The past week brought major developments in space and science news, from the Pentagon’s latest release of declassified UFO files to China’s Tianwen-2 probe snapping its first close-up image of a near-Earth asteroid. Here is your roundup of the most interesting science stories you may have missed.
Pentagon Drops Fourth Batch of Declassified UAP Files
Since the beginning of May, the U.S. Department of Defense has been steadily uploading declassified files related to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) — more commonly known as UFOs — to a public database anyone can search. The fourth batch, released on Friday, includes documents from NASA, the Department of Energy, the CIA, the Department of Defense (formerly the Department of War), and the FBI, with records reaching back decades.
The latest trove contains scans of original paper documents with first-hand accounts of sightings — some accompanied by illustrations and photographs — along with a selection of videos. The administration has reiterated its commitment to transparency regarding government knowledge of UAPs and plans to continue releasing declassified materials on a rolling basis.
Earlier this month, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced the formation of a dedicated panel to study UAPs and assess their potential national security risks. The panel will be led by Avi Loeb, a theoretical physicist known for his long-running search for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence and his occasionally controversial claims about possible evidence of alien technology.
Tianwen-2 Snaps First Close-Up of Asteroid Kamo’oalewa
Launched last spring, China’s Tianwen-2 space probe has reached its target: the near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3, also known as Kamo’oalewa. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) released an image captured from just 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) away, marking the spacecraft’s first close encounter with the object.
Tianwen-2 will spend several months in the asteroid’s vicinity before attempting to land on its surface and collect a sample, scheduled to return to Earth in late 2027. The mission follows successful sample-return efforts by NASA (OSIRIS-REx) and JAXA (Hayabusa2), which have yielded crucial insights into the early conditions of the solar system.
Kamo’oalewa is what astronomers call a quasi-satellite — it orbits the Sun in sync with Earth, looping around our planet without ever venturing very far away. As Paul Chodas, longtime manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, explained when the object was identified in 2016, Kamo’oalewa is expected to remain gravitationally bound to Earth’s vicinity for a few hundred more years before eventually drifting off.
The asteroid is relatively small, with an estimated diameter of roughly 100 feet, though observations from Tianwen-2 should enable far more precise measurements in the coming months. After departing from the asteroid next year, the spacecraft will set course for the main-belt comet 311P.
Other Science Stories Worth Your Time
Before you go, here are a few more science headlines from the week:
- Metal balls from space are washing up on beaches in Australia — scientists are investigating their origin.
- A photographer who famously captured Jupiter using a Game Boy Camera and a giant telescope published a DIY tutorial so you can try it too.
- China became the second country ever to recover a rocket booster after launch.
- The FCC granted approval for a controversial sun-reflecting space mirror that astronomers have widely criticized.
- NASA transferred ownership of a tract of Maryland woodland to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for conservation.
In memoriam: Wally Funk, trailblazing aviator, Mercury 13 member, first female FAA inspector, and briefly the oldest person to fly to space, passed away at age 87. Her incredible life and career stand as a testament to the pioneers who pushed the boundaries of flight and space exploration.
Sources: Engadget, Department of Defense, [China National Space Administration]