Ex-NASA agent debunks UFO theories, says government used them to ‘hide a lot of things'
Unidentified flying objects (UFOs) continue to capture public imagination and spark conspiracy theories, viral videos and a growing belief in extraterrestrial visitors. From sightings in remote deserts to leaked military footage, many see these phenomena as proof that intelligent life is already among us. But not everyone agrees.
Joseph Gutheinz
, a former senior special agent with
NASA
's Office of Inspector General and now a criminal defence lawyer, holds a very different view. He believes the obsession with UFOs may be distracting people from something more earthly and possibly more serious. Based on his experience he says the real mystery might lie not in the skies but in intentional
government secrecy
. He also points out that alien visits are not scientifically possible given the vast distances between stars.
Ex-NASA agent Joseph Gutheinz ask for evidence to prove UFO sightings
Joseph Gutheinz urges the public to approach the UFO debate with rational thinking, not wild speculation. He dismisses decades of stories about alien encounters and insists that claims must be backed by evidence. 'Prove it. Honestly, prove it,' he told Fox News Digital. During his time with NASA's Office of Inspector General, Gutheinz received numerous calls from people who believed they had been abducted or implanted with alien microchips. He viewed these claims as symptoms of deeper issues rather than proof of extraterrestrial contact. His standard response was blunt and direct—he advised such callers to seek psychiatric help.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Joseph Gutheinz argument: Distance is too much
Joseph Gutheinz emphasises that the vast distances between stars make it nearly impossible for extraterrestrial beings to reach Earth. He explains that the closest star system to us — Alpha Centauri — is more than 25 trillion miles away. Even if we used the fastest speed currently known, a journey from there to Earth would take over 70,000 years. These immense travel times, combined with the limits of physics and energy, make interstellar travel by intelligent alien life highly improbable. 'Nobody is visiting us from another world, likely,' he concluded, urging people to focus on science, not speculation.
More likely explanations of UFO theories
Instead of aliens, Gutheinz believes many
UFO sightings
can be traced to human sources. He suspects that some are caused by secret technology being developed by countries like China or Russia. Others may simply be advanced drones flown by civilians. He also highlights moons like Europa, Ganymede, Titan and Triton as possible homes for primitive life but insists they would not produce intelligent life capable of space travel.
Military myths and cover-ups
Gutheinz suggests that the US government has likely used UFO stories to distract the public and foreign adversaries from real military projects. 'In the 1940s when all these UFO stories started coming up it was because the military was probably testing some aircraft and they didn't want the Russians to know about it,' he said. By letting the UFO rumours grow the military could protect its secrets without revealing advanced stealth technologies.
Hiding in plain sight
The idea that UFOs are a cover for human activity is not new but Gutheinz offers a credible insider's view. 'If the UFO cover worked I would not be surprised if people in the military and government played along with it,' he added. According to him the goal was simple. Keep other countries in the dark about what the US was building and testing. 'The bottom line is I think we use the UFO cover to hide a lot of things,' he concluded.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Scientists develop DNA test to curb illegal trade in wild quail
Patna: In a major breakthrough in wildlife forensics, a team of Indian scientists has developed a foolproof method for distinguishing between the Common Quail and the Japanese Quail, two bird species so similar that even trained ornithologists often struggle to tell them apart. The joint study was carried out by Rana Pratap Singh of the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Gaya; K V H Sastry of the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru and Prateek Dey of the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore. Published in the prestigious scientific journal MDPI Birds, the study offers wildlife officials a powerful new tool to combat the illegal trade in wild Common Quail, frequently misrepresented as legally farmed Japanese Quail. The research was supported by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The team developed a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique targeting a specific gene in the birds' DNA. Explaining the technique, team leader Rana Pratap Singh said, "What makes our method particularly powerful is its simplicity and reliability. Wildlife officials with basic laboratory facilities can now definitively identify these species within hours, rather than relying on uncertain morphological characteristics." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo The method works by detecting a unique site in the COX1 gene of the Common Quail that is absent in the Japanese Quail. When the DNA is treated with a specific enzyme called BsaBI, it produces distinct fragments, generating different banding patterns for each species when visualised on a gel, Singh said. The illegal trade of wild Common Quail has long been a problem in India. While Japanese Quail farming is legal, the hunting of wild Common Quail is prohibited. The Indian govt had earlier banned Japanese Quail farming altogether due to the difficulty in distinguishing between the two species, before lifting the ban after further evaluation. Research scholar Prateek Dey said distinguishing the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) from the Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) has posed a long-standing challenge for wildlife conservation. "The uncanny similarity between these species facilitated illegal wildlife trade and hampered conservation efforts for years. Our technique provides a practical solution that empowers wildlife managers to regulate the illegal trade effectively," he said. This breakthrough could have major implications for quail conservation across Asia, Europe and Africa. Beyond its immediate use in law enforcement, the study highlights the broader value of molecular techniques in species conservation. Another team member, Sastry, added that the team had initially attempted to use microsatellite markers for species identification but found the PCR-RFLP method to be far more reliable.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Discover 10 smallest animals in the world that can fit in your palm
When we think of wildlife, towering elephants or roaring lions often steal the spotlight. But nature's most astonishing creatures aren't always large on the other hand, some are small enough to rest in your palm. Despite their size, these animals are perfectly adapted to their environments, showcasing extraordinary features and survival strategies. From a hummingbird no bigger than a bee to a frog the size of a fingernail, each of these tiny beings plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Despite their small stature, these creatures have crucial roles to play in their respective ecosystems—pollinating flowers, regulating insect populations, and acting as environmental health indicators. Their small sizes remind us that evolution is not always a size game, but about adaptability and specialization. In an age filled with giants, these small animals are a great reminder of life's diversity, strength, and magic. Here's a look at 10 of the world's smallest animals that you can hold in your palm—and what makes each one a fascinating example of evolution on a miniature scale. List of tiny creatures smaller than your hand Animal Name Length Weight Bee Hummingbird 5–6 cm Under 2 grams Paedocypris 8 mm Not specified Mouse Lemur Size of a walnut Around 30 grams Pygmy Marmoset 13 cm (body only) Around 100 grams Western Pygmy Possum Spoon-sized Around 10 grams Speckled Padloper Tortoise 8–10 cm Not specified Pygmy Seahorse Just over 2 cm Not specified Etruscan Shrew Very small Around 1.8 grams Tom Thumb Frog (Mini Mum) Fingernail-sized Not specified Pygmy Jerboa 4 cm Less than 4 grams Incredible palm-sized creatures Bee Hummingbird Source: Reddit Just 5–6 cm long and weighing under 2 grams, the bee hummingbird is the world's smallest bird—and one of the most brilliant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo It is found in Cuba and can beat its wings as much as 80 times every second, making a buzzing sound like a bee. Despite the fact that it is tiny in size, its contribution towards pollination is enormous. The bird is a nectar feeder and plays a vital role in reproduction in flowering plants. Its very rapid metabolism requires constant nourishment, which it subsists on with its speedy and agile flight. Paedocypris Source: Facebook The Paedocypris fish, which lives in the peat swamps of Indonesia, is only 8 mm long. It is one of the world's smallest vertebrates ever recorded. Its body is close to being transparent, and it has no fully developed skull—a form adapted to its acidic, low-oxygen environment. In spite of appearing like a larva rather than a mature fish, it can swim, eat, and reproduce just like an ordinary fish. Such radical adaptations enable it to live in water that is too extreme for all other aquatic life. Mouse Lemur Source: Reddit The Madagascar mouse lemur can appear to be a mouse with big eyes, but it's really a small primate. It weighs merely 30 grams and is approximately the size of a walnut. It's a mature mammal with remarkable nocturnal capabilities. Its huge eyes enable it to vision in the dark, and a good sense of smell enables it to locate insects and fruits. Despite its small size, it possesses many traits similar to bigger primates, providing scientists with knowledge about early primate evolution—of which humans are part. Pygmy Marmoset Source: Reddit The pygmy marmoset, which inhabits the rainforests of the Amazon, is frequently referred to as the "finger monkey" for good reason—it's so small it can grasp the tip of a human finger. It weighs just 100 grams and reaches a length of around 13 cm (not including its tail).It clings to trees using its pointed claws and feeds on tree sap, which it taps by gnawing on bark. Surprisingly, it's very social, squeaking and whistling to each other in family groups. Western Pygmy Possum Source: Australian Geographic This spoon-shaped marsupial found in Australia is a nectar-eating specialist. The animal weighs approximately 10 grams and is active primarily during the night. Being small in size, it can crawl quickly through vegetation, consuming nectar, pollen, and small insects. Western pygmy possum has an unexpectedly large role in pollination and is ideally suited to arid conditions, frequently going for long stretches of time without sipping water straight. Speckled Padloper Tortoise Source: Reddit The speckled padloper tortoise grows only 8–10 cm in length, making it the smallest species of tortoise in the entire world. Found on rocky ground in South Africa, its speckled shell allows it to camouflage itself, safeguarding it from predators. Its small size helps it navigate crevices and hide from danger. Unlike many larger tortoises, the padloper is solitary and rarely seen in the wild, making it a conservation priority due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade. Pygmy Seahorse Source: Measuring just more than 2 cm long, the pygmy seahorse is one of the most camouflaged creatures of the ocean. Living on Pacific coral reefs, its camouflage and texture are identical to those of the coral polyps it clings to. It wasn't found until coral was being cut off for aquarium research. Even aquatic biologists tend to overlook them in the wild because they are camouflaged. Their small size and secretive nature protect them from predators in a cutthroat reef setting. Etruscan Shrew Weighing around 1.8 grams, the Etruscan shrew is the smallest mammal by mass. It has a heart rate that can reach 1,500 beats per minute, and a metabolism so fast it must eat every few hours or risk death. This shrew eats insects and larvae and never sits still. Its minute size and voracious energy needs make it an evolutionary anomaly—and a living testament to how far nature will stretch biological limits. Tom Thumb Frog (Mini Mum) Found in Madagascar, this little frog is usually no bigger than the human fingernail—it is therefore nicknamed "Tom Thumb Frog." Though small, it acts just as any frog: croaking, hopping, and catching insects. It's one of a series of miniaturized frogs that have been discovered in the area recently, and they contradict what we thought about size constraints in vertebrates. They live by remaining camouflaged in leaf litter, which is an area where there are very few predators that can find them. Pygmy Jerboa The pygmy jerboa resembles a baby kangaroo, with long hind legs and a very small body. It is found in the deserts of neighbouring countries and measures only 4 cm in length and weighs less than 4 grams. Its long legs enable it to hop effectively over hot desert sand, saving energy and staying out of harm's way. With enormous eyes and ears, it's an animal of the night, dependent on night vision and heightened hearing to survive in its unforgiving environment. Also Read | 92-year-old Chinese grandma stuns netizens with daily routine of 200 push-ups and 100 sit-ups
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
10 school projects for which students need to learn converting inches to centimetres
Imagine a world where crucial data from different countries simply doesn't add up. That's the reality students face today when dealing with international information. While most nations have embraced the unified metric system, a few, like the United States, still stubbornly choose to employ imperial units. This fundamental disconnect creates a significant hurdle, turning simple comparisons into complex puzzles for students growing up in the globalised world. Knowing how to convert between measurements like centimeters and inches isn't just a classroom exercise; it's an increasingly vital skill for anyone hoping to truly understand and thrive in our mixed-measurement world. Here are 10 school projects where knowing how to convert between inches and centimeters is fundamental. 1. Meteorological research: Comparing rainfall data Students analysing regional precipitation patterns often rely on climate data from international weather stations. However, while American stations report rainfall in inches, European data is typically given in centimetres. Without converting these values, it becomes difficult to make accurate comparisons or draw meaningful conclusions. Location Rainfall New York (US) 32 inches Paris (France) 81 centimetres By converting inches to centimetres (or vice versa), students can standardise measurements and better understand climatic variations between regions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 2. Climate science: Ice core layer thickness Climate research often involves analysing ice core samples to understand historical atmospheric conditions. These samples may be collected from different parts of the world, with data recorded in various units. For instance, studies from Greenland may report ice layer thickness in millimetres, while data from Antarctica might be given in inches. Region Measurement unit Greenland Millimetres Antarctica Inches To trace climate trends over time, students must convert these measurements to a consistent unit. 3. Medical research: Newborn length and growth data Students working on health and biology projects may consult medical literature from different regions. For example, average newborn lengths reported in American journals are often given in inches, whereas European publications report in centimetres. Source Average length American Journal of Paediatrics 20 inches European Medical Journals 51 centimetres In order to create accurate growth charts or compare population data, students must convert these values for consistency. 4. Space exploration: Equipment dimensions International collaboration in space exploration means that students analysing spacecraft specifications may encounter mixed measurement systems. Agencies like NASA (USA) use imperial units, while the European Space Agency adheres to the metric system. Agency Equipment size NASA 48 inches European Space Agency 122 centimetres Students comparing design features or technical capabilities of spacecraft must be able to convert between systems. 5. Consumer electronics: Comparing screen sizes In design or technology studies, students may evaluate devices from international markets. Screen sizes for smartphones, laptops, or monitors are reported using the manufacturer's regional measurement system, imperial in the US and metric in Europe and Asia. Manufacturer Screen size Apple 6.1 inches Samsung 15.5 centimetres Converting screen sizes allows for accurate product comparison and evaluation. 6. Automotive research: Understanding tyre specifications Students exploring mechanical engineering or vehicle design will likely encounter tyre dimensions that combine both metric and imperial units. A tyre may be described using millimetres for width and inches for rim diameter, requiring students to work across systems. Tyre specification Width (mm) Rim diameter (in) 225/60R16 225 mm 16 inches Understanding these hybrid units is key to interpreting automotive data. 7. Architecture: Analysing lumber dimensions In architecture and construction studies, materials are specified using local standards. For example, American construction plans refer to lumber dimensions in inches (such as the common '2x4'), while European equivalents are given in millimetres. Region Lumber size USA 2 x 4 inches Europe 50 x 100 millimetres Students must convert between these units to evaluate material requirements and structural plans accurately. 8. Urban planning: Zoning and setback requirements Students researching city planning or land use often review zoning regulations. These documents specify distances—such as setback requirements, in the local measurement system, which may differ dramatically between countries. Region Setback requirement USA 6 feet, 8 inches Europe 2 metres, 10 centimetres To compare planning policies, students must reconcile these values through conversion. 9. International trade: Product dimension documentation Students studying economics, global trade, or supply chain logistics often encounter product specifications in shipping documents. These vary based on the exporting and importing country's standards. Country Product dimension USA (Export) 24 inches EU (Import) 61 centimetres Conversion is necessary to accurately analyse and compare trade records. 10. Environmental science: Monitoring sea level rise Global environmental research frequently uses regionally standardised measurement units. For example, American coastal monitoring stations may report sea level rise in inches per year, while European stations use millimetres. Region Sea level rise (per year) US Stations 0.15 inches European Stations 3.8 millimetres Standardising units is essential for interpreting and comparing long-term environmental changes. Academic and professional preparation Mastering measurement conversion skills extends far beyond merely completing school assignments. For students engaged in international collaborations or participating in prestigious science fairs, standardizing measurements is non-negotiable for shared projects and unified reporting. Similarly, comprehensive research reviews almost invariably demand converting data from diverse measurement systems to ensure validity. Even university preparation and international standardized tests frequently rely on these precise skills. In the professional world, global competency increasingly includes fluency in various measurement systems. International business, complex engineering projects, and cutting-edge scientific research are profoundly dependent on accurate conversions for product specifications, material sourcing, and precise data analysis. These seemingly fundamental skills are, in fact, foundational to global literacy, providing students with a distinct advantage in their academic pursuits, collaborative endeavors, and promising careers worldwide. To truly grasp the power of accurate measurement transformation, check ' How to convert centimetres into inches: A simple guide for students with examples '. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
