By Marcia Dunn
NASA held its first public meeting on UFOs Wednesday a year after launching a study into unexplained sightings.
The space agency televised the hourslong hearing featuring an independent panel of experts. The team includes 16 scientists and other experts selected by NASA including retired astronaut Scott Kelly, the first American to spend nearly a year in space.
Several committee members have been subjected to “online abuse” for serving on the team, which detracts from the scientific process, said NASA's Dan Evans, adding that NASA security is dealing with it.
“It’s precisely this rigorous, evidence-based approach that allows one to separate the fact from fiction," Evans said.
The study is a first step in trying to explain mysterious sightings in the sky that NASA calls UAPs, or unidentified aerial phenomena.
The group is looking at what unclassified information is available on the subject and how much more is needed to understand what's going on in the sky, according to astrophysicist David Spergel, the committee's chair who runs the Simons Foundation.
No secret military data are included, such as anything surrounding the suspected spy balloons from China spotted flying over the U.S. earlier this year.
The meeting was held at at NASA headquarters in Washington with the public taking part remotely.
A final report is expected by the end of July.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Endowment for Clean Oceans is holding a contest for anyone with an idea that could remove some of the plastic choking our oceans. Founder Daniel Perrin said there's emerging technology that could help the process, and he wants to jumpstart it.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know.
The red-hot cannabis market is not sustainable as is, according to industry analyst Matt Karnes. But that doesn't mean it isn't a great long-term story.
Gene Munster thinks so. The managing partner at Loup Ventures said Tim Cook could help rein in the ambitions of Elon Musk. But a merger won't be likely unless Tesla runs into real financial troubles.
Kathy Ireland, Chief Brand Strategist of Level Brands, spoke with Cheddar about her company's dive into the CBD market. Shares of cannabis companies have been soaring as momentum grows for wide marijuana legalization.
These are the headlines you Need 2 Know.
AIEQ is the first ETF to apply artificial intelligence throughout the investment process, using social media and news trends in addition to taking information from the stock market. Art Amador of EquBot explains how A.I. can help investors make better decisions.
As Hurricane Lane churns toward the Hawaiian islands, Axios science editor Andrew Freedman said the state needs to get used to a future where it sees more storms.
Lyft says it has completed 5,000 rides in its autonomous vehicle pilot program in Las Vegas. Taggart Matthiesen, the company's head of product, told Cheddar that customers are starting to acclimate to the idea of a self-driving ride, but it will be a while before safety drivers are unnecessary.
The Trump administration is weakening restrictions on coal-powered plant emissions, rolling back an Obama-era policy meant to lower harmful chemicals in the environment.
