Diary of an Interstellar Voyage, Parts 11-13: June 18, 2023
More materials are recovered, and new questions surface, in this combined three-part entry covering Day 8 (June 18, 2023) of the Galileo Project team’s expedition.
astronomy
Diary of an Interstellar Voyage, Parts 9 & 10: June 17, 2023
You Can't Make a Lemonade Without Lemons
You Can't Make a Lemonade Without Lemons
The Galileo Project continues its recovery of material from the ocean floor during its expedition to recover an interstellar object off the coast of Papua New Guinea.
NASA, AARO and the Galileo Project Agree on the Need for a Scientific Study of UAP
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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?
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’
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Astrology Believers Less Intelligent and More Narcissistic
New research has shown that people who believe in astrology, or the idea that the movement of celestial...
What the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope means for the Astronomy World
If all goes to plan, the James Webb Space Telescope is set to re-write everything we know about our place in the Universe.
Astronomers Find Possible Evidence of First Exoplanet Detected Beyond Our Galaxy
For the first time, astronomers say they have discovered signs of a planet transiting a star outside of our galaxy.
New Exoplanet Hunting Tool Begins Search for Alien Worlds
Supercomputer Based System Uses Advanced Spectroscopy to Spot Earth Sized Planets
Supercomputer Based System Uses Advanced Spectroscopy to Spot Earth Sized Planets
A new instrument named NEID, the NN-explore Exoplanet Investigations with Doppler spectroscopy, has come online, providing a powerful...
This Asteroid No One Saw Coming Almost Hit Earth
An asteroid the size of a small refrigerator nearly collided with Earth on October 24th, and no one...
Meteorite Slams Through the Roof of Canadian Woman’s Home, Landing on Her Pillow
A Canadian woman recently had a rude awakening as a meteorite tore through the ceiling of her home, covering her in debris and prompting a 911 call.
New Discovery on the “Strangest Exoplanet Ever Found” Has Astronomers Puzzled
Astronomers have now detected clouds on a gas giant exoplanet nearly 520 light-years from Earth.