astronomy Archives - The Debrief

NASA, AARO and the Galileo Project Agree on the Need for a Scientific Study of UAP

Avi Loeb·June 2, 2023

Suppose NASA astronauts had images of technological objects hovering above Earth that are not identified as human made. Should they share the data with the public or worry that such an act would generate turmoil in society?

Will Your Home Be Hit by a Meteorite?

Avi Loeb·May 15, 2023

Could your home be hit by a meteorite? It isn't a frequent occurrence... but that doesn't mean it never happens.

Eerie Glowing Discs Spotted Around Fomalhaut in Infrared Images Captured by Webb Space Telescope

Micah Hanks·May 9, 2023

Astronomers studying the first asteroid belt ever seen beyond our solar system have detected a series of glowing discs encircling the star Fomalhaut, according to NASA.

Key to Ancient Mayan Calendar Mystery May Have Finally Been Discovered, Scientists Say

Micah Hanks·May 5, 2023

One of the great mysteries of the ancient Americas has finally been solved, according to anthropologists who say they may have unraveled the longstanding mystery of the ancient Mayan calendar.

Sandstorms on an Alien World Are Revealed in New Data Collected by the James Webb Space Telescope

Micah Hanks·March 23, 2023

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revealed swirling sandstorms in the atmosphere of a planet 40 light-years away from Earth.

Webb Space Telescope’s Latest Discovery Could Completely Upend Our Current Understanding of the Universe

Tim McMillan·February 23, 2023

Images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope lead to unexpected discovery that could upend our understanding of the universe.

Mysterious Beams of Light and Curious Spirals: Hawaii’s Subaru-Asahi Star Camera Keeps Capturing Bizarre Scenes in the Night Sky

Tim McMillan·February 1, 2023

From eerie blue spirals to ghostly green beams of light, the Subaru star camera keeps capturing mysterious scenes in the night skies over Hawaii.

Odd Emissions Detected from a High-Energy Space Object Prompted Investigations by Astronomers. Here’s What They Found.

Micah Hanks·December 7, 2022

Astronomers say the results of a long-term study of a distant, high-energy space object have yielded new details about the behavior of one of our universe’s most prevalent extragalactic sources of gamma rays.

Cosmic Seeds of the Biggest Black Holes

Avi Loeb·November 24, 2022

As any gardener knows, growth is initiated by seeds. What were the seeds that enabled supermassive black holes to grow so early in cosmic history?

The State of the Universe: Lost Civilizations from Our Cosmic Past

Avi Loeb·November 22, 2022

Future interstellar travel could reveal that the "State of the Universe" is far more significant than our present concerns over worldly political matters at home.

Take a Scroll Through the Cosmos With This Awe-Inspiring New Map of the Universe

Micah Hanks·November 21, 2022

A new map of the universe has been made available free to the public, showing the cosmos in unprecedented color and detail.

This Concerning Theory May Explain Why We Haven’t Found Evidence of Intelligent Alien Life

Micah Hanks·November 14, 2022

A team of researchers argues the "Great Filter" theory could offer a concerning explanation for why astronomers have yet to find evidence of intelligent alien life.

Knowledge, Belief, and the Cosmos: The Proper Way of Swiping Left or Right

Avi Loeb·November 14, 2022

The suite of instruments assembled by the Galileo Project will seek the evidence needed to properly swipe the extraterrestrial interpretation of UAP to the left or to the right.

Researchers Detect a Mysterious ‘Structure’ Hidden Beyond the Milky Way’s Zone of Avoidance

Micah Hanks·November 9, 2022

A research team has reported the discovery of a large extragalactic structure obscured from view beyond a portion of the Milky Way galaxy, in a new paper outlining their preliminary findings.

When It Comes to Interstellar Travel, There Are Both Hazards and Benefits

Avi Loeb·November 2, 2022

There will be both good and bad for any future earthlings or technologies of our design that may engage in interstellar travel.

Existence of Long-Rumored ‘Strange Star’ Made of Weird Matter May Finally Be Confirmed

Micah Hanks·October 31, 2022

Composed entirely of strange “quark matter,” astronomers believe they may have discovered a long-rumored space object possessing unusual stellar qualities.

The Arrow of Cosmic Time: From Simplicity to Complexity and Back

Avi Loeb·October 31, 2022

During a recent lecture at the University of Michigan that I gave, I was asked why the arrow of cosmic time is characterized by a transition from simplicity to complexity.

Gravitational Propulsion: Could We Travel Through Space by Manipulating Dark Energy?

Avi Loeb·October 21, 2022

Could gravitational propulsion enable us to traverse the stars by manipulating the cosmic dark energy that makes the vacuum?

What went wrong on Mars? Life is Hard Work, But Luck Helps

Avi Loeb·October 14, 2022

It is often said that “life was better in the good old days.” Avi Loeb explains why this definitely holds true for Mars.

Do Astronomers Exist on Other Habitable Planets?

Avi Loeb·October 11, 2022

Could astronomers also be a possibility on distant habitable exoplanets, much like the ones who study exoplanets from here on Earth?

Jacques Vallée: Pursuing Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and ‘Impossible Futures’

Micah Hanks·October 7, 2022

The 83-year-old scientist tells The Debrief what more than six decades of studying aerial mysteries have taught him about UAP phenomena and the scientific process.

Study Finds Geological Layers the Likely Source of Reflective Spots on Mars, Not Water

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry·October 5, 2022

Geological layers may be the source of Mars' reflective spots, instead of water ice as previously thought.

Controversial Ukrainian UAP Study Shot Down in Statement by Scientific Council

Micah Hanks·October 4, 2022

A Ukrainian UAP study claiming to have captured images of unknown aerial objects has been taken to task by astronomers with the country's National Academy of Sciences.

Rogue Planets: Potential Hosts to Life and Other Mysteries?

Avi Loeb·October 4, 2022

If interstellar travel agencies were to sell tickets for a ride on these relativistic planets, I would be first in line to board them.

Ghostly “Einstein Crosses” Spotted in Deep Space Could Help Resolve Dark Energy Mystery

Micah Hanks·September 6, 2022

Despite their striking appearance, Einstein Crosses aren't evidence of distant alien megastructures. However, they could help solve the lingering mystery of dark energy.

Enigmatic “Phantom Galaxy” is Revealed in Stunning Images From Space Telescope Collaboration

Micah Hanks·August 30, 2022

Images of the "Phantom Galaxy" M74 are among the latest stunning efforts that combine data collected by Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes.

Interstellar Archaeology: The Search for Non-Terrestrial Artifacts

Avi Loeb·August 5, 2022

If anomalous, non-terrestrial artifacts exist in space, using the best tools at our disposal through "interstellar archaeology" may find them.

Dark Matter Mystery Comes Into Focus With New Mapping of Distant Galaxies

Micah Hanks·August 3, 2022

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.

The Bright Side of the Moon

Avi Loeb·July 27, 2022

Interstellar travel would require major investments. Instead, first we should examine the objects that arrive in our solar system from interstellar space.

Looking to the Skies, Astronomers Assemble the New Eyes and Brain of the Galileo Project

Avi Loeb·July 14, 2022

The new telescopes of the Galileo Project provide a unique observatory with innovative capabilities. What will they help us learn about UAP?

Missing X-Rays in Black Hole Mystery May Be Explained in New Study of “Spaghettified” Star

Micah Hanks·July 13, 2022

Astronomers witnessed the shredding of a star by a supermassive black hole that “spaghettified” it in an event 215 million light-years away.

Sunlight and the Extinction of Gamma-Rays

Avi Loeb·July 10, 2022

Our ultimate cosmic destiny is to become dark matter. For now, let’s enjoy the light show while it lasts.

Quantum-Gravity Engineers of the Future May Find Local and Extraterrestrial Opportunities

Avi Loeb·July 6, 2022

Decades after a Quantum-Gravity theory will be discovered, there might be job advertisements for engineers who use it to build vehicles that would carry humans to the stars faster than imagined before.

Survival of the Optimist: Designing Our Indefinite Future in Space

Avi Loeb·June 24, 2022

To paraphrase Darwin’s “survival of the fittest”, when it comes to our future in space, everything may hinge on “survival of the optimist.”

Summer Solstice 2022 Continues an Ancient and Mysterious Astronomical Tradition

Micah Hanks·June 21, 2022

Today marks the arrival of summer solstice 2022, resulting in the longest day of the year and heralding the arrival of summer.

With Age Comes Wisdom: Life’s Astronomical Puzzles

Avi Loeb·June 6, 2022

While humans have gleaned a tremendous amount of knowledge about the universe, there are several astronomical puzzles about our lives that remain mysterious.

The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse: Answers Finally Emerge

Micah Hanks·June 1, 2022

A stellar mystery that has baffled astronomers may have been solved: what has been causing the "great dimming" of the star Betelgeuse?

General Relativity Instead of Modified Gravity

Avi Loeb·March 18, 2022

The proper interpretation of recently acquired satellite data relies on Einstein's theory of general relativity, which still presents the best description of gravity as we know it.

Communicating with Extraterrestrials

In this inaugural installment of "Our Cosmic Neighborhood", Avi Loeb gives us perspectives on the challenges presented by any future attempts at communication with extraterrestrials.

Avi Loeb·March 10, 2022

In this inaugural installment of "Our Cosmic Neighborhood", Avi Loeb gives us perspectives on the challenges presented by any future attempts at communicating with extraterrestrials.

Stellar Engines: As Galaxies Emit Light, Their Expansion Reveals a Unique Phenomenon

Avi Loeb·February 9, 2022

Our observation of the behavior of galaxies reveals phenomena that have received surprisingly little attention in the scientific literature.

The SETI Institute Looks Back on 2021, and Forward to the Future

Micah Hanks·December 22, 2021

As The Debrief looks back on its first year in business, one of the big areas we have covered involves the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, or SETI.