Boston expert says recent flying objects shot down by US could be adversarial (Boston, Massachusetts)

📍 Location

📝 Description

Following the February 2023 sequence of unidentified objects shot down over North American airspace, Boston University Center for Space Physics director Joshua Semeter—who served on a NASA panel studying unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP)—characterized the objects as likely terrestrial and sometimes adversarial in implication, while noting data limitations. In March 2025, BU Today reported Semeter commenting on a new documentary and reaffirming the need for better data, transparency, and cross-agency collaboration in UAP investigations. Across credible outlets, the prevailing interpretation remains that there is no confirmed extraterrestrial origin for these objects; many were likely balloons, drones, or space debris, with some reports describing their shapes as octagonal or featuring flat facets, which invites scientific scrutiny rather than sensational explanations.

🔍 Circumstances

In early February 2023, the US publicly reported the downing of four unidentified flying objects in quick succession, beginning with a Chinese spy balloon and followed by additional objects over North American airspace. The events triggered NASA/DoD analysis of UAPs and panel reviews led by researchers including Semeter. Recovery operations faced logistical challenges due to remote locations (e.g., Alaska, Yukon, Lake Huron). As of 2025, ongoing discussions emphasize data quality and interagency coordination in UAP investigations, with statements suggesting terrestrial explanations are more likely than extraterrestrial ones.

👤 Physical Description

Accounts described some objects as small with unusual flight characteristics; reports mentioned octagonal shapes and objects with flat facets, though data are incomplete and descriptions varied between sightings.

ℹ️ Additional Details

The discussion around the objects has included speculation about adversarial technologies and potential terrestrial origins. A NASA panel studying UAPs emphasized the need for better data across sensors and locations, while reporting outlets highlighted that most UAPs have identifiable explanations (e.g., balloons, drones, debris). In 2025, BU’s Joshua Semeter discussed these topics in the context of a new documentary, underscoring scientific skepticism toward conspiracy claims and the importance of transparency in investigations.

🔗 Sources (6)

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