A panel formed by Nasa last year to study “unidentified anomalous phenomena”, popularly known as UFOs, briefed the public on Wednesday ahead of a report that will be published in July.
Several people on the 16-member team have been subjected to "online abuse" due to the subject of the study, which Nasa's Dan Evans said detracts from the scientific process.
“It’s precisely this rigorous, evidence-based approach that allows one to separate the fact from fiction," Mr Evans said.
The panel was formed in June 2022 to examine UFOs after the US Defence Department released videos of UFOs during a congressional hearing on the mysterious objects.
“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. That’s what we do,” Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for science at Nasa headquarters in Washington, said when the panel was formed.
The term UFO has since been replaced with UAP by the US to determine unidentified objects. The new designation suggests that sightings other than those that were airborne may be included.
Nasa also warned the public to not jump to any conclusions about aliens in space.
“There is no evidence UAPs are extraterrestrial in origin,” the agency said.
Nasa defines a UAP as “observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective”.
Nasa said collecting more data on UAPs can be used to align with the agency's goals of ensuring the safety of aircraft.
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A parking sign at the Little A'Le'Inn in Rachel, Nevada. Reuters -
A video grab image obtained on April 28, 2020, shows part of a video taken by Navy pilots in which 'unidentified aerial phenomena' can be seen. AFP -
Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray points to a video display of an unexplained aerial phenomenon during a 2022 hearing. AP -
A video of a UAP is paused for display during the hearing. AP -
Mr Bray speaks before a subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee on 'unidentified aerial phenomena', commonly known as UFOs. EPA -
Mr Bray and Mr Moultrie speak during the hearing. AP -
Andre Carson, a Democratic representative from Indiana, waits to lead a subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee during a hearing on UAPs. EPA -
Under Secretary of Defence for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie speaks at the hearing. EPA -
Tree Hotel in Swedish Lapland offers eight unique cabins, including this UFO. Photo: Tree Hotel -
People wait to listen to a panel of UFO experts at the International UFO Museum and Research Centre during the UFO Festival in Roswell, New Mexico. AFP -
People in costume after the Abduction Parade during the UFO Festival in Roswell. AFP -
People wear tin foil hats during the UFO Festival. AFP -
People take pictures of exhibits at the International UFO Museum and Research Centre. AFP -
People take pictures at the Roswell festival. AFP -
A person wearing an alien costume roller skates through traffic down Main Street during the UFO Festival. AFP -
A UFO spotter scans the sky at a popular UFO spotting area in Katoomba, Australia. Photo: Ian Waldie
Reuters contributed to this report
