NASA to investigate UFOs

In any case, the agency hopes to scientifically explain some of such mysterious sightings for our own safety.

In the past, strange phenomena have been regularly observed in the atmosphere. The idea that such UFOs (unidentified flying objects) are the alien spaceships that pay a visit to the Earth tickles our imagination. While NASA doesn’t necessarily hold that belief, the agency is now announcing plans to investigate UFOs. For our own safety.

Safety

The limited number of sightings of UFOs currently makes it difficult to draw scientific conclusions about their origin. And NASA now wants to do something about it. “Unidentified phenomena in the atmosphere are important for both national and air security,” they wrote in a statement. “Determining which events are of natural origin is an important first step in explaining such phenomena. And that ties in with one of NASA’s goals to ensure the safety of aircraft.”

Powerful

By the way, if you think that scientifically substantiating UFOs is impossible, you are wrong. The agency is convinced that current scientific instruments can shed light on the nature and origin of unidentified aerial phenomena. “We believe our instruments are powerful and will be applicable here too,” explains Thomas Zurbuchen of NASA. “We have access to a wide range of observations of Earth from space – which is the lifeblood of scientific research. We have the tools and the team that can help us improve our understanding of the unknown. That is the definition of what science is. That is what we do.”

Collecting data

The US agency plans to start the investigation early in the fall. This will initially involve collecting available data. “Given the lack of observations, our first task is simply to collect robust data,” said study leader David Spergel. “We will organize what data – from citizens, governments, non-profit organizations, companies – is already available. We will then determine what more data we need to collect and how we can best analyze it.”

Results

The results are then expected after nine months. And they will be available to anyone who wants to see it. “Consistent with NASA’s principles of openness, transparency and scientific integrity, the report will be made publicly available,” said NASA’s Daniel Evans. “All data will be made available to the public – we take that obligation very seriously.”

The hope is that by then NASA can at least explain some mysterious sightings. And then it will become clear whether some of the puzzling phenomena seen in the sky are actually of extraterrestrial origin, or whether there is a slightly less spectacular explanation for them.