The Azerbaijan State News Agency

Harvard astrophysicist says material recovered from seafloor could be from aliens

Harvard astrophysicist says material recovered from seafloor could be from aliens

Baku, August 22, AZERTAC

Material recovered from the seafloor could be from an extraterrestrial spacecraft, showing a tube with traces of the material found, in an interview at his house on August 8, 2023, Harvard astrophysicist Abraham "Avi" Loeb has told Anadolu.

Professor Loeb, the Baird Professor of Science and Institute director at Harvard University, has recently concluded a $1.5 million expedition aimed at detecting indications of an enigmatic meteor named IM1.

This meteor, which is thought to have originated from deep space, crashed off the coast of Papua New Guinea in 2014.

To determine its origins, Loeb and his team went to the Pacific Ocean, and collected molten droplets from the surface of the object that were formed when it was exposed to the extreme heat produced when entering the Earth's atmosphere.

The team found spherical marbles, a millimeter each in size, embedded in volcanic ash, which Loeb and his team bottled and brought back for examination.

The team is now checking whether "their composition in terms of elements and radioactive isotopes makes the material that they were made of very different from solar system materials, in terms of its element abundances, in terms of its age," to determine if the materials are signs of alien technology.

To determine this, the team is using mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, and X-ray fluorescence analysis.

If the origin of the meteorite was indeed interstellar in origin, meaning that it was not made of the materials in our solar system, Loeb's team can conclude that the material "could have been enriched by a different exploding star, a different supernova," Loeb says.

"Moreover, it could have been technological in origin. But even just a natural origin would be historic, because this is the first time we found a physical origin bigger than half-a-meter that came from far away," he said.

Should the team determine that the material's origin is technological in nature that would mean that we are not alone in the universe, just like "going out to our backyard and finding a tennis ball that was thrown by a neighbor," Loeb says.

The findings could also inspire humanity, because they could realign humanity's notions of our place in the universe, and offer a glimpse into our technological future, Loeb said.

Our neighbors could be more advanced than our one century-old technology, and they could have had millions or billions of years to develop their own, offering opportunity to learn from them, Loeb hopes.

Loeb's findings coincide with remarks from a former Air Force intelligence official in late July, who said he "absolutely" believes the US government is in possession of UAPs, or unexplained anomalous phenomena.

The remarks by David Grusch came during a hearing on the implications of UFOs on national security held by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability's Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs.

Grusch said he "absolutely,” believes it, “based on interviewing over 40 witnesses over four years," when asked by Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee.

Share news on social media

Follow us on social network

Bulgaria has fourth-highest Q1 GDP growth in EU

Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency releases statement on disinformation allegations about Azerbaijan

Two Amur tiger cubs born at Baku Zoo

'World-first' vaccine designed by artificial intelligence

Baku hosts Second Meeting of Council of Central (National) Banks of OTS Member States

Baku hosts discussions on causes of Caspian Sea level variations and opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation

Initiated by Leyla Aliyeva, “Young beekeeper” project successfully implemented in Yevlakh district

Azerbaijani rower to compete at 2026 Paddle Europe Sprint Championships

Azerbaijan hosts World Environment Day

Top stories update

Azerbaijani, Hungarian central banks ink Memorandum of Understanding

Statement of Milli Majlis Commission against Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats regarding CNN’s deliberate information provocation

Hydrogen energy could be next stage of UAE-Azerbaijan energy partnership, says expert

From Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of the Republic of North Macedonia

From António José Seguro, President of the Portuguese Republic

Expert: Renewable energy is becoming a key area of cooperation between UAE and Azerbaijan

UNEP: Azerbaijan continues efforts to restore populations of rare species, including bison and gazelles

Baku to host International Finance and Banking Summit 2026

AZERTAC commemorates martyred journalist Maharram Ibrahimov

Baku and Abu Dhabi are shaping a new agenda for bilateral cooperation, says UAE political scientist

One of key stages of Iron Plant Project completed

Ashgabat welcomes Days of Azerbaijani Culture

American expert: U.S.-Azerbaijan relations change and evolve

International Turkic Academy organizes scientific and cultural event in Istanbul

UN Secretary General: Harming health, destroying homes and deepening hunger

Wind from Milky Way's supermassive black hole is finally discovered

Azerbaijan and Georgia exchange experience in sustainable development of regions

COP30 President: Our goal is to achieve tangible outcomes

From Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait

Murat Kurum: As COP31 Presidency, we will closely monitor implementation of commitments undertaken at COP29

Minister: Caspian Sea level decline remains a key environmental priority

Azerbaijan-Germany Business Council may be established

Global food prices edge down 0.2% in May, cereal prices rise

Azerbaijan's Agriculture Minister pays visit to Türkiye

From Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, President of Mongolia

UN-Habitat Executive Director: Our cities must evolve in harmony with natural systems

UAE, US deepen investment in key sectors

PIA to resume Islamabad-Beijing flights from July 3

China launches two groups of internet satellites within 24 hours

First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva congratulated Azerbaijani minifootball team

President Ilham Aliyev allocates one million manats to Azerbaijan Minifootball Federation

Azerpost issues postage stamp to mark World Environment Day

Aging population triggers demand for 'senior toys'

Global meat supply quadrupled since 1961: Report

'World-first' vaccine designed by artificial intelligence

Official Baku: We expect CNN to refute this article containing unfounded allegations

"Azerbaijan and the World": Baku and Abu Dhabi take their strategic partnership to a new level VIDEO

"Azerbaijan and the World": Baku and Abu Dhabi take their strategic partnership to a new level VIDEO

From Nawaf Salam, President of the Council of Ministers of the Lebanese Republic

® Azercell and AWS develop a technology platform for training AI models in Azerbaijani language

MEDIA: CNN's allegations regarding Azerbaijan are gross information manipulation

Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan releases statement on drone Attack on ships carrying Azerbaijani citizens in the Sea of Azov

®  BSC stand — Caspian International Oil and Gas Exhibition VIDEO

® BSC stand — Caspian International Oil and Gas Exhibition VIDEO

President: Clean environment and "green growth" target identified as one of five key national priorities

Address on the occasion of the World Environment Day 2026

Top stories update

Japan seeks to replace up to 5 nuclear reactors by 2040s, 14 by 2050s

Azerbaijani para-taekwondo athletes take two medals in Rome

® AccessBank completes first independent energy audit of a client project

Scientists trace 14,000 km journey of ocean waves from Antarctica to Alaska

Gold and silver prices fall on global markets

American journalist pleads guilty to acting as unregistered agent for China

Oil prices fluctuate on global markets

Azeri Light sells for $100

President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Azerbaijan national team on European minifootball title

Azerbaijan's national minifootball team crowned European champion

President Vladimir Putin: Russia and Azerbaijan are negotiating in a number of specific areas, primarily in the energy sector VIDEO

President Vladimir Putin: Russia and Azerbaijan are negotiating in a number of specific areas, primarily in the energy sector VIDEO

Putin: There is nothing extraordinary about Yerevan's current foreign policy course

Russian President thanks President Ilham Aliyev for assistance in delivering humanitarian aid to Iran VIDEO

Russian President thanks President Ilham Aliyev for assistance in delivering humanitarian aid to Iran VIDEO

Vladimir Putin: Russia has always had and continues to maintain very good relations with Azerbaijan VIDEO

Vladimir Putin: Russia has always had and continues to maintain very good relations with Azerbaijan VIDEO

National Cybersecurity Forum held in Baku

Azerbaijan notifies ILO of its accession to another convention

Rising fuel costs strain Pentagon budget: Report

Foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Iran hold telephone conversation

Azerbaijan and World Bank highlight importance of joint projects

Top stories update

Azerbaijan’s FM meets with incoming Brazilian ambassador

Exports from Azerbaijan to EU countries exceed $5.4 bln

Brussels hosts inaugural session of Belgium–Azerbaijan Forum

MEAPEN 2026 opens in Dubai bringing together regional, international experts

Moldovans working in Ukraine to be able to receive pensions, other social benefits

Amazon pledges €10 billion for Europe with 25,000 new jobs and warehouse robots

Pakistan retains ‘All Options’ against Indian water diversion plans, reaffirms role in regional peace efforts: FO

New song and music video "Who Said Don't Believe in Happiness" unveiled in Baku

China's new-generation large atomic model tops performance in materials discovery

® Faster access to the ABB Home platform with Mygov ID!

Bulgaria views circular economy as long-term national priority, Minister Karamfilova says

Diesel fuel sent from Azerbaijan to Armenia

Azerbaijani National Flag raised in Niagara Falls

Romanian publication: Launch of gas production at ACG field strengthens Azerbaijan's role in Europe’s energy security

From Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait

From Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait

From Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain

From Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, Deputy Amir of the State of Qatar

From Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar

Russia reports fall in domestic oil production so far this year

From Chair Betsy Berns Korn and Chief Executive Officer William C. Daroff of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations

Beijing enlists 10,000 delivery riders as public safety volunteers

Azerbaijan, Germany discuss cooperation in standardization

® Azerconnect Group joins the AI-RAN Alliance

NASA says farewell to MAVEN Mars mission, hosts media call today