Superior Mirage Appearances Explain “Phantom Ships” Seen for Centuries
A superior mirage photographed off the English coast helps explain tales of "ghost ships" that shaped maritime folklore for centuries.
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.
Apophis, a Feared Future Earth Impactor, Just Flew Past Us
Apophis, a near-earth asteroid as large as the Eifel Tower, has kept some astronomers on edge about its future flybys.
With the Help of a Dead Insect, Israeli Researchers Created an “Ear-Bot”
A group of biotechnology researchers have succeeded in using the auditory organ from a dead locust to animate a one-of-a-kind "Ear-Bot."
Drones: Flight of the Force Multipliers
In this installment of the Intelligence Brief, we look at the use of autonomous drones by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and resulting issues in Silicon Valley and industry.
Experts Baffled by Strange Stripes in Siberia
Satellite photos of Russia’s Markha River in Arctic Siberia have provided clues to an odd geological riddle.
Space Hurricanes Confirmed by Scientists Studying Mysterious Plasma Phenomena
Scientists have confirmed the existence of "space hurricanes" that produce showers of electrons instead of water and wind.
New Study Says Atlantic Ocean Circulation is Weakest in 1600 Years
A recent study suggests that the Atlantic Ocean circulation that affects climate conditions is moving more slowly than it has since 400 AD.
Perseverance Brought a “Family Portrait” to Mars, Continuing a NASA Tradition
Perseverance arrived on Mars with a "family portrait," continuing a long NASA tradition of sending images to space detailing life on Earth.
Space Planes and Mystery Missiles
The Pentagon's latest solar experiments aboard the X-37B, as well as a mysterious object observed by pilots recently over New Mexico, are covered in this week's Intelligence Brief.
Perseverance Makes Historic Touchdown on Mars
Perseverance has successfully landed on Mars, and begins its mission to help scientists learn more than ever before about our rocky red neighbor.
Touchdown: Perseverance Lands on Mars
This week's Intelligence Brief covers NASA's ambitious plans to land the Perseverance rover on Mars, its most dangerous landing mission yet.
Humanity’s Enduring Fascination With Mars
Our fascination with Mars has endured for centuries, and recent days have shown that we are closer than ever to unlocking the many mysteries of the Red Planet.
The Great Mars Invasion of 2021
An "invasion" of Mars is currently underway... we look at this, the difficulty many past nations have had getting to Mars, and the latest US Navy activities which have led to UFO sightings.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Lockheed’s SR-72 Spy Plane May Be Autonomous and Reach...
The Latest SpaceX Starship Crash Highlights Musk’s Issues With the FAA
This week, we look at the recent crash landing of the SpaceX SN9 prototype, and why the FAA's response illustrates ongoing issues Elon Musk has with the agency.
The Search for Extraterrestrial Life
This week, the search for extraterrestrial life takes center stage as we examine how scientists are looking for answers to one of life's greatest questions.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Hubble Spies a Stellar “Ghost” Last Seen at the...
Inauguration Day: Biden’s New DoD and Aerial Threats
This week's newsletter covers the inauguration of President Biden, his cabinet picks and defense strategy, and what the new administration's attitudes toward the UAP issue may be.
Hubble Spies a Stellar “Ghost” Last Seen at the End of the Roman Empire
The Hubble Space Telescope is helping astronomers study the remains of a star that exploded nearly 1700 years ago.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Are the New Chinese Aircraft Carriers a Threat? China...
The Final Frontier
Nuclear energy in space, a global space alliance proposal by the EU and the Space Force’s current public relations issues are all topics in this week's Intelligence Brief.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Sandia Labs Will Begin Developing Novel Alloys Using Machine...
Siege at the U.S. Capitol
An unprecedented breach of the U.S. Capitol Building on Wednesday was among many factors this week that raise questions about our of state of preparedness.
Police, FAA Notified After Sightings of Unidentified Aerial Object Over Hawaii
An unidentified aerial object that recently appeared in the night sky over Honolulu resulted in 911 calls to local law enforcement, as well as inquiries with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Farewell 2020: Five Cosmic Stories We Didn’t Cover But...
UFOs Are Still a Mystery, and 2020 Showed Us the DoD is Paying Attention
2020 has seen many advances related to UFOs, but the subject remains a historical mystery and a challenge to science.
2020 has seen many advances related to UFOs, but the subject remains a historical mystery and a challenge to science.
2020 has seen many advances related to unidentified aerial phenomena, or UFOs, but the subject remains a historical mystery and a challenge to science.
Year in Review: The Nashville Bombing, and UFOs in 2020
New details about the Christmas Day Nashville Bombing, UFO developments related to the military in 2020, and COVID stimulus checks for the deceased are all topics in this week's Intelligence Brief.
Gravitational Waves Could Solve A Great Cosmic Mystery
New research suggests that gravitational waves may help unravel questions about the current rate of expansion of our universe.
New research suggests that gravitational waves may help unravel questions about the current rate of expansion of our universe.
New research suggests that gravitational waves may help unravel questions about the current rate of expansion of our universe.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Germany joined its European allies this month in the...
The Holiday Edition: Yuletide with the DoD
Welcome to this festive holiday 2020 edition of THE INTELLIGENCE BRIEF newsletter.
NASA Reached New Heights in 2020, While Aiding the Fight Against COVID-19
Overcoming all obstacles, NASA made waves in 2020, setting the stage for future missions to Mars, while managing to aid in pandemic relief.
Declassified Cold War-Era Spy Satellite Photos Reveal the Impact of Environmental Change
A team of scientists using formerly classified spy satellite photos released through an Executive Order have revealed the hidden changes warfare brings to landscapes.
A team of scientists using formerly classified spy satellite photos released through an Executive Order have revealed the hidden changes warfare brings to landscapes.
A team of scientists using formerly classified spy satellite photos released through an Executive Order have revealed the hidden changes warfare brings to landscapes.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Espionage Campaign Against U.S. Agencies Involved Known Russian Hackers...
The Internet of Military Things, and a Former CIA Director on UFOs
The U.S. Air Force is moving towards an “Internet of Things” on a military scale, and former CIA director John Brennan weighs in on the debate over UFOs in Navy videos.
Espionage Campaign Against U.S. Agencies Involved Known Russian Hackers
Russian hackers linked to attacks during the Obama Administration are suspected in the recent SolarWinds security breach.
Russian hackers linked to attacks during the Obama Administration are suspected in the recent SolarWinds security breach.
Russian hackers linked to espionage during the Obama Administration are suspected in the recent SolarWinds security breach.
Hackers Linked to Russia Targeted Federal Agencies in Massive Security Breach
Cybersecurity experts say modernization of IT infrastructure and AI-based systems may help prevent future attacks.
Cybersecurity experts say modernization of IT infrastructure and AI-based systems may help prevent future attacks.
Cybersecurity experts say modernization of IT infrastructure and AI-based systems may help prevent future attacks.
Search for Mysterious “Planet Nine” Aided by Hubble Exoplanet Discovery
An exoplanet with a peculiar orbit 336 light-years from Earth may shed light on the search for the long-sought Planet Nine.
Northern Lights May Appear Brightly as Energy from the Sun Bombards Earth
Energy from a recent coronal mass ejection (CME) reached the Earth on Thursday, setting the stage for a brighter-than-normal performance by the Northern Lights.
The Latest From The Debrief
Here are the top stories we’re covering right now… Chinese Research Team Claims to have Demonstrated “Quantum Supremacy”...
Reaching New Heights
Mount Everest is now two feet taller, and as The Debrief team also continues to grow, we look at developments in the world of defense in this week's Intelligence Brief.
Chinese Research Team Claims to have Demonstrated “Quantum Supremacy”
The physicists say their photonic quantum computer can demonstrate “quantum advantage,” but not everyone is convinced.
The physicists say their photonic quantum computer can demonstrate “quantum advantage,” but not everyone is convinced.
The physicists say their photonic quantum computer can demonstrate quantum supremacy, but not everyone is convinced.
China May Have Conducted Human Testing to Create Biologically Enhanced Soldiers
The Director of National Intelligence warns that the People’s Liberation Army may hope to develop “super soldiers" through human testing.
The Director of National Intelligence warns that the People’s Liberation Army may hope to develop “super soldiers" through human testing.
The Director of National Intelligence warns that the People’s Liberation Army may attempt to develop “super soldiers" through human testing.
Directed Microwave Radiation Cited as Likely Cause Behind Diplomat Illnesses
Mysterious illnesses that occurred at U.S. Embassies in Cuba and China may have been pulsed microwave weapons, a new study says.
Mysterious illnesses that occurred at U.S. Embassies in Cuba and China may have been pulsed microwave weapons, a new study says.
Mysterious illnesses that occurred at U.S. Embassies in Cuba and China may have been pulsed microwave weapons, a new study says.
Introducing The Intelligence Brief
Welcome to this inaugural edition of The Intelligence Brief, where we’ll be taking a look at what’s happening in the sciences, as well as new trends in technology, defense, and other topics we’re covering at The Debrief.
Former President Obama Addresses Controversial Drone Program, Questions About UFOs
The 44th President of the United States recently defended the use of drones in military operations while he was in office, and keeps us guessing about UFO briefings.
The 44th President of the United States recently defended the use of drones in military operations while he was in office, and keeps us guessing about UFO briefings.
The 44th President of the United States defended the use of drones in military operations while he was in office, and keeps us guessing about presidential UFO briefings.
Chief of Naval Operations Receives Briefing on Directed Energy Weapons
Once considered science fiction, the future of warfare may rely on these advanced laser weapons systems.
Once considered science fiction, the future of warfare may rely on these advanced laser weapons systems.
Once considered science fiction, the future of warfare may rely on advanced directed energy weapons systems being developed by the Navy.
Boldly Going, Rebelliously Curious: Our Mission Statement
Welcome to The Debrief, where we cover science, technology, defense, and the world of tomorrow.
Welcome to The Debrief, where we cover science, technology, defense, and the world of tomorrow.
Welcome to The Debrief, your source for reporting on science, technology, defense, and the world of tomorrow.
The DoD Has Officially Announced It Has a UAP Task Force
What will the military's review of information about UAP reveal?
What will the military's review of information about UAP reveal?
The latest in a now long series of developments related to government studies of unidentified aerial phenomena, more...
Senator Marco Rubio Weighs in on Military Studies of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
The Senate Intelligence Committee has requested a report... but will we get one?
The Senate Intelligence Committee has requested a report... but will we get one?
The Senate Intelligence Committee has requested a report... but will we get one?
Breaking Spaceflight Records, the X-37B Spaceplane Remains Mysterious
The mysterious Air Force X-37B Spaceplane has left a curious public wondering what the purpose of its mission might be, despite holding records for time in orbit.