The Pentagon’s report on UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) said nothing about the possibility that some might be alien spacecraft. Nonetheless, the report has generated heightened interest in figuring out what these UAPs are, and that interest extends to some scientists. We talk to two researchers who want an open and strictly scientific investigation of these phenomena. What should they do and what do they expect to find? And finally, will the possibility of alien visitors ever be resolved?

Guests

  • Jacob Haqq-Misra – Senior Research Investigator at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science

  • Ravi Kopparapu – Planetary scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

They co-authored the article, “‘Unidentified Aerial Phenomena,’ Better Known as UFOs, Deserve Scientific Investigation” for Scientific American in July of 2020.

Descripción en español

Feturing music by Dewey Dellay

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Big Picture Science is an immersive radio show and podcast that reveals the unexpected connections in science.

Our Skeptic Check episodes take a critical look at extraordinary science claims and pseudoscience.

Don’t settle for a science snapshot. Get the big picture. 

Hosted By

Molly Bentley Executive Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science  

Seth Shostak Producer and Co-Host, Big Picture Science
Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

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