'We love data': NASA wants your UFO stories for better research, to reduce stigma
CTV
NASA is asking for more people to report sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena to reduce the stigma surrounding these sightings and to help collect better data.
NASA scientists are asking people to share their experiences of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) sightings, saying more information and research surrounding these reports could help reduce stigma associated with the topic.
"At NASA, we're scientists, we love data. We love all data. And if there is something that needs to be reported, we want people to be able to feel that they can report that," Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said at a news briefing Thursday.
The space agency held the briefing to share details about its highly anticipated report on UAP, also known as unidentified flying objects or UFOs.
The report, which took a year to complete, aims to bring answers to the UAP mystery by using unclassified scientific data. Written by numerous experts from around the world, the report determined there was not enough "high-quality" evidence on UAP to explain what they are, or if they have otherworldly origins.
"At present, analysis of UAP data is hampered by poor sensor calibration, the lack of multiple measurements, the lack of sensor metadata, and the lack of baseline data," the report states. "To date, in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, there is no conclusive evidence suggesting an extraterrestrial origin for UAP."
UAP data, the report notes, could be improved by using information from technology already monitoring the skies, and even by creating a UAP smartphone app.
"The panel sees several advantages to augmenting data collection efforts using modern crowdsourcing techniques, including open-source smartphone-based apps that simultaneously gather imaging data and other smartphone sensor metadata from multiple citizen observers worldwide," the report explained. "NASA should therefore explore the viability of developing or acquiring such a crowdsourcing system as part of its strategy."
