A recent study shows that scientists have discovered mysterious “transient objects” while analyzing astronomical photographs from the 1950s. Further comparative studies reveal that these unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) – or UFOs – tend to appear more frequently following human nuclear tests. Additionally, during that time period, the number of UFO sightings near nuclear test sites also significantly increased.
The findings of this study were first reported by NewsNation’s “Reality Check with Ross Coulthart” program.
According to a research paper published on October 20, 2025, in “Scientific Reports” under “Nature,” scientists at the Palomar Observatory in California recently identified numerous unusual stellar sources of light in photos from the 1950s.
These mysterious sources of light in the sky appear in one photo but disappear in the next photo of the same sky region taken within an hour. Researchers refer to these enigmatic sources of light as “transient objects.”
Notably, these “transient objects” were captured in photographs taken several years before the launch of the first artificial satellite by humans, ruling out the possibility of them being space debris left behind from subsequent human space exploration endeavors.
Stephen Bruehl, an expert from Vanderbilt University, stated, “We have ruled out some conventional explanations, which means we must at least consider the possibility that these sources of light might come from somewhere other than Earth.”
The research team examined digitized astronomical plates from the first “Sky Survey” conducted by the Palomar Observatory between 1949 and 1957, capturing images of the night sky during that time period.
Scientists compiled an image dataset spanning over 2,700 days and compared the dates when the mysterious transient objects were photographed with dates of human nuclear tests, as well as the number of reports of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings at that time.
The study resulted in a striking conclusion: each report of UAP sightings correlates with a significant increase in the probability of “transient objects” appearing.
The researchers noted in their paper, “Our findings provide additional empirical support for the reality of the UAP phenomenon and its potential connection to human nuclear activities, offering data beyond eyewitness reports.”
Beatriz Villarroel, an astronomer from the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics, was among the participants in this study. She revealed that she and her research team utilized automated techniques to identify 107,875 “transient objects” throughout the entire span of images examined.
While many of these sources of light – often resembling stars in the night sky – were determined to be errors or markings on the plates, thousands of “transient objects” were confirmed to have actually appeared, corresponding to various human nuclear tests, satellite launches, and UFO sighting events.
For instance, photos taken between July 19 and July 27, 1952, show multiple bright “transient objects” over Washington, D.C., illuminating the night sky. During this period, numerous reports of UAP sightings were recorded.
According to media reports from that time, on the night of July 19, 1952, at 11:40 p.m., Washington National Airport air traffic controller Edward Nugent detected seven abnormal blips on the radar screen, with two of them moving at speeds of 11,200 kilometers per hour within a no-fly zone – ten times faster than the most advanced F-86 fighter jets at that time. Almost simultaneously, radar operator Sergeant Harry Barnes at Andrews Air Force Base also captured the same signals, writing in the duty log, “These objects are moving fast and changing directions instantly, defying the principles of aerodynamics.”
A reporter from The Washington Post, John Keel, captured a set of valuable photos on the banks of the Potomac River, showing at least twelve luminous objects forming the Greek letter “Omega.” These photos were confiscated by the CIA but are preserved in the declassified “Blue Book Project” files from 1997.
Experts acknowledged that these points of light “do not correspond to any known natural phenomena or characteristics of man-made aircraft.”
President at the time, Truman, mistook them for “advanced Soviet weapons” and ordered to shoot down the UFOs, resulting in a fruitless pursuit.
During the study of astronomical photos from the 1950s, researchers also observed many sources of light hovering over at least 124 active ground nuclear test sites.
The research indicates that the likelihood of “transient objects” appearing over the test sites within 24 hours of human nuclear tests increases by 45% compared to normal circumstances. Additionally, a “significantly higher” number of UAP sighting events were recorded during the nuclear test window periods.
Astronomer Villarroel revealed during an interview with NewsNation in August that the inspiration for this study came from a sighting event in the early 1950s.
Villarroel disclosed, “That’s where Stephen got the idea to say, ‘Let’s check this out’: if there is indeed a connection between these transient objects and UFO incidents, you will see that connection. And he did find it; he found that connection in the data.”
The study underwent peer review in October, providing new scientific evidence for the long-standing UFO phenomenon controversy and opening up new research avenues to understand the potential connection between these mysterious phenomena and human nuclear activities.