Harvard's Avi Loeb leads new council probing military UFO sightings

Avi Loeb, a cosmologist and former head of Harvard’s astronomy department, now leads a new scientific advisory council investigating unexplained aerial phenomena. The team will examine mysterious objects reported by military personnel, often referred to as UAP. Their work will support a White House panel focused on these incidents. Loeb once specialised in black holes and galaxies, chairing Harvard’s astronomy department for nearly ten years. In 2017, he suggested that an interstellar object might be a discarded 'light sail' from alien technology. His theories have gained attention in UFO circles but have also sparked debate among academics.

The council includes over a dozen scientists and activists, such as Timothy Gallaudet and Ben Lamm. They meet in private but have promised to share findings publicly through briefings and a dedicated website. The team has requested over 50 videos, images, and documents from the Pentagon to aid their investigation.

Critics, including astrophysicist Steve Desch, have questioned Loeb’s appointment. Despite this, the council will report directly to the new White House panel on UAP. The group aims to analyse military reports and other evidence to clarify the nature of these unexplained objects. Their findings will be made available to the public through official channels. The work marks a significant step in addressing long-standing questions about UAP.