The Harvard astronomer dubbed Trump’s chief alien hunter starts by assuming UFOs human-made

Avi Loeb, a Harvard University cosmologist known for his theories about alien life, is heading a new, secretive scientific advisory panel for the Trump administration focused on security risks posed by unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). Loeb and his committee have begun examining the origins of mysterious flying craft and have requested numerous videos, images, and documents from the Pentagon related to reported encounters.

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My impression is the government is baffled by not being able to infer the nature of some of these objects.

The panel, which convenes privately, will submit its findings to the White House. This initiative aligns with the administration's recent efforts to declassify government UFO files, having already released three batches of previously classified material. Loeb, an Israeli-American astrophysicist, views his appointment as an opportunity to introduce scientific reasoning to an administration not typically known for its embrace of science.

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At a time when science is not so much celebrated, this is an opportunity to actually do good for all sides involved.

Loeb stated that his initial assumption is that UAP are human-made, approaching the task from a national security standpoint. However, his unconventional thinking, including a past hypothesis that a comet passing Mars was a relic of an extraterrestrial civilization, has led some analysts to question his leadership of such a significant committee. Steve Desch, an astrophysics professor and a vocal critic of Loeb, expressed doubts about the panel's ability to answer key questions with Loeb in charge.

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I don’t know what’s going to come of this, but we’re not going to get any closer to answering these questions with him in charge.

Concerns have also been raised about the panel's composition, with critics noting that Loeb has surrounded himself with individuals who share similar unconventional views. One such member is Timothy Gallaudet, a retired navy rear-admiral who believes in the existence of nonhuman intelligence controlling UFOs. This has drawn parallels to other government appointments where individuals with skeptical views on established science have been placed in advisory roles.

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Childlike bullying is more prevalent than childlike curiosity in academia. People just try to step on every flower that rises above the grass level. This negativity is very damaging because it suppresses innovation.