A mysterious signal detected in the vicinity of Papua New Guinea on January 8, 2014, initially sparked speculation about extraterrestrial origins. While a bright fireball streaked across the sky and materials were discovered in the ocean, a seismic signal recorded on Manus Island during the same event raised eyebrows. However, experts now suggest a more mundane explanation.
Johns Hopkins planetary seismologist Benjamin Fernando and his team analyzed the seismic data and concluded that the signal resembled characteristics of a truck passing by, rather than those of a meteor. Their findings, to be presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in March, highlight the signal's alignment with a nearby road.
Moreover, additional data from facilities in Australia and Palau, originally designed to monitor nuclear test sound waves, further supported the terrestrial explanation. By incorporating these recordings, Fernando's team refined the estimated location of the atmospheric event, indicating a spot 100 miles away from the initial region.
Regarding the recovery of materials from the ocean floor in 2023, Fernando clarified that the fragments were likely not related to the meteor. The team's paper, titled "Probably Not Aliens: Seismic Data Analysis from the 2014 'Interstellar Meteor,'" dismisses the alien theory as overstated and erroneous. They also cast doubt on the extraterrestrial origin of the recovered material due to poor localization.
Despite the disappointment of debunking the alien theory, Fernando's team emphasizes the possibility of retrieving meteoritic fragments from the ocean floor. However, they assert that the evidence does not support the notion of extraterrestrial involvement in the 2014 event.
While the quest for extraterrestrial life continues, the focus remains on analyzing credible data and avoiding sensationalized claims. As NASA estimates a daily influx of meteoritic material to Earth, ongoing research may shed light on the mysteries of the cosmos.