Are the UAP sightings aliens here on Earth? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian co-host Paul Mecurio discuss the congressional hearings on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) with astrophysicist and chair of NASA’s UAP independent study team, David Spergel. Learn about the UAP hearings, what the goals are, and what NASA can contribute to our understanding of these phenomena. What is NASA’s attitude on UAPs? What sort of institutionalized thinking needs to be overcome? Find out what an “artifact” is and why so many UAP sightings are classified. Are conspiracy theorists right that the government is hiding something? Why are people afraid to report UAP sightings? How can we reduce the stigma around reporting UAPs? We discuss China’s spy balloon and the discovery of lightning sprites. Why aren’t UAP sightings more common? Is there a reason why mostly the military sees them? Learn about examples of unidentified things in the sky that turned into scientific discovery. What makes something anomalous? We discuss the difference in culture between the military and science community and what changes are needed in both. We think of ways for ordinary citizens to collect UAP data and the likelihood of even recognizing an alien spacecraft. Plus, what could a UAP be besides weather balloons and aliens? Thanks to our Patrons Melissa Campbell, Martynas Piliutis, Darrel Mosier, Danielle Martinez, Randall Thompson, and Anton Popov for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): https://amzn.to/3dYIEQF Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #neildegrassetyson 00:00 - Introduction: The UAP Hearings 5:50 - Overcoming Different Agendas 8:40 - Who’s on the Committee? 9:56 - Data Quality & Artifacts 13:13 - Why Are Images Classified? 16:48 - Why Are People Afraid to Report UAPs? 22:05 - Lightning Sprites & Citizen Data 26:10 - Why Aren’t Everyday People Seeing UAPs? 28:24 - Discovery of Gamma Ray Bursts 30:22 - What Are Leading Theories in the Science Community? 35:41 - Would We Even See Alien Spacecraft? 37:18 - What Makes Something “Anomalous”? 41:30 - Would We Even Recognize an Alien Spaceship?