CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA announced on Thursday that a deeper scientific approach is required to study UFOs, which the agency now refers to as UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena). This will involve advanced technology and a shift in public perception.
The announcement follows the release of a 33-page report, the result of a yearlong study conducted by an independent team commissioned by NASA. The report emphasizes that the stigma surrounding UFOs hinders effective data collection. NASA officials believe their involvement can help reduce this stigma and promote a more scientific conversation.
“We want to shift the conversation about UAPs from sensationalism to science,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, promising an open and transparent approach to the study.
The panel found no evidence of extraterrestrial origins for UAPs. However, Nelson acknowledged the vastness of the universe makes it plausible that another Earth-like planet could harbor life. “If you ask me, do I believe there’s life in a universe that is so vast that it’s hard for me to comprehend how big it is, my personal answer is yes,” Nelson said. NASA scientists estimate the likelihood of life on another Earth-like planet as “at least a trillion.”
Addressing questions about whether governments are concealing evidence of aliens or otherworldly spacecraft, Nelson responded, “Show me the evidence.”
While NASA does not actively search for unexplained sightings, its Earth-circling spacecraft can help determine whether weather or other factors are responsible for unusual events. The report highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in identifying rare occurrences, including UAPs.
NASA recently appointed Mark McInerney as the director of UAP research. Previously, McInerney served as a liaison between NASA and the Defense Department on UAP matters and has worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Hurricane Center. His appointment was initially kept confidential to protect him from the threats and harassment faced by panel members during the study.
The 16-member panel, which included scientists, aviation and artificial intelligence experts, and retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, relied on unclassified data to understand unexplained aerial phenomena. The lack of high-quality observations means that most events can be attributed to planes, drones, balloons, or weather conditions, according to panel chairman David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation.
The study, which cost under $100,000, aimed to improve scientific understanding of UAPs, defined by NASA as observations that cannot be readily identified or scientifically explained.
As NASA moves forward with this initiative, the focus remains on leveraging science and technology to explore these phenomena while fostering a more open and informed public dialogue.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
