What’s really going on with UAPs? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Paul Mecurio get to the bottom of identifying the unidentifiable with Jon Kosloski, Director of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).

Why the switch from “UFO” to “UAP”? John explains the rebranding and how public interpretation shaped the language. They begin with John’s background in electrical engineering, quantum optics, and a “love-hate” relationship with the NSA. They break down how anomalies are detected, from doorbell cameras to advanced electromagnetic sensors, and the challenge of relying on low-quality footage and human observation. Can machine learning and better cameras help? Will there be an app for citizen reporting?

They explore the data pipeline: how AARO collects, verifies, and investigates reports, including the role of AI-generated fakes, confirmation bias, and false positives like Venus over Brooklyn. With 98% of cases explained and 2% still mysterious, Kosloski shares insights on working with law enforcement, geographic bias, sensor kits, and what defines a “hot spot.”

What makes something “classified”? We break down specific sightings like GoFast or the Mount Etna Object. From fighter jet footage to birthday party mishaps, Starlink flares to flying dolphins, this episode takes us deep into how science, skepticism, and sensor tech unravel the unknown–no alien abduction stories required.

Thanks to our Patrons Glenn Fiskin, A. Certain Woman, Jeffrey Schwartz, Adam Watson, Micheal Lawson, Aaron Hardy, Terje Berg, Peter Wells, Tyler, Brody Johnson, Ali, NanZan, SAMuri, Marian Bieniek, Jeff Whitney, Richard Ruffner, Adrian J Batson, Holly Grant, Amy Braden, Andrew Puente, Srihari Ravi, Eliezar Vega, Southern Tauren, Adam Tate, John Johnson, Achim Ferrandina, Rebecca Crowe, Cody May, Gary, William Green, Max_Palmer09, Dylan, Jonas and Aisté, Frank Pucino, Isaac Kinsey, Sean Whitehall, Anthony Prisco, Nathan Thornton, Alex Grzesiak, Lora Vatalaro, Manny Neto, Eric M, Robert Davies, Billy Metcalfe, Gabriel Gish, Sherry Lee Rachar, Alexander Nemeth, Ra.Spec, and Atticus Thompson for supporting us this week.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Jon Kosloski 03:48 - The Rebrand to UAP 09:00 - Classified v. Non-Classified 10:30 - Unknown Adversaries 11:29 - Identifying UAPs & AI 23:00 - How Explainable Are the Reports? 27:18 - The Hovering Triangles 31:21 - UAP Hotspots & Collection Bias 32:45 - Threats & Adversaries 35:13 - GoFast 38:05 - Mount Etna Object 41:50 - Puerto Rico Object 44:48 - Conspiracies 47:02 - Do People Want to be Visited By Aliens? 49:43 - Closing

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About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

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