We Have Ignition: Remarkable Breakthrough in Nuclear Fusion Represents a New Physics Milestone
For the first time, scientists have confirmed a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion involving the first successful instance of ignition.
Micah Hanks
Micah Hanks is creator, co-founder, and Editor-in-Chief of The Debrief. He covers science, defense, and technology in his writing and podcasts, and you can find him at micahhanks.com and on X @MicahHanks.
Consciousness Mystery Could Be Solved By This Compelling New Physics Theory
A new physics theory proposes novel solutions to a longstanding mystery, which philosophers call the hard problem of consciousness.
Rare and Unexplained, Scientists May Soon Solve the Mystery of Lightning “Superbolts”
For decades, scientists have been aware of the existence of a rare and mysterious form of lightning known as superbolts.
As the Length of Days on Earth Changes, Scientists Search for Answers
This week we examine what atomic clocks are revealing about changes to the length of days on Earth, and why it has some scientists worried.
New Species Discovery Reveals a Mysterious Deep-Sea Giant in the Gulf of Mexico
A monstrous new variety of deep-sea isopod has been discovered deep below the waters of the southern Gulf of Mexico, according to new research published by an international team.
Free-Flying Robots and Sample Returns Are the Focus For Expedition 67 Crew Aboard the ISS
The Expedition 67 crew is currently working with free-flying robots aboard the ISS in its efforts to improve future science missions in orbit.
Earendel: The Most Distant Star in the Universe Seen Through the Eye of Webb
The James Webb Space Telescope managed to capture images of the most distant star in the universe... this week, we take a look at that star, and the origins of its unique name.
Dark Matter Mystery Comes Into Focus With New Mapping of Distant Galaxies
For the first time, scientists have mapped the dark matter around distant galaxies in a cosmological analysis that studies high redshift galaxies, according to new research.
MIT Scientists Just Did Something Remarkable With Holograms and 19th Century Technology
Employing holograms and an odd phenomenon in physics used in color photography, an MIT team has produced an all-new color printing technique.
2033 Will Mark a New Milestone as NASA Delivers First Samples From Mars
NASA has outlined its latest plans for its ambitious Mars Sample Return Program, now expected to deliver samples collected by the Perseverance rover back to Earth by 2033.
Evidence of an Ancient Sea Monster Just Turned Up in an Unlikely Place, but it Wasn’t Loch Ness
New fossil evidence is changing what we thought we knew about plesiosaurs... and here's why it has some people talking about Loch Ness.
The Aristarchus Anomaly: What China Found on the Moon Could Help Solve a Centuries-Old Mystery
Astronomers have long reported sightings of mysterious flashes of light from within the Aristarchus crater, and new data could help scientists understand their source.
The Pentagon Just Revealed the New Name of Its UAP Investigative Office
The DoD says the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the newest iteration of its UAP investigations, will continue the efforts of the UAP Task Force.
Climate Change Concerns Prompt Executive Action From the White House
This week we turn our focus toward the Biden Administration's recent executive steps toward curbing the effects of climate change.
“Impossible” Neutron Breakthrough is Made, Building on Famous Double-Slit Experiment
A physics first in neutron interferometry that builds on the famous “double slit” experiment has led to a surprising breakthrough.
The James Webb Space Telescope is Already Changing How We See the Universe
This week in our analysis we’ll be looking at what the James Webb Space Telescope is already revealing about our universe.
Missing X-Rays in Black Hole Mystery May Be Explained in New Study of “Spaghettified” Star
Astronomers witnessed the shredding of a star by a supermassive black hole that “spaghettified” it in an event 215 million light-years away.
Stunning First Images From James Webb Space Telescope Mark “Dawn of a New Era” for NASA
The first complete set of images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, “the world’s largest and most powerful space telescope,” was just revealed by NASA.
James Webb Space Telescope First Image Unveiled in Early Preview at the White House
President Joe Biden has unveiled one of the first images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope in an early debut at the White House.
Famous Roswell UFO Incident Celebrates 75th Anniversary
75 Years Ago, an incident in the New Mexico desert gave rise to one of America's most iconic UFO controversies.
75 Years Ago, an incident in the New Mexico desert gave rise to one of America's most iconic UFO controversies.
75 Years Ago, an incident in the New Mexico desert gave rise to one of America's most iconic UFO controversies.
The Sun Causes An Odd Phenomenon to Occur Every July at This “Perfect Moment”, Research Reveals
The sun causes this fascinating phenomenon to occur on Earth every July 8, which most people have been completely unaware of until now.
Webb First Look: NASA Drops a Teaser in Advance of Revealing Telescope’s First Images
As NASA gears up for the release of the first images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, we look at a stunning "teaser" dropped in advance of the July 12 release.
Mysterious Georgia Guidestones, “America’s Stonehenge,” Vandalized in Early Morning Explosion
The curious monument has long been a source of intrigue and speculation due to the content of messages that appear on the monument's large stone columns.
Planetary Defense: How to Protect Earth from Deadly Asteroid Impacts
In this International Asteroid Day edition of the Intelligence Brief, we look at what NASA and others are doing to mitigate the threats of potential asteroid impacts in the future.
International Asteroid Day: How the Puzzling 1908 Tunguska Event Prompted a UN Resolution
June 30th is International Asteroid Day, a date recognized by the adoption of a UN resolution commemorating the 1908 Tunguska event over Siberia.
Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Becomes Focus of Recent Brazilian Senate Hearings
A recent Brazilian Senate hearing was organized to address the country's history of military involvement with unusual aerial objects.
Evidence of Non-Terrestrial Objects Surveilling Earth Could Be Revealed in New Research Effort
Evidence of non-terrestrial objects of intelligent origin could turn up in a place many wouldn't expect: images of the sky that predate the dawn of the Space Race.
Mysterious Transient Object Detected by Astronomers Packs a Powerful Pulsar Punch
Astronomers have spotted a transient object they say is unique—and potentially a lot more energetic—than past examples they have witnessed, according to new research.
Gravity Mystery Could Soon be Solved with Help From This Mind-Bending New Theoretical Model
Gravity remains one of the great mysteries of modern physics, and this Toronto-based researcher thinks a new theoretical model may finally help to resolve it.
Voyager Spacecraft Will Soon Power Down for Their Final Mission Into the Beyond
This week, we look at two of the most iconic spacecraft ever to leave Earth and go into space in search of the unknown, and what NASA has said about the final phase of their historic mission.
Summer Solstice 2022 Continues an Ancient and Mysterious Astronomical Tradition
Today marks the arrival of summer solstice 2022, resulting in the longest day of the year and heralding the arrival of summer.
An Anomaly Detected Deep Underground Could Point to New Fundamental Physics
A recent experiment deep below Russia's Caucasus mountains points to the existence of a new elementary particle: the sterile neutrino.
Climate Change: A Challenge for U.S. National Security
This week, we examine the DOD's concerns about climate change, and what the U.S. military and its allies are doing to combat it.
Did China’s “Sky Eye” Radio Telescope Detect Alien Signals? Not So “FAST”
China's Sky Eye telescope recently detected a series of "suspicious" signals, but are they signs of intelligent life, or something else?
China’s Chang’E-5 Lunar Lander Just Made a Surprising Discovery on the Moon
New evidence of water located on the lunar surface has been discovered in samples being studied by the Chang'E-5 lunar lander.
NASA Details Plans for New Study to Investigate Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
The U.S. space agency says its study of UAP will begin in late 2022, with the complete results "made available to the public."
The U.S. space agency says its study of UAP will begin in late 2022, with the complete results "made available to the public."
The U.S. space agency says its study of UAP will begin in late 2022, and "will be made available to the public."
The Artificial Intelligence Arms Race: Where Are We Now?
This week, we look at how current efforts at the Pentagon figure into concerns about an “artificial intelligence arms race”.
The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse: Answers Finally Emerge
A stellar mystery that has baffled astronomers may have been solved: what has been causing the "great dimming" of the star Betelgeuse?
Incursions at the Border: Homeland Security Agents Tell of Encounters With Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Sightings and video footage of aerial objects that defied explanation led one Customs and Border Patrol Agent to push for the creation of a UAP Task Force within the DHS.
Sightings and video footage of aerial objects that defied explanation led one Customs and Border Patrol Agent to push for the creation of a UAP Task Force within the DHS.
Sightings and video footage of aerial objects that defied explanation led one Customs and Border Patrol Agent to push for the creation of a UAP Task Force within the DHS.
Boeing’s Starliner Touches Down After Successful Mission to the ISS
Following the successful touchdown of NASA and Boeing’s new CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, we’ll be looking at what vehicles like Starliner may be able to provide to future orbital operations even beyond the ISS.
Congressional Hearings on UAP: Four Surprises That Came Up During Tuesday’s House Panel
In this installment of The Intelligence Brief, we’ll be looking at key points - and several surprises - that were touched on during Tuesday's Congressional hearings on UAP.
Highlights From The Congressional Hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
Join The Debrief for live coverage of the C3 Subcommittee Hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena on May 17, 2022 at 9 AM ET.
Scientific Group Urges Congress to Ask “Piercing Questions” in House Panel on UAP
A leading scientific group engaged in the study of unidentified aerial phenomena is urging members of Congress to approach military witnesses with a number of specific questions during a House Panel on the subject, to be held on Tuesday.
As House Panel Prepares to Examine Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, New Questions Emerge
Here’s what we know about next week's Congressional hearings on UFOs, and the DOD's ongoing investigations into the phenomenon.
Here’s what we know about next week's Congressional hearings on UFOs, and the DOD's ongoing investigations into the phenomenon.
The Debrief reached out to the DOD to learn the latest about its UAP investigative group, the AOIMSG, and its coordination with Congress on the U.S. government's ongoing UAP investigations.
Intelligence Chief Warns of “Prolonged Conflict” in Ukraine
In recent days, DNI Avril Haines provided concerning new details on intelligence assessments about Russia’s long game in Ukraine.
$40 Billion Military Aid Bill for Ukraine Passes the House, as DOD Urges Support
The Ukraine bill, which adds $7 billion to the initial request for aid from President Biden, saw urging from DOD officials earlier this week.
Washington’s Ongoing UAP Problem
Here's what the Pentagon’s track record with UAP says about its level of transparency, and what must change going forward.
Ukraine: The Greatest Challenge
This week's newsletter focuses on recent statements by U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, and why he believes the war in Ukraine represents a threat to the global international security order.
“Probable Threat” over the U.S. Capitol was a Close Call, but Points to Problems for the FAA
This week, an aviation incident in Washington that occurred Wednesday night has many concerned about oversight by aviation officials in the Nation's Capitol.
How The Pentagon Helped Confirm an Interstellar Object Made Its Way to Earth
This week we'll be looking at how a meteor that might have gone unnoticed was revealed to have interstellar origins, with help from the Pentagon.