Mysterious light flashes in 1950s sky photos have long been linked to UFOs – scientists now have an explanation
Scientists uncover decades-long secret of mysterious lights in space
- A new study has established a strong link between mysterious "star-like" flashes observed in 1950s sky surveys and above-ground nuclear weapons testing.
- Researchers analysed historical photographs from the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS-I), taken between 1949 and 1957, prior to the launch of Sputnik.
- The study found that these transient flashes were 45 per cent more likely to be observed on dates within a day of a nuclear weapons test.
- The number of these transient flashes also increased in correlation with independent reports of unidentified flying object (UFO) sightings.
- Scientists suggest that undocumented atmospheric phenomena, potentially triggered by nuclear detonations or related fallout, could be responsible for these flashes and serve as a stimulus for some UAP reports.