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What is the difference between a UFO and UAP? NASA clarifies reason for change in nomenclature

'Using unclassified data was essential for our team’s fact-finding, open-communication collaboration,' stated NASA

WASHINGTON, DC: Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) are believed to be alien spacecraft whereas Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are used to describe unexplainable sights, a recent study has revealed.

Recently, an independent study team for NASA researched Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. As per its recommendation, the agency is taking matters forward in this direction.

“The study of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) presents a unique scientific opportunity that demands a rigorous, evidence-based approach,” read the foreword.

“Addressing this challenge will require new and robust data acquisition methods, advanced analysis techniques, a systematic reporting framework, and reducing reporting stigma. NASA – with its extensive expertise in these domains and global reputation for scientific openness – is in an excellent position to contribute to UAP studies within the broader whole-of-government framework led by the All-domain, Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO),"it continued.

Why did NASA carry out a study on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena?

NASA commissioned the independent study to better understand how the agency can further contribute to ongoing government efforts.

This includes the study of observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as balloons, aircraft, or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective.

“At NASA, it's in our DNA to explore – and to ask why things are the way they are. I want to thank the Independent Study Team for providing insight on how NASA can better study and analyze UAP in the future,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.

The space agency shared the vision of the newly appointed director. “NASA’s new Director of UAP Research will develop and oversee the implementation of NASA’s scientific vision for UAP research, including using NASA’s expertise to work with other agencies to analyze UAP and applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to search the skies for anomalies. NASA will do this work transparently for the benefit of humanity," Nelson said.

Independent report includes the external study team’s findings and recommendations

NASA also mentioned that the report comprises external study team’s findings and recommendations which aims to inform NASA on what possible data is available to be collected.

It will also recommend on how the agency can further find the origins and nature of future UAP.

“Using unclassified data was essential for our team’s fact-finding, open-communication collaboration, and for upholding scientific rigor to produce this report for NASA,” said David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation and chair of the UAP independent study team, according to NASA.

“The team wrote the report in conjunction with NASA’s pillars of transparency, openness, and scientific integrity to help the agency shed light on the nature of future UAP incidents," Spergel stated.

“We found that NASA can help the whole-of-government UAP effort through systematic data calibration, multiple measurements, and ensuring thorough sensor metadata to create a data set that is both reliable and extensive for future UAP study," he added.