A recently published academic paper, co-authored by Sean Kirkpatrick, head of the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, and Harvard professor Avi Loeb, suggests that objects like the cigar-shaped "Oumuamua" spotted flying through the galaxy in 2017 could potentially be alien probes sent to study Earth. The paper has gained notoriety after being featured in a post on Military Times and circulated among science-focused news outlets.
The five-page document dedicates more than half of its content to discussing the possibility that these unexplained objects could be probes originating from an extraterrestrial parent craft. According to Kirkpatrick and Loeb's research, these objects appear to defy all known physics principles when observed.
Kirkpatrick stated during an interview: "We are striving for scientific debate on this subject matter. Our goal is to encourage researchers from various fields of expertise to explore every possible explanation for these UFOs."
Loeb added: "As scientists, we have a responsibility not only towards our own curiosity but also towards everyone who shares this planet with us. We should never close our eyes or minds at any potential new discovery."
This joint effort between a high-ranking Pentagon official and a respected academic demonstrates that both parties are willing not only to entertain unconventional ideas but also openly promote them within academia.
The willingness of the Department of Defense (DoD) officials like Kirkpatrick – whose office directly deals with UFO-related matters – shows their openness toward exploring all possibilities related to unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). This approach signals an important message for academics worldwide as they continue researching UAPs without fear or prejudice.
It remains unclear whether the authors' proposal about alien probes will prove accurate over time; however, it opens up exciting prospects for further research into unknown phenomena occurring beyond Earth's atmosphere.