What are UAPs, and why do UFOs have a new name?

Washington — Members of Congress heard stunning testimony this week during a hearing with a former intelligence officer-turned-whistleblower and two pilots about their experiences with strange, seemingly inexplicable objects that hundreds of pilots have reported encountering in recent years.

The hearing held by a House subcommittee focused on so-called UAP, the formal government name for objects that had previously been known as UFOs. The witnesses shined a light on an issue that has attracted renewed interest over the past several years, but many Americans are turning their attention to the phenomena for the first time. 

Here are some common questions about UAP and what we know about them.