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.
Appharvest founder and CEO, Jonathan Webb joined Cheddar to discuss taking his company public. Webb also talks the indoor growing process and its benefits.
A small air leak at the International Space Station has finally been traced to the Russian side, following a middle-of-the-night search by astronauts.
Joey Bergstein, Seventh Generation CEO, joined Cheddar to discuss the climate crisis and the presidential debate.
Activist, Erin Brockovich joined Cheddar to advocate for 911 operators to be classified as first responders and address problems plaguing the water supply in U.S. communities.
The Tennessee Titans have suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL says three Titans players and five other personnel tested positive for the coronavirus.
The milestone, recorded by Johns Hopkins University, comes nine months into a crisis that has devastated the global economy, tested world leaders’ resolve, pitted science against politics and forced multitudes to change the way they live, learn and work.
Northern California’s wine country was on fire again as strong winds fanned flames in the already scorched region, prompting evacuation orders involving more than 50,000 people.
President Donald Trump is expected to announce the shipment of millions of rapid coronavirus tests to states this week. He plans to urge governors to use them to reopen schools.
Nike is working to up its game when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint. Noel Kinder, Nike's chief sustainability officer, joined Cheddar to discuss the company's efforts in overhauling its product line and production.
Future moon explorers will face ultrahazardous radiation levels. That's the conclusion of a new study published by Chinese and German scientists Friday.
