Washington - During their inaugural public meeting, the independent NASA panel investigating UFOs, now referred to as UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) by the U.S. government, highlighted that the limited availability of high-quality data and the persistent stigma associated with the subject are the primary obstacles in unraveling these enigmas.

Comprising 16 members who are leading experts from diverse scientific disciplines ranging from physics to astrobiology, the panel convened for a four-hour session, which was live-streamed on a NASA webcast, to discuss their initial findings before releasing a report later this summer.

The panel's chairman, astrophysicist David Spergel, clarified that their objective is not to definitively determine the nature of these events but rather to provide NASA with a strategic "roadmap" for future analysis.

NASA officials revealed that several panelists have faced undisclosed instances of "online abuse" and harassment since commencing their work in June of the previous year.

"It is truly disheartening to learn about the online harassment that our panelists have endured simply because they are studying this subject," expressed NASA's science chief, Nicola Fox, during her opening statements. "Harassment only perpetuates the existing stigma surrounding the topic."

However, the most significant challenge highlighted by the panel members was the lack of scientifically reliable methodologies to document UFOs, which often involve sightings of objects moving in manners that defy known technologies and natural laws.

They emphasized that the fundamental issue lies in the fact that these phenomena are generally detected and recorded using cameras, sensors, and other equipment that are not specifically designed or calibrated to accurately observe and measure such peculiarities.

"In a nutshell, if I were to summarize what we have learned, it is the dire need for high-quality data," remarked Spergel. "Relying solely on the current available data and eyewitness reports is inadequate to establish conclusive evidence regarding the nature and origin of every UAP event."

Despite recent efforts by the Pentagon to encourage military aviators to report UAP events, there are still prevailing taboos surrounding the issue. According to Spergel, many commercial pilots are hesitant to come forward and report such sightings due to the enduring stigma associated with them.

Significantly, the NASA advisory panel marks the first-ever UFO investigation conducted by the U.S. space agency. This represents a notable shift from the government's previous approach, which confined the subject to the secretive realm of military and national security officials.

NASA and Pentagon Pursue Separate Investigations into UFO Sightings

The NASA study focusing on UFOs operates independently from a newly established investigation by the Pentagon, which specifically analyzes sightings reported by military aviators in recent years, according to recent reports. Sean Kirkpatrick, the director of the Pentagon's newly formed All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), revealed that the U.S. military has documented over 800 cases within the past two decades. However, only a small percentage of these cases are considered to be beyond relatively simple explanations, with the majority being attributed to mundane causes such as aircraft, balloons, debris, or atmospheric conditions.

These simultaneous efforts by NASA and the Pentagon signify a pivotal moment for the government, as it departs from the historical practice of deflecting, debunking, and discrediting reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) dating back to the 1940s. Both agencies have emphasized the importance of safeguarding U.S. airspace, thereby ensuring public safety and national security.

Notably, NASA's approach differs from that of the Pentagon, as their panel focuses solely on unclassified reports from civilian observers. Panel chairman David Spergel highlighted that this approach fosters open information sharing among scientific, commercial, international entities, and the general public.

Moreover, the official government terminology has shifted from "UFOs," which has long been associated with ideas of flying saucers and extraterrestrial beings, to the abbreviation "UAP" (unidentified anomalous phenomena).

A recent amendment to U.S. law has broadened the scope of the UAP (unidentified anomalous phenomena) acronym used in the NASA study. Previously limited to "aerial" phenomena, it now encompasses enigmatic events occurring in space or at sea, expanding the research purview of the NASA study team.

Although the panel members acknowledged that their primary focus remains on aerial phenomena, they have also taken into consideration events that occur beyond Earth's atmosphere or in maritime environments.

Furthermore, both NASA and defense-intelligence officials have emphasized that while the possibility of intelligent extraterrestrial life has not been disregarded, there is currently no evidence supporting the notion that UFO sightings originate from beings of extraterrestrial origin.

"To assert that we have encountered something indicative of non-human intelligence would necessitate exceptional evidence, which we have yet to encounter," remarked Spergel.