Cont: UFOs: The Research, the Evidence

[theprestige]

In a star most other elements are present in such small amounts (relatively) that it makes sense to lump them all in together, particularly because pretty much any main sequence star with (for instance) x amount of titanium will almost always have y amount of calcium, etc.

Metallicity (i.e. the overall amount of other elements) is a good indicator of which population a star belongs to and which stars it might be related to.

No, I understand the need for a distinction. I don't understand the need to repurpose a word that already has a clear meaning.

"Oh, metal," said the astronomers. "Nobody's using that word, right? We can just make it mean whatever we want, right? And then correct anyone who misunderstands it, like it's their fault."

Boop to that. Find a different term.

 

[Puppycow]

It's OK for words to mean different things in different contexts, but in this particular context clearly the normal definition of "metal" is the right one. The astronomical definition really only applies to stars or nebulae seen through a telescope, not samples of material here on earth.

 

[steenkh]

I’m an astronomer.

Anything other than hydrogen is a metal.

[emoji2957]

I suppose you mean everything other than hydrogen and helium is a metal?

 

[Spektator]

I suppose you mean everything other than hydrogen and helium is a metal?

Where I come from, helium is heavy metal.

'Course we all sound like chipmunks....

 

[Puppycow]

UFO Sightings Are Spiking. This Man Has Unraveled the Truth Behind Hundreds of Them (Popular Mechanics)

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

UFO Sightings Are Spiking. This Man Has Unraveled the Truth Behind Hundreds of Them (Popular Mechanics)

I had that article flagged to mention here but you've beaten me to it.

It's paywalled but if you get around the paywall, you'll find it's a great article about Mick West.

Sample:

Even though West has solved many UAP analysis requests over the years, his conclusions—so far, always mundane—can be unwelcome. People want to believe extraterrestrial aliens are making contact with us. And in the rush to find answers, even other investigators often jump to the wrong conclusions, he says.

There’s also this fact: “The people who are into UFO investigations are so interested because they’re looking for something extraordinary,” West says. “I’m just looking to find out what something actually is, whether it’s extraordinary or not. I don’t have a preference.”

 

[Puppycow]

Apparently Elizondo wrote a book. Mick West fact checked it.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Apparently Elizondo wrote a book. Mick West fact checked it.

He. He. He. Thanks Mick.

Mr Elizondo grow some balls. DO A SERVICE FOR HUMANITY and reveal your Top Secret sources. Or even just name a name.

You will be a hero for all time and no government would dare touch you.

Idiots all.

 

[Puppycow]

Mr Elizondo grow some balls. DO A SERVICE FOR HUMANITY and reveal your Top Secret sources. Or even just name a name.

You will be a hero for all time and no government would dare touch you.

Of course he would never do that, because that means showing his cards. It's like a game of poker and he's bluffing. A bluffer only wins when he doesn't show his hand. He's got nothing in his hand but he can talk a big game and tell you that the best evidence is all classified, because "THEY" don't want you to know. Same thing with Grusch.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Of course he would never do that, because that means showing his cards. It's like a game of poker and he's bluffing. A bluffer only wins when he doesn't show his hand. He's got nothing in his hand but he can talk a big game and tell you that the best evidence is all classified, because "THEY" don't want you to know. Same thing with Grusch.

You think so? I thought he was just a nut case.

 

[Mike!]

A nut case is incapable of bluffing?

 

[Apathia]

All he's got is Skinwalker Ranch.

 

[Gord_in_Toronto]

A nut case is incapable of bluffing?

I just asked Alexa. She gave a weirdo response but I think she meant "yes".

 

[Checkmite]

All he's got is Skinwalker Ranch.

That has been enough to establish a decent living as a niche celebrity and put a handful of clueless congress members in his pocket, however.

 

[Puppycow]

You think so? I thought he was just a nut case.

I think we need a working definition of "nut case".

I think he's selling a story that many people "want to believe" (like the famous X-Files poster). Revealing his "secret sources" would make him less believable, not more. As a recent report stated:

AARO assesses that the inaccurate claim that the USG is reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology and is hiding it from Congress is, in large part, the result of circular reporting from a group of individuals who believe this to be the case, despite the lack of any evidence.

We'd find out that the secret sources are all a small group of believers and none of them can actually point to any independently verifiable evidence other than the tales they tell each other.

 

[theprestige]

All he's got is Skinwalker Ranch.

Which is way more real estate than I'll ever own, so good for him, I guess? Maybe I should get on that grift.

 

[Apathia]

Which is way more real estate than I'll ever own, so good for him, I guess? Maybe I should get on that grift.

He doesn't have the real estate. It's just that Skinwalker Ranch woo-woo nonsense is the substance of his beliefs.

The grift that keeps on grifting.

 

[8enotto]

Carlos Trejo bought a derelict hacienda and made it the most haunted place in Mexico, until his assistant told on him. He made millions.

It's an old scam. But they all fizzle into legend in a decade and linger on as residue woo.

Scamwalker ranch is already losing traction as evidence of a tangible type fails to mount.

 

[Apathia]

The History Channel has milked it for all its worth.

 

[bigred]

The History Channel has milked it for all its worth.

Oh yeah, right. Next thing you'll be telling us is they show too much WW 2 stuff!