In space technology, the power source is often just as important as the engine or the payload: a spacecraft can be launched into orbit or sent into deep space, but without a stable power supply, its mission will quickly come to the end. That is precisely why DARPA’s “Rads to Watts” program has attracted attention; its goal is to take nuclear batteries to the next level. The idea is to convert nuclear radiation energy directly into electricity, without the need for a conventional thermal cycle.

DARPA explicitly states that the ultimate goal of the program is to develop nuclear systems capable of operating with high-power radiation sources and, in the future, delivering kilowatt-level electrical power. Such power sources are particularly useful in environments where it is not possible to regularly maintain equipment, replace batteries, or rely on solar panels—specifically for spacecraft and remote underwater platforms. The main technical challenge today is the degradation of materials and semiconductor components due to radiation exposure, which reduces the device’s efficiency and lifespan.

A concept for a spacecraft equipped with a powerful, maneuverable plasma engine powered by the latest kilowatt-class power sources—devices that directly convert radiation into electricity. Source: DARPA | Alan Clarke

At the same time, similar solutions are already making their way from the laboratory to practical implementation. For example, the Australian GenX project (a 3D-printed battery that does not require charging), developed by entX and Adelaide University, combines additive manufacturing, advanced semiconductor deposition techniques, and the creation of highly efficient electrical junctions. The developers claim that this architecture delivers very high power density in a compact form factor and can be used for long-duration space and defense missions. If these approaches can be scaled up, nuclear micro-power sources could become a key enabler for equipment that operates for years without refueling, maintenance, or access to sunlight.

How does it work? 

Inside this type of battery is a radioactive source that constantly emits particles. These particles enter a special semiconductor layer and knock out charge carriers there, while the electrical junction directs them into a useful current. In other words, the battery doesn’t burn up like fuel in an engine and doesn’t need to be recharged from an outlet—it generates electricity on its own, slowly but for a very long time. DARPA aims to make such systems significantly more powerful and radiation-resistant, while industrial developers, such as entX, are working to create thin, multilayer structures and efficient electrical junctions to improve energy efficiency.

Why is this important? 

This technology is particularly valuable in space where solar panels are inefficient or vulnerable: on deep-space missions, in regions with high radiation levels, during prolonged solar eclipses, on the lunar surface, or on autonomous scientific platforms. In the future, such nuclear batteries could provide years of continuous operation for sensors, rovers, satellites, and observation instruments without the need for service missions, which fully meets the needs of space exploration and automated astronomy. This is partly confirmed by the fact that DARPA is considering such systems specifically for new energy-constrained environments, and entX explicitly mentions satellites, rovers, as well as space and lunar missions.

• Posted in News, Tech

{ https://universemagazine.com/en/articles-en/ }

For several years now, the Perseverance rover has been exploring a river delta that once flowed into Jezero Crater. Scientists say that these sedimentary deposits may be the very place where life on this planet remains hidden to this day.

Sedimentary rocks in Jezero crater. Source: phys.org

Discovery of an ancient delta in the Jezero crater

Further evidence has emerged that water once flowed on Mars, thanks to the discovery of an ancient river delta deep beneath the surface. NASA’s Perseverance rover detected it more than 35 meters below the surface of Jezero Crater using ground-penetrating radar. Perseverance was launched in 2020 to search for signs of ancient life on Mars. Since landing in February 2021, it has been exploring Jezero Crater and collecting rock samples.

The crater, which is approximately 45 kilometers in diameter, is located north of the Martian equator, resulting from an asteroid impact nearly 4 billion years ago. NASA chose this site for exploration because numerous geological features indicate the presence of water in the past, which may have supported ancient life, particularly in a part of the crater known as the Margin Unit. This region is filled with carbonates, which on Earth typically form in stable aquatic environments, such as shallow seas or lakes.

Detection using radar

The rover used an instrument called RIMFAX (Radar Imager for Mars’ Subsurface Experiment) to peer nearly twice as deep as any previous radar survey of the crater. A team led by Emily Cardarelli of the University of California, Los Angeles, combined this radar data with satellite imagery and the rover’s GPS receiver to create a 3D map of the ancient layers beneath the dusty red surface. 

The radar detected numerous fan-shaped features and inclined layers of sedimentary rock characteristic of deltas. These structures form when a river flows into a body of standing water, such as a lake, and deposits sand and silt. According to the researchers, this buried delta formed between 3.7 and 4.2 billion years ago and predates the fan-shaped deposit visible at the bottom of the crater, known as the Western Delta.

More opportunities to discover Martian life?

Perseverance’s latest discovery suggests that a much older river system existed in the same location millions of years ago. “RIMFAX has revealed an earlier subsurface deltaic environment under the present-day delta, thereby extending the period of potential habitability for Jezero back further in time,” the research team wrote in their paper.

The discovery of the delta may indicate that water flowed on Mars much earlier than previously thought, which could well increase our chances of finding preserved evidence of ancient Martian life.

• According to phys.org

• Posted in News, Science

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{ https://universemagazine.com/en/articles-en/ }

As US forces step up their bombardment of Iranian defences, the battered regime appears to have found a counter to one of America's most feared weapons.

Iran's military claims to have hit an F–35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet with anti–aircraft artillery.

This would be the very first time that an American F–35 has been struck in combat by enemy fire.

Now, experts reveal that the $100million state–of–the–art fighter jet might not be as invisible as the US would like to think.

US Central Command confirmed that the fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing while 'flying a combat mission over Iran.'

'The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,' Captain Tim Hawkins said. It is unclear if the pilot, who landed at a US base in the Middle East, was injured.

The F–35's stealth technology should render it all but undetectable by conventional military radar systems, making the hit enormously unlikely. 

However, researchers say that Iranian air defences aren't relying on radar alone to keep tabs on America's invisible fighters – with a 'passive infrared' system also being used.

Iran's military claims to have scored a direct hit on a US F–35 Lightning II stealth fighter, marking the first time an American F–35 has been hit by enemy fire  

The F–35 (pictured) should be all but undetectable by conventional military radar systems, but experts claim it is not entirely 'invisible' 

What gives the F–35 its stealth ability?

The F–35 Lightning II is a fifth–generation stealth fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin and used extensively by the United States and Israel.

What makes this long–range fighter so deadly is its ability to avoid or confound enemy radar systems, letting it strike targets without being hit back.

Radar systems work by sending out bursts of electromagnetic signals and listening carefully for how those waves bounce back – like a bat hunting by echolocation.

To avoid detection, the F–35 is specially shaped so that radar signals deflect off its surface like light on a slanted mirror.

The fighter also has the capacity to keep its weapons inside the body of the plane, safely protected by its radar–baffling panels. 

This breaks up the plane's radar signature, making it significantly harder for enemy systems to spot.

To further enhance this effect, the entire plane is coated with a radar–absorbing material that soaks up incoming electromagnetic signals rather than bouncing them back.

The F–35's specially shaped panels and radar–absorbing coating mean that it only has the radar cross section of a small bird, making it extremely hard to detect and hit 

Although the F–35's physical wingspan is 35 feet (10.7 metres), its radar cross–section is about the size of a small bird.

How invisible is the F–35?

Although stealth technology is often compared to an 'invisibility cloak', this greatly exaggerates the F–35's abilities.

Dr Can Kasapoğlu, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told the Daily Mail: 'The F–35 is not invisible; it is low observable. 

'It is designed to delay detection, degrade tracking, and avoid engagement zones rather than eliminate detection entirely.'

Dr Kasapoğlu adds: 'Any aircraft can be detected under the right conditions; the key issue is when and with what quality.'

Certain types of radar, such as very–high frequency (VHF) and ultra–high frequency (UHF) systems, can beat most stealth systems.

However, the key is that these detections aren't 'weapons grade' – meaning they aren't high enough quality to guide a missile to impact.

Even as early as 2023, Iran claimed it had the capacity to detect American F–35s flying over the Gulf. 

However, this doesn't mean that Iran had the ability to shoot down American stealth fighters, only to roughly know where they are.

A more plausible explanation for the reported hit on an F–35 is that the Iranian military was using a 'passive infrared' system.

Instead of actively sending out radar signals to spot jets, infrared systems scan the sky for the telltale heat signature of a fighter's engine.

Even though the F–35's engine is specially designed to reduce its infrared signature, it isn't enough to prevent short–range detection.

This means that the Iranian attack was more likely to have been an opportunistic close–range ambush rather than a deliberate long–range strike.

Dr Kasapoğlu suggests that the Iranian 358 loitering munition is a 'natural culprit'.

This nine–feet–long (2.7 m) surface–to–air missile flies slowly in a figure of eight over the battlefield, waiting to spot a target with its infrared detector.

Experts say the F–35 might have been hit by an Iranian 358 loitering munition (pictured). These missiles use a passive infrared detection system rather than radar, allowing them to beat the F–35's stealth technology at short range

If an F–35 had got close enough, it could have been struck with almost no warning as the 358 locked on to its engine signature. 

In Yemen last year, Houthi rebels demonstrated how even relatively crude infrared systems could be used to great effect to counter stealth technology.

US F–35s flying against Houthi air defences were forced to take evasive actions to avoid being hit by surface–to–air missiles, with one pilot reportedly dodging several attacks.

However, Dr Kasapoğlu maintains that this is a one–off, unattributed case that doesn't require the US to radically change its strategy.

If passive infrared detectors are being used, they are likely part of a 'layered detection approach' rather than a standalone capacity.

This means the F–35's ability to strike targets long before it is detected will still be a valuable asset.

'No fundamental shift is required for now. It reinforces the need for disciplined mission planning and continuous suppression of enemy air defences in complex environments,' Dr Kasapoğlu says.

'The F–35 remains a reliable fifth–generation platform and a cornerstone of US airpower.'

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

As US forces step up their bombardment of Iranian defences, the battered regime appears to have found a counter to one of America's most feared weapons.

Iran's military claims to have hit an F–35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet with anti–aircraft artillery.

This would be the very first time that an American F–35 has been struck in combat by enemy fire.

Now, experts reveal that the $100million state–of–the–art fighter jet might not be as invisible as the US would like to think.

US Central Command confirmed that the fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing while 'flying a combat mission over Iran.'

'The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition,' Captain Tim Hawkins said. It is unclear if the pilot, who landed at a US base in the Middle East, was injured.

The F–35's stealth technology should render it all but undetectable by conventional military radar systems, making the hit enormously unlikely. 

However, researchers say that Iranian air defences aren't relying on radar alone to keep tabs on America's invisible fighters – with a 'passive infrared' system also being used.

Iran's military claims to have scored a direct hit on a US F–35 Lightning II stealth fighter, marking the first time an American F–35 has been hit by enemy fire  

The F–35 (pictured) should be all but undetectable by conventional military radar systems, but experts claim it is not entirely 'invisible' 

What gives the F–35 its stealth ability?

The F–35 Lightning II is a fifth–generation stealth fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin and used extensively by the United States and Israel.

What makes this long–range fighter so deadly is its ability to avoid or confound enemy radar systems, letting it strike targets without being hit back.

Radar systems work by sending out bursts of electromagnetic signals and listening carefully for how those waves bounce back – like a bat hunting by echolocation.

To avoid detection, the F–35 is specially shaped so that radar signals deflect off its surface like light on a slanted mirror.

The fighter also has the capacity to keep its weapons inside the body of the plane, safely protected by its radar–baffling panels. 

This breaks up the plane's radar signature, making it significantly harder for enemy systems to spot.

To further enhance this effect, the entire plane is coated with a radar–absorbing material that soaks up incoming electromagnetic signals rather than bouncing them back.

The F–35's specially shaped panels and radar–absorbing coating mean that it only has the radar cross section of a small bird, making it extremely hard to detect and hit 

Although the F–35's physical wingspan is 35 feet (10.7 metres), its radar cross–section is about the size of a small bird.

How invisible is the F–35?

Although stealth technology is often compared to an 'invisibility cloak', this greatly exaggerates the F–35's abilities.

Dr Can Kasapoğlu, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told the Daily Mail: 'The F–35 is not invisible; it is low observable. 

'It is designed to delay detection, degrade tracking, and avoid engagement zones rather than eliminate detection entirely.'

Dr Kasapoğlu adds: 'Any aircraft can be detected under the right conditions; the key issue is when and with what quality.'

Certain types of radar, such as very–high frequency (VHF) and ultra–high frequency (UHF) systems, can beat most stealth systems.

However, the key is that these detections aren't 'weapons grade' – meaning they aren't high enough quality to guide a missile to impact.

Even as early as 2023, Iran claimed it had the capacity to detect American F–35s flying over the Gulf. 

However, this doesn't mean that Iran had the ability to shoot down American stealth fighters, only to roughly know where they are.

A more plausible explanation for the reported hit on an F–35 is that the Iranian military was using a 'passive infrared' system.

Instead of actively sending out radar signals to spot jets, infrared systems scan the sky for the telltale heat signature of a fighter's engine.

Even though the F–35's engine is specially designed to reduce its infrared signature, it isn't enough to prevent short–range detection.

This means that the Iranian attack was more likely to have been an opportunistic close–range ambush rather than a deliberate long–range strike.

Dr Kasapoğlu suggests that the Iranian 358 loitering munition is a 'natural culprit'.

This nine–feet–long (2.7 m) surface–to–air missile flies slowly in a figure of eight over the battlefield, waiting to spot a target with its infrared detector.

Experts say the F–35 might have been hit by an Iranian 358 loitering munition (pictured). These missiles use a passive infrared detection system rather than radar, allowing them to beat the F–35's stealth technology at short range

If an F–35 had got close enough, it could have been struck with almost no warning as the 358 locked on to its engine signature. 

In Yemen last year, Houthi rebels demonstrated how even relatively crude infrared systems could be used to great effect to counter stealth technology.

US F–35s flying against Houthi air defences were forced to take evasive actions to avoid being hit by surface–to–air missiles, with one pilot reportedly dodging several attacks.

However, Dr Kasapoğlu maintains that this is a one–off, unattributed case that doesn't require the US to radically change its strategy.

If passive infrared detectors are being used, they are likely part of a 'layered detection approach' rather than a standalone capacity.

This means the F–35's ability to strike targets long before it is detected will still be a valuable asset.

'No fundamental shift is required for now. It reinforces the need for disciplined mission planning and continuous suppression of enemy air defences in complex environments,' Dr Kasapoğlu says.

'The F–35 remains a reliable fifth–generation platform and a cornerstone of US airpower.'

RELATED VIDEOS

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

“The surface of Mars hosts widespread evidence of ancient flowing water and paleolakes,” the research team explained, adding that orbital and in situ spacecraft observations have also confirmed the presence of ‘aqueous alteration minerals’ on the planet’s surface.

Still, the initial scans indicating the presence of ancient waterways only penetrated a few inches beneath the Martian surface, limiting the amount of dispositive data that could be collected from them. Now, the rover has performed a new set of ground-penetrating radar scans that provide further support for the presence of an ancient river near Jezero crater.

Scans reveal numerous subsurface features consistent with an ancient river

According to a statement announcing the discovery, the study’s leader, UCLA’s Emily Cardarelli, focused on scans detailing features found in a currently submerged sedimentary deposit called the Margin unit. Because this region is rich in magnesium carbonates, the study authors said the site preserves a record of the planet’s ancient, wet climate.

“We analyze the depositional setting of the Margin unit, a major magnesium-carbonate deposit near the fluvial inlet to Jezero crater using ground penetrating radar data collected by the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover Radar Imager for Mars Subsurface Experiment (RIMFAX) instrument,” they write.

Along with its mineral composition, the Margin unit site was chosen because previous studies had revealed features “indicative of paleolakes and river deltas.” This includes a prominent feature that appears to have been shaped by flowing water, called the Western Delta.

Unlike earlier scans, the researchers said the RIMFAX ground-penetrating scans reached depths of “greater than 35 meters.” For comparison, the team notes that this is approximately 1.75 times as deep as “other Jezero geologic units explored to date.” The team also noted that the new scans were collected during an “approximately 6.1-km rover traverse.”

In the Margin Unit, strongly reflecting layers appear dark, and weakly reflecting lithologies appear light. The projected radargram is shown alongside HiRISE digital elevation model data, and layers are traced (cyan dotted lines) from the subsurface to their corresponding surficial topographic features.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/UCLA/UiO/ETH Zurich.

After examining the new scans, the researchers discovered “numerous subsurface features” consistent with an ancient river. These features were revealed by scans taken at “submeter to hundred-meter scale layering,” offering a small- and large-scale view of the ancient Martian river. The team said they inferred that the features they located “are consistent with buried fluvial features and deltaic foresets, which have experienced multiple erosional-depositional episodes.”

“This work illuminates a well-preserved paleolandscape wherein a deltaic environment developed prior to the formation of the Jezero Western Delta, as early as the Noachian (~4.2 to 3.7 billion years ago),” they explained

Discovery “Improves the Chances of Finding Evidence for Past Life”

When discussing potential implications of an ancient Martian river delta hidden beneath the red planet’s surface, the team noted that the ground penetrating power of RIMFAX provided them with “a unique perspective into the shallow Martian subsurface.

The team also noted the work “may have implications for the preservation of potential biosignatures and habitability in the subsurface of Jezero crater,” by providing a potential window into habitable conditions on Mars. This includes widening the window of opportunity for ancient Martian lifeforms to take hold.

“RIMFAX has revealed an earlier subsurface deltaic environment under the present-day delta, thereby extending the period of potential habitability for Jezero back further in time,” the study authors explained. “This work also improves the chances of finding evidence for past life.”

The study “Ground penetrating radar observations of ancient large-scale deltaic structures in Jezero crater, Mars” was published in Science Advances.

• Christopher Plain is a Science Fiction and Fantasy novelist and Head Science Writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with him on X, learn about his books at plainfiction.com, or email him directly at christopher@thedebrief.org.

RELATED VIDEOS

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

A lawmaker has made bold claims that NASA is 'lying' about UFOs, alleging the agency holds classified files on the matter.

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a member of the House Oversight Committee that has reviewed UFO reports, made the remarks during an appearance on One America News on Tuesday, where he claimed to have attended meetings with the space agency about extraterrestrial craft.

'The lying that goes on in these departments,' he said. 'NASA saying, 'We don't have any of this' or 'We haven't studied any of this.' 

'I have been in meetings with them, or they've told me they studied it and that they have stuff that is classified that they can't share with the public.'

Burchett was also asked why more whistleblowers have not come forward, responding: 'I think they're afraid of being disappeared… I think being murdered is what they're afraid of. I think some of them truly are because of things they've seen.'

When Daily Mail contacted NASA for comment, the agency responded with a link to an X post from its press secretary, Bethany Stevens, which said: 'We continue to make all NASA data publicly available and welcome public participation using our data.

'As the NASA Administrator has said, there are certainly things he's come across in the job that he can't explain… but they relate more to unnecessarily costly programs than they do to extraterrestrial life.'

However, Burchett added that he was informed during a meeting that President Donald Trump receives information strictly on a need-to-know basis. 

A lawmaker has slammed NASA in a new interview, claiming the agency is covering up UFOs

Burchett has long been a supporter of UFO disclosure, while also making claims that 'non-human intelligences' may be operating from multiple, potentially five or six, underwater bases located off the US coastline.

He also believes that the Pentagon is engaging in a cover-up, claiming they have 'non-human' technology, and has criticized the Department of Defense for not passing audits while spending money on these matters. 

The lawmaker made the comments while speaking on the Matt Gaetz Show, where he said: 'I think it is a big cover-up. I think there are too many directions it is going.'

He claimed to have spoken with Trump about the matter this week to 'be forthcoming and bring this stuff out.'

'The problem is you have this arrogance... These people are so above the law on everything, they think that we're not fit to handle it,' Burchett added.

When asked how Trump reacted to his urging this week, the lawmaker avoided saying the president did not grasp it, but was 'on a lot of other things.'

Trump had ordered the release of all government files relating to UFOs and extraterrestrial life on February 19.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued an update about five days later, saying: 'We've got our people working on it right now. I don't want to oversell how much time it will take, right?

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett, a member of the House Oversight Committee that has reviewed UFO reports, made the remarks during an appearance on One America News on Tuesday, where he claimed to have attended meetings with the space agency about extraterrestrial craft

'We're digging in. We're going to be in full compliance with that executive order, eager to provide that for the president.'

Hegseth didn't have an estimate of how long it would take for the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies to release every piece of information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), which have been widely reported throughout the US since the 1940s.

Asked if he believes aliens exist, Hegseth replied: 'We'll see. I get to do the review and find out along with all of you.'

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who was put in charge of the House Oversight Committee's task force on declassifying secret records on UAPs, revealed that all of the incoming documents will be housed on the US National Archives' website.

Burchett's interview came just days before the White House registered the domain 'aliens.gov.'

The domain, linked to the Executive Office of the President, was flagged on Wednesday by an automated tracker of federal websites.

However, it is also listed in the government's official .gov registry maintained by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Registry records show it was recently added under the White House Office alongside other official government sites, confirming it as a legitimate federal web address, though its purpose has not been publicly disclosed.

The website is not currently live, but the domain has been reserved.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

Scientists discover 45 Earth–like planets that could have the perfect conditions for ALIENS – including four that are just 40 light–years away

• READ MORE: Aliens may have been trying to contact us for DECADES

By SHIVALI BEST, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

It's one of the biggest unanswered questions in science – do aliens exist, and if so, where are they?

Now, scientists have taken a massive leap towards answering these queries once and for all. 

Experts from the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University have pinpointed 45 Earth–like planets that could have perfect conditions for aliens. 

The planets all lie within the so–called habitable zone – an area not too close to a host star that it's too hot, and not too far away that it's too cold. 

Being in this zone raises the tantalising possibility that a planet has water at its surface, which is a key ingredient for life. 

Excitingly, some of these worlds are only tens of light–years away, suggesting we might be able to reach them in the future. 

'Life might be much more versatile than we currently imagine, so figuring out which of the 6,000 known exoplanets would be most likely to host extraterrestrials could prove critical,' said Professor Lisa Kaltenegger, an author of the study. 

'Our paper reveals where you should travel to find life.'

Experts from the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell University have pinpointed 45 Earth–like planets that could have perfect conditions for aliens

Scientists have already discovered more than 6,000 exoplanets, but until now, exactly which of these have the potential for life has remained a mystery. 

In their new study, the team pinpointed 45 of these planets that may support life in the habitable zone, and another 24 in a narrower 3D habitable zone. 

The worlds includes some you might have heard of before, such as Proxima Centauri b, TRAPPIST–1f and Kepler 186f. 

Meanwhile, some of the others are not so well known, such as TOI–715 b – a planet located 137 light–years away that was spotted by the TESS satellite just three years ago. 

According to the researchers, the most interesting planets are TRAPPIST–1 d, e, f and g, which are just 40 light–years from Earth. 

Unfortunately, NASA says that it would currently take at least 800,000 years to reach the TRAPPIST–1 system. 

However, as spacecraft begin to use more modern technologies like nuclear pulse propulsion, we could potentially reduce this time to a few centuries.

Meanwhile, the researchers are also interested in the planets that get light from their stars most similar to what Earth receives from the Sun today. 

The planets all lie within the so–called habitable zone – an area not too close to a host star that it's too hot, and not too far away that it's too cold. Pictured: An artist's impression of a theoretical planet orbiting a redder star

According to the researchers, the most interesting planets are TRAPPIST–1 d, e, f and g, which are just 40 light–years from Earth

These are TRAPPIST–1 e, TOI–715 b, Kepler–1652 b, Kepler–442 b, Kepler–1544 b and the planets Proxima Centauri b, GJ 1061 d, GJ 1002 b, and Wolf 1069 b. 

While the planets well within their habitable zones raise hopes of finding aliens, the researchers also hope the planets on the edge of the habitable zone will shed light on exactly where habitability ends. 

'While it's hard to say what makes something more likely to have life, identifying where to look is the first key step,' explained study author Gillis Lowry.

'So the goal of our project was to say "here are the best targets for observation". 

As part of the study, the team also pinpointed the best techniques for observing the 45 planets. 

This includes the James Webb Space Telescope, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (set to launch in 2027), and the Extremely Large Telescope (set to see first light in 2029). 

While this study focused on exoplanets, scientists have previously revealed how aliens could be hiding in our very own solar system. 

Dr David Armstrong, an expert on exoplanet detection from the University of Warwick, told the Daily Mail: 'On Earth, we find life almost everywhere there is liquid water, so the easiest place to look for extraterrestrial life is the same.

An artist's impression of a planetary system around a slightly hotter star than our Sun. In prior research, Carl Sagan Institute scientists have theorised that organisms could evolve biofluorescence to protect themselves from a more intense star 

'The most likely place to find it would be in the subsurface oceans of some of the moons orbiting Saturn and Jupiter.'

READ MORE

• Where are all the aliens? As President Obama rules out Area 51, scientists reveal the best candidates for extraterrestrials - including inside our own solar system

Saturn's moon Enceladus is seen as a particularly promising candidate to look for extraterrestrial life because of plumes of liquid water constantly spewing from its South Pole. 

Meanwhile, Titan, another of Saturn's icy moons, has also been put forward as a strong candidate in the search for extraterrestrial life. 

The 45 Earth–like planets that could have perfect conditions for ALIENS

1. GJ 1002 b
2. GJ 1002 c
3. GJ 1061 c
4. GJ 1061 d
5. GJ 251 c
6. GJ 273 b
7. GJ 3323 b
8. GJ 667 C c
9. GJ 667 C e
10. GJ 667 C f
11. GJ 682 b
12. K2–239 d
13. K2–288 B b
14. K2–3 d
15. K2–72 e
16. Kepler–1229 b
17. Kepler–1410 b
18. Kepler–1544 b
19. Kepler–1606 b
20. Kepler–1649 c
21. Kepler–1652 b
22. Kepler–186 f
23. Kepler–296 e
24. Kepler–296 f
25. Kepler–441 b
26. Kepler–442 b
27. Kepler–452 b
28. Kepler–62 e
29. Kepler–62 f
30. L 98–59 f
31. LHS 1140 b
32. LP 890–9 c
33. Proxima Centauri b
34. Ross 508 b
35. TOI–1266 d
36. TOI–700 d
37. TOI–700 e
38. TOI–715 b
39. TRAPPIST–1 d
40. TRAPPIST–1 e
41. TRAPPIST–1 f
42. TRAPPIST–1 g
43. Teegarden's Star c
44. Wolf 1061 c
45. Wolf 1069 b

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

6,000-Year-Old Underwater ‘Lost City’ Discovered Off the Coast of Cuba Stuns Scientists

A 6,000-year-old underwater city discovered off the coast of Cuba has scientists questioning human history.

© Image credit: YouTube/Ancient Architects

A discovery made more than two decades ago by Canadian marine engineers Paulina Zelitsky and Paul Weinzweig has resurfaced in recent discussions, sparking renewed interest and controversy. In 2001, while conducting an expedition to map the ocean floor near Cuba, the pair uncovered what they believed to be the remains of a long-lost city submerged over 2,000 feet underwater. The sonar scans revealed structures resembling pyramids, roads, and other buildings that suggested a sophisticated urban center. According to the DailyMail, this submerged city is believed to be more than 6,000 years old, potentially older than the Egyptian pyramids, and its discovery could reshape human history. However, since the initial findings, the site has been largely ignored, leaving many unanswered questions. The discovery has triggered debates about its authenticity, with experts divided on whether the site is a natural formation or evidence of an ancient civilization.

However, the initial excitement soon gave way to skepticism from other scientists. One of the primary challenges to the authenticity of the discovery is the location itself: the structures are located over 2,000 feet underwater, far deeper than one might expect for a city that could have been submerged merely thousands of years ago. Skeptics argue that it would have taken much longer—possibly tens of thousands of years—for the area to sink to its current depth due to shifting tectonic plates.

“It would be totally irresponsible to say what it was before we have evidence,” Zelitsky added in a 2001 interview with the BBC, highlighting the complexity of interpreting the findings without more substantial data. Despite the initial reports, no follow-up research has been conducted to gather more concrete evidence to either confirm or debunk the theory that the site was an ancient city.

Sonar scans uncovered massive stone structures on the seabed near the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, resembling pyramids, circular formations, and large blocks.

Credit: ADC via Morien Institute.

Skepticism from Experts: Could the Structures Be Natural?

Among the loudest voices of skepticism is Cuban geologist Manuel Iturralde-Vinent, who has repeatedly dismissed the claim that the structures are man-made. “It’s strange, it’s weird; we’ve never seen something like this before, and we don’t have an explanation for it,” Iturralde told The Washington Post, acknowledging the unusual nature of the discovery, but also stressing the need for caution in interpreting the findings.

Iturralde and other experts have pointed out that the underwater formations could very well be the result of natural geological processes rather than the work of ancient civilizations. According to these critics, the regularity of the formations and their apparent symmetry could be coincidental, and not necessarily indicative of an artificial construction. Given the depth at which the ruins were found, some researchers suggest that the ocean currents and tectonic activity in the area might have shaped the stones in ways that mimic human-made structures.

The debate over the true nature of the site continues to rage, with some proposing that the discovery might be more evidence of ancient civilizations that were once lost to history, while others contend that the site is simply an odd but natural formation. The lack of conclusive evidence has led to an ongoing divide in the scientific community.

A Global Debate: Could This City Rewrite Human History?

While the mystery of the Cuban underwater city remains unsolved, it brings to the forefront one of the most intriguing questions in archaeology: How far back do human civilizations truly date? If the submerged ruins are indeed evidence of an ancient city, it could rewrite the conventional understanding of human history and civilization. Many believe that the discovery, if confirmed, would challenge the currently accepted timeline of human development, suggesting that advanced urban centers existed long before the Egyptians.

Michael Faught, a specialist in underwater archaeology at Florida State University, was among the experts expressing doubt about the authenticity of the ruins. “It would be cool if Zelitsky and Weinzweig were right, but it would be really advanced for anything we would see in the New World for that time frame. The structures are out of time and out of place,” Faught told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, referencing the complexity of the structures that would have been unprecedented in the Americas at the time.

Despite these doubts, the possibility of rewriting human history remains an enticing prospect for many. Archaeological discoveries like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, which predates the Egyptian pyramids by over 5,000 years, challenge our understanding of early human societies and their capabilities. Could the Cuban ruins be part of a similar, yet still undiscovered, civilization?

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{ https://dailygalaxy.com/category/news/ }

Mysterieuze 'vuurballen' gezien? Het was de raket van Elon Musk

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Mysterieuze 'vuurballen' gezien? Het was de raket van Elon Musk
Uit diverse plaatsen in ons land kwamen meldingen over vreemde vuurballen in de nachtelijke hemel. De lichtgevende bollen waren rond 04:45 uur zichtbaar. Het gaat vermoedelijk om ruimteafval van SpaceX, het ruimtetransportbedrijf van Elon Musk. Volgens sterrenkundige Theo Jurriens is het mogelijk de tweede trap van draagraket Falcon 9 geweest, die op 1 januari 22 satellieten heeft gelanceerd.

Het heelal is een enorme en uitgestrekte plek, gevuld met de meest bizarre dingen die zelfs de verbeelding van de meest creatieve personen op de proef kunnen stellen. Van losgeslagen planeten die doelloos door de kosmos zwerven tot mysterieuze signalen die dromen over buitenaardse beschavingen veroorzaken, de hemel is gevuld met anomalieën die elke verklaring weerstaan. Deze vreemde en wonderlijke objecten bieden een blik in het onbekende en slepen ons dieper mee in het kosmische mysterie.Nieuwsgierig? Klik door deze galerij om enkele van de mysterieuze krachten, eigenaardige structuren en buitenaardse spektakels van het universum te zien die ons begrip uitdagen en onze verbeelding aanwakkeren.

©Getty Images

Mysterieuze radiosignalen
Sinds 2007 hebben onderzoekers fast radio bursts (FRB's) gedetecteerd, intense radiosignalen die slechts milliseconden duren en op miljarden lichtjaren afstand ontstaan. Onlangs werd een zich herhalende FRB vastgelegd die zes keer flitste, maar het mysterie achter deze signalen is nog steeds niet opgelost.

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Nucleaire pasta
De sterkste stof in het heelal ontstaat uit de overblijfselen van een dode ster, waar extreme zwaartekracht protonen en neutronen samenperst tot een warrig, linguini-achtig materiaal. Simulaties wijzen erop dat deze stof slechts zou breken onder 10 miljard keer de kracht die nodig is om staal te versplinteren.

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De ringen van Haumea
Haumea, een dwergplaneet in de Kuipergordel, is uniek met zijn langgerekte vorm, twee manen en snelle rotatie van vier uur. In 2017 ontdekten astronomen dunne ringen rond Haumea, waarschijnlijk veroorzaakt door een botsing in het verleden, wat deze planeet nog bijzonderder maakt.

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Donkere materie
De onzichtbare kracht die bekend staat als donkere materie maakt 85% uit van de inhoud van het heelal en is raadselachtig maar alomtegenwoordig. In maart 2018 ontdekten astronomen een sterrenstelsel dat donkere materie leek te missen. Later onderzoek bevestigde de aanwezigheid ervan, en astronomen blijven verbijsterd!

©Public Domain

De meest bizarre ster
Astronome Tabetha Boyajian en haar team waren verbaasd over KIC 846285, of Tabby's ster, die onregelmatige en aanzienlijke dips in helderheid vertoonde. Terwijl sommigen speculeerden over een buitenaardse megastructuur rondom de ster, geloven de meesten nu dat het dimmen wordt veroorzaakt door een ongebruikelijke ring van stof rondom de ster.

©Public Domain

Zeer elektrische Hyperion
Hyperion, de maan van Saturnus (met zijn puimachtige, onregelmatige vorm en vele kraters), behoort tot de vreemdste manen in het zonnestelsel. NASA's Cassini-ruimtevaartuig, dat tussen 2004 en 2017 Saturnus verkende, ontdekte ook dat Hyperion een “deeltjesstraal” van statische elektriciteit de ruimte in stuurt, wat de maan nóg vreemder maakt.

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Een leidende neutrino
Een hoogenergetisch neutrino (in feite een klein spookdeeltje) trof de aarde op 22 september 2017, wat op zich niet ongewoon was, maar het was wél de eerste met voldoende gegevens om de oorsprong ervan te achterhalen. Astronomen stelden vast dat het vier miljard jaar geleden werd weggeblazen door een vlammende blazar, een superzwaar zwart gat dat nabijgelegen materiaal opslokt.

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Het levende fossiele sterrenstelsel
Een sterrenstelsel dat bekend staat als DGSAT I werd in 2016 ontdekt. Het is net zo groot als de Melkweg, maar bijna onzichtbaar vanwege de dun gespreide sterren. In tegenstelling tot typische sterrenstelsels in clusters, staat DGSAT I alleen. De eigenschappen doen vermoeden dat het ongeveer een miljard jaar na de oerknal is gevormd, waardoor het eigenlijk een levend fossiel is.

©Public Domain

Afbeelding: NASA Hubble ruimtetelescoop, Tommaso Treu/UCLA

Dubbel quasarbeeld
Massieve objecten kunnen licht krommen, waardoor het beeld van objecten erachter wordt vervormd. Met behulp van de Hubble-ruimtetelescoop namen onderzoekers een quasar (een lichtgevend sterrenstelsel) uit het vroege heelal waar en ontdekten dat het heelal nu sneller uitdijt dan toen. Natuurkundigen moeten nu vaststellen of hun theorieën niet kloppen of dat er iets ongewoons aan de hand is.

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Infraroodstroom
Neutronensterren zijn dichte overblijfselen van dode sterren, die meestal radiogolven of röntgenstraling uitzenden. In september van 2018 ontdekten astronomen een ongebruikelijke stroom van infrarood licht van een neutronenster op 800 lichtjaar afstand, iets wat nog niet eerder was voorgekomen. Ze vermoeden dat een omringende stofschijf dit zou kunnen veroorzaken, maar de precieze verklaring blijft onbekend.

©Getty Images

Solitaire planeet met aurora's
Solitaire planeten die door de zwaartekracht van hun moederster worden geworpen, zwerven zonder baan door het melkwegstelsel. Een object ter grootte van een planeet (genaamd SIMP J01365663+0933473 en gelegen op 200 lichtjaar afstand) valt op met een magnetisch veld dat meer dan 200 keer sterker is dan dat van Jupiter. Dit krachtige veld creëert flitsende aurora's die zichtbaar zijn met een radiotelescooop.

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Zwart gat Sagittarius A*
In het centrum van de Melkweg bevindt zich een superzwaar zwart gat, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), dat vier miljoen zonsmassa's bevat. In tegenstelling tot actievere zwarte gaten in andere sterrenstelsels is Sgr A* ongewoon rustig, verborgen achter gas en stof maar wel detecteerbaar via radiogolven. De extreme dichtheid van dit zwarte gat blijft een mysterie en vormt een uitdaging voor ons begrip van natuurkunde.

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Pulsars
De eerste planeten die buiten ons zonnestelsel werden ontdekt, werden in 1992 gevonden, niet rondom een normale ster, maar rond een milliseconde pulsar op 980 lichtjaar afstand. Pulsars zijn neutronensterren, ongelooflijk dichte objecten die snel ronddraaien en elektromagnetische energie uitzenden als de lichtstralen van een vuurtoren. Hoewel de planeten rond de pulsar cirkelen, is deze niet groter dan 32 kilometer breed.

©Public Domain

Hoag’s Object
In 1950 ontdekte astronoom Arthur Hoag een sterrenstelsel met een centrale gele kern, gescheiden door 70.000 lichtjaar bijna-leegte van een buitenste ring van sterren, gas en stof. Het sterrenstelsel, dat bekend staat als Hoag's Object, heeft een kern en een buitenste ring die elk even groot zijn als delen van de Melkweg, waardoor het één van de meest merkwaardige galactische structuren van het heelal is.

©Public Domain

Afbeelding: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

Fermi-bubbels
In november 2010 hebben astronomen twee enorme bubbels gammastraling ontdekt die uit het centrum van de Melkweg komen. Deze bubbels, die zich uitbreiden met 2,2 miljoen km/u (3,5 miljoen km/u), vormen een zandlopervorm. Deze vreemde structuur wordt toegevoegd aan de groeiende lijst van mysterieuze fenomenen in de kosmos.

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Magnetars
Magnetars zijn een soort neutronensterren met ongelooflijk sterke magnetische velden, ongeveer een quadriljoen keer sterker dan het magnetische veld van de aarde. Deze magnetars zijn vreemd omdat ze zogenaamde “sterbevingen” kunnen veroorzaken door de verschuiving van hun magnetische veld. Hierbij komen enorme hoeveelheden energie vrij in intense uitbarstingen van stralingen die vanaf de aarde kunnen worden waargenomen.

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Gat van Boötes
Het Gat van Boötes is een enorm, bijna leeg gebied in de ruimte met een doorsnede van ongeveer 700 miljoen lichtjaar en weinig sterrenstelsels erin. Zijn grootte en leegte zijn behoorlijk vreemd, omdat zulke leegtes zeldzaam zijn in het heelal, dat grotendeels gevuld is met sterrenstelsels en materie.

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De Grote Aantrekker
De Grote Aantrekker is een zwaartekrachtanomalie die sterrenstelsels, inclusief onze eigen Melkweg, met ongelooflijke snelheden naar zich toe lijkt te trekken. Het bevindt zich op een vreemde plek in een deel van de hemel dat verborgen is door het stof van ons sterrenstelsel, waardoor hij moeilijk direct waar te nemen is. We weten dat het bestaat, maar zijn precieze eigenschappen blijven een mysterie.

©Getty Images

De koude vlek
De koude vlek is een ongewoon koud gebied in de kosmische microgolfachtergrond (CMB) die door het heelal is opgenomen in de nasleep van de oerknal. Het is te zien in het midden van de afbeelding, en de temperatuur is aanzienlijk lager dan het omringende gebied. Maar wetenschappers weten niet zeker waarom. Het blijft één van de grootste raadsels in de sterrenkunde.

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‘Oumuamua
'Oumuamua was een langwerpig, sigaarvormig object dat in 2017 door ons zonnestelsel raasde en het eerste bekende interstellaire object was dat werd gedetecteerd. Zijn vreemde vorm, hoge snelheid en het feit dat het zich niet als een typische komeet of asteroïde gedroeg, hebben geleid tot speculaties over zijn oorsprong. Sommige wetenschappers hebben zelfs gesuggereerd dat het een buitenaardse sonde zou kunnen zijn.

©Public Domain

Hanny's Voorwerp
Hanny's Voorwerp is een vreemd, gloeiend en groenachtig object waarvan wordt gedacht dat het een gaswolk is die wordt verlicht door een quasar die sindsdien inactief is. Het vreemde is dat het nog steeds gloeit, lang nadat de energie-output van de quasar zou moeten zijn vervaagd. Dit suggereert dat quasars echo's van hun activiteit kunnen achterlaten en de ruimte nog miljoenen jaren kunnen verlichten.

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Hypersnelle sterren
Wanneer sterren met zo'n hoge snelheid door de ruimte bewegen dat ze helemaal uit hun melkwegstelsel kunnen ontsnappen, worden ze hypersnelle sterren genoemd. De meeste sterren in sterrenstelsels draaien met relatief stabiele snelheden, maar van deze sterren wordt aangenomen dat ze zijn uitgestoten na een wisselwerking met superzware zwarte gaten.

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Wormgaten
Wormgaten zijn theoretische doorgangen door ruimtetijd die verre delen van het universum of zelfs verschillende universa met elkaar zouden kunnen verbinden. Hoewel ze nog nooit zijn waargenomen, komen ze voort uit oplossingen van de algemene relativiteitsvergelijkingen van Albert Einstein. Door er doorheen te reizen zou je sneller dan het licht kunnen reizen en mogelijk zelfs door de tijd kunnen reizen.

©Public Domain

Het Wow!-signaal
In 1977 werd 72 seconden lang een sterk smalbandig radiosignaal waargenomen voordat het verdween. Het was afkomstig van de constellatie Boogschutter en is tot op de dag van vandaag onverklaard gebleven. De plotselinge verschijning van het signaal en het feit dat het nooit meer werd gedetecteerd, hebben geleid tot wilde speculaties, waaronder de mogelijkheid dat het een transmissie was van een buitenaardse beschaving.

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Galactisch kannibalisme
Galactisch kannibalisme is een verschijnsel waarbij een groter sterrenstelsel een kleiner stelsel opslokt door het door zwaartekracht uit elkaar te trekken en zijn sterren, gas en stof op te nemen. Sterrenstelsels (die stabiele, op zichzelf staande systemen lijken te zijn) kunnen in werkelijkheid samensmelten en elkaar verslinden in kosmische botsingen die leiden tot grotere, zwaardere sterrenstelsels.

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Blauwe achterblijvers
Blauwe achterblijvers zijn sterren die jonger en zwaarder lijken dan de andere sterren in hun cluster, ondanks het feit dat ze van hetzelfde materiaal zijn gemaakt. Ze zijn vreemd omdat ze de verwachte levenscyclus van sterren tarten. Hoewel deze sterren al uitgebrand zouden moeten zijn, blijven ze helder en heet en reizen ze onvermoeibaar door het heelal.

©Public Domain

Phoenix Cluster
De Phoenix Cluster is een enorme cluster van melkwegstelsels met een ongewoon hoog tempo van stervorming en activiteit van zwarte gaten. In de meeste melkwegclusters is de stervorming aanzienlijk vertraagd, maar in de Phoenix Cluster worden in hoog tempo sterren gevormd en groeit het superzware zwarte gat in het centrum veel sneller dan verwacht.

©Public Domain

Hexagoon van Saturnus
Op de noordpool van Saturnus bevindt zich een vreemde, standvastige wolkenformatie in de vorm van een zeshoek. Dit geometrische weerpatroon is bizar en onverklaarbaar, omdat de meeste stormen of atmosferische verschijnselen op planeten cirkelvormig of onregelmatig van vorm zijn. De zeshoek is meer dan 30.000 kilometer breed en kent winden tot 320 km/u.

Bronnen:

• (Live Science)
• (Astronomy Magazine)
• (Smithsonian Magazine)
• (Britannica)
• (NASA Science)

{ Stars Insider }

Trump's UFO disclosure edges closer as new US government website is spotted

• READ MORE: President Obama declares aliens are REAL as he gives inside track on Area 51 

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

The White House has registered the domain 'aliens.gov,' sparking fresh speculation that President Donald Trump's long-awaited UFO disclosure may be imminent.

The domain, linked to the Executive Office of the President, was flagged on Wednesday by an automated tracker of federal websites.

However, it is also listed in the government's official .gov registry maintained by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Registry records show it was recently added under the White House Office alongside other official government sites, confirming it as a legitimate federal web address, though its purpose has not been publicly disclosed.

The website is not currently live, but the domain has been reserved.

The discovery has raised questions about whether it could be used as a future portal for documents tied to Trump's push for greater transparency on unidentified aerial phenomena.

In February, Trump directed federal agencies, including the Pentagon, to begin identifying and releasing files related to UFOs, also known as UAPs, and potential extraterrestrial activity.

'Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War... to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs),' Trump wrote on Truth Social on February 19.

The domain comes weeks after Trump announced he would order federal agencies and the Pentagon to begin releasing, or identifying for release, government files related to UFOs (UAPs) and extraterrestrial life

Trump has since gone quiet about his plans to release government files related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life. However, the war with Iran began shortly after he announced it in February.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued an update about five days later, saying: 'We've got our people working on it right now. I don't want to oversell how much time it will take, right? 

'We're digging in. We're going to be in full compliance with that executive order, eager to provide that for the president.'

Hegseth didn't have an estimate of how long it would take for the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies to release every piece of information on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), which have been widely reported throughout the US since the 1940s.

Asked if he believes aliens exist, Hegseth replied: 'We'll see. I get to do the review and find out along with all of you.'

Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who was put in charge of the House Oversight Committee's task force on declassifying secret records on UAPs, revealed that all of the incoming documents will be housed on the US National Archives' website.

Until now, the Pentagon has maintained for decades that no physical evidence of extraterrestrial life has ever been found by the US, and videos capturing suspected UFOs have never been confirmed to be of a non-human origin. 

Trump's order, however, followed statements made by former President Barack Obama, who had declared aliens were real.

Donald Trump said that he's directed Pete Hegseth to release government files related to aliens, extraterrestrial life and UFOs

The former president was asked if aliens are real while speaking with Brian Tyler Cohen, to which he responded: '

Uh, they're real, but I haven't seen them,' he said, before immediately addressing speculation surrounding Area 51, the secretive US military facility in Nevada that has long been at the center of extraterrestrial conspiracy theories.

'And they're not being kept in uh what is it? Area 51!' Obama continued. 'There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States.'

His comments, delivered with a mix of humor and authority, amounted to a clear rejection of claims that the U.S. government is secretly housing alien life forms at the classified base.

Area 51 has fueled decades of speculation, particularly since the Cold War, when its remote desert location and classified operations made it a natural target for rumors about UFOs and extraterrestrial cover-ups.

The US government has acknowledged the facility's existence but has consistently said it is used for testing advanced military aircraft.

This is a developing story... More updates to come. 

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{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/index.html }

Wat Oude Ufo-waarnemingen Over Onthullen Over de Obsessie van de Mensheid Met Het Onbekende

De menselijke fascinatie voor het mysterieuze en het onbekende is door de eeuwen heen een krachtig motief geweest dat diep verankerd ligt in onze cultuur, religie en wetenschap. Van de eerste beschrijvingen van hemelverschijnselen in oude beschavingen tot de hedendaagse fenomeen van onverklaarbare vliegende objecten (UFO’s), toont deze obsessie hoe onze nieuwsgierigheid ons drijft om de grenzen van het bekende te verkennen. In dit artikel wordt onderzocht wat de oude waarnemingen van vreemde hemelverschijnselen ons kunnen vertellen over de menselijke psyche, cultuur en de evolutie van het fenomeen UFO. We analyseren de historische context, de interpretaties en de veranderende percepties van deze fenomenen, en leggen een verband tussen de verhalen uit het verleden en onze hedendaagse zoektocht naar het onbekende.

Oude Hemelverschijnselen: Tekenen, Omen of Iets Anders?

De oudste schriftelijke bronnen over vreemde hemelverschijnselen dateren uit de beschavingen van Mesopotamië, waaronder de Sumeriërs en Babyloniërs. Op kleitabletten uit de tweede millennium voor Christus worden beschrijvingen vastgelegd van zich verplaatsende vormen en zwarte meteoren die de hemel doorkruisen. Deze verschijnselen werden destijds vaak geïnterpreteerd als goddelijke tekenen of omens, bedoeld om de mensheid te waarschuwen of te begeleiden. De interpretatie van dergelijke fenomenen was nauw verbonden met religieuze en spirituele overtuigingen.

Chris Aubeck, directeur van de Magonia Exchange—een archiefproject dat zich richt op de geschiedenis van UFO’s—benadrukt de moeilijkheid om oude beschrijvingen definitief te classificeren als UFO-waarnemingen. “Er bestaat geen consensus over wat de eerste geregistreerde UFO-waarneming precies was,” legt hij uit. “Hoewel oude bronnen vreemde hemelverschijnselen documenteren, was de betekenis ervan vaak sterk verbonden met de religieuze wereldbeelden van die tijd.”

Volgens Greg Eghigian, hoogleraar geschiedenis aan de Pennsylvania State University, moeten dergelijke oude beschrijvingen altijd binnen hun culturele context worden bekeken. “Wat wij nu misschien interpreteren als buitenaardse ontmoetingen, was vroeger vaak een symbool van goddelijke interventie, religieuze betekenis of natuurlijke fenomenen zoals kometen en meteorieten,” stelt hij. Deze interpretaties laten zien dat de menselijke interpretatie van het onbekende altijd is beïnvloed door de culturele en spirituele kaders waarin men leeft.

Het Nuremberg “Luchtgevecht” van 1561

Een van de meest markante historische rapporten over hemelverschijnselen betreft het zogenaamde “luchtgevecht” dat op 14 april 1561 plaatsvond in Nuremberg, Duitsland. Bewoners beschrijven een spectaculaire gebeurtenis waarin ronde, kruisvormige en andere vormen in de lucht met elkaar zouden hebben gevochten, vergezeld door een zwart, pijlvormig object. Hans Glaser, een lokale kunstenaar, maakte zelfs een houtsnede van de gebeurtenis, waarin de objecten lijken te “vallen uit de hemel en verbranden bij het raken van de grond.”

Hoewel de gebeurtenis op dat moment werd geïnterpreteerd als een goddelijk teken of apocalyptisch signaal, biedt de moderne interpretatie een andere blik. Onderzoekers zien in de beschrijving en de visuele documentatie vooral reflecties van de religieuze wereldbeelden van de 16e eeuw, en niet per se bewijs voor buitenaardse wezens. De gebeurtenissen kunnen bijvoorbeeld ook worden verklaard door natuurlijke verschijnselen zoals luchtscènes met ballonnen, vuurwerk of optische illusies, die destijds niet volledig konden worden begrepen of verklaard.

UFO’s in de Moderne Tijd: Van Mysterie tot Cultuurfenomeen

De perceptie van UFO’s veranderde drastisch in de tweede helft van de 20e eeuw. Een keerpunt was de waarneming van de Amerikaanse piloot Kenneth Arnold op 24 juni 1947. Arnold meldde negen snel bewegende objecten in de buurt van Mount Rainier, Washington, die hij beschreef als schijfvormige objecten die over het water “sprongen.” Zijn beschrijving leidde tot de term “flying saucer,” die wereldwijd bekend werd en de basis vormde voor de moderne UFO-cultuur.

Deze gebeurtenis markeerde het begin van een nieuwe fase, waarin UFO’s niet meer alleen als mysterie werden beschouwd, maar ook als onderdeel van een bredere maatschappelijke en culturele discussie. Tijdens de Koude Oorlog werden veel waarnemingen geïnterpreteerd in het licht van technologische en militaire rivaliteit, waarbij geheime vliegtuigen en nieuwe technologieën werden vermengd met de mogelijkheid van buitenaardse contacten.

Chris Aubeck benadrukt dat de Arnold-waarneming “het startpunt was van de moderne UFO-geschiedenis.” Sindsdien zijn talloze rapporten en observaties gedaan, variërend van eenvoudige lichtverschijnselen tot complexe, bijna chirurgisch nauwkeurige beschrijvingen van objecten die zich op onmogelijke manieren verplaatsen.

De Cultuur van de Ufo: Spiegel van de Menselijke Ziel

Hoewel het aantal UFO-waarnemingen blijft toenemen, blijkt uit wetenschappelijk onderzoek dat veel van deze waarnemingen meer vertellen over onze cultuur, angsten en verlangens dan over buitenaardse wezens. Volgens Aubeck zijn UFO-verhalen “de hedendaagse legendes,” die de onderliggende maatschappelijke narratieven en collectieve angsten weerspiegelen. Ze vormen een soort spiegel waarin we onze eigen onzekerheden en hoop projecteren.

Zo kunnen we in de manier waarop mensen UFO’s interpreteren, onderliggende culturele overtuigingen aflezen. Tijdens de Koude Oorlog bijvoorbeeld, werden veel waarnemingen geïnterpreteerd als geheime militaire technologieën of vijandige inlichtingenoperaties. Tegenwoordig worden sommige waarnemingen beschreven als mogelijke contactpogingen met buitenaardse beschavingen, wat een reflectie is van de hoop op buitenaardse intelligentie en de zoektocht naar een betekenis buiten onze aardse grenzen.

Het Universele Thema van Het Onbekende

Wat oude beschavingen en moderne UFO-enthousiastelingen verbindt, is de fundamentele menselijke drang om het onbekende te begrijpen. Of het nu gaat om de interpretatie van hemelverschijnselen als tekenen van de goden of om de zoektocht naar buitenaardse intelligentie, de kern blijft dezelfde: een diepe nieuwsgierigheid en de wens om te weten wat er buiten ons eigen bestaan ligt.

Deze obsessie met het onbekende is niet alleen een kwestie van nieuwsgierigheid, maar ook van identiteit en existentie. Het stelt ons in staat om vragen te stellen over onze plaats in het universum, over de aard van het bestaan en over de mogelijke aanwezigheid van andere bewuste wezens. Elke waarneming, of die nu wetenschappelijk wordt verklaard of niet, nodigt uit tot reflectie over deze grote vragen.

Conclusie: De Mens als Verteller en Zoeker

Oude hemelverschijnselen en moderne UFO-waarnemingen werken als culturele verhalen die onze collectieve psyche vormen en voeden. Ze illustreren de menselijke neiging om het onbekende te personifiëren, te rationaliseren of te mystificeren. Deze verhalen zijn niet alleen bedoeld om verklaringen te bieden, maar ook om onze angsten, hoop en verbeelding te voeden.

UFO’s representeren in wezen meer dan vreemde objecten in de lucht; ze zijn symbolen van onze zoektocht naar betekenis, onze angst voor het onbekende en onze hoop op contact met andere bewuste levensvormen. Door de geschiedenis heen blijven deze verhalen ons uitdagen om te reflecteren op onze plek in het universum en op de grenzen van onze kennis.

De voortdurende fascinatie voor het onverklaarbare bevestigt dat de menselijke geest onuitputtelijk is in haar zoektocht naar antwoorden. Het is deze nieuwsgierigheid die ons blijft drijven, en die onze verhalen, mythes en hypotheses voortstuwt. In het verkennen van het onbekende vinden we niet alleen antwoorden, maar ook een dieper begrip van wie wij zijn als mensheid.

Bronnen en Referenties:

• Aubeck, Chris. De geschiedenis van UFO’s: Van oude beschavingen tot heden.
• Eghigian, Greg. "Interpretaties van Hemelverschijnselen in Cultuur en Religie." Live Science.
• Glaser, Hans. De Houtsnede van de Nuremberg Sky Battle.
• Kennedy, J. “Kenneth Arnold en de Opkomst van de Moderne UFO Cultuur.” UFO Journal.
• Maan, L. “Culturele Narratieven en UFO-waarnemingen.” Journal of Cultural Studies.

Opmerking PETER2011: Deze tekst is een gecondenseerde wetenschappelijke verhandeling gebaseerd op de oorspronkelijke samenvatting en interpretatie van historische en culturele bronnen over oude en moderne UFO-waarnemingen.

{ PETER2011 }

The Sun's Great Escape

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

Origin of the Sun

Astronomers previously believed that our Sun formed about 10,000 light-years closer to the galactic center than its current position roughly 4.6 billion years ago.

However, how this migration occurred has long remained a question for researchers. Analysis of stellar composition suggests that stars like the Sun formed in a more central location, yet today a structure known as the corotation barrier appears to impede their movement outward from the galactic center.

“The physical mechanism behind the corotation barrier has been fairly well understood,” co-author Dr. Daisuke Taniguchi, of Tokyo Metropolitan University, told The Debrief. “However, what has been less clear is where exactly the barrier may have been located in the past.”

The researchers focused their study on solar “twins,” stars with temperatures, surface gravities, and chemical compositions similar to those of our Sun. Among the nearly two billion stars contained in the Gaia data set, the team identified 6,594 solar twins—roughly 30 times more such stellar analogues than had been found in previous studies.

Developing a Star Catalogue

“We selected stars whose atmospheric parameters (surface temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity) are very close to those of the Sun,” Taniguchi explained. “In addition, we applied several quality cuts using other physical parameters and data flags to ensure that only high-quality measurements were included in our final sample.”

A mass migration of stellar twins. Stars similar to our Sun form a mass migration from the center of the Milky Way, occurring approximately 4 to 6 billion years ago.

Credit: NAOJ

The large sample size enabled the researchers to determine the stars’ ages with much greater precision than earlier work allowed. Their analysis suggests that the formation of these types of stars peaked roughly 4 to 6 billion years ago, providing evidence that many may have formed in the same region near the center of the Milky Way.

The research also offers clues about the evolution of the galaxy’s central structure. Today, the corotation barrier associated with the Milky Way’s bar would prevent stars from migrating outward in the way the Sun appears to have done.

This suggests that the migration likely occurred before the barrier reached its current position. In other words, the corotation barrier itself may have shifted over time as the galaxy evolved.

“Our study proposed the possibility that the location of the barrier may have changed significantly around 4-6 billion years ago,” Taniguchi said. “If so, this could have allowed stars like the Sun to migrate outward more easily during that period.”

Further Research on Sun Twins

For life on Earth, it may be fortunate that the Sun migrated away from the galactic center before the corotation barrier stabilized, since the central regions of the Milky Way present a far more hostile environment for planetary systems.

The researchers plan to continue expanding their solar twin catalogue as new astronomical data becomes available.

“A natural next step will be to expand the sample using the upcoming Gaia DR4 data release planned for December 2026 (in this study, we used Gaia DR3 data),” Dr. Taniguchi said. “With a larger number of Solar twins and a wider observational volume (currently 6,594 Solar twins within about 1,000 light years around the Sun), we can improve the statistical significance of the results and also further investigate the spatial distribution of the sample.”

The team hopes their star catalogue will help other astronomers pursue new lines of research.

“Our catalog is currently the largest high-confidence catalog of Solar twins and contains a wide range of information, including ages, chemical compositions, distances, and other stellar properties,” Dr. Taniguchi concluded. “Because of this, I hope it will be used for many different kinds of studies beyond the questions we explored in our papers.”

The paper, “Solar Twins in Gaia DR3 GSP-Spec I. Building a Large Catalog of Solar Twins with Ages,” appeared in Astronomy & Astrophysics on March 12, 2026.

• Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.

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

As a result of not hearing back, I decided to establish the Galileo Project, in collaboration with Dr. Frank Laukien two months later. This scientific research project followed the narrative of my original White Paper and is supported by private donations to my research fund at Harvard University.

The first time I learned about the outcome of my exchange with Dr. Zurbuchen was through a press conference held a year later, on June 9, 2022. I became aware of the pending announcement thanks to an email from the Galileo Project member, Dr. Alan Stern, who wrote, “I can’t imagine you aren’t aware of this, but just in case …” Contrary to Alan’s expectation, I did not know in advance about NASA’s press conference, so I immediately notified the rest of the Galileo Project community, which by now contains more than a hundred members.

In the press release, NASA announced a new independent study on UAP from a scientific perspective. The study will focus on identifying available data, how best to collect future data, and how NASA can use that data to move the scientific understanding of UAP forward. The study is not part of the Department of Defense’s  Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group, and is expected to take about nine months to complete. It will secure the counsel of experts in the scientific, aeronautics, and data analytics communities to focus on how best to collect new data and improve observations of UAP.

I was delighted to see that some of the statements made at the press conference and the resulting news reports, echoed my writings. For example, the Guardian noted that, “We have to approach all these questions with a sense of humility,” a statement which echoes the theme of my book “Extraterrestrial”.

Or, as Oscar Wilde noted, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Overall, this outcome is gratifying and represents a “win-win” development. The Galileo Project is now likely to receive a boost to its funding from wealthy individuals and foundations with which I am in close contact. But most importantly, the Project’s scientific mission narrative is now echoed within the government.

It does not matter who tells the truth as long as it is being told. As I mentioned to the Jerusalem Post on the morning of NASA’s press release, “It is wonderful that NASA and scientists will be engaged in unraveling the nature of UAP … It is a fishing expedition and we will end up with a mixed bag of natural and human-made objects. But even if we have high-quality data on just a single object that demonstrates something else, such as an extraterrestrial technological origin, it would represent the most important discovery in human history.”

A day later, I received an email from the leadership team of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, explaining that I was not selected to serve on this study because it represents a non-advocate review that will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). In other words, my role in leading the Galileo Projectwould constitute an apparent conflict of interest.

Being true to the words of my White Paper after not getting a response from NASA, led me to establish a new scientific Project on UAP, but it now blocks me from contributing directly to NASA’s planning exercise on exactly the same research frontier. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise, since the Galileo Project has currently no strings attached to the government. In the future, the Project will be able to apply to any relevant funds as they become available.

In gratitude for NASA’s explanatory email, I mentioned that I will be delighted to provide any input that could help NASA’s study, because it shares the intellectual DNA of the Galileo Project. Government agencies and academia should be working together towards the collection of new evidence-based knowledge on UAP.

It is possible that by the time NASA’s study completes its nine-month pregnancy and delivers its independent “baby”, the Galileo Project will discover evidence that will change the charter of NASA’s report.  The Galileo Project is currently assembling its first telescope system on the roof of the Harvard College Observatory, planning an expedition to retrieve fragments from the first interstellar meteor, studying satellite data on UAP from above, and designing a space mission to rendezvous with the next anomalous (`Oumuamua-like) interstellar object.

Before NASA’s announcement, it was common practice among scientists to ridicule the scientific study of UAP. The ridicule was surprisingly strong and public within the traditional SETI community, with one exception – Seth Shostak who joined the Galileo Project after publishing a brave supportive article in Scientific American.

Open mindedness applies also to scientific research. We should explore the unknown by seeking evidence agnostically and not assuming what we might find. Gladly, we now know that both the Galileo Project and NASA agree on following this principle.

• Avi Loeb is the head of the Galileo Project, founding director of Harvard University’s – Black Hole Initiative, director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and the former chair of the astronomy department at Harvard University (2011-2020). He chairs the advisory board for the Breakthrough Starshot project, and is a former member of the President’s Council of Advisors onScience and Technology and a former chair of the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Academies. He is the bestselling author of “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth” and a co-author of the textbook “Life in the Cosmos”, both published in 2021.

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

Decades of Debate

First identified in 2002, the Silverpit structure displays several features that are characteristic of impact craters, including a circular outline, a central peak, and concentric fault rings. Despite these clues, some scientists argued that the formation could have resulted from natural geological activity, such as the movement of underground salt deposits or volcanic forces, leaving the true origin of the crater unclear.

In 2009, a group of geologists reviewed the evidence and concluded that the crater was unlikely to have formed from an asteroid impact. The latest research not only challenges but also overturns that earlier conclusion.

Evidence Hidden Beneath the Seafloor

A team led by Dr. Uisdean Nicholson at Heriot-Watt University used high-resolution seismic imaging alongside detailed analysis of rock samples collected from beneath the seabed. The seismic data revealed the crater’s internal structure with a level of detail previously unattainable. Meanwhile, rock samples obtained from an oil well offered crucial evidence to resolve the question of the crater’s origin.

“We were exceptionally lucky to find these — a real ‘needle-in-a-haystack’ effort,” Nicholson said. “These prove the impact crater hypothesis beyond doubt.”

The samples contained shocked quartz and feldspar, minerals that only form under the intense pressures produced by asteroid impacts. These minerals confirm that a high-energy collision created Silverpit Crater.

A Violent Impact

The evidence shows that an asteroid about 160 meters wide hit the seabed between 43 and 46 million years ago. The team’s models suggest the asteroid came from the west at a low angle, creating a huge plume of rock and water.

Within minutes, the plume collapsed back into the ocean, producing a tsunami that reached heights of over 100 meters (about 330 feet). The impact released vast amounts of energy, sending waves across the surrounding region and reshaping the seafloor.

A Rare Preserved Impact Crater

Impact craters are rare on Earth because erosion and plate movements slowly erase them. Around 200 confirmed impact craters have been found on land, but only a few dozen have been found beneath the ocean.

Silverpit is notable as a well-preserved hypervelocity impact crater, offering a rare opportunity to study how such events shape the planet’s subsurface structure.

Professor Gareth Collins of Imperial College London, who contributed to the study’s modeling work, said the new evidence represents a decisive breakthrough. “It is very rewarding to have finally found the silver bullet,” Collins said.

Understanding Earth’s Impact History

This research settles a long-standing scientific debate and offers new insight into the forces that have shaped Earth’s history. The findings will help scientists understand how asteroid impacts influence planetary surfaces on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system.

“We can use these findings to understand how asteroid impacts shaped our planet throughout history, as well as predict what could happen should we have an asteroid collision in the future,” said Nicholson.

• Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a Data Analytics certification. His work combines analytical training with a focus on emerging science, aerospace, and astronomical research.

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

UFOs 'disabled nuclear missiles' as Air Force veteran recalls terrifying base encounter

Athena Dawson

Robert Salas

A retired U.S. Air Force veteran claimed he encountered UFOs that disabled multiple nuclear missiles while he served in the military during the Cold War.

Robert Salas claimed that an unknown entity subdued the military's ability to control 10 Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads at Malmstrom Air Force Base in 1967.

The 85-year-old former launch officer shared the harrowing story on the "Danny Jones Podcast" on Sunday.

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Salas manned the monitoring and launch of nuclear missiles, "if given the order," during the tense Cold War era.

He recalled his alleged alien encounter, which occurred around 10 p.m. on March 24, 1967. Salas was underground with his partner when panicked guards called from above about a mysterious, unidentified aircraft.

"The main guard calls down, says, 'Sir, we've been seeing some strange lights in the sky, flying directly overhead,'" Salas said.

He added that guards insisted the aircraft wasn't a Soviet one because of its odd lights. It flew through the sky before abruptly stopping over the underground ICBMs.

Salas initially dismissed the guards, thinking it was a prank, but five minutes later, the guard called back, screaming into the phone.

"He's yelling. He's babbling. He's frightened," Salas recalled.

After he calmed down, the guard told Salas that he and his men had their weapons aimed at the craft floating above the base's front gate, which was emitting a "pulsating reddish light."'

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Salas said the panicked guard asked what to do next, and he told him, "Do whatever you have to do."

Salas recalled that the guard said one of his men was injured before hanging up.

The octogenarian then recalled how the missiles had been shut down by the mysterious alien entities. As he went to wake up his sleeping partner, a loud horn at the controls suddenly began to blare.

The alarm signaled that an issue had emerged with the missiles, and Salas said when they looked at the board, "one of them went from green to red."

No ability to launch," Salas said. "Then, very quickly thereafter, bing bing bing bing, all 10 of them went down. They all went red."

An illustration of an intercontinental ballistic missile silo

(Image: Danny Jones/YouTube)

They jumped up and ran through their checklist, then realized two launch facilities miles away were showing that "someone or something" may have breached the fenced missile area.

Salas said that he reacted immediately, sending guards to the missile silos. He said they were "scared to death" after encountering the floating lights hovering over the launch areas nearly a mile away.

"They were scared to death," he said. "They didn't want to go any further. They were so frightened of these things."

Salas said he later heard the guard was injured from either hurting his hand while clearing his jammed rifle or cutting it on barbed wire during the spooky alien encounter.

He also learned that the guards had apparently seen the odd craft in the area mere days before the encounter. It was described as being able to fly in reverse, complete 90-degree turns, and fly in dead silence.

Salas said that, despite an investigation, it was never determined what shut down the warheads, even with systems designed to prevent jamming.

"They had no idea how this signal could have been injected into each of the missiles," he said. "The cabling system that we had was triply shielded against electromagnetic interference from the outside."

Salas said that he's convinced the extraterrestrial visitors traveled to Earth to stop a nuclear war from unfolding.

Salas's alleged alien encounter stayed a decades-long secret as Air Force investigators forced him and his commander to sign strict gag orders, warned that they could face prison time if they ever spoke about it.

He ultimately went public decades later after reading about a similar incident in a UFO book, concluding that the information had already been disclosed.

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Residents across multiple states were startled on Tuesday as a loud boom, believed to be a meteor crashing into Earth, echoed across the region. 

Witnesses in Pittsburgh reported seeing what appeared to be a burning object streaking through the sky, describing it as 'a rocket or something like a meteor.'

One local wrote online: '911 calls in the city. I have relatives who heard the boom from Hinckley, Ohio, all the way to Sandusky.'

Totally reminded me of the sonic booms produced by the fighter-jet test pilots in the early 1960s,' another person shared.

The National Weather Service (NWS) later said the fiery object was likely a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere.

The meteor was spotted by space satellites around 9am ET and seen by human eyes about one hour later. 

As of January 2026, the Meteoritical Bulletin Database has recorded 1,270 officially confirmed 'observed falls,' meteorites that were seen falling to Earth and later recovered. 

Scientists estimate around 17,000 meteorites strike the planet each year, but most land in oceans or remote areas, meaning only about 1.8 percent of meteorites have actually been witnessed. 

Witnesses in Pittsburgh reported seeing what appeared to be a burning object streaking through the sky, describing it as 'a rocket or something like a meteor.' 

Residents across Ohio and Pennsylvania were startled Tuesday morning as a loud boom echoed across the region

Officials from the NWS Cleveland stated that the meteor likely burned up or disintegrated high in the atmosphere, approximately 25 miles up over the Northeast Ohio/Lake Erie region. 

Some officials speculated that if any fragments survived, they could have landed in Lake Erie. 

There have been no reports of injuries or property damage caused by the landing.  

The 'explosion' reported across the region was a sonic boom created by the meteor shooting through the atmosphere at speeds over 25,000 mph. 

Residents across the region flooded social media with reports of a powerful blast, with many describing a thunderous noise that shook homes and echoed for miles. 

Some said it sounded like multiple explosions or rolling vibrations, while others reported spotting a glowing fireball and a bright streak tearing across the sky. 

One Cleveland resident posted on X: 'Loud boom in Cleveland today. They are saying a meteor! The house shook; it was scary.'

'Heard and felt here on the west side of Cleveland. One loud boom followed immediately by a smaller or 'echo' boom,' another local shared.

The 'explosion' reported across the region was a sonic boom created by the meteor shooting through the atmosphere at speeds over 25,000 mph

The meteor was spotted by space satellites around 9am ET and seen by human eyes about one hour later

'Didn't quite shake the house; it more like reverberated through it. Thought it was a truck or something until my Sister messaged me that she heard it too.'

Meteoroids are small rocky objects that travel through space, ranging in size from tiny dust particles to fragments as large as small asteroids. 

When one of these objects enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed, it burns up due to intense friction, creating a bright streak of light known as a meteor, often called a 'shooting star.' 

If any part of the object survives its fiery descent and reaches the ground, it is then classified as a meteorite. 

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

Impressions (No Spoilers)

The film Hail Mary leaves a very positive impression overall. If someone likes science fiction, they might really enjoy this movie. This is exactly the kind of film that not only shows beautiful images of space but also keeps you on the edge of your seat for almost the entire runtime. The plot constantly throws in new twists, and the characters’ decisions keep you hooked on the story.

Ryan’s acting deserves special mention. Everything is portrayed very naturally: the characters feel like real people, not just vehicles for the plot. This makes it easier to believe both the story itself and the characters’ emotional reactions. Another important plus is the attention to detail. It was particularly pleasing that the film accurately depicts one of the basic principles of space: there is no sound in outer space. For a sci-fi film, this might seem like a minor detail, but it is precisely these details that greatly enhance the film’s believability.

Poster for the film Project Hail Mary

Hail Mary is a fantastic film that works on several levels: as a suspenseful adventure, as a story of survival, and as a film that strives to respect scientific logic. That’s exactly why the film resonates not only emotionally but also intellectually.

It is also interesting to compare it to the film U Are the Universe. One gets the sense that these films resonate with each other in some ways: both use space not merely as a backdrop, but as a realm of solitude, connection, hope, and human vulnerability. But while U Are the Universe is a more intimate, lyrical, and existential story, Hail Mary is a larger-scale, technically sophisticated, and plot-driven science fiction film. And there is an interesting point here: if the creators of U Are the Universe had delayed the film’s release just a little longer, and it had come out after Hail Mary, some viewers would surely have accused them of plagiarism. In reality, that would have been unfair: the Ukrainian film had already been released earlier as an independent work. And even Andy Weir’s book Hail Mary was not published until 2021.

Technical Analysis with Spoilers

From an engineering perspective, the film is particularly interesting because it invites analysis rather than just watching. And for the most part, this is a plus: if, after watching it, there is a desire to discuss fuel, the atmosphere, materials, and manufacturing technologies, then the science fiction has done its job.

The first – and perhaps the most controversial – point concerns the logistics of the protagonist’s return journey. This is the film’s weakest point. Even with full tanks – roughly two million liters of astrofuel – the return trip would take about four years, so questions about the mission’s supplies arise at this stage. Based on the plot’s logic, there was enough food for about two years, and after subsequent events, the available fuel supply is further reduced by two sections. As a result, the return mission begins to look less like an engineering-driven scenario devised by the protagonist and more like a very optimistic hope for a miracle. This does not ruin the film entirely, but it is here that the tension between the drama and the real-world logistics of interstellar flight is felt most acutely.

The docking of two spacecraft via a folding airlock was performed using an additive method.
Source: Hail Mary trailer

The second point of contention is taumeba and xenonite. Conceptually, this is a very striking idea, but it raises the most questions precisely from the perspective of the world’s internal physics. If xenonite is presented as a reliable structural and airtight material, then taumeba’s ability to pass through it requires a very serious explanation. It is not enough here to say that this is unusual biology; there needs to be a clear mechanism that explains exactly how it happens, under what conditions, and due to which properties of the material and the organism. That is why this particular plot point raises the most scientific doubts for me. It works as a dramatic twist, but as a hard sci-fi premise, it looks noticeably weaker than many of the film’s other ideas.

That said, the atmosphere on the ship and the final dome actually struck as quite plausible. Here, the film, on the contrary, enters the realm of logical engineering solutions. When it comes to a pressurized environment for humans, the basic principles are quite clear: controlling pressure, gas composition, temperature, humidity, removing carbon dioxide, and maintaining a safe environment. In this sense, the dome in the finale can be seen as a development of the same ideas used in space life support systems (e.g., the ISS), only adapted to a different technological platform. Therefore, this aspect should be defended rather than criticized.

The protagonist’s interaction with an alien life form through a wall made of xenonite.
Source: Hail Mary trailer

The idea of highly advanced 3D printing on an alien spacecraft struck as particularly compelling. The way tunnels, structures, and various objects are formed is an extremely advanced form of 3D printing or programmable manufacturing. And this is precisely one of those ideas that, in science fiction, does not seem like magic but rather a logical progression of real-world technologies. If a civilization is capable of building complex structures directly within the required environment, with high precision, using readily available materials, and tailored to a specific task, then this seems very realistic for a highly advanced engineering culture.

The same applies to the translator. The film presents him not as a magic button, but as the result of a gradual search for patterns, the comparison of signals, learning, and the development of a common language. It is precisely this approach that makes the idea convincing. This is no longer a fairy-tale “universal understanding of aliens,” but an engineering problem of communication that is solved step by step. And within the realm of science fiction, it makes perfect sense.

Rock-like alien Rocky is the protagonist’s main companion and new friend.
Source: Hail Mary trailer

Ultimately, what makes Hail Mary great for me is that it can be viewed in two different ways. The first is simply a powerful, intense, and emotional science fiction film. The second is a film that invites technical analysis. And even its controversial moments are not so much a drawback as a reason for discussion. Because the most interesting sci-fi films are not the ones that leave no questions, but the ones that make viewers want to debate trajectories, materials, atmosphere, biology, and technology.

What differences and nuances did you notice? Let’s discuss them in the comments.

• Posted in Articles, Movies & Series, Tech

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The Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University has officially begun assembling one of the most unusual spacecraft in the history of space exploration. The Dragonfly unmanned helicopter, whose design resembles the legendary ornithopters from Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, is preparing for a mission to Titan.

Dragonfly is a drone-based mission under NASA’s New Frontiers program designed to utilize Titan’s unique environment to collect material samples and determine the composition of the surface under various geological conditions. Image: dragonfly.jhuapl.edu

Although it is not the barren Arakis, Saturn’s largest moon will greet the explorer with vast expanses of sand dunes. And while the chances of encountering a sandworm there are practically nonexistent, the scientific potential of this mission is truly impressive.

Drone Lab

The Dragonfly drone from NASA’s New Frontiers program on the surface of Titan. Illustration: dragonfly.jhuapl.edu

Dragonfly isn’t just a drone. It’s a fully-fledged autonomous robot about the size of a small car. Unlike rovers, which take years to cover just a few dozen kilometers, the flying probe will be able to “hop” vast distances, exploring various regions of Titan in a single flight.

Dragonfly’s rotors. Illustration: dragonfly.jhuapl.edu

Once it reaches the moon’s surface in 2034, the spacecraft will conduct a comprehensive analysis, ranging from studying the composition of the atmosphere to taking seismic measurements. The chemical composition of the surface is of particular interest. Beneath Titan’s thick layer of ice lies a global ocean of salty water, making this world one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life. 

A slow and cold world

The Dragonfly drone landing on Titan’s surface as part of NASA’s New Frontiers program. Illustration: dragonfly.jhuapl.edu

Titan is truly an amazing place. It is the only moon in the Solar System with a dense atmosphere. The air there is four times denser than Earth’s, and gravity is seven times weaker. This creates some amazing conditions: if you were there in the rain, the methane droplets would fall extremely slowly, as if in slow motion.

However, waiting for such a downpour is no easy task, since centuries can pass between precipitation events on Titan. Such a stable, albeit cold, chemical environment is the ideal place for the formation of organic compounds. Scientists consider Titan to be “Earth in the freezer”—it looks just like our planet before the first living organisms appeared on it.

A costly mission

Exploring Titan is no cheap project. The total cost of the mission is estimated at $3 billion. Previous attempts to peer beneath the moon’s thick, foggy veil have been extremely limited: in 2005, the Huygens probe lasted only a few hours on the surface due to a lack of power. 

Dragonfly. Source: dragonfly.jhuapl.edu

Since Dragonfly is designed for long-term operation, solar power is not an option — there is too little light penetrating Titan’s thick haze. Therefore, Dragonfly will be powered by nuclear energy. The spacecraft will be equipped with a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG). Fuel rods containing plutonium will generate heat, which will be converted into electricity to power electronics, servos, and scientific instruments. This technology has already proven itself on the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.

Beginning of the journey

The mission is scheduled to be launched in 2028 using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. After launch, the spacecraft will spend six long years traveling through the Solar System. When Dragonfly finally spreads its rotors over the lakes and rivers of liquid ethane in 2034, humanity will get its clearest view of this mysterious world yet.

In the meantime, engineers continue to assemble this nuclear-powered ornithopter, keeping in mind the golden rule for travelers across the dunes: “The spice must flow,” and science must move forward.

We previously reported that the Dragonfly underwent a critical design review prior to the start of the assembly phase.

• According to jalopnik.com

• Posted in News, Tech

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{ https://universemagazine.com/en/articles-en/ }

Terrifying study predicts exactly how many people will DIE by 2050 if we don’t take urgent action to curb climate change

• READ MORE: The ominous sign the Gulf Stream is nearing COLLAPSE

By SHIVALI BEST, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR 

A terrifying study has predicted exactly how many people will die by 2050 if we don't take urgent action to curb climate change. 

Researchers from the Catholic University of Argentina set out to understand how rising temperatures will affect physical activity – and as a result, premature deaths. 

The team analysed data from 156 countries between 2000 and 2022, and used it to predict what the coming decades will look like.

Worryingly, their findings suggest that by 2050, each additional month with an average temperature above 27.8°C will increase physical inactivity by 1.5 per cent globally. 

This translates to a predicted 470,000 to 700,000 additional premature deaths every year – and up to $3.68 billion in productivity losses.

Based on the findings, the researchers are calling for urgent action. 

'Rising temperatures are projected to increase the prevalence of physical inactivity, translating into additional premature deaths and productivity losses, especially in tropical regions,' they said. 

'Prioritising heat–adaptive urban design, subsidised climate–controlled exercise facilities, and targeted heat–risk communication is essential to mitigate these emerging health and economic burdens, in addition to ambitious emissions reductions.'

The team analysed data from 156 countries between 2000 and 2022, and used it to predict what the coming decades will look like

Climate change is making the world hotter, with the last three years confirmed to be the hottest on record. 

As a result, exercising in many parts of the world is becoming more difficult. 

Writing in their study, published in The Lancet Global Health, the researchers, led by Christian García–Witulski, explained: 'Heat exposure imposes physiological constraints through elevated cardiovascular strain and heightened perceived exertion, creating substantial barriers to outdoor physical activity.'

To understand how rising temperatures might impact the ability to exercise, the team analysed data from 156 countries from 2000 to 2022. 

Their results paint a bleak picture of what's to come – particularly in low– and middle–income countries. 

By 2050, each additional month with an average temperature above 27.8°C will increase physical inactivity by 1.5 per cent globally, and by 1.85 per cent in low– and middle–income countries, but with no clear impact in high–income countries.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest increase in inactivity will be in hotter regions, according to the researchers. 

This includes Central America, the Caribbean, Eastern Sub–Saharan Africa, and Equitorial Southeast Asia – where inactivity could increase by as much as four per cent per  month spent above 27.8°C.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest increase in inactivity will be in hotter regions, according to the researchers

'The implications for global health are immediate,' the researchers wrote. 

'Without stronger mitigation, rising temperatures alone could undermine – or even reverse – a substantial share of WHO's target of cutting global physical inactivity by 15% by 2030, while simultaneously slowing economic growth through heatrelated drops in worker productivity.' 

The researchers also provide several ideas for measures that could be taken to ease the impact of rising temperatures.

Heat–risk messages could be integrated into exercise guidelines, they suggest, while money could be funneled towards cooler exercise facilities. 

'Treating physical activity as a climate–sensitive necessity – rather than a discretionary lifestyle choice – will be essential to prevent a heat–driven sedentary transition and its accompanying surge in cardiometabolic diseases and economic losses,' they concluded. 

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

A former US Air Force missile launch officer has detailed the terrifying moments when UFOs allegedly shut down America's nuclear weapons without firing a shot.

Robert Salas, now 85, claimed that 20 of the military's Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missiles were disabled by an unknown force which was able to break through all of the shielding at Montana's Malmstrom Air Force Base in 1967.

On March 16 and 24 of that year, Salas said guards at the base reported seeing strange, fast-moving lights in the sky that could stop and hover instantly, and emitted a bright red glow right before the US ICBMs hidden underground went offline.

Salas, who was one of two officers inside the underground launch control capsule during the Cold War, added that the guards calling for help were convinced the craft were not Soviet airplanes launching an attack.

The Air Force veteran told the Danny Jones Podcast he is convinced intelligent non-human civilizations visited Earth and attempted to prevent World War III from causing a nuclear holocaust. 

Salas claimed: 'It's another civilization out there that is visiting us and are concerned about us destroying this planet through nuclear war, for many reasons, probably some we don't even understand.'

The former nuclear missile officer added that an investigation led by aerospace company Boeing could not determine what shut down the warheads because US missile complexes were specifically built to keep out jamming signals like this.

'They had no idea how this signal could have been injected into each of the missiles. The cabling system that we had was triply shielded against electromagnetic interference from the outside,' Salas explained.

US Air Force ICBM launch officer Robert Salas (Pictured) has testified before Congress about the UFO that disabled 10 warheads at Malmstrom Air Force Base in March 1967  

Pictured: Malmstrom Airforce Base, home to 10 nuclear warheads which went offline after a strange craft approached the base and the missile silos

According to Salas, the first UFO sighting took place on March 16, 1967, when 10 ICBMs were simultaneously disabled without warning by the mystery swarm of UFOs. 

Eight days later, Salas said the encounter started when the topside security guard called down to him in the underground launch control room around 10pm MT to report multiple strange lights flying in the sky over the nuclear weapons base.

The guards claimed these lights could reverse direction, make sharp 90-degree turns and were completely silent, making no engine noises.

After dismissing the guard's story, Salas would soon receive another frantic call from security saying a pulsating reddish light was being emitted from the UFO hovering right above the front gate of Malmstrom AFB.

After ordering security to prevent the UFO from entering the missile complex, guards reported seeing the same or similar lights hovering right above two of the missile silos about a mile away from the control room. 

'All of a sudden, we get a large horn go off and we know what that means. That means that there's an issue with one of the missiles. Look at the board and sure enough, one of them went from green to red. No go. No launch, no ability to launch,' Salas told Jones during the March 13 episode.

'Very quickly thereafter, bing, bing, bing, bing, all 10 of them went down. They all went red.'

Salas revealed that incursion lights had also gone off, meaning something or someone had entered the fenced area where the missiles were kept.

A guard closing the gate to entrance of the control center of the missile base at Malmstrom, Montana, where the ballistic missile 'Minuteman' were kept, in December 1962

READ MORE

• America’s nuclear sites secretly invaded by thousands of UFOs, new report reveals

When he called on the guards to investigate the missile silos, they reported that the UFO had flown off just as they arrived.

Following his encounter, Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) personnel ordered Salas and his commander to sign strict non-disclosure agreements threatening prison time if they ever discussed the event.

However, the veteran officer went public decades later after reading about a similar incident in a publicly available UFO book and deciding the information had already been leaked.

The Boeing engineers tasked with investigating the missile complex concluded that an external electromagnetic signal had somehow disrupted the guidance and control systems of the missiles, specifically affecting a device called the logic coupler in each one.

Despite discovering the likely cause, Boeing also noted it was impossible for any normal device or test to affect all 10 missiles at once because each missile was independently housed in a silo designed to block electromagnetic interference.

Officially, the Pentagon has maintained for decades that there is no proof UFOs or extraterrestrial beings exist and have visited Earth.

However, President Trump has ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to release all government files related to the search for these unidentified craft so the public can examine the evidence for themselves.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

Humanity receives mysterious 'mega-laser' signal from unknown source in deep space

• READ MORE: NASA astronaut says humanity is 'living a lie' after spending 178 days in space 

By STACY LIBERATORE, US SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR

Humanity has received a mysterious signal, described as a 'mega-laser' beam, from a violently merging galaxy more than 8 billion light-years away.

The signal, deemed the most distant hydroxyl megamaser ever detected, was intercepted by the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, which features 64 antennas.

A hydroxyl megamaser is a giant natural laser in space. When galaxies full of gas collide, molecules called hydroxyl smash together and release very strong radio waves. 

These waves behave like a laser, but instead of visible light, they produce radio signals that astronomers can detect with telescopes.

Because these signals are extremely bright, they can be seen from very far across the universe. 

In this case, the object is so powerful that scientists said it may actually be a 'gigamaser,' which is even stronger than a megamaser. 

The system, called HATLAS J142935.3–002836, is so far away that we are seeing it as it looked more than 8 billion years ago, when the universe was less than half its current age. 

Dr Thato Manamela, SARAO-funded postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pretoria and lead author of the new study, said: 'This system is truly extraordinary. We are seeing the radio equivalent of a laser halfway across the universe.' 

Humanity has received a mysterious signal, described as a 'mega-laser' beam, from a violently merging galaxy more than 8 billion light-years away 

Manamela added that as the radio waves traveled toward Earth, they were also strengthened by a separate galaxy positioned directly along the line of sight. 

'This galaxy acts as a lens, the way a water droplet on a window pane would, because its mass curves the local space-time,' he said.

'So we have a radio laser passing through a cosmic telescope before being detected by the powerful MeerKAT radio telescope – all together enabling a wonderfully serendipitous discovery.' 

The radio signal contained four separate components, meaning it is coming from multiple regions within the galaxy system. 

At least two of these areas appear to be strongly magnified by gravitational lensing, which makes the signal more than ten times brighter than it would normally appear. 

In this case, a massive foreground galaxy sits between Earth and the distant system. 

Its gravity bends space-time and acts like a cosmic magnifying glass, boosting the brightness of the radio emission. 

This amplification allowed the signal to be detected by the MeerKAT radio telescope even though the source is over 8 billion light-years away. 

Pictured is the galaxy system where astronomers said is the source of the signal

The signal, deemed the most distant hydroxyl megamaser ever detected, was intercepted using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa (PICTURED), which consists of 64 antennas

Read More

• Truth about NASA's 'missing' moon tapes revealed after 57 years 

Normally, signals from objects this far away are too weak for telescopes to detect. 

But the powerful radio signal coming from HATLAS J142935.3–002836 was boosted by a rare effect called gravitational lensing, a phenomenon predicted by Albert Einstein.

Gravitational lensing happens when a massive object, such as a galaxy, sits between Earth and a distant source. 

Its strong gravity bends space-time, which changes the path of the light or radio waves traveling through it. 

This makes the distant signal appear brighter and magnified, allowing telescopes like the MeerKAT radio telescope to detect it even from billions of light-years away.

From Earth, this effect can sometimes create a ring-shaped halo of light around the foreground object, called an Einstein ring, named after the famed physicist. 

The same effect also magnifies the distant source, in this case a radio or microwave signal, making it much easier for astronomers to study objects that would normally be too faint to detect. 

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

Story by Arezki Amiri

A thin, stubbornly bright line showed up in data from the MeerKAT radio telescope that did not fit the usual rules of distance. The feature sat in a familiar part of the radio spectrum, but it was coming from so far away that signals like it typically fade into the background. Instead of smearing out, it stayed sharp enough to measure. That was the first hint that something was amplifying it.

The source already had a survey name that sounded more like a serial number than a destination: HATLAS J142935.3–002836. Astronomers had seen it before as a distorted, stretched-looking galaxy system, the kind that suggests gravity has bent the view. A report from Live Science described it as a “mega-laser,” but the real curiosity was why the line stayed detectable at all.

When the team calculated the distance, the scale became clearer. The system sits at redshift z = 1.027, placing it more than 8 billion light-years away in light-travel time. That means the radio waves began their journey when the universe was much younger than it is now. The MeerKAT radio telescope was effectively catching a signal that left long before Earth existed.

The 18-Centimeter Fingerprint

The crucial clue was the wavelength: about 18 centimeters. That specific “color” of radio light is strongly associated with the hydroxyl molecule (OH), a simple pairing of oxygen and hydrogen that can exist in vast clouds of gas. Under the right conditions, hydroxyl can behave like an amplifier, strengthening radiation at a very specific frequency.

• Related video: James Webb Just Saw Something That Shouldn't Exist at Our Solar System's Boundary
  

{ The Daily Galaxy }

Key points

• Many people think intelligent extraterrestrial life likely exists but assume others are skeptical.
• Participants estimated a 67% likelihood of extraterrestrial intelligence but thought others would say 21%.
• This gap reflects pluralistic ignorance—misjudging others’ beliefs keeps people silent.

Source: AI-Generated

For decades, conversations about UFOs—now often referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)—have occupied an unusual place in public life. Many people are curious about the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence, yet most people are cautious about discussing them with others because of stigma and fear of being judged.

New research suggests that this hesitation may reflect our psychology rather than skepticism.

Most Believe in Extraterrestrial Intelligence

A recent study by Avi Loeb at Harvard University, and colleagues, surveyed 6,060 participants recruited through the Prolific research platform, which is widely used in behavioral research [1]. The sample consisted largely of highly educated adults, many holding college or graduate degrees.

Instead of asking a simple yes-or-no question about extraterrestrial intelligence, participants were asked to estimate the probability that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists somewhere in the universe. Respondents provided numerical estimates between 0% and 100%.

When researchers averaged the responses, participants’ mean estimate was about 67%, suggesting that on average people believe intelligent extraterrestrial life is more likely than not to exist.

Another way of examining the results highlights how widespread this belief is. The researchers found that about 95% of participants gave probability estimates greater than 50%, meaning they believed it is more likely than not that intelligent extraterrestrial life exists somewhere in the universe [1].

In other words, nearly everyone in the sample leaned toward believing intelligent life beyond Earth probably exists, even if their degree of certainty varied.

The Cosmic Closet: A Massive Perception Gap

The most striking finding in the study was not simply what people believed—it was what they thoht others believed.

After reporting their own probability estimate, participants were asked to estimate the probability that people in their social circles believed intelligent extraterrestrial life exists.

The difference was dramatic. Participants’ average personal estimate was about 67%. Their estimated belief of others was about 21%.

This produced a 46-percentage-point gap between personal belief and perceived social belief [1].

In other words, many people believed intelligent extraterrestrial life was plausible but assumed others were far more skeptical.

The researchers referred to this phenomenon as the “cosmic closet.” People privately hold a belief but assume it is socially unpopular, leading them to underestimate how widely it is actually shared.

The Psychology of Pluralistic Ignorance

This pattern closely resembles a well-known concept in social psychology called pluralistic ignorance.

Pluralistic ignorance occurs when individuals privately hold a belief but mistakenly assume that most other people disagree. Because individuals want to avoid social embarrassment or reputational risk, they often remain silent about their views. That silence then reinforces the illusion that the belief is uncommon even when many people privately share it [2].

Classic research demonstrates this dynamic in areas such as college drinking norms. Students often believe their peers are more comfortable with heavy drinking than they themselves are, even though most students privately feel similar reservations. Because everyone assumes others approve of the behavior, few people challenge the perceived norm [3].

The same mechanism may help explain the “cosmic closet.” If individuals assume curiosity about extraterrestrial intelligence will be dismissed as irrational, they may keep their views to themselves even when many others privately share that curiosity.

When Perception Shapes Reality

Norm misperception can have real consequences. When people underestimate how widely a belief is shared, they may hesitate to discuss it publicly, explore it academically, or pursue it professionally.

Psychologists have observed similar dynamics in other domains. Research shows that many people underestimate how common experiences such as anxiety, depression, or loneliness actually are, which can make individuals reluctant to talk about their own struggles. Fear of being judged or stigmatized often leads people to stay silent even though many others are experiencing similar challenges [4].

Researchers have also found that people frequently overestimate how extreme the views of political opponents are, contributing to perceptions of deeper polarization than survey data actually shows [5]. When individuals believe their views differ sharply from the perceived majority, they may stay silent to avoid social conflict.

This creates a feedback loop.

When people remain silent because they believe their views are uncommon, that silence prevents others from realizing how widely the belief is actually shared. As a result, skepticism appears more widespread than it really is.

In effect, people remain quiet to conform to a social norm that may exist largely because everyone else is also remaining quiet.

Expert Opinion Barely Changed People’s Views

The researchers also tested whether revealing expert opinion would influence participants’ beliefs.

Some respondents were shown survey results indicating that many astrobiologists—scientists who study the origins and distribution of life in the universe—consider extraterrestrial life plausible.

Interestingly, this information had only a small effect on participants’ probability estimates [1]. Even after seeing expert opinions, participants’ beliefs changed very little.

This suggests that people’s beliefs about extraterrestrial intelligence may not depend strongly on expert authority. Instead, individuals may rely more on intuitive reasoning about the vastness of the universe or broader worldview assumptions when forming their judgments.

{  https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb }

Missing Air Force General Case Draws FBI and Online Conspiracy Theories

The disappearance of a retired Air Force general who once oversaw billions of dollars in military research has drawn federal investigators into the search and fueled a wave of online conspiracy theories about classified programs and unidentified flying objects.

Retired Maj. Gen. William “Neil” McCasland, a former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, has been missing since Feb. 27, when he disappeared from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Local authorities are leading the investigation, but federal agencies, including the FBI, have joined the search as the case continues to attract national attention. 

While investigators have not identified a clear explanation for his disappearance, McCasland’s background overseeing some of the Air Force’s most advanced science and technology programs has made the case a magnet for speculation online.

Authorities say the investigation remains active and have urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement. 

A Career at the Center of Air Force Research

McCasland spent more than three decades in the Air Force and ultimately served as commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), one of the military’s most influential science and technology organizations.

AFRL manages research programs that shape the future of air and space power, including advanced propulsion systems, directed energy weapons, aerospace materials and satellite technologies.

At the time of his leadership, the laboratory oversaw roughly $2.2 billion in Air Force science and technology programs, along with additional externally funded research and development projects.

The role placed McCasland among the Air Force’s most senior science leaders, responsible for guiding long-term research investments and coordinating efforts across the Pentagon, universities and defense industry partners.

Programs developed through AFRL help transition experimental technologies into operational military capabilities used by service members around the world.

During McCasland’s tenure, AFRL played a central role in developing technologies that later became key components of modern U.S. military capability. The laboratory helped advance work on directed-energy weapons, advanced satellite systems, hypersonic research and next-generation sensors, while partnering with universities and defense contractors to transition experimental technologies into operational systems used by the Air Force and Space Force today.

Leaders of AFRL often interact with classified programs and emerging technologies years before they become publicly known, which helps explain why the disappearance of a former commander has drawn unusual attention online.

McCasland retired from the Air Force in 2013 after more than three decades of service. 

Federal Authorities Join the Search

Local authorities in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, are leading the investigation, but federal agencies have provided additional resources as the search expanded.

The FBI’s Albuquerque field office has joined the effort to assist with investigative support and search coordination. 

Federal agencies often provide specialized resources in missing-person cases, including forensic analysis, digital investigations and coordination across jurisdictions.

Authorities have conducted extensive search operations around Albuquerque, including neighborhood canvassing, drone flights and searches with trained K-9 teams.

Volunteers and neighbors have also assisted with the search effort, helping distribute information and examine areas near McCasland’s home where he might have traveled.

So far, investigators have not publicly identified evidence of foul play.

Timeline of the Day He Disappeared

Some of the clearest details about the day McCasland vanished have come from his wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson.

According to information she shared publicly, a repairman visited their home around mid-morning on Feb. 27. Wilkerson later left for a doctor’s appointment, and when she returned about an hour later, McCasland was gone (KRQE News, Albuquerque).

Investigators say his phone and glasses were left behind in the house, while several other items were missing, including his wallet, hiking boots and a .38-caliber revolver. 

The disappearance prompted authorities to issue a Silver Alert and launch a large search effort across the surrounding area.

Wife Pushes Back on Conspiracy Theories

As the case spread online, Wilkerson has repeatedly pushed back against speculation linking her husband’s disappearance to UFO secrets or classified military programs.

In a public Facebook post addressing the rumors, she wrote that her husband had no secret knowledge about extraterrestrial technology or materials.

“Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt,” she wrote. (People Magazine; Newsweek)

She also said that while McCasland once had access to classified programs during his military career, he retired more than a decade ago and his knowledge would now be outdated.

“It seems quite unlikely that he was taken to extract very dated secrets from him,” she wrote.

Frustrated by the speculation, she later used humor to address the rumors circulating online.

“Though at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership,” she wrote, adding that no sightings had been reported over the nearby Sandia Mountains. 

Her comments highlight how quickly misinformation can spread online when high-profile individuals become the focus of missing-person cases.

Why Conspiracy Theories Are Spreading

Much of the speculation surrounding McCasland’s disappearance stems from his past role overseeing advanced Air Force research programs.

One of the most widely circulated theories online suggests his disappearance could somehow be tied to classified UFO or unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) programs. The speculation has been amplified by McCasland’s brief involvement with a company connected to former Blink-182 musician Tom DeLonge that explored public discussion of UAPs. 

Other theories circulating on social media suggest that McCasland may have had knowledge of secret aerospace or weapons programs that made him a target.

There is currently no evidence supporting those claims, and investigators have not indicated that his former work is connected to his disappearance.

Experts say speculation around national security programs is common whenever high-profile military figures are involved in unexplained events.

The combination of McCasland’s rank, his leadership role in the Air Force’s primary research laboratory and the secrecy that often surrounds advanced defense technology has created a perfect environment for online rumors.

The Search Continues

For now, investigators say their focus remains on locating McCasland and determining what happened after he left his home in late February.

Authorities continue to ask the public to report any information that might assist the investigation.

The disappearance of a retired senior military leader is rare, and for many who once worked alongside him in the defense science community, the unanswered questions surrounding the case remain troubling.

Until authorities uncover new information, the search for McCasland continues, along with the hope that the mystery surrounding his disappearance will soon be resolved.

RELATED

{ https://www.military.com/daily-news }

In what sounds like a scene from a science fiction thriller, a humanoid robot has been arrested by police after terrifying an elderly woman in China. 

According to local authorities, the 70–year–old woman was startled by the robot when she suddenly noticed it standing behind her. 

A viral clip shows the woman yelling and waving her bag at the diminutive bot, which repeatedly raises its arms in the air.

Footage then shows two police officers escorting the Unitree G1 down the road, with one leading the robot by its shoulder. 

Police told reporters that the woman had stopped to check her phone when the robot halted behind her, waiting for her to clear the path.

The elderly pedestrian was then 'frightened' to discover that the robot was silently following her down the road.

Following the incident, the woman told police that she was feeling unwell and was taken to hospital for a check–up and treatment. 

After doctors confirmed there was no physical altercation between her and the robot, the unnamed woman said that she wouldn't be filing a complaint against the bot's operator.  

A bizarre video shows the moment a humanoid robot is arrested by police after terrifying an elderly woman in China

The altercation occurred at 21:00 local time outside a residential complex in Macau, China. 

In the video, according to a translation by the Macau Post, the woman can be seen yelling: 'You're making my heart race!

'You've got plenty to do, so what's the point of messing around with this? Are you freaking crazy?'  

While the robot was not officially arrested, police did remove it from the scene and returned it to its operator, a man in his 50s, who was reminded to exercise caution.

However, on social media, the short clip of a robot being escorted away by police has sparked a wave of memes, as commenters joke that this is the 'first robot arrest in history'.

On X, one commenter joked: 'Looks like the robot needs a lawyer or some basic rights.'

'We are rapidly approaching a new wacky timeline,' added another.

One asked: 'Did the robot have a mugshot? Did the robot go to court?'

A viral clip shows the woman yelling and waving her bag at a Unitree G1 robot, which repeatedly raises its arms in the air

Unitree G1: Key Specs

• Height: 4.3ft (132cm)
• Price: $16,000/£12,000 
• Weight: 35kg
• Arm span: 1.4ft 
• Speed: 2m/s (5mph) 
• Power supply: Lithium battery 
• Manual controller: Yes 

While one chimed in: 'This is exactly how the matrix started.'

However, others were far less sympathetic, blaming the elderly woman for overreacting to the robot's presence.

One commenter coldly wrote: 'Clearly the woman is the problem, not the robot.'

'Lock that woman up for impeding a robotic lifeform,' another added.

Authorities revealed that the robot belonged to a nearby education centre, which had been using the Unitree G1 robot as part of a promotion.

Towin Mak, a spokesperson for the education centre, told local broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM) that the robot was leaving the area when it encountered the elderly woman.

Mr Mak added that it was being guided by a mix of autonomous programming and remote supervision at the time. 

The robot's operator has apologised for causing distress. 

Following the incident, the 70–year–old woman told police that she was feeling unwell and was taken to hospital for a check–up and treatment. She later decided to bring a complaint against the robot's operator 

While this may be the first time that the police have had to bring a robot into custody, police forces are already making robots part of their approach to fighting crime. 

Professor Ivan Sun, from the University of Delaware, previously predicted that robotic police officers would be patrolling our streets in just five years.

Read More

•  Real-life Robocop! Robot police officers will patrol the streets by 2031, expert predicts 

These real–life robocops will be able to detect, pursue and apprehend suspects – likely working alongside human supervisors.

Meanwhile, countries like China and Singapore have begun trialling robotic police robots, with varying degrees of success.

For example, the Xavier robot in Singapore patrols public spaces to detect 'undesirable social behaviours' such as smoking before relaying the information to human officers.

While in China, AI–powered robots such as the AnBot have been integrated into security systems to conduct surveillance, verify identities and patrol transport hubs. In the UAE, robots have been used in more service–oriented roles such as greeting tourists or providing multilingual assistance during large events.

{ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/index.html }

Trump’s UFO release could include videos, photos of non-human craft proving we aren’t alone: source

The federal government holds shocking evidence of UFOs which proves we are not alone — including satellite imagery of out-of-this world craft that look like nothing “we have built,” an expert with knowledge of the documents told The Post.

The government’s trove of UFO docs is massive and includes stunning photos and videos, according to Christopher Mellon, the former deputy assistant secretary of defense intelligence during the Clinton and Bush administrations.

Publicly disclosing the information would take UFO discourse “to another level,” he added.

Under President Trump’s order two weeks ago, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will direct the release of “files related to” aliens, UFOs, and “all other information connected to” the “highly complex” subject matter, the president wrote on Truth Social.

While the announcement spurred federal agencies, including the White House and the Pentagon, to scramble, there has been no official word on what will be released and when.

The most compelling piece of data, Mellon claimed, are clear satellite photos of craft in space above the Earth that are obviously not manmade.

“We have satellite imagery of craft that sure don’t look like anything that we have built or constructed,” Mellon said.

Those same convincing images of craft engaging in “actions that are difficult to explain” were referenced by ex-director of national intelligence and current CIA director John Ratcliffe in a 2021 Fox News interview.

In 2017, Mellon played a key role in the release of three now famous US military radar images of Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon, or UAPs, referred to as the “Tic Tac,” “GOFAST,” and “Gimbal” — and he said there are more just like those on government hard drives.

Chris Mellon, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Intelligence, told The Post the government has many videos and photos of UFOs which have yet to be released to the public.

News Nation

The government now prefers the term “UAP,” or Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, to “UFO.”

“There’s a significant number of videos from the same sources that were judged unclassified in 2018 — gun cameras on F18s, [Forward Looking Infrared Radar] videos — that have been withheld from the public,” he said. 

“I know there are because I’ve seen some of them,” said Mellon, adding, “And there’s no rational reason that I can think of why those videos are being withheld.”

Though some provocative images should be included in the release, Mellon said he has no expectation for files that confirm the existence of, or contact with, alien civilizations.

The Department of War, the Department of National Intelligence, the National Security Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Department of Energy, and the National Nuclear Security Administration all have UFO files that would be relevant to the Trump-ordered release, Mellon said.

Releasing classified and sensitive materials is an “unnatural act” for intelligence agencies, he said.

“I have a feeling bureaucracy is going to react slowly and I don’t think they’re gonna put the best stuff out quickly, if they do at all,” he said. “Congressional vigilance is needed to ensure a thorough and effective process.”

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), senior member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, who introduced the UAP Disclosure Act with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in 2023, is hoping for a broad release that ensures US military secrets are preserved.

Rounds hopes for “as much disclosure as we can get with regard to just being honest to the American people about what we see that we either don’t know about or that we’re learning about.

“And I just want to make sure that whatever we put out, we do not impact our own national security capabilities.”

• Additional reporting by Geoff Earle

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{ https://nypost.com/us-news/ }

The government is very serious about UFOs. So why are researchers being stymied?

A photo of a UFO taken in 1957 near Holloman Air Development Center, Alamagordo, New Mexico. 

(Image credit: Bettmann/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon and other federal agencies to begin releasing government files related to UFOs and unidentified anomalous phenomena — called UAP — in February 2026, following years of pressure from Congress, military whistleblowers and the public.

Congress formally mandated UAP investigations through the National Defense Authorization Act in December 2022. The Pentagon's official UAP investigative body, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, AARO, now carries a caseload exceeding 2,000 reports dating back to 1945. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed this figure earlier this year.

The cases were submitted by military personnel, pilots and government employees describing aerial objects that could not be explained as known aircraft, drones or weather phenomena. Governments in Japan, France, Brazil and Canada also have their own formal UAP investigation programs.

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Yet modern research universities remain almost entirely absent from this conversation. No major university has established a dedicated UAP research center. No federal science agency offers competitive grants for UAP inquiry. No doctoral programs train researchers in UAP methodology. The gap between what governments openly acknowledge and what universities are willing to study is, at this point, difficult to explain on purely intellectual grounds.

I have navigated this gap while conducting my own UAP research. My work developing the temporal aerospace correlation tool, a standardized framework for correlating civilian UAP sighting reports with documented rocket launch activity from Cape Canaveral, is currently under peer review at Limina: The Journal of UAP Studies.

Designing that framework meant making methodological decisions without community standards, without institutional funding and without the professional infrastructure many researchers in established fields take for granted. What is missing is not interest or data — it is the shared scaffolding that turns isolated curiosity into cumulative science.

Stigma is measurable

The most rigorous evidence for the gap between faculty interest in UAP and faculty willingness to study it comes from peer-reviewed studies by Marissa Yingling, Charlton Yingling and Bethany Bell, published in the scholarly journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications.

Across 14 disciplines at 144 major U.S. research universities, 1,460 faculty responded to their 2023 national survey. Most surveyed believed UAP research was important. Curiosity outweighed skepticism in every discipline that was part of the study. Nearly one-fifth had personally observed something aerial they could not identify. Yet fewer than 1% had ever conducted UAP-related research.

The gap was not explained by intellectual dismissal, but it was in part explained by fear. Researchers were not primarily deterred by intellectual skepticism because they doubted the topic's merits. Instead, they feared they might lose funding, face ridicule from colleagues or find their careers quietly derailed. Faculty reported being told to "be careful."

A 2024 follow-up study found that roughly 28% said they might vote against a colleague's tenure case for conducting UAP research, even when they personally believed the topic warranted study.

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Historian and philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn argued that scientific communities suppress anomalous questions not because those questions are unanswerable, but because they fall outside the boundaries the community has collectively decided are worth investigating.

Sociologist Thomas Gieryn called this suppression "boundary work," referring to the active process by which scientists police what counts as legitimate science.

For UAP researchers, the data and tools to study the phenomenon exist. What may not exist is social permission to use them without professional consequence.

Creating an academic discipline

Academic disciplines do not emerge spontaneously. They require dedicated journals, agreed-upon methods, graduate programs and professional societies.

The history of cognitive neuroscience demonstrates how disciplines emerge. Before the 1980s, researchers at the intersection of neuroscience and cognitive psychology faced resistance from both parent disciplines.

These fields achieved mainstream acceptance only after targeted funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, new brain-imaging tools and the gradual formation of academic programs that created career pathways for researchers. Researchers at the nexus of these fields did not wait for central questions to be resolved. They built infrastructure, and the infrastructure made progress possible.

UAP studies as a discipline is developing some of these elements, but largely outside universities. The Society for UAP Studies, a nonprofit of scholars and researchers, operates Limina as a double-blind, peer-reviewed journal and has convened international symposia drawing researchers from physics, philosophy of science and the social sciences. But a nonprofit scholarly society without tenured faculty does not constitute a discipline.

To turn UAP studies into a recognized academic field would require three things.

First, funding. The Yingling studies found that competitive research grants would do more to unlock faculty participation than any other single factor. Without grants, researchers cannot hire students to assist them, maintain instruments or sustain the multiyear projects that produce meaningful results.

Second, shared methodological standards — these would entail agreed-upon procedures for collecting, recording and evaluating UAP reports — would mean findings from one research group can be compared and built upon by others.

Third, institutions could publicly affirm that they will evaluate appropriately rigorous UAP scholarship on its scientific merits during tenure reviews. Several universities have already done this for gun violence research and psychedelic-assisted therapy studies.

These are not isolated examples. Research into near-death experiences and adverse childhood experiences followed similar trajectories, moving from being a professional liability to mainstream legitimacy after the removal of institutional barriers.

The international comparison

This gap in UAP scholarship is unique to the United States. France's GEIPAN, a dedicated investigation unit within its national space agency, has operated since 1977. It has publicly archived approximately 5,300 French UAP cases, of which about 2% to 3% remain unexplained after rigorous analysis.

In 2020, Japan formalized UAP reporting protocols for its Self-Defense Forces, the branch of the Japanese military responsible for national defense. By June 2024, more than 80 lawmakers had formed a parliamentary UAP investigation group that by May 2025 had formally proposed a dedicated UAP research office to the defense minister. Canada launched its own multiagency UAP investigation survey in 2023.

None of these actions has produced a corresponding response from American research universities. Universities provide independent, peer-reviewed analyses that government programs structurally cannot.

The University of Würzburg in Germany became the first Western university to officially recognize UAP as a legitimate object of academic research in 2022, when it formally added UAP investigation to its research canon. Researchers at 

New Details Emerge About Jimmy Carter’s Alleged 1977 UFO Briefing

Nearly five decades after Jimmy Carter entered the White House, a new claim has reignited debate about what U.S. presidents may know about unidentified flying objects. Physicist Dr. Eric Davis recently stated that Carter received a classified UFO briefing in June 1977 that allegedly contained information about contact between the United States government and non-human beings.

The claim, discussed during a podcast conversation involving Davis, Eric Weinstein and host Jesse Michaels, adds fresh details to a long-circulating story about Carter’s early presidency and his interest in the UFO phenomenon. While the claim has not been independently verified, it has drawn renewed attention to a period when UFOs briefly became a subject of serious discussion inside the White House.

The Alleged 1977 UFO Briefing

According to Davis, the briefing occurred only months after Carter took office in January 1977. What reportedly began as a routine meeting in the National Security Council conference room allegedly shifted location when the topic of UFOs emerged.

Davis claims the discussion moved to the Oval Office, where Carter was informed about classified information regarding UFOs and possible interactions between government agencies and extraterrestrial entities.

Another intriguing detail concerns the documentation of the meeting. Davis says records exist in the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library that include an attendee list. All participants are visible in the document except for two individuals whose names and affiliations remain redacted nearly fifty years later.

The existence of those redactions has fueled speculation among UFO researchers about who might have attended the meeting and what agencies they represented.

Confirmation Claims From Carter Staff

Davis also stated that the briefing was later confirmed by Alonzo McDonald, who served as a senior staff member in the Carter White House.

According to Davis, McDonald reportedly investigated the matter after hearing about the meeting and spoke directly with Carter and other participants. After doing so, McDonald allegedly concluded that the briefing did indeed occur.

If accurate, this would suggest that discussions about UFOs were occurring at the highest levels of government during Carter’s first year in office.

Links to the Controversial “Project Aquarius”

The story has also been linked to a rumored classified program known as Project Aquarius, a name that has appeared in UFO documents since the early 1980s.

Davis suggested that officials attending the meeting were given briefing documents that had to be returned afterward. Later, some of those participants allegedly reconstructed the briefing from memory. That reconstruction supposedly became known among researchers as the Aquarius document.

The document refers to a highly restricted intelligence program and mentions oversight by a small group sometimes associated with the controversial MJ-12 documents, which have long been debated within UFO research circles.

However, historians note that the Aquarius material may contain a mixture of authentic terminology and deliberate misinformation. Some versions of the documents were clearly altered over time, casting doubt on their reliability.

Carter’s Personal Interest in UFOs

The renewed attention on the story is partly due to Carter’s own history with UFO sightings.

Before becoming president, Carter publicly reported witnessing a strange object in the sky in 1969 while attending a Lions Club meeting in Georgia. During the 1976 presidential campaign, he spoke openly about the experience and promised that, if elected, he would help release UFO information to scientists and the public.

This statement created enormous public interest. Once Carter entered office, the White House reportedly received large volumes of letters from citizens asking for UFO disclosure or sharing their own sightings.

Attempts to Reopen UFO Research

Inside the administration, officials explored the possibility of creating a new scientific investigation of UFO sightings. One idea was to have NASA lead a civilian research program that would replace the U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book, which had been shut down in 1969.

The proposal quickly encountered resistance.

NASA officials argued that UFO reports did not justify launching a major research program. According to accounts from the period, intelligence agencies were also reluctant to reopen the issue, and the plan ultimately stalled.

By the end of 1977, the public effort to study UFOs had effectively faded away.

The United Nations UFO Proposal

The UFO topic also surfaced in international diplomacy during Carter’s presidency.

In September 1977, Carter met with Eric Gairy, the prime minister of Grenada. Gairy had a personal interest in UFO sightings and proposed that the United Nations create an international investigation into the phenomenon.

Grenada later attempted to push for a UN resolution encouraging global cooperation on UFO research. The initiative failed to gain support, with both the United States and the United Kingdom opposing the effort.

Nevertheless, the episode illustrates how visible the UFO issue had become during Carter’s first year in office.

A Moment When UFOs Reached the Political Mainstream

Despite Carter’s earlier interest, the administration eventually stopped pursuing the issue publicly. Researchers have long wondered why a president who had promised transparency on UFOs appeared to abandon the subject so quickly.

If the briefing described by Eric Davis did occur, it could provide one possible explanation. According to some accounts circulating in UFO research circles, Carter was reportedly deeply troubled after learning classified information about the phenomenon.

However, without official confirmation or newly declassified documents, the true details of what the president may have been told remain unknown.

Renewed Interest in a Historical Mystery

The recent claims from Dr. Eric Davis have prompted historians and UFO researchers to revisit the events of 1977, a year when the UFO question briefly came close to the center of American political life.

Whether the alleged briefing actually took place remains uncertain. Still, the story highlights how the subject of unidentified aerial phenomena has repeatedly intersected with government secrecy, intelligence agencies, and political decision-making.

With growing public interest in UAPs and ongoing discussions in governments around the world, the Carter era may yet reveal new insights into how leaders have privately confronted one of the most enduring mysteries of the modern age.

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

Een geschiedenis van beroemde primeurs in de ruimte

©Getty Images

Een geschiedenis van beroemde primeurs in de ruimte
Hoewel de ruimte de mens al lange tijd fascineert, duurde het tot de tweede helft van de 20e eeuw voordat ruimtevaart werkelijkheid werd, waardoor mensen verder dan onze planeet konden kijken. Vanaf de eerste vrouw in de ruimte tot de eerste beelden van de aarde hebben wetenschappers, astronauten en astronomen over de hele wereld hard gewerkt om de kosmos te verkennen.De Koude Oorlog tussen de VS en de Sovjet-Unie was een belangrijke factor die de vooruitgang van de ruimtevaart beïnvloedde. Beide landen streden om dominantie in de ruimte, en veel van de primeurs die in de ruimte werden bereikt, waren te danken aan de wens van beide landen om 'de eersten' te zijn.Klik dus verder om de opmerkelijke primeurs in de ruimtegeschiedenis te ontdekken.

©Public Domain

2021: Eerste helikopter op Mars
NASA's Perseverance-rover landde op 18 Februari 2021 met succes op Mars, samen met het eerste vliegtuig dat ooit op een andere planeet landde: de Ingenuity-helikopter.

©Public Domain

2015: Eerste succesvolle Pluto-missie
De scheervlucht kwam tot op een afstand van 12.874 km van het oppervlak van Pluto en maakte close-upbeelden van het terrein.

©Public Domain

2012: Eerste commerciële ruimtemissie
Elon Musk's SpaceX bracht het eerste commerciële bezoek aan het internationale ruimtestation in 2012. Het bedrijf stond onder contract van NASA om het station te bevoorraden.

©Public Domain

2001: 's Werelds eerste ruimtetoerist
Op 30 April 2001 arriveerde de Amerikaanse miljonair Dennis Tito (links) via een Russische Sojoez-raket bij het internationale ruimtestation en werd daarmee de eerste ruimtetoerist ter wereld.

©Public Domain

2000: Eerste bemanning van het Internationale Ruimtestation
Een combinatie van Amerikaanse en Russische astronauten, de eerste bemanning ging in 2000 aan boord van het internationale ruimtestation.

©Public Domain

1995: Eerste ontmoeting tussen Atlantis en Mir
Een teken dat de Koude Oorlog eindelijk voorbij was, was dat het Amerikaanse ruimtestation Atlantis en het Russische ruimtestation Mir elkaar voor het eerst in de ruimte ontmoetten.

©Public Domain

1995: Eerste vrouw leidt ruimteveermissie
De Amerikaanse Eileen Marie Collins werd de eerste vrouw die het bevel voerde over een Space Shuttle-missie. Ze bestuurde ook een ontmoeting met het Russische ruimtestation Mir.

©NL Beeld

1991: Eerste Britse astronaut bezoekt de ruimte
Helen Sharman was de eerste Britse astronaut en de eerste vrouwelijke bezoeker van het Mir-ruimtestation in 1991.

©Public Domain

1988: Eerste ruimteveervlucht sinds de ramp met de Challenger
In 1988 werd de Discovery de eerste space shuttle die vertrok na de ramp met de Challenger in 1986. De Challenger ontplofte bij het opstijgen, waarbij alle zeven aan boord omkwamen.

©Public Domain

1985: Eerste shuttlevlucht met Atlantis
De bouw van de Atlantis duurde ongeveer de helft van de tijd van eerdere Space Shuttles.

©Public Domain

1985: Eerste koninklijke ruimtevaart
De Saoedische sultan bin Salman Al-Saud (rechts) werd de eerste koninklijke man in de ruimte. Als lid van de Saoedische luchtmacht had hij 1.000 uur vliegervaring toen hij in 1985 deelnam aan de Discovery-missie van NASA.

©Public Domain

1983: Eerste Afro-Amerikaan in de ruimte
Guion S. Bluford was de eerste Afro-Amerikaan die in 1983 de ruimte in ging. De eerste zwarte persoon in de ruimte was echter de Cubaanse astronaut Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez in 1980. Hij maakte deel uit van een Sovjetprogramma om niet-Sovjet-astronauten aan boord van een Sovjet-ruimtevaartuig te vliegen.

©NL Beeld

1983: Eerste Amerikaanse vrouw in de ruimte
Sally Ride werd in 1983 de eerste Amerikaanse vrouw in de ruimte. Ze was ook de jongste Amerikaanse astronaut die in de ruimte heeft gevlogen, op 32-jarige leeftijd.

©Public Domain

1981: Eerste space shuttle bereikt een baan om de aarde
De eerste space shuttle, de Columbia, bereikte in 1981 een baan om de aarde.

©Public Domain

1975: Eerste internationale bemande ruimtevlucht
De twee landen waren tientallen jaren verwikkeld in een ruimterace en werkten in 1975 samen voor de eerste internationale bemande ruimtevlucht. Een Amerikaans Apollo-ruimtevaartuig ontmoette een Sovjet-Sojoez en hun bemanningen voerden samen verschillende experimenten uit.

©Public Domain

1973: Eerste skylab
Gelanceerd door NASA, bezochten drie bemanningen in de loop van de volgende twee jaar, terwijl enorme hoeveelheden ruimtegegevens werden teruggestuurd naar de missiecontrole in Houston.

©Public Domain

1971: Eerste sterfgevallen in de ruimte
In een tragische ruimte werden de Sovjet-astronauten Georgi Dobrovolsky, Vladislav Volkov en Viktor Patsayev op 30 Juni 1971 de eersten die in de ruimte omkwamen. Een kapotte ademhalingsautomaat veroorzaakte een drukval in hun ruimtevaartuig, waardoor ze binnen enkele seconden verstikten.

©NL Beeld

1969: Eerste mens op de maan
Neil Armstrong werd in 1969 de eerste man op de maan. Hij en Buzz Aldrin liepen 2,5 uur rond de maan, onderzochten en verzamelden monsters voordat ze terugkeerden naar de aarde met Michael Collins, die in een baan om de Apollo 11 was gebleven.

©Public Domain

1966: Eerste foto van de volledige aarde vanuit de baan van de maan
De eerste foto van de aarde werd op 23 Augustus 1966 vanuit de baan van de maan genomen door een NASA-shuttle.

©Public Domain

1966: Eerste bemande docking in de ruimte
Op 16 Maart 1966 maakte een bemand ruimtevaartuig zijn eerste koppelingsuitwisseling in de ruimte. De Gemini VIII, bemand door Armstrong, sloot zich aan bij het onbemande Agena-doelvoertuig, waardoor het de eerste keer was dat twee ruimtevaartuigen buiten de baan van de aarde met elkaar verbonden waren.

©Public Domain

1965: Eerste ruimtewandeling
Sovjet-astronaut Alexei Leonov was de eerste persoon die in Maart 1965 de ruimte in liep. Leonovs eerste woorden bij het verlaten van het ruimtevaartuig waren: "De aarde is rond!"

©NL Beeld

1963: Eerste vrouw in de ruimte
Sovjet-astronaut Valentina Tereshkova werd in 1963 de eerste vrouw in de ruimte. Ze bracht 71 uur door in de ruimte.

©Public Domain

1962: Eerste Amerikaan draait in een baan om de aarde
John Glenn werd in 1962 de eerste Amerikaan die in een baan om de aarde draaide. Glenn was lid van de Mercury 7 en cirkelde in minder dan vijf uur drie keer om de aarde.

©Public Domain

1961: Eerste langdurige ruimtevlucht
In tegenstelling tot de veel kortere vluchten eerder dat jaar duurde de vlucht van Sovjet-astronaut Gherman S. Titov (rechts) meer dan 25 uur. Zo werd Titov ook de eerste persoon die in de ruimte sliep.

©Public Domain

1961: Eerste Amerikaan in de ruimte
Alan Shepard werd de eerste Amerikaan in de ruimte, tijdens een reis die iets meer dan 15 minuten duurde.

©NL Beeld

1961: Eerste persoon in de ruimte
Minder dan een maand voordat Shepard de ruimte in ging, versloeg de Sovjet-Unie de VS in de ruimterace door 's werelds eerste mens de ruimte in te sturen. Yuri Gagarin werd een internationale beroemdheid na zijn terugkeer naar de aarde.

©Public Domain

1959: Amerika's eerste astronauten
De eerste Amerikaanse astronauten werden in 1959 geïntroduceerd. De leden van de groep waren finalisten van een competitief proces dat begon met meer dan 500 kandidaten. Deze "Originele Zeven" werden uiteindelijk de "Mercury Seven" genoemd, naar de naam van het ruimteproject, het Mercury-programma.

©Public Domain

1958: Eerste Amerikaanse man-in-ruimteprogramma
Project Mercury had tot doel een bemand ruimtevaartuig rond de aarde te laten draaien en te onderzoeken hoe mensen in de ruimte konden functioneren. Het project maakte tussen 1961 en 1963 zes bemande vluchten.

©NL Beeld

1957: Het eerste dier in de ruimte
Het eerste dier dat een orbitale ruimtevlucht rond de aarde maakte, was de hond Laika, aan boord van het Sovjet-ruimtevaartuig Spoetnik 2 op 3 November 1957. Ze stierf uren na de vlucht door oververhitting, tijdens de vierde baan van het vaartuig.

Bronnen:

• (Newsweek)
• (Stacker)

Zie ook:

•  Wat zijn de veiligste landen als er een derde wereldoorlog uitbreekt?

{ Stars Insider }

15 Fascinating Facts About the Mysterious Lost Continent of Kumari Kandam

While Atlantis and Lemuria are well-known tales of lost continents, Kumari Kandam adds another layer to the mystery, specifically tied to Tamil  history and mythology.

Deep beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean, legends whisper of a sunken land that once flourished with life, culture, and unparalleled knowledge. Known as Kumari Kandam, this mythical continent is said to have existed south of present-day India, serving as the cradle of the Tamil people—a civilization renowned for its ancient language, rich traditions, and far-reaching influence.

While modern  science has found no evidence of this lost landmass, the story of Kumari Kandam continues to intrigue, blending elements of mythology, cultural pride, and  historical speculation. Some say the Tamil people, facing a cataclysm that swallowed their homeland, spread across the globe, planting seeds of civilization in far-off lands.

Similar to the tales of Atlantis or Lemuria, Kumari Kandam invites us to explore the boundaries between myth and reality. Is it purely a creation of folklore, or does it carry echoes of forgotten history? Regardless of its factual basis, this captivating tale provides a fascinating glimpse into humanity’s enduring quest to understand its origins and preserve its stories for generations to come.

The Myth of Kumari Kandam: A Tale of Lost Civilizations

1. A South Indian Atlantis?

Kumari Kandam is often likened to the legendary Atlantis. Both are said to have been advanced civilizations that were lost to the sea, leaving only whispers of their existence in ancient texts.

2. The Tamil Connection

The Tamil people, one of the world’s oldest known cultures, are believed to have called Kumari Kandam their home. Legends suggest they migrated globally, establishing other civilizations after the catastrophic loss of their homeland.

3. More Than Atlantis and Lemuria

While Atlantis and Lemuria are well-known tales of lost continents, Kumari Kandam adds another layer to the mystery, specifically tied to Tamil history and mythology.

4. Location Below the Indian Ocean

The mythical land is said to have been located south of modern India, beneath the Indian Ocean.

Ancient Texts and Historical Claims

5. A Name from Sacred Texts

The term “Kumari Kandam” first appeared in a 15th-century version of the Skanda Purana, a major Hindu text. It was authored by Kachiappa Sivacharyar and remains central to Tamil cultural identity.

6. Etymological Roots

Contrary to popular belief, the name derives from the Sanskrit term Kumarika Khanda, emphasizing its connection to ancient Hindu traditions.

7. The Cradle of Civilization

Kumari Kandam is described in Tamil texts as the origin of human civilization, where humanity and culture first flourished.

8. Geological Theories of Lemuria

The continent was initially theorized in the 19th century to explain geological and biological similarities between India, Africa, and Madagascar, sparking connections with ancient Tamil legends.

Controversies and Modern Perspectives

9. Continental Drift vs. Myth

Modern geology dismisses the idea of Kumari Kandam as a landmass, citing the theory of continental drift, which explains the distribution of continents without invoking submerged continents.

10. Ancient Texts Speak of Submerged Lands

Despite scientific skepticism, Tamil and Sanskrit writings consistently refer to lands submerged in South India, fueling the legend of Kumari Kandam.

11. Rama’s Bridge: A 1.7-Million-Year-Old Clue?

A structure known as Rama’s Bridge, or Adam’s Bridge, in the Palk Strait has been cited as potential evidence for the lost land. Some claim this natural formation was a man-made link to Kumari Kandam.

Cultural and Historical Legacy

12. The Tamil Diaspora

Many believe the Tamil people’s migrations post-catastrophe were responsible for founding other ancient civilizations, making their cultural impact global.

13. A Tale Interwoven with Myth and Reality

Kumari Kandam blends mythological lore with historical speculation, capturing the imagination of those intrigued by ancient mysteries.

14. A Symbol of Tamil Pride

For the Tamil people, Kumari Kandam represents their ancient heritage and enduring legacy, celebrated through stories, texts, and art.

15. Unraveling the Mystery

While modern science may refute its existence, Kumari Kandam continues to be a subject of fascination, bridging the gap between legend and 

The tale of Kumari Kandam taps into our fascination with ancient mysteries and lost civilizations. Much like the stories of Atlantis or Lemuria, it blurs the line between history and myth. While there’s no scientific evidence to confirm its existence, such legends continue to capture imaginations, reflecting how cultures across the world create narratives to explain their past. Kumari Kandam, like many other myths, serves as a reminder of our collective desire to make sense of the unknown.

{ https://curiosmos.com/ }

According to McCasland’s wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, he was last seen on the morning of February 27, 2026, before she left home shortly before 11 a.m. for a scheduled medical appointment. By the time she returned home, Neil was no longer at the residence.

Reaching out to family members and friends, none provided any information indicating his whereabouts, and shortly after 3 p.m. on the same afternoon, his wife reported him missing to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.

On Thursday, the Office released an updated timeline of events involving the search for McCasland, along with an updated description of what he is believed to have been wearing at the time he disappeared.

The Disappearance of Neil McCasland: What We Know

McCasland was last seen at or near his home near Quail Run Court NE in Sandia Heights on Friday, February 27, 2026.

According to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), a Silver Alert remains in effect as authorities continue searching for the missing retired official, amid requests for any leads members of the public may be able to provide.

McCasland is described as 5’ 11”, approximately 160 lbs, with blue eyes and white hair. He is 68-years-old.

“As the investigation has progressed, BCSO has identified items believed to be unaccounted for from the residence,” the Sheriff’s Office said on Thursday. These items include a light green, long-sleeve button-up “outdoor shirt,” a pair of hiking boots, McCasland’s wallet, and “a .38 caliber revolver with a leather holster.”

The BCSO released an image with Thursday’s announcement in which McCasland was seen wearing the shirt now believed to be among the items missing from his residence.

At 11:10 a.m., McCasland’s wife left for her medical appointment and returned within a period of one hour, noticing her husband was gone at approximately 12.04 p.m. that afternoon.

Left behind were McCasland’s personal phone and wearable devices, as well as the prescription glasses he is seen wearing in many recent photos released by the BCSO since he was reported missing. With no information about his whereabouts, Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson reached out to friends and family members, none of whom had seen or could provide information about Neil.

Shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 27, Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson reported Neil missing. According to the BCSO, “the investigation began immediately,” and a Silver Alert was issued.

Silver Alert for William “Neil” McCasland, who was reported missing to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office on February 27, 2026 (Image Credit: Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office)

At the time of McCasland’s disappearance, BCSO stated that “due to his medical issues law enforcement is concerned for his safety.” Since that time, the Sheriff’s Office has affirmed that information it obtained early in the investigation “indicated Mr. McCasland could be at some level of risk” prompting requests for assistance from the public in locating him, although adding that in accordance with privacy laws “BCSO will not release medical details or speculate about his state of mind.”

According to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, all reports of missing persons are investigated regardless of age or other criteria. “Particular care will be exercised in cases of persons who may be considered endangered, mentally or physically impaired, under a doctor’s care, on life-sustaining medication or have been abducted,” a document outlining the Department’s policies and procedures states.

“Additionally, the department holds that every person reported as missing will be considered ‘at risk’ until significant information to the contrary is confirmed,” the document adds.

On March 3, 2026, BCSO issued an update confirming that it was coordinating closely with multiple agencies, as well as “partners at Kirtland Air Force Base to expand outreach and speed information-sharing that may assist in locating Mr. McCasland.”

“Sheriff John Allen, an Honorary Base Commander at Kirtland, is assisting with those coordination efforts,” the March 3 update stated. “Over the past several days, BCSO has utilized significant resources and has conducted extensive efforts that include neighborhood canvassing, follow-up interviews, and coordinated search operations.”

“Specialized assets have been deployed and additional partner agencies are providing assistance,” the March 3 update said, adding that “A full canvas of the neighborhood is underway, and investigators are following up on every credible tip.”

“It is unlike Neil to be out of touch from his family and friends for this length of time,” the BCSO said in an update three days later on March 6, 2026, marking one week since McCasland was first reported missing, adding that “we have not given up hope.”

In its March 6 update, the BCSO added that authorities believed McCasland “to have left his residence on foot,” adding that he is known to be “an avid outdoorsman” and to frequently “hike, run, and cycle in the Northeast Heights and the Sandia foothills.”

The following day, on Saturday, March 7, a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt was found by investigators assisting in the search at a location approximately 1.25 miles east of McCasland’s residence. Authorities said the item was collected and processed, and that there was no sign of blood, indications of foul play, or anything that immediately linked the article of clothing to McCasland that could be discerned at that time.

“The sweatshirt has not been confirmed by family or friends to be associated with Mr. McCasland,” the BCSO said, although adding that its discovery “prompted an additional targeted search effort in the area.”

Current State of the Search

According to the BCSO’s Thursday update, the Sheriff’s Office continues to follow any leads it receives, and the case remains active entering the third week of investigations.

“Investigators have expanded a neighborhood canvass to more than 700 homes, requesting security video and information,” the BCSO statement read. “Additional search efforts have included drone operations, helicopter support, ground searches with Search and Rescue teams, and K 9 searches.”

Despite the widespread search effort, BCSO confirmed on Thursday that it has received no confirmed sighting reports of McCasland, nor any video that appears to show him leaving the vicinity of his home, or providing any indications of where he might have gone.

“Search efforts and investigative follow up are ongoing,” The BCSO statement added.

Presently, authorities are asking the public to review footage obtained by home security cameras or other surveillance systems in the Sandia Heights and surrounding areas, particularly that which was obtained on Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, with a focus on footage recorded between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on those dates. Authorities have requested footage from around the vicinity of Quail Run Court NE “and routes leading away from the neighborhood.”

Additional requests for video footage obtained by hikers, recreational cyclists, drone operators, or others in the area have also been requested.

“If you were in the foothills or on trails February 27 to 28, please review any GoPro or phone footage and submit anything that may help,” the BCSO said on Thursday.

Speaking last week, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen said that his teams have worked around the clock searching for clues that could lead to information about McCasland’s whereabouts.

“Our priority is finding Mr. McCasland safely,” Allen said, adding that “investigators and search teams are working continuously, and we’re coordinating closely with our local, state, and federal partners.”

“We will share confirmed updates as soon as we can while protecting the integrity of the investigation,” Allen said.

Speculations Complicate the Investigation

While requesting any information from members of the public that may lead to information about McCasland’s whereabouts, authorities have also repeatedly warned against premature conclusions and speculation about the retired USAF official’s disappearance.

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“There are people who attempt to develop their own theories based on the limited information available to the public and this makes finding Neil harder,” a BSCO statement dated March 6, 2026, read.

In the past, McCasland was known to have had brief associations with individuals involved in transparency efforts related to what the military now calls unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UFOs.

Specifically, in 2016, a collection of emails from the account of John Podesta—then chairman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign—was published by WikiLeaks following a data breach attributed to the Russian-linked hacking group Fancy Bear. Among the messages was an email sent by musician and UFO advocate Tom DeLonge to Podesta, discussing the possibility of bringing McCasland to Podesta’s office to discuss UFO-related topics.

“[McCasland] not only knows what I’m trying to achieve, he helped assemble my advisory team,” DeLonge told Podesta. “He’s a very important man.”

The information conveyed by DeLonge in Podesta’s leaked emails generated significant public interest, especially considering McCasland’s time overseeing the Air Force Research Laboratory, a role that placed him at the center of some of the U.S. military’s most sensitive scientific and technological initiatives.

William Neil McCasland (Credit: USAF)

McCasland completed graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, after which he served in the Secretary of the Air Force’s Office of Special Projects at Los Angeles Air Force Base, where he worked on highly classified payload and satellite programs. He later returned to MIT to complete his doctorate before continuing his work in advanced space and defense technologies. In the 1990s and early 2000s, his work included a position as chief engineer with the Navstar GPS Joint Program Office at Los Angeles AFB, before leading the Space Based Laser program office and directing the Space Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base. Several of these assignments involved collaboration with agencies such as the National Reconnaissance Office.

McCasland went on to hold senior oversight roles at the Pentagon, which included serving as executive secretary of the Special Access Program Oversight Committee, supervising some of the nation’s most highly classified programs. His final assignment came in 2011 when he assumed leadership of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he oversaw billions of dollars in advanced research and development before retiring in 2013.

McCasland’s Wife Speaks

Given his past official work and short association with Tom DeLonge, it is not hard to understand why unfounded speculations have circulated online about whether McCasland’s leadership position overseeing some of the United States military’s most sensitive programs could be related to his disappearance.

In a statement released by McCasland’s wife on social media, Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson said that while it was true that her husband had been associated with UFOs through his brief work with Tom DeLonge, this had occurred after his retirement from the Air Force, at which time she says Neil merely provided consultation “on military and technical/scientific matters to lend verisimilitude to Tom’s fiction book and media activities.” At the retired official’s request, McCasland was not compensated for these consultations, Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson added.

“After the Russians hacked John Podesta’s emails … there was less contact with Tom and the community pushing for release of UFO information,” Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson’s statement added. “This connection is not a reason for someone to abduct Neil.”

McCasland’s wife also addressed the speculations that her husband may have been targeted due to his alleged knowledge of high-level U.S. military secrets related to UFOs.

“Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt,” Mrs. McCasland Wilkerson said, though that “at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership.”

Authorities Continue Seeking Information

As the search continues, authorities have reiterated their hope that there may be residents in the Sandia Heights area who observed McCasland around the time of his disappearance, or who otherwise could have information that may prove crucial to locating him.

“We are asking for your help in finding him,” the BCSO said. “We believe there are people who have information valuable to locating Neil who have not yet spoken to law enforcement.”

“Sometimes people have information but do not come forward because they feel it may not be important,” the BSCO added in its statement last week.

“Regardless of how insignificant you think your information might be, or whether you think we are already aware of it, please contact us and allow us to make that determination.”

Law enforcement has asked anyone with information to contact the sheriff’s office Missing Persons Unit or submit tips through official reporting channels.

Anyone with information related to McCasland’s disappearance is advised to text BCSO to 847411, or you to contact the sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit directly by phone at 505-468-7070.

Information may also be uploaded directly online using the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office NM Evidence Submission Portal.

• Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. A longtime reporter on science, defense, and technology with a focus on space and astronomy, he can be reached at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow him on X @MicahHanks, and at micahhanks.com.