Overview
- Researchers examined more than 106,000 short‑lived, star‑like transients on Palomar Observatory photographic plates taken between 1949 and 1957 across 2,718 days.
- Transients were 45% more likely within a one‑day window of above‑ground nuclear tests, with the strongest signal the day after a test at a 68% higher likelihood.
- Transient activity rose by an average of 8.5% for each additional UAP report, and days with both UAP reports and tests showed additive increases in flashes.
- A companion PASP study found about one‑third fewer events within Earth’s shadow, consistent with solar reflections from flat, highly reflective objects in high orbit explaining a portion of the phenomena.
- The authors say plate defects and immediate bomb debris are unlikely to explain the patterns, note notable cases such as a July 27, 1952 multi‑flash, and call for targeted follow‑up investigations.