Should we take this seriously? The viral videos look like science fiction. But as Nasa appoints a head of UFO research, some say it is time to examine the evidence of alien life.
'Alien corpses' presented to Mexican congress
Should we take this seriously? The viral videos look like science fiction. But as Nasa appoints a head of UFO research, some say it is time to examine the evidence of alien life.
Two tiny bodies in a display case. Three-fingered hands, strange heads. Proof, says Jaime Maussan, that "we are not alone".
The Mexican ufologistSomebody who investigates Unidentified Flying Objects. claims these are fossilised alien remains. Under oath, he told Mexican Congress members that the "corpses" are unrelated to humans or any other species.
The footage is astonishing. But viewers say they are fake and look too similar to Steven Spielberg's ET. And scientists are sceptical. NasaThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the US space programme. astrophysicistScientists who try to understand the contents of the universe. David Spergel asked Maussan to "make samples available to the scientific community".
Spergel was presenting a Nasa report into Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (or UFOs). In April, the US government said it was tracking 650 sightings. But Nasa reports there is no evidence of alien life.
However, they did not rule out the possibility of "alien technology". Nasa boss Bill Nelson says they are taking aliens "seriously" by appointing a head of UFO research.
Many believe there is something out there. The UFO-spotting craze began in 1947 when US pilot Kenneth Arnold saw the first "flying saucer". Today, over 100 million Americans think aliens have visited Earth.
During the Cold WarA period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed., the US Air Force kept data classified. This secrecy fed conspiracy theoriesTheories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups. that authorities were hiding something.
Astronomer Chris Impey says UFOs were a "taboo" topic for scientists. They did not want to associate themselves with people like Jaime Maussan, whose theories have been debunked.1
But scientists are starting to take UFOs seriously. Nasa's Daniel Evans says they want to "move from conspiracy towards science." The agency asks the public to help with a phone app to record sightings.
Science writer Joel Achenbach says a "UFO mania" is taking hold. In 2021, leaked US military videos appeared to show alien spacecraft. In June, a former intelligence officer alleged the US had found alien vehicles.
Achenbach is unconvinced. There is no real data for scientists to work with. Until we have a spaceship or non-human DNADeoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information. to scrutinise, UFO research is a "distraction" from real science.
So scientists want to see whether these "alien corpses" are genuine. If they are, it would be a very significant moment in humanity's history.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Should we take this seriously?</strong></h5>
Yes: Of course. The universe is a vast and extraordinary place, full of surprises. So, we should take any discovery seriously, especially if it may tell us about the existence of intelligent alien life.
No: This is not science. It is a media stunt organised by people who want to believe something exists. Serious research involves examining evidence, testing theories, and sharing results publicly.
Or... Critical thinking is about separating facts and opinions. Nasa says there is no evidence of UFOs with alien origins, but it cannot rule out the possibility aliens exist. This is a cautious and serious approach.
Ufologist - Somebody who investigates Unidentified Flying Objects.
Nasa - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the US space programme.
Astrophysicist - Scientists who try to understand the contents of the universe.
Cold War - A period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.
Conspiracy theories - Theories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.
‘Alien corpses’ presented to Mexican congress

Glossary
Ufologist - Somebody who investigates Unidentified Flying Objects.
Nasa - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the US space programme.
Astrophysicist - Scientists who try to understand the contents of the universe.
Cold War - A period of diplomatic conflict between blocs led by the USA and the USSR that lasted from 1947 until 1991, when the USSR collapsed.
Conspiracy theories - Theories that explain world events by blaming shady groups of powerful people operating in secret. Some conspiracy theories have a basis in fact, but many more of them are completely invented. What is more, they often play on dangerous prejudices such as antisemitism. It's worth being especially cautious and critical when you come across accounts that ascribe enormous agency to small and secretive groups.
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid is the material in an organism that carries genetic information.