Noctilucent clouds are not UAPs, but a natural phenomenon. | Image: Tommy Andersson/EyEm/Alamy

Unidentified aerial phenomena (often known as UFOs) have long been an object of fascination to us human beings. In June 2022, the US space agency NASA announced that it was setting up a research project to investigate this unexplained phenomenon from a scientific perspective. “We have the tools and team who can help us improve our understanding of the unknown. That’s the very definition of what science is”, says Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA, who comes originally from Switzerland.

“It’s incredibly important that we as scientists should have the courage and the desire to tackle every question as best we can”.Thomas Zurbuchen

Many past UAP sightings can be explained in retrospect. The most recent such explanation, which Zurbuchen mentioned on Swiss Radio SRF, is noctilucent clouds that are visible when the sun is far below the horizon. “It’s incredibly important that we as scientists should have the courage and the desire to tackle every question as best we can”. Nevertheless, this project will only last for nine months at a cost of just USD 100,000.

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