Overview
- Two peer-reviewed studies reanalyzing more than 106,000 transient flashes on 1949–1957 Palomar plates conclude that many events were genuine observations rather than plate defects.
- A Scientific Reports paper finds a 68 percent higher likelihood of a flash on the day after a nuclear test and an average 8.5 percent increase in flashes per additional UAP report, with days featuring both factors showing more than double the usual counts.
- A PASP study reports a one-third shortfall of expected flashes inside Earth’s umbra—a 22-sigma result—supporting short solar glints from flat, highly reflective objects in high-altitude orbit.
- The PASP team also identifies a five-point linear alignment on a July 27, 1952 plate, coinciding with the night of the Washington, D.C. UAP events.
- Authors outline two main hypotheses—an unknown atmospheric effect linked to tests or reflections from artificial objects—and emphasize that correlations do not establish causation, calling for further targeted analyses.