With UFOs back on headlines, NASA set to issue anticipated report
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The topic of UFOs has captivated public interest for so long but was often dismissed by mainstream science.
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A handout picture shows what a researcher claims is the body of an extraterrestrial, being exhibited at the Mexican Congress, in Mexico City, on September 12. (AFP)
NASA is poised to release the findings of a long-awaited study on unexplained flying objects in Earth's skies on Thursday. The US space agency announced last year that it was reviewing evidence related to unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs, replacing the term "UFO" in official terminology.
This subject has long intrigued the public but has been largely ignored by mainstream science. In May, an independent team of 16 researchers shared their preliminary observations, stating that existing data and eyewitness reports were insufficient to draw firm conclusions. They called for a more systematic collection of high-quality data.
Thursday's report is unlikely to change this fundamental conclusion, but it may mark the beginning of a new mission for the agency. While NASA's probes and rovers explore the solar system for signs of ancient microbes, and its astronomers search for evidence of intelligent civilizations on distant planets, the agency's historical stance has been to "debunk" sightings on our home planet.
During the May meeting, the researchers noted that there have been more than 800 "events" collected over 27 years, with two to five percent considered potentially anomalous. These are defined as "anything that is not readily understandable by the operator or the sensor" or "something that is doing something weird," as explained by team member Nadia Drake.
The US government has increasingly taken the issue of UAPs seriously in recent years, partly due to concerns that they are related to foreign surveillance. NASA's work, based on unclassified material, is separate from a Pentagon investigation, but the two entities are coordinating on how to apply scientific tools and methods.
In July, a former US intelligence officer garnered attention when he told a congressional committee that he "absolutely" believes the government possesses evidence of unidentified anomalous phenomena, as well as remains of their alien operators.
"My testimony is based on information I've been given by individuals with a longstanding track record of legitimacy and service to this country -- many of whom also shared compelling evidence in the form of photography, official documentation, and classified oral testimony," David Grusch told lawmakers.
Yesterday, during a congressional hearing in Mexico, alleged remains of two "non-human" entities were presented, sparking a range of reactions on social media, including surprise, skepticism, and ridicule.
Mexico is unboxing aliens 👽😂. pic.twitter.com/OrToUTjShX
— Davidi Ohmbra (@iohmbra) September 13, 2023
The purported mummified remains, with a grayish hue and a human-like body form, were presented by Jaime Maussan, a controversial Mexican journalist and researcher who claimed that they were discovered in Peru in 2017.
However, other studies have suggested that the mummies in question are fraudulent.
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