The Truth About the ‘Betz Mystery Sphere’ Conspiracy Theory

Some believe the Betz sphere—a steel ball that a Florida family found on their property in 1974—is a piece of alien technology. Here are the facts.

By Caroline Delbert

Quick Facts:

• Some still question the origins of the strange steel ball that a Florida family found on their property in 1974. Could it be alien technology?
• The military—and even ufologists—examined the sphere, concluding that humans made the bizarre orb.
• Yet, the Betz mystery sphere conspiracy theory continues to persist. Is there any validity to it?

Picture this: you walk outside and into your yard and discover a strange metal sphere that’s a little smaller than a bowling ball (a diameter of eight inches), but a solid eight pounds heavier than even the sturdiest professional bowling bowl that players use (22 pounds).

That’s exactly what happened in 1974, when the Betz family found what is now known as the eponymous “Betz mystery sphere” near their 

Florida Times-Union Archive/WJCT

Wayne Betz with the sphere.

The Betz family said the sphere acted of its own accord, moving and making noises. What does this surprising backyard shot-put have to do with conspiracy theories? Is it some kind of autonomous cannonball? Could it actually be a piece of alien technology?

Origins of the Betz Sphere Conspiracy Theory

After a fire destroyed their property in March 1974, the Betz family found the bizarre metal sphere in their yard, and believed it was a historic cannonball from Florida’s Renaissance-era Spanish colonizers, the Skeptoid podcast explains. But the sphere was clean, free of corrosion, and shiny. Weaponry in the Spanish colonial time period, unlikely from Florida’s missionaries to begin with, would have been made of iron or stone—not stainless steel or silver plate.

When the family took the sphere home, they said, it started to behave by itself. Their accounts detailed the sphere rolling by itself, making noises, and vibrating.

From Wonderful Engineering:

Terry, the son of Antoine and [G]erri Betz, was playing guitar and found that the sphere reacted to the sound of the guitar and made a throbbing noise which scared the family dog. Things took an even odder turn when they were sitting on the floor and rolling the sphere towards one another. When it was sent in one direction, it would change direction midway and head back to the person who rolled it.

St. Petersburg Times/Google News Archives

The April 15, 1974 edition of the St. Petersburg Times.

In an April 1974 interview with the St. Petersburg Times, Gerri Betz said when the family dog got next to the sphere, “she began to whimper and cover her ears with her paws, something I’ve never seen her do before.”

The Betz family suspected solar radiations affected the sphere, which may have been why it reportedly moved “intensely” when the sun shone brightly, according to Wonderful Engineering. Eventually, the U.S. military got their hands on the sphere to analyze it for more answers.

When an expert from a research firm in Baton Rouge, Louisiana examined the sphere, he “found radio waves coming from it and a magnetic field around it,” Gerri Betz told the St. Petersburg Times. Then, the U.S. Navy analyzed the sphere at Jacksonville Naval Air Station. A Navy spokesman told the St. Petersburg Times that the Navy’s first x-ray attempts failed because its “machine wasn’t strong enough to penetrate the steel, but two subsequent tests showed the contents of the globe.”

“I don’t know who manufactured it,” the spokesman said, “but I say it came from Earth. We do know it is not an explosive and presents no hazard.”

The Betz family then sent the sphere to astronomer and renowned ufologist J. Allen Hynek for examination, but he also agreed the object was human-made, according to The Jaxson.

The Believers

The popular Mysterious Universe podcast reported on the Betz mystery sphere with the headline “Alien Artifact or Doomsday Device,” tipping their hand about the possible explanations among believers. A scientist could have disabused the Betz family of their far-out ideas like 16th-century 431 steel, silver plating, or an improbably solid metal satellite.

Still, their account of the sphere’s motions and noises made local news and continues to inspire believers. Even a quick browse on Reddit shows that the Betz mystery sphere conspiracy theories are alive and well. Here’s just a sampling of the ideas anonymous posters have offered up on the r/aliens subreddit in the past year:

• The “government opened it and stole the fillings!”
• “My opinion it was some sort of drone, apparently it would roll back to whoever previously held it.”
• “Maybe this was is what orbs look like when they’re not lit up. Many people have reported orbs look like metallic spheres when their lights go out. Maybe this was a damaged/broken one?”
• “I’ve seen the exact same thing pulled through big drainage pipes to declog them. They also move on their own when placed on a flat surface.”

The Akron Beacon Journal/WJCT

The Facts

The widely-reported explanation for the Betz mystery sphere is so neat that it’s failed to persuade believers. After the Navy examined the sphere and identified its steel composition, among other facts, the ball was conclusively compared with a stainless steel ball kept in stock by a Jacksonville equipment supply company, Skeptoid reports.

Upon seeing news reports of the mystery sphere, the president of that company, Robert Edwards, showed a reporter a Bell & Howell stainless steel ball that was eight inches across and weighed over 21 pounds—almost exactly the same size as the sphere. From Skeptoid:

“I’m not saying that this thing didn’t come from outer space because I’ve never seen it,” said Edwards. “All I’m saying is that the physical description of it matches exactly the type of ball we have in stock.”

As for the noted behaviors of the sphere, these have been repeated and festooned with extra details over the last 50 years. In reality, the sphere was probably rolling on an uneven floor, experts say.

As the Navy spokesman told the St. Petersburg Times:

“I believe [the sphere moved] because of the construction of the house. It’s old and has uneven stone floors. The ball is almost perfectly balanced, and it takes just a little indentation to make it move or change direction.”

The Case

It’s unlikely that even an advanced alien technology would use an Earth steel alloy—431, used in aircraft and things like fasteners and bolts, per Skeptoid. It wouldn’t remain unblemished on the long, extremely hot fall to Earth. Not even a solid steel ball would escape damage.

But the Navy investigation and a series of “inconclusive” examinations have led believers to think the sphere is a UFO. In the U.S., that meant persuading someone in exchange for a financial reward. Based on mixed information, they believe there are different sections of different materials inside the sphere, making it unknown to terrestrial science despite being coated in a carefully human-developed steel alloy.

The Verdict

It’s easy to see how a regular family in Florida would decide a strange object in their yard had some kind of improbable properties. In the absence of clear scientific input about it, that legend could grow very quickly. And the 1970s were a heyday of belief in things like UFOs as well as “new religious movements” and Americanized transcendental meditation—a heady mix for people to develop some wild ideas.

But the reality is that the ball’s existence can probably be chalked up to a regular manufactured object that got lost. If you ever get ahold of the Betz mystery sphere, consider taking it to your local bowling shop and getting some holes drilled.

{ https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/  }

03-09-2025 om 17:31 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.universetoday.com/ }

03-09-2025 om 16:44 geschreven door peter  

Sphere Over Bountiful, Utah For 20 Minutes! Then Moved Away Fast! UFO UAP Sighting News. Video!

Date of sighting: Sept 2, 2025 5pm

Location of sighting: Bountiful, Utah, USA

Source: Self recorded SCW

 

Guys, I recorded this myself and it was over my backyard in Bountiful, Utah. I was watching three hawks circling above me when I noticed a white glowing sphere. The sphere never moved, but sat in one place. The wind was blowing strong at about 25mph but this sphere sat over my area for 20 minutes. I tried again and again to record it on my iPhone, but my phone died six times, even though its battery said 75% full. Thats never happened to me before. Then I had a panic attack and went chasing after my telescope and 140mm lens Nikon, both just couldn't see it. I got my Sony 50X zoom camera and its battery was full, but when I went out to record it died in 12 seconds and said battery empty, so I recharged it for 3-4 minutes so I could take 30-90 seconds of video...I did this three times.

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

03-09-2025 om 15:42 geschreven door peter  

Jellyfish UFO over Downey, Idaho, I recorded it too in Utah today, UAP sighting news. Sept 2, 2025 Wow!

Date of sighting: Sept 2, 2025

Location of sighting: Downey, Idaho, USA

 

Guys I just came out of panic mode because this same UFO flew over my back yard here in Bountiful, Utah a few minutes ago. It's a Jellyfish type UFO, but my cell phone kept shutting down saying memory full, cannot record...first time ever! Also my camera which was fully charged died within seconds of recording it...I had to recharge the batter for about 5 min and then shoot the object again which was hovering in place for a total of about ten minutes. Then we got into the car and took off after it...but suddenly it took off and vanished over the mountains heading toward the Salt Lake City capital building. If it was a balloon, how could it stop on a windy day and hover ten minutes then shoot away? Impossible! This was a UFO. I too got a few min of video, coming in a few hours. Same UFO as this report here. 

 

Eyewitness states: 

Could somebody please tell me what in the world, or not in the world this is? I saw this in the sky east of Downey Idaho this morning at around 7:30. 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

03-09-2025 om 15:38 geschreven door peter  

What is the True Story of the Philadelphia Experiment?

Invisible ships, aliens, top secret missions, a government conspiracy and Albert Einstein - the Philadelphia Experiment had it all. But was the story of the USS Eldridge a hoax or science fiction brought to life?

The Philadelphia Experiment, sometimes known as the USS Eldridge conspiracy, has all the trappings of a sci-fi blockbuster. Indeed it became the subject of one starring Michael Paré in 1984.

If it’s to be believed, this top secret test of alien invisibility technology was carried out at the height of the Second World War, under the direction of Albert Einstein himself, ending in both success and catastrophe.

If it’s deemed a hoax, it is one whose ramifications have been long-term and widespread. So which is it?

The Philadelphia Experiment

Albert Einstein image on a postage stamp

(Photo: tomograf via iStock)

The Philadelphia Conspiracy was an alleged top secret government project codenamed Operation Rainbow, carried out under the auspices of Albert Einstein in accordance with his unified field theory. Its objective was to test alien invisibility technology. It was 1943, the midst of World War II and the US was seeking an advantage to help them win the Battle of the Atlantic.

And so, one day that year, often cited as 28th October 1943, the new tech was supposedly fitted onto the USS Eldridge which was docked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. It’s said that those on nearby ships witnessed the generators of the Eldridge begin to hum, a green-blue hue – some said a fog or a glow – emanated from the destroyer’s hull and, in an instant, the ship simply vanished.

It’s said the ship reappeared again just as suddenly, but only after it was spotted materialising out of thin air over 200 miles away, at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia – before then vanishing a second time.

If true, surely the Philadelphia Experiment had been a resounding success. Not only did it render an entire Cannon-class destroyer escort ship invisible, but it teleported it over 200 miles away and back again. However, there was more to the story than simply this astonishing tale.

It was said that classified military documents revealed far darker implications. When the USS Eldridge rematerialised in Philadelphia, members of its crew suffered injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic. Nausea, disorientation, insanity, third degree burns and mysterious illnesses were all cited. The most alarming effects regarded crew being found fused to parts of the ship, some of them still alive.

The Philadelphia Conspiracy Origins

The Case for the UFO scripts

(Poto: Pixsooz via iStock)

According to the story, there were many witnesses to the Philadelphia Experiment; people who saw the ship’s disappearance and reappearance. And yet, only one witness came forward, and it was not until the 1950s that details of it began to emerge. In fact, all information about the Philadelphia Conspiracy derives from a single source. That was a man by the name of Carl Meredith Allen.

In 1956, Carl Allen began writing what would be hundreds of letters to Morris K. Jessup, the author of a book called The Case for the UFO (1955). Going by the name Carlos Allende, he tried to convince Jessup to stop the research he was then conducting on Albert Einstein’s incomplete unified field theory. As part of this, he informed Jessup of the USS Eldridge conspiracy, claiming to have witnessed the test himself while working on a ship called the SS Andrew Furuseth as a deckhand. When Jessup attempted to get more information from Allen, he was unable to provide any evidence for his claims.

At around the same time, the US Office of Naval Research (the ONR) received an anonymous package labelled “Happy Easter”. Inside was a copy of Jessup’s book, heavily annotated by what appeared to be three different contributors, each in different shades of blue and referring to each other as “gypsies”. The notes within related to UFOs, purporting to have knowledge of extraterrestrial life on Earth and suggesting that Jessup’s research on unified field theory was too close to some alien technology. There were also several allusions to the Philadelphia Experiment.

In a strange twist that served only to enhance belief in the Philadelphia conspiracy, two agents at the ONR took it upon themselves to privately print many copies of the annotated book, which became known in certain circles as the Varo Version.

Investigating The Philadelphia Conspiracy

In 1957, the ONR invited Jessup to view the annotated copy of his book. He confirmed that the annotations matched the handwriting in Allen’s letters. It has since been confirmed that it was Allen who sent the package to the ONR and, in 1969, he even admitted to writing all of the annotations. His aim? To “scare the hell out of Jessup” and deter him from continuing his investigation of Unified Field Theory, which Allen viewed as dangerous. He later retracted this admission.

So, who was Carlos Allende aka Carl Allen? For a long time, that answer was as elusive as the man himself. In fact, nothing was known about him until a journalist called Robert Goerman wrote about the man in 1980. Goerman, apparently realising an old family connection with Allen, interviewed the man’s family and described him as a “a creative and imaginative loner.” According to Goerman, Allen had a history of mental illness which he speculated might have been behind any fabrications.

USS Eldridge Hoax: The Official Response

The Philadelphia Experiment captured the imagination of the ufologist community for many years. Indeed, the ONR was so overwhelmed by the constant enquiries about it that, in 1996, it released an official statement completely denying the event, stating:

“ONR has never conducted any investigations on invisibility, either in 1943 or at any other time (ONR was established in 1946.) In view of present scientific knowledge, ONR scientists do not believe that such an experiment could be possible except in the realm of science fiction.”

The same statement provided theories as to the origins of the ideas behind the USS Eldridge Conspiracy. For example, the invisibility aspect might have arisen from real research at the Philadelphia Naval Yard at the time into rendering ships undetectable to radar, known as degaussing.

There has never been any evidence provided for or corroboration of the Philadelphia Experiment. What is more, any evidence collected, such as the logs of the USS Eldridge and other involved ships, have contradicted the story. For example, on the alleged date of the experiment, 28th October 1943, the ship’s log puts it in the Bahamas on a shakedown tour.

Resurgence of the USS Eldridge 'Hoax'

Abstract Futuristic Technology Background with Clock concept and Time Machine

(Photo: ChakisAtelier via iStock)

For a long time it was widely accepted that the Philadelphia Experiment was a fake, sometimes referred to as the USS Eldridge hoax. However, it was revived by the emergence of another alleged secret experiment, The Montauk Project. Instead of invisibility, this time it was time travel and, in place of Einstein, were Wilhelm Reich and Nikola Tesla. It tied in with the Philadelphia Experiment as part of a wider plan.

Some Still Believe

Hoax stamp

(Photo: Christian Horz via iStock)

It is widely acknowledged that the Philadelphia Experiment was indeed a hoax, perpetrated by one man whose family described him as a “master leg-puller”, Carl Meredith Allen. And yet, despite a complete lack of proof, under the umbrella of the Montauk Project, the USS Eldridge conspiracy seems to be gaining new supporters even to this day.

Related VIDEOS

{ https://www.discoveryuk.com/ }

02-09-2025 om 23:24 geschreven door peter  

Het Philadelphia Experiment: Een Wetenschappelijk Verkenning van een Legende

The USS Eldridge.

Photo: U.S. Navy

Inleiding

Het Philadelphia Experiment is een bekende en omstreden samenzweringstheorie die beweert dat de Amerikaanse marine in de jaren 1940 een experiment heeft uitgevoerd dat leidde tot het onzichtbaar maken van een schip, de USS Eldridge. Deze gebeurtenis zou plaatsgevonden hebben in de haven van Philadelphia in 1943, tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Hoewel de meeste wetenschappers en historici deze verhalen als mythes beschouwen, blijft het onderwerp intrigeren en heeft het een prominente plek in populaire cultuur en conspiracy theorieën. In dit artikel onderzoeken we de oorsprong, de vermeende wetenschap achter het experiment, de ontstaansgeschiedenis en de wetenschappelijke plausibiliteit van dergelijke claims.

De oorsprong van de legende

De oorsprong van de legende rond het zogenaamde Philadelphia Experiment gaat terug naar de late jaren 1950 en de vroege jaren 1960. Het verhaal werd voor het eerst bekend via anonieme brieven en verhalen van mensen die beweerden getuige te zijn geweest van het experiment. Een van de meest invloedrijke bronnen is het boek "The Philadelphia Experiment," dat in 1994 werd gepubliceerd door auteurs William Moore en Charles Berlitz. In dit boek wordt beweerd dat de Amerikaanse marine tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog, in 1943, een geheim experiment uitvoerde met als doel een schip onzichtbaar te maken voor radar en visueel waarnemen.

Volgens de verhalen zou de USS Eldridge, een destroyer escort, in de haven van Philadelphia worden blootgesteld aan een krachtig elektromagnetisch veld. Dit veld zou het schip volledig onzichtbaar maken voor radar en het voor het blote oog onzichtbaar maken. Bovendien worden er verhalen verteld dat het schip fysiek van plaats zou zijn veranderd, waarbij het in een soort teleportatie zou zijn getransporteerd naar een andere locatie. Sommige versies van het verhaal gaan zelfs verder door te stellen dat het schip door de tijd zou zijn gereisd, waardoor het op een ander moment weer werd teruggevonden.

De verhalen over het experiment worden vaak aangevuld met mysterieuze en griezelige details over de gevolgen voor de bemanning. Sommige getuigen spreken over fysieke deformities, zoals vergroeiingen en verwondingen die niet natuurlijk leken, terwijl anderen berichten over telepathische verschijnselen en psychische stoornissen die na het experiment zouden zijn ontstaan. Deze verhalen zorgen voor een aura van mysterie en paranormale gebeurtenissen rondom het experiment. Hoewel er geen concreet bewijs is dat het Philadelphia Experiment daadwerkelijk heeft plaatsgevonden, blijft het een populair onderwerp in de conspiracy-theorieën, sciencefiction en folklore rondom geheime militaire projecten.

De vermeende wetenschappelijke basis

Hoewel het hele verhaal rondom het zogenaamde Philadelphia Experiment op het eerste gezicht ongelooflijk en bijna onvoorstelbaar lijkt, worden door voorstanders van deze theorieën vaak pogingen gedaan om een wetenschappelijke onderbouwing aan te wijzen. Ze suggereren dat het experiment gebaseerd zou kunnen zijn op de toenmalige kennis over elektromagnetisme, deeltjesfysica, en de theorieën die binnen de kwantummechanica en veldentheorieën ontwikkeld zijn. Het is belangrijk om deze claims kritisch te bekijken en te begrijpen in welke mate ze overeenkomen met de actuele wetenschappelijke stand van zaken.

• Electromagnetische onzichtbaarheid en de rol van elektromagnetische velden

Een van de kernideeën achter het vermeende experiment is dat elektromagnetische velden gebruikt zouden kunnen worden om een object onzichtbaar te maken voor het blote oog of radar. In de hedendaagse wetenschap bestaat het concept van "metamaterialen", die speciale materialen zijn met een negatieve refractie-index. Deze materialen kunnen elektromagnetische golven buigen en manipuleren op manieren die in de natuur niet voorkomen. Hierdoor is het mogelijk om bijvoorbeeld experimentele onzichtbaarheidsmantels te ontwikkelen die licht of radarstralen om een klein object heen laten leiden, waardoor het lijkt alsof dat object niet bestaat.

Deze technologie wordt onder andere onderzocht binnen de context van militaire camouflage en wetenschappelijke experimenten. Het is echter cruciaal te benadrukken dat de huidige toepassingen nog zeer beperkt zijn: de meeste experimenten betreffen kleine objecten en werken onder zeer gecontroleerde omstandigheden. Het is niet realistisch om te denken dat deze technologie, op de schaal van een groot schip zoals in het Philadelphia Experiment, al operationeel of zelfs praktisch toepasbaar is. De complexiteit en de schaalgrootte maken het gebruik van metamaterialen voor grote objecten nog altijd een grote uitdaging, en de technologische vooruitgang op dit gebied is nog zeer beperkt.

• Het gebruik van elektromagnetische velden voor cloaking

De theorieën die ten grondslag liggen aan het concept van onzichtbaarheid maken gebruik van het manipuleren van elektromagnetische golven door middel van speciale materialen. Door deze materialen met negatieve refractie-index te gebruiken, kunnen golven worden geleid en gebroken op een manier die het lijkt alsof het object niet bestaat. Het principe is gebaseerd op het idee dat door het buigen en omleiden van straling, het licht of radarstralen rondom een object heen kunnen worden geleid, waardoor het object wordt "verborgen".

In theorie betekent dit dat een dergelijk proces mogelijk zou kunnen werken voor kleine objecten, en dat het in een zeer gecontroleerde omgeving en onder zeer precieze omstandigheden kan worden toegepast. Maar het toepassen van dergelijke technologieën op grote schaal, zoals een volledig schip, en vooral in de jaren 1940, is nog volledig experimenteel en theoretisch. De benodigde materialen en technologieën waren toen nog niet beschikbaar, en de praktische implementatie zou onmogelijk zijn geweest met de toenmalige kennis en middelen.

• Kwantummechanica en tijdreizen

Een ander aspect dat vaak wordt aangehaald in verband met het Philadelphia Experiment betreft de vermeende mogelijkheid van tijdreizen en de invloed van kwantumveldentheorieën. Sommige theorieën binnen de kwantumfysica suggereren dat onder extreme omstandigheden en met zeer geavanceerde technologieën, het mogelijk zou kunnen zijn om de ruimte-tijd te manipuleren. Bijvoorbeeld, door middel van het creëren van wormgaten of door het manipuleren van kwantumvelden, zouden theoretisch tijdreizen mogelijk kunnen worden.

Het is echter van groot belang te onderstrepen dat deze ideeën zich nog in een zeer theoretisch stadium bevinden. Er is geen experimenteel bewijs dat tijdreizen mogelijk maakt, en de technologieën die hiervoor nodig zouden zijn, bevinden zich op dit moment nog in het domein van sciencefiction. Het toepassen van dergelijke theorieën op een schip, zoals in het geval van het Philadelphia Experiment, is dus volledig hypothetisch en niet gebaseerd op bewezen wetenschap. Bovendien zou het manipuleren van de ruimte-tijd een enorme hoeveelheid energie vereisen en onvoorziene consequenties met zich meebrengen.

Kortom, terwijl er in de wetenschappelijke wereld bepaalde theorieën en principes bestaan die het idee van elektromagnetische onzichtbaarheid en zelfs tijdreizen mogelijk zouden kunnen maken in de toekomst, is er momenteel geen concreet bewijs dat dergelijke technologieën op grote schaal bestaan of operationeel zijn. Het verhaal rondom het Philadelphia Experiment blijft dus vooral binnen het domein van legendes, speculaties en niet-geverifieerde theorieën. Wetenschappelijke kennis zoals die in de jaren 1940 bestond, was nog lang niet ver genoeg gevorderd om dergelijke fenomenen te kunnen realiseren, laat staan dat ze effectief toegepast konden worden op een schip dat in een haven lag.

Philadelphia Experiment illustratie.

Photo: Shutterstock AI

De ontstaansgeschiedenis en de mythologie

Het verhaal van het zogenaamde Philadelphia Experiment kreeg voor het eerst brede aandacht nadat het werd gepubliceerd in een boek geschreven door Charles Berlitz en William Moore. In dit boek werd beweerd dat de Amerikaanse marine en de Amerikaanse regering in het geheim experimenten hadden uitgevoerd met het doel om schepen onzichtbaar te maken voor radar en visuele observatie. Volgens de auteurs zouden deze experimenten plaatsgevonden hebben in de haven van Philadelphia in de jaren 1943, tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Het boek stelde dat de USS Eldridge betrokken was bij een dergelijk experiment, wat leidde tot geruchten en complottheorieën die zich snel verspreidden.

De verhalen werden verder versterkt door vermeende getuigenissen van mensen die beweerden de experimenten te hebben gezien, of zelfs eraan te hebben deelgenomen. Sommige van deze getuigen spraken over mysterieuze verschijnselen zoals het verdwijnen en weer verschijnen van schepen, het plotseling teleporteren van mensen, en zelfs gevallen waarin mensen door de romp van het schip zouden zijn gezeten. Deze verhalen bevatten vaak elementen uit sciencefiction en paranormale verschijnselen, wat het verhaal een mythische en bijna legendarische dimensie gaf. Het idee dat de Amerikaanse overheid geheime technologieën ontwikkelde die de natuurwetten tartten, sprak tot de verbeelding en voedde de aantrekkingskracht van het verhaal.

Het is belangrijk op te merken dat de bronnen waarop deze verhalen gebaseerd zijn, niet op harde bewijzen rusten. Het Amerikaanse Marine Corps heeft herhaaldelijk verklaard dat er geen bewijs is dat het experiment ooit daadwerkelijk heeft plaatsgevonden. Ze benadrukten dat er geen documenten, rapporten of andere betrouwbare bronnen bestaan die het bestaan van zo’n experiment bevestigen. Ook uit onderzoek blijkt dat de USS Eldridge op de genoemde data niet in de haven van Philadelphia lag, maar elders. Daarnaast is er geen enkele officiële documentatie of erkend onderzoeksrapport dat wijst op het uitvoeren van een dergelijk experiment.

Bovendien is er sterke twijfel onder historici en wetenschappers over de echtheid van de verhalen. Veel experts beschouwen het Philadelphia Experiment als een mythe, een modern legendes zoals die vaak ontstaan rondom geheime militaire projecten en mysterieuze gebeurtenissen. De combinatie van onduidelijke getuigenissen, suggestieve verhalen en het ontbreken van concrete bewijzen heeft ertoe geleid dat het verhaal een mythische status heeft verworven, die nog altijd de gemoederen bezighoudt. Het verhaal blijft daarmee een fascinerend voorbeeld van hoe mythes en legendes ontstaan rond geheime overheidsprojecten en de menselijke fascinatie voor het paranormale en het onverklaarbare.

Photo: Polonio Video

Wetenschappelijke kritiek en realiteit

De claims over het zogenaamde Philadelphia Experiment worden door de wetenschappelijke gemeenschap over het algemeen als onjuist en ongeloofwaardig beschouwd. Deze verhalen vertellen over een geheime militaire operatie uit de jaren 1940 waarbij een Amerikaanse marinefregat zogenaamd werd onzichtbaar gemaakt voor radar en zelfs door de tijd zou zijn gereisd. Hoewel het een fascinerend verhaal is dat veel mensen intrigeert, ontbreekt er wetenschappelijk bewijs dat dergelijke gebeurtenissen daadwerkelijk hebben plaatsgevonden. Bovendien zijn de genoemde technologieën, zoals elektromagnetische onzichtbaarheid en tijdreizen, momenteel nog in de experimentele fase of bestaan ze slechts in theoretische modellen zonder praktische toepassing of bevestiging.

• Elektromagnetische onzichtbaarheid

Een van de kernonderdelen van het Philadelphia Experiment is de claim dat het schip onzichtbaar kon worden gemaakt voor detectiesystemen door middel van elektromagnetische cloaking. Deze technologie zou werken door het manipuleren van elektromagnetische golven zodat ze om een object heen buigen, waardoor dat object voor het blote oog of voor detectiemiddelen onzichtbaar wordt. In de wetenschappelijke wereld wordt deze techniek ook wel metamaterialen genoemd. Metamaterialen zijn materialen die speciaal zijn ontworpen om elektromagnetische golven op ongebruikelijke manieren te laten verlopen, bijvoorbeeld door negatieve refractie.

Hoewel er inderdaad onderzoek wordt gedaan naar elektromagnetische cloaking en metamaterialen, bevindt deze technologie zich nog in een zeer experimenteel stadium. De meeste succesvolle experimenten zijn beperkt tot kleine objecten en op laboratoriumschaal. Het maken van een grote structuur, zoals een schip, volledig onzichtbaar voor radar of visueel zicht, vereist extreem precieze materialen en een enorme hoeveelheid energie. Deze praktische beperkingen maken het momenteel onmogelijk om dergelijke technologie op grote schaal toe te passen, laat staan in militaire of civiele contexten. Bovendien zou het gebruik van dergelijke technologie enorme kosten met zich meebrengen, en er is geen bewijs dat dergelijke technieken operationeel zijn of in de nabije toekomst haalbaar worden.

• Tijdreizen en kwantumveldentheorieën

Een ander fascinerend element uit het verhaal van het Philadelphia Experiment is de bewering dat het schip door de tijd zou zijn gereisd. Tijdreizen wordt vaak afgebeeld in sciencefictionverhalen en wordt soms besproken binnen de context van kwantumfysica en de theoretische mogelijkheden van de ruimte-tijd. In de huidige wetenschappelijke consensus echter, wordt tijdreizen niet als mogelijk beschouwd volgens de bekende natuurwetten. De relativiteitstheorie van Einstein laat bijvoorbeeld toe dat tijd langzaam kan verlopen onder extreme omstandigheden, maar niet dat men terug in de tijd kan reizen of de tijd volledig kan manipuleren zoals in de verhalen wordt gesuggereerd.

Binnen de kwantumveldentheorieën en de theoretische fysica bestaan wel ideeën over exotische ruimtetijdconfiguraties zoals wormgaten, die mogelijk tijdreizen zouden kunnen faciliteren. Maar deze concepten blijven uiterst speculatief en ver weg van praktische toepassing. Er is geen experimenteel bewijs dat tijdreizen mogelijk is of dat dergelijke fenomenen daadwerkelijk kunnen worden gerealiseerd. De meeste wetenschappers beschouwen het idee van tijdreizen als een interessant theoretisch vraagstuk, maar niet als een daadwerkelijke technologische mogelijkheid op dit moment.

• De rol van mythes en cultuur

De populariteit van het Philadelphia Experiment kan niet los worden gezien van de menselijke fascinatie voor geheimzinnige technologieën, geheime overheidsprojecten en het verkennen van de grenzen van wetenschap en technologie. Verhalen over geheime experimenten en bijzondere technologieën worden vaak versterkt door media, films en conspiracy-theorieën die inspelen op onze nieuwsgierigheid en behoefte aan mysterieuze verhalen.

Het verhaal past in een bredere context van sciencefiction en complottheorieën die vaak gebruik maken van echte wetenschappelijke principes, maar deze combineren met fantasie en onbewezen claims. Deze verhalen worden vaak versterkt door een gebrek aan transparantie van overheden, waardoor het idee ontstaat dat er geheime en gevaarlijke technologieën bestaan die de mensheid kunnen bedreigen of verheffen. In veel gevallen wordt het wetenschappelijke verhaal vermengd met mythen, waardoor het moeilijk wordt om feit van fictie te onderscheiden.

Kortom, hoewel het Philadelphia Experiment een intrigerend verhaal is dat veel mensen aanspreekt en inspireert, wordt het door de wetenschap niet ondersteund. De technologische claims die erin worden gedaan, zijn niet haalbaar met de huidige kennis en technologie. Het verhaal blijft daarmee een mooi voorbeeld van hoe wetenschap, cultuur en fantasie kunnen samensmelten tot een mythe die de verbeelding blijft boeien.

Conclusie

Het Philadelphia Experiment blijft een fascinerende legende die de menselijke nieuwsgierigheid en het verlangen naar verborgen kennis weerspiegelt. Vanuit een wetenschappelijk perspectief is er echter geen bewijs dat zo'n experiment heeft plaatsgevonden of mogelijk is onder de huidige kennis van natuurkunde. De technologieën die in de verhalen worden beschreven, bevinden zich nog in de kinderschoenen of bestaan slechts in theorieën zonder experimenteel bewijs.

De verhalen over het experiment illustreren hoe wetenschap en mythologie vaak met elkaar verweven raken in de populaire cultuur. Het is belangrijk om kritisch te blijven en te erkennen dat veel van de claims rond het Philadelphia Experiment niet meer zijn dan mythes en legendes, zonder basis in de realiteit. Toch blijft het verhaal een boeiend voorbeeld van de menselijke verbeeldingskracht en onze zoektocht naar het onverklaarbare.

Bronnen:

• Berlitz, C., & Moore, W. (1994). The Philadelphia Experiment.
• U.S. Navy. Official statements over het experiment.
• Scientific American, "Metamaterials and Electromagnetic Cloaking," 2018.
• Kenniscentrum over kwantummechanica en tijdreizen, Universiteit van Amsterdam.
• Popular science artikelen over elektromagnetische onzichtbaarheid en metamaterialen.

{ PETER2011 }

02-09-2025 om 23:09 geschreven door peter  

Scientific Analysis of the Saas Fee UFO Encounter: A Critical Examination of the "Saas Fee Picture"

Close-up of the Saas-Fee UFO picture

Introduction

UFO sightings and encounters have long fascinated both the public and the scientific community. While many reports can be attributed to natural phenomena, misidentifications, or hoaxes, some cases remain unexplained, fueling speculation about extraterrestrial life and advanced technologies. One such incident is the so-called “Saas Fee Picture,” purportedly capturing a UFO in the Swiss Alps. This analysis aims to critically evaluate the available evidence, examine plausible explanations, and assess the scientific validity of claims surrounding this event.

Background and Context

The Saas Fee incident reportedly occurred in the vicinity of the Swiss village of Saas Fee, a popular tourist destination nestled within the Pennine Alps. The event gained attention primarily through a photograph that purportedly shows a mysterious flying object. The photograph was circulated through various UFO enthusiast circles and media outlets, prompting questions about its authenticity and origin.

Key aspects of the incident include:

• The date and time of the photograph are often unspecified or uncertain, complicating efforts to verify the event.
• Witness testimonies are sparse and sometimes inconsistent.
• The photograph itself appears in different versions, with some claiming it is authentic and others suggesting it is manipulated or a hoax.

To understand the significance of this incident, it is important to analyze the photograph and the circumstances under which it was taken.

Super clear UFO photo taken in Saas-Fee, Switzerland on July 26, 1975.

Analysis of the Photograph

The central piece of evidence in the Saas Fee case is the photograph purportedly depicting a UFO. An initial step in scientific critique involves examining the image itself:

• Visual Features: The object appears as a bright, disc-shaped anomaly in the sky, with some suggesting it is a classic “flying saucer” shape. Its size relative to the background landscape is ambiguous due to lack of scale references.
• Image Quality: The photograph is of moderate resolution, with some graininess. The lack of metadata (such as EXIF data) impairs accurate analysis.
• Possible Artifacts: The object could be a lens flare, reflection, or photographic artifact, common in images taken with certain camera types or under specific lighting conditions.
• Manipulation Evidence: Digital forensic analysis can assess whether the image has been altered. To date, no conclusive evidence of manipulation has been publicly presented, though skeptics argue that the image could be artificially created or enhanced.

Environmental and Contextual Factors

The Swiss Alps present unique environmental conditions that can produce phenomena sometimes mistaken for UFOs:

• Reflections and Mirages: Mountainous regions are prone to optical illusions such as superior mirages, which can distort the appearance of distant objects.
• Natural Phenomena: Ball lightning, rare atmospheric events, or unusual cloud formations can create luminous objects in the sky.
• Human-made Objects: Aircraft, drones, weather balloons, or even optical illusions caused by camera reflections can be mistaken for extraterrestrial craft.

In the case of the Saas Fee photograph, there is no definitive evidence linking the object to any natural or man-made phenomenon, though these explanations remain plausible.

Possible Explanations

Given the available evidence and environmental context, several plausible explanations emerge:

1. Photographic Artifact or Hoax

   • The simplest explanation is that the image was manipulated or artificially created. This could involve digital editing, composite images, or staged photographs.
   • Some UFO images have been proven to be hoaxes, either as pranks or for publicity.

2. Optical Illusions and Natural Phenomena

   • The object may be a natural atmospheric phenomenon, such as a lenticular cloud or optical mirage.
   • A lens flare or reflection caused by sunlight or artificial lighting could produce a bright, disc-shaped appearance.

3. Human-made Objects

   • Drones or aircraft, especially if flying at high altitude, can resemble UFOs in photographs.
   • Weather balloons or other experimental equipment could also be misidentified.

4. Extraterrestrial Hypothesis

   • The most sensational explanation is that the object is an alien spacecraft.
   • Scientific skepticism is warranted here, as there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim.

Scientific Perspectives and Methodology

From a scientific standpoint, evaluating UFO sightings involves rigorous methodology:

• Data Verification: Authenticating photographs through forensic analysis, metadata examination, and cross-referencing witness accounts.
• Environmental Analysis: Studying weather conditions, atmospheric phenomena, and local environmental factors at the time of the event.
• Instrumental Evidence: Utilizing radar, infrared imaging, or other sensors to corroborate visual sightings.
• Historical Context: Comparing the incident with known phenomena or previous sightings in the region.

Applying this methodology to the Saas Fee case reveals the following:

• No supporting instrumental data (radar, infrared) has been publicly released.
• The photograph’s metadata is unavailable or unverifiable.
• Witness testimony is limited and anecdotal.
• The environmental context suggests that optical illusions or reflections are plausible causes.

Critical Evaluation of the Evidence

The lack of corroborative data diminishes the credibility of the UFO claim. The photograph’s ambiguous nature and absence of independent verification suggest it is most likely a natural or human-made phenomenon, or possibly a hoax. Scientific standards demand reproducibility, verifiability, and conclusive evidence, which are absent in this case.

Furthermore, the tendency for UFO images to be manipulated or misinterpreted underscores the importance of critical analysis. Many purported UFO photographs have been debunked or explained through natural phenomena or photographic artifacts.

Implications for UFO Research

While the Saas Fee picture does not constitute conclusive evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, it highlights broader issues in UFO research:

• The necessity for rigorous scientific investigation and skepticism.
• The importance of collecting multi-modal data (visual, radar, infrared) for validation.
• The risk of cognitive biases, such as pareidolia or confirmation bias, influencing interpretation of ambiguous images.

The case emphasizes that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence—a standard unmet here.

During a hunting expedition, a group of individuals encountered a low-hovering craft that glided quietly among the nearby trees. One member managed to capture a photograph of the object. Skeptic Wim Van Utrecht contended that the image might be fabricated.

Conclusion

The Saas Fee UFO encounter, as represented by the photograph, remains an intriguing but ultimately unsubstantiated incident within the scientific community. The most plausible explanations involve optical illusions, photographic artifacts, or human-made objects. Without supporting physical evidence or corroborative data, the claim of an extraterrestrial encounter is unwarranted.

This analysis underscores the importance of applying scientific rigor when evaluating UFO claims. While the allure of discovering extraterrestrial life persists, the scientific method demands careful scrutiny, reproducibility, and verification. The Saas Fee incident exemplifies the necessity for skepticism and the need for comprehensive data collection in exploring unexplained aerial phenomena.

References

• Hynek, J. A. (1972). The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. University Books.
• Maccabee, B. (2011). UFOs and Government: A Historical Inquiry. Anomalist Books.
• Schmid, S., & Horne, J. (2015). Optical illusions and atmospheric phenomena in mountain regions. Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 72(4), 1234–1245.
• National Aerospace Laboratory Reports on Optical Phenomena and UFO Investigations.
• Forensic Image Analysis Techniques (e.g., Adobe Photoshop forensic tools, FotoForensics).

{ PETER2011 }

02-09-2025 om 22:34 geschreven door peter  

Planetoïden die bijna onze planeet raakten

©Shutterstock

Planetoïden die bijna onze planeet raakten
Asteroïden zijn rotsachtige objecten die rond de zon draaien, en meteoren zijn stukken van asteroïden (of kometen) die de atmosfeer van de aarde binnendringen. Ze variëren sterk in grootte en bedreiging voor ons hier op aarde. Terwijl kleine meteoren elke dag voorkomen, zijn grote meteoren of asteroïden veel zeldzamer. Volgens NASA komt een asteroïde zo groot als een auto meestal één keer per jaar de atmosfeer van de aarde binnen. Deze grootte verbrandt voordat hij de grond raakt, wat een indrukwekkende vuurbal oplevert. Ruwweg elke 2000 jaar raakt een object ter grootte van een voetbalveld de aarde en richt aanzienlijke schade aan.

Geïntrigeerd? Lees dan verder om een aantal van de close calls van de afgelopen 20 jaar te ontdekken.

©iStock

Wat zijn meteoren?
Volgens NASA komt zo'n incident voor wanneer een meteoroïde de atmosfeer van onze planeet binnendringt en verdampt. Dit noemt men ook wel een vallende ster.

©Shutterstock

Wat is een meteoroïde?
Een meteoroïde is een klein afgebroken stuk die afkomstig is van een komeet of planetoïde.

©iStock

Hoe vaak dringen meteoroïden de atmosfeer binnen?
Dagelijks komen er meer dan 100.000 stofdeeltjes ten grootte van een zandkorrel op onze planeet terecht.

©iStock

Hoe groot kunnen meteoroïden worden?
NASA stelt dat ongeveer elke 2000 jaar een meteoroïde ter grootte van een voetbalveld de aarde treft.

©Shutterstock

Wat is een meteoriet?
Een meteoriet is in wezen een meteoroïde die erin slaagt de atmosfeer binnen te dringen en het oppervlak van de planeet te raken.

©Shutterstock

Hoe zit het met kometen?
Kometen zijn relatief kleine objecten die bestaan uit ijs dat in zonlicht kan verdampen. Wat bijzonder aan ze is, is dat ze een laag van stof en gas vormen die soms lijkt op een staart.

©iStock

Hoe groot kunnen kometen worden?
Asteroïden zijn tamelijk kleine, inactieve, stukken rots die in een baan om de zon draaien. Vele hiervan komen gevaarlijk dicht in de buurt van de aarde. De bewegingen van asteroïden worden voortdurend in de gaten gehouden. Ongeveer één keer per jaar dringt een asteroïde ter grootte van een auto de atmosfeer binnen, maar deze gaat in vlammen op voordat hij het oppervlak van de planeet bereikt.

©Getty Images

Wat is een planetoïde?
Een planetoïde is een klein rotsachtig object, die kleiner zijn dan een planeet maar groter dan meteoroïde. Ze bevinden zich in een baan om de zon, meestal tussen Mars en Jupiter. Ze variëren van 1 tot 1000 km in afmeting.

©iStock

Data en afmetingen
In het volgende deel van de galerij volgen een van de belangrijkste aardscheerders (zoals meteorieten, asteroïden, etc.) die vlakbij onze planeet zijn waargenomen, gerangschikt op de datum waarop ze zich het dichtst bij de aarde bevonden en hun grootte.

©iStock

18 december 2018
Pas kort geleden werd er een enorme vuurbal waargenomen. Volgens NASA was het de op één na grootste vuurbal in dertig jaar.

©Shutterstock

18 december, 2018
Op 18 december 2018 ontplofte een grote meteoor, die tien keer krachtiger was dan de atoombom van Hiroshima, in de atmosfeer. Het is echter nog niet zo lang geleden dat deze ontdekking werd gedaan. De explosie werd door een Amerikaanse militaire satelliet waargenomen en vervolgens kenbaar gemaakt aan NASA.

©iStock

2018 GE3
Datum: 15 april 2018

Grootte: 46-100 meter

Deze asteroïde had een aanzienlijke impact kunnen hebben als hij de aarde had geraakt.

©Getty Images

2017 EA
Datum: 2 maart 2017

Grootte: 1-5 meter

Astronomen ontdekten deze asteroïde slechts zes uur voor het moment waarop hij het dichtst bij de aarde was.

©iStock

2017 GM
Datum: 4 april 2017

Grootte: 2-7 meter

Deze meteoor was zo groot als een auto!

©iStock

2017 UJ2
Datum: 20 oktober 2017

Grootte: 1-5 meter

Dit was de asteroïde die in 2017 op één asteroïde na het dichtste bij de aarde in de buurt kwam.

©Getty Images

2016 DY30
Datum: 25 februari 2016

Grootte: 2-5 meter

Dit was een van objecten die in 2016 het dichtst in de buurt van de aarde kwam.

©Shutterstock

2016 EF195
Datum: 11 maart 2016

Grootte: 16-31 meter

Deze werd pas vier dagen nadat hij langs de aarde scheerde ontdekt.

©Shutterstock

2016 AH164
Datum: 12 januari 2016

Grootte: 3-7 meter

Ook deze asteroïde is eerder dicht in de buurt van de aarde gekomen.

©Shutterstock

2015 SK7
Datum: 22 september 2015

Grootte: 3-14 meter

Deze was zo groot als een bus!

©Shutterstock

2015 VY105
Datum: 15 november 2015

Grootte: 4–9 meter

Deze bevond zich dichter in de buurt van onze planeet dan tv- en weersatellieten.

©Shutterstock

367943 Duende
Datum: 15 februari 2013

Grootte: 30 meter

Gezien zijn omvang zou deze asteroïde, als hij onze planeet had geraakt, flinke verwoestingen hebben veroorzaakt.

©iStock

2012 KT42
Datum: 29 mei 2012

Grootte: 9 meter

NASA beschikt over videobeelden van deze asteroïde.

©iStock

2011 CQ1
Datum: 4 februari 2011

Grootte: 1 meter

Deze kleine asteroïde werd pas 14 uur voordat hij onze planeet passeerde opgemerkt.

©iStock

2011 MD
Datum: 27 juni 2011

Grootte: 14 meter

Wetenschappers zagen deze asteroïde eerst aan voor een stuk ruimteschroot.

©Getty Images

2010 WA
Datum: 17 november 2010

Grootte: 2–6 meter

De snelheid waarmee deze asteroïde ronddraaide verbaasde wetenschappers.

©iStock

2009 VA
Datum: 6 november 2009

Grootte: 4–13 meter

Deze asteroïde werd ongeveer 15 uur voordat hij de aarde naderde opgemerkt door de Catalina Sky Survey, een door NASA gesteund project.

©iStock

2004 FU162
Datum: 31 maart 2004

Grootte: 4–12 meter

Het zwaartekrachtveld van de aarde zorgde ervoor dat deze asteroïde van koers veranderde.

Zie ook: Foto's van Mars: Zo ziet de planeet er echt uit

Bronnen:

• (NASA)
• (Gizmodo)
• (Space)
• (The Watchers)
• (Bended Reality)
• (EarthSky)
• (Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society)
• (MIT)
• (The Atlantic)
• (New Scientist)

{ Starsinsider.com }

02-09-2025 om 21:46 geschreven door peter  

{ https://www.hln.be/weer-en-wetenschap/ }

02-09-2025 om 20:44 geschreven door peter  

Ancient face here before humans existed, UFO UAP sighting news 👽 proof aliens own Earth 🌎

Date of discovery: Aug 2025

Location of discovery: West Kalimantan, Indonesia, on the island of Borneo

Coordinates: 0°50’13”N 108°53’04”E 

 

The island of Borneo has a history...one of the earliest human settlements discovered there that dates more than 40,000 years ago. However this face is much older than that, it goes back hundreds of thousands of years ago. A face made before humans existed…which leave only one option…ancient aliens.

Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily 

 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

02-09-2025 om 18:29 geschreven door peter  

Mystery fighter jet crash in ocean off Gaza, UFO UAP sighting news. 📰 Shot Down by UFO!

Date of discovery: Aug 2025

Location of discovery: Gaza Coast

Coordinates: 31°29'56"N 34º24'32"E

 

Just a few months ago, the US gov labeled UFOs flying over every US military base and several states over the east coast as drones...but they were really UFOs. Well it appears that a fighter jet in Gaza has encountered such a drone and may have tried to shoot it down, leading to this wreckage in the ocean. UFOs are everywhere, no more in one country than any other. They love aircraft since most contain the most up to date technology...and knowledge of human tech can help aliens predict what stage of development is coming next, what threats are coming next, what life is expected to be on Earth. It looks like the UFOs visiting New Jersey USA are now buzzing around Gaza. 

Scott C. Waring - UFO Sightings Daily£

 

{ https://www.ufosightingsdaily.com/ }

02-09-2025 om 18:23 geschreven door peter  

UFOs and Aliens: As a Scientist, I Believe in Both, But Here’s Where I Draw the Line

02-09-2025 om 17:30 geschreven door peter  

The province of Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia has attracted the attention of the global astronomical community. A photograph of the night sky above this region was selected by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as its “Astronomy Picture of the Day.” All because the astrophotographer managed to capture a bright green meteor against the backdrop of the Pleiades star cluster. The photograph, taken with a one-hour exposure, is not only visually stunning, but also confirms Al-Ula’s status as one of the most attractive places on the planet for stargazing.

Perfect sky for astronomy

Why Al-Ula? The answer lies in the region’s crystal clear, dark skies. Thanks to the almost complete absence of light pollution, it is rated among the top 5% of places in the world for astronomical observations. This unique status was officially confirmed by DarkSky International, which awarded the prestigious Dark Sky certificate to two sites in the province: the ancient archaeological complex of Hegra, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Gharameel Nature Reserve. This makes Makkah Region the destination for astrophotographers and stargazers from around the world.

The author named the photograph “The Meteor and the Star Cluster.” For the first time in history, NASA has highlighted the work carried out in Al-Ula. This achievement was made possible thanks to the efforts of Manarat AlUla, an organization that is working hard to ensure a night sky free of light pollution and to develop the region as a global center for space research and astro-tourism. NASA’s choice highlights not only the incredible beauty of this corner of Saudi Arabia for those who seek to glimpse the deepest secrets of the universe.

• According to nasa.gov

• Posted in News, Science

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

02-09-2025 om 17:01 geschreven door peter  

Interdimensional Beings of Pure Light and Energy – The Potential Truth Behind the Alien Mysteries

Abstract

The phenomenon of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and claims of encounters with extraterrestrial beings have persisted across cultures and centuries. Traditional explanations have centered on extraterrestrial origin within our three-dimensional universe; however, recent developments in physics suggest the possible existence of higher dimensions and interdimensional entities. This dissertation explores the hypothesis that some reported encounters with "aliens" may, in fact, be interactions with beings existing outside our conventional spacetime, composed of light and energy, and operating within interdimensional realms. Drawing from quantum physics, string theory, and consciousness studies, this work aims to evaluate the scientific plausibility of such entities and their potential role in the broader understanding of UFO phenomena.

Introduction

The enigma of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and alleged extraterrestrial encounters has captivated human imagination for centuries. From ancient cave paintings and folklore to modern-day conspiracy theories, the belief that some visitors from beyond our planet—or even beyond our known universe—may be visiting Earth endures. These phenomena have sparked curiosity, fear, and speculation across cultures and generations. Conventional scientific approaches have largely attributed UFO sightings to atmospheric phenomena, psychological factors, or technological anomalies, such as misidentifications of natural objects, optical illusions, or experimental aircraft. Despite these explanations, numerous reports continue to challenge these rationalizations, describing encounters with beings that are luminous, energy-based, and capable of defying known physical laws.

Over the years, witnesses and researchers have documented sightings of entities that seem to lack physical solidity, instead appearing as glowing lights or energy forms that can move instantaneously or through seemingly impossible means. These descriptions often conflict with conventional understanding of matter and physics, prompting many to seek alternative explanations. Recent advances in physics, particularly in the realms of higher-dimensional theories, quantum mechanics, and the nature of consciousness, have opened intriguing new avenues for interpreting these phenomena. Some scientists and theorists propose that these entities could be manifestations of beings existing outside our familiar four-dimensional spacetime, perhaps in higher dimensions or as pure energy forms.

The concept of interdimensional beings—entities existing in dimensions beyond human perception—provides a compelling framework that aligns with many of the anomalous reports associated with UFO encounters. Such beings could potentially appear as luminous, energy-based entities that can traverse space and time in ways that defy our understanding of physics. This dissertation aims to explore whether these beings could be interpreted as higher-dimensional entities, composed of pure light and energy, capable of manifesting in our dimension under certain conditions. By examining scientific theories and evidence, this study seeks to evaluate the plausibility of these interpretations and contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding UFO phenomena and the possibility of extraterrestrial or interdimensional life.

Theoretical Foundations

1. Higher Dimensions in Physics
   The concept of extra dimensions has a long-standing history in physics, dating back to the early 20th century with the pioneering work of Theodor Kaluza and Oskar Klein. Their aim was to unify gravity and electromagnetism by proposing an additional spatial dimension beyond the familiar three. In modern physics, this idea has evolved significantly, especially within the framework of string theory and M-theory. These theories suggest that our universe may contain up to 11 dimensions—comprising the familiar four (three spatial dimensions plus time) and several additional compactified dimensions that are curled up at scales too small to detect directly. These extra dimensions are thought to be compactified into complex shapes such as Calabi-Yau manifolds, rendering them imperceptible at our macroscopic scale. Nonetheless, their existence could have profound implications for understanding the fundamental forces and particles. Theories involving higher dimensions also imply that phenomena outside our perceptual capacity—such as interdimensional beings or entities—could exist and possibly influence our universe in subtle ways. These beings might interact with us through phenomena that are currently considered anomalous or unexplained by conventional physics, hinting at a reality richer and more complex than our immediate perception.

2. Quantum Mechanics and Nonlocality
   Quantum mechanics introduces a radically different perspective on the nature of reality, particularly through the phenomenon of nonlocality. Quantum entanglement, where particles become correlated such that the state of one instantly influences the state of another regardless of the distance separating them, challenges classical notions of locality and causality. Some interpret entanglement as evidence of an underlying interconnectedness that transcends the limitations of spacetime as described by classical physics. This interconnectedness could imply the existence of hidden dimensions or a deeper level of reality where information and influence can travel instantaneously. Such perspectives open the possibility that interactions with entities existing in higher or alternate dimensions might be facilitated through nonlocal quantum processes. If entangled particles can influence each other across vast distances instantaneously, then perhaps consciousness or other phenomena could similarly operate across higher-dimensional realms, enabling contact or interaction with beings that exist outside our conventional understanding of space and time.

3. Consciousness and the Observer Effect
   The role of consciousness in shaping reality is a topic of ongoing debate and investigation. Certain interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest that observation or awareness plays a fundamental role in the manifestation of physical phenomena—a concept often referred to as the observer effect. Some hypotheses propose that consciousness itself could serve as a bridge between different dimensions, enabling interaction with entities or realms beyond our physical universe. This idea is supported by anecdotal reports of luminous, energy-based beings, such as spirits or interdimensional entities, which some believe are manifestations of consciousness operating across dimensional boundaries. These reports often describe entities that appear to be composed of pure energy or light, and they seem to interact with individuals in ways that defy conventional physical explanations. Such phenomena could reflect the influence of consciousness extending beyond traditional physical limits, potentially opening portals or gateways to higher or alternate dimensions. While these ideas remain speculative and are not yet scientifically validated, they suggest intriguing possibilities about the interconnectedness of consciousness and the fabric of reality itself.

In summary, the theoretical frameworks involving higher dimensions, quantum nonlocality, and consciousness provide a multifaceted foundation for exploring the existence and interaction with interdimensional entities. While these ideas are still largely speculative and require further scientific validation, they open fascinating avenues for understanding the deeper nature of reality and the potential for entities that exist beyond our immediate perceptual horizon.

Empirical Evidence and Reports of Interdimensional Entities

1. UFO Encounters and Luminous Entities
   Many credible witnesses across different regions and backgrounds have reported encounters with beings that are described as luminous or radiant. These entities often manifest as pure light, energy forms, or glowing apparitions that defy conventional understanding. Witnesses frequently describe these luminous entities as appearing suddenly, sometimes materializing out of thin air, and disappearing just as swiftly. Their behaviors include levitation, non-material presence, and movements that appear to transcend physical laws, such as instantaneous travel or hovering without any visible means of support. Some reports also mention interactions where these entities seem to communicate through light patterns or electromagnetic signals, further complicating their classification within known biological or technological frameworks. The consistency of such reports from diverse sources lends credibility to their authenticity, prompting researchers to consider the possibility that these luminous beings are manifestations from an interdimensional realm or a higher vibrational plane.

2. Historical and Cultural Parallels
   Throughout history, numerous cultures and religions have documented encounters with beings of pure light. For example, angels in Judeo-Christian traditions, devas in Eastern philosophies, and spirits in indigenous cultures often share visual and behavioral similarities with modern reports of energy-based entities. These historical accounts describe luminous beings that serve as messengers, guides, or divine entities, reinforcing the idea that such phenomena are not merely modern inventions but are rooted in a universal archetype. The recurring theme of radiant, non-material entities across different eras and civilizations suggests that these experiences could be reflections of a reality that extends beyond the physical universe. Many researchers propose that these entities might be interdimensional travelers or entities existing in a realm parallel to our own, accessible under certain conditions or through specific states of consciousness.

3. Photographic and Video Evidence
   While photographic and video documentation of luminous entities is often met with skepticism, some instances challenge conventional explanations. Certain images and recordings display entities emitting bright light or energy fields that appear to interact with their environment in ways inconsistent with known technology or biological beings. Advanced analysis tools, such as spectral analysis and digital forensics, sometimes reveal that these luminous figures lack a solid physical structure, indicating their non-material or energetic nature. In some cases, the entities seem to manipulate electromagnetic fields or produce anomalous light phenomena that cannot be easily replicated by human technology. Although definitive proof remains elusive, such visual evidence continues to intrigue researchers and enthusiasts alike, fueling debates about the true nature of these luminous beings and their possible interdimensional origins.

In conclusion, the collective empirical reports, historical parallels, and visual evidence all suggest that luminous, energy-based entities are a real phenomenon that warrants further scientific investigation. Whether these beings are interdimensional travelers, spiritual entities, or manifestations of higher consciousness, their existence challenges our current understanding of reality and opens new avenues for exploring the nature of existence beyond the physical realm.

Scientific Plausibility of Interdimensional Beings

1. Light and Energy as Fundamental Components

According to electromagnetic theory, light is a fundamental form of energy that exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties, the latter in the form of photons. Photons are massless particles that travel at the speed of light, and they serve as the basic quanta of electromagnetic radiation. If entities exist purely as energy or light, they could, in theory, bypass many of the physical limitations that constrain matter. Such entities would not be bound by the same physical laws as solid objects, such as friction or matter resistance, which could explain reports of rapid, non-material movement. These beings might manifest as luminous apparitions or flashes of light, consistent with descriptions of spirits or interdimensional visitors in various cultural narratives. The concept of light-based entities aligns with certain interpretations of quantum field theory, which postulates that energy fields permeate all space and could, under specific conditions, give rise to localized phenomena that appear as conscious entities. Moreover, if these beings are composed of energy that can interact with electromagnetic fields, they could potentially influence or be influenced by electromagnetic signals, opening pathways for scientific investigation into their existence.

2. Interdimensional Travel and Interaction

Theoretical physics offers intriguing possibilities for the existence of higher dimensions beyond our familiar three-dimensional space and one dimension of time. String theory, for example, posits that additional spatial dimensions—possibly up to eleven—could exist but are compactified or hidden at scales beyond our current observational capabilities. If beings inhabit these higher dimensions, their interactions with our universe could occur via phenomena such as wormholes—hypothetical tunnels through spacetime that connect distant points or different dimensions—or through quantum tunneling, where particles or entities bypass energy barriers due to quantum effects. Such interactions might produce observable effects that appear inexplicable within our current understanding of physics, such as sudden appearances or disappearances, or luminous phenomena that defy conventional explanation. These higher-dimensional entities could influence our reality indirectly, perhaps by modulating electromagnetic or gravitational fields, resulting in phenomena that are perceived as ghostly or interdimensional encounters. Scientific models exploring these interactions suggest that if such beings exist, their modes of travel and communication would be vastly different from our conventional understanding, involving complex geometries of spacetime and quantum mechanics.

3. Limitations and Challenges

Despite the intriguing theoretical frameworks supporting the possibility of interdimensional beings, empirical evidence remains elusive. Current scientific methods lack the technological capacity to detect or measure entities that may exist in higher dimensions or as pure energy forms outside our observable universe. Many phenomena attributed to interdimensional or spiritual entities could have alternative explanations rooted in psychology, such as hallucinations, sleep paralysis, or cognitive biases. Others might stem from undiscovered physical processes, including unknown particles or forces that could explain luminous phenomena. Additionally, the subjective nature of many reports complicates scientific validation; eyewitness accounts are prone to errors, misinterpretations, and cultural influences. The challenge lies in developing experimental methodologies capable of testing hypotheses about higher dimensions or energy-based beings, which often operate outside the scope of current physics. Moreover, the lack of reproducible, measurable evidence makes it difficult to establish scientific consensus on the existence of interdimensional entities. Consequently, while theoretical physics provides a plausible foundation for their existence, the scientific community remains cautious, emphasizing the need for rigorous evidence before accepting such extraordinary claims into the realm of validated scientific knowledge.

In summary, the scientific plausibility of interdimensional beings hinges on the understanding of light, energy, and higher-dimensional physics. While current theories suggest that such entities could, in principle, exist and manifest through luminous phenomena or non-material movement, substantial empirical evidence is still lacking. Advances in physics and technology may, in the future, shed light on these mysterious phenomena, but for now, they remain within the realm of theoretical possibility and scientific curiosity.

Implications for Ufology and Scientific Inquiry

1. Reconceptualizing UFO Phenomena

Traditionally, UFO encounters have been viewed through the lens of extraterrestrial visitation—alien crafts arriving from distant planets within our universe. However, emerging theories suggest that some UFO phenomena might involve interdimensional entities, which fundamentally shifts our understanding of these encounters. If certain UFO sightings and experiences are indeed manifestations of beings from other dimensions or realities beyond our familiar universe, then the paradigm must expand from a purely extraterrestrial framework to encompass a multiversal perspective. This broader outlook invites a reevaluation of the nature of reality itself, suggesting that our universe may be just one of many interconnected dimensions or realms.

This reconceptualization has profound implications for ufology, prompting researchers to consider alternative explanations for phenomena that do not fit conventional models. It encourages multidisciplinary research integrating physics—particularly theories related to higher dimensions and multiverses—along with consciousness studies, to explore how these entities might interact with our reality. Anthropology and cultural studies can also offer insights into how different societies interpret and mythologize such encounters, potentially uncovering shared symbolic frameworks or collective subconscious influences. Embracing a multidimensional perspective necessitates an openness to novel hypotheses, rigorous investigation, and the development of new methodologies capable of detecting or measuring interdimensional phenomena.

2. Potential for New Physics

Investigating the existence and nature of interdimensional beings could revolutionize our understanding of fundamental physics. Currently, our models of spacetime are grounded in Einstein's theory of general relativity, which describes gravity and the fabric of our universe. However, the existence of entities operating across different dimensions might require modifications or extensions to these theories. For example, understanding how such beings might traverse or communicate across dimensions could shed light on the nature of consciousness, energy, and spacetime itself.

This line of inquiry could lead to groundbreaking technological advancements. If we could unlock the mechanisms enabling interdimensional travel or communication, it might pave the way for revolutionary technologies—such as devices capable of detecting or even interacting with higher-dimensional realms. Such breakthroughs could have profound implications not only for scientific research but also for practical applications in communication, transportation, and information transfer. Moreover, exploring these phenomena may challenge and expand our current understanding of the laws of physics, potentially leading to the discovery of new particles, forces, or principles that govern the multiversal structure.

3. Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the intriguing possibilities, scientific skepticism remains a crucial component in the investigation of interdimensional UFO phenomena. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and currently, the evidence for interdimensional entities remains largely anecdotal or based on unverified reports. Developing rigorous, reproducible experiments is essential to move beyond speculation and establish empirical foundations for these phenomena.

Technological advancements will play a pivotal role in future research. Instruments capable of detecting subtle anomalies in spacetime, electromagnetic fields, or consciousness states could provide valuable data. For instance, advancements in quantum sensing, high-energy physics, and neurotechnology might enable scientists to observe phenomena indicative of interdimensional interactions.

Collaboration across disciplines is necessary to approach these complex issues comprehensively. Physicists, psychologists, neuroscientists, and anthropologists must work together to interpret data, design experiments, and develop theories. Psychological and cultural factors should also be considered, as human perception and cultural narratives can influence accounts of UFO encounters. Addressing biases and ensuring scientific rigor will help distinguish genuine phenomena from illusions or misinterpretations.

Looking ahead, the path forward involves a combination of open-minded inquiry and stringent scientific methodology. Building international research initiatives, sharing data openly, and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue are crucial steps. As our technological capabilities grow, so too will our capacity to test hypotheses related to interdimensionality. Ultimately, embracing the possibility that UFO phenomena might involve entities beyond our current understanding could catalyze a new era of scientific discovery—one that challenges and potentially transforms our comprehension of the universe and our place within it.

Conclusion

The hypothesis that some alien encounters are interactions with interdimensional beings composed of pure light and energy presents a compelling, if speculative, avenue for scientific exploration. While current empirical evidence remains limited and often ambiguous, this perspective aligns with emerging theories in physics, consciousness studies, and historical accounts of extraordinary experiences. The idea that these entities could originate from higher dimensions or alternate realities challenges traditional notions of extraterrestrial life confined to physical, three-dimensional space. Instead, it suggests that consciousness and energy might play a fundamental role in bridging different planes of existence.

Recent developments in quantum physics, such as the multiverse theory and the concept of parallel dimensions, provide a scientific basis for hypothesizing the existence of entities beyond our perceptual limitations (Kaku, 2014). Furthermore, research into altered states of consciousness, including near-death experiences and mystical encounters, often describes interactions with luminous beings or entities that resemble interdimensional visitors (Greyson, 2000). These accounts, although subjective, are supported by neurological and psychological studies indicating that consciousness may extend beyond physical brain processes (Tart, 2009).

Additionally, historical and cultural records worldwide describe encounters with luminous, energy-based beings, suggesting a perennial human recognition of non-material entities (Lévi-Strauss, 1963). Modern sightings and abduction reports often include descriptions of entities made of light or energy, which could be indicative of interactions with interdimensional phenomena (Hynek, 1972). From a scientific perspective, the interface between consciousness, energy, and higher dimensions warrants further exploration using interdisciplinary approaches, including physics, neuroscience, and anthropology.

Embracing this broader understanding could revolutionize our comprehension of the universe, consciousness, and the fundamental nature of reality itself. It opens new pathways for research into the fabric of existence, potentially leading to groundbreaking discoveries that transcend traditional scientific boundaries. While speculative, this hypothesis invites a paradigm shift that could ultimately unify various fields of knowledge, expanding our understanding of what it means to be conscious and connected within a vast, multidimensional cosmos.

ELEMENTS OF STUDY:

1. The integration of physics and consciousness studies offers promising avenues for understanding unidentified phenomena.
2. Quantum theories support the existence of multiple dimensions that could host interdimensional beings.
3. Historical accounts provide valuable qualitative data that can guide scientific hypotheses.
4. The nature of light and energy is central to understanding these proposed beings.
5. Cultural stories reflect a universal human tendency to interpret luminous encounters.
6. Advances in neurophysics suggest consciousness may operate beyond physical confines.
7. Empirical evidence remains limited, highlighting the need for innovative research methods.
8. Interdisciplinary collaboration can bridge gaps between science and experiential reports.
9. Revisiting traditional scientific paradigms may be necessary to accommodate these phenomena.
10. Recognizing the potential reality of interdimensional beings could have profound philosophical implications.
11. The pursuit of this research aligns with humanity’s innate curiosity about the universe.
12. Ultimately, expanding our scientific frameworks could unlock new dimensions of understanding about existence itself.

References:

1. Greyson, B. (2000). Near-death experiences. In E. Cardeña, S. J. Lynn, & S. J. Krippner (Eds.), Varieties of Anomalous Experience: Examining the Scientific Evidence (pp. 315-352). American Psychological Association.
2. Hynek, J. A. (1972). The UFO Experience: A Scientific Inquiry. Henry Regnery Company.
3. Kaku, M. (2014). The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Expand Our Consciousness. Doubleday.
4. Lévi-Strauss, C. (1963). Structural Anthropology. Basic Books.
5. Tart, C. T. (2009). The End of Materialism: How Evidence of the Paranormal Is Bringing Science and Spirit Together. New Harbinger Publications.

{ PETER2011 }

01-09-2025 om 22:18 geschreven door peter  

Onschatbaar onderzoek begint eindelijk antwoorden te onthullen over het mysterie van een oude schedel

(Afbeelding: Wikimedia Commons/ Nadina)

Al in de jaren 60 ontdekten wetenschappers per toeval een vrijwel complete schedel in een grot in Griekenland. Sindsdien is het ding een groot mysterie. Maar eindelijk is er meer duidelijk over de leeftijd ervan.

Op twee vlakken stelt de schedel, die gevonden is in de Petralonagrot, wetenschappers voor een raadsel. Ten eerste: met wat voor mensachtige hebben we hier te maken? Het fossiel verschilt behoorlijk van zowel neanderthalers als moderne mensen. Ten tweede was tot op de dag van vandaag onbekend hoe oud de schedel is. Eerdere schattingen liepen uiteen van ongeveer 170.000 tot 700.000 jaar.

Maar over dat laatste is nu meer duidelijk geworden door middel van nieuwe zogenoemde U-serie-dateringen, die zijn uitgevoerd op het calciet dat op de schedel groeide. Daaruit blijkt dat het hoofd minimaal 286.000 jaar oud is.

Wat is U-serie-datering?
De U-serie-datering maakt gebruik van de natuurlijke eigenschappen van uraniumisotopen. Uranium vervalt met een vaste halfwaardetijd tot thorium. Door de verhouding tussen uranium en thorium te meten, kun je berekenen wanneer dit proces begon en zo een nauwkeurige datum vaststellen.

In bodemlagen worden voortdurend uraniumisotopen afgezet door omgevingsfactoren, waardoor de U-seriemethode daar niet bruikbaar is: de grond bevat immers een mengsel van isotopen die allemaal hun eigen ‘klok’ hebben.

De omstandigheden in een grot
Maar in een grot verandert dat. Vocht dat door de bodem sijpelt, neemt wateroplosbare mineralen, waaronder uranium, mee, maar laat het thorium achter. Wanneer dit vocht zich ophoopt op een grotmuur en verdampt, blijven sporen van mineralen en uraniumisotopen achter zonder thorium. Zo vormt zich een korstachtige afzetting. Binnen die afzetting vervalt uranium verder tot thorium, maar nu in een afgesloten systeem. Elke laag krijgt daarmee een eigen startpunt dat exact te dateren is.

U-serie-datering analyseert vervolgens de uranium-thoriumverhoudingen in de binnenste lagen om vast te stellen wanneer die voor het eerst gevormd zijn. Dit levert een minimale leeftijd op voor alles wat eronder ligt.

Calciet
Voor het onderzoek zijn monsters genomen van de calcietlaag die de schedel bedekte, maar ook van stalagmieten, stalactieten en calcietafzettingen in verschillende delen van de grot: de Mausoleumkamer, waar de schedel naar verluidt aan een wand vastzat, de gang ernaartoe en andere secties. Calciet is een mineraal dat voornamelijk uit het zout calciumcarbonaat bestaat. Het is een van de meest voorkomende mineralen in de aardkorst.

De resultaten van de metingen van de calcietkorst op de schedel geven een minimale leeftijd van 286.000 ± 9.000 jaar. Als de schedel aanvankelijk droog of afgedekt bleef, kan hij nog veel langer in de grot hebben gelegen, want de methode kan alleen dateren vanaf het moment dat calciet begon te vormen door blootstelling aan vocht en verdamping. Voor een maximumleeftijd wordt gekeken naar de ouderdom van andere grotelementen.

Primitieve groep
Dateringen van de stalagmietlaag in de Mausoleumkamer leverden een leeftijd op van 510.000 ± 29.000 jaar bovenaan en een minimum van 650.000 jaar van binnen, wat aangeeft dat de bedekking van de schedel veel later begon dan de vorming van de grot zelf.

Op basis van hun bevindingen concluderen de onderzoekers nog iets anders interessants: de mensachtige in de Petralonagrot was geen Homo sapiens en ook geen neanderthaler. Hij maakte deel uit van een aparte, primitievere groep. Het idee dat er nog een andere mensachtige zich in die tijd in Europa ontwikkelde naast de neanderthalerlijn is niet nieuw. De nieuwe resultaten zijn hier een bevestiging van.

De Petralonagrot
De Petralonagrotten zijn een grote bezienswaardigheid in Griekenland. Ze zijn te vinden op schiereiland Chalkidiki, zo’n 50 kilometer van Thessaloniki. Het enorme complex is in 1959 per toeval ontdekt. En wat een vondst: het hele gebied is zo’n 10.000 m2 groot. Op 300 meter hoogte vind je specifiek de Petralonagrot, waar met de Petralonaschedel de oudste menselijke resten van Griekenland zijn gevonden.

Bronmateriaal

• "New U-series dates on the Petralona cranium, a key fossil in European human evolution" - Journal of Human Evolution
• Afbeelding bovenaan dit artikel: Journal of Human Evolution

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Astronomers are racing to study our solar system's newest 'interstellar visitor.' Here's why.

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• Watch newly discovered 'interstellar visitor' 3I/ATLAS shoot toward us in first livestream

Experts say studying 3I/ATLAS could potentially tell us about alien star systems and how exoplanets form — and we may even be able to trace it back to its origins.

Initial discovery

3I/ATLAS was discovered on July 1 from data collected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) and immediately piqued researchers' interests due to its trajectory and extreme speed, which exceeds 130,000 mph (210,000 km/h). Within 24 hours of its discovery, NASA had confirmed that it was an interstellar object.

A day later (July 3), a group of more than 40 astronomers, led by Seligman, had uploaded the first paper describing the extrasolar entity to the preprint database arXiv. All data so far indicates that 3I/ATLAS is a large comet surrounded by a cloud of ice, dust and gas up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) across.

Prior to this discovery, only two other interstellar objects (ISOs) had been spotted: 1I/'Oumuamua, a space rock that was discovered in 2017; and 2I/Borisov, a comet spotted in 2019. This makes the newly discovered comet particularly appealing to astronomers.

However, there is a limited window to study 3I/ATLAS. The comet, which is currently around 4.5 times farther from the sun than Earth, will reach its closest point to the sun, or perihelion, on Oct. 30, before beginning its journey out of the solar system, when it will get much harder to spot. It will also be out of view between late September and early December, when it is positioned on the opposite side of the sun to Earth.

Observing an interstellar visitor

Over the next few weeks and months, researchers will attempt to use "any and all telescopes" they can to make observations of 3I/ATLAS, Sean Raymond, a planetary scientist at the University of Bordeaux in France, told Live Science in an email.

This will be especially true for observatories in the Southern Hemisphere, which will have a better view of the increasingly bright comet, Aster Taylor, a graduate student at the University of Michigan and co-author of the arXiv study, told Live Science in an email.

Experts are particularly excited about the possibility of imaging 3I/ATLAS with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory — the world's most powerful optical telescope, which recently released its first images. The observatory, located in Chile, has already proved to be adept at imaging never-before-seen asteroids and will undoubtedly target the interstellar comet when it comes fully online in a few months time.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope, meanwhile, could help reveal the interloper's chemical composition because of their ability to study the object in multiple wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum Pedro Bernardinelli, a planetary scientist at the University of Washington's DiRAC Institute, told Live Science in an email.

Some researchers have also proposed using NASA's Mars rovers to snap pictures of the comet as it makes a close pass by the Red Planet a few weeks before it reaches perihelion. The robots have previously been used to spy on dangerous sunspots lurking on the sun's far side from Earth.

Another intriguing option is to send a spacecraft to collect samples from 3I/ATLAS. However, the general consensus among experts is that such a mission is unlikely to happen

Alien star systems

Studying 3I/ATLAS provides a rare opportunity for us to glean insights into alien star systems and potential exoplanets.

"Interstellar objects are probably the leftovers of the formation of exoplanets," Raymond said. "Studying them can open a window into understanding other planetary systems' formation and evolution."

In this way, ISOs like 3I/ATLAS also "connects the solar system with its galactic environment," Amir Siraj, a doctoral candidate at Princeton University who has previously studied ISOs, told Live Science.

While it is still unclear where 3I/ATLAS came from, it's possible we can pinpoint its origins, especially if researchers can work out how old it is, Wes Fraser, an astronomer with National Research Council Canada, told Live Science in an email. And as the comet reaches perihelion, the amount of ice and other "volatile" substances that get burned off the interloper will help us narrow this down, Fraser added.

However, even then "we probably won't ever be able to pin it down to a single star system," Taylor argued.

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