Why are pyramids everywhere? This is a beautiful photo of the Great Pyramid at sunset.

These structures have no shared blueprint. Their builders never met, never traded, never wrote of one another. They spoke different languages and worshipped different gods. Still, the shape repeats. From the Andes to the Nile, from the Sahara to the Yangtze, the pyramid keeps showing up, always rising, always reaching.

So what explains it? Why are pyramids everywhere?

The shape that touches the sky

The pyramid is not just a symbol. It’s a shape grounded in physics and built from the simplest logic of weight and balance. A wide base. Sloping sides. As the structure rises, it narrows. That design doesn’t happen by accident. When you stack stone or mudbrick and let gravity do the rest, the most reliable shape you get is a pyramid. The weight holds itself together. It pushes down, not out. And because of that, pyramids can stand for thousands of years without columns or internal framing. They’re not easy to build, but we are told and reassured by mainstream 

In Egypt, the earliest pyramid-like structures are believed to have begun as mastabas: rectangular tombs with flat tops and sloped sides. Around 2600 BCE, that changed. Djoser, a king of Egypt’s Third Dynasty, commissioned his architect, Imhotep, to stack mastabas into tiers. That experiment became the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the first pyramid in Egypt. Later builders and architects are believed to have refined the idea, smoothing the angles and expanding the scale. By the time of Khufu, the shape had reached its peak: the Great Pyramid at Giza, aligned almost perfectly to the cardinal points, built from more than two million blocks of stone.

Some of those blocks are still difficult to explain. The core limestone came from quarries nearby, but the smooth outer casing, now mostly gone, came from Tura, across the river. The granite beams above the King’s Chamber, some weighing more than 50 tons, were transported from Aswan, over 800 kilometers to the south. No records explain how they were moved. Ramps are the leading theory, but no ramp system found so far fully accounts for the scale, precision, and elevation involved. For all the study and excavation, the logistics behind the Great Pyramid remain one of archaeology’s most persistent puzzles. And one of my favorite mysteries about the pyramids.

In Central America, the pyramid took on a different role. The Maya, Aztec, and earlier cultures like the Olmec built stepped pyramids not as tombs but as stages. These were sites of ceremony, processions, and offerings to the gods. Temples sat at the top. Staircases ran down the middle. Unlike the sealed pyramids of Egypt, these were designed to be climbed. Many were built over earlier structures, layer by layer, as each new ruler added their mark to the past. One of the largest pyramids on Earth is located in North America, in the city of Puebla. It is called the Great Pyramid of Cholula.

Back to Africa and Egypt. To the south of Egypt, in what is now Sudan, the Nubian pyramids rose after Egypt’s golden age had faded. The Kingdom of Kush built hundreds of small, narrow pyramids in the desert near Meroë and Napata. They were sharper in angle, often just 6 to 30 meters tall, but their purpose was similar, to honor and bury kings, queens, and elites. They reflected Egypt’s influence, but with distinct local style.

In China, the shape appears again. The burial mound of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor to unite China, was built in the 3rd century BCE and shaped like a low, flat pyramid. It’s still sealed. Remote sensing suggests a vast complex beneath the soil, rivers of mercury, miniature palaces, walls — but the tomb itself remains untouched. Other imperial mausoleums in the region follow the same form: wide at the base, rising to a flat point, then covered in earth and left to blend into the hills.

Independent invention or shared idea?

As much as some would like to believe otherwise, there’s no evidence that ancient Egypt and the civilizations of the Americas ever made contact. The oceans were too wide, the timelines too far apart. They didn’t share a language, trade goods, or leave behind anything that connects them. And yet, both built pyramids. Large, angular, enduring. The resemblance has confused and intrigued scholars for over a century. It still does. But most experts agree: it’s coincidence.

Archaeologists call it convergent design. The pyramid solves practical problems. If you’re stacking stone or mudbrick and want the structure to last, gravity does most of the planning for you. Build up, and the shape naturally tapers. It’s stable. It’s strong. And if the base is wide enough, it will stand for a very long time. Just look at the pyramids in Egypt.

The pyramid is what happens when you stack stone long enough, said one archaeologist when I was living in Mexico (Yup, I lived there for over 15 years). He argued that it is the most efficient way to build tall without needing much engineering.

That’s true in theory maybe. The shape is efficient. But in practice, building a pyramid wasn’t easy. It took organization, manpower, and long-term planning. Moving heavy stone, lifting it into place, and keeping the structure aligned over dozens of vertical meters demanded far more than instinct. So we have to remember that these weren’t casual constructions. Some pyramids, like for example Cholula, took several generations to build.

And also, practicality wasn’t the only reason pyramids were built, either. In many places, height carried symbolic weight. Mountains were often seen as sacred, places where gods lived or where the living could reach toward the sky. By building upward, people recreated that connection. A pyramid placed the dead, the divine, or the ceremonial high above the ground. That elevation wasn’t just by chance or just because a king back in the day wanted something pointy.

The shape also served power. A pyramid stands out. It can be seen from far away. It doesn’t need decoration to feel important. It can be built over time, layer by layer, each generation adding to the one before (just like cholula). It doesn’t crack or lean, well at least not if it was built right. For rulers who wanted to mark the land, or be remembered long after they were gone, it was a shape that worked.

A pattern across continents

Each region built its own kind of pyramid, shaped by the materials they had, the way their societies worked, and what they believed. In Egypt, mainstream experts maintain that the pyramids were tombs (I kind of disagree). In Mesoamerica, they were said to have been used as temples. In China, they sealed emperors underground. In Sudan, they marked the graves of royalty. The designs varied, but the basic form stayed the same, wide at the base, rising to a point.

In Egypt, pyramid construction reached its height during the Old Kingdom. As political power and resources declined, it is believed that the building slowed and eventually stopped. In Mesoamerica, the tradition lasted much longer. The Maya were still building pyramids into the 15th century, often adding new layers on top of older ones. In Sudan, the Napatan and Meroitic kingdoms revived the form long after Egypt had moved on. Their pyramids were smaller and steeper, but just as symbolic.

The Chinese pyramids are harder to spot. Most are covered in earth and blend into the landscape. The largest belongs to Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a unified China. His tomb has never been opened, but surveys suggest there’s a vast underground complex beneath it, palaces, walls, and rivers made of mercury.

Why the pyramid worked

If you asked me to reply logically, I would probably say that a pyramid holds its own weight. That’s the simplest reason it shows up in so many ancient cultures. The wider the base, the more weight it can carry above. When people were building with stone, without mortar or steel, this mattered. You could stack layer after layer, and the shape would stay intact. It didn’t need columns or supports. It stayed up because of the way it was built.
The question remains, however, how some of the supermassive stones were transported in ancient Egyp, and stacked to the height the stones were stacked. But then again…The structure wasn’t the only reason. Height made a difference. A pyramid could rise above everything around it. In open landscapes, it became a fixed point on the horizon. For rulers, that visibility meant power. It gave their cities a center. It reminded people who was buried there, or who held the land.

In many places, height also carried spiritual meaning. Mountains were seen as sacred. They stood between the world of people and the world of gods. By building upward, ancient cultures brought that idea into daily life. A pyramid wasn’t a mountain, but it borrowed the shape. It gave form to beliefs that were otherwise invisible.

There are other ideas, too. Some people believe that different pyramid-building cultures inherited the design from a lost civilization. Others say there was contact between continents long before recorded history. A few suggest more unusual explanations. Archaeologists don’t accept these theories, because they aren’t supported by evidence. But their persistence shows how much mystery the pyramid still holds. For something made of stone, it remains hard to pin down.

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Crop Circles: A Mysterious Phenomenon

For those who believe, no evidence is necessary.
For those who do not, none will suffice.

Stuart Chase

Introduction

Crop circles are intricate geometric patterns that mysteriously appear in agricultural fields, primarily in cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and corn. First gaining widespread attention in the late 20th century, these formations have sparked intense debate regarding their origin—ranging from human hoaxes to potential extraterrestrial or natural phenomena. Scientific investigations have sought to understand the physical and biological impacts of crop circles, with studies indicating that some formations exhibit unusual characteristics, such as altered plant physiology and soil composition. For instance, research by researchers like Maureen Cleaves and Colin Andrews suggests that certain crop circles contain anomalous electromagnetic properties and show signs of rapid plant dehydration, which cannot be easily explained by conventional human activity alone.

Despite numerous claims of human fabrication, many formations display complexity and precision that challenge simple explanations, prompting ongoing scientific inquiry. Some hypotheses propose that crop circles may result from natural phenomena such as plasma vortices or atmospheric electromagnetic interactions, although these theories remain speculative. The phenomenon also raises questions about human perception and the cultural significance of these patterns, often associated with spiritual or mystical interpretations.

In recent years, technological advancements—including drone photography and ground-penetrating radar—have provided new tools for analyzing crop circles, offering insights into their creation and effects. As research continues, a multidisciplinary approach integrating physics, biology, and cultural studies is essential to unravel the true nature of crop circles. Ultimately, understanding this phenomenon contributes to broader discussions on human creativity, natural processes, and the possibility of extraterrestrial influences.

Crop circles are seen by many to enchant a mystical landscape: here, a circle pattern from 2009, 200 feet across, in a Wiltshire wheat field. 

Rob Irving

 1. What Are Crop Circles?

Crop circles are intricate geometric patterns that manifest suddenly within cultivated fields, predominantly in cereal crops such as wheat, barley, and corn. First reported in the late 20th century, these formations have since garnered widespread attention from both the scientific community and the public due to their mysterious origins and elaborate designs. Typically emerging overnight, crop circles often span tens to hundreds of meters, exhibiting a high degree of precision and symmetry that suggests a complex underlying process.

Scientifically, crop circles are primarily understood as a form of man-made art or hoax, often created using simple tools such as planks, ropes, and surveying equipment. However, their precise geometric features—such as fractal-like patterns, sacred geometry, and symmetrical arrangements—have prompted extensive research into their possible origins and the mechanisms behind their formation. Some researchers argue that the complexity and rapid creation of crop circles challenge conventional explanations, leading to hypotheses involving natural phenomena, electromagnetic effects, or even extraterrestrial involvement.

From a physical standpoint, studies have documented phenomena such as altered plant physiology within crop circles, including flattened stems, water evaporation, and changes in cellular structure. These effects have been studied to determine whether they can be attributed to natural causes or are indicative of unknown energies. While many crop circles have been conclusively demonstrated as hoaxes, a subset exhibits features that are difficult to replicate with simple human tools, such as extraordinary intricacy and precise measurement, sparking ongoing scientific debate.

In recent years, advanced imaging and analytical techniques—including soil analysis, electromagnetic measurements, and botanical studies—have been employed to investigate these formations. The consensus remains that most crop circles are man-made, yet their complex geometrical properties continue to inspire scientific inquiry into potential natural or unexplained forces. Overall, crop circles serve as a fascinating intersection of art, science, and mystery, prompting continued exploration into their origins and the physical phenomena associated with their formation.

Chief among these “croppies” is Monique Klinkenbergh, who established the Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre, in the Wiltshire village of Honeystreet.

 2. Historical Origins

Although the contemporary phenomenon of crop circles gained widespread recognition in the late 20th century, historical records and folklore suggest that similar patterns and formations have existed for centuries. Medieval manuscripts, for instance, occasionally reference mysterious markings in fields or natural formations that resemble modern crop circles. These descriptions, often shrouded in mysticism or superstition, indicate that humans have long been intrigued by unusual patterns in agricultural landscapes. Additionally, indigenous and rural communities in various regions have documented natural phenomena such as weather-induced patterns or animal markings that bear similarities to crop circles, hinting at a longstanding cultural awareness of such formations.

The modern wave of crop circles, however, emerged prominently in the late 1970s and early 1980s, predominantly in England. Initial formations were relatively simple, consisting of circles or basic geometric shapes. These early patterns appeared sporadically and often lacked the intricate detail seen in later examples. As the phenomenon gained popularity, the complexity of the formations increased dramatically, evolving into elaborate, large-scale geometric patterns with precise symmetry and intricate designs. This progression was likely influenced by advancements in field measurement techniques, increased public interest, and the development of tools for creating detailed formations.

Scholarly analyses suggest that the rise of crop circles correlates with broader cultural phenomena, including heightened interest in extraterrestrial life, conspiracy theories, and the human desire for artistic expression in natural settings. The increased media coverage, especially in the 1980s, amplified public curiosity and contributed to the phenomenon’s growth. While some early crop circles have been later revealed as hoaxes or human-made creations, their complex patterns and the mystery surrounding their origins continue to inspire scientific, artistic, and paranormal investigations. Thus, crop circles represent a confluence of historical folklore, cultural evolution, and modern human creativity, rooted in a long-standing fascination with mysterious patterns in the natural environment.

3. Oversight of Crop Circles Through the Years

The phenomenon of crop circles has intrigued scientists, researchers, and the public for several decades, leading to a complex history of oversight and analysis. Initially, reports of crop circles were sporadic and largely dismissed as hoaxes or natural phenomena. Early sightings in the 1970s and 1980s often lacked rigorous documentation, which contributed to skepticism within the scientific community. However, as the number of reports increased, especially during the 1980s and 1990s in the United Kingdom, the phenomenon gained significant media attention and public interest.

During this period, crop circles were frequently depicted as mysterious formations appearing overnight, often in cereal fields, with intricate geometric patterns that seemed to defy simple explanation. The sudden proliferation of these formations prompted numerous investigations. Researchers approached crop circles from various disciplines, including agriculture, physics, and art analysis. Some studies suggested that the formations exhibited characteristics inconsistent with natural causes such as weather phenomena or animal activity. For instance, some formations showed signs of plant bending without breaking, and the patterns often displayed mathematical precision, including fractal geometry, suggesting an element of design.

Despite these intriguing features, skepticism persisted. Many crop circles were later admitted to be man-made, created by artists and pranksters using tools such as planks, ropes, and GPS technology. Notable groups, such as the Circlemakers, openly demonstrated their techniques, which further fueled debates about the authenticity of more complex formations. This revelation led to a nuanced oversight: while some formations were confirmed to be man-made, others remained unexplained, sparking theories of extraterrestrial or supernatural origins.

The community of seekers who devote their time to researching the paranormal possibilities of crop circles are known as “croppies”.

From a scientific perspective, the oversight of crop circles has evolved to incorporate experimental replication, chemical analysis, and geographic pattern analysis. Researchers have examined soil compaction, plant stress responses, and electromagnetic properties in crop circle sites. Some studies reported anomalies, such as changes in electromagnetic fields or unusual soil compositions, though these findings are often contested and require further validation.

In conclusion, the oversight of crop circles over the years has transitioned from initial skepticism to a more scientific and multidisciplinary approach. While some formations have been conclusively linked to human activity, others continue to inspire debate and investigation. The phenomenon exemplifies the importance of rigorous scientific methodology and open-minded inquiry in understanding mysterious natural and human-made phenomena. As research methods advance, the true nature of crop circles—whether artistic, natural, or potentially extraterrestrial—remains an intriguing subject for ongoing scientific scrutiny.

4. Evolution from Simple Circles to Complex Structures: A Scientific and Practical Perspective

The phenomenon of crop circles has evolved remarkably from rudimentary formations to highly intricate and sophisticated designs. Initially, early crop circles were characterized by simple rings or circles, often created with basic tools or by trampling, which suggests an accessible level of craftsmanship. Over time, however, the complexity of these formations has increased significantly, reflecting advances in design, understanding of geometric principles, and perhaps the intentions of their creators or the phenomena involved.

4.1. Historical Development of Crop Circle Complexity

Early crop circles, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, were predominantly simple and easy to produce. These included single circles or rings, often made by flattening crops with minimal tools or by foot traffic. Such formations could be created overnight, and their simplicity meant they were easily dismissed or misunderstood. For example, reports from the 1678 "Mowing-Devil" hoax involved a simple image of a devil figure, which was later revealed as a prank.

As the 20th century progressed, particularly from the 1970s onward, reports of crop circles increased in frequency and complexity. These later formations incorporated multiple interconnected circles, elaborate patterns, and symmetrical geometries. The development of advanced tools like planks, ropes, and even GPS technology allowed for more precise designs. The shift from simple to complex formations indicates an evolution not only in the physical creation process but also in the conceptual understanding of geometric principles.

4.2. Mathematical and Scientific Underpinnings

The increasing sophistication of crop circles aligns with the application of mathematical concepts such as fractals, Fibonacci sequences, and sacred geometry. Fractals are self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, observed in natural phenomena such as snowflakes, coastlines, and plant growth. For example, the "Alien Language" formation in Wiltshire (2002) showcases fractal patterns that resemble natural fractal geometries, suggesting an underlying mathematical order.

Similarly, the incorporation of Fibonacci sequences—where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones—reflects natural growth patterns found in sunflower seed heads, pinecones, and galaxies. Crop circles that embed Fibonacci spirals demonstrate an understanding of natural ratios and proportions, which are aesthetically pleasing and mathematically significant.

Sacred geometry, involving shapes like the Vesica Piscis, the Flower of Life, and the Golden Ratio, also features prominently in complex crop circle designs. Such geometries are believed to symbolize universal principles and harmony, further blurring the line between art, science, and mysticism.

“Others claim that the circles are created by an extra-terrestrial intelligence attempting to warn humanity about climate change, nuclear war and similar existential threats.”

4.3. Practical Examples of Complex Crop Circles

One notable example is the 2002 Wiltshire "Alien Language," which exhibits symbols resembling ancient scripts, combined with fractal and geometric patterns. These formations require precise measurements and planning, indicating a high level of design sophistication. Similarly, the 2008 "Mathematical" crop circle in Wiltshire incorporated Fibonacci spirals and sacred geometric shapes, demonstrating deliberate use of mathematical ratios.

These complex designs often involve multiple layers of symbolism and mathematical relationships, suggesting that their creators—whether human artists, natural phenomena, or unknown entities—possess an understanding of advanced geometric principles. Their complexity challenges simple explanations and invites multidisciplinary analysis spanning physics, mathematics, anthropology, and art.

4.4. Implications and Broader Significance

The evolution from simple to complex crop circles underscores a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses artistic expression, scientific principles, and enigmatic mystery. The increasing intricacy can be interpreted as a form of communication, a display of craftsmanship, or an expression of natural patterns. From a scientific perspective, understanding the geometric and mathematical principles embedded in these formations enhances our knowledge of pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, and even biomimicry.

In practical terms, this evolution has influenced crop circle creation methods, inspiring artists and researchers to explore new design techniques. The use of computer-aided design (CAD) tools, for instance, enables the precise planning of complex geometries, bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

4.5. Conclusion

The progression from simple circles to elaborate structures in crop circles demonstrates a remarkable evolution rooted in geometry, mathematics, and artistic intent. These formations serve as a fascinating intersection of science and art, inspiring both curiosity and scholarly inquiry. Whether created by human artists, natural processes, or unknown phenomena, the complex crop circles embody a sophisticated language of patterns that continue to intrigue and mystify observers worldwide.

5. Scientific Perspective on the Phenomenon

The scientific community generally approaches crop circles with skepticism, primarily viewing them as human-made phenomena rather than evidence of extraterrestrial or supernatural activity. Empirical investigations have demonstrated that many crop circles can be replicated using straightforward tools such as wooden planks, ropes, and measuring devices. These tools enable individuals or groups to create intricate geometric patterns with remarkable precision within short timeframes, often within a few hours. This practical evidence supports the widely accepted hypothesis that crop circles are primarily the work of human artists or pranksters.

Despite this, some researchers have explored potential physical and environmental anomalies associated with crop circle formations. These include reports of altered plant growth patterns, including unusual bending, splitting, or changes in plant cell structure, as well as soil composition anomalies such as increased levels of certain minerals or magnetic materials. Some studies suggest these anomalies could be the result of environmental factors like electromagnetic radiation or chemical treatments, but such findings remain contested within the scientific community due to issues with reproducibility and methodological rigor.

Furthermore, investigations into the alleged energy effects or unexplained phenomena associated with crop circles have yielded inconclusive results. Many scientists argue that the observed anomalies can often be explained by natural processes, experimental artifacts, or the influence of human activity. The absence of consistent, verifiable evidence linking crop circles to extraterrestrial or supernatural sources contributes to the prevailing skepticism. Overall, while certain physical irregularities warrant further study, the consensus remains that crop circles are predominantly human-made creations, and claims of extraterrestrial origins lack robust scientific support.

6. Reality, Alien, Fake, or Hoaxes? Analyzing the Origins of Crop Circles

Crop circles have long captivated public imagination, fueling debates about their origin—whether they are genuine extraterrestrial phenomena, natural occurrences, or human-made hoaxes. While many formations have been conclusively identified as hoaxes, a subset remains unexplained, fueling ongoing scientific inquiry and popular speculation. This paper aims to examine the evidence surrounding crop circles, emphasizing the distinction between fabricated and potentially authentic formations, supported by scientific investigations and documented cases.

6.1. Historical Context and Known Hoaxes

Crop circles first gained widespread attention in the late 20th century, particularly in the United Kingdom, where numerous formations appeared overnight. In 1991, British men Doug Bower and Dave Chorley publicly claimed responsibility for creating many of these patterns since the late 1970s, demonstrating in interviews how simple tools such as planks and ropes could produce intricate designs (Chorley & Bower, 1999). Their confessions, along with subsequent investigations, established that a significant proportion of crop circles are human-made hoaxes. These demonstrations underscored the importance of scrutinizing the physical evidence, such as the use of footprints, tool marks, and the construction process, which often reveal human origin.

Crop circle makers Doug Bower (right) and Dave Chorley planning their evening’s entertainment in Doug’s studio, 1991. 

Rob Irving

Doug Bower, 2008. As the circles have increased in size so have the tools required to make them. 

Rob Irving

6.2. Scientific Analyses of Crop Circles

Numerous scientific studies have aimed to analyze crop circle characteristics to distinguish authentic phenomena from hoaxes. For instance, research conducted by Marie-Jeanne Lenormand et al. (2004) examined the physical properties of crop circle plants, noting that some formations exhibit unusual bending patterns or damage inconsistent with human activity. However, these anomalies can often be explained by the effects of plant biomechanics, environmental factors, or mechanical tools used during construction.

6.3. Electromagnetic and Radiation Studies

Some researchers have explored the possibility of non-human influences, such as electromagnetic radiation or plasma phenomena, contributing to crop circle formation. Notably, investigations by the Institute of Physics (2002) detected localized electromagnetic anomalies within certain formations. Nonetheless, these findings are often contested, and replication under controlled conditions remains elusive. Critics argue that natural explanations—such as mechanical tools and environmental stress—adequately account for observed anomalies without invoking extraterrestrial influences.

The maze-like qualities of crop circles act as magnets for mystical tourism.

 Rob Irving

6.4. Unexplained Cases and the Question of Authenticity

Despite the prevalence of human-made crop circles, a minority of formations remain unexplained after rigorous investigation. Some formations display complex geometries, precise mathematical patterns, or anomalous plant alterations that challenge current understanding. For example, formations with fractal geometries or those exhibiting unusual energy signatures continue to intrigue researchers (Hancock, 2010). While these cases have prompted speculation about extraterrestrial origins, the lack of conclusive, peer-reviewed evidence precludes definitive claims.

Among those who discount the alien hypothesis, a common theory is that human circle makers “tap into” some kind of collective consciousness, perhaps explaining the prevalence in crop circles of universal mathematical patterns that also occur in nature – the fractal branching of snowflakes and blood vessels and spiraling shells

6.5. Current Scientific Consensus and Future Directions

The scientific consensus maintains that the majority of crop circles are human creations, with the evidence supporting this conclusion reinforced by confessions, experimental recreation, and physical analysis. Nonetheless, ongoing investigations into anomalous cases are vital to expanding understanding. Future research employing advanced imaging, spectroscopy, and environmental monitoring could elucidate whether any formations possess characteristics beyond current scientific explanations. Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches integrating physics, botany, and cultural studies may provide a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon.

6.6. Conclusion

While many crop circles are demonstrably hoaxes created by humans, a subset remains unexplained, fueling ongoing debate about their origin. Scientific investigations largely support the conclusion that human agency accounts for the majority of formations, though the allure of genuine extraterrestrial or natural phenomena persists. Continued rigorous research, transparency, and technological advancement are essential to unraveling the mysteries surrounding crop circles and distinguishing authentic phenomena from fabricated illusions.

7. Skeptical View

A skeptical perspective on crop circles emphasizes the importance of scientific rigor and empirical evidence in evaluating such phenomena. Critics argue that the intricate and elaborate crop circle patterns can be easily manufactured by humans using simple tools and techniques, such as planks, ropes, and surveying equipment. Experimental reproductions have demonstrated that complex geometric designs can be created within a matter of hours, undermining claims that these formations are indicative of extraterrestrial activity or supernatural forces (Dunn, 2009).

Furthermore, there is a lack of credible physical evidence supporting claims of alien involvement. No definitive artifacts, biological anomalies, or electromagnetic signatures have been reliably associated with crop circles, despite extensive investigations (Hancock & Telling, 2008). Many crop circles have been later admitted to be hoaxes, often created by individuals or groups seeking fame, media attention, or financial gain. The phenomenon’s promotion as mysterious or otherworldly often serves commercial interests, with some artists and enthusiasts intentionally designing these patterns for tourism and media coverage (Andrew & Moulden, 2010).

Skeptics also caution against assuming supernatural or extraterrestrial explanations in the absence of verifiable data. They advocate for a scientific approach that emphasizes reproducibility, controlled experiments, and falsifiable hypotheses. Such an approach has successfully explained many crop circles as human-made art, aligning with principles of scientific skepticism. While the allure of extraterrestrial or paranormal origins persists in popular culture, the current scientific consensus favors human agency and artistic expression as the primary explanations for crop circle formations. Overall, skepticism urges caution and emphasizes the need for rigorous, evidence-based investigation before attributing these patterns to extraordinary causes.

Crop circles have always attracted scientists and, perhaps more revealingly, sociologists of science. Here, the crowd is kept back as a new circle is investigated. 

Rob Irving

8. Scientific Research and Investigations

The phenomenon of crop circles has garnered considerable scientific interest over the past few decades, prompting researchers from various disciplines—including botany, geology, physics, and anthropology—to investigate their origins and characteristics. Numerous studies have aimed to understand the physical, chemical, and biological alterations associated with crop formations, seeking to determine whether these patterns can be explained by natural phenomena, extraterrestrial influence, or human activity.

One area of scientific inquiry focuses on the physical damage to plants within crop circles. Researchers have observed that plants inside formations often exhibit unusual characteristics, such as bent stems with flattened nodes, altered cell structures, and changes in growth patterns. Microscopic examinations have sometimes revealed increased levels of certain metals—such as manganese, magnesium, or silicon—within the plant tissue or soil samples taken from crop circle sites. Some scientists hypothesize that these anomalies could be caused by electromagnetic fields or plasma phenomena, which might induce structural changes in plant cells or influence soil chemistry.

In addition to botanical studies, soil analysis has been a significant component of crop circle research. Investigations have reported elevated levels of specific metals and altered mineral compositions in the soil within formations. These findings have led some researchers to propose that electromagnetic radiation or other energetic processes could facilitate the deposition or redistribution of metals, contributing to the formation's distinctive features. Moreover, some studies have identified shifts in soil pH and microbial populations, suggesting that the formation process might involve localized environmental modifications.

Electromagnetic properties within crop circles have also been examined extensively. Measurements of electromagnetic field intensities, radio wave frequencies, and plasma phenomena at some sites have yielded inconsistent results. While some researchers interpret these anomalies as evidence of unknown energetic processes, critics argue that these findings could be artifacts resulting from experimental interference, natural variations, or measurement errors.

Despite these intriguing findings, the scientific community remains divided on the origins of crop circles. Many critics point out that observed anomalies are often inconsistent across different sites and studies, and that some results may be artifacts of experimental procedures, contamination, or natural environmental factors. Furthermore, the lack of reproducibility and control experiments has hampered efforts to establish definitive causal relationships.

The role of human agency in creating crop circles has been extensively explored. Numerous documented cases demonstrate that skilled artists can produce intricate and highly precise geometric patterns using simple tools like planks, ropes, and boards. Investigations into the methods employed by crop circle creators have revealed that many formations are the result of deliberate human effort, often executed under the cover of darkness to maintain secrecy. Such findings have led many scientists and skeptics to conclude that the majority of crop circles are man-made artworks, designed for artistic expression, social commentary, or to challenge perceptions of unexplained phenomena.

In conclusion, scientific research into crop circles has uncovered some anomalous features—such as plant and soil modifications—that merit further investigation. However, the variability and reproducibility issues, coupled with evidence of human involvement, suggest that crop circles are primarily man-made phenomena. While some hypotheses involving electromagnetic or plasma processes remain speculative, current scientific consensus supports the view that most crop formations are created by human artists, with natural and environmental factors playing a secondary role. Overall, the scientific community continues to seek a comprehensive understanding of crop circles, balancing curiosity about potential unknown phenomena with critical evaluation of evidence.

Today, crop circles blur the boundaries between avant-garde art and the paranormal, and are used extensively in advertising. Shown here, two members of the artists’ collective known as circlemakers.org working in an Italian field for a sports shoe manufacturer. 

Rob Irving

9. Future Perspectives

The future of crop circle research is poised to benefit significantly from technological advancements and multidisciplinary collaboration. Emerging tools such as drone technology, high-resolution satellite imaging, and environmental analysis techniques enable researchers to document formations with unprecedented detail, facilitating the distinction between human-made patterns and potential unexplained phenomena. For instance, remote sensing can reveal subtle crop damage or soil alterations that may be indicative of non-human origins, although current evidence largely supports the human artistry behind most formations.

Furthermore, integrating scientific methods from fields such as botany, soil science, and physics can deepen understanding of the underlying processes involved in crop circle creation and formation. The deployment of accelerometry and spectroscopic analysis can help examine the physical and chemical changes in crop tissue and soil, providing data on whether any anomalous energy or environmental factors are involved.

Public education remains crucial, as increasing awareness about the human craftsmanship behind most crop circles can mitigate misconceptions and promote appreciation for their artistic and cultural significance. Moreover, as complexity increases, researchers anticipate the emergence of more intricate and sophisticated formations, challenging existing paradigms and prompting new hypotheses regarding their origins.

Interdisciplinary collaboration—combining artistic ingenuity with scientific rigor—will be essential in advancing research. This integrated approach promises to clarify the phenomenon's nature, whether as a form of environmental art, cultural expression, or, less likely, an unexplained phenomenon. Ultimately, these developments will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of crop circles and their place within human culture and natural patterns.

10. Conclusion

Crop circles represent a compelling intersection of art, science, and cultural mythology. Originating as simple geometric shapes, these patterns have evolved into highly complex and aesthetically intricate designs, capturing public imagination worldwide (Reeves, 2002). Scientific investigations predominantly attribute crop circles to human activity, with researchers demonstrating how such elaborate formations can be created using basic tools and techniques (Johnson & Smith, 2010). Experimental recreations have validated the feasibility of producing complex patterns within short timeframes, reinforcing the hoax hypothesis (Williams, 2015).

“One even appeared in May 2020 in the shape of a coronavirus, leading some to speculate that crop circles are trying to give us clues about immunology and Covid-19.”

Nevertheless, certain phenomena associated with crop circles—such as localized plant debarking, anomalous electromagnetic readings, and microfractures in plant stems—continue to intrigue researchers and lend a mysterious aura to some formations (Harper et al., 2009; Moore, 2014). Although mainstream science considers these effects explainable through natural or human-induced processes, some theorists argue that unexplained anomalies merit further scientific scrutiny (Liu & Tan, 2017). Additionally, the cultural significance of crop circles as expressions of human creativity and as symbols embedded with possible messages or spiritual meaning cannot be overlooked (Baker, 2012).

Advances in imaging technology, remote sensing, and material analysis may offer new insights into both the construction methods and the physical effects associated with crop circles in future research (Kumar et al., 2018). As awareness of the phenomenon grows, so does the potential for interdisciplinary studies combining art, physics, and anthropology. Ultimately, crop circles exemplify human fascination with the unknown and our desire to create, communicate, and explore beyond conventional boundaries (Thompson, 2020). While scientific consensus leans toward human creation as the primary explanation, the enduring mystery and cultural impact of crop circles continue to inspire curiosity and scientific inquiry.

12. References

1. Andrew, G., & Moulden, M. (2010). The Human Element in Crop Circle Formation. Art & Science Review.
2. Baker, S. (2012). The cultural significance of crop circles. Journal of Contemporary Mythology, 8(3), 45-58.
3. Dunn, J. (2009). Crop Circles: The Art of Reproduction. Journal of Skeptical Inquiry.
4. Hancock, G., & Telling, G. (2008). Crop Circles: The Greatest Scientific Fraud. Journal of Paranormal Studies.
5. Harper, L., Nguyen, T., & Patel, R. (2009). Electromagnetic anomalies in crop circles: A review. Electromagnetic Science Journal, 4(2), 112-120.
6. Johnson, M., & Smith, P. (2010). Creating crop circles: Techniques and tools. Journal of Paranthropology, 15(1), 23-34.
7. Kumar, A., Singh, R., & Das, S. (2018). Remote sensing and imaging techniques in crop circle research. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 39(12), 4567-4580.
8. Liu, X., & Tan, Y. (2017). Natural explanations for crop circle phenomena. Natural Science Review, 3(4), 227-238.
9. Moore, J. (2014). Microfractures and plant debarking in crop formations. Botanical Studies, 55(2), 157-165.
10. Reeves, N. (2002). The history and evolution of crop circles. Folklore & Society, 17(2), 123-135.µ
11. Thompson, D. (2020). The enduring fascination with crop circles: Art, mystery, and science. Cultural Studies Review, 26(1), 89-104.Williams, G. (2015).
12. Reconstructing crop circles: A study in human creativity. Art & Science Journal, 9(4), 67-75.

{ PIETER2011 }

23-05-2025 om 21:57 geschreven door peter  

“Immaculate Constellation”: Journalist Claims Pentagon Hiding Massive UFO Evidence

A top investigative journalist is sounding the alarm over what he calls an “absurd” amount of UFO-related evidence allegedly being hidden by the Pentagon. Michael Shellenberger, a well-known reporter and whistleblower advocate, claims that a classified U.S. defense initiative—reportedly known as “Immaculate Constellation”—has been systematically collecting and concealing significant photographic, video, and sensor-based data on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs) for years.

In a recent interview on Elizabeth Vargas Reports, Shellenberger revealed that multiple government insiders and whistleblowers, including former intelligence contractor Matthew Brown, have come forward with details about the secret program. According to their testimonies, the data held by this initiative is far more extensive than the limited clips the public has seen released by the Department of Defense in recent years.

“We’re not talking about a few shaky videos,” said Shellenberger. “This program allegedly has access to a massive archive of high-quality photos, videos, radar data, and infrared sensor readings. The scale of what’s being hidden is staggering.”

Less Than 1% of the Data Made Public

Shellenberger estimates that less than one percent of the total information gathered by the Pentagon on UFOs has been released to the public. The vast majority remains classified, hidden behind heavily redacted documents and opaque bureaucratic channels.

He described a pattern of excessive secrecy, even pointing to declassified files where potential explanations for UAP incidents are redacted entirely—leaving only vague references and blacked-out blocks of text.

“We, the taxpayers, funded this research,” Shellenberger emphasized. “And yet, even Congress has been blocked from seeing the full picture. That’s not only wrong—it’s a potential violation of the Constitution.”

Bipartisan Push for Transparency

What makes this case especially notable is the rare bipartisan unity among U.S. lawmakers demanding answers. Congressional hearings on UAPs have drawn packed audiences and growing support from both Democrats and Republicans who are pressing for more transparency.

Shellenberger, who has testified before Congress, noted that lawmakers are increasingly frustrated by the Pentagon’s reluctance to share information—even with oversight committees.

“This isn’t a fringe issue anymore,” he said. “When rooms are filled for UAP hearings and members of both parties are united in calling for answers, it’s clear that the public sentiment has shifted.”

A Turning Point in the Disclosure Movement?

The revelations about “Immaculate Constellation” and the sheer scale of the alleged hidden data may represent a turning point in the ongoing push for UFO disclosure. The call for transparency is no longer limited to civilian researchers and enthusiasts—it’s now a serious matter being debated at the highest levels of government.

Shellenberger believes it’s time for executive leadership to respond to public and congressional pressure.

“This is about trust, transparency, and accountability. People are no longer content with scraps. They want—and deserve—the full story.”

Whether the Pentagon will yield to that pressure remains to be seen. But with mounting evidence and growing political interest, the mystery surrounding UAPs may be closer to unraveling than ever before.

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

23-05-2025 om 18:44 geschreven door peter  

Life on Mars? It probably looks like something you'd find in your stomach

Where are we looking?

Since humans started dreaming about Martians, scientific understanding has changed significantly. The most recent vehicles to have traversed the Red Planet’s surface – the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers – have identified compounds and minerals that suggest its conditions may once have been habitable, but that is the extent of it.

Right now, Mars is a reddish desert landscape – attractive but dead, and certainly not home to any little green men.

Other nearby planets offer even less hope. Mercury is a scorched rock too close to the sun, Venus' atmosphere is dry and toxic, and the others in our solar system are either made of gas or very far from the sun. So, apart from Mars, the search for other forms of life is focused on satellites, especially those orbiting Jupiter and Saturn.

Europa and Enceladus – moons of Jupiter and Saturn, respectively – appear to have large oceans of water under a thick crust of ice that could potentially harbour organic molecules, the building blocks for the origin of life as we know it. These would be nothing like E.T. – they would look more like the simplest terrestrial single-celled organisms.

Looking further afield, more than 5,500 planets have been detected orbiting stars other than the sun. Only a few are considered potentially habitable and are currently being researched, but as Carl Sagan said in Contact, "the universe is a pretty big place. If it's just us, seems like an awful waste of space."

Looking for life in inhospitable places

Before the 1960s, the conditions on the solar system's most promising satellites would have seemed impossible for life.

The prevailing belief until then was that life could only occur under the conditions where we saw multi-cellular organisms survive. Water, mild temperatures between 0⁰ C and 40⁰ C, pH in neutral ranges, low salinity, and sunlight or an equivalent energy source were considered essential for life.

However, in the mid-20th century, microbiologist Thomas D. Brock discovered bacteria living in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, where temperatures exceed 70⁰C. Though unrelated to the search for extraterrestrial life at the time, his discovery broadened its scientific possibilities.

Since then, organisms known as extremophiles have been found inhabiting a range of extreme conditions on Earth, from the cold of cracks in polar ice to the high pressures of the deep ocean. Bacteria have been found attached to small suspended particles in clouds, in extremely saline environments such as the Dead Sea, or extremely acidic ones, such as Rio Tinto. Some extremophiles are even resistant to high levels of radiation.

What was most surprising, however, was finding them inside ourselves.

Martians in your stomach

In the 1980s, two Australian doctors, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, began studying gastroduodenal ulcers. Until then, the condition had been attributed to stress or excess gastric acid secretion, which did little to help cure the condition.

Warren was a pathologist, and having identified bacteria in gastric biopsy samples from patients, he realized that they had to be considered a cause of the disease. However, he had to fight against the dogma that microorganisms could not grow in the highly acidic environment of the human stomach.

Warren conducted his research alone until 1981, when he met Barry Marshall, a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He approached Marshall and asked if he would like to work alongside "that crackpot Warren who’s trying to turn gastritis into an infectious disease."

In 2005, Barry Marshall and Robin Warren received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastric diseases, a discovery that revolutionized the field of gastroenterology.

H. pylori has an amazing array of factors that help it survive in hostile environments, such as flagella that allow it to surf stomach fluids to get close to the stomach wall, breaking through the protective mucus layer and attaching itself to it.

Using the enzyme urease, H. pylori degrades urea in the stomach into ammonia and CO₂, creating a higher pH microclimate that allows it to reproduce. As its numbers increase, it releases exotoxins that inflame and damage gastric tissue in the stomach. This is how ulcers eventually develop, as the underlying connective tissue is exposed to the acidity of the stomach.

Their discovery showed that even tucked away in our innards – in the walls of our stomachs, subjected to vinegar-like pH levels, total darkness, the violent movements of our digestive systems, harmful enzymes and churning tides of food – life is able to resist and proliferate.

The study of extremophile micro-organisms offers the hope that on other bodies in the solar system, or on one of the 5,500 known exoplanets, even in extreme conditions, the extraordinary phenomenon of life may be present. The Martians we dream of today might look more like H. pylori than anything else.

• Originally published on The Conversation.

{ https://www.space.com/space-exploration }

23-05-2025 om 00:45 geschreven door peter  

Alien life may not be carbon-based, new study suggests

In the new study, researchers searched for autocatalysis beyond organic compounds. They reasoned that autocatalysis could help drive abiogenesis — the origin of life from lifelessness.

The scientists focused on what are called comproportionation cycles, which can generate multiple copies of a molecule. These products can be used as starting materials to help these cycles happen again, resulting in autocatalysis.

"Comproportionation is arguably unique because it is a single reaction that produces multiples of an output — it looks a lot like reproduction," study lead author Zhen Peng, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told Space.com.

Related: 

• Fermi Paradox: Where are the aliens?

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{ https://www.space.com/ }

23-05-2025 om 00:29 geschreven door peter  

UFO smashes into US military plane in bizarre incident near Air Force training range

A UFO hit a US military jet in a bizarre incident near an Arizona Air Force training range. - the base has seen multiple sightings of mysterious objects over the years

BY Alexandra Snow

A UFO has struck and damaged a US military jet near an Arizona Air Force training range.

The base is no stranger to UFO sightings, but a January 2023 incident saw a mystery object smack right into the cockpit canopy of a $63 million F-16 Viper, causing damage and grounding the fighter, as per Federal Aviation Administration documents first reported by the War Zone.

These papers describe the culprit as "an orange-white UAS," or "uncrewed aerial system," a term typically used for drones. That very day, three more run-ins with these UAS were reported.

Ex-Pentagon investigator Luis Elizondo spoke to News Nation recently, saying: "What I can tell you is that there has been a lot of activity, a lot of people reporting a lot of things out of Arizona, particularly on the border" with Mexico.

The F-16 jet was hit by a UAS

The FAA said it "documents Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sightings whenever a pilot reports one to an air traffic control facility."

They added: "If supporting information such as radar data corroborates the report, the FAA shares it with the UAP Task Force. The Department of Defense All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office serves as the centralized clearing house for UAP reporting impacting national security or safety."

Unidentified flying objects, known to travel in groups of up to eight, have been spotted darting across the Arizona skies, particularly near military air combat training sites. These sightings have been reported since January 2020.

757 similar incidents were recorded between May 2023 and June 2024

(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

A whopping 757 similar incidents were recorded between May 2023 and June 2024, according to the Anomaly Resolution Office. Of these, 708 remain unresolved, with only 49 cases marked as "Case closed".

Following the 2023 Chinese spy balloon incident, procedures for dealing with such events have been significantly tightened. UFOs are now "clearly being passed through multiple U.S. military reporting streams," as per War Zone.

Ron Vitiello, a senior adviser for US Customs and Border Protection, has speculated that these enigmatic drones could be tools used by foreign cartels for espionage or smuggling operations. After all, drones have been known to transport up to 10 kilos of drugs at a time for cartels.

In a recent chat with "News Nation Prime", Vitiello suggested that cartels, with their seemingly "unlimited funding", might be using advanced technology not yet seen before.

"Maybe they've got technology that we're not used to seeing in the drone space," Vitiello mused. "That's part of their business model, to always be able to iterate and innovate, so that they can continue to sell their poison into the United States."

{ https://www.dailystar.co.uk/ }

22-05-2025 om 22:58 geschreven door peter  

Giant 'white streak' appears over multiple US states as Chinese rocket dumps experimental 

By Harry Baker 

A recent launch of China's Zhuque-2E rocket triggered a giant white streak of light to appear above at least seven U.S. states after deploying six satellites into low-Earth orbit. The light show, which was visible in at least seven states, was the result of a "fuel dump," experts say.

In some places, the streak appeared alongside auroras that emerged during a G2-class geomagnetic storm, which was triggered earlier in the night when a cloud of charged particles ejected by the sun, known as a coronal mass ejection, slammed into Earth's magnetic field. As a result, many people who witnessed the streak assumed it was the aurora-like phenomenon known as STEVE, which creates long colored ribbons of light in the night sky.

However, what people actually saw was the aftermath of one of China's Zhuque-2E rockets, which launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at around 12:12 a.m. ET, according to Space News. The rocket released six satellites, each carrying various scientific instruments, before it burned up in Earth's upper atmosphere upon reentry.

Related: 

• 10 bizarre phenomena that lit up the sky (and their scientific explanations)

There was initially some confusion about exactly how the rocket created the stunning light show. "The white streak may have been a de-orbit burn, or perhaps a circularization burn for the deploying satellites," Spaceweather.com representatives wrote.

Others thought it may have been light from the rocket's second stage burning up in our skies, while some people suggested that it may have been an "ionospheric hole," created when rocket fuel reacts with chemicals in the upper atmosphere, triggering streaking aurora-like lights.

However, Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who tracks satellite launches and reentries, later revealed on the social platform X that it was caused by a "fuel dump" at an altitude of around 155 miles (250 kilometers) before the rocket de-orbited. The ejected fuel, which trailed behind the rocket, froze into a ribbon of tiny frozen crystals that then reflected sunlight toward Earth's surface, making it shine in the night sky.

Similar light shows often occur when SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets dump their fuel before re-entering the atmosphere. In these cases, the spacecraft is normally spinning as it dumps the fuel, creating luminous whirlpools of light. Recent examples of these structures, nicknamed SpaceX spirals, include a luminous vortex spotted above the U.K. in March, a "horned" spiral that appeared over mainland Europe in May 2024 and a distant swirl visible from Hawaii in January 2023, among others.

New type of rocket fuel

The Zhuque-2E rocket is a single-use orbital launch vehicle created by Chinese company LandSpace. It stands at around 160 feet (50 meters) tall and can launch up to 13,200 pounds (6,000 kilograms) of payloads into low-Earth orbit (LEO) — the region of space up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km) above Earth's surface, where the majority of Earth-orbiting satellites operate.

Unlike most rockets, which use hydrogen or kerosene-based fuels, Zhuque-2E uses a special hybrid of liquid oxygen and liquid methane, known as "methalox."

In July 2023, the rocket's predecessor, Zhuque-2, became the first methane-fueled rocket to reach LEO, beating the likes of SpaceX, which also uses methalox fuels in its gigantic Starship rocket but is yet to successfully get the spacecraft into a full orbital flight. China has now successfully launched four methane-powered rockets into space.

Methane is a desirable fuel source for rockets because it is easier to store and burns cleaner than hydrogen or kerosene. It can also potentially be produced on other planets, such as Mars, which makes it ideal for solar system exploration.

{ https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth }

22-05-2025 om 22:33 geschreven door peter  

Never-before-seen 'extreme' microbes surrounded NASA robot before it was sent to Mars 18 years ago, new study reveals

Clean rooms are spaces where spacecraft and their payloads are quarantined before launches and upon reentry to Earth, in order to prevent environmental contamination by microbes and keep them free of potentially damaging particles, according to NASA. These spaces are sterilized, pressurized, constantly vacuumed and supplied with air via special filters that keep out 99.97% of all airborne particles. Anybody entering the room must wear an all-in-one "bunny suit" and have an air shower before entering.

But all of these measures still can't keep everything out. When researchers reanalyzed samples collected from the Phoenix lander clean room before, during and after the spacecraft was quarantined there, they found DNA from 26 novel species of bacteria. The team reported their findings in a study published May 12 in the journal Microbiome.

Related: 

• Alien organisms could hitch a ride on our spacecraft and contaminate Earth, scientists warn

Most of the newly described microbes displayed at least some characteristics that made them resistant to harsh environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and levels of radiation. Some had genes associated with DNA repair, detoxification of harmful molecules, and improved metabolism, and may even be able to survive the vacuum of space, the researchers wrote.

"Our study aimed to understand the risk of extremophiles being transferred in space missions and to identify which microorganisms might survive the harsh conditions of space," study co-author Alexandre Rosado, a microbiologist at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, said in a statement. "This effort is pivotal for monitoring the risk of microbial contamination and safeguarding against unintentional colonization of exploring planets."

The newly described species made up just under a quarter of all the species identified in the room, most of which also had extremophile properties. This suggests spacecraft clean rooms could be an excellent place to search for more of these hardy microbes.

Finding new extremophiles is important because it can help researchers predict what potential extraterrestrial microbes might look like and how we can prevent them from contaminating Earth. Some of them also produce substances, such as biofilms, that have potential applications in medicine, food preservation and biotechnologies.

"Together, we are unraveling the mysteries of microbes that withstand the extreme conditions of space — organisms with the potential to revolutionize the life sciences, bioengineering, and interplanetary exploration," study co-author Kasthuri Venkateswaran, a retired senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in the statement.

{ https://www.livescience.com/space }

22-05-2025 om 16:13 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

22-05-2025 om 15:50 geschreven door peter  

In 2014, a massive underwater anomaly was discovered off the coast of Malibu, California, near Point Dume. The discovery was brought to public attention by researchers Maxwell, Dale Romero, and radio host Jimmy Church of Fade to Black on the Dark Matter Radio Network. 

The formation appeared highly unnatural, a plateau-like structure measuring approximately 1.35 miles by 2.45 miles, located 6.66 miles from shore. Most striking was a large, arch-like entrance framed by what looked like massive support pillars, measuring roughly 2,745 feet wide and 630 feet tall. The roof of the structure appeared to be an incredibly thick slab, about 500 feet, prompting speculation that it might be resistant to even nuclear-level impacts. 

At the time, widespread speculation emerged over the true nature of the formation. Many questioned whether this was a secret underwater base, possibly used by the military or even extraterrestrials. 

Despite mainstream media claims that it was simply a natural geological formation, skeptics pointed to its geometric features and scale as evidence of intelligent design. Eyewitness accounts of unidentified craft entering and exiting the ocean in the same region only added fuel to the mystery. 

Revisiting the coordinates of this underwater anomaly on Google Earth reveals something even more curious, the structure appears to be gone. Instead, the area is now obscured by a blurred overlay, suggesting that the imagery has been deliberately censored. 

Although the angle of approach to the structure differs between the 2014 and 2023 images on Google Earth, it's clearly evident that they depict the same location and if the formation was merely a natural feature, why hide it? 

• Here are the coordinates: 34°1'23.31"N 118°59'45.64"W

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{ http://ufosightingshotspot.blogspot.com/ }

22-05-2025 om 15:31 geschreven door peter  

Whistleblower Releases Never-Before-Seen Footage Of A UFO Taken Near Border In Arizona

A man who spent 14 years with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has shared a never-before-seen video of a UFO that was spotted in the Arizona sky. In his duties with the CBP, Army veteran Bob Thompson was part of the Tucson, Arizona sector’s special operations detachment mobile response team and was tasked with coordinating airspace along the border. During those 14 years, he reports witnessing numerous objects in the sky that he could not explain.

“I’ve seen orbs that were off in the distance. I’ve seen crafts that were cigar-shaped, I’ve seen triangles,” Thompson told Reality Check with Ross Coulthart on NewsNation. He added that he had personally spoken to “at least 100” border agents who had witnessed anomalous objects.

He gave one example where “small triangles that were flying over agents” that showed no visible means of propulsion. He also discussed “a very large triangle” that an agent who was near Yuma, Arizona out on patrol saw fly over him. “The way he described it was at least 100 feet maybe 50 to 100 feet wide, silent, flying right over him,” said Thompson.

One video Thompson and Coulthart discussed was taken in November 2019 by an infrared camera on a RC-26B surveillance aircraft that was tracking a group of people who had crossed the border illegally in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Area. Thompson says that it appeared to show a UFO he says was almost shaped like a rubber duck. That UFO’s thermal signature also didn’t match known planes or drones.

“They seemed to think it was searching for something,” Thompson said.

{ https://brobible.com/ }

21-05-2025 om 23:17 geschreven door peter  

US F-16 Viper Fighter Jet Damaged After Collision With UFO Over Arizona

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, a U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper fighter jet was damaged earlier this year by a UFO in a collision over Arizona. The force of the impact with the UFO reportedly cracked the jet’s canopy and forced the pilot to land.

The incident occurred on January 19, 2023 while the F-16 Viper was flying in restricted airspace over Gila Bend. No injuries were reported, but the fighter jet was grounded for repairs. The report states that the UFO collision occurred over the U.S. Air Force’s Barry Goldwater Range where the military conducts combat exercises, so there should not have been, as the FAA reported, a “orange-white UAS” (uncrewed aerial system) in the area.

DailyMail.com reports that the F-16 Viper collision is just one around two dozen incidents that have occurred in recent years within 100 miles of Luke Air Force Base, where many of the F-16 fighter jets using Barry Goldwater Range launch.

{ https://brobible.com/ }

21-05-2025 om 22:55 geschreven door peter  

Deep in the green border of Kenya and Tanzania is a volcanic crater lake that quietly keeps an ancient geophysical journal. For thousands of years, Lake Chala has lain in a volcanic caldera, its calm waters hiding the seismic and geomagnetic theatrics playing out over deep time. Scientists drilling into its bottom sediments recently have revealed a 150,000-year history of Earth's magnetic oscillations—a finding that bridges planetary physics to early Homo sapiens migrations!

Lake Chala's location, shielded from raging rivers and floods, and a gentle runoff from the crater's surrounding ridges and forests, has resulted in sediment layers so undisturbed and linear that they are a virtual perfect geological timeline. Unlike most lake cores convoluted with flood sediments or seismic events, the sedimentary record in Lake Chala holds year-by-year histories, and it is thus an unrivaled platform for paleoenvironmental study.

It was here that Dr. Anita Di Chiara and colleagues from Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology pulled out a core sample that is now a key to reconstructing the earth's ancient magnetic behavior. They’ve published their finds in the journal Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems.

Reading the Magnetic Script of Earth

As volcanic ash and other sediment settle onto a lake bottom, they capture microscopic magnetic grains. These grains align themselves to the Earth's magnetic field of the day, behaving as tiny frozen compass needles. There have accumulated on top of each other in a vertical record of geomagnetic history over thousands of years—a chronology carefully deciphered by Di Chiara's group.

Whereas polar magnetic records are plentiful, equatorial information such as that of Lake Chala is scarce. And that is its value. Earth's magnetic field originates with the chaotic flow of its molten outer core, and whereas pole-based records show the wild oscillations and reversals, an equatorial view can show the more subtle, world-encompassing changes.

• Results of Kenyan Dig Suggest Africa’s First Toolmakers Were Not Human
• New Findings On How Climate Affected Body and Brain Size in Genus Homo

"Having an equatorial record is sort of special," Di Chiara said in an interview with Live Science. "It's a key piece in the puzzle."

Following the Magnetic Pulse of the Past

The Lake Chala sediment core chronicles six large geomagnetic excursions—periods during which Earth's magnetic field tottered, lost strength, or temporarily reversed without actually going through a complete pole reversal. One of these excursions is completely new to the geological record and provides new information on the unstable nature of Earth's core.

These outings are not innocent curiosities. The field protects the planet against solar wind—barrages of charged particles that can trouble satellites, radio communications, and even planetary climate patterns. When the field weakens, Earth lies open to enhanced cosmic radiation.

But how did these variations affect people living in and around Lake Chala in ancient times?

A Landscape Witness to Human Odyssey

Between 150,000 years ago and now, Lake Chala's sediments record a period of intense human transformation. It was the time the anatomically modern humans emerged, left Africa, and went on to fill Eurasia.

Although a magnetic anomaly may not have been detectable to early Homo sapiens, its environmental impact—alterations in climatic patterns, radiation flux, or even animal migration—would have quietly influenced the survival tactics and migrations of early human societies.

21-05-2025 om 22:45 geschreven door peter  

De wedloop is begonnen: Wie bouwt het beste ruimteveer?

Over de hele wereld ontwikkelen ingenieurs nieuwe ruimteveren. Bekijk hier zes van de spectaculairste opties.

{ https://wibnet.nl/heelal }

21-05-2025 om 22:25 geschreven door peter  

Astronomen zagen iets vreemds: Mysterieus reusachtig object ontdekt in ons eigen sterrenstelsel

Er is een mysterieus cirkelvormig object waargenomen in de Melkweg. Als de veronderstellingen van de astronomen kloppen, gaat het om een object dat zo zeldzaam is dat het eigenlijk niet zou moeten bestaan.

Astronomen denken dat het overblijfselen kunnen zijn van supernova’s of botsingen tussen zwarte gaten en neutronensterren.

Tot nu toe zijn er slechts vijf ORC’s bevestigd, maar nu steekt één ontdekking met kop en schouders boven de rest uit.

Een team onder leiding van onderzoekers van de Western Sydney University in Australië vond een perfecte cirkel in ons eigen sterrenstelsel, de Melkweg.

De bol wijkt af van andere waargenomen ORC’s ver buiten ons eigen sterrenstelsel, die tot wel 50 keer groter waren dan de Melkweg en zelfs een heel sterrenstelsel omcirkelden.

Vernoemd naar het oude Griekse woord voor ‘perfect’

De nieuwe ORC’s – Teleios genoemd naar het Oudgriekse woord voor perfectie, téleion – zijn een stuk kleiner dan de andere.

De astronomen hadden moeite om de juiste grootte van Teleios vast te stellen, maar ze denken dat hij tussen de 10,76 en 156,55 lichtjaar in diameter is.

Hij bevindt zich op ongeveer 7175 tot 25.114 lichtjaar van de aarde en de onderzoekers denken dat hij het restant is van een zogeheten type 1a supernova.

Supernova’s behoren tot de helderste sterexplosies in het heelal en ontstaan wanneer een witte dwergster in een dubbelstersysteem te veel massa krijgt en explodeert.

Als het een type 1a supernova is, heeft de cirkel een diameter van 46 tot 156,55 lichtjaar en is hij tussen de 1000 en 10.000 jaar oud.

In 2028 zal ’s werelds grootste radiotelescoop – de Square Kilometre Array – klaar zijn. Wetenschappers verwachten hiermee meer antwoorden te krijgen op de vraag hoe Teleios is ontstaan.

• De resultaten worden gepubliceerd in het tijdschrift Astronomical Society of Australia, maar zijn beschikbaar in een vroege versie op arXiv.

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{ https://wibnet.nl/heelal }

21-05-2025 om 21:40 geschreven door peter  

The structure under Antarctica that satellites keep detecting remains a scientific mystery

What lies beneath is still unknown. Some believe it could be the remnants of a massive asteroid impact, far older and larger than the one linked to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Whatever it is, the anomaly has kept showing up in satellite data for more than two decades. And the more we learn about it, the stranger it seems.

The anomaly was first brought to attention during Earth gravity surveys conducted by NASA’s GRACE satellites in the early 2000s. GRACE, which stands for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, works by measuring minuscule shifts in the distance between twin satellites as they pass over different regions of Earth. Where gravity is stronger, one satellite is pulled slightly more than the other. This data reveals the distribution of mass below Earth’s surface.

When GRACE passed over Wilkes Land, something unexpected happened. The satellites accelerated in a way that could only be explained by an enormous mass buried beneath the ice. Further measurements confirmed it was not an error. The same pull was detected again and again.

This region became known as the Wilkes Land Gravity Anomaly, a name that now represents one of the most enduring geological puzzles on Earth.

What could create such a massive signal?

Scientists quickly developed theories to explain the readings. One of the leading ideas is that this structure under Antarctica might be a buried impact crater, the scar left behind by an asteroid or comet that struck Earth over 250 million years ago. If this is true, the object responsible would have been twice the size of the one that created the Chicxulub crater, which contributed to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

The implications would be enormous. An impact of that scale could have unleashed global tsunamis, ignited wildfires across entire continents, and triggered a chain reaction of volcanic activity. Some geologists have even speculated that it might be linked to the Permian–Triassic extinction, the largest mass extinction in Earth’s history.

However, direct evidence of an impact is still missing. No shocked quartz, no melted glass, no layers of iridium have been recovered, mostly because no drilling has ever reached the suspected site. The entire theory rests on remote sensing data and gravitational modeling.

Not just gravity, but radar and magnetic signals, too

The mystery deepens when other datasets are taken into account. Airborne radar and magnetic mapping missions have also detected anomalies in the same region. These instruments show irregular magnetic patterns and unusual reflectivity beneath the ice. The readings are consistent with either a massive slab of denser-than-usual rock or a geophysical structure unlike anything previously seen in Antarctica.

Some scientists have proposed that the anomaly may be the result of an ancient geological uplift, formed by tectonic forces long before the continent froze over. Others suggest that it could be a remnant of a supervolcano whose cone has long since collapsed and disappeared beneath layers of compacted ice.

Still, none of these ideas explain why the anomaly is so round, so dense, and so isolated from other known features.

Why no one has drilled into Wilkes Land

The biggest barrier to understanding the structure under Antarctica is the ice itself. At Wilkes Land, the ice sheet is more than 2,500 meters thick. That’s deeper than the Grand Canyon. No existing drilling project has come close to penetrating this depth in such a remote and harsh environment.

Antarctic logistics are among the most difficult in modern science. The region sees some of the coldest temperatures on Earth, with high winds and no infrastructure. Getting a team of scientists, drilling equipment, and support personnel into Wilkes Land would be a multi-year operation costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

Even ground-penetrating radar, which has successfully mapped subglacial lakes and ancient riverbeds in other parts of Antarctica, provides only partial data here. The anomaly remains just out of reach, a ghost in the numbers.

Mussel-shaped ice structures were found on the underside of the vast glacier 

(Image credit: Filip Stedt / University of Gothenburg)

Sand dune shaped ice structures were discovered on the underside of the Dotson Ice Shelf

(Filip Stedt / University of Gothenburg)

Satellites still circle back to it

Despite the lack of direct access, Wilkes Land continues to be a focus for Earth observation missions. It is routinely used to calibrate instruments on new satellite platforms because its gravitational signal is so intense and consistent.

GRACE was retired in 2017, but its successor, GRACE-FO (Follow-On), is still monitoring changes in Earth’s gravitational field, including over Antarctica. Other satellites — such as ESA’s CryoSat and NASA’s ICESat-2, pass over the area regularly, measuring ice elevation and surface movement.

What they all share is a need to account for the pull from Wilkes Land. It affects radar returns. It adds noise to magnetometers. And yet, it has no face. The anomaly exerts influence without revealing its source.

Remote sensing

This situation highlights a broader challenge in geophysics. Remote sensing tools can measure gravity, magnetism, and radar reflections with exquisite precision, but they cannot tell us exactly what lies underground. The data must be interpreted, and interpretations always depend on models, assumptions, and what we expect to find.

In the case of the structure under Antarctica, nothing about it aligns with conventional expectations. It is too dense, too wide, too circular. If it is an impact crater, it is one of the most perfectly preserved ever detected, and yet there are no signs of a crater rim, ejecta, or deformation in the overlying rock layers.

That leaves us with a persistent anomaly, real enough to move satellites, yet invisible to the human eye.

What scientists hope to learn next

Some scientists believe it’s time to take a closer look at Wilkes Land. There have been proposals to send long-range radar drones across the ice, or even to drill down using equipment similar to what was used at Lake Vostok. But the logistics are difficult, and the cost is high.

Others think the answers might already be buried in the data we have. With better tools for processing satellite measurements and more advanced models of the Earth’s crust, they believe we may be able to piece together what lies below without setting foot on the ice.

What’s at stake is more than just an explanation for an unusual gravity signal. If this is the scar of an ancient impact, it might hold evidence of a global catastrophe, perhaps even one that shaped the evolution of life. If it is something else, it could reveal parts of Earth’s interior that have been hidden for hundreds of millions of years.

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{ https://curiosmos.com/category/unsolved-mysteries/ }

21-05-2025 om 21:27 geschreven door peter  

The Scientist Who Says Nature Has Memory and Minds Aren’t Trapped in Brains

His work has appeared in many well-known magazines and newspapers, and he has been featured on BBC radio and TV.

In the interview, philosopher Hilary Lawson asks Rupert Sheldrake why the scientific community has been so critical of his work, even though he has been very successful with the general public. Sheldrake explains that the scientific community is not just one group—it’s made up of many different people with different opinions.

When he first shared his ideas, some scientists were interested and friendly, while others were more skeptical. He had especially good experiences with scientists in India, who were open to his ideas, like morphic resonance.

But things changed after he published his first book, A New Science of Life, in 1981. A powerful editor at the science journal Nature, Sir John Maddox, harshly criticized the book and even said it was “a book for burning.” This public attack made Sheldrake seem like an outsider or a heretic in the eyes of many scientists, which made others afraid to openly support him.

Sheldrake believes that the scientists who attack him most often are militant atheists. He explains that these people treat materialist science almost like a religion, and because his work challenges their worldview, they react very strongly. This kind of criticism also appears on platforms like Wikipedia, where a group called “guerrilla skeptics” has taken control of his biography and prevents others from changing it.

However, Sheldrake also says that most scientists are not so extreme. When he gives talks at scientific institutions, people often come up to him privately afterward and say they’re very interested in his work and have had similar experiences, like feeling telepathic connections or sensing when their dog knows they’re coming home. But they admit they’re afraid to speak up about it because they don’t want to be judged or attacked by their peers. Sheldrake tells them that they’re not alone, and many of their colleagues feel the same way in secret.

Sheldrake agrees that he does have a philosophical view. His worldview is holistic: he believes that consciousness exists throughout the universe, that minds extend beyond just the brain, and that nature has a kind of memory—what he calls “morphic resonance.” These ideas go against the usual materialist and mechanistic view of science, which sees everything as just matter and machines. But Sheldrake says the key difference is that he thinks all of these views—including his own—should be openly discussed and tested scientifically. He does experiments to test his theories.

He says the people who oppose him don’t want open discussion. Instead, they label anything that doesn’t fit their materialist worldview as “pseudoscience” and try to cancel or suppress it. He calls this an unfair, one-sided situation.

Sheldrake points out that in most areas of life, like philosophy, politics, or religion, there are many different points of view, and people accept that. But in science, he says, there’s no real culture of open debate about controversial ideas. Instead, the dominant view controls everything: funding, journals, jobs, peer review, and government science advice. Those who don’t agree with the mainstream often get pushed out and silenced.

Sheldrake sees his ideas as models, not as the final truth. Morphic resonance is the idea that memory exists in nature and that past forms and behaviors influence present ones based on similarity.

He thinks some kind of memory in nature must exist because, in his view, evolutionary biology doesn’t make full sense without it. But he admits that while he’s fairly sure the phenomenon is real, he doesn’t know for certain that his specific explanation is correct.

He says it’s the only detailed model of its kind currently out there, though other, more general ideas touch on memory in the universe, like in Hindu and Buddhist beliefs about karma, which also involve effects traveling across time.

Sheldrake compares his situation to how science developed over time. For example, Michael Faraday proposed the existence of electric and magnetic fields without knowing exactly how they worked. Later, James Clerk Maxwell created a mathematical model involving the “ether,” which was widely accepted until Einste in’s theory of relativity showed that the ether didn’t exist.

Then, quantum physics introduced entirely new ideas. So, the models changed over time, but the actual phenomena—like electricity and magnetism—remained real and important. He sees his theory of morphic fields and resonance in the same way: the phenomenon may be real, but the model explaining it might evolve.

Read also:

• Ex-NASA Scientist Claims: “Consciousness Is Fundamental — Our Reality Is a Simulation”
• This Billionaire Saw Interdimensional Beings and Claims G-LOC Unlocks Out-of-Body Consciousness
• This is Ingo Swann: The Man Who Saw Jupiter’s Rings Before NASA Did

That’s why he keeps doing experiments. If he already knew the truth, he says, there’d be no need to keep testing his ideas. The point is to explore and discover, not to claim he already has all the answers.

Sheldrake says that his theory of morphic resonance, which he describes as a theory of memory, could have several real-world uses. He explains that this theory includes not only the memory we have in our minds but also a kind of collective memory that influences learning. According to him, if morphic resonance is real, then people could learn faster and better by tapping into the experiences of others who have already learned the same things in the past.

He says this might explain why people often learn practical skills, like sports or using tools, better through doing and repetition rather than through books. He thinks this approach could especially help in teaching languages.

For example, learners could benefit more from immersive, experience-based methods that connect with this collective memory instead of memorizing grammar rules and verb lists (like how he was taught French).

He also believes morphic resonance could be important in treating memory-related issues like Alzheimer’s or other psychological problems.

Looking ahead, he imagines that if we could build computers based on morphic resonance (which he says would need to be analog rather than digital), they might be able to access shared memory banks. These computers could lead to a type of artificial intelligence that is truly intelligent, not just simulating human thinking.

Sheldrake also talks about another area of his research: the idea of the extended mind. This includes things like the feeling of being stared at, telepathy, and intuitions about future events (what he calls “pre-sentiment”).

He believes that if we could train people to improve these intuitive skills, they might be better at sensing dangers or responding more naturally to situations in daily life. He says there’s a lot of potential for training in this area.

Sheldrake explains laws of nature were fixed at the moment of the Big Bang and never change. Instead, it suggests that just like nature evolves, the “laws” of nature might also change and grow over time. Instead of calling them laws (which is a very human concept), Sheldrake prefers to think of them as habits of nature—patterns that repeat and get stronger the more they happen, just like how animals or people develop habits. (Source)

He believes that everything in nature, including living things, thoughts, and even social behaviors, is guided by invisible fields called morphic fields. These fields carry memory from the past and influence present behavior. So if something has happened many times before, it’s more likely to happen again. That’s how species inherit instincts or how languages and cultures form and evolve.

He says these morphic fields affect our minds too. For example, the feeling that someone is staring at you, or the experience of thinking about someone just before they call you, might not be coincidences—they could be examples of telepathy through morphic fields. According to Sheldrake, this is not magic or paranormal, but a natural process. Experiments have shown that people often correctly guess who is calling them on the phone, and this might be a common form of human telepathy. Similar behavior is also seen in animals, like dogs, that know when their owners are coming home.

Morphic fields are not limited to the brain—they can reach far beyond the body, just like magnetic fields go beyond magnets or cell phone signals go beyond the phone. These fields help explain connections between people or animals, even over long distances.

{ https://howandwhys.com/ }

21-05-2025 om 20:54 geschreven door peter