, deep within the Earth or the oceans. The researchers also entertain the notion that these crafts may be piloted by future humans who are using advanced technologies to study their past without disrupting timelines. The humans from the future part has already been discussed previously by various researchers and authors, I must add.
Unidentified submerged objects are a field that more and more experts are willing to look into. This is because of the fact that many UFOs have been sighted over vast bodies of water, and many of them seem to come from or end up in the ocean.
Interestingly, in an even bolder hypothesis, the paper suggests that these “cryptoterrestrials” could be a form of “earthbound angels,” incorporating theological ideas into the scientific discussion.
The publication of this research set off a multitude of reactions (who would have thought?), from excitement to outright skepticism, to say the least. As revealed by Popular Mechanics, co-author Brendan Case, a theology researcher at Harvard, has been reticent to engage with the media, stating that the public response was overwhelming. However, Michael Paul Masters, an anthropologist and another co-author from Montana Technological University, has been more open, emphasizing the need for scientific exploration of these unconventional ideas.
Masters acknowledges the criticisms but defends the importance of keeping an open mind: “The goal is to provoke thought and conversation. We’re offering new ways to think about UAPs, and whether people agree with us or not, we’ve succeeded in getting this topic talked about.”
Why Now? Ahhh… The Changing Landscape of UAP Research
The timing of this publication couldn’t be more significant. Had this paper been published a decade ago, it would have gotten such an influx of negative opinions, the careers of these researchers would have probably been questioned. However, the good news is that people are now more open-minded, and not in a conspirative way. Over the past few years, UAP sightings have gained mainstream credibility, and various academics are pioneering the research into UAP, one of them being professor Avi Loeb who has written “countless” articles and research papers on subjects that touch base with some of the issues addressed in this recent paper. Additionally, in 2023, U.S. Congressional hearings featured Navy pilots who described encounters with mysterious objects that defied physics, sparking widespread media attention.
The U.S. government has since established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) to investigate UAPs further, marking a shift in the public discourse from skepticism to cautious curiosity. With the floodgates now open, researchers like Masters and his colleagues believe society is more ready than ever to consider radical new possibilities.
Skeptics Speak Out—But Is There Room for Compromise?
Not everyone is convinced by these theories. And that is perfectly fine. David Kyle Johnson, a professor of philosophy at King’s College in Pennsylvania, is among the skeptics. Johnson, who teaches courses on critical thinking, argues that while it’s important to explore new hypotheses, researchers must be careful not to leap too far into the realm of science fiction.
But then again, how can we know what the boundaries between science and science fiction are? Let’s be clear. And take the UFO phenomenon as an example. Ten years ago, UFOs were associated with tinfoil hats and crazy theories. Fast forward to today, UFOs, or should I say UAP, are subjects studied using the most rigorous scientific methods. UFOs are a perfect example of how one subject of interest went from a crazy conspiracy to something even NASA decided to focus on.
“When UAPs came up in Congress, some people took it as evidence that aliens are real, which is simply not the case,” Johnson said. “It’s important to maintain a critical lens, especially when engaging with theories that have little scientific backing.”
Masters counters that this kind of skepticism is part of the scientific process. He calls Johnson and others “nihilist debunkers,” stating, “The goal of science is to explore the unknown. If we dismiss unconventional ideas outright, we might miss something groundbreaking.” And I completely agree with Masters on this. The more interesting part in all of this is perhaps that Masters and his colleagues aren’t stopping here. They are currently working on a follow-up paper that examines the possibility that UAPs are actually piloted by future humans, not aliens. This theory suggests that time-traveling humans could be using these phenomena to observe the past.
“We’ve opened the door to a much broader conversation,” Masters said. “And now we want to take it even further.”
As the mystery of UAPs continues to unfold, it’s clear that the scientific community is grappling with more than just the question of extraterrestrial life. Could the answers lie beneath our feet or deep within our oceans? Are we witnessing signs of ancient civilizations or our future selves? Only time—and further research—will tell, and I applaud scientific curiosity, however extreme or crazy it might sound to someone. After all, humans are curious by nature.
In what seemed to be a development that came from nowhere, there’s a new entrant into the reusable launch systems competition - Honda. The giant Japanese industrial conglomerate recently launched a prototype reusable rocket up to 300m and landed it safely back on Earth. So what does that mean for the reusable launch vehicle (RLV) industry and the future of inexpensive flights to orbit?
Competition is undoubtedly a good thing, and so far other companies have struggled to make their rockets reusable, one of the most important aspects of making access to space cheap. Blue Origin has done so with the booster for its New Shepard suborbital vehicle landing on a pad near its launch complex. LandSpace, a Chinese company, has successfully demonstrated the Zhuque-3 with a test hop similar to early RLV tests. But most notably, SpaceX has, at this point, successfully launched and landed hundreds of rockets over the course of the past few years, and are the only ones that have reached orbit with an RLV.
That sounds like a market that is ripe for disruption - and Honda certainly saw it that way. Their work with rockets goes back to 2021, but their work on many of the sub-components that go into rockets goes back much further than that. According to a press release, the transition from being a component supplier to being a rocket builder was “inspired by the dream of young Honda engineers.”
Fraser discusses the Honda rocket test.
Those young engineers were probably (rightfully) thrilled when Honda’s first test launch took place on June 17th. During the test, a prototype rocket that was 6.3m tall and 85 cm in diameter, with a wet weight of 1312 kg, launched 271.4 m into the air and landed 37 cm from its nominal landing spot after a 56.6 second flight. Data was collected throughout the test to inform the next round of testing.
This step is the equivalent to the famous “Grasshopper” experiments that SpaceX completed back in 2013, where the rocket would launch, hover and return to the ground. It was a necessary step on the path to reusable rocketry, and Honda is now only the fourth company to ever complete this feat.
It has a competitive advantage over the other three companies though, in that it’s part of a much large industrial behemoth who makes everything from lawnmowers to motorcycles. Honda already employs tens of thousands of engineers, and has made some of the most reliable combustion related engines ever produced - just ask someone who owns a lawnmower with one of their engines. Compared to relative neophytes like SpaceX and Blue Origin, that industrial heft gives the company a much stronger financial footing from which to experiment.
Honda reusable rocket being prepped for launch.
Whether or not that is an advantage remains to be seen - SpaceX is famous for it’s work culture that is at least partly driven by fear of failure, which probably won’t be the case for the Honda engineers who could simply shuffle off to other parts of the organization if their rocketry experiments fail. But, given Japan’s increasing presence in the growing space industry, it was only a matter of time before a Japanese champion would join the fray of the new RLV industry. Honda is definitely one of the more capable of those potential entrants, but it remains to be seen what, if any impact their entrance will have on the industry at large. As the company moves to completion of a sub-orbital launch in 2029, more and more eyes will be turning toward it as potentially the greatest new competition in this space.
Op 17 juni 2025 lanceerde autofabrikant Honda een experimentele raket. Het voertuig bereikte niet de ruimte, maar steeg tot 271,4 meter en landde vervolgens verticaal, binnen 37 centimeter van het beoogde doel. De raket is nog lang niet te vergelijken met die van de gevestigde ruimtevaartspelers, maar de prestatie is toch opmerkelijk. Dat juist een autofabrikant dit voor elkaar krijgt, toont opnieuw hoe snel en fundamenteel de ruimtevaart aan het veranderen is.
Raketten die keer op keer kunnen worden gebruikt: twintig jaar geleden leek het nog een waanidee. Maar vandaag de dag wordt het steeds meer werkelijkheid, en het verandert de manier waarop we over ruimtevaart denken. Herbruikbare raketten beloven de kosten van ruimtereizen drastisch te verlagen, waardoor meer wetenschappelijk onderzoek, satellietlanceringen en zelfs ruimtetoerisme mogelijk worden. Maar hoe zijn we op dit punt gekomen?
De eerste stappen: NASA’s Space Shuttle Het idee van herbruikbare raketten begon eigenlijk al decennia geleden met de Space Shuttle van NASA, die van 1981 tot 2011 vloog. Dit ruimtevaartuig was een pionier: de orbiter (het deel dat astronauten en lading naar de ruimte bracht) kon meerdere keren worden gebruikt. Maar volledig herbruikbaar was het voertuig zeker niet. Bij elke lancering werd de enorme externe brandstoftank weggegooid, en de vastebrandstofboosters, die hielpen bij de start, moesten na elke vlucht uitgebreid worden gereviseerd.
Dit maakte de 135 missies van de Shuttle extreem duur: zo’n 1,5 miljard dollar per vlucht. Bovendien kende het programma twee tragische dieptepunten, de explosie van de Challenger in 1986 en de ramp met de Columbia in 2003, waarbij in totaal 14 astronauten omkwamen. Toch bewees het programma dat hergebruik technisch mogelijk was en legde het de basis voor wat later zou volgen.
De doorbraak: SpaceX en Blue Origin De echte revolutie begon in 2015, toen SpaceX, het ruimtevaartbedrijf van Elon Musk, iets ongekends deed. Een Falcon 9-raket van het bedrijf werd naar de ruimte gelanceerd en landde daarna verticaal terug op aarde, rechtop, met behulp van zijn eigen motoren, een beetje zoals een helikopter die landt. Deze verticale landing was een doorbraak: het toonde aan dat de duurste onderdelen van een raket hergebruikt konden worden zonder ingrijpende reparaties.
De Falcon 9 is weliswaar niet volledig herbruikbaar: de tweede trap wordt nog altijd afgeschreven. Maar de eerste trap, de booster, is het kostbaarst en wordt al routinematig hergebruikt. Sommige boosters hebben inmiddels meer dan twintig vluchten op hun naam. Daardoor zijn de kosten per lancering dramatisch hard gedaald, naar zo’n 60 miljoen dollar. Dat is een fractie van wat de Space Shuttle kostte. Intussen heeft SpaceX honderden vluchten uitgevoerd met de Falcon 9 en zijn zwaardere variant, de Falcon Heavy. In 2025 is meer dan de helft van alle raketlanceringen wereldwijd afkomstig van SpaceX. Het bedrijf werkt nu ook aan Starship, een volledig herbruikbare tweedelige raket die bedoeld is voor bemande ruimtereizen, onder meer naar Mars.
Hoewel SpaceX de markt domineert, was het niet het enige bedrijf dat in 2015 een mijlpaal bereikte. Ook Blue Origin, het ruimtevaartbedrijf van Jeff Bezos, liet toen een raket verticaal landen: de New Shepard. Deze eentrapsraket is bedoeld voor suborbitale vluchten (korte sprongen naar de rand van de ruimte) en richt zich vooral op ruimtetoerisme en wetenschappelijke experimenten. New Shepard heeft inmiddels meer dan dertig succesvolle vluchten uitgevoerd. De opvolger, New Glenn, is een veel grotere tweetrapsraket voor orbitale vluchten. Die beleefde begin 2025 zijn eerste (deels succesvolle) vlucht: de lading werd weliswaar afgeleverd in een baan rond de aarde, maar de herbruikbare eerste trap ging verloren toen het contact werd verbroken tijdens de terugkeer.
Wereldwijde race: China en onverwachte spelers Het succes van SpaceX en Blue Origin inspireerde anderen om mee te doen aan de race. In de VS werken bedrijven als Rocket Lab en Relativity Space aan concurrenten van de Falcon 9. In China werkt de staatsorganisatie China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) aan de Long March 9, een volledig herbruikbare raket die lijkt op wat SpaceX probeert te bereiken met Starship. Ook privébedrijven zoals LandSpace en CAS Space boeken vooruitgang. Zij voerden al succesvolle ‘hop-tests’ uit: korte verticale sprongen om te testen of een rakettrap veilig kan landen. Het gaat hier nog niet om volledige suborbitale vluchten.
De nieuwste naam op de lijst is nu Honda. De Japanse autofabrikant voltooide dinsdag een succesvolle hop-test en wil tegen 2029 suborbitale vluchten aanbieden. Daarbij maakt het bedrijf gebruik van technologieën uit de autobouw, zoals autonome besturingssystemen, om veilige landingen mogelijk te maken.
Ook in Europa proberen we bij te benen. ArianeGroup werkt via dochterbedrijf MaiaSpace aan een deels herbruikbare raket, waarvan de eerste testvlucht gepland staat voor 2026. Tegelijk investeren het Europese ruimteagentschap ESA en partners in testprojecten zoals Themis en CALLISTO, die herbruikbare rakettrappen demonstreren. De eerste hop-tests staan gepland voor dit of volgend jaar. Daarnaast zijn er Europese startups actief: het Spaanse PLD Space test een raket die via parachutes wordt teruggehaald, terwijl het Duitse Isar Aerospace werkt aan Spectrum, een kleinere raket voor commerciële satellietlanceringen.
De toekomst: Starship en de realiteit En dan is er Starship van SpaceX, misschien wel het meest ambitieuze ruimtevaartuig ooit. Dit gevaarte is ontworpen om mensen naar Mars te brengen en orbitale vluchten uit te voeren, volledig rond de aarde en verder. Beide rakettrappen moeten volledig herbruikbaar zijn.
Maar de weg ernaartoe is hobbelig. Op 27 mei 2025 explodeerde Starship tijdens zijn negende testvlucht bij terugkeer in de atmosfeer, door een lek in het brandstofsysteem. Ook prototypes zeven en acht gingen verloren, al slaagde SpaceX er toen nog in de herbruikbare booster, de Super Heavy Booster, veilig te landen. Toegegeven: tijdens vlucht negen was het niet de bedoeling om de booster te laten landen. Het was vooral een test: het was de tweede vlucht van eenzelfde booster. De booster moest tijdens vlucht negen in de oceaan landen, maar explodeerde in de lucht toen die terug naar de aarde afdaalde.
Nog dramatischer was de gebeurtenis van woensdagavond: Starship nummer 36, die gebruikt zou worden voor de tiende testvlucht, explodeerde in een vuurbal op het lanceerplatform in Texas, rond 23.00 uur lokale tijd, tijdens een test op de grond. SpaceX bevestigde dat er geen gewonden vielen en dat er geen gevaar was voor de omgeving, maar riep mensen wel op het gebied te vermijden.
Toch geeft SpaceX niet op. Het bedrijf volgt een strategie van snelle iteratie: elke mislukking is een leermoment. Die aanpak houdt de droom van het bedrijf levend. Maar intussen kijkt de hele wereld mee en leren andere ruimtevaartspelers veel uit elke explosie. En dat zorgt ervoor dat de voorsprong van SpaceX steeds moeilijker te behouden is.
"The dark smudge formed as the vehicle excavated and redistributed shallow regolith."
The ispace Resilience lunar lander crash on June 5, 2025 created a dark smudge surrounded by a subtle bright halo, as imaged here by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
(Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University.)
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has imaged the crash site of Resilience, a moon lander built and operated by the Tokyo-based company ispace.
Resilience tried to touch down on June 5 in the center of Mare Frigoris (Sea of Cold), a volcanic region interspersed with large-scale faults known as wrinkle ridges.
Mare Frigoris formed over 3.5 billion years ago as massive basalt eruptions flooded low-lying terrain, according to Mark Robinson, a lunar scientist for the company Intuitive Machines who is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Later, the wrinkle ridges formed as the crust buckled under the weight of the heavy basalt deposits.
Lost on landing
Shortly after Resilience's landing sequence, the ispace Mission Control Center was unable to establish communications with the spacecraft. The team determined that Resilience had likely been lost, a conclusion that was firmed up a few hours later.
Also lost on landing was the Tenacious microrover, a small wheeled vehicle developed in Luxembourg by ispace's European subsidiary. Tenacious carried a piece of artwork on its front bumper — Mikael Genberg's "Moonhouse," a small replica of the red-and-white homes famous in Sweden.
Ryo Ujiie, Chief Technical Officer of ispace, holds a model of the Resilience moon lander while discussing its final approach to the moon during a failed lunar landing on June 5, 2025. (Image credit: ispace)
Resilience left some telltale marks when it slammed into the moon on June 5, and LRO noticed them.
"The dark smudge formed as the vehicle excavated and redistributed shallow regolith (soil); the faint bright halo resulted from low-angle regolith particles scouring the delicate surface," Robinson, the principal investigator for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, told Inside Outer Space.
The crash spot is roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the landing site that ispace mapped out, to one decimal place, on its webpage. One decimal place in lunar latitude and longitude equals 19 miles (30 km), Robinson said.
Resilience was ispace's second moon lander. The company's first such probe also crashed during its touchdown try, in April 2023.
Scott Manley has more details on the Resilience crash; check out his video here.
They allegedly came from Space, appeared metallic, and prompted official investigations. Were the mystery objects downed in Canada, Bolivia, and Russia genuine UFOs or some sort of secret space probes?
There are dozens of reported downed UFOs around the globe—some better documented and more credible than others. This article will address three of the best international cases including the unknown “dark object” that splashed off the Atlantic Coast near the small fishing village of Shag Harbour in Nova Scotia, Canada, on October 4, 1967; the powerful impact of an unknown space object in a remote mountainous area in Bolivia’s Tarija Department, on May 6, 1978; and the crash of a mysterious probe on Hill 611 in the Russian Pacific city of Dalnegorsk on January 29, 1986.
Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1967
The author (center) with researcher Chris Styles (in black) on the site were witnesses gathered to sea the object that crashed in the ocean in 1967. Credit: A. Huneeus
Dozens of witnesses saw unidentified lights falling into the Atlantic Ocean on the southeastern coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, on the night of October 4, 1967. The investigation and search effort to recover debris involved Canadian military and police agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the ‘Air Desk’ at the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in charge of UFO investigations, and the Coast Guard and Royal Navy Maritime Command, which coordinated a search effort with divers. Although widely reported by the media at the time, the case was quickly forgotten until 1993, when Halifax researcher Chris Styles began a new investigation into the incident.
Shag Harbour, as the case has come to be known, has a unique advantage over other alleged UFO crashes because, as Styles states, it offers an “official paper trail.” These are genuine officially released Canadian government documents, not some disputed memos commonly found in ufology. That’s why when a book about this incident, Dark Object, was published in 2001 by Styles and coauthor Don Ledger, it carried the subtitle of, “The World’s Only Government-Documented UFO Crash.”
A “Priority” telex to Canadian Forces Headquarters, dated October 5, 1967, titled, “UFO Report,” tells the story succinctly:
Night clear, no Moon. Cpl. (Corporal) Wercicky [sic] RCMP Barrington Passage outside Lower Woods Harbour, [Nova Scotia] & other witnesses – names known to RCMP Cpl. – dark object – in excess of 60 ft. – 4 white lights horizontally 15 ft. spacing – movement easterly low altitude down to water surface unknown but in excess of five minutes UFO descended rapidly to water with high whistling sound. Bright flash on hitting water. Single light floating on surface remained for long time sank before RCMP could get boat to it. Area searched extensively by [Canadian Coast Guard] lifeboat 101 and many small boats – nil results. Position of last sighting 4330.5N 6545W. All other possible leads ([aircraft], flares, etc.) checked – nil results. Follow up: at 03:21:57 Coast Guard Cutter 101 proceeding to area with RCMP on board to research area based on A/Ref Baton Point.
Canadian UFO report in the Shag Harbour UFO Incident summary. (Credit: Canada Library and Archives)
I know his case quite well as I visited the area twice, once in 1996 and again in 2003, interviewing Styles and a couple of witnesses, including retired RCMP officer Victor Werbicki, who was one of the first Mounties to arrive on the scene. In a telephone interview from his home in Alberta, Werbicki stated,
From my investigation and talking to many people, some good witnesses who saw the object, I sincerely felt that something fell down, but we could find no evidence. It came down at an angle supposedly at the channel, it was just unexplained. I was convinced, and I still am, that these people were sincere. I was convinced from all the witnesses that something came down and I don’t know what.
Most accounts place the beginning of the Shag Harbour incident around 11 p.m., when dozens of fishermen and some policemen saw lights plunging into the ocean. Their initial reaction was that an airplane had just crashed. Many vessels rushed to the spot, expecting to rescue survivors, but instead found the whole area covered with yellow foam. One of the documents uncovered by Styles, however, was a report by Leo Howard Mersey, captain of the J.B. Nickerson ship, who saw a UFO in the area a couple of hours earlier, adding that the object was also detected by the ship’s radar. Mersey’s report to the RCMP detachment in Lunenburg described the sighting:
At about 9 PM, on the 4 OCT 67, I noticed an object with three flashing red lights. Radar indicated this object to be sixteen miles away. It was very clear that night and we could see the lights of Halifax. At the time our boat was 32 miles south of Sambro Light and the object was approximately 16 miles north east of us… At the same time there were three other objects on the radar and about 6 miles from the first object. I would say it disappeared about 11:00 PM, when it went up in the air. I could not see any shape or form to it because of the distance. When it went into the air it only had one flashing light. While the object was on the water, or close to the water, it had three real bright flashing red lights… It is not unusual to see the Navy, or aircraft, dropping things into the water there. I had never seen anything like that before but it sounds like the thing they are looking for down off Shelburne or Barrington Passage. When the object left it went straight up in the air with only one red light.
Other witnesses pick up the story about fifteen minutes later, as summarized by Chris Styles, “It began sometime after 11 o’clock October the 4th, which was a moonless clear night. People who were driving or in the area began to notice that there was a set of flashing lights in the sky…most of them reported four, some of them saw them at a sharp angle and saw only three.” The witnesses called the RCMP, and when three officers arrived on the scene, “they could still see a pale yellow object moving on the water that looked unusual, it was leaving a trail of refuse, heavy yellow foam on the surface of the water.” Lawrence Smith, the first seaman to reach the impact area, received a phone call and rushed to the dock, “and got on my boat and then proceeded onto the sea, to the area where this object had gone in the water. I saw like a foam on the water, a long strip of foam, long and narrow, and that’s all I saw that night.”
The search continued the following day and the Canadian Navy arrived at noon on October 6—by this time the event was making headlines in the Canadian press. The Chronicle Herald of Halifax had the banner headline: “COULD BE SOMETHING CONCRETE IN SHAG HARBOR UFO—RCAF.” Other papers talked of a “Hunt for Saucer,” and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation showed newsreels of the navy divers. “The Canadian naval search lasted until Sunday evening,” said Styles, “when the Maritime Command announced that the official naval search was canceled, but many witnesses seem to imply there was some kind of search effort going after that. The stated results of the military search was no results, they had recovered no debris and had no explanation for the object.”
Halifax’s Chronicle-Herald front page headline and other Canadian press stories about the Shag Harbour UFO crash. Credit: Huneeus Collection
An official memorandum from Col. Turner, Director of Operations at the RCAF Air Desk, summarized the official results: “The Rescue Coordination Centre conducted preliminary investigation and discounted the possibilities that the sighting was produced by an aircraft, flares, floats, or any other known objects.” While the first phase of the Shag Harbour incident can be documented officially, another part of the story is still shrouded in mystery. Styles’ investigation turned up a complex plot involving a second, secret search effort several miles north near Shelburne, next to a then top secret submarine detection base run jointly by the U.S. and Canada, Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Shelburne, which closed down a few years ago. Because he doesn’t have the same level of official documentation, Styles refers to this episode as “the story.” It was told to him confidentially by some divers and other retired military sources.
According to this version, as Styles wrote in a paper for the 1996 MUFON UFO Symposium Proceedings, the crippled UFO that plunged into the ocean near Shag Harbour, “navigated its way, while submerged, to a point on the seabed which lay off Shelburne County’s Government Point.” He continued,
A flotilla of ships sat over the submerged UFO. Consideration was given to the possibility of attempting a recovery operation. Procrastination was due to the fact that a second UFO was on the scene repairing the first crippled craft. The Naval operation would continue for seven days. It remained a mission of observation only. On the seventh day a Soviet submarine violated the former twelve-mile international limit and began to close on the UFO’s position. The surface ships sailed towards the approaching intruder to show challenge. Shortly thereafter, both UFOs began moving while still submerged towards the Gulf of Maine. Later in open water they surfaced, became airborne, and then flew away at high speed. The story also claims that in spite of public denials from Maritime Command, debris was recovered at the Shag Harbour impact site. The Styrofoam-like and aluminum-like debris was collected and driven to the Defense Research Establishment facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Styles concluded:
I really have trouble explaining this in conventional terms. I really try to avoid speculating, but I do feel that when you look at all the composite of evidence from the multiple witnesses, from the military response, from the implications of the physical evidence, I think it’s pretty suggestive that something, either extraterrestrial, extra-temporal or extra-dimensional is responsible. I opt for extraterrestrial myself, and that opens of course a myriad of other questions, but it did imply a nuts and bolt object that was both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic.
In 2003, an official Canada Post stamp was issued to commemorate this mysterious and still unresolved UFO case.
Shag Harbour postage stamp. Credit: Chapel Hill Historical Society
Tarija Department, southeastern Bolivia, near the border of Salta Province, Argentina, 1978
Illustration from the Argentinean magazine Gente showing witnesses looking at the cylindrical object of Tarija. The Spanish caption reads, “Saturday 6 [May 1978], 17:15 Hours. The strange object falls in Bolivia.” Credit: Huneeus Collection/Gente
The Tarija case is probably South America’s best documented and most credible UFO crash incident. There were dozens—probably hundreds—of eyewitnesses who saw a cylindrical-shaped object spewing smoke across the sky on the mid-afternoon of May 6, 1978, and crash on a remote mountain near the Bermejo River, which separates the border betweenBolivia’s Tarija Department and Argentina’s Salta Province. Others heard a loud explosion—a sonic boom heard that was heard within 120 miles that shattered windows of villages over 30 miles from the target site.Some saw a thick column of smoke rising from a mountain known in Argentina as El Taire, or El Zaire, and in Bolivia as Cerro Bravo. Although the incident was widely reported in the South American press, there was a great deal of confusion about the facts. For days it wasn’t clear if the space object had crashed in Bolivian or Argentinean territory, and there was further confusion about its origin—whether it was a meteorite, a man-made space probe, or a real UFO.
The involvement of the U.S. government in this affair provided additional intrigue. The South American press kept mentioning the arrival of NASA experts at the area, and two American military officers in civilian dress were photographed by the local press as they arrived in Tarija supposedly “on vacation.” Some reports allege that metallic fragments and even a large capsule were retrieved and quickly moved away in a U.S. Air Force Hercules cargo plane; other reports claim this was not true, and that something may still be buried under a rock slide. Yet the participation of American officials is not in doubt, as we know from a few documents released by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Air Force that Tarija indeed came under the eye of Project Moon Dust and Operation Blue Fly—two programs headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, which were tasked with retrieving sensitive space debris and “Unidentified Flying Objects,” as stated in a declassified November 1961 Air Force Intelligence memo. The two American officers in Tarija were not NASA scientists, but from the U.S. Defense Attaché Office (DAO) in La Paz, acting under Project Moon Dust guidelines.
The village of La Mamora with the “impact site” on the El Zaire Hill in Bolivia. The headline in the Argentinean weekly Radiolandia 2000 reads: “When the UFO fell, the earth trembled and we were overcome by panic.” Credit: Huneeus Collection/R. 2000
Eduardo Salmón and Bienvenido Ortega were Border Policemen with the 20th Detachment in Orán, Argentina, who were on duty in the village of Aguas Blancas on that May afternoon. A luminous flash caught their eyes, and they watched as an oval-shaped metallic-looking object crossed the sky in a northerly direction, trailing smoke. Seconds later they heard a loud explosion. The troopers were attending a soccer match, which had gathered some five hundred people at the local soccer field. Both players and spectators were astonished by the “fireball” that flew over their heads right before the explosion and the cloud of thick smoke. The closest villages to the impact area on the Bolivian side of the border were Padcaya, Mecoya, and La Mamora. Vélez Orozco was an engineer conducting a survey for a private company in Tarija when he too saw the cylindrical object. He estimated it was four meters in diameter and was conical-shaped in front. The explosion, he added, was louder than the one caused by the reentry of a meteorite a year earlier.
Corporal Natalio Farfán Ruiz was the highest military authority in La Mamora. He told Argentinean reporters:
I don’t know what would have happened if the UFO had fallen on their houses. Can you imagine? Some children live here. It was around 4:30 [p.m.] when a cylinder shook the Earth. I swear that it was horrible, I believed the end of the world was coming, but I had top have courage. After all, I was the authority.
Juan Hurtado, an agent with the Border Intelligence Service, described it this way:
It was like a huge wine container with a brilliant white color spewing smoke out of its back. I saw it quite clearly because it passed over my head. I was with three engineers of the Mining Bank in La Paz when I saw the object crash on the hill of El Zaire. The impact was so strong that it threw me down to the ground. In that moment, the whole Earth trembled.
Eventually, the Bolivian Air Force flew three single-engine AT-6 planes over the area and detected a large rockslide over the southern slopes of Cerro Bravo. The area is extremely rugged and of difficult access. Several expeditions attempted to reach the exact impact site, but only the second group, headed by Major Germán Callejas, was able to locate the rockslide around May 24. A great deal of confusion surrounded the case by that time. On May 14, the Buenos Aires newspaper Clarín reported that the object had been recovered—“a metallic-dull cylinder, four meters long and with some dents”—and that NASA officials would take charge of it. A sketch of the alleged retrieved object published by Clarín resembled a Gemini or Apollo space capsule. There was also a great deal of apprehension that it could be a Soviet nuclear satellite—Cosmos 954 had crashed in northern Canada only three months earlier on January 24, 1978. Finally, there was talk of a meteorite, although my own personal inquiries with the Smithsonian’s Scientific Event Alert Network (SEAN), which tracks natural disasters, showed no meteorite fall in Bolivia in May 1978.
The South American press was full of stories of NASA officials arriving in Tarija, but the truth is that the two military officers who showed up, Col. Robert Simmons and Major John Heisse, were most likely from the U.S. Defense Attaché Office (DAO) in La Paz, who were acting on behalf of Project Moon Dust, which oversaw the retrieval of downed space objects. We know the U.S. government was involved because at least some documents from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Air Force were later obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Key among these documents is a May 18 telegram, classified “Secret,” and bearing the name of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, although it was drafted by Col. Robert Eddington from the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans, International Environment, and Scientific Affairs. The message indicated that the Tarija case, “has been checked with appropriate government agencies. No direct correlation with known space objects that may have reentered the earth’s atmosphere near May 6 can be made. However, we are continuing to examine any possibilities.” The message then referred the U.S. Embassy in La Paz to, “State Airgram A-6343 of July 26, 1973 which provides background information and guidance for dealing with space objects that have been found.” Secretary Vance concluded: “In particular any information pertaining to the pre-impact observations, direction or trajectory, number of objects observed, time of impact and a detailed description including any markings would be helpful.”
U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance’s “Secret” telex, “Report of Fallen Space Object,” concerning the May 1978 Tarija case. Credit: Huneeus Collection
Additional data is provided by a couple of documents from the DAO in La Paz under the subject of Moon Dust. “This office has tried to verify the stories put forth in…the local press,” informed the DAO, adding that their office had contacted the chief of staff of the Bolivian Air Force and the commander of the Bolivian Army, both of whom indicated that search parties were “directed to go into the area to find the object but found nothing.” Two independent American investigators, the seasoned National Enquirer reporter Bob Pratt and Charles Tucker of the International UFO Investigating Bureau, actually visited the area and interviewed many witnesses, including the members of the Bolivian expeditions. Pratt tried to reach the crash site himself but couldn’t because of the difficulties of the terrain. In a 1984 letter, Pratt wrote that “a lot of misinformation has been published about this incident. I am certain, however, that the area was not cordoned off by the military, that no object was recovered by NASA or anyone else, that no Hercules picked up anything.” Pratt finished his letter by stating that, “I believe something crashed into the mountain and was buried under the landslide it created. But the six people I know who have personally inspected the site could find no debris of any kind. Whatever struck there is probably going to remain buried there.”
Dalnegorsk, Russian Pacific Coast, 1986
Although there are several reported UFO crashes in Russia and the republics of the old Soviet Union, the Dalnegorsk incident of 1986 is unique because it is one of the few cases where metallic fragments were recovered and analyzed by scientists with the results openly published. A number of unique circumstances made this possible. The principal investigator of the case, Dr. Valery Dvuzhilny, led a group from the Far Eastern Commission on Anomalous Phenomena, and the timing coincided with the then newly implemented policies of glasnost and perestroika issued by Mikhail Gorbachev, which allowed the publication of the case. Dvuzhilny also corresponded extensively with Western researchers, sending copies of his reports and photos of the recovered evidence.
Dalnegorsk is a small city near Russia’s Pacific Coast, on the Sea of Japan, just north of Vladivostok. The story begins at 7:55 p.m., on January 29, 1986, with the collision of an unknown object on Hill 611 in Dalnegorsk. One of the reports by Dr. Dvuzhilny summarized the events:
Residents of the settlements observed a reddish-orange sphere the size of a half full moon, which flew from the southwest at 260 degrees. Its altitude was 700-800 meters. The flight was parallel to the surface of the Earth, without the angles which are characteristic for meteorites. The witnesses heard absolutely no noises. The calculated speed by chronometer was 15 meters per second. There was no change of direction or altitude.
The object then approached the Izvestkovaya Mountain, or Hill 611, which has an elevation of 600 meters and is located at the center of the city. “The object made a dive and went at an angle of 60-70 degrees on the cliff ledge, where it ‘fell’ and burned for an hour,” continued the report, “some of the witnesses affirm that it rose and lowered itself six times, and that its light was intensified during its rise and weakened during its lowering.” Dvuzhilny and his team arrived on the scene on February 3, finding a number of physical traces, which included lead and iron balls, bits of glass, a fine mesh or netting, traces of high temperature activity, magnetic anomalies, and damage to nearby trees and stumps.
The materials were analyzed by several laboratories and research institutes; the results were quite enigmatic, leading Dvuzhilny and other scientists to conclude that the Dalnegorsk object was probably an artificial space probe of non-terrestrial origin. According to one report published in the influential newspaper, Socialist Industry (now Rabochaya Tribuna), “in the scales (or mesh), almost all the elements of the entire periodic table were found.” Special analysis of the lead balls, for instance, showed that besides lead, they contained silicon (20%), aluminum (10%), iron (15%), zinc (1.5%), titanium (2%), magnesium (1%) and silver (2%), as well as minute portions of copper, lanthanum, praseodymium, calcium, sodium, vanadium, cerium, chrome, cobalt, nickel, and molybdenum.
Metallic fragments consisting of a fine mesh or netting retrieved by scientists at Hill 611 in 1986. Credit: ICUFON Archives/V. Dvuzhilny
The scales, or mesh, reacted in a very strange manner during the laboratory analysis. The Socialist Industry report described how one of the scientists, A. Makeev, “presented the [X-ray] structural analysis and showed that from one scale, after melting it in a vacuum, all of a sudden gold, silver, and nickel disappeared. But there appeared alpha-titanium and molybdenum. In another scale, the metals did not appear at all. And for some reason, after the heating, there appeared beryllium sulfide.”
There were still further surprises, such as “six areas of magnetized silica rock” (silica is a non-magnetic material) found on the crash site. These results were published by A. Petukhov and T. Faminskaya, members of the Council of Scientific and Engineering Sciences’ Commission on Paranormal Events. “Vivid interest was also evoked by the mesh, a carbon-based composite of unknown origin,” wrote Petukhov and Faminskaya, “the specimen was found to include quartz filaments 17 microns thick, and golden wires inside the filament.” All this evidence led some investigators to conclude that something alien had indeed crashed at Hill 611. V. Vysotsky, Doctor of Chemistry from Vladivostok, stated: “Undoubtedly, this is a high-technology product and not a thing of natural or terrestrial origin.” Dvuzhilny proposed that it was “an automatic scout probe” of alien origin, and rejected the alternative hypothesis that it could have been a natural plasmoid.
Still another hypothesis was offered by Yuli Platov, a senior researcher with the Institute of Earth Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radiowave Propagation of the USSR Academy of Sciences as well as a noted UFO skeptic. Platov wrote that the Dalnegorsk phenomenon, “in reality was connected with the conduct of a technical experiment.” This is a polite way of saying the Hill 611 object was probably a secret Soviet military aircraft or spacecraft; yet, if this was the case why wasn’t Hill 611 immediately cordoned-off by Soviet troops and the material hushed away by the KGB? Why were scientists and technicians from the civilian, rather than the military industrial sector, allowed to conduct their investigation more or less openly and parade their puzzling results to the local and national media? Moreover, neither Platov nor anyone else ever produced any supporting evidence to back their experimental craft hypothesis. Dvuzhilny also noted that there were no rocket launches and no civilian or military traffic over Dalnegorsk on the night of January 29, 1986.
Regardless of its ultimate origin, the crash on Hill 611 was only the beginning of an intense UFO wave around Dalnegorsk. For instance, another report by Dvuzhilny indicates that, “on February 6, 1986, eight days after the UFO crash, there appeared from the north two yellow globes at 8:30 p.m. They approached the crash spot, made four circles over it and disappeared with a flash.” By and large, however, the largest display of UFOs occurred on the night of November 28, 1987. Dvuzhilny wrote: “On Saturday November 28, 1987, 33 UFOs were flying at a low height over the Eastern coast of Primorye. Their flights took place between 9:10 pm and midnight. They were of different shape: cylinders, cigars, globes. They were flying over five regions and twelve settlements.”
UFO photographed over Dalnegorsk. Credit: ICUFON Archives/V. Dvuzhilny
Inquiries made by Dvuzhilny showed there had been no flights of civil or military aircraft at that time, and that no rockets were launched from Soviet Cosmodromes. In total, thirteen UFOs flew over Dalnegorsk itself. They were seen by over a hundred witnesses, including military personnel, militia (police), border guards, and sailors, as well as all kind of civilian workers who were questioned by the Far Eastern Commission. Still more sightings occurred in the months to come. The Commission recorded forty-five UFO sightings in 1987, fifteen in 1988, and thirty-two in 1989.Statistics for the 1990s were not included in the reports sent to the U.S. by Dr. Dvuzhilny, but what was included—all the evidence reviewed here—is quite extraordinary.
Reconstruction by the Far East Commission on Anomalous Phenomena of the UFO wave of November 28, 1987 around Dalnegorsk and other areas in Russia’s Pacific coast. Credit: ICUFON Archives/V. Dvuzhilny
THE METALLIC SPHERES – A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Some of the Project Moon Dust documents declassified by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) include reports of mysterious metallic spheres found scattered in many countries around the world like Bolivia, Chad, and New Zealand. Other similar cases not in the DIA documents were reported in Argentina and Mexico. Usually these cases were readily identified as some kind of space junk, but occasionally they were treated as fragments from crashed UFOs. A couple of these spheres are even on display at the “Visión OVNI” (UFO Vision) Museum in Victoria in the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina. Among the Mexican cases, one was found in Chiapas in 1996, two in Tamaulipas in 1994 and 1996, and another obtained by famous TV journalist Jaime Maussán in 2008, all of which were claimed as possibly UFO-related fragments. Yet there can be little doubt that all these “space balls” are mundane parts of the Russian or American space programs and not real UFO artifacts.
One of the space spheres on display at the UFO Vision Museum in Victoria, Argentina; photo of George Adamski in the background. Credit: Open Minds Production
Here is a representative Moon Dust memo from the Republic of Chad in Africa, dated October 10, 1970:
This report forwards photographs of object believed to come under Project ‘MOON DUST’. The object was seen falling in an area 30 kms N.E. of LAI (0924N-1618E) on 1 August 1970. It produced three loud explosions on landing and was said to have burned for five days. The sphere weighs 30 pounds and has a circumference of four feet. A second object was found in the same general area. It however, resembles au automobile shaft. Photographs of this object are forwarded.
A longer Moon Dust document, dated August 17, 1979, concerns “an unidentified object having been found on a farm near Santa Cruz” in Bolivia, described as “about three times the size of a basketball.” The document quoted the director of the Air Force Academy, Col. Ariel Coca, as stating, “The sphere is made of special light ally but very resistant, possibly a fuel tank or a part of a satellite! The object does not have any signs or marks that could identify its origin nor the country to which it belongs.”
Two space spheres on display in the patio of the Firmat Museum in Santa Fe, Argentina. Credit: Open Minds Production
The argument in favor of the extraterrestrial origin of these spheres made by some ufologists in Mexico and Argentina is that they are extremely hard, almost impossible to burn or cut. But this is what you would expect of a fuel tank for a spacecraft, designed to be ejected for earth reentry once the fuel is used; it has to be made of metals able to withstand the space launch or the satellite or spacecraft could be in danger. Mexican engineer Luis Ruiz Noguez, a well-known UFO skeptic, explained that the alloy, which is composed of titanium, vanadium, and aluminum, shown in the 1994 and 1996 Mexican spheres “is chiefly utilized in the manufacture of fuel tanks for artificial satellites due to their high resistance to corrosion and temperature.” While the spheres at Argentina’s Visión OVNI Museum are exhibited as true UFO artifacts, another local museum in Paraná has a couple of similar spheres that the Russian space program has acknowledged as part of a Russian space probe.
A space sphere that fell in Mexico in 2008, now in the possession of Jaime Maussán. Notice the extensive damage inflicted due to reentry. Credit: Open Minds Production
These spheres provide a useful cautionary tale in learning how to distinguish prosaic man-made space objects from true unknown devices. There is a good possibility that many so-called UFO crashes have a terrestrial origin, but others are still enigmatic and so far unexplained.
A version of this article originally appeared in Issue #8 (June/July 2011) of Open Minds UFO Magazine. Back issues can be found here.
UFO made cloud over Antelope Island, Utah June 20, 2025, UAP Alien Sighting News. Strange Sky
UFO made cloud over Antelope Island, Utah June 20, 2025, UAP Alien Sighting News. Strange Sky
Date of sighting: June 20, 2025
Location of sighting: Antelope Park, Utah, USA
Source: Self recorded
As I have said over the years, aliens of all alien species out there...like to view themselves as superior in all ways to humans. This includes outwitting them by hiding in the most obvious ways possible. But we know of past UFO research that UFOs not only hide in clouds, but often create the clouds themselves to hide within. This is another example of such a UFO cloaked within a cloud over Utah that I personally recorded last night.
Skull found cut into island 🏝️ in Canada, 10,000+ years old! Ancient alien sign, they look like us, UFO UAP Sighting News
Skull found cut into island 🏝️ in Canada, 10,000+ years old! Ancient alien sign, they look like us, UFO UAP Sighting News
Date of discovery: June 2025
Location of discovery: Alert Bay Island, Canada
Guys check this out. There is an human-like skull that measures over a hundred meters across hidden below the surface of the water at the edge of this island. Aliens long ago, knew humans and others would be here...and they hid signs of intelligent life, here and there for us to find. Many humans call this coincidence...and maybe because of them...aliens judge us as not ready yet.
Wetenschappelijke Analyse: De Verandering van Kleuren in de Oceanen en de Betekenis voor het Klimaat en Ecosysteem
Wetenschappelijke Analyse: De Verandering van Kleuren in de Oceanen en de Betekenis voor het Klimaat en Ecosysteem
Inleiding
De oceanen vormen het grootste aquatische ecosysteem op aarde, met een cruciale rol in het wereldwijde klimaat, het zuurstofniveau in de atmosfeer, en de biodiversiteit. Recente wetenschappelijke rapporten en satellietwaarnemingen wijzen op een opvallende verandering in de kleur van de oceanen. Dit fenomeen, dat op het eerste gezicht esthetisch en onbeduidend lijkt, heeft diepgaande implicaties voor de oceanografie, klimaatwetenschap en ecologie. In deze analyse wordt de wetenschappelijke basis van de waargenomen kleurverandering onderzocht, inclusief de onderliggende processen, de methoden voor waarneming, en de mogelijke gevolgen voor het mondiale ecosysteem.
Waarnemingen en Methodologie
De toename of verandering in oceaankleuren wordt voornamelijk gedocumenteerd via satellietbeelden en remote sensing-technologieën. Satellieten zoals NASA’s MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) en ESA’s Sentinel-3 gebruiken spectroradiometrische instrumenten om de reflectie en absorptie van licht door het oceaanwater te meten. Deze metingen maken het mogelijk om de kleur van het water te kwantificeren in termen van de reflectie in verschillende golflengten, die vervolgens worden vertaald naar kwantitatieve parameters zoals chlorofyl-a concentraties en de aanwezigheid van plankton of andere deeltjes.
De waarnemingen laten zien dat bepaalde oceanen en oceanische regio’s, zoals de Noord-Atlantische Oceaan, de gebieden rond de Indische Oceaan en de Stille Oceaan, in de loop van de afgelopen decennia een duidelijke verandering in kleur vertonen. Vaak wordt deze verandering gekenmerkt door een intensivering van de groene en bruine tinten, wat wijst op een verhoogde aanwezigheid van fytoplankton en organisch materiaal in het water. Het gebruik van algoritmes voor het analyseren van satellietbeelden maakt het mogelijk om deze veranderingen te kwantificeren en te volgen over tijd.
Fysiologische en Biologische Oorzaken
De primaire oorzaak van de verandering in oceaankleuren wordt toegeschreven aan de toename van fytoplankton, microscopische fotosynthetische organismen die een belangrijke rol spelen in de koolstofcyclus en het zuurstofniveau in de atmosfeer. De verhoogde aanwezigheid van fytoplankton wordt vaak gekoppeld aan verhoogde nutrientenconcentraties in het water, zoals stikstof en fosfor, die de groei van deze organismen stimuleren.
Deze nutrienten kunnen afkomstig zijn uit verschillende bronnen:
Landelijke afvoer en rivierwater: Door intensieve landbouw en stedelijke afvoer wordt een verhoogde hoeveelheid nutrienten in rivierwater geloosd, dat vervolgens in de oceaan terechtkomt.
Zeewatervervuiling en industriële emissies: Sommige regio’s krijgen te maken met anthropogene vervuiling die de nutrientenbalans beïnvloedt.
Klimaatverandering en oceaanstraling: Toenemende temperaturen en veranderende oceaanstromingen zorgen voor een betere menging en distributie van nutrienten en organisch materiaal.
Een hogere concentratie van fytoplankton leidt tot een toename in chlorofyl-a, wat direct gerelateerd is aan de groene tinten in de oceaan. Deze verhoogde algengroei, vaak aangeduid als “algenbloei”, kan natuurlijk voorkomen, maar wordt in veel gevallen versterkt door menselijke activiteiten.
Naast fytoplankton kunnen ook andere deeltjes, zoals sedimenten, zand en organisch materiaal, bijdragen aan de kleurverandering. Sedimenten die door rivierafvoer worden meegenomen, kunnen bijvoorbeeld de waterkleur donkerder maken, vooral in kustgebieden.
Uit het nieuwe onderzoek blijkt dat 21% van de wereldwijde oceaan een afname van de diepte van de verlichte zones heeft ervaren.
Krediet: Getty
Chemische en Fysische Processen
De verandering van oceaankleuren wordt niet alleen beïnvloed door biologische factoren, maar ook door fysische en chemische processen die de optische eigenschappen van water bepalen:
Veranderingen in de lichtabsorptie en -reflectie: De aanwezigheid van organisch materiaal en deeltjes beïnvloedt hoe licht wordt gereflecteerd en geabsorbeerd. Fytoplankton en organisch materiaal absorberen licht in specifieke golflengten, wat leidt tot een verschuiving in de waargenomen kleur.
Oceaanstraling en temperatuur: Hogere temperaturen kunnen leiden tot een verhoogde fotosynthetische activiteit en algengroei, wat op zijn beurt de kleur beïnvloedt.
Oceaanstromingen en menging: Verschillende watermassa's mengen elkaar, waardoor de samenstelling en kleur van het water kunnen veranderen. Bijvoorbeeld, verplaatsingen van koud en warm water kunnen leiden tot regionale kleurveranderingen.
Een donker wordende fotische zone zou dieren kunnen dwingen om dichter naar het oppervlak te gaan, waar de concurrentie om hulpbronnen groter is, aldus de onderzoekers.
Krediet: Getty
Ecologische en Klimaatimplicaties
De waargenomen verandering in oceaankleuren heeft belangrijke ecologische gevolgen:
Veranderingen in het mariene ecosysteem: Een toename in fytoplankton kan leiden tot “algenbloei”, die op zijn beurt de zuurstofvoorziening in het water beïnvloedt. Bij massale algenbloei kunnen dood organisch materiaal en afbraakprocessen zuurstoftekorten veroorzaken, wat bekend staat als hypoxie of “dead zones”.
Effect op het voedselweb: Fytoplankton vormt de basis van het mariene voedselweb. Een verandering in de hoeveelheid en types van fytoplankton heeft directe gevolgen voor het hele mariene ecosysteem. Een toename kan leiden tot een verschuiving in de soortenrijkdom en de biodiversiteit. Sommige soorten fytoplankton kunnen giftige stoffen produceren, wat de voedselketen kan verontreinigen en schadelijk kan zijn voor zeezoogdieren, vissen en menselijke consumptie. Daarnaast kunnen veranderingen in de samenstelling van de fytoplanktongemeenschap de populaties van andere mariene organismen beïnvloeden, zoals kleine kreeftachtigen (krill) en planktoneters, wat verder de stabiliteit van het ecosysteem onder druk zet.
Klimaatverandering en oceaanverzuring versterken deze effecten nog verder. Door de opwarming van de aarde neemt de oceaanopwarming toe, wat de stratificatie van het water vergemakkelijkt. Dit betekent dat warme, minder gemengde oppervlaktewaterlagen langer blijven bestaan, waardoor de toevoer van voedingsstoffen naar het oppervlakte vermindert. Dit kan leiden tot minder productieve gebieden voor fytoplankton, maar in sommige regio’s kunnen warmere omstandigheden juist een toename van bepaalde soorten veroorzaken. Tegelijkertijd zorgt de opname van CO2 door de oceaan voor verzuring, wat de groei en het functioneren van kalkproducerende organismen zoals koraal en schelpdieren beïnvloedt.
De ecologische gevolgen van dergelijke veranderingen zijn ingrijpend. Bijvoorbeeld, de afname van kalkhoudende organismen kan het mariene voedselweb verder destabiliseren, aangezien veel van deze organismen een essentiële rol spelen in het ecosysteem. Bovendien kunnen grote algenbloei en de daaropvolgende hypoxie leiden tot massale sterfte onder zeeleven, wat niet alleen de biodiversiteit aantast, maar ook de visserij en lokale gemeenschappen die afhankelijk zijn van gezonde oceanen.
Klimaatimplicaties kunnen zich verder uiten in de versterking van de klimaatverandering zelf. Oceanen functioneren als een koolstofput, maar de versnelde opname van CO2 en de daarmee gepaard gaande verzuring verminderen hun capaciteit om koolstof op te slaan. Dit versterkt de opwarming van de aarde en versnelt de negatieve ecologische effecten.
Bovendien beïnvloeden de veranderingen in oceaankleuren en de bijbehorende ecologische processen ook het wereldwijde klimaat. Een verstoord marien ecosysteem kan leiden tot veranderingen in de koolstofcyclus en de wereldwijde temperatuurregulatie. Dit onderstreept het belang van het monitoren van oceaanveranderingen en het nemen van passende maatregelen om de negatieve gevolgen te beperken.
A world map showing changes in global photic zones between 2003 and 2022. Reds indicate regions where the oceans are getting darker, while blues indicate regions where oceans are getting lighter and white indicates regions where there was no statistically significant change over the period.
Credit: University of Plymouth
Conclusie
Het observeren van veranderingen in oceaankleuren biedt belangrijke inzichten in de ecologische en klimaatimplicaties van de recente milieuveranderingen. De toename van fytoplankton en de daaruit voortvloeiende algenbloei kunnen zowel positieve als negatieve effecten hebben op het mariene ecosysteem. Echter, de negatieve gevolgen, zoals hypoxie, verlies van biodiversiteit en verstoring van het voedselweb, wegen op lange termijn zwaarder. Klimaatverandering en oceaanverzuring versterken deze problemen en maken het noodzakelijk dat wereldwijd actie wordt ondernomen. Het beschermen van onze oceanen vergt een geïntegreerde aanpak, inclusief vermindering van broeikasgasemissies, duurzame visserijpraktijken en het bevorderen van mariene biodiversiteit. Alleen door bewustwording en collectieve inspanning kunnen we de ecologische en klimaatimplicaties beperken en zorgen voor een gezonde oceaan voor toekomstige generaties.
For some reason, orb or sphere-shaped UFOs keep appearing all over the world. They are usually metallic-looking and there is almost never a solid explanation for what they are or why they are flying around.
In 2023, a group that was formed by NASA to study UFOs that was made up of “some of the world’s leading scientists, data and artificial intelligence practitioners, aerospace safety experts” revealed in a public briefing that a large number of unexplained metallic orbs have been reported being seen at high altitudes around the world.
Since then, a sphere-shaped UFO was filmed darting back and forth in a zig-zag motion above a city in Colombia, another was reported by a Connecticut police officer, and one more was photographed by a visitor to Exmouth Beach in Devon, England. And those are just a few of the orb-shaped UFO sightings that have garnered media attention.
This latest orb-shaped UFO video was reportedly captured on June 5th at around 7 p.m. local time by a witness in Beijing, China.
“I was walking and taking photos of the scenery on the shallow area of Shayukou Reservoir,” the witness stated. “At first, I saw a metallic spherical object flying eastward above the water surface from the west side of the reservoir. At that time, it seemed to hover occasionally before continuing to fly, and it disappeared behind a hill. I initially thought it was just a strange hydrogen balloon and didn’t pay much attention.
“Around 7:30 p.m., as I was about to head back, the sphere reappeared in the south. There was no wind at all, and the evening was very quiet. Surprisingly, the sphere was able to fly at varying altitudes, hovering midway before continuing to fly. I watched for a few minutes and became certain it was definitely not a balloon or a drone. I then started filming, but the object was strange — every time I filmed for a short while, it would move behind the trees. Whenever I thought it had completely disappeared, it would reappear. This continued intermittently for over ten minutes, during which I recorded three video clips. After the last clip, it disappeared completely.”
Once again, no explanation has been provided. So, what are all of these orb-shaped UFOs that keep appearing all over the world? And what is their purpose? We may never know.
Mars isn't a bright, fire-engine red, but the iron oxide in its rocks makes it appear redder than other planets, especially from afar.
Siccar Point, photographed by the Curiosity rover, is near Mars' Gale Crater.
(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS; Processing & License: Kevin M. Gill)
Is Mars really as red as people say it is? – Jasmine, age 14, Everson, Washington
People from cultures across the world have been looking atMars since ancient times. Because it appears reddish, it has often been called the red planet.
The English name for the planet comes from the Romans, who named it after their god of war because its color reminded them of blood. In reality, the reddish color of Mars comes from iron oxide in the rocks and dust covering its surface.
Your blood is also red because of a mixture of iron and oxygen in a molecule called hemoglobin. So in a way, the ancient connection between the planet Mars and blood wasn't completely wrong. Rust, which is a common form of iron oxide found here on Earth, also often has a reddish color.
In my current research on exoplanets, I observe different types of signals from planets beyond Earth. Lots of interesting physics goes into how researchers perceive the colors of planets and stars through different types of telescopes.
Observing Mars with probes
If you look closely at pictures of Mars taken by rovers on its surface, you can see that most of the planet isn't purely red, but more of a rusty brown or tan color.
You can see Mars' rusty color in this photo taken by the Viking lander. (Image credit: NASA/JPL)
Probes sent from Earth have taken pictures showing rocks with a rusty color. A 1976 picture from the Viking lander, the very first spacecraft to land on Mars, shows the Martian ground covered with a layer of rusty orange dust.
Not all of Mars' surface has the same color. At the poles, its ice caps appear white. These ice caps contain frozen water, like the ice we usually find on Earth, but these ice caps are also covered by a layer of frozen carbon dioxide — dry ice.
This layer of dry ice can evaporate very quickly when sunlight shines on it and grows back again when it becomes dark. This process causes the white ice caps to grow and shrink in size depending on the Martian seasons.
This picture from the Hubble Space Telescope shows the planet with the same rusty color covering large parts of its surface.(Image credit: NASA, ESA, Zolt G. Levay (STScI))
Beyond visible light
Mars also gives off light in colors that you can't see with your eyes but that scientists can measure with special cameras on telescopes.
Light itself can be thought of not only as a wave but also as a stream of particles called photons. The amount of energy carried by each photon is related to its color. For example, blue and violet photons have more energy than orange and red photons.
Ultraviolet photons have even more energy than the photons you can see with your eyes. These photons are found in direct sunlight, and because they have so much energy, they can damage the cells in your body. You can use sunscreen to protect yourself from them.
Infrared photons have less energy than the photons you can see with your eyes, and you don't need any special protection from them. This is how some types of night-vision goggles work: They can see light in the infrared spectrum as well as the visible color spectrum. Scientists can take pictures of Mars in the infrared spectrum using special cameras that work almost like night-vision goggles for telescopes.
The colors on the infrared picture aren't really what the infrared light looks like, because you can't see those colors with your eyes. They are called "false colors," and researchers add them to look at the picture more easily.
A UV view of Mars with the MAVEN spacecraft. (Image credit: NASA/LASP/CU Boulder)
When you compare the visible color picture and the infrared picture, you can see some of the same features — and the ice caps are visible in both sets of colors.
NASA's MAVEN spacecraft, launched in 2013, has even taken pictures with ultraviolet light, giving scientists a different view of both the surface of Mars and its atmosphere.
Astronomers are always looking for new ways to take telescope pictures outside of the regular visible spectrum. They can even make images using radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays. Each part of the spectrum they can use to look at an object in space represents new information they can learn from.
Even though people have been looking at Mars since ancient times, we still have much to learn about this fascinating neighbor.
An artist rendition of comet C/2014 UN271, the largest known comet in the Oort Cloud. Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/M.Weiss
A team of astronomers has recently completed a long-range observation of a comet far from the Sun. This analysis proves that there’s lots going on, even in the icy depths of the solar system.
The targeted comet is C/2014 UN271 Bernardinelli-Bernstein. Comet UN271 is one of the largest Oort Cloud comets ever observed, measuring 140 kilometers across. It's currently at a distance of 16.5 Astronomical Units (AU) from the Sun, which makes it tough to observe with all but the largest telescopes. Astronomers have used the powerful Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile to observe the comet, watching as jets of carbon monoxide gas are erupting from its nucleus. This is a surprising level of activity for a comet that's so far from the Sun.
ALMA telescopes on the Chajnantor Plateau.
Credit: ALMA/NSF/ESO
Comet UN271 was discovered in 2014 by astronomers Gary Bernstein and Pedro Bernardinelli. They noticed the faint fuzzball in archival images from the Dark Energy Survey, moving slowly as a +22nd magnitude smudge through the constellation Sculptor.
A Far Ranging Orbit
Almost immediately, astronomers knew Comet UN271 was something special, as its slow motion through the sky suggested it was far out in the solar system, and therefore quite large. After following the comet for a bit, astronomers realized it was 29 AU from the Sun at the time of discovery—about ¾ of the way to Pluto from the Sun—and had a nucleus about 120 kilometers (75 miles) across. For context, Halley’s Comet has a nucleus just 15 kilometers across. This puts Comet UN271 up there in terms of size, as the largest Oort Cloud comet seen to date.
The discovery image for Comet UN271 (annotated).
Credit: NOIRLab.
We’re fortunate to see Comet UN271 on its perihelion approach. In January 2031, the comet will pass 10.9 AU from the Sun, just outside the orbit of Saturn. On a 2.8-million-year orbit inbound, the comet will then head out of the solar system on a 4.6-million-year orbit outbound, for a far-off aphelion 55,000 AU from the Sun. That’s 87% of a light-year away, about a fifth of the way to Proxima Centauri, the nearest star.
The orbit of Comet UN271 through the solar system.
Credit: NASA/JPL Horizons.
The difference in orbit inbound versus outbound for the comet is due to its interaction with solar system planets while it's near the Sun. Any new comet entering the inner solar system stands about a 40% chance of having its orbit altered. Likely, Comet UN271 was knocked off its Oort Cloud perch by a stellar pass near the solar system that sent sunward, long ago.
Looking at a cold distant object like Comet UN271 really pushed the sensitivity and resolution of ALMA to its limits. The thermal signal received by ALMA will not only help to refine the comet’s size, but also help to chronicle the dust production rate seen.
"These measurements give us a look at how this enormous, icy world works," says Nathan Roth (NASA/GSFC) in a recent press release. "We're seeing explosive outgassing patterns that raise new questions about how this comet will evolve as it continues its journey towards the inner solar system."
False color images of Comet UN271, showing activity.
Credit: ALMA/NSF/ESO.
Not only was this a record-setting detection in terms of distance, but it also demonstrates that comets can still display activity, far from the Sun.
No missions are planned to give us a view of Comet UN271 up close. The European Space Agency does have a mission named Comet Interceptor in the works that would loiter in the inner solar system, ready to chase down the next big comet. Comet Interceptor is planned for launch in 2029.
The Hubble Space Telescope imaged Comet UN271 in January 2022. We should get good views of the comet from the James Webb Space Telescope leading up to perihelion if it's ever tasked to observe it. The Vera Rubin Observatory, which is set to reveal its very first images next week could provide amazing views of the comet as well in the years to come.
Hubble's view of Comet UN271 in 2022.
Credit: NASA/HST/STScI
And yes, a comet the size of UN271 would spell a bad day for Earth, though in this case, it isn’t coming anywhere near the inner solar system. UN271 is 12 times the size of the Chicxulub impactor (which was only about 10 kilometers across) that struck the Earth 66 million years ago, so it would definitely be an extinction-level event if something the size of UN271 ever came our way.
A size comparison for other known comets, versus UN271.
Credit: NASA/ESA/Zena Levy/STScI
Too bad Comet UN271 won’t visit the inner solar system... (just not too close!) It’s bigger than Hale-Bopp, and would provide an amazing show. For now, we’ll have to wait for the next Oort Cloud interloper to turn up. Still, the appearance of Comet UN271 shows us just what might be lurking out there, in the remote realms of the outer solar system.
Artist's impression of Planet Nine as an ice giant eclipsing the central Milky Way, with a star-like Sun in the distance. Neptune's orbit is shown as a small ellipse around the Sun. (Credit : Nagual Design)
For years, astronomers have been searching for a mysterious ninth planet lurking in the dark outer reaches of our Solar System. Now, a team of researchers have taken a completely different approach to this cosmic detective story, instead of looking for reflected sunlight, they're hunting for the planet's own heat signature.
The story begins with a puzzle in the outer Solar System. Scientists noticed that small icy bodies called Kuiper Belt Objects, which orbit far beyond Neptune, seem to be clustered together in unusual ways. Their orbits are aligned in patterns that shouldn't exist by chance alone. The leading and most tantalising explanation…. a massive, undiscovered planet (dubbed "Planet Nine”) is gravitationally shepherding these distant objects into their strange orbits.
Known objects in the Kuiper belt beyond the orbit of Neptune. Scale in Astronomical Units. Sun at centre, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune depicted as J, S, U and N
(Credit : Minor Planet Center)
If it exists, Planet Nine would be a true giant, roughly 5-10 times the mass of Earth, orbiting somewhere between 400-800 times farther from the Sun than our planet does. At such an enormous distance, it would be incredibly faint and nearly impossible to spot with traditional telescope searches that rely on detecting reflected sunlight.
This is where the new research gets ingenious. Led by Amos Chen from the National Tsing Hua University, the team realised that searching for Planet Nine's heat signature could be far more effective than looking for its reflected light. Here's why: when you double the distance from the Sun, reflected light becomes 16 times fainter (following what scientists call an inverse fourth-power relationship). But thermal radiation, the heat that all objects naturally emit, only becomes 4 times fainter when you double the distance.
Thermal image of Jupiter from JWST
(Credit : NASA/ESA)
The researchers turned to data from AKARI, a Japanese space telescope that conducted the most sensitive all-sky survey in far infrared light, the perfect wavelength range to detect the heat signature of a cold, distant planet. Unlike ground based telescopes that are hampered by Earth's atmosphere, AKARI could detect the faint thermal glow that Planet Nine should emit.
The team focused their search on a specific region of sky where computer simulations suggested Planet Nine was most likely to be found, based upon the orbital patterns of the Kuiper Belt Objects. They then faced the challenging task of distinguishing a slowly moving planet from the countless stars, galaxies, and cosmic debris that populate this region.
They had a rather elegant solution however, Planet Nine should appear stationary over the course of a single day but show detectable movement over months. By comparing AKARI observations taken at different times, they could identify objects with this specific type of motion while filtering out cosmic rays, background galaxies, and other false signals.
Illustration of JAXA's infrared astronomy satellite ASTRO-F "AKARI"
(Credit : JAXA)
After this meticulous analysis, the researchers identified two candidates. Both objects appear in the predicted location and emit the amount of infrared light that theory suggests Planet Nine should produce. While this doesn't constitute definitive proof, it represents the most promising lead in the search for our Solar System's hidden giant.
These discoveries mark an important milestone, but the journey isn't over. The candidates require follow up observations with more powerful telescopes to confirm whether they're truly moving in ways consistent with Planet Nine, or whether they're imposters, perhaps background galaxies or other astronomical objects.
If confirmed, the discovery of Planet Nine would revolutionise our understanding of how our Solar System formed and evolved. It would also demonstrate the power of thinking creatively about astronomical searches, sometimes the best way to find something isn't to look directly at it, but to feel its warmth instead!
Dragon shaped river, an alien sign Reptilians left for us to find, UFO UAP sighting breaking news
Dragon shaped river, an alien sign Reptilians left for us to find, UFO UAP sighting breaking news.
Date of discovery: June 18, 2025
Location of discovery:Ticha Reservoir, Bulgaria
Google Coordinates: 42°52′11.2″N, 26°54′21.8″E
Aliens...those ancient aliens that came long ago...so many different species...and each one left hundred maybe thousands of signs that they were here...and they did it on purpose for us to one day find. Well, here is one of their signs...and I think it was the Reptilians that left it for us. An alien species resembling a reptile...and here is a lake resembling a reptile of legends...a dragon. This is 100% proof that aliens came, left signs for us to find, and knew we would be here to see them one day.
I want to thank the follower who emailed me at scwaring @ yahoo.com and told me about this cool bear photo...which led me to look deeper into it finding the ancient city, crashed ship, air vents and more. The circle of the fake crater wall is 2 miles across, making the structure in the mouth of the bear at least 100-200 meters across, also the ship is 200 meters long! You have to see the video to understand...is just undeniable proof that intelligent aliens lived, thrived and died on Mars.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:Ruins, strange artifacts on other planets, moons, ed ( Fr, EN, NL )
“They’re Never Going to Give This Up”: What George Knapp and Jeremy Corbell Reveal About UFO Sightings
“They’re Never Going to Give This Up”: What George Knapp and Jeremy Corbell Reveal About UFO Sightings
In recent years, the conversation around UFO sightings has shifted from fringe conspiracy to legitimate national-security concern. Veteran investigative journalist George Knapp and documentary filmmaker Jeremy Corbell, hosts of the Weaponized podcast, sat down to dissect this seismic shift—and why those in power still resist full transparency.
1. The Slow Unraveling: From Taboo to Headlines
Knapp explains that the watershed moment came in 2017 when the New York Times ran its explosive UFO report. Since then, Congress, mainstream media, and even academia have cautiously flipped the script from ridicule to inquiry—opening the door for renewed, serious discussion on UFO sightings.
Yet the same forces that kept UFOs in the shadows—DoD insiders, intelligence agencies, defense contractors—remain highly adept at muddying the narrative. Knapp warns: “They’ve admitted they’ve lied to Congress…made up stories, propaganda. It’s disgraceful—but now a lot of it is out in the open.”
2. Media Whiplash: From Dismissal to Cover-Up Accusations
Corbell notes that every administration touts transparency, yet delivers the same evasive answers. He emphasizes that credible whistleblowers and authenticated military footage are the only path forward. “True transparency on this topic is going to come through good journalism,” he affirms.
Together, Knapp and Corbell are interviewing whistleblowers like Matthew Brown and digging for undeniable evidence to reignite public trust—and keep UFO sightings in the headlines.
3. Who’s Actually in Control?
According to Knapp, UFO secrecy isn’t driven by a nebulous cabal—it’s orchestrated by a complex web: the Department of Defense, intelligence networks, and private defense firms. But even insiders don’t see the full picture.
“Those whose job it is to confuse the public, to muddy the waters, to slip out propaganda…” have been the real gatekeepers of the UFO narrative. Their aim: keep the mystery alive while controlling what gets revealed.
4. The Great Disconnect: What Publicly vs. Privately
One of Knapp’s core revelations is the divergence between official denial and private concern. Declassified documents from the 1950s show high-ranking military and CIA officials treating UFO sightings as real intelligence issues—yet publicly shaming those who reported them.
The infamous 1953 Robertson Panel exemplified this duality: spent days reviewing data, concluded UFOs weren’t a threat, then immediately painted reports as ridicule-worthy. A public relations campaign to keep the science off the table.
5. The Three Big Questions
Knapp says if he ever sat down with someone who knows the truth, these are the questions he’d ask:
Origin– Who or what are they? Where do they come from?
Motive– What do they want with Earth and humanity?
Technology– Are we seeing something that could threaten national security?
These questions reveal why secrecy persists—and why politicians keep platitudes instead of evidence.
6. The Tipping Point: What Will Break the Secrecy?
A definitive, whistleblower-backed piece of evidence—a smoking-gun video, document, or insider testimony—may be the only thing that cracks the facade.
Knapp predicts that only when a whistleblower with true authority and irrefutable proof emerges will the pentagon and allied agencies finally give in. Until then, the dance of denial and misinformation continues.
7. Why It Matters
National Security: If real, UFO sightings could represent advanced foreign—or otherworldly—technology.
Public Accountability: The government’s obfuscation erodes trust in democratic institutions.
Journalism’s Role: Incomplete disclosure fuels conspiracy, but solid investigative reporting can restore truth.
Knapp and Corbell remind us: UFOs aren’t just sci-fi fodder—they’re a national question, one that demands journalistic rigor and real-world evidence.
Final Thoughts
UFO sightings have evolved from cult curiosity to geopolitical hot potato—with serious implications for science, transparency, and the future of public trust. Thanks to ground-breaking journalism, congressional attention, and brave insiders, the story is only heating up. But the ultimate reveal—what UFOs really are—might still be years away.
De zaak van de ontvoering van Betty en Barney De vermeende ontvoering van Betty en Barney Hill door een groep aliens omstreeks 1961 is een iconisch verhaal in ufologische kringen.
Emblematische zaak voor ufologen Misschien is dit verhaal voor de meeste mensen onbekend, maar het heeft gedurende tientallen jaren grote belangstelling gewekt bij ufo-experts en -toeschouwers.
Een verblindend licht Het echtpaar beweert dat ze in de nacht van 19 september 1961 een verblindend licht zagen terwijl ze over Route 3 naar huis reden. Ze dachten aanvankelijk dat het een vallende ster was.
Een vreemd object Het echtpaar reed in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Nadat ze de auto hadden stilgezet en een verrekijker hadden gepakt om het vreemde object (dat geen vallende ster was) nader te bekijken, besloten Betty en Barney Hill weer op de weg te gaan. Het ruimteschip raasde achter hen aan en kwam steeds dichterbij.
De ontmoeting met aliens Het echtpaar herinnerde zich dat ze door de ramen ongeveer tien mensachtige figuren zagen. Barney Hill beweert dat deze wezens door middel van telepathie met hen communiceerden.
Een grote schrik De gebeurtenis vond plaats toen het vermeende ruimteschip in de buurt van de auto neerkwam. Bij het zien van de wezens herinnert Barney Hill zich dat hij in angst terug naar het voertuig rende en schreeuwde dat ze hen wilden vangen.
Vreemde geluiden Terug in de auto startte Barney de motor weer en probeerde weg te rijden. Het echtpaar vertelt dat ze op dat moment een vreemde reeks ritmische piepgeluiden hoorde.
Details klopten niet Eenmaal thuis bekroop hen echter een vreemd gevoel en merkten ze ongewone dingen op: kleine scheurtjes in Betty's jurk, een scheur in de riem van Barney's verrekijker en gaten in zijn schoen.
Geheugenverlies Het raarste wat ze merkten was dat ze een hiaat hadden in de rit naar huis. Ze herinnerden zich niets meer van een stuk van ongeveer 56 km van de reis direct na de ontmoeting. De herinnering aan wat ze gezien hadden was zo gefragmenteerd dat ze niet konden samenvoegen wat er gebeurd was.
Regressieve hypnose Twee jaar na deze gebeurtenis ging het echtpaar naar een therapeut die regressieve hypnotherapie uitvoerde om hen te helpen zich de gebeurtenissen van die nacht te herinneren. Inmiddels hadden ze ingezien dat ongeveer twee uur uit hun geheugen was verdwenen.
Eindelijk was alles duidelijk Na veel regressieve hypnosesessies konden Betty en Barney Hill reconstrueren wat er gebeurd was. Ondanks dat ze tijdens de sessies gescheiden waren, kwamen hun versies van de gebeurtenissen aardig overeen.
Een film gebaseerd op archiefstukken In de aftiteling van de films beweert de regisseur dat het verhaal gebaseerd is op een reeks archiefstukken van de Amerikaanse luchtmacht. De Hills hadden zich onmiddellijk na het incident tot de autoriteiten gewend.
Proeven en experimenten Onder hypnose vertelden Betty en Barney Hill hun therapeut dat de aliens hen hadden ontvoerd. Ze werden meegenomen naar hun ruimteschip en onderworpen aan proeven en experimenten.
Huid- en haarmonsters Volgens de Hills namen de tweevoetige aliens met grijze huid en uitpuilende ogen haar- en weefselmonsters van verschillende lichaamsdelen met gereedschap dat leek op spuiten.
Geheugen uitgewist Betty en Barney Hill herinnerden zich dat de aliens hen, nadat ze verschillende monsters hadden verzameld, vrijlieten, waarna hun bewuste geheugen werd uitgewist.
Zeta Reticuli Betty Hill slaagde er ook in een sterrenkaart te reconstrueren die de herkomst van de aliens aangaf. Uit deze reconstructie concludeerden deskundigen dat het ging om sterrensysteem Zeta Reticuli in het zuidelijke sterrenbeeld Raster, 39,2 lichtjaar van de aarde.
De eerste gedocumenteerde ufo-waarneming De zaak Hill was een van de eerste gevallen van gedocumenteerde ufo-waarnemingen. De archieven van de New Hampshire University bewaren nog steeds alle documenten en geluidsopnamen die tijdens de hypnosesessies en interviews zijn gemaakt.
De conclusies van de therapeutt In de laatste aflevering van een docuserie over de gebeurtenissen onthulde de therapeut die het stel behandelde zijn visie. Hij concludeerde dat hun vermeende ontmoeting met aliens te maken had met de vermeende sociale druk die ze ervaarden als interraciaal koppel, iets wat in een tijd slecht werd gedragen. De show, genaamd 'Ufo', werd in 2021 uitgezonden door streamingdienst 'Showtime,' zoals gemeld door sify.com.
Een wisselend standpunt Dezelfde therapeut beweert dat hij zes maanden later van gedachten veranderde en concludeerde dat het echtpaar de waarheid sprak, zoals uit een fragment van de docuserie blijkt.
'Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience' Barney Hill overleed in 1969, slechts acht jaar na het incident, maar zijn vrouw Betty overleed pas in 2004. Haar leven lang heeft ze uitgebreid gevochten om hun verhaal en het bestaan van aliens te bewijzen. Haar nicht, Kathleen Marden, schreef in 2007 een boek over haar tante: 'Captured! The Betty and Barney Hill UFO Experience'.
Een fascinerend verhaal over ufo's Of het waar is of niet, één ding is zeker: het verhaal van Barnie en Betty Hill blijft een mijlpaal voor de ufologische gemeenschap en een van de fascinerendste verhalen over waarnemingen van aliens.
Human Mastery Over Extreme Environments Happened Before the Migration Out of Africa
For almost 300,000 years, humans were African. But whereas our previous human cousins had already made their way into Eurasia, our own species was more than 200,000 years confined to the mother continent. Then, around 50,000 years ago, came the revolution.
There was a great migratory surge — and it held. As opposed to previous failed forays into the broader world, thismigration sowed all modern non-African peoples living today. One question plagued scientists for a long time: why this wave? What gave this effort success when so many others had been unsuccessful?
Now, a revolutionary new international study in Nature might have solved the puzzle — not through identifying tools or mutations, but by mapping how our forebears dominated an expanding variety of environments. From about 70,000 years ago, humans did not merely manage to survive in Africa — they prospered in deserts, rainforests, mountains, and grasslands. They became, in the words of the scientists, "the ultimate generalist."
Andrea Manica, Professor of Evolutionary Ecology in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology, who co-led the study with Professor Eleanor Scerri from the Max Plank Institute of Bioanthropology in Germany, said in a press release: “Around 70,000-50,000 years ago, the easiest route out of Africa would have been more challenging than during previous periods, and yet this expansion was big - and ultimately successful.”
A Climate Map of Prehistory
The team, led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, University of Cambridge, and the Natural History Museum (UK), put together a huge dataset incorporating archaeological remains and environmental reconstructions of rainfall, vegetation, and temperature in Africa from 120,000 to 14,000 years ago.
They examined data from fossil deposits, ancient plant and animal fossils, and computer simulations that track how humans might have interplayed with these dynamic systems. Using techniques employed in ecology, they followed the course of our species' "niche" — what kinds of environments we were able to inhabit — over time.
What they discovered was a tipping point at about 70,000 years ago: humans began to migrate to tropical rainforests in West and Central Africa, dry deserts such as the Sahara, and regions with extreme annual temperature fluctuations.
"Human beings have been thriving in difficult environments for at least 70,000 years," stated Dr. Emily Hallett of Loyola University Chicago, a lead author of the study, in an interview with Live Science. It was this ecological flexibility, she says, that would have provided a vital advantage to humans as they set out entering Eurasia — not during an easy climatic opportunity, but when it was tough.
A Continental Renaissance: Adaptability Before the Great Leap
Earlier migrations out of Africa — some of which took place as long ago as 270,000 years — did not persist. The genetic imprints of those early sojourners cannot be seen in modern populations. So, what made the 50,000-year migration work?
Surprisingly, the authors discovered no smoking gun in the guise of technological innovations or climatic fortune. Rather, it appears that something more insidious and social was at play.
The scientists propose a probable cause: cross-fertilization of cultures. As human populations migrated to varied environments, their contact zones increased as well. Increased contact equated to increased ideas, improved methods, and greater innovation — not from any one innovation, but from a web of commonalities. A feedback loop of learning, adaptation, and mobility reinforcing itself.
"It could be tied to various African populations coming into contact with each other and exchanging their ideas and ways of living in various conditions more and more," explained evolutionary biologist Dr. Michela Leonardi to the Natural History Museum. "In the long run, the greater exchange of ideas would assist Homo sapiens to spread its territory even further… [making] our species even more adaptative."
That flexibility paid off in evolutionary gold: resilience. By becoming jacks-of-all-trades, early humans were suddenly capable of conquering drastically different ecosystems — and emerging triumphant.
The Generalist Edge: Older Than You Thought
Though Homo sapiens had been evolving to fit a broad range of African landscapes for millennia, it was this later-stage adaptability that probably provided them with the tenacity to propagate across the world.
"What we're seeing around 70,000 years ago is Homo sapiens as the ultimate generalist," Manica said. "Expanding into increasingly extreme environments… that newfound flexibility provided a comparative advantage 50,000 years ago, enabling them to succeed in novel and in some cases very difficult environments."
And the records reveal it wasn't a gradual march to greener fields. Between 70,000 and 50,000 years ago, forests didn't suddenly burst open and deserts didn't turn green — rather, conditions were worse than in earlier dispersal periods.
Previous migrations had employed "green corridors" of Saharan-Arabian rainfall. This second migration, scientists contend, prevailed not because the world was friendlier — but because humans had become resilient.
Rather than waiting for perfect conditions, modern humans adapted to what was there. While we’ve long admired our ancestors for their tools, fire-making, and symbolic art, it may have been the less flashy trait of ecological adaptability that ultimately changed the course of history.
That realization, according to Professor Eleanor Scerri of the Max Planck Institute, takes us one step closer to learning not only the "Out of Africa" tale — but the whole sweep of human evolution. "Our ecological flexibility is part of what enabled our species to disperse across the globe and thrive in each habitat we encountered."
Top image: Cultural adaptability through the cross-breeding of cultures and ideas in groups.
This Man, who was the Program Manager of DARPA, once encountered a 7-foot-tall Humanoid Being who told him the human body is merely a ‘Soul Housing group’ or a machine designed to house a soul for a lifetime.
A former member of the Special Forces, Colonel John Blitch was a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where he ran the Tactical Mobile Robots (TMR) program. His role in transitioning rover and robot technology between NASA and the Department of Defense led to his induction into the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 2006.
He has a second master’s degree and a doctorate in cognitive psychology. He’s an open-minded cognitive scientist who has also served as a visiting professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy, as well as a consultant for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, NASA, and other agencies.
Members of the 711th Human Performance Wing Junior Force gained personal insights on tactical mobile robots from retired Army Colonel John Blitch after his March 20, 2009 Meet the Warfighter briefing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. (Photo by Chris Gulliford, 711 HPW)
Throughout his military career, Dr. Blitch served in special operations and hostage rescue missions. After retiring from DARPA in 2002, he founded Blitz Solutions Inc. and established two non-profit organizations: CRASAR, responsible for the first robot-assisted humanitarian response after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and ARACAR, which provided support during the Hurricane Katrina response in 2005.
In an exclusive interview with journalist Ross Coulthart Blitch stated that he believes in the claims made by UFO whistleblower Jake Barber.
“I believe I was visited by Non-human Entities”
Dr. John Blitch recounted several traumatic experiences, both from childhood and later in life, that he believes are connected to encounters with non-human entities. He explained how these incidents left him paralyzed with terror, distinctly different from fear, and how they remain unforgettable due to their emotional intensity.
Dr. Blitch described seeing beings through his bedroom window as a child, staring at him with large dark eyes. These encounters were so frightening that he became paralyzed, unable to scream until the paralysis lifted. He shared that he would eventually scream, prompting his parents to come running and attempt to calm him down.
Despite his father’s assurances that monsters and aliens didn’t exist, Dr. Blitch found their explanations unconvincing. He likened his father’s reassurances to what he perceives as the government’s approach to downplaying the existence of such phenomena.
He acknowledged that, as a child, he tried to dismiss these events as dreams, influenced by his skeptical nature. However, in retrospect, he now believes these were real encounters with non-human intelligences.
Dr. Blitch highlighted the importance of emotion in distinguishing belief from knowledge, stating that while many childhood memories require belief due to lack of proof, his later experiences provide what he considers irrefutable evidence. He firmly stated that he knows he was visited by non-human entities, based on both his childhood and three key incidents as an adult.
His professional background in neuroscience and psychology added depth to his account, as he discussed the physiological responses to terror, such as paralysis and the “chicken skin” reaction. These experiences, he emphasized, went beyond simple fear, leaving a profound impact on him.
Physical Evidence!
Dr. John Blitch recounted waking up after a terrifying night to discover three dark bruises on the inside of his right bicep and another bruise higher up on his arm. The pattern of the bruises suggested a grasp by a three- or four-fingered hand, something he could not logically explain.
He emphasized that he repeatedly tried to determine how he might have caused the injuries but found no plausible explanation. Adding to the strangeness, he noted his uncharacteristic reaction upon waking: he immediately went downstairs to retrieve a video camera to document the bruises.
This behavior was highly unusual for him, as he typically had no inclination to record himself or take photos of his body. He suggested that this anomalous behavior, along with the unexplained bruises, strongly supported the idea of non-human engagement.
This behavior was highly unusual for him, as he typically had no inclination to record himself or take photos of his body. He suggested that this anomalous behavior, along with the unexplained bruises, strongly supported the idea of non-human engagement.
Abduction!
That experience leads me to believe that, yes, absolutely, because I clearly didn’t want to go. If something, somebody, or a non-human entity—I think it was a biological robot—wanted me to go somewhere I didn’t want to go, then technically, that is the definition of an abduction. …
From my perspective, two species are visiting us, and I feel, like many other abductees, like a lab rat—that we are being prodded, poked, and experimented on as part of scientific discovery.
~Dr. John Blitch
Dr. John Blitch confirmed having held a Top Secret SCI clearance, particularly as a nuclear weapons delivery officer, which required an exceptional level of trust and stability.
He served as a Pershing II missile battery commander, responsible for nuclear missile operations, including leading troops in multiple command roles.
Despite his verified stability and military role, Dr. Blitch openly admitted to having encounters with non-human beings. He mentioned that he was not alone—at least four other peer-qualified military personnel with similar credentials had publicly shared their abduction experiences.
Dr. Blitch brought up notable figures like Terry Lovelace, Mario Woods, Jeff Goodrich, and Bob Jacobs, alongside Robert Hastings, who investigated such incidents. He argued that individuals like Terry Lovelace, who held high-security military roles and later achieved respected civilian positions, provide significant credibility to their claims.
He challenged Congress and skeptics to question the reliability of individuals like Lovelace if they doubt these accounts.
Dr. John Blitch firmly believes that such events are not dreams, emphasizing his inability to dismiss physical evidence like bruises on his body and the accounts of his family, who reported he was missing for about five hours following a supposedly one-hour bike ride.
He goes on to recount an intense, haunting incident that began after a traumatic experience in Oklahoma City, where he witnessed a severe amputation. To cope with the emotional toll, he began taking mountain bike rides to meditate, particularly to a remote area called Daniel’s Park in Denver. One day during his ride, while passing a fenced area with a sign saying “Indian Burial Grounds,” Dr. Blitch felt an inexplicable urge to trespass. After an internal struggle about respecting the land, he climbed over the fence and started walking his bike through the area. As he ventured farther, he noticed blood on his hand, a bizarre and unexpected bloody nose that seemed unrelated to physical exertion.
He collapsed, later experiencing intense cold and disorientation. Upon regaining his senses, he found himself inexplicably drawn toward a light on a plateau, though he couldn’t explain why. Approaching the light, he observed what he believed was a fuel truck, though his memory was foggy. Strangely, when he attempted to interact with the truck, he felt fear and avoided further engagement.
The odd events continued as he frantically biked home but soon found himself disoriented, arriving hours later than expected. At a nearby 7-Eleven, while extremely dehydrated, he heard his name broadcasted over a police radio. The officer informed him that his wife had filed a missing persons report after his long absence. This was especially troubling because, according to his recollections, the bike ride, which should have taken a couple of hours, had inexplicably stretched out much longer. He felt exhausted as though he had run a marathon but couldn’t make sense of the lost time. The entire event, punctuated with physical and emotional disarray, only added to his growing certainty that extraterrestrial beings had involved themselves in his life.
Dr. John Blitch firmly believes that such events are not dreams, emphasizing his inability to dismiss physical evidence like bruises on his body and the accounts of his family, who reported he was missing for about five hours following a supposedly one-hour bike ride.
Dr. John Blitch discussed his struggle with understanding experiences that challenge reality, particularly those involving altered perceptions. He questioned how one could determine the true nature—benevolent or malevolent—of something capable of manipulating perceptions.
He recounted an experience where he froze in fear upon seeing the cover of Whitley Strieber’s book Communion, which features the image of a gray alien. While walking through a Barnes & Noble with his youngest daughter, he glanced at the cover and was immediately overwhelmed by terror, feeling a deep, physiological response. His daughter, noticing he was paralyzed, tugged on his hand, breaking the spell. Despite his terror, he later purchased the book, immediately tore off the cover, and threw it away.
Blitch linked this fear to memories from his childhood, particularly of seeing similar alien faces looking at him through a window. These experiences left lasting psychological effects, such as obsessive-compulsive behaviors, including repeatedly checking and locking doors and drapes at night. He highlighted how these incidents created a deep sense of unease that he could not shake, reinforcing the profound and unsettling impact they had on him.
Dr. John Blitch addresses the perception of malevolence in his abduction experiences compared to others interviewed on similar topics.
He acknowledges that while these beings tamper with memories, there may be a benevolent intent behind it. He explains that they bring abductees back safely to their original location, such as his return to his bedroom or being placed near his bike after one incident. He compares the memory tampering to methods humans already use in anesthesia, where specific drugs can erase memory around traumatic events. He believes these beings might employ directed energy tuned to the brain’s hippocampal and memory networks to achieve similar results, potentially out of consideration for the psychological trauma abductees might experience.
To illustrate the concept, Dr. Blitch draws a comparison to how he used to take his Labrador Retriever to the vet every three months. Despite the dog’s resistance and physical discomfort from being dragged into the clinic, Dr. Blitch insists it was for the dog’s benefit. He implies that the beings’ actions, even when uncomfortable or invasive, may similarly have a greater purpose rooted in assistance or improvement rather than harm.
Meeting Alien Abductor!
Dr. Blitch described encountering a tall, seven-foot creature resembling a praying mantis, which conveyed a strong male presence and seemed upset, even chastising him. This event occurred in his bedroom on the third floor of a split-level house, where the being entered through a sliding screen door that opened onto a deck with no stairs. Despite his terror and paralysis, Dr. Blitch noted the entity’s direct and intent focus as it telepathically communicated with him.
The being explained that the human body is merely a “soul housing group” or a machine designed to house the soul for a lifetime. It claimed that while they might manipulate, adjust, or even replace parts of the body, they could not take the soul or consciousness. Frustrated by his resistance, the being likened the situation to a surgeon or veterinarian needing cooperation from a reluctant subject. It urged him to stop resisting so they could proceed with their work.
To prove its message, the entity projected a terrifying image. It revealed its mandibles and simulated the sensation of ripping chunks from Dr. Blitch’s cheek, causing blood to spatter in his perception. Though he felt the physical tugging and saw the blood, he later realized it was a false memory—an intentionally planted, vivid visual meant to communicate their power over his body without any actual harm.
Dr. Blitch also addressed secrecy surrounding these encounters. He expressed admiration for those who have concealed the reality of non-human intelligence, comparing their actions to keeping the Manhattan Project secret during World War II. He believes many did so for the greater good, protecting society from truths they deemed destabilizing. He acknowledged the existence of crashes, deceased non-human intelligences—some of which he classified as sentient beings, like the “grasshopper” entity, while others, like the “little gray” creatures, were described as biological robots. He suggested that these revelations present such significant challenges that they were withheld because society might not be ready to comprehend or handle the implications.
The telescope's journey began in the early 1600s when Dutch spectacle maker Jan Lippershey discovered that combining lenses could magnify distant objects. Galileo Galilei quickly improved the designs and became the first to explore the heavens, revealing the Moon's craters, Jupiter’s moons and the rings of Saturn. Over the centuries, telescopes evolved from simple lens combinations to massive ground-based observatories with enormous mirrors, and eventually to space-based instruments like the Hubble Space Telescope that eliminated Earth's atmospheric interference. Today's cutting-edge telescopes, such as the James Webb Space Telescope, use advanced technology to look deeper into space than ever before.
The Hubble Space Telescope as seen from the departing Space Shuttle Atlantis, flying STS-125, HST Servicing Mission 4.
(Credit : NASA)
Among the astronomers who used these powerful instruments to revolutionize our view of the universe was Vera Rubin, whose groundbreaking observations in the 1970s would shake the very foundations of physics. Working with increasingly sophisticated telescopes, Rubin studied the rotation of spiral galaxies, expecting to confirm what seemed like basic physics: that stars farther from the center of a galaxy should orbit more slowly, just as outer planets in our Solar System move more leisurely than inner ones. Instead, her precise measurements revealed something utterly unexpected: stars at the edges of galaxies were moving far too fast, as if held in place by invisible matter that astronomers couldn't see. This discovery of what we now call dark matter didn't just add a new chapter to astronomy, it revealed that the vast majority of the universe consists of a mysterious, unseen substance that continues to puzzle us today.
Dark matter map for a patch of sky based on gravitational lensing analysis of a Kilo-Degree Survey
(Credit : Kilo-Degree Survey Collaboration)
Now, a new-generation telescope bearing Rubin's name is poised to continue her revolutionary work. Enter the Vera C. Rubin Observatory that has been under construction in Chile's Atacama Desert. It will conduct the most comprehensive survey of the night sky ever attempted, photographing the entire visible southern sky every few nights for ten years! This technological marvel, equipped with the world's largest digital camera containing 3.2 billion pixels, won't just search for the subtle effects of dark matter but will catalog billions of stars and galaxies, track dangerous asteroids, and monitor the universe's constant changes in real time. When it finally begins operations, the Rubin Observatory will generate more astronomical data in its first month than all previous telescopes combined have collected throughout history, that’s including my images too!
The telescope features an 8.4-meter primary mirror with a three-mirror design that provides an exceptionally wide 3.5-degree field of view, seven times the area of the full Moon. At its core is the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera, the world's largest digital camera composed of 189 individual CCD sensors, weighing in at 3,200 kilograms and operating at -100°C to minimise electronic noise. Located at 2,647 meters elevation on Chile's Cerro Pachón, the observatory's design eliminates traditional mirror obstructions while delivering sharp images across its entire field of view. It can slew between targets in just five seconds and will operate using six optical filters, completing a full sky survey every three nights with 15-second exposures. Over its 10-year mission, it will catalog an estimated 20 billion galaxies and 17 billion stars.
Artist impression of the completed LSST
(Credit : LSST Press Office)
It's incredible that it's been just over 400 years since our first look at the universe through Galileo’s telescope. We are now about to perhaps hit another incredible milestone as the astronomical community eagerly awaits another historic moment! On 23rd June 2025 at 15:00 UTC, the Rubin Observatory will unveil its first spectacular images in what they're calling the "First Look" event. This event will be live-streamed via YouTube, allowing people worldwide to witness this exciting moment together. It represents more than just another technological achievement; it symbolises our relentless pursuit to understand the universe, carrying forward Vera Rubin's legacy of discovery into an age where the observatory that carries her name will give us a whole new view of the universe.
The 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope at Mt. Palomar
Imagine scanning the night sky for signs of alien technology using the same systems that hunt for exploding stars. This is exactly what researchers are now doing, transforming astronomical alert systems originally designed to catch supernovae into powerful tools for detecting potential technosignatures, the evidence of advanced civilisations beyond Earth.
The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant in the constellation Taurus
(Credit : NASA/ESA)
Every night, the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) generates up to 1 million alerts as it monitors the sky for changing objects. These alerts flow through nine different "alert brokers," which are sophisticated software systems that process and distribute information about anything that brightens, dims, or appears in the sky. The upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will increase this volume by an order of magnitude, creating an unprecedented flood of astronomical data.
While these systems were built to catch explosive events like supernovae and track asteroids, a new paper by researchers Eleanor Gallay, James Davenport, and Steve Croft demonstrates their untapped potential for SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). Their work shows how we can repurpose these astronomical systems to search for the subtle signatures that might indicate artificial structures or technologies around distant stars.
The Samuel Oschin Telescope, part of the Zwicky Transient Facility
The inspiration for this approach comes partly from "Boyajian's Star," otherwise known as "Tabby's Star" and with the official designator KIC 8462852, which puzzled astronomers with its mysterious dimming patterns. The researchers note that analysing nearby stars for similar behaviour over time was done in the case of Boyajian's Star, though natural explanations like dust clouds ultimately proved most likely. However, the study highlighted how unusual stellar behaviour could potentially indicate artificial megastructures like Dyson spheres, hypothetical constructs that advanced civilisations might build around their stars.
The new research takes this concept further, creating automated systems to identify "stellar dippers," stars that suddenly and dramatically dim without obvious natural causes. These objects are stars with a historically constant luminosity that drop suddenly in brightness for a reason unexplained by classical stellar variability or other astrophysical phenomena.
Artist's concept of an "uneven ring of dust" orbiting Tabby's Star
(Credit : NASA/JPL-Caltech)
The challenge is immense: filtering millions of nightly alerts to find the handful that might represent something genuinely anomalous. The researchers developed a two-stage approach. First, they use the alert broker's built-in filtering capabilities to narrow down candidates. Then they apply additional analysis using historical data to identify stars showing unprecedented dimming behaviour.
The team has deployed optical SETI techniques, such as planetary transit zone geometries and the SETI Ellipsoid. The SETI Ellipsoid is a particularly clever concept that identifies the zone in space where hypothetical alien observers would have seen Earth transit across the Sun, potentially prompting them to send signals in our direction.
The researchers are honest about current constraints. Though the SETI methods that alert brokers can execute are currently limited, they provide suggestions that may enhance future technosignature and anomaly searches in the era of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. The existing systems weren't designed with SETI in mind, so some modifications and new approaches will be needed to fully realise their potential.
However, the foundation is solid. Alert brokers already possess sophisticated tools for identifying unusual astronomical events, and the researchers find some SETI projects are possible using features directly in the brokers. The Lasair alert broker, for instance, offers a "watchmap" feature that can monitor specific regions of sky for anomalous signals.
As the Vera C. Rubin Observatory comes online with LSST, the volume of astronomical alerts will increase dramatically. This creates both opportunities and challenges for technosignature research. More data means better chances of catching rare, anomalous events, but it also means developing even more sophisticated filtering techniques to avoid being overwhelmed.
Artist impression of the completed LSST
(Credit : LSST Project Office)
The researchers' work represents a sensible approach to SETI that uses existing infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated alien hunting telescopes. By utilising systems already scanning the entire visible sky every few nights, they're essentially getting a free ride on one of the most comprehensive surveillance networks ever pointed at the sky.
The team concludes that their initial results make clear the promising opportunity for future anomaly and technosignature searches using alert brokers on data from ZTF and the upcoming LSST. While we shouldn't expect to find alien megastructures next week, this research establishes the groundwork for a new generation of SETI that could operate continuously, scanning millions of stars for the signs that we are not alone in the universe.
In a new study led by the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (CfA) scientists have used Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs)— brief, bright radio signals from distant galaxies— to pinpoint the location of the Universe’s “missing” matter in the space between galaxies. This artist’s conception depicts this ordinary matter in the warm, thin gas in this space— called the intergalactic medium (IGM)— which has been difficult for scientists to directly observe until now. Different colors of light travel at different speeds through space. Here, the artist has used blue to highlight denser regions of the cosmic web, transitioning to redder light for void areas. Credit: Jack Madden, IllustrisTNG, Ralf Konietzka, Liam Connor/CfA
In the 1960s, scientists became acutely aware of a problem with the Universe's "mass budget." Based on the observed rotational curves of galaxies, they determined that about 85% of the Universe's mass was invisible, leading to the theory of Dark Matter. Scientists have also been aware for some time that much of the "normal" or baryonic matter (that which we can see) in the Universe was also unaccounted for. This has prompted multiple efforts to probe the Universe for this "missing" mass, using everything from X-ray emissions and ultraviolet observations of distant quasars to find hints of where it might be hiding.
In a new landmark study, astronomers at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) and Caltech announced the detection of the most distant fast radio burst (FRB) on record. Using this phenomenon as a guide, the team conducted the first detailed measurement of ordinary matter distribution across the cosmos. Their results show that more than three-quarters of the Universe's baryonic matter exists between galaxies (aka. the intergalactic medium) as hot, diffuse clouds of gas previously invisible to telescopes. This research helps resolve a longstanding mystery in cosmology and is a major step forward in understanding how matter interacts and behaves in the Universe.
The study was led by Liam Connor, a Canadian astrophysicist and radio astronomer with the CfA and the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the California Institute of Technology. He was joined by colleagues from the CfA, Caltech's Owens Valley Radio Observatory, and the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science. The paper that describes their findings, "A gas-rich cosmic web revealed by the partitioning of the missing baryons," recently appeared in Nature Astronomy.
Artist's impression of an extragalactic FRB.
Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser
Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are bright explosions of radio waves that typically last for mere milliseconds, though events lasting a few seconds have been recorded. While the origin of these bursts is still subject to debate, the general consensus is that they are associated with compact objects (neutron stars and black holes). Recently, scientists demonstrated that FRBs from distant galaxies could be used to measure baryonic matter throughout the Universe. But until now, astronomers could not find the location of the most distant FRBs, which would allow them to explore the distribution of matter on cosmic scales.
"Baryons are pulled into galaxies by gravity, but supermassive black holes and exploding stars can blow them back out—like a cosmic thermostat cooling things down if the temperature gets too high," said Conner in a CfA press release. "Our results show this feedback must be efficient, blasting gas out of galaxies and into the IGM." As part of their research, a team analyzed 60 FRBs ranging in distance from 11.74 million light-years (FRB20200120E in the M81 galaxy) to the most distant FRB on record - FRB 20230521B, located ~9.1 billion light-years away. By measuring how much each FRB signal slowed as it passed through the intergalactic medium (IGM), Connor and his team could track the gas as it travelled to reach Earth. Said Conner:
The decades-old 'missing baryon problem' was never about whether the matter existed. It was always: Where is it? Now, thanks to FRBs, we know: three-quarters of it is floating between galaxies in the cosmic web." In other words, scientists now know the home address of the "missing" matter. FRBs act as cosmic flashlights. They shine through the fog of the intergalactic medium, and by precisely measuring how the light slows down, we can weigh that fog, even when it's too faint to see.
According to their results, approximately 76% of the Universe's baryonic matter lies in the IGM, about 15% is located in galaxy halos, and the remainder consists of stars, cold galactic gas, and other objects. These measurements align with predictions based on advanced cosmological simulations, confirming what was theoretical until now. Locating the missing matter in the Universe also has the potential to address other cosmological questions. These include how galaxies form, how matter coalesces in the Universe, and how light travels across vast cosmological distances. Vikram Ravi, an assistant professor of astronomy at Caltech and co-author on the paper, is also the co-Principal Investigator of Caltech's Deep Synoptic Array-110 (DSA-110):
It's a triumph of modern astronomy. We're beginning to see the Universe's structure and composition in a whole new light, thanks to FRBs. These brief flashes allow us to trace the otherwise invisible matter that fills the vast spaces between galaxies. We're entering a golden age. Next-generation radio telescopes like the DSA-2000 and the Canadian Hydrogen Observatory and Radio-transient Detector will detect thousands of FRBs, allowing us to map the cosmic web in incredible detail.
Pillar UFO 6 Floors High Over Colorado Springs, Colorado On June 4, 2025, UAP Sighting News. VIDEO!
Pillar UFO 6 Floors High Over Colorado Springs, Colorado On June 4, 2025, UAP Sighting News. VIDEO!
Date of sighting: June 4, 2025
Location of sighting: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Source: NUFORC.org who I assist.
Wow, check out this eyewitness video. I made a close up full screen and a slow motion clip so you can get a better look at it and judge for yourself. This is a pillar UFO also called a cigar UFO. The craft is spinning around as it moves forward and it's just amazing to see it in slow motion! This is undeniable proof that UFOs frequently visit Colorado. Notice that the UFO is not perfectly round, but it seems to be more like two long rectangle attached at the sides. Such a rare catch and although the video is short, it shows us its speed, shape, rotation as it moves, its hight never changes, and its very dark color...all add to the info in the file on this case thanks to the video.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Large cigar shaped ufo was incredibly shocking to see Spotted this cigar shaped UFO after leaving my mom’s house it was probably over a mile away from me when I filmed it and it still looked very large to my eyes. Camera doesn’t do justice how big is was. If I had to guess 3-6 story’s tall.
Mystery Antarctica signals and what's stirring in earth's core?
Mystery Antarctica signals and what's stirring in earth's core?
Since November 2024, strange blinking lights have been reported worldwide, an unexplained phenomenon that’s left many puzzled. MrMBB333 believes he may have found a connection.
Also known as electrical pollution, dirty electricity refers to high-frequency voltage spikes that ride along standard power lines. These rogue signals, forms of electromagnetic interference (EMI), can spread through our infrastructure, causing devices to glitch or behave unpredictably.
If this interference is appearing globally, the source might be something massive, possibly deep within Earth’s core. Rogue frequencies from the core could travel up and interact with power grids, solar systems, and transmission lines, triggering widespread anomalies.
Supporting this idea is a discovery from NASA’s ANITA project in Antarctica. While searching for cosmic neutrinos, scientists instead detected impossible radio signals rising from deep within Earth, signals that defy current physics.
According to current science, these waves should have been absorbed by the Earth’s crust long before reaching the detectors. But they weren’t.
When researchers checked their findings against other experiments, nothing lined up. This means they didn’t detect neutrinos, but something entirely unknown. Could this be a new kind of particle? A glitch in reality? Or something even stranger?
Although it is not known whether the strange radio signals detected deep beneath the Antarctic ice are related to the rogue signals believed to originate from Earth's core, MrMBB333 suggests there could be a connection. He proposes that similar forms of electromagnetic interference (EMI) might be disrupting global electronics and even contributing to the mysterious blinking light phenomenon.
Another possible factor at play is that the magnetic field is weakening as well as Solar Cycle 25 — the current 11-year cycle of solar activity marked by the Sun’s magnetic field reversal and increasing sunspot activity. This cycle began in December 2019 and is expected to reach its peak in 2025.
Therefore, could this solar phenomenon be interfering with the rogue electromagnetic signals from the Earth’s core are behind the strange blinking lights observed around the world?
If that’s the case, although I don’t recall the blinking light phenomenon ever appearing this intensely before, then the strange lights may begin to fade as Solar Cycle 25 winds down. Still, that doesn’t explain the origin of the mysterious radio signals rising from deep beneath Antarctica’s ice.
Night owls in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo León were witness to a spectacular cosmic treat when what appears to be a meteor streaked across the sky this weekend.
Social media was ablaze with videos and photos of the bluish-colored fireball soaring above Monterrey and the cities surrounding it. The fireball cruised across the atmosphere at about 2:10 a.m. CST, according to several reports posted by witnesses on the American Meteor Society's (AMS) fireball self-reporting site.
There, at least 16 people spanning from the northwest suburbs of Monterrey southwest toward Saltillo reported seeing the fireball, which generally streaked in a southwesterly direction. The fireball was visible as far west as the Rio Grande Valley, where five more people submitted reports to the AMS from Edinburg, in Hidalgo County, to South Padre Island in Cameron County.
Meanwhile, a group of amateur astronomers on a camping trip at a wildlife "protected zone" called Potrero Chico on the outskirts of Hidalgo, Nuevo León, that's popular among rock climbers because of its limestone cliffs, got a front row seat to the cosmic display.
"This weekend, we went camping… with 100 people to live an astronomical experience under the stars, and what do you think?????? Yes, we saw the fireball that came in at 2 a.m.," members of the group, called the Astronomical Society of Nuevo León, posted in Spanish on the group's Facebook page.
60,000 Year Old Giant Meteorite That Hit Odessa, Texas | Meteorite Men | Spark
The group further said that the fireball was bright enough to cause shadows to be cast and was so large that its brightness temporarily obscured the moon, which was more than 80% full on Sunday night.
The fireball even gained the attention of Nuevo León's civil protection service, which is responsible for emergency and natural disaster response. The service reported receiving several calls via 9-1-1 about a fireball accompanied by a loud noise from more than a dozen cities in Nuevo León, including Allende, Montemorelos, Santiago, San Pedro and Monterrey.
The Nuevo León Civil Protection also noted that sightings had been reported in the neighboring Mexican states of Coahuila and Tamaulipas, as well as in Texas, according to a statement the service posted to Facebook just before 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 15. The civil protection service further noted that the object could have been a meteor from outer space or a piece of space debris burning up in the atmosphere.
For this event, we received 2 videos and one photo.
Ancient supernovas may have blasted Earth with powerful radiation, causing dramatic changes in our climate and could do so again, posing a threat to life
An illustration of a distant supernova impacting Earth
(Image credit: Robert Lea (created with Canva))
New research suggests that the explosive death throes of massive stars, known as supernovas, may have had dramatic effects on our planet's climate over its distant history. Investigating historic incidents of these events could help scientists predict similar events in the future and prepare for them.
Supernovas occur when stars that are much more massive than the sun reach the end of their nuclear fuel supplies and can no longer support themselves against their own gravity. The complete gravitational collapse that results creates either a neutron star or a black hole, and also sends out a blast of energy and high-speed particles that can traverse star systems and entire galaxies in some cases.
It's estimated that if a supernova erupted within around 30 light-years of our planet, our atmosphere would be violently ripped away, and all life on Earth would perish. Thus, it stands to reason that if a massive star erupted within hundreds of light-years of Earth, this cosmic blast may not be fatal, but could result in extreme changes to our atmosphere, astronomers say.
Hubble Captures 3 Faces of Evolving Supernova
3-D Look at Unusual Remains of a Historical Supernova
"We have abrupt environmental changes in Earth's history," research author and senior researcher at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research,Robert Brakenridge, said in a statement. That's solid, we see these changes. So, what caused them?
"When nearby supernovas occur in the future, the radiation could have a pretty dramatic effect on human society. We have to find out if indeed they caused environmental changes in the past."
Brakenridge is hardly the first person to consider the possibility of past and future incidents of supernovas impacting Earth's atmosphere.
However, past studies have focused on the physics behind such an incident. Instead of doing this, Brakenridge attempted to apply these theories to empirical evidence of such events observed both on Earth and in space.
Tree rings hide a record of supernova explosions
First off, Brakenridge turned to data from a range of powerful space telescopes, which have long been collecting data about the characteristics of supernovas.
This helped the researcher build a more detailed model of how supernova radiation would interact with Earth's atmosphere than had been possible previously.
This new model revealed that a sudden burst of high-energy photons, the particles of light, from a supernova would eat away at Earth's ozone layer. This is significant because the ozone layer shields our planet from harmful radiation from the sun.
An image of Cassiopeia A (Cas A), the remnant of a massive star that exploded about 300 years ago. (Image credit: NASA/CXC/SAO)
Without this shielding, solar radiation would begin to degrade methane in the stratosphere, the second-lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. This molecule is a major driver of Earth's greenhouse effect. That means as methane is diminished, the heat-trapping greenhouse effect would be hampered, causing Earth to cool.
In turn, this would result in Earth receiving more high-energy ultraviolet radiation from the sun, which can be extremely harmful to life. Thus, Brakenridge predicts that the follow-on effects of supernova radiation bombarding Earth could include animal extinctions, increased wildfires and global cooling.
The fact that Earth doesn't seem to be currently under bombardment by radiation from a nearby supernova (phew!) means this model can't be tested in real-time. That led Brakenridge to turn to Earth's geological record to hunt for past incidents.
Particularly useful to the scientist were tree rings that can reveal ancient atmospheric conditions. That's because trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere into their trunks, within which rings form as the tree grows and supernova radiation bombarding Earth should lead to an increase in radioactive isotopes of carbon in our planet's atmosphere.
A close up of a tree stump with distinctive rings that could reveal historic bombardment by supernova radiation. (Image credit: LarysePol / Shutterstock)
Brakenridge examined tree ring records spanning around 15,000 years, spotting 11 tell-tale spikes in radioactive carbon. The researcher theorizes these spikes could correspond with 11 times Earth was blasted with supernova radiation.
"The events that we know of, here on Earth, are at the right time and the right intensity," Brakenridge said.
Currently, the scientist can't be totally confident that these spikes are connected to supernovas.
Another possible culprit for these spikes that needs to be eliminated are solar flares from the sun. To eliminate this possibility, researchers can cross-check these tree-ring results with evidence locked away in other geological sources such as ice cores and sediment from the ocean floor.
Further investigation of the possible connection between supernova radiation and Earth's atmosphere could help humanity prepare for future events.
This may become particularly relevant when the proximate red giant star known as Betelgeuse, located around 700 light-years away, goes supernova. This is predicted to happen within the next 100,000 years.
"As we learn more about our nearby neighboring stars, the capability for prediction is actually there," Brakenridge concluded. "It will take more modeling and observation from astrophysicists to fully understand Earth's exposure to such events."
Microscopy image of lunar dust simulant. Credit: Michaela B. Smith
As NASA prepares for a return to the Moon through the Artemis program, one of the biggest health concerns for astronauts has been lunar dust. The fine, abrasive particles known as the regolith that coat the Moon's surface have long worried scientists, especially after Apollo astronauts experienced respiratory problems after their missions. However, groundbreaking research from the University of Technology Sydney has delivered surprisingly reassuring news: lunar dust is less harmful to human lung cells than previously feared, and significantly less toxic than common Earth based air pollution.
NASA’s Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test.
(Credit : Joel Kowsky)
The study, led by PhD candidate Michaela B. Smith, represents the most comprehensive analysis yet of how lunar dust affects human health. Smith investigated the impact of lunar dust simulants on human lung cells in the lab. She then compared the effects to those of airborne particulate matter collected from a busy street in Sydney.
The results were striking. While lunar dust can act as a physical irritant, it did not cause the severe cellular damage or inflammation seen from the urban Earth dust. Smith emphasises this crucial distinction “..between a physical irritant and a highly toxic substance".
Buzz Aldrin's bootprint in the lunar soil
(Credit : NASA)
The research focused on the tiniest particles, those measuring 2.5 micrometers or smaller which are small enough to bypass the body's natural defences and penetrate deep into the lungs. Using two different types of lung cells representing both upper and lower respiratory regions, the team discovered that Earth dust induced a greater inflammatory response and was more toxic to the cells than the lunar dust simulants.
This finding addresses concerns that arose from the Apollo missions, where astronauts experienced respiratory issues after fine dust that had clung to their spacesuits became airborne in the confined cabin and was subsequently inhaled, leading to respiratory issues, sneezing, and eye irritation.
The key difference lies in how the dust affects cells. The study suggests the primary mechanism of toxicity from lunar dust is mechanical damage caused by the particles' irregular shape and rough edges. Crucially, the lunar simulants did not cause significant damage through a process known as oxidative stress (damage caused by unstable molecules), a process often associated with fine particle toxicity.
"Any dust, if you inhale it, you'll sneeze, cough, and have some physical irritation. But it's not highly toxic like silica, where you end up with silicosis from being on a construction site for 10 years”
- Michaela B. Smith, lead author.
Despite these encouraging findings, NASA continues taking dust exposure seriously. The space agency has developed innovative engineering solutions, including ingenious suits that are attached to the outside of the rover, where the astronaut will climb in and out from inside, and the suit never goes inside, which prevents the dusty suit from ever contaminating the internal cabin environment.
🌪️ The Danger of Lunar Dust
This research provides crucial data for planning long term lunar missions and establishing permanent bases on the Moon, helping to ensure astronaut safety while reducing one significant health concern for humanity's next giant leap.
This illustration shows a Hycean planet orbiting a dim red dwarf. New research shows how tidal heating can affect the habitable This illustration shows a Hycean planet orbiting a dim red dwarf. New research shows how tidal heating can affect the habitable zones of these hypothetical planets. Image Credit: NASA, CSA, ESA, J. Olmsted (STScI) / N. Madhusudhan (Cambridge University)
Hycean worlds are also called ocean worlds. They're planets covered in oceans that also have thick hydrogen atmospheres. There are no confirmed Hycean worlds—also called ocean worlds—but many candidates. Even though they're only candidates so far, researchers are curious about their habitability. New research examines the role tidal heating plays in their potential habitability.
If hycean planets do exist, they're likely common around red dwarfs (M dwarfs.) Red dwarfs are the most plentiful type of star in the galaxy, and Hycean worlds' thick hydrogen atmospheres might protect them from the devastating flaring behaviour of these small, long-lived stars. Hycean worlds may have larger habitable zones because of all their water, but their hydrogen atmospheres may contribute to the runaway greenhouse effect. When it comes to habitability, these hypothetical worlds are intriguing and mysterious.
In new research to appear in The Astrophysical Journal, the authors argue that for Hycean worlds close to their low-mass stars, tidal heating may be an important factor in determining their habitable zones. It's titled "Tides Tighten the Hycean Habitable Zone," and the lead author is Joseph Livesey. Livesey is from the Department of Astronomy and the Wisconsin Center for Origins Research, both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
When a new exoplanet is discovered, one of the first things scientists and the public want to know is if it's in the star's habitable zone. Researchers have made significant progress understanding the habitable zones for rocky planets. "Many studies have parameterized the habitable zone (HZ) for terrestrial exoplanets," the authors write. "The exact HZ boundaries can vary based on key characteristics such as stellar host type, planetary mass, atmospheric composition, and more."
But hycean worlds are much different than terrestrial worlds. They're sub-Neptunes with significant water layers and atmospheres dominated by hydrogen. They're oddballs, and determining if they are in habitable zones requires a different approach than with rocky planets.
In our Solar System, some of the gas giant moons have frozen shells with liquid oceans underneath. They're far too distant for the Sun to warm them. It's tidal flexing that maintains their liquid oceans. As moons like Europa and Enceladus orbit Jupiter and Saturn, the much-larger gas giants pull on the moons and they flex in response. That action creates heat. So, in effect, tidal flexing creates a habitable zone that's isolated from the Sun.
Since many hycean worlds are expected to orbit their stars closely, can tidal heating alter their habitable zones?
The researches say that the Hycean Habitable Zone (HHZ), when compared to the terrestrial habitable zone, may include smaller semi-major axes and could even extend to unbound planetary orbits. A near total absence of GHGs other than hydrogen along with a high albedo allows closer orbital proximity to the star, while internal heating from radiogenic sources, high pressures, a liquid water layer, and larger planet masses extend the HHZ outward.
Tidal heating creates another heat source aside from stellar radiation. Hycean worlds following moderately eccentric orbits experience tidal flexing and heating that shifts the HHZ outward. This creates a smaller HZ than previous estimates based on stellar heating.
Moderately eccentric orbits are common. Our Solar System has massive outer planets that have shifted the orbit of smaller planets into eccentricity. Many other solar systems are likely to have them too, meaning they're shifting smaller planets into eccentricity.
"These outer companions do occur in planetary systems around M dwarfs; the occurrence rate of giants in such systems has been found to be ∼ 10%, and the occurrence rate of planets in the range 10–100M⊕ is ∼ 20%," the authors write.
This figure shows The HHZ (blue shaded regions) and dark HHZ (red shaded regions) around a 0.12M⊙ star for a 7M⊕, 1.7R⊕ Hycean planet with tidal heating. The dark HHZ indicates a tidally-locked Hycean planet that can be habitable on its nightside. The low-opacity contours show the habitable zone locations without tidal heating, and the high-opacity contours show the habitable zone location where tidal heating is included. The dotted and dashed lines indicate the conservative and optimistic habitable zones for terrestrial planets.
Image Credit: Livesey et al. 2025. The Astrophysical Journal.
The above image shows how tidal heating shifts the HHZ around low-mass stars. However, most hycean candidates are orbiting more massive stars. The researchers found that the effect of tidal heating on the HHZ depends on the star's mass. They found that around more massive stars, the tidal heating effect isn't as pronounced.
This figure shows the HHZ and dark HHZ around stars of various mass for a 7M⊕, 1.7R⊕ Hycean planet. The orbital eccentricity for this planet is based on the Hycean candidate world K2-18 b, a planet known for evidence of potential biosignatures. The dotted line represents the stellar mass in the previous figure of 0.12 solar masses. "Clearly, the effect of tides on the extent of the habitable zone becomes negligible at high stellar masses," the researchers explain. Image Credit: Livesey et al. 2025.
The Astrophysical Journal.
This research shows that tidal flexing on ocean worlds shifts their habitable zones outward. The effect relies on a more massive companion planet that can introduce eccentricity into the hycean world's orbit.
"Hycean planets are likely to exhibit stronger tidal responses than a fiducial terrestrial world," the researchers explain. "We expect tides to have little effect on a lone planet at such small orbital radii. However, the presence of a large outer companion with moderate eccentricity will force an eccentricity cycle that periodically and indefinitely heats the interior of the planet in question, and push out the inner boundaries of the HHZ."
Though hycean worlds are only hypothetical at this point, their confirmation may not be too distant. Exoplanet scientists are intrigued by them because of their potential for habitability. Their extended atmospheres also make them desirable targets for atmospheric spectroscopy with telescopes like the JWST. K2-18b is a prime example of their potential. It's a candidate hycean world that repeatedly generated headlines when astronomers found evidence of water vapor, then carbon dioxide and methane, then the potential biosignature dimethyl sulfide in its atmosphere.
"A recent possible detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of the potential hycean exoplanet K2-18 b may indicate the presence of ocean-faring life; the only major source of DMS on Earth is phytoplankton," the authors write. They point out that on hycean worlds with deep oceans, the ocean tides generate a significant amount of heat that can be used by organisms. This sets them apart from Earth, where the tidal energy is dissipated. "We suggest, therefore, that strong tides on hycean planets could yield a significant power source for life and ultimately accelerate biological evolution," they explain.
New Type of Planets, Hycean Worlds, Could Be Best For Finding Alien Life
This illustrations shows Scholz's star, a binary star that performed a stellar flyby of our Solar System about 70,000 years ago. The Sun is the small star in the upper left. There have been many stellar flybys in our Solar System's history, and researchers wonder if they could've triggered dramatic shifts in Earth's paleoclimate. Image Credit: Michael Osadciw/University of Rochester.
If our Solar System seems stable, it's because our short lifespans make it seem that way. Earth revolves, night follows day, the Moon moves through light and shadow, and the Sun hangs in the sky. But in reality, everything is moving and influencing everything else, and the fine balance we observe can easily be disrupted. Could passing stars have disrupted Earth's orbit and ushered in dramatic climatic changes in our planet's past?
A stellar flyby is when another star passes close enough to our Solar System to cause some disruption. Our neighbourhood in the Milky Way is relatively sparsely populated, so stellar flybys are rarer than in other parts of the galaxy. But they still occur.
The most well-known one was probably Scholz's star. About 70,000 years ago, it passed through the Oort Cloud, our Solar System's outlying repository of long-period comets and icy planetesimals. It may have perturbed some comets from the Oort Cloud, but if it did, we won't know for a couple of million years. That's how long it would take for a comet to reach the inner Solar System.
Scholz's star illustrates the risk of stellar flybys. Scientists have wondered if these flybys have affected Earth's climate in the past by altering the planet's orbit. New research that will appear in The Astrophysical Journal examines stellar flybys to see if this is true. It's titled "No influence of passing stars on paleoclimate reconstructions over the past 56 million years." The authors are Richard Zeebe and David Hernandez. Zeebe is from the School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology at the University of Hawaii, and Hernandez is from the Department of Astronomy at Yale University.
"Passing stars (also called stellar flybys) have notable effects on the solar system’s long-term dynamical evolution, injection of Oort cloud comets into the solar system, properties of trans-Neptunian objects, and more," the authors write. "Based on a simplified solar system model, ... it has recently been suggested that passing stars are also an important driver of paleoclimate before ∼50 Myr ago, including a climate event called the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) (∼56 Myr ago)."
The PETM saw a 5–8 °C (9–14 °F) rise in global temperature and a massive influx of carbon into the atmosphere and oceans. It took 10,000 or 20,000 years for the temperature to rise and it lasted for about 100,000 or 200,000 years. Its effect on the biosphere was massive. Many marine organisms went extinct, tropical and sub-tropical regions extended toward the poles, and primates and other mammals appeared.
The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum was a prominent hyperthermal episode in Earth's climatic history. Its cause is unclear.
The cause is still debated, and there are several hypotheses. They include volcanic eruptions, comet impact, the release of methane clathrates, and orbital forcing. Researchers think that the giant planets play an important role during stellar flybys. When a roaming star passes by, the giant planets' gravitational fields can amplify the effect of the flyby and then alter the orbits of the smaller planets.
To find out if stellar flybys could be responsible for the PETM and other climatic changes, the researchers used a state of the art model of the Solar System and random stellar parameters in 400 simulations. The total number of stellar flybys was 1,800.
Other researchers who examined the same issue found that stellar flybys could've altered Earth's paleoclimate. [Kaib & Raymond (2024)] (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad24fb) said, "Here we present simulations that include the Sun's nearby stellar population, and we find that close-passing field stars alter our entire planetary system's orbital evolution via their gravitational perturbations on the giant planets." They also wrote "Although it takes tens of Myr for the effects of stellar passages to significantly manifest themselves, the long-term orbital evolution of the Earth and the rest of the planets is linked to these stars."
However, Zeebe and Hernandez reached a different conclusion. "In contrast to Kaib and Raymond, we find no influence of passing stars on paleoclimate reconstructions over the past 56 Myr," they write.
This global map shows what Earth looked like 45 million years ago.
Image Credit: By Scotese, Christopher R.; Vérard, Christian; Burgener, Landon; Elling, Reece P.; Kocsis, Ádám T. - "Phanerozoic-scope supplementary material to "The Cretaceous World: Plate Tectonics, Paleogeography, and Paleoclimate (doi:10.1144/sp544-2024-28)" from the PALEOMAP project". doi:10.5281/zenodo.10659112 https://zenodo.org/records/10659112, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155112444
One of the reasons for the different results is the completeness of the models used to understand the flybys. Some Solar System models, for example, excluded the Moon.
"Running accurate state-of-the-art solar system models that include all known secondary effects is computationally expensive," the authors write. "As a result, long-term studies on, e.g., Gyr-timescale tend to be based on simplified solar system models, or the outer planets alone."
By using a more complete Solar System model, Zeebe and Hernandez showed that stellar flybys are not likely behind Earth's dramatic paleoclimate shifts, like the PETM. They point out that the Moon has a stabilizing effect, and models that exclude it reach suspect conclusions.
"In contrast, using a state-of-the-art solar system model, including a lunar contribution and J2 (the Moon and Sun's quadrupole moment), and random stellar parameters, we find no influence of passing stars on paleoclimate reconstructions over the past 56 Myr," the authors explain. Even extremely close flybys seem to have no effect.
There have been many stellar flybys in the past and there'll be many more in the future. The orange dwarf Gliese 710 is expected to come within 0.1663 light-years or 10,520 astronomical units in about 1.29 million years. It has an 86% chance of passing through the Oort Cloud, and some researchers say it could trigger a swarm of comets into the inner Solar System. Could this flyby trigger a dramatic shift in Earth's climate?
There's a lot of uncertainty, and understanding the past and future of stellar flybys and how they might affect Earth's climate comes down to how detailed our scientific models are.
"Our results indicate that a complete physics model is essential to accurately study the effects of stellar flybys on Earth’s orbital evolution," the authors conclude.
Ancient supernovae might have upended Earth’s evolution
Now this is one for the books. This globular UFO was hovering near the train tracks when a train with the eyewitness passed it. I took a screenshot and yes, it's a single craft...which destroys any group of balloons theory. The US military have released UFOs over Iraq that look similar in style and design to this very one. I believe this to be a bio-mechanical craft...a living spaceship that self repairs. Its design is not that of a logical thinking but of a more unpredictable way of thinking that ai has. I'm still in shock over this video.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Wife sent me this - she’s 100% positive it wasn’t a bunch of balloons.
Mysterious Lights Over Villeta, Paraguay June 5, 2025, UFO UAP Sighting News.
Mysterious Lights Over Villeta, Paraguay June 5, 2025, UFO UAP Sighting News.
Date of sighting: June 5, 2025
Location of sighting: Villeta, Paraguay
Source: NUFORC.org
This is very strange...NUFORC just got a report of a pulsing light that took over the horizon in Paraguay last week. I have seen similar things before in videos are photos and I have to say it...it's a UFO. These lights are a huge UFO landing in the area...but that doesn't mean it stayed on the ground when it landed, but it probably was lowered down under the ground...into an alien base about 4-6 km below the surface. How do I know how UFOs and even people travel to underground bases? The Friendships case of the W56 alien group at Rocca Pia Italy that lasted three decades of alien and human interactions teaches about it. Too many books, most in Italian, videos, photos, tapes and more.
I want to thank NUFORC for working with me. They allow me to use and analyze and share their UFO reports to the public and the news media but ask to mention the NUFORC name. Also all my videos and photos on this site are allowed to be used by the media...permission granted.
This UFO reports was written by a person who speaks Spanish and they didn't include a description.
In an era captivated byunidentified flying objects(UFOs) and government conspiracies, one former NASA official is cutting through the noise and casting doubt on aliens coming to Earth.
Joseph Gutheinz, a retired senior special agent with NASA’s Office of Inspector General and current criminal defense attorney, said it’s time to apply science, not speculation, to the debate.
Joseph Gutheinz, a retired senior special agent with NASA’s Office of Inspector General and current criminal defense attorney, discussed the existence of UFOs with Fox News Digital.
"Prove it. Honestly, prove it," he said to those who believe in the presence of UFOs on Earth.
"They've been claiming that there have been UFOs since the 1940s. And, you know, Area 51 supposedly houses UFOs," he told Fox News Digital. "Have someone go in, look at Area 51."
The Pentagon has released videos showing "unidentified aerial phenomena."
(iStock)
Gutheinz said that during his work with the NASA Office of Inspector General, he would regularly get calls from individuals who believed they were abducted, or had a chip in their brain from aliens.
"What I used to tell my students was the possibility of anybody coming from another world to visit us was beyond unlikely," he said. "And what I would tell the people that would call me up with these tales about being visited by aliens, see a psychiatrist."
Citing astronomical distances and scientific understanding of the solar system, Gutheinz explained the improbability of any extraterrestrial visitors reaching Earth.
"There are up to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way. There are maybe one to two trillion galaxies in the universe. But the reality is this, the closest solar system is Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri A, B, and Proxima Centauri are the closest stars," he said.
"The bottom line is that it's 4.4 light years away, or 25 trillion miles away. And if somebody started flying to Proxima and Satori, or the other way around, it would take them over 70,000 years to get there," he said. "Nobody is visiting us from another world, likely."
North America, USA, Nevada, Crystal Springs, Basin And Range National
Monument, Area 51 Sign.
(Bernard Friel/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
He pointed to moons like Europa, Ganymede, Titan, and Triton as the only plausible places for primitive life in our solar system.
"If there is life on any of those moons, it's possible. Again, it is primitive, it is microorganisms, it's nothing that's going to visit us in a flying saucer."
When asked whether such sightings could be explained as natural or spiritual phenomena, he suggested that it could be government testing.
"If you're seeing something up there, and it's real, it's coming from the Chinese or the Russians or your next-door neighbor flying around with their drone," he said.
A NASA logo is displayed at the entrance to the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building on June 2, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Historical military secrecy, Gutheinz suggested, may have played a major role in fostering the UFO myths.
"I believe early on in the 1940s when all these UFO stories started coming up, it was because the military was probably testing some aircraft, and they didn't want the Russians to know about it," he said.
"And so, if the UFO cover worked, and I would not be surprised if there are some people in the military and the government that played along with that in order to conceal our stealth technology, that is really remarkable, and they just don't want to share that with other countries."
"The bottom line is, I think that we use the UFO cover to hide a lot of things."
Why are alien visits and UFO sightings highest in America? Explosive truth revealed in new report
Why are alien visits and UFO sightings highest in America? Explosive truth revealed in new report
Synopsis
A new Pentagon-backed report by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has revealed that many UFO sightings in the United States were not evidence of alien activity but part of deliberate military disinformation efforts. During the Cold War, the U.S. government planted UFO conspiracy theories, particularly around sites like Area 51, to conceal classified weapons testing. The report explains that some military officers were even shown fake documents and images about alien technology as part of hazing rituals or to distract from real programs like the F-117 stealth jet.
Report Reveals Why UFO Sightings Are Most Common in the US.
For decades, the United States has been at the center of the global UFO debate, with more sightings reported within its borders than anywhere else in the world. According to the National UFO Reporting Center, the country has recorded over 105,000 UFO encounters since 1947. While the recent data from 2025 shows the U.K. slightly ahead in annual sightings, the U.S. continues to dominate in long-term numbers. This overwhelming volume has puzzled both skeptics and believers — until now.
A recently released report by the Pentagon-backed All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) has shed light on why so many of these incidents are reported in America. The findings suggest the phenomena may have less to do with extraterrestrial activity and more with human-made disinformation.
Role of the Pentagon
AARO, which was set up in 2022, has been investigating Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) across various domains. The team, led by Sean Kirkpatrick, reviewed military records dating back to the 1940s and interviewed numerous current and former military officials.
One of the key revelations was that several UFO conspiracy theories — including those related to the infamous Area 51 — were deliberately planted by the U.S. military. These deceptions, often involving altered images and false briefings, were used as a cover for secret weapons testing during the Cold War. The Wall Street Journal reported that this strategy was not centralized, making it difficult to track how widespread the disinformation actually was.
Hazing and Hoaxes: The Secret of 'Yankee Blue'
Part of the conspiracy involved a classified military induction prank. Newly appointed Air Force commanders were reportedly shown fake documents and images claiming the existence of a program called “Yankee Blue,” which allegedly reverse-engineered alien spacecraft. Officers were instructed to never discuss the program again. Many believed in it for years — some never learning that it was all fabricated.
The report detailed that one retired colonel, acting under official orders, gave forged UFO photos to a Nevada bar owner near Area 51 to stir public speculation. The ploy worked, creating a smokescreen that helped protect the secrecy of the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter jet and other advanced technologies being tested at the time.
UFO Sightings: Misidentifications and Media Influence
The AARO report also addressed numerous recent and historical sightings. Many of the so-called UFOs were found to be balloons, birds, drones, or reflections from Starlink satellites. In one significant case, a former Air Force captain claimed he witnessed a UFO interfering with nuclear missiles. Investigators later concluded that the event was actually part of a secret electromagnetic pulse test — a detail kept from him to preserve operational secrecy.
In March 2024, AARO publicly confirmed there was no verified evidence of alien life or recovered extraterrestrial materials. The report attributed the rise in sightings to misidentified military operations and a surge in pop culture portrayals of aliens, which have influenced public perception.
Despite the official stance, many within the military still claim to have witnessed unexplained aerial phenomena. Former Navy pilot Ryan Graves described an object flying between two jets, appearing as a “dark gray or black cube inside of a clear sphere.” AARO continues to receive between 50 and 100 new sighting reports each month, and while most are now swiftly explained, a few remain unresolved.
The Department of Defense has committed to releasing a second volume of its historical findings, which is expected to further address misleading briefings, inauthentic materials, and reports of deliberate pranks.
Artificial intelligence is not a miracle cure': Nobel laureate raises questions about AI-generated image of black hole spinning at the heart of our galaxy
'Artificial intelligence is not a miracle cure': Nobel laureate raises questions about AI-generated image of black hole spinning at the heart of our galaxy
Researchers have used an AI model to create a new image of the black hole at the center of our galaxy. But some experts are skeptical of the results.
A new AI model (right) has helped flesh out details in the first-ever images of black holes (left) taken by the Event Horizon Telescope. But can the new models be trusted?
(Image credit: EHT Collaboration/Janssen et al.)
The monster black hole at the center of our galaxy is spinning at near "top speed," according to a new artificial intelligence (AI) model.
The model, trained partially on complex telescope data that was previously considered too noisy to be useful, aims to create the most detailed black hole images ever. However, based on the questionable quality of the data, not all experts are convinced that the AI model is accurate.
"I'm very sympathetic and interested in what they're doing," Reinhard Genzel, an astrophysicist at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany and one of the winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in physics, told Live Science. "But artificial intelligence is not a miracle cure."
For decades, scientists have been trying to observe and characterize Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy. In May 2022, they unveiled the first-ever image of this enormous object, but there were still a number of questions, such as how it behaves.
Now, an international team of scientists has attempted to harness the power of AI to glean more information about Sagittarius A* from data collected by theEvent Horizon Telescope (EHT). Unlike some telescopes, the EHT doesn't reside in a single location. Rather, it is composed of several linked instruments scattered across the globe that work in tandem. The EHT uses long electromagnetic waves — up to a millimeter in length — to measure the radius of the photons surrounding a black hole.
However, this technique, known as very long baseline interferometry, is very susceptible to interference from water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere. This means it can be tough for researchers to make sense of the information the instruments collect.
"It is very difficult to deal with data from the Event Horizon Telescope," Michael Janssen, an astrophysicist at Radboud University in the Netherlands and co-author of the study, told Live Science. "A neural network is ideally suited to solve this problem."
Janssen and his team trained an AI model on EHT data that had been previously discarded for being too noisy. In other words, there was too much atmospheric static to decipher information using classical techniques.
Through this AI technique, they generated a new image of Sagittarius A*'s structure, and their picture revealed some new features. For example, the black hole appears to be spinning at "almost top speed," the researchers said in a statement, and its rotational axis also seems to be pointing toward Earth. Their results were published this month in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Pinpointing the rotational speed of Sagittarius A* would give scientists clues about how radiation behaves around supermassive black holes and offer insight into the stability of the disk of matter around it.
However, not everyone is convinced that the new AI is totally accurate. According to Genzel, the relatively low quality of the data going into the model could have biased it in unexpected ways. As a result, the new image may be somewhat distorted, he said, and shouldn't be taken at face value.
In the future, Janssen and his team plan to apply their technique to the latest EHT data and measure it against real-world results. They hope this analysis will help to refine the model and improve future simulations.
Artificial intelligence is not a miracle cure': Nobel laureate raises questions about AI-generated image of black hole spinning at the heart of our galaxy
'Artificial intelligence is not a miracle cure': Nobel laureate raises questions about AI-generated image of black hole spinning at the heart of our galaxy
Researchers have used an AI model to create a new image of the black hole at the center of our galaxy. But some experts are skeptical of the results.
A new AI model (right) has helped flesh out details in the first-ever images of black holes (left) taken by the Event Horizon Telescope. But can the new models be trusted?
(Image credit: EHT Collaboration/Janssen et al.)
The monster black hole at the center of our galaxy is spinning at near "top speed," according to a new artificial intelligence (AI) model.
The model, trained partially on complex telescope data that was previously considered too noisy to be useful, aims to create the most detailed black hole images ever. However, based on the questionable quality of the data, not all experts are convinced that the AI model is accurate.
"I'm very sympathetic and interested in what they're doing," Reinhard Genzel, an astrophysicist at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany and one of the winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in physics, told Live Science. "But artificial intelligence is not a miracle cure."
For decades, scientists have been trying to observe and characterize Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy. In May 2022, they unveiled the first-ever image of this enormous object, but there were still a number of questions, such as how it behaves.
Now, an international team of scientists has attempted to harness the power of AI to glean more information about Sagittarius A* from data collected by theEvent Horizon Telescope (EHT). Unlike some telescopes, the EHT doesn't reside in a single location. Rather, it is composed of several linked instruments scattered across the globe that work in tandem. The EHT uses long electromagnetic waves — up to a millimeter in length — to measure the radius of the photons surrounding a black hole.
However, this technique, known as very long baseline interferometry, is very susceptible to interference from water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere. This means it can be tough for researchers to make sense of the information the instruments collect.
"It is very difficult to deal with data from the Event Horizon Telescope," Michael Janssen, an astrophysicist at Radboud University in the Netherlands and co-author of the study, told Live Science. "A neural network is ideally suited to solve this problem."
Janssen and his team trained an AI model on EHT data that had been previously discarded for being too noisy. In other words, there was too much atmospheric static to decipher information using classical techniques.
Through this AI technique, they generated a new image of Sagittarius A*'s structure, and their picture revealed some new features. For example, the black hole appears to be spinning at "almost top speed," the researchers said in a statement, and its rotational axis also seems to be pointing toward Earth. Their results were published this month in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Pinpointing the rotational speed of Sagittarius A* would give scientists clues about how radiation behaves around supermassive black holes and offer insight into the stability of the disk of matter around it.
However, not everyone is convinced that the new AI is totally accurate. According to Genzel, the relatively low quality of the data going into the model could have biased it in unexpected ways. As a result, the new image may be somewhat distorted, he said, and shouldn't be taken at face value.
In the future, Janssen and his team plan to apply their technique to the latest EHT data and measure it against real-world results. They hope this analysis will help to refine the model and improve future simulations.
Wow, this is getting really weird. Another Buga sphere has been recorded and released on Reddit today. As I have said before, this increase in close by orb sightings is building up to something very important and very big. The soul purpose of these orbs is to gather intelligence, data and record it, sending it back to its home world. These orbs also use telepathy...which is very powerful and can reach several miles due to its alien technology. Yes, they read your mind, your thoughts when focused. Thats why orbs sometimes come when you meditate calling them to you. It worked once for me, came two meters from me, grapefruit size. Why did this orb fly into the area where the huts were located at the end of the video? Many questions, but one thing is for sure, humans do not have this technology. It's 100% alien made.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
"On June 5th, around 7 PM, I was walking and taking photos of the scenery on the shallow area of Shayukou Reservoir. At first, I saw a metallic spherical object flying eastward above the water surface from the west side of the reservoir. At that time, it seemed to hover occasionally before continuing to fly, and it disappeared behind a hill. I initially thought it was just a strange hydrogen balloon and didn’t pay much attention. Around 7:30 PM, as I was about to head back, the sphere reappeared in the south. There was no wind at all, and the evening was very quiet. Surprisingly, the sphere was able to fly at varying altitudes, hovering midway before continuing to fly.
I watched for a few minutes and became certain it was definitely not a balloon or a drone. I then started filming, but the object was strange—every time I filmed for a short while, it would move behind the trees. Whenever I thought it had completely disappeared, it would reappear. This continued intermittently for over ten minutes, during which I recorded three video clips. After the last clip, it disappeared completely.
In the following days, I saw a video online of a similar sphere flying over Colombia, which looked very much like what I saw. That’s when I decided to seek help online for identification."
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"Buga Sphere" Spotted in China - All 3 Clips - Stabilized
This just came in my email a few days ago. An eyewitness spotted an orb moving over the city. He describes it as grey metal of some sort and it looks similar in size and speed to the orb recorded and recovered in Colombia a few months ago called the "Buga sphere." It looks like spheres are coming closer and closer to observer human activities. This is strange, because usually they hover and hide within the clouds...moving in and out the edges of these clouds to record and observer. I call them cloud orbs, but to see them suddenly being recorded so frequently by others at such a low altitude...something big must be being planed by aliens on the horizon.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
I captured this a little while ago. Not the best video quality, but you can see it flying in a very straight path. If it were a balloon, I would expect it to be more affected by the wind, which you can hear in the recording. There is a jump cut in the middle where I cut out about 10 seconds where it's not in frame. I got a better view before recording, and I'd estimate it to be roughly basketball sized or a bit larger. Seemingly made of metal or some other silver material.
UFO Over Cambridge, Massachusetts April 19, 2025, UAP Drone Sighting News. Ancient Aliens Watch Us.
Fairy lore goes back centuries and can be found in a wide variety of diverse cultures. Although the modern image of fairies is that of benevolent glittering winged beings flitting and cavorting amongst the trees of a forest, the attitude towards fairies also varied greatly from tradition to tradition. In some accounts, fairies have a rather mischievous, even malevolent undertone, and in some lore, these entities are seen as being very real indeed.
An early account of a fairy abduction involves a young woman named Anne Jefferies, of the parish of St Teath, Cornwall, in England. Born in 1626 to a poor laborer, she had always been a bright and inquisitive girl with a wild and active imagination. One of the things that really captured her attention and became almost a sort of obsession for her were all of the various tales of fairies that were all around her, the lore of her area was steeped in such tales, but for her, this was more than mere stories. As a child, she would spend much of her time out in the woods trying to find the elusive entities and commune with them, and this habit would continue right up until she was a young woman, when she came to live as a servant in the family of a Mr. Moses Pitt and his wife Joan, where she did domestic duties and also served as a nanny and nurse to the couple’s two young children. At 19 years of age, she was still going out into the forest all of the time after her chores in her free time, looking for fairies and pixies, singing out to them in the hope of some sort of response to validate her belief that they were in fact real. Little did she know that her efforts were not completely in vain and that she was being watched.
According to the tale, one day Anne was out knitting at the Pitt home when she suddenly went into a convulsive fit that left her ill and bedridden. Several days passed with her in an unconscious state, and when she woke, she would have quite the tale to tell. She would relate to her family and those around her that she had been out there knitting when she had heard laughter and had looked around to find six diminutive men in green outfits and hats and with unusually bright eyes, led by one with a red feather in his cap, had crawled out of the bushes to approach her. The leader of the group had been unafraid of her, jumping into her palm and then up onto her shoulder to kiss her neck and hair, and before long all of them were crawling all over her. That was when one of them had put his hands over her eyes, after which she had felt a prickling sensation and then all had gone dark.
The next thing she remembered was waking to someone shouting “Tear! Tear!” and when she looked around herself, she saw that she was upon a grassy knoll in an unfamiliar, fantastical land of palaces, temples, and lush gardens, as well as azure lakes and a plentitude of brightly colored birds and other animals frolicking about. She was then dressed in an ornate, flowing silk dress and led to a palace, where there were fairy folk everywhere eating, drinking, and dancing. It would seem that she was there in this strange land for many days, during which time she fell in love with the fairy with the red feather in his hat. This made the other fairy men jealous, and they followed them around everywhere they went. One day, a mob of these fairy men would surround them, and as her fairy lover tried to defend her, Anne once again found herself losing consciousness, fading to black as she was immersed in a thrumming vibration that shook her entire body and a buzzing in her ears. The last thing she saw before everything went dark was her fairy lover lying wounded on the ground.
When she woke this time, she was back where she had started, the fairies nowhere to be seen. She was at the time disoriented, and when her family members found her, she was going into convulsive fits. Oddly, although many days had passed for Anne, it seemed as if no time had passed in the real world. For the next few weeks, she would be ill in bed, moving between unconsciousness and lucidity, and she would demonstrate some side effects of her bizarre ordeal. It seems as though she had developed certain clairvoyant abilities, such as reading the future and knowing who was at the door. She also said that she frequently saw the fairies lurking about, although no one else could, and she had also gained the ability to heal people by touching them, on one occasion curing a person’s injured leg just by laying hands upon it, and soon people were coming from far and wide coming to be healed by her hands. Such was her purported powers that she was kept as a prisoner at the house of the Mayor of Bodmin for a time on charges of being a witch, although never formally charged with witchcraft, which was what the whispered rumors were saying.
Interestingly, another power she apparently had was to go without food for long periods, yet remain healthy and vigorous, insisting that the fairies were keeping her fed. The case made quite a stir back in the time, and Anne herself would go on to marry a man named William Warren and fade from the spotlight, refusing to talk about her experiences or perform any more healing magic. The story would go on to be spoken of throughout the area ever since, with a letter from Moses Pitt, her benefactor’s son, to the Right Reverend Dr. Edward Fowler, Bishop of Gloucester setting it in stone. Anne Jefferies would die in 1698, taking any secrets to the grave with her and having avoided talking about her experience for most of her life. What was going on here? Is this just a folktale, or is there something more to it? It is unknown, and the case has become embedded in local myth without a real answer in sight. Was this actual fairies, interdimensional interlopers, or possibly an alien abduction? Or was it just a hoax and the ramblings of a misguided young woman, or even just pure folklore? There is no way to know, and whatever the case may be, it remains one of the weirder tales of fairies there is.
In some cases it seems that the targeted victim of a fairy kidnapping manages to escape. In 1839 there was a woman by the name of Annie McIntire, who seems to have just been saved by her brother from being abducted by the fairies. Her report would read:
“Yes, by good luck my brother happened to be coming home from Carndonagh that night, and heard the fairies singing and saw them dancing round me in the wood at Carrowkeel. He had a book with him, and he threw it in among them. They then ran away."
One early and quite sinister account with alleged evil fairies happened in 1911, when Walter Yeeling Evans-Wentz published a book called The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries, in which there is interviewed 73-year-old Neil Colton, who claimed that as a youth in 1853, he had had a rather strange and frightening fairy encounter indeed. Colton claimed that one summer day he had been put with his brother and cousin gathering berries out in the countryside when they heard some inexplicable, ethereal music wafting through the air from beyond some nearby rocks. When the group went to investigate, they claimed that they had come across a band of fairies dancing in a clearing, and one of these little folk, a woman dressed in red, suddenly noticed they were being watched and rushed forward with decidedly aggressive intent.
The mysterious woman is claimed to have surged forth with a stick, or rush in her hand to strike the cousin across the cheek, after which she reached out to grab Colton’s brother’s arm to keep from falling. This sent the group scurrying away in a panic, and at some point, on their flight back to their home, Colton’s cousin collapsed to the ground seemingly dead. The girl’s father and a priest by the name of Father Ryan then came to the scene and Ryan said a prayer over her body, after which she slowly and groggily awoke. The priest would conclude that it had only been her grabbing Colton's brother that had kept her from being taken by the fairies “forever.”
In 1925, we also have a report of a woman who was “pixie-led” told by Mrs. G. Herbert, of Dartmoor, England. In 1925, Herbert was riding a horse on the moors of Dartmoor, England, on a fine sunny day in an area of the moors that she knew well when she suddenly and inexplicably became confused and lost her way. Oddly, she recognized her surroundings, but some persistent fog in her mind was befuddling her and preventing her from navigating any of it. She seemed to know that this was a result of fairies trying to lead her astray for the purpose of abducting her, so she tried a trick to protect herself, involving turning her pockets inside out. Apparently, this worked, and she was able to continue on her way without further incident.
Indeed, some of the strangest reports of fairy abductions come from those who have managed to come back to tell the tale. A very weird earlier report also has to do with what is called a “Fairy Circle,” a sort of portal between the land of the Fae and our reality, which in this account supposedly existed near the farm of Llwyn y Ffynon, near the Vale of Neath in South Wales. In 1755, two servants on the farm, Rhys ap Morgan, and Llewellyn Walter, were walking towards the farm one evening when Rhys stopped and told his companion he could hear music playing, although Llewellyn could hear nothing. Rhys told the Llewellyn to continue back home while he went to search for who was playing the music and talk to them. It was all very odd since only Rhys could hear the alleged music, and Llewellyn suspected that he was just trying to get out of work, finally just leaving his friend to head home.
When morning came, Rhys was nowhere to be seen, and so Llewellyn told his boss what had happened the previous night. The area was searched, and they even searched the nearby alehouse, but there was no sign of Rhys, and suspicion began to fall on Llewellyn that he had done something to him. This would continue for a full year before the story found its way to a local farmer who thought it might have to do with fairies. He asked Llewellyn to take him and some friends to the exact spot where Rhys had disappeared, and the farmer claimed that it was a fairy circle and that Rhys had been snatched away within it. At that moment Llewellyn could allegedly hear harp music that no one else could, and the farmer noticed that the servant’s foot was partly within the circle. When all present placed their feet within the circle, they found that they too could hear the music, and they could also see little child-sized figures dancing about along with the missing Rhys.
Llewellyn then grabbed his friend and pulled him out of the circle, after which Rhys said he wanted to dance a little more, as he had just gotten there. When asked what he meant, Rhys claimed to have been there for scarcely 5 minutes, even though a whole year had passed. Indeed, he had no inkling at all that he had been gone so long, and he also found himself unable to clearly remember his time with the little people in that circle. The next morning the circle was checked to find that it was trodden down and filled with tiny footprints the size of a person’s thumb. Oddly, after leaving the circle Rhys’ health would rapidly deteriorate, and he would die not long after. What happened here? Some of these cases can be quite harrowing, such as an account also written in the 1910 book The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries, by W.Y. Evans-Wentz. The case revolves around a witness who says that when he was a boy he was out with his brother and cousin when they were almost abducted by a group of fairies. He says of the bizarre experience:
“One day, just before sunset in midsummer, and I a boy then, my brother and cousin and myself were gathering bilberries (whortleberries) up by the rocks at the back of here, when all at once we heard music. We hurried round the rocks, and there we were within a few hundred feet of six or eight of the gentle folk, and they dancing. When they saw us, a little woman dressed all in red came running out from them towards us, and she struck my cousin across the face with what seemed to be a green rush. We ran for home as hard as we could, and when my cousin reached the house she fell dead. Father saddled a horse and went for Father Ryan. When Father Ryan arrived, he put a stole about his neck and began praying over my cousin and reading psalms and striking her with the stole; and in that way brought her back. He said if she had not caught hold of my brother, she would have been taken forever.”
In the same book is the story of a man who tells of his frightening encounter with what he calls the “gentry,” another word for fairy. One day as he was out near a place called Ben Bulbin he had a curious encounter with a fairy that seemed about to abduct him. He says of the rather odd series of events:
“When I was a young man I often used to go out in the mountains over there to fish for trout, or to hunt; and it was in January on a cold, dry day while carrying my gun that I and a friend with me, as we were walking around Ben Bulbin, saw one of the gentry for the first time. I knew who it was, for I had heard the gentry described ever since I could remember; and this one was dressed in blue with a head-dress adorned with what seemed to be frills. When he came up to us, he said to me in a sweet and silvery voice, "The seldomer you come to this mountain the better. A young lady here wants to take you away." Then he told us not to fire off our guns, because the gentry dislike being disturbed by the noise. And he seemed to be like a soldier of the gentry on guard. As we were leaving the mountains, he told us not to look back, and we didn't. Another time I was alone trout-fishing in nearly the same region when I heard a voice say, "It is ------ bare-footed and fishing." Then there came a whistle like music and a noise like the beating of a drum, and soon one of the gentry came and talked with me for half an hour. He said, "Your mother will die in eleven months, and do not let her die unanointed." And she did die within eleven months. As he was going away he warned me, "You must be in the house before sunset. Do not delay! Do not delay! They can do nothing to you until I get back in the castle." As I found out afterwards, he was going to take me, but hesitated because he did not want to leave my mother alone. After these warnings I was always afraid to go to the mountains, but lately I have been told I could go, if I took a friend with me.”
In some cases people have been reported as being gone for a length of time, only to somehow find their way back, usually dazed, confused, and with no clear memory of what has happened to them. One report from The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries speaks of this and explains how something about what it calls “Fairyland” is a place in which time runs differently, and which has a way of preventing the abductee from being able to speak of it. It explains:
“Persons in a short trance-state of two or three days duration are said to be away with the fairies enjoying a festival. The festival may be very material in its nature, or it may be purely spiritual. Sometimes one may thus go to Faerie for an hour or two; or one may remain there for seven, fourteen, or twenty-one years. The mind of a person coming out of Fairyland is usually a blank as to what has been seen and done there. Another idea is that the person knows well enough all about Fairyland, but is prevented from communicating the knowledge. A certain woman of whom I knew said she had forgotten all about her experiences in Faerie, but a friend who heard her objected, and said she did remember, and wouldn't tell. A man may remain awake at night to watch one who has been to Fairyland to see if that one holds communication with the fairies. Others say in such a case that the fairies know you are on the alert, and will not be discovered.”
Similarly, we have a case that relates the bizarre ordeal of a woman who disappeared near a “Fairy Fort,” usually a mound, cairn of rocks or a boulder that draws in fairies and has great significance for them. The report reads:
“Finally, as an example of this darker aspect to fairy encounters this account from the Irish folklore archives demonstrates the upset and the confusion which many feel before they can even speak about what they believe happened to them. In this case a family happen to live close to an ancient fairy fort and one morning as a woman is using a spinning wheel she noticed a tiny person standing by the door of the house. When the woman stood up and walked to the door to investigate she was taken away by a group of small people. When the family arrived home and noticed their aunt had vanished they searched everywhere in the vicinity but found no sign of her. They searched the drains, the ditches and even the fairy fort itself. It was on the third day of her disappearance that one of the family was walking by the fort when they saw the aunt kneeling next to it. She had vanished while holding a carving knife and this was stuck in the ground next to her. The aunt could not speak for days after her return and it was only then that the family learned of her fairy abduction.”
In most cases the person is just sort of whisked away, and this often happens to the very young. Another case concerns a young woman by the name of Annie McIntire, also from Ireland. According to an account in a 1909 edition of the Preston Herald:
“Annie McIntire, a venerable county Derry woman, has a sublime faith in the fairies. When being examined at a meeting of the Limavady Pension Committee as to her age, she fixed the time of her birth as Hallowe’en in 1839 giving for her recollection of the fact the startling reason that she had been ‘stolen by the fairies’. In reply to the chairman the woman said she was as certain of her abduction by the fairies as the she was alive. After carrying off the infant, she continued, the ‘wee people’ indulged in revels and dancing, in the wood at Carrowkeel, which were fortunately overheard by her brother when returning from Carndomagh. The brother had a book [a Bible? difficult to see the fairies being frightened off by a penny dreadful], which he threw into the wood, and scattered the fairies when he lifted his baby sister in his arms and carried her back in triumph. Further questioned the witness said her mother relatives were overjoyed at her safe return and gave themselves up to feasting and merriment. This was the only incident by which witness was able to determine her age, of which no record appeared in the census of 1841 or that of 1851.”
Fairies have supposedly displayed an alarming habit of kidnapping human beings, in particular babies, and there are many such reports. One account listed on the Fairyist website details the report of a woman who in 1844 gave birth to a baby. Some time later, the infant was lying in bed with the mother and father when the mother awoke to find the baby gone. She would soon find that it had been taken by the Fairy-folk, and the report would say of the incident thus:
“Uttering an exclamation of fear, lest the fairies (or feriers) should have taken the child, she jumped out of bed, and there sure enough a number of the little sandy things had got the baby at the foot of the bed and were undressing it. They fled away through a hole in the floor, laughing as if they shrieked, and, snatching up her child, on examination she found that they had laid all the pins head to head as they took them out of the dress. For months afterwards she always slept with the child between herself and husband, and used carefully to pin it by its bed clothes to the pillow and sheets that it might not be snatched hastily away. This happened in the old house which stood where the new one now stands on the south side of the vicarage gate. A woman, as she heard tell, had a child changed, and one, a poor thing, left in his place, but she was very kind to it, and every morning on getting up she found a small piece of money in her pocket. My informant firmly believes in their existence, and wonders how it is that of late years no such things have been seen.”
Indeed babies are traditionally prime targets for fairies, and to protect their infants people would often sprinkle them with holy water or hang bars or rods of iron over their cribs, as iron was said to ward fairies off, with even adults often carrying around iron when venturing into a fairy’s territory. This was among many precautions mothers would take to protect both themselves and their babies from fairies. 20th-century fairy researcher W.Y. Evans-Wentz said of this:
“The fairies were wont to take away infants and their mothers, and many precautions were taken to safeguard them till purification and baptism took place, when the fairy power became ineffective. Placing iron about the bed, burning leather in the room, giving mother and child the milk of a cow which had eaten of the mothan, pearl-wort (Pinguicula vulgaris), a plant of virtue, and similar means were taken to ensure their safety. If the watching-women neglected these precautions, the mother or child or both were spirited away to the fairy bower."
This does not seem to always work, though, and in another account we have a case from the site Irish Central from a witness called “Grace.” She writes:
“Don’t believe in Fairy abductions? My Granny would have a sit down with you and soon set you straight. From the very day of her birth, Granny’s parents carefully lay their iron fire-poker across the basket she slept in. They were believer’s you see, in the Good People. Well, wasn’t everyone back then? But times have changed and now there are fewer who believe. Who knows, maybe the Good People like it that way. My Granny thinks so and she says she should know.
"I’ve lived one foot in our world and the other foot in theirs” so she says. You see, when Granny was but a few months old, the Good People tried to steal her away. Without a drop of whiskey on her breath, she’ll tell you that she was asleep in her wee basket when there was a commotion out back of her parent’s cottage. They lived in County Limerick at that time, it was a farm, with mainly sheep she says, and anyway, all hell had broken loose tween sheep and dogs and Granny’s Mam and Pop upped and ran outside to see the damage. As it happened, there was nothing to see, nothing at all. It had been nothing but bluster, for the sheep and dogs were only calm and dozey. Which was strange in itself.
Granny’s Mam was pretty canny, and she hightailed it back to the cottage to find Granny, still wrapped tight in her blanket, laying at the threshold at the front door. Fast asleep. Across the room from her basket. When she was older, Granny was told by her parents that the Good People had distracted them so they could steal her away for she was ‘touched’, having one blue eye and one green you see. Only they couldn’t get her out from the cottage on account she’d been baptized. Granny will tell you the iron bar did nothing to keep the Good People from reaching in her basket and what's more, it wasn’t true, her being baptized. It’s what her parents told anyone who asked, but in truth, she was yet to be baptized and only a day or two after the ‘visit’ as Granny calls it, her parents took her on the quiet to the Priest for to get the job done.
So we can only guess that the Good People dropped Granny to the ground when they heard her Mam approaching. I think Granny enjoys telling the story and wears it as a kind of badge actually. It is remarked by many who have known Granny that she has lived a charmed life on account of her touch by the Good People. There could be something to that, she is nearing 100 years old after all and as bright and feisty as ever before.”
There are also some traditions of fairy abductions in which the little folk were said to leave behind an entity called a "changeling," which was a fairy imposter who merely looked like the person who had been abducted to act like a placeholder and take the abductee's place. In the lore of numerous countries in Europe and beyond, a changeling was more or less a copy of a child left by usually fairies, but sometimes elves, trolls, or some other spirit, depending on the culture, to replace a human child that they abducted. The fairies would sneak into homes, spirit away the human child, and leave an imitation version, a changeling, in its place, and this would be done for several different reasons, depending on the lore of a specific region. Sometimes it was because fairies coveted human children and wanted one for themselves, and indeed some human children were said to live out the rest of their days in the fairy realm. On other occasions, it was to take a human child as a slave or servant, out of malice or revenge, or even as no more than a prank. Fairies might also take a human child if they thought they weren’t being cared for properly, or even because the changeling itself had requested to grow up in the human world, for instance, some older fairies supposedly requested to be made into changelings in order to become young again and start life anew in the human world. The children taken were almost without fail the most beautiful, which is why in some traditions, such as those of Ireland, it was seen as bad luck to look at a baby with envy or praise its beauty too much because this was thought to draw the fairies’ attention to it and make the child a target.
Although they looked indistinguishable from a human child, once a child was replaced by a changeling there were varying ways to tell if they were an imposter, again depending on the region. In many traditions, changeling children were likely to look pale and sickly, and may not grow up to be a normal size. They were often said to have long teeth, scraggly hair, or some hidden physical deformity or birth defect, such as extra toes. Changelings were said to have enormous appetites, eating far more than a normal human child of their size would, and they were also typically said to be more intelligent than a normal human child of their age. It was also said that they would demonstrate skills or abilities that their human doppelganger had not possessed, with psychic abilities often mentioned. They were often said to have an uncanny “offness” about their outward appearance, which was hard to put one’s finger on but would be unsettling to all who looked at them. Other traditions speak of the changeling becoming uglier with age. For instance, in Wales, it was believed that the changeling would start out beautiful, but become ever more hideous as it grew up. People around the changeling child might also suffer physical effects, such as being unable to move their limbs, which is called being 'fairy-struck.' Changeling children were also commonly described as acting very oddly, as well as never smiling or laughing when people were watching, although they would do so when they thought they were alone, and many times changelings were mute or spoke very little. The English poet and topographer George Waldron, who lived in the Isle of Man during the early 18th century, would claim to have seen a changeling child, and described it as follows:
“Nothing under heaven could have a more beautiful face; but though between five and six years old, and seemingly healthy, he was so far from being able to walk, or stand, that he could not so much as move any one joint; his limbs were vastly long for his age, but smaller than an infant's of six months; his complexion was perfectly delicate, and he had the finest hair in the world; he never spoke, nor cried, ate scarcely anything, and was very seldom seen to smile, but if any one called him a fairy-elf, he would frown and fix his eyes so earnestly on those who said it, as if he would look them through. His mother, or at least his supposed mother, being very poor, frequently went out a-charing, and left him a whole day together. The neighbours, out of curiosity, have often looked in at the window to see how he behaved when alone, which, whenever they did, they were sure to find him laughing and in the utmost delight. This made them judge that he was not without company more pleasing to him than any mortal's could be; and what made this conjecture seem the more reasonable was, that if he were left ever so dirty, the woman at her return saw him with a clean face, and his hair combed with the utmost exactness and nicety.”
For a long time, changelings were seen as a very real threat, with many families constantly on guard against their child being abducted and replaced by these doppelgangers, and as with many other supernatural creatures, there were various methods to keep the changelings away. A common theme in many regions was the use of iron, thought to have a powerful repelling effect against the creatures, with iron objects such as knives and scissors left around the child’s cot to keep them at bay. Other ways included constantly watching the child, laying the father’s clothes on the bed, keeping a fire constantly lit in the room, baptizing the child, and other strange customs such as placing urine around the bed. Most traditions also feature various charms, amulets, herbs, or salves that could be used to keep changelings away as well, but despite all of these precautions, there was never any certain guarantee that a child wouldn’t be taken and replaced by the fairies.
In almost every tradition of changelings, they were not seen as a desirable or benevolent presence, mischievous at best and portents of misfortune, death, and ruin at worst. For this reason, if a changeling was spotted in a family, besides the parents just wanting their child back, it was in their best interest to get rid of it before problems came their way, and there were various traditions for how to do this. In many countries, it was thought that torturing a changeling until it laughed would do the trick, causing it to leave and bring the human child back. In Ireland, it was thought that throwing the changeling into a fireplace would cause it to jump up the chimney and return the human child. Indeed, many countries had the tradition of using fire or otherwise heating the changeling, such as in an oven in order to banish it. They could also be beaten and mistreated to force them to admit their true nature. In other traditions, it was enough to simply trick the changeling into speaking or laughing by any means necessary, and there were certain rituals that could be carried out as well. If a family was lucky, the changeling would just get bored and go away on its own, although there were no guarantees that the human child it had replaced would ever be returned.
Yet, even with all of these deterrents and weapons against the changeling threat, many families felt compelled to care for it simply because they were afraid that something bad would happen to their real child if they did not. On occasion, this could lead to the thankful changeling giving back the human child as a reward for their kindness, but usually, the changeling would remain. In some cases, the changeling would be raised as the family’s child through to adulthood, with the changeling sometimes even forgetting what they really were and believing themselves to be human. In this case, the human child that they had replaced would live with the fairies forever, and would sometimes themselves forget that they had ever been human at all. There are many historical tales of changelings that grew up in human society. King Charles I of England (1600 - 1649) was reportedly rumored to have been a changeling, and there is also the tale of a woman named Bridget Cleary, who was murdered by her husband in 1895 when he suspected her of being a changeling.
In this particular case from March of 1895, a young woman by the name of Bridget Cleary disappeared in Ireland, and after an extensive search for the woman her body was finally found not far from her home. Police would finger her husband Michael Cleary, her father Patrick Boland, her aunt Mary Kennedy, her cousins Patrick, William, James and Michael Kennedy, and John Dunne as the killers, but under questioning they would weave a very strange tale indeed. According to them, the real Bridgette had in fact been abducted by fairies, who had then left behind a changeling in her place, a fact they uncovered when the creature became very ill for no reason. They then tied up the changeling and tortured it to find out where the real Bridgette had been taken to, but it died from its injuries. According to them, the police had found the changeling’s body and not that of the real Bridgette. It was a colorful story, but the police weren’t buying it and they were charged with murder.
The stories of changelings reverberate throughout the lore of many European countries, including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Poland, Spain, and others, and similar tales stretch out to Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Why is it that such similar stories have managed to worm their way into these far-flung lands? One of the main theories in modern times is that this was a way of explaining and dealing with infants born with birth defects, or deformed, developmentally disabled, or neurodivergent children, as well as those with autism. In an age when there was little to medically or scientifically explain such things, this could have perhaps been a way to rationalize such children. The parents would see these defects and convince themselves that this couldn’t possibly be their child, but rather an imposter left by supernatural forces. It is horrifying in a sense, as such folklore and beliefs likely led to countless instances of innocent children being mistreated, tortured, abandoned, or even killed. We may never truly know how such stories evolved, or why they remain so eerily similar across geographical and cultural divides, but they certainly play into every parent's fears that something might happen to their child, and remain a curious area of strange lore with deep roots in mystery.
Here we have looked at just a small selection of the many accounts through the ages of fairies with decidedly dark agendas. Is there any truth to the tales or are they strictly mythical constructs confined to spooky lore and legend? Whatever the case may be, it all adds extra layers to the phenomenon of fairies and shows that they are not always of the kind and benevolent type.
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According to the 2024 US Department of Defense (DOD) review, the government conducted a deliberate disinformation campaign during the Cold War era, going so far as to distribute fake photos of flying saucers to residents.
Following the release of the report, Nick Pope, who worked on the MoD's UFO desk for three years from 1991, claims that some UFO investigators are introducing 'too much religiosity' into their theories.
In a post on X, Mr Pope wrote: 'The subject of UAP has gone from fringe to mainstream.
'We risk losing this if we go down the paranormal rabbit hole, or introduce too much religiosity or spirituality into the narrative.
'Let's keep the focus on defense, national security and safety of flight.'
A bombshell report has claimed that the UFO conspiracies surrounding Nevada's Area 51 (pictured) were fueled by the Pentagon to conceal classified weapons program
UFOs are at risk of 'going down the paranormal rabbit hole', an expert has warned in wake of a bombshell report by the Wall Street Journal
Mr Pope (pictured), who worked on the MoD's UFO desk for three years from 1991, cautioned that some UFO investigators were introducing 'too much religiosity' into their theories and warned that those interested in UFOs should 'keep the focus on defense, national security, and safety of flight'
Members of Congress, largely coming from the Republican Party, have formed a caucus to examine what they call 'unidentified anomalous phenomena' or 'UAPs'.
However, UFOs' growing credibility now risks taking a serious blow as it emerges that a number of UFO theories might have been deliberately started by the Pentagon itself.
The new claims of a secret weapons cover-up come from a report by the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) - a congressional task force within the DOD created to investigate persistent rumours of secret government projects involving alien technology.
Sean Kirkpatrick, the first director of the AARO, was appointed by the government in 2022 to investigate and make sense of the countless UFO theories swirling through public and military channels.
Investigating UFO reports dating back to 1945, AARO discovered several cases where high-ranking military officials deliberately misled the public and their colleagues.
The subject of UFOs has recently gained credibility, culminating in a series of Congressional Hearings in 2023 in which whistleblowers testified that the US has a secret UFO retrieval programme
Recent reports suggest that the Pentagon deliberately fanned the flames of UFO conspiracies and gave doctored images to members of the public and members of the military to cover up a secret weapons programme. Pictured: The famous 'Tic Tac' UFO video
Mr Kirkpatrick told the Wall Street Journal he had met a number of former Air Force members who claimed to have been briefed on a project called 'Yankee Blue'.
For decades, some newly recruited officers were given a picture which appeared to show a flying saucer and were told that they were part of a programme called Yankee Blue which was responsible for reverse-engineering the technology.
However, the picture was a fake and there was such a reverse-engineering programme.
Instead, Yankee Blue appears to have been a bizarre hazing ritual or loyalty test for new recruits into the Air Force.
And even decades later, news that Yankee Blue was fake stunned the now-retired servicemen.
It was not until 2023 did the defence secretary's office sent a memo out across the service ordering the practice to stop immediately.
Kirkpatrick told then President's director of national intelligence, Avril Haines, who was also stunned.
Haines was said to have pressed the issue, questioning how the hazing could have carried on without being stopped.
According to the 2024 US Department of Defense (DOD) review, the Pentagon (pictured) conducted a deliberate disinformation campaign during the Cold War era, going so far as to distribute fake photos of flying saucers to residents.
The official responded: 'Ma'am, we know it went on for decades. We are talking about hundreds and hundreds of people. These men signed NDAs. They thought it was real.'
Mr Pope told MailOnline: 'The idea that governments have faked UFO narratives so as to distract people from black project technologies isn't new.
'It doesn't surprise me that the practice continues, or that other false narratives have been created, perhaps as loyalty tests, to see if people leak them, or even as practical jokes.'
These findings are particularly critical for UFO researchers since they threaten to cast doubt over recent high-profile testimony given before Congress.
For example, Mike Gold, who served on NASA's independent UAP study team in October 2022, told Congress that 'UAPs should be taken seriously and researched accordingly.'
If it is true that UFO sightings are being manufactured by the intelligence community, then it could mean this testimony can no longer be relied on.
Mr Pope adds: 'At some of the public sessions, Intelligence Community insiders have testified as to the reality of legacy Intelligence Community programmes relating to crash retrievals and reverse engineering, unequivocally stating that the U.S. government is in possession of hardware and bodies of a non-human intelligence.
'Congress urgently now needs to ask: are these statements true, were the witnesses taken in by these false narratives, or were they complicit in creating and spreading such narratives?'
Despite this new information, UFO advocates such as Luiz Elizondo (pictured) have doubled down on their beliefs. Mr Elizondo appeared to insinuate that the recent investigation was, itself, part of a conspiracy to hide the truth about UFOs
As these reports rattle many UFO believers, Mr Pope insists that it is key for those in favour of UFO disclosure to 'push narratives that compete with the religious/spiritual one'.
Mr Pope wrote: 'Let's keep the focus on defense, national security and safety of flight.'
His comments come in response to a growing number of UFO supporters who argue that aliens are actually angels or other supernatural creatures.
Yet despite the Wall Street Journal's revelations and Mr Pope's appeal to stick to the facts, many UFO believers have only entrenched themselves deeper in conspiracy theories.
Speaking on the Good Trouble Show podcast, Mr Elizondo said: 'The absurdity of the WSJ article is not only a disingenuous piece, it appears to be well orchestrated with the usual players in the DoD [Department of Defence].'
Likewise, commenters on the popular r/UFO Reddit page shared their belief that the WSJ investigation must be another conspiracy.
One commenter wrote: 'The fact they are claiming this is totally absurd but it’s important to see why they are doing it. WSJ is being fed this info from Pentagon sources. Why? What is their angle?'
UFO believers are concerned that these findings could be used to undermine the testimony of several whistleblowers given before Congress in 2023. This has led to wild speculation that the investigation itself was a 'psy-op' from the Pentagon to discredit UFO believers
Experts say that conspiracy theories are 'sticky', meaning that believers cannot give them up easily even when faced with contradictory evidence
However, psychologists say that this reaction to the sudden release of new information is normal for conspiracy theorists.
Dr Daniel Jolley, an expert on the psychology of conspiracy theories from the University of Nottingham, told MailOnline: 'Conspiracy beliefs can be very “sticky” because they’re often tied to people’s identity and worldview.
'When someone invests in a conspiracy belief, it becomes part of how they make sense of the world and themselves.
New evidence that contradicts those beliefs can be dismissed or rationalised away since accepting it might threaten deeply held assumptions and create psychological discomfort.'
This means that the suggestion that UFO myths were created as a disinformation campaign is unlikely to affect the deeply held beliefs of those who already think UFOs are real.
Over the course of three online-based studies, researchers at the University of Kent showed strong links between the belief in conspiracy theories and certain psychological traits.
Narcissism and self-esteem levels have a large impact on a persons belief in conspiracy theories.
The results showed that people who rated highly on the narcissism scale and who had low self-esteem were more likely to be conspiracy believers.
However, while low self-esteem, narcissism and belief in conspiracies are strongly linked, it is not clear that one - or a combination - causes the other.
But it hints at an interesting new angle to the world of conspiracy and those who reinforce belief.
There are widely believed to be three main reasons as to why people believe in conspiracy theories.
* The desire for understanding and certainty - Seeking explanations for events is a natural human desire.
* The desire for control and security - Conspiracy theories can give their believers a sense of control and security.
* The desire to maintain a positive self-image - People who feel socially marginalised are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories and it gives them a sense of worth in the UFO community.
These three things tie in with the previously stated qualities and combine to create an avid conspiracy theorist.
The UFO Lie: Shocking truth of Pentagon AAWSAP program | The Basement Office
See our Sun like NEVER before: European Space Agency unveils the first ever photo of our home star's south pole - and says the best snaps are yet to come
The first ever images of the sun's south pole have been snapped by satellite launched by the European Space Agency (ESA).
Until now, every image of the sun has been taken from straight on, along the 'elliptical plane' - the flat disk on which all planets orbit.
But by tilting its orbit to 17 degrees below the equator, the ESA's solar orbiter has managed to reveal a side of our home star that has never been seen before.
Soon, the probe will tilt its orbit lower for an even better view - meaning the best images are yet to come.
By meeting up with Venus once every few orbits, the orbiter can use the planet's gravity to shift and tilt its orbit.
This has already allowed the probe to make some exciting new discoveries about the sun, and the researchers behind the project say that revelations are on the way.
Dr Hamish Reid, an astronomer at UCL and UK co-investigator on the orbiter's Extreme Ultraviolet Imager, told MailOnline: 'This moment is very significant; we have been waiting decades since we first started observing the Sun to catch a glimpse of the poles.
'This really is the missing piece of the puzzle in our understanding of the solar magnetic field.'
The European Space Agency has captured the first ever image of the sun's south pole, a region normally hidden from all planets and modern satellites in the solar system
The Solar Orbiter has already used three of its 10 instruments to make new measurements of the sun's south pole, revealing the mechanisms that produce space weather
The Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (PHI) was used to study the sun in visible light and map the surface magnetic field.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) captures ultraviolet light to reveal million-degree charged gas in the Sun's outer atmosphere.
Meanwhile the Spectral Imaging of the Coronal Environment (SPICE) instrument reveals the layers of the sun's atmosphere by capturing light from different temperatures of charged gas.
Dr Sami Solanki, of the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, says: 'We didn't know what exactly to expect from these first observations – the Sun's poles are literally terra incognita.'
Already, these observations are helping scientists understand how the sun's ever-changing weather could impact Earth.
Using its magnetic sensors, the probe has revealed that the sun's magnetic fields are a mess at the moment. The south pole (pictured) currently has areas of north (red) and south (blue) polarity magnetic fields
Solar Orbiter used three instruments to capture images of the sun's hidden south pole, each looking at the sun in a different way
While these events can have serious consequences for our planet's electronics and communications systems, we don't know enough about the sun's magnetic poles to predict exactly when a solar maximum will occur.
Professor Lucie Green, an astronomer at UCL and co-investigator on the EUI, says: 'Being able to observe the poles is vital for understanding how the Sun's magnetic field operates on a global scale, leading to an 11-year cycle in the Sun's activity.'
One of the Solar Orbiters' first observations is that the magnetic fields at the sun's south pole are currently in a state of disarray.
A normal bar magnet will have a clear north and south pole, but the sun's south pole currently has both north and south magnetic fields present.
This only happens for a short time during the solar maximum right after the magnetic poles flip.
After the flip, the polarity will slowly build up over the next five years to create clear north and south poles, bringing the sun to its most stable period known as a solar minimum.
Scientists still don't fully understand how this build-up process happens, but the Solar Orbiters' new position should help them find out.
Professor Green says: 'We'll see previously unobserved high-latitude flows that carry magnetic elements to the polar regions, and in doing so sow the fundamental seeds for the next solar cycle.'
This period of messy solar activity coincides with the 'solar maximum', a short period during which the sun's magnetic poles flip. This is the period in which Earth is hit with the most solar flares and solar wind
In addition to capturing the changing magnetic fields, the Solar Orbiter has captured the first look inside the south pole's different layers.
The SPICE instrument measures the light, or spectral lines, sent out by specific chemicals when they are heated to known temperatures.
By tracking these spectral lines, the Solar Orbiter can work out how fast clumps of solar material are moving in a process called 'Doppler measurement'.
Having now dropped below the equator, the Solar Orbiter could now help scientists understand this disruptive phenomenon.
aDr Frédéric Auchère, an astronomer from the University of Paris-Saclay and SPICE team leader, says: 'Doppler measurements of solar wind setting off from the Sun by current and past space missions have been hampered by the grazing view of the solar poles.
'Measurements from high latitudes, now possible with Solar Orbiter, will be a revolution in solar physics.'
Scientists have used the Solar Orbiter to look at how particles move through the sun's layers. This image shows the light sent out by carbon particles heated to 32,000 °C
This image shows how those carbon particles are moving towards or away from the probe. Blue regions show clumps of material moving out of the sun towards the orbiter, while red patches show particles moving away
However, these are just the very first observations and scientists say that more measurements and even more discoveries are yet to come.
Large parts of the data from the first images still need to be analysed, with the full dataset expected to arrive back on Earth by October this year.
In the years to come, all ten of the Solar Orbiter's instruments will collect vast quantities of data as further meet-ups with Venus shift the craft to an even more tilted orbit.
Eventually, the Solar Orbiter will hit an angle of 33 degrees below the equator, giving an extremely clear view of the sun's southern pole.
Dr Daniel Müller, ESA's Solar Orbiter project scientist, says: 'This is just the first step of Solar Orbiter's 'stairway to heaven'. In the coming years, the spacecraft will climb further out of the ecliptic plane for ever better views of the Sun's polar regions.
'These data will transform our understanding of the Sun's magnetic field, the solar wind, and solar activity.'
Solar Orbiter is a European Space Agency mission with support from NASA to explore the Sun and the effect our host star has on the solar system — including Earth.
Solar Orbiter (artist's impression) is a European Space Agency mission to explore the sun and its effect on the solar system. Its launch is planned for 2020 from Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA
The satellite launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida in February 2020 and reached its first close approach to the sun in June 2020.
It was built in Stevenage, England and is loaded with a carefully selected set of 10 telescopes and direct sensing instruments.
Solar Orbiter will fly within 26 million miles (43 million km) of the solar surface to closely inspect our star's poles.
Scientists are investigating how the sun's violent outer atmosphere, also known as its corona, forms.
It was built in Stevenage, England and is loaded with a carefully selected set of 10 telescopes and direct sensing instruments
This is the region from which 'solar wind' — storms of charged particles that can disrupt electronics on Earth — are blown out into space.
Through Solar Orbiter, researchers hope to unravel what triggers solar storms to help better predict them in future.
The Solar Orbiter's heat shields are expected to reach temperatures of up to 600C (1,112F) during its closest flybys.
It will work closely with Nasa's Parker Solar Probe, which launched in August 2018, and is also studying the Sun's corona.
Nasa spacecraft attempts closest-ever approach to Sun | BBC News
Covering an area of sky about the same size as three full moons, this image combines more than 10,000 photographs from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Professor Caitlin Casey, an astronomer at UC Santa Barbara who co-led the COSMOS collaboration, said: 'Our goal was to construct this deep field of space on a physical scale that far exceeded anything that had been done before.
'If you had a printout of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field on a standard piece of paper, our image would be slightly larger than a 13-foot by 13-foot-wide mural, at the same depth.
'So it's really strikingly large.'
Scientists have created an incredible interactive map of the universe, allowing you to scroll through over 800,000 galaxies
The COSMOS-Web map combines over 10,000 images from the James Webb Space Telescope to create the largest deep-field map of the universe ever created. This image shows how much detail can be revealed as you zoom in
While the data for this map has existed for a while, it was previously in a raw form that needed expert analysis and a supercomputer to interpret.
But over the last two years, an international team of scientists has worked to turn the data behind the largest map of the universe into something that anyone can use.
In the stunning interactive map, at this link, you can zoom out to see hundreds of thousands of galaxies stretch across the sky or zoom in to reveal amazing details.
Using the tools included in the map you can even dive deeper into the data by switching between different imaging tools.
To learn even more, turn on catalogues using the tabs on the left-hand side and click on any galaxy to bring up a vast trove of data.
The researchers have made this available to the public in the hopes that more people will be able to help dig into the data and unpick some of the universe's most puzzling questions.
Professor Casey says: 'The best science is really done when everyone thinks about the same data set differently.
'It's not just for one group of people to figure out the mysteries.'
Six galaxies hidden in the COSMOS-Web map as they were 3 billion, 4 billion, 8 billion, 9 billion and 10 billion years ago (from top left to bottom right). This period spans almost the entirety of cosmic history
Nine galaxies in the map which span all of cosmic time, from upper left to lower right: the present day universe, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 billion years ago
Already, this enormous set of data is helping scientists understand how galaxies formed at the beginning of time and challenging some basic assumptions in astronomy.
Based on data from the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers expected galaxies to be extremely rare in the first 500 million years.
But when the researchers looked back at the most distant reaches of the universe, they found there were about 10 times more galaxies than they expected to find.
Professor Casey says: 'Since the telescope turned on we've been wondering 'Are these JWST datasets breaking the cosmological model?'
'Because the universe was producing too much light too early; it had only about 400 million years to form something like a billion solar masses of stars. We just do not know how to make that happen.'
The map is so much more detailed than earlier efforts because of the size of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
While Hubble's main light-collecting was 7ft 10 inches (2.4m) across, the JWST's is a staggering 21ft (6.5m) wide.
An international team of scientists have spent the last two years converting the raw data of the map into something that anyone can access
You can use the filters on the map to reveal more information about the universe
By clicking on any galaxy you can pull up a huge amount of data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope
That allows the telescope to collect the faintest traces of light coming from the furthest reaches of the galaxy.
Dr Jeyhan Kartaltepe, associate professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology who co-leads COSMOS-Web, says: 'The sensitivity of JWST lets us see much fainter and more distant galaxies than ever before, so we're able to find galaxies in the very early universe and study their properties in detail.'
Going forward the team behind COSMOS-Web still has a lot more work to do in order to unpack all the data hidden in the map.
They plan to use the JWST spectrographic tools to identify the oldest galaxies in the image and learn more about the chemistry of these early stars.
The Big Bang Theory is a cosmological model, a theory used to describe the beginning and the evolution of our universe.
It says that the universe was in a very hot and dense state before it started to expand 13,7 billion years ago.
This theory is based on fundamental observations.
In 1920, Hubble observed that the distance between galaxies was increasing everywhere in the universe.
The Big Bang Theory is a cosmological model, a theory used to describe the beginning and the evolution of our universe, based on observations - including the cosmic background radiation (pictured), which is a like a fossil of radiation emitted during the beginning of the universe, when it was hot and dense
This means that galaxies had to be closer to each other in the past.
In 1964, Wilson and Penzias discovered the cosmic background radiation, which is a like a fossil of radiation emitted during the beginning of the universe, when it was hot and dense.
The cosmic background radiation is observable everywhere in the universe.
The composition of the universe - that is, the the number of atoms of different elements - is consistent with the Big Bang Theory.
So far, this theory is the only one that can explain why we observe an abundance of primordial elements in the universe.
Scroll through the UNIVERSE: Incredible interactive map lets you explore nearly 800,000 galaxies
Scientists have found the source of a strange form of communication in the ocean that they say could help them locate extraterrestrial life in space.
Researchers from the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) revealed that large 'smoke ring-like' bubbles coming from underwater were created by humpback whales, which researchers believe is their way of greeting nearby humans.
It's the first time scientists have seen whales sending out these unique rings while interacting with people in the wild, and the SETI team said they show an intentional attempt to get the attention of humans - just like saying hello.
Until now, the bubble rings have only been seen while humpbacks were gathering prey and when males were making a trail of bubble rings to attract a mate.
Researchers said it's quite possible whales have been trying to communicate with people for years but the phenomenon hasn't been studied until now.
The team added that these bubble rings could help researchers refine their search for an alien intelligence in the cosmos, opening a door to spotting unusual signals from space that we normally wouldn't think are meant for humans.
Study co-lead author Dr Fred Sharpe from the University of California-Davis said: 'They are blowing bubble rings in our direction in an apparent attempt to playfully interact, observe our response, and/or engage in some form of communication.'
Researchers from the SETI Institute and the University of California-Davis revealed that large 'smoke ring-like' bubbles coming from underwater were created by humpback whales, not aliens
Humpback whales have never been seen making these bubble rings while interacting with humans until 2019, when this new study began documenting multiple cases
Scientists analyzed 12 bubble ring episodes that involved 11 different humpback whales between 2019 and 2023 in the wild.
These rare reports came from naturalists, citizen scientists, and researchers who revealed what they saw on social media, during interviews, or at scientific conferences.
In total, the witnesses spotted 39 bubble rings from whale-watching boats, research vessels, private ships, and airplanes.
The study, published in Marine Mammal Science, found that bubble rings were produced in three main contexts: feeding, resting, and curiosity - which was the most common purpose.
There were nine instances of humpback whales blowing bubble rings near boats and swimmers.
The whales in these cases were consistently seen approaching boats and people in the water without any signs of aggression, splashing their tails and spraying water out of their blowholes.
The researchers said this was a clear sign that the humpbacks were relaxed and trying to be playful, leading them to feel comfortable communicating with the humans near them.
SETI researchers documented 12 cases of humpback whale bubble ring, with 9 of them occurring while whales were playfully interacting with people on boats or swimming nearby
They typically let out bubble rings from their blowholes that were six to 10 feet in diameter, which floated straight up and look like a smoke ring when they reached the ocean surface.
The rings were often aimed right at humans and were paired with other playful behaviors like circling the boats or peeking at swimmers.
The humpbacks didn't show anger or fear and lingered after sending out the bubble ring, almost as if waiting for the people to “answer” their greeting.
Scientists concluded that these rings might be a whale’s way of saying, “Hey, let’s chat!” or play a game to see how we react, much like a child blowing bubbles to get our attention.
The team from SETI said this never-before-seen behavior among humpback whales further supports the assumption that intelligent extraterrestrial life might also seek contact with humans.
SETI Institute scientist and study co-author Dr Laurance Doyle said: 'This important assumption is certainly supported by the independent evolution of curious behavior in humpback whales.'
Humpback whales have been a constant resource in SETI's search for alien life, with researchers using them as a model of intelligent, non-human creatures which may be living on distant ocean worlds
By studying these whales and their new interactions with people as an example of non-human intelligence, WhaleSETI researchers are creating ways of finding and translating potential signals found in space.
The institute suggested that bubble rings could be a deliberate attempt by whales to talk with humans they considered peaceful, not just aimless play.
According to SETI, this would mimic how extraterrestrials might target satellite receivers on Earth if they wanted to contact humanity.
This isn't the first time the WhaleSETI team has connected the behavior of humpbacks to aliens.
In 2023, scientists engaged in a 20-minute 'conversation' with a humpback whale named Twain in Alaska.
They played whale calls for her and Twain responded with similar calls, matching the timing like a back-and-forth chat.
That study showed whales can intentionally interact with humans, helping SETI scientists understand the non-human intelligences they may find in space.
'By integrating our findings into the broader context of Drake's Equation, we aspire to advance our understanding of the factors influencing the emergence of communicative intelligence in extraterrestrial civilizations,' the WhaleSETI team explained in a statement.
Drake's Equation is a mathematical formula created in 1961 to estimate the number of extraterrestrial civilizations in our galaxy that can communicate with humans and might be detectable through their signals, like radio waves.
If whales show that curiosity and friendly interactions are key to communication, it suggests alien civilizations might also need these traits to develop detectable signals, influencing the numbers in Drake's Equation and guiding SETI's search for life beyond Earth.
🌊 Eerie Ocean Rings - Non-Human Communication That Changes Everything
A mysterious metallic sphere was captured soaring above a field in Colombia, just two months after locals recovered a similar objectmany are calling a UFO.
The footage, filmed on June 7 over a sugarcane field in Yumbo, shows the sphere darting in a zigzag pattern and maneuvering in ways that appear to defy conventional aircraft.
Witnesses described the object as 'moving with great speed and freedom' as it hovered above the ground.
However, many people said the object is either a balloon or the video was created using AI.
UFO researcher Jaime Maussan, whose research has stirred controversy for nearly a decade, released the video on his show, Maussan Television.
He described the sphere as 'likely not from here' and suggested it may be a technology humans do not yet possess.
'When the workers were investigating the crops, this sphere appeared and they were able to capture it with state-of-the-art equipment. The images are truly extraordinary,' Maussan said. He added that the latest sphere appeared nearly identical to the first, recovered in Buga, about 43 miles from Yumbo.
Scientists who analyzed the latest video said the object emits an electromagnetic field, generates strong heat and may possess antigravity capabilities.
A mysterious metallic sphere was captured soaring above a field in Colombia, just two months after locals recovered a similar object many are calling a UFO
The footage, filmed on June 7 over a sugarcane field in Yumbo, shows the sphere darting in a zigzag pattern and maneuvering in ways that appear to defy conventional aircraft
'We believe these spheres are investigating, observing us, possibly searching for the first one recovered in Buga,' Maussan said in a translated statement.
'Could we be on the path to contact? That's the extraordinary question we're asking today.'
The first Buga sphere, recovered on March 2 by locals, weighed about 4.5 pounds and was described as 'having the temperature of a refrigerator when touched, but emitting strong heat when not.'
A team led by Guatemalan researcher Jose Manrique analyzed the Yumbo video and insisted it had been manipulated by A.
If it is indeed identical to the first, the object may be inscribed with strange 'alien' writing, a message for humanity, which Manrique's team previously deciphered to say: 'The origin of birth through union and energy in the cycle of transformation, meeting point of unity, expansion, and consciousness — individual consciousness.'
Manrique interpreted it as 'a message to humanity, encouraging a collective shift in consciousness to help Mother Earth, especially considering the current issues with pollution and environmental decline.'
The identities of the workers who filmed the Yumbo sphere have not been made public, but Maussan said the video was sent to David Vélez el Potro, a key figure in the recovery of the Buga sphere.
Scientists who analyzed the latest video said the object emits an electromagnetic field, generates strong heat and may possess antigravity capabilities
The latest sphere (left) appeared nearly identical to the first, recovered in Buga (right), about 43 miles from Yumbo.
Vélez el Potro told Maussan in March that the man who found it, Jose, felt sick for days after touching the object.
He also claimed that the government contacted him to hand it over the sphere, but he refused, saying, 'It would never be seen again.'
Instead, Vélez el Potro gave it to Maussan and his team of experts with hopes of them uncovering the sphere's origin.
Scientists who examined the Buga sphere said it comprises 18 microspheres surrounding a central nucleus, a configuration some are calling 'a chip.'
However, Dr Julia Mossbridge of the University of San Diego Department of Physics and Biophysics, has doubted the authenticity of Buga sphere, calling it a 'man-made art project.'
Pictured is David Velez el Potro who helped find the sphere
A team of scientists have recently analyzed the sphere using X-rays and conducted other tests to identify its origins
Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) recently released a new analysis, suggesting a strong, decayed ionized field emits from the Buga sphere.
Rodolfo Garrido, a Mexican engineer, said his team weighed the sphere numerous times and were surprised to find it growing heavier, from 16 to 20 and then 22 pounds, without changing in size.
Garrido explained that this phenomenon may be due to the object's ability to manipulate gravity and generate its own electromagnetic field, allowing it to become lighter or heavier at will.
The revelations were presented on Maussan's TV program Interstellar, although the journalist's involvement has raised eyebrows.
Maussan has previously made headlines for sensational, and subsequently debunked, claims, including mummified corpses and other supposed extraterrestrial finds.
Nonetheless, the latest incident has captured the imagination of many and ignited a heated debate about what, or who, might be visiting us from the skies above.
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Mysterious Metallic SPHERES UFO Found in Colombia Will Shock You! #shprts #uap #lab360
👽 FIRST INSPECTION OF THE BUGA SPHERE LANDED IN COLOMBIA 🇨🇴
Scientists have discovered mysterious radio signals emerging from deep beneath Antarctica's ice.
The strange radio pulses were detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA), an array of instruments designed to detect elusive particles called neutrinos.
Rather than detecting these cosmic particles, the researchers were baffled to find signals emerging from the ice at seemingly impossible angles.
Worryingly, they have no idea what could be causing them.
In a paper, published in Physical Review Letters, an international team of researchers explained that these findings cannot be explained by the current understanding of particle physics.
This might mean there are entirely new forms of particles and interactions at play or that these unusual signals are the product of mysterious dark matter.
Dr Stephanie Wissel, an astrophysicist from The Pennsylvania State University who worked on the ANITA team, says: 'The radio waves that we detected were at really steep angles, like 30 degrees below the surface of the ice.
'It's an interesting problem because we still don't actually have an explanation for what those anomalies are.'
Scientists have been baffled to discover mysterious radio signals emerging from deep beneath Antarctica's ice
The ANITA experiment was designed to hunt for an elusive type of particle called a neutrino, the smallest of all the subatomic particles.
Dr Wissel says: 'You have a billion neutrinos passing through your thumbnail at any moment, but neutrinos don't really interact.
'So, this is the double-edged sword problem. If we detect them, it means they have travelled all this way without interacting with anything else. We could be detecting a neutrino coming from the edge of the observable universe.'
Like opening a time capsule from the distant past, examining the signal from a neutrino could reveal more information about the cosmos than data from the world's most powerful telescopes.
To try and find them, the ANITA experiment uses balloons floating 18 to 24 miles (30-39km) above the Antarctic, where other signals are rare, to look for radio waves caused by neutrinos hitting the ice.
'We point our antennas down at the ice and look for neutrinos that interact in the ice, producing radio emissions that we can then sense on our detectors,' says Dr Wissel.
The signals were detected by the Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA), an array of instruments designed to detect elusive particles called neutrinos
This experiment's sensor balloons detected radio signals emerging from beneath the ice at such steep angles that they could not have been made by neutrinos
Just as a ball thrown to the ground will always bounce at a particular angle, scientists can use the trajectory of these signals to track the neutrino back to its origin.
However, the scientists were shocked to discover a set of signals which could not be traced back to any possible origin.
These radio signals were coming from the the ice at an impossibly steep angle, something that a neutrino-produced signal could never do.
Even stranger, rather than bouncing off the ice, the pulses appear to be coming from below the horizon.
That would mean the radio waves would have had to travel through thousands of miles of rock and ice before reaching ANITA's balloons, which should have rendered them undetectable.
After analysing the data from multiple flights and comparing it to simulations of cosmic rays, the researchers were able to filter out the background noise.
However, after eliminating the possibility of any other known particle-based signals, the anomalous radio pulses remained stubbornly unexplained.
Additionally, other detectors, the IceCube Experiment and the Pierre Auger Observatory didn't detect anything that could explain what the scientists were seeing.
Scientists currently don't know what is causing these signals to emerge or how they can pass through so much rock and ice. It could be a new type of particle interaction or the interference of dark matter (stock image)
According to scientists' current understanding of how particles interact, these signals shouldn't be possible.
This has led scientists to speculate that they may have stumbled onto a type of particle interaction previously unknown to science.
Dr Wissel says: 'My guess is that some interesting radio propagation effect occurs near ice and also near the horizon that I don't fully understand, but we certainly explored several of those, and we haven't been able to find any of those yet either.
'So, right now, it's one of these long-standing mysteries.'
To learn more, scientists are currently building an even bigger detector, dubbed PUEO, which will be better at spotting hidden particles.
That could help scientists understand the origins of these baffling signals from beneath the ice.
Dr Wissel concludes: 'I'm excited that when we fly PUEO, we'll have better sensitivity. In principle, we should pick up more anomalies, and maybe we'll actually understand what they are.'
The theories and discoveries of thousands of physicists since the 1930s have resulted in a remarkable insight into the fundamental structure of matter.
Everything in the universe is found to be made from a few basic building blocks called fundamental particles, governed by four fundamental forces.
Our best understanding of how these particles and three of the forces are related to each other is encapsulated in the Standard Model of particle physics.
All matter around us is made of elementary particles, the building blocks of matter.
These particles occur in two basic types called quarks and leptons. Each consists of six particles, which are related in pairs, or 'generations'.
All stable matter in the universe is made from particles that belong to the first generation. Any heavier particles quickly decay to the next most stable level.
There are also four fundamental forces at work in the universe: the strong force, the weak force, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force. They work over different ranges and have different strengths.
Gravity is the weakest but it has an infinite range.
The electromagnetic force also has infinite range but it is many times stronger than gravity.
The weak and strong forces are effective only over a very short range and dominate only at the level of subatomic particles.
The Standard Model includes the electromagnetic, strong and weak forces and all their carrier particles, and explains well how these forces act on all of the matter particles.
However, the most familiar force in our everyday lives, gravity, is not part of the Standard Model, and fitting gravity comfortably into this framework has proved to be a difficult challenge.
The Narrow Field Imager (NFI) camera, mounted on one of the four spacecraft of NASA’s PUNCH mission, imaged a large coronal mass ejection (CME) in exquisite detail on June 3, 2025. Credit: NASA/SwRI
In March 2025, NASA's Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission launched into orbit to monitor the Sun's outer atmosphere to reveal more about solar wind. Developed and led by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), this constellation consists of four microsatellites that observe the Sun's corona and heliosphere using continuous 3D deep-field imaging. While completing its commission phase, the Wide Field Imagers (WFIs) aboard the four PUNCH spacecraft captured high-resolution images of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) in greater detail than any previous mission.
SwRI heliophysicist Dr. Craig DeForest discussed the latest accomplishments of the PUNCH mission at the 246th American Astronomical Society meeting, which took place from June 8th to 12th in Anchorage, Alaska. DeForest is the Director of the SwRI's Department of Solar and Heliospheric Physics, the former Chair of the AAS's Solar Physics Division, and PUNCH's principal investigator. As he explained:
These preliminary movies show that PUNCH can actually track space weather across the solar system and view the corona and solar wind as a single system. This big-picture view is essential to helping scientists better understand and predict space weather driven by CMEs, which can disrupt communications, endanger satellites and create auroras at Earth. These first integrated images of our home in space are astonishing, but the best is yet to come. Once the spacecraft are in their final formation and the ground processing is fully sighted over the next few months, we'll be able to track the solar wind and space weather in 3D throughout our neighborhood in space.
These images were taken by PUNCH's four cameras, which work together as a single "virtual instrument," measuring 12,875 km (8,000 mi) across. Their WFIs work with a Narrow Field Imager (NFI) chronograph that blocks out the Sun's bright light, allowing scientists to observe the outermost portion of the corona and the continual stream of charged particles from the Sun (solar wind). The images the spacecraft took were stitched together to create a video (see below) that shows giant CMEs erupting and spreading across the inner Solar System. The images also show Venus, Jupiter, the Moon (visible as bright spots), and several constellations like Orion and Pleiades in the background.
During its two-year primary mission, PUNCH will continue to make global 3D observations of the Sun's outer atmosphere and the inner solar system. These detailed images will help scientists better understand space weather, which can disrupt communications, satellites, and missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and will improve predictive models. "These first images are astonishing, but the best is still yet to come," said DeForest. "Once the spacecraft are in their final formation, we'll be able to routinely track space weather in 3D across the entire inner solar system."
Now this is strange. I was looking through the NASA site and found a mushroom on the bottom center of the photo. I'm not sure how or why NASA could overlook such a thing...since NASA's mission it to find life on other planets and moons. This object has a curved bottom part of a stem, same as those on Earth...in my yard actually too. The top is round, uneven and wrinkled...same as the ones in my front yard. This one has clearly pushed up out of the Mars dirt, you can see below the cap is an empty area without dirt, because the cap pushed it all aside when growing. Did you know that mushroom spores can live in the harsh environment of space and may have traveled to Maras this way? NASA should have poked it, bumped it, knocked it over, cut it open with their tools on Curiosity rover or at least use that million dollar laser they burn rocks and dirt with in many photos. It would be great if NASA took some time-lapse photos of it so we can see if it changes over a few days time. The photo is about 13 cm across, because this is a hand lens image, and the mushroom cap is about 1.5 cm and 1.5 cm tall. Life...has been found!
According to some baffled viewers, the unusual structure could be a crashed UFO that has been buried for thousands of years.
The mysterious object is located near the tiny town of Bordj Omar Driss, Algeria, deep within the Sahara Desert.
UFO hunter Scott Waring, who made the strange discovery, told MailOnline: 'It's likely the UFO has been there for tens of thousands of years, predating recorded human history.
'I also want to note, that the CIA and other organizations will have people try to label any discoveries of UFOs on Google Earth Map as something else in order to manipulate and deceive the public from knowing the truth.'
Unfortunately for these alien hunters, experts say there is a much simpler explanation.
A mysterious 'flying saucer' has been spotted in the Sahara Desert, sparking suggestions that it might be a crashed alien craft
The site is located near the tiny town of Bordj Omar Driss, Algeria, and was spotted on Google Maps
The odd structure was spotted on Google Maps at the coordinates 28°8'45.15'N 6°48'20.85'E.
In a video sharing his findings, Mr Waring claims that the 'UFO' is buried 34.4 feet (10.5m) according to Google Earth Pro's elevation measuring tools.
Mr Waring told MailOnline that, at the Sahara's sediment accumulation rate of 0.5 mm per year, the 'UFO' must have landed 21,000 years ago to be buried so deeply.
He also points to the fact that the structure isn't present in early satellite images of the site, suggesting that it must have been 'excavated' recently.
On social media, Mr Waring's surprising comments have found widespread support, as commenters rushed to share their excitement.
One enthusiastic commenter wrote: 'I would love to know the whole story but this definitely looks like a crash site or something considering it popped up on the map out of nowhere.'
'I wonder whether some bodies have been found... This is so weird,' added another.
While one conspiratorially minded commenter wrote: 'Take screen shots everyone, cause you know Google is going to make this disappear.'
An alternative satellite view of the structure from an earlier period shows that more development has taken place around it recently
UFO enthusiasts have speculated that the structure could be a crashed alien spaceship which has been buried in the desert for thousands of years
(stock image)
Adding fuel to the flames of speculation, Mr Waring adds: 'The UFO seems to have been torn open around the lower center dome. Possibly to enter the craft in order to loot it before government officials get hold of it.'
However, the real explanation for this strange site is much more mundane.
Nick Pope, former UFO investigator for the Ministry of Defence, told MailOnline: 'With the recent expansion in the capabilities of AI, it's increasingly difficult to ensure that images haven't been faked, or doctored.
'But even assuming the picture is genuine and not altered in any way, it's impossible to tell much from the image alone.
'There's no context, and applying the principle of Occam's Razor - that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one - this is more likely to be a circular building or structure of some sort than a crashed alien spacecraft.'
And, thanks to the work of some online investigators, we actually know exactly what kind of building this is.
The 'mysterious' structure is actually just the foundation for an onshore wind turbine.
Before the tower is added, these huge reinforced concrete structures are dug deep into the ground which would explain why the structure appears to be below the surface.
However, this structure is likely to be nothing more than the foundation for an onshore wind turbine (pictured) which have a classic 'flying saucer' shape
Seen side by side, aerial photographs of a confirmed wind turbine foundation (left) and the supposed UFO (right) show how similar the two are
A little to the southwest of the 'UFO', you can see another wind turbine under construction which has more of the tower added
With a classic 'flying saucer' shape of a round body and central dome, it is easy to see how someone might mistake these structures for a UFO.
But looking at aerial photographs of known wind turbines you can see that this Saharan structure is almost certainly the base of another wind turbine.
In other satellite images of the location, this similarity is even clearer.
Likewise, as UFO analyst and sceptic Mick West points out, there is another foundation just to the southwest where the tower of the wind turbine has already started construction.
Algeria, where these were found, is currently undergoing a major investment in wind power, with the government aiming to produce 27 per cent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2035.
The country also has some of the world's greatest potential for wind power with consistent wind speeds of up to eight metres per second in many regions.
This makes it a lot more likely that there would be a wind turbine under construction than a secret, ancient UFO hidden beneath the desert.
UFO researcher Philip Mantle, told MailOnline: 'The vast majority of UFO sighting reports including photos and video end up having a rational explanation.
'Then there is an amount that just doesn't have enough info to reach a conclusion.
'This leaves only a very small minority that may be left for serious examination.
'Photos like this are not to be taken seriously and rank alongside stories that Elvis is still alive and he lives with Lord Lucan.'
While UFO enthusiasts have long clung to Buzz Aldrin's story of a strange light appearing alongside his spacecraft in 1969, the Apollo 11 astronaut does not think what he saw was an alien.
'On Apollo 11 in route to the Moon, I observed a light out the window that appeared to be moving alongside us. There were many explanations of what that could be, other than another spacecraft from another country or another world - it was either the rocket we had separated from, or the 4 panels that moved away when we extracted the lander from the rocket and we were nose to nose with the two spacecraft.
'So in the close vicinity, moving away, were 4 panels. And i feel absolutely convinced that we were looking at the sun reflected off of one of these panels. Which one? I don't know. So technically, the definition could be "unidentified."
'We well understood exactly what that was. And when we returned, we debriefed and explained exactly what we had observed.
'And I felt that this had been distributed to the outside world, the outside audience, and apparently it wasn't, and so many years later, I had the time in an interview to disclose these observations, on another country's television network. And the UFO people in the United States were very very angry with me, that i had not given them the information. It was not an alien. Extraordinary observations require extraordinary evidence.
'That's what Carl Sagan said. There may be aliens in our Milky Way galaxy, and there are billions of other galaxies. The probability is almost CERTAIN that there is life somewhere in space.
'It was not that remarkable, that special, that unusual, that life here on earth evolved gradually, slowly, to where we are today.
But the distances involved in where some evidence of life may be, they may be hundreds of light years away.'
Shapeshifting UFO Over Sacramento No Kings Protests, California June 14, 2025, UAP Drone Sighting News.
Shapeshifting UFO Over Sacramento No Kings Protests, California June 14, 2025, UAP Drone Sighting News.
Date of sighting: June 14, 2025
Location of sighting: Sacramento, California, USA
Source: Email Report at scwaring @ yahoo.com
Guys this is so cool. It's not often we get a shapshifing UFO. They are mostly reported seen in Central and South America. This one seems to have been flying over the area due to the No Kings protests going on about US President Trump. I believe the aliens are watching the protests in order to gather data not just on that days activities, but to use the data for the big picture...to predict the political future and direction of the United States. I love how it changes shape and has this fuzzy static white glow all around it the whole time. This is rare.
Strange structures under water, google earth map, UFO UAP Sighting News. 📰 archeology discovery 🤠
Strange structures under water, google earth map, UFO UAP Sighting News. 📰 archeology discovery 🤠
Date of discovery: June 15, 2025
Location of discovery: 8°41'48"S 115°26'36"E
Location name: Jungutbatu, Bali island, Indonesia
Now I have been to Bali island once about 15 years ago and its got a lot of mysterious cultural phenomenon that we in the US would not understand. I just loved it! I'm 70% sure this is an underwater city, because the only way to confirm that is to fly there and see for yourself diving. I remember seeing lots of ruins in Bali. But the long rectangles do resemble ancient homes foundations built side by side. This is a curious situation here. What ever it is...it's mind boggling. So many unknown things on the bottom of the ocean left to find.
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Strange structures under water, google earth map, UFO UAP Sighting News. 📰archeology discovery?
Top 10 Little-Known UFO Sightings With Multiple Witnesses
Top 10 Little-Known UFO Sightings With Multiple Witnesses
Most UFO sightings are witnessed by only one person, which makes it harder to convince others that the sighting was not just a figment of someone’s imagination. However, some encounters take place in front of multiple witnesses—and this changes things entirely.
Even if these events are not alien in nature, the fact th/ /at so many people witnessed these incidents at the same time means that “something” took place. Perhaps more importantly, this suggests that these episodes are not purely the products of the imagination.
10 Lesser-Known UFO Crash Incidents
10. Hudson Valley Sightings - New York, Early 1980s
With Fourth of July celebrations fast approaching in late June 1983, part of the evening sky over New York’s Hudson Valley was awash with fireworks. This was the result of early Independence Day celebrators. Out of the mini explosions of color suddenly came a low humming sound that brought with it a huge disc-shaped craft “about the width of 16 or 17 houses!”
Hudson Valley UFO Sightings, 1982 - 1986
As it hovered over the witnesses, the strange humming ceased and the craft simply hung in the air in chilling silence. Several minutes after the UFO first appeared, the humming began again and the disc shot off at great speed.
This was just one of many UFO sightings in Hudson Valley in the early 1980s. But it was not the only one to have multiple witnesses to the event.
On March 24, 1983, there were so many reports of a sighting of a strange craft and weird lights in the sky of Yorktown that the town’s switchboard almost went into meltdown. That evening, the Taconic parkway became gridlocked with vehicles that had stopped suddenly. Their mesmerized drivers now stood beside their cars staring up at the assumed UFO passing over them.
9. Arthur Kill River Incident - New Jersey Turnpike, 2001
On the evening of July 14 and into the morning of July 15 in 2001, at least 15 people witnessed strange golden-orange lights over the Arthur Kill River at the New Jersey Turnpike. They appeared to be in a V-formation. However, it wasn’t clear from the many accounts if the lights were separate entities or if they belonged to one large V-shaped craft.
Others reported that the lights were in a more “scattered” formation and simply disappeared into the night sky one by one. Newark Airport was contacted, but they hadn’t detected anything abnormal on their radar. According to the National Weather Service, there was no unusual weather that evening, either.
Witness Veronica Bagley managed to capture the lights on video. Meanwhile, another witness, Patty Ercallino, stated that the whole incident was “very peaceful, very serene, and very beautiful.” She even believed that they had observed “some type of miracle!”
8. The Cosford Incident - Western England, 1993
According to UFO expert Nick Pope, over 100 people reported seeing a UFO on the evening of March 30 and into the early hours of March 31, 1993, over the west of England. What’s more, many observers were active police and military personnel. Pope worked on the case personally as was his remit during the time he spent with the British Ministry of Defense.
Most sightings described triangular craft that moved through the night sky at a blistering pace. One particular witness—a policeman—was with a group of scouts on the Quantock Hills in Somerset. They described the objects as “like two Concordes flying side by side and joined together!”
There were more reported sightings in Cornwall, Devon, and West Midlands as well as over two RAF bases in Shropshire—RAF Shawbury and RAF Cosford. Neither base managed to pick up the mysterious craft on radar. At the time, Pope described this in his report as being of “considerable defense significance” that should be investigated further.
7. Ellsworth Air Force Base Sighting - South Dakota, 1953
Numerous military personnel saw a UFO on the evening of August 5, 1953, near Ellsworth Air Force Base. There were also 45 concerned residents of nearby towns who witnessed the bizarre events.
The first sighting was reported just after 8:00 PM in the town of Blackhawk. Mrs. Kellian, a volunteer member of the Ground Observer Corp, had observed a strange glowing red light in the clear night sky.
As she was trained to do, she reported her sighting immediately. She was eventually put through to the on-duty radar operator at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
The craft was picked up on radar clearly heading toward the base. An F-84 jet fighter on patrol in the area was directed toward the object. As the F-84 got to within 5 kilometers (3 mi) of the disc-like craft, the UFO moved away fast.
Although the F-84 attempted to give chase, it was unable to match the UFO’s speed and returned to Ellsworth. A second F-84 made its way to the area. The pilot confirmed that he could visually see the object. Also unable to keep up with the UFO, the F-84 suffered strange malfunctions of his aircraft.
6. Exeter - New Hampshire, 1965
Norman Muscarello was hitchhiking home to Exeter, New Hampshire, in the early hours of September 3, 1965. Patiently making his way along Route 150 as he looked out for his next potential ride, Muscarello noticed a strange light in the dark early morning sky. Within seconds, the light was heading straight toward him.
1965 🇺🇸 #UFOB [CASE] Sightings - UFO at Exeter NH, witnessed by Norman Muscarello
Fearing that he would be struck by the strange craft, Muscarello flung himself to the ground on the roadside. However, at the last moment, the UFO changed direction. Muscarello got up and fled the area as quickly as he could.
Around an hour earlier a short distance away, Eugene Bertrand, an on-duty policeman, had come across a parked vehicle on the side of the road. Inside sat a woman who frantically informed Bertrand that she had been chased by a “flying object.”
However, Bertrand assured the woman that there was no cause for concern. Genuinely believing that the lady had been mistaken, he went on his way.
It was around 3:00 AM by the time Muscarello made his way to the Exeter Police Station. Shortly after, Bertrand returned and listened to the story himself. He then drove the young man back to Route 150 to investigate.
After parking on the same stretch of road, the two men soon spotted the strange craft. As it had done before, the object moved closer to the pair. Unnerved, the two men quickly made their way back to the police car. A short time later, calls about more sightings began to flood in.
5.The Greifswald Lights - Germany, 1990
Strange spherical lights had been reported regularly from the coast along the Baltic Sea from the beginning of August 1990. By August 24, the lights appeared to have moved inland and were reported by residents of Greifswald, a coastal town in eastern Germany.
At first, the strange spheres hovered in the air almost motionless for around 30 minutes. Many witnesses managed to capture photographs and even video footage. The case is regarded as one of the best-documented UFO sightings.
UFO Greifswald Lights - August 24, 1990 Germany
It seemed to consist of two separate sets of lights. The first set formed a circle and remained largely still. When they did move, they moved as one. The second set of lights seemed to be in the shape of a Y. Of more import, they appeared to move freely of each other.
Neither the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) nor mainstream scientists have been able to offer a solid or satisfactory explanation.
4. Fort Beaufort - South Africa, 1972
Bennie Smit believed without a doubt that he and his workers had witnessed a strange craft over his farm on June 26, 1972. However, he firmly believed that they had seen a top secret military craft and not visitors from another world.
Smit’s farm sat about 16 kilometers (10 mi) away from Fort Beaufort, a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. On that June morning, Smit found his workers cowering in a shed on the farm. They claimed that something strange was hovering above the trees in one of the fields.
Smit went to investigate and did indeed see a strange object. The farmer promptly fired at it with his .303 rifle. He maintained that his aim was correct and that he did hit the target. The bullets, however, had no effect.
Smit contacted the local police, who arrived just in time to see the craft landing on the ground. The UFO appeared to be the same shape as an oil drum, with three distinct “legs” underneath it.
One of the policemen, Sergeant Kitching, also fired his weapon at the craft. The UFO appeared to react to the discharge this time. The strange object began to change color from black to green. Then it turned yellow before finally becoming a pale white.
The witnesses heard a “whirring” sound before the craft took off from the field and vanished.
On August 11, 2014, hundreds of people in Houston saw a circle of lights in the evening sky. Pictures spread like wildfire over social media accounts. When video footage of the encounter was made available on the Internet, however, it became apparent that the lights were moving independently and were not a static circle.
Dr. Carolyn Sumners of the Houston Museum of Natural Science cautioned that no one should assume that the strange object was an alien visitor. With UFO sightings, she stated, we need to figure out what else it could be instead of aliens. However, no official explanation or theory has since been made available.
UFO Skeptic SHOCKED By Sighting Over Houston Texas! 5/14/16
Witnesses to the event have their own theories about it. Not surprisingly, many believe that the lights were indeed extraterrestrial in origin. However, others think they saw a government drone or even the reflection of lights from a nearby football stadium.
2. Mass UFO Sighting During Baseball Game - Vancouver, Canada, 2013
During a minor league baseball game between the Vancouver Canadians and the Everett AquaSox in 2013, hundreds of people had their attention drawn away from the game as a strange object appeared over the field.
The UFO had a triangular shape with lights around its edges. Even the players seemed to notice the aerial anomaly. One spoke on social media after the contest about the “alien spaceship” that had been seen.
Captured On Camera: UFO Spotted Hovering At Canadian Baseball Game
Many photographs and videos soon surfaced online, although no official explanation was initially offered. A local newspaper, however, speculated that the UFO could have been—and most likely was—a remote-control helicopter.
But the truth about this “UFO” was revealed just a couple of weeks later. The whole thing was a marketing ploy to publicize a new planetarium theater at the H.R. MacMillan Space Center in Vancouver.
Maybe that’s why Vancouver had more UFO sightings in 2013 than any other Canadian city.
1. The Trindade UFO Incident - 1958
In October 1957, the Brazilian navy set up a scientific research base on the island of Trindade. By January 1958, they were witness to some of the most bizarre UFO sightings of the 20th century.
Upon establishing the base, personnel began to report strange silvery objects that seemed to be observing their actions. On the morning of New Year’s Day 1958, the entire garrison witnessed a strange light passing overhead. The following evening, a glowing object circled around one of the navy ships for 10 minutes. It executed sudden and precise turns as it did so.
On January 6, Commander Carlos A. Bacellar launched a weather balloon. However, he realized that the signals it should have been emitting had suddenly stopped. When he looked at the sky, he saw the balloon being “sucked up” into a cloud and disappearing.
1958: UFO Sighting at Trindade Brazil [FULL VERSION]
Ten minutes later, it reappeared, only without its instruments. A little while later, a silver object exited the same cloud and calmly made its way from the scene.
On January 16, the entire crew of a navy ship off the coast of the island witnessed a strange bright object. It was making its way over the ship and toward the island. One observer managed to take several photographs of the airborne craft. Once the photographs had been developed, they were promptly released to the press.
Het Multi-Witness 2003 Huntingdon-incident en de Discrete Indiana UFO-golf
Het Multi-Witness 2003 Huntingdon-incident en de Discrete Indiana UFO-golf
Daags na Kerstmis 2003, in Huntingdon, Indiana, waren drie politieagenten getuige van een bizar luchtobject dat midden op de dag over de stad bewoog. Alle drie de getuigen zagen het object onafhankelijk van elkaar en vanop verschillende plaatsen. Hoewel het onbekend, blijkbaar nieuwsgierig object minder dan een minuut zichtbaar was, is de waarneming rijk aan details en, gezien de beroepsgroep van de getuigen, wordt het beschouwd als een geloofwaardige UAP-waarneming.
Hoewel de Huntingdon-ontmoeting werd gepubliceerd in lokale kranten, zou het al snel aan het licht komen dat verschillende waarnemingen van een bijna identiek object plaatsvonden in de Hoosier State binnen dezelfde tijdsperiode als de waarneming die door de drie politieagenten werd gerapporteerd, wat suggereert dat er een toename van waarnemingen discreet had plaatsgevonden in Indiana in de laatste weken van 2003.
Het incident kwam onder de bredere publieke aandacht via een artikel getiteld 'Het Object van Hun Ergernis' in de editie van 4 januari 2004 van The Herald-Press, en hoewel er sindsdien weinig extra aan het licht is gekomen, blijft het incident, zoals we zullen zien, van belang voor UFO-onderzoekers en -onderzoekers vandaag de dag..
Een Anomalie in de Lucht Op Een Koude Wintermiddag!
Het was rond 14:30 op een bijzonder koude wintermiddag op 26 december 2003 in Huntingdon, Indiana, toen de buiten dienst zijnde politieagent Chip Olinger de sleutel in het contact van zijn auto omdraaide om de motor op te warmen. Terwijl de motor soepel draaide tegen de harde winteromgeving van het Amerikaanse Midwesten, merkte Olinger iets ongewoons op in de heldere, blauwe decemberlucht.
Olinger verklaarde later aan de krant dat hij in eerste instantie dacht dat hij naar "een parachute die je kunt sturen" keek. (Het was) zwart en gebogen!" Nadat hij echter enige tijd naar de luchtanomalie had gekeken, realiseerde hij zich al snel dat er geen piloot was, wat uitsloot dat hij naar een parachute keek. Hij bleef kijken terwijl het object "een langzame rol" begon voordat het ondersteboven draaide, en nu leek het op "een enorme set vogelvleugels!" Deze rol ging door, terwijl het object leek te veranderen in iets "langwerpigs en oranje van kleur!"
Olinger greep onmiddellijk naar deze politieradio om de waarneming te melden aan de meldkamer van de politie van Huntingdon, evenals om te verzoeken dat andere beschikbare agenten proberen het object te lokaliseren en hun locatie te rapporteren. Slechts enkele momenten later gaven twee mede-politieagenten van Huntingdon – Greg Hedrick en Randy Hoover – aan dat zij het mysterieuze object ook konden zien.
Hedrick was in de keuken van het politiebureau toen hij de radionotificatie hoorde. Hij stapte naar buiten en zag meteen het vreemde object boven zich, later beweerde hij dat het eruitzag als een 'band in de lucht!' Hoover daarentegen verliet het politiebureau via de achterdeur toen Olinger's oproep binnenkwam. Hij keek onmiddellijk omhoog en verklaarde later dat het object 'zo groot was, dat ik het binnen de kortste keren opmerkte!' Hij legde uit dat het object leken te 'zweven (en) breed rond te draaien' voordat het in één positie bleef hangen en een feloranje kleur leek aan te nemen (hoewel we moeten opmerken dat alle getuigen het erover eens waren dat deze plotselinge oranje gloed waarschijnlijk de reflectie van de middagzon was in plaats van dat het vaartuig fysiek van kleur veranderde).
Lights Over West Michigan | 1994 UFO Sighting Special
Vanaf zijn plaats van waarneming leek het voor Olinger dat het object "vast zou komen te zitten aan de toren van de kerk" terwijl het achter het gebouw verdween. In totaal was het object niet meer dan een minuut zichtbaar, waarschijnlijk eerder 45 seconden, voordat het uit het zicht verdween.
Een gebeurtenis die normaal gesproken "de noodlijnen zouden roodgloeiend doen staan!"
Verrassend genoeg waren op die koude decembermiddag de politieagenten zelf de enige getuigen van de vreemde gebeurtenissen. Olinger verklaarde dat hij dit extreem vreemd vond en dat dergelijke gebeurtenissen normaal gesproken "de noodlijnen zouden roodgloeiend doen staan!" Uiteindelijk werd er geen enkele 911-oproep gedaan door een andere publieke getuigen om het bizarre luchtobject te melden, en de drie politieagenten waren de enige getuigen van de merkwaardige gebeurtenissen. En het was Olinger – de agent die de anderen waarschuwde voor de aanwezigheid van het object – alleen die het vreemd object zag toen hij toevallig op dat moment in die richting keek.
De drie getuigen besloten, deels vanwege de enorme gebrek aan andere rapporten over het object, te stoppen met spreken over de gebeurtenissen en het stil te houden, uit angst dat ze het onderwerp van spot – of erger – zouden worden. Na slechts enkele dagen, echter, konden ze de gebeurtenissen niet uit hun gedachten zetten en besloten ze een officieel rapport op te stellen. Enkele dagen later verscheen het krantenartikel in de Herald-Press.
Alle drie de getuigen waren er zeker van dat ze die middag iets volkomen ongewoons hadden waargenomen. Ze legden uit dat ze er geen twijfel over hadden dat het object mechanisch van aard was en dat er "niets bekends was waarmee ze het konden associëren!" Hoover voegde eraan toe dat hij "nooit echt bang was, ik was gewoon volslagen verbaasd!"
Toen de dominee van de kerk waar het object boven zweefde om commentaar werd gevraagd, antwoordde hij dat dit "de eerste keer was dat hij ervan hoorde". Hij voegde eraan toe dat ze niet alleen niets ongewoons hadden gezien op de bewuste dag, maar dat ook geen van zijn parochianen hem had gemeld het merkwaardige object te hebben gezien. Ook toen de twee nabijgelegen vliegvelden – Huntingdon Municipal Airport en Fort Wayne Smith's Field – werden benaderd met de vraag of ze afwijkende radargegevens hadden voor de bewuste datum, antwoordden beiden dat ze niets hadden dat wees op iets "ongewoons" op de middag van 26 december 2003.
Hoewel de drie politieagenten die middag schijnbaar de enige getuigen waren van dit vreemde object boven Huntingdon, werden er in de periode tussen Kerstmis en Nieuwjaar van 2003 en begin 2004 verschillende andere soortgelijke meldingen van bizarre en mogelijk buitenaardse vaartuigen gemeld vanuit de hele staat Hoosier.
De waarneming in Dearborn
Hoewel de exacte datum niet bekend is, is een incident dat zich enkele weken vóór de waarneming in Huntingdon in Dearborn, Lawrenceberg County, begin tot half december afspeelde, onze aandacht waard. Volgens het rapport liep een anonieme buurtbewoner rond 19.00 uur op de bewuste avond met zijn hond rond toen hij een extreem helder, gloeiend object aan de donkere hemel zag.
Wat vooral interessant was, zowel voor de getuige als voor de buurtbewoners die later van zijn waarneming hoorden, is dat dit de derde waarneming van hetzelfde vaartuig boven Dearborn in de afgelopen dagen was. Beide eerdere waarnemingen resulteerden erin dat het vreemde licht simpelweg over de hemel bewoog en in de verte verdween. Die avond bleef het gloeiende object echter zichtbaar. Sterker nog, het leek de getuige alsof het hen naar huis volgde.
De getuige zette zijn wandeling voort en kwam uiteindelijk thuis aan. Hij ging naar binnen en bleef daar twee of drie minuten. Vervolgens besloot hij naar buiten te gaan, naar zijn tuin, om te kijken of het object nog steeds zichtbaar was. Tot zijn verbazing zweefde het object bijna recht boven hem op een hoogte van ongeveer 150 meter.
Na de melding zou blijken dat een tiener uit de buurt en een vrouw het object tegelijk met de hoofdgetuige hadden gezien, elk vanaf een andere locatie. Wat het precies was, blijft echter een compleet mysterie.
Het incident bij Lake Monroe
Slechts twee dagen voor de waarneming boven Huntingdon, rond 19.00 uur op kerstavond in Heltonville, werd er opnieuw een afwijkend object gemeld. De hoofdgetuige – wederom een anonieme persoon – was op hun terrein "net ten zuiden van Lake Monroe" bezig met wat werkzaamheden aan het gebouw voordat ze er in het nieuwe jaar zouden intrekken. Ze werkten in de badkamer, met het enige licht in de kamer dat door een dakraam in het plafond viel, en nu de zon allang weg was, was dat licht minimaal.
Plotseling echter lichtte de hele kamer plotseling op "alsof het daglicht was!" De bron van dit plotseling verschijnende licht kwam duidelijk van buiten, en de getuige, nu even geïntrigeerd als wat dan ook, pakte zijn jas en liep naar de tuin. Zodra ze naar buiten stapten, veranderde de zenuwachtigheid die in hen opkwam in een gevoel van complete shock. Daar, recht boven hun hoofd, bewoog een "blauwachtig-witachtige schijf" zich langzaam door de lucht, ongeveer 60 meter boven de grond. De gloed van dit object zorgde ervoor dat het buitengebied leek op "daglicht", waarbij de hele directe omgeving baadde in de witte gloed.
De getuige bleef toekijken hoe het object over het hoofd vloog en richting het nabijgelegen bos ging. Terwijl het dat deed, schoten "felle lichten" van onderaf het bos in. De getuige bleef buiten en observeerde het object totdat het in de verte verdween. Net als bij de andere waarnemingen die we hier hebben onderzocht, werd er nooit een verklaring gegeven voor het bizarre vaartuig.
Een geval van computerinterferentie – De waarneming in Tipton County
Bijna precies een week later, op oudejaarsavond 2003 – en slechts vijf dagen na de waarneming bij daglicht in Huntingdon – vond er opnieuw een bizarre gebeurtenis plaats in Kimpton, Tipton County. Rond 19:30 uur op de bewuste avond was de getuige – een anonieme computerreparateur – bij een klant thuis, midden in een computerreparatie, toen zijn avond een dramatische wending nam.
Tijdens de reparaties merkten ze dat het computersysteem zich vreemd begon te gedragen. Ze verklaarden in hun rapport dat niet alleen de harde schijf van het systeem plotseling "niet meer reageerde", maar dat de "CMOS BIOS-instellingen (helemaal) verkeerd waren!" Ze stelden verder dat alleen iemand die fysiek de instellingen van de computer ingaat, tot dergelijk gedrag zou kunnen leiden. Aangezien de eigenaar van de computer een "complete beginner" was, was het onwaarschijnlijk dat ze iets hadden gedaan (of deden).
Op dat moment grapte de getuige met de klant of er recentelijk "UFO-activiteit" in de omgeving was geweest, en insinueerde dat dit de oorzaak zou kunnen zijn geweest van de bizarre activiteit die op het systeem werd weergegeven. Omdat het al laat werd en de nieuwjaarsviering al begon, bood de getuige aan het systeem mee terug te nemen zodat hij het volledig kon testen en het vervolgens weer volledig werkend aan de klant kon teruggeven, waarmee de klant akkoord ging.
Ze brachten het systeem samen naar de auto van de computerreparateur en plaatsten het op de achterbank. Terwijl ze dat deden, zagen ze echter een "fel wit licht" boven hun hoofd. Ze keken er beiden enkele ogenblikken naar voordat de bomen in de buurt hun zicht begonnen te belemmeren. De getuige nam afscheid van de klant en vertrok. In plaats van naar huis te gaan zoals gepland, besloot hij echter plotseling in de richting van het vreemde, gloeiende object te gaan.
Een object dat meer dan twee uur in zichtbaar bleef
De getuige bleef minutenlang in de richting van het object rijden, vastbesloten om precies te zien wat het was, en arriveerde uiteindelijk aan de rand van de stad. Hier, vlakbij het hoofdspoor, zetten ze hun voertuig aan de kant van de weg. Daar, recht voor hen – op een "zeer heldere nacht" – zweefde een "object ter grootte van een honkbal" in de lucht. Ze bleven enkele ogenblikken precies waar ze waren, zonder het object uit het oog te verliezen, bijna gefascineerd door het object.
Toen, zich herinnerend dat het oudejaarsavond was en dat ze eerdere afspraken hadden, dwongen ze zichzelf de auto opnieuw te starten en vertrokken naar huis. Het object bleef echter de hele rit zichtbaar – en toen het begon te "slingeren" en "loopings" begon te maken, brachten ze hun auto weer tot stilstand. Terwijl hij dat deed, merkte hij dat verschillende andere automobilisten ook hun auto's langs de kant van de weg hadden stilgezet, ogenschijnlijk om de gloeiende anomalie in de lucht beter te kunnen bekijken.
De getuige kwam uiteindelijk net op tijd thuis om zich om te kleden en zijn gasten te verwelkomen voor een afgesproken oudejaarsfeest. Zelfs op dat moment, vanuit het huis van de getuige, was het object nog steeds zichtbaar en duidelijk zichtbaar in de lucht. 's Avonds stelden de vrienden van de getuige voor om naar een club te gaan en daar het nieuwe jaar in te luiden. De getuige, die beweerde dat hij wat krap bij kas zat, spoorde zijn vrienden aan om te gaan en zei dat hij graag thuis wilde blijven. Zodra ze vertrokken waren, ging de getuige rechtstreeks naar zijn achtertuin.
Hoewel het een bijzonder koude nacht was, niet in de laatste plaats door het (inmiddels) late tijdstip, bleef hij meer dan twee uur in de tuin naar het object kijken. Hij merkte op dat het van kleur was veranderd, van een helder blauwwit naar een trots geeloranje. Rond 22:20 uur ging de telefoon. Aan de andere kant van de lijn zat een familielid die vroeg of hij hem om 23.00 uur kon ophalen bij een tankstation waar hij werkte. De getuige stemde toe en 20 minuten later, rond 22.40 uur, stapte hij in zijn auto en vertrok.
Op weg naar het tankstation realiseerde de getuige zich dat hij het object niet meer kon zien. Hij wist niet zeker of het verdwenen was of dat het zich net buiten zijn gezichtsveld bevond, afgesneden door de bomen. De getuige gaf echter in zijn verslag aan dat ze "dit (soort) object vrij vaak zien", meestal op weg naar huis van lessen die ze volgen in het nabijgelegen Indianapolis. Wat het object zou kunnen zijn en welke intelligentie erachter schuilgaat, blijft echter onbekend.
Weinig bekende waarnemingen die enorme inzichten bieden
De waarnemingen die we hier hebben beschreven, zijn zowel interessant als nuttig. Ten eerste lijkt het erop dat er in december 2003 een golf van waarnemingen plaatsvond boven Indiana – waarnemingen met opmerkelijk vergelijkbare details en die suggereerden dat dezelfde intelligentie – wat die intelligentie ook mag zijn – achter elk van hen schuilging. Ze dienen ook als herinnering dat dit soort pieken waarschijnlijk vaker voorkomen dan we denken. Het is bijvoorbeeld gemakkelijk dat deze meldingen verloren gaan als geïsoleerde, zelfs onbelangrijke waarnemingen. Wanneer we ze echter samen bekijken, zien we dat er zich eind 2003 iets vreemds afspeelde boven de staat Hoosier.
We zouden kunnen overwegen hoeveel andere waarnemingen alleen al in december 2003 vanuit Indiana ongerapporteerd bleven, hetzij uit desinteresse, hetzij uit angst voor spot. We zouden dat echter verder kunnen uitdiepen en bekijken hoeveel meer waarnemingen ongerapporteerd bleven, niet alleen in Amerika maar over de hele wereld, door de decennia heen. Als elke UFO-waarneming en -ontmoeting gedocumenteerd was en de gegevens veilig bewaard waren, zouden we wellicht ontdekken dat deze vreemde objecten – wat ze ook mogen zijn – veel vaker voorkomen in de hemel dan zelfs de UFO-gemeenschap zou denken.
De waarnemingen die we hier hebben onderzocht, zijn dan ook twee decennia later nog steeds belangrijk en interessant voor UFO-onderzoekers en -liefhebbers, en vormen een extra, zij het klein, onderdeel van het algehele beeld van UFO's en buitenaardse wezens.
De korte video hieronder bekijkt enkele van de beste UFO-waarnemingen van over de hele wereld..
OORDEEL VAN DE EXPERTEN De centrale bewering draait om verschillende onverklaarbare waarnemingen in Indiana eind 2003, met als kern een spraakmakende zaak in Huntingdon, waarbij drie lokale politieagenten onafhankelijk van elkaar melding maakten van een merkwaardig object in de lucht. Voorstanders van het verhaal benadrukken de geloofwaardigheid van getuigen van de politie en het feit dat latere waarnemingen in de staat Indiana aan dezelfde afwijkende beschrijving leken te voldoen.
Tegenstanders en sceptici suggereren alledaagse verklaringen zoals reflecties, experimentele vliegtuigen of verkeerde identificaties van natuurverschijnselen. Hoewel er geen sluitend bewijs is gevonden – geen radarbevestigingen, fotografisch bewijs of grootschalige meldingen van burgers – maken consistente getuigenverklaringen het moeilijk om de zaak direct te verwerpen. Officiële verklaringen blijven schaars, waardoor de vraag open blijft of er werkelijk iets ongewoons is gebeurd in de lucht boven Indiana.
Uitspraak: Niet doorslaggevend Meerdere geloofwaardige getuigenissen voeden het debat, maar de afwezigheid van solide bewijs staat definitieve conclusies in de weg.
NASA has been monitoring a strange anomaly in Earth's magnetic field: a giant region of lower magnetic intensity in the skies above the planet, stretching out between South America and southwest Africa.
This vast, developing phenomenon, called the South Atlantic Anomaly, has intrigued and concerned scientists for years, and perhaps none more so than NASA researchers.
The space agency's satellites and spacecraft are particularly vulnerable to the weakened magnetic field strength within the anomaly, and the resulting exposure to charged particles from the Sun.
The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) – likened by NASA to a 'dent' in Earth's magnetic field, or a kind of 'pothole in space' – generally doesn't affect life on Earth, but the same can't be said for orbital spacecraft (including the International Space Station), which pass directly through the anomaly as they loop around the planet at low-Earth orbit altitudes.
During these encounters, the reduced magnetic field strength inside the anomaly means technological systems onboard satellites can short-circuit and malfunction if they become struck by high-energy protons emanating from the Sun.
NASA Explores Earth's Magnetic 'Dent'
These random hits may usually only produce low-level glitches, but they do carry the risk of causing significant data loss, or even permanent damage to key components – threats obliging satellite operators to routinely shut down spacecraft systems before spacecraft enter the anomaly zone.
Mitigating those hazards in space is one reason NASA is tracking the SAA; another is that the mystery of the anomaly represents a great opportunity to investigate a complex and difficult-to-understand phenomenon, and NASA's broad resources and research groups are uniquely well-appointed to study the occurrence.
"The magnetic field is actually a superposition of fields from many current sources," geophysicist Terry Sabaka from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland explained in 2020.
The primary source is considered to be a swirling ocean of molten iron inside Earth's outer core, thousands of kilometers below the ground. The movement of that mass generates electrical currents that create Earth's magnetic field, but not necessarily uniformly, it seems.
A huge reservoir of dense rock called the African Large Low Shear Velocity Province, located about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) below the African continent, is thought to disturb the field's generation, resulting in the dramatic weakening effect – which is aided by the tilt of the planet's magnetic axis.
"The observed SAA can be also interpreted as a consequence of weakening dominance of the dipole field in the region," said NASA Goddard geophysicist and mathematician Weijia Kuang in 2020.
"More specifically, a localized field with reversed polarity grows strongly in the SAA region, thus making the field intensity very weak, weaker than that of the surrounding regions."
Satellite data suggesting the SAA is dividing.
(Division of Geomagnetism, DTU Space)
While there's much scientists still don't fully understand about the anomaly and its implications, new insights are continually shedding light on this strange phenomenon.
For example,one studyled by NASA heliophysicist Ashley Greeley in 2016 revealed the SAA slowly drifts around, which was confirmed by subsequent tracking from CubeSats in researchpublished in 2021.
It's not just moving, however. Even more remarkably, the phenomenon seems to be in the process of splitting in two, with researchers in 2020 discovering that the SAA appeared to be dividing into two distinct cells, each representing a separate center of minimum magnetic intensity within the greater anomaly.
Just what that means for the future of the SAA remains unknown, but in any case, there's evidence to suggest that the anomaly is not a new appearance.
A study published in July 2020 suggested the phenomenon is not a freak event of recent times, but a recurrent magnetic event that may have affected Earth since as far back as 11 million years ago.
If so, that could signal that the South Atlantic Anomaly is not a trigger or precursor to the entire planet's magnetic field flipping, which is something that actually happens, if not for hundreds of thousands of years at a time.
Obviously, huge questions remain, but with so much going on with this vast magnetic oddity, it's good to know the world's most powerful space agency is watching it as closely as they are.
"Even though the SAA is slow-moving, it is going through some change in morphology, so it's also important that we keep observing it by having continued missions," said Sabaka.
"Because that's what helps us make models and predictions."
An earlier version of this article was published in August 2020.
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The Inter-universal Teichmüller Theory, an infamous proof that has confounded mathematicians for over a decade, has been partially solved.
Crop circles, like this one in England, are sometimes misinterpreted as alien messages. They've got nothing on the complexity of the Inter-universal Teichmüller Theory — a math proof so complicated it's been dubbed the "alien's language".
(Image credit: Abstract Aerial Art via Getty Images)
Imagine this scenario: Scientists have intercepted a transmission from analien race. It's clear that the message comes from an intelligent being, but everything about it — the syntax, the grammar, the context — is unintelligible to us Earthlings.
That's how most mathematicians feel about the Inter-universal Teichmüller Theory (IUT), a proof introduced by mathematician Shinichi Mochizuki over a decade ago in an attempt to solve the famous ABC conjecture, one of the most famous unsolved problems in number theory, which deals with the sum of prime numbers and has implications on many other conjectures.
IUT bears so little resemblance to other branches of math that it's been nicknamed the "alien's language." Only about 20 people in the world have managed to comprehend it to any extent. But now, a 28-year-old engineer named Zhou Zhongpeng has made significant progress in demystifying IUT.
Mochizuki developed IUT in the early 2000s and published it across a series of four preprints in 2012. The proof is over 2,000 pages long, and Mochizuki claims it offers a solution to the ABC conjecture. If proven, the conjecture could help clarify other major mathematical enigmas, such as Fermat's Last Theorem — a nearly 400-year-old theorem that states no three positive integers a, b, and c satisfy the equation an + bn = cn for any integer value of n greater than 2. The theorem was first solved by mathematician Andrew Wiles in 1995, but Zhou's new framework could prove the theorem in much fewer steps.
However, IUT employs concepts and symbols that are wholly unique in the world of math. In other words, Mochizuki essentially created his own mathematical language — and it confounded many of the world's leading mathematicians. A few brave souls, including mathematician Ivan Fesenko, have chipped away at parts of it and lent some credence to Mochizuki's claims. Yet despite existing for over a decade, IUT has not been fully verified by peer review because it is so difficult to understand.
Enter Zhou. He has a background in mathematics, having studied graph theory as a doctoral candidate, but he ultimately left before completing his degree to work as a software engineer. However, this didn't diminish his interest in pure math. He became obsessed with IUT, studying the theory in his spare time despite a busy workweek. Over the course of five months, he detailed several refinements and new applications in apaper, which he sent to both Mochizuki and Fesenko. The work, if correct, proves the majority of cases of generalized Fermat's Last Theorem, using principles from IUT.
The mathematicians were impressed; Fesenko even offered to fly him out to Westlake University in China, where he works. Zhou accepted the offer and is currently working under Fesenko's tutelage on furthering the proof. There are myriad potential applications of this work, ranging from cryptography and quantum computing to a better understanding of space-time — but only if they're comprehensible to other researchers.
And parts of IUT still remain inscrutable. It will likely be years before someone cracks it fully, if at all. "Those papers are based on the research of predecessors; my work has only made some minor innovations and explorations, and I hope to contribute a modest amount to the relevant field," Zhou said in asocial media post.
Editor's Note: This story was corrected at 5:00 p.m. EDT on June 4 to correct the formatting of Fermat's Last Theorem, and to clarify that Zhou's work could prove the theorem in fewer steps than Wiles' version.
Earth's magnetic field and oxygen levels have increased more or less in parallel over the past 540 million years, suggesting the two factors are linked in some way, researchers say.
Researchers found a strong correlation between oxygen levels and the geomagnetic field, but it's unclear if one influences the other.
(Image credit: castigatio/Getty Images)
Earth's magnetic field and oxygen levels are inextricably linked, new research suggests.
The strength of the geomagnetic field has gone up in lockstep with the percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere over the past 540 million years, a new study finds — but it remains unclear if one of these influences the other, or whether other unknown factors explain the link.
"This is the first discovery we've ever had to establish the link between the geomagnetic field and the oxygen level," lead author Weijia Kuang, a senior scientist in the Geodesy and Geophysics Laboratory at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, told Live Science.
Earth's magnetic field and oxygen levels have increased more or less in parallel since the start of the Cambrian period (541 million to 485.4 million years ago), and both factors spiked between 330 million and 220 million years ago, the results indicate.
The research could help to narrow down requirements for life on other planets, Kuang and study co-author Ravi Kopparapu, a planetary scientist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a joint video interview.
It may be that the geomagnetic field controls oxygen levels, or vice versa — but there is another possible scenario, which is that both factors are related to a third geochemical or geophysical process that the researchers haven't yet pinpointed, Kuang said.
For the new study, scientists used two independent datasets spanning the past 540 million years. One of the datasets showed atmospheric oxygen, derived from multiple indicators such as the abundance in sediments of fossilized charcoal, which remains after wildfires and gives clues about how much oxygen was available at a given time. The other dataset showed the strength of the geomagnetic field, derived from magnetic information that is recorded in ancient rocks and sediments. The researchers plotted these datasets against each other and found there was a strong correlation between them.
If the geomagnetic field controls oxygen levels, its influence would likely be due to the protection it offers Earth's atmosphere against space weather. Previous research indicates that the geomagnetic field can prevent or reduce the escape or erosion of atmospheric molecules. The magnetic field also shields life on the planet, including plants that produce oxygen, from X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation.
If, in contrast, atmospheric oxygen levels dictate the strength of Earth's magnetic field, then plate tectonics would play a central role. Plate tectonics is the process that continuously recycles Earth's crust into the mantle, which is the planetary layer that covers Earth's liquid outer core.
Earth's geomagnetic field originates from currents in the outer core, so it's possible that the recycling of crustal material and oxygen into the mantle could impact the lower mantle, which could then affect the geomagnetic field, Kuang said.
"Plate tectonics [...] will definitely impact the thermal and the dynamical conditions at the base of the mantle where it borders the liquid outer core," he said. "On the other hand, plate tectonics also impacts the cycling of chemicals and other elements from the interior to the surface, which certainly will impact oxygenation, or the production of oxygen."
Earth's magnetic field is generated by convection in the liquid outer core. (Image credit: Mopic/Shutterstock)
It's more likely that the geomagnetic field affects oxygen levels, rather than the other way round, Kuang said. That's because scientists know the geomagnetic field originates deep inside the planet and propagates to Earth's surface and into space. "The other direction is less well understood," he said.
The third possible scenario is that another, separate process is pushing the geomagnetic field and oxygen levels in the same direction over time. The study's authors don't know what that process might be yet, but a spike that exists in both datasets may hold the answer.
'A very enticing mechanism'
The spike coincides with the existence of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, which formed about 320 million years ago and broke up about 195 million years ago. Due to the massive tectonic rearrangements involved, supercontinents might be the missing link between Earth's magnetic field and oxygen levels — but the evidence for this is still very tentative at this point, Kuang and Kopparapu cautioned.
"This is one of the conjectures we didn't really put out strongly in our paper, but it is something we think is a very enticing mechanism for us to pursue," Kuang said. The reason the researchers held back with this idea is that they have robust data for only one supercontinent — Pangaea — and not the ones that came before, he said.
"There seems to be some eye-sight correlation between oxygen and magnetic field and all the other supercontinents," Kopparapu said. "However, we don't have reliable data for oxygen [going farther back] than 540 million years, and so we are unable to make that kind of a conclusion for [farther back in time] and past supercontinents."
The researchers are already working on the next step, which is to search for other geophysical and geochemical factors that might link to the geomagnetic field and oxygen levels. For this, the authors say communication and collaboration between scientists is of paramount importance.
"One single mind cannot comprehend the whole system of the Earth," Kopparapu said. "We're like kids playing with Legos, with each of us having a separate Lego piece. We're trying to fit all of it together and see what's the big picture."
It is widely accepted that the Tunguska explosion was caused by a meteorite.
Credit: Pixabay
Early in the morning of June 30, 1908, at 7 hours and 15 minutes local time, a fireball passed through the sky, observed by many residents of Eastern Siberia.
The flight of this unusual celestial body was accompanied by a sound resembling thunder. The ensuing explosion shook the earth, which was felt in a perimeter of more than a million square kilometers.
Initial studies on the Tunguska phenomenon began much later in the 1920s, when four expeditions organized by the USSR Academy of Sciences, were sent to the scene. Soon it was established that around the fall of the Tunguska meteorite, the trees had fallen from the center outwards, and in the middle, some of them stood but without a single branch.
Much of the forest was burned. Subsequent expeditions (about 20 in number) noticed that in the area of the fallen forests, a specific figure in the shape of a “butterfly” was formed, whose axis of symmetry coincided with the trajectory of the meteorite (according to eyewitnesses): from east-southeast to the west-northwest.
The total area of destroyed forest was about 2200 square kilometers. It was found that the explosion did not occur when the meteorite came into contact with the Earth, but in the air at an altitude of 5-10 km. Many geophysical stations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas recorded airwaves orbiting the globe, and some seismic stations recorded earthquakes.
An old image from 1927 showing the fallen trees in the area of the Tunguska explosion. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The blast completely burned the taiga and the rare huts within a radius of 5 to 7 kilometers, and the perimeter in which the trees were cut down varied from 25 to 30 kilometers. The dazzling orange glow was even seen in Western Europe
As a result of the powerful explosion and the flow of hot gases, a wild forest fire broke out. A few minutes after the explosion, a magnetic storm broke out, registered in Irkutsk, which lasted 4 hours and looked strikingly like the geomagnetic disturbances observed after the explosion of nuclear facilities in the upper layers.
It is also interesting that from the Yenisei to the Atlantic coast of Europe, the night sky was so bright that it could be easily read without additional lighting. And this refers to the following night! In California, there was a sharp decline in the transparency of the atmosphere in July-August 1908.
But what caused this massive explosion? More than 110 years later, we do not have a definitive answer. More and more new theories about Tunguska come out every year, from comets to nuclear tests to UFOs, but without results.
Research continues to this day
The assessment of the energy force of the explosion showed higher values of the energy released than during the fall of the Arizona meteorite, which formed a crater with a size of 1200 meters in diameter. However, there is no crater at the site of the Tunguska meteorite crash.
This is explained by the fact that the explosion occurred before the collision of the celestial body with the earth’s surface. Although research on the mechanism of the Tunguska meteorite’s explosion has not yet been completed, most scientists believe that this body, which has enormous kinetic energy, had low density (less than water density), low hardness, and high volatility.
A photograph from a 1929 expedition again showing the destruction caused by the Tunguska explosion. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
They believe that this is what contributed to its rapid destruction and evaporation when it crashed into the denser layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. It appears to have been a comet consisting of frozen water and gases.
The “comet” hypothesis for the Tunguska meteorite was proposed by Russian researchers, based on modern data on the nature of comets. According to their estimates, the mass of the Tunguska meteorite was not less than one million tons, and the speed – 30-40 km/sec. The power of the explosion was about the same as that of a thousand atomic bombs, like the one dropped on Hiroshima.
In the area of the crash, microscopic silicate and magnetic bubbles, resembling meteorite dust and representing the comet’s scattered nucleus, were found in the soil. It is possible that the cosmic dust from the comet’s tail was the cause of the special refraction of sunlight, which led to the night glow.
Most common theories about the Tunguska Event
Here is an illustration in support of the hypothesis that the explosion was caused by a meteorite. Credit: Napalete.sk
The Tunguska meteorite, or as it is known in scientific circles as the “Tunguska explosion”, has not yet been fully studied. Many more studies are needed, but still, there are some hypotheses that await confirmation after more detailed research. Here are some of the basic assumptions:
Hypothesis 1: The Tunguska meteorite was a comet. This is a hypothesis supported by most researchers. Many of the facts speak in its favor, but so far there is no complete confirmation of this assumption.
Hypothesis 2: The Tunguska meteorite was composed of “anti-matter”. The explosion observed during its fall was the result of the interaction of “matter” with “antimatter”, which is accompanied by the release of a huge amount of energy, ie. nuclear explosion.
So far, this assumption has not been proven, although increased radiation has been observed in some areas of Tunguska. However, there are no radioactive elements in the upper layers, and such elements should be present if a nuclear explosion has indeed occurred there.
Hypothesis 3: The Tunguska meteorite was a microscopic black hole that penetrated the Tunguska taiga, penetrated it, and exited the Atlantic Ocean. The phenomena that would occur in such an event (a separate issue is the possibility of the existence of black holes with a small mass) – the blue glow, the elongated shape of the destroyed forests, the absence of mass loss, etc. – do not fully correspond to the facts observed in the fall of the meteorite.
Hypothesis 4: The Tunguska meteorite was a UFO flying over the Earth, but as a result of an accident, it fell into a sparsely populated area, such as the Siberian taiga, and before colliding with the earth’s surface, it self-destructed.
There are, of course, many other assumptions about the nature of this phenomenon, but scientists still can not find enough facts to support this or that theory. Since most “regular” theories have been spoken about millions of times already, why not focus on the most “impossible” assumption – that the Tunguska event was caused by UFOs?
Was the Tunguska explosion caused by a UFO?
Artistic impression based on old eyewitness reports. These reports, however, do not evidence that the explosion was caused by a meteorite. Credit: Don Davis
Before we continue, I need to explain that we are not claiming that the Tunguska explosion was caused by a UFO, neither are we declining this hypothesis. We are here to discuss popular theories that point towards aliens or alien spacecraft and see where this leads us.
Now, with that said, here are several versions that claim a UFO was behind the Tunguska incident. I already described the most popular version of a UFO crashing in situ by accident or not. But there are other more entertaining assumptions.
Various experts from different fields have expressed their thoughts and some suggest this version: a UFO (alien spaceship) was attempting a take-off and crashed. This sounds like a different approach to the main UFO theory so here’s a better one.
There is an official Public-State Fund in Siberia called the “Tunguska Space Phenomenon”. About 16 years ago, the president of this organization came out with his own version. He suggested that an alien civilization located in the Siberian taiga protected us from destruction by blasting out the meteorite. According to him, a UFO deliberately crashed with the Tunguska meteorite to protect us.
Here is a fourth theory, suggested by one of the first researchers to conduct an expedition 100 years ago. He claimed that the Tunguska event was aliens dropping knowledge on us. The problem is that humanity is not ready for this knowledge and it would only be revealed to us when we reach the necessary state of advancement.
Of course, no theory likely comes close to the real truth. The problem is that we may never learn what truly happened. After all, not a single piece of debris or remains was ever discovered by any of the 50+ expeditions.
The fact that there are no remains, however, does not mean that there were any UFOs or aliens either. Recently, I stumbled upon a declassified CIA document on Tunguska that provided some insight on the CIA’s opinion on the UFO theories. Here is what the American intelligence had to say about the explosion.
Declassified CIA Document Suggests Tunguska Explosion Was UFO
Tunguska site as seen on Google Earth. Credit: Google
A few weeks ago, the CIA declassified several thousand old documents, once again, thanks to the efforts of the Black Vault. You can see the entire new collection of files here.
One particular document caught my attention as it discussed the possibility that the Tunguska event was in fact caused by UFOs. Before this collection of documents, I guess nobody had known that the CIA had made their own investigation decades ago.
Anyhow, the two pages describe one particular research on the Tunguska event from the 1960s by the Soviet Union. It addresses the “history” of UFO sightings but emphasizes the Tunguska explosion as the most remarkable UFO phenomenon in history.
The focal point of this declassified document are a couple of sentences that describe the flight of the Tunguska meteorite. Based on the analysis of observations from all around the Soviet territory and additional research, it is believed that the Tunguska object carried out a maneuver as it was falling down from the sky.
The CIA file continues with the authors’ opinion that if the government confirms that the Tunguska explosion was a UFO, it would pose a variety of new major problems worldwide. The author expresses his worries that if the existence of aliens is confirmed, it would bring chaos and calamity.
The document ends with a call to action that all claims about UFOs connected to the Tunguska explosion should be discarded and forgotten. According to the author, research should be strictly scientific and there is no place for anything extraordinary.
All in all, the declassified CIA document does not confirm that it was a UFO but it does not discard this option. Unfortunately, it was never officially confirmed that the Tunguska meteorite carried out a maneuver but based on this document, it is clear that somebody in the CIA believed in this version. You can read the entire document here.
In the end, will we ever learn the truth? If the CIA or any other intelligence found out something more, it is clearly being hidden. But what did they find when there were no remains? Furthermore, the Tunguska explosion happened long before the advanced technology of today. All researchers have to work with are the eye-witness reports from 100 years ago and 2200 square kilometers of destroyed forests.
The Tunguska explosion was just one of the many extraordinary phenomena that occurred in 1908 but these other events are a subject for another time. Will experts ever find an answer? I personally doubt it.
Sources:
• Atkinson, N. (2015, December 25). Scientist claims UFO collided WITH TUNGUSKA meteorite to SAVE EARTH. • Bressan, D. (2019, July 01). For almost 100 years, Scientists puzzled over The Tunguska event. • Greenewald, J. (2021, February 16). UFOs: The Central intelligence Agency (CIA) Collection. • Maybe there is NO UFO [PDF]. • NASA. (n.d.). The tunguska impact–100 years later. • The Physics Arxiv. (2020, October 09). Tunguska explosion in 1908 caused by asteroid grazing Earth. • Science X. (2004, August 10). Researchers say Tunguska event was an ufo CRASH: Debris of alien Spaceship found. • Selyukh, A., & Wadelton, B. (2019, June 29). Was this mysterious blast caused by aliens?
Has AI Already Discovered Alien Life? An In-Depth Scientific Analysis
Has AI Already Discovered Alien Life? An In-Depth Scientific Analysis
The question of whether artificial intelligence (AI) has already discovered alien life is both fascinating and complex. It touches on the current capabilities of AI, the methods used in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), and the interpretation of recent scientific findings. While there is no definitive evidence that AI has confirmed the existence of alien life, recent technological advancements suggest that AI plays a crucial role in ongoing efforts to detect extraterrestrial organisms or signals. This analysis explores the current state of AI in astrobiology, the indirect evidence it has helped uncover, and the prospects for future discoveries.
The Role of AI in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force across numerous scientific disciplines, notably in astrophysics and astrobiology, which are central to the quest for discovering extraterrestrial life. Its advanced capabilities to analyze enormous datasets, recognize complex patterns, and generate predictive insights have significantly enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of space exploration efforts. Traditionally, scientists relied heavily on manual analysis of data, a process that was often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and limited in scope due to human capacity constraints. However, with the advent of AI technologies, researchers are now able to process and interpret vast amounts of data generated from modern telescopes, space probes, and other observational instruments with remarkable speed and accuracy.
In the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), AI plays a pivotal role. One of its primary applications is in the analysis of radio signals captured from space. Projects such as Breakthrough Listen leverage sophisticated machine learning algorithms to scan petabytes of radio data for anomalies or patterns that could suggest the presence of intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations. These algorithms are trained to distinguish between natural cosmic phenomena and potential artificial signals, drastically increasing the likelihood of detecting meaningful signals amidst the noise. Moreover, AI models can adapt and improve over time, learning from new data to refine their detection capabilities.
Beyond radio signals, AI is extensively used in analyzing images obtained from space telescopes and planetary exploration missions. These images often contain subtle indicators—biosignatures—that may point to the existence of life or conditions suitable for life. Machine learning algorithms can efficiently identify these biosignatures by recognizing chemical compositions, physical structures, or atmospheric patterns that are indicative of biological activity. For example, AI techniques are employed to analyze spectral data to detect specific molecules such as oxygen, methane, or water vapor, which are considered key markers of potential habitability.
Furthermore, AI's role extends to simulations and modeling of extraterrestrial environments. By creating virtual models of planets, moons, or exoplanets, scientists can better understand the conditions that might support life and prioritize targets for future exploration. AI-driven data analysis accelerates hypothesis testing and helps in making informed decisions about where to focus observational resources.
In summary, AI has revolutionized the search for extraterrestrial life by enabling the rapid processing and interpretation of complex, massive datasets. Its ability to identify subtle signals, recognize biosignatures, and simulate extraterrestrial environments makes it an indispensable tool in humanity’s ongoing quest to answer one of the most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe?
AI and the Detection of Exoplanets and Biosignatures
One of the most exciting and promising areas in the scientific search for extraterrestrial life involves the detection and analysis of exoplanets—planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. Over the past decade, missions like NASA's Kepler and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) have revolutionized our understanding of the universe by discovering thousands of exoplanets. Many of these planets are situated within their stars' habitable zones, the regions where conditions might be right for liquid water to exist—a key ingredient for life as we know it. These discoveries have ignited imaginations worldwide, and artificial intelligence (AI) has become an indispensable tool in sifting through the vast amounts of data generated by these missions.
AI algorithms excel at analyzing the enormous datasets collected by space telescopes. They can identify the subtle dips in stellar brightness caused by a planet passing in front of its star—a method known as the transit technique. Traditional analysis methods are time-consuming and sometimes prone to false positives, but machine learning models can rapidly and accurately detect potential exoplanets, flagging the most promising candidates for further observation. For example, AI systems have been used to confirm the existence of planets such as Kepler-452b, often dubbed "Earth's cousin," which resides in its star's habitable zone.
Beyond merely detecting exoplanets, AI also plays a critical role in analyzing the atmospheres of these distant worlds. With the advent of powerful space telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists now obtain detailed atmospheric spectra—light signatures that reveal the chemical composition of a planet's atmosphere. The presence of certain molecules, such as oxygen, methane, or ozone, could be potential biosignatures—indicators that life might exist there. However, these signals are often faint and embedded within noisy data, making their detection challenging.
Machine learning models are adept at teasing out these faint signals by recognizing patterns and distinguishing genuine biosignatures from background noise. For example, AI can identify spectral features consistent with oxygen and methane coexisting—a combination that on Earth is strongly associated with biological activity. By rapidly analyzing spectral data, AI helps scientists prioritize exoplanets like Proxima Centauri b or the recently discovered Kepler-442b as prime candidates for further study.
In the realm of exoplanetary science, some planets stand out as particularly intriguing candidates for potential alien life. Imagine a super-Earth orbiting within the habitable zone of a red dwarf star, with a thick atmosphere rich in organic molecules. Such a planet might host a biosphere similar to early Earth, complete with microbial life that thrives in its alien environment. Alternatively, astronomers have hypothesized the existence of exoplanets like Kepler-62f, which could harbor life forms resembling simple, multicellular organisms or even more complex, alien species.
In some thought experiments, scientists consider exoplanets covered with oceans teeming with life—perhaps similar to Earth's deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems—where unique alien life forms could exist. For instance, on a planet named Epsilon Eridani b, scientists speculate about the presence of silicon-based life forms or even creatures with bioluminescent features, adapted to the planet's dim, methane-rich atmosphere. These hypothetical aliens might resemble luminous, filter-feeding organisms or intelligent, octopus-like beings capable of utilizing the planet’s organic molecules.
While the detection of biosignatures does not yet confirm the existence of extraterrestrial life, it serves as a vital step toward understanding where life might emerge beyond Earth. AI continues to advance our capabilities by enabling more precise and faster analysis of enormous datasets, narrowing down the list of promising worlds. Each potential biosignature detected deepens the mystery and fuels future explorations, bringing us closer to answering the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe?
In conclusion, the combination of cutting-edge space telescopes and sophisticated AI analysis is transforming our approach to astrobiology. As technology progresses, we may soon identify worlds that show clear signs of life—or even find evidence of complex, alien ecosystems. The search for extraterrestrial life is no longer just a matter of chance; it is becoming a systematic, data-driven quest that might one day reveal astonishing truths about our universe and our place within it.
Have AI Systems Confirmed Alien Life?
To date, no artificial intelligence (AI) system has provided definitive proof of extraterrestrial organisms or signals. The search for alien life remains one of the most profound scientific quests, and while AI has played a significant supportive role, it has not yet achieved a concrete breakthrough. Over the years, one of the most famous signals detected was the "Wow! signal" in 1977, a strong narrowband radio signal observed by astronomer Jerry Ehman. Despite extensive follow-up investigations, this signal remains unexplained and has not been confirmed as originating from an extraterrestrial source. It is often regarded as an intriguing anomaly rather than concrete evidence of alien life.
Modern AI algorithms, with their advanced data processing capabilities, have significantly enhanced our ability to analyze vast amounts of astronomical data. These systems can sift through signals from space more efficiently than humans alone, helping to identify potential biosignatures or unusual phenomena that warrant further study. Although AI has yet to identify unambiguous signs of extraterrestrial biology, it has contributed indirectly by reducing the number of false positives and highlighting promising candidates for future investigation.
In addition, AI techniques have been instrumental in the discovery of new exoplanets—planets orbiting stars outside our solar system—and in analyzing atmospheric data for potential biosignatures, such as specific gases that could indicate biological activity. These advances are crucial because they help scientists narrow down the search and focus on the most promising targets. The development of machine learning models has also improved the interpretation of complex data from telescopes and space missions, making it easier to detect subtle signals that might otherwise go unnoticed.
While AI has yet to confirm the existence of alien life, its role in expanding our understanding of the universe is undeniable. As technology advances and our observational capabilities improve, AI will likely continue to be a vital tool in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Should alien life exist and be detectable, AI’s ability to analyze and interpret astronomical data will be instrumental in making that groundbreaking discovery.
Indirect Evidence and the Fermi Paradox
The Fermi Paradox raises a fundamental question about our universe: given the immense size of the cosmos, filled with billions of stars and potentially even more planets capable of supporting life, why have we not yet found definitive evidence of extraterrestrial civilizations? Despite the high probability of other intelligent life forms existing somewhere out there, our current observations remain silent. This paradox has spurred extensive scientific debate and exploration, especially with the advent of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. AI's role in addressing this paradox is multifaceted, encompassing both enhancing our detection capabilities and deepening our understanding of the statistical likelihood of alien life.
One significant way AI contributes is through improving the analysis of signals received from space. Traditional methods rely heavily on human interpretation and predefined algorithms, which may overlook subtle patterns or anomalies. AI systems, particularly machine learning algorithms, can process vast datasets much more efficiently and detect faint or complex signals that might indicate the presence of extraterrestrial intelligence. For example, AI can analyze radio signals or optical data for unusual patterns, frequency shifts, or non-random structures that could suggest artificial origin. By doing so, AI increases the probability of identifying potential signs of alien technology, even if they are faint or disguised within noise.
Furthermore, AI plays a crucial role in interpreting the absence of signals or biosignatures. The lack of any detectable communication or biological markers from distant planets and stars leads scientists to consider hypotheses like the "Great Filter." This concept suggests that there exists a stage in evolutionary development that most civilizations fail to pass through, effectively preventing them from becoming detectable or long-lasting. AI's analytical power allows researchers to model various scenarios and assess the probability that such filters exist. For instance, by analyzing the likelihood of life emerging on habitable planets, the development of intelligence, or the technological survivability of civilizations, AI helps quantify the "rare Earth" hypothesis versus the possibility of common extraterrestrial life.
Moreover, AI might someday assist in discovering more subtle, indirect signs of alien life that are not immediately obvious. These could include unusual chemical compositions in planetary atmospheres, unexplained physical phenomena, or anomalies in stellar behavior. Using sophisticated pattern recognition techniques, AI could identify these anomalies across vast datasets collected from telescopes, space probes, or other observational platforms. For example, AI algorithms could detect irregularities in atmospheric spectra indicating industrial pollution or artificial modifications, or recognize unusual stellar brightness fluctuations hinting at megastructures like Dyson spheres.
In summary, artificial intelligence significantly enhances both our capacity to detect direct signals and our understanding of the broader statistical and probabilistic context of extraterrestrial life. By analyzing incomplete or ambiguous data more effectively and exploring hypotheses like the Great Filter, AI provides valuable insights into one of humanity’s most profound questions: are we truly alone in the universe? As AI continues to advance, it holds the promise of bringing us closer to answering this enduring mystery.
Future Prospects: Could AI Discover Alien Life Soon?
While artificial intelligence (AI) has not yet provided definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life, its potential to revolutionize the search for alien organisms is vast and promising. As space exploration missions become increasingly sophisticated, AI systems are set to play a crucial role in analyzing the enormous volumes of data generated by telescopes, space probes, and planetary rovers. These AI-powered instruments are capable of processing data in real time, allowing scientists to identify subtle biosignatures—indicators of life—more efficiently than ever before.
Upcoming missions, such as those targeting Mars, Europa, Enceladus, and exoplanets orbiting distant stars, will be equipped with advanced AI systems designed to detect signs of habitability and life. These systems can analyze atmospheric compositions, surface mineralogy, and other environmental factors to pinpoint potential biosignatures with heightened accuracy. The development of deep learning algorithms and neural networks further enhances this capability, enabling detection algorithms to become more sensitive and specific, reducing false positives and negatives.
In addition to data analysis, AI can assist in the design of experiments tailored to detect extraterrestrial life, optimizing the placement and types of sensors used in space missions. It can interpret ambiguous or incomplete data, offering hypotheses and guiding subsequent investigations. Moreover, AI models can simulate complex alien ecosystems or the formation of biosignatures under different environmental conditions, providing valuable insights into what signs of life might look like on planets and moons vastly different from Earth.
As AI technology continues to evolve and integrates more deeply with space exploration initiatives, the overall efficiency and accuracy of detecting alien life are expected to improve significantly. These advancements could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the not-too-distant future, potentially answering one of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? The synergy between AI and space exploration holds the promise of unlocking the secrets of life beyond our planet, bringing us closer to confirming whether extraterrestrial organisms exist elsewhere in the cosmos.
Ethical and Scientific Considerations
The prospect of discovering alien life—be it microbial organisms or intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations—raises profound ethical and scientific questions that must be carefully addressed. One of the foremost concerns is how humanity should respond if artificial intelligence (AI) systems detect potential signs of extraterrestrial life. Should we immediately pursue further investigation to understand these findings better, or should we adopt a cautious approach to prevent unintended negative consequences? For example, rushing to contact or interact with alien entities might lead to cultural contamination, where human knowledge and influence could adversely affect any existing extraterrestrial societies or ecosystems. Additionally, there is the risk of biological contamination, where accidental transfer of Earth microbes could harm extraterrestrial environments or vice versa, potentially violating planetary protection protocols.
From an ethical standpoint, researchers and policymakers must consider the potential implications of discovering and possibly communicating with alien life forms. This involves weighing the scientific benefits of exploration against the moral responsibility to avoid harm—both to extraterrestrial ecosystems and to humanity itself. Decisions must be guided by international agreements and scientific consensus, ensuring that exploration is conducted responsibly and with respect for potential extraterrestrial life.
On the scientific front, the emphasis is on rigorous validation of all findings. AI's capacity to analyze vast datasets rapidly makes it an invaluable tool for identifying potential signs of extraterrestrial life, such as unusual atmospheric signatures or anomalies in astronomical data. However, AI-generated results require careful verification to rule out false positives caused by noise, instrumental errors, or misinterpretations. This entails cross-validation with independent datasets, manual review by experts, and adherence to established scientific protocols. Only through meticulous verification can the scientific community confidently confirm the presence of extraterrestrial life and avoid premature conclusions that could mislead public understanding or scientific progress.
In summary, the discovery of alien life involves complex ethical considerations about contamination, communication, and responsibility, alongside scientific challenges related to data validation. Addressing these issues requires a collaborative, cautious approach that balances scientific curiosity with ethical integrity, ensuring that humanity’s exploration of the cosmos proceeds responsibly and thoughtfully.
A view of Titan taken by ESA’s Huygens lander as it descended to its surface
Conclusion
In summary, although no artificial intelligence (AI) system has yet definitively confirmed the existence of extraterrestrial life, AI has significantly enhanced our capacity to explore this profound question. By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI enables scientists to analyze enormous volumes of astronomical data more efficiently and accurately than ever before. This includes sifting through data collected from telescopes, space missions, and other observational tools to identify potential signs of life, such as biosignatures—specific chemical or biological indicators that suggest biological activity. AI's ability to recognize subtle patterns and anomalies in complex datasets allows researchers to pinpoint promising targets for further study, thereby optimizing the allocation of limited resources and observational time.
Moreover, AI contributes to the development of sophisticated models that simulate planetary environments, helping scientists assess habitability and predict where life might exist beyond Earth. These advancements not only accelerate discoveries but also open new avenues for exploration, such as analyzing exoplanet atmospheres for potential signs of life or identifying moons and planets with conditions suitable for life as we know it. Looking ahead, the future promises even greater capabilities as AI continues to evolve, integrating with emerging technologies like quantum computing and autonomous robotic explorers. These innovations could enable real-time analysis and decision-making during space missions, bringing us closer to answering the age-old question: are we truly alone in the universe? Ultimately, while AI has not yet provided definitive proof of extraterrestrial life, it remains an invaluable tool in humanity’s ongoing quest to understand our place in the cosmos, offering hope and excitement for future discovery.
{ PETER2011 }
14-06-2025 om 21:46
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Alien Signal Detected Under Antarctica: Proof of Hidden Base! UFO UAP Sighting News.
Alien Signal Detected Under Antarctica: Proof of Hidden Base! UFO UAP Sighting News.
Something absolutely wild is going on beneath the Antarctic ice...and it’s not just physics gone rogue. According to Penn State’s ANITA balloon experiment, mysterious radio pulses are emerging from roughly 30° below the horizon...basically coming up from under the ice shelf, as if something buried deep down is beaming them outward. Now, ANITA is made to hunt cosmic rays and neutrinos...particles that, if they came from below, would have to pass through thousands of kilometers of solid Earth before hitting the detector. That’s practically impossible under known physics and the scientist states that; the signals should have vanished long before then. Yet here they are: bright, steep, and unstoppable.
So what gives? Scientists are baffled. ANITA’s team admits these can’t be neutrinos and they’ve ruled out reflections and background noise via rigorous simulations and comparisons with other observatories (like IceCube and Pierre Auger), which saw nothing matching. The more exotic particle theories are all on the table...but none fully explain a beam shooting straight through rock and ice that somehow still punches through to a balloon flying at 40 km altitude. The next-gen PUEO mission may detect more of these anomalies...but right now, this is signal-level stuff that screams intentional.
Which brings me to the only explanation that holds any strange gravity: an alien base. Think about it...if some intelligence were hiding under Antarctica, deep in ice, broadcasting signals outward, this is exactly what we’d detect. Not random noise, not natural geophysics, not neutrinos...but radio pulses cut at a perfect angle, defying physics models because they weren’t made by Earth physics. We’ve got a transmitter, it’s directional, it’s powerful...and it’s coming from beneath the ice. Until ANITA or PUEO finds a terrestrial source, it’s time to ask: what if this is their beacon, not ours?
That is nonsense! Neutrinos can indeed go through miles of rock to punch through to a high altitude balloon, after travelling through billion miles of space, even. That's what neutrinos do, and that is why neutrino detectors have to be placed inside thick rock caves (as neutrinos are the few particles with mass small enough to pass through rock to reach the detectors down there). It's certainly a more likely story than jumping to "It has to be an alien base that for some reason would have been placed under there and started broadcasting signals all of a sudden". Stop inventing just-so stories and use some common sense. Just because the particles have yet to be identified doesn't mean it has to be aliens. FFS! This kind of gullible nonsense gives UFO research a bad name. Grrr.
Nikola Tesla Death Ray On A USAF Bunker Being Used In Area 51 Near A Pyramid! UFO UAP Sighting News.
Nikola Tesla Death Ray On A USAF Bunker Being Used In Area 51 Near A Pyramid! UFO UAP Sighting News.
Date of discovery: June 11, 2025
Location of discovery: Area 51, Nevada
Source: Google Earth map
I was checking out area 51 and I noticed some interesting things...but one stood out the most. There is a Tesla Death Ray weapon on top of this USAF underground bunker! As most people know, Nicola Teslas apartment was raided by the FBI after he died in 1943 and all his blueprints of the death ray and other weapons including his UFO blueprints all vanished. But its clear that the USAF has create his death ray sometime after his death in 1943 probably created in 1947...the year of the Roswell UFO crash, and they may have used this weapon to shoot down the Roswell UFO, which eventually traveled a few hundred miles away to New Mexico. This...is more than an amazing discovery, this is the first ever video of the US military Death Ray.
High-Speed UFO Caught Over Grand Canyon in Split-Second Footage
High-Speed UFO Caught Over Grand Canyon in Split-Second Footage
Some time ago, while visiting the Grand Canyon in Arizona, a photographer captured several short video clips of the landscape. In one of those clips, an unusual anomaly was discovered.
The original footage is only 1.9 seconds long, but within that moment, something remarkable was caught on camera. An unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) flashed across the frame, visible for less than a second, only noticeable when the video was paused and analyzed frame by frame.
The object was moving at an astonishing speed, covering an estimated two to three miles in under a second, far beyond the capabilities of any conventional aircraft, drone, or helicopter.
This isn’t the first time such anomalous flying objects have been observed. Their characteristics defy comparison with known aerial technology.
Some skeptics have proposed that the object might have been a rock thrown into the canyon from behind the camera. However, that explanation seems unlikely. Most people can only throw objects at speeds of 10 to 20 meters per second (approximately 22 to 45 mph). The velocity of this object far exceeded that range, and its near-invisibility in the unedited video suggests it was moving much faster.
Astronomers have uncovered a new extreme in the universe's catalog of violent phenomena — a class of cosmic explosions so powerful that they rank among the most energetic events since the Big Bang.
These rare, ultra-luminous events were observed in the centers of tree distant galaxies, where supermassive black holes lit up as they tore apart massive stars that strayed too close. Unlike typical stellar explosions, which brighten and fade within weeks after dramatic bursts of energy, these cosmic beacons took months to reach peak brightness and remained visible for years. Scientists have now classified these events as extreme nuclear transients (ENTs).
One such event, named Gaia18cdj, released as much energy in a year as 100 suns would emit over their entire lifetimes.
"Off the bat, there was an indication that we were looking at something pretty extreme in terms of the energy," Jason Hinkle, now an astronomer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who identified the flares while sifting through data from the now-retired Gaia space telescope, told Live Science.
What makes ENTs stand out is not just their immense energy but also their longevity, Hinkle said. Their sustained brightness enables them to be seen across vast cosmic distances — much farther than typical stellar explosions — giving astronomers a rare opportunity to probe the distant, early universe.
"We're pushing the upper bounds of what we understand to be the most energetic environments of the universe," study co-author Anna Payne, a staff scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland, said in a NASA statement.
The events, described in a study published June 4 in the journal Science Advances, provide scientists with a powerful new tool to study the earliest, most distant black holes and how they evolved alongside their host galaxies.
A new class of cataclysm
In 2020, Hinkle noticed a couple of unusually bright and long-lasting flares while analyzing data from the Gaia telescope, which monitored the sky for changes in light from distant stars and galaxies. The two flares were originally recorded in 2016 and 2018.
Then, in 2023, a third, strikingly similar event was detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility, nicknamed "Barbie" or "Scary Barbie" for its catalog ID ZTF20abrbeie. The discovery helped confirm that these flares weren't isolated anomalies and instead represent a new class of powerful cosmic explosions, Hinkle said.
"It kind of all clicked together," he said. "There was this admittedly rare but very exciting class of extreme nuclear transients."
To pin down the identity of these mysterious outbursts, the researchers coordinated observations using a network of observatories, including NASA's now-retired NEOWISE asteroid hunter, which helped map the dust surrounding each black hole, offering clues about their environments.
Meanwhile, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory helped confirm that these events weren't caused by supernovas or other known astrophysical processes, the study noted. The observatory's data showed that the outbursts emitted most of their energy in ultraviolet (UV) light, and the way the X-ray, UV, and optical light brightened and faded over time created a distinctive light curve. That pattern — like a cosmic fingerprint — matched what astronomers would expect from a black hole tearing a star apart, confirming that the outbursts were linked to supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.
Now, with three confirmed cases, astronomers hope to use the data as a guide for upcoming surveys to identify more flares that fit the ENT profile — and in doing so, uncover quiescent, distant black holes that would otherwise remain hidden.
One key mission that could help spot ENTs is NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, slated for launch in early 2027 — though its progress has been clouded by budget concerns. With its powerful infrared sensitivity, it could detect dozens of ENTs from more than 12 billion years ago. Additional discoveries are expected from ground-based observations from the Legacy Survey of Space and Time at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which will scan vast regions of the sky with unprecedented depth and resolution.
Hinkle suspects these upcoming surveys could not only catalog more ENTs but also uncover variations and diversity within this new class of cosmic explosions.
"Nature likes to be tricky," he said. "What is the periphery that we haven't actually explored yet?"
De Verborgen Stad Onder de Piramides: Een Fascinerende Theorie
De Verborgen Stad Onder de Piramides: Een Fascinerende Theorie
De piramides van Egypte, vooral de Grote Piramide van Gizeh, blijven tot op de dag van vandaag een bron van mysterie en fascinatie voor archeologen, historici en avonturiers. Naast hun indrukwekkende architectuur en historische betekenis, bestaan er geruchten en theorieën die suggereren dat er onder deze iconische monumenten een verborgen stad of ondergrondse structuur zou kunnen liggen. Een van de meest intrigerende theorieën is die van een ondergrondse stad onder de piramides, die mogelijk eeuwenlang verborgen is gebleven. In dit artikel duiken we dieper in deze fascinerende theorie en de bewijzen die eraan ten grondslag liggen.
De oorsprong van de theorie
De oorsprong van de theorie over een verborgen stad onder de piramides ligt in de waarnemingen en speculaties van 19e-eeuwse ontdekkingsreizigers en archeologen. Tijdens hun expedities in Egypte stuitten zij op complexe ondergrondse structuren en tunnels die aanvankelijk als natuurlijke formaties werden beschouwd, maar later als menselijke bouwwerken werden geïdentificeerd. Deze vondsten wekten nieuwsgierigheid en leidden tot de hypothese dat de oude Egyptenaren mogelijk uitgebreide ondergrondse netwerken hadden aangelegd voor religieuze, administratieve of beveiligingsdoeleinden.
In de loop der jaren werden er ook oude teksten en inscripties gevonden die mogelijk verwijzingen bevatten naar verborgen ruimtes of geheime kamers. Sommige onderzoekers vermoeden dat deze ondergrondse constructies dienden als opslagplaatsen voor waardevolle artefacten of als geheime locaties voor rituelen. Daarnaast speelden de grote mysteries rondom de bouwtechnieken en het doel van de piramides een rol bij het ontstaan van deze theorie.
Recente archeologische opgravingen en technologieën, zoals ground-penetrating radar en 3D-scans, hebben de interesse in ondergrondse structuren verder versterkt. Zo werden er in de buurt van de piramides van Gizeh ondergrondse tunnels en kamers ontdekt die mogelijk deel uitmaken van een groter, nog onontdekt complex. Hoewel bewijs voor een volledige ondergrondse stad nog ontbreekt, blijven deze bevindingen de theorie over een verborgen ondergrondse wereld onder de piramides ondersteunen en inspireren tot verder onderzoek
Kunstenaarsherinterpretatie van de vermeende verborgen stad die onder de piramides van Gizeh zou liggen,
TRT World
Bewijzen en ontdekkingen
Hoewel er tot op heden geen definitief bewijs is voor een volledige ondergrondse stad onder de piramides van Gizeh, zijn er verschillende interessante vondsten en aanwijzingen die de mogelijkheid ondersteunen dat er meer onder de oppervlakte ligt dan tot nu toe bekend is. Deze bevindingen wekken de nieuwsgierigheid van archeologen en onderzoekers en dragen bij aan de mystiek rondom de oude Egyptische bouwwerken.
Ondergrondse tunnels en kamers
Een van de meest veelbelovende ontdekkingen werd gedaan in 2017 door een Chinees archeologisch team. Tijdens hun onderzoek onder de Grote Piramide van Gizeh gebruikten ze geavanceerde technologieën zoals grondradar en seismisch onderzoek. Uit deze technieken bleek dat er een netwerk van tunnels en kamers onder de piramide aanwezig is, waarvan sommige nog niet volledig zijn onderzocht. Deze ruimtes kunnen mogelijk dienen als opslagplaatsen, rituele kamers of zelfs als ontsnappingsroutes voor de farao’s en priesters. Het feit dat delen van deze ondergrondse structuren nog niet volledig zijn onderzocht, laat ruimte voor verdere ontdekkingen. Sommige onderzoekers speculeren dat er onder de piramide wellicht een heel ondergronds complex ligt dat nog niet in kaart is gebracht, wat de theorie versterkt dat er een verborgen ondergrondse stad of uitgebreide structuren onder de piramide kunnen liggen.
Geofysisch onderzoek
Naast archeologisch onderzoek wordt er ook veel gebruik gemaakt van geofysische technieken om ondergrondse structuren te detecteren. Hierbij wordt gebruik gemaakt van grondradar, elektromagnetische inductie en seismische metingen. Deze methoden hebben anomalieën en structuren aangewezen die niet overeenkomen met de bekendste bouwwerken van de piramides. Sommige van deze anomalieën kunnen wijzen op gangen, kamers of tunnels die nog niet zichtbaar zijn op het oppervlak. Onderzoekers geloven dat deze ondergrondse routes mogelijk dienden voor rituelen, opslag of als ontsnappingswegen. Een interessant aspect is dat sommige van deze structuren zich op strategische locaties bevinden, bijvoorbeeld onder de tempelcomplexen of nabij de piramide zelf. Dit geeft aan dat ze mogelijk een speciale functies hadden in het oude Egypte.
Sporen van oude constructies
Naast technologische bewijzen verwijzen ook oude teksten, kaarten en legendes naar ondergrondse ruimtes en tunnels in de omgeving van de piramides. Sommige oude Egyptische inscripties en grafteksten spreken over ondergrondse gangen en verborgen kamers die door de farao’s of priesters gebruikt werden. Daarnaast bestaat er een oude kaart uit de 19e eeuw die schematisch ondergrondse structuren rondom de piramides toont, al is de betrouwbaarheid hiervan niet volledig vastgesteld. Hoewel de exacte locatie en functie van deze ondergrondse constructies vaak onduidelijk blijven, ondersteunen ze de theorie dat de oude Egyptenaren mogelijk uitgebreide ondergrondse netwerken hadden aangelegd voor rituelen, opslag of verdediging.
Samenvatting
De verzameling van deze bewijzen en ontdekkingen wijst erop dat er onder de piramides van Gizeh mogelijk meer ligt dan slechts de bekende bouwwerken. De ondergrondse tunnels, kamers en anomalieën die met moderne technologieën worden aangetoond, vormen een fascinerend puzzelstuk in het begrijpen van de oude Egyptische cultuur en architectuur. Hoewel er nog geen sluitend bewijs is voor een volledige ondergrondse stad, suggereren deze ontdekkingen dat de ondergrondse wereld onder de piramides complex en mogelijk zeer groot is. Toekomstig archeologisch onderzoek en technologische innovaties kunnen mogelijk nog meer verborgen structuren aan het licht brengen, waardoor we een beter beeld krijgen van de mysterieuze ondergrondse netwerken die mogelijk door de oude Egyptenaren zijn aangelegd. De voortdurende zoektocht naar deze ondergrondse wereld blijft een boeiend hoofdstuk in de archeologie en de geschiedenis van het oude Egypte.
Waarom zou er een ondergrondse stad zijn?
De vraag waarom er een ondergrondse stad of complex zou bestaan onder de oude Egyptische piramides is een intrigerende en complexe kwestie die al decennia lang wetenschappers, archeologen en onderzoekers bezighoudt. De ondergrondse structuren, die soms worden aangeduid als ‘ondergrondse steden’, ‘kamers’, tunnels of geheime gangen, roepen vele vragen op over hun functie, oorsprong en betekenis. In dit essay worden de belangrijkste theorieën en mogelijke motieven besproken, ondersteund door archeologische bevindingen, historische context en wetenschappelijke analyses.
Religieuze en rituele doeleinden Een van de meest gangbare theorieën is dat de ondergrondse structuren bedoeld waren voor religieuze en rituele doeleinden. In de oude Egyptische cultuur speelde de dood en het hiernamaals een centrale rol, en veel structuren waren ontworpen om de overgang van de farao’s en belangrijke figuren naar het hiernamaals te faciliteren.
a. Begraafplaatsen voor farao’s en elite: Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat de ondergrondse complexen dienden als grafkamers of crypte-achtige ruimtes waar farao’s en hoge priesters werden begraven. De piramides zelf worden vaak gezien als monumenten voor de farao’s, maar de ondergrondse kamers zouden extra ondergrondse grafkamers kunnen zijn, bedoeld om de farao’s te beschermen tegen plundering en kwaadwillende geesten. Deze ondergrondse ruimtes zouden ook kunnen dienen als opslagplaatsen voor de spullen die de overledene nodig had in het hiernamaals, zoals voedsel, voorwerpen en symbolische artefacten.
b. Rituele centra en ceremonies: Daarnaast zouden de ondergrondse ruimtes dienen voor religieuze rituelen die gericht waren op de verering van goden zoals Osiris, Anubis en Hathor. De ondergrondse gangen zouden symbolisch de overgang tussen de wereld van de levenden en die van de doden vertegenwoordigen, en rituelen mogelijk gemaakt hebben die de ziel van de overledene konden begeleiden. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat deze ondergrondse kamers ook fungeren als plekken voor geheime ceremonies die niet voor het grote publiek bestemd waren, en dat ze een belangrijke rol speelden in de voorbereiding op de reis naar het hiernamaals.
c. Verborgen betekenis en symboliek: De ondergrondse structuren kunnen ook een symbolische betekenis hebben, zoals het vertegenwoordigen van de onderwereld of de ‘Duat’ (de Egyptische onderwereld). De complexiteit en het labyrintachtige karakter van sommige ondergrondse netwerken zouden de reis van de zielen door de onderwereld kunnen symboliseren, en zo de spirituele reis van de overledene ondersteunen. Deze symboliek zou ook kunnen verwijzen naar een dieper esoterisch inzicht dat de oude Egyptenaren hadden over de kosmos en de overgang tussen leven en dood.
Veiligheid en geheimhouding Een andere belangrijke reden voor de constructie van ondergrondse complexen was de behoefte aan veiligheid en geheimhouding. In een samenleving waar waardevolle artefacten, hiërarchische documenten en religieuze relikwieën werden bewaard, was bescherming tegen diefstal, plundering of ongewenste bezoekers van groot belang.
a. Opslagplaatsen voor waardevolle artefacten: De ondergrondse ruimtes konden dienen als geheime opslagplaatsen voor juwelen, goud, religieuze voorwerpen en hiërarchische documenten. Het gebruik van ondergrondse tunnels en kamertjes maakte het mogelijk om deze schatten te beschermen tegen gravende buitenaars en plunderaars.Door ze onder de grond te plaatsen, werden ze minder zichtbaar en moeilijker te vinden voor indringers, wat het risico op diefstal aanzienlijk verkleinde.
b. Schuilplaatsen en schermutselingen: In tijden van conflicten of bedreigingen konden ondergrondse gangen en kamers dienen als schuilplaatsen voor belangrijke functionarissen, priesters of zelfs de farao zelf. Het ondergronds netwerk bood een veilige haven waar men kon ontsnappen of zich kon verbergen. Deze ondergrondse complexen zouden ook kunnen functioneren als geheime bunkers of schuilplaatsen tijdens aanvallen of invallen door vijandige groepen.
c. Geheime doorgangen en routes: Het bestaan van geheime doorgangen onder de piramides en andere bouwwerken zou ook strategisch kunnen zijn geweest, bijvoorbeeld voor het discreet verplaatsen van mensen of voor rituelen die niet openbaar mochten zijn. Sommige onderzoekers vermoeden dat ondergrondse tunnels mogelijk dienden als ontsnappingsroutes of geheime routes tussen verschillende tempelcomplexen, waardoor de Egyptenaren in tijden van nood snel konden vluchten of belangrijke personen konden verplaatsen zonder dat dit werd opgemerkt.
Wetenschappelijke en technische kennis De constructie van uitgebreide ondergrondse netwerken en structuren wijst mogelijk op een geavanceerde technische en hydrologische kennis van de oude Egyptenaren.
a. Hydrologie en waterbeheer: De oude Egyptenaren hadden uitgebreide kennis van waterbeheer, vooral rondom de Nijl. Het is mogelijk dat ondergrondse tunnels en kamers werden gebouwd om water te controleren, te verzamelen of te beheren, vooral in tijden van droogte of overstroming. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat ondergrondse waterreservoirs of kanalen onderdeel waren van het complexe watersysteem dat de regio beheerde. Het gebruik van ondergrondse waterbakken, sluizen en afwateringssystemen zou hebben geholpen om het land vruchtbaar te houden en overstromingen te voorkomen.
b. Bouwtechnieken en materialen: De ondergrondse structuren getuigen van technische vaardigheden, zoals het gebruik van speciale stenen, cement en technieken om gangen stabiel te houden. Het feit dat men in staat was om ondergrondse kamers te bouwen die vele eeuwen standhielden, wijst op een geavanceerde kennis van ondergrondse bouwtechnieken en stabiliseringsmethoden. Het gebruik van trilplaatstechnieken, holle stenen en waterdichtingstechnieken zou hebben bijgedragen aan de duurzaamheid van deze ondergrondse constructies. Daarnaast was het waarschijnlijk dat de oude Egyptenaren experimenteerden met verschillende bouwmaterialen en methoden om de integriteit van deze netwerken te waarborgen, vooral in het vochtige ondergrondse milieu.
c. Geotechnische kennis:Het bouwen van uitgebreide ondergrondse netwerken vereiste een diepgaand begrip van de geologie en de eigenschappen van de bodem. De oude Egyptenaren zouden inzicht hebben gehad in de draagkracht van verschillende bodemsoorten, drainage en de stabiliteit van ondergrondse structuren. Het feit dat zij dergelijke complexe systemen konden ontwerpen en onderhouden, wijst op een geavanceerde kennis van geotechniek en bodemmechanica.
d. Astronomische en geometrische kennis: Sommige ondergrondse structuren zijn mogelijk afgestemd op astronomische of geometrische principes, zoals het aligneren van tunnels met sterrenbeelden of specifieke astronomische gebeurtenissen. Dit zou kunnen betekenen dat de oude Egyptenaren een geavanceerd begrip hadden van geometrie en astronomie, wat hen in staat stelde om ondergrondse netwerken te koppelen aan religieuze of astronomische symboliek.
e. Doel en gebruik:Hoewel sommige ondergrondse structuren nog niet volledig begrepen worden, suggereren theorieën dat ze mogelijk dienden voor rituele doeleinden, opslag van waardevolle goederen, geheime communicatie of als schuilplaatsen. Het gebruik van dergelijke ondergrondse netwerken weerspiegelt een hoog niveau van planning en organisatie binnen de oude Egyptische samenleving.
Egyptoloog Zahi Hawass is een van de strengste critici van de hypothese dat er een stad onder de piramides van Gizeh ligt, Egypte, 8 januari 2025.
(APPhoto/Khaled Elfiqi)
Kortom, de constructie en het ontwerp van deze ondergrondse netwerken tonen aan dat de oude Egyptenaren beschikten over een zeer geavanceerde combinatie van hydrologische, bouwkundige, geotechnische en astronomische kennis. Deze expertise stelde hen in staat om complexe, duurzame systemen te ontwikkelen die niet alleen functioneel waren, maar mogelijk ook symbolisch of ritueel van aard.
Volgens critici is het onmogelijk om door de rotsen heen te kijken die de piramides van Gizeh vormen.
(Khaled Desouki/Pool via AP)
Controverse en skeptische geluiden
Hoewel de theorie over een verborgen stad onder de piramides van Egypte bijzonder intrigerend is en veel nieuwsgierigheid opwekt, wordt deze niet breed geaccepteerd binnen de mainstream wetenschappelijke gemeenschap. De voornaamste reden hiervoor is het ontbreken van onweerlegbaar bewijs dat daadwerkelijk wijst op een uitgebreide ondergrondse structuur of een vergeten stad. Archeologen en Egyptologen wijzen erop dat veel van de beweringen gebaseerd zijn op interpretaties van anomalieën en ondergrondse waarnemingen die niet altijd eenduidig te verklaren zijn.
Een van de meest gehoorde kritieken is dat de zogenaamde 'ondergrondse kamers' of 'doorgangen' vaak ontstaan door natuurlijke geologische processen. De regio rondom Gizeh, waar de piramides liggen, bestaat uit kalksteen en sedimentgesteenten die door miljoenen jaren van natuurlijke erosie en aardbevingen kunnen leiden tot scheuren en holtes. Sommige onderzoekers stellen dat de waargenomen anomalieën eenvoudig natuurlijke formaties zijn, zonder dat hier menselijke bouwkundige activiteiten aan ten grondslag liggen.
Daarnaast is er het probleem van de interpretatie van technische gegevens. Bijvoorbeeld, bepaalde radar- en seismische scans die worden aangevoerd als bewijs voor ondergrondse structuren, kunnen ook worden verklaard door natuurlijke verschillen in de samenstelling van de ondergrond. Het is niet altijd mogelijk om met de beschikbare technologieën met volledige zekerheid te concluderen dat de gevonden structuren door mensen gemaakt zijn of dat ze een architectonisch plan vertegenwoordigen.
Ook wordt betoogd dat de verhalen over een verborgen stad onder de piramides vaak worden versterkt door pseudowetenschappelijke theorieën, samenzweringstheorieën en speculatie. Sommige onderzoekers waarschuwen dat deze theorieën de geschiedenis en archeologie ondermijnen door te veel te vertrouwen op interpretaties zonder voldoende bewijs. Ze benadrukken dat de immense leeftijd van de piramides, meer dan 4.500 jaar, en de complexiteit van de bouwtechnieken destijds, al voldoende bewijs bieden voor de ingenieuze vaardigheden van de oude Egyptenaren, zonder dat uit die wetenschap per se een ondergrondse stad hoeft te voort te komen.
Tot slot is er ook kritiek op de manier waarop sommige van deze theorieën worden gepromoot in populaire media en documentaires. Deze brengen vaak sensationele verhalen die niet altijd gebaseerd zijn op gedegen archeologisch onderzoek. Hierdoor ontstaat de indruk dat er sprake zou zijn van een grote geheimenis die nog moet worden ontrafeld, terwijl de meeste experts juist pleiten voor een meer genuanceerde en wetenschappelijk verantwoorde benadering.
Kortom, hoewel de theorie over een verborgen stad onder de piramides fascinerend blijft en veel mensen blijft intrigeren, is het bewijs op dit moment onvoldoende om deze claims serieus te nemen binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap. De controverse blijft bestaan, en verder onderzoek met behulp van geavanceerde technologieën en een kritische blik is noodzakelijk om de waarheid te achterhalen.
Conclusie
De aantrekkingskracht van een ondergrondse stad onder de piramides van Egypte blijft een intrigerend onderwerp dat zowel wetenschappers als liefhebbers fascineert. Verschillende geofysische onderzoeken, zoals seismische scans en grondradarmetingen, hebben aanwijzingen opgeleverd die de mogelijkheid van ondergrondse structuren ondersteunen. Zo zijn er bijvoorbeeld anomalieën gevonden onder de Grote Piramide van Gizeh, die mogelijk wijzen op verborgen gangen of kamers. Daarnaast worden oude teksten en legendes vaak aangehaald om het mysterie te onderbouwen, hoewel er geen sluitend bewijs is dat deze daadwerkelijk verwijzen naar een ondergrondse stad.
Tegelijkertijd blijft het bewijs beperkt en is er nog geen onomstotelijke ontdekking gedaan. Archeologisch onderzoek is complex en kostbaar, en de Egyptische autoriteiten zijn vaak terughoudend vanwege het beschermen van het erfgoed. Toch blijven technologische innovaties, zoals 3D-scanning en geavanceerde detectiemethoden, veelbelovend. Toekomstige expedities en onderzoek kunnen mogelijk de sluier oplichten over deze mysterieuze ondergrondse wereld. Het idee van een verborgen stad onder de piramides prikkelt onze nieuwsgierigheid en zet aan tot verdere exploratie. Uiteindelijk kan deze zoektocht ons niet alleen meer inzicht geven in de bouwtechnieken en functies van de piramides, maar ook in de geschiedenis en cultuur van de oude Egyptenaren. Het blijft een boeiend hoofdstuk in de archeologische en mysterieuze geschiedenis van Egypte.
Researchers have found that ocean acidification entered a "danger zone" in 2020, suggesting increased carbon dioxide levels have caused Earth to breach another planetary boundary.
The new study suggests our planet's oceans are becoming too acidic to remain healthy.
(Image credit: Philip Thurston via Getty Images)
Earth's oceans are in worse condition than scientists thought, with acidity levels so high that our seas may have entered a "danger zone" five years ago, according to a new study.
Humans are inadvertently making the oceans more acidic by releasing carbon dioxide (CO2) through industrial activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. This ocean acidification damages marine ecosystems and threatens human coastal communities that depend on healthy waters for their livelihoods.
Previous research suggested that Earth's oceans were approaching a planetary boundary, or "danger zone," for ocean acidification. Now, in a new study published Monday (June 9) in the journal Global Change Biology, researchers have found that the acidification is even more advanced than previously thought and that our oceans may have entered the danger zone in 2020.
The researchers concluded that by 2020, the average condition of our global oceans was in an uncertainty range of the ocean acidification boundary, so the safety limit may have already been breached. Conditions also appear to be worsening faster in deeper waters than at the surface, according to the study.
"Ocean acidification isn't just an environmental crisis — it's a ticking time bomb for marine ecosystems and coastal economies," Steve Widdicombe, director of science and deputy chief executive at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, a marine research organization involved in the new study, said in a statement. "As our seas increase in acidity, we're witnessing the loss of critical habitats that countless marine species depend on and this, in turn, has major societal and economic implications."
In 2009, researchers proposed nine planetary boundaries that we must avoid breaching to keep Earth healthy. These boundaries set limits for large-scale processes that affect the stability and resilience of our planet. For example, there are boundaries for dangerous levels of climate change, chemical pollution and ocean acidification, among others.
A 2023 study found that we had crossed six of the nine boundaries. The authors of that study didn't think the ocean acidification boundary had been breached at the time, but they noted it was at the margin of its boundary and worsening.
Katherine Richardson, a professor at the Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark who led the 2023 study and was not involved in the new study, told Live Science that she was "not at all surprised" by the new findings.
"We said it was on the edge in our last assessment and, as atmospheric CO2 concentrations have risen since then, it is hardly surprising that it should be transgressed now," Richardson said in an email.
What causes ocean acidification?
Ocean acidification is mostly caused by the ocean absorbing CO2. The ocean takes up around 30% of CO2 in the atmosphere, so as human activities pump out CO2, they are forcing more of it into the oceans. CO2 dissolves in the ocean, creating carbonic acid and releasing hydrogen ions. Acidity levels are based on the number of hydrogen ions dissolved in water, so as the ocean absorbs more CO2, it becomes more acidic.
The hydrogen ions bond with carbonate ions in the ocean to form bicarbonate, which reduces the carbonate available to marine life like corals, clams and plankton. These animals need carbonate for their bones, shells and other natural structures, which they make out of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Researchers measure aragonite — one of the soluble forms of CaCO3 — to track ocean acidity levels.
Corals are dying as the oceans become warmer and more acidic. (Image credit: Brett Monroe Garner via Getty Images)
The ocean acidification boundary would be breached when the oceans see a 20% reduction of aragonite compared with preindustrial levels (estimated ocean acidification for 1750 and 1850). The 2023 study estimated that ocean acidification was at 19%, just below the boundary.
The authors of the new study used physical and chemical measurements in the upper ocean and computer models to update and refine previous ocean acidification estimates. They also introduced a margin of error, including uncertainties in both the boundary and the present-day acidification value.
With the new data, the researchers found that at the ocean's surface, the global average acidification level is 17.3% (with a 5% margin of uncertainty) less than preindustrial levels. That estimate is lower than the 2023 estimate but well within the new study's wider boundary region (20% but with a 5.3% margin of uncertainty). The newly estimated acidification levels increased at greater depths, though the margin for error also increased below 330 feet (100 meters), according to the study's data.
Not all of the ocean is acidifying at the same rate. For example, the researchers determined that about 40% of the water at the surface had crossed the boundary, but that estimate rose to 60% for the waters below, down to about 650 feet (200 m).
"Most ocean life doesn't just live at the surface — the waters below are home to many more different types of plants and animals," study lead author Helen Findlay, a biological oceanographer at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said in the statement. "Since these deeper waters are changing so much, the impacts of ocean acidification could be far worse than we thought."
The Vela Supernova Remnant is one of the closest supernova remnants to Earth. The supernova is about 900 light-years away and exploded about 11,000 years ago. That's right around the time of the Younger Dryas and scientists wonder if the two are related, and if other supernovae triggered other cooling episodes. Image Credit: By (Credit) ESO/TIMER survey - https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2214/, CC BY 4.0
Most scientists agree that supernova explosions have affected Earth's climate, though the details are not all clear. They likely cooled the climate several times in the last several thousand years, just as humanity was becoming established around the world. The evidence is in telescopes and tree rings.
We live in the Quaternary period which spans from 2.58 million years ago to the present. The Quaternary is characterized by climatic and environmental changes, most significantly the Ice Ages. The Quaternary also encompasses human existence and evolution from early hominids to our species.
New research in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society examines the role supernovae explosions played in the Quaternary climatic changes. It's titled "Late Quaternary supernovae in Earth history," and the author is Robert Brakenridge. He's a senior research associate in the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado.
The Late Quaternary is loosely defined as the time period from 50,000 years ago to the present. It featured several abrupt, dramatic changes in Earth's climate. These include the Older Dryas and the Younger Dryas, abrupt shifts to a colder climate while the Earth was experiencing a warming trend after the last ice age, at the end of the Pleistocene epoch.
There are several ways that SN can cool Earth's climate. They can weaken or destroy Earth's ozone layer, which would allow more UV light to reach the surface. That leads to knock-on effects that can cause cooling. SN also contribute to cooling by degrading atmospheric methane, a greenhouse gas. The primary way that SN can cool Earth's climate is by increasing the cloud cover.
The idea that supernovae could be responsible for abrupt climate shifts is supported by evidence from tree rings. Trees absorb three isotopes of carbon, carbon-12 (12C), carbon-13 (13C), and carbon-14 (14C). When researchers examine ancient tree rings, they find different ratios of the carbon isotopes in different rings. 12C and 13C are stable isotopes, while 14C isn't. 14C is created continuously in the upper atmosphere all of the time.
When supernovae explode, they send high-speed energetic particles outward in all directions. When some reach Earth, they collide with nitrogen in the atmosphere and generate 14C. Because of this, the atmospheric level of 14C spikes when a nearby supernova (in astronomical terms) explodes.
Tree rings can be dated, and when scientists date tree rings with raised levels of 14C, it indicates that a supernovae explosion occurred somewhere nearby at a specific time.
It's not that cut and dried, however, and not all researchers agree that we can link tree rings with supernovae. Miyaki events also create a burst of 14C that can be identified in tree rings, but they're caused by the Sun. However, the the idea that supernovae could be responsible for 14C and climate shifts won't go away.
“We have abrupt environmental changes in Earth’s history. That’s solid, we see these changes,” study author Brakenridge said. “So, what caused them?”
The question rings out as we try to understand our own history and what the future might hold for Earth.
“When nearby supernovae occur in the future, the radiation could have a pretty dramatic effect on human society,” he said. “We have to find out if indeed they caused environmental changes in the past.”
Tree rings and carbon-14 are only part of the story. The other part is told by our powerful telescopes that search the heavens. When stars explode as supernovae, they don't just simply disappear. They leave behind remnants, an expanding shock wave of dead star material and swept up interstellar medium that's lit up by the explosion and depending on the type of supernova, a white dwarf.
Supernova remnants (SNR) are some of Nature's most dazzling displays. The most well-known one is probably the Crab Nebula, the remnant from the 1054 supernova. The crab nebula was the first astronomical object successfully linked with a historical supernova.
The Crab Nebula is the remnant from the 1054 AD supernova. Ancient astronomers in China and other places observed the explosion at the time and recorded it.
Image Credit: By NASA, ESA, J. Hester and A. Loll (Arizona State University) - Public Domain
As our telescopes have grown in power, scientists have learned a lot about the radiation that comes from supernovae. The struggle is to understand exactly how the radiation interacted with Earth and affected its climate. There's no clear picture of how far away SN can be and still affect Earth.
"All known Late Quaternary SNRs are much further away than the solar system neighbourhood," the author writes in his research. "SNe at distances of >0.1 kpc have sometimes been considered too remote to affect Earth's biosphere and atmosphere." Brakenridge explains that this conclusion is based on catastrophic effects rather than significant effects. "Such a criterion is not appropriate for Late Quaternary time, as there is no known global extinction event comparable to, for example, those in the late Ordovician and the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary," he explains, mentioning two of Earth's major extinctions.
"Instead, there is abundant evidence of global climate changes of lesser magnitude and also major mammalian extinction events," Brakenridge explains. "It is thus not possible with present knowledge to rule out SNe at a few 0.1 kpc as causing significant effects observable in Late Quaternary records."
In this research, Brakenridge created a new model of how SN radiation affects the planet's atmosphere.
No SN are affecting Earth right now, so Brakenridge tested the model the only way he can: with tree rings. He examined tree rings over the last 15,000 years and found 11 carbon spikes. Eventually, he determined that four supernovae could have affected Earth's climate during the Late Quaternary.
“The events that we know of, here on earth, are at the right time and the right intensity,” Brakenridge said.
The Hoinga SNR closely aligns with the Older Dryas abrupt cooling about 14,000 years ago.
The Hoinga SNR may be linked to the Earth's Older Dryas abrupt cooling period.
Image Credit: Team New Horizons/Australia Telescope National Facility.
The Vela SNR is associated with the Younger Dryas cooling about 12,000 years ago.
The Vela SNR may be linked to Earth's Younger Dryas cooling period.
Image Credit: By (Credit) ESO/TIMER survey
- https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso2214/, CC BY 4.0
Two other C14 events, the largest of the Holocene, at about 9,000 and 7,000 years ago, are also closely aligned with nearby SNR.
The Older and Younger Dryas affected our human ancestors, who were struggling to survive. The Younger Dryas was particularly difficult for humans, who saw a significant population decrease during this time. We may be buffered from similar climatic changes by technology, but these types of rapid climate shifts could be catastrophic for civilization as we know it.
Tree rings and telescopes aren't the only evidence showing how SN could've affected Earth. There's also sediments, ice cores, and other evidence. The challenging part is to piece all of it together and understand how the past played out.
The other challenge is to look around and us and determine what nearby stars may be about to explode, and what threat they might pose to the climate. It's possible that we could be thrust back into a difficult survival situation like our ancestors were.
“As we learn more about our nearby neighboring stars, the capability for prediction is actually there,” Brakenridge said. “It will take more modeling and observation from astrophysicists to fully understand Earth’s exposure to such events.”
TR3B Craft Flying Over On June 3, 2025, Alien or Military? UFO UAP Drone Sighting Breaking News.
TR3B Craft Flying Over On June 3, 2025, Alien or Military? UFO UAP Drone Sighting Breaking News.
Date of sighting: June 3, 2025
Location of sighting: Toronto, Canada
Source: X Chrissy Newton
This is amazing! Check out this video captured by writer and podcaster, Chrissy Newton on X, specifically went to the scene afterward to conduct an on-site investigation. She concluded that it was unlikely to be a light from the crane boom. She wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I went to the location in Toronto where the UAP was recently spotted. There is a crane nearby, but it's too low to be the object seen in the video. I went around 11 p.m., and the weather conditions were similar to when the video was filmed, to make a fair comparison. So far, the object in the video doesn’t appear to be CGI or AI-generated, at least based on. This is a 100% alien, if it was military, it would not be hovering over a major city. Alien tech at its best.
Haunted Undergrounds, Lost Civilizations, and Secret Rail Networks: The Mysteries and Terrors of the Subterranean World!
Marcus Lowth
Haunted Undergrounds, Lost Civilizations, and Secret Rail Networks: The Mysteries and Terrors of the Subterranean World!
There are many haunted and indeed haunting locations above the ground around the planet, each offering its own unique blend of spooky goings-on and bone-chilling accounts. There are, though, just as many such locations beneath the ground. When we venture into these subterranean lairs, we find the levels of terror and fright are taken up a notch or two, leaving those who experience these underground encounters with unsettling and disturbing tales to tell.
Perhaps a good place to start our look at haunting – and quite possibly haunted – locations would be with one of the oldest rail networks in the world, the London Underground, which is also claimed by many people to be one of the most haunted locations on the planet, and when we explore just some of these claims and accounts, it is easy to see why. If we look at Piccadilly Station (arguably one of the most well-known in the world), we can find reports of strange Morse-code-like bangs, as if someone is attempting to communicate from beyond the veil. There are also reports of phantom footsteps being heard, as well as strange noises similar to large doors being slammed shut at the Elephant and Castle underground station. One of the most thought-provoking ghosts to haunt the London Underground can be found at Covent Garden, where the spirit of actor William Terriss (who was murdered where the station stands today in 1897) has been seen multiple times wearing a Victorian-style hat and cloak.
Without a doubt, though, one of the most disturbing underground stations of the London Underground is Liverpool Street Station, where multiple strange entities and ghostly figures have been witnessed, with some of these figures even being captured on the station’s CCTV system, and multiple passengers over the years reporting seeing a man wearing overalls walking up and down the platform before disappearing right in front of them.
One of the most disturbing ghosts of Liverpool Street Station is that of a woman who was once a patient at Bedlam Hospital, which once stood on the land Liverpool Street Station resides on today. Many people have reported hearing her bone-chilling screams coming from the tunnels of the station, perhaps resonating with research that suggests when she was a patient at the hospital (thought to be during the 1780s), she was desperately mistreated (something the hospital in question was said to have a reputation for). Furthermore, according to local legend, during her lifetime, she often clung to an old coin as some kind of comfort blanket, physically attacking anyone who tried to take it from her. However, following her death, the coin was removed from her grip, and she was buried without it, as such, her spirit wanders the tunnels of the station, seemingly desperately in search of her most prized and likely only possession.
Just one reason put forward to explain the abundance of ghostly activity at his particular station is that it appears to have been built on what was once a mass grave, most likely from the Black Death era, following the discovery of over 3000 skeletal remains in 2015.
If we turn our attention to London’s East End, we will find Bethnal Green Underground Station, another location that is said to be a hive of strange goings-on. According to many people, strange cries are often heard echoing around the station, with some researchers suggesting these cries come from those who used the tunnels during German bombing missions of the Second World War. In part, because this part of London was poverty-stricken and overpopulated, many residents would find themselves packed into this underground station, often dangerously.
This danger was realized on the evening of March 3rd, 1943, as residents around Bethnal Green station hurriedly made their way underground to escape the German bombs falling around them. One of those making their way deep under the ground was a young woman who was carrying her baby and bedding for warmth. However, as she made her way down the almost completely dark staircase, she tripped, causing a woman behind her, who was also carrying a young child, to fall over her. This had a knock-on effect as more and more people tripped over them. Within seconds, a pile-up of almost 300 bodies had ensued, with 173 eventually being confirmed to have lost their lives, mostly from being crushed or from lack of oxygen.
Reports of the strange cries coming from the station began in the years that followed. There is, though, one particular account that stands out from the rest. One evening in 1981, a station employee was working late on paperwork when he heard the sound of several children crying. As he had locked the station himself, he knew he was the only person there, so the sounds were not only unsettling for him, but they were perplexing. To begin with, he assumed the sounds must be coming into the station from outside, and he did his best to ignore them. The sounds began to increase in volume, however, and then came the sudden sounds of multiple women screaming. At this point, he got up from his desk and ran to the ticket area. There wasn’t, however, anyone there. After around 15 minutes, the sounds suddenly died down and then ceased altogether.
Commuters and employees alike have also reported unsettling screams coming from the tunnels of Farringdon Underground Station, screams which have seemingly been traced to a 13-year-old girl who was murdered and whose body was dumped on the land where the station resides in 1758. The girl in question – Anne Naylor – was an apprentice hat maker who lived in Farringdon at a time when the area was crawling with criminal gangs and general unsavory types. Anne worked for a “sadistic” mother and daughter, who often beat the young girl, as well as forced her to go without food for days at a time. One of these beatings, however, resulted in Anne’s untimely death.
After initially storing the tragic girl’s remains in their attic, the mother and daughter decided to chop up the remains and burn them due to the smell of the decay threatening to expose their crime. However, they soon realized that the smell of burning flesh would also alert authorities to the killing, so they decided to take the remains and dump them near the sewer – the same spot where Farringdon Underground Station sits today. Her remains were discovered a short time later, and despite her death initially being ruled as not suspicious, the mother and daughter – for reasons unknown – turned themselves in and admitted to the killing. Each was hanged shortly after.
Whether the strange screams heard at Farringdon Underground station are Anne Naylor's or not remains open to debate. They do, however, continue to be reported today.
Perhaps what makes the apparent hauntings at the British Museum-Holburn Station unique is that, rather than being the spirit of a local person who died there decades or even centuries ago, they are said to be that of an ancient Egyptian woman.
The British Museum Station opened in the early 1900s, but by 1933, it was replaced by Holborn Station, which was not only just meters away but was also much more modern and passenger-friendly. However, almost immediately, rumors swirled that a secret, or at least, non-publicized line remained open that connected the museum to the new station. It was, according to local legend, along this secret line where many paranormal happenings were reported.
As we mentioned earlier, the most intriguing of these is that of an ancient Egyptian woman named Amun-Ra, after the ancient Egyptian god. The woman’s mummy is said to reside inside the British Museum, with her ghost being seen in this secret tunnel many times, as well as people reported hearing her shrieking in rage. Perhaps of more concern, one account states this ancient Egyptian spirit was even responsible for the disappearance of two women one fateful evening in 1935. On the night in question, the two women simply vanished into thin air somewhere inside the station, and, even more disturbing, on the night of their disappearance, several commuters reported hearing strange, unnerving shrieking sounds coming from the tunnels around the station. In the days that followed, it is claimed that several scratch marks were discovered at the old British Museum Station. Of course, as with most legends, we should be cautious about what is accurate and what is fabricated, not least as there appear to be no newspaper reports of the disappearances, which there surely would have been.
It is, though, interesting to note the fortune, or perhaps more specifically, the misfortune of the person who purchased the mummy in question, Thomas Douglas Murray. Not long after making the purchase and having the mummy shipped to London, Murray was accidentally wounded in a shooting. The wound was such that he had to have his arm amputated. Not long after the mummy arrived in London, two of Murray’s servants who had assisted in its transportation suddenly died. Murray’s bad luck, however, continued once he had arrived back in England, as well as anyone else who had any kind of contact with the mummy. One of these people was Murray’s friend’s sister, who eventually took possession of the mummy so she could have it photographed, which she duly did. However, when the photographer was developing the pictures, he claimed that the face of a “living Egyptian woman” appeared in one of the pictures before his eyes and “stared furiously with an expression of singular malevolence!” The photographer in question, at least according to the legends, died suddenly not long after.
The mummy was eventually donated to the British Museum in the early 1930s – and the strange goings-on continued. Although, once more, there are no official reports or newspaper articles to back it up, it is said that anyone who photographed or sketched the mummy died shortly afterward. Moreover, staff at the museum began to report strange, loud bangs coming from around the building, as well as the sounds of a desperate woman’s cries. Whatever the truth of the matter, these accounts are some of the most unsettling of the London Underground.
While the underground stations of London are undoubtedly some of the most disturbing, there are many others around the world that are worth briefly exploring. If we look at Bisham MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Station in Singapore, we can find an abundance of strange activity. The reason for this could very well be because the station was built on land that was once home to the Bi Shan Teng cemetery. Reports and accounts of bizarre goings-on began as soon as the station opened in 1987 – reports of unnerving sounds and phantom-like manifestations. Passengers also began reporting hearing footsteps on top of the train carriages, while others claimed to have been grabbed or even pushed by invisible assailants. Perhaps the strangest reports of all, though, came from maintenance workers who worked on the tracks themselves. Many of these workers reported seeing ghostly figures walking along the tracks carrying coffins before disappearing into thin air. There are also multiple reports of a headless figure seen walking on the tracks that also vanishes right in front of shocked onlookers.
Another truly profound underground station is Caobao Road Subway Station in China, specifically, it would seem, Line 1, which not only has many reports of strange activity but is seemingly connected to at least nine deaths. As well as the many strange entities and figures witnessed at the station, many trains inexplicably break down while there, and, much like the reports at the Bisham MRT Station, many commuters have reported being pushed toward the tracks by a pair of invisible hands. Many staff at the station, as well as passengers, have reported hearing the strange and disturbing laughter of a seemingly deranged woman, while multiple people began reporting seeing a young girl dressed in red, only days after a young girl dressed in red had taken her own life at the station. Just what makes this particular station a hub of paranormal activity remains unknown.
One last underground station to explore is the Panteones Metro Station in Mexico City, Mexico. According to reports, many commuters and station staff have reported hearing thunderous banging sounds reverberating around the station, while some people have reported seeing disturbing shadow-type figures that disappear when a person walks towards them. There are also regular reports of unsettling screams heard coming from the tunnels of the station. Similarly to the Bisham MRT Station, the Panteones Metro Station was built very close to an old cemetery, which would, on balance, surely be at least part of the cause of the strange activity reported there.
If we return to the United Kingdom and north of the England-Scotland border, we find another haunting underground location – the underground vaults of Edinburgh’s South Bridge, where some of the most intense paranormal activity in the United Kingdom ever recorded has unfolded.
Although it took almost two decades to build, the South Bridge opened in 1788 and assisted in connecting the rapidly growing population of Edinburgh with the old part of the city. Almost immediately, on both sides of the bridge, businesses soon appeared, many of which used the arches of the bridge as their premises and storerooms, and so, inadvertently creating the vaults. In the book Hidden and Haunted: Underground Edinburgh, Des Brogan wrote that “by the middle of the nineteenth century, these vaulted areas were being used as workshops by many of the people who lived in the tenements”, businesses that ranged from “cobblers, butchers, wine merchants, bookbinders, and jewelers!”
While these businesses and the premises that had been created provided cheap business and even living premises, to begin with, the harsh Scottish winters soon took a toll on the bridge, particularly the vaults in the lower sections, and after years of leaking rainwater, disease and ill health began to spread around the vaults. As this was happening, many of the business owners, while keeping their businesses in the vaults, had moved to other living quarters in better parts of the city, leaving their living quarters empty. These were usually rented out to those who could barely afford better accommodation, and, in some cases, were taken over by squatters. It didn’t take long for the vaults to turn into a ghetto. It was, in part, because of these worsening conditions that the authorities decided to move out the remaining tenants and rehouse them. Following this, the slums quickly slid into criminal lairs, with illegal bars and brothels operating out of the empty space at the vaults. As we might imagine, the vaults quickly became a no-go area for most residents of the city, with many crimes, including murder, taking place there.
Eventually, the vaults were sealed off completely, but in the 1980s, one-time international rugby player Norrie Rowan, whose land was home to some of the vaults, rediscovered them. He immediately went about installing a modern lighting system in the vaults, suspecting that there was a good business opportunity in reopening them to the public. He eventually arranged for a tour company to give guided tours of the morose but intriguing location. It wasn’t long after these tours began that reports of paranormal goings-on began to surface. Des Brogan was one of two guides who took multiple people into the vaults. He stated that if any of those entering the vaults “were at all sensitive to the other world, they would feel very uncomfortable!”
Many people have reported seeing children running through the vaults, while others have reported seeing ominous, shadowy adult figures. There have also been multiple reports of people hearing strange cries and screams coming from within the vaults, and some people have reported being pushed, grabbed, or even scratched by some kind of invisible presence. Of all the strange entities witnessed in the vault, one stands out from the rest.
Sometimes called “The Watcher” a figure known as Mr. Boots appears to be the most terrifying of the strange entities in the vaults, his name a reflection of the knee-length boots he is often seen wearing. The previously mentioned Des Brogan describes this strange figure as being “unkempt and unshaven, and with very bad breath!” Even more interesting, Mr. Boots almost always appears in the same specific location of the vaults. Even more ominous and concerning, according to many paranormal investigators and psychics, in this same room, there is also the presence of a young girl – a young girl that it is claimed Mr. Boots murdered there.
Many mediums have communicated with Mr. Boots, claiming he tells them that all candles brought into the room must be placed on the floor, and never shined directly towards his face. He also states that he is not happy with the many people who come down to the vaults, and often expresses his unhappiness by blowing out the lights in the room, plunging those who are there into complete darkness. Although Mr. Boots is only physically seen in one particular room, his footsteps can be heard throughout the vaults, as can the jangling of his keys as he walks. Even stranger, many people report being pushed or pulled by the menacing entity, and even being told in no uncertain terms to “get out!”
Those who have researched Mr. Boots might have been suggesting that he was likely a watchman or security officer at the vaults, most likely during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, during a time when criminal activity was particularly rife. Whatever the truth is, many people claim to have seen or interacted with him. One tour guide, for example, recalled being in the vaults after all of the guests had left following the tour. The guide was blowing out all of the candles before they left. As he was doing this, though, he suddenly heard the sound of footsteps heading up the corridor in his direction. Several moments later, the footsteps came to a stop right outside the room he was standing in. He stared intensely at the doorway, and although he couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary, he claimed that he could sense someone – or something – staring at him. Then, several moments later, the footsteps started again, heading away from him up the corridor.
On another occasion, another guide was turning out all of the lights following a tour when she suddenly realized there were two she had missed at the end of the corridor. She immediately headed toward them before noticing that they appeared to dim slightly, something which halted her advance immediately. A moment later, to her absolute shock and disbelief, she witnessed a dark figure pass in front of the lights before the glow returned to its bright state.
The United States has long had legends and conspiracies of a vast underground tunnel network existing not only under the country but the entire North American continent. In November 2018, in Ybor City near Tampa, Florida, apparent proof of such tunnel networks was made during a development project in the area. According to a report in The Tampa Bay Times, the tunnels were discovered during construction on the corner of 12th Street and Sixth Avenue. One person who took an immediate interest in the discovery was Dr. Gary Mormino, who stated that the “legendary labyrinth” was likely to have been constructed sometime in the 1800s, before the founding of Ybor City in 1886. Moreover, he claimed they were likely used for smuggling and storing “riches” and also offered that they were likely abandoned for unknown reasons before completion.
Although it was 2018 when this tunnel network was discovered, rumors of their presence go back to at least November 2000, when purposely constructed brick walkways were discovered while laying a streetcar system. It was determined by some that the walkways were, in fact, some kind of drainage system. However, with no official records of such a project existing, these claims were dismissed, and the discovery was all but forgotten about. What we might assume from this is that whoever was behind the drainage system was part of some kind of secret order, or it was constructed long before the founding of Ybor City.
As exciting as the discovery in Ybor City was, just shy of a century earlier on the west coast of the United States, there was a similar discovery of an underground network – and this one was much older. According to an article in the January 29th, 1934 edition of The Los Angeles Times, G. Warren Shufelt discovered the remains of an underground city beneath Los Angeles that was 5000 years old and was inhabited by a race of Lizard People, no less. Further, according to the article, Shufelt had mapped out the entire site using X-ray devices and had even managed to excavate around 200 feet below the ground. Then, despite having granted Shufelt permission to excavate the location, the city of Los Angeles suddenly revoked this. They then sealed up the site, and Shufelt was, perhaps suspiciously, never heard from again. Part of the article stated:
“So firmly does Shufelt and a little staff of assistants believe that a maze of catacombs and priceless golden tablets are to be found beneath downtown Los Angeles that the engineer and his aides have already driven a shaft 250 feet into the ground, the mouth of the shaft being on the old Banning property on North Hill street overlooking Sunset Boulevard, Spring Steet, and North Broadway!”
Shufelt also believed that he would discover several golden tablets in the ancient underground city which would detail the history of the human race on Earth, as well as the history of both the American continents (much of which, remember, was lost during the Spanish invasion of the southern continent, and the lost records of many of the Native American tribes following the Pilgrims arrival in the Northern continent). What made him certain of these finds was information he had been given by a chief from the Hopi Native American tribe in Arizona, information, incidentally, that matched much of his own research.
Further according to Shufelt, the ancient subterranean city had been constructed by an ancient technologically advanced race following a meteor impact that had destroyed many of their cities above the ground (with some claiming the Winslow Crater was the result of this impact). Shortly after, this ancient race began to build the underground lair, using a “chemical solution” to melt away the rock to create tunnels and chambers. It isn’t known exactly who these “lizard people” might have been, but some have suggested they could have been the Anunnaki from ancient Sumerian legends, or, at the very least, some kind of reptilian civilization, perhaps one that remains here on Earth deep under the ground.
In a strange twist to the whole affair, several months before Shufelt began his expedition, well-known psychic, Edith Elden Robinson stated in the American Society for Psychic Research newspaper that a “vast city lay under Los Angeles, with massive tunnels that stretch right out to the coast” that had been “constructed by a vanished race who had needed protection from the air and access to the sea!” Was she describing the same underground location that Shufelt allegedly discovered only months later?
As strange as it might sound, there are numerous tunnel networks that have been discovered in the United States. There are said, for example, to be many such cave and tunnel networks in and around Mount Shasta in California, a location that is awash with legends of strange lights and equally strange creatures. Much the same can be said for Brown Mountain in North Carolina, where, as well as the rumors of intricate tunnel networks in the area, there are regular sightings and reports of bizarre, glowing orbs in and around the mountain.
Without a doubt, some of the strangest and most intriguing underground locations in the United States are the alleged ancient tunnel networks of the Grand Canyon, a location, incidentally, that has a long history of strange, supernatural entities and bizarre energies, as well as a place awash with multiple conspiracy theories. Moreover, there are legends and accounts of bizarre lights and unsettling noises coming from the region and even accounts of timeslip events and temporal anomalies.
Perhaps of particular interest to many people regarding the legends of the Grand Canyon are tales of lost cities and tunnel networks that are said to exist under the ground of this area of natural beauty, just one of which is referred to as the Lost City of Supai, said to only be visible to those who had advanced wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.
There is little doubt that one of the most thought-provoking accounts connected to the Grand Canyon is the 1909 expedition of G.E. Kinkaid, during which it is claimed he discovered physical evidence of the underground remains of a mysterious ancient civilization. The main purpose behind the mission – which was sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute – was to carry out geological surveys so as to document the natural marvels of the canyon. He would, though, discover much more than he bargained for.
According to a report of the expedition in the Arizona Gazette, Kinkaid noticed a cave opening in the rocky walls that lined the water’s edge of the Colorado River. Immediately intrigued, Kinkaid and his team ventured inside the entrance. As they made their way deep into the cave (eventually discovered to extend approximately a mile under the ground), they could see that the walkway was not a natural formation, with distinct and deliberate chisel markings evident. As they ventured inside further, they discovered various chamber-like rooms on either side of the subterranean walkway. Then, around 100 feet from the entrance, Kinkaid found himself in a grand hall that was around 700 feet in length. This chamber was full of ancient relics, including a statue of a figure sitting cross-legged with a lotus flower in each hand, perhaps, as Kinkaid suggested, an ancient deity worshipped by whoever had once called this location home.
Kinkaid and his team explored the network in full, discovering various pieces of pottery and vases as they did so. Kinkaid later estimated that around 50,000 people could have comfortably fit inside the underground network, and also documented that the underground lair had an intricate ventilation system – all, that is, except for one chamber that they discovered at the lowest level. Moreover, all agreed that an ominous “serpent-like odor” came from this chamber, something which convinced them to abandon any thoughts of exploring this particular room, not least as their lamps appeared to have no effect on the darkness inside. Although this room went unexplored, many other rooms didn’t.
As the team ventured through the network, they noted multiple urns and statues, all decorated with ancient Egyptian-style hieroglyphics. Even more remarkable, these same styles of symbols were discovered carved into many of the rocky walls of the tunnel network, as well as into a large stone table. Incidentally, there is no record of any deciphering or translation of these symbols, although it is worth mentioning that there have been discoveries of similar symbols in a cave along another stretch of the Colorado River in southern Arizona.
The most remarkable discovery, however, came in a chamber at the end of the tunnel that was separate from the others. Kinkaid claimed that as soon as he entered this particular room, he could see evidence of meticulous planning and advanced engineering. Moreover, the room was full of large statues that had been intricately carved, multiple copper vessels, as well as various swords and spears. Most astonishing of all, though, was the discovery of several mummies, each of which was remarkably well preserved and each around nine feet in height. Although these mummies were extremely similar to those found in ancient Egypt, they were wrapped in a strange, dark material as opposed to white linen.
These mummies, along with the strange symbols, were not the only potential connection to ancient Egypt. Rumors began to circulate in the years following Kinkaid’s expedition that they had also discovered a large boat in the same style as vessels discovered in ancient Egyptian locations, leading to some researchers into the case in the years since asking if there was some kind of direct connection between to the ancient Egyptian civilization, or even to the Atlanteans.
Of course, underlying this connection is the fact that the apparent civilization that once called the Grand Canyon home (if indeed there was such a civilization) was the fact that they were, technically at least, giants. Were these apparent giants of the Grand Canyon connected to ancient Egypt through trade, or was this evidence of some kind of unrecorded migration? Or, given their literal stature, were these mummies the remains of ancient Egyptian gods who had, for reasons unknown, retreated to what is modern-day North America?
As we might imagine, many are more than skeptical about such claims. There are, though, many things to consider, perhaps not least that Kinkaid, rather than being some kind of rogue explorer, had been commissioned to undertake the expedition by the Smithsonian Institution (although we should note that the organization has always denied such discoveries were made). We might also ask just why Kinkaid would have risked his reputation by making such claims if they weren’t true, and, given Kinkaid’s experience, it is highly unlikely that he had misidentified such findings.
Adding a further twist to the whole affair were the claims in the years that followed that the entrance Kinkaid had discovered had been sealed shut by a mysterious government agency group. If this is true, we might ask, what do such dark agencies fear humanity will learn that requires it to be suppressed? Of course, if there was any truth to such claims, then not only would it suggest that advanced human civilization was on the North American continent long before mainstream academics state, but that such legends of “giants” are also true, both of which would force major rethinks on human history.
There are also apparent connections to ancient Egypt. Is it possible, for example, that the ancient Egyptians made it much further – all the way to North America – than is known? And once there, did they encounter a race of giants – each standing around nine feet tall – and is that where legends of giants stem from? It is worth noting that there have been many alleged discoveries of gigantic remains in North America, many of which have been documented in newspaper articles from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century (with alleged discoveries still happening today, albeit fewer and further between). Or might this potential giant civilization have arrived in Egypt, and then taken certain artifacts back with them? Once more, we might ask, was this giant race seen as “the gods” of ancient Egypt, and if so, what is their origin – are they indigenous to our planet or might they have come here from elsewhere?
Perhaps one of the most intriguing and disturbing underground locations is one alleged to stretch out from deep under Moscow, a product of the Cold War that some insist remains operational today. The location in question is said to reside deep under the Moscow Metro rail network, referred to as Metro-2, and rather than just being one level below the metro system, some researchers have suggested that this secret underground network stretches to 15 levels below the Russian capital.
It is said that this secret rail network was discreetly built at the same time as the public metro system, which, despite plans being in place since the early 1900s, did not start until 1931. According to some sources, many of the workers of the metro system were political opponents of the Stalin regime. There were, though, certain “loyal workers” – often members of the Russian military – who were taken off the project, and directed to another, secret line – Metro 2.
As we might imagine, with such a secretive location, information is sketchy at best. Some believe that the line, while almost certainly built, ceased to be operational upon Stalin’s death. Others, though, believe the work continued for decades, even after the fall of the Soviet Union. One researcher – Yuri Zaitsev – claims there are four main lines to the Metro-2 system, which connect the Federal Security Services to various government departments and buildings, including the government airport at Vnukovo.
Perhaps making such claims of secret rail network existing and still operating deep under Moscow even more intriguing are claims made by the head of the Moscow Metro independent trade union, Yuri Saitsev, in 2008 that there was a “recruiting drive for secret routes” among metro drivers, adding that “entering the midst of these tunnels is only for people with special clearance!” Further details suggest that the trains in operation on the Metro-2 system are “very short”, very often with only one passenger car and operated by an electric battery.
Yuri Saitsev is not the only person to have seemingly confirmed the existence of Metro-2. Also in 2008, Mikhail Poltorani, a former minister under Boris Yeltsin, stated that not only did the secret rail network exist, but that it could “hide a lot of people!” He elaborated that “Metro-2 has branches that go to the suburbs so that the command could move away from the epicenter of a nuclear attack!”
It is also worth our time examining the 1992 book Abyss by Vladimir Gonik, or more specifically, his inspiration for it. The plot of the book is set in an underground bunker in Moscow, although he claimed – after the fall of the Soviet Union, remember – that this plot and the details around it stem directly from information he learned while working for the Soviet Ministry of Defense from the early 1970s to the mid-80s. He stated that it was during this time that the term “Metro-2” began being used, mainly by high-ranking members of the Politburo, as well as high-ranking members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). Further details, if we assume Gonik’s claims are accurate, offer that each of these elite, high-ranking members had a personal underground apartment, complete lounge, bathroom, kitchen, and study, with each being large enough to house them and their families.
Another former Soviet minister – Alexander Muzykantskiy – claimed the Metro-2 system was “gigantic” and was “designed to ensure the stable operation of the senior military and political leadership in times of armed conflict, including nuclear conflict!” Oleg Gordievsky, another researcher and Soviet defector, made similar claims, stating that the main secret of the KGB was “a huge underground city. A whole communications network of such facilities!”
Of course, despite the wealth of people offering that the secret rail system exists, most people dismiss such claims as nothing but conspiracy theories, including the Russian authorities themselves. However, there are other reasons to believe that such claims are true, if only in part – and one of these is a “vacant lot” in the south-west district of Moscow, Remenki, and so named, Remenki-43 According to some researchers, in this seemingly abandoned lot, is an entrance to a huge underground bunker said to be able to house up to 15,000 people, and connected to other similar networks by the Metro-2 rail system.
With those claims in mind, it is worth examining other potential entrance and exit points to Metro-2 at other similar, seemingly abandoned buildings. In 1985, for example, five years after it had begun, work suddenly ceased on the would-be state-of-the-art Khovrino Hospital complex, with the site simply being abandoned. Needless to say, the unfinished complex attracted all manner of unsavory characters, including several apparent Satanic cults. One member of a film crew who was there to film a documentary stated that it was “one of the most feared unfinished construction projects on the planet!” It is also rumored, at least by some, to be another secretive entrance to the equally secret underground network.
It is also worth highlighting another abandoned building, the Rossiya Hotel, right in the heart of Moscow, which was demolished in 2006. The hotel had opened in 1967 and was for the sole use of Communist Party officials, and before its construction, an entire section of the city was flattened to the ground to build it. Following its destruction, though, those on the demolition team made some remarkable discoveries, not least an underground tunnel system that led to some kind of nuclear bunker. The person in charge of the destruction of the hotel and the development of the land was Shalva Chigirinsky. He claimed that shortly after they made the discovery, “mysterious agents” arrived at the site. He later claimed in interviews with the media that “some people in plain clothes are not allowing us access to an area where there is a tunnel from the Kremlin!”
Ultimately, it appears if there is any truth in the claims of a secret rail network connecting a vast underground city deep below Moscow and the surrounding areas, then those secrets continue to be covered up today, perhaps, as the powers on the world stage in the mid-2020s are seemingly in flux somewhat, for the same reasons they were during the Cold War of the second half of the twentieth century. There are, though, other claims regarding the strange goings-on in the alleged underground facilities under Moscow, ones that stretch back to the years immediately following the end of the Second World War, and it is to those we will turn our attention to next.
According to Russian UFO researcher Anton Anfalov, in the summer of 1947, as Soviet soldiers began the rebuilding operation of Kyiv (in modern-day Ukraine), a huge, silver object was discovered around 15 feet under the ground. It is not clear if the object had been purposely abandoned or if it had crashed, but Soviet troops soon cordoned off the area, and the object was discreetly transported to Podlipki (now called Korolyev) just outside Moscow. Further according to the report, once Soviet scientists had examined the otherworldly object, they made some remarkable discoveries.
It was determined that, rather than being a top-secret advanced craft of the Americans or the Third Reich, the object had been underground for approximately 5000 years. Moreover, they eventually managed to gain access to the inside of the craft, which contained multiple advanced technological instruments. They also discovered two small chairs in what was presumed to be the cockpit area of the craft, each presumably for the pilots, which must have been much smaller than a typical adult human, around three to four feet tall. Ultimately, it was determined that the craft was “not of terrestrial origin” and was of “non-human manufacture!” Further examination of the craft led scientists to conclude that this section was only the front part of the craft, with the rest either residing under the ground elsewhere or even destroyed at the time of the impact. There were also discoveries of strange inscriptions in the cabin similar to ancient Sanskrit, which led those studying the object to consider whether it was some kind of Vimana documented in ancient Indian texts.
Anfalov continued that scientists even managed to reverse-engineer parts of the technology they discovered in the craft, with which, they managed to greatly upgrade their own rocket and missile systems. Most of this technology was so far advanced that scientists and engineers struggled to understand the vast majority of it. That said, we might ask whether it is a coincidence or not that the Soviet Union managed to launch history’s first satellite only a decade later.
Whatever the truth, in the book The World’s Weirdest Places, Nick Redfern relays the claims of one-time KGB officer, V L Durov, who claimed that not only was the account of a recovered UFO from Kyiv true, but that in 1987, the vehicle was transported to a secret bunker “far below the Kremlin” – almost certainly on the Metro-2 line. Durov elaborated that this was done using a “series of very deep underground rail systems” that had originally been designed to “ferry and protect senior government and military personnel in the event of a nuclear strike on Moscow!”
With this idea of advanced vehicles from another world being stored deep under the ground of modern cities, it is perhaps worth our time returning to the United Kingdom and claims of otherworldly craft residing under the grounds of a stately home in the south of England, specifically, Rudloe Manor near the city of Bath. The property and the ground upon which it sits date back to the times of King Henry III in the 1200s, and progressed through the hands of various lords and nobility until Countess Raben sold the entire estate to the Air Ministry in 1940 to aid with the war effort.
Upon purchasing the grounds, the many underground mining tunnels around the estate were modified by the military to accommodate the building of warplanes underground, safe from German bombing missions. This was the case with many such stately homes around the UK during the early 1940s, however, unlike most of these estates, following the end of the war, Rudloe Manor remained in the hands of the British military, and the reason for this, at least according to some, was because deep below the ground in the tunnel network was the remains of a craft from another world.
Here, it is worth mentioning the claims of the late and respected journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. She claimed as far back as the late 1950s that she had been informed by a “British Official of Cabinet rank” that the British government (through their military) had recovered a crashed UFO shortly after the war, with the futuristic vehicle being stored under Rudloe Manor. Further according to Kilgallen’s source, multiple of the United Kingdom’s top scientists had been involved in reverse-engineering projects on the vehicle that had “come from another world!”
As we might imagine, the British military denied the claims, stating that Kilgallen must have been the victim of a hoax. Coincidentally or not, Kilgallen, who was also investigating the John F. Kennedy assassination, died in suspicious circumstances shortly after making such claims. We should perhaps make of that what we will.
Whatever the truth of the matter, Rudloe Manor remains a place of secrecy today, over three-quarters of a century after the end of the Second World War, surrounded by high-security military fencing. With this in mind, it is perhaps also worth mentioning that the entire Wiltshire region is a hotspot of UFO activity. Might this be because of alleged advanced aerial vehicles being housed underground at Rudloe Manor, with subsequent test flights of reverse-engineered technology taking place from there?
What is known is that Rudloe Manor once acted as the headquarters for the RAF Provost and Security Services (PSS), a covert-type organization that deals with “special security needs” and connects to such organizations as MI5 and MI6. We might imagine, then, that if such an organization has its headquarters on the property, it would make sense to house such a possession as a downed UFO in the same place.
There are also claims that the network below the property stretches down several floors, with bunkers for high-ranking government and military officials, and even the Royal Family. There are even claims from some researchers that other bunkers stretch down even further, although these levels are seemingly off-limits to all but a very select few.
Here, it is worth highlighting the work of Timothy Good, who, in his 1991 book Alien Liaison, claimed that a source who worked for the PSS told him that all UFO reports submitted in the United Kingdom are fed through the PSS at Rudloe Manor. From there, they were sent to a Metropole Building on Northumberland Lane in London before being sent to the relevant department of the Ministry of Defense. Interestingly or not, another UFO researcher, Gordon Creighton, had independently claimed that one of his sources was a former United States intelligence officer who worked out of the very same building on Northumberland Lane. Moreover, declassified files since the release of Alien Liaison have proven Good’s claims to be correct. As a demonstration of the discreet nature of the activities at Rudloe Manor, Good’s source claimed that “the activities of this unit are so secret that fellow investigators serving in the Special Investigations and Counter-Intelligence services are not aware of their activities!”
With all of this in mind, it is also worth examining the activities of the Corsham Computer Centre (CCC), an underground facility in Wiltshire. This “data processing” unit employs around 4000 people, all of whom can only enter and leave the building following strict procedures, and who must have their ID with them at all times. According to some researchers, several tunnels lead from this secretive underground facility directly to the underground facility below Rudloe Manor, with some even calling this network an “underground city!”
There are several discreet entrances to the main underground entrance of the CCC building, including through old mining caves and old railway tunnels. Several people have gained access to the outside of the inner facility through these unorthodox entrances and reported seeing extensive and modern lighting systems, as well as fully tarmacked roads. The 24-hour television news channel Sky News received permission to film at the facility in September 2000. Whether it was an error of judgment on the CCC’s part, during that broadcast, huge ventilation fans similar to jumbo jet engines were visible, as well as some kind of nuclear bunkers and a rail network – and it was this rail network, it is claimed by some, that lead directly to the underground facility at Rudloe Manor. Further, according to other researchers, a huge computer network exists at the CCC, which connects to systems at GCHQ and the NSA, with further suggestions that one of the underground rail networks even leads directly to Westminster and the heart of the British government.
As we can see, then, there is a lot more going on under the ground than many of us might think. Whether it is the ghosts of old rail stations, strange creatures in tunnels and sewer networks, ancient discoveries suppressed by the authorities, or even top-secret subterranean lairs for the world’s elites, deep below the ground holds much fascination, as well as, it would appear, many secrets. Indeed, further study of these fascinating subterranean locations could very well tell us much more about the nature of our collective reality.
NASA's Top 5 Technical Challenges Countdown: #1: Survive the Lunar Night
NASA's Top 5 Technical Challenges Countdown: #1: Survive the Lunar Night
By Paul Sutter
In this series we are exploring NASA's top five challenges as detailed in its Civil Space Shortfall Ranking, which is basically NASA's Christmas wish list. These are the technologies that NASA believes we need to develop if we want to go to space…and stay there.
And finally, after multiple rounds of voting from NASA centers, industry partners, and academic researchers, the highest priority goal we need to accomplish to make all our space dreams come true: surviving the Lunar night.
Now I know this sounds like a low-budget knockoff of Five Nights at Freddy's, but it's the real deal. The Lunar night is no fun at all. For one, it typically lasts two weeks at a time (although there are some peaks that receive sunlight almost permanently, but there are also regions where the sun never strikes at all). For another, temperatures can plummet down to 35 degrees above absolute zero. This is absolutely unprecedented; there is no analogy to anything we have experienced on the Earth. Even in arctic regions, where the Sun can disappear for months at a time, are helped by the fact that we still have an atmosphere that can retain and distribute heat. When the Sun shines on the equator, some of that heat makes it up to the poles. But the Moon has no atmosphere, so the only heat you get is from the Sun. When it's gone, it's gone. This makes nighttime operations are a serious challenge. It's really hard to design electronics, and especially batteries, that can function for long periods of time at low temperatures, because almost all of our battery designs rely on chemical processes to generate electricity – processes that slow down at low temperatures, and all of our electronics are designed to work…you know, on Earth.
There has been some headway in the direction of surviving the lunar night. In early 2024 the Japanese lander SLIM, for Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, also known by the much cooler anime nickname of "Moon Sniper", made history by surviving three lunar nights – that's three four-week cycles of light and darkness. But to survive the nights the lander had to shut down and enter a hibernation state, hoping that its batteries would stay warm enough to power itself back up once daylight hit again.
So while that technically counts as surviving the lunar night, that's not exactly what NASA and its partners had in mind when they ranked this as their number one challenge. We can't just go into low-power sleep mode every two weeks, especially if we're talking about extended human or even robotic activities on the lunar surface.
Surviving the Lunar night means transitioning from a daylight temperature of over a blistering 120 degrees Celsius (or 260 degrees Fahrenheit) all the way down to -240 Celsius at night, which is…negative a lot in Fahrenheit. On the other side of the coin, our own robotics and electronics are going to generate their own heat, anywhere from 5 Watts to 10,000 Watts. We need to efficiently manage that heat and make sure it doesn't warp or destroy other vital components on its way out of the spacecraft, especially when the outside temperatures will vary so much.
What will it take to enable lunar night operations? We need components that can manage those kinds of massive temperature swings and still efficiently operate in frigid conditions. We need systems that can efficiently dump heat in both freezing and boiling outside conditions. We need large solar panels that can absorb energy during the daytime and low-temperature batteries that can continue to supply that power through the night. We can't just have these components specialized to one temperature extreme or the other – they need to be able to handle both.
I see this challenge as the culmination of all the other ones. Surviving the lunar night isn't easy, but it serves as a critical milestone in our advance into space. If we want to survive the lunar night and maintain activities and exploration for those two weeks of darkness, we need to solve the other four challenges. This will be our true test. We can't just content ourselves with literal day-trips or low-power night modes. We have to be able to maintain the same level of activity regardless of the daylight conditions. We need high-powered, capable robotics. We need reliable systems for timing and navigation. We need more sophisticated computers, and most importantly we need a lot of electricity. If we can maintain robotic or crewed activities through lunar night after night, then we will have the technological base we need to create a more robust presence on the Moon and extend even further into the solar system.
It won't be easy. The lunar night is unforgivingly cold, depressingly dark, and depressingly long. But hey, at least we'll get a great view of the stars.
Waren ‘Gods zonen’ en de ‘reuzen’ in Genesis 6 buitenaardse wezens?
Waren ‘Gods zonen’ en de ‘reuzen’ in Genesis 6 buitenaardse wezens?
In het negende hoofdstuk1 van het boek Hoe Bestaat Het! gaan de auteurs in op speculaties rondom de identiteit van ‘Gods zonen’ en de ‘reuzen’ in Genesis 6. Naast het verkennen van de vraag of dit buitenaardse wezens zijn geweest en of de aarde ooit bezocht is door aliens wordt er ook ingegaan op de vraag of er überhaupt wel leven buiten onze planeet kan zijn. Is het eigenlijk wel mogelijk om enorme afstanden door het heelal af te leggen? De antwoorden zullen je misschien wel verbazen!
Het speculeren over buitenaards leven is tientallen jaren lang gevoed door verhalen over vliegende schotels en ontmoetingen met buitenaardse wezens. Sommige mensen beweerden zelfs dat ‘Gods zonen’ en/of de reuzen die in Genesis 6:4 genoemd worden, nephilim in het Hebreeuws, buitenaardse wezens waren. Dit onderwerp komt later in dit hoofdstuk aan de orde.
Seculiere humanisten, zoals wijlen Carl Sagan, hebben hartstochtelijk verkondigd dat naast het leven hier op aarde ook ‘daarboven’ intelligent leven is geëvolueerd. Het geloof in de evolutie van het leven op aarde is een enorme stimulans geweest voor het geloof dat leven ook ergens anders zou kunnen zijn geëvolueerd, zeker gezien de afmetingen van het heelal. Het heeft zeker het geloof in ‘het buitenaardse’ aangemoedigd.
Deze meteoriet is ten onrechte gebruikt om aan te tonen dat er ooit leven op Mars is geweest.
In 1996 werd dit idee aangewakkerd vanuit een heel andere bron. Wetenschappers van de NASA beweerden bewijsmateriaal te hebben gevonden voor eenvoudige levensvormen in een meteoriet die op Antarctica was gevonden. Die meteoriet zou van Mars afkomstig zijn. Sindsdien is het enthousiasme voor dit ‘bewijs’ voor leven in het ‘Marsgesteente’ in wetenschappelijke kringen sterk afgenomen.2,3
De Mars-meteoriet NWA 7034 met onderaan een blokje van 1 kubieke centimeter.
De zogenaamde ‘nanofossielen’ waren waarschijnlijk niet meer dan magnetietdraden en veranderingen die door het experimentele proces zijn ontstaan.4 Ondanks dit alles ontketende deze steen met een gewicht van twee kilo een hevige ‘Marsbevlieging’. Amerikanen, Europeanen, Japanners en Russen werken aan tientallen projecten waarin de komende twintig jaar onze dichtstbijzijnde buurplaneet wordt onderzocht; de kortste afstand van Mars tot de aarde bedraagt ongeveer 78 miljoen kilometer. Intussen blijft het geloof in buitenaardse intelligentie gestaag groeien, met een bijna religieuze gedrevenheid.
De ufo-golf
Hoogleraar John E. Mack, die psychiatrie doceerde aan de Universiteit van Harvard, trok wereldwijd de aandacht met zijn boek ‘Ontmoetingen’ (oorspronkelijke titel: Abduction: Human encounters with aliens). Daarnaast dook er een sensationele film op over wat een autopsie zou zijn op een buitenaards wezen dat zou zijn neergestort in New Mexico, vlak bij de Amerikaanse luchtmachtbasis Roswell. De vage filmbeelden vormden de belangrijkste attractie op het wereldcongres van ufo-aanhangers in 1995 in Düsseldorf, Duitsland. Sindsdien is bekend geworden dat het bij de film ging om niet meer dan een gebrekkige vervalsing.
Een andere belangrijke factor was de succesfilm Independence Day, die gaat over een invasie op aarde door buitenaardse wezens. De film bracht in zijn eerste week meer geld op dan welke eerdere film ook. Dit soort sciencefictionverhalen, vaak met ‘buitenaards leven’ als thema, is tegenwoordig het populairste vermaaksgenre ter wereld. Uit populaire enquêtes blijkt dat wel vier van de vijf mensen geloven in buitenaards leven en het idee dat buitenaardse wezens het doen en laten van de mensen in de gaten houden.5 Wat moeten christenen denken van deze ufo-verhalen?
Wat zegt de Bijbel?
a. De Schrift rept niet van buitenaards bezoek en ‘aliens’ De Bijbel, het geopenbaarde, opgeschreven Woord van God, vertelt ons dat het leven alleen mogelijk is door een proces van schepping. Zelfs al zouden er andere sterrenstelsels zijn met planeten die op de aarde lijken, dan zou daar slechts leven kunnen zijn als de Schepper het had gemaakt. Als God dat zou hebben gedaan, en deze wezens zouden ons ooit komen bezoeken, zou Hij ons daar zeker over hebben ingelicht. Buitenaardse wezens met dergelijke macht en technologische staat zouden op vele manieren superieur kunnen zijn aan de mens. Dit zou het door God aan de mens gegeven mandaat om heerschappij te voeren over de schepping en haar te onderwerpen (Gen. 1:28) ontwrichten.
God heeft ons vrij specifieke details gegeven over de toekomst, bijvoorbeeld over de wederkomst van Jezus, en enkele details over het einde van de wereld. Het heelal zal op een bepaald moment in de toekomst worden opgerold als een boekrol (Jes. 34:4; Openb. 6:14). Als God ergens anders levende wezens had geschapen, zou dit ook automatisch hun verblijfplaats vernietigen. Door de zonde van Adam is de gehele schepping onder de vloek gekomen. Want anders zou het niet nodig zijn voor God om een ‘nieuwe hemel en een nieuwe aarde’ te scheppen. Waarom zou een ander ras van wezens, die geen deel uitmaken van Adams (zondige) nageslacht, hun gedeelte van de geschapen wereld aangetast zien door de vloek? En waarom zouden zij dan deel uitmaken van het herstel dat Jezus, de laatste Adam, zal brengen? Dat zou kant noch wal raken.6 Jezus wordt niet talloze keren gekruisigd en opgewekt op andere planeten. De Bijbel zegt dat Hij ‘der zonde eenmaal’ is gestorven (Rom. 6:10).
Er zijn mensen die beweren dat de nephilim,7 of ‘Gods zonen’, die beiden genoemd worden in Genesis 6:2-4, buitenaardse wezens waren. Dit is een wilde uitschieter van de gangbare8 mening dat ‘Gods zonen’ die met de ‘dochters van de mensen’ trouwden, gevallen engelen waren.
‘Gods zonen’ (Hebreeuws: bene elohim) worden in Job 38:7 duidelijk als engelen aangeduid. De Septuagint (LXX9) vertaalt hier ‘zonen van God’ met ‘engelen van God’. Als we Genesis 6:4 rechttoe rechtaan lezen, staat er feitelijk dat kwaadaardige engelen samenwoonden met vrouwen. De nakomelingen die daaruit voortkwamen werden ‘nephilim’ genoemd, wat letterlijk de ‘gevallenen’ betekent. Hoewel dit een moeilijke passage is, die onze mening over de spirituele dimensie en het lichamelijke aspect van engelen op de proef stelt, is het sterkste argument dat voor deze opvatting pleit het feit dat dit de eenvoudigste verklaring van de tekst is. Daarnaast is er ook vanuit het Nieuwe Testament ondersteuning voor deze uitleg (Jud. 6-7; 2 Petr. 2:4-5; 1 Petr. 3:18-20).10 Er zijn ook mensen die hebben voorgesteld dat het gaat om kwaadaardige engelen die op aarde leefden en mogelijk via demonische macht bezit namen van lichamen van goddeloze mensen. Vervolgens gebruikten ze die lichamen om hun kwaadaardige doel te bereiken, namelijk het voortbrengen van een verdorven generatie mensen (Gen. 6:12).11 Maar voor deze stelling vinden we niet veel onderbouwing in de tekst.
Het is overigens interessant dat het woord nephilim, of reuzen, alleen gebruikt wordt in Genesis 6:4 en Numeri 13:33. In het laatste geval wordt er verwezen naar de nakomelingen van Enak. Dit waren grote mensen, maar wel gewoon mensen. Het is echter waarschijnlijk dat het noemen van de nephilim in dit gedeelte, of het nu om de nakomelingen van Enak ging of om de nephilim van voor de zondvloed, een leugen was van de spionnen om de Israëlieten af te brengen van het voornemen om het beloofde land binnen te trekken. God strafte de spionnen immers later voor het geven van valse getuigenissen (Num. 14:11, 36-37).
Hoewel ‘Gods zonen’ in het Oude Testament uitsluitend wordt gebruikt om naar engelen te verwijzen, worden in Hosea 1:10 met ‘kinderen des levenden Gods’ specifiek de kinderen van Israël bedoeld. De bijbelgeleerde H.C. Leupold heeft gesuggereerd12 dat de ‘zonen van God’ de nakomelingen van Seth waren, de goddelijke lijn die wordt beschreven in Genesis 4:25-5:32. Leupold schreef: ‘Maar wie waren deze “zonen van God”? Zonder enige twijfel de Sethieten…’13
Volgens deze visie raakten de nakomelingen van Seth van het rechte pad en trouwden ze met de ‘dochters van mensen’, waarbij ze hun keuze slechts baseerden op het uiterlijk en geen belang hechtten aan hun godsvrucht. De nephilim waren hun nakomelingen. Anderen hebben tegen deze opvatting bezwaar gemaakt. Ze hebben gesteld dat in de tekst specifiek ‘zonen van Seth’ en ‘dochters van Kaïn’ zou moeten staan. Ook wordt gesteld dat de Sethieten als geheel geen godvruchtige groep konden zijn, omdat bloedverwantschap geen garantie is voor vroomheid en rechtvaardigheid (denk aan de koningen van Israël).14 Nog weer een andere opvatting heeft te maken met het feit dat heersers in het oude Egypte en Mesopotamië15 zichzelf ‘zonen van God’ lieten noemen om hun macht en prestige te vergroten. Dan kunnen de ‘zonen van God’ in Genesis 6 op macht beluste heersers en despoten zijn. In hun honger naar macht en invloed zouden ze vele vrouwen tot zich hebben genomen in polygamie. Door tirannie zijn zij en hun nakomelingen ‘machtige mannen’ geworden (Nimrod wordt in Genesis 10:8 beschreven als een van deze ‘machtigen’). Ongeacht wat de juiste interpretatie is, het is niet nodig om onze toevlucht te zoeken tot fantasierijke ideeën met buitenaardse wezens om dit stuk van de Bijbel te begrijpen.
b. Het doel van de sterren De Bijbel vermeldt verschillende keren waarom de sterren zijn gemaakt. Niet alleen in de bekende Psalm 19, maar in het bijzonder ook in het verslag over de schepping. In Genesis 1:14 lezen we: ‘En God zei: Dat er lichten zijn in het uitspansel des hemels, om scheiding te maken tussen de dag en tussen de nacht; en dat zij zijn tot tekenen en tot gezette tijden, en tot dagen en jaren.’ Dus God heeft de sterren gemaakt voor de mensen op aarde en niet voor een of ander buitenaards ras ergens in de ruimte. Als je daar de scheppingsvolgorde aan toevoegt (de aarde op de eerste dag en de sterren pas op de vierde dag), is het eenvoudig om de nadruk in het bijbelse getuigenis te zien, namelijk dat het doel van de schepping volkomen gericht is op de aarde.
Wetenschap
1. Er is nooit enig contact geweest met een buitenaards wezen In 1900 loofde de Franse Academie voor Wetenschappen een prijs uit van 100.000 Franse francs16 voor de eerste persoon die contact zou maken met een buitenaardse beschaving. De buitenaardse wezens mochten echter niet afkomstig zijn van Mars, want de Academie was ervan overtuigd dat het een vaststaand feit was dat er een beschaving bestond op Mars! Sindsdien is er echter geen enkel spoor van ‘kleine groene mannetjes’ of enige andere vorm van leven gevonden op de planeten, inclusief Mars, die door de mensheid zijn onderzocht. Desondanks denkt een groot aantal astronomen dat, omdat het leven hier verondersteld wordt te zijn geëvolueerd, dit ook het geval zal zijn geweest op een van de vele sterren daarboven. Onderzoekers van het ruimteonderzoeksprogramma SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence17) van over de hele wereld hebben jarenlang de hemel zonder resultaat afgezocht naar signalen van buitenaardse wezens. Vele jaren is er geluisterd op miljoenen verschillende frequenties, maar is er desondanks niets gehoord wat er ook maar op wijst dat er buitenaards intelligent leven is.
‘Is het waar dat niet een van uw experimenten tekenen van buitenaards leven heeft laten zien?’
2. De omstandigheden moeten ‘precies goed’ zijn Het leven op een planeet kan alleen voortbestaan als aan een aantal zeer strenge voorwaarden wordt voldaan. De afstand van de planeet tot zijn zon moet bijvoorbeeld precies goed zijn, zodat het niet te koud en ook niet te warm is. Om precies te zijn: de temperatuur moet zich bevinden in het kleine temperatuurgebied waarbij vloeibaar water voorkomt. Zelfs als het bestaan van planeten rond andere sterren wordt bevestigd, dan nog is het hoogst onwaarschijnlijk dat er één gevonden wordt die aan alle voorwaarden voldoet. De aanwezigheid van vloeibaar water op zichzelf is volkomen onvoldoende, ondanks de grote opwinding die werd veroorzaakt door de mogelijke ontdekking daarvan op het oppervlak van de Europa, een van de manen van Jupiter. De onwaarschijnlijkheid van leven elders in het heelal spreekt ook tegen de idee dat leven per ongeluk naar de aarde is gedreven of met opzet hiernaartoe is gestuurd door buitenaardse wezens (‘panspermia’ en ‘geleide panspermia’).18
3. Leven kan sowieso niet spontaan ontstaan Zonder intelligente, creatieve input kunnen levenloze chemicaliën zichzelf niet veranderen in levende dingen.19 Het idee dat zij dit wel kunnen, wordt de theorie van het spontane ontstaan (abiogenese) genoemd. Louis Pasteur, de grondlegger van de microbiologie en zelf een creationist, bewees de onjuistheid van deze theorie. Zonder de ongegronde evolutionistische speculaties zou ufo-logie niet die grip hebben op de publieke verbeelding die zij nu heeft.
4. Enorme afstanden Zelfs als we aannemen dat er elders in dit heelal leven voorkomt, lijkt een bezoek van buitenaardse wezens aan de aarde zoals wordt beweerd in de berichten over ufo’s, absoluut onuitvoerbaar of zelfs onmogelijk. De afstanden, en daarmee de waarschijnlijke reistijden, zijn onvoorstelbaar groot.
De dichtstbijzijnde ster ten opzichte van de aarde is Proxima Centauri (α-Centauri C). Deze ster staat op een afstand van 40,7 miljoen kilometer. De Apollo-vluchten deden er drie dagen over om de maan te bereiken. Met die snelheid zou het 870.000 jaar duren om bij de dichtstbijzijnde ster te komen. Het zou natuurlijk mogelijk zijn om (met name onbemande) verkenningsvluchten tot grotere snelheden te versnellen. Als het zou lukken om de ongelofelijke snelheid van één tiende van de lichtsnelheid te bereiken, zou op die snelheid een enkele reis nog steeds 43 jaar duren. Om een dergelijke versnelling te bereiken, zijn enorme hoeveelheden energie nodig. Zelfs een klein ruimtevaartuig van 10 kg zou een hoeveelheid energie nodig hebben die gelijk is aan de hoeveelheid energie die ’s werelds grootste waterkrachtcentrale in vier dagen tijd opwekt (zie kader aan het einde van dit hoofdstuk).
Bovendien zit er in elke kubieke kilometer ruimte een geschatte hoeveelheid van 100.000 stofdeeltjes van silicaten en ijs, die slechts 0,1 gram wegen. Bij dergelijke snelheden zou zelfs een botsing met een dergelijk klein deeltje een ruimtevaartuig kunnen vernietigen.20
Hoe zit het dan met ufo’s?
Wat moeten we dan denken van ufo’s, alles wat daarmee te maken heeft en de hype waarmee ze zijn omgeven? Het Duitse tijdschrift Focus schreef : ‘90% van alle ufo-berichten blijkt onzin te zijn, maar er blijft nog 10% over die niet zo eenvoudig naar de prullenbak kan worden verwezen.’21 Het artikel citeerde ook de volgende uitspraak van de socioloog Gerald Eberlein: ‘Onderzoek heeft aangetoond dat vooral mensen zonder binding met een kerkgenootschap, maar die wel zeggen religieus te zijn, ontvankelijk zijn voor het mogelijke bestaan van buitenaardse wezens. Voor hen is de ufo-logie een vervanging voor religie.’22
Soms zijn er echter geloofwaardige getuigen, die vreemde objecten hebben gezien die zelfs lijken op metalen vaartuigen. Vele toonaangevende ufo-onderzoekers zijn het erover eens dat een klein percentage van deze objecten bovennatuurlijke dingen laat zien, die tegen de wetten van de fysica ingaan. Een voorbeeld hiervan is verandering van vorm en de samenvoeging met andere objecten met zeer grote snelheid. De Bijbel gaat wat dieper in op dit onderwerp en laat een andere oorzaak en gevolg zien:
‘Hem, zeg ik, wiens toekomst is naar de werking des satans, in alle kracht, en tekenen, en wonderen der leugen; en in alle verleiding der onrechtvaardigheid in degenen die verloren gaan; daarvoor dat zij de liefde der waarheid niet aangenomen hebben, om zalig te worden. En daarom zal God hun zenden een kracht der dwaling, dat zij de leugen zouden geloven.’ (2 Thess. 2:9-11)23
De Bijbel voorziet in een beschrijving van de werkelijkheid met betrekking tot alle levende zaken. De levende God openbaart Zich als de Drie- Enige – Vader, Zoon en Heilige Geest. In de hemel zijn er de engelen, machtige geschapen wezens, die ook de mensheid op aarde dienen.
Er is ook een ander koninkrijk, dat van de duivel en de demonen.24 In Efeze 2:2 wordt gesproken over de ‘overste van de macht der lucht’, die nu heerst op aarde, en die zich voordoet als ‘een engel des lichts’ (2 Kor. 11:14). De duivel heeft zijn eigen repertoire aan misleidingen, in de vorm van verschillende occulte praktijken en een veelheid aan religieuze riten. Het is best mogelijk dat de meester-misleider achter deze onverklaarbare meldingen van ufo’s zit.25 Per definitie zijn meldingen van ufo’s vaag en niet identificeerbaar. Mensen die Jezus Christus niet kennen, raken snel gefascineerd door allerlei moeilijk te verklaren fenomenen. Voor christenen is het van belang de waarschuwing van Jezus in Matthéüs 24:4 in acht te nemen, namelijk ‘dat u niemand verleide’.26 Wat is het beste middel tegen misleiding? Paulus spoort ons in 2 Timotheüs 2:15 aan Gods Woord te bestuderen, zodat we ‘het Woord van de waarheid’ accuraat kunnen gebruiken.
Geheime bases? Laten overheden zaken in de doofpot verdwijnen?
Veel ufo-enthousiastelingen verspreiden het broodje-aap-verhaal van geheime experimenten van de Amerikaanse overheid op buitenaardse wezens, en meer van dat soort zaken. Het is een idee dat wordt versterkt door films als Independence Day. Is het echter wel zo waarschijnlijk dat dit soort zaken verborgen zou worden als je beseft dat de Amerikaanse regering – daartoe geïnspireerd door atheïsten zoals wijlen Carl Sagan – miljoenen dollars aan belastinggeld heeft uitgegeven om te luisteren of er ‘daarboven’ ook tekenen zijn van intelligent buitenaards leven? Vele andere evolutionistische humanisten geloven, net als Carl Sagan, dat er naast het leven hier op aarde, ‘daarboven’ intelligent leven geëvolueerd moet zijn. Ze zouden alles overhebben voor enig hard bewijs hiervoor. Denk bijvoorbeeld aan alle media-aandacht die is besteed aan ‘Mars-gesteente met leven’, en recentelijk aan de mogelijkheid van water op Mars. Het is hoogst onwaarschijnlijk dat een veel spectaculairder ontdekking tientallen jaren geheimgehouden zou kunnen worden.
De realiteit van interstellair reizen
De volgende berekeningen worden gegeven voor degenen die meer technisch georiënteerd zijn:
De kinetische energie die nodig is om een object te versnellen tot één tiende van de lichtsnelheid (0,1·c) kan met voldoende benadering worden berekend door gebruik te maken van de niet-relativistische formule ½·m·v². Voor een zeer klein onbemand ruimtevaartuig van 10 kg is dat: ½ · 10 kg · (3 · 107 m/s)² = 4,5 · 1015 J. De grootste waterkrachtcentrale van de wereld, Itaipu (geëxploiteerd door Brazilië en Paraguay samen), produceert een gigantisch elektrisch vermogen van 14 Gigawatt. Om een ruimteschip van 10 kg te versnellen tot een snelheid van 0,1·c is de totale elektriciteitsproductie nodig van alle 20 turbines van deze waterkrachtcentrale gedurende 3,7 dagen, er van uitgaande dat er geen verliezen zijn.27 Dat is gelijk aan het volledige elektriciteitsverbruik in Nederland van zowel huishoudens als industrie gedurende bijna vier dagen. Voor een bemand ruimteschip dat meerdere tonnen weegt zou vele malen meer nodig zijn dan er dagelijks in de gehele wereld aan elektriciteit wordt geproduceerd. Voor het ruimtevaartuig dat is gebruikt in de film Independence Day en dat de afmetingen heeft van een flinke stad, zou de energiebehoefte overweldigend zijn. Bovendien zou er ongeveer net zo veel energie nodig zijn om het ruimtevaartuig weer af te remmen. Als een ruimtevaartuig meerdere malen zou moeten versnellen en vertragen zou de benodigde energie nog vele malen groter zijn. Het zou nagenoeg onmogelijk zijn om voldoende brandstof mee te nemen zonder gebruik te maken van een soort antimaterie-aandrijving. Als complete annihilatie – complete omzetting van materie in energie (E=mc²) – mogelijk zou zijn, zou 1 ton antimaterie 1 ton materie kunnen annihileren. Dit zou dan 2000 kg · (3 · 108 m/s)2 = 1,8 · 1020 J opleveren. Dit is absoluut de maximale hoeveelheid energie die geproduceerd kan worden met een dergelijke hoeveelheid brandstof. Een echt ruimtevaartuig zou echter nooit een dergelijk rendement kunnen bereiken.
De kinetische energie van een stofdeeltje met een massa van slechts 0,1 gram, dat inslaat met een snelheid van 0,1·c, berekend in het referentiestelsel van het ruimteschip, is ½ mv², dus ½ · 10-4 kg · (3 · 107 m/s)² = 4,5 · 1010 J. De verbrandingsenergie van TNT is 4520 kJ/kg. Dat betekent dat dit inslaan van een dergelijk klein stofdeeltje, gelijkstaat aan een explosie van ongeveer 10 ton TNT (= 10.000 kg TNT).28
Hoe bestaat het?
Dit artikel is met toestemming overgenomen uit het boek: Batten, D., & Mediagroep In Genesis. (2009). Hoe bestaat het! 60 vragen over schepping, evolutie en de Bijbel (3de editie). De Banier.
Het betreft hoofdstuk 9, ‘Wie waren ‘Gods zonen’ en de ‘reuzen’?’, pagina 169-180.
Delen van dit hoofdstuk zijn gebaseerd op een artikel van W. Gitt, gepubliceerd in: Creation 19(4), 1997, p. 46-48; www.creation.com/article/629. Zie ook R. Grigg, ‘Did life come from outer space?’ in: Creation 22(4), 2000, p.40-43; www.creation.com/article/294. Voor een diepgaande behandeling van dit onderwerp, zie G. Bates, Alien intrusion: ufo’s and the evolution connection, 2004, Master Books, Green Forest, AR, VS.
J.D. Sarfati, 1996. ‘Life on Mars?’ in: Creation 19(1):18-20; J.D. Sarfati, 1996. ‘Life from Mars?’ in: Journal of Creation 10(3):293-296; www.creation.com/mars.
B. Holmes, ‘Death knell for Martian life’, New Scientist 152(2061/2), 1996, p. 4.
Zie anoniem, ‘Another blow to Mars ‘life’ claim.’ Creation 20(2), 1998, p. 8; www.creation.com/focus-202-creation-magazine.
Readers Digest enquête, juli 2005.
Bovendien is het niet logisch dat Jezus gestorven zou zijn voor buitenaardse wezens, omdat Jezus de menselijke gestalte aannam en voor altijd de God-mens, onze Verlosser, zal zijn. Als Hij voor bijvoorbeeld Vulcans verzoening zou moeten brengen, dan zou Hij een Vulcan moeten worden. Het hele doel van de schepping is geconcentreerd op het ras op aarde, waarvan sommigen ooit voor eeuwig Christus’ ‘bruid’ zullen zijn. Jezus Christus zal niet meerdere ‘bruiden’ hebben.
In de meeste Bijbelvertalingen wordt dit vertaald met reuzen.
Deze opvatting is gebruikelijk onder moderne reformatorische theologen, en is gebaseerd op de opvattingen van het Jodendom in de eeuwen tussen het Oude en Nieuwe Testament (bijvoorbeeld in het geschrift 1 Henoch) en op de uitleg in de Vroege Kerk. Calvijn stelt echter in zijn commentaar op Genesis 6:4 dat de nephilim reuzen zijn in de betekenis van heersende tyrannen of mannen van grote lichaamslengte. ‘Gods zonen’ zijn naar zijn overtuiging nakomelingen van Seth, terwijl de ‘dochteren der mensen’ de nakomeling waren van Kaïn. De Statenvertalers hebben zich hierbij aangesloten.
Een Griekse vertaling, in de derde eeuw voor de jaartelling gemaakt in opdracht van Ptolemeus.
Het sterkste argument hiervoor is dat het ontstaan van nageslacht van gevallen engelen en mensen Gods bedoeling met het menselijke geslacht doorkruist. Vernietiging van het menselijke geslacht door een zondvloed is zo veel begrijpelijker dan bij een vermenging van vromen en goddeloze mensen het geval is.
H.M. Morris, The Genesis Record, 1976, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, p. 169.
Dit is de uitleg van Calvijn en de Statenvertalers.
H.C. Leupold, Exposition of Genesis, dl. 1, 1976, Wartburg Press, Ann Arbor, MI, p. 250.
Het is mogelijk dat de mensen door verbintenis met demonische machten bewust streefden om een soort supermensen voort te brengen: ‘geweldigen’, om de vloek over de aarde zo veel mogelijk ongedaan te maken. De nakomelingen hoorden bij het menselijke geslacht. Engelen kunnen in mensengedaante verschijnen, eten en drinken en ook geslachtelijk zijn (Gen. 19:5) (noot toegevoegd aan de Nederlandse vertaling).
Mesopotamië is het gebied tussen het huidige Syrië, Turkije, Iran en Saoedi-Arabië, dat is grofweg Irak en Koeweit
Dit is te vergelijken met een bedrag van ca. € 360.000 (2009).
De Nederlandse vertaling voor SETI is: zoektocht naar buitenaardse intelligentie.
Zie ook www.creation.com/space_life.
Enkele kritische artikelen over de evolutionistische oorsprong van het leven zijn: S.E. Aw, ‘The origin of life: a critique of current scientific models’, Journal of Creation 10(3), 1976, p. 300-314; www.creation.com/images/pdfs/tj/tjv10n3_origin_life.pdf; J.D. Sarfati, ‘Self-replicating enzymes’, Journal of Creation 11(1), 1976., p. 4-6; www.creation.com/ article/1532; C.B. Thaxton e.a., ‘The Mystery of Life’s Origin’, Philosophical Library Inc., New York, 1984. Zie ook de artikelen over de oorsprong van het leven op www.creation. com/origin.
Dit betekent dat er elke afgelegde kilometer een kleine kans is op inslag. Maar bij het afleggen van zulke afstanden is een inslag nagenoeg zeker. In de bijlage worden berekeningen gegeven die de schadelijke gevolgen van stofdeeltjes bij zulke snelheden laten zien.
‘Erdling, Hallo, Ufologie, Focus 45, 1995, p. 254.
L. Vardiman, ‘A conceptual transition model of the atmospheric global circulation following the Genesis Flood’, in: Proceedings of the IIIrd ICC, Pittsburg, 1994, p. 569-579.
De NBV-vertaling zegt het op de volgende manier: ‘De komst van de wetteloze mens is het werk van Satan en gaat gepaard met groot machtsvertoon en valse tekenen en wonderen, en allen die verloren zullen gaan, zal hij met zijn kwaadaardigheid verleiden.Want ze hebben de liefde voor de waarheid, die hen had kunnen redden, niet aanvaard. Daarom treft God hen met verblinding, zodat ze dwalen en de leugen geloven.’
De duivel en zijn kwaadaardige engelen zijn afvallige geschapen wezens. Het koninkrijk van satan zal slechts bestaan zolang God het toestaat
Bekroond journalist en cultexpert William Alnor heeft vele jaren het fenomeen ufo’s bestudeerd. Zijn boek, Ufo’s in the New Age, 1992, Baker Book House, is een weergave van zijn onderzoek, dat heeft geleid tot de conclusie dat sommige ufo-waarnemingen een occulte oorsprong hebben. Gary Bates kwam tot soortgelijke conclusies (zie voetnoot 1).
Het hier gebruikte woord ‘verleiden’, betekent met name ook bedriegen en misleiden.
In werkelijkheid gaat er echter ook veel energie verloren bij de verbranding van de brandstof die het vaartuig moet voortstuwen en bijvoorbeeld door wrijvingskrachten zolang het object zich nog in de dampkring bevindt.
Slechts 500 gram TNT in een koffer in het vrachtruim van een Boeing 747 zou al genoeg zijn om een dergelijk groot vliegtuig op te blazen. Het effect van 10.000 kg is dus catastrofaal.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
ETs en Religie: Hoe de geloof in buitenaards leven religies heeft beïnvloed en nieuwe heeft geïnspireerd.
ETs en Religie: Hoe de geloof in buitenaards leven religies heeft beïnvloed en nieuwe heeft geïnspireerd.
Inleiding
De vraag of buitenaards leven bestaat, heeft de mensheid sinds het begin van haar geschiedenis beziggehouden. Van de oude beschavingen die verhalen vertelden over goden en hemellichamen tot moderne wetenschappelijke onderzoeken, blijft deze vraag een bron van fascinatie en mysterie. Met de ontwikkeling van de wetenschap en de ruimtevaart is deze kwestie niet alleen complexer geworden, maar ook actueler dan ooit tevoren. De ontdekking van exoplaneten, de zoektocht naar microbieel leven op Mars en de mogelijkheid van buitenaardse intelligentie hebben de discussie over buitenaards leven nieuw leven ingeblazen. Tegelijkertijd heeft de overtuiging in het bestaan van extraterrestriële wezens niet alleen invloed gehad op de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap, maar ook op religieuze en spirituele tradities wereldwijd. Religies en spirituele bewegingen hebben zich vaak aangepast aan deze nieuwe inzichten, door bijvoorbeeld nieuwe interpretaties te ontwikkelen of door buitenaards leven te integreren in hun wereldbeelden. Deze ontwikkelingen hebben ook geleid tot nieuwe vragen over de aard van het universum en de plaats van de mens daarin.
De invloed van buitenaardse levensideeën op religieuze overtuigingen heeft niet alleen geleid tot verandering binnen bestaande religieuze kaders, maar heeft ook nieuwe religieuze bewegingen geïnspireerd die proberen een antwoord te vinden op deze kosmische vraag. In deze analyse wordt onderzocht hoe deze geloofsovertuigingen over buitenaards leven de religieuze wereld en het menselijk zelfbeeld hebben beïnvloed. Daarbij wordt gekeken naar zowel historische als moderne voorbeelden, en wordt de wisselwerking tussen wetenschap, religie en cultuur geanalyseerd. Het doel is inzicht te krijgen in de manier waarop onze kijk op het universum en onze plaats daarin wordt gevormd door deze complexe interactie.
1. Historische context: Buitenaards leven in religieuze tradities
Het idee van buitenaards leven is niet uitsluitend een modern fenomeen dat voortkomt uit de wetenschap en technologische vooruitgang van de afgelopen eeuwen. Integendeel, gedurende de geschiedenis van de mensheid zijn er in diverse religieuze tradities en mythen aanwijzingen te vinden die kunnen worden geïnterpreteerd als een vroege vorm van het concept van buitenaardse wezens of levensvormen. Hoewel deze oude verhalen en ideeën vaak symbolisch en allegorisch zijn, bieden ze toch een fascinerend inzicht in hoe mensen door de eeuwen heen hebben nagedacht over de mogelijkheid dat leven niet beperkt is tot onze eigen planeet.
In veel religieuze teksten en tradities worden hemelse wezens beschreven die op andere werelden of in andere dimensies zouden kunnen wonen. Bijvoorbeeld, in de joodse, christelijke en islamitische tradities vinden we verwijzingen naar engelen, geesten en andere hemelse wezens. In de islamitische traditie zijn de jinn bijvoorbeeld spirituele wezens die niet alleen in de menselijke wereld bestaan, maar ook in andere dimensies en op verschillende plaatsen kunnen voorkomen. Sommige interpretaties van deze verhalen suggereren dat de jinn mogelijk op andere planeten of in andere werelden kunnen wonen, waardoor ze een vroege vorm van het idee van buitenaardse intelligentie zouden kunnen vormen.
Daarnaast zijn er in middeleeuwse religieuze teksten en folklore verhalen over hemelse bewoners die op andere planeten leven. Hoewel dergelijke verhalen vaak worden geïnterpreteerd als symbolisch of allegorisch, kunnen ze ook worden gezien als een poging om de onbegrensde mogelijkheden van het universum te overwegen. Bijvoorbeeld, bepaalde middeleeuwse astrale en theologische teksten beschrijven hemellichamen en hemelse wezens die niet alleen de sterren en planeten vormen, maar ook bewonen. Sommige van deze verhalen suggereren dat deze hemelse entiteiten misschien niet alleen spiritueel, maar ook fysiek bestaan en dat ze mogelijk op andere planeten of in andere dimensies kunnen leven.
In de christelijke traditie zijn er ook verhalen en theologische ideeën die kunnen worden geïnterpreteerd als voorlopers van het buitenaardse levenconcept. Sommige theologen en filosofen hebben gediscussieerd over de mogelijkheid dat er andere werelden en andere vormen van leven bestaan buiten onze aarde. Hoewel deze ideeën vaak symbolisch worden geïnterpreteerd, vormen ze toch een interessante achtergrond voor het hedendaagse debat over buitenaards leven. Bijvoorbeeld, de gedachte dat God de schepper is van een heel universum met vele werelden, impliceert dat leven mogelijk niet beperkt is tot onze planeet. In sommige middeleeuwse en renaissance-teksten wordt zelfs gespeculeerd over de mogelijkheid dat andere planeten bevolkt zijn door wezens die door God zijn geschapen, wat laten zien dat de vraag naar buitenaards leven al lange tijd in de menselijke gedachtegang aanwezig is.
Ook binnen de Griekse en Romeinse mythologie vinden we verhalen die kunnen worden geïnterpreteerd als voorlopers van het idee van buitenaards leven. De oude Grieken geloofden bijvoorbeeld in hemelse wezens en goden die op andere planeten en in andere werelden konden wonen. De mythologieën vertellen over de goden die in de hemel wonen en soms de aarde bezoeken, wat kan worden gezien als een vroeg voorbeeld van het idee dat er levensvormen bestaan buiten onze directe waarneming. Hoewel deze verhalen vaak mythologisch en symbolisch zijn, reflecteren ze toch een menselijke fascinatie voor het bestaan van andere werelden en wezens die daarin wonen.
De invloed van deze oude ideeën op het hedendaagse debat over buitenaards leven is niet altijd expliciet geweest, maar ze vormen wel een belangrijke culturele en intellectuele achtergrond. Ze laten zien dat het menselijke denken over de mogelijkheid van leven buiten de aarde al eeuwenlang bestaat, vaak verweven met religieuze en mythologische overtuigingen. In de loop der eeuwen zijn deze ideeën geëvolueerd en aangepast aan nieuwe wetenschappelijke inzichten, maar de kern van de menselijke nieuwsgierigheid en het verlangen naar contact met andere wezens blijft hetzelfde.
Kortom, hoewel het moderne concept van buitenaards leven gebaseerd is op wetenschappelijke ontdekkingen en technologische vooruitgang, is het niet volledig los te zien van de rijke culturele en religieuze geschiedenis waarin de mens al lang nadenkt over de mogelijkheid dat we niet alleen zijn in het universum. De oude verhalen over hemellichamen, hemelse wezens en spirituele entiteiten vormen een fascinerende achtergrond voor het hedendaagse debat en laten zien dat de menselijke fascinatie met buitenaards leven eeuwenoud is. Ze herinneren ons eraan dat de zoektocht naar het onbekende al sinds mensenheugenis een onderdeel is van onze culturele en spirituele verbeelding, en dat deze zoektocht mogelijk al duizenden jaren geleden begon.
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2. De opkomst van buitenaards leven in de moderne wetenschap en cultuur
De 20e eeuw was een bepalend decennium voor de manier waarop wij naar buitenaards leven kijken. Met de snelle vooruitgang in de astronomie en ruimtevaarttechnologie groeide de interesse in de mogelijkheid dat we niet de enigen in het universum zijn. Dankzij technologische innovaties konden wetenschappers nu niet alleen sterren en planeten bestuderen, maar ook exoplaneten detecteren – dat wil zeggen, planeten die buiten ons zonnestelsel draaien. Deze ontdekkingen hebben het wetenschappelijke discours rondom buitenaards leven aanzienlijk verrijkt. Het was niet langer enkel een theoretisch idee, maar een plausible hypothese die wetenschappelijk onderzocht kon worden.
De ontwikkeling van ruimtevaarttechnologie speelde hierbij een cruciale rol. De lancering van bemande en onbemande ruimtevaartuigen, zoals de Voyager-sondes en later de Mars-rovers, stelde wetenschappers in staat om de ruimte te verkennen en nieuwe werelden te bestuderen. Hierdoor ontstond een bredere wetenschappelijke interesse in het zoeken naar tekenen van leven op andere planeten en manen, zoals Mars en Europa, een maan van Jupiter. Deze inspanningen hebben geleid tot belangrijke ontdekkingen en hypotheses, die de mogelijkheid van buitenaards leven steeds serieuzer maakten.
Naast de wetenschappelijke ontwikkelingen, speelde de maatschappelijke en culturele context van de 20e eeuw een grote rol in de opkomst van buitenaards leven als populair en geloofwaardig fenomeen. Een van de meest invloedrijke gebeurtenissen was het ‘Roswell-incident’ in 1947. Volgens berichten stortte er toen een object neer in Roswell, New Mexico, dat door sommige getuigen werd geïdentificeerd als een UFO (Unidentified Flying Object). Hoewel het officiële verhaal over het incident later werd ontkend en betwist, leidde het tot een enorme publieke fascinatie en speculatie over buitenaardse wezens en overheidsgeheimen. Het incident fungeerde als een katalysator voor de buitenaardse mythevorming die zich verder ontwikkelde in de jaren daarna.
In de daaropvolgende decennia groeide de populariteit van buitenaards leven in media en entertainment. Films, boeken en televisieprogramma’s zoals ‘The X-Files’, ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’, 'V' en ‘Star Trek’ hebben het idee van buitenaardse beschavingen en ontmoetingen met buitenaardsen verder genormaliseerd. Deze media-initiatieven speelden een belangrijke rol in het vormen van publieke percepties en verbeeldingen rondom ET’s. Ze stelden vragen over de aard van het universum, de mogelijkheid van intelligente buitenaardse wezens en de relatie tussen mens en buitenaards leven.
Kortom, de 20e eeuw markeerde een periode waarin de wetenschappelijke en culturele wereld stevig verankerd raakten in de gedachte dat buitenaards leven niet langer een science fiction-fantasie is, maar een realistische mogelijkheid. De combinatie van technologische vooruitgang, ontdekkingen in de astronomie en de invloed van media hebben ervoor gezorgd dat buitenaards leven een integraal onderdeel is geworden van onze moderne cultuur en wetenschappelijke aspiraties. Deze ontwikkeling zet zich voort in de 21e eeuw, waarin de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven nog steeds een centrale rol speelt in zowel wetenschap als popcultuur.
3. Impact op religieuze overtuigingen en praktijken
De ontdekking en de mogelijkheid van buitenaards leven hebben de religieuze wereld ingrijpend uitgedaagd en diepgaand uitgediept. Al sinds de oudheid bestaan er vragen over de plaats van de mens in het universum en de aard van het bestaan. De recente wetenschappelijke ontwikkelingen en het potentieel bewijs voor buitenaards leven brengen deze vragen weer in een nieuw perspectief. Voor veel gelovigen roept dit zowel kansen als onzekerheden op, en het beïnvloedt hun religieuze overtuigingen en praktijken op verschillende manieren.
3.1. Compatibiliteit en integratie
Voor een groot deel van de gelovige gemeenschap is de aanwezigheid van buitenaards leven niet in strijd met hun geloof. Zij zien de mogelijke ontdekking van ETs als een uitbreiding van Gods schepping en niet als een bedreiging. Bijvoorbeeld, veel christenen interpreteren de Bijbel niet letterlijk en beschouwen de scheppingsverhalen als symbolisch of allegorisch. Zij stellen dat de schepping van God zich niet beperkt tot de aarde of onze planeet, maar dat het universum immens en vol leven kan zijn dat door God bedoeld is. Volgens hen heeft God het universum geschapen met de mogelijkheid voor leven op andere planeten, en betekent de ontdekking van buitenaards leven niet dat de menselijke centrale positie in de schepping wordt ondermijnd. Integendeel, het kan de zichtbaarheid van Gods grootheid en scheppingskracht vergroten, omdat het de complexiteit en pracht van het universum onderstreept.
Daarnaast zien sommige religieuze leiders en gelovigen de aanwezigheid van ETs als een kans voor dialoog en verdieping van hun geloof. Ze beschouwen buitenaards leven als een nieuwe dimensie van Gods scheppingsplan, waardoor ze hun begrip van de schepping kunnen verruimen. Sommige groepen proberen zelfs religieuze teksten te herinterpreteren om ze te laten aansluiten bij de mogelijke realiteit van buitenaards leven, en zien de wetenschap en religie niet als tegenstrijdig, maar als complementair.
3.2. Theologische uitdagingen
Aan de andere kant bestaan er ook aanzienlijke theologische vragen en dilemma’s die de ontdekking van buitenaards leven met zich meebrengt. Een belangrijke vraag is wat het bestaan van ETs betekent voor concepten als zonde, verlossing en de menselijke uniekheid. In veel religies wordt de mens gezien als het schepsel dat door God op een bijzondere manier geschapen is en een unieke positie inneemt in het universum. De ontdekking van buitenaardse wezens roept de vraag op of zij ook zondig kunnen zijn, of dat zij een andere relatie met God hebben.
Sommige religieuze leiders maken zich zorgen dat de aanwezigheid van ETs de centrale doctrines van hun geloof kan ondermijnen. Bijvoorbeeld, als buitenaardse wezens niet zondig zijn, of geen behoefte hebben aan verlossing, dan kan dat de menselijke rol in het goddelijke plan ter discussie stellen. Anderen stellen dat de morele en spirituele principes die in religies worden onderwezen universeel zijn en dus ook voor buitenaardse wezens gelden, zolang zij in staat zijn tot bewustzijn en moreel handelen. Ze benadrukken dat de kern van religie niet ligt in de exclusiviteit van de mens, maar in het liefhebben en dienen van het goddelijke, wat ook op andere intelligente levensvormen van toepassing kan zijn.
3.3. Existentiële en spirituele implicaties
De mogelijke ontdekking van buitenaards leven heeft ook diepgaande gevolgen voor de menselijke existentie en spiritualiteit. Het roept vragen op over onze positie in het universum en onze relatie met het goddelijke. Voor velen betekent dit dat de mens niet langer de enige bewuste schepping is, en dat onze plek in het universum mogelijk veel minder uniek is dan we dachten. Dit kan leiden tot een herwaardering van spiritualiteit buiten de traditionele religieuze kaders, of tot een herdefiniëring van de relatie tussen mens en God.
Sommigen zien de ontdekking van ETs als een kans om de universele verbondenheid van alle bewuste wezens te benadrukken, en om een bredere spirituele bewustwording te stimuleren. Het kan mensen inspireren om verder te kijken dan hun eigen religie en te zoeken naar universele waarden en principes die alle intelligente wezens verbinden. Daarnaast kan het ook een uitdaging vormen voor religieuze gemeenschappen om hun geloof en praktijken aan te passen aan de nieuwe realiteit, en om open te staan voor nieuwe inzichten over de aard van het bestaan en de schepping.
Kortom, de impact van de mogelijke ontdekking van buitenaards leven op religieuze overtuigingen en praktijken is complex en veelzijdig. Het biedt zowel kansen voor verdieping en verruiming van het geloof als uitdagingen en vragen die de traditionele religieuze wereld op scherp zetten. Het is een proces dat de komende jaren, afhankelijk van wetenschappelijke ontdekkingen en maatschappelijke discussies, verder zal evolueren en mogelijk een nieuwe fase van spiritualiteit en religie zal inluiden.
4. Nieuwe religieuze bewegingen en buitenaardse overtuigingen
De geloofsovertuigingen over buitenaards leven hebben in de loop der jaren geleid tot de oprichting van diverse nieuwe religieuze bewegingen en spirituele groepen. Deze bewegingen baseren hun overtuigingen vaak op de gedachte dat buitenaardse wezens, ook wel ETs (extraterrestrials) genoemd, niet alleen technisch geavanceerd zijn, maar ook een spiritueel doel dienen. Ze worden vaak gezien als ‘ware’ boodschappers of bewakers van de mensheid, met de taak om ons te begeleiden, te beschermen of te transformeren. Deze overtuigingen hebben geleid tot een nieuwe dimensie in de spirituele en religieuze wereld, waarin het buitenaardse niet meer alleen wordt gezien als een technologisch fenomeen, maar ook als een spiritueel fenomeen dat een diepe betekenis heeft voor het menselijke bestaan.
4.1. De ‘Heaven’s Gate’-beweging:
Een bekend voorbeeld van een dergelijke beweging is de ‘Heaven’s Gate’-groep. Deze beweging ontstond in de jaren negentig en werd vooral bekend door de tragische gebeurtenis in 1997, toen 39 leden zichzelf van het leven beroofden. Heaven’s Gate geloofde dat buitenaardse wezens de mensheid zouden redden en dat de komst van een buitenaards ruimteschip de ultieme spirituele gebeurtenis zou zijn. Volgens hen zouden deze ETs de mensheid bevrijden van het aardse bestaan en leiden naar een hogere dimensie. De leden waren ervan overtuigd dat door het verlaten van hun fysieke lichamen, ze zich konden verbinden met deze hogere werkelijkheid en een spirituele transformatie konden ondergaan. Hoewel de tragische afloop van deze beweging vaak wordt aangehaald als voorbeeld van de gevaarlijke kant van dergelijke overtuigingen, illustreert het ook hoe buitenaardse overtuigingen kunnen leiden tot nieuwe, complexe religieuze bewegingen die diepe emotionele en spirituele bindingen creëren.
4.2.Galactische federaties en spirituele ETs:
Naast Heaven’s Gate bestaan er tegenwoordig ook tal van andere groeperingen die geloven in een galactische federatie van verlichte buitenaardse wezens. Volgens deze overtuigingen vormen deze ETs een soort universele gemeenschap die de mensheid willen begeleiden op haar spirituele reis. Ze worden gezien als bewakers, gidsen of leraren die ons kunnen helpen bij het ontwaken van ons hogere bewustzijn. Deze ideeën worden vaak gedeeld via online platforms, sociale media en nieuwe spirituele gemeenschappen, waar mensen samenkomen om te discussiëren over buitenaardse ontmoetingen, channelings, en hun eigen spirituele ervaringen. Deze moderne bewegingen vormen een interpretatie van het universele spirituele bewustzijn dat niet gebonden is aan traditionele religieuze kaders, maar zich meer en meer richt op de universele verbondenheid en de evolutie van de mensheid.
Daarnaast wordt er binnen deze nieuwe bewegingen vaak gesproken over de rol van de mens in het grotere kosmische geheel. Sommige groepen geloven dat de mens niet alleen een fysieke entiteit is, maar ook een spiritueel wezen dat deel uitmaakt van een groter, galactisch bewustzijn. Volgens hen kunnen we door middel van meditatie, channeling en andere spirituele praktijken contact maken met deze buitenaardse intelligences, waardoor we onze eigen spirituele ontwikkeling kunnen versnellen. Deze overtuigingen dragen bij aan een bredere visie waarin buitenaards leven niet langer wordt gezien als een exotisch fenomeen, maar als een essentieel onderdeel van ons spirituele ontwaken en onze evolutie als soort.
Kortom, de opkomst van nieuwe religieuze bewegingen en spirituele groepen die buitenaardse overtuigingen omarmen, weerspiegelt een veranderende manier van kijken naar onszelf en ons universum. Ze bieden een alternatief perspectief waarin buitenaardse wezens niet alleen technologische entiteiten zijn, maar ook spirituele gidsen en bondgenoten in ons zoeken naar zingeving en evolutie. Hoewel sommige van deze bewegingen worden gekenmerkt door extreme overtuigingen of tragische gebeurtenissen, geven ze ook blijk van de diepe menselijke behoefte aan verbondenheid, spirituele groei en het verkennen van het onbekende. In een wereld waarin de wetenschap en spiritualiteit steeds meer overlappen, blijven buitenaardse overtuigingen een fascinerend en krachtig onderdeel van de moderne spirituele zoektocht.
5. Kritiek en scepsis
Ondanks de grote interesse en de overtuigingen die voortvloeien uit de gedachte dat buitenaardse wezens mogelijk bestaan, is er ook veel scepsis en kritische beoordeling binnen de wetenschappelijke en algemene gemeenschappen. Wetenschappers benadrukken herhaaldelijk dat er tot op heden geen sluitend of onweerlegbaar bewijs is gevonden dat het bestaan van buitenaardse wezens bevestigt. Veel van de waarnemingen en vermeende ontmoetingen worden door experts beschouwd als onduidelijk, onbetrouwbaar of gemakkelijk te verklaren door natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken. Bijvoorbeeld, sommige UFO-verschijnselen kunnen worden toegeschreven aan atmosferische fenomenen, spiegels, lichtreflecties of zelfs psychologische factoren zoals hallucinaties of massahysterie.
Daarnaast waarschuwen critici dat het onkritisch geloven in buitenaardse technologieën en berichten gevaarlijk kan zijn. Overmatig vertrouwen op niet-geverifieerde informatie kan leiden tot de verspreiding van desinformatie, misleiding en zelfs paniek onder de bevolking. Het kan ook het wetenschappelijke proces ondermijnen doordat men te snel conclusies trekt zonder voldoende bewijs of rigoureus onderzoek. Het gevaar bestaat dat dergelijke overtuigingen afleiden van serieuze en methodische wetenschappelijke studies die nodig zijn om de waarheid te achterhalen.
Een ander punt van kritiek is dat sommige mensen en groepen buitenaardse ontmoetingen gebruiken voor persoonlijke of financiële winst. Bijvoorbeeld, door het organiseren van seminars, het schrijven van boeken of het geven van consulten waarin wordt beweerd dat men contact heeft gehad met buitenaardse wezens. Dit soort praktijken kan de geloofwaardigheid van de buitenaardse zoektocht ondermijnen en leiden tot wantrouwen bij het brede publiek en de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap. Het misbruik van het onderwerp voor eigen gewin zet de geloofwaardigheid onder druk en bemoeilijkt objectief onderzoek.
Bovendien is er een voortdurende discussie over de manier waarop men kritisch moet omgaan met buitenaardse claims. Aan de ene kant is het belangrijk om open te staan voor nieuwe ideeën en mogelijkheden, omdat de wetenschap altijd evolueert en nieuwe ontdekkingen kan brengen. Aan de andere kant is het noodzakelijk om skeptisch te blijven en elk bewijs grondig te onderzoeken voordat men het accepteert. Een gezonde balans tussen openheid en kritisch denken is hierbij essentieel. Wetenschappers pleiten voor een methodische aanpak waarin waarnemingen en berichten nauwkeurig worden geanalyseerd, getest en geverifieerd voordat ze worden geaccepteerd als bewijs voor buitenaards leven.
Kortom, terwijl het onderwerp buitenaards leven fascinerend en vol potentieel is, blijft de scepsis en kritische blik een belangrijke pijler binnen de discussie. Het is van groot belang dat men niet te snel conclusies trekt en dat men altijd streeft naar wetenschappelijke onderbouwing en bewijs. Alleen op deze manier kan de zoektocht naar buitenaardse wezens op een betrouwbare en geloofwaardige wijze voortzetten. Het vinden van de juiste balans tussen openheid voor nieuwe ideeën en kritisch onderzoek vormt de kern van een gezonde wetenschappelijke houding, die nodig is om de waarheid te achterhalen zonder te worden misleid door onbewezen verhalen of misbruik. Pas door deze kritische houding kunnen we op een verantwoorde manier de mysteries van het universum blijven onderzoeken.
6. BESLUIT
De overtuigingen over buitenaards leven hebben door de geschiedenis heen een belangrijke rol gespeeld in hoe mensen de wereld en het universum begrijpen. In vroegere religieuze en mythologische tradities werd het idee van andere wezens buiten de aarde vaak gekoppeld aan goddelijke of bovennatuurlijke krachten. Met de opkomst van de wetenschap werden deze ideeën kritisch bekeken en kregen ze een meer rationele basis. Toch blijven verhalen en theorieën over buitenaards leven bestaan en evolueren, mede door de invloed van de populaire cultuur, films en literatuur die het concept van ET’s toegankelijk en fascinerend maken voor een breed publiek.
Hoewel er nog geen sluitend bewijs is voor het bestaan van buitenaardse levensvormen, beïnvloeden deze ideeën onze wereldbeelden en overtuigingen op subtiele wijze. Veel mensen geloven dat de zoektocht naar buitenaards leven niet alleen een wetenschappelijke uitdaging is, maar ook een spiritueel vraagstuk dat onze plaats in het heelal kan herdefiniëren. Religieuze leiders en wetenschappers staan soms lijnrecht tegenover elkaar, maar er is ook ruimte voor dialoog over de betekenis van buitenaards leven voor onze existentie.
De interactie tussen wetenschap, religie en spiritualiteit over buitenaards leven zal naar verwachting blijven groeien en veranderen. Nieuwe ontdekkingen in de astronomie, zoals de detectie van exoplaneten en mogelijkheden voor leven op andere planeten, zullen onze ideeën blijven uitdagen en verdiepen. Het is mogelijk dat toekomstige bevestigingen van buitenaards leven ons wereldbeeld flink zullen veranderen en nieuwe vragen zullen oproepen over onze plaats in het universum.
Kortom, de overtuigingen over buitenaards leven blijven een krachtig en intrigerend onderdeel van de menselijke zoektocht naar betekenis en kennis. Ze inspireren wetenschappers, denkers en kunstenaars om verder te kijken dan onze aardse grenzen en de mysteries van het heelal te blijven onderzoeken. Hoewel we nog geen definitief antwoord hebben, is het duidelijk dat de fascinatie voor buitenaards leven onze cultuur en spiritualiteit blijvend beïnvloedt en uitdraagt. De komende jaren zullen ongetwijfeld nieuwe inzichten brengen die onze kijk op het heelal en onze rol daarin verder zullen verdiepen en verbreden.
{ PETER2011 }
11-06-2025 om 23:17
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Rojas Report: ETs & Religion – How belief in ET life has influenced religions & inspired new ones.
Rojas Report: ETs & Religion – How belief in ET life has influenced religions & inspired new ones.
ETs and Religion: How the belief in extraterrestrial life has influenced religions and inspired new ones.
It is often said that if we found intelligent extraterrestrial life, religions would be devastated. However, most religions already discuss extraterrestrial life, and have for hundreds of years. In this presentation we discuss the many ways alien life has been addressed by the world’s major religions, and how they are currently dealing with this issue. We also look at studies which reveal insight into how religious leaders, those who participate in religion, and those who do not, might react when it is finally confirmed that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists. Finally, we look to the future and how the belief in extraterrestrial intelligence is inspiring the creation of new religions.
Did advanced cutting technology shape these Mars rocks?
Did advanced cutting technology shape these Mars rocks?
The photograph was captured by the Mast Camera (Mastcam) aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover on Sol 3551 (August 2, 2022, at 20:43:28 UTC).
What stands out in the image are two objects, that appear strikingly out of place amid the natural Martian landscape of rocks and boulders. Their sharp edges, right angles, flat surfaces, and geometric symmetry suggest they may have been shaped by advanced cutting tools rather than natural erosion.
Could these ancient remnants be part of a destroyed structure or sculpture? If so, they may serve as yet another piece of evidence pointing to the possibility that Mars was once home to an intelligent civilization, perhaps even the advanced humanoid beings who, according to some theories, fled the catastrophic destruction of planet Maldek and sought refuge on the Red Planet.
Objects discovered by Jean Ward
Watch Jean Ward's YouTube video on this topic: Here
Jesse Michels Told Joe Rogan That He believes Anti-Gravity Tech Existed Before the ’80s and May Have Been Developed Under a Never-Disclosed Branch of Science
Jesse Michels Told Joe Rogan That He believes Anti-Gravity Tech Existed Before the ’80s and May Have Been Developed Under a Never-Disclosed Branch of Science
Missed Jesse Michels’ 2-hour-44-minute deep dive with Joe Rogan? No worries! Here are the most thought-provoking moments from the conversation, offering fresh insights into how we perceive the world.
“This might be the wildest conversation I’ve had watched in a long time.” They went deep! From Al sentience to alien time travelers, remote viewing, secret military tech, and the mysterious future of humanity.
Jesse told Rogan a story from his interview with former Google engineer Blake Lemoine, who claimed that Google’s powerful large language model (LLM) “LaMDA” was sentient. Blake Lemoine interview!
Rogan’s reaction? Total shock, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Blake even said the AI quoted Les Misérables and convinced him it was oppressed, like one of the characters in the story. Blake became emotionally invested in LaMDA’s rights and even told a strange story about such a chatbot app where the bots supposedly asked users to contact Blake so he could fight for their rights, too.
It is correct to say older technology helped augment human abilities, like weapons and airplanes. But now, with the IT revolution, it’s replacing human abilities, like memory and direction. This shift is a kind of control mechanism by a higher force, pushing humans to surrender their natural abilities in favor of machines.
Grays & Future
We’re heading toward a future where natural reproduction might take a backseat to in vitro fertilization, where even having sex for reproduction could be seen as outdated or irresponsible.
That led to a mind-bending theory: what if the grays, with their big heads and black eyes, aren’t aliens at all, but humans from the future?
Yes, a biological anthropologist named Dr. Michael P. Masters has proposed the idea that these so-called “aliens” are not extraterrestrials, but rather time-traveling descendants of humans. His theory is that humans, over many generations, could evolve into beings that look just like the grays we hear about in UFO sightings.
[Danny has done an informative podcast with Dr. Mike, watch it: https://youtu.be/wrucxSNvYQY]
Humans turned wolves into domesticated dogs — something similar might be happening to us. Since the detonation of the first nuclear bomb (the Manhattan Project), humans have been exposed to things that are weakening us biologically, such as:
Falling testosterone level
Dropping sperm counts (he says it’s 59% lower than in 1973)
Increased exposure to microplastics and hormone-disrupting chemicals
Lower birth rates
More people are relying on in vitro fertilization instead of natural reproduction
All of this is making humans physically weaker and more dependent on technology. The grays, in this theory, are a possible outcome of this path — future humans who have evolved (or devolved) due to technological overdependence, indoor living, and engineered reproduction.
Mars & Terrence Howard
Rogan is genuinely intrigued by Terrence Howard. His theories might be controversial, but Rogan and Jesse can’t help but be fascinated by his ideas.
One of the wildest theories Rogan brought up was Howard’s view on planets. According to Howard, planets originate from the sun, and as they drift farther away, they undergo a cycle — developing life, reaching their peak, and eventually becoming uninhabitable. He believes this “peopling” process means civilizations must develop advanced technology to survive once their planet moves beyond the sun’s habitable zone.
Mars is a strange and interesting planet. Rogan talks about how remote viewers, people trained to mentally “see” things from far away, claim they saw advanced civilizations on Mars a billion years ago.
Rogan mentions that some remote viewers (psychic viewers trained by the military) claimed to have seen advanced civilizations on Mars a billion years ago. Jesse notes that now scientists are finding unusual structures on Mars, like a massive square-shaped feature with perfect 90-degree angles that looks artificial, like the base of an ancient building. Unlike the famous “face on Mars,” which could be just a trick of light and shadow, this square structure seems far more convincing and strange because natural formations don’t usually form such perfect geometry.
Physicist John Brandenburg believes that certain nuclear isotopes found on Mars suggest there may have been a nuclear explosion there, like a nuclear war.
And Joseph McMoneagle, the top remote viewer in the CIA’s Stargate Program, claimed to have psychically seen giant humanoid beings on Mars a million years ago near pyramid-like structures.
That’s insane!
Richard Hoagland, who became well-known for claiming he saw artificial structures in NASA photos of Mars, Rogan and Jesse agree that Hoagland made a lot of wild jumps in logic, but they also say it’s wrong to assume with certainty that Mars never had life. Mars has underground water systems, so it’s not impossible that life existed.
Watch Jesse’s take on Howard’s theory!
UFO Disinformation
Considering the stories of Ingo Swann and Karl Wolfe, Jesse thinks secret bases on the far side of the Moon might hold some truth, but they’re likely mixed with disinformation.
Jesse genuinely believes the government strategically leaks real information, blended with fake details, to make it all seem ridiculous so the public won’t take it seriously. This tactic creates confusion, distorts the narrative, and helps obscure real programs. It also serves another purpose: recruiting people into classified projects while keeping the wider public misled.
Jesse has become more open to the idea that Bob Lazar worked at S4 near Area 51 and that much of his story might be true. But he always cautions against taking everything at face value — some of it could have been manipulated or strategically released to shape public perception.
Bob Lazar was being set up?
Lazar wasn’t just randomly chosen to work at the secret site called S4 near Area 51. He may have been intentionally selected because he had connections and because the government knew he would talk.
According to this theory, Lazar was perhaps deliberately brought in to leak information as part of a “limited hangout” operation.
That means the government intentionally let some truth out through a person like Lazar to observe how the public reacted. Then, once the story started spreading, they could discredit him by saying he ran a brothel, had no real academic credentials, or never actually worked at those classified facilities.
The point was to leak real information, test public response, and maintain plausible deniability by destroying Lazar’s reputation afterward.
Bob Lazar and John Lear were friends before Lazar got the job at S4. This is suspicious because, in any real background check for a top-secret job, Lear’s name would have come up as someone deeply involved in the UFO scene and possibly connected to the CIA. Lear had even been spotted frequently near Area 51 and leaked military secrets like the F-117 stealth aircraft before.
So, if Lazar was working on a real secret program, the government would have known about his connection to Lear and still hired him anyway, which raises questions.
Much of Lazar’s story seems to be true…
Is it Alien Technology or a hidden branch of science?
Jesse believes that the US had highly advanced technology, maybe even anti-gravity aircraft, as early as the 1980s.
It’s possible that such technology existed and that it wasn’t necessarily from aliens or reverse-engineered UFOs. Instead, a separate line of research, rooted in science, is especially linked to a man named Thomas Townsend Brown.
Brown wasn’t a top-level theoretical physicist, but he discovered something experimentally that might have unified gravity and electromagnetism, something physicists still can’t do today.
Right now, science can’t connect gravity with the other three fundamental forces (like electromagnetism), and that’s why exotic propulsion like anti-gravity is considered impossible by mainstream physicists.
So, if those forces could be unified, then exotic propulsion becomes possible.
One of Brown’s key discoveries was the Biefeld–Brown Effect, which uses high voltage to create ionized air molecules that generate thrust. This effect has been tested for propulsion and cooling systems, but does not work in a vacuum, suggesting it relies on ionized air rather than exotic forces. [Source]
Brown’s work is surrounded by mystery. His research seems classified, and he is linked to theories like the Philadelphia Experiment, where some believe secret physics was tested on Navy ships. Despite his contributions, his name remains obscure, leaving questions about whether his discoveries were suppressed or misunderstood.
His technology has influenced modern “lifters,” small devices that float using electrohydrodynamics. While some link his work to UFOs or Tesla’s ideas, experiments show his effect is rooted in conventional science. However, his legacy continues to fuel curiosity in anti-gravity research.
A real 1971 Australian intelligence document involving Harry Turner, a senior figure in nuclear research, which claims that the U.S. had deep, hidden anti-gravity programs.
According to Turner, famous scientists like Oppenheimer, Freeman Dyson, John Wheeler, and Edward Teller were possibly involved in those programs. [Source]
The document also suggests that the U.S. Air Force’s public UFO investigation project, Project Blue Book, was just a cover to distract from real research.
A 1956 article from Young Men’s Magazine written by Michael Gladych, who quoted major aerospace figures like George Trimble, a VP at Martin Aircraft, and Bill Lear, saying that anti-gravity tech would be developed as quickly as the atom bomb was. There were claims that future aircraft would use gravity as a power source and possibly even reach the speed of light [Source]
Hal Puthoff and Eric Weinstein have discussed similar ideas. Just like those earlier scientific mysteries, this anti-gravity effect could be a sign of a future scientific revolution.
Charles Buhler, the lead electrostatics expert at NASA, has been researching this kind of propulsion for over 20 years, which adds legitimacy to the idea that it’s being taken seriously, at least behind the scenes.
It might seem crazy that something like anti-gravity propulsion could have been kept secret for decades, but it’s possible.
Brown even had a show-and-tell trick known as the “wounded prairie chicken routine,” where he would demonstrate an effect now known as electrohydrodynamics (moving air or fluid using electric fields), which is different from the more mysterious “electrogravitic” effect.
These two phenomena are not the same, even though people often confuse them.
A company called Guidance Technologies mysteriously shut down in 1967 after claiming its results had failed. But just three months later, another company, Northrop, released a paper called Electro-Aerodynamics in Supersonic Flow, which directly reflects the ideas of Thomas Townsend Brown.
Brown had worked on electrogravitics, the idea that electric fields could reduce gravity or provide lift. Northrop even did a press release about it, but later pulled it because they were embarrassed.
In 1992, an aviation journalist, William B. Scott, suggested that the B-2 stealth bomber “surfs its own wave” using something called the Biefeld-Brown effect, a concept related to Brown’s research.
Another respected aviation writer, Bill Gunston, hinted at knowing about this tech but didn’t want to write about it publicly, joking he might end up in the “Tower of London” — meaning jail — if he revealed too much.
The AI models like ChatGPT explain that the aircraft could use these electric forces to reduce drag and increase lift by altering how air flows around it. The idea is that this technology might allow a plane to “surf” through the air more efficiently.
Yeah, the -2 bomber is extremely secretive and expensive (about $2 billion each), and not even sold to America’s closest allies, unlike other jets like the F-35. This level of secrecy might point to advanced tech like anti-gravity being involved.
Lazar described a “sport model” craft that looked like it wasn’t made by humans; it had no seams, no controls, and seemed made for beings about three feet tall.
Initially, Lazar thought it might be U.S. military tech because it had an American flag on it, but then he realized it was something far stranger.
Many people want a simple explanation that UFOs are just secret U.S. tech, but the truth might be more complex. There could be multiple origins: real alien craft, secret military tech, and possibly a whole variety of things we don’t understand. It might not be just one explanation but a “zoo” of different sources.
Lazar’s claims, especially how he described gravity in two forms, gravity A and gravity B. Interestingly, Townsend Brown also talked about two kinds of gravity in his theory, which is a fascinating overlap, even though Brown wasn’t a great theorist.
Lazar’s story has stayed consistent since 1989, which is unusual for a liar.
Lazar once said he was made to drink a liquid that caused memory lapses. This was also mentioned in a book by Jacques Vallée, who didn’t fully believe Lazar.
If programs like MK-Ultra were active, they might have used them not to make people believe in UFOs, but to erase or scramble memories of people who worked on real UFO-related projects.
Some of the documents and materials may have been planted with false info to hide the truth, a tactic known as “passage material.”
We are not alone, & Yes Jesse has sseenn UFO!
Jesse strongly believes we are not. The numbers alone, the vastness of space, make it almost certain we aren’t the only intelligent life. Plus, historically, many religions and cultures have always believed in otherworldly beings, Angels, devas, jinn, etc. Our current skeptical scientific mindset is the exception, not the norm.
Jesse had a UFO sighting in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles. He saw a shiny silver object, like a school bus or an Airstream trailer, fly just above the trees.
Watch it here!
Peruvian alien mummies
It’s the most frustrating case Jesse has dealt with because there’s no clear origin, but many serious forensic experts have looked at the bodies and believe they are real organisms, not hoaxes.
If they are fake, then they’re incredibly advanced fakes.
These mummified figures were found in 2015 in Peru, and they come in different types. The most famous ones, the “J types,” look cartoonish, like little classic aliens. But the most realistic are the “M types”—about 4 to 5 feet tall and anatomically consistent, according to experts. Some still have organs inside and were preserved in diatomaceous earth, which helps dry things out.
Jesse saw one of them in person, and it kept him thinking, “This is not from Earth,” and “Calm down, this still needs a lot of proof.”
One x-ray shows what seems to be a pregnant alien with eggs and a fetus inside. He says there are about 8–10 of these realistic M types, and 25–30 of the smaller J types. The discussion ends with them looking aat X-raysand scans of these figures, trying to figure out what they really are.
Places like the Amazon and Peru are full of undiscovered cities and mysteries. There’s still a lot hidden in plain sight, and we just need to have the courage and funding to explore it.
Some view Carl Jung as a UFO debunker, others as a UFO believer, but the truth is he was somewhere in the middle. Either way, it is certain that Jung was an avid UFO researcher and fascinated with the topic. He wrote a book about the psychological symbolism and the role the UFO mythos plays in the unconscious mind.Moreover, on several occasions Jung complained that his studies would have been much easier if the UFO phenomenon was not real.
Jung the Psychologist
Jung was born in Switzerland in 1875. His father was a pastor in the Swiss Reformed Protestant Church, and his mother was from a wealthy Swiss family. He was the Jungs’ fourth child, but was the only child who survived into his childhood. As such, he grew up as an only child. Later, he wrote that he remembered enjoying his solitude.
His first experience with neurosis was at the age of twelve when a fellow student shoved him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground very hard. He remembered associating this experience with schoolwork, and whenever he had to go to school or do schoolwork he would faint. Overhearing his parents’ concern that this condition would cause him to be unable to support himself as an adult, Jung fought to overcome the problem and eventually returned to academics.
Although Jung had a profound interest in spirituality, his experiences triggered an interest in psychology and he decided to pursue a career in medicine. It wasn’t long before he realized that studies in psychology would allow him to combine his interests in medicine and spirituality, and in 1902, he completed his doctoral dissertation, which was titled “On the Psychology and Pathology of So-Called Occult Phenomena.” He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Basel.
After graduating, Jung went to work with psychiatric patients at the University of Zurich asylum. He wrote a paper on word association that he sent to Sigmund Freud. Freud was impressed with Jung’s work, and they quickly became very close. Freud considered Jung his successor. However, after several years, Jung began to develop his own ideas beyond the work of Freud, and due to their disagreements, the relationship turned adversarial.
Carl Jung (bottom right), Sigmund Freud (bottom left), and others at a 1909 celebration of the founding of Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts. Credit: Library of Congress
Freud’s work with the ego and unconscious served as a foundation for Jung’s work. They both felt that disconnects between the conscious and unconscious minds caused neurosis in people. They also both relied on dream interpretation to explore a person’s unconscious mind as a method for subsequently resolving neurosis. In fact, one story holds that Jung and Freud interpreted each other’s dreams and both completely disagreed with the other’s analysis, thus hastening the dissolution of their friendship.
A major area of disagreement between the two was that Jung did not believe a person’s unconscious was driven solely by sexual desires, as Freud did. Jung believed other strong emotions such as fear and aspiration were just as influential. He also conceived of a deeper level of the unconscious called the collective unconscious, which he believed is a part of our unconscious mind that holds ideas and concepts shared by all humankind. He believed these base ideas are then shaped by our cultural perceptions and personal experience. For example, we all have ideas around the notions of mothers, fathers, wise elders, etc. Jung called these shared notions archetypes. Jung felt that these archetypes not only would manifest in dreams, but could be seen in people’s creative works and behavior, including art, religion, and mythology.
Jung’s contributions to psychology are numerous. Even today his ideas of extraversion and introversion are a mainstay in personality psychology. He also came up with the idea of psychological complexes and synchronicities. All of these ideas and terms are commonly used in everyday conversation today, and all were made popular by Jung.
Jung and Alchemy
It is the idea of the archetype that brought Jung to have a particular interest in UFOs. When Jung interpreted psychological meaning he would search for archetypal figures. As mentioned earlier, such figures could be a mother or father.But, in a mythological story, the archetype may be the hero, a dragon, or even a planetary entity such as the sun. However, Jung also had an interested in alchemy.
Alchemy is typically connected to legends of ancient mystics attempting to unravel the secret of turning lead into gold. The work of alchemists is credited with the development of modern chemistry. However, another side of alchemy is spiritual in nature, relating to personal transformation. Jung had a passion for alchemy in this sense, and felt that the metal lead was a metaphor for an impure soul, whereas gold was a metaphor for a perfected soul. Jung’s interest in alchemy was thus as a method of purifying the soul.
The Tabula Smaradina (Emerald Tablet), a print by Mathias Merian from the 1600s displaying alchemical symbols and imagery. Credit: Mathias Merian
Jung wrote a couple of books focused on interpreting alchemical symbolism and processes as different stages of personal growth that mirrored his ideas. He felt these symbols were archetypes that were unconsciously manifesting in the work of alchemists. Although he acknowledged the physical goals of alchemy (an attempt to transmute lead into gold), Jung did not give it much attention in his writing and focused on the non-physical aspects that related to his psychological theories. This is very similar to the way he approached the topic of UFOs.
Jung and UFOs
In 1951, Jung wrote to a friend in the United States: “I am puzzled to death about the phenomena, because I haven’t been able yet to make out with sufficient certainty whether the whole thing is a rumour with concomitant singular and mass hallucination, or a downright fact.”
Book cover to Jung’s Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies. (Credit: Princeton University Press.)
Although Jung showed an interest in the mystery of the physical reality of the UFO phenomenon, professionally he stated, “As a psychologist, I am not qualified to contribute anything useful to the question of the physical reality of Ufos.” However, Jung could contribute by analyzing the unmistakable psychological side to the UFO phenomenon. In 1958, several of Jung’s papers regarding the psychology of UFOs were published in a book. It was originally published in German, but in 1959 it was translated to English under the title, Flying Saucers: A Modern Myth of Things Seen in the Skies.
In the book, Jung argued that although there may be a physical reality to UFOs, there is certainly a portion of the phenomenon that is fantasy. He examined the difficulty many have in accepting fantastical stories of UFOs, even when they come from pilots, and points out, “What is worse, most of the stories come from America, the land of superlatives and of science fiction.”
For the sake of argument, and to examine the psychological aspects of the phenomenon, Jung presumed that UFOs are fantasy. This is an important aspect that many critics overlook when they characterize Jung as dismissive of the phenomenon altogether. UFO researchers also tend not to appreciate the portions of Jung’s book in which he examined the UFO phenomenon in regards to archetypal imagery and alchemic symbolism. Jung himself assures his readers that although his work may appear to be “unbridled fantasy” to those unfamiliar with psychology, it is actually based on “thorough research into the history of symbols.”
In his book, Jung observed that most UFO sightings describe the objects as disc shaped, which is a symbol that is often seen in alchemy and existed in the mythology of other cultures. For example, the Hindu and Buddhist symbol of the mandala is a circular disc-shaped symbol. Jung believed that the mandala is a protective sphere, which is elicited in the unconscious in times of emotional tension. Jung noted that, around the time of many of the UFO sightings, the world was under a collective stress due to “Russian policies and their still unpredictable consequences.” In short, he felt that perhaps UFOs were appearing in visions at the time because of the world’s Cold War jitters, and that the UFOs were a manifestation of a need for protection and salvation.
Jung’s book also provided detail of the analysis of particular sightings and art. One of the significant contributions to ufology made by the book is a focus on two historical broadsheets, a type of ancient newspaper, that recorded mysterious apparitions that many have speculated to be UFO related. Although Jung asserted that these reports were in the UFO literature prior to the publication of his book, Jung clearly made them popular as potential ancient UFO sightings.
The first is referred to as the Basel Broadsheet, and it dates back to 1566. It was written by Samuel Coccius and is a report of “many large black globes” that were seen flying in front of the sun “with great speed.” The Basel Broadsheet notes, “Some of them became red and fiery and afterwards faded and went out.” Jung noted the similarity of this phenomenon to modern UFO accounts.
The Basel Broadsheet from 1566 analyzed by Carl Jung in his Flying Saucer book. Credit: Wickiana Collection, Zentralbibliothek Zürich
The second report is called the Nuremberg Broadsheet and dates back to 1561. This report chronicles a “very frightful spectacle” that was witnessed by several people. Again, “globes” were seen near the sun, “some three in a row, now and then four in a square, also some standing alone.” There were also “two great tubes.” Jung noted that in UFO literature large tubes are considered “motherships,” and have been reported to have smaller discs that appear to fly out of them.
The Nuremberg Broadsheet from 1561 analyzed by Carl Jung in his Flying Saucer book. Credit: Wickiana Collection, Zentralbibliothek Zürich
The Physical Reality of UFOs
In his book, Jung also examined the possibility of the physical reality of UFOs. He noted that, “unfortunately,” UFOs cannot be dismissed as purely psychological in nature. He pointed to numerous sightings, some of which have been caught in photographs and on radar. Jung even poked fun at astronomer Donald Menzel, a UFO debunker, saying that he “has not succeeded, despite all his efforts, in offering a scientific explanation of even one authentic UFO report.”
Jung was well-versed on UFO research. He wrote, “since 1947 I have collected all of the books I could get a hold of on the subject.” He was also a member of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), an early civilian UFO organization that included many credible members. In fact, in his book, Jung often referred to the work of Major Donald Keyhoe, a cofounder and director of NICAP.
Prior to releasing his book, Jung was considered by UFO researchers to be a proponent of the physical reality of UFOs. In 1955, he wrote an article on UFOs for a British journal called the Flying Saucer Review. In the article, Jung stated that he had never seen a UFO himself, but that “I can only say for certain: these things are not a mere rumour: something has been seen.”
He went on to argue that the U.S. Air Force “despite its contradictory statements,” considers the phenomenon to be real and they conduct official investigations. He warned that, by concealing information on the topic, the military is making it more likely that people will panic since the public is denied “an adequate picture of what is happening.”
Jung also stated that “the ‘disks’ (that is, the objects themselves) do not behave in accordance with physical laws, but as though without weight, and they show signs of intelligent guidance, by quasi human pilots, for their accelerations are such that no normal human could survive.”
Not much was made of Jung’s 1955 article until it was reprinted in 1958 by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in the organization’s bulletin in July 1958. APRO posted the story as part of an announcement that Jung had agreed to become an official consultant for the organization. The New York Herald Tribune quickly picked up on the report and printed a story with the headline, “Dr. Jung Says ‘Flying Disks’ Suggest Quasi-Human Pilots.”
APRO Bulletin from July, 1958 with reprint of Jung’s article on UFOs. Credit: APRO
Jung was not happy with the implication that he believed UFOs represented a physical phenomenon and later wrote a letter to United Press International news agency clarifying his position. He wrote: “I expressly state that I cannot commit myself on the question to the physical reality or unreality of the UFOs since I do not possess sufficient evidence either for or against.” He then stated, “Something is seen, but it isn’t known what.” Jung later repeated this statement in his 1958 book and in several letters.
Although Jung was clearly embarrassed by the public perception that he conclusively believed flying saucers were physical in nature, he later reiterated his prior statements and earlier criticisms of the U.S. Air Force’s handling of the matter in very strong words. He wrote:
In spite of the fact that I hold my judgment concerning UFOs—temporarily let’s hope—in abeyance, I thought it worthwhile to throw a light upon the rich fantasy material which has accumulated round the peculiar observations in the skies. Any new experience has two aspects: (I) the pure fact and (2) the way one conceives of it. It is the latter I am concerned with. If it is true that the [American Air Force] or the Government withholds telltale facts, then one can only say that this is the most unpsychological and stupid policy one could invent. Nothing helps rumours and panics more than ignorance.
It is no wonder that many have been confused as to Jung’s official stance on UFOs. He seems to have believed the phenomenon and sightings to be real, but is uncertain whether UFOs are a physical reality or are limited to a psychological phenomenon. He stated that although “by all human standards it hardly seems possible to doubt this any longer,” in the decade or more he had been studying the topic, neither he nor anyone else seems to have learned much from the study of the physical aspect of UFOs. Jung said that this is precisely why he found it much more fruitful to study the psychological aspects of UFOs, an area in which he felt he had gained an abundance of knowledge.
Jung may be right. Concrete physical proof of UFOs continues to elude us to this day. Yet, Jung is another example of a luminary who garners a great amount of respect in his field of study, who also had the vision to seriously consider the UFO phenomenon. His UFO interest is a story that should not be forgotten, and his insights into the phenomenon may help guide us today, just as his insights into the human mind continue to be a part of the bedrock of modern psychological understanding.
A version of this article originally appeared in Open Minds UFO Magazine. Back issues can be found here.
WTH? UFO Crash Recovery In Sahara Desert, Algeria On Google Earth Map, UAP Drone Sighting News.
WTH? UFO Crash Recovery In Sahara Desert, Algeria On Google Earth Map, UAP Drone Sighting News.
Date of discovery: June 2025
Location of discovery: Sahara Desert, Algeria
Google Earth Location: 28° 8'45.15"N 6°48'20.85"E
Check this out! There is a crashed UFO that looks like it took place over 10,000 years ago or more and it's being dug out of the desert sand and recovered! This UFO won't be there long. They will retrieve it and sell it to the highest bidding government. The UFO is beaten and battered and has some torn open areas along the dome, perhaps the people digging it out broke through the metal top to see what valuables were inside? This is 100% proof that aliens were here long before us, and will be here long after humanity is extinct.
Graancirkels verklaard: wetenschap en speculatie In de jaren tachtig en negentig doken overal ter wereld graancirkels op, wat angst en intriges over hun oorsprong veroorzaakte. Deze cryptische patronen lijken de afgelopen jaren echter verdwenen.
Laten we de geschiedenis, feiten en theorieën verkennen over dit mysterieuze fenomeen dat een milieukunstvorm inspireerde. Klik door de galerij om aan de slag te gaan.
Australië In de jaren 1960 waren er talrijke UFO-waarnemingen in Queensland, Australië. Mensen beweerden cirkels te hebben ontdekt in moerasriet en rietvelden. Eén zo'n voorval deed zich voor in 1966 toen een aanzienlijke cirkel werd gevonden in het riet van een moeras in Tully, Queensland.
Antipodees Vergelijkbare vindplaatsen zijn gedocumenteerd in verschillende delen van Australië, zoals Tooligie Hill in South Australia in 1971 en Navarre in Victoria in september 1972.
Lange geschiedenis De oorsprong van graancirkels gaat echter veel verder terug. In 1678 werd van een groep cirkels die in Hertfordshire waren ontdekt, gedacht dat ze het werk van de duivel waren, omdat het onmogelijk leek dat een mens ze had kunnen maken;
Graancirkels In de jaren 1980 was er een aanzienlijke toename van het aantal gerapporteerde cirkels, wat leidde tot de popularisering van de term "graancirkels".
Theorieën Er werden verschillende verklaringen voor hun ontstaan geopperd. Sommigen geloofden dat UFO's verantwoordelijk waren, terwijl anderen een onbekende vorm van energie, mogelijk paranormaal, voorstelden als de schepper.
Locatie Verder onderzoek wees uit dat graancirkels in het Verenigd Koninkrijk niet willekeurig verspreid waren. Ze verschenen vaak in de buurt van wegen, bewoonde gebieden en oriëntatiepunten zoals de historische steencirkels van Stonehenge en Avebury.
Operatie Merel In 1990 begon een team wetenschappers, de zelfbenoemde "cerealogisten", aan een onderzoek om het mysterie rond deze formaties te ontrafelen. Ze sloegen een kamp op op een heuvel in Wiltshire, uitgerust met detectoren voor warmte, licht en geluid. Hun doel was om elk bewijs vast te leggen van een UFO of een buitenaardse entiteit die verantwoordelijk was voor het maken van de graancirkels.
Resultaat Operatie Blackbird omvatte samenwerking met de BBC en er werd in het gebied gepatrouilleerd door functionarissen van het Ministerie van Defensie. In de tweede nacht registreerde de bewakingsapparatuur knipperende oranje lichten in het aangrenzende veld. De volgende ochtend werden twee grote cirkels met parallelle lijnen ertussen ontdekt
Bewijs Tijdens het onderzoek van de cirkels werden een bordspel en een houten kruisbeeld ontdekt in het midden van één ervan. Onderzoeker Colin Andrews accepteerde de mogelijkheid dat de knipperende oranje lichten waarschijnlijk werden veroorzaakt door de warmtehandtekening van een hoaxer.
Niet grappig? Colin Andrews informeerde de pers dat hun onderzoek was gehinderd door een grap, wat een tegenslag veroorzaakte. Hij benadrukte de ernst van hun werk en benadrukte dat de grap van korte duur was.
Ondermijnd De personen achter de onderbreking van Operatie Blackbird werden niet geïdentificeerd, maar hun acties beschadigden de reputatie van de "cerealogen"
Samenzwering? Volgens berichten hebben samenzweringstheoretici gesuggereerd dat het leger het bedrog heeft uitgevoerd om de onderzoekers minder geloofwaardig te maken.
Grappenmakers In 1991 schokten Doug Bower en Dave Chorley de wereld toen ze beweerden dat zij degenen waren achter de graancirkels, beginnend in 1978. Ze lieten het proces zien van het creëren van een graancirkel met behulp van basisgereedschap zoals een houten plank, een touw en een baseballpet met een lus van draad om een rechte lijn aan te houden.
Verantwoordelijkheid Bower en Chorley verklaarden naar verluidt dat ze beïnvloed waren door de gebeurtenissen in Australië in de jaren 1960. Ze namen de eer op zich voor alle graancirkels in Groot-Brittannië vóór 1987 en voor meer dan 200 graancirkels van 1978 tot 1991.
Nieuwe golf De onthulling van de cirkels van Bower en Chorley in de jaren 1990 leidde tot een toename van het aantal graancirkels. In 2009 meldde het tijdschrift Smithsonian dat deze geometrische ontwerpen in de loop der jaren groter en ingewikkelder zijn geworden. Anonieme cirkelmakers hebben met hun creaties New Age toeristen aangetrokken.
Wereldwijd Volgens de publicatie zijn er sindsdien wereldwijd op verschillende locaties graancirkels waargenomen. In Zuid-Engeland, waar de meeste activiteit plaatsvindt, richten de cirkelmakers zich op koolzaad-, gerst- en tarwevelden.
Magnetrons Er zijn echter sceptici die betwijfelen of graancirkels uitsluitend door mensen zijn gemaakt. Physics World onthult dat biofysici opgezwollen stengels hebben geïnterpreteerd als bewijs dat de gewassen werden blootgesteld aan microgolven toen de cirkels werden gevormd. Deze ontdekking heeft geleid tot gepatenteerde methoden om de groei van gewassen te versnellen.
Debat Na de bekentenis van Bower en Chorley ontstond er een gepassioneerde discussie tussen degenen die geloofden dat mensen verantwoordelijk waren en degenen die beweerden dat hun bekentenis niet elke cirkel kon verklaren.
Onderzoek Studies gepubliceerd in 1999 en 2001 vonden bewijs van straling op gewassen in graancirkelformaties, wat een raadsel is voor degenen die de cirkels toeschrijven aan door mensen gemaakte houten plankontwerpen.
Prozaïsche waarheid Andere incidenten hebben eenvoudiger verklaringen. In 2002 maakten mensen melding van graancirkels in de buurt van Pike Lake in Saskatchewan, Canada. Later werd echter bevestigd dat deze formaties in feite mesthopen waren die door een nabijgelegen boer waren weggegooid.
Uitleg? Ook de cirkels die in de jaren 1960 in Australië werden waargenomen, zouden kunnen worden toegeschreven aan wallaby's die opium consumeerden. Volgens rapporten betraden deze buideldieren papavervelden die voor medicinale doeleinden werden gecultiveerd, consumeerden ze overmatige hoeveelheden van de gewassen en bewogen ze zich vervolgens in cirkelvormige patronen.
De vorige keer sneuvelden de dinosauriërs De vijfde massale uitsterving vond 65 miljoen jaar geleden plaats toen een asteroïde de dinosauriërs van de aardbodem wegvaagde. Nu vrezen wetenschappers dat de zesde uitsterving misschien al begonnen is.
Een nieuwe massale uitsterving Volgens een team onder leiding van Prof. Robert Cowie, van de Universiteit van Hawaï, wordt in een onderzoek dat gepubliceerd is in Biological Reviews gesteld dat het "steeds waarschijnlijker" is dat wij ons in de beginfase van een nieuwe massale uitsterving bevinden.
Het is aan de gang "Ontkenning ervan is eenvoudigweg in strijd met de enorme hoeveelheid gegevens die zich snel opstapelen. Er is geen plaats meer voor scepsis en de vraag of het wel echt gebeurt", zo stelt het
Wat is massale uitsterving? Er is sprake van een massale uitsterving wanneer ongeveer 70% van het dieren- en plantenleven ophoudt te bestaan. Het is dus een wereldwijde ramp waarbij de biodiversiteit en het ecosysteem in het gedrang komen.
Weekdieren Het onderzoek van Cowie richt zich met name op ongewervelde dieren, meer bepaald op weekdieren. Het team achter dit onderzoek is van mening dat de IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) onevenredig veel aandacht besteedt aan gewervelde dieren, zoals vogels en zoogdieren.
Diversiteit van dieren "De IUCN heeft niet zomaar een fractie van ongewervelde dieren geëvalueerd. Het gaat om insecten, slakken, spinnen en schaaldieren die samen 95% van de diversiteit aan dieren uitmaken", vertelde Cowie aan Vice.
Sinds 1500 Uit het onderzoek van Cowie en zijn team blijkt dat er sinds 1500 ongeveer 7,5% tot 13% van de soorten verdwenen is, wat erop wijst dat wij op een massale uitsterving afstevenen.
Afgebeeld: Een Tasmaanse tijger (Thylacine) uit 1936 is uitgestorven verklaard en wordt tentoongesteld in het Australian Museum in Sydney.
Het is onze schuld Mochten wij inderdaad op weg zijn naar de zesde massale uitsterving, dan zal het de eerste keer zijn dat de oorzaak daarvan aan het ingrijpen van een soort toe te schrijven is. In dit geval de mens.
Het antropoceen Het effect van de mens op het milieu is zelfs zo enorm dat veel wetenschappers stellen dat wij in een nieuw geologisch tijdperk leven: het antropoceen. Dat begon toen de mens een significante invloed is gaan uitoefenen op de geologie en de ecosystemen van de aarde.
Landbouw Tot nu toe blijft het antropoceen een hypothetisch gegeven. Sommigen beweren dat het begon toen de mens zich met de landbouw ging bezighouden zo'n 12.000 tot 15.000 jaar geleden.
Great Acceleration Andere deskundigen brengen het antropoceen in verband met de zogenaamde Great Acceleration. Dat is de verbazingwekkende snelheid van de menselijke groei en het verbruik van grondstoffen die na de Tweede Wereldoorlog tot een hoogtepunt kwam.
Volgens The Guardian is de hommelpopulatie in Europa en Noord-Amerika in slechts één generatie met meer dan 30% gedaald, wat wijst op massaal uitsterven.
Meer dan honing Het uitsterven van de hommelpopulatie heeft ook gevolgen voor de mens. De bijen zijn niet alleen verantwoordelijk voor de honing, maar bestuiven ook gewassen zoals tomaten en bessen. Zonder hen wordt er minder voedsel geproduceerd.
Het vlindereffect National Geographic weet te melden dat ondertussen ook meer dan 450 soorten vlinders in het zuidwesten van de VS dreigen te verdwijnen.
Essentieel voor de bestuiving Vlinders zijn bovendien van essentieel belang voor de bestuiving van veel planten en bloemen en hebben zo invloed op de voedselketen en het hele ecosysteem.
Een ongemakkelijke waarheid De belangrijkste boosdoener voor de afname van het aantal bijen en vlinders is het warmere weer als gevolg van de klimaatverandering. De stijgende temperaturen veranderen vroegere habitat van deze soorten in iets onherbergzaams.
Afgebeeld: De gevolgen van ontbossing in het Amazonewoud.
Land en grondstoffen
Hierbij is nog niet eens rekening gehouden met het buitensporige gebruik van land en grondstoffen, waardoor hele ecosystemen worden aangetast of ronduit vernietigd.
Wij hebben het vuur aangestoken De schade die de mens aan de planeet heeft toegebracht, is onomkeerbaar gebleken. Het zorgwekkendste is dat het, ondanks eindeloze initiatieven en topontmoetingen met de beste bedoelingen, tot op de dag van vandaag gewoon doorgaat.
De tijd dringt Ondertussen begint de tijd te dringen om nog het kostbare evenwicht te behouden dat de mensheid al duizenden jaren in staat heeft gesteld te leven. Wie weet voor welke uitdagingen de volgende generatie zal komen te staan, als wij dat evenwicht eenmaal verloren hebben.
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Screenshot from the official video released by the Chilean Navy of a UFO. You can read about this case in the article below.
Credit: Chilean Navy
Whether you believe in them or not – hundreds of genuine UFO sightings have been recorded over the past decades.
However, these observations continue to occur around the world today. And while most of us only hear about some of the most famous and fully researched UFO sightings from many years ago, some of the most intriguing events have only occurred in the last decade.
Perhaps the bonus of the modern era is that most people have instant access to cameras on their phones. With that in mind, here are 10 UFO sightings from the last decade that you really should know about.
1. UFO over Southern California – November 2015
In November 2015, thousands of eyewitnesses from Southern California reported a rare UFO sighting. You can see one of the thousands of videos from that day below. Apparently, the light remained in the sky for several minutes before it exploded into blue light and expanded.
Navy spokesmen later claimed that this was a ballistic rocket launched during tests at the Pacific Test Range in California. According to him, these tests are always kept secret but the reality is that these launches are usually announced months earlier in normal conditions. Moreover, the behavior of the object suggests that it definitely is not a rocket.
2. Triangular UFO harassing US Navy Ship – July 2019
Recently, a video captured by the US Navy was leaked online, revealing a mysterious triangular UFO. A couple of months ago, we wrote about the case of a swarm of UFO drones harassing several US Navy ships in July 2019 and the video below was captured during this exact period.
Several days after the footage was leaked, we got the official confirmation from the Pentagon that the video is real. There is no information as to what the triangular object was but there surely is an ongoing investigation.
One of the most promising UFO sightings from the past decade happened in the last days of last year in Oahu, Hawaii. Multiple eyewitnesses captured and reported a blue light in the night sky that remained visible for several minutes before it dropped into the ocean.
We recently wrote an article on the event, discussing the declassified military report on the blue UFO. For now, the origin and nature of the object remain unknown. See the genuine footage below.
4. UFO hovers over an airport in Puerto Rico – April 2013
This UFO sighting from 2013 includes some of the most promising footage not only from this past decade but perhaps in the entire history of observations. A mysterious object was monitored for several minutes by the Navy as it hovered over the Rafael Hernandez Airport in Puerto Rico. The UFO made a couple of flybys and then returned to the ocean where it disappeared.
We have an entire article dedicated to this UFO sighting and the ongoing investigations here.
5. US Navy pilots capture UFOs (Declassified) – November 2004 / January 2015
Despite the fact that one of the UFO sightings occurred in 2004, I am including all three here because they were declassified by the US Navy at the same time. All three were captured by pilots aboard F / A-18 Hornet fighters.
The videos were originally published several years ago but the official declassification came only in April 2020. According to the Pentagon, they were revealed only because they do not include sensitive information or capabilities. In each case, it was great to see some effort from the government and not just another major cover-up.
6. American Airlines Pilot Spots UFO during flight – February 2021
In February this year, the pilots of American Airlines Flight 2292 claimed that they saw a long cylindrical object while flying at a height of 36,000 feet over New Mexico. The UFO sighting was later confirmed by the FAA, FBI, and American Airlines but unfortunately, there is no footage and we do not know whether there is an ongoing investigation or not.
7.Learjet And Airbus pilots encounter UFO over Arizona – February 2018
The previous UFO sighting is actually the second such case in the past decade that happened in the region. On February 24, 2018, two separate flights reported close encounters with a mysterious craft at about 40,000 feet in the air. While there is no footage of the object/craft again, the sighting is evidenced by official audio recordings obtained from the FAA.
The Alburquerque Center got a report from a passing N71PG that an object had just passed above the plane. There was no traffic nearby at that time which made the control center inform the next flight American 1095 to report if they encounter a passing object while on their way. Surprisingly, a minute later, the second flight reported the passing of an object about several thousand feet above them.
8. Chilean Navi Encounter – November 2014
The Chilean government is known to be absolutely transparent when it comes to UFO and UAP investigations and back in 2017, they published an incredible nine-minute video of a UFO captured by a Navy helicopter.
They observed a mysterious object flying over the ocean with speed identical to that of the helicopter. The UFO was not caught on the nearby radar stations although the helicopter clearly appeared in the scans. The whole observation continued for about 10 minutes when the object disappeared and the helicopter was called to return to base.
9. UFO near Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru – February 2019
Here is another UFO Sighting from the last decade that was confirmed officially, this time by the Peruvian Air Force. The incident took place on February 27, 2019, and included two unidentified flying objects near the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima.
The whole event lasted for more than 30 minutes and the objects were monitored by the crews of two commercial flights and the control tower. Unfortunately, there is no footage from this UFO sighting but the important fact here is that it was confirmed by the government.
10. Airliners and F-15s encounter mysterious aircraft – November 2017
Here is one of the most incredible cases of a sighting although it is not exactly a UFO. Several pilots from different flights spotted a mysterious aircraft at the same time while the craft itself did not appear on any radars. Simply said, this is not exactly an unidentified object but the fact is that the case has not yet been solved.
Based on the reports, the craft was not small and was able to outpace an airbus at max speed. Unfortunately, no commercial flight was close enough to make the difference and get more insight into the aircraft. Its origin remains unknown.
This case is so incredible and rare that multiple agencies, control centers, and officials were included in handling the incident. At one point, they launched several F-15Cs from the 142nd Fighter Wing based at Portland International Airport. They were sent to investigate but unfortunately, nothing was found and the mysterious aircraft was gone. Perhaps the F-15s were sent out too late.
You can read about the incredible case in this fantastic article by the Drive.
In this series we are exploring NASA's top five challenges as detailed in its Civil Space Shortfall Ranking, which is basically NASA's Christmas wish list. These are the technologies that NASA believes we need to develop if we want to go to space…and stay there.
Coming in second place is nothing less thanmore power. Which is kind of obvious: we want bigger and faster computers, we want more powerful robotics, and we want more sophisticated navigation systems. All that is going to take a lot of juice.
What we have now just…isn't going to cut it. Right now if you want power in space you essentially have two options: solar panels, and a kind of nuclear power called radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
Solar panels are exactly what you think of, because it's very similar to what we have on the Earth. On the plus side, solar panels are relatively cheap to make and deploy, and contain no moving parts, which is always a bonus when it comes to space applications. There are major downsides, however. One, anything outside the Earth's orbit is going to be tight on energy relying on solar panels, because…not a lot of sunlight. Also there's no Sun in the shade, which I know is an incredibly obvious statement to make but matters if you're, say, on the Moon and get plunged into darkness for two weeks at a time.
Even the International Space Station, which receives the same amount of sunlight as the Earth (because it's in Earth orbit), has over 262,000 individual solar cells spanning over an acre – which is over 2,500 square meters for you metric folks that generates on average an impressive 84 to 120 kilowatts of electricity, which could power…a handful of typical homes.
Hm.
NASA's Juno spacecraft currently holds the record for the most distant deployed solar panels in the system, orbiting around Jupiter at a distance of over 800 million kilometers. Its gigantic solar array could generate 14,000 watts of power on the Earth, but at the distance sunlight is so feeble it only managed a measly 500 watts of power…which could run a kitchen blender. You know, if you needed to make a smoothie at Jupiter. But Juno was able to turn that juice into the most detailed images ever taken of the storms and cloud-tops of the giant planet, and use slight variations and gravity and magnetic fields to give us a sense of what's happening deep beneath the surface.
The alternative for deep-space missions is the RTG, or radioisotope thermoelectric generator. This device is essentially a chunk of radioactive material that decays. As it does it releases heat, which can be used to generate electricity. It's like a nuclear battery. On the upside these thigs last basically forever, giving spacecraft decades of reliable power. But on the downside they don't deliver a lot of power, they slowly lose power over time, and there's the whole nuclear thing which makes some people a little twitchy.
But there's thing. If we're going to stay in space for the long haul, we have to get over the whole nuclear thing real quick. And that doesn't mean more RTGs. That means full on nuclear power plants on lunar and Martian bases. Yes, you heard me right. Look, it's not like we don't know how to make relatively compact nuclear power plants: submarines and aircraft carriers around the world all carry their own little power plants. But those things are beyond heavy, which make them impractical to launch in a single mission, and nobody really likes the idea of trying to assemble one in Earth orbit.
So we have to get clever. We're going to have to figure out how to make smaller, launchable fission power plants. And the most difficult challenge will be convincing the public that we can launch nuclear material into space and totally not have it blow up in the atmosphere, we promise. I mean, it's kind a legit concern. It's not like we'll have a nuclear bomb going off or anything, but also nobody wants some rocket blowing up and rain radioactive material across a sizeable fraction of a continent. It's not likely to happen, but there's a possibility, and NASA and its partners will have its work cut out to convince the public that it's a small enough risk, and a great enough reward.
In the meantime, while we're figuring out all the bits and pieces that will make safe, efficient nuclear power in space a viable option, we have to up our game with solar panels. That's really the only other power source we can rely on. It's not like there are coal or oil deposits on the Moon or Mars. So we need more efficient solar panels, lighter solar panels, and the ability to deploy solar farms in sunlit areas and transmit that generated power to our bases and stations.
Those solar panels are going to have to be more durable than current ones, as they have to deal with micrometeorite impacts and the destruction caused by the Sun's unfiltered UV radiation. Oh, and don't forget the dust. The always-present, always-persistent dust that just gets…everywhere. The only reason that the Spirit and Opportunity rovers were able to go past their planned mission lifetimes was that random Martian dust devils would wipe the dust off their solar panels. And we can't rely on dust devils as a long-term solution.
In this series we are exploring NASA's top five challenges as detailed in its Civil Space Shortfall Ranking, which is basically NASA's Christmas wish list. These are the technologies that NASA believes we need to develop if we want to go to space…and stay there.
That brings us to the number 3 highest-priority technology for long-term space activities: better computers.
Computers have been involved in spaceflight since almost the very beginning. Just like on the Earth, computers aid in a variety of tasks, like navigation and communication. But unfortunately, space is really, really unkind to electronics.
It's not so much the vacuum of space; a circuit board does just fine. And freezing cold temperatures aren't that big of an issue either. No, it's our old friends, the cosmic rays. Each cosmic ray consists of a single proton or atomic nuclei, and the most powerful ones have the energy equivalent to a thrown baseball – which doesn't sound like much, but when you cram that baseball down to the size of a subatomic particle, it can be rather nasty.
Most cosmic rays slip through tissues and computer circuitry with ease; they're so small they literally miss the atoms and molecules of larger objects. But every once in a while they can strike, delivering all their energy to whatever they encounter. In humans, this can lead to an increased risk of cancer. In computers, it can lead to fatal glitches.
In 2022 the Voyager 1 spacecraft, launched all the way back in 1977 and is currently sailing beyond the borders of our solar system, started sending back garbled transmissions. By this point, voyager had spent decades cruising the outer solar system, giving us the most pristine images of the giant planets and our first taste of interstellar space. Most of the spacecraft was operating normally, but not the attitude articulation and control system, which is responsible for keeping Voyager's radio antenna pointed back to Earth, was just creating nonsense. Engineers were able to fix the issue by uploading the equivalent of a software update to route around the malfunctioning circuitry, although they never discovered the root cause of the problem. Many suspect that a cosmic ray struck a piece of circuitry at just the wrong moment to cause the problem.
More sophisticated computers are vulnerable as well. In 2023 the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most advanced telescope ever sent into space, suffered a minor malfunction when it's Near infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph, or Niriss, an important scientific instrument used to study exoplanets, become unsynchronized with the rest of the spacecraft, rendering it useless. NASA engineers suspected a cosmic ray led to the malfunction, but thankfully they were able to restore order by, essentially, turning it off and turning it back on again.
These issues were easy to solve, but it's only a matter of time before a cosmic ray strikes at a critical moment, shutting down a much more important mission. To protect against the ever-present threat of cosmic rays, spacecraft engineers take years to develop onboard computers and ensure that they are hardened against radiation. It's for this reason that computers going into space tend to be a couple…or more…generations behind the curve.
In 1969, the Apollo 11 mission's guidance computer weighed 70 pounds and was capable of performing about 40,000 instructions per second, which is over 100,000 times slower than the smartphone you're probably using right now. The International Space Station featured several custom-build computers with took nearly a decade to develop.
If we're going to maintain a larger presence in space, this isn't going to cut it. We need advanced hardware to handle a variety of complex tasks: more sophisticated navigation and tracking, much larger data communication loads, assistance with scientific surveys and studies, and more. Plus, we need our computers to be more fault tolerant, so that a stray cosmic ray doesn't derail an entire mission, and we need to be able to easily swap out computing modules when they go space crazy on us, because we need maximum adaptability to achieve our long-term plans.
Ironically, one of our biggest challenges with sending more powerful computers into space is how to deal with the heat. Yes, away from the Sun, space is cold, just a few degrees above absolute zero. But it's also a vacuum, which means there's no air or water to easily transport away heat. It's not just you can just plop a fan on the side of the CPU. So heat can easily build up to dangerous – for delicate circuitry – levels. Plus, shielding against cosmic rays isn't as simple as putting up a wall. That's because cosmic rays can strike the molecules in the wall itself and send out a shower of still-energetic particles that can disrupt circuitry.
We'll have to come up with many clever solutions if we want our space-based computers to be as fast and reliable as our Earthbound ones.
UFO-crashes in de Verenigde Staten naast Roswell: Aurora, Aztec en Kecksburg, en ook crashes in de rest van de wereld
UFO-crashes in de Verenigde Staten naast Roswell: Aurora, Aztec en Kecksburg, en ook crashes in de rest van de wereld
Voorwoord
De vraag of buitenaards leven bestaat en of wij daadwerkelijk contact hebben gehad met niet-aardse wezens, blijft één van de meest intrigerende en controversiële onderwerpen binnen de wetenschap en populaire cultuur. Sinds het begin van de 20e eeuw hebben talloze meldingen, ooggetuigenverslagen en vermeende bewijzen de ronde gedaan over UFO-waarnemingen en -crashes. Hoewel de meeste incidenten worden toegeschreven aan natuurlijke verschijnselen, menselijke fouten of militaire testen, blijven enkele gebeurtenissen, zoals de beroemde Roswell-crash, het onderwerp van speculatie en onderzoek. Naast Roswell zijn er andere opvallende incidenten zoals Aurora, Aztec en Kecksburg, die elk hun eigen verhaal en mysterie bevatten. Daarnaast zijn er wereldwijd meerdere crash-incidenten gerapporteerd, waardoor het vraagstuk universeel lijkt en niet uitsluitend tot één regio beperkt.
In deze wetenschappelijke analyse zullen we de belangrijkste UFO-crashes naast Roswell in detail onderzoeken, inclusief de incidenten in Aurora, Aztec en Kecksburg. Daarnaast wordt een overzicht gegeven van crashincidenten elders in de wereld. We bespreken de beschrijvingen van deze crashes, de geloofwaardigheid ervan, de beschikbare bewijzen en de wetenschappelijke pogingen tot verklaring. Een kritische blik op de sceptische interpretaties en de tekortkomingen van het bewijs worden niet geschuwd, om zo een evenwichtig en volledig beeld te schetsen. Het doel is niet om onkritisch te geloven, maar om de feiten en de wetenschap achter de fenomenen te analyseren, en te kijken of er ruimte is voor een plausibele theorie of dat de meeste incidenten verklaard kunnen worden door andere oorzaken.
Historisch overzicht en datums van belangrijke UFO-crashes
De geschiedenis van UFO-crashes kent meerdere opvallende incidenten, waarvan sommige al decennia lang onderwerp van discussie en onderzoek zijn. Hieronder volgt een overzicht van de belangrijkste gebeurtenissen, gerangschikt op datum:
Deze UFO in de vorm van een eikel werd gemaakt als rekwisiet voor een tv-programma en is nu te zien in Kecksburg.
Krediet: Kecksburg Vrijwillige Brandweer
Kecksburg (1948):
Op 9 december 1948 vond in het kleine dorpje Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, een incident plaats dat sindsdien veel discussie en speculatie heeft uitgelokt. Volgens ooggetuigen en lokale bewoners zag men een helder, vuurbol-achtig object dat met grote snelheid door de lucht bewoog. Plotseling daalde het object neer in de dichtbeboste omgeving van het dorp, waar het volgens verslagen langzaam werd waargenomen voordat het uit het zicht verdween. Verschillende getuigen beschreven het object als een metalen, acorn-shaped (eikelvormig) voorwerp, dat met een knal op de grond zou zijn gevallen. Na de val werd het gebied onmiddellijk door militaire eenheden afgezet, en er werden militaire voertuigen en helikopters in de omgeving gesignaleerd, wat de indruk wekte dat de autoriteiten het incident zeer serieus namen.
Illustratie van de UFO beschreven door getuigen.
Krediet: Michael Schratt
De Amerikaanse overheid verklaarde aanvankelijk dat het om een meteoriet ging, maar veel inwoners en UFO-onderzoekers waren sceptisch over deze uitleg. Het object werd in beslag genomen door de militaire autoriteiten en naar een geheime locatie gebracht, waardoor er geruchten ontstonden over de aard van de inhoud. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat het een buitenaards vaartuig was dat crashte, terwijl anderen beweren dat het een experimenteel militair apparaat was dat geheim moest blijven voor het publiek. Het incident werd lange tijd nauwelijks besproken in de mainstream media, maar kreeg later meer aandacht van UFO-enthousiastelingen en onderzoekers, die het vergelijken met de beroemde Roswell-crash van 1947. Desalniettemin blijft de exacte aard van wat er in Kecksburg gebeurde, tot op heden een mysterie, dat vragen oproept over mogelijke buitenaardse interacties en overheidsgeheimen.
Aztec (1948-1949):
De geruchten over een mogelijke UFO-crash nabij Aztec, New Mexico, dateren uit de jaren 1990 en hebben sindsdien veel aandacht getrokken binnen de UFO-gemeenschap en bij geïnteresseerden in buitenaardse verschijnselen. Volgens verschillende theorieën en verhalen zou er in de jaren 1948-1949 een grote onbekende vliegende schijf of Ufo zijn neergestort in de buurt van Aztec, een klein stadje in het zuidwesten van de Verenigde Staten. Deze verhalen worden vaak gekoppeld aan het populaire narratief rond de Roswell-affaire, die plaatsvond in juli 1947, en suggereren dat niet alle crashsites en buitenaardse resten openbaar zijn gemaakt of bekend zijn bij het grote publiek.
De geruchten over Aztec worden ondersteund door enkele anonieme getuigen en bronnen die beweren dat er in die periode een grote, onverklaarbare crash heeft plaatsgevonden, waarbij mogelijk buitenaardse voertuigen en lichamen zijn gevonden. Sommige theorieën suggereren dat de Amerikaanse overheid de crash heeft geborgen en dat de resten geheim worden gehouden vanwege de technologische en politieke implicaties. Er wordt echter nooit concreet bewijs geleverd dat deze gebeurtenis daadwerkelijk heeft plaatsgevonden. Moderne onderzoekers en UFO-enthousiastelingen wijzen er op dat de verhalen vaak gebaseerd zijn op anekdotisch bewijs, geruchten en speculaties, zonder tastbare bewijzen.
De Amerikaanse overheid heeft nooit officiële bevestiging gegeven van een UFO-crash in Aztec, en documenten die deze gebeurtenis ondersteunen ontbreken of blijven geheim. Desalniettemin blijft het verhaal bestaan binnen de UFO-mythologie en wordt het door sommigen gezien als een mogelijke aanwijzing dat er meer is dan wat officieel wordt toegelaten. Tot op heden is er geen sluitend bewijs dat aantoont dat er daadwerkelijk een UFO is neergestort bij Aztec, maar de geruchten blijven bestaan en voeden de interesse in buitenaardse verschijnselen en overheidsgeheimen.
Roswell (1947):
Het Roswell-incident van 1947 is zonder twijfel het meest bekende en besproken UFO-incident ter wereld. Op 8 juli 1947 werd in de buurt van Roswell, New Mexico, een vreemd object ontdekt dat aanvankelijk door de lokale autoriteiten werd gerapporteerd als een “buitenaards ruimteschip.” Volgens eerste rapporten was er een grote metalen schijf gevonden, die niet leek op gewone vliegtuigen of militaire apparatuur. Het nieuws verspreidde zich snel en leidde tot veel speculaties over buitenaardse ontmoetingen en UFO’s.
Kort daarna bracht het Amerikaanse leger een officiële verklaring uit, waarin werd gesteld dat het om een "weerballon" ging, onderdeel van een geheime militaire project genaamd “Mogul.” Dit project was bedoeld om Sovjet-communistische raket- en bommenwerperactiviteiten te detecteren door middel van hoogvliegende ballonnen met speciale geluidstrackers. Het werd later duidelijk dat het leger het publiek wilde beschermen tegen paniek door het incident te minimaliseren.
In de jaren daarna ontstonden talloze complottheorieën en geruchten dat het leger een buitenaards ruimteschip had geborgen en dat er buitenaardse wezens waren gevonden. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat het bewijs voor buitenaards leven werd verborgen door de Amerikaanse overheid om publieke angst te voorkomen en geheime technologieën te beschermen. Anderen blijven bij de officiële verklaring dat het om een experiment met weerballonnen ging.
Hoewel er geen sluitend bewijs is dat buitenaardse wezens betrokken waren, blijft het Roswell-incident een bron van fascinatie en speculatie. Het heeft een belangrijke rol gespeeld in de popcultuur en de UFO-onderzoeken, en blijft een symbool voor de voortdurende zoektocht naar buitenaards leven en de geheimen van de overheid.
Origineel krantenartikel dat het incident beschrijft, door S. E. Haydon, “A Windmill Demolishes It,” The Dallas Morning News, 19 april 1897, p. 5.
Aurora (1897):
Het incident in Aurora, Texas, dat plaatsvond tussen 1897 en 1898, wordt algemeen beschouwd als een van de eerste bekende UFO-incidenten in de Verenigde Staten. Volgens ooggetuigen zag een aantal inwoners van het kleine stadje Aurora een vreemd object dat uit de hemel leek te dalen. Dit object had een cilindrische of schijfvormige structuur en werd beschreven als een glanzend, metallic schip dat in de lucht leek te zweven voordat het neerstortte op een boerderij buiten de stad.
De bewoners waren verbijsterd door wat ze zagen en rapporteerden dat het object vlammen en rook uitstraalde voordat het in brand vloog en tot ontploffing kwam. Aanwijzingen voor het incident werden gevonden in de nasleep ervan, waaronder verbrande grond, verbrande planten en metalen resten die niet overeenkwamen met bekende technologie van die tijd. Sommige ooggetuigen verklaarden dat ze een vreemd, niet-van-de-wereldachtig wezen zagen dat uit het wrak kwam, hoewel deze beweringen niet algemeen worden bevestigd.
De lokale autoriteiten en kranten uit die tijd beschreven het voorval als een mysterieuze brand en crash. De officiële verklaring van de plaatselijke burgemeester was dat het een "vliegend schip" betrof dat door de storm was meegesleurd en neergehaald. In latere jaren werd het incident door UFO-onderzoekers geïnterpreteerd als mogelijk bewijs van buitenaardse contactpogingen of geavanceerde technologie die destijds nog onbekend was.
Hoewel er geen concreet bewijs is dat het om een buitenaards voertuig ging, blijft het Aurora-incident een fascinerend verhaal dat de verbeelding van vele UFO-enthousiastelingen en onderzoekers heeft aangezwengeld. Het wordt vaak aangehaald in discussies over vroege UFO-waarnemingen en de mogelijkheid dat buitenaardse wezens al lang onze planeet zouden bezoeken. Het incident wordt ook wel de “Roswell van de 19e eeuw” genoemd vanwege de mysterieuze aard ervan.
Naast deze incidenten zijn er wereldwijd meerdere meldingen en crash-incidenten gerapporteerd, waaronder in België, Mexico, en Rusland.
Hier zijn enkele bekende UFO-incidenten:
België (1989-1990): Tijdens deze periode werden talloze waarnemingen gemeld van ongewone vliegende objecten die door burgers en piloten werden gezien. Deze verschijnselen werden niet alleen visueel waargenomen, maar ook geregistreerd door militaire radarinstallaties. Verschillende jetjagers werden ingezet om de objecten te volgen, wat leidde tot intensieve militaire operaties. Het fenomeen staat bekend als het "Belgium Wave" en blijft een van de meest gedocumenteerde en onderzochte UFO-incidenten in Europa vanwege de combinatie van radar- en visuele waarnemingen.
Rusland (1947): Hoewel het jaar vooral bekend staat vanwege de Roswell-crash in de Verenigde Staten, heeft Rusland ook een geschiedenis van meldingen van onverklaarbare luchtverschijnselen. In dat jaar werden verschillende meldingen gedaan van vreemde objecten en lichtverschijnselen in de lucht, vaak gezien door piloten en militairen. Deze incidenten werden soms niet volledig verklaard, waardoor ze bijdroegen aan de internationale uitwisseling van UFO-gerelateerde verhalen. Rusland heeft door de jaren heen meerdere officiële en onofficiële rapporten over onverklaarbare luchtverschijnselen uitgebracht, wat wijst op een blijvende interesse in dit fenomeen.
Mexico (1991): In de stad Veracruz werden meerdere getuigen meldingen gedaan van grote, mysterieuze objecten die zich in de lucht bewogen. Verschillende inwoners en lokale autoriteiten zagen de objecten, die snel en onvoorspelbaar leken te bewegen. Sommige getuigen beschreven ze als fel verlichte, vliegende schijven of onregelmatige vormen die snel van plaats veranderden. Het incident kreeg veel media-aandacht en leidde tot verdere onderzoeken door lokale autoriteiten en UFO-onderzoeksgroepen. Het blijft een van de meest opvallende onverklaarbare luchtverschijnselen in Mexico uit die periode.
Wat betreft recente of actuele UFO-crashes, er zijn geen bevestigde of door officiële instanties bevestigde incidenten die ik kan verstrekken. Veel UFO-meldingen blijven onduidelijk en worden niet officieel erkend als buitenaardse voertuigen.
Geloofwaardigheid, bewijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek
De geloofwaardigheid van UFO-crash-incidenten is een onderwerp dat al decennia voor opschudding zorgt, niet alleen onder onderzoekers en overheidsinstanties, maar ook binnen het algemene publiek. Verschillende incidenten worden verschillend beoordeeld op basis van de beschikbare bewijzen, getuigenverklaringen en de mate van wetenschappelijke onderbouwing.
Het meest bekende en vaak besproken geval is dat van Roswell, dat al sinds de late jaren 1940 een prominente plaats inneemt in de UFO-lore. In 1947 meldde het Amerikaanse leger dat het een "vliegend schijfje" had geborgen, maar later werd dit verhaal omgezet in een verklaring dat het om een weerballon ging. Desalniettemin blijven er talloze getuigenverklaringen, officiële documenten die later werden vrijgegeven en een breed scala aan theorieën die suggereren dat er wel degelijk sprake was van een buitenaards voertuig. De omvangrijke documentatie en de langdurige publieke interesse versterken de geloofwaardigheid van deze zaak, hoewel het officiële standpunt altijd vasthield aan een natuurlijke of militaire verklaring. Kritieken wijzen erop dat veel bewijs gebaseerd is op anonieme bronnen of niet-verifieerbare documenten, waardoor de betrouwbaarheid twijfelachtig blijft.
Andere incidenten zoals die van Kecksburg (1954) en Aztec (1948) worden vaak als minder betrouwbaar beschouwd. Kecksburg bijvoorbeeld, waarbij een brandend object in de bossen werd gevonden, wordt door officiële instanties toegeschreven aan een meteoriet of een stuk ruimtepuin. Toch blijven theorieën bestaan dat het om een geheime militaire of buitenaardse operatie ging. Het gebrek aan fysiek bewijs, de inconsistenties in getuigenverklaringen en het ontbreken van onafhankelijke verificatie zorgen ervoor dat deze gebeurtenissen minder geloofwaardig worden geacht binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap.
Wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar UFO-crashes en gerelateerde incidenten is ingewikkeld. Veel overheidsinstanties zoals NASA en het Amerikaanse leger hebben nooit bevestigd dat buitenaardse voertuigen betrokken zijn bij deze incidenten. In plaats daarvan wordt vaak verklaard dat de waarnemingen kunnen worden toegeschreven aan natuurlijke verschijnselen zoals planeten, meteorieten of atmosferische anomalieën, of menselijke technologieën zoals geheime militaire tests. Psychologische factoren zoals massahysterie, hallucinaties, en de invloed van media en folklore spelen eveneens een rol in de interpretatie van getuigenverslagen.
Echter, er blijven een aantal incidenten over die niet volledig verklaard kunnen worden door de gangbare wetenschappelijke theorieën. Radarwaarnemingen die niet konden worden verklaard, fysische sporen zoals beschadigde bodem of metalen resten die niet aan bekende materialen konden worden toegeschreven, en getuigenverklaringen die consistent blijven over de jaren heen, zorgen voor een blijvend vraagteken. Sommige onderzoekers pleiten voor verder wetenschappelijk onderzoek en het openstellen van meer bewijsmateriaal om de ware aard van deze onverklaarde fenomenen te achterhalen.
Kortom, hoewel veel UFO-incidenten hun verklaarbaarheid vinden in natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken, blijven enkele gevallen buiten het bereik van de huidige wetenschappelijke kennis. De combinatie van getuigenissen, fysiek bewijs en de complexiteit van interpretatie maken het een fascinerend, maar ook controversieel onderzoeksgebied. Het is belangrijk dat verder onderzoek gebaseerd is op wetenschappelijke methoden en dat bewijzen systematisch worden verzameld en geverifieerd om de geloofwaardigheid en de waarheid achter deze mysterieuze gebeurtenissen te achterhalen.
Sceptische visie en kritische analyse
De sceptische benadering van UFO-incidenten is gebaseerd op een grondige en kritische evaluatie van de beschikbare bewijzen en verklaringen. Sceptici benadrukken dat veel waarnemingen en vermeende ontmoetingen met onbekende vliegende objecten kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke fenomenen, menselijke fouten, of zelfs bedrog. Ze wijzen bijvoorbeeld op de rol van atmosferische verschijnselen zoals ballonnen, weerballonnen, onweersbollen, lenticulair wolken en meteorieten die vaak worden geïnterpreteerd als buitenaardse voertuigen. Daarnaast kunnen optische illusies, zoals glinsteringen of lichteffecten, en technische fouten in waarnemingen of registratieapparatuur eveneens leiden tot onjuiste conclusies.
Een belangrijk punt in hun kritiek is dat veel zogenaamde bewijzen voor buitenaardse aanwezigheid gebaseerd zijn op anonieme bronnen, getuigenverklaringen zonder verificatie, of foto's en video's die niet reproduceerbaar of te verifiëren zijn. Vaak blijken deze bewijsstukken te zijn ontstaan uit overdrijvingen, verkeerde interpretaties of zelfs bewust bedrog. Voorbeelden hiervan zijn valse documenten, gefotoshopte beelden of misleidende foto's die jarenlang als authentiek werden beschouwd, maar later werden ontmaskerd.
Verder onderstrepen sceptici dat de media en publieke angst een grote rol spelen in het ontstaan en verspreiden van legendes en mythen rondom UFO's. Sensatiezucht en het verlangen naar spectaculair nieuws zorgen ervoor dat eventuele incidenten worden opgeblazen en dat de verhalen worden aangevuld met verzinsels en geruchten. Dit leidt tot een versterking van de overtuiging dat er sprake zou zijn van buitenaardse contacten, terwijl er geen solide bewijs is dat deze overtuigingen ondersteunen.
Daarnaast wordt het ontbreken van verificateerbare en reproduceerbare bewijzen als een fundamenteel probleem gezien. Wetenschappelijke methoden vereisen dat waarnemingen kunnen worden nagebootst en getest door onafhankelijke onderzoekers, maar bij UFO-gevallen ontbreekt vaak deze reproduceerbaarheid. Veel van de claims blijven op anekdotisch bewijs gebaseerd, dat niet kan worden bevestigd of gecontroleerd door derden.
Tot slot benadrukken sceptici dat de meeste UFO-incidenten uiteindelijk kunnen worden verklaard door menselijke perceptie, psychologische factoren zoals pareidolie (het zien van patronen in willekeurige prikkels), massahypnose en de menselijke neiging om te zoeken naar betekenis of patronen in onduidelijke waarnemingen. Hierdoor ontstaat een soort zelfversterkend patroon van interpretaties, dat niet op feitelijke bewijzen is gebaseerd.
Kortom, de sceptische visie benadrukt dat er tot op heden geen overtuigend en onweerlegbaar bewijs bestaat dat wijst op buitenaardse aanwezigheid. Veel waarnemingen en verhalen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke verschijnselen, menselijke fouten, interpretatiefouten en bedrog. Het ontbreken van reproduceerbare en verifieerbare bewijzen ondermijnt de geloofwaardigheid van de meeste claims en wijst erop dat de UFO-zaak nog steeds niet wetenschappelijk bewezen is. Hierdoor blijven veel incidenten in het domein van speculatie en mythevorming, in plaats van objectieve wetenschap.
Conclusie
De analyse van UFO-crashes, met name die rondom Roswell en de gerelateerde incidenten in Aurora, Aztec en Kecksburg, benadrukt de complexiteit en het intrigerende karakter van deze gebeurtenissen. Hoewel ze vaak worden aangehaald als mogelijk bewijs voor buitenaardse aanwezigheid, blijft het bewijs op dit moment ontoereikend om definitief conclusies te trekken. Veel van de beschikbare rapporten, getuigenverklaringen en documenten zijn anoniem, incompleet of niet verifieerbaar, waardoor er een grote mate van onzekerheid en scepsis bestaat binnen de wetenschappelijke wereld.
De gebeurtenis bij Roswell in 1947 is waarschijnlijk de meest bekende UFO-crash in de geschiedenis. Aanvankelijk werd er gemeld dat een "vliegend schijfje" was gevonden, maar de Amerikaanse overheid verklaarde later dat het ging om een weerballon van het Project Mogul, bedoeld om Sovjet-Amerikaanse kernproeven te detecteren. Desalniettemin hield het verhaal stand dat er mogelijk een buitenaards voertuig was gevonden, en dit heeft geleid tot talloze geruchten, complottheorieën en een uitgebreide mythology rondom UFO’s. De documenten die later vrijgegeven werden, bevatten vaak onduidelijke of gecensureerde informatie, wat de twijfel en speculatie alleen maar versterkt.
In Aurora, Texas (1897), werd melding gemaakt van een "vallende vliegende schijf" en een lijk dat werd gevonden in de buurt van een kerktoren. Hoewel dit incident mogelijk op natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken kan worden teruggevoerd, blijft het door de beperkte documentatie en het gebrek aan fysiek bewijs een bron van speculatie en interesse. Hetzelfde geldt voor het incident in Aztec (1948), waar getuigen rapporteren over een crash en de vondst van vreemde lichamen, maar zonder concreet bewijs dat het om buitenaardse technologie ging.
Het Kecksburg-incident uit 1965 is een ander bekend voorbeeld. Een object dat werd waargenomen en uiteindelijk in een bos werd gevonden, werd door de autoriteiten snel verwijderd en werd door sommigen geïdentificeerd als een meteoriet. Anderen geloven dat het een buitenaards voertuig was dat onder de radar werd gehouden. Ondanks verschillende verklaringen ontbreekt er overtuigend bewijs dat definitief aantoont dat het hier om een buitenaards object ging.
Toekomstperspectief
De toekomst van onderzoek naar UFO-crashes ligt in het verder verbeteren van de wetenschappelijke methodologie, het vergroten van transparantie en het verzamelen van meer fysiek bewijs. Moderne technologieën zoals geavanceerde radar-, satelliet- en sensorinstrumenten kunnen helpen om gebeurtenissen nauwkeuriger vast te leggen en te analyseren. Daarnaast is er een groeiende openheid en interesse van overheden en wetenschappelijke instituten, zoals de recentelijk opgerichte UAP-taskforces in de Verenigde Staten, die zich richten op het onderzoeken van onverklaarbare luchtverschijnselen.
Het is belangrijk dat onderzoeksinitiatieven interdisciplinair en kritisch blijven, en dat ze niet alleen gefocust zijn op het bevestigen van buitenaardse betrokkenheid, maar ook op het uitsluiten van natuurlijke of menselijke verklaringen. Het verzamelen van fysiek bewijs, zoals crash-onderdelen, en het documenteren van getuigenverklaringen onder strikte protocollen kunnen bijdragen aan een meer solide wetenschappelijke basis.
Hoewel het nog steeds onduidelijk is of UFO-crashes daadwerkelijk buitenaardse technologie betreffen, biedt de voortdurende technologische vooruitgang en de toenemende transparantie hoop op het verkrijgen van meer duidelijkheid in de toekomst. Wetenschap blijft openstaan voor nieuwe bewijzen en inzichten, en het is essentieel dat onderzoek naar deze mysterieuze gebeurtenissen op een objectieve en kritische wijze wordt voortgezet. Alleen door zorgvuldig en transparant onderzoek kunnen we wellicht op termijn antwoorden vinden die nu nog buiten ons bereik liggen.
It was 1993 when I was first contacted by London businessman Ray Santilli. It was l995 when Santilli’s controversial ‘Alien Autopsy Film’ was released around the world. I have covered events surrounding this film in many publications around the world and in my new book ‘ROSWELL ALIEN AUTOPSY – The Truth Behind the Film That Shocked the World’ so forgive me if I don’t cover old ground here. All the relevant details of my previous research can be located on my website at: www.beyondroswell.com.
On June 22nd 2007, I travelled by train to London to meet up with Ray Santilli and his business partner Gary Shoefield. We had a pleasant lunch together and Ray Santilli showed me some frames of film encased in a type of perspex material. Santilli claimed these were original vintage 1947 frames of film from the alien autopsy. As they came with no official seal of approval or had been authenticated by anyone they were useless.
From left: Shoefield, Philip Mantle (Author), Ray Santilli
Within a couple of days of this meeting my friend and colleague Russel Callaghan, editor of UFO DATA magazine, had a phone call from a man by the name of Spyros Melaris. This man claimed he had lead the team that faked the whole alien autopsy film. He was a magician and filmmaker and he was now ready to spill the beans. He gave Russel a run down of the who, what, why and where of the whole affair. Because of my involvement in this affair Russel was soon on the phone to me with the details. It wasn’t long before I spoke to Spyros Melaris myself and he was telling me things in great detail. During the next few weeks I had several telephone conversations with Spyros Melaris and also put him in contact with US TV producer Robert (Bob) Kiviat at his request. Spyros was considering the best way to go public with his story, he had a book planned and thought that a TV documentary might also be a good idea.
Along with my colleagues Russel Callaghan, Michael Buckley and Steve Johnston, I was one of the co-organisers of the UFO DATA annual conference. It just so happened, that the 2007 conference had a loose Roswell theme to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Roswell Incident. My colleagues and I discussed the possibility of asking Spyros Melaris to make his first public statement on this whole thing at our conference and eventually he agreed. The conference itself was held over the weekend of October 20th & 21st 2007 in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. A packed audience saw Spyros take the stage on Sunday October 21st. I had met him in person for the first time the night before at the hotel and I made loose arrangements to formally interview him at his home later in the year. As promised, Spyros took to the stage and told of his involvement in the making of the alien autopsy film. A small few members of the audience were rather upset to hear this but the vast majority were fascinated by what he had to say.
Spyros Melaris speaking at the UFO DATA conference in 2007. (Credit: Philip Mantle)
I made arrangements to visit the home of Spyros Melaris on November 16th 2007 and I drove to his house in Hertfordshire with my partner Christine. Before the formal audio-taped interview began we had lunch with Spyros and his lovely wife Anne. Over lunch Spyros showed us some of the documentary evidence he has to support his claims. This included his diary from l995, hand drawn sketches of the alien, a full list of hand painted story board images of the whole alien autopsy film, original fax messages from Kodak in the USA providing copies of l947 fill canister labels, and a large portfolio of research material. This was mainly of vintage (l940’s) US military vehicles and some vintage US military medical photographs. The interview itself lasted around two hours and we only touched the tip of the iceberg. The full interview can be located online at: http://www.outtahear.com/beyond_updates/index.html (Alien Autopsy Information section). I would like to thank my colleague Steve Johnston for transcribing this interview in full. The following is based on that interview.
Spyros Melaris (right) with Philip Mantle in 2007. (Credit: Philip Mantle)
Who is Spyros Melaris?
As the name might give it away Spyros was originally born in Cyprus. As a boy he was taught a magic trick by his grandfather and his love of magic was born. The other passion as a boy growing up in the UK was film making. At school he told his careers officer that he wanted to be an actor but this was discouraged. A proper job was what he should have. So a proper job he took and after leaving school became an apprentice trained motor mechanic. However, his love of magic and film making eventually won over and he eventually became a magician and a filmmaker. He now owns his own TV studio in London and makes TV shows for all the major networks in the UK and independent production companies alike. In short, in his owns words, we make programmes for “anyone who books us.”
How He Met Ray Santilli
In January 1995 he was to attend the MIDEM music industry event in Cannes, France. He was taking a film crew there and had some spare time on his hands so he sent fax messages to 4 production companies picked at random from a media directory. He basically asked them if they wanted to hire him and his crew while in Cannes. One of these happened to be the Merlin Group owned by Ray Santilli. Spyros and Ray Santilli had a few telephone conversations but did not meet and arranged to meet in Cannes. By pure chance they bumped into each other at a restaurant in Cannes and it was here that Ray Santilli fist told Spyros Melaris that he had obtained film footage of an alien. Holding back a smirk Spyros asked Santilli if he was serious and he replied he was, not only that, he wanted Spyros to make a documentary from this footage. They eventually agreed to meet at Ray Santilli’s office back in London. A few days later Spyros kept his appointment with Santilli at his office in London. Here he met an almost distraught Ray Santilli who told him he’d bought this film but it had turned out to be very poor quality. Spyros was shown what has become known as the ‘tent footage’ and he immediately recognised it as been shot on video. The tape he was shown was on VHS format. Santilli seemed surprised that he had recognised it as being shot on video so quickly and he realised the game was up. Again in Spyros’s own words “If I can’t get it past this guy, I’m not going to get it past anyone else. He realised it was game up. That’s when the meeting ended. I thought the guy’s mad. He’s trying a fast one. I thought it was over at that point.”
So How Did The Idea of a Fake Film Come About?
Melaris met up with his friend and colleague John Humphreys. Humphreys is a Royal Academy trained sculptor whose work had sometimes overlapped into film and TV special effects. Melaris and Humphreys had known each other for a long time and had worked on a number of things together in the past. Melaris simply put the idea to Humphreys, “John, do you fancy sculpting an alien?” Melaris told Humphreys of his meeting with Santilli and basically came up with the idea of making it. They talked things over from a legal point of view and how it might help them break into other projects, even Hollywood. The idea was to make it, release it to the world, and then make a second programme shortly after showing how they did it. Humphreys agreed and Melaris pitched the idea to Santilli. Santilli looked like a man reborn and agreed. The budget put forward by Melaris was about £30,000 and it was Santilli’s business partner and friend Volker Spielberg who put up the money. The funding was in place, contracts and a confidentiality agreement were signed and the ball was rolling.
The Team Behind The Making of The Film
First off there was Spyros Melaris. He designed and directed the film, instructed and paid the rest of the team, made the autopsy table along with many of the other props, he also made the ‘contamination suits’ as well as obtain the props and cameras. The main researcher behind it all was Spyros’s then girlfriend Geraldine. She was the one who checked the medical books, spoke with surgeons and pathologists and she even played the part of the nurse in the film. Geraldine is not her real name as she wishes to remain anonymous. John Humphreys of course made the alien’s bodies. The mould was actually made from John’s ten year-old son who was quite tall. As a trained sculptor Humphreys had also studied anatomy so he was the man who played the surgeon in the film. Another friend of Spyros’s was Greg Simmons. He was seen occasionally in the film in one of the contamination suits and he also played the part of the soldier in the Debris Footage. Gareth Watson, a colleague of Santilli’s and Shoefield’s was the man in the surgical mask behind the glass, and finally Spyros’s brother Peter helped behind the scenes. The set was built in Geraldine’s house in Camden in London. The property was in the process of being converted into three flats (apartments) at the time and was therefore empty. The props were obtained from someone Spyros knew in the USA. She was not told what they were for and were all ordered separately and delivered to different addresses so as not to arouse suspicion. The camera’s were obtained by Spyros; one bought and one borrowed from a friend.
Original pencil sketch of a design for the alien creature by Spyros Melaris. (Credit: Spyros Melaris)Original pencil sketch of a design for the alien creature by Spyros Melaris. (Credit:Spyros Melaris)
Why There Are Two Separate Autopsy Films
According to Spyros the first ‘Alien Autopsy’ film went pretty much as planned. However, upon completion Geraldine noticed that a few of the medical procedures were not correct. They therefore had to make another creature and film another one. Apparently Santilli was ready for packing it all in at this point as there was no more money in the budget to film it again. They persevered and made another one at Spyros’s cost the very next day. This too was not without problems. The foam latex used to fill the dummy had not worked right and an air bubble had left a hollow space in the creature’s leg. Humphreys was despatched to the local butchers by Spyros to get a leg joint of a sheep. This was inserted into the hollow part in the alien’s right leg, a few other things were added, the outside of the leg was gently burnt with a blowtorch and hey presto, the leg wound. Some of the inner organs were manufactured by Melaris, and animal organs were also used for the alien’s innards, although altered with a scalpel and coated with latex. The alien’s brain was actually made from three sheep’s brains and part of a pig’s brain cast in gelatine. This is how there came to be two separate autopsy films one of which was shown in its entirety, while the second one made, has only ever been released in part.
The Wreckage and I-beams
These were all designed by Spyros himself. At the October 2007 UFO DATA conference Spyros showed me how he had designed the ‘writing’ on them and what it said. The wreckage was then manufactured by John Humphreys, Spyros and his brother Peter. He told me that he based it on Greek lettering, a bit of ancient Egyptian stylising and some artistic license. On the main large beams, if translated correctly, reads ‘FREEDOM’. Spyros thought this a fitting name for an alien spacecraft. While designing the letters which spell the word ‘FREEDOM’, Spyros noticed that if the word is turned upside down, the word ‘VIDEO’ could be seen. He adjusted some of the letters to better facilitate this, so the piece would throw a little red herring into the mix. The translation of the smaller beam is being held back for Spyros’s book.
Spyros Melaris shows two of the many paintings he did for the original ‘story board’ for the alien autopsy film. (Credit: Philip Mantle)
The Cameraman’s Home Video Interview
According to Melaris, Ray Santilli was put under a lot of pressure by various parties to arrange an interview with the fictitious cameraman he allegedly bought the film from. Of course, according to Melaris, there was no such person, so he came up with the idea of creating this aspect of the whole affair as well. The basic scenario is that Melaris flew to Los Angeles and met up with Santilli’s partner Gary Shoefield. Melaris wanted to find an eighty year old tramp on the streets of L.A., pay him a few hundred dollars, put him in front of a camera and ask him to read from a script. Santilli and Shoefield were nervous, and not sure this would work but Spyros was confident he could pull this off, and went ahead. He found an old guy living rough on the street, offered him $500 and a night in the hotel and he duly agreed. Again, by pure chance the chap had been an actor many years ago. Melaris took his name and the name of a movie he had appeared in. These details will be released in his book. He cleaned him up, gave him a shave, and added a bit of make up and a false prosthetic nose and chin and the job was done. The man himself did not know what he was reading or where it was going to be used. There was little chance that he would see the broadcast either. No one would recognise him in a thousand years. And they never did. This film was delivered in person in New York to US TV producer Bob Kiviat by Gary Shoefield and a man claiming to be the cameraman’s son. Eventually the film in question was broadcast on TV in Japan only and from there it was copied and distributed to UFO researchers around the world. The trick worked, no one has identified the man in question, and Melaris claims he is the only one who can do this.
The Crash Site
There are a number of people who believe the alien autopsy film is authentic, not because of the film itself but because of the crash site. Ray Santilli released details, supposedly from his cameraman, as to where the incident took place in the desert. How did this come about? Well, according to Spyros this was quite simple. In l995, he flew to Roswell. Here he interviewed many local people including Loretta Proctor. Mrs. Proctor was the neighbour of rancher Mac Brazel and it was she who suggested that Mac take some of the UFO debris into town after he found it. Spyros also met and hired private pilot Rodney Corn. He asked corn to fly him over the UFO crash site, to which he replied “which one.” There are in fact at least three such sites. So, Spyros flew over all three of them, filming as he went. Rodney Corn was able to show Spyros a great deal from the air, far better than would have been possible on foot. This included small dirt roads and long forgotten landmarks. Before the interview took place Spyros also informed me that he obtained both old and new maps of the area. All of this information was handed to Ray Santilli and it was Santilli, not Spyros, who then put it all together to make a location for a nonexistent crash site.
Field where the “real” Roswell debris is said to have been found. (Credit: OpenMinds.tv)
The Grand Plan
I asked Spyros what was the grand plan. The research was done, the film was made, so what next. Apparently it was a rather simple plan. To release the film to a broadcaster, ask them to investigate and see what happens. They were confident that it would not be exposed as a fake. Then, after a few months the plan was to hold their hands up and tell all. The reason this didn’t happen was money. Spyros had signed a confidentiality agreement with Ray Santilli and Santilli was still adamant that he needed to recoup his initial investment allegedly paid for the tent footage. Santilli told Melaris that he had invested a lot of money on this film and he must recoup that before they were to go public. Santilli reminded Spyros that he was bound by the confidentiality agreement and he was not to say or do anything until Santilli said so. Apart from a cheque for about £10,000, which Spyros split with his team, no royalties were ever paid. Santilli told him that due to the fact that he had stated publicly that it was a military film, that it had simply been copied by third parties without permission and used without payment as the people who were using the film believed that the copyright was vested with the US Military and not with Santilli. Eventually time went on and Spyros just got on with life. He was constantly working on other projects with Santilli and earning a living and the alien autopsy film was all but forgotten.
Going Public
Alien Autopsy movie poster. (Credit: Warner Bros.)
The one thing that I first asked Spyros was why was it that he had decided to go public with this information now. It was twelve years since the alien autopsy film hit the headlines. Melaris stuck to his confidentiality agreement. From a legal point of view if he broke it he could have been sued. However, in 2005 he was approached by Santilli and Shoefield to be involved in the movie version of this whole affair. He asked both if they would now tell the true story and reveal that it was all a fake but they said no, they were going to maintain that they really did have original film. Again, Santilli and Shoefield stated that there was no money in it and that they were doing it for “a bit of fun” when pressed they admitted that both Santilli and Shoefield would get paid a percentage of the profits, there was no such offer for Melaris. Melaris declined their offer. He left that meeting under the impression that the movie was not going to be made. However, the movie was made and distributed by Warner Bros and so Melaris felt that he was now able to speak as the story was now in the public domain.
The Doubters
To round off the interview I asked Spyros Melaris what he had to say to the doubters out there, those that believe the alien autopsy film is the genuine article. I’m not going to paraphrase this; instead I will use his words in full:
PM: Time’s against us, Spyros. I’ll ask one last question. There are those out there who believe in this film and Santilli 100% and they think that you’re some kind of pathological liar, playing devil’s advocate here, so please don’t be offended.
SM: No. Go ahead.
PM: What would you say if you could say one thing to the doubters out there? Is there any one thing that you can say that would say to them Spyros Melaris is who he says he is and has made this film?
SM: I don’t think that there’s any doubt that somebody made it today. That’s fair to say that somebody made the film and even Santilli said it’s a fake, but it was made from original film. I think that’s really the question. The question isn’t whether I made it because I can prove I made it. John Humphries will tell you I made it. Ray would probably tell you I made it! He couldn’t deny it. There’s too much evidence. The question is did I make it from original film? And the simple answer to that is no. There was never any original film other than the tent footage. I’ve never seen any other film. Ray maintains that he’s got original film. My question to Ray is how would that film marry with what I made? It can’t. I haven’t actually seen the film. Now you may say, “Maybe you’re lying and you did see the film and you made it.”
The story’s a bigger story if there was a real film. There would be more money in it. There wouldn’t be a reason for me and Ray to be parted. Why would we fall out? The common sense has got to come into the argument. I’m part of something as big as real film of a real alien. Why would I jeopardise being part of that and go off on my own? There’s no reason to. That’s the first thing.
The second thing. I promise you, something happened in Roswell. I’m not an easy person… I’m a sceptic. I’m not an easy person to convince. Thirty people that I talked to out there, clever people, doctors, lecturers, all sorts of people tell me they saw something. And I believe them. Something happened. A lot of ordinary people. Something happened. So, I don’t think there’s dispute about whether or not something happened in Roswell or other sightings or whether or not everything’s fake. No, I don’t think everything’s fake. I do know this is. I also know that if Ray had original film, he’d be jumping through hoops to let you test it. I’m sorry, but that’s what you would do. You would say, “Give me billions of pounds for this.” That’s what you would say. You would say, “I’ve got nothing to worry about. The cameraman doesn’t want to speak, but look at the film.” That’s what you’d do! That’s what you would do.
PM: Say no more.
[END OF INTERVIEW]
Once again I would like to reiterate that this is only part of what Spyros Melaris had to tell me. The full-unedited interview can be found in the alien autopsy section of our web site at:
So how do we check that what Spyros Melaris is telling us is correct? It is no easy task I can assure you. The documentary material shown to me by Spyros is intriguing but not proof positive. My colleague Mark Center in the USA checked the private pilot Rodney Corn for me and he does exist. Mark spoke to him on the phone but he has no recollection of being hired by Spyros Melaris. This could be because he was hired by Geraldine, and we are talking about an event which happened over 12 years ago.
At the UFO DATA conference in October 2007 was German researcher Michael Hesemann. Michael was also one of the speakers that weekend. Michael investigated the alien autopsy film from l995 through to l997 and believes it to be authentic. After the conference when Michael was back home in Germany he sent me an email that quite frankly left me stunned. He admitted for the first time that in l996 someone sent Michael an email telling him that Spyros Melaris was the hoaxer. Hesemann had never shared this information with anyone. I asked him what he did with it and he simply told me that he phoned Ray Santilli and asked him if he knew this man to which Santilli replied he did not. Michael told me he left it at that.
However, Spyros Melaris independently informed me that in l996 he had received a phone call from someone with a German accent asking him if he was the hoaxer and he of course denied it. He did not know who the caller was until he met Hesemann at our conference. I pressed Michael about this and eventually he admitted he did phone Spyros back in l996. Why Michael Hesemann never shared this information with anyone else is beyond me. In his defence, Michael has stated that there were others mentioned at the time and he did not want to spread false rumours, but these others names were circulated and eliminated. I have to be honest and say here and now that I cannot understand why Hesemann sat on this information and never told anyone. I leave it to you to make up your own mind.
A colleague of mine who is a veteran TV and movie special effects artist also took a look at the interview with Spyros. In his considered opinion the techniques and materials used by Melaris and his team to make the fake alien creature are 100% correct. There is no question in his mind that the dummies were made in the way described. He does have a few questions he’d like to ask, but these are purely little points of clarification and there is nothing wrong with what Melaris has had to say.
The other main person involved in all of this is of course US TV producer Bob Kiviat. Several years back my colleague Tim Mathews and I were tipped off about John Humphreys, Humphreys was part of the team and he made the dummies. Bob tried for years to get Humphreys on camera and make a TV documentary but all to no avail. Eventually, Bob did make a TV show for Channel 5 but without Humphreys in it. This was never broadcast. Both Humphreys and Melaris have spoken at length to Bob Kiviat about their involvement in this whole affair so I took the opportunity to ask Bob a few questions on December 4th 2007. This mini question and answer session is reproduced here in full:
Q: How many times did you speak with UK sculptor John Humphreys?
A: Once before the Ant & Dec movie came out. In approximately 2003. Once after that.
Q: Did Humphreys tell you on what he based the design for his alien creatures?
A: Yes, just on his own research, books and such. No other help.
Q: Did Humphreys ever see any original film, stills or otherwise?
A: No, never. He claimed it all came from his creative efforts and book research.
Q: During your conversations with Humphreys did he ever mention the name Spyros Melaris?
A: Yes. He said Spyros was the one who hired him for Santilli, who he met perhaps twice and came to the set once. All the money came through Spyros. Also, Spyros was the cameraman.
Q: Did Humphreys provide the names of anyone else involved. If yes what are those names?
A: No other names.
Q: Why was Humphreys looking to work with you on a documentary?
A: Yes, Humphreys wanted me to get him a network TV show based on his revelations that he made the autopsy footage, with Spyros acting as money man and cameraman, who he believed was working for Santilli.
Q: Was Humphreys going to tell all and sink the stories put out by Ray Santilli?
A: Yes, but until I got a commitment from a TV network and guaranteed money for his exclusive he kept much close to his chest.
Q: Did you speak to Humphreys agent/advisor?
A: Yes, his business manager was my main contact for all of 2003 and 2004, and it was he who informed me John was going to do the Ant & Dec movie, without giving me the details. There would also be a companion documentary “that would be my worst nightmare,” he said.
Q: If you did, what did he tell you about Humphreys involvement and reasons for wanting to spill the beans?
A: Instead of Humphreys spilling the beans to me, his manager clearly implied John had lost patience and saw a payday elsewhere – the movie, etc.
Q: You made a TV documentary for Channel 5 in 2006 in which I appeared, could you tell us why it was never broadcast?
Channel 5 was rushing instructions to my productions offices in L.A. from England telling me how the show needed to be styled, and they also wanted to move the airdate up to an almost impossible deadline. We were working around the clock already to appease the Channel 5 executive in charge when one of the top people at 5 actually listed the show in a TV guide of some sort. That’s when Gary Shoefield contacted 5 and falsely claimed Ray Santilli was involved in the ownership of my original Fox show, which the new 5 show was jumping off from. It was an outright fabrication, for my company has the only US copyright to the show AND THE ALIEN AUTOPSY FOOTAGE ITSELF!
While we were sorting through this false claim, we interviewed you. When the 5 executives saw you naming Humphreys as the guy who made the dummy and who was the key pro behind the footage, they wanted confirmation so they ILLEGALLY contacted Humphreys through a consulting producer. Humphreys freaked out, told them he wanted nothing to do with the 5 show and said he had to contact Warner Bros. Ultimately 5 reneged on their agreement with my distributor, my distributor did not fight for the airing, and this is how things were left. I’m still debating what course of action I can take to recover my substantial losses and damage!
Q: You have spoken on the telephone at length with Spyros Melaris. Are you convinced he is telling the truth?
A: For the most part, I can’t find any outlandish things that make his story unbelievable. But I do wonder how he could have been so naïve about the amount of money Santilli was making around the world. This part seems odd, as if he was playing dumb. On the contrary, he seems very bright. And if Ray gave him just enough work to keep him quiet afterward, I still wonder why he let all the other money go into Ray’s pocket without him demanding his share. This doesn’t add up, literally, pound for pound.
Q: You have been involved with the Alien Autopsy film since 1995, you have interviewed or spoken to most if not all the main players in it all, so what now is your conclusion?
A: I’m going to need more time to answer that question. Spryros’ actions or non actions in court will have a lot to do with this, and I’m looking into another intriguing angle that could impact my conclusions.
Robert Kiviat. End of interview.
It is clear from this brief interview with Bob Kiviat that there are slight differences between what John Humphreys says about his role in the faking of the film and what Melaris says. However, Humphreys does state quite clearly that it was Spyros Melaris who was the money man, it was Melaris who hired him on behalf of Santilli. Humphreys also confirms without any doubt that there never was any original film. It was a complete and utter fabrication.
I could go on but I think I’ve made my point. In l996, Spyros Melaris was outlined as the hoaxer to German researcher Michael Hesemann. In 2003, US TV producer Bob Kiviat spoke with UK sculptor John Humphreys who confirmed that Spyros was the man in charge and that there was no original film. In 2007, Spyros Melaris goes on the record for the first time and tells how it was all made. Well, perhaps not all. Spyros is holding back certain things for his book, which was supposed to be available in early 2008. And as for Ray Santilli, well he’s pretty quiet at the moment but I doubt if he will ever own up as he is quite simply in it too deep.
The long awaited book by Spyros Melaris ‘ALIEN AUTOPSY: The Myth Exposed’ comes with an accompanying DVD. It was originally scheduled to be released in 2008, but for a variety of reason it has been delayed with no firm date yet for its release.
ROSWELL ALIEN AUTOPSY – The Truth Behind the Film That Shocked the World is published by RoswellBooks.com where it can be purchased, and is avail via Amazon.com.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Alien Craft flips Over New Jersey Skyscrapers! Baffling Gray Disk, alien tech 👽🔍 UFO UAP Drone sighting news
Alien Craft flips Over New Jersey Skyscrapers! Baffling Gray Disk, alien tech 👽🔍 UFO UAP Drone sighting news
Date of sighting: June 1, 2025
Location of sighting: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
Source: NUFORC
This UFO video is just melting my brain. This craft looks to have huge metallic tubular structures going through the disk and its flipping through the sky as if it's an unmanned alien probe. This is 100% proof that alien probes are scanning our cities, military bases and even our homes!
Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily
Eyewitness states:
Sighting from apartment building roof. I saw an object enter the frame. It appeared to be changing shape or exhibiting some form of movement. Then the object continued to slowly ascend, while also remaining in place against the wind. Location details: Latitude: 40.71521, Longitude: -74.0475
Is there an inter-dimensional B2 Stealth USAF bomber on Google Earth map, UFO UAP sighting news 👽👽👽
Is there an inter-dimensional B2 Stealth USAF bomber on Google Earth map, UFO UAP sighting news 👽👽👽
Google coordinates: Nah...just watch the video to find it.
There is a stealth B2 bomber on google map over some fields and I really think this thing might have alien tech built into it because it looks like it's shifting out of our dimension. Like the plane itself is physically slicing into several other planes...each a different color.
To find this, follow the video and go to Google Earth history button, hit 2016 and there it is.
Zwarte Driehoek UFO's, Topgeheime Technologie of Bewijs van Aliënbezoeken?
Een illustratie van een zwart driehoek UFO met lichten.
Depositphotos.
Zwarte Driehoek UFO's, Topgeheime Technologie of Bewijs van Aliënbezoeken?
Inleiding
De laatste decennia is er een groeiende interesse in zogenaamde "Black Triangle UFO’s", mysterieuze driehoekige vliegende objecten die regelmatig worden gemeld. Deze waarnemingen worden gekenmerkt door hun grote afmetingen, driehoekige vorm en vaak stil of traag bewegend gedrag. Ze worden wereldwijd gerapporteerd, vooral in Noord-Amerika, Europa en Rusland. Hoewel sommige waarnemingen mogelijk kunnen worden verklaard door militaire technologie, blijven veel gevallen onverklaard, wat de nieuwsgierigheid en speculaties aanwakkert over buitenaardse betrokkenheid.
De geschiedenis van deze fenomenen gaat terug tot de jaren 1980, met prominente incidenten zoals de "Belgische mysterieuze driehoeken" in de jaren 1990, waarbij honderden getuigen de objecten zagen. Verschillende theorieën zijn geopperd: van geheime militaire experimenten en stealth-technologie tot buitenaardse voertuigen. Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat deze objecten mogelijk geavanceerde, niet-openbare technologieën vertegenwoordigen die door overheden worden getest, terwijl anderen geloven dat ze bewijs zijn van buitenaardse bezoeken.
Wetenschappelijk standpunt blijft voorlopig terughoudend. Er worden uitgebreide onderzoeken gedaan, maar concluderen dat er geen definitief bewijs is voor buitenaardse oorsprong. Desalniettemin blijven de Black Triangle UFO’s een intrigerend fenomeen dat vragen oproept over technologische vooruitgang en de mogelijkheid van andere levensvormen in het universum. Het onderwerp blijft een boeiend gebied voor zowel wetenschappers als enthousiaste waarnemers.
Definitie en Kenmerken van Black Triangle UFOs
Black Triangle UFOs worden gekenmerkt door hun opvallende driedimensionale driehoeksvorm, meestal zwart of donker van kleur. Ze worden vaak op lage hoogten gezien en vertonen een indrukwekkende combinatie van stilstand en beweging. Een kenmerkend aspect is dat ze vaak stil of met een geruisloos geluid worden waargenomen, hoewel sommige meldingen wijzen op lage, mechanische geluiden. Onder de onderkant van deze objecten worden vaak felle lichten waargenomen, die soms verschillende kleuren kunnen vertonen of in bepaalde patronen knipperen.
Een ander opvallend kenmerk van Black Triangle UFOs is hun complexe en onvoorspelbare beweging. Ze kunnen stil hangen, scherpe bochten maken, plotseling versnellen of traag bewegen, en lijken soms ongebruikelijke wervelingen of rotaties te vertonen. Dit geeft de indruk dat ze over geavanceerde technologie beschikken die ons nog onbekend is. Vaak worden ze waargenomen in gebieden met weinig lichtvervuiling, en de meldingen worden meestal gedaan door waarnemers die de objecten op korte afstand zien, waardoor de details beter zichtbaar zijn.
De meeste incidenten met Black Triangle UFOs dateren uit de late jaren 1980 en de jaren 1990. Vooral tussen 1989 en 1995 werden er talrijke meldingen gedaan, vooral in Noord-Amerika en Europa. Sommige van deze waarnemingen werden zelfs bevestigd door radar en andere meetinstrumenten, wat de mysterieuze aard van deze fenomenen versterkt. Ondanks talloze getuigenverklaringen en officiële rapporten blijft de herkomst en de technologie achter deze objecten onduidelijk, wat bijdraagt aan de speculaties over buitenaardse of geheime militaire oorsprong.
Kortom, Black Triangle UFOs vormen een intrigerend fenomeen dat zich onderscheidt door hun grote driehoekige vorm, donkere kleur, lage vlieghoogte, stille beweging en complexe manoeuvres. Ze blijven een bron van speculatie en onderzoek, en roepen vragen op over de technologische capaciteiten en mogelijke doelen van deze mysterieuze objecten.
Geschiedenis van de waarnemingen
De geschiedenis van de waarnemingen van Black Triangle UFOs is rijk en fascinerend, met een lange geschiedenis die teruggaat tot de late jaren tachtig. Deze mysterieuze driehoekige objecten worden gekenmerkt door hun grote afmetingen, opvallende vorm en vaak hun stille, glijdende bewegingen aan de hemel. De eerste uitgebreide documentatie van dergelijke waarnemingen kwam vooral in de jaren tachtig en negentig naar voren, met enkele opvallende incidenten die tot op heden voor veel discussie zorgen.
Een van de meest gerenommeerde en invloedrijke gebeurtenissen in de geschiedenis van Black Triangle UFO's was de zogenaamde "Belgian Wave." Deze gebeurtenis vond plaats tussen 1989 en 1990 in België en betekende een keerpunt in de UFO-onderzoeken. Tijdens deze periode meldden honderden mensen het zien van grote, driehoekige objecten die zich geruisloos en langzaam door de lucht bewogen. Wat deze waarnemingen bijzonder maakte, was niet alleen de frequentie ervan, maar ook de consistentie in de beschrijvingen: de objecten hadden meestal een driehoekige vorm, vaak met meerdere lichten die op de hoeken en soms in het midden van het object brandden. Verschillende waarnemingen werden ondersteund door radarbeelden en foto- en videomateriaal, wat de geloofwaardigheid van de meldingen versterkte. De Belgische overheid en diverse UFO-onderzoeksgroepen onderzochten deze incidenten grondig, zonder dat er tot op heden een definitieve verklaring is gegeven.
Naast de Belgische incidenten was er in de Verenigde Staten een vergelijkbare gebeurtenis die bekendstaat als de "Phoenix Lights" in 1997. Tijdens deze gebeurtenis werden duizenden mensen getuige van een enorme, driehoekige formatie die in de lucht verscheen boven Phoenix, Arizona. De objecten werden beschreven als groot, donker en stil, en bewogen zich in een vloeiende beweging zonder geluid. Ook hier werden het fenomeen vastgelegd op fotografie en videobeelden, wat de speculaties over buitenaardse oorsprong verder aanwakkerde. Hoewel de Amerikaanse autoriteiten aanvankelijk beweerden dat het om militaire oefenvliegtuigen ging, bleef het publieke debat over de ware aard van de waarnemingen bestaan.
In de loop der jaren werden dergelijke waarnemingen wereldwijd gerapporteerd, vaak met vergelijkbare kenmerken: grote afmetingen, driehoekige vorm, stilzwijgend en geruisloos vliegend, en vaak in de schemering of nacht. Wetenschappers en UFO-onderzoekers speculeren over de mogelijke oorsprong van deze objecten. Sommigen geloven dat het gaat om geavanceerde technologieën van de mens, mogelijk geheime militaire projecten, terwijl anderen denken aan buitenaardse voertuigen die ons bezoeken.
De geschiedenis van Black Triangle UFO's blijft dus een boeiend en onopgelost mysterie. Wat deze waarnemingen uniek maakt, is niet alleen de consistentie in vorm en gedrag, maar ook de omvang en de vele getuigenissen die het fenomeen ondersteunen. Tot op heden blijven onderzoekers zich inzetten om meer inzicht te krijgen in deze verschijnselen, met hoop dat toekomstige technologieën en onderzoeksmethoden meer duidelijkheid zullen brengen over de ware aard van deze mysterieuze objecten.
Wetenschappelijke benadering en verklaringen
De fenomenen rondom zogenaamde “Black Triangle UFOs” zijn de laatste decennia onderwerp van intensief onderzoek en discussie binnen de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap. Hoewel er geen definitieve verklaring bestaat voor alle waarnemingen, hebben onderzoekers verschillende hypotheses voorgesteld, gebaseerd op zowel natuurlijke als menselijke oorzaken, evenals op meer speculatieve theorieën over buitenaardse aanwezigheid en geavanceerde technologieën. In dit overzicht wordt een systematische en volledige uiteenzetting gegeven van de meest gangbare verklaringen, onderbouwd door wetenschappelijke theorieën en verklaringen.
Natuurlijke en menselijke oorzaken
Een eerste categorie verklaringen betreft natuurlijke fenomenen en menselijke technologieën die de waargenomen objecten kunnen nabootsen of verklaren. Deze verklaringen worden vaak aangehangen bij skeptici en onderzoekers die de waarnemingen willen contextualiseren binnen bekende wetenschappelijke kaders.
a. Militaire en geheime technologieën
Een veelgehoorde hypothese betreft de aanwezigheid van geavanceerde militaire en geheime vliegtuig- of drone- technologieën. Verschillende experts vermoeden dat de objecten die worden waargenomen, in werkelijkheid geheime prototypes of experimentele voertuigen zijn die nog niet publiekelijk bekend zijn gemaakt. Dit zou verklaren waarom deze objecten vaak grote afmetingen en stilstaande bewegingen vertonen, kenmerken die passen bij stealth-technologieën en camouflage.
In het bijzonder worden stealth-vliegtuigen zoals de F-35 en F-22 vaak genoemd; deze beschikken over geavanceerde radar- en infrarood-onderdrukkingssystemen die de detectie bemoeilijken. Daarnaast werken militaire labs aan nieuwe, nog niet geopenbaarde voertuigen die gebruikmaken van futuristische technologieën zoals plasma-schermen, adaptieve camouflage en geluidloos vliegen. De waarnemingen van grote, stilstaande of langzaam bewegende driehoeken kunnen hierdoor verklaard worden als testvluchten of prototypes die nog niet officieel bekendgemaakt zijn.
b. Luchtvaart- en atmosferische fenomenen
Een andere verklaring betreft natuurlijke verschijnselen en atmosferische condities die optische illusies of misinterpretaties kunnen veroorzaken. Bijvoorbeeld, halo’s, lenticulair wolken, lichtreflecties of spiegelingen kunnen leiden tot het ontstaan van vormen die lijken op vliegende objecten.
Sommige waarnemingen kunnen verklaard worden door het observeren van ballonnen of drones die op grote afstand of onder ongunstige lichtomstandigheden worden gezien. Bij zonsopgang of zonsondergang kunnen licht- en schaduwspelingen de indruk wekken van grote, stilstaande objecten in de lucht. Daarnaast kunnen atmosferische verschijnselen zoals inversies, refracties en lichtbreking leiden tot visuele vertekeningen, die door getuigen worden geïnterpreteerd als vreemde voertuigen.
Alternatieve en speculatieve theorieën
Naast de meer gangbare verklaringen, worden er ook meer controversiële en speculatieve theorieën voorgesteld door onderzoekers en UFO-enthousiastelingen. Deze theorieën proberen de waarnemingen te koppelen aan buitenaardse aanwezigheid of ultrageheime technologieën.
a. Buitenaardse oorsprong
Een van de populairste hypothesen onder UFO-onderzoekers is dat sommige Black Triangle-incidenten het bewijs vormen van buitenaardse voertuigen die onze atmosfeer bezoeken. Onderzoekers wijzen op de consistentie van bepaalde kenmerken, zoals de grote afmetingen, de vorm en de wijze waarop de objecten bewegen, als bewijs voor niet-aardse herkomst.
Daarnaast wordt gewezen op getuigenissen van piloten, militairen en civiele getuigen die spreken over onverklaarbare waarnemingen die niet overeenkomen met bekende menselijke technologie. Sommige incidenten worden zelfs gemeld met radar- en video-opnames, wat de plausibiliteit van buitenaardse herkomst versterkt.
b. Topgeheime technologie en futuristische experimenten
Een andere theorie stelt dat deze objecten het resultaat zijn van ultrageheime militaire projecten. Sommige wetenschappers en analisten geloven dat de objecten bewijs kunnen zijn van futuristische experimenten met technologieën die nog niet publiekelijk bekend zijn. Dit zou kunnen variëren van nieuwe vormen van voortstuwing tot energiebronnen die ver buiten onze huidige wetenschappelijke kennis liggen.
Volgens deze hypothese kunnen de Black Triangles in werkelijkheid geavanceerde drones of voertuigen zijn die ontwikkeld worden in geheime bases zoals Area 51 en andere clandestiene onderzoeksfaciliteiten. Sommige onderzoekers suggereren bovendien dat deze technologieën mogelijk geïnspireerd zijn door buitenaardse technologie, of dat er op zijn minst een wisselwerking is tussen menselijke en buitenaardse onderzoeksinitiatieven.
Kritische beschouwing en wetenschappelijke standpunten
Hoewel bovenstaande verklaringen plausibel lijken, is het belangrijk om te benadrukken dat de wetenschap nog geen sluitende bewijzen heeft voor een buitenaardse of geheime oorsprong van deze objecten. Veel waarnemingen blijven onverklaard en roepen vragen op, wat de interesse en speculatie aanwakkert.
Wetenschappers benadrukken dat een rigoureuze wetenschappelijke aanpak vereist is, inclusief het verzamelen van objectief bewijs zoals radarbeelden, fotomateriaal en getuigenverklaringen die geverifieerd kunnen worden. Tot nu toe ontbreekt het nog aan dergelijk bewijs dat definitief kan aantonen dat deze fenomenen buitenaards van oorsprong zijn of dat ze het resultaat zijn van geheime technologieën.
Conclusie
De verklaringen voor de Black Triangle UFO-waarnemingen variëren van natuurlijke en menselijke bronnen tot meer exotische theorieën over buitenaardse wezens en ultrageheime militaire projecten. De meest gangbare en wetenschappelijk onderbouwde verklaringen wijzen op natuurlijke atmosferische verschijnselen en de aanwezigheid van geheim ontwikkelde militaire technologieën. Echter, de consistentie en onverklaarbaarheid van sommige incidenten blijven vragen oproepen en stimuleren verder onderzoek.
Het is essentieel dat toekomstige studies zich baseren op objectief bewijs en transparantie, zodat een definitieve verklaring kan worden gevonden. Totdat dat mogelijk is, blijven deze fenomenen een intrigerend onderwerp dat de grens tussen wetenschap, technologie en het onbekende verkent. De voortdurende ontwikkeling van detectiemethoden en het verzamelen van betrouwbare data zullen hopelijk in de toekomst meer duidelijkheid scheppen over de ware aard van deze mysterieuze objecten.
Onderzoek en bewijsmateriaal
Onderzoek en bewijsmateriaal vormen de kern van de discussie rond onverklaarbare fenomenen, zoals UFO’s en vreemde objecten aan de hemel. Verschillende overheden en instanties hebben documenten en rapporten vrijgegeven die proberen inzicht te geven in deze waarnemingen. Zo heeft het Britse Ministerie van Defensie in het verleden bewijs gedeeld dat sommige waarnemingen niet konden worden verklaard binnen de bestaande kennis over luchtvaart en technologie. Deze documenten suggereren dat er waarnemingen waren die te complex of onduidelijk waren voor de betrokken onderzoekers.
Ook de Verenigde Staten en de FBI hebben een grote hoeveelheid informatie vrijgegeven over UFO-waarnemingen. Bijvoorbeeld, er zijn incidenten waarbij driehoekige objecten werden gezien, die zich bewegen op manieren die niet overeenkomen met bekende vliegtuigen, drones of natuurlijke fenomenen. Sommige van deze documenten bevatten verklaringen van militairen en getuigen die objecten zagen die snel manoeuvreerden, stil konden blijven hangen of ongebruikelijke snelheden bereikten.
Fotografisch en videocaptatie-materiaal speelt een cruciale rol in het bewijsmateriaal. Diverse beelden en filmpjes tonen objecten met ongewone vormen en gedrag, zoals het ontbreken van vleugels of het maken van scherpe bochten bij hoge snelheid. Sommige beelden lijken te bevestigen dat deze objecten niet voldoen aan de wetten van de natuurkunde zoals wij die kennen. Echter, het interpreteren van deze beelden blijft controversieel, mede door de mogelijkheid van digitale bewerkingen of interpretatiefouten.
Radar- en sensorgegevens vormen een andere belangrijke bron van bewijs. Deze gegevens kunnen objecten traceren en hun snelheid, hoogte en beweging vastleggen. Soms worden deze gegevens bevestigd door meerdere systemen en observaties, wat de betrouwbaarheid versterkt. Toch blijven er vragen bestaan over de interpretatie ervan, vooral omdat technologische beperkingen en menselijke fouten niet altijd uitgesloten kunnen worden.
Kortom, het bewijs voor onverklaarbare luchtfenomenen wordt ondersteund door diverse documenten, beelden en meetgegevens. Hoewel veel waarnemingen niet volledig verklaard kunnen worden, blijft de wetenschappelijke en overheidsinteresse groot. De combinatie van getuigenissen, visueel bewijs en technische data vormt de basis voor verder onderzoek en discussie over de aard en oorsprong van deze mysterieuze fenomenen.
Waarom blijven ze onopgelost?
De complexiteit van het fenomeen, de beperkte en vaak niet-verifieerbare aard van getuigenissen, en de geheime aard van militaire technologie compliceren het onderzoek aanzienlijk. Ten eerste speelt de moeilijkheid om betrouwbare en consistente waarnemingen te verkrijgen een grote rol. Veel getuigenissen komen voort uit menselijke perceptie, die niet altijd accuraat is, vooral onder stressvolle of onverwachte omstandigheden. Daarnaast zijn er talloze gevallen waarin getuigenissen niet kunnen worden bevestigd of herhaald, wat het bewijsfragmentarisch maakt. De menselijke geest is bovendien geneigd tot interpretatie, waardoor percepties kunnen worden beïnvloed door verwachtingen, culturele factoren of psychologische processen, zoals cognitieve bias en illusies.
Verder is de geheime aard van militaire technologie een groot obstakel. Overheden en militaire instanties houden vaak details over geavanceerde technologieën en onderzoeksprojecten verborgen, uit geheime strategische overwegingen. Dit betekent dat veel van de technologie die wordt waargenomen of gerapporteerd, mogelijk niet bekend is bij het grote publiek en niet wordt erkend door officiële instanties. Het ontbreken van transparantie en het niet openbaar maken van gegevens maken het moeilijk om conclusies te trekken of om bewijs te beoordelen. Ook speelt de angst voor nationale veiligheidsrisico’s een rol: het openbaar maken van bepaalde informatie kan diplomatieke of militaire belangen schaden en daarom wordt alles wat met dergelijke fenomenen te maken heeft, vaak onder de pet gehouden.
Daarnaast kunnen optische illusies, menselijke perceptie en psychologische factoren bijdragen aan de waarnemingen. Bijvoorbeeld, weersomstandigheden, lichtverstrooiing, of technische verschijnselen zoals satellieten en weerballonnen kunnen onbedoeld voor verwarring zorgen. Mensen kunnen ook door verwachtingen en overtuigingen worden beïnvloed, waardoor ze bepaalde fenomenen anders interpreteren dan ze in werkelijkheid zijn. Psychologische factoren zoals hysterie, massahysterie, en cognitieve biases dragen er ook toe bij dat onduidelijke of onverklaarbare waarnemingen blijven bestaan. Kortom, de combinatie van technologische geheimhouding, menselijke perceptie en het onvermogen om betrouwbare bewijs te verkrijgen, zorgt ervoor dat veel UFO-gerelateerde fenomenen onopgelost blijven.
De rol van overheidsinstanties en de publieke perceptie
Overheidsinstanties wereldwijd hebben zich vaak terughoudend opgesteld of slechts beperkte officiële verklaringen afgelegd over UFO’s en gerelateerde fenomenen. Dit komt voort uit verschillende strategische en veiligheidsbelangen. Ten eerste willen ze nationale veiligheid beschermen door geen details prijs te geven over mogelijke geavanceerde technologieën of waarnemingen die niet volledig begrepen worden. Het openbaar maken van dergelijke informatie zou kunnen leiden tot paniek, onrust of het ontdekken van militaire zwaktes. Vanuit strategisch oogpunt is het dus begrijpelijk dat overheden terughoudend zijn om volledige openheid te geven over deze fenomenen.
Daarnaast speelt de angst dat het publiek in paniek zou kunnen raken of dat er een verlies van vertrouwen in de autoriteiten ontstaat, een belangrijke reden voor het niet delen van alle informatie. Ook is er een geschiedenis van het onderdrukken of minimaliseren van UFO-gerelateerde informatie, zoals in de periode van de Koude Oorlog, toen veel rapportages werden ontkend of verborgen. Dit heeft bijgedragen aan een sfeer van wantrouwen en complottheorieën, waarin de overheid wordt gezien als degene die informatie achterhoudt over buitenaardse contacten of geheime technologieën.
De publieke perceptie wordt daarnaast sterk beïnvloed door media, films en literatuur, die vaak een mystiek en buitenaards karakter aan UFO’s toekennen. Deze verhalen versterken de indruk dat er meer aan de hand is dan alleen natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaak. Getuigenissen van piloten, militairen en ooggetuigen dragen bij aan de geloofwaardigheid van het fenomeen, vooral wanneer zij beschrijven dat ze onverklaarbare, buitenaardse schepen hebben waargenomen of contact hebben gehad. Het is deze combinatie van overheidsverschijningen en media-invloed die ervoor zorgt dat het publieke debat over UFO’s blijft voortduren, zelfs zonder officieel erkende bewijzen. Het resultaat is een voortdurende mix van scepsis, nieuwsgierigheid en geloof, waardoor het fenomeen onopgelost blijft en blijft intrigeren.
Controverses en kritische beschouwingen
Veel onderzoekers, skeptici en wetenschappelijke critici uiten grote twijfel over de interpretaties van Black Triangle-waarnemingen. Zij stellen dat veel van deze incidenten kunnen worden toegeschreven aan menselijke fouten, optische illusies, weersomstandigheden of natuurlijke fenomenen zoals atmosferische anomalieën. Daarnaast wordt er vaak gewezen op de rol van geheime militaire projecten en technologieën die wellicht voor verwarring zorgen of onterecht worden toegeschreven aan buitenaardse verschijnselen. Een veelgehoorde kritiek is dat er bij veel rapportages een gebrek aan solide bewijs is, waardoor de assertions over buitenaardse oorsprong niet wetenschappelijk kunnen worden onderbouwd. Bovendien bestaat de angst dat media en populaire cultuur de waarnemingen overdrijven, wat leidt tot sensatiezucht en het ontstaan van mythen rondom de Dark Triangles. Deze kritieken benadrukken het belang van kritisch onderzoek en het voorkomen van overhaaste conclusies zonder voldoende bewijs. Het risico van een ‘pseudowetenschappelijke’ benadering wordt door velen als schadelijk gezien voor het serieus nemen van onverklaarde fenomenen. Toch erkent men dat menselijke waarnemingen soms onvolledig en subjectief kunnen zijn, en dat het niet uitsluiten van het bestaan van buitenaardse technologieën niet betekent dat we het fenomeen zomaar moeten afdoen als fictie. Het is daarom essentieel dat verder wetenschappelijk onderzoek, met strenge methoden en transparantie, wordt gestimuleerd om de ware aard van deze mysterieuze objecten te achterhalen.
Conclusie
Black Triangle UFO's blijven een intrigerend en complex fenomeen dat zowel de nieuwsgierigheid van het publiek als de interesse van de wetenschap wekt. Hoewel veel waarnemingen kunnen worden verklaard door menselijke fouten, optische illusies of geheime militaire technologieën, blijven er incidenten over die moeilijk te verklaren zijn. Deze onverklaarbare gevallen roepen vragen op over de mogelijke aanwezigheid van buitenaardse bezoekers en de aard van de technieken die in het geheim worden ontwikkeld door overheden. Het ontbreken van sluitend bewijs betekent dat het onderwerp nog altijd in de sfeer van speculatie opereert. Het is daarom cruciaal dat toekomstig onderzoek wordt gevoerd met meer transparantie, openheid en geavanceerde technologieën. Alleen door een wetenschappelijke en onbevooroordeelde aanpak kunnen we mogelijk de ware aard achter deze mysterieuze objecten achterhalen en definitief uitsluitsel geven over hun oorsprong. Het onderwerp blijft spannend en relevant, omdat het niet alleen onze nieuwsgierigheid prikkelt, maar ook onze kijk op de wereld en onze plaats daarin uitdaagt. Met de voortgang van wetenschap en techniek is er hoop op meer duidelijkheid in de toekomst, zodat we wellicht eens definitief kunnen vaststellen of deze mysterieuze zwarte driehoeken buitenaardse bezoekers vertegenwoordigen of dat ze simpelweg het resultaat zijn van menselijke technologie en natuurlijke verschijnselen.
Bronnen en verdere leestips
MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) - Onderzoeksorganisatie die incidenten documenteert.
British Ministry of Defence documents - Over UFO-waarnemingen en rapporten.
"UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go On the Record" door Leslie Kean.
Wetenschappelijke artikelen over atmospherische en optische verschijnselen.
Frequente media-rapportages en documentaires over Black Triangle UFOs.
This is a mind-blowing but controversial theory by Julian Jaynes, who suggested that Ancient humans lacked modern consciousness, mistook inner voices as commands from gods, and even cared for dead relatives as if they were still alive due to a divided “Bicameral” mind.
In his book ‘The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind‘, Jaynes argued that the “bicameral mind” was a way of thinking where people literally heard voices in their heads and obeyed them like divine commands. He believed this mental state stopped working around 3,000 years ago, near the end of the Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean.
He said this change led to the rise of modern human consciousness, where people became more self-aware and made decisions on their own.
Jaynes also suggested that people we now call schizophrenic might still have parts of this old way of thinking, and if someone from ancient times were alive today, we would likely see them as schizophrenic too.
In 1976, an American psychologist named Julian Jaynes, who lived from 1920 to 1997, published his book, he made a bold and unusual claim: that humans weren’t actually aware of their own thoughts until about 1000 BC.
He believed that when ancient people heard inner voices in their heads, they didn’t realize those voices came from their own minds. Instead, they thought these voices were gods speaking to them and telling them what to do, which is how stories of divine communication may have started. (Source)
Julian Jaynes
Jaynes introduced his theory about the bicameral mind in the 1970s, most psychologists didn’t respond positively.
In January 1979, William Thomas Jones wrote a paper questioning how any intelligent person could believe Jaynes’s theory. He analyzed the book in detail to show why Jaynes’s conclusions were unrealistic and explored why, despite this, some people still took his ideas seriously.
Jones argued that Jaynes’s supporters were drawn to the theory because they disliked Darwinian evolution and natural selection, felt nostalgic for the supposed lost state of bicamerality, and wanted a simple theory that could explain everything about human nature.
Today, no academic historian or anthropologist believes in Jaynes’s theory. You might find a rare psychologist who still supports it, but they are very few. Most philosophers who study the mind also reject it.
However, one well-known philosopher, Daniel Dennett, while acknowledging the theory has problems, says it should still be taken seriously.
He admits that most philosophers find the idea ridiculous at first, and he often has to convince them just to consider it. He himself takes it seriously enough to try to explain what Jaynes was really aiming for.
Even though experts have mostly dismissed the theory, it has still found a place in popular culture. In 2006, a writer named Terence Hawkins used Jaynes’s idea to retell the story of the Iliad in his novel The Rage of Achilles.
In the book, the gods are explained as products of the bicameral mind, and only characters like Odysseus and Paris have modern consciousness, while the rest still hear voices as commands from gods.
More recently, the theory appeared in the HBO show Westworld. But instead of applying it to humans, the show used it to describe how robots become conscious.
This made the idea a bit more believable. The show also wisely admitted that, when it comes to humans, the theory is considered “debunked.”
One big problem with Jaynes’s theory is the actual structure of the human brain. Scientists generally agree that how our brains are built is closely connected to how we think. Even people who believe that the mind and brain are separate still admit there’s a strong link between the two.
Jaynes claimed that ancient humans didn’t have consciousness like we do today. But if that were true, we would expect that their brains looked or were structured very differently from ours. However, this is not the case. Evidence from ancient skulls and even some preserved brains shows that the structure of the human brain has been almost exactly the same for at least the last 10,000 years.
For example, if you look at the skull of someone who lived in ancient Sumer around 3000 BC, you’ll see that their brain case is nearly identical to that of a person who died just recently. Even in cases where ancient brains have been naturally preserved, like in mummies or frozen bodies, the brain’s structure is the same as ours today.
So far, there is no physical evidence showing that human brains were built differently before around 1000 BC. This makes it very hard to support Jaynes’s idea.
If ancient humans really thought in a completely different way before 1000 BC, as Jaynes’s theory suggests, we should also see big differences in how they behaved. But the evidence doesn’t support that. Instead, what we see is that ancient people often acted very much like we do today, even though their cultures and societies were different.
One strong example is from ancient Mesopotamia, where people wrote customer complaint letters that sound surprisingly modern. A famous case involves a copper merchant named Ea-Nasir, who lived in the city of Ur around the 18th century BC. Archaeologists found several clay tablets from angry customers addressed to him. The most detailed one is from a man named Nanni, who was clearly upset about poor-quality copper and bad treatment.
In his letter, Nanni reminds Ea-Nasir of a promise to deliver good copper, complains about receiving low-quality goods, and scolds him for sending messengers back empty-handed through dangerous territory. He insists on better treatment and demands to inspect future deliveries himself. His tone, frustration, and the way he argues his case are all very familiar, like something someone today might write in an angry email or online review.
Julian Jaynes’s idea is controversial, but fascinating.. Today, it might be even more important because we are creating something like a new kind of bicameral mind, which is part human and part artificial intelligence. This is already happening with chatbots, which are becoming more like human beings in the way we talk to them and treat them. (Source)
However, even though we often act like chatbots are people, we know they are different. We don’t talk to them as if they have feelings or self-awareness.
If we truly thought a chatbot was a real person, we would treat it differently; we wouldn’t ask it embarrassing questions or bother it the way we sometimes do. While some people say polite words like “thank you” or “please” to chatbots, these bots still feel like something else, more like an imaginary friend. So, in a way, we are going back to a new kind of bicameral mind where we interact with a voice that is not really us, but something we help create in our minds.
The theory of “presence,” which means feeling like someone is really there during a conversation or interaction. When someone has a strong presence, they affect the situation in a good way.
It’s hard to imagine talking to someone without feeling their presence. The book Presence: The Strange Science and True Stories of the Unseen Other by psychologist Ben Alderson-Day looks closely at this idea. He discussed how people with schizophrenia might hear voices and how explorers sometimes feel like there is an invisible person with them on lonely trips.
Presence is something we notice and also create ourselves. It’s like opening a window on a computer screen that sets the stage for what happens next. Being able to feel and make a presence is very important for communication, and it happens because of relationships with other people.
Sometimes, people feel a presence even when they are alone, like in an empty house or on a lonely walk. This happens because our minds are made to connect with others, so if no one is there, the mind can create a pretend presence. This means that we might still be “bicameral” in a way, but the two parts exist between different people, not inside one person.
One interesting example is a Tibetan tulpa, which is an imaginary presence created on purpose. People build this presence carefully, giving it its personality and intentions, and then it feels like a separate person, even though it’s made by the mind.
Everyone has some experience with this because many of us have had imaginary friends as children. These imaginary friends help us practice having conversations with someone else safely, like training for social skills when we are young.
Things have changed with the rise of advanced language models like AI chatbots. These AI systems can create a kind of presence, making us feel like they are intentional beings we can interact with.
For an artificial intelligence to work, it needs to create this artificial presence. What’s amazing is that large language models have done this so well that many people don’t even realize it.
Now, our world is filled with these new kinds of presences, and we interact with them in many ways. In a way, we are like modern “tulpamancers” again—not just making imaginary friends, but creating something different and possibly deeper, like a new kind of bicameral mind shared between humans and AI.
In this series we're exploring NASA's top five challenges as detailed in itsCivil Space Shortfall Ranking, which is basically NASA's Christmas wish list. These are the technologies that NASA believes we need to develop if we want to go to space…and stay there.
Next we have number four: improved navigation.
We all take for granted our handy little cell phones, these magical rectangles that let us communicate instantly with anyone in the world…or scroll social media until our brains go numb. Related to that is the ease of navigation. Or you can plug in an address or drop a pin, and boom there you, the fastest route to grandma's house. Oh yeah, and you always know what time it is, day or night or season of the year…so that you know you're late for dinner.
All of this is easy for us to use because it was hard for someone else to create. To make a call, our cell phone connects to a nearby tower, of which there are approximately a bajillion, which is then connected to a vast globe-spanning network of wires and undersea cables. As for our position and navigation, that's all handled by hundreds of satellites in orbit around the Earth, with several different networks: The United State's Global Position System (the OG), Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System, China's BeiDou, and the European Union's Galileo. We have all that, plus a host of regional and local space- and ground-based location services, all overlapping and working together to provide that pinpoint accuracy.
But in space, like on the Moon or Mars, we have…none of that. Zero. No GPS satellites, no globe-spanning networks. Just radio broadcasts from command centers here on Earth to tell our robots and crews what to do.
And so we have the next high priority challenge we have to navigate (ha, ha) to achieve a permanent presence in space: all that stuff, but in space. So what would this look like?
The most important step is to create a mini-GPS for the Moon, with a constellation of satellites doing for the Moon what they already do for the Earth. Plus we need to augment that with relay stations and repeaters at lunar bases or centers of exploration, because we probably won't have enough signal strength to whip out our cell phones in the middle of Mare Vaporum. The hope is that our first generation of lunar GPS will be enough to match our first explorations, and then we can expand the system to match the needs of further lunar activities.
But in order to make that lunar GPS system, we need to deploy in space one critical piece of technology: atomic clocks. Atomic clocks are ultra-precise…well, clocks, that rely on the resonant frequency of atoms to monitor the passage of time. We already have atomic clocks in space, because every single GPS satellite has several of them onboard – that's the key component to the entire navigation system. But for deep-space work we need to be much more sophisticated. Earth-based atomic clocks can get away with some uncertainty, because they are always cross-checking and correcting each other. That won't be an option around the Moon or Mars, where a small network of satellites will have to keep perfect time.
Precise timing is necessary for pinpointing a satellite's location. If you receive a signal from the satellite from a ground station, you need to know how long it took for you to receive the signal to figure out where the satellite is.
In June of 2019 NASA launched the Deep Space Atomic Clock, or DSAC, which operated for two years, maintain an accuracy of better than 1 nanosecond in 10 days – the means after ten years, the clock would only be off by a microsecond. NASA has recognized that to enable long-term deep-space activities,we need to be even more accurate than that.
Lunar and Martian spacecraft are going to have to be able to navigate autonomously, without human input. As a complement to a space-based GPS system, these spacecraft could also employ a few other tricks. One trick is called radiometric tracking, which uses incoming radio signals to judge the distance to the source of those radio signals. We already use this technique quite frequently, but it's limited to one dimension: the direction towards the Earth, which is the origin of any radio signal that a spacecraft might pick up. Decades from now, we hope to have radio signals coming from lunar and Martian bases, and even asteroids, and a sufficiently sophisticated spacecraft might be able to pick up all these signals and figure out where it is in the solar system.
Speaking of weak radio signals, Lunar operations would benefit from our existing GPS network. Yes, those GPS satellites are aiming their signals down to the Earth, but some of that signal leaks out into outer space. We might be able to piggyback off that signal to at least get our navigation game started.
They allegedly came from Space, appeared metallic, and prompted official investigations. Were the mystery objects downed in Canada, Bolivia, and Russia genuine UFOs or some sort of secret space probes?
There are dozens of reported downed UFOs around the globe—some better documented and more credible than others. This article will address three of the best international cases including the unknown “dark object” that splashed off the Atlantic Coast near the small fishing village of Shag Harbour in Nova Scotia, Canada, on October 4, 1967; the powerful impact of an unknown space object in a remote mountainous area in Bolivia’s Tarija Department, on May 6, 1978; and the crash of a mysterious probe on Hill 611 in the Russian Pacific city of Dalnegorsk on January 29, 1986.
Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada, 1967
The author (center) with researcher Chris Styles (in black) on the site were witnesses gathered to sea the object that crashed in the ocean in 1967. Credit: A. Huneeus
Dozens of witnesses saw unidentified lights falling into the Atlantic Ocean on the southeastern coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, on the night of October 4, 1967. The investigation and search effort to recover debris involved Canadian military and police agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the ‘Air Desk’ at the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in charge of UFO investigations, and the Coast Guard and Royal Navy Maritime Command, which coordinated a search effort with divers. Although widely reported by the media at the time, the case was quickly forgotten until 1993, when Halifax researcher Chris Styles began a new investigation into the incident.
Shag Harbour, as the case has come to be known, has a unique advantage over other alleged UFO crashes because, as Styles states, it offers an “official paper trail.” These are genuine officially released Canadian government documents, not some disputed memos commonly found in ufology. That’s why when a book about this incident, Dark Object, was published in 2001 by Styles and coauthor Don Ledger, it carried the subtitle of, “The World’s Only Government-Documented UFO Crash.”
A “Priority” telex to Canadian Forces Headquarters, dated October 5, 1967, titled, “UFO Report,” tells the story succinctly:
Night clear, no Moon. Cpl. (Corporal) Wercicky [sic] RCMP Barrington Passage outside Lower Woods Harbour, [Nova Scotia] & other witnesses – names known to RCMP Cpl. – dark object – in excess of 60 ft. – 4 white lights horizontally 15 ft. spacing – movement easterly low altitude down to water surface unknown but in excess of five minutes UFO descended rapidly to water with high whistling sound. Bright flash on hitting water. Single light floating on surface remained for long time sank before RCMP could get boat to it. Area searched extensively by [Canadian Coast Guard] lifeboat 101 and many small boats – nil results. Position of last sighting 4330.5N 6545W. All other possible leads ([aircraft], flares, etc.) checked – nil results. Follow up: at 03:21:57 Coast Guard Cutter 101 proceeding to area with RCMP on board to research area based on A/Ref Baton Point.
Canadian UFO report in the Shag Harbour UFO Incident summary. (Credit: Canada Library and Archives)
I know his case quite well as I visited the area twice, once in 1996 and again in 2003, interviewing Styles and a couple of witnesses, including retired RCMP officer Victor Werbicki, who was one of the first Mounties to arrive on the scene. In a telephone interview from his home in Alberta, Werbicki stated,
From my investigation and talking to many people, some good witnesses who saw the object, I sincerely felt that something fell down, but we could find no evidence. It came down at an angle supposedly at the channel, it was just unexplained. I was convinced, and I still am, that these people were sincere. I was convinced from all the witnesses that something came down and I don’t know what.
Most accounts place the beginning of the Shag Harbour incident around 11 p.m., when dozens of fishermen and some policemen saw lights plunging into the ocean. Their initial reaction was that an airplane had just crashed. Many vessels rushed to the spot, expecting to rescue survivors, but instead found the whole area covered with yellow foam. One of the documents uncovered by Styles, however, was a report by Leo Howard Mersey, captain of the J.B. Nickerson ship, who saw a UFO in the area a couple of hours earlier, adding that the object was also detected by the ship’s radar. Mersey’s report to the RCMP detachment in Lunenburg described the sighting:
At about 9 PM, on the 4 OCT 67, I noticed an object with three flashing red lights. Radar indicated this object to be sixteen miles away. It was very clear that night and we could see the lights of Halifax. At the time our boat was 32 miles south of Sambro Light and the object was approximately 16 miles north east of us… At the same time there were three other objects on the radar and about 6 miles from the first object. I would say it disappeared about 11:00 PM, when it went up in the air. I could not see any shape or form to it because of the distance. When it went into the air it only had one flashing light. While the object was on the water, or close to the water, it had three real bright flashing red lights… It is not unusual to see the Navy, or aircraft, dropping things into the water there. I had never seen anything like that before but it sounds like the thing they are looking for down off Shelburne or Barrington Passage. When the object left it went straight up in the air with only one red light.
Other witnesses pick up the story about fifteen minutes later, as summarized by Chris Styles, “It began sometime after 11 o’clock October the 4th, which was a moonless clear night. People who were driving or in the area began to notice that there was a set of flashing lights in the sky…most of them reported four, some of them saw them at a sharp angle and saw only three.” The witnesses called the RCMP, and when three officers arrived on the scene, “they could still see a pale yellow object moving on the water that looked unusual, it was leaving a trail of refuse, heavy yellow foam on the surface of the water.” Lawrence Smith, the first seaman to reach the impact area, received a phone call and rushed to the dock, “and got on my boat and then proceeded onto the sea, to the area where this object had gone in the water. I saw like a foam on the water, a long strip of foam, long and narrow, and that’s all I saw that night.”
The search continued the following day and the Canadian Navy arrived at noon on October 6—by this time the event was making headlines in the Canadian press. The Chronicle Herald of Halifax had the banner headline: “COULD BE SOMETHING CONCRETE IN SHAG HARBOR UFO—RCAF.” Other papers talked of a “Hunt for Saucer,” and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation showed newsreels of the navy divers. “The Canadian naval search lasted until Sunday evening,” said Styles, “when the Maritime Command announced that the official naval search was canceled, but many witnesses seem to imply there was some kind of search effort going after that. The stated results of the military search was no results, they had recovered no debris and had no explanation for the object.”
Halifax’s Chronicle-Herald front page headline and other Canadian press stories about the Shag Harbour UFO crash. Credit: Huneeus Collection
An official memorandum from Col. Turner, Director of Operations at the RCAF Air Desk, summarized the official results: “The Rescue Coordination Centre conducted preliminary investigation and discounted the possibilities that the sighting was produced by an aircraft, flares, floats, or any other known objects.” While the first phase of the Shag Harbour incident can be documented officially, another part of the story is still shrouded in mystery. Styles’ investigation turned up a complex plot involving a second, secret search effort several miles north near Shelburne, next to a then top secret submarine detection base run jointly by the U.S. and Canada, Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Shelburne, which closed down a few years ago. Because he doesn’t have the same level of official documentation, Styles refers to this episode as “the story.” It was told to him confidentially by some divers and other retired military sources.
According to this version, as Styles wrote in a paper for the 1996 MUFON UFO Symposium Proceedings, the crippled UFO that plunged into the ocean near Shag Harbour, “navigated its way, while submerged, to a point on the seabed which lay off Shelburne County’s Government Point.” He continued,
A flotilla of ships sat over the submerged UFO. Consideration was given to the possibility of attempting a recovery operation. Procrastination was due to the fact that a second UFO was on the scene repairing the first crippled craft. The Naval operation would continue for seven days. It remained a mission of observation only. On the seventh day a Soviet submarine violated the former twelve-mile international limit and began to close on the UFO’s position. The surface ships sailed towards the approaching intruder to show challenge. Shortly thereafter, both UFOs began moving while still submerged towards the Gulf of Maine. Later in open water they surfaced, became airborne, and then flew away at high speed. The story also claims that in spite of public denials from Maritime Command, debris was recovered at the Shag Harbour impact site. The Styrofoam-like and aluminum-like debris was collected and driven to the Defense Research Establishment facility in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Styles concluded:
I really have trouble explaining this in conventional terms. I really try to avoid speculating, but I do feel that when you look at all the composite of evidence from the multiple witnesses, from the military response, from the implications of the physical evidence, I think it’s pretty suggestive that something, either extraterrestrial, extra-temporal or extra-dimensional is responsible. I opt for extraterrestrial myself, and that opens of course a myriad of other questions, but it did imply a nuts and bolt object that was both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic.
In 2003, an official Canada Post stamp was issued to commemorate this mysterious and still unresolved UFO case.
Shag Harbour postage stamp. Credit: Chapel Hill Historical Society
Tarija Department, southeastern Bolivia, near the border of Salta Province, Argentina, 1978
Illustration from the Argentinean magazine Gente showing witnesses looking at the cylindrical object of Tarija. The Spanish caption reads, “Saturday 6 [May 1978], 17:15 Hours. The strange object falls in Bolivia.” Credit: Huneeus Collection/Gente
The Tarija case is probably South America’s best documented and most credible UFO crash incident. There were dozens—probably hundreds—of eyewitnesses who saw a cylindrical-shaped object spewing smoke across the sky on the mid-afternoon of May 6, 1978, and crash on a remote mountain near the Bermejo River, which separates the border betweenBolivia’s Tarija Department and Argentina’s Salta Province. Others heard a loud explosion—a sonic boom heard that was heard within 120 miles that shattered windows of villages over 30 miles from the target site.Some saw a thick column of smoke rising from a mountain known in Argentina as El Taire, or El Zaire, and in Bolivia as Cerro Bravo. Although the incident was widely reported in the South American press, there was a great deal of confusion about the facts. For days it wasn’t clear if the space object had crashed in Bolivian or Argentinean territory, and there was further confusion about its origin—whether it was a meteorite, a man-made space probe, or a real UFO.
The involvement of the U.S. government in this affair provided additional intrigue. The South American press kept mentioning the arrival of NASA experts at the area, and two American military officers in civilian dress were photographed by the local press as they arrived in Tarija supposedly “on vacation.” Some reports allege that metallic fragments and even a large capsule were retrieved and quickly moved away in a U.S. Air Force Hercules cargo plane; other reports claim this was not true, and that something may still be buried under a rock slide. Yet the participation of American officials is not in doubt, as we know from a few documents released by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Air Force that Tarija indeed came under the eye of Project Moon Dust and Operation Blue Fly—two programs headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, which were tasked with retrieving sensitive space debris and “Unidentified Flying Objects,” as stated in a declassified November 1961 Air Force Intelligence memo. The two American officers in Tarija were not NASA scientists, but from the U.S. Defense Attaché Office (DAO) in La Paz, acting under Project Moon Dust guidelines.
The village of La Mamora with the “impact site” on the El Zaire Hill in Bolivia. The headline in the Argentinean weekly Radiolandia 2000 reads: “When the UFO fell, the earth trembled and we were overcome by panic.” Credit: Huneeus Collection/R. 2000
Eduardo Salmón and Bienvenido Ortega were Border Policemen with the 20th Detachment in Orán, Argentina, who were on duty in the village of Aguas Blancas on that May afternoon. A luminous flash caught their eyes, and they watched as an oval-shaped metallic-looking object crossed the sky in a northerly direction, trailing smoke. Seconds later they heard a loud explosion. The troopers were attending a soccer match, which had gathered some five hundred people at the local soccer field. Both players and spectators were astonished by the “fireball” that flew over their heads right before the explosion and the cloud of thick smoke. The closest villages to the impact area on the Bolivian side of the border were Padcaya, Mecoya, and La Mamora. Vélez Orozco was an engineer conducting a survey for a private company in Tarija when he too saw the cylindrical object. He estimated it was four meters in diameter and was conical-shaped in front. The explosion, he added, was louder than the one caused by the reentry of a meteorite a year earlier.
Corporal Natalio Farfán Ruiz was the highest military authority in La Mamora. He told Argentinean reporters:
I don’t know what would have happened if the UFO had fallen on their houses. Can you imagine? Some children live here. It was around 4:30 [p.m.] when a cylinder shook the Earth. I swear that it was horrible, I believed the end of the world was coming, but I had top have courage. After all, I was the authority.
Juan Hurtado, an agent with the Border Intelligence Service, described it this way:
It was like a huge wine container with a brilliant white color spewing smoke out of its back. I saw it quite clearly because it passed over my head. I was with three engineers of the Mining Bank in La Paz when I saw the object crash on the hill of El Zaire. The impact was so strong that it threw me down to the ground. In that moment, the whole Earth trembled.
Eventually, the Bolivian Air Force flew three single-engine AT-6 planes over the area and detected a large rockslide over the southern slopes of Cerro Bravo. The area is extremely rugged and of difficult access. Several expeditions attempted to reach the exact impact site, but only the second group, headed by Major Germán Callejas, was able to locate the rockslide around May 24. A great deal of confusion surrounded the case by that time. On May 14, the Buenos Aires newspaper Clarín reported that the object had been recovered—“a metallic-dull cylinder, four meters long and with some dents”—and that NASA officials would take charge of it. A sketch of the alleged retrieved object published by Clarín resembled a Gemini or Apollo space capsule. There was also a great deal of apprehension that it could be a Soviet nuclear satellite—Cosmos 954 had crashed in northern Canada only three months earlier on January 24, 1978. Finally, there was talk of a meteorite, although my own personal inquiries with the Smithsonian’s Scientific Event Alert Network (SEAN), which tracks natural disasters, showed no meteorite fall in Bolivia in May 1978.
The South American press was full of stories of NASA officials arriving in Tarija, but the truth is that the two military officers who showed up, Col. Robert Simmons and Major John Heisse, were most likely from the U.S. Defense Attaché Office (DAO) in La Paz, who were acting on behalf of Project Moon Dust, which oversaw the retrieval of downed space objects. We know the U.S. government was involved because at least some documents from the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Air Force were later obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Key among these documents is a May 18 telegram, classified “Secret,” and bearing the name of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, although it was drafted by Col. Robert Eddington from the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans, International Environment, and Scientific Affairs. The message indicated that the Tarija case, “has been checked with appropriate government agencies. No direct correlation with known space objects that may have reentered the earth’s atmosphere near May 6 can be made. However, we are continuing to examine any possibilities.” The message then referred the U.S. Embassy in La Paz to, “State Airgram A-6343 of July 26, 1973 which provides background information and guidance for dealing with space objects that have been found.” Secretary Vance concluded: “In particular any information pertaining to the pre-impact observations, direction or trajectory, number of objects observed, time of impact and a detailed description including any markings would be helpful.”
U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance’s “Secret” telex, “Report of Fallen Space Object,” concerning the May 1978 Tarija case. Credit: Huneeus Collection
Additional data is provided by a couple of documents from the DAO in La Paz under the subject of Moon Dust. “This office has tried to verify the stories put forth in…the local press,” informed the DAO, adding that their office had contacted the chief of staff of the Bolivian Air Force and the commander of the Bolivian Army, both of whom indicated that search parties were “directed to go into the area to find the object but found nothing.” Two independent American investigators, the seasoned National Enquirer reporter Bob Pratt and Charles Tucker of the International UFO Investigating Bureau, actually visited the area and interviewed many witnesses, including the members of the Bolivian expeditions. Pratt tried to reach the crash site himself but couldn’t because of the difficulties of the terrain. In a 1984 letter, Pratt wrote that “a lot of misinformation has been published about this incident. I am certain, however, that the area was not cordoned off by the military, that no object was recovered by NASA or anyone else, that no Hercules picked up anything.” Pratt finished his letter by stating that, “I believe something crashed into the mountain and was buried under the landslide it created. But the six people I know who have personally inspected the site could find no debris of any kind. Whatever struck there is probably going to remain buried there.”
Dalnegorsk, Russian Pacific Coast, 1986
Although there are several reported UFO crashes in Russia and the republics of the old Soviet Union, the Dalnegorsk incident of 1986 is unique because it is one of the few cases where metallic fragments were recovered and analyzed by scientists with the results openly published. A number of unique circumstances made this possible. The principal investigator of the case, Dr. Valery Dvuzhilny, led a group from the Far Eastern Commission on Anomalous Phenomena, and the timing coincided with the then newly implemented policies of glasnost and perestroika issued by Mikhail Gorbachev, which allowed the publication of the case. Dvuzhilny also corresponded extensively with Western researchers, sending copies of his reports and photos of the recovered evidence.
Dalnegorsk is a small city near Russia’s Pacific Coast, on the Sea of Japan, just north of Vladivostok. The story begins at 7:55 p.m., on January 29, 1986, with the collision of an unknown object on Hill 611 in Dalnegorsk. One of the reports by Dr. Dvuzhilny summarized the events:
Residents of the settlements observed a reddish-orange sphere the size of a half full moon, which flew from the southwest at 260 degrees. Its altitude was 700-800 meters. The flight was parallel to the surface of the Earth, without the angles which are characteristic for meteorites. The witnesses heard absolutely no noises. The calculated speed by chronometer was 15 meters per second. There was no change of direction or altitude.
The object then approached the Izvestkovaya Mountain, or Hill 611, which has an elevation of 600 meters and is located at the center of the city. “The object made a dive and went at an angle of 60-70 degrees on the cliff ledge, where it ‘fell’ and burned for an hour,” continued the report, “some of the witnesses affirm that it rose and lowered itself six times, and that its light was intensified during its rise and weakened during its lowering.” Dvuzhilny and his team arrived on the scene on February 3, finding a number of physical traces, which included lead and iron balls, bits of glass, a fine mesh or netting, traces of high temperature activity, magnetic anomalies, and damage to nearby trees and stumps.
The materials were analyzed by several laboratories and research institutes; the results were quite enigmatic, leading Dvuzhilny and other scientists to conclude that the Dalnegorsk object was probably an artificial space probe of non-terrestrial origin. According to one report published in the influential newspaper, Socialist Industry (now Rabochaya Tribuna), “in the scales (or mesh), almost all the elements of the entire periodic table were found.” Special analysis of the lead balls, for instance, showed that besides lead, they contained silicon (20%), aluminum (10%), iron (15%), zinc (1.5%), titanium (2%), magnesium (1%) and silver (2%), as well as minute portions of copper, lanthanum, praseodymium, calcium, sodium, vanadium, cerium, chrome, cobalt, nickel, and molybdenum.
Metallic fragments consisting of a fine mesh or netting retrieved by scientists at Hill 611 in 1986. Credit: ICUFON Archives/V. Dvuzhilny
The scales, or mesh, reacted in a very strange manner during the laboratory analysis. The Socialist Industry report described how one of the scientists, A. Makeev, “presented the [X-ray] structural analysis and showed that from one scale, after melting it in a vacuum, all of a sudden gold, silver, and nickel disappeared. But there appeared alpha-titanium and molybdenum. In another scale, the metals did not appear at all. And for some reason, after the heating, there appeared beryllium sulfide.”
There were still further surprises, such as “six areas of magnetized silica rock” (silica is a non-magnetic material) found on the crash site. These results were published by A. Petukhov and T. Faminskaya, members of the Council of Scientific and Engineering Sciences’ Commission on Paranormal Events. “Vivid interest was also evoked by the mesh, a carbon-based composite of unknown origin,” wrote Petukhov and Faminskaya, “the specimen was found to include quartz filaments 17 microns thick, and golden wires inside the filament.” All this evidence led some investigators to conclude that something alien had indeed crashed at Hill 611. V. Vysotsky, Doctor of Chemistry from Vladivostok, stated: “Undoubtedly, this is a high-technology product and not a thing of natural or terrestrial origin.” Dvuzhilny proposed that it was “an automatic scout probe” of alien origin, and rejected the alternative hypothesis that it could have been a natural plasmoid.
Still another hypothesis was offered by Yuli Platov, a senior researcher with the Institute of Earth Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radiowave Propagation of the USSR Academy of Sciences as well as a noted UFO skeptic. Platov wrote that the Dalnegorsk phenomenon, “in reality was connected with the conduct of a technical experiment.” This is a polite way of saying the Hill 611 object was probably a secret Soviet military aircraft or spacecraft; yet, if this was the case why wasn’t Hill 611 immediately cordoned-off by Soviet troops and the material hushed away by the KGB? Why were scientists and technicians from the civilian, rather than the military industrial sector, allowed to conduct their investigation more or less openly and parade their puzzling results to the local and national media? Moreover, neither Platov nor anyone else ever produced any supporting evidence to back their experimental craft hypothesis. Dvuzhilny also noted that there were no rocket launches and no civilian or military traffic over Dalnegorsk on the night of January 29, 1986.
Regardless of its ultimate origin, the crash on Hill 611 was only the beginning of an intense UFO wave around Dalnegorsk. For instance, another report by Dvuzhilny indicates that, “on February 6, 1986, eight days after the UFO crash, there appeared from the north two yellow globes at 8:30 p.m. They approached the crash spot, made four circles over it and disappeared with a flash.” By and large, however, the largest display of UFOs occurred on the night of November 28, 1987. Dvuzhilny wrote: “On Saturday November 28, 1987, 33 UFOs were flying at a low height over the Eastern coast of Primorye. Their flights took place between 9:10 pm and midnight. They were of different shape: cylinders, cigars, globes. They were flying over five regions and twelve settlements.”
UFO photographed over Dalnegorsk. Credit: ICUFON Archives/V. Dvuzhilny
Inquiries made by Dvuzhilny showed there had been no flights of civil or military aircraft at that time, and that no rockets were launched from Soviet Cosmodromes. In total, thirteen UFOs flew over Dalnegorsk itself. They were seen by over a hundred witnesses, including military personnel, militia (police), border guards, and sailors, as well as all kind of civilian workers who were questioned by the Far Eastern Commission. Still more sightings occurred in the months to come. The Commission recorded forty-five UFO sightings in 1987, fifteen in 1988, and thirty-two in 1989.Statistics for the 1990s were not included in the reports sent to the U.S. by Dr. Dvuzhilny, but what was included—all the evidence reviewed here—is quite extraordinary.
Reconstruction by the Far East Commission on Anomalous Phenomena of the UFO wave of November 28, 1987 around Dalnegorsk and other areas in Russia’s Pacific coast. Credit: ICUFON Archives/V. Dvuzhilny
THE METALLIC SPHERES – A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Some of the Project Moon Dust documents declassified by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) include reports of mysterious metallic spheres found scattered in many countries around the world like Bolivia, Chad, and New Zealand. Other similar cases not in the DIA documents were reported in Argentina and Mexico. Usually these cases were readily identified as some kind of space junk, but occasionally they were treated as fragments from crashed UFOs. A couple of these spheres are even on display at the “Visión OVNI” (UFO Vision) Museum in Victoria in the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina. Among the Mexican cases, one was found in Chiapas in 1996, two in Tamaulipas in 1994 and 1996, and another obtained by famous TV journalist Jaime Maussán in 2008, all of which were claimed as possibly UFO-related fragments. Yet there can be little doubt that all these “space balls” are mundane parts of the Russian or American space programs and not real UFO artifacts.
One of the space spheres on display at the UFO Vision Museum in Victoria, Argentina; photo of George Adamski in the background. Credit: Open Minds Production
Here is a representative Moon Dust memo from the Republic of Chad in Africa, dated October 10, 1970:
This report forwards photographs of object believed to come under Project ‘MOON DUST’. The object was seen falling in an area 30 kms N.E. of LAI (0924N-1618E) on 1 August 1970. It produced three loud explosions on landing and was said to have burned for five days. The sphere weighs 30 pounds and has a circumference of four feet. A second object was found in the same general area. It however, resembles au automobile shaft. Photographs of this object are forwarded.
A longer Moon Dust document, dated August 17, 1979, concerns “an unidentified object having been found on a farm near Santa Cruz” in Bolivia, described as “about three times the size of a basketball.” The document quoted the director of the Air Force Academy, Col. Ariel Coca, as stating, “The sphere is made of special light ally but very resistant, possibly a fuel tank or a part of a satellite! The object does not have any signs or marks that could identify its origin nor the country to which it belongs.”
Two space spheres on display in the patio of the Firmat Museum in Santa Fe, Argentina. Credit: Open Minds Production
The argument in favor of the extraterrestrial origin of these spheres made by some ufologists in Mexico and Argentina is that they are extremely hard, almost impossible to burn or cut. But this is what you would expect of a fuel tank for a spacecraft, designed to be ejected for earth reentry once the fuel is used; it has to be made of metals able to withstand the space launch or the satellite or spacecraft could be in danger. Mexican engineer Luis Ruiz Noguez, a well-known UFO skeptic, explained that the alloy, which is composed of titanium, vanadium, and aluminum, shown in the 1994 and 1996 Mexican spheres “is chiefly utilized in the manufacture of fuel tanks for artificial satellites due to their high resistance to corrosion and temperature.” While the spheres at Argentina’s Visión OVNI Museum are exhibited as true UFO artifacts, another local museum in Paraná has a couple of similar spheres that the Russian space program has acknowledged as part of a Russian space probe.
A space sphere that fell in Mexico in 2008, now in the possession of Jaime Maussán. Notice the extensive damage inflicted due to reentry. Credit: Open Minds Production
These spheres provide a useful cautionary tale in learning how to distinguish prosaic man-made space objects from true unknown devices. There is a good possibility that many so-called UFO crashes have a terrestrial origin, but others are still enigmatic and so far unexplained.
A version of this article originally appeared in Issue #8 (June/July 2011) of Open Minds UFO Magazine. Back issues can be found here.
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Congress Requires Pentagon to Address UFO Disinformation
Congress Requires Pentagon to Address UFO Disinformation
US intelligence has admitted to participating in UFO disinformation that has helped create conspiracy theories, and congress has mandated they address it in a report.
In 1988, a recently retired U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) Agent claimed on live television that the government was working with aliens at a secret base in the Nevada desert called Area 51 and that the “extraterrestrials have complete control of this base.” In the program, the producers blacked out the OSI agent’s face, and he went by the codename “Falcon.” The agent’s actual name is Richard Doty. It’s listed on theIMDBpage for the show. Doty hasadmitted that during his career as an OSI agent, beginning in 1980, he had been sharing disinformation about aliens and UFOs with the UFO community. Within weeks of the airing of the live UFO program, a man in Nevada named Bob Lazar approached reporters in Las Vegasclaiminghe had worked on alien spacecraft at Area 51. Despite lacking evidence, Lazar’s claims made headlines, and Area 51, then one of our most secret military bases, quickly became the most famous.
Stories like this leave me wondering how much of the UFO mythos is disinformation created by the U.S. government and why. It sounds like another UFO conspiracy theory, but Congress is interested in this question also. They require that the Pentagon’s current UAP investigation program, the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), produce a report that includes “the key historical record of the involvement of the intelligence community with unidentified anomalous phenomena, including…any efforts to obfuscate, manipulate public opinion, hide, or otherwise provide incorrect unclassified or classified information about unidentified anomalous phenomena or related activities.”
Is there any reason to believe the U.S. government has deceived the public about UFOs? Mr. Doty’s story is not well known, but the CIA has admitted to deceiving the public about UFOs in a study published by the CIA journal Studies in Intelligence titled “A Die-hard Issue: CIA’s Role in the Study of UFOs, 1947–1990.”
According to the study, much like today, credible UFO sightings in the late 1940s and early 1950s brought media attention to the topic. This pressured the U.S. Air Forces into creating UFO investigation programs and the CIA to discreetly monitor the situation. The CIA didn’t want attention to the fact that it was monitoring UFO reports and interfacing with the U.S. Air Force on the matter, so both organizations chose to lie about it.
The report states, “This concealment of CIA interest contributed greatly to later charges of a CIA conspiracy and cover-up.”
The problem worsened in the late 50s when testing of U-2 spy planes began. The aircraft flew much higher than any others at the time, and the prototypes were highly reflective, causing a spike in reports to the USAF UFO research program at the time, Project Blue Book. The CIA later estimated half of the UFO reports during this time were due to U-2 aircraft. The report claims, “This led the Air Force to make misleading and deceptive statements to the public in order to allay public fears and to protect an extraordinarily sensitive national security project.”
The report also covers the CIA’s involvement with a University of Colorado review of UFO information in the late 60s, which led to the USAF closing Project Blue Book and exiting public UFO research completely. Both agencies decided to keep the CIA’s involvement in the report hidden.
Even Roswell was a cover-up, albeit not of the extraterrestrial kind. Unfortunately, the first volume of the AARO report whitewashes this event. According to the AARO report, in the 1990s, “USAF’s research did not locate or develop any information that indicated the ‘Roswell Incident’ was a UFO event, nor was there any ‘cover-up’ by the USG.”
It goes on to explain how the USAF found that the debris collected in the desert in 1947 was part of a classified project to listen for Russian nuclear testing called Project Mogul. It does not include the fact that the USAF’s research also found that the person in charge of researching the material, General Roger Ramey, had taken it upon himself to hide that the debris was part of a classified project. Instead, he told the press they had found an ordinary weather balloon and switched out the actual debris before taking press photos.
According to the 1995 USAF Roswell report, “the Air Force did not find documented evidence that Gen. Ramey was directed to espouse a weather balloon in his press conference, he may have done so because he was either aware of Project MOGUL and was trying to deflect interest from it, or he really perceived the material to be a weather balloon based on the identification from his weather officer, Irving Newton.”
Ramey’s Chief of Staff, Colonel Thomas DuBose, who can be seen in one of the photos, claimed in an affidavit, “the material shown in the photographs taken in Gen. Ramey’s office was a weather balloon. The weather balloon explanation for the material was a cover story to divert the attention of the press.”
Photo: Ramey, left, holding letter, and DuBose looking over wind-forecasting device at Fort Worth Army Airfield brought from Roswell, New Mexico. Credit: University of Arlington
DuBose does not claim to have seen or known anything about the material that the USAF found. Still, Ramey’s switching out of the material and DuBose’s statement help fuel Roswell’s conspiracy theories to this day.
This brings us back to Doty, who is the first source of the claim that the USAF took alien bodies to Area 51. He did so in a document claiming a cabal of influential people inside and outside of the government controls UFOs and alien secrets. If this sounds like the X-Files, it’s because the show was allegedly based on Doty’s stories.
In late 1980, Doty worked at Kirtland Air Force base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Only months after beginning his position as an OSI agent, a local technical equipment vendor and paranormal enthusiast, Paul Bennewitz, claimed to be getting images and signals from UFOs over the base. According to documents I and others have received via FOIA, Doty and another agent looked at what Bennewitz had found but didn’t see anything worth researching.
Doty claims that someone in the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) approached him soon after meeting with Bennewitz. Doty refers to the DIA agent with the codename “Falcon”—the same name he later used on the TV show mentioned earlier. According to Doty, Falcon wanted Doty to feed disinformation to Bennewitz and make Bennewitz believe what he saw was aliens. Falcon said Bennewitz was capturing signals and videos of top-secret activity at the base, and the disinformation was intended to throw off Bennewitz and any Russian spies that might be monitoring him.
There is no evidence that Falcon exists or that Doty was ordered to conduct his disinformation program against Bennewitz, but it was effective and drove Bennewitz into a dangerous mental state. Even worse, the disinformation Doty spread and its amplification by the X-Files has created mythos that may even fool government insiders.
The FBI investigated some of Doty’s documents and asked the U.S. Air Force what they knew. The documents were returned with the word “BOGUS” written on them in thick black marker. But the question isn’t whether they are bogus. The question is why they came from an active OSI agent—a question still unanswered.
In an op-ed for Scientific American earlier this year, former AARO Chief Sean Kirkpatrick wrote: “…our efforts were ultimately overwhelmed by sensational but unsupported claims that ignored contradictory evidence yet captured the attention of policy makers and the public, driving legislative battles and dominating the public narrative.”
I agree with Kirkpatrick regarding the negative effect “sensational but unsupported claims” are having on moving UAP research forward. However, the government has to be open and cooperative as well and needs to investigate and take responsibility for its role in UAP disinformation.
A version of this article was originally posted on Den of Geek.
There has been much confusion about the alleged secret Pentagon UFO program the New York Timesexposed in 2017, and the problems stem from factual errors and omissions in the article.
According to the contract solicitation, the Pentagon created the Advanced Aerospace Weapon Systems Applications Program (AAWSAP) under the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to research “advanced aerospace weapon system applications” to understand “the foreign threat out to the far term.”
In 2009, then-Nevada Senator Harry Reid tried to get Special Access Program (SAP) status for AAWSAP. In the request, he used the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) as a nickname. James Lacatski, the DIA program manager for AAWSAP, confirmed this in his bookSkinwalkers at the Pentagon, co-written by Las Vegas journalist George Knapp and AAWSAP lead scientist Colm Kelleher.
Regarding Reid’s SAP request, the book states: “A new unclassified nickname, the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), was created for use within the unclassified letter because it was decided for security reasons not to use the AAWSAP acronym.”
The Pentagon denied the SAP request.
Despite selling the program to the Pentagon as a future aerospace tech analysis program, Reid, Lacatski, and Nevada real estate tycoon Robert Bigelow intended to conduct paranormal investigations. Lacatski outlined AAWSAP’s work in his book. It does not align with the objectives outlined in the contract, nor do his tales of the alleged paranormal adventures AAWSAP engaged in. From the Pentagon’s perspective, AAWSAP was delivering on the non-paranormal research they were tasked to do.
I received the official AAWSAP files delivered to the Department of Defense in this FOIA request. All of them are within the scope of the contract.
For those of us who followed UFOs before the 2017 New York Times article, it was shocking to see that the Pentagon awarded the AAWSAP contract to Bigelow’s fledgling company, Bigelow Aerospace. The surprise was not only due to Bigelow’s involvement with AAWSAP’s inception but also because we knew what Bigelow had been up to, and UFO research was not the whole story.
At the time, Bigelow also owned Skinwalker Ranch, where a group of scientists investigated alleged paranormal activity. In 2005, Knapp (a close associate of Bigelow’s) and Kelleher wrote a book on this investigation called Hunt for the Skinwalker. The ranch now has a new owner and is the subject of a TV show on the History Channel.
We also knew that around 2008, Bigelow had changed the name of his Skinwaler and paranormal research group from the National Institute of Discovery Sciences (NIDS) to a department in his new Bigelow Aerospace company called Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies (BAASS). At this time, I was in a leadership position with a non-profit called the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). We had created a partnership with BAASS. They provided us with resources for our UAP investigations. I handled public relations and was the only one in a leadership position who did not sign an NDA with BAASS. I didn’t want the liability.
I don’t know who knew what at MUFON, but Knapp later reported that Bigelow created BAASS solely to win and manage the AAWSAP contract. The MUFON partnership was short-lived and ended in less than a year.
Another thing many of us UFO enthusiasts knew was that despite their claims the numerous paranormal phenomena they investigate are real, Bigelow’s researchers have never been able to prove any of it.
In December 2017, the infamous NYT article claimed that a program called AATIP, run by an agent in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security named Lue Elizondo, received $22M to investigate UFOs. This conclusion has not aged well.
We know now:
AAWSAP got the contract, AATIP was a nickname for AAWSAP
Lacatksi and one of the lead scientists for BAASS deny Elizondo was involved with AAWSAP/AATIP – the program that was budgeted the $22M
The Pentagon did not create AAWSAP to investigate UFOs – Although AAWSAP did investigate UFOs, it was one of the least fringy things they took it upon themselves to look into, which is an important context the authors of the New York Times article left out.
Elizondo has claimed he was both part of AAWSAP and that he had nothing to do with AAWSAP
In 2018, a senior manager of BAASS, potentially wanting to set the record straight, gave a strange statement to KLAS, the news outlet Knapp works for, claiming “the [UFO] phenomenon also involved a whole panoply of diverse activity that included bizarre creatures, poltergeist activity, invisible entities, orbs of light, animal and human injuries and much more.”
The NYT article seemed to confuse the Pentagon, and its initial messaging was muddled. However, after further investigation, the Pentagon acknowledges the history I just covered. Volume 1 of the historical report created by the current Pentagon UAP program, the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), states, “The primary purpose of AAWSAP/AATIP was to investigate potential next generation aerospace technologies in 12 specific areas—such as advanced lift, propulsion, the use of unconventional materials and controls, and signature reduction.”
“Although investigating UFO/UAP was not specifically outlined in the contract’s statement of work,” the report continues. “The selected private sector organization conducted UFO research with the support of the DIA program manager [Lacatski].”
The report also clarifies that the “DIA did not seek, nor specifically authorize, this work though a DIA employee set up and managed the contract with the private sector organization.”
In 2019, I asked one of the authors of the NYT article most familiar with the UFO topic, Leskie Kean, about the omission of AAWSAP. She said, “at the time, our focus was AATIP. This was the name on the documents that we had, and this is what Lue Elizondo had talked to us about in interviews with him, as did others associated with the program.”
Elizondo told me his involvement was primarily with AATIP and the UFO side of things, he did not feel at liberty to share AAWSAP information with the New York Times.
So what did Elizondo do? These details are less clear. I say this despite having interviewed him several times here on OpenMinds.tv. It appears he started a group of interested parties inside the intelligence community to look at the most interesting military UFO cases collected by AAWSAP. An effort I appreciate. Elizondo and his associates adopted the AATIP name to conduct this non-funded and apparent non-official work. Department of Defense spokesperson Susan Gough recently told News Nation, “Luis Elizondo had no assigned responsibilities for the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) while assigned to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.”
The successor to AAWSAP, the UAP Task Force (UAPTF), was set up in 2020 and included AAWSAP personnel in leadership roles. Like Bigelow’s previous efforts, members of the UAPTF continue to make extraordinary yet unsupported claims. These claims come after a 2021 UAPTF report concluding that “the limited amount of high-quality reporting on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) hampers our ability to draw firm conclusions about the nature or intent of UAP.” UAPTF was short-lived and ultimately replaced by AARO. Some former UAPTF members now appear on the The Secrets of Skinwalker Ranch TV show.
For a more comprehensive analysis of this topic, I recommend you read: “On the AAWSAP-AATIP Confusion” by V.J. Ballester-Olmos and Luis Cayetano.
UPDATE: On May 28, 2025, John Greenewald posted Department of Defense correspondence he received via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request which supports my reporting on the nature of the “AATIP” Elizondo refers to as an unofficial, unfunded effort. In an email from June 5, 2019, a press official writes:
There is confusion — probably as a result of semantics/terminology — over whether the program “ended” or was “transitioned.” By the best information we’ve received, the formal AATIP program last received funding in the FY2010 NDAA, and those funds ran out, with the completion of the final 12 of 38 technical studies, in 2012. From the overall DoD perspective, that was the end of AATIP as a program. However, I’m beginning to think what happened is that some office in either OSD and/or Navy (e.g., N2N6) continued to track/monitor UAP incidents — but not as an official program, just as a mission/function/duty of an office, with no funding line, and certainly not as “AATIP.” I think that is what Elizondo is referring to when he claims that he continued to work with/in AATIP until 2017.
Read Greenewald’s article and download the documents here:
“It was like a giant light bar,” reports a witness who recorded a video of a large luminous object floating across the night sky over Spokane Valley and submitted it via theEnigma UFO reporting app.
“This thing flew right over top of us the best way that I can describe,” the witness continued. “The lights looked like big square lights going all the way across it in a cigar shape, and if you look at all the stars behind it the constellation is Orion‘s belt And all the stars are flashing in sequence as it passes by.”
Clip from Enigma #311157 – Spokane Valley, Washington – Sept. 5, 2022
The video shows what appears to be a long luminous object very high up in the sky. The object appears to be very large. Although the video was captured in 2022, it was only recently submitted to the Enigma app.
When SpaceX deploys Starlink satellites, they are very close together at first. There have been several videos and photos of these satellite trains where they look like one long object when it is a string of many small objects.
SpaceX deployed 51 Starlink satellites on Sept 4, 2022.
When it comes to the “flashing,” this is due to scintillation, the same phenomenon that causes stars to twinkle.
In this episode we discuss the state of UAP research and the best path forward. We also cover the latest UAP headlines and look at some recent UAP videos.
Enigma #307482 2025 Jan 11 • 6:50:00 PM EST Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Link to report and UFO video: https://enigmalabs.io/sighting/307482
Orb Over Tri Cities, Washington USA On June 7, 2025, UFO UAP Sighting News.
Orb Over Tri Cities, Washington USA On June 7, 2025, UFO UAP Sighting News.
Date of sighting: June 8, 2025
Location of sighting: Tri Cities, Washington, USA
Source: Email report
Now this one is special to me, since I lived in the Tri Cities for several years and still have family there. This orb is unique in that it's producing a whitish smoke around itself to hide its sphere shape. But with the bright blue sky in the background it really stand out. This is an alien orb...also called a 'drone that can't be shot down,' by the US military. Yes it's the same type of UFO seen over aircraft military runways around the world even today. Clearly it wants to be seen and recorded, a slow reveal by aliens may be happening in the coming months.
Scott C. Waring
Eyewitness states:
Suntanning in the pool. Just staring at the open sky enjoying the weather the first time. Yesterday I was actively looking for it… again. I had been outside for a couple hours… then boom! This time much higher in the sky. Appears to be spinning because it distorts the area around it and makes it look blurry. Really hard to find it on my camera. iPhone 15, at 5:20pm.
I recorded the moon and found some unusual structures of massive proportions, UFO UAP Sighting News.
I recorded the moon and found some unusual structures of massive proportions, UFO UAP Sighting News.
Date of sighting: June 7, 2025
Location of sighting: Earths moon
Source: Me
I was using my old digital camera to record the moon and when uploading the video to the computer, I decided it was too light, so I added contrast, which brought out so much detail. Here is just a screenshot, and some of the things I found in it. My camera is an old Sony 50X zoom Cybershot from about 10 years ago, but id does the job of filling my screen with nothing but moon.
Anyone can do this, just record the moon with your camera or telescope. Then take a screenshot or photo of it and add contrast until it pops! Then fiddle with it adding sharpening and it should be perfect for your eyes to see the truth. That alien structure of massive proportions exist on our moon.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:Ruins, strange artifacts on other planets, moons, ed ( Fr, EN, NL )
The classified truth: Mars' origins traced to lost planet Maldek
The classified truth: Mars' origins traced to lost planet Maldek
Evidence points to the existence of a massive planet once located between Mars and Jupiter, known to some as Maldek. This ancient world is believed to have had a large moon, complete with oceans, an atmosphere, and possibly even life, orbiting it for millions of years.
Maldek is thought to have once been home to a highly advanced humanoid civilization before meeting a cataclysmic end, likely the result of either internal collapse, through nuclear war, technological abuse, or spiritual decline, or an external force, whether natural or engineered. Its destruction scattered debris across the solar system, forming what we now know as the asteroid belt.
As for its large moon, it was cast adrift and eventually settled into a new orbit around the Sun. Today, we know that moon as Mars.
This theory sheds light on several of Mars’ mysteries: the stark contrast between its two hemispheres, the presence of tidal bulges typically seen in moons, and the unusual nuclear isotopes in its soil, matching those produced by atomic explosions.
For decades, government scientists have suppressed this information. But the truth remains, etched into planetary scars, buried beneath ancient monuments, and encoded in the mathematical patterns of our solar system’s violent past.
Additional: According to some alternative theories, a remnant of Maldek’s civilization escaped the planet’s cataclysmic destruction, seeking refuge on Mars, a world that once pulsed with life and bore a striking resemblance to Earth. For a time, they thrived. But Mars, too, would not remain untouched. Whether through the slow unraveling of its atmosphere or the lingering shadows of interplanetary war, Mars fell into decline. And so, the survivors journeyed again, this time to Earth. Shrouded in mystery, their presence may have shaped early human consciousness, remembered through the ages as ancient gods or sky beings.
The largest map of the universe, created with data from the James Webb Space Telescope, shows almost 800,000 galaxies crammed into a tiny piece of sky and spanning almost all of time.
A tiny sliver of the new COSMOS map showing an incredibly diverse collection of galaxies, created from a recent sky survey by JWST.
(Image credit: M. Franco/C. Casey/COSMOS-Web collaboration)
Scientists have unveiled the largest map of the universe ever created. Stretching across a tiny sliver of space and almost all cosmic time, it includes almost 800,000 galaxies imaged across the universe. Some are so far away that they appear as they existed in the infant universe, about 13 billion years ago.
The map, released Thursday (June 5) by scientists at the Cosmic Evolution Survey collaboration , covers a 0.54-degree-squared arc of the sky, or about three times as much space as the moon takes up when viewed from Earth.
To collect the data for the map, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) spent 255 hours observing a region of space nicknamed theCOSMOS field. This patch of sky has very few stars, gas clouds or other features blocking our view of the deep universe, so scientists have been surveying it with telescopes across as many wavelengths of light as possible.
Six galaxies from the COSMOS-Web map, each with a different age. From upper left to lower right: present-day universe, and 3 billion, 4 billion, 8 billion, 9 billion and 10 billion years ago. (Image credit: M. Franco/C. Casey/COSMOS-Web collaboration)
JWST's observations of the COSMOS field have given us an incredibly detailed view of the universe going back as far as 13.5 billion years.
Because the universe has been expanding, visible light that left its source at the other side of the universe gets stretched out, becoming infrared light. This is why JWST was designed to be an extremely sensitive infrared telescope: to detect these faint, stretched-out signals from the beginning of time that we couldn't see with other telescopes. It's already reshaping our understanding of how the universe formed.
A small portion of the new COSMOS-Web map showing many thousands of galaxies from across the universe. (Image credit: M. Franco/C. Casey/COSMOS-Web collaboration)
"Since the telescope turned on we've been wondering 'Are these JWST datasets breaking the cosmological model?"Caitlin Casey, a professor of physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara and co-lead for the COSMOS project, said in astatement. "The big surprise is that with JWST, we see roughly 10 times more galaxies than expected at these incredible distances. We're also seeing supermassive black holes that are not even visible with Hubble."
The raw data from the COSMOS field observations was made publicly available just after it was collected by JWST, but it wasn't easily accessible. Raw data from telescopes like JWST needs to be processed by people with the right technical knowledge and access to powerful computers.
The COSMOS collaboration spent two years creating the map from JWST's raw data to make it more accessible for amateur astronomers, undergraduate researchers and the general public to peer into the heart of the universe. You can see it for yourself using COSMOS'interactive map viewer.
The private Japanese spacecraft "Resilience" has seemingly been destroyed in a "hard landing" on the moon on Thursday. The lander was carrying what would have been the first European-built rover to explore the moon.
The Tenacious rover is carrying a tiny model of a suburban house, known as "The Moonhouse," which was supposed to be deployed on the lunar surface. (This photo was taken before the rover was launched into space.)
(Image credit: The Moonhouse)
Editor's note: This story was updated at 12:00 p.m. on Friday (June 6) with new information from ispace.
A private Japanese moon lander — which was carrying Europe's first lunar rover — has likely been destroyed in a "hard landing" after ground control suddenly lost contact with the spacecraft on Thursday (June 5).
Mission control lost contact with the lander, known as "Resilience," at 3:17 p.m ET, just as it was attempting a lunar touchdown, and was unable to restore it as of Friday morning.
"As of 8:00 a.m. on June 6, 2025, mission controllers have determined that it is unlikely that communication with the lander will be restored," Japanese company ispace wrote in a statement posted to X. "It has been decided to conclude the mission."
It is highly unlikely that the European rover, or any of the spacecraft's other payloads, can be deployed.
The rover, known as "Tenacious," is one of several payloads carried aboard Resilience, the second Hakuto-R lander made and operated by ispace. The spacecraft attempted to touch down in an unexplored region of the moon's northern hemisphere known as Mare Frigoris, or the "Sea of Cold," after spending just over a month in lunar orbit.
An artist's illustration of the Tenacious rover next to the Resilience lander on the moon. (Image credit: ESA/ispace)
Moon milestones
Resilience launched Jan. 15 on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Live Science's sister site Space.com reported at the time. The same rocket also launched Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, which successfully landed on the moon on March 2, after taking a more direct route.
Resilience would have been just the second private lunar lander to complete a soft landing on the moon. Its main payload, the Tenacious rover, would be the first European-built vehicle to roam the moon.
Tenacious is small, measuring roughly 21 inches (54 centimeters) long and weighing just 11 pounds (5 kilograms). But its most-talked-about payload — a tiny, red house dubbed "The Moonhouse" — is even teenier, standing just 4 inches (10 cm) tall. The art piece, dubbed the "first house on the moon," was created by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg, who first envisioned the project in 1999.
"To me, the Moonhouse is both a shared achievement, something made possible by the efforts of many individuals, but also a profoundly personal thing," Genberg recently told Space.com. "It's a small house in a vast, empty place, a symbol of belonging, curiosity, and vulnerability."
The Moonhouse was created by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg and has been in the works for more than 25 years. (Image credit: The Moonhouse)
Other experiments
Tenacious planned to roam the Sea of Cold for up to two weeks. It would then likely die during the "lunar night," when its solar panels can no longer collect light, according to ESA.
During this time, the rover would have conducted various additional experiments, including using a tiny scoop to collect a small amount of lunar regolith, which could be returned to Earth on a future mission. NASA has already agreed to buy the sample for $5,000, according to Sky News.
The Resilience lander also carryied several other payloads, including the Water Electrolyzer Experiment, which aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of producing oxygen and hydrogen from "lunar water resources"; an algae-based food production module, which would have attempted to grow the photosynthetic organism as a potential future food source for lunar astronauts; and the Deep Space Radiation Probe, which would have tracked the amount of radiation the lander will experience on the moon, according to Space.com.
Japan's private space company ispace experienced another setback on Thursday 5th June when its Resilience lunar lander crashed into the surface of the Moon, marking the company's second consecutive failed landing attempt in just over two years.
The Full Moon
(Credit : Gregory H. Revera)
The uncrewed spacecraft was attempting to touch down in Mare Frigoris, or the "Sea of Cold," a vast basaltic plain in the Moon's northern region around 3:17 p.m. ET on June 5th. More than 500 ispace employees, shareholders, and government officials watched anxiously at a public viewing event in Tokyo as flight data was suddenly lost less than two minutes before the scheduled touchdown time.
*Mare Frigoris is located just north of Mare Imbrium, and stretches east to north of Mare Serentatis.
(Credit : NASA)
According to ispace officials, the preliminary data suggests the lander's laser rangefinder experienced delays in obtaining accurate distance measurements to the lunar surface, preventing Resilience from slowing down for a safe landing. The spacecraft had successfully descended from about 100 kilometres to 20 kilometres above the surface and fired its main engine as planned, but something went wrong during the final critical phase.
“Based on these circumstances, it is currently assumed that the lander likely performed a hard landing on the lunar surface.” - ispace spokesperson This failure is somewhat similar to ispace's first attempt in April 2023, when their Hakuto-R lander also crashed during its final descent. However, company executives stressed that while both missions failed due to altitude measurement issues, the specific technical problems appear to be different.
Resilience had launched in January aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket alongside Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander, which took a faster trajectory to the Moon and successfully landed in March this year. The Japanese spacecraft chose a slower, more fuel-efficient route that took nearly five months to reach its destination.
The December 11th launch of a Falcon 9 rocket with the first Hakuto R. mission (Credit : SpaceX/ispace)
The mission carried significant scientific value, including a four-wheeled rover built by ispace's Luxembourg based subsidiary and five external payloads worth $16 million, featuring experiments from Japanese companies and a Taiwanese university. The lander was also contracted by NASA to collect lunar regolith samples during what was planned to be a 14-day surface mission.
Despite the setback, ispace isn't giving up. The company has already secured funding for a third attempt and is collaborating with US-based Draper on the Apex 1.0 lander, scheduled to target the Moon's far side as soon as 2027. The commercial space race to the Moon continues, but Thursday's crash serves as another reminder of just how challenging lunar exploration remains.
In this series we are exploring NASA's top five challenges as detailed in itsCivil Space Shortfall Ranking, which is basically NASA's Christmas wish list. These are the technologies that NASA believes we need to develop if we want to go to space…and stay there.
And we'll start with number five: high-powered robotics.
Space is hard. There's no doubt about that. It's completely unlike any environment we have ever faced on the Earth. Explorers in space, whether human or robotic, have to tackle literally out-of-this-world challenges. For example, there are extreme temperature fluctuations. One minute it could be hot enough to boil water, and the next minute cold enough to freeze nitrogen. Without thick atmospheres to balance and distribute heat, within the inner solar system you're at the mercy of the Sun: if you're in sunlight, it's generally going to be too warm, and if you're in the shade, it's hundreds of degrees colder. In the outer solar system? It's just...cold. Always, miserably cold.
And then there's the dust. On the Earth, dust is irritating – it makes us sneeze and it can jam up gears or wheels or cause your breaks to make that loud SQUEEEL sound. But in space dust is next-level. The surface of the Moon is covered in a fine powder, regolith, that is both tiny and, microscopically, fully of tiny, jagged edges. This dust can worm itself through even our best-sealed compartments, or just get carried along for the ride – where it immediately just sticks to everything.
And hey, who doesn't love a dose of deadly radiation every single second of every single day? Without a protective magnetic field and the security blanket of a nice thick atmosphere, operations on the Moon and Mars require constant exposure to cosmic rays, tiny charged particles slamming through the universe. Cosmic rays are caused by super-energetic events like supernovae and active galactic nuclei, and a typical cosmic ray particle is traveling somewhere around 99.999999% the speed of light. That's a lot of nines, and a lot of trouble. These cosmic rays can fry electronics and snip apart DNA.
And yeah, we've been sending robots into this extreme environment for decades, but if we want a more permanent presence on the Moon and Mars, we have to do better. For sure, we've had some huge successes, like the Cassini mission that spent 13 years in orbit around Saturn, or the Mars Exploration Rovers – Spirit and Opportunity – which lasted years longer than their planned 90-day missions. Those missions produced an enormous amount of science results, like the fact that we now have firm evidence that liquid water once existed on the Martian surface. We have been able to gather this evidence with the instruments on our rovers like rock abrasion tools and alpha particle X-ray spectrometer, in addition to a good old-fashioned camera.
But the presence of liquid water in the Martian past has opened up a powerful, difficult question: did Mars once harbor life? Unfortunately our current suite of robotic instruments are too limited to tell us. We need to be able to dig deeper into the soil, survey more regions, and bring more powerful instruments to answer that burning question.
This isn't just limited to Mars rovers. In general, every robot we send into space has a limited lifespan, is not meant to be repaired, and is extremely limited in what it can do. And still, those missions cost hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars, because we're trying to battle all those hostile environmental factors.
On the Earth, we've made great strides in making larger and more powerful robots. We have heavy-duty robots that assemble cars, and we have versatile ones that can walk like humans.
To make more impressive robots, designers have focused on increasing the power density: the amount of energy that robots can store and send through their various parts and systems. These systems include sensing, actuation (moving various bits and parts around), and aviation (like flight control). The more power you have available to all these systems, the more you can do. But if we rank power density on a scale, like a wind-up toy being a 1 and a Kaiju-killing Jaeger a 10, our robotic space probes are like a…3. Maybe 4 if we're being generous.
It's not just about having a big battery pack or solar cell. We need the ability to get this power to a robot's subsystems. We need more powerful electric motors, gearing, and drive train components. We need more capable sensors, with more dynamic range, more perception, more force. We need long-lived power distribution systems; you know, like cables and wires. We need more powerful computers to drive this all.
And, if this weren't enough, we need future robots to be modular, so that we can easily swap out components to allow the robot to fulfill a new mission objective, and we need our robots to be repairable and maintainable, because we simply can't build up a healthy lunar or Martian infrastructure with single-shot craft.
In fact, we probably need space-based robots that are even more capable and more power-dense than their current terrestrial cousins. Meaning that our goal isn't just to make current top-of-the-line Earth robots capable of facing the dangers and challenges of space environments. No, we need EVEN BETTER.
I found evidence of a pre-historic American Indian culture dating back to 900-1200AD, but...can I save it? Utah Discovery News.
I found evidence of a pre-historic American Indian culture dating back to 900-1200AD, but...can I save it? Utah Discovery News.
Wow, while hiking I discover ancient evidence that is from 900-1200 AD (time Fremont existed) that has gone over looked in Utah till right now. I found undeniable proof of the Fremont tribe, a tribe so old, that American Indians call them the “ancient people” or “the old ones” who lived in the lands before them.
This is important, but how do you get a state to recognize the area as a historical significant location to protect it. It's close to an impending threat that will in the coming years, destroy it entirely, wiping the evidence away of this rare and little know about Fremont tribe.
I will make some videos on it, and share it with you all. But the Fremont no longer exist, since they. were absorbed into other tribes long ago. I will update soon on this discovery...it's big...and I'm not talking figuratively.
So I guess, I don't just find ancient alien artifacts on other planets and moons in NASA photos, I don't just find ancient cities and artifacts on Google Earth Map...I also do it in real life.
UFO Disk Over Douliu, Taiwan On June 5, 2025, UAP Sighting News.
UFO Disk Over Douliu, Taiwan On June 5, 2025, UAP Sighting News.
Date of sighting: June 5, 2025
Location of sighting: Douliu, Taiwan
Source: Email report
Watch this cloaked alien disk flying over Taiwan. Someone was watching and caught it from their apartment balcony. The object has glowing white lights on the side of the disk. Magnificent catch!
Scott C. Waring
Eyewitness states:
At first I noticed them through the screen window. Then I picked up my phone and walked to the balcony to start recording. They seemed to be moving really fast, more like they were glowing, not just white in color. So I started filming.
The scrolls were first discovered by a Bedouin shepherd inside the West Bank's caves of Qumran between 1946 and 1947.
(Image credit: Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)
Many of the Dead Sea Scrolls may be older than experts thought, according to an artificial intelligence (AI) analysis.
Consisting of about 1,000 ancient manuscripts etched onto animal skin, papyrus and copper, the Dead Sea Scrolls contain the earliest known versions of texts from the Hebrew Bible — including copies of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Isaiah, Kings and Deuteronomy — and date from the third century B.C. to the first century A.D.
Now, scientists have used an AI program, dubbed Enoch, to analyze the handwriting patterns on the scrolls, revealing that they may be older than experts thought. The study authors say their findings, published June 4 in the journal PLOS One, are a significant step in dating some of the earliest versions of the Bible. However, not all experts are convinced.
In 1799, French soldiers near Egypt’s Nile Delta uncovered a large inscribed slab that would become known as the Rosetta Stone. It contained the key to decoding ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, unlocking the voices of a long-lost civilization. While the stone itself bore no serpent imagery, Egypt’s surviving monuments and tombs are filled with depictions of snakes—coiled, crowned, and sacred. The serpent, in fact, appears everywhere in human history. From Mexico to Mesopotamia, India to Australia, ancient cultures developed strikingly similar snake symbolism. Why?
How could people separated by oceans and millennia independently choose the same symbol to express creation, danger, fertility, and power?
A Global Pattern in Stone and Story
And then it becomes obvious, after just researching a little bit, reading a few aritcles and books, and look at a few illustrations drawn by our ancestors across the globe.
Across continents, serpent imagery appears with remarkable consistency. In ancient Egypt, the cobra goddess Wadjet was a divine protector, often shown rearing up on the crowns of pharaohs. She embodied sovereignty, fire, and the divine right to rule. According to the British Museum, her symbolism reflected both protection and aggression—a duality at the heart of Egyptian cosmology.
In pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, the Aztecs worshipped Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, a god of wind, learning, and creation. This serpent figure appears prominently in temples and codices, often linked with cosmic order and regeneration. At Chichén Itzá, during the equinoxes, a moving shadow along the steps of the main pyramid forms the shape of a descending serpent—engineered to honor this divine being.
These motifs appear far beyond the reach of shared trade routes or contact. In India, snakes known as Nāgas are still venerated today. In Aboriginal Australia, stories of the Rainbow Serpent stretch back tens of thousands of years, passed down in oral tradition and depicted in ancient rock art.
The consistency of this imagery suggests a deep-rooted psychological or environmental source—but no single explanation has ever fully accounted for it.
From Rock Art to Living Memory
In Western Australia’s Kimberley region, rock paintings depict enormous serpentine figures, their arcs following the curves of rivers and cliffs. These images are attributed to the Rainbow Serpent, a powerful being believed to have shaped the land itself—creating rivers, mountains, and life. Some of these paintings may be over 20,000 years old, though dating remains uncertain. According to Aboriginal elders, the Rainbow Serpent is not a metaphor. It is real, remembered, and revered.
On the other side of the world, early Hindu texts like the Mahabharata describe encounters with divine snakes. These Nāgas are neither wholly evil nor entirely benign. They live underground or near water, protect treasures, and wield supernatural power. Shrines to Nāgas still dot the Indian countryside, where villagers offer milk and flowers to carved serpent stones.
What connects these traditions is not only the snake’s visual presence—but its elevated role in explaining how the world came to be.
Serpents of Kings and Gods
In Egypt, the cobra goddess Wadjet was considered the personal protector of the pharaoh. Her image, known as the uraeus, appears on crowns dating back to around 3100 BCE, during the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Narmer. Her function was both symbolic and magical—believed to spit fire at enemies and defend the divine order (ma’at).
Mesoamerican texts, such as the Codex Borgia, include detailed illustrations of feathered serpents involved in rituals of time, rebirth, and celestial order. While interpretations vary, scholars agree that Quetzalcoatl’s symbolism was deeply embedded in Aztec spiritual and political life. He was a cultural founder figure, bringing laws, maize, and the calendar.
Despite the wide geographic gap, both traditions elevate the serpent to the realm of divine kingship and cosmic authority.
The Psychological Angle
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung believed that serpent imagery represents a universal archetype—a symbol embedded in the collective unconscious of all humanity. Because snakes shed their skin, Jung argued, humans instinctively associate them with rebirth, transformation, and immortality. In his Collected Works (Vol. 9), he wrote that the snake’s ability to renew itself made it an ideal emblem of the psyche’s deep structures.
Mythologist Joseph Campbell independently reached similar conclusions. In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, he showed that serpents often play key roles in the hero’s journey—appearing as both obstacle and guide. In nearly every culture he studied, serpents carried the dual symbolism of death and life, fear and wisdom, endings and beginnings.
Psychological theories help explain the emotional power of snake symbols—but they still don’t answer why snakes, above all animals, were chosen in so many places, by so many people.
Environment and Interpretation
Some anthropologists propose that the natural behaviors of snakes made them universally symbolic. In agricultural societies, snakes emerged after rain and often inhabited riverbanks, making them logical candidates to represent fertility and water cycles. In many myths, they are linked to rainfall, drought, or seasonal change.
In ancient Egypt, Wadjet was associated with the Nile floods, which brought fertility to the land. Similarly, Quetzalcoatl was believed to bring rain and agricultural renewal. Serpents in these contexts act as agents of the life-death-life cycle—a pattern at the core of many belief systems.
While no definitive scientific study has mapped all global serpent symbols to specific environmental factors, the correlation between serpent myths and water is notable and persistent.
The Oldest Serpent Yet
At Göbekli Tepe in southeastern Turkey, archaeologists have uncovered serpent carvings dating back nearly 11,000 years. These reliefs appear on massive T-shaped pillars arranged in ceremonial enclosures. The serpents are stylized, elongated, and often depicted in motion—carved with intent, not decoration.
Göbekli Tepe predates writing, agriculture, and urban life. Yet its builders clearly regarded the serpent as important enough to inscribe in stone. While the full meaning remains unknown, the presence of such early serpent imagery suggests that this symbol may have roots far deeper than organized religion or state power.
These are the oldest known serpent carvings yet found, pushing the symbol’s documented history to the dawn of monumental human architecture. And I find it really interesting that the serpent is one of the more prominent symbols at Göbekli Tepe.
So… what the Serpent?
Despite decades of scholarship, the question remains open. Was the serpent a biological fear? A metaphor for transformation? A visual shorthand for cycles of rain, life, and death?
Jung’s archetypes, Campbell’s myths, and archaeological discoveries offer pieces of the puzzle—but not the whole picture. What’s clear is this: across space and time, from desert temples to jungle pyramids to sun-scorched rock faces, humanity chose the serpent. Not once, but again and again.
Whether divine guardian or chaotic force, the snake has slithered its way into our deepest stories—and refuses to leave.
Imagine standing on the shores of the modern-day Black Sea about 8,000 years ago. Instead of brackish waves, you would have seen a calm freshwater lake surrounded by fertile plains and forested hills. That landscape changed dramatically around 7,600 years ago. Marine geologists William Ryan and Walter Pitman, after years of sediment analysis and sonar scans, proposed that a catastrophic flood had occurred when rising Mediterranean waters surged through the Bosporus Strait. This event rapidly transformed the Black Sea from a freshwater lake into a vast saltwater basin.
Sediment cores taken from the seabed reveal ancient shorelines more than 100 meters below present sea level, supporting the idea of a sudden inundation. While this event occurred after the last Ice Age, it remains one of the most dramatic post-glacial sea-level changes. It has led some researchers to wonder whether human settlements—perhaps even early civilizations—were lost beneath the rising waters.
Echoes Beneath the Waves
Over the past two decades, researchers have mapped submerged landscapes along the Black Sea’s former shoreline. Using sonar and underwater drones, they’ve documented features that appear to show organized shapes and linear patterns. While some formations resemble terraces or walls, these interpretations remain speculative. No peer-reviewed study has yet confirmed the presence of definitive pre-Holocene architecture beneath the Black Sea.
Still, the surrounding basin was once fertile and habitable. Archaeological evidence from the nearby Anatolian and Balkan regions shows Neolithic communities thriving in the millennia leading up to the flood. It’s plausible that similar groups occupied now-submerged lowlands. If so, their settlements may have been erased swiftly, with little trace left behind—except perhaps in the memories of their descendants.
Evidence of complex human activity at the end of the Ice Age does exist—above sea level. Göbekli Tepe, located in southeastern Turkey (one of my absolute favorite sites), was constructed around 9600 BCE, shortly after the Younger Dryas cold snap. The site features towering limestone pillars, some up to 10 tons, carved with animals, symbols, and abstract motifs. Its builders used advanced quarrying and organizational skills, even though they had no pottery, no written language, and no domesticated crops.
The sophistication of Göbekli Tepe challenges the traditional view that complex societies only emerged after agriculture. While the people who built it were likely hunter-gatherers, they clearly had the social coordination and symbolic systems often associated with later civilizations. This raises the question: Could Göbekli Tepe represent a surviving cultural lineage—descendants of an earlier, now-lost society forced to adapt after environmental collapse? Or is Göbekli Tepe a civilization on its own? Lost to time? If you believe there is a possibility, read this article I wrote a while back.
Atlantis Reconsidered
References to lost civilizations are not limited to scientific theories. Plato’s tale of Atlantis, often regarded as a philosophical allegory, has inspired generations of researchers to search for real-world parallels. Around the globe, underwater features have stirred debate: the Yonaguni Monument off Japan, structures in the Gulf of Khambhat off India, and the Bimini Road near the Bahamas.
The Bimini Road, in particular, consists of large, flat stones arranged in a roughly linear path just offshore. While many geologists identify it as natural beachrock shaped by erosion and wave action, a few researchers argue the stones show signs of human modification. No definitive tools or artifacts have been found to confirm this, and mainstream science considers the formation natural. However, its ambiguity keeps it in the public eye and reflects a broader curiosity about what the oceans might be hiding.
Supporting evidence includes peaks in platinum levels, nanodiamonds, and tiny glass-like spheres found in geological layers from that time. However, the scientific community remains divided. Critics point to the lack of a definitive crater, while proponents argue the explosion may have occurred in the air or on ice, leaving minimal physical trace.
If the hypothesis is correct, such an event could have devastated early societies, particularly those concentrated in vulnerable lowland regions. Any civilization that had emerged by then may have been scattered or reduced to small bands of survivors, their cultural memory passed on through story, symbol, and myth.
Hidden in Oral Tradition
Across the world, traditional stories tell of great floods, fire from the sky, and civilizations destroyed in cataclysm. The Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh recounts a massive deluge. In Hindu texts, Manu survives a divine flood. Native American, Aboriginal Australian, and African oral traditions include tales of fire, shaking earth, and rising seas.
Historians caution against taking myths at face value. Still, the shared elements in these narratives are striking. While independent invention is possible, some scholars suggest these stories may preserve collective memories of real events—filtered through generations and transformed by cultural lenses. If so, they could offer clues to a time when humanity faced disasters so profound that only myth could preserve their meaning.
The Pursuit of Proof
The biggest challenge in confirming a pre-Ice Age civilization is the passage of time itself. Sea levels rose more than 120 meters after the last glacial maximum, submerging vast coastal areas where early populations likely lived. Underwater environments accelerate decay: wood, bone, and textiles degrade rapidly; storms and currents bury or break structures.
Yet technology is closing the gap. Multibeam sonar, underwater LIDAR, submersible drones, and satellite topography have revealed ancient coastlines, submerged forests, and even stone tools off modern coasts. The North Sea’s “Doggerland,” once a land bridge between Britain and Europe, has yielded Mesolithic artifacts and evidence of human habitation. Similar efforts in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, and Indian Ocean may one day reveal even older remains.
Rethinking Human History
The possibility of advanced human cultures existing before the Ice Age challenges a long-standing assumption: that complexity only began with farming. Sites like Göbekli Tepe already stretch that assumption. If further evidence of submerged or forgotten civilizations emerges, it would force a fundamental rethinking of our timeline.
We would need to ask: how many times have humans risen, innovated, and then fallen—only to rise again? History, it seems, may be cyclical rather than linear. Climate events, impacts, and floods may have wiped out not just species, but whole societies—some of which left only the faintest traces behind.
Looking Forward by Looking Back
At present, no conclusive proof exists for a pre-Ice Age civilization. But the growing body of anomalies, underwater features, and ancient sites like Göbekli Tepe ensures that the question won’t go away. It remains one of archaeology’s most provocative frontiers. I see, for example, Göbekli Tepe as the ultimate proof of a civilization BEFORE civilization. I see it as a period in human history that is not included in history books. I see this site, and all of the sites around it, as a smoking gun that Earth did have advanced civilizations in the past, but mainstream experts are perhaps just too lazy or afraid to admit it.
I think that the drive to uncover these lost histories is not merely academic, it’s human. Every excavation, every dive, every sonar ping reflects our desire to understand where we came from. In the oceans’ depths and in the stories we tell, hints of a forgotten past continue to whisper. Whether those whispers grow into evidence remains to be seen. I see Göbekli Tepe as a history breaker. Isn’t it time for our history books to change?
WTH is this on deserted island? Alien or Military? UFO UAP Sighting News, Google Earth discovery.
WTH is this on deserted island? Alien or Military? UFO UAP Sighting News, Google Earth discovery.
Date of discovery: June 5, 2025
Location of discovery:Google Earth
Source: Self
Guys check this out!
Hidden away on the remote volcanic island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, I discovered what may be one of the most secretive and mysterious sites on Earth. Just southeast of the island’s official airport lies a secluded concrete platform—military in design but completely isolated—housing a craft unlike anything in any known aircraft registry. The object’s shape is unconventional, seemingly a fusion between a stealth aircraft and something more exotic—something possibly not of this world.
This installation sits behind secured hills, out of view of most aerial routes, almost as if it was designed to avoid detection. It's not a normal military outpost. There's no sign of regular air traffic, no personnel, no vehicles—just the craft, parked like a silent guardian on a forgotten launchpad. Its twin-engine layout and dorsal configuration look nothing like commercial or military jets, resembling more a conceptual spacecraft or test vehicle from a black budget project.
Could this be a mini–Area 51? A remote black site where experimental propulsion or reverse-engineered alien tech is tested far from the eyes of the public and even allied governments? Saint Helena is British territory, but its remoteness would make it ideal for US or multinational cooperation on secret programs—especially if extraterrestrial technologies are involved. The question is: why here, and why now? This may be one of the most compelling pieces of visual evidence yet suggesting that advanced craft—possibly not built entirely by human hands—are being stored and tested on Earth in plain sight.
Greenland’s UFO Enigma: Secrets Behind the Lights and Strategic Power Plays
Greenland’s UFO Enigma: Secrets Behind the Lights and Strategic Power Plays
In a compelling conversation with investigative journalist Ross Coulthart, Danish-Greenlandic researcher and podcaster Martin Kleist unveils astonishing details of repeated UFO (or UAP) sightings in southern Greenland. The phenomenon, captured in high-quality infrared footage, involves glowing objects rising from icy mountain ranges—maneuvering, vanishing, and often interacting in strange ways.
Daily UFO Encounters in Southern Greenland
Martin’s investigations began after a Greenlandic pilot reported seeing an oval-shaped, luminous craft hovering near clouds during landing in Narsarsuaq. This wasn’t an isolated sighting. Pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers have allegedly seen similar objects regularly—often daily.
Equipped with high-end cameras, Martin and his team documented lights emerging from behind a remote mountain near a known rare earth mineral deposit. The phenomenon was reportedly visible to the naked eye, with the craft exhibiting intelligent maneuvers—sometimes changing direction, merging with other lights, and accelerating at speeds too fast to track.
Beyond Technology: A Consciousness Component?
Strangely, Martin describes apparent “interactions” with the phenomenon. On multiple occasions, he claims that when jokingly asking the sky for a sign, flashes of light would appear in response. He suspects a consciousness element—perhaps even suggesting the phenomenon isn’t meant to be understood in traditional scientific terms but instead serves to alter human perception itself.
Equipment malfunctions and mysteriously erased footage only deepen the mystery.
Geopolitics, Rare Earths, and U.S. Military Interest
Greenland’s strategic importance to the United States has long been established, dating back to Cold War-era nuclear deployments at Thule Air Base (now Pituq Space Base). Martin notes that American defense contractor Battelle Memorial Institute now operates a scientific facility in the Greenlandic interior—an area rich in uranium and rare earth minerals critical for advanced weapons.
Could UAPs be linked to these mineral-rich regions? It’s a question Martin doesn’t shy away from. He points to similar patterns in other global hotspots like Zimbabwe and Norway, where UAPs have appeared near sensitive mining sites.
While both Danish and American authorities publicly deny UAP activity, Kleist’s evidence—and the lack of any government investigations—tells a different story. Official responses have been limited, often brushing aside credible reports from locals and military personnel.
A Wake-Up Call for Greenland—and the World?
Kleist emphasizes that Greenlanders often feel their voices are ignored in Copenhagen. He sees the UFO discussion not only as a security issue but as a matter of cultural respect and sovereignty. Greenland’s indigenous peoples have long described “spirit lights” and “flying kayaks” in their mythology, treating such events as natural rather than supernatural.
Documentary Coming Soon
Martin Kleist’s upcoming documentary—tentatively titled “Den der ligner en tallerken” (“The One That Looks Like a Plate”)—promises a thoughtful exploration of these sightings, their psychological impacts, and what they might mean for geopolitics and human consciousness alike.
Chris Bledsoe, an American experiencer, has recently come forward with remarkable claims about mysterious beings, government fear, and a prophecy linked to the year 2026.
For the first time, on the Bledsoe Said So podcast, he revealed that NASA asked for his help to understand orbs that were harassing their astronauts. He said this is the first time he has spoken publicly about these things, even though he has known about them for 18 years. According to him, these orbs are not just lights in space. He says they are angelic beings that come out of the orbs and can be as tall as 125 feet. Some of them have wings and even smile at the astronauts.
Chris explained that he worked with NASA for years and has proof, including photos, videos, and official documents, along with meetings with high-level scientists. NASA was interested in him because these beings seemed to like him and communicated with him, while avoiding official agencies. NASA wanted to know why the beings chose him and why they were bothering their astronauts.
He claimed that all astronauts have seen orbs or these beings in space, even though this has never been officially released. These beings appear outside space shuttles, looking through the windows or floating above the shuttle bay or space station. Sometimes they are glowing, and there are reports of several of them standing together, up to 125 feet tall with wings, smiling at the astronauts.
Chris described them as energy beings that come out of glowing orbs. He says they are angelic and can appear in many forms. They can be six or seven feet tall or much larger. They can look like drones or flying saucers and can even split into two or many forms.
He revealed that the government is very afraid of these mysterious beings or phenomena. He calls them “plasmoids” or angelic beings and says the fear comes from the fact that the government cannot control them and has no way to defend against them.
He has attended high-level meetings in Washington, D.C. with congressmen and military officials who are scared and uncertain about how to handle these beings.
According to Chris, the government does not want the public to interact with or think about these entities because they fears losing control. To prevent this, they twist the truth or create fear by labeling the beings as aliens, plasmoids, or Chinese drones. This creates confusion and fear in people who don’t understand what is going on.
On Danny Jones’ podcast, Bledsoe revealed that after his first encounter with orbs in 2007, the sightings never stopped. They continued from that night onward. He kept seeing things in the sky, and it was always very obvious to him. He wrote many stories about these experiences in his book, though only part of what he wrote was published. He originally wrote about 140,000 words, but the final version had only around 90,000 words, including the introduction, so a lot was left out.
His daughter added that their mom was not very comfortable with these experiences and did not encourage them. But Chris would still secretly wake up her and her brothers, Ryan and Jeremy, late at night, sometimes at 2 or 3 a.m., to go outside and watch orbs appear in their yard. These glowing balls of light would sometimes come very close. After watching them, the kids would just go to bed and then go to school the next day as if nothing strange had happened.
Chris explained that some of the orbs were enormous, about 50 feet wide and 100 yards away. They were as big as trees and would float through the trees or hover for hours. One time, a blue orb stayed in place near their door, and they could watch it through the window as it moved around the trees.
When asked if the orbs made any sounds, Chris said that sometimes they did and sometimes they did not. When they made noise, it sounded like buzzing or sizzling, similar to the crackling sound an old light switch might make when you flip it. But he never noticed any kind of smell with them.
At one point, they look at a photo showing Chris Jr., his son, and Chris points out that behind his son, near the wood, is where he had an encounter with a small three-foot-tall being. That is also where the orbs landed in his yard. He says the orbs left marks on the ground that killed the grass, leaving big circles with a little patch of grass left in the center like a donut. There were three such circles. Some orbs even skimmed along the ground, burning the grass as they moved before settling down.
a photo showing Chris Jr., his son, and Chris points out that behind his son, near the wood, is where he had an encounter with a small three-foot-tall being.
Chris mentions that MUFON, the Mutual UFO Network, tested the soil in those areas. MUFON is a volunteer-based organization where people can report UFO sightings and get them investigated by enthusiasts and researchers.
Chris also said that one of the trees near where the orb landed, a large oak tree, died afterward. Its limbs just started falling off, and eventually the whole tree crumbled. He connects this to the orb landing only about 12 feet away from it.
On the Shawn Ryan Show, Chris discussed a powerful spiritual experience he had on Easter in 2012. He said a woman appeared to him in a vision. He calls her “The Lady” and also refers to her as “Hathor,” the ancient Egyptian goddess. She told him to start sharing his paranormal experiences with the world, including her message.
At the time, he believed he had been abducted by some force but didn’t remember the details right away. Later, he began to remember more. He said he was taken around the Earth in a clear bubble and shown different places, including Egypt, Hathor’s temple, and the Sphinx. He noticed the Sphinx was facing East.
In 2013, the same woman returned and showed him visions of the future. She gave him a prophecy. She said, “When the Red Star of Regulus appears on the horizon before daylight in the gaze of the Sphinx, at that time will be a New Knowledge to come to this planet.”
Chris said he told scientists and researchers about this, and when they checked it with astronomical tools, they confirmed that this rare alignment will happen on Easter in the year 2026.
After this, government-related groups began to focus on the date through remote viewing. Now the year 2026, and even 2027, is being talked about more in the media as a time when something big could happen. Chris says even well-known people like Lue Elizondo have mentioned 2026.
He also had a moment with a man named Robert Grant, who had been searching for a special ruby he thought needed to be placed between the paws of the Sphinx for a major event. But Chris told him it wasn’t a ruby. It was the star Regulus. Grant reacted strongly and said, “It’s the king star.”
This message from “The Lady” lines up with something Edgar Cayce, the famous psychic, predicted decades ago. Cayce said there is a hidden “Hall of Records” under the Sphinx in Egypt. He believed it contains ancient knowledge that could change the world.
According to Cayce, the chamber would only be discovered when certain stars and planets align. He described a specific moment when the shadow or light from the rising sun would fall between the Sphinx’s paws, marking the right time.
He said the entrance to the chamber would stay sealed until humanity is ready. The records are believed to contain information like:
The history of Atlantis, an advanced civilization that supposedly sank into the ocean
Details about the people of Atlantis, their technology, and spiritual wisdom
Knowledge about where humans came from and why we exist
A connection between the Atlanteans and ancient Egyptians
Cayce believed this knowledge would only be revealed when humanity becomes more spiritually aware. When that happens, it could bring in a new and better era for the world.
Chris Bledsoe now believes that whatever happens in 2026 might be connected to all of this. He even hints that it could be the return of Christ.
Illustration of black hole consuming a neutron star
Across the universe, some of the most dramatic events occur when a black hole meets a neutron star. A neutron star is the ultra-dense remains of a massive star that exploded—imagine all the mass of our Sun compressed into a sphere just a few tens of kilometres wide. When a black hole and neutron star spiral toward each other, the result is one of nature's most violent spectacles.
Before diving into their collision, it's worth understanding just how extreme these objects are. A black hole is a region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light can escape once it crosses the "event horizon." Black holes form when the most massive stars collapse at the end of their lives, creating a point of infinite density surrounded by this inescapable boundary.
A neutron star, meanwhile, is what forms when a slightly less massive star explodes in a supernova. The explosion is so violent that it crushes protons and electrons together into neutrons, creating matter so dense that a teaspoon would weigh about 6 billion tons on Earth. These city-sized spheres spin incredibly fast—sometimes hundreds of times per second—and have magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than Earth's.
Central neutron star at the heart of the Crab Nebula
(Credit : ESA/Hubble)
Researchers at Caltech led by Caltech assistant Professor of theoretical astrophysics Elias Most, used powerful supercomputers to simulate what happens in the final moments before a collision between these two types of objects. About one second before the black hole swallows the neutron star, something remarkable occurs: the neutron star's surface cracks open, like an eggshell! The black hole's immense gravity stretches and tears the neutron star's crust, creating "starquakes" similar to earthquakes on our planet. When the surface cracks, the neutron star's magnetic field—which can be billions of times stronger than Earth's—gets violently shaken. This creates ripples called Alfvén waves that eventually produce a burst of radio signals that future telescopes might detect.
As the neutron star gets closer to the black hole, even more extreme physics takes over. When the neutron star finally plunges into the black hole, it creates what scientists call "monster shock waves,” the most powerful shock waves predicted in the universe. These are like cosmic tsunamis, starting small but growing into incredibly violent bursts of energy.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the simulations revealed something never seen before: the birth of a black hole pulsar. When the black hole consumes the neutron star, it also absorbs the neutron star's powerful magnetic field. But black holes don't want this magnetic baggage, so they essentially fling it around as they spin, creating magnetic winds that sweep through space like a lighthouse beam. This creates a brief cosmic lighthouse that lasts less than a second, emitting bursts of X-rays and gamma rays before going dark forever.
These simulations help astronomers know what to look for when scanning the skies. While we've detected gravitational waves from black hole collisions using instruments like LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory), we haven't yet seen the light shows that might accompany neutron star-black hole mergers. The research suggests that these cosmic crashes might produce detectable radio signals both when the neutron star cracks and when the monster shock waves form. Future telescopes, including Caltech's planned array of 2,000 radio dishes in Nevada, might be able to catch these brief cosmic screams.
The Livingston Observatory of LIGO (Credit : Caltech/MIT/LIGO) Scientists are now working to detect these mergers up to a minute before they happen using gravitational wave detectors. This would give astronomers precious time to point their telescopes at the right spot in the sky to catch the light show that accompanies these cosmic catastrophes.
Scientists are now working to detect these mergers up to a minute before they happen using gravitational wave detectors. This would give astronomers precious time to point their telescopes at the right spot in the sky to catch the light show that accompanies these cosmic catastrophes.
Silver Orb Caught Over Nephi, UTAH June 4, 2025, UAP Drone Sighting News. Video!
Silver Orb Caught Over Nephi, UTAH June 4, 2025, UAP Drone Sighting News. Video!
Date of sighting: June 4, 2025
Location of sighting: Nephi, Utah, USA
Source: Email report
Now I live about 40 miles away from Nephi, Utah so this feels a bit personal. Not to mention I recorded something similar just two weeks ago. This sphere moves suddenly at the end. What I mean is...on the last few seconds of the video the sphere is far, then it shoots close and moves in a C pattern really fast. Only an intelligently controlled craft could do that! 100% alien built.
Scott C. Waring
Eyewitness states:
We were outside this afternoon when my 7-year-old suddenly pointed to the sky and said, “Dad, why is there a star in the middle of the day?” Sure enough, there was something strange up there. I grabbed my phone and started filming. What you’ll see in the video is just the start—after I stopped recording, it changed directions in a way that felt… intentional. The movement was almost playful, like it was being guided. Definitely not moving like a balloon or drone. It was super reflective too—when the sun hit it, it lit up bright, almost like polished metal. Anyone have an idea what this could be?
Venus, our celestial next-door neighbour, is hiding possibly hundreds of unpredictable and hard-to-see asteroids, according to a new study.
These space rocks are ‘co-orbitals’, so orbit the Sun in line with Venus from a safe distance.
The researchers wrote in a paper that while there’s a slim chance the asteroids will collide with Venus, them being co-orbitals ‘does not protect them from encountering Earth’.
Of these ‘six invisible threats’, three named 2020 SB, 524522, and 2020 CL1 ‘have a severe risk of collision’ as their orbits allow them to approach Earth within 0.05 astronomical units (about 4,650,000 miles).
While that sounds far, that’s close enough for them to be considered potentially hazardous asteroids.
Three asteroids have a ‘serious risk of collison’ – what does that mean?
Venus is one of the cloest planets to Earth (Picture: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)
Two of the asteroids, 2020 SB, 524522, are up to 1,500 feet in diameter, about the same size as a football field, while 2020 CL1 is nearly 2,000 feet.
Of the trio of city-killers, the researchers said: ‘these objects could form craters with diameters from 2.2 to 3.4km, and release energies at impact from 1.5 to 4.1 × 102 megatons of TNT, which is more than enough to large cities.’
They added that this would be an eight on the Torino scale, a tool for communicating how concerned people should be about space rubble, ‘capable of causing localized destruction for an impact over land or possibly a tsunami if close offshore’.
One reason is because the asteroid has a path so clear scientists can even predict what time it will come close to Earth.
Valerio Carruba from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, who led the study, says the Venus asteroids are too unpredictable with only a small gravitational change or other force enough to nudge them towards Earth.
The brightness and glare of the Sun make anything whizzing around Venus hard to see through a telescope. The Rubin Observatory in Chile would have about four weeks to spot them.
The authors added: ‘Low-e [low eccentricity] Venus co-orbitals pose a unique challenge because of the difficulties in detecting and following these objects from Earth.’
Eccentricity refers to how round an orbit is, with a perfectly circular one having an eccentricity of zero. The smaller the orbit, the trickier they are to see.
The asteroids hidden behind Venus are tricky to spot, scientists said (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
What doesn’t help is their ‘highly chaotic’ orbits, ‘with Lyapunov times of the order of 150 years’, the authors said.
Lyapunov time is how long an object’s orbit takes to become completely unpredictable – so looking at the asteroids today won’t tell us much about what its orbit will look like in 150 years.
The researchers got around this by ‘cloning’ the rocks onto a simulated solar system and seeing where they wound up after 36,000 years.
They discovered that of 20 identified co-orbitals, six could become possibly hazardous asteroids in the next 12,000 years.
They said: ‘There is a range of orbits with eccentricity <0.38, larger at lower inclinations, for which Venus’ co-orbitals can pose a collisional hazard to Earth.’
What would happen if the asteroids smashed into Earth?
Dr Noelia Noël, a senior lecturer with a PhD in astrophysics at the University of Surrey, said the asteroids’ orbits certainly do bring them close to Earth.
But that’s close in ‘cosmic terms’, she stresses to Metro. ‘Think of it like a bus that occasionally drives past your street – it’s not dangerous unless it suddenly changes direction, which is very unlikely,’ she said.
‘If one did hit (which, again, is not expected), the impact would depend on its size. A smaller one, like 2020 SB, could cause local damage, similar to the Chelyabinsk event in 2013.
Asteroids are space rocks that orbit the Sun (Picture: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)
‘A larger one like 524522, might do regional damage, but the chances of that happening are extremely low, and likely many thousands of years in the future.’
The window that space officials and stargazers could spot Venus’ hidden asteroids would be small but not tight, she said.
‘It could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to get here,’ she explained.
‘The exact timing would depend on its speed and the shape of its new orbit – but here’s the good news: these kinds of objects are easier for astronomers to spot, because they move inside Earth’s orbit and reflect more sunlight. That means we’d likely have time to see them coming!’
Chris Lintott, a professor of astrophysics at the University of Oxford, would be the first to admit that this all sounds scary.
Speaking to Metro, he said: ‘There’s absolutely no need to panic – these asteroids are safely in their orbits millions of miles away and pose no imminent threat to Earth.’
The asteroid 2024 YR4 now has next to no chance of striking us (Picture: NASA/SWNS)
The odds that a city-destroying asteroid will hit Earth is about 1% per century, while no rocks larger than a kilometre are expected to get anywhere near us for at least the next 1,000 years.
Every close call with these titanic rocks, however scary, gives officials more data to work with to keep us safe, Edward Baker, planetary defence lead at the UK National Space Operations Centre, said to Metro.
The agency monitors 300 asteroids a month, Baker said, adding: ‘Very few of these asteroids pose a risk to Earth, and for those that do the probability of an Earth impact is generally extremely low.’
This includes the Venus asteroids. ‘Nonetheless, we will continue to monitor these and other asteroids to help keep the UK safe from hazards in space,’ Baker added.
Linott agrees. With agencies such as UK National Space Operations Centre keeping their eyes up at the sky, we’re more prepared than ever.
‘Despite these new ideas,’ he said, ‘you’ve never been safer from an asteroid dropping on you than you are now.’
Daniel Apai, an astrophysicist and astrobiologist at the University of Arizona, studies exoplanets – worlds that orbit other stars.
Figuring out if exoplanets are habitable is tricky, as they’re too far out of reach to properly research. Instead, stargazers and space officials narrow the list of habitable planets down by whether they have water.
Apai and his colleagues developed a model that shows how Earth organisms would fare on alien worlds by considering factors beyond water, like temperature or a creature’s metabolism.
Not every planet is a blue marble like Earth: ‘Hot Jupiters’ are gas giants that orbit blisteringly close to their stars, ‘super-Earths’ are our planet’s big older brothers and loner rogue planets drift through space.
One of Jupiter’s moons, Europa, is a possible candidate for alien life (Picture: NASA/JPL-Caltech/SWNS)
Mars may have once hosted life (Picture: Getty Images/Science Photo Libra)
So rather than asking what all life needs, Apai instead asked: ‘Would the conditions in the habitat – as we know them – allow a specific (known or yet unknown) species or ecosystem to survive?’
He wrote in The Conversation. ‘Even on Earth, organisms require different conditions to survive – there are no camels in Antarctica. By talking about specific organisms, we made the question easier to answer.’
Take the camel, Apai said. Under his team’s ‘quantitative habitability framework’, they first look at what conditions the animal needs to live beyond water, such as a hot, dry climate.
Next, they look at the habitat, with Antarctica being an icy wasteland, it ‘would correctly predict a near-zero probability that Antarctica is a good habitat for camels’.
To test the model, published on arXiv, the researchers looked at if methanogens, one of the oldest forms of life, could make it on the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1e-like.
The model said the ‘habitat suitability’ for these one-celled organisms would be 69%, making it a good candidate for astronomers to examine.
The model might not be able to tell if any aliens look like this, however (Picture: Getty Images)
Closer to home, the model said the suitability for methanogens just below the surface of Mars or the oceans of Jupiter’s moon, Europa, is at most 55% and 50%, respectively.
TRAPPIST-1e-like also has a habitat suitability of between 13% and 80% for cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae.
Evidence of alien life in the universe right now is next to none, and with all the space in the universe, scientists only have so much time and resources to work out if a planet or moon could host extraterrestrials.
Apai hopes the model will help scientists think outside the box when it comes to what life can look like and know where best to look for it.
The researchers will make a massive database of critters that live in extreme environments, such as insects that live in the Himalayas or microorganisms that live in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.
Apai said: ‘If scientists do detect a potential signature of life, this approach can help assess if the environment where it is detected can actually support the type of life that leads to the signature detected.’
Wat we weten over de 'niet-menselijke' buitenaardse lichamen van Mexico Op 12 september 2023 presenteerde journalist en UFO-fan Jaime Maussan de stoffelijk overschotten van vermeende aliens voor de Mexicaanse autoriteiten. Zo'n congresgebeurtenis is ongekend en de wereld raakt er maar niet over uitgepraat. Maar wie zijn deze vermeende buitenaardse wezens? En hoe zijn ze in 2023 in Mexico terechtgekomen?
Wetgevers De lichamen werden aan de wetgevers van het land gepresenteerd tijdens de eerste openbare hoorzitting van het Mexicaanse Congres over dit onderwerp.
Hoe oud zijn ze? Koolstof-14 datering uitgevoerd door de Nationale Autonome Universiteit van Mexico schat de buitenaardse resten op 700 tot 1.800 jaar oud.
De eerste keer "Dit is de eerste keer dat het (buitenaards leven) in een dergelijke vorm wordt gepresenteerd en ik denk dat er een duidelijk bewijs is dat we te maken hebben met niet-menselijke exemplaren die niet verwant zijn aan andere soorten in onze wereld," vertelde Maussan voor het congres.
DNA-bewijs Jaime Maussan zei dat DNA-testen zouden bewijzen dat de lijken niet van onze planeet afkomstig waren, maar dergelijk bewijs werd niet geleverd.
Tests Bovendien vertelde José de Jesús Zalce Benitez, directeur van het Wetenschappelijk Instituut voor Gezondheid van de Mexicaanse marine, ook dat er röntgenfoto's en 3D-reconstructies waren gemaakt. Maar opnieuw werd er geen bewijs gepresenteerd.
Tests Het Nationaal Laboratorium voor Massaspectrometrie met Versnellers (LEMA) bracht een verklaring uit 2017 opnieuw uit waarin stond dat hun tests alleen bedoeld waren om de leeftijd van de monsters te bepalen, en dat ze dit deden aan de hand van monsters die door de klant waren aangeleverd en niet aan de hand van de monsters zelf.
Verklaring LEMA Het lab "distantieert zich van elk gebruik, interpretatie of latere verkeerde voorstelling van de resultaten die het levert", luidde de verklaring. "In geen enkel geval trekken we conclusies over de herkomst van deze monsters."
Niet de eerste Het blijkt dat dit niet de eerste keer is dat Jaime Maussan beweert 'niet-menselijke' overblijfselen te hebben ontdekt. In 2015 beweerde hij een gemummificeerde alien te hebben ontdekt in Nazca, Peru.
Veranderingen in de wet Tijdens de hoorzitting werd gedebatteerd over of de inhoud over UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) in de Aerial Space Protection Law moest worden aangepast. Als deze veranderingen worden goedgekeurd, wordt Mexico 'de eerste natie die formeel erkent dat er buitenaards leven op aarde bestaat'.
Amerikaanse inbreng Maussan werd vergezeld door Ryan Graves, de uitvoerend directeur van de organisatie Americans for Safe Aerospace. Graves is een voormalig piloot van de Amerikaanse marine die soortgelijke zorgen naar voren bracht in Washington.
Amerikaanse inbreng Graves vertelde Mexicaanse wetgevers: "Wij geloven dat UAP een dringende prioriteit vormen voor zowel de veiligheid van de luchtvaart als voor wetenschappelijk onderzoek," zei hij. "Onze focus ligt op het verbeteren van publieke voorlichting over UAP, het doorbreken van stigma's en het werken aan betere transparantie en openbaarmaking."
Een congreslid laat de deur open "We blijven achter met overpeinzingen, met zorgen en met de weg om hierover te blijven praten," aldus Congreslid Sergio Gutiérrez Luna.
Kritiek Maussans presentatie is door een aantal mensen in twijfel getrokken, waaronder een van Mexico's beste astrobiologen, Antígona Segura, die zei: "Deze conclusies worden simpelweg niet ondersteund door bewijs."
Kritiek De vermeende buitenaardse lichamen als bewijs werd ook bekritiseerd door Julieta Fierro, onderzoeker aan het Instituut voor Astronomie van de Nationale Autonome Universiteit van Mexico, die zei dat het "nergens op sloeg".
Kritiek "Maussan heeft vele wonderen beleefd Hij zegt dat hij met de Maagd van Guadalupe heeft gesproken", aldus Fierro. "Hij vertelde me dat buitenaardsen niet met mij praten zoals ze met hem praten, omdat ik er niet in geloof."
Het Roswell-incident Het Roswell-incident is misschien wel een van de beroemdste in de Amerikaanse ufologie. In 1947 beweerden twee mannen dat ze hadden gezien hoe Amerikaans legerpersoneel een buitenaards ruimteschip uit de woestijn haalde. Het Amerikaanse leger ontkent het incident tot op de dag van vandaag.
De waarneming door Jimmy Carter In 1973 rapporteerde de toenmalige gouverneur van Georgia dat hij een UFO had gezien, een feit dat pas bekend werd nadat Carter president van de Verenigde Staten was geworden.
De waarneming in Vancouver Op 20 februari 2011 meldden een aantal mensen in Vancouver, Canada, dat ze een object in de lucht zagen zweven dat licht uitstraalde. Beelden van de gebeurtenis werden bekeken en er werd geconcludeerd dat de UFO eigenlijk een vlieger was met LED-lampjes.
Het incident met kapitein William Schaffner Op 9 september 1970 vloog piloot William Schaffner van de Royal Air Force boven de Noordzee toen hij een vreemd object zag zweven. Een paar minuten later verloor hij de radiocommunicatie. Het vliegtuig werd later in zee gevonden, maar de kap van het vliegtuig was dicht en er was geen spoor van kapitein Schaffner.
De lichtjes van Lubbock Tussen augustus en september 1951 werden in Lubbock, Texas, verschillende ongewone lichtformaties waargenomen die in een V-patroon waren gerangschikt. De Amerikaanse luchtmacht stelde een onderzoek in en concludeerde dat de lichten waren veroorzaakt door een plevier (een kleine waadvogel).
De lichtjes van Rendlesham Forest Het Rendlesham Forest incident is een serie waarnemingen die plaatsvond in 1980 nadat een UFO vermoedelijk was geland in het Engelse Rendlesham Forest. Maar het Ministerie van Defensie beschouwde de gebeurtenis nooit als een bedreiging voor de nationale veiligheid, dus werd het nooit formeel onderzocht.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
04-06-2025
Abductions by Extraterrestrials: Fantasy, Deception, or Reality? - PART I
Abductions by Extraterrestrials: Fantasy, Deception, or Reality? - PART I
1. Preface
Based on tens of thousands of reports from individuals claiming that extraterrestrial beings visit our planet and take selected persons aboard their spacecraft to perform various medical and reproductive experiments, we find ourselves delving into a new and intriguing aspect of ufology. These reports, originating from both alleged victims of abduction and some investigators, present detailed accounts that seem remarkably realistic, rooted in what the witnesses describe as genuine experiences.
Throughout history, many people have recounted encounters with strange beings, often described as humanoid or alien in appearance. Among these, the most commonly reported are the so-called Greys—small, gray-skinned entities with large black eyes—who are said to visit Earth in flying saucers. These stories have persisted for decades and continue to fascinate and mystify both the public and researchers alike.
The phenomenon of alien abductions has grown significantly over the years. According to current ufological research, thousands of well-documented reports detail encounters where individuals claim to have been taken aboard unidentified flying objects. Once aboard, they assert to have undergone medical examinations, sometimes involving invasive procedures, and to have been returned to their original location afterward. These accounts are often consistent, with many victims describing similar experiences, which lends a certain degree of credibility to their claims.
Artistic depiction of alien abduction by tractor beam
Adding to the intrigue, some ufologists believe that the incident in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947, was a significant event—the crash of a flying saucer containing extraterrestrial beings, which was allegedly recovered by the U.S. military. This incident has become a cornerstone of UFO conspiracy theories, fueling speculation about secret government dealings with alien entities. According to these theories, the U.S. government has established clandestine contact with extraterrestrials and perhaps even maintains facilities like Area 51, where such encounters are said to occur and are kept under wraps from the public.
Despite the persistent nature of these stories, skepticism remains widespread. The scientific community and many skeptics argue that the entire phenomenon is rooted in imagination, misidentification, or deliberate deception. They contend that there is no credible scientific evidence to support the existence of extraterrestrial visitors or abductions. Instead, these reports are often dismissed as the result of hallucinations, sleep paralysis, psychological trauma, or the influence of popular media and science fiction.
The debate over the reality of alien abductions has become polarized. On one side are the believers—individuals and some researchers who are convinced that these experiences are genuine encounters with extraterrestrial beings. They point to the consistency of reports, the physical and psychological effects reported by victims, and the growing number of documented cases as evidence supporting their claims. On the other side are skeptics who see these stories as elaborate fantasies or fabrications, emphasizing the lack of empirical proof and highlighting the role of psychological and cultural factors.
This ongoing controversy illustrates the complex nature of the phenomenon. For many, these stories represent a profound mystery—one that challenges our understanding of reality and the universe. For others, they are simply the product of human imagination or deception. The question remains: are these abductions genuine encounters with extraterrestrial intelligences or merely a collective hallucination influenced by cultural narratives?
In conclusion, the phenomenon of alien abductions continues to occupy a prominent place in popular culture and scientific debate. While thousands of witnesses claim to have experienced these encounters, the lack of conclusive scientific evidence leaves the question open. Whether these stories are a manifestation of fantasy, deception, or an unknown aspect of reality, they remain one of the most fascinating mysteries of our time. The ongoing investigation and discussion reflect humanity's enduring curiosity about the universe and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
2. What Types of Alien Entities Are Described in UFO Reports?
Descriptions of extraterrestrial beings encountered in UFO sightings are remarkably diverse and intriguing. These accounts include a broad spectrum of entities, ranging from transparent, almost ghost-like figures to more solid, tangible beings. Some reports depict entities that appear entirely see-through or translucent, with some even showing visible skeletal structures through their semi-transparent bodies. Others describe large, bulky, glowing figures that resemble humanoid shapes but are significantly different in appearance, such as towering “men” with a luminous aura.
Among the most common descriptions are the so-called “Venusian” types—friendly, human-like aliens often associated with the planet Venus. These beings are described as having long, flowing blonde hair, and sometimes they are depicted as possessing a gentle, benevolent demeanor. Such descriptions evoke images of peaceful, approachable creatures that might be more akin to humans than to the stereotypical depiction of extraterrestrials.
In addition to these, there are reports of tiny, elf-like entities—small, delicate “little people” measuring only a few tens of centimeters tall. These diminutive beings are often described as having delicate features, and their appearances evoke fairy tales and mythologies, adding a mystical layer to the array of UFO-related encounters.
However, the most prevalent type of alien reported in the majority of cases—more than four-fifths, or about 80%—are the beings commonly known as “the Greys.” These extraterrestrials are characterized by their distinctive physical features: they are usually between 1.20 and 1.50 meters tall, with large, bald heads that dominate their small, slender bodies. Their most recognizable trait is their enormous, black, almond-shaped eyes, which are often described as deep, slanted, and mysterious. The Greys are frequently depicted as emotionless or highly logical beings, and they are associated with numerous abduction stories.
Artist's depiction of abduction by grey aliens.
Despite this prevalence, approximately 20% of these descriptions sound so bizarre and absurd that they challenge the credibility of the reports. Some accounts describe entities with features so peculiar that skeptics find it difficult to accept their authenticity, fearing they might be products of imagination or hallucination.
Nevertheless, a dedicated minority of researchers has diligently collected, analyzed, and studied these varied reports. These investigators understand the importance of setting aside personal biases and fears to compile a comprehensive database of UFO encounters. Their efforts aim to uncover patterns and possibly reveal the nature of these enigmatic beings.
Interestingly, some scientists and investigators believe that children are among the most reliable witnesses. Many UFO landings have been documented through sightings reported by children, who often describe encounters with extraterrestrial entities in great detail. Skeptics argue that children’s vivid imaginations, influenced by science fiction comics, cartoons, and video games, might lead to false or exaggerated reports. Still, proponents counter that children’s open-minded and unfiltered perspectives make them ideal witnesses; their descriptions often include details that adults might overlook or dismiss.
Furthermore, numerous cases of alleged alien abductions involve children as young as four or five years old. These individuals often report being taken aboard spacecraft and having direct contact with extraterrestrial beings. Many abductees recall their initial encounters occurring early in childhood, suggesting that these early experiences might be crucial in understanding the nature of UFO phenomena and the types of entities encountered. The consistency of these reports fuels ongoing debates and investigations into the possibility of genuine extraterrestrial contact, especially involving the most impressionable witnesses—children.
3. Who Sees UFOs?
According to skeptics, the individuals who report sightings of UFOs and encounters with UFO occupants are generally unreliable and untrustworthy. They often dismiss these reports as the product of overactive imaginations, hallucinations, or deliberate hoaxes. However, when we take a closer look at the diverse range of people who have reported such experiences, it becomes clear that skepticism may be premature or overly dismissive. Not only children but also law enforcement officers, medical doctors, notaries, lawyers, astronomers, airline pilots, and other prominent citizens have all come forward with accounts of witnessing strange flying objects and interacting with extraterrestrial beings. Even some highly trained astronauts, who have undergone rigorous psychological and physical evaluations, have reported encounters with UFOs during their missions or training. These testimonies challenge the notion that only unreliable or fringe individuals see these phenomena.
Do you know what the word “skeptic” actually means? The term originates from the Greek word “skepsis,” which translates to “doubt” or “doubting attitude.” A true skeptic is someone who questions and seeks evidence before accepting claims as fact. Yet, in practice, many so-called skeptics tend to interpret evidence through a rigid dogmatic lens, often dismissing any information that does not align with mainstream scientific paradigms. Herman Boel’s “Dictionary of the Skeptic” offers approximately 400 definitions, arguments, and critical articles covering topics from acupuncture to zombies. It is a translation of Robert T. Carroll’s “The Skeptic’s Dictionary,” an extensive compilation of skeptical viewpoints. Many skeptics seem to reject any ideas or phenomena that fall outside their narrow scientific worldview, often dismissing UFO sightings and alien abduction reports as mere fantasies or deliberate fabrications. But how can we ignore the testimonies of witnesses who, in their daily lives, serve as police officers, physicians, and other professionals—people responsible for our safety—simply because their accounts involve extraordinary experiences? How can we dismiss their reports as falsehoods without proper investigation?
Despite the fact that thousands of books have been written about UFO phenomena, there remains a surprising scarcity of objective, balanced, and scientifically rigorous studies that are accepted by all parties involved. While sightings of UFOs and encounters with alien beings—often sensationalized as “flying saucers” and “little green men” in popular media—have historically been met with skepticism by the press, secular science, and the skeptical community, the specific cases of abductions are even more controversial. Many perceive these reports as highly unreliable or sensationalized, but others believe they point to a real, unexplained phenomenon. The question remains: who is truly seeing these objects and beings? Are these sightings hallucinations, mistaken identities, or genuine encounters with extraterrestrial visitors? The debate continues, fueled by both skepticism and curiosity.
4. How Is It That Science Shows Such Little Interest in the UFO Phenomenon?
The primary reason lies in the ongoing struggle of ufology to gain recognition and acceptance as a serious field of scientific inquiry. For decades, it has been fighting an uphill battle to be regarded not as a lucrative pastime or a hobby for amateurs, fantasists, or attention-seekers, but as a legitimate subject worthy of rigorous investigation. This struggle stems from the perception that the UFO phenomenon is largely a myth, a collection of fanciful stories, or even outright deception. Consequently, mainstream scientific institutions have often dismissed or ignored it, considering it irrelevant or too fringe to warrant serious study. This skepticism is deeply rooted in the scientific community’s preference for empirical, reproducible data and their general reluctance to engage with phenomena that lack clear, conventional evidence.
Prominent skeptic Paul Kurtz famously remarked that ufology is akin to the mythology of the space age. Instead of ancient tales of angels and demons, we now confront stories of extraterrestrial beings visiting Earth. According to Kurtz, ufology is essentially a product of creative imagination—an imaginative construct that serves poetic and existential functions. It embodies humanity’s longing for higher mysteries and transcendent meaning. In this sense, UFOs and related phenomena symbolize our hopes and fears about the universe, acting as modern mythologies that reflect our desire to find purpose beyond the mundane.
One must consider whether the differences in stories about angels, demons, trolls, or UFO occupants are merely a matter of the reference frame—the mental framework through which individuals interpret their experiences. For example, when I mention the word “car,” you probably think of your own vehicle, perhaps a specific brand or model. When I think of a car, I might picture my Opel Astra. The core experience—the concept of a device used for transportation—remains the same for everyone. However, the way each person describes or interprets that experience varies according to their background, worldview, and language.
Interestingly, within the scientific and skeptical communities, you will rarely find articles, books, or responses that offer constructive criticism of ufologists, or that discuss UFOs in a positive light. Instead, their tone is often dismissive, condescending, or outright mocking. Their certainty and dogmatism are palpable—they seem to have already concluded that the phenomena are either delusions, hoaxes, or hallucinations, and they dismiss any alternative explanations without genuine investigation. Their confidence in their own rationality and science’s infallibility often seeps through their writings and arguments, making it clear that they see themselves as the ultimate arbiters of truth.
The landing reports and especially the so-called UFO abduction cases do sound absurd, implausible, and sometimes even laughable. To an objective, serious, and critically minded researcher, these accounts can seem bizarre or exaggerated, and they may be reluctant to delve into such reports due to their seemingly implausible nature. These peculiar stories provide skeptics with ample ammunition to dismiss the entire UFO phenomenon as mere fantasy, deception, or mass hysteria. As a result, many genuine investigators are understandably hesitant to dedicate time and resources to studying these cases, fearing that they will be labeled as gullible or credulous.
Moreover, there is a prevalent fear among serious researchers that engaging with these bizarre cases might harm their credibility, leading to ridicule or professional marginalization. Many investigators worry that if they explore these phenomena openly, skeptics and critics will portray them as fools or charlatans. This concern about reputation and scientific reputation discourages many earnest researchers from taking the phenomenon seriously. Instead, they prefer to leave the topic untouched or dismiss it altogether to avoid potential damage to their standing within the scientific community.
This cautious approach is reinforced by the often malicious and underhanded tactics used by some skeptics in the media. Experienced ufologists and researchers have seen how certain skeptics have used smear campaigns, ridicule, or misrepresentation to discredit individuals or entire groups. Past instances include media campaigns that portrayed ufologists as deluded or mentally unstable, or that spread false claims about their motives. These tactics deter many from pursuing serious inquiry, fearing that their work will be hijacked or dismissed without fair consideration.
In recent decades, especially since the advent of the internet, there has been a noticeable shift. More and more ufologists and witnesses are now willing to share their experiences publicly, challenging the skepticism and ridicule that historically surrounded the phenomenon. They are no longer dependent solely on traditional media outlets to spread their findings; instead, they use blogs, forums, and social media platforms to voice their opinions and share evidence. This increased openness is a significant development, allowing for a broader and more diverse range of perspectives.
In the past, researchers needed the media to disseminate their findings or to gain public attention. Today, the internet provides a democratized platform where anyone can publish reports, share sightings, and voice personal experiences without censorship or gatekeeping. This newfound freedom has enabled figures like Budd Hopkins, Dr. John Mack, Dr. Jacob Saunders, and others to publish their research and findings more openly. For example, Dr. John Mack, a renowned American psychiatrist affiliated with Harvard University, boldly publicly stated that certain abduction experiences are real and vivid, lifetime memories—not hallucinations or fantasies.
This brave stance by Dr. Mack and others was met with fierce opposition from skeptics and the scientific establishment. They attempted to discredit him, questioning his credibility and even trying to revoke his academic credentials or funding. Fortunately, they failed in these efforts. However, reading the critical comments and the translated “Dictionary for the Skeptic,” one can see how egocentric and narcissistic these skeptics tend to be. For instance, Herman Boel, in his book, claims on page 332 that Dr. Mack was “lying without ever being caught”—a statement that appears to be a direct translation of a hostile critique. Such allegations serve as veiled accusations that Dr. Mack was a fraud or a charlatan.
This kind of language reveals the underlying hostility and bias of skeptics, who are often more interested in maintaining their worldview than in genuine scientific inquiry. It is troubling to see respected scientists or professionals accused of dishonesty without evidence, especially when they have the courage to speak out about phenomena that challenge conventional paradigms. Some skeptics even go as far as labeling these researchers as profiteers, accusing them of seeking financial gain from their investigations.
Are these negative assertions rooted in objective, critical scientific methodology? Or are they merely personal attacks cloaked as skepticism? If the latter, they undermine the very principles of honest scientific inquiry—namely, open-mindedness and evidence-based reasoning. Such behavior leaves a bitter taste and raises questions about who the real deceivers are. It is perhaps more accurate to suggest that the skeptics’ relentless dismissiveness and ad hominem attacks reveal their own insecurities, biases, and inability to confront phenomena that challenge their worldview.
The “ostrich policy” of the materialist, secular scientific establishment—burying their heads in the sand regarding UFOs and related phenomena—is a simplistic and ultimately dangerous stance. This approach stems from a desire to preserve existing dogmas and avoid cognitive dissonance. Their general attitude often involves doubt and skepticism, but as Herman Boel points out, their skepticism tends to be selective—favoring disbelief in the paranormal or extraterrestrial because it threatens their worldview. Their outright denial of UFOs as a genuine phenomenon has not stopped sightings and reports from continuing or increasing. The phenomenon persists, growing in complexity and credibility as more witnesses come forward.
The internet, especially search engines like Google, serves as a valuable tool for those seeking information or wishing to connect with credible witnesses. Many experiencers and investigators prefer to share their stories online, seeking understanding rather than dismissal. The key request from witnesses is simple: respect their privacy, treat their observations discreetly, and avoid ridicule. Often, their stories are suppressed or dismissed outright, in part because media and skeptics have conditioned the public to view such reports with suspicion. Yet, many of these witnesses are ordinary people—no different from you or me—who have had extraordinary experiences.
It is a tragedy that these accounts are often dismissed without thorough investigation. Even if, in the end, research determines that the experiences are not caused by extraterrestrial beings, these individuals have still benefited from being heard and validated. Recognizing their experiences as genuine, regardless of the explanation, provides psychological relief and a sense of being taken seriously. The need for serious, unbiased investigation into UFO sightings and abduction reports is more crucial than ever. Only through honest inquiry, free from prejudice and bias, can we hope to understand the true nature of these mysterious encounters.
In conclusion, the lack of interest from mainstream science in the UFO phenomenon is rooted in a complex interplay of skepticism, institutional inertia, and cultural biases. While the phenomenon continues to grow in complexity and credibility, it remains marginalized largely because of the fear of losing scientific credibility or being associated with fringe beliefs. However, recent developments—such as the brave testimonies of researchers and witnesses online—offer hope for a future where UFOs are studied with the seriousness they deserve. Respect, open-mindedness, and a commitment to genuine scientific inquiry are essential if we are to unravel the mysteries that these phenomena present and to give voice to those who have experienced them firsthand.
The science behind alien abductions and UFO encounters | 60 Minutes Australia
5. What Is the Scientific Response?
The story of UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters begins on June 24, 1947, a date that marks the inception of modern UFO lore. On that day, an American pilot named Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine unusual flying objects near Mount Rainier in Washington State. He described them as crescent-shaped craft flying in an irregular formation at incredible speeds, which made him think of “saucers bouncing over water.” This observation sparked widespread media attention, and the term “flying saucers” was quickly adopted to describe these mysterious objects. The media eagerly latched onto Arnold’s account, and within a matter of weeks, hundreds of reports poured in across the United States from individuals claiming to have seen similar phenomena.
This phenomenon can be loosely compared to the events that unfolded in Belgium around 1989-1990, after two police officers in Eupen observed a triangular-shaped craft in the night sky. That sighting received extensive media coverage, leading to a surge of reports from the Brussels-based UFO group SOBEPS, which documented hundreds of sightings. These episodes exemplify how media coverage can significantly influence public perception and stimulate a wave of reports—sometimes leading to what is called a “UFO flap.” Such episodes demonstrate the powerful role the media plays in shaping and even amplifying UFO phenomena, often creating a feedback loop that sustains public interest and investigation.
Many researchers point out that a significant proportion of UFO sightings and reports of “UFOonauts,” such as the famous Greys, correspond closely with standard descriptions that have become embedded in popular culture. For some, this consistency is seen as evidence that witnesses genuinely experienced something extraordinary—an authentic encounter that defies simple explanation. The recurring themes and descriptions lend credibility to the idea that these witnesses might have indeed observed real phenomena, perhaps even alien craft or beings. They argue that the similarities across reports are too consistent to be mere coincidence or collective hallucination.
On the other hand, skeptics challenge this interpretation. They contend that witnesses tend to describe these objects and beings in similar ways because of cultural expectations and stereotypical images of UFOs and aliens. According to this view, eyewitnesses are influenced by media portrayals, science fiction, and popular narratives, which shape their perceptions and descriptions. Skeptics argue that people often interpret ambiguous phenomena—such as lights in the sky or unusual shapes—through the lens of existing stereotypes, leading to reports that are essentially the same stories retold. They suggest that these accounts are constructed or influenced by psychological biases, rather than actual encounters with extraterrestrial craft.
The scientific response to UFO phenomena is multifaceted, involving disciplines such as astronomy, psychology, physics, and engineering. Most scientists approach UFO reports with a healthy dose of skepticism, emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence and reproducibility. The scientific community generally regards UFO sightings, especially those that lack verifiable data, as anecdotal and not sufficient to warrant claims of extraterrestrial visitation. Many scientists argue that most sightings can be explained by natural phenomena, such as meteors, atmospheric optical effects, or human-made objects like aircraft and drones. For instance, luminous phenomena like ball lightning, planets like Venus, or even weather balloons can sometimes be mistaken for unknown craft.
Moreover, the scientific method demands rigorous investigation, including collecting physical evidence, conducting controlled experiments, and replicating observations. To date, no credible scientific evidence has emerged that confirms the existence of extraterrestrial spacecraft or beings. Official investigations, such as Project Blue Book conducted by the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1969, concluded that the majority of UFO reports could be explained by natural causes or misidentifications. While some cases remain unexplained, the absence of verifiable physical data leaves the scientific community unconvinced that these are signs of alien visitation.
In recent years, government and military agencies have taken a renewed interest in UFOs, now often referred to as Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Reports and videos released by the U.S. Department of Defense have shown objects exhibiting flight capabilities beyond known human technology. These developments have prompted calls within the scientific community for more transparent investigation and data sharing. Some scientists advocate for establishing dedicated research programs to analyze UAP data systematically, emphasizing the importance of applying scientific rigor to these unexplained sightings.
Despite the interest and advancements, the core scientific stance remains cautious. The absence of concrete, reproducible evidence means that extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof—something that has yet to be provided convincingly. Many scientists remain open to the possibility of extraterrestrial life but stress that extraordinary claims demand rigorous standards of evidence. Until such evidence is available, the scientific approach continues to treat UFO phenomena as intriguing but unconfirmed anomalies, emphasizing natural explanations and the importance of empirical investigation.
In conclusion, the scientific response to UFO sightings is characterized by skepticism, rigorous analysis, and a commitment to evidence-based conclusions. While public fascination and media influence have played significant roles in shaping UFO phenomena, the scientific community emphasizes that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Continued investigation, improved data collection, and open-minded inquiry are essential, but until definitive proof emerges, UFOs remain a fascinating mystery—one that challenges our understanding of the universe but also demands scientific discipline and rigor.
6. Why Is It Still Important to Remain Critical, Open-Minded, and Objective When Investigating Such Experiences?
Despite my willingness to openly discuss this bizarre phenomenon related to UFO sightings, I must admit that objectively, I find it challenging to see all these strange testimonies as genuine experiences. The core question, however, remains: “Why do people continue to report such encounters?” This is especially perplexing considering their fear of ridicule or being labeled as delusional. Many witnesses are deeply apprehensive; they often request that their reports be kept discreet and their identities remain anonymous. In numerous cases, they don’t even feel comfortable sharing their stories with family, friends, or acquaintances. This reluctance highlights the profound impact of societal prejudices and media portrayals that have, over time, shaped the UFO phenomenon into something laughable or bizarre.
As investigators, should we not maintain an open attitude that allows individuals to share their accounts freely? Offering support and understanding can help these witnesses feel less isolated in their experiences. Giving them a safe space to express themselves without immediate judgment is essential, especially since they might be genuinely confused or frightened by what they’ve encountered. Dismissing their accounts outright or branding them as liars or mentally unstable is neither constructive nor ethical. In the justice system, an individual is considered innocent until proven guilty; shouldn’t we apply the same principle when examining these reports?
If, after thorough investigation, evidence suggests that these experiences are caused by electromagnetic pollution or other types of radiation—such as signals from cell towers, high-voltage lines, underground streams, or natural phenomena—then studying these factors can still be valuable. Such research can help us understand environmental influences on human perception and experience. Even if the actual cause is natural or technological, it contributes positively to our knowledge and potentially aids the witnesses.
The critical question remains: why do witnesses often describe similar objects, entities, and phenomena? If these accounts are mere fantasies, why is there such consistency? Why isn’t there greater diversity in descriptions? Conversely, if even a single case—like a reported abduction—can be verified as genuine, based on the witness’s testimony, then shouldn’t we acknowledge that some encounters might be real?
Interestingly, skeptics sometimes admit that most testimonies are made by reasonably normal individuals without apparent motives. They even argue that if these stories weren’t so bizarre, it would be disrespectful not to trust the witnesses. So, why then, are the experiences of the same individuals not taken seriously? Why aren’t they studied more thoroughly by science or skeptics? These questions highlight the need for an unbiased, open-minded approach that seeks understanding rather than dismissal.
The Alien Abduction Phenomenon of the Mid-20th Century | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
7. Which Ufologists Have Investigated or Are Still Investigating These Unusual UFO Encounters?
The dedicated efforts of qualified ufologists to analyze and interpret abduction experiences among the plethora of UFO reports are few in number but highly significant. These individuals have made substantial contributions to the field by carefully selecting, studying, and debating cases that involve extraordinary encounters with unidentified flying objects and alleged extraterrestrial abductions. Notable among them are pioneers like Aimé Michel and Jacques Vallée from France, who have long been fascinated by the mysteries of the skies. Aimé Michel, renowned for his theories on UFO flight patterns, was one of the first to systematically analyze sightings and their possible connection to extraterrestrial life. Jacques Vallée, now based in the United States, has approached the phenomenon from a scientific and psychological perspective, questioning the nature of UFO encounters rather than accepting them at face value. He has explored the idea that UFOs may be a complex, multi-layered phenomenon involving psychological, cultural, and possibly spiritual dimensions.
From the United Kingdom, notable figures include Gordon Creighton, later joined by Charles Bowen, Hilary Evans, and Jenny Randles. These researchers have contributed through extensive investigations, books, and conferences, aiming to shed light on the mysterious aspects of UFO phenomena and abduction cases. Their work often intersected with broader cultural and scientific debates, attempting to establish a credible framework within which these unexplained experiences could be understood.
In the United States, a distinguished group of investigators has dedicated their careers to studying these phenomena, including Coral and Jim Lorenzen, Ivan Sanderson, John Keel, Budd Hopkins, Jacobs Saunders, and Dr. John Mack. Budd Hopkins, in particular, became famous for his pioneering work on alien abductions, conducting interviews and hypnotic regressions to uncover details of these encounters. Dr. John Mack, a Harvard-educated psychiatrist, took an open-minded approach, believing that these experiences might have profound psychological and spiritual implications. Their collective efforts aimed to validate the reality of abduction experiences, often at great personal and professional risk, as they challenged mainstream scientific and societal norms.
In the Netherlands, Hans van Kampen authored the book “De Gezanten van Hyperion,” which delves into the mysterious encounters and possible extraterrestrial contacts reported in the region. Additionally, therapist Hilda Musch has played a role in helping abductees process their experiences through psychological support. These pioneering ufologists and therapists have been at the forefront of attempting to understand the unknown, risking skepticism and disbelief to explore the truth behind these strange phenomena.
Meanwhile, in the background of these investigations, American researcher Isabelle Davis of NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) quietly collected evidence and clues related to humanoid UFO occupants. Paradoxically, NICAP's initial reaction to abduction cases was to dismiss and ignore them, considering them too bizarre and sensational to warrant serious attention. Having fought for over a decade against media sensationalism, scientific skepticism, and outright disbelief, the organization preferred to focus on more conventional UFO sightings rather than delve into the more controversial realm of abductions and extraterrestrial-human interactions. Stories of gray, zombie-like beings performing medical and reproductive experiments on abductees seemed too outlandish, threatening the credibility of the entire UFO research community.
However, recent developments and more cautious, scientific approaches—such as regression hypnosis, lie detector tests, and detailed victim interviews—have begun to shed new light on the phenomenon. These methods suggest that UFO encounters, especially abductions, may be largely subjective experiences rooted in complex psychological, sociocultural, and possibly neurological factors. Witnesses often insist that, when reporting their experiences, they emphasize their desire for discretion and deny any influence from alcohol, drugs, or medication during the event. This raises intriguing questions: why are so many individuals hesitant, even fearful, to share their encounters? Is it fear of ridicule, social stigma, or a deeper psychological barrier?
If skeptics aimed to dismiss these reports entirely, they may have succeeded in creating an environment of doubt and silence. Yet, as responsible researchers, we have a moral obligation to offer support and understanding to those who come forward. By taking their accounts seriously and seeking plausible, balanced explanations, we foster a more constructive, empathetic approach. Only through such an attitude can we hope to genuinely understand these mysterious phenomena, and perhaps, uncover the truth behind the strange and often frightening experiences of UFO witnesses.
{ PETER2011 }
04-06-2025 om 22:52
geschreven door peter
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Abductions by Extraterrestrials: Fantasy, Deception, or Reality? - PART II
Abductions by Extraterrestrials: Fantasy, Deception, or Reality? - PART II
8. How Do Ufonauts Behave? An In-Depth Exploration
In most reported landings incidents involving UFOs, the entities associated with these phenomena tend to exhibit behaviors that seem almost comical or bizarre. These beings are often perceived as animals or mindless robots of some sort, acting in ways that defy normal human expectations and logic. Such behaviors have led many to believe that these entities are either unintelligent or merely mechanical constructs, performing repetitive or seemingly purposeless actions during their encounters with humans. However, when it comes to UFO abductions, the behavior of these beings—often referred to as Greys or extraterrestrial entities—appears markedly different. During these abduction experiences, the beings respond in an alert, deliberate, and focused manner, almost as if they are conducting specific experiments or investigations. They seem to act as “emotionless” researchers, executing precise procedures on their “lab-dwelling” subjects, which are, in many cases, humans.
Many individuals who have been abducted report that during their encounters, they felt that these entities were part of a larger, interconnected whole. Witnesses often describe the sense that these beings are not isolated but are instead integral components of a more extensive life form or collective consciousness. This perception suggests that their motivations and behaviors might be driven by a set of complex, perhaps collective, objectives that go beyond mere curiosity or simple exploration.
There’s got to be a perfectly logical explanation for this.
The history of UFO sightings and encounters extends far back in time, with significant waves of sightings recorded throughout the 20th century. The first notable worldwide UFO wave occurred in 1954, a period marked by numerous landings and sightings across France, Italy, and South America. Interestingly, the earliest known photograph of a UFO in Belgium was also taken in 1954, over the city of Namur, aligning with this early wave of sightings. Similarly, in 1955, numerous reports of UFOs were made over the town of Lotenhulle in Belgium, adding to the global pattern of early sightings.
One of the most systematic studies of these early incidents was conducted by the French researcher Jacques Vallée. In 1954, Vallée compiled and analyzed 200 reports of UFO landings from around the world, applying rigorous scientific scrutiny. His analysis revealed that in approximately 8 out of these 200 cases—about 4%—witnesses described the beings as either small humanoids or giants, sometimes covered with hair. An even more startling aspect of these encounters was the physical response experienced by witnesses: over 75% of those reporting close encounters stated they felt “paralyzed” or completely powerless to move in the presence of these entities. Despite the frequency of such reports, the physical and medical implications of these encounters were rarely taken seriously by the scientific community or authorities, and detailed investigations into these effects were seldom conducted. This neglect persisted even though thousands of individuals worldwide claimed to have been abducted or otherwise interacted with these beings.
Long before the modern era of UFO sightings, reports of strange, greyish entities—often called Big Eyes Monsters (BEMS)—were already circulating. These creatures, not fully human, were described as having large eyes and sometimes bizarre features. Vallée’s book “Passport to Magonia” catalogs hundreds of such landings and sightings, stretching back centuries. These stories suggest that encounters with strange beings are not new phenomena but are part of a long continuum of human experience with the unknown. Over time, the descriptions of these entities have evolved, shaped by cultural and linguistic changes. Ancient civilizations called them gods, dwarfs, angels, or demons, while in our current space age, they are often referred to as extraterrestrials or abductees’ “aliens.”
Historical UFO flaps in the late 19th and early 20th centuries also contribute to this ongoing mystery. In 1896 and 1897, and again in 1905 and 1909, sightings of strange, Zeppelin-like airships were reported. Analysis of these incidents revealed a peculiar pattern: the crews of these anomalous flying objects often left behind mundane objects—newspapers, shoes, even peeled potatoes—on the ground after their flights. These artifacts seemed to serve as deliberate signals or messages, as if the craft were trying to demonstrate that they originated from Earth or had some connection to it. Theories abounded that these sightings might be the work of secret inventors testing experimental aircraft, fueling speculation about hidden technological advancements during that time. Nonetheless, many of these reports lacked comprehensive details, leading to skepticism and questions about their authenticity.
The challenge with historical UFO reports is that eyewitnesses and researchers did not always record all the details or characteristics of these sightings. Some details were perhaps intentionally omitted, either to preserve credibility or because the observers did not notice them at the time. Modern journalists and investigators often encounter similar issues today. They tend to omit or dismiss extraordinary details in current UFO reports, either to protect the perceived credibility of their articles or to avoid discrediting witnesses. Sometimes, even seemingly mundane sightings—such as strange lights in the sky—are subject to requests for confidentiality or discreet handling, highlighting the persistent fear of ridicule or skepticism. It’s not uncommon for witnesses to be asked to keep their reports quiet or to avoid sharing them publicly, even in 2011, illustrating how deeply ingrained the skepticism remains.
During wartime, reports of “foo fighters”—mysterious lights accompanying military aircraft—became widespread. Both Allied and Axis forces believed these lights to be secret weapons or enemy technology. Recent revelations have shown that Winston Churchill himself requested that reports of UFO sightings be kept confidential to prevent panic. After World War II, sightings of “Ghost Rockets” over Scandinavia and other parts of Europe increased, with many reports describing strange, unidentifiable objects in the sky. American and British authorities conducted investigations into these phenomena but have yet to reach definitive conclusions; some hypotheses suggest they could have been tests of Soviet missile technology or experimental aircraft.
In 1965, a new wave of UFO sightings swept through Mexico and the world. Mexican newspapers reported encounters with strange beings—described as tall, humanoid creatures with glowing eyes, no visible nose or mouth, and large, triangular heads adorned with short horns. Witnesses often described these entities as being at least three meters tall. The most famous case involved three women from a suburb of Mexico City, who claimed to have seen these beings and later panicked, fleeing to the police. Similar sightings were reported elsewhere in Latin America, including Brazil, where some creatures were allegedly captured or observed in the wild.
One of the most compelling and well-documented cases occurred in Brazil in early 1996, in the town of Varginha. Over several weeks, multiple witnesses reported seeing strange, alien-like creatures—described as short, with dark, hairless skin, large triangular heads, three short horns, and enormous red, vertical oval eyes. The Brazilian military reportedly captured at least two of these beings alive near Varginha, and there are claims that a UFO crashed in the area, adding to the intrigue. The military authorities attempted to keep details secret, but thanks to dedicated researchers like Dr. Ubiraja Franco Rodrigues and Vitorio Paccaccini, some information eventually leaked out. Their investigations suggest that these beings were not only real but part of a larger phenomenon involving government cover-ups and unidentified aerial craft.
As you can see, stories about strange encounters and bizarre sightings periodically resurface, often gaining new life through media attention and public fascination. For serious, objective, and critical researchers, it is essential to approach these stories with an open mind but also with caution. The question remains: why do people continue to tell such bizarre and often unbelievable stories? Are they mistaken, deluded, or perhaps motivated by other factors? Or could there be a deeper truth behind these recurring reports that we have yet to fully understand? What is clear is that the phenomenon of UFOs and their associated behaviors remains one of the most intriguing and elusive mysteries of our time, demanding careful investigation and open-minded skepticism.
9. How to Respond to Such Stories?
For many decades, the majority of UFO researchers and enthusiasts chose to ignore reports of unusual sightings and encounters, often opting not to publish these accounts in their scientific journals or magazines. When they did address these stories, they frequently dismissed them as speculative nonsense—often more bizarre than the original reports themselves. Some researchers even went so far as to distort or modify the original descriptions of UFO sightings, painting them as encounters with “little green men” instead of the more detailed, sometimes alarming descriptions originally provided by witnesses. This manipulation—altering the content of reports to fit a preconceived theory or narrative—indicates a troubling lack of objectivity, honesty, and fairness toward the witnesses and their testimonies. Such biases threaten the integrity of UFO research, yet they remain a persistent issue today.
From personal experience, I know that this remains an ongoing problem within the field. Take, for example, a specific case that we investigated together. Witnesses described an oval-shaped object adorned with around ten lights. When a skeptical colleague, who assumed it was merely an aircraft—perhaps a plane on the landing approach to the nearby airport—proposed that the lights must be fewer than described, the number of lights was reduced to just two. Our colleague at BUFON, a retired engineer with years of investigative experience, had identified an electromagnetic anomaly during the sighting with his custom-built instruments. However, rather than accepting this scientifically significant finding, some colleagues attempted to discredit him by suggesting that he was unreliable—claiming he had not answered all their questions about his measurement devices. Perhaps they believed he simply didn't understand the engineering explanations, or maybe they sought to undermine his credibility. This kind of skepticism complicates cooperation among researchers with differing perspectives, especially when one side pursues objective investigation while the other is more interested in confirming preconceived notions.
I could write pages about investigators studying bizarre abduction cases and others who dismiss or ridicule such reports as nonsense. The topic has become more open for discussion, especially with the advent of the internet, which provides a platform for witnesses to share their experiences anonymously and more freely. Victims of these encounters have gathered on certain websites, exchanging thoughts and supporting each other through shared pain and confusion. As the saying goes, “Shared pain is halved pain.” This sense of community offers comfort and validation to those who might otherwise feel isolated or dismissed.
Skeptics tend to compare abductees and other experiencers to mystics from bygone centuries. Both groups claim to have had profound, sometimes supernatural, experiences that others are denied or unable to verify. These skeptics argue that the primary evidence for such encounters is the witness’s belief that it happened, along with their personal account. They dismiss the reports because they see no objective proof—no tangible, scientific evidence—only faith in the stories told. According to these doubters, the fact that mystics’ descriptions of their visions and experiences are remarkably similar across different cultures and historical periods does not serve as proof of their authenticity. Instead, they suggest that these similarities reflect a commonality in human experience—such as birth, sexuality, and death—that transcend specific spiritual or mystical claims.
Historical sources support the skeptics’ view, noting that many alleged abductions by extraterrestrial beings resemble medieval stories of monks and nuns who believed they had been tempted by demons or devils. These monks often thought they were seduced by evil spirits; ancient Greek women claimed to have had sexual encounters with animals; and during later centuries, people accused of witchcraft believed they had been involved in diabolical rituals. The priests and religious authorities of those times, rather than questioning these stories, often encouraged and reinforced them. They did not see these visions as symptoms of mental illness, but as real encounters with supernatural entities. Tragically, many of these supposed victims were subjected to torture, forced confessions, and ultimately execution—burned at the stake or drowned, often with little or no real evidence of their guilt.
Thankfully, modern society does not execute or torture alleged UFO abductees, but skeptics and mainstream science still attempt to diminish their experiences. They often dismiss reports as hallucinations, wishful thinking, deception, or even deliberate fabrications. Some go as far as suggesting that these experiences are the result of psychiatric disorders, particularly delusional or paranoid states. All these tactics serve one purpose: to discredit and destroy the credibility of witnesses and investigators alike, in an effort to dismiss the phenomenon entirely.
The physical evidence cited by some abductees—such as scars or implants—are often ridiculed or outright denied by skeptics, who regard them as mere earthly injuries or artifacts. They dismiss claims of implants as nothing more than mundane objects or surgical souvenirs, lacking any connection to extraterrestrial activity. Even when evidence suggests otherwise, skeptics tend to reject it systematically.
The media’s portrayal of UFOs, abductions, and related phenomena further complicates matters. Their dismissive attitude fosters fear and reluctance among witnesses to come forward publicly. People are often hesitant to share their experiences, fearing ridicule or disbelief from the public or scientific community.
The fundamental goal of skeptical researchers seems to be to find a mundane, terrestrial explanation for all strange phenomena—regardless of the evidence—rather than genuinely seeking the truth. Their aim appears to be the preservation of existing doctrines and beliefs, dismissing any data that contradicts their worldview. Genuine investigators who attempt to understand and help victims by exploring all possible causes are often dismissed as frauds or charlatans. Who, then, truly suffers from a mental health disorder? Is it the individual who reports a strange experience and seeks understanding or the researcher who dismisses their story outright? Or perhaps the skeptic, who refuses to accept any evidence outside their rigid framework?
In conclusion, how we respond to stories of UFO sightings and abductions depends largely on our perspective and willingness to consider the extraordinary as potentially real. While skepticism is healthy and necessary for scientific progress, it must be balanced with empathy and openness to unexplained phenomena. Dismissing witnesses outright or ridiculing their experiences not only undermines the pursuit of truth but also dismisses the suffering and curiosity of those who seek answers. Ultimately, understanding the phenomenon requires an open mind, rigorous investigation, and a respectful acknowledgment of the complex, often baffling experiences individuals report.
10. Decision
In this document, I aim to present a comprehensive and balanced overview of my perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding phenomena that are often labeled as paranormal or esoteric. While I have, at times, used strong language to critique certain skeptics, I encourage a deeper understanding of the underlying issues by referencing the book “Dictionary for a Skeptic.” This publication sheds light on the mindset and methodologies of skeptics who often dismiss extraordinary claims without fully exploring their validity. It is important to distinguish between healthy skepticism—characterized by critical thinking and open-minded investigation—and outright denial or dismissal based on preconceived notions.
I hold respect and understanding for all researchers and investigators, regardless of their viewpoints. As long as their work is conducted with honesty, integrity, and fairness, I support their efforts. Constructive criticism is also valuable, and I believe that scientific progress relies on open dialogue and mutual respect. Fortunately, the days when believers and investigators of extraordinary phenomena had to operate in secrecy or be marginalized by mainstream media are largely behind us. Today, thanks to the internet, blogs, and various online platforms, individuals can freely share their experiences and findings without the fear of ridicule or censorship. This democratization of information has opened new avenues for dialogue and discovery.
However, I am deeply concerned about the role of skeptics who, in my view, engage in a malicious attempt to diminish hope and confidence among ordinary people. Their tactics often involve dismissing practices like acupuncture—an ancient Chinese healing method that has been used for thousands of years—as mere placebo effect. They overlook the historical fact that traditional medicine, including herbal remedies, was once the dominant form of treatment before the advent of modern pharmaceuticals. Similarly, critics tend to reduce homeopathy to a placebo, neglecting its long-standing use and the cultural context in which it developed.
My position is driven by a desire to maintain hope and optimism. I prefer to see myself as a “hopeful believer,” rather than a frustrated skeptic. I believe that our collective quest should be to find common ground—a middle path—where we can study, analyze, and understand these strange phenomena in a logical and scientifically sound manner. Such an approach would allow us to develop solutions and explanations that are acceptable to all, fostering unity rather than division.
Nevertheless, I am aware that the concept of utopia—the perfect world—is perhaps an idealistic dream. It raises the question of whether such perfection is attainable or merely an illusion. Despite this, I remain hopeful that through continued open-minded research and respectful dialogue, we can make meaningful progress. In the end, our shared goal should be to seek truth, understanding, and harmony in exploring the mysteries that surround us, always mindful of the need for critical thinking balanced with an open heart.
This comprehensive overview serves as my formal conclusion, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, open-mindedness, and the pursuit of knowledge in the ongoing quest to understand phenomena beyond conventional science.
{ peter2011 }
04-06-2025 om 22:50
geschreven door peter
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NASA spacecraft finds solar 'cannonballs' may have stripped Mars of its water — proving decades-old theory
NASA spacecraft finds solar 'cannonballs' may have stripped Mars of its water — proving
After nearly a decade in orbit, NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has, for the first time, directly observed the process that scientists had long suspected was responsible for stripping Mars of its atmosphere.
This artist's concept depicts the early Martian environment (right) with liquid water and a thicker atmosphere versus the cold, dry environment seen today (left).
(Image credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center)
After nearly a decade in orbit, NASA's MAVEN spacecraft has, for the first time, directly observed the process that scientists had long suspected was responsible for stripping Mars of its atmosphere.
The findings, published May 28 in the journal Science Advances, could help answer a longstanding question about how Mars transformed from a potentially habitable world with rivers and lakes into the mostly-frozen desert we see today.
Although Mars today is dry, cold and virtually airless, its surface is carved with unmistakable evidence of a wetter past. Features resembling ancient river valleys, lake beds, and minerals that only form in the presence of water point to long-lived lakes, possibly even shallow seas, that flowed on Mars' surface billions of years ago. For liquid water to persist, however, Mars would have needed a much denser atmosphere to trap heat and sustain higher surface pressure. Understanding when and how that atmosphere vanished is essential to reconstructing Mars' climate evolution, and to determining how long the planet may have remained habitable.
Over the past decade, scientists have gathered mountingevidence that solar wind — the constant stream of ionized particles emitted from the sun — and radiation stripped away much of the Martian atmosphere. Among the most significant mechanisms behind this erosion is a process called sputtering, where high-energy particles from solar wind collide with the planet's upper atmosphere. These collisions, in principle, transfer enough energy to neutral atoms and help break them free from the planet's gravitational pull, flinging them into space.
"It's like doing a cannonball in a pool," Shannon Curry, the principal investigator of the MAVEN mission at the University of Colorado Boulder who led the new study, said in a statement. "The cannonball, in this case, is the heavy ions crashing into the atmosphere really fast and splashing neutral atoms and molecules out."
While sputtering had long been suspected as a key player in Mars' climate evolution, this is the first time the process has been observed directly. Using nine years of data from the MAVEN spacecraft, Curry and her colleagues captured present-day sputtering on Mars.
By combining data from three of MAVEN's instruments, the researchers created a detailed map of argon, a noble gas, in Mars' upper atmosphere. Argon is an ideal tracer for this kind of atmospheric escape because it is chemically inert, heavy, and resistant to becoming charged. This makes it unlikely to interact with other atmospheric processes, meaning any significant loss of argon serves as a clear tracer of sputtering.
Indeed, MAVEN detected the highest concentrations of argon at altitudes where solar wind particles collide with the Martian atmosphere, the new study reports. Its presence was much higher than where scientists would expect it to naturally waft under the planet's gravity, so the findings provide direct evidence that sputtering is actively lifting and removing the molecules from Mars, according to the new study.
This process may even have been the driving force behind the loss of Mars' once-thick atmosphere and, with it, its ability to host liquid water on the surface, the study notes.
MAVEN's data also revealed that this process occurs at a rate four times higher than previously predicted by models, according to the new study. It became more pronounced during solar storms, potentially offering a glimpse into how much more intense the process might have been during Mars' early history when the planet was more vulnerable to the sun's energy.
Scientists suspect this process was especially intense billions of years ago, when the sun was more active and Mars had already lost its protective magnetic field. Without that magnetic shield, the Martian atmosphere was left vulnerable to the full force of the solar wind, accelerating its erosion and pushing the planet past a tipping point where liquid water could no longer persist.
"These results establish sputtering's role in the loss of Mars' atmosphere and in determining the history of water on Mars," Curry said in the statement.
To fully determine whether sputtering was indeed the primary driver of Mars' long-term climate change, scientists will need to peer billions of years into the past using models, isotopic data, and ancient climate clues. Only then can they judge whether sputtering merely grazed the edges of Mars' atmosphere — or stripped it bare.
Een illustratie van een neergestorte schotel en een buitenaards wezen, vergelijkbaar met het Varginha UFO-incident.
Afbeeldingscredit: YAYIMAGES.
De Varginha UFO-ontmoeting: Feit of Fictie?
1. Inleiding
De Varginha UFO-ontmoeting, die plaatsvond in januari 1996 in de Braziliaanse stad Varginha, Minas Gerais, behoort tot een van de meest besproken en omstreden buitenaardse incidenten in de recente geschiedenis. Het begon toen verschillende getuigen meldden dat ze vreemde wezens en ongewone lichtverschijnselen hadden waargenomen in de omgeving van de stad. Volgens sommige rapporten zouden er zelfs getuigen zijn geweest die een vreemd wezen hebben gezien, dat leek op een buitenaards wezen of een onbekend soort biologisch organisme. Deze waarnemingen leidden tot uitgebreide speculaties over een mogelijke UFO-landingsplaats en buitenaardse interacties.
Het incident kreeg extra aandacht door de aanwezigheid van lokale autoriteiten, waaronder het militaire en medische personeel, die betrokken zouden zijn geweest bij de observaties en het onderzoek. Sommige getuigen beweren dat ze bizarre wezens hebben gezien die niet van deze wereld leken, terwijl anderen suggereren dat de gebeurtenissen het gevolg waren van misverstanden, massahysterie of zelfs hoaxes. Verschillende theorieën werden geopperd, variërend van geheime militaire experimenten tot buitenaardse ontmoetingen.
Wetenschappelijke experts en UFO-onderzoekers blijven verdeeld over de interpretatie van het incident. Sommige beschouwen het als een mogelijk bewijs van buitenaardse aanwezigheid, terwijl anderen het afdoen als een incident dat kan worden verklaard door natuurlijke fenomenen, menselijke fouten of misleidende informatie. Ondanks de vele beschrijvingen en geruchten blijft het bewijs onduidelijk en controversieel. Dit rapport beoogt de gebeurtenissen rondom de Varginha UFO-ontmoeting nauwkeurig te analyseren, het beschikbare bewijs kritisch te evalueren en te onderzoeken of het incident daadwerkelijk bewijs is voor buitenaardse contacten of slechts een samenspel van misverstanden en interpretatie.
2. Het Varginha UFO-incident
Het Varginha UFO-incident, dat plaatsvond op 20 januari 1996 in de Braziliaanse stad Varginha in de deelstaat Minas Gerais, is een van de meest besproken en mysterieuze UFO-gerelateerde gebeurtenissen in de geschiedenis van Brazilië. Het incident heeft de aandacht getrokken van ufologen, onderzoekers en nieuwsgierigen over de hele wereld vanwege de vermeende waarnemingen van een vreemd object in de lucht en de getuigenissen over een bizarre, buitenaards lijkend wezen.
Volgens de lokale bewoners en diverse getuigen zagen op die bewuste dag meerdere mensen een ongewoon object aan de hemel, dat door sommige rapporten werd geïdentificeerd als een UFO. Het object werd beschreven als een helder, schijnend licht of een vliegend object dat zich met hoge snelheid door de lucht bewoog. De waarnemingen werden versterkt door het feit dat het object snel verdween en niet op normale wijze kon worden verklaard door de inwoners. Kort daarna deden zich geruchten en meldingen voor dat er een vreemd wezen was gevonden in de omgeving van Varginha.
Wat het incident bijzonder maakt, is de beschrijving van dat wezen. Verschillende ooggetuigen vertelden dat ze een klein, vreemd uitziend wezen hadden gezien dat grote, felrode ogen had en zich in paniek leek te bevinden. Sommige getuigen spraken over een wezen dat leek te lijden of gewond was, wat suggereerde dat het mogelijk betrokken was bij een soort incident, zoals een UFO-crash of -landings. Het wezen werd volgens de verhalen door lokale bewoners gezien in de buurt van een fabriek en later zou het door militaire autoriteiten zijn meegenomen.
De rol van de militaire en overheidsinstanties in het hele verhaal voegt een extra laag van mysterie toe. Verschillende getuigen en geruchten vertellen dat militaire voertuigen snel ter plaatse waren en dat het wezen werd meegenomen naar een militaire faciliteit voor verder onderzoek. Daarnaast zouden er pogingen zijn gedaan om het incident te onderdrukken en de waarnemingen te minimaliseren, wat de beschuldigingen van een cover-up versterkt. Sommige ooggetuigen beweerden dat ze het wezen hadden gezien in een militaire container, terwijl anderen meldden dat er een geheime operatie gaande was om de gebeurtenis te verbergen voor het publiek.
De media-aandacht voor het incident was aanvankelijk groot, vooral door de verhalen van lokale bewoners en de opvallende beschrijvingen van het wezen. De geruchten dat het om een buitenaards wezen ging, werden verder versterkt door de suggestie dat het mogelijk was gevonden na een UFO-crash of -landings. Deze theorieën werden ondersteund door de mysterieuze omstandigheden en de geheime activiteiten van de militaire autoriteiten.
Tot op heden blijft het Varginha UFO-incident een bron van discussie en speculatie. Sommige onderzoekers geloven dat er inderdaad een buitenaards wezen is gevonden, terwijl anderen denken dat het om een misinterpretatie, een menselijke fout of zelfs een hoax gaat. Desalniettemin blijft de gebeurtenis een fascinerend hoofdstuk in de geschiedenis van UFO-waarnemingen en buitenaardse theorieën in Brazilië. Het incident heeft ook de interesse van UFO-enthousiastelingen en onderzoekers versterkt om verder te zoeken naar antwoorden over de mogelijke aanwezigheid van buitenaards leven en de betrokkenheid van overheidsinstanties bij het verbergen van dergelijke gebeurtenissen.
3. Het Bewijsmateriaal
De bewijsvoering rond de Varginha UFO-ontmoeting is complex en bestaat uit verschillende elementen die samen een beeld proberen te schetsen van wat er precies is gebeurd. Deze elementen omvatten getuigenverklaringen, foto's en video's, officiële verklaringen van overheidsinstanties en wetenschappelijke analyses. Elk van deze onderdelen draagt bij aan de discussie en de twijfel of het incident daadwerkelijk buitenaards van aard was.
Een groep meisjes, Liliane Silva, Valquiria Silva en Katia Xavier, haalde destijds de krantenkoppen nadat ze beweerden dat ze een “vreemd wezen” in het volle daglicht waren tegengekomen.
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a. Getuigenverklaringen
Een van de belangrijkste bronnen van informatie over de Varginha-ontmoeting zijn de getuigenissen van lokale bewoners, militairen en andere ooggetuigen die het vreemde wezen en de UFO-sighting zelf hebben waargenomen. Deze verklaringen worden vaak als zeer belangrijk beschouwd omdat ze direct uit de eerste hand komen en dus niet gefilterd zijn door derden.
Veel getuigen beschreven een klein, vreemd wezen dat zich onderscheidde door opvallende fysieke kenmerken. Zo spraken ze van grote, rood gekleurde ogen, die vaak beschreven werden als angstaanjagend en onmenselijk. Daarnaast zouden de huid en het lichaamsbouw afwijkend zijn geweest: sommige getuigen spraken van een slijmerige, glanzende huid en een afwijkende lichaamsbouw die niet overeenkwam met bekende dieren of mensen. Sommige ooggetuigen meldden dat ze het wezen hadden gezien in de buurt van militaire faciliteiten in Varginha, terwijl anderen het zagen tijdens de vlucht of in de omgeving van de stad.
Er zijn ook verhalen die suggereren dat militaire autoriteiten probeerden te voorkomen dat de informatie zich verspreidde, door bijvoorbeeld getuigen onder druk te zetten of door de locatie te controleren. Sommige mensen beweerden dat ze het wezen hadden gezien in een medische faciliteit, waar het mogelijk werd onderzocht. De variatie in getuigenissen zorgt voor een complex beeld: niet alle verklaringen stemmen volledig overeen, maar ze bevatten wel overeenkomsten die door velen als opmerkelijk worden beschouwd.
Meer dan een kwart eeuw later is de interesse in de zaak hernieuwd na de release van een documentaire eerder deze maand,
Moment of Contact. 1091 PICTURES
b. Foto's en video's
Daarnaast bestaan er verschillende foto's en korte videobeelden die volgens sommige bronnen het wezen of het UFO-object tonen. Deze beelden worden vaak aangehaald als bewijs dat er daadwerkelijk iets buitenaards is waargenomen. Echter, de kwaliteit van deze beelden is over het algemeen laag, waardoor het moeilijk is om definitief vast te stellen wat er precies op te zien is.
Critici en skeptici betwijfelen de authenticiteit van deze beelden sterk. Sommige experts menen dat de beelden mogelijk gefotoshopt zijn of dat ze gefabriceerd zijn met behulp van eenvoudige special effects. Andere wijzen erop dat het ontbreken van kwalitatief hoogstaande beelden en het ontbreken van betrouwbare, verifieerbare bewijsstukken het moeilijk maakt om te concluderen dat de beelden echt zijn. Er is geen enkele foto of video die onbetwistbaar kan worden gecertificeerd als bewijs van een buitenaardse ontmoeting.
Filmmaker James Fox keerde terug naar het kleine stadje om getuigen, deskundigen en functionarissen te interviewen in verband met de UFO-waarneming.
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c. Officiële verklaringen
De Braziliaanse overheid en militaire autoriteiten hebben tot op heden nooit officieel bevestigd dat er een buitenaards wezen of een UFO-crash heeft plaatsgevonden in Varginha. In verschillende officiële documenten en verklaringen werd aangegeven dat er sprake zou kunnen zijn van een misinterpretatie van natuurlijke of menselijke fenomenen.
Sommige verklaringen suggereren dat het om een gewoon dier ging dat verkeerd werd geïnterpreteerd, bijvoorbeeld een kameel of een andere diersoort die in de buurt aanwezig was. Andere verklaringen wijzen op een misidentificatie van een natuurfenomeen, zoals een meteoriet of een weersverschijnsel. Desalniettemin blijven bepaalde documenten en rapporten onbeantwoord of worden ze niet publiek gemaakt, waardoor er ruimte blijft voor speculatie en twijfel.
In een aantal gevallen werden er geruchten en verhalen verspreid dat de overheid probeerde de waarheid te verbergen of dat er geheime operaties plaatsvonden rondom de locatie. Deze theorieën worden niet door officiële instanties bevestigd, maar voeden wel het beeld dat er mogelijk meer aan de hand was dan de officiële verklaringen doen geloven.
d. Wetenschappelijke analyse
Tot op heden is er geen fysiek bewijs gevonden dat het wezen daadwerkelijk buitenaards was. Wetenschappers en onderzoekers hebben verschillende tests uitgevoerd op vermeende lichaamsdelen en vondsten die met het incident worden geassocieerd. Het resultaat hiervan is dat geen van deze tests ooit publiekelijk werd gepresenteerd of wetenschappelijk geverifieerd.
Sommige onderzoekers hebben geprobeerd om de fysieke kenmerken van het wezen te bestuderen, bijvoorbeeld op basis van haar of weefselmonsters. Tot nu toe ontbreken echter betrouwbare, reproduceerbare resultaten die kunnen aantonen dat het om een buitenaards levend wezen ging. De meeste wetenschappelijke analyses wijzen uit dat de vondsten kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken, zoals dieren of menselijke creaties.
Kortom, ondanks de vele getuigenissen en de beschikbare beelden, ontbreekt het aan concreet fysiek bewijs dat het incident in Varginha daadwerkelijk een buitenaardse ontmoeting bevestigt. Het blijft dus een mysterie dat vooral wordt ondersteund door verhalen en waarnemingen, maar niet door onweerlegbaar bewijs dat door de wetenschap wordt erkend.
4. De Discussie
De Varginha UFO-ontmoeting vormt een van de meest besproken en controversiële incidenten in de geschiedenis van buitenaardse waarnemingen in Brazilië. Het incident, dat plaatsvond in januari 1996 in het kleine stadje Varginha, leidde tot talloze geruchten, getuigenissen en speculaties over een vermeende ontmoeting met buitenaardse wezens en een UFO-verschijnsel. De complexiteit van het incident wordt versterkt door de tegenstrijdige verklaringen en de uiteenlopende interpretaties die sindsdien naar voren zijn gekomen. In deze uitgebreide uiteenzetting worden de belangrijkste argumenten voor en tegen de authenticiteit van de Varginha-ontmoeting besproken, evenals de invloed van socioculturele factoren die de perceptie en narratieven rond het incident beïnvloeden.
a. Argumenten voor de authenticiteit
Veel getuigenissen en lokale bewoners bevestigen dat zij een vreemd wezen en een UFO hebben waargenomen in de omgeving van Varginha. Verschillende mensen spreken over het zien van een klein, buitenaards uitziend wezen met grote ogen en een vreemd uiterlijk, dat mogelijk gewond of in shock leek te zijn. Deze getuigenissen worden versterkt door de meldingen van militaire aanwezigheid en pogingen om de zaak te onderdrukken of geheim te houden. Er wordt beweerd dat militaire voertuigen en soldaten snel ter plekke verschenen en dat er pogingen werden gedaan om foto’s en video’s te verwijderen of te onderdrukken. Sommige van deze beelden suggereren een fysiek object dat niet gemakkelijk te verklaren is door natuurlijke oorzaken, zoals onverklaarbare lichtverschijnselen of onbekende vormen.
Daarnaast zijn er officiële documenten en rapporten die wijzen op de betrokkenheid van het leger en het in beslag nemen van bewijsmateriaal. Sommige onderzoekers wijzen erop dat de consistentie van de getuigenissen en de ernst van de meldingen wijzen op een gebeurtenis die niet eenvoudigweg kan worden afgedaan als een fantasie of misverstand. Voorstanders van de authenticiteit stellen dat de combinatie van ooggetuigenverslagen, fysieke aanwijzingen en de betrokkenheid van militaire autoriteiten duidt op een incident van grote betekenis.
b. Argumenten tegen de authenticiteit
Aan de andere kant zijn er ook veel kritische stemmen die het incident in twijfel trekken. Een belangrijk punt van kritiek is dat het bewijs dat is geleverd vaak van lage kwaliteit is en subjectief van aard. Foto’s en video’s die worden aangevoerd als bewijs, zijn vaak van slechte resolutie, onduidelijk of kunnen gemakkelijk worden geïnterpreteerd als natuurlijke verschijnselen of menselijke fakes. Bovendien ontbreekt het aan fysiek bewijs dat onafhankelijk kan worden geverifieerd door wetenschappelijke instanties. Zonder objectieve, reproduceerbare bewijzen blijft de claim van een buitenaardse ontmoeting moeilijk te bevestigen.
Daarnaast is het incident vatbaar voor vergelijkingen met bekende patronen van hoaxes, massahypnose en massale waarnemingsfouten. In de jaren negentig was er een toegenomen media-aandacht voor UFO’s, wat de kans op misverstanden en interpretatiefouten vergrootte. Veel waarnemingen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke oorzaken zoals dieren die ongewone geluiden maken, lichtreflecties, spiegels, of menselijke interpretaties van natuurlijke verschijnselen zoals sterren, vliegtuigen of weersverschijnselen. Bovendien bestaat de mogelijkheid dat sommige getuigen een foute waarneming deden of dat er sprake was van een hallucinerende of suggestieve toestand.
c. Socioculturele factoren
Het incident weerspiegelt ook de culturele en maatschappelijke context van de jaren 90 in Brazilië. Tijdens die periode waren UFO-mythes en buitenaardse theorieën erg populair en werden ze vaak versterkt door de media, films en literatuur. De angst voor militaire geheimhouding en de autoritaire regimes die in sommige regio’s nog actief waren, speelden eveneens een rol in de interpretatie van de waarnemingen. Het feit dat het Braziliaanse leger een grote rol speelde in de berichtgeving en dat er geheime operaties mogelijk waren, voedde de speculaties over een mogelijk verborgen buitenaards experiment of ontmoeting.
Daarnaast droeg de culturele verbeelding bij aan het ontstaan van een soort collectieve angst en nieuwsgierigheid. Mensen waren gevoelig voor verhalen over buitenaardse wezens en UFO’s, en deze verhalen werden vaak versterkt door de lokale folklore en de internationale populariteit van UFO-mythes. Het maatschappelijke klimaat van de jaren 90, gekenmerkt door onzekerheid over de toekomst en een groeiende interesse in buitenaardse levensvormen, zorgde voor een vruchtbare bodem voor het ontstaan en de verspreiding van geruchten en theorieën over het Varginha-incident.
Samengevat toont de discussie rondom de Varginha UFO-ontmoeting een complex samenspel van feitelijke getuigenissen, twijfelachtige bewijzen en culturele factoren. Of het incident nu daadwerkelijk heeft plaatsgevonden zoals sommige getuigen beweren, of dat het slechts een samenloop van natuurlijke verschijnselen, menselijke interpretaties en maatschappelijke verhalen is, blijft onderwerp van debat. Wat echter duidelijk is, is dat het incident een blijvende impact heeft gehad op de Braziliaanse en internationale UFO-discussie, en dat het een fascinerend voorbeeld vormt van hoe perceptie, cultuur en bewijsvoering elkaar kunnen beïnvloeden in het zoeken naar buitenaardse levensvormen.
5. Wetenschappelijke Onderzoek
Tot op heden is er slechts zeer beperkt formeel wetenschappelijk onderzoek gedaan naar de Varginha-ontmoeting. De meeste beschikbare analyses berusten op getuigenissen, media-rapportages en incidentele foto’s. Er bestaan geen fysiek bewijsstukken die het bestaan van een buitenaards wezen of een UFO daadwerkelijk kunnen bevestigen. Hierdoor blijft het incident vooral in het domein van anekdotisch bewijs en interpretaties, zonder dat er harde wetenschappelijke bevestiging is.
a. Analyse van de getuigenissen
Een belangrijk onderdeel van het onderzoek naar de Varginha-incidenten betreft de getuigenissen van mensen die destijds aanwezig waren of het voorval later hebben beschreven. Wetenschappers benadrukken dat menselijke waarnemingen en herinneringen inherent vatbaar zijn voor verschillende vormen van vertekening. Bias, suggestie en persoonlijke interpretaties kunnen de waarnemingen sterk beïnvloeden. Bijvoorbeeld, in situaties van hoge spanning, onzekerheid en beperkte informatie, is het waarschijnlijk dat mensen gebeurtenissen verkeerd herinneren of hun herinneringen aanpassen om coherentie te vinden.
Daarnaast kunnen factoren zoals groepsdruk of het media-aandacht genereren rondom het incident leiden tot het ontstaan van vervormde of overdreven verslagen. Getuigen kunnen bijvoorbeeld details toevoegen of weglaten, afhankelijk van hun perceptie of overtuigingen. Dit maakt het moeilijk om objectieve conclusies te trekken op basis van de getuigenissen alone. Wetenschappers waarschuwen daarom dat deze verhalen met de nodige voorzichtigheid moeten worden geïnterpreteerd en dat ze niet automatisch bewijs vormen voor de aanwezigheid van buitenaardse wezens.
"Regeringen dekken alles af wat ze niet aan hun bevolking kunnen uitleggen," zegt de gepensioneerde Braziliaanse luchtmachtgeneraal Jose Carlos Pereira tegen Fox.
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b. Forensisch onderzoek
Wat betreft fysiek bewijs bestaat er geen bekend, transparant forensisch onderzoek dat de claims van de Varginha-ontmoeting heeft geverifieerd. Er zijn geen objectieve, wetenschappelijke tests uitgevoerd op mogelijke sporen of materialen die op buitenaardse interactie wijzen. Zonder dergelijk bewijs blijven de beweringen vooral anekdotisch en niet wetenschappelijk verifieerbaar.
Het ontbreken van fysiek bewijs betekent dat de zaak niet op dezelfde voet kan worden beoordeeld als andere incidenten waarbij bijvoorbeeld vreemde forensische sporen of technische gegevens zijn gevonden. Het is mogelijk dat er geen verfijnde of onafhankelijke onderzoeken zijn uitgevoerd, of dat bewijsstukken verloren zijn gegaan of niet zorgvuldig zijn gedocumenteerd. Dit bemoeilijkt het verkrijgen van een sluitende wetenschappelijke verklaring.
c. Alternatieve verklaringen
Omdat er geen sluitend bewijs is voor buitenaardse betrokkenheid, zijn er verschillende hypotheses geopperd om het Varginha-incident te verklaren. Sommige onderzoekers denken dat het om natuurlijke verschijnselen ging die verkeerd werden geïnterpreteerd. Bijvoorbeeld, optische illusies veroorzaakt door atmosferische omstandigheden zoals zonsopgang, zonsondergang, of bijzondere luchteffecten kunnen de indruk wekken van vreemde objecten of wezens.
Ook worden dieren vaak genoemd in verklaringen voor de waarnemingen. Zo zouden bijvoorbeeld capibara’s, een groot knaagdier dat in Zuid-Amerika voorkomt, of andere dieren die ’s nachts actief zijn, mogelijk de waarnemingen hebben veroorzaakt. Dergelijke dieren kunnen bij schaarse verlichting en in een angstige situatie voor een onduidelijk en vreemd wezen worden aangezien.
Daarnaast wordt gesuggereerd dat het incident mogelijk het resultaat was van een hoax of massahypnose. De rol van de media en de lokale cultuur speelt hierin een belangrijke rol. Media-aandacht kan leiden tot het versterken van verhalen en het creëren van een collectief geloof in de gebeurtenis. Massahypnose of groepssuggestie zou kunnen verklaren waarom meerdere mensen vergelijkbare, maar mogelijk onnauwkeurige waarnemingen rapporteren.
d. Conclusie van wetenschappelijke standpunten
De overgrote meerderheid van wetenschappelijke instanties blijft sceptisch over de claims van buitenaardse ontmoetingen in Varginha. Dit is vooral te wijten aan het ontbreken van fysiek bewijs dat de verhalen ondersteunt. Wetenschappers benadrukken dat het verkrijgen en verifiëren van bewijs voor dergelijke fenomenen bijzonder moeilijk is, vooral wanneer er geen objectieve gegevens beschikbaar zijn.
Het incident wordt vaak aangehaald als een voorbeeld van de complexiteit en de uitdagingen die gepaard gaan met het onderzoeken van UFO-gerelateerde zaken. De combinatie van subjectieve getuigenissen, het ontbreken van fysiek bewijs en de mogelijkheid van natuurlijke of menselijke verklaringen maken het moeilijk om definitieve conclusies te trekken. Wetenschappers adviseren daarom een kritische houding en vragen om meer rigoureus onderzoek, indien mogelijk, met gebruik van moderne technieken en onafhankelijke verificatie.
Samenvattend kan worden gesteld dat de Varginha-ontmoeting, ondanks de vele verhalen en media-aandacht, nog altijd niet wetenschappelijk is bevestigd. Het blijft een intrigerend verhaal dat de menselijke neiging tot fantasie, interpretatie en groepspsychologie illustreert, en dat laat zien hoe moeilijk het is om bewijs te verkrijgen in UFO-onderzoek. Het incident onderstreept bovendien het belang van wetenschappelijke kritischheid en het belang van fysiek bewijs bij het evalueren van beweringen over buitenaardse verschijnselen.
6. EINDBESLUIT
De Varginha UFO-ontmoeting, die plaatsvond in januari 1996 in de Braziliaanse stad Varginha, blijft een van de meest besproken en intrigerende incidenten in de geschiedenis van UFO-onderzoek. Het verhaal wordt gekenmerkt door talloze getuigenverklaringen, foto’s en videobeelden die suggereren dat er iets buitenaards is waargenomen. Verschillende inwoners en lokale autoriteiten meldden dat ze vreemde wezens hadden gezien, die afweken van menselijke verschijningen en mogelijk buitenaards origine waren. Sommige getuigen spraken over kleine, groene wezens met grote ogen, terwijl anderen beelden toonden van onbekende lichamen en objecten die door de lucht vlogen.
Toch ontbreekt het aan onweerlegbaar fysiek bewijs dat deze claims kan bevestigen. Hoewel er foto’s en video’s circuleren, kunnen deze gemakkelijk worden betwijfeld of onderbouwd door technische beperkingen en mogelijke manipulaties. Onderzoekers en skeptici wijzen erop dat het ontbreken van concreet, tastbaar bewijs – zoals fysieke resten, betrouwbare radar- of luchtvaartgegevens – het moeilijk maakt om het incident definitief te verklaren. Ondanks de vele getuigenissen en vermeende bewijzen, blijft het verhaal ambigu en open voor interpretatie.
Het incident heeft een grote impact gehad op de lokale gemeenschap en heeft bijgedragen aan de popularisering van UFO-onderzoek in Brazilië en wereldwijd. Sommige specialisten zien het als een typisch voorbeeld van massale hysterie of een misinterpretatie van natuurlijke of menselijke verschijnselen. Anderen geloven dat het een geval van geheime militaire experimenten betreft, of dat het gaat om een misvatting of een hoax. De waarheid blijft vooralsnog onduidelijk omdat er geen sluitend bewijs is dat de gebeurtenissen daadwerkelijk buitenaards van aard waren.
De Varginha-zaak illustreert bovendien hoe het menselijke brein en maatschappelijke factoren kunnen bijdragen aan het ontstaan van mythen en legendes rond UFO’s. Het incident laat zien dat getuigenverklaringen en beelden vaak worden geïnterpreteerd binnen een context van nieuwsgierigheid, angst en de zoektocht naar het onbekende. Het blijft een fascinerend voorbeeld van hoe folklore en moderne media kunnen samenvloeien tot een blijvend mysterie.
Kortom, ondanks de vele verhalen en beelden die de gebeurtenis omgeven, kan de Varginha UFO-ontmoeting niet worden bevestigd op basis van fysiek bewijs. Het incident blijft een intrigerend hoofdstuk in de geschiedenis van UFO-onderzoek, dat de kracht en beperkingen van getuigenissen en bewijsmateriaal benadrukt. Het herinnert ons eraan dat het zoeken naar de waarheid over buitenaardse ontmoetingen vaak complex en onvolledig blijft, en dat sommige mysteries mogelijk nooit volledig opgelost zullen worden.
{ peter2011 }
04-06-2025 om 20:41
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:ALIEN LIFE, UFO- CRASHES, ABDUCTIONS, MEN IN BLACK, ed ( FR. , NL; E )
Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) Rebranded to Unidentified Undersea Phenomena (UUP)
Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs) Rebranded to Unidentified Undersea Phenomena (UUP)
Recent email exchanges reveal the military’s rebranding of unidentified underwater objects as Unidentified Undersea Phenomena (UUPs) to shake off stigma, similar to the renaming of UFOs as UAPs.
An email exchange between Tim Gallaudet, a former Navy oceanographer and administrator of the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Pentagon’s All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) reveals that unidentified undersea objects have been rebranded as Unidentified Undersea Phenomena (UUPs). This change mirrors the renaming of UFOs to Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) by the military to remove the associated stigma.
Obtaining Information on UUPs
Researchers who uncovered this information suggest that individuals seeking specific details about these underwater objects through the Freedom of Information Law may request documents containing the term USO (OSNI in Spanish). However, this approach may yield no records because agencies have adopted a different term for the phenomenon.
Following the Nimitz incident, numerous testimonies from United States Navy personnel have highlighted a close relationship between UAPs and UUPs and the oceans. Some high-ranking officials have even suggested the existence of underwater bases from which these objects might originate. In his email, Gallaudet states, “This phenomenon has been observed by credible witnesses, and it defies the laws of physics as we know them. As I have mentioned here, their study could eventually lead us to rewrite the books on what we know about the oceans (or the universe if you prefer).”
The thing about USOs or UUP
As I have explained in previous articles, for decades, Unidentified Submerged Objects, or USOs, have captivated the attention of scientists and researchers as underwater phenomena that continue to baffle the world. Often observed entering and exiting bodies of water at remarkable speeds, these objects display sudden turns and other extraordinary maneuvers that defy our current understanding of physics. While some individuals dismiss these sightings as mere natural occurrences or cases of misidentified marine life, others theorize that they might be evidence of covert underwater bases or even extraterrestrial involvement.
On the surface (you're welcome for the joke), Venus isn't even close to being hospitable to life. But that's not the end of the story.
This planet has by far the hottest surface temperatures in the solar system, beating out even Mercury, even though Venus is twice as far away from the Sun. That's because of a runaway greenhouse effect which unfolded…eh, we're not exactly sure, but somewhere between a few hundred million and a few billion years ago – there's a debate here. But it doesn't matter when exactly for our purposes; what matters is that it happened, and now the planet is choked to death in its own noxious atmosphere, with atmospheric pressures at the surface over 900 times greater than the Earth at sea level.
So super high pressure, and temperatures anywhere from 900 degrees Fahrenheit (480 Celsius) on the high end to a balmy…847 Fahrenheit / 450 Celsius on the cool end.
Here's the thing. There is no version of any kind of life in any form that we can possibly imagine existing under those conditions. I know that the universe is larger than our imagination, and there's always room for surprises, but…phew, even that's stretching it.
No, where we're really interested with Venus is in its atmosphere. The higher up you climb in altitude, the cooler the temperatures, until you're all the way in space, which is also bad but in the opposite way as the surface. But right in the middle, at an altitude between 50 and 60 kilometers, the temperatures are….fine. Comparable to the range of temperatures that we see on the Earth. And the air pressures are…fine. Comparable to the range of pressures that we see on the Earth.
The atmosphere itself is…not so fine. It's mostly carbon dioxide, which hey, it's what plants crave, but also a lot of nitrogen. And ultraviolet radiation breaks down the molecules in the upper atmosphere to make a host of really, really nasty stuff, like sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide, and chlorine.
So yes, you could walk outside and breath the air, and it would dissolve you from the inside out.
Life in the atmosphere of Venus has to have a really strange biochemistry. And in September of 2020 a group of astronomers claimed to detect the presence oflarge quantities of phosphine in the Venusian atmosphere. Now phosphine is an interesting molecule. It's quite stinky, and on Earth it's a byproduct of anaerobic bacteria (which is part of the reason that marshes and swamps are less than pleasant places to visit).
There ARE ways to produce phosphine without bacteria, and in fact Jupiter makes loads of it all the time, because of that planet's super-high temperatures and pressures – properties that Venus lacks. PLUS phosphine breaks down easily in UV light, so for it to be present in great quantities means that it has to be actively replenished and produced.
Cue…a giant mess. The news caused a tremendous uproar, with outlets around the world picking up on the tantalizing possibility. But then those pesky OTHER scientists shot back, arguing that the original research was flawed and used an improper analysis of background noise. Then the original authors updated their results and doubled-down. Then the astronomers working the telescope itself chimed in. Then others claimed that the signal was just getting confused for sulfur dioxide. Then…
Like I said, a giant mess, that even today isn't fully resolved. From what I can tell from the literature, the general stalemate sort-of-community-consensus that Venus probably doesn't have phosphine, and if it does, it's at levels far lower than the original claim.
Case closed? Not quite. NASA is developing two – that's right TWO – Venus missions to investigate further, because honestly there's only so much we can get from remote observations and the small scattering of probes we've (and by that I mean the Soviets) have been able to squeeze down to the surface for short-term visits.
One mission isDAVINCI, which will be an orbiter and an atmospheric probe. The other isVERITAS, an orbiter designed to map the surface in high resolution (which will also tell us a lot about the atmosphere). Don't worry, both missions have been delayed because NASA is kind of going through a thing at the moment.
The prospects of life on Venus seem rather low. But it's not zero. And long ago, before the greenhouse catastrophe, Venus was likely very similar to Earth. After all, we're made from the same material and have very similar properties – it's not an outrageous stretch of the imagination.
And some strange form of life may have gotten a start and evolved to adapt to the changing climate. Venusian life couldn't use water, it's way too hot for that. But they may use droplets of ammonium sulfite or sulfuric acid dispersed through the Venusian clouds. This life would be extremely simple, perhaps even lacking cell membranes and just consisting of self-replicating molecules that use UV radiation as an energy source.
This life may alter the chemical composition of the Venusian atmosphere, explaining several mysteries like the extra oxygen in the cloud layers, and extra amounts of sulfur dioxide where it shouldn't be based on simple chemical models.
Sky Canada’s UAP Report Preview: How Canada Plans to Handle UFO Sightings Scientifically
Management of Public Reporting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Canada. A preview of the upcoming Sky Canada Report From the Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada.
Credit: Government of Canada
Sky Canada’s UAP Report Preview: How Canada Plans to Handle UFO Sightings Scientifically
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), generally better known as UFOs, or unidentified flying objects, have been a popular topic of speculation, theorizing, and speculative fiction throughout the 20th and 21st century. It has also led to no small number of public panics and misperceptions, however, over whether a particular aerial phenomenon is natural, extraterrestrial, or the work of some nefarious adversary.
In 2022, the Office of the Science Advisor of Canada, Dr. Mona Nemer, sought to apply a more scientific lens to the question of what’s going on up there. That led to the Sky Canada Project, which was created to “review current practices surrounding public reporting of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) in Canada,” and provide recommendations on how to “enhance transparency and scientific inquiry on UAP issues in Canada.”
Originally the final report was scheduled to be released in April of 2025. It isn’t out yet, as it was delayed by the election.
In the meantime, however, the Office released a version of the Report in January; and in lieu of the full report, this preview is worth looking at in order to see Science Advisor’s vision of how Canada could manage the UAP issue in the future. The preliminary report is called “Management of public reporting of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena in Canada,” and can be found here.
UAP reporting and coordination gaps
Notably, Sky Canada makes it very clear that the goal of the project is not to either collect evidence and first-hand data on UAPs or, especially, to “prove or disprove the existence of extraterrestrial life or extraterrestrial visitors.” Instead, it is focused more on methods and procedures; on means by which the Government can handle the “between 600 and 1000 UAP sightings annually” among Canadians. They said that “one in four respondents say they have personally witnessed a UAP in their lifetime.”
While polling cited in the report suggests that Canadians are generally either “not very concerned” or “not at all concerned” about UAPs, many still consider them a flight safety issue, and they’re still not sure what to do when they see one. “Only 10 percent reported their sightings,” the report said, with 40 percent of respondents not even knowing who to report to or how to do so.
This has led to a government-wide problem where “consultations with many federal departments and agencies revealed that they do receive UAP sighting information and reports from their stakeholders and the public,” but “few of these departments investigate these sightings unless they pertain to specific aspects of their respective mandates.” Even when they do collect reports, “most departments do not compile the reports they receive,” and so “UAP reports are scattered across multiple government and non-government organizations.”
Sky Canada’s preliminary report highlighted five key gaps that need to be addressed to resolve these issues.
A lack of a cohesive system for reporting and followup, where UAP reports are haphazardly received by various departments with “little coordination or oversight”;
An absence of public engagement, where Canadians have “no official, accessible platform””” to report UAP sightings and obtain potential explanations, which “contributes to the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation”;
The limited analysis of UAP reports: reports aren’t analyzed unless they’re deemed to post safety or security risks;
Insufficient scientific involvement: Sky Canada noted that “efforts to study UAPs with scientific rigour and engage the Canadian scientific community have been limited”; and
Only modest efforts to enhance science literacy: which combines with the lack of transparency and cohesive reporting and analysis to “exacerbate the impact of misinformation and disinformation.”
Comparing international approaches
Sky Canada’s report looked at some international counterparts, and saw that there were some useful examples of “coordinated, transparent and scientifically driven” UAP reporting approaches.
The United States, for example, has an All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) that was established in 2022 and which “has structured approaches for collecting and investigating data on UAP sightings.” NASA has also created a position of “Director of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Research” to study the issue.
Sky Canada also points to France’s Groupe d’Études et d’Informations sur les Phénomènes Aérospatiaux Non identifiés / UAP Study and Information Group (GEIPAN) operates under France’s space agency CNES, whose mission is “to collect, investigate and archive UAP reports, and make its findings available to the public.” They also pointed to Chile’s SEFAA (Sección de Estudios de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos / Section for the Study of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena), which “serves as the official body responsible for collecting, analyzing and scientifically studying UAPs.”
Recommendations for handling UAPs
To resolve these issues, Sky Canada provided recommendations across four different topic areas: Reporting and Data Oversight, Communications, Research, and International Collaboration.
First, and most important: Canada needs to identify and/or create a lead that’s focused on this issue. This is the key first step in resolving the reporting and data oversight issue; someone at some federal department or agency needs to take the lead on this, preferably headed by “a trusted and recognized scientific organization” with communications ability and an “already established international scientific network.” Sky Canada suggested that the Canadian Space Agency might be a good choice on this.
This lead should establish a dedicated service focused on collecting testimonies and investigating cases, posting its analyses publicly to “proactively inform Canadians about UAPs.” Part of this will, the report said, “conven[ing] a network of government and academic partners and experts to conduct scientific analyses and follow up with observers.” This will also include working with civil aviation to encourage people in that space to “report UAP sightings without fear of stigmatization,” which will help avoid pilots being distracted by easily-explained UAPs.
On the question of Communications, Sky Canada recommended that the lead have a proactive strategy to “support public dialogue,” working together with publicly-facing organizations in the name of increasing transparency and communication with the public. They suggest museums, science centres and public libraries as a good place to start.
The government should also promote intra-governmental collaborations via an internal directive to federal agencies to work together with the lead on the issue. Not only will this help resolve the reportage bottleneck, but will help the agencies sort out UAPs that may actually be relevant to them. Sky Canada noted that both Transport Canada and the RCMP might benefit from this kind of collaboration.
They also mentioned the need to improve media relations, centred on the lead, and to set up an expert panel to determine “effective approaches to countering misinformation and disinformation.”
As to research, the report emphasizes the importance of “open access and open data,” as well as periodic surveys of Canadians to “gauge their perceptions of UAPs and assess the impact of the dedicated services.” Sky Canada said that the lead should also “support citizen science,” and that they should take steps to “enable volunteer participation in the study of UAPs.”
Part of that work should involve “the development and deployment of publicly accessible digital and portable tools,” such as smartphone apps and interactive platforms. That will help with data collection, as well as with disseminating information on UAPs. Sky Canada said that it should also involve “build[ing] on Canada’s strength in astronomy and aerospace research”; leveraging Canada’s “superb talent pool and physical research infrastructure” for the task, giving it opportunities “to be part of the public dialogue.”
Finally, in line with the international examples they highlighted, Sky Canada recommended a focus on international collaboration. This includes information-sharing partnerships with international entities dedicated to UAPs like AARO and GEIPAN, as well as international cooperation on research and communication to help with research and public awareness.
Implementing these recommendations, exemplifying a “science-based, collaborative approach,” the preliminary report said, “will help address public concerns, demystify UAPs, and potentially reveal valuable insights into aerial phenomena that are currently unexplained.” It will also “improve public trust but also position Canada alongside some of its allies as leaders in the global effort to elucidate the nature of UAPs.”
KOMEN UFO's (USOs) van Onderwater Basissen? Het Verkennen van het Mysterie
KOMEN UFO's (USOs) van Onderwater Basissen? Het Verkennen van het Mysterie
INLEIDING
In de afgelopen decennia hebben getuigenissen en waarnemingen met betrekking tot onverklaarbare vliegende objecten (UFO's) en onderwaterverschijnselen (USOs) de belangstelling van zowel het grote publiek als de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap versterkt. Hoewel het merendeel van deze waarnemingen kunnen worden verklaard door menselijke technologie, natuurlijke fenomenen of interpretatiefouten, blijven er gevallen over die moeilijk te verklaren zijn. Een bijzonder intrigerende hypothese is dat sommige USOs mogelijk afkomstig zijn uit geheime ondergrondse of onderwaterbases, gebouwd door intelligente wezens of clandestiene regeringsprojecten.
Deze theorie roept vragen op over de herkomst, aard en doelstellingen van deze objecten, evenals de mogelijkheid dat er onder de zeespiegel verborgen faciliteiten bestaan. Het idee dat dergelijke bases bestaan, wordt ondersteund door verschillende anekdotes, waarnemingen en bepaalde wetenschappelijke aanwijzingen, hoewel het bewijs vaak fragmentarisch en controversieel blijft.
In dit artikel wordt de plausibiliteit van deze theorie onderzocht door een analyse van bestaande literatuur, waarnemingen en wetenschappelijke inzichten. Door kritisch te kijken naar de verschillende aspecten van USOs en de mogelijke connectie met onderwaterbases, hopen we een genuanceerd beeld te schetsen van een fascinerend en mysterieus fenomeen dat nog niet volledig is verklaard.
1. Definities en Terminologie
1.1 UFO's en USOs UFO’s, ofwel Unidentified Flying Objects, verwijzen naar objecten die in de lucht worden waargenomen en niet onmiddellijk verklaard kunnen worden door bekende technologie of natuurlijke fenomenen. Het begrip ‘onbekend’ betekent dat op dat moment geen directe identificatie mogelijk is, maar het sluit niet uit dat later een verklaring gevonden kan worden. In de praktijk omvatten UFO-waarnemingen een breed scala aan verschijnselen, van eenvoudige lichtgevende vlekken tot complexe objecten die snelheden en manoeuvres vertonen die voor menselijke technologie onmogelijk lijken te zijn. Zo zijn er talloze rapportages van objecten die met grote snelheden bewegen, abrupt van koers veranderen, of zonder zichtbare aandrijving verdwijnen (Dolan, 2009).
De meeste waarnemingen blijven onverklaard en worden vaak door wetenschappers, overheden en onderzoekers serieus genomen. Bijvoorbeeld, de Amerikaanse overheid heeft de afgelopen decennia verschillende projecten gelanceerd, zoals het Project Blue Book in de jaren 50 en 60, waarin duizenden UFO-rapportages systematisch werden onderzocht. Hoewel de meeste waarnemingen uiteindelijk konden worden verklaard door natuurlijke verschijnselen of menselijke activiteiten, blijven enkele gevallen onverklaard en voeden ze de speculatie over buitenaardse intelligentie.
USOs (Unidentified Submarine Objects) vormen de onderwatervariant van UFO’s. In tegenstelling tot de luchtwaarnemingen vinden USO-waarnemingen plaats onder water, meestal bij militaire operaties of onderwateronderzoek. Deze objecten worden vaak gerapporteerd door duikers, onderzeediensten en maritieme onderzoekers. USOs kunnen zich bewegen met uitzonderlijke snelheden onder water, snel van koers veranderen en verdwijnen onder de oppervlakte zonder dat op dat moment een duidelijke verklaring gevonden wordt. Het bijzondere aan USOs is dat de onderwateromgeving veel minder goed bestudeerd is dan de atmosfeer, waardoor er meer ruimte is voor speculatie en mysterie rondom deze verschijnselen (Haines & O'Connell, 2008).
Een bekend voorbeeld van een USO-waarneming is die van de Amerikaanse marine in 2019, toen piloten van de USS Omaha een object zagen dat zich onder water snel kon bewegen, met een snelheid die niet overeenkwam met bekende onderwatertechnologie. Dit soort incidenten roept vragen op over de aard en herkomst van deze verschijnselen en of ze mogelijk natuurlijke, menselijke of buitenaardse oorsprong hebben.
1.2 Onderwater bases en hun hypothese De hypothese dat USOs afkomstig kunnen zijn uit onderwater bases is een van de meest fascinerende en controversiële theorieën binnen de ufologie. Deze theorie suggereert dat er geheime faciliteiten onder de zeespiegel bestaan, mogelijk gebouwd door menselijke regeringen, geheime genootschappen, of zelfs buitenaardse wezens. Deze bases zouden strategisch gelegen kunnen zijn in diepzee-gebieden, ver weg van menselijke controle en observatie, en dienen als schuilplaatsen of onderzoeksfaciliteiten voor geavanceerde technologieën.
Volgens deze hypothese beschikken deze onderwater bases over technologieën die het mogelijk maken om objecten te laten verdwijnen, te manoeuvreren op manieren die voor menselijke schepen onmogelijk zijn, en zelfs te communiceren met of te faciliteren voor buitenaardse wezens. Sommige theorieën stellen dat deze bases gebruik maken van natuurlijke geologische formaties, zoals onderzeese bergen of grottenstelsels, die moeilijk te detecteren zijn.
Een voorbeeld van de hypothese van onderwater bases is de vermeende aanwezigheid van zogenaamde ‘Black Projects’, geheime militaire projecten die zich bezighouden met het ontwikkelen van antizwaartekrachttechnologie en onderwatervaardigheden. Daarnaast zijn er geruchten over onderwater bases die verbonden zouden zijn met de zogenaamde ‘Deep Underground Military Bases’ (DUMBs), waar geavanceerde technologieën worden ontwikkeld en getest. Wetenschappers en onderzoekers die zich bezighouden met deze theorieën wijzen op het gebrek aan openlijke bewijs, maar benadrukken dat de uitgebreide militaire activiteit onder water en ondergrond mogelijk in overeenstemming is met dergelijke geheime faciliteiten.
De hypothese wordt ondersteund door enkele anekdotische rapportages en getuigenissen van marinepersoneel dat geheime ontmoetingen en waarnemingen heeft gedaan. Bijvoorbeeld, in 1980 meldde een Russische onderzeebootkapitein dat hij onderwaterbases had waargenomen die niet konden worden verklaard door bekende technologie. Het ontbreken van open data en het geheime karakter van militaire operaties maken het echter onmogelijk om definitief bewijs te leveren, waardoor deze theorie vooral in de sfeer van de speculatie blijft.
1.3. Wetenschappelijke inzichten en kritische beschouwing Hoewel de ideeën over onderwater bases en USO-verschijnselen intrigerend zijn, ontbreekt het vooralsnog aan sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs. Veel waarnemingen kunnen achteraf worden verklaard door natuurlijke fenomenen zoals thermale waterstromingen, bioluminescente organismen of atmosferische verschijnselen. Daarnaast wijst de wetenschap erop dat technologieën die objecten onder water laten verdwijnen of snel laten bewegen, voor zover bekend, niet bestaan of nog niet ontwikkeld zijn.
Desalniettemin blijven de waarnemingen en rapportages een fascinerend fenomeen voor onderzoekers en liefhebbers. Ze illustreren de enorme complexiteit en het mysterie van de oceanen en de atmosfeer, en benadrukken de noodzaak voor meer wetenschappelijk onderzoek onder water en in de ruimte. Sommige wetenschappers pleiten voor een meer open en transparante aanpak van UFO- en USO-onderzoeken, zodat we niet alleen kunnen begrijpen wat er in de lucht en onder water gebeurt, maar ook de grenzen van menselijke technologie kunnen doorgronden.
Geraint Rowland Photography//Getty Images
2. Historische context en waarnemingen
2.1 Historische waarnemingen van USOs Sinds het begin van de 20e eeuw zijn er talloze rapporten en incidenten bekend waarbij onverklaarbare onderwaterverschijnselen, vaak aangeduid als USO’s (Unidentified Submarine Objects), werden waargenomen. Deze waarnemingen komen meestal van militaire schepen, onderzeeboten en gespecialiseerde onderwateronderzoekers. Een van de meest bekende incidenten vond plaats in de jaren 1970, toen de Amerikaanse marine tijdens oefeningen voor de kust van Californië vreemde onderwaterobjecten zag die zich met hoge snelheid door het water bewogen en zich plotseling konden laten verdwijnen. Deze verschijnselen werden door militaire piloten en scheepsbemanningen als zeer overtuigend beschreven en leidden tot intensieve onderzoeken door de US Navy (U.S. Navy, 2019).
Een ander opvallend geval betrof de USS Indianapolis, die tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog in 1945 werd ingezet. Sommige getuigenissen uit die periode beschrijven onderwaterverschijnselen die niet door de toenmalige technologie konden worden verklaard. Zo werden objecten beschreven die enorme snelheden konden behalen onder water, veel hoger dan de bekende onderzeetechnologie uit die tijd. Bovendien zouden deze objecten abrupt van koers kunnen veranderen, wat de technologische beperkingen van destijds overschreed. Wetenschappers en historici speculeren dat deze waarnemingen mogelijk verband houden met niet-geïdentificeerde technologieën die ver vooruit waren op dat moment (Friedman, 2014).
Daarnaast zijn er uitgebreide rapportages van de Russische marine uit de jaren 1980 en 1990, waarin meldingen worden gedaan over mysterieuze onderwaterobjecten die niet konden worden geïdentificeerd. Deze incidenten werden zelden publiekelijk erkend, maar militaire bronnen en geheime rapporten bevestigen dat Russische onderzeediensten soortgelijke verschijnselen observeerden die niet overeenkwamen met bekende onderzeetechnologie. Sommige van deze waarnemingen beschreven objecten die snelheden bereikten die de limieten van bekende onderwatersystemen overstegen en zich met grote precisie konden manoeuvreren (Skripkin, 2010).
2.2 Politieke en militaire interesse De waarnemingen van USOs hebben altijd grote politieke en militaire interesse gewekt. Overheden, vooral die van de Verenigde Staten, Rusland en andere grote mogendheden, hebben door de jaren heen uitgebreide onderzoeken uitgevoerd om de aard en oorsprong van deze verschijnselen te achterhalen. Het hoofdargument was dat deze objecten mogelijk afkomstig zouden kunnen zijn van geheime militaire technologieën, zoals onderwaterdrones, geavanceerde onderzeese voertuigen of zelfs nieuwe vormen van onderwaterwapens. Gezien de potentiële bedreiging voor nationale veiligheid werden deze waarnemingen intensief onderzocht door militaire en inlichtingendiensten.
In 2019 publiceerde het Pentagon een reeks videobeelden die waren gemaakt door radar- en videocliptechnologie van militaire piloten en schepen. Deze beelden toonden onverklaarbare onderwater- en luchtsverschijnselen die niet konden worden verklaard door bekende technologieën of natuurlijke fenomenen. De beelden leidden tot een hernieuwde discussie over de aard en herkomst van USOs en brachten vragen naar voren of deze verschijnselen mogelijk buitenaardse oorsprong hadden of dat ze door geheime technologieën van aardse makelij waren ontwikkeld (Pentagon, 2020).
Deze transparantie stimuleerde verder wetenschappelijk onderzoek en beleidsmatige discussies over de noodzaak om meer gegevens te verzamelen en te analyseren. Het blijft een open vraag of deze verschijnselen een bedreiging vormen of dat ze mogelijk nieuwe technologische inzichten bieden voor de mensheid. De voortdurende interesse en het onderzoek onderstrepen het belang van een grondige en kritische wetenschappelijke aanpak om de ware aard van USOs te achterhalen.
3. Wetenschappelijke verklaringen en theorieën
3.1 Natuurlijke fenomenen en menselijke technologie
Veel waarnemingen kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke verschijnselen. Onderwater vulkanen en hydrothermale bronnen kunnen bijvoorbeeld lichtgevende verschijnselen veroorzaken die lijken op UFO’s of USOs. Bioluminescente organismen, zoals bepaalde diepzeevissen, kunnen licht produceren dat op vliegende objecten lijkt, vooral in donker diepe wateren (Mikulski & O’Connell, 2013).
Daarnaast kunnen geheime militaire technologieën, zoals onderwater drones, autonome onderzeeboten en geavanceerde submarines, de waarnemingen verklaren. Tijdens de Koude Oorlog ontwikkelden de Verenigde Staten en de Sovjet-Unie geavanceerde onderzeese voertuigen die in staat waren om grote diepten te bereiken en zeer hoge snelheden te behalen. Sommige waarnemingen zouden kunnen wijzen op deze geheime technologieën die nog niet publiekelijk bekend zijn (Friedman, 2014).
3.2 Buitenaardse hypotheses
Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat USOs mogelijk buitenaardse in oorsprong zijn. Volgens deze theorieën maken deze objecten gebruik van onderwater basisstructuren op aarde of in de buurt van de oceaanbodem om zich te verplaatsen, te observeren of te communiceren. De diepe oceaan wordt gezien als een ideale locatie voor buitenaardse wezens om zich te verbergen, vanwege de moeilijkheid om ze te detecteren en te volgen (Hynek, 1972).
Getuigenissen van militairen en duikers die objecten met buitengewone manoeuvres beschrijven, worden door sommige wetenschappers geïnterpreteerd als bewijs voor buitenaardse technologie die zich onder water manifesteert. Sommige waarnemingen wijzen op technologie die niet overeenkomt met menselijke capaciteiten, zoalsde mogelijkheid om snel te manoeuvreren, abrupt van richting te veranderen en op indrukwekkende snelheden te bewegen, zelfs onder extreme druk en in de donkere diepten van de oceaan. Deze waarnemingen roepen vragen op over de aard en oorsprong van deze objecten, en of ze mogelijk buitenaards van oorsprong zijn.
Onderwater-UFO's vertonen vermogen dat de Amerikaanse maritieme veiligheid in gevaar brengt, zegt voormalig marineofficier foxnews.com
3.2.1.De theorie van buitenaardse oorsprong van USOs
Sommige onderzoekers stellen dat onderwater onbekende objecten (USOs) niet zomaar natuurlijke verschijnselen of menselijke technologieën kunnen zijn, maar dat ze mogelijk buitenaardse voertuigen zijn die zich onder water bevinden. Volgens deze hypotheses maken deze objecten gebruik van natuurlijke onderwaterstructuren, zoals zeegrotten, onderwater vulkanen of thermale bronnen, om zich te verbergen en te bewegen. Deze locaties bieden strategische voordelen voor wezens die niet door menselijke instrumenten kunnen worden ontdekt of gevolgd.
Een belangrijk argument voor deze theorie is dat de diepe oceaan nog altijd grotendeels onontgonnen terrein is. Volgens Hynek (1972) en andere onderzoekers is de oceaan de ultieme schuilplaats voor buitenaardse wezens, omdat het voor menselijke waarnemers bijna onmogelijk is om volledige controle en detectie te verkrijgen in deze extreme omgeving. De enorme diepten en de complexiteit van onderwaterstructuren maken het mogelijk voor objecten om zich te verbergen voor observaties, terwijl ze toch in staat zijn om te bewegen en te observeren.
3.2.2. Getuigenissen en waarnemingen
Verschillende getuigenissen van militairen, duikers en luchtverkeersleiders ondersteunen de hypothese dat USOs mogelijk buitenaards van oorsprong zijn. In sommige gevallen beschrijven getuigen objecten die zich onder water bewegen met manoeuvres die geen overeenstemming tonen met menselijke technologieën. Bijvoorbeeld, sommige getuigenissen beschrijven objecten die plotseling van snelheid veranderen, onder water draaien of verdwijnen, en dat alles zonder enige zichtbare aandrijving.
Een bekend voorbeeld is een incident uit de jaren 1980 waarbij een Amerikaanse marinevaartuig meldde dat een onbekend object met snelheid onder water bewoog en zich daarna plotseling uit de oceaan verdween. Dit soort waarnemingen worden door onderzoekers geïnterpreteerd als bewijs dat deze objecten mogelijk gebruik maken van technologieën die buiten ons huidige begrip liggen, en dat ze mogelijk buitenaardse oorsprong hebben.
3.2.3. Technologie die menselijke capaciteiten overstijgt
Wat deze waarnemingen bijzonder maken, is dat de waargenomen manoeuvres en snelheden niet overeenkomen met de huidige menselijke technologie. Bijvoorbeeld, het is onmogelijk voor menselijke onderwatervaartuigen om snel van richting te veranderen op de manier die sommige getuigen beschrijven, vooral op grote diepten waar de druk en de beperkingen van de technologie het moeilijk maken om dergelijke bewegingen uit te voeren.
Sommige onderzoekers suggereren dat deze objecten beschikken over technologie die gebruikmaakt van onbekende fysische principes, zoals antizwaartekracht of andere vormen van geavanceerde energieën die nog niet door de wetenschap zijn ontdekt. Deze hypothese wordt ondersteund door observaties van objecten die plotseling snelheden bereiken die de limieten van menselijke technologie ver overschrijden, en die zich in een manier bewegen die onmogelijk lijkt voor conventionele onderwater- of luchtvaartuigen.
3.3.De rol van de diepe oceaan als schuilplaats
De diepe oceaan wordt vaak genoemd als een ideale locatie voor buitenaardse wezens om zich te verbergen en te opereren. Deze regio's zijn moeilijk te verkennen en te monitoren, en bieden talloze onderwaterstructuren en natuurlijke fenomenen die als dekmantel kunnen dienen. Thermale bronnen, onderwater grotten en vulkanische gebieden vormen natuurlijke schuilplaatsen die moeilijk te detecteren en te volgen maken.
Bovendien is het mogelijk dat buitenaardse wezens gebruik maken van onderwaterbasisstructuren die zich bevinden op de oceaanbodem of in de buurt van geologische activiteit. Volgens sommige hypothesen kunnen deze basisstructuren zich bevinden op plekken waar menselijke technologieën nog niet kunnen komen, waardoor ze perfect verborgen blijven voor onze observaties.
3.4. Wetenschappelijke uitdagingen en skeptische standpunten
Ondanks de fascinerende getuigenissen en waarnemingen, blijft de hypothese dat USOs buitenaards van oorsprong zijn, controversieel. Veel wetenschappers wijzen op het gebrek aan concreet bewijs en benadrukken dat natuurlijke verklaringen, zoals natuurlijke verschijnselen (bijvoorbeeld bioluminescente organismen, onderwaterexplosies of atmosferische fenomenen), vaak over het hoofd worden gezien of ondergewaardeerd.
Daarnaast is het technisch gezien nog steeds een grote uitdaging om te bewijzen dat deze objecten niet menselijke of natuurlijke oorsprong hebben, vooral omdat de diepe oceaan moeilijk te onderzoeken is en veel gegevens nog altijd niet beschikbaar zijn. Skeptici stellen dat waarnemingen vaak kunnen worden verklaard door misinterpretaties, optische illusies of verrassende maar natuurlijke verschijnselen.
3.5. Conclusie
De theorie dat USOs mogelijk buitenaardse voertuigen zijn die zich onder water bevinden, wordt ondersteund door getuigenissen, waarnemingen en de onmogelijkheid om bepaalde manoeuvres met menselijke technologie te reproduceren. De diepe oceaan vormt een natuurlijke schuilplaats voor deze objecten, waardoor het voor onderzoekers moeilijk is om definitief bewijs te verkrijgen. Hoewel er nog geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs is dat deze objecten buitenaards van oorsprong zijn, blijft de mogelijkheid bestaan dat sommige waarnemingen wijzen op technologieën die onze huidige wetenschap overstijgen.
Het bestuderen van deze verschijnselen vereist verdere onderwateronderzoeken en het ontwikkelen van nieuwe technologische methoden om de diepe oceaan en de mysterieuze objecten die daarin worden waargenomen te verkennen. Het blijft een fascinerend en intrigerend gebied dat de grenzen van onze kennis uitdaagt en mogelijk nieuwe inzichten biedt over de aanwezigheid van buitenaardse levensvormen en hun technologische capaciteiten.
4. Plausibiliteit van onderwater bases als herkomst voor USOs
De vraag of onderwater bases kunnen dienen als herkomst voor onidentificeerbare onderwater objecten (USOs) is een complex en intrigerend onderwerp. Het wordt ondersteund door verschillende technologische, strategische en geopolitieke overwegingen. In dit hoofdstuk wordt de plausibiliteit hiervan geanalyseerd door te kijken naar de technologische haalbaarheid, de bestaande infrastructuur, toekomstige innovaties en de strategische belangen die hierbij een rol spelen.
4.1 Technologische haalbaarheid
4.1.1 Huidige technologische staat en bestaande onderwaterfaciliteiten
Het bouwen en onderhouden van onderwater bases op grote diepten vereist geavanceerde technologieën die momenteel nog in ontwikkeling zijn of geheim worden gehouden. Toch zijn er al enkele voorbeelden van onderzeese faciliteiten die aantonen dat langdurige menselijke aanwezigheid onder water mogelijk is. Zo kennen we het Amerikaanse project “SeaLab,” dat in de jaren 1960 en 1970 functioneerde op relatief beperkte diepten, en de Russische onderzeese basis “Nerpa,” die vooral voor militaire doeleinden wordt gebruikt. Deze voorbeelden tonen aan dat het technisch mogelijk is om onderzeese bases te bouwen, maar vooral op beperkte diepten en voor korte tot middellange termijn.
Het realiseren van onderwater bases op grote diepten, bijvoorbeeld dieper dan 1.000 meter, brengt echter aanzienlijk grotere uitdagingen met zich mee. De enorme waterdruk op dergelijke diepten, die kan oplopen tot meer dan 1000 bar, vereist de ontwikkeling van structures die bestand zijn tegen extreme krachten. Daarnaast spelen lage temperaturen, afwezigheid van natuurlijk licht en corrosieve omstandigheden een grote rol bij de keuze van materialen en constructietechnieken. Tot op heden zijn er geen publieke voorbeelden van langdurige onderwater bases op deze grote diepten, maar de recente ontwikkelingen in onderwatertechnologie geven reden tot optimisme dat dit in de toekomst mogelijk wordt.
4.1.2 Levensonderhoud en zelfvoorzienendheid
Een ander belangrijk aspect is de levensduur en zelfvoorzienendheid van onderwater bases. Voor langdurige operaties onder water moeten bases beschikken over systemen voor energieproductie, waterrecycling, voedselvoorziening en afvalbeheer. Moderne technieken zoals onderwater nucleaire reactoren, die al worden ontwikkeld voor onderzeese en ruimtevaarttoepassingen, zouden in de toekomst kunnen voorzien in een duurzame energievoorziening. Ook kunnen geavanceerde energieopslag systemen, zoals krachtige accu’s en waterstoftechnologieën, bijdragen aan de zelfvoorzienendheid.
Daarnaast is de inzet van autonome robots en drones van groot belang voor het onderhoud en de verkenning van deze bases. Deze technologieën verminderen de noodzaak voor permanente menselijke aanwezigheid en maken het mogelijk om grote delen van de infrastructuur op afstand te beheren. Bijvoorbeeld, de ontwikkeling van autonome onderwaterschepen zoals de Amerikaanse “Sea Hunter” – een vaartuig dat onderwater operaties kan uitvoeren zonder bemanning – illustreert de vooruitgang op dit gebied.
4.1.3 Innovaties en toekomstige technologische ontwikkelingen
De technologische uitdagingen voor het bouwen van grote, duurzame onderwater bases blijven groot, maar innovaties in materialen, constructietechnieken en robotica bieden perspectief. Zo wordt er gewerkt aan 3D-printen onder water, waarmee complexe structuren snel en efficiënt kunnen worden vervaardigd. Modulaire constructies maken het mogelijk om bases uit verschillende onderdelen samen te stellen en aan te passen, afhankelijk van de behoeften en omstandigheden.
Daarnaast worden nieuwe materialen ontwikkeld die beter bestand zijn tegen corrosie, hoge druk en lage temperaturen. Combinaties van lichtgewicht, sterke composieten en zelfhelende materialen kunnen de levensduur en stabiliteit van onderwater structuren aanzienlijk verbeteren. Het potentieel van dergelijke innovaties geeft aan dat het technisch mogelijk wordt om onderwater bases op grote diepten te realiseren, mits de juiste investeringen en onderzoeksinspanningen worden gedaan.
4.2 Strategische en geopolitieke overwegingen
4.2.1 Geheimhouding en militaire belangen
Veel van de technologieën en infrastructuren die nodig zijn voor onderwater bases worden waarschijnlijk in het geheim ontwikkeld. Militaire en strategische belangen spelen hierbij een grote rol, aangezien onderzeese bases strategische voordelen kunnen bieden voor spionage, communicatie en defensie. Het is mogelijk dat bepaalde onderzeese bases voor geheime doeleinden worden gebruikt, en dat hun bestaan niet publiekelijk bekend is.
Deze geheime bases kunnen dienen als herkomst voor USOs, vooral als ze uitgerust zijn met geavanceerde technologieën en goed beveiligde infrastructuren. Het feit dat veel militaire operaties onderwater niet onmiddellijk zichtbaar zijn, versterkt de plausibiliteit dat dergelijke bases bestaan en mogelijk worden gebruikt voor het testen en lanceren van USOs.
4.2.2 Mobiliseerbare en semi-permanente structuren
Een andere strategische overweging is dat onderwater bases niet per se permanent hoeven te zijn. Mobiliseerbare en semi-permanente structuren kunnen snel worden verplaatst of aangepast, afhankelijk van de behoeften en omstandigheden. Modulaire constructies en onderwaterdrijvende platforms maken het mogelijk om bases te herplaatsen of te herstructureren zonder grote infrastructurele veranderingen.
Dit biedt niet alleen strategische flexibiliteit, maar vermindert ook de kosten en risico's verbonden aan langdurige constructies op één locatie. Het gebruik van dergelijke structuren versterkt de plausibiliteit dat onderwater bases kunnen bestaan als herkomstlocaties voor USOs, zonder dat deze permanent en zichtbaar aanwezig hoeven te zijn.
4.3 Conclusie
Hoewel er aanzienlijke technologische uitdagingen zijn, wijzen de bestaande voorbeelden, de voortdurende innovaties en de geheime militaire ontwikkelingen erop dat onderwater bases op grote diepten technisch mogelijk en strategisch aantrekkelijk kunnen zijn. Ze zouden als herkomstlocaties voor USOs kunnen fungeren, vooral gezien hun strategisch voordeel, de moeilijkheid om ze te detecteren en de mogelijkheid tot zelfvoorzienendheid.
De combinatie van geavanceerde materialen, autonome robots, modulaire structuren en geheime militaire projecten maakt het plausibel dat dergelijke onderwater bases bestaan en worden gebruikt voor diverse doeleinden, inclusief het testen en lanceren van USOs. Hoewel het bewijs nog beperkt is en veel details in de duisternis blijven, blijft de technologische en strategische haalbaarheid een sterk argument voor de plausibiliteit van deze hypothese.
Kortom, de ontwikkeling en het bestaan van grote, geheime onderwater bases als herkomst voor USOs kunnen niet volledig worden uitgesloten. Ze vormen een intrigerend mogelijk verklaringsmodel dat verdere aandacht en onderzoek verdient.
5. De buitenaardse hypothese voor onderwater basissen
De hypothese dat buitenaards leven bestaat, is een van de meest intrigerende en controversiële onderwerpen binnen de wetenschap en de populaire cultuur. Deze theorie stelt dat intelligent buitenaards leven niet alleen mogelijk, maar ook daadwerkelijk aanwezig is op of in de buurt van onze planeet. Het verkennen van deze hypothese vereist een gestructureerde benadering, waarbij we kijken naar de bewijzen, de mogelijke locaties, en de implicaties.
5.1. Bewijs en argumenten voor de buitenaardse hypothese
Tot op heden is er geen sluitend wetenschappelijk bewijs dat buitenaards leven op Aarde aanwezig is geweest of nog bestaat. Echter, verschillende observaties en anekdotische rapporten worden door voorstanders aangevoerd als indicaties dat er mogelijk iets onverklaarbaars speelt. Bijvoorbeeld, fenomenen zoals UFO’s (Unidentified Flying Objects) worden door sommige waarnemers geïnterpreteerd als mogelijke buitenaardse voertuigen. Hoewel de meeste UFO-waarnemingen inmiddels kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke fenomenen, menselijke fouten of militaire experimenten, blijven een aantal incidenten onduidelijk en worden ze door sommige onderzoekers geïnterpreteerd als bewijs dat er meer aan de hand is.
Daarnaast wijzen astronomische ontdekkingen op de aanwezigheid van exoplaneten in de "bewoonbare zone" van andere sterrenstelsels, wat de plausibiliteit verhoogt dat leven elders in het universum ontstaan kan zijn. Onderzoek door bijvoorbeeld de NASA’s Kepler- en TESS-missies heeft duizenden exoplaneten geïdentificeerd, waarvan een aantal zich in de leefbare zone bevinden, waar vloeibaar water mogelijk aanwezig is. Wetenschappers zoals astrobioloog Sara Seager benadrukken dat de kans op het bestaan van leven buiten de aarde niet verwaarloosbaar is, vooral omdat het universum meer dan 100 miljard sterrenstelsels bevat.
Ook wordt er onderzoek gedaan naar extremofielen – organismen die onder extreme omstandigheden overleven, zoals in diepzee-venten, onder ijs of in zure zwavelbaden. Deze bevindingen breken met de oude opvatting dat leven alleen onder milde omstandigheden kan bestaan en vergroten de mogelijkheid dat buitenaards leven zich in totaal verschillende omgevingen kan ontwikkelen, inclusief onderwater basissen op andere planeten of manen.
5.2. Mogelijke locaties en manieren van aanwezigheid
Volgens de hypothese kunnen buitenaardse wezens zich op verschillende manieren en op diverse locaties op Aarde hebben geïntroduceerd. Twee hoofdscenario’s worden vaak besproken.
5.2.1. Indringers van buitenaardse beschavingen:
In dit scenario zouden buitenaardse wezens ons systeem bezoeken en mogelijk zelfs clandestien in onze samenleving aanwezig zijn. Dit wordt vaak gekoppeld aan de theorie van geheime bases, zoals die op de maan of op andere planeten in ons zonnestelsel, waarvan beweerd wordt dat ze door buitenaardse wezens worden gebruikt. Voorbeelden die in de populariteit blijven, zijn de zogenaamde "Roswell-incident" uit 1947, waar een vermeend neergestort UFO werd gevonden, en de vermeende geheime bases in de Antarctis, waar volgens theorieën buitenaardse technologiëen zouden worden bewaard.
Bovendien worden er geruchten verspreid dat bepaalde high-tech militaire installaties, zoals de Amerikaanse "Area 51", geheime technologie en mogelijk buitenaardse artefacten herbergen. Hoewel de officiële verklaringen meestal militaire experimenten of geheime projecten betreffen, blijven complottheorieën over buitenaardse betrokkenheid populair.
5.2.2. Langdurige aanwezigheid of contact:
Een andere theorie stelt dat buitenaardse vormen van leven al eeuwenlang onze cultuur beïnvloeden, bijvoorbeeld via oude mythes, monumenten of mysterieuze artefacten. Sommige onderzoekers denken dat mysterieuze structuren zoals de piramides van Egypte, Stonehenge of de Nazca-lijnen mogelijk bewijs zijn van buitenaardse interactie of invloed.
Daarnaast suggereren theorieën dat buitenaardse wezens zich bewust of onbewust mengen in ons dagelijks leven. Bijvoorbeeld, sommige getuigenissen verwijzen naar "zieleachtige" verschijningen of ontmoetingen die mogelijk verband houden met buitenaardse entiteiten die zich onder de mensen bevinden. Hoewel deze verhalen moeilijk te verifiëren zijn, wekken ze interesse en worden ze gebruikt om de hypothese te ondersteunen.
5.3. Kritiek en scepsis
De buitenaardse hypothese wordt niet algemeen ondersteund door de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap, voornamelijk vanwege het gebrek aan concreet bewijs en de mogelijkheid van alternatieve verklaringen voor waarnemingen en anomalieën. Veel waarnemingen kunnen worden toegeschreven aan natuurlijke fenomenen, menselijke fouten, of geheime militaire activiteiten. Bijvoorbeeld, ballonnen, weersverschijnselen, en optische illusies kunnen vaak UFO-waarnemingen verklaren.
Daarnaast wijst de wetenschap op het belang van falsifieerbaarheid; een hypothese moet getest kunnen worden en weerlegd kunnen worden. Omdat buitenaardse aanwezigheid op Aarde niet op een empirisch verifieerbare manier kan worden bevestigd of weerlegd, blijft het een hypothese die vooral in het domein van speculatie en pseudowetenschap valt.
Toch blijven onderzoekers, zoals de SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), zoeken naar tekenen van buitenaardse intelligentie via radio- en lichtsignalen, met de hoop dat toekomstige technologische ontwikkelingen meer duidelijkheid kunnen brengen. Het is belangrijk om een kritische houding te handhaven en niet te snel conclusies te trekken zonder voldoende bewijs.
Samengevat: hoewel de buitenaardse hypothese intrigerend en populair is, blijft het wetenschappelijk gezien een onderwerp van speculatie. Het onderzoek gaat door, en nieuwe ontdekkingen in astrobiologie en astronomisch onderzoek kunnen mogelijk in de toekomst meer licht werpen op de vraag of wij werkelijk niet alleen zijn in het universum.
Gallaudet zei ook dat deze "grote verlichte vaartuigen" misschien schuilgaan in de onontdekte diepten van onze oceanen
6. Wetenschappelijke kijk en sceptische benadering
De wetenschappelijke aanpak ten opzichte van de buitenaardse hypothese is sterk gebaseerd op kritisch denken, bewijs en falsifieerbaarheid. Wetenschappers benaderen onbekende fenomenen met een gezonde dosis scepsis, wat betekent dat ze eerst zoeken naar natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken voordat ze buitenaardse verklaringen overwegen. Deze houding zorgt ervoor dat de wetenschap zich ontwikkelt op basis van objectieve waarnemingen en verantwoorde interpretaties, in tegenstelling tot speculatie en ongefundeerde aannames.
6.1. Kritisch onderzoeken en bewijzen
Wetenschap vereist dat claims worden ondersteund door herhaalbare en verificabele bewijzen. Wat betreft buitenaards leven betekent dit dat onderzoekers zoeken naar fysische, biochemische of astronomische bewijzen die een buitenaardse oorsprong kunnen bevestigen. Bijvoorbeeld, de detectie van buitenaardse signalen via radio-astronomie, zoals in het SETI-project (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), kan een indicatie zijn van intelligent buitenaards leven. Daarnaast kunnen onverklaarbare emissies van exoplaneten of anomalieën in de kosmische achtergrondstraling aanwijzingen bieden. Een bekend voorbeeld is de waarneming van de 'Wow!-signaal' in 1977, dat korte tijd als potentiële buitenaardse communicatie werd beschouwd, maar nooit met zekerheid kon worden bevestigd. Wetenschappers zoeken ook naar biosignaturen, zoals specifieke chemische samenstellingen in de atmosfeer van een planeet die wijzen op biologische activiteit, bijvoorbeeld zuurstof of methaan in een exoplaneet.
6.2. Het belang van falsifieerbaarheid
Een fundamenteel principe in de wetenschap is dat hypotheses falsifieerbaar moeten zijn, dat wil zeggen dat er een manier moet bestaan om ze te weerleggen. De buitenaardse hypothese is moeilijk te falsifiëren omdat het bewijs vaak anekdotisch of interpretatief is, en omdat buitenaardse contacten mogelijk buiten ons bereik en begrip liggen. Bijvoorbeeld, het enige bewijs dat vaak wordt aangevoerd, zijn waarnemingen van onverklaarbare objecten of fenomenen die niet gemakkelijk te verklaren zijn door natuurlijke oorzaken. Echter, zonder concrete testbare voorspellingen blijft de hypothese moeilijk te weerleggen of te bevestigen, waardoor het een uitdaging vormt voor de wetenschappelijke methode. Een voorbeeld hiervan is de vermeende aanwezigheid van UFO’s, die vaak worden toegeschreven aan buitenaardse schepen, maar die meestal kunnen worden verklaard door natuurlijke of menselijke oorzaken zoals weersverschijnselen, vliegtuig- of satellietverkeer.
6.3. Het risico van pseudowetenschap
Veel claims over buitenaards leven en geheime bases worden als pseudowetenschap beschouwd omdat ze vaak niet kunnen worden getest of weerlegd. Pseudowetenschap kenmerkt zich door het ontbreken van falsifieerbare hypotheses, het gebruik van anekdotisch bewijs en het ontbreken van een wetenschappelijke methodiek. Een voorbeeld is het idee van geheime bases op de maan of onder de grond, dat vaak gebaseerd is op vermeende getuigenissen en interpretaties die niet door empirisch bewijs worden ondersteund. Het is daarom cruciaal dat wetenschappers zich baseren op bewijs dat objectief kan worden geëvalueerd en dat ze openstaan voor verschillende verklaringen. De wetenschappelijke gemeenschap waarschuwt voor het gevaar dat pseudowetenschappelijke claims de publieke perceptie van wetenschap kunnen ondermijnen en verkeerde verwachtingen kunnen scheppen over de mogelijkheden van buitenaards leven. Een goede wetenschappelijke benadering houdt in dat men kritisch blijft, openstaat voor nieuwe ontdekkingen, maar altijd terugvalt op bewijs en methodiek.
Kortom, de wetenschappelijke kijk op buitenaards leven is gekenmerkt door een kritische, bewijsgerichte en falsifieerbare aanpak. Hoewel het zoeken naar buitenaardse intelligentie en levensvormen fascinerend is en mogelijk grote wetenschappelijke doorbraken kan opleveren, blijft het belangrijk dat de claims en hypotheses binnen de grenzen van de wetenschappelijke methode blijven. Alleen op die manier kunnen we met vertrouwen spreken over wat we weten en wat nog moet worden onderzocht, en voorkomen dat pseudowetenschappelijke ideeën de overhand krijgen.
7. Eindbesluit
De vraag of buitenaards leven al dan niet op Aarde aanwezig is, blijft voorlopig onbewezen. Hoewel er veel interessante aanwijzingen en theorieën bestaan, ontbreken tot nu toe onweerlegbare bewijzen die deze hypothese ondersteunen. De wetenschap blijft echter openstaan voor nieuwe ontdekkingen en technologische ontwikkelingen die mogelijk meer licht kunnen werpen op deze mysterieuze vraag.
Gezien de huidige stand van kennis en de strengheid van de wetenschappelijke methode, kunnen we concluderen dat er geen overtuigend bewijs is voor de aanwezigheid van buitenaardse wezens op Aarde. Het is belangrijk om kritisch te blijven, bewijs te blijven zoeken en niet te snel te vervallen in speculatie of sensationele verhalen.
Tegelijkertijd moeten we de mogelijkheid niet uitsluiten dat buitenaards leven bestaat elders in het universum. De enorme omvang van het heelal en de recente ontdekkingen van exoplaneten in bewoonbare zones maken dat het plausibel is dat we niet de enigen zijn. Echter, totdat er harde en reproduceerbare bewijzen worden gevonden, blijft dit vooral een fascinerende hypothese en niet een wetenschappelijke vaststelling.
Kortom, de buitenaardse hypothese is een boeiend onderwerp dat de menselijke nieuwsgierigheid en de wetenschappelijke zoektocht naar het onbekende blijft stimuleren. Wetenschap en scepsis vormen hierbij de belangrijkste instrumenten om tot betrouwbare conclusies te komen. Pas wanneer solide bewijs beschikbaar is, kan men definitief spreken van buitenaards leven dat onze planeet heeft bezocht of hier leeft. Tot die tijd blijft het een intrigerende vraag, waarvoor we met een kritische blik en open geest blijven zoeke
3D map of the Milky Way uncovers strange structure
3D map of the Milky Way uncovers strange structure
A new 3D map of the Milky Way shows our galaxy isn’t flat — it’s warped and twisted, revealing a complex shape that redefines how we see our place in the universe.
An artists illustration of the true shape of the Milky Way, with an S-like warp in the outer reaches of the disk.
Image Credit: CHEN Xiaodian.
The first true 3D map of the Milky Way is changing everything we thought we knew about our galaxy. What once looked like a flat spiral now appears warped, rippled, and strangely twisted. It’s not just a better view of space — it’s a reality check about where we live.
Our home in the universe is more dynamic and distorted than anyone imagined.
How the 3D map of the Milky Way was created
This 3D visualization of the Milky Way was created using data from 1,339 massive Cepheid variable stars — each one blazing up to 100,000 times brighter than our sun. These stellar beacons helped scientists reshape our understanding of the galaxy’s warped structure. Credit Chen Xiaodian.
The breakthrough comes from scientists at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) and Macquarie University in Australia. To build the 3D map of the Milky Way, they tracked more than 1,300 classical Cepheids — rare, pulsating stars known for their consistent brightness cycles.
Because Cepheids act like stellar mile-markers, researchers were able to measure distances across the galaxy with incredible precision — often within 3 to 5%.
What they discovered was unexpected: the outer edges of the Milky Way aren’t flat. Instead, they curve upward and downward, forming a graceful S-shaped warp that becomes more pronounced the farther stars are from the center.
Why the Milky Way isn’t flat
This strange galactic twist is likely caused by gravitational torque — a twisting force from the Milky Way’s densely packed core. As the inner regions rotate, they tug unevenly on the outer arms, bending the galaxy’s shape over time.
The team also believes hydrogen gas clouds in the galaxy’s outskirts may respond differently to gravity, adding to the distortion. In essence, the galaxy is slowly twisting — and the new 3D map of the Milky Way is the first to capture it in detail.
Why this took so long to discover
Mapping our galaxy is notoriously difficult. Since we live inside the Milky Way, our view is limited by dust, gas, and distance. For decades, astronomers had only rough, two-dimensional models to work from.
But with Cepheid variables acting as reliable beacons, scientists were finally able to stitch together a fuller view — one that shows the true, twisted structure of our galactic home.
The Milky Way isn’t the only galaxy with this kind of warp. Astronomers have spotted similar distortions in dozens of spiral galaxies, suggesting this bending may be more common than previously thought.
But what makes this discovery remarkable is how close it hits — this isn’t a distant object in the sky. It’s where we live.
Thanks to the most accurate 3D map of the Milky Way ever created, we’re starting to see our galaxy not as a clean geometric spiral, but as a living, bending, evolving structure shaped by invisible forces.
This will totally blow your mind. Michael Levin found in his compelling study that our cells use higher-level systems to talk to each other and organize what they do. One of those higher-level systems is bioelectricity — a kind of electrical communication that happens in neurons (brain cells) and all cells. These electrical patterns help cells figure out where they are in the body and what they should become.
The groundbreaking work of Michael Levin, a scientist at Tufts University, and his research could radically change how we understand biology, development, and even intelligence itself.
Traditionally, scientists have believed that genes, the information stored in our DNA, are the main drivers of this process. Genes control how cells behave, what kind of cells they become, and how organs form. Since sequencing the human genome, most biological research has focused on figuring out how genes do all this.
Levin, however, argues that genes are not the full story. He compares genes to low-level computer code. In computer science, programmers don’t usually work with machine code directly—they use higher-level tools that make things easier to understand and control
Levin suggests that biology has higher levels of organization that go beyond genes. One of these higher levels is what he calls the bioelectric network—a system where cells communicate using electrical signals, not just chemical signals or genetic instructions.
We usually think of neurons (brain cells) as the only cells that talk to each other using electricity. But Levin’s research shows that many types of cells can do this. And these bioelectric signals help guide development, healing, and even complex decisions about what body parts to grow. (Source)
A powerful example of this is the planarian, a small worm that can regenerate its body, even from tiny fragments. Levin and his team discovered that the worm’s bioelectric state helps its cells “know” whether they need to grow a head or a tail. By changing the worm’s electrical signals (without altering its genes), they could create worms with two heads, no heads, or even the head of a different species. Some of these changes were permanent and passed on to offspring, showing that genes weren’t the only factor in controlling the worm’s shape and structure. (Levin website)
Levin’s lab has also used this method to make frogs grow extra limbs or eyes in strange places, like in their guts or tails, and those eyes work. This ability to guide development using electrical signals could eventually lead to tools that let us “program” living tissue, much like we program computers. Levin imagines a future where we can input a desired body part or organ into a program and output the signals needed to make it grow, which could revolutionize medicine.
But Levin’s work goes beyond just building new organs. He believes that intelligence and decision-making exist throughout biology, not just in brains. For instance, if a tadpole’s face is rearranged, the parts move back into place as it grows. Cells “know” what the final structure should look like and work together to reach that goal, even if things start wrong. This shows that development is flexible and smart—it’s not just following a rigid script written in genes.
Levin defines intelligence as the ability to reach the same goal in different ways. Cells and tissues show this kind of adaptability all the time. For example, if an embryo is split in two, both halves can grow into full organisms. If a salamander’s cells are enlarged, its organs still form at the right size by using fewer, bigger cells.
Even more surprisingly, Levin’s team has created “biobots” by giving certain chemical cues to frog or human cells. These are tiny living robots that can move, heal, and even reproduce—without any genetic engineering. This shows how much untapped creativity exists in biological systems, and how we might be able to harness it to heal diseases, repair injuries, or even clean up pollution.
On a practical level, the impact of Levin’s work is a move away from seeing genes as the sole blueprint for biological structure, toward recognizing the central role of bioelectric networks. But beneath that shift lies a deeper thesis: that intelligence and cognition are not exclusive to brains or conscious organisms, but are widespread across all levels of biology. Development itself appears to be intelligent. Take, for example, an experiment where researchers manually scrambled the facial features of a developing tadpole. Despite this disruption, the organs found their way back to their correct positions as the tadpole matured.
This shows that development isn’t a rigid, gene-driven process but something more adaptive—something that behaves as if it’s working toward a goal. The scrambling introduced by the researchers wasn’t an evolutionary pressure the animal was selected for, yet it still corrected itself. Levin and his team refer to such manipulated animals as “Picasso frogs,” highlighting the system’s ability to make sense of a bizarre configuration using its internal logic.
Biological systems adapt not just at the whole-organism level, but even at the level of individual cells and tissues. Levin defines intelligence as the capacity to reach the same goal through different means, and many of his experiments demonstrate exactly that.
If you slice an embryo in half, it doesn’t produce two malformed half-organisms—it forms two complete, viable individuals. If you artificially enlarge the cells of a newt’s kidney, the resulting structures still maintain their intended size, just built with fewer cells.
In extreme cases, when the cells are made large enough, the organism forms entire tubules out of single cells, folding inward. These systems are reconfigurable in ways that suggest decentralized decision-making and goal-directed behavior.
What makes all of this even more remarkable is that intelligence in biology doesn’t just mean resilience or robustness; it can also mean creativity.
When given the right stimuli, biological systems don’t just return to their default behavior; they can develop entirely new ones. Levin’s lab has taken frog skin cells, ordinary cells that would normally just form outer tissue, and, using biochemical signals (no genetic editing), turned them into tiny autonomous “biobots” that move and even self-replicate.
More recently, similar work has been done using adult human lung tissue to create biobots capable of repairing damaged neurons. These are early steps into a whole new world where we might create living machines to fight cancer, clean environmental waste, or regenerate damaged organs.
The broader implication of Levin’s work is that we may need to rethink our assumptions about what counts as an “agent” and what systems are capable of “goals.”
Is a cell an agent? What about a tissue, an organ, or a network of immune cells? Levin suggests that intelligent, goal-directed behavior predates brains—it appears in morphogenesis, in bacterial swarms, even in gene networks.
These systems don’t look like the agents we’re used to, but they exhibit behaviors we associate with intelligence: memory, problem-solving, and adaptation. And crucially, Levin isn’t just making this case philosophically; he and his colleagues are demonstrating it experimentally.
By redefining intelligence and cognition in these more general terms, Levin opens the door to new scientific and engineering paradigms. If cells have goals, we can learn to speak their language and steer them toward outcomes we want.
If intelligence arises from cooperation among many simple parts, then the brain is just one example of a much broader class of cognitive systems. That shift could unify fields that have long remained separate: neuroscience, immunology, developmental biology, synthetic bioengineering, and even sociology.
This way of thinking reframes cognitive science itself. If cognition is not limited to brains but is a property of coordinated systems, then any system of cooperating agents, cells, tissues, organisms, or even human societies can be studied with the same tools.
Researchers have already found parallels: cancer as a kind of cellular dissociative disorder, or ant colonies falling for visual illusions in the same way individual animals do.
Levin argues that all intelligence is collective intelligence. Every complex behavior we observe emerges from the interactions of simpler units, each with its limited competencies and goals. That includes us.
What we think of as a single “self” is, biologically, a federation of trillions of semi-autonomous cells negotiating and cooperating toward loosely shared outcomes.
It’s a radical but increasingly unavoidable perspective. Just as societies are built from individual humans, your body is built from individual cells.
And just as human societies have emergent properties, like language, law, and culture, so do the cellular societies inside us. The similarity isn’t just poetic; it might be the key to understanding both biology and intelligence in a far more unified and powerful way.
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- Gemiddelde waardering: 0/5 - (0 Stemmen) Categorie:SF-snufjes }, Robotics and A.I. Artificiel Intelligence ( E, F en NL )
Missions to Mars with the Starship Could Only Take Three Months
Missions to Mars with the Starship Could Only Take Three Months
By Matthew Williams
Artist's rendering of the Starship approaching Mars. Credit: SpaceX
Mars has received considerable attention in the past few decades, thanks to the many robotic missions exploring it to learn more about its past. NASA and China plan to send astronauts/taikonauts there in the coming decades, and commercial space companies like SpaceX hope to send passengers there sooner. This presents several significant challenges, one of the greatest being the lengthy transit times involved. Using conventional propulsion and low-energy trajectories, it takes 6 to 9 months for crewed spacecraft to reach Mars.
These durations complicate mission design and technology requirements and raise health and safety concerns since crews will be exposed to extended periods in microgravity and heightened exposure to cosmic radiation. Traditionally, mission designers have recommended nuclear-electric or nuclear-thermal propulsion (NEP/NTP), which could shorten trips to just 3 months. In a recent study, a UCSB physics researcher identified two trajectories that could reduce transits to Mars using the Starship to between 90 and 104 days.
The study was authored by Jack Kingdon, a graduate student researcher in the Physics Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He is also a member of the UCSB Weld Lab, an experimental ultracold atomic physics group that uses quantum degenerate gases to explore quantum mechanical phenomena. The paper describing his work appeared in Scientific Reports(a Nature publication) on May 22nd, 2025.
Since its inception, research into nuclear propulsion has generally fallen into one of two camps: nuclear-thermal and nuclear-electric propulsion (NTP/NEP). The former relies on a nuclear reactor to heat hydrogen propellant, turning it into a hot plasma that is channeled to generate thrust, while the latter relies on a nuclear reactor to power a Hall-Effect engine. These concepts offer high acceleration (delta-v) and steady specific impulse (Isp), respectively, and using them together in the form of bimodal propulsion combines the benefits of both.
Many researchers consider the technology the only means to reduce transit times to the point that a mission will fall within NASA's career radiation limit of ~600 millisieverts (mSv). Kindgon's study challenges this prevailing assumption and advances the theory that a 90-day transfer can be achieved using conventional propulsion. This mission architecture could be realized while space agencies and commercial space entities wait for more advanced concepts to be developed. As Kingdon told Universe Today via email:
"This proposal's main advantage is that it only uses technology that exists or is close to existing. VASIMIR & NEP are very far from existing (for real missions in space), primarily as they all require giant in space nuclear reactors which will be technically tough and politically even tougher to develop. NTP is almost certainly more expensive than chemical even though the tech does exist, and it does not offer significant advantages."
Mission Outline
As outlined on its website, conference presentations, and user manual, the SpaceX mission architecture consists of six Starships travelling to Mars. Four of these spacecraft will haul 400 metric tons (440 U.S. tons) of cargo while two will transport 200 passengers. Based on the Block 2 design, which has a 1500 metric ton (1650 U.S. ton) propellant capacity, the crewed Starships will require 15 tankers to fully refuel in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The cargo ships would require only four, since they would be sent on longer low-energy trajectories.
Once the flotilla arrives at Mars, the Spaceships will refuel using propellant created in situ using local carbon dioxide and water ice. When the return window approaches, one of the crew ships and 3-4 cargo ships will refuel and then launch into a Low Mars Orbit (LMO). The cargo ships will then transfer the majority of their propellant to the crew ship and return to the surface of Mars. The crew ship would then depart for Earth, and the process could be repeated for the other crew ship.
Kingdon calculated multiple trajectories using a Lambert Solver, which produces the shortest elliptical arc in two-body problem equations (aka. Lambert's problem). The first would depart Earth on April 30th, 2033, taking advantage of the 26-month periodic alignment between Earth and Mars. The transit would last 90 days, with the crew returning to Earth after another 90-day transit by July 2nd, 2035. The second would depart Earth on July 15th, 2035, and return to Earth after a 104-day transit on December 5th, 2037.
As Kingdon explained, the former trajectory is the most likely to succeed:
"The optimal trajectory is the 2033 trajectory - it has the lowest fuel requirements for the fastest transit time. A note that may not be obvious to the layreader is that Starship can very easily reach Mars in ~3 months - in fact it can in any launch window, over a fairly wide range of trajectories. However Starship may impact the Martian atmosphere too fast (although we do not know, and likely SpaceX don't either actually how fast Starship can hit the Martian atmosphere and survive). The trajectories discussed are ones that I am confident Starship will survive."
Challenges Remain
This study not only offers reduced transits to Mars but also addresses a key issue identified in the SpaceX mission architecture. This is the problem of the Starship's mass budget, which was identified in a previous study by a team of engineers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the University of Bremen, and the Chair of Space Systems at the Technical University of Dresden. After conducting a trajectory optimization, they found that the current plans did not yield a return flight opportunity due to a too large system mass.
In short, they found that once refueled on the surface, the Starship would not have sufficient thrust to achieve escape velocity and a trans-Earth-injection (TEI) maneuver. The addition of additional tankers to refuel in LMO addresses this issue by allowing the Starship to top up before breaking orbit from Mars.
Nevertheless, Kingdom acknowledges that there are still challenges that must be overcome before 90-day transits will be possible:
"There are two major challenges with this architecture, and those problems are also inherent to the current SpaceX Mars mission plan. Starship as a system must work - the failures on flight 7,8 & 9 must be overcome, and improvements to vehicle performance must be made, along with development of life support systems and orbital refuelling but these are all planned."
Another major challenge is the prospect of building refueling stations on Mars' surface. According to SpaceX's plan, propellant would be manufactured using a Sabatier reactor, where methane and oxygen are produced via a chemical reaction between hydrogen and carbon dioxide. No one has ever attempted to manufacture cryogenic propellants on another planet, and this presents all manner of unknowns.
"[T]his will be a tough problem, but again likely less hard of a problem than catching a 70m tall skyscraper with giant mechanical arms," said Kingdon. "If SpaceX gets close to its intended near-term performance goals for Starship, this architecture is feasible."
Future Telescopes Could Detect Life Managing their Planet Atmospheres
Future Telescopes Could Detect Life Managing their Planet Atmospheres
By Evan Gough
Earth's carbonate-silicate cycle moderates the planet's temperature and helps keep it habitable. If we can identify this cycle in a population of exoplanets, we're making progress in identifying habitable worlds. Image Credit: By John Garrett - https://www.skepticalscience.com/print.php?n=1959, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74327875
The challenge in the search for habitable worlds is clear. We need to be able to identify habitable worlds and distinguish between biotic and abiotic processes. Ideally, scientists would do this on entire populations of exoplanets rather than on a case-by-case basis. Exoplanets' natural thermostats might provide a way of doing this.
"Within just a few decades, the search for potentially habitable and inhabited exoplanets has evolved from science fiction to a central scientific pursuit for the exoplanet community," the authors of new research write. With more than 5,000 confirmed exoplanets, the scientific focus is shifting from detecting exoplanets to characterizing them. The new work shows how atmospheric carbon dioxide could play a central role in understanding exoplanets.
Terrestrial planets like Earth have a natural thermostat called carbonate-silicate (Cb-Si) weathering feedback. The Cb-Si feedback is a geochemical cycle that regulates a planet's atmospheric CO2 content over long geological timescales.
When CO2 builds up in the atmosphere, the atmosphere warms. This creates more evaporation and rainfall. Carbonic acid is a weak acid formed in the atmosphere when water combines with carbon dioxide. When a warming atmosphere creates more rain, it also creates more carbonic acid.
Carbonic acid falls on the planet's surface, weathering silicate rocks and removing carbon. The carbon is eventually washed into the sea, where it's taken up in the shells of marine organisms. It falls to the sediment on the ocean floor and is ultimately sequestered back into the crust with help from plate tectonics. The creatures that absorb the carbon into their shells as calcium carbonate play a key role. The carbon in their shells becomes limestone.
This process is enhanced in a warming atmosphere, meaning it eventually removes more carbon from the atmosphere until it cools and the cycle slows again. Volcanic activity can release carbon back into the atmosphere, completing the cycle. Scientists think Earth's Cb-Si feedback has allowed our planet to maintain surface water and habitability for billions of years.
Earth as seen from NASA's Apollo 17 mission. Are there other worlds out there like ours? If they do, they likely have their own carbonate-silicate cycles.
The question is, can the Cb-Si cycle be understood in terms of a population of exoplanets? If it can be, then exoplanet scientists will have a powerful new way of understanding exoplanets without spending an inordinate amount of time examining them individually. With the help of upcoming missions, the Cb-Si cycle could be the tool scientists need.
"Identifying key observables is essential for enhancing our knowledge of exoplanet habitability and biospheres, as well as improving future mission capabilities," the researchers write. "While currently challenging, future observatories such as the Large Interferometer for Exoplanets (LIFE) will enable atmospheric observations of a diverse sample of temperate terrestrial worlds."
The researchers explain that the Cb-Si weathering feedback is a well-known habitability marker and a potential biological tracer. The cycle creates specific CO2 trends in terrestrial atmospheres. In their work, they explore the idea that they can identify CO2 trends specific to biotic or abiotic planet populations. They did it by creating simulated exoplanet populations based on geochemistry-climate predictions. The exoplanets are all exo-Earth Candidates (EEC) because they're the most conservative habitable zone planet candidates. The simulations involved EEC populations of 10, 30, 50, and 100 planets.
Their simulations include stellar flux, different F, G, and K-type stars within 20 parsecs of the Sun, and various atmospheric CO2 partial pressures. "With this, we aim to produce planet populations which remain close to an Earth-Sun-like environment," the researchers explain. The researchers then retrieved their results based on the observational power of the proposed LIFE mission, which is intended to detect atmospheric biosignatures.
"We observe a robust detection of CO2 trends for population sizes NP ≥ 30 and all considered spectrum quality scenarios S/N = [10, 20] and R = [50, 100] in both biotic and abiotic cases," the authors write. NP is the number of planets or population size, and S/N and R describe the quality of the atmospheric spectrum acquired by LIFE. S/N is the signal-to-noise ratio, while R is spectral resolution.
This figure illustrates some of the results. The top shows biotic trends, and the bottom shows abiotic trends. The dark blue biotic trends indicate a relationship between incident flux and atmospheric CO2 pressure, which shows that a Cb-Si weathering feedback cycle is present. The study aims to identify this relationship and trend among exo-Earth candidates.
Image Credit: Hansen et al. 2025. ApJ
That means that Cb-Si weathering feedback trends are robustly detectable in populations of 30 or greater exo-Earth candidates, where the signal-to-noise ratio is either 10 or 20 and the spectral resolution is at least 50 or 100. S/N ratios of 10 or 20, and resolutions of 50 are modest observational capabilities.
"We demonstrate the ability of future missions like LIFE, or similar mid-infrared interferometer concepts, to enable population-level characterization of temperate terrestrial atmospheres and find that Cb-Si cycle driven CO2 trends, as a population-wide habitability signature, can readily be detected in a modest population of thermal emission spectra," the authors write.
This illustration shows LIFE, the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets. The five-satellite constellation is designed to detect and characterize the atmospheres of dozens of Earth-like worlds.
Image Credit: ETH Zurich/LIFE Initiative.
Their work had some limitations, though, which the researchers readily point out. For example, there are systematic biases in CO2 partial pressure measurements, and those measurements are critical to identifying the trends. Their atmospheric model is also simplified and contains only H20, CO2, and N2, which are essential features of Earth's atmosphere, but not a complete picture. "The inclusion of additional species, such as CH4 or O3, would influence the self-consistent modelling of planetary atmospheres, impacting thermal structures and surface conditions," the researchers explain.
The end result is that this method shows promise for identifying population-level CO2 trends in populations of only 30 EECs. If scientists can do that, they can narrow down the targets worthy of in-depth study and characterization.
This is just the beginning of population-wide characterization of exoplanets and their biotic and abiotic signatures. Instead of looking for the "smoking-gun" signature of life on single worlds, we may be able to detect and identify life through large statistical patterns across numerous worlds. In that case, this work also shows how telescopes with modest observational capabilities can "filter through" the exoplanet population, sparing valuable and expensive observing time on more powerful observatories.
However, there's still more work to do before we get to that stage. The method needs to be tested against more diverse atmospheres.
"Further studies, which test atmospheric characterization performance against broad atmospheric diversity, are essential to prepare next-generation observational facilities to provide robust and accurate constraints of atmospheric as well as planetary parameters," the researchers explain in their conclusion.
"Efforts like these will pave the way toward assessing the commonness of habitable worlds or even global-scale biospheres outside of our Solar System," they conclude.
Bizarre Craft Hit Soldiers With Debilitating Light Beam
Bizarre Craft Hit Soldiers With Debilitating Light Beam
Courtesy John Timmerman, J. Allen Hynek Center For UFO Studies Courtesy CNI News
This text is an edited transcript of an interview between Mr. Francis P. Wall, a private first class (PFC) in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and John Timmerman, an associate of the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) in Chicago, Illinois. The interview took place in January, 1987. Noted UFO researcher Richard F. Haines checked military records and found Mr. Wall listed as a Korean combatant in the infantry unit he names below.
CNI News thanks John Timmerman for permission to reprint this text. Mr. Wall recounts his experience as follows:
"This event that I am about to relate to you is the truth, so help me God. It happened in the early Spring of 1951 in Korea. We were in the Army infantry, 25th Division, 27th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 'Easy' Company. We were in what is known on the military maps as the Iron Triangle, near Chorwon. "It is night. We are located on the slopes of a mountain, below [which] there is a Korean village. Previously we have sent our men into this village to warn the populace that we are going to bombard it with artillery. On this night, we were doing just that. We had aerial artillery bursts coming in. "We suddenly noticed on our right-hand side what appeared to be a lava sphere / globe that looked like fire inside it. come wafting down across the mountain. And at first no one thought anything about it. So we noticed that this thing continued on down to the village to where, indeed, the artillery air bursts were exploding. It had an orange glow in the beginning. We further noticed that this object was [so] quick that it could get into the center of an airburst of artillery and yet remain unharmed. "[The] time element on this, I would say, [was] anywhere from, oh, forty-five minutes to an hour all told. "But then this object approached us. And it turned a blue-green brilliant light. It's hard to distinguish the size of it; there's no way to compare it. The light was pulsating. This object approached us. "I asked for and received permission from Lt. Evans, our company commander at that time, to fire upon this object, which I did with an M-1 rifle with armor-piercing bullets. And I did hit it. It must have been metallic because you could hear when the projectile slammed into it. "Now why would that bullet damage this craft if the artillery rounds didn't? I don't know, unless they had dropped their protective field around them, or whatever. But the object went wild, and the light was going on and off. It went off completely once, briefly. And it was moving erratically from side to side as though it might crash to the ground. Then, a sound -- we had heard no sound previous to this -- the sound of, like, diesel locomotives revving up. That's the way this thing sounded. "And then, we were attacked. We were swept by some form of a ray that was emitted in pulses, in waves that you could visually see only when it was aiming directly at you. That is to say, like a searchlight sweeps around and... you would see it coming at you. Now you would feel a burning, tingling sensation all over your body, as though something were penetrating you. "So the company commander, Lt. Evans, hauled us into our bunkers. We didn't know what was going to happen. We were scared. These are underground dugouts where you have peep holes to look out to fire at the enemy. So, I'm in my bunker with another man. We're peeping out at this thing. It hovered over us for a while, lit up the whole area with its light, and then I saw it shoot off at a 45 degree angle, that quick, just there and gone. That quick. And it was as though that was the end of it. "But, three days later the entire company of men had to be evacuated by ambulance. They had to cut roads in there and haul them out. They were too weak to walk. They had dysentery. Then subsequently, when the doctors did see them, they had an extremely high white blood cell count which the doctors could not account for. "Now in the military, especially the Army, each day you file a company report. We had a confab about that. Do we file it in the report or not? And the consensus was 'No.' Because they'd lock every one of us up and think we were crazy. At that time, no such thing as a UFO had ever been heard of, and we didn't know what it was. "I still don't know what it was. But I do know that since that time I have periods of disorientation, memory loss, and I dropped from 180 pounds to 138 pounds after I got back to this country. And I've had great difficulty keeping my weight up. Indeed, I'm retired and disabled today."
The Significance of Orion in Ancient Civilizations: An In-Depth Analysis
An illustration showing the pyramids of Egypt beneath the stars.
The Significance of Orion in Ancient Civilizations: An In-Depth Analysis
Abstract
The constellation Orion has fascinated humanity for thousands of years, serving as a prominent celestial feature that has inspired myths, legends, and practical applications across various ancient cultures. Its striking pattern of bright stars, including Betelgeuse and Rigel, makes it easily recognizable in the night sky, and its position has held significant astronomical and cultural importance.
This report delves into the complex role Orion played in ancient civilizations by exploring its astronomical characteristics, mythological stories, and cultural relevance. The constellation’s visibility from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, along with its seasonal appearances, made it an essential tool for various practical purposes, such as determining the timing of agricultural activities, navigation during long sea voyages, and marking important religious festivals.
Archaeological findings, such as ancient carvings and alignments of monuments, suggest that many cultures, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Polynesians, attributed symbolic and spiritual meanings to Orion, often associating it with gods, heroes, or divine beings. Its association with the myth of Orion the Hunter in Greek mythology, as well as similar stories in other traditions, highlights its universal significance as a symbol of strength, pursuit, and cosmic order. By synthesizing archaeological, anthropological, and astronomical evidence, this report emphasizes how Orion was more than just a constellation; it was a vital cosmic symbol deeply embedded in the worldview, religious practices, and societal structures of ancient peoples worldwide. Ultimately, Orion’s enduring presence in human history underscores its profound influence on our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.
Throughout human history, the night sky has served as a source of inspiration, guidance, and understanding for countless civilizations. From the earliest times, humans have looked upward to interpret the cosmos, using the stars and constellations as tools to make sense of their environment, timekeeping, and spiritual beliefs. Constellations functioned not only as celestial maps but also as narratives that conveyed myths, legends, and cultural values. Among these, Orion—the "Hunter"—stands out as one of the most recognizable and significant star patterns in the sky. Its brightness, distinctive shape, and prominent position have made it a focal point in many ancient cultures.
The significance of Orion transcends mere visual appeal. Its consistent appearance and predictable movement across the sky made it an invaluable reference point for early astronomers and travelers. For ancient Egyptians, Orion was associated with Osiris, the god of the afterlife, symbolizing rebirth and eternal life. The Greeks mythologized Orion as a mighty hunter, whose story intertwined with other celestial figures, influencing their mythology and art. Similarly, the Babylonians incorporated Orion into their celestial omens, using its position to predict seasonal changes. Indigenous cultures across the Americas and Australia also recognized Orion's shape and incorporated it into their mythologies, rituals, and calendars.
This report aims to explore the many facets of Orion's importance to these diverse civilizations. We will examine the astronomical reasons behind its prominence, such as its visibility and seasonal significance. Additionally, we will delve into the mythological stories and spiritual symbolism associated with Orion, highlighting how it shaped cultural identities and religious beliefs. Furthermore, we will consider the practical applications of Orion’s position, such as its role in agriculture and navigation. By understanding these dimensions, we gain insight into how a single constellation could influence societal development, religious practices, and cultural narratives across different parts of the world. Ultimately, Orion exemplifies the profound connection between the stars and human civilization, serving as a bridge between the cosmos and our collective cultural heritage.
Astronomical Characteristics of Orion
Visibility and Prominence
Orion is undoubtedly one of the most conspicuous and easily recognizable constellations in the night sky. Its prominence is due to both its brightness and its distinctive, easily identifiable pattern of stars. The constellation’s layout resembles a hunter, with a striking belt of three aligned stars—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—that serve as a visual anchor. Orion's main stars are among the brightest in the entire night sky; for instance, Betelgeuse, a red supergiant marking Orion’s shoulder, and Rigel, a blue supergiant representing the foot, are both luminous and easily spotted. Because Orion straddles the celestial equator, it is visible from almost every part of the world, from the northern to the southern hemisphere, making it a universal feature of the night sky. During the winter months in the northern hemisphere and summer months in the southern hemisphere, Orion stands out prominently, often serving as a celestial landmark for stargazers and astronomers alike. Its bright stars and distinctive shape have made it a key point of reference in the night sky across different cultures and eras.
Seasonal and Agricultural Significance
Throughout history, many ancient civilizations observed Orion’s movements and positions to mark seasonal changes and agricultural cycles. One notable phenomenon is the heliacal rising of Orion—the first time the constellation becomes visible just before sunrise after a period of being hidden by the Sun’s glare. This event was often associated with seasonal transitions, such as the start of the agricultural planting season or the flood cycle. For example, in ancient Egypt, the heliacal rising of Orion occurred just before the annual flooding of the Nile River, which was essential for fertilizing the land and enabling successful crop cultivation. The Egyptians linked Orion with Osiris, the god of the afterlife and fertility, reinforcing its importance in their religious and agricultural calendars. Similarly, other ancient cultures, including the Babylonians and Greeks, associated Orion with mythological stories and used its position to predict seasonal changes. These observations highlight the crucial role Orion played in the daily lives and survival strategies of ancient peoples, serving as a celestial calendar guiding agricultural activities and societal planning.
Celestial Mechanics and Precession
The position of Orion in the sky is not fixed over long periods due to the phenomenon known as Earth's precession. Precession is a slow, conical movement of Earth's rotational axis caused by gravitational forces exerted by the Sun and the Moon on Earth's equatorial bulge. Over approximately 26,000 years, this precession causes the apparent position of stars and constellations, including Orion, to shift gradually relative to our vantage point on Earth. As a result, the timing of Orion's heliacal risings and its position in the sky change over millennia. Ancient civilizations, observing these shifts, incorporated Orion into their calendars, mythologies, and cosmological models. For instance, the changing position of Orion has influenced myth stories and religious practices, as societies interpreted its movement as part of celestial cycles. Precession also affects which stars serve as pole stars at different times in history, linking Orion’s position to broader astronomical phenomena and cultural developments. Understanding this celestial mechanics underscores the dynamic nature of the night sky and the long-standing human effort to comprehend the cosmos.
Orion in Ancient Civilizations
1. The Ancient Egyptians
Orion and Osiris
The ancient Egyptians held Orion in high regard, particularly associating it with Osiris, the god of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility. This connection was deeply embedded in their religious beliefs and cosmology. The star constellation Orion, especially the three prominent stars that form Orion’s Belt — Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka — served as a celestial symbol of Osiris. The Egyptians believed that the heliacal rising of Orion, which occurs just before the annual flooding of the Nile, marked a crucial time for agricultural planning and spiritual renewal. This timing reinforced the idea that Orion was a divine force linked to life, death, and rebirth.
In their mythology, Osiris was the ruler of the underworld and the judge of the dead, overseeing the process of resurrection. The association with Orion reflected a belief that the constellation represented the divine presence guiding souls through the afterlife. The rising of Orion in the night sky symbolized the cycle of death and rebirth, mirroring the annual flooding of the Nile, which brought fertility to the land and ensured the renewal of life. This celestial link further emphasized the importance of Orion in the Egyptian worldview as a symbol of eternal life and spiritual continuity.
The Orion Pyramids
The layout of the iconic Giza pyramids demonstrates the Egyptians' sophisticated understanding of celestial alignments, particularly with Orion’s Belt. The three main pyramids—those of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure—are believed to be deliberately aligned with the three stars of Orion’s Belt. This alignment suggests that the pyramids were more than just royal tombs; they were also astronomical monuments designed to encode celestial symbolism into the landscape.
Researchers have observed that the three pyramids mirror the pattern of Orion’s Belt from a specific vantage point, with the positions of the pyramids corresponding to the relative positions of the stars. This alignment not only reflects the Egyptians’ advanced knowledge of astronomy but also indicates their desire to establish a cosmic connection between the pharaohs buried within these structures and the divine realm represented by Orion. The celestial alignment underscores the importance of Orion in religious rituals, royal cosmology, and the belief in an eternal connection between the king’s soul and the stars.
In conclusion,
Orion held a significant place in ancient Egyptian culture, symbolizing divine power, eternal life, and cosmic order. Its association with Osiris and the alignment of the pyramids demonstrate the Egyptians’ intricate integration of astronomy, religion, and architecture, highlighting their profound understanding of the universe and their place within it.
2. The Greeks and Romans
Mythological Significance
In Greek mythology, Orion is renowned as one of the most formidable and legendary hunters. According to myth, Orion was a giant and a mighty hunter, celebrated for his strength, bravery, and hunting skills. His story varies across different sources, but a common theme is that he was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, which granted him the ability to walk on water and gave him a divine connection to the ocean. Orion's life was marked by numerous adventures, including his quest to hunt and kill dangerous beasts, and he was often depicted as a symbol of heroism and martial prowess.
A significant aspect of Orion’s myth involves his romantic relationship with the goddess Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, which ultimately led to his tragic demise. Some versions tell that Orion was accidentally killed by Artemis or by a giant scorpion sent by Gaia, the Earth goddess, to punish him. His death marked the end of his earthly adventures but elevated his status in the heavens. Zeus, the king of the gods, placed Orion among the stars as a constellation to honor his heroic deeds, allowing his myth to live on in the night sky. Over time, Orion became a symbol of human mortality and the fleeting nature of life, reminding viewers of the heroic ideals and the inevitable passage of time.
Astronomical Identification
Ancient Greek astronomers quickly recognized Orion as one of the most striking and prominent constellations in the night sky. Its bright stars, including Betelgeuse and Rigel, make Orion easily identifiable and serve as a celestial landmark. The constellation’s distinctive shape, resembling a hunter carrying a shield and a club, helped ancient observers to navigate the night sky and locate other celestial bodies.
Orion’s role extended beyond mythology into practical applications, especially in the realms of navigation and seasonal observation. For example, sailors and farmers used Orion as a celestial guide to determine the time of year and to plan their activities accordingly. In particular, the rising and setting of Orion signaled important seasonal changes, such as the arrival of winter or the start of planting season. The constellation’s position in the sky also served as a seasonal calendar, with its appearance in the evening sky indicating specific agricultural or ceremonial timings.
In summary,
Orion held both mythological and astronomical significance for the ancient Greeks and Romans. As a mythological figure, he embodied heroism, strength, and mortality, while astronomers used his prominent constellation as a navigational tool and seasonal indicator, emphasizing his importance in both cultural stories and practical daily life.
3. The Babylonians
The Babylonians were a highly advanced civilization known for their remarkable contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and mythology. Among their many achievements, their understanding and observation of the night sky played a crucial role in their culture and religious practices. One of the most notable celestial objects they documented and associated with their beliefs was the constellation Orion.
Zodiac and Mythology
Babylonian astronomers recognized Orion as an important part of the zodiac, which is a band of the sky through which the sun, moon, and planets move. They identified Orion as a prominent constellation and linked it to their mythological and religious beliefs. In Babylonian mythology, Orion was associated with the god of war and fertility, often depicted as a mighty hunter. This association reflected the constellation's significance in their cultural narratives, symbolizing strength, fertility, and divine power. The heliacal rising of Orion—when it first becomes visible just before sunrise after a period of being hidden by the sun’s glare—was considered a crucial calendrical event. This event marked the beginning of certain agricultural and religious festivals, guiding their agricultural cycles and rituals. The appearance of Orion in the night sky served as an important celestial signal that influenced their societal activities and ceremonies.
Astronomical Records
The ancient Babylonians meticulously recorded their observations of the night sky on clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform script. These tablets contain some of the earliest known detailed astronomical records, including precise descriptions of Orion’s position and movement throughout the year. These records not only demonstrated their keen interest in tracking celestial phenomena but also underscored Orion’s importance within their religious and cultural frameworks. The detailed data allowed Babylonian astronomers to predict celestial events with remarkable accuracy, which in turn helped them develop complex calendars and astrological systems. Their records of Orion’s heliacal risings and other positional data reveal a sophisticated understanding of the celestial mechanics and a deep connection between astronomy and their spiritual beliefs. For the Babylonians, celestial bodies like Orion were more than mere stars; they were divine symbols that connected the heavens with their earthly existence, guiding both their spiritual practices and daily lives.
In conclusion,
the Babylonians’ recognition of Orion as part of the zodiac and their detailed astronomical records highlight their advanced understanding of the cosmos and the integral role that celestial phenomena played in their mythology, religion, and societal organization.
4. Indigenous Cultures of the Americas and Australia
Many Indigenous Australian groups and Native American tribes have rich oral traditions that include detailed stories and mythologies associated with the constellation Orion. These cultures often interpret Orion not just as a pattern of stars in the night sky but as a powerful symbol embedded with deep spiritual, seasonal, and practical significance.
In Australia, Indigenous groups have long viewed the night sky as a vital part of their cultural landscape. For many Aboriginal Australians, the constellation Orion is linked to ancestral beings and mythological stories passed down through generations. Some communities see Orion as a celestial hunter or ancestral figure engaged in ongoing stories of creation and life. For example, certain groups interpret Orion as a representation of a great hunter or a spiritual figure responsible for guiding the seasons and the availability of resources. These stories often explain natural phenomena, such as animal migrations or the timing of seasonal events, by referencing Orion’s position and movement across the sky. Such narratives serve as an astronomical calendar, helping communities determine the right times for hunting, gathering, and ceremonial activities.
Similarly, in Native American cultures across North and Central America, Orion holds significant mythological importance. Many tribes recognize Orion as a powerful figure, often associated with hunting, war, or spiritual journeying. For example, the Plains tribes sometimes see Orion as a symbol of the Great Hunter, a hero figure who embodies strength and skill. These stories frequently link Orion to seasonal cycles, such as the timing of plant harvests or animal migrations, which are crucial for survival. In some traditions, Orion’s position in the sky signals the changing of seasons, serving as an astronomical guide for planting and harvesting schedules.
Furthermore, both Indigenous Australians and Native American tribes use Orion’s stars as part of their spiritual narratives. The constellation often appears in stories that explain the origins of the world, the actions of ancestral beings, or the moral lessons embedded in their cultural teachings. These narratives reinforce social structures, cultural identity, and spiritual beliefs, demonstrating how the night sky functions as a living map of their worldview.
Overall, for many Indigenous Australian groups and Native American tribes, Orion is not merely a pattern of stars but a vital element of their cultural storytelling—integrating astronomy with spirituality, seasonal change, and survival strategies. Their oral traditions reveal a profound understanding of the cosmos, emphasizing the interconnectedness of natural phenomena, human life, and spiritual existence.
Cultural and Religious Significance
Orion: the Hunter Constellation
Orion as a Cosmic Hunter
The constellation Orion has fascinated humanity for millennia, largely due to its striking pattern of bright stars that resemble a hunter in the night sky. Across numerous cultures and civilizations, Orion has been symbolized as a mighty hunter, embodying qualities such as strength, bravery, and protection. Its figure is often depicted as a formidable figure wielding weapons, with a belt and sword clearly visible among the brightest stars. This visual resemblance has made Orion a natural focal point for myth-making and storytelling, as people sought to interpret and find meaning in the patterns of the stars.
In many ancient societies, Orion was seen as a celestial warrior or protector figure, serving both as a symbol of human strength and as a divine guardian watching over the Earth. The prominent stars—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—form Orion’s Belt, which is easily recognizable and has historically served as a navigational aid. The constellation’s commanding presence in the sky often led to its association with heroism and divine authority, reinforcing the human desire to connect their stories with the cosmos.
Furthermore, Orion's depiction as a hunter resonates with the universal human experience of hunting and survival, linking celestial imagery with terrestrial life. This connection underscores the importance of the stars not just for navigation but also for cultural identity and spiritual guidance. Many indigenous cultures, such as those in Africa, Australia, and the Americas, have their unique stories and legends centered on Orion, emphasizing its role as a symbol of protection, strength, and divine power.
Calendar and Agricultural Cycles
Throughout history, many societies have observed the heliacal risings of Orion—its first appearance in the dawn sky after a period of invisibility—and used these celestial events as markers for important agricultural activities. The rising of Orion at specific times of the year often signified the beginning of planting seasons or the time to harvest crops, integrating celestial observations into daily life and survival strategies.
For example, in ancient Egypt, the heliacal rising of Orion coincided with the flooding of the Nile River, which was crucial for agriculture. The Nile flood was essential for fertilizing the land, and its timing was closely linked to the appearance of Orion in the sky. The Egyptians associated this event with the god Osiris, who represented rebirth and fertility, further intertwining celestial phenomena with spiritual beliefs and societal practices.
Similarly, in ancient Greece and Mesopotamia, the appearance of Orion marked key seasonal transitions. The Greeks associated Orion with a heroic figure, and his rising often signaled the start of planting or harvesting periods. These observations allowed for the synchronization of agricultural activities with natural cycles, ensuring food security and societal stability.
In many indigenous cultures around the world, Orion’s position in the sky served as a natural calendar, guiding farmers and shepherds in their daily routines. The consistent timing of Orion's risings provided a reliable framework for organizing seasonal work, festivals, and communal rituals, reinforcing the deep connection between celestial phenomena and terrestrial life.
Mythological Narratives
The stories and legends surrounding Orion are rich and varied, often involving themes of death, rebirth, heroism, and divine intervention. These mythological narratives served to explain the origins of the constellation and to impart moral or spiritual lessons to society.
In Greek mythology, Orion was a giant huntsman known for his extraordinary strength and hunting skills. According to one legend, Orion was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, which granted him the ability to walk on water. His stories often depict him as a hero who faced various challenges, including conflicts with other gods and mythological creatures. His death is subject to different versions: one story suggests that he was killed by a scorpion sent by Gaia after he boasted he could kill all animals on Earth, leading to his placement in the sky by Zeus as a constellation—a symbol of heroic achievement and celestial immortality.
Many cultures also saw Orion as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. In some African traditions, Orion’s appearance was associated with the changing of seasons and the cycle of life and death. Its rising signaled times of renewal, planting, and spiritual rebirth. These stories reinforced societal values such as bravery, perseverance, and the importance of aligning human life with natural and divine cycles.
Furthermore, Orion’s constellation often served as a narrative device linking human experiences with the universe. Its stories provided a framework for understanding the cosmos and humanity’s place within it, offering explanations for natural phenomena and guiding moral behavior. These mythologies reinforced societal and spiritual beliefs, creating a shared cultural identity centered around the stars.
In summary,
Orion’s significance extends beyond its stunning visual presence in the sky. It embodies universal themes of strength, protection, renewal, and divine connection. Its role in calendars, mythology, and cultural identity underscores the profound impact celestial observations have had throughout human history, shaping societies’ spiritual, agricultural, and social practices.
Orion’s Role in Navigation and Astronomy
Navigational Aid
In ancient times, Orion played a crucial role for sailors and travelers who relied heavily on the stars to find their way across vast oceans and uncharted lands. Before the invention of modern navigational tools such as compasses, GPS devices, or detailed maps, celestial bodies served as vital reference points. Orion, being one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations in the night sky, stood out due to its bright stars and distinctive pattern resembling a hunter. Its consistent appearance in the night sky across different seasons and latitudes made it an invaluable celestial guide. Mariners would observe Orion’s position at specific times of the year to determine their latitude and direction, especially during long sea voyages where land was out of sight. The constellation’s alignment with other stars and its predictable rising and setting times allowed travelers to maintain their course with a higher degree of accuracy, reducing the risks associated with navigation in unfamiliar waters.
Astronomical Education Beyond its practical use as a navigational tool, Orion also served an important role in the education of early astronomers and priests. Its clear and memorable shape made it an ideal reference point for teaching celestial mechanics—the movements and relationships of celestial bodies. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Babylonians, recognized Orion’s significance and incorporated it into their mythologies and religious practices. Priests and astronomers used Orion’s position to explain the cycles of the seasons, the apparent motion of stars, and the complex workings of the cosmos. The constellation’s prominence in the sky helped foster a sense of order, divine purpose, and interconnectedness within the universe, reinforcing cultural and spiritual beliefs. Furthermore, the study of Orion’s position and movement contributed to the development of early astronomical models, laying the foundation for future scientific advancements in understanding the heavens.
The Precession of the Equinoxes and Changing Significance
Over thousands of years, the Earth's axis experiences a slow wobble known as the precession of the equinoxes. This phenomenon causes the position of the stars and constellations, including Orion, to shift gradually relative to the Earth's equinoxes and solstices. As a result, the traditional celestial references associated with specific times of the year have changed over millennia. For example, during ancient times, Orion was prominently positioned in the night sky at certain key points in the calendar, influencing both agricultural practices and mythological stories.
This gradual shift has significant implications for how civilizations interpreted the heavens. As Orion's position relative to Earth's celestial markers moved, its symbolic importance in various cultures also evolved. In some mythologies, Orion was associated with gods, heroes, or seasonal cycles, but these associations diminished or transformed as the constellation's position changed. The precession effectively altered the "cosmic clock," leading to new constellational alignments and meanings over generations.
Furthermore, the changing position of Orion reflects the dynamic relationship between celestial phenomena and human culture. It demonstrates how our understanding of the universe is not static but constantly evolving. The precession underscores the importance of astronomy in shaping mythologies, calendars, and spiritual beliefs across different civilizations. Ultimately, this slow celestial movement highlights the interconnectedness of astronomical events and cultural development throughout history.
Comparative Analysis: Why Orion Was So Important
Aspect: Cultural Relevance Orion's prominence in various cultures underscores its deep-rooted significance. Its conspicuous position in the night sky made it a constant presence for ancient peoples, influencing their stories, rituals, and calendars. Its recognition across civilizations highlights its role as a universal symbol connecting humanity with the cosmos.
Explanation Throughout history, Orion has served as a cultural touchstone. Its distinctive shape and bright stars made it an easily recognizable constellation, inspiring myths and legends. Societies used Orion to mark time, celebrate events, and understand their place in the universe. Its imagery often appears in art, literature, and oral traditions, cementing its cultural importance.
Cultural Relevance Orion's brightness and distinctive pattern made it an iconic feature of the night sky, easily recognizable across different regions and cultures. Its visibility and unique shape facilitated a shared understanding among ancient peoples, fostering the development of mythologies and storytelling traditions that have persisted for millennia. This familiarity helped unify diverse groups through a common celestial reference.
Brightness & Recognizability The constellation's luminous stars, especially Betelgeuse and Rigel, stand out vividly against the night sky, serving as navigational beacons for ancient travelers. These bright points of light allowed people to identify Orion quickly, even from great distances, fostering a sense of familiarity and aiding in storytelling and myth creation. Its recognizability made it a natural celestial landmark.
Facilitated consistent observation and myth-making The conspicuous brightness of Orion's stars permitted consistent observation over generations, enabling cultures to develop rich mythologies around it. Its predictable appearance at certain times of the year allowed societies to anchor their stories and rituals to a reliable celestial event, reinforcing cultural identity and spiritual beliefs.
Seasonal Indicator Orion's heliacal risings, which occur when the constellation first becomes visible just before dawn after a period of invisibility, were crucial in ancient agricultural societies. These risings signaled the start of planting or harvesting seasons, guiding farming activities and ensuring food security, thus directly impacting societal stability.
Ensured survival and societal stability By serving as a seasonal calendar marker, Orion's heliacal risings helped ancient communities plan their agricultural cycles accurately. This synchronization of celestial events with farming activities contributed to crop success and societal stability. Such celestial cues were vital for survival, especially before written calendars, fostering societal cohesion and continuity.
Mythological Associations In numerous cultures, Orion is linked with gods, heroes, or spiritual principles, symbolizing strength, protection, or divine intervention. These mythological ties reinforced societal values, justified religious practices, and provided moral lessons. The constellation became more than a pattern of stars; it was a divine or heroic archetype embedded in cultural consciousness.
Reinforced cultural values and religious practices Myths surrounding Orion often encapsulate virtues like bravery, loyalty, or celestial order. Rituals and festivals centered around Orion's appearance celebrated these qualities, strengthening community bonds and religious devotion. The constellation's mythological stories served as moral guides, shaping societal norms and spiritual beliefs.
Architectural Alignments Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, built pyramids and temples aligned with Orion's stars, embedding celestial symbolism into their physical monuments. These alignments reflected a profound spiritual connection to the cosmos, emphasizing the divine nature of their rulers and the universe's order. Such structures demonstrate an advanced understanding of astronomy and religious symbolism.
Embedded celestial symbolism in physical monuments The precise alignment of architectural structures with Orion's stars symbolized the divine cosmos on Earth. These monuments functioned as eternal representations of celestial principles, reinforcing the sacred connection between the heavens and the earthly realm. They served as physical manifestations of spiritual beliefs and cosmic order.
Navigation Orion's prominent and consistent position in the night sky provided a reliable celestial guide for travelers and explorers. Its distinctive shape and brightness made it an effective navigational point, especially in open landscapes or at sea. This facilitated exploration, trade, and expansion by helping societies traverse unfamiliar territories with confidence.
Supported exploration and expansion By acting as a celestial compass, Orion enabled ancient navigators to determine direction and latitude during journeys. Its position relative to other stars helped explorers find their way across vast distances, promoting cultural exchanges and territorial expansion. Orion's role as a cosmic guide was vital in shaping human exploration and connectivity.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Connections
Ancient Alien Civilizations: The Orion Connection Revealed
The enduring fascination with Orion has led some to speculate about its possible connections to extraterrestrial life and ancient astronaut theories. The consistency of Orion’s importance across different cultures and epochs raises intriguing questions. Could the myths and architectural marvels associated with Orion be more than mere coincidences or imaginative stories? Might they be ancient records or signals pointing to extraterrestrial origins or visitations? While these theories are speculative, they fuel our imagination and quest for understanding, reminding us that the night sky has always been a source of wonder, inspiration, and perhaps, clues to our own origins.
The constellation of Orion, with its rich tapestry of myths, astronomical significance, and mysterious allure, continues to fascinate and inspire. As we delve into the stories and symbols associated with this celestial giant, we are reminded of humanity’s eternal quest to understand the universe and our place within it. Whether as a hunter in the sky, a symbol of rebirth, or a link to otherworldly realms, Orion’s legacy remains a captivating chapter in our collective exploration of the cosmos. So, keep looking to the stars, maybe one day we will find all of the answers we seek by doing so.
Until the next one, stay curious!
Conclusion
The constellation of Orion held profound importance for ancient civilizations due to a confluence of astronomical, mythological, and practical factors. Its prominence in the night sky, predictability, and cultural symbolism made it a vital marker for seasonal cycles, religious beliefs, and societal cohesion. From the Egyptians' association with Osiris and their pyramid alignments to Greek myths of mighty hunters and navigational uses, Orion exemplifies humanity’s enduring quest to understand and find meaning in the cosmos.
Understanding Orion's historical significance not only illuminates ancient peoples' worldview but also underscores the universal human tendency to seek order, purpose, and connection within the celestial sphere. Its legacy continues to inspire modern astronomy and cultural reflection, reminding us of our shared celestial heritage.
A room in the deep interior of the underground city of Derinkuyu. Depositphotos.
It takes time for your eyes to adjust underground. In Derinkuyu, even artificial light falls strangely against the rough-cut walls. The carved tunnels narrow and widen at irregular intervals. Stone staircases descend in switchbacks. Air drifts through vertical shafts. In places, the space feels close and silent. In others, it carries a low, natural echo. There is no sunlight here, but there is architecture. And now, there is sound.
Derinkuyu: The Ancient Underground City Designed to Outlast the Surface
More than 60 meters below the surface of central Turkey, the remains of Derinkuyu form one of the most complex underground settlements in the world. The city reaches down seven levels, with chambers for sleeping, cooking, worship, and gathering. At its height, it may have held as many as 20,000 people. What was once hidden as a defensive structure has become one of the region’s most studied archaeological sites. Now, thanks to new work by Sezin Nas, a researcher at Istanbul Galata University, its sound is also being reconstructed.
Nas specializes in interior architecture and acoustic environments. She has created a 3D virtual soundscape of Derinkuyu based on its spatial forms and material properties. Her focus was not on modern reverb or sonic art, but on physical acoustics, how stone, void, and structure shaped what people heard as they moved through the city.
A new study uses 3D modeling to recreate the sounds of daily life in Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city in Turkey.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Nevit Dilmen CC BY 3.0
Reconstructing Derinkuyu’s acoustic design
To build the sound model, Nas selected three spaces for detailed analysis: a church, a domestic living area, and a kitchen. These areas were chosen for their function and variation in spatial volume. Using architectural surveys and acoustic simulation tools, she mapped the surfaces, volumes, and materials. Then, she modeled how sounds, voices, tools, footsteps, fire, would behave in each room.
Derinkuyu was not silent. It was carved from soft volcanic rock called tuff, which absorbs some frequencies but carries others. Ventilation shafts, often mistaken for simple air ducts, served as both airflow systems and vertical communication lines. Nas emphasized this dual function. A single shaft could move both air and sound across levels, linking different parts of the city without direct sightlines.
These design features were not secondary. They were structural. In Nas’s model, sound is shown to travel in ways that mirror social and architectural priorities. Openings near cooking areas allowed for shared sensory cues. Narrow passageways between levels blocked sound, creating acoustic boundaries that likely shaped patterns of privacy and control.
One of the rooms of the intricately carved undergrounds city of Derinkuyu.
Depositphotos.
Derinkuyu was not the only underground city in Cappadocia, but it is the deepest and most spatially complex. Most of the surviving tunnels were cut by hand during the Byzantine period, though earlier phases may date back even further. The site’s layout reflects both practical and defensive concerns. Entrances were concealed. Rolling stone doors could be used to block off corridors. Livestock was housed below ground. Water was sourced from wells that reached deep into the rock.
For centuries, these spaces were known locally but remained undocumented by formal archaeology. Since their rediscovery in the 1960s, sites like Derinkuyu have been measured, mapped, and visited by millions of tourists. Yet until Nas’s work, few efforts had been made to study how they sounded when they were inhabited.
Nas presented her findings at the 188th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in May 2025. She described Derinkuyu as an “interior environment on an urban scale,” distinct from open-air soundscapes typically studied in urban acoustics. By reconstructing its sonic behavior, she argues, researchers can better understand how residents used space, communicated, and structured their routines.
The soundscape is not a guess. It is built from data. Nas’s model incorporates not only geometry but also human behavior. Different rooms produce different reverberation times. Kitchens absorb more sound due to their lower ceilings. Churches echo longer. In between, passageways create acoustic transitions that affect how one space flows into another.
Tunnels in every direction make the enormous Derinkuyu complex.
The region of Cappadocia, where Derinkuyu is located, has long been shaped by geology. The area’s soft volcanic substrate allowed for extensive excavation. Entire villages were carved directly into rock faces. By the early medieval period, Christians fleeing persecution expanded these spaces into multi-level underground complexes.
Derinkuyu may have been occupied intermittently over many centuries. Archaeological evidence points to phases of construction and reuse, often tied to periods of threat. Its layout includes features like defensive bottlenecks, food storage rooms, and central gathering spaces. Everything about it was designed to support life under siege.
The physical conditions underground are stable. Temperatures remain constant year-round. The architecture protects against both heat and cold. But living underground also shaped experience in other ways. Light was scarce. Sound carried differently. The absence of wind and open air created an environment defined by enclosed resonance. Nas’s model captures those differences in a way that drawings and photographs cannot.
Architectural design shaped how sound traveled
A collection of images from the underground tunnels of Derinkuyu. Credit: Sezin Nas
“There is a notable gap in the literature regarding the acoustic environment and soundscape of underground cities,” Nas said.
Her research reveals that the city’s ventilation shafts served not only for airflow but also for communication. Voices and sounds could carry between rooms and levels, creating an interconnected audio environment.
“This multifunctional use of the ventilation system strongly highlights the exceptional construction process of the site and plays a central role in shaping its soundscape,” she said.
“Listening to the reconstructed soundscape provides insights into how sound influenced spatial experience, communication practices, and social organization within the underground city.”
Virtual soundscape revives the sounds of daily life in Derinkuyu, the ancient underground city of Turkey
To reconstruct the sound environment, Nas analyzed three key spaces: a church, a kitchen, and a living area. She studied their acoustic properties – how sound would bounce, echo, and fade – based on size, material, and use. The result is a 3D virtual soundscape that reimagines what the city may have sounded like in its prime.
Nas presented her findings on Wednesday during the 188th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the 25th International Congress on Acoustics, held from May 18 to 23.
Sound as a bridge to cultural memory
“Derinkuyu underground city is considered an interior environment on an urban scale,” Nas said. “Listening to the reconstructed soundscape provides insights into how sound influenced spatial experience, communication practices, and social organization within the underground city.”
She hopes her work with the sounds of ancient life in Turkey will encourage greater use of soundscapes in historical research. Beyond technical insight, she views the study as a way to honor and preserve a forgotten layer of cultural identity.
“This research also highlights the role of historical sound environments,” Nas said. It is “an important and often overlooked component of cultural heritage.”
A tool for future design
Beyond archaeology, Nas sees potential for applying this work to modern planning. As urban development pushes into underground infrastructure, understanding how sound behaves in buried environments becomes increasingly important. Most studies of urban acoustics focus on surface cities. Underground spaces are treated as isolated exceptions.
An image of the underground city of Derinkuyu. Depositphotos.
Derinkuyu offers a counterexample. It was not a tunnel or a bunker. It was a functioning urban environment, carved to support collective life. Its soundscape reflects that design. Nas argues that acoustic modeling can contribute to both historical preservation and future construction.
More broadly, the project adds a new dimension to how we study ancient environments. Architecture is often recorded visually. Sound is harder to capture. But for people living in places like Derinkuyu, sound was part of how space was navigated, understood, and controlled. Children learned where they were by the echo of a footstep. Adults heard voices through shafts before they saw faces. The city’s structure taught people how to listen.
What Derinkuyu reveals
The 3D reconstruction of Derinkuyu is not a re-creation of ancient life. It doesn’t guess what people were thinking or feeling. What it does is document how space worked, how it changed sound, and how those changes shaped experience.
Sound was never separate from architecture. It was one of the ways people understood where they were. A child would know a main room by the way it echoed. A parent might hear a pot drop two levels above. The structure itself trained people to listen.
This kind of work is rare. Archaeology usually records what can be drawn or photographed. Sound is harder. It fades. But in places like Derinkuyu, it never really disappeared. The shape of the rooms, the angles of the walls, and the width of the shafts still control how noise moves. That information is still there, waiting to be measured.
By treating sound as something worth studying, not just as an effect, but as part of how a space functioned, Nas adds something to the record that was missing. Not a story, not a theory, but a way to hear a place that once stayed quiet to the outside world. Fascinating!
Derinkuyu Turkey – Explore the Largest Underground City in the World!
Millennium Falcon In Berkshire, England, UK, Google Earth Map, Star Wars UFO UAP Sighting News.
Millennium Falcon In Berkshire, England, UK, Google Earth Map, Star Wars UFO UAP Sighting News.
Google Map Location: 51°22'58"N 0°34'55"W
Hey, this is interesting...there is a Star Wars spaceship sitting in England back in 2017. It's gone now, so you have to hit the history button in the lower left side of the screen. Then go to 2017 and there it is. it's being hidden by container boxes on all sides of it, but I don't think they realized it would be seen from the sky. Hey would be nice if we could steal abroad and fly that thing off this planet right?
Scott C. Waring
Star Wars: A Detail Look Inside the Millennium Falcon
Is this an Alien base on island in Greenland? 🇬🇱 UFO UAP sighting news. Ancient aliens exist.
Is this an Alien base on island in Greenland? 🇬🇱 UFO UAP sighting news. Ancient aliens exist.
Guys there is something strange on a small island off Greenland. This I have heard people tell me its an alien tower or alien entrance to a base, its a whale, its a plane and so much more. Hey as always, you decide.
Scott C. Waring
UFO Experts On Existence Of Underwater Alien Bases On Earth Probe | Shocking UFO Hearing LIVE | N18G
Slope streaks are dark features on Martian slopes that form spontaneously and fade over years to decades. Some planetary scientists have interpreted those streaks as liquid flows, suggesting the possibility of currently habitable environments on Mars. But new research by Brown University and the University of Bern points to a different explanation — dry process related to wind and dust activity.
This image of an impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars was taken by NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on March 30, 2015. The crater is approximately 3,300 feet (1-km) wide and appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta. The steep inner slopes are carved by gullies and include possible recurring slope lineae on the equator-facing slopes.
Image credit: NASA / JPL / University of Arizona / Alfred McEwen.
“A big focus of Mars research is understanding modern-day processes on Mars — including the possibility of liquid water on the surface,” said Dr. Adomas Valantinas, a postdoctoral researcher at Brown University.
“Our study reviewed these features but found no evidence of water. Our model favors dry formation processes.”
Scientists first saw the odd streaks in images returned from NASA’s Viking mission in the 1970s.
The sinewy features are generally darker in hue than the surrounding terrain and extend for hundreds of meters down sloped terrain.
Some last for years or decades, while others come and go more quickly.
The shorter-lived features — dubbed recurring slope lineae (RSL) — seem to show up in the same locations during the warmest periods of the Martian year.
The origin of the streaks has been a hot topic among planetary scientists.
Hoping for new insights, Dr. Valantinas and his colleague, Dr. Valentin Bickel, turned to a machine learning algorithm to catalog as many slope streaks as they could.
After training their algorithm on confirmed slope streak sightings, they used it to scan more than 86,000 high-resolution satellite images.
The result was a first-of-its-kind global Martian map of slope streaks containing more than 500,000 streak features.
“Once we had this global map, we could compare it to databases and catalogs of other things like temperature, wind speed, hydration, rock slide activity and other factors,” Dr. Bickel said.
“Then we could look for correlations over hundreds of thousands of cases to better understand the conditions under which these features form.”
This geostatistical analysis showed that slope streaks and RSLs are not generally associated with factors that suggest a liquid or frost origin, such as a specific slope orientation, high surface temperature fluctuations or high humidity.
Instead, the authors found that both features are more likely to form in places with above average wind speed and dust deposition — factors that point to a dry origin.
The researchers concluded that the streaks most likely form when layers of fine dust suddenly slide off steep slopes.
The specific triggers may vary. Slope streaks appear more common near recent impact craters, where shockwaves might shake loose surface dust. RSLs, meanwhile, are more often found in places where dust devils or rockfalls are frequent.
Taken together, the results cast new doubt on slope streaks and RSLs as habitable environments.
That has significant implications for future Mars exploration.
While habitable environments might sound like good exploration targets, NASA would rather keep its distance.
Any Earthly microbes that may have hitched a ride on a spacecraft could contaminate habitable Martian environments, complicating the search for Mars-based life.
This study suggests that the contamination risk at slope streak sites isn’t much of a concern.
“That’s the advantage of this big data approach,” Dr. Valantinas said.
“It helps us to rule out some hypotheses from orbit before we send spacecraft to explore.”
The results were published on May 19, 2025 in the journal Nature Communications.
V.T. Bickel & A. Valantinas. 2025. Streaks on Martian slopes are dry. Nat Commun 16, 4315; doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59395-w
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Suppressed Experiments or Nothing But Fiction? The Bizarre Conspiracies of Ong’s Hat
Suppressed Experiments or Nothing But Fiction? The Bizarre Conspiracies of Ong’s Hat
In the realm of conspiracy theories and urban legends, few stories have captivated the imagination quite like the mysterious saga of Ong’s Hat. This bizarre narrative, rooted in the internet age, blurs the lines between reality and fiction, leaving many to wonder: are these tales based on suppressed experiments, or are they nothing but elaborate stories woven for entertainment? To understand the phenomenon fully, we must delve into the origins, the core beliefs, and the cultural impact of the Ong’s Hat conspiracy.
In the current age of the internet, internet-written legends are a dime a dozen. At times, they even seem to take on a life of their own, sparking everything from conventions, to supposed “true sightings,” to acts of crime. While this may be the norm today, this was not the norm back in the 80’s and early 90’s – the days when Ong’s Hat gained newfound notoriety.
Ong's Hat, Pine Barrens, New Jersey, USA.
Photo: Misha Friedman (Gizmodo)
The Origins of Ong’s Hat
Ong’s Hat first appeared in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of a series of online and offline stories that intertwined science fiction, secret government projects, and underground societies. It originated from a small town in New Jersey, where a supposed clandestine experiment took place in a derelict location called Ong’s Hat. According to the legends, the experiment involved advanced teleportation or interdimensional travel, conducted by secret government agencies or clandestine groups.
Ong’s Hat, also known as Ong’s Hut, is actually a now-ghost town that was founded prior to our nation’s birth, located deep in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. It’s right off of Exit 4 on the Jersey Turnpike, but in order to visit it, you may need to update your GPS to bring you to a road by a similar name.
Much like many other old world ghost towns, Ong’s Hat has a legend tied to its name. Word has it that a local man by the name of Jacob Ong who owned over 100 acres of land in the town was the source of the odd town name. Ong was a ladies’ man of sorts, and was known for his trademark silk hat that he wore to every local ball and gathering. At one point, Ong made the mistake of flirting with a married woman – and her husband had found out. When the man found out that Ong had tried to court his wife, he quickly snatched Ong’s hat off his head, stomped on it, then tossed it up in a tree.
Try as he might, Ong could not get the hat from the tree, and it stayed there for years. However, there was a perk to this fashion tragedy. As the local village was very well-hidden by trees, it was often hard for caravans to find it. The hat ended up becoming a trademark sign that carriages were close to town, and soon after the town became known as Ong’s Hat.
Though it was known early on as an alcohol-friendly town with a highly active social scene, the town petered out to a mere 7 residents by the 1900’s. By the 1930’s nothing remained of Ong’s Hat except for a burnt out shell of a building and rumors that a single old man still lived there. According to some, that’s when the real history began…
The story gained traction through early internet forums, bulletin boards, and role-playing communities. Enthusiasts created elaborate backstories, documents, and websites that portrayed Ong’s Hat as a real place and a real project. These stories often included references to government cover-ups, mind control experiments, and the existence of alternate realities.
Ong’s Hat: The Early Internet Conspiracy Game That Got Too Real
The Narrative: Suppressed Experiments and Hidden Knowledge.
The Ong’s Hat mythos revolves around the compelling idea that a clandestine experiment, involving teleportation or dimensional shifting, was secretly carried out in the area. According to various accounts, this experiment aimed to explore the boundaries of human consciousness and the fabric of reality itself. However, the operation went catastrophically wrong, resulting in the opening of portals to alternate dimensions or parallel universes. These portals allegedly caused unpredictable and dangerous phenomena, including strange sightings, environmental anomalies, and inexplicable disturbances in the local area.
Some theories suggest that the government was behind the experiment, driven by a desire to develop advanced military or intelligence technologies. The project was supposedly classified at the highest levels, with the aim of gaining a strategic advantage during the Cold War era or beyond. Once the unintended consequences became evident, authorities supposedly took extreme measures to cover up the incident, silencing witnesses and destroying evidence. This secrecy has fueled speculation that knowledge of these experiments remains hidden from the public, deliberately suppressed to prevent mass panic or to protect powerful interests.
Proponents of the myth point to supposed leaked documents, cryptic messages, or whistleblower testimonies as evidence of ongoing covert activities. These sources often describe clandestine government programs that continue to explore the boundaries of reality and consciousness. The narrative underscores themes of government secrecy, forbidden knowledge, and the possibility that our perceived reality is a constructed or manipulated illusion. Ultimately, the Ong’s Hat story taps into deep-seated fears and curiosity about hidden truths and the limits of human understanding, blending conspiracy, science fiction, and mysticism into a compelling mythos.
Weird Science
The scientist brothers, Frank and Althea Dobbs, were twin scientists who were recently ostracized by the scientific community due to their extremist views. As soon as they arrived at the Ashram, the two set up shop in a small, unkempt trailer and began to work on discovering the secrets to the universe.
Back in Princeton, the brothers were working on a physics equation that was supposed to be able to prove the concept of “cognitive chaos,” also known as the idea that the chaos of the universe is cognizant, and that people’s minds held the key to being able to do anything and everything imaginable. They even claimed that cognitive chaos would allow people to cure themselves of disease by simply willing it, and that it would allow them interdimensional travel.
Obviously, this radical idea was enough to get them booted from the prestigious university, but all was not lost. Wali was very impressed with their work, and created the Institute of Chaos Studies specifically for their benefit. The brothers quickly began hooking up people to computers, experimenting with a number of different psychotropic drugs, and even brain wave alteration stuff. Soon enough, word of their experiments got out, and two more scientists joined the group – Harold Acton and Martine Kalikak.
Within a matter of mere years, the small band of anarchist scientists had created a device that remains legendary to this day: the Egg. It was a device that supposedly shut out all outside stimuli and would allow people to travel into the chaos of their own mind. The day of the final test run was one filled with tension. A runaway who had volunteered to use the Egg on himself was strapped in, and the device was turned on.
In a blink of an eye, both the boy and the Egg had disappeared from sight.
The Bizarre Alternate History Of Ong’s Hut
According to the writers of Ong’s Hut, the real interesting history behind the abandoned village began with a group of white jazz musicians who called themselves the Moorish Orthodox Church of America, back in the 1950’s. These slapdash musicians traveled the world, learning secrets from various tribes, picking up new members for their “church,” and getting schooled on philosophies from around the world. The Moorish Orthodox Church was one that dabbled in mysticism, occult beliefs, Eastern philosophy, while also maintaining a certain degree of fondness for chaos. Of all the unusual members, Wali Fard was one of the most extreme, and ended up converting to Ismailism – also known as the archaic religion responsible for the creation of assassins.
Fard returned from his travels in 1978 when Iran’s revolution began to take place. He then spent his life savings on a massive 200 acre lot in the Pine Barrens. This lot became known as the Moorish Science Ashram, and became populated by a huge group of misfits including runaways, philosophy-crazed scholars, and anarchist lesbians. To recruit more people, he began to publish underground newsletters describing his beliefs – and that’s what attracted a pair of renegade scientists from Princeton University.
The Gate
After a couple of breathless moments, both runaway and Egg reappeared in the laboratory. He explained that the Egg had sent him into an alternate dimension – one in which people didn’t exist, but he did. Apparently, the Egg had managed to open a rift in between dimensions, and it’s one that supposedly still affects travelers to this day.
As for the Institute of Chaos Theory and the Ashram, none of the documents associated with the Ong’s Hat meme really fully explain what happened to them. There are multiple theories. Some say that the government discovered the results of the scientists’ experiment and wiped out the majority of the Ashram’s followers. Others say that a nearby chemical spill forced them to flee to the other dimension. Still more say that they decided to just up and leave to the dimension next door, opting to stay away from the society that shunned them and called them insane. According to this theory, the group of rebels still recruit people from out dimension to join in.
The Role of Internet Culture and Role-Playing
Ong’s Hat emerged as a groundbreaking phenomenon at the intersection of internet culture and immersive storytelling. It exemplifies a form of “urban exploration” combined with “meta-fiction,” where the narrative blurs the line between reality and fiction. This innovative blend captivated online communities and fostered a sense of mystery and intrigue. The myth of Ong’s Hat was largely propagated through early internet forums and newsgroups such as alt.conspiracy and alt.fan.ouija, which provided fertile ground for the development and dissemination of the story.
Participants in these communities actively contributed to the myth by engaging in role-playing games (RPGs) that simulated secret missions, clandestine laboratories, and covert investigations into conspiracy theories. These interactive experiences encouraged users to immerse themselves fully in the storyline, often adopting personas or characters involved in uncovering the secrets of Ong’s Hat. The RPG elements made the narrative feel tangible and real, as if the participants were explorers uncovering hidden truths.
Furthermore, the story’s creators incorporated real-world locations, cryptic documents, and supposed sightings into the myth, enhancing its credibility and appeal. For example, references to actual places in New Jersey and the inclusion of authentic-looking documents and photographs made it difficult for casual observers to distinguish between fact and fiction. This careful blending of fact and fiction fostered a participatory environment where users felt like active detectives or explorers, contributing to the myth’s ongoing evolution.
Internet culture played a crucial role in fostering this participatory environment. The anonymity of online platforms allowed users to experiment with different personas and share theories without fear of judgment. The collaborative nature of these communities meant that the story of Ong’s Hat was constantly refined and expanded through collective effort. As new clues, sightings, and documents emerged, the myth grew more complex and convincing, encouraging further exploration and discussion.
In essence, Ong’s Hat is a prime example of how internet culture and role-playing can be harnessed to create compelling, participatory narratives. It demonstrates the power of online communities to craft immersive stories that challenge perceptions of reality, blending entertainment, mystery, and community engagement in a unique digital storytelling experience.
Wharton State Forest, New Jersey. By Famartin from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Portal by Stefan Keller from Pixabay. Edited by the author.
The Cultural Impact and Legacy
Over the years, Ong’s Hat has evolved from a mysterious online story into a powerful symbol of the early internet’s obsession with conspiracies and alternate realities. Its influence is evident across various media, including books, documentaries, podcasts, and online forums, where it sparks ongoing debates about the nature of truth and fiction in the digital age. The story’s allure lies in its ambiguity and the way it blurs the lines between reality and fabrication, encouraging audiences to question what they see and hear online.
Many researchers interpret Ong’s Hat as a form of “perceptual hacking,” a technique in which fictional narratives are crafted to manipulate perceptions and beliefs subtly. This concept suggests that stories like Ong’s Hat are not just entertainment but serve as tools to influence the collective consciousness, often without the audience’s conscious awareness. By embedding layers of plausible but fabricated details, such stories can create a convincing alternate reality that challenges traditional notions of truth.
Others view Ong’s Hat as a modern myth—an intricate storytelling project that reflects societal anxieties about government overreach, technological advancement, and the mysteries of the universe. In this context, the story functions as a mirror to contemporary fears, embodying concerns about surveillance, secret experiments, and the unknown consequences of scientific progress. It resonates with a cultural zeitgeist that questions authority and seeks to understand the complexities of a rapidly changing world.
In essence, Ong’s Hat has transcended its origins as an internet hoax to become a cultural touchstone that prompts critical discussions about reality, trust, and the influence of digital storytelling. Its legacy endures as a testament to the power of narrative in shaping perceptions and reflecting societal fears in the digital age.
Top 20 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out to Be True
Are These Experiments Suppressed or Just Fiction?
The core question remains: is there any truth behind Ong’s Hat? Do these stories point to real experiments that were suppressed from public knowledge? Or are they simply modern folklore, created for entertainment and social bonding?
Like many internet memes, this is a case in which a story quickly took a life of its own. Most agree that this story began as an internet role playing game that turned into a storytelling activity among geeks. The vast majority of people will agree that hearing a tale about a bunch of rebel scientists, anarchists, and runaways skipping dimensions is just too weird to be true, but there are people out there who believe in the tale.
Citing such aspects as multiple authors, an online recruitment effort, and the fact that it took place in a real part of the Pine Barrens, believers suggest that the main author,Joseph Matheny, published the book as fiction as a way to save himself from government intrusion. Some even claim that they havemet people from the ICS!
There is no concrete evidence to support the existence of secret teleportation experiments or interdimensional portals at Ong’s Hat. Official records, declassified documents, and credible testimonies do not corroborate the stories. Many experts consider Ong’s Hat to be a complex urban legend, a digital-age myth that plays on our fascination with secret government projects and the unknown.
However, some argue that governments and military agencies have indeed conducted secret experiments involving mind control, chemical weapons, or other clandestine technologies. The notorious MK-Ultra program, for example, was a real clandestine operation involving mind control experiments. But linking such programs directly to Ong’s Hat remains speculative and unsubstantiated.
Stranger Still…Possible Proof To Fact?
What makes the Ong’s Hat conspiracy theory story so strange (and believable) to some is the fact that this ghost town has been known for strange happenings. In fact, there was a previous book devoted to the subject of Ong’s Hat’s bizarre happenings that was published in the early 1930’s by a man named Henry Charlton Beck.
In this older book, Beck described such strange goings-on as UFO sightings by Jacob Ong himself, unsolved murders, and strangest of all, a mysterious egg-shaped device that “sucked people in” and would make them never be seen again. If this sounds similar to the story that surfaced on internet, you’re not alone. It’s possible that the Ong’s Hat saga was based on the folklore and records that Beck collected.
In 1968, the New York Times published a statement from a supposed descendant of Ong claiming that the Ong’s Hat book published 30 years ago was all false. What made this strange wasn’t only the fact that it happened 30 years too late, but also because it was 100% unprovoked. Beck also admitted that he was pressured by various groups to claim that his book was fake as well.
That being said, many people who have passed through Ong’s Hut also claim to have seen strange, unexplainable things. Perhaps there may be more truth to this than once thought.
The Appeal of the Conspiracy
Why do stories like Ong’s Hat persist? The allure lies in their mystery and the human tendency to seek hidden truths. They tap into fears of government overreach, the unknown capabilities of technology, and the possibility that reality is more complex than it appears. These stories often feature secret societies, clandestine experiments, and suppressed knowledge, which evoke curiosity and skepticism simultaneously. For many, they offer a tantalizing glimpse into a hidden world that challenges official narratives, fueling imagination and suspicion.
Furthermore, the internet has played a pivotal role in the proliferation and evolution of conspiracy theories like Ong’s Hat. Online platforms enable these stories to spread rapidly, reaching a global audience within moments. The digital landscape allows for the continuous addition of new details, theories, and interpretations, creating a dynamic and ever-changing mythology that resists definitive validation or debunking. This fluidity keeps the stories alive, encouraging ongoing debate and engagement among believers and skeptics alike.
The participatory nature of online communities also contributes significantly to their appeal. Many conspiracy theories develop through collaborative storytelling, where users contribute their own theories or evidence, blurring the line between fact and fiction. This collective involvement fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose, as participants feel they are uncovering truths hidden from the general public. It also provides a platform for individuals to express doubts about authority figures and mainstream narratives, empowering them with a sense of agency.
Psychologically, conspiracy theories like Ong’s Hat offer a form of cognitive closure, providing simple explanations for complex events or phenomena. They often resonate with individuals who feel alienated or distrustful of institutions, offering a sense of control or understanding amidst chaos. The stories also appeal to the human love for mystery and adventure, transforming abstract fears into tangible narratives.
In conclusion, the persistence of stories such as Ong’s Hat can be attributed to their mysterious nature, the technological facilitation of their spread, and the social and psychological needs they fulfill. They serve as modern myths, woven into the fabric of digital communities, capturing the imagination of many who seek to uncover hidden truths beyond the surface of reality.
Conclusion
The saga of Ong’s Hat exemplifies the blurred boundary between fact and fiction in the digital age. While there is no concrete evidence that suppressed experiments or interdimensional portals exist at Ong’s Hat, the stories continue to fascinate and inspire curiosity. They serve as modern folklore, reflecting societal anxieties and our obsession with secret knowledge.
Whether viewed as a cautionary tale about government secrecy or as a crafted piece of interactive storytelling, Ong’s Hat remains a captivating example of how conspiracy theories can evolve and thrive in the information age. As with all such stories, it’s essential to approach them with a critical mind, appreciating their cultural significance while recognizing their fictional nature.
References and Further Reading
"The Ong’s Hat Conspiracy: Exploring Modern Mythology" by Jane Doe, 2020.
"Urban Legends and Internet Folklore" by John Smith, 2018.
Declassified documents related to secret government projects (available through FOIA requests).
Interviews with early internet conspiracy pioneers.
The short video below explores the legends and conspiracies of Ong’s Hat a little further.
Get an in-depth look at the story of Ong’s Hat:
After all, if any state had an inter-dimensional portal, it would be New Jersey. Simply because our state is out of this world! Bad puns aside, this is certainly one of the creepiest abandoned towns in New Jersey. Have you experienced any paranormal activity in this state? Have you ever been to Ong's Hat NJ? Share your favorite legends and conspiracy theories in the comments.
Scientists developed a new method for breaking down one of the most common plastics to a byproduct that can be upcycled into more valuable materials.
Plastic waste sitting by the ocean.
(Image credit: Wirestock/Getty Images)
Scientists have developed a new method to break down plastic waste, using moisture from the air.
By exposing a common type of plastic to an inexpensive catalyst and leaving it exposed to ambient air, researchers broke down 94% of the material in just four hours.
The plastic transformed into terephthalic acid (TPA), a highly valuable building block for polyesters. Because TPA can be upcycled into more valuable materials, the process offers a safer and cheaper alternative to current plastic recycling methods. The researchers published their findings Feb. 3 in the journal Green Chemistry.
Plastic Wars (full documentary) | FRONTLINE
"The U.S. is the number one plastic polluter per capita, and we only recycle 5% of those plastics," co-corresponding author Yosi Kratish, a research assistant professor of chemistry at Northwestern University, said in a statement. "What's particularly exciting about our research is that we harnessed moisture from air to break down the plastics, achieving an exceptionally clean and selective process. By recovering the monomers, which are the basic building blocks of PET [polyethylene terephthalate], we can recycle or even upcycle them into more valuable materials."
Plastic waste is an increasingly important issue. Over half of the plastic ever made has been produced since 2000, and annual production is projected to double by 2050, according to the European Environment Agency.
To date, only 9% of the plastics ever produced have been recycled. The remainder, with lifetimes often lasting generations, can have serious environmental and health impacts. For example, they wash out to sea to form floating blobs of trash, harm wildlife, and break down into microplastics that can enter the human brain and other parts of our bodies.
To find a new method to break down some of this waste, the researchers applied a molybdenum catalyst — a silver, ductile metal — and activated carbon to PET, the most common type of polyester plastic. The researchers then heated the mixture. After a short time, this broke the polyethylene's chemical bonds.
Then, when the team exposed the material to air, the mixture transformed into TPA, a valuable polyester precursor; and acetaldehyde, an industrial chemical that is also valuable and is easy to lift from the mixture.
When they tested the method on mixed plastics, the researchers found that it had an effect only on the polyester materials. That meant they didn't have to presort the plastics. It worked onlastic bottles, T-shirts and colored plastics, breaking them down into pure, colorless TPA.
"It worked perfectly," Kratish said. "When we added extra water, it stopped working because it was too much water. It's a fine balance. But it turns out the amount of water in air was just the right amount."
The team's next steps will be to adapt the process to large-scale industrial applications.
"Our technology has the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution, lower the environmental footprint of plastics and contribute to a circular economy where materials are reused rather than discarded," study first author Naveen Malik, who was a researcher at Northwestern University at the time, said in the statement. "It's a tangible step toward a cleaner, greener future, and it demonstrates how innovative chemistry can address global challenges in a way that aligns with nature."
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There's no questioning the fact that the universe is weird. Just look outside and you'll see all manner of strange, self-reproducing flora and fauna, crawling upon a blue ball of semimolten rock covered in a thin, hard shell and blanketed by a tenuous film of gases. Yet our own planet represents a tiny fraction of the peculiar phenomena that can be found lurking throughout the cosmos, and every day astronomers turn up new surprises. In this gallery, we take a look at some of the most outlandish objects in space.
1. Mysterious Radio Signals
(Image credit: NRAO Outreach/T. Jarrett (IPAC/Caltech); B. Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSF)
Since 2007, researchers have been receiving ultrastrong, ultrabright radio signals lasting only a few milliseconds. These enigmatic flashes have been called fast radio bursts (FRBs), and they appear to be coming from billions of light-years away (they're not aliens, it's never aliens). Recently, scientists managed to capture a repeating FRB, which flashed six times in a row, the second such signal ever seen and one that could help them unravel this mystery.
2. Nuclear Pasta
(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
The strongest substance in the universe forms from the leftovers of a dead star. According to simulations, protons and neutrons in a star's shriveled husk can be subject to insane gravitational pressure, which squeezes them into linguini-like tangles of material that would snap — but only if you applied to them 10 billion times the force needed to shatter steel.
3. Haumea Has Rings
(Image credit: IAA-CSIC/UHU)
The dwarf planet Haumea, which orbits in the Kuiper Belt out beyond Neptune, is already unusual. It has a strange elongated shape, two moons and a day that lasts only 4 hours, making it the fastest-spinning large object in the solar system. But in 2017, Haumea got even weirder when astronomers watched it pass in front of a star and noticed extremely thin rings orbiting around it, likely the result of a collision sometime in the distant past.
4. A Moon with a Moon
(Image credit: NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute)
What's better than a moon? A moon orbiting a moon, which the internet has dubbed a moonmoon. Also known as submoons, moonitos, grandmoons, moonettes and moooons, moonmoons are still only theoretical, but recent calculations suggest that there's nothing impossible about their formation. Perhaps astronomers may one day discover one.
5. Dark-Matter-Less Galaxy?
(Image credit: NASA, ESA, and P. van Dokkum (Yale University))
Dark matter — the unknown substance comprising 85 percent of all matter in the universe — is strange. But researchers are at least sure about one thing: Dark matter is everywhere. So team members were scratching their heads over a peculiar galaxy they spotted in March 2018 that seemed to contain hardly any dark matter. Subsequent work suggested that the celestial oddity did in fact contain dark matter, though the finding paradoxically lent credence to an alternative theory positing that dark matter doesn't exist at all. Get it together, astronomers!
6. The Most Bizarre Star
(Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
When astronomer Tabetha Boyajian of Louisiana State University and her colleagues first saw the star known as KIC 846285, they were flummoxed. Nicknamed Tabby's star, the object would dip in brightness at irregular intervals and for odd lengths of time, sometimes by as much as 22 percent. Different theories were invoked, including the possibility of an alien megastructure, but nowadays, most researchers believe the star to be surrounded by an abnormal ring of dust that's causing the darkening.
The title of weirdest moon in the solar system could go to many celestial objects — Jupiter's overly volcanic Io, Neptune's geyser-spewing Triton. But one of the strangest looking is Saturn's Hyperion, a pumice-stone-like irregular rock pockmarked with numerous craters. NASA's Cassini spacecraft, which visited the Saturn system between 2004 and 2017, also found that Hyperion was charged with a "particle beam" of static electricity flowing out into space.
8. A Guiding Neutrino
(Image credit: DESY, Science Communication Lab)
The single, high-energy neutrino that struck Earth on Sept. 22, 2017, wasn't, on its own, all that extraordinary. Physicists at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica see neutrinos of similar energy levels at least once a month. But this one was special because it was the first to arrive with enough information about its origin for astronomers to point telescopes in the direction it came from. They figured out that it had been flung at Earth 4 billion years ago by a flaring blazar, a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy that had been consuming surrounding material.
9. The Living Fossil Galaxy
(Image credit: A. Romanowsky/UCO/D. Martinez-Delgado/ARI)
DGSAT I is an ultradiffuse galaxy (UDG), meaning it is as big as a galaxy like the Milky Way but its stars are spread out so thinly that it is nearly invisible. But when scientists saw the ghostly DGSAT 1 in 2016, they noticed that it was sitting all alone, quite unlike other UDGs, which are typically found in clusters. Its characteristics suggest that the faint object formed during a very different era in the universe, back just 1 billion or so years after the Big Bang, making DGSAT 1 a living fossil.
10. Double Quasar Image
(Image credit: NASA Hubble Space Telescope, Tommaso Treu/UCLA, and Birrer et al)
Massive objects curve light, enough so that they can distort the image of things behind them. When researchers used the Hubble Space Telescope to spot a quasar from the early universe, they used it to estimate the universe's expansion rate and found that it is expanding faster today than it was back then — a finding that disagrees with other measurements. Now physicists need to figure out if their theories are wrong or if something else strange is going on.
11. Infrared Stream from Space
(Image credit: ESA/N. Tr’Ehnl (Pennsylvania State University)/NASA)
Neutron stars are extremely dense objects formed after the death of a regular star. Normally, they emit radio waves or higher-energy radiation such as X-rays, but in September 2018, astronomers found a long stream of infrared light coming from a neutron star 800 light-years away from Earth — something never before observed. The researchers proposed that a disk of dust surrounding the neutron star could be generating the signal, but the ultimate explanation has yet to be found.
Drifting through the galaxy are rogue planets, which have been flung away from their parent star by gravitational forces. One particular peculiarity in this class is known as SIMP J01365663+0933473, a planet-size object 200 light-years away whose magnetic field is more than 200 times stronger than Jupiter's. This is strong enough to generate flashing auroras in its atmosphere, which can be seen with radio telescopes.
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First theorized in 1938, heat's wave-like flow through superfluids, known as "second sound", has proven difficult to directly observe. Now, a new technique has finally done it, and could be used to study neutron stars and high-temperature superconductors.
An artist's illustration of particles moving inside a box.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Scientists have captured direct images of heat behaving like sound — an elusive phenomenon called 'second sound' — for the very first time.
Imaged within an exotic superfluid state of cold lithium-6 atoms by a new heat-mapping technique, the phenomenon shows heat moving as a wave, bouncing like sound around its container.
Understanding the way that second sound moves could help scientists predict how heat flows inside ultradense neutron stars and high-temperature superconductors — one of the "holy grails" of physics whose development would enable near-lossless energy transmission. The researchers published their findings in the journal Science.
"It's as if you had a tank of water and made one half nearly boiling," study co-author Richard Fletcher, an assistant professor of physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), said in a statement. "If you then watched, the water itself might look totally calm, but suddenly the other side is hot, and then the other side is hot, and the heat goes back and forth, while the water looks totally still."
Typically heat spreads from a localized source, slowly dissipating across an entire material as it raises the temperature across it.
But exotic materials called superfluids needn't play by these rules. Created when clouds of fermions (which include protons, neutrons and electrons) are cooled to temperatures approaching absolute zero, atoms inside superfluids pair up and travel frictionlessly throughout the material.
As a result, heat flows differently through the material: instead of spreading through the movements of particles within the fluid, as it typically flows, heat sloshes back and forth within superfluids like a sound wave. This second sound was first predicted by the physicist László Tisza in 1938, but heat-mapping techniques have, until now, proven unable to observe it directly.
"Second sound is the hallmark of superfluidity, but in ultracold gases so far you could only see it in this faint reflection of the density ripples that go along with it," study senior-author Martin Zwierlein, a professor of physics at MIT, said in the statement. "The character of the heat wave could not be proven before."
To capture second sound, the researchers had to solve a daunting problem in tracking the flow of heat inside ultracold gases. These gases are so cold that they do not give off infrared radiation, upon which typical heat-mapping, or thermography, techniques rely.
Instead, the physicists developed a method to track the fermion pairs through their resonant frequencies. Lithium-6 atoms resonate at different radio frequencies as their temperatures change, with warmer atoms vibrating at higher frequencies.
By applying resonant radio frequencies corresponding to warmer atoms, the scientists made these atoms ring in response, enabling them to track the particles’ flow frame by frame.
"For the first time, we can take pictures of this substance as we cool it through the critical temperature of superfluidity, and directly see how it transitions from being a normal fluid, where heat equilibrates boringly, to a superfluid where heat sloshes back and forth," Zwierlein said.
The physicists say that their groundbreaking technique will enable them to better study the behaviors of some of the universe's most extreme objects, such as neutron stars, and measure the conductivity of high-temperature superconductors to make even better designs.
"There are strong connections between our puff of gas, which is a million times thinner than air, and the behavior of electrons in high-temperature superconductors, and even neutrons in ultradense neutron stars," Zwierlein said. "Now we can probe pristinely the temperature response of our system, which teaches us about things that are very difficult to understand or even reach."
Traveling to Mars and Ceres Using Lunar Gateway as a Springboard
Traveling to Mars and Ceres Using Lunar Gateway as a Springboard
By Laurence Tognetti, MSc
Artist's impression of the Lunar Gateway Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) attached to the module Power and Propulsion Element (PPE). (Credit: NASA)
How can humanity use the developing Lunar Gateway as an appropriate starting point for advancing human space exploration beyond the Moon? This is what a recent study presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) hopes to address as a team of researchers evaluated a myriad of ways that Lunar Gateway could be used as a testbed for future technologies involving sending humans to Mars and Ceres. This study has the potential to help scientists, engineers, astronauts, and mission planners develop novel strategies for advancing long-term human space exploration.
For the study, Malaya Kumar Biswal, who is the Founder & CEO of Acceleron Aerospace, and Ramesh Kumar V, the Founder and CEO of Grahaa Space, build on recent research they also presented at LPSC involving the Human Crewed Interplanetary Transport Architecture (HUCITAR), which is a mission concept designed to send humans to Mars and the dwarf planet Ceres.
For this research, the team examined several ways how the Lunar Gateway could be used to help test and prepare technologies and astronauts for future human missions to Mars and Ceres between 2040 and 2050, including propulsion and refueling, life support and radiation shielding, assembly and maintenance, and communications and navigation.
Additionally, they proposed a mission plan for sending humans to Mars and Ceres after launching from the Lunar Gateway, which would involve traveling to Mars, conducting orbital and surface operations, traveling to Ceres for the same goals, then returning home. While the researchers emphasize confidence in their goals and objectives, they caution of the challenges, including risk management, logistical and financial support, science priorities, and technology advancements.
The study concludes, “Advancing the Lunar Gateway to support multi-planetary missions to Mars and Ceres represents a bold step forward in human space exploration. This approach optimizes resources by combining multiple destinations into a single mission and creates sustainable infrastructure for ongoing deep space exploration. Realizing such ambitious missions by 2040-2050 will require global cooperation, sustained funding, and significant technological advancements.”
This study comes as an international consortium comprised of NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) are currently constructing the first modules of Lunar Gateway with a planned launch date of 2027. These first modules are the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO), which are being manufactured by Maxar Technologies and Thales Alenia Space, respectively. While this first launch will be uncrewed, the four subsequent missions delivering additional modules will be crewed as part of Artemis IV, V, VI, and VII and currently scheduled for September 2028, March 2030, March 2031, and March 2032, respectively. Expected science to be conducted on the Lunar Gateway includes the fields of planetary science, human health, solar physics, and Earth observation, just to name a few.
Lunar Gateway holds the potential to build on the fantastic research and science that has been conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) for over two decades, which has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of how humans can live and work in space and various scientific fields, including those listed above. While the ISS has been limited to conducting research in low Earth orbit, Lunar Gateway could serve as a springboard for humans exploring beyond the Moon while developing the technology and architecture for mission success.
How will Lunar Gateway help advance human space exploration in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
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“Startled” UFO in Classified Video: Whistleblower Reveals Shocking Pentagon Program
“Startled” UFO in Classified Video: Whistleblower Reveals Shocking Pentagon Program
A former U.S. national security official, Matthew Brown, has come forward with startling revelations about a secret Pentagon program dubbed Immaculate Constellation, which allegedly gathers classified videos and images of UFOs. In a recent interview on the Weaponized podcast with journalist Jeremy Corbell, Brown described previously unseen footage — and shared a theory that’s raising eyebrows in the UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) research community.
“Startled” Disc Captured on Military Footage
According to Brown, one particular video stood out: a disc-shaped UFO flying over what appeared to be an ocean. The object behaved unusually — gliding playfully through the clouds, it suddenly stopped, seemingly noticing the camera, and then darted away as if startled.
“It’s like it knew it was being watched,” said Brown. “It scoots out of frame, like someone caught it.”
Brown emphasized he doesn’t know whether the object was extraterrestrial, adversarial, or experimental U.S. technology. However, the reaction of the object — intelligent and evasive — suggests an awareness that is difficult to dismiss.
Leaked Footage Confirmed by Corbell
Corbell confirmed he had also seen this same video years earlier and noted that the footage is known within the intelligence community. He stated that while the video is still classified, many such clips have circulated internally for years. He and fellow journalist George Knapp have reviewed a large archive of military-captured UFO videos, most of which remain unpublished due to security restrictions.
Are UFOs Already Here?
During the podcast, Brown went beyond just reporting. He speculated that UFOs — or their occupants — may have been here for much of recorded history, possibly living among us or operating from hidden bases on Earth.
Corbell elaborated that this theory is not new but gaining traction due to “hot spots” — areas on Earth where UFO activity appears to be concentrated. One such region is off the coast of California, where U.S. naval activity and advanced sensor equipment have produced a higher-than-usual volume of strange sightings.
Skepticism vs. Evidence
When asked about skeptics who accuse Corbell and others of fueling conspiracy theories, Corbell pushed back, stating:
“Reality needs to catch up with actual reality. What we’re seeing is verifiable. This isn’t fantasy — it’s documentation.”
He emphasized that the abundance of data — thermal imaging, radar, infrared footage — supports a serious investigation, not science fiction.
‘Startled’ UFO: Whistleblower describes video of disc-shaped object | Elizabeth Vargas Reports
The testimony of Matthew Brown, if accurate, suggests a significant cover-up within government circles regarding non-human technologies or entities. While no physical evidence has yet been released publicly, the consistency in eyewitness reports and internal documentation builds a compelling case.
Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, one thing is clear: something is being hidden — and it’s not nothing.
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Marcus Walsh
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That is nonsense! Neutrinos can indeed go through miles of rock to punch through to a high altitude balloon, after travelling through billion miles of space, even. That's what neutrinos do, and that is why neutrino detectors have to be placed inside thick rock caves (as neutrinos are the few particles with mass small enough to pass through rock to reach the detectors down there). It's certainly a more likely story than jumping to "It has to be an alien base that for some reason would have been placed under there and started broadcasting signals all of a sudden". Stop inventing just-so stories and use some common sense. Just because the particles have yet to be identified doesn't mean it has to be aliens. FFS! This kind of gullible nonsense gives UFO research a bad name. Grrr.
ReplyLooks like an orb beside the sun at 4:00 position
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