The sky, the sea, and even space conceal phenomena that remain unexplained. For decades, reports have poured in describing objects or events that defy our current understanding. These accounts, often accompanied by intriguing videos or photos, fuel both curiosity and skepticism.
Some of these reports are sparking growing scientific interest, compelling experts to explore a range of hypotheses, from the most ordinary to the most daring. Thus, the mystery of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) continues to captivate attention, but science remains grounded in reality.
Excerpt from a 2018 video over Mount Etna, analyzed and resolved by AARO.
Credit: AARO/DOD
The director of the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), Jon T. Kosloski, emphasized that despite hundreds of cases examined, no evidence of extraterrestrial origin has been found. This statement, made before a U.S. Senate subcommittee, highlights the need to distinguish the unknown from the supernatural.
Since its creation in July 2022, AARO has been receiving and analyzing reports of unexplained phenomena occurring in the sky, on land, or in water. This unique office centralizes often incomplete data, which limits the conclusions that can be drawn. However, Kosloski pointed out that among resolved cases, mundane explanations—birds, balloons, or drones—dominate. Truly "anomalous" cases remain rare.
A striking example is the 2013 incident in Puerto Rico: a video appeared to show an object diving into the water. Yet experts concluded that it was actually two nearby lanterns blurred by the infrared camera. This kind of misinterpretation illustrates the complexity of analysis in a field where raw data is both scarce and often imprecise.
During the hearing, Kosloski detailed another notable resolution: the GOFAST video, captured by a U.S. fighter jet in 2016. What seemed like extraordinary speed was nothing more than an illusion caused by parallax effect, a common visual bias.
Responding to criticism regarding AARO's transparency, the director affirmed the office's commitment to keeping the public and Congress informed, within the limits imposed by military secrecy. Allegations of cover-ups, often made by UFO disclosure advocates, have not affected his stance. According to him, full access to both historical and current data is guaranteed by Congress.
An example of a phenomenon misunderstood as "transmedium."
Credit: AARO/DOD
The 2024 AARO report mentions 485 recent cases, of which 118 have been resolved and 174 are in the process of being resolved. However, the remaining cases suffer from a lack of usable data. This gap is exacerbated when the sensors or technologies involved are classified, making public analysis impossible.
Over the years, AARO's message has remained consistent: no observed phenomenon violates the laws of physics or suggests an extraterrestrial origin. Science continues its investigation but without giving in to speculation.
What is an unidentified anomalous phenomenon (UAP)?
Unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) refer to observations that remain unexplained in the sky, on land, in water, or transitioning between these environments. They encompass phenomena previously known as UFOs but broaden the definition to include other contexts.
These phenomena fascinate because they are often fleeting or difficult to document precisely. Many of them eventually receive rational explanations, such as birds, drones, or balloons. However, a small fraction remains unresolved due to insufficient data.
For scientists and institutions like AARO, these phenomena do not necessarily imply extraterrestrial technology. They require thorough analysis, combining imagery, multiple sensors, and testimonies.
The term UAP is also intended to encourage a rigorous and objective approach, free from the often sensationalistic connotations associated with UFOs.