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The original was posted on /r/ufos by /u/showmeufos on 2026-07-08 19:19:21+00:00.
The Naval Postgraduate School has published a special issue of CTX titled “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Science and Analysis.” The letter from the editors blurb about it is below.
"Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) is the modern term used for what was traditionally known as Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The term UAP first appeared in the late 1960s and, in recent decades, has gradually replaced UFO in US official and scientific contexts.1 This shift reflects an effort to move away from the culturally loaded, stigmatized, and often limiting connotations of UFO toward a more inclusive and precise definition. Unlike the earlier term, UAP encompasses reported anomalous detections across multiple domains, rather than being confined to aerial observations alone. For decades, both trained observers and members of the public have reported objects exhibiting unusual and often unexplained characteristics. These observations have captured widespread attention. For some, national security concerns, safety, and scientific inquiry drive interest; for others, fascination centers on the possibility of unknown technologies or even extraterrestrial origins, reflecting a more speculative and curious approach to what may exist beyond our current understanding. Regardless of motivation, the undeniable reality is that UAP represent a phenomenon of growing significance and interest, making it essential to approach the topic with rigor, without stigma, and guided by evidence-based inquiry. Growing institutional legitimacy has repositioned UAP from a marginal topic to a subject of serious inquiry. Organizations such as the US Department of Defense, the US Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and leading academic institutions (both within the United States and equivalent organizations internationally) have dedicated significant resources and personnel to studying these phenomena and addressing critical knowledge and analysis gaps. Sustained public interest and congressional hearings have reinforced transparency and accountability, helping normalize the study of UAP as a credible area for scientific and policy inquiry and encouraging more rigorous, open reporting and investigation. Recognizing the importance of this complex subject area, the US Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), in close partnership with the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), presents this inaugural special issue, which centers on integrating scientific methodologies into the study of UAP. Its goal is to highlight the importance of UAP through a focused, systematic, evidence-based approach; encourage stigma-free reporting and dialogue; examine current gaps and challenges; and promote collaborative strategies for the United States, its allies, and partner nations to advance rigorous study and best practices in addressing these phenomena.
The issue opens with a Foreword by Dr. Michael Hesse, who offers valuable insights into the challenges of UAP, the NPSAARO umbrella initiative, and effective strategies to address them. In our CTX Interview, AARO Director Dr. Jon Kosloski provides a firsthand perspective on the organization’s mission, priorities, and strategic direction in advancing UAP-related efforts. Dr. Randy Bostick discusses the importance of data vetting and accessibility in the study of UAP, emphasizing the need for high-quality datasets, rigorous standards, and well validated methodologies. Next, Kaylin Hagopian and Dr. Joshua Shank examine event-based sensing as an emerging technology for detecting, tracking, and characterizing UAP, highlighting its potential as a promising addition to the monitoring toolkit near military ranges, sensitive facilities, high-traffic air spaces, and other areas of critical infrastructure. In the following essay, Drs. Artem Bilyk and Kyrylo Nikolaiev share lessons learned and best practices for addressing UAP-related challenges during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. They underscore that studying UAP in the modern era is not only a matter of national security and defense but also a complex challenge for contemporary science. Finally, J. Kevin Ryan provides a practical guide for everyday observers on capturing UAP events at night, emphasizing the critical role of citizen scientists in reporting and documenting them. Our next call for papers is right around the corner. If you are interested in UAP-related topics and have valuable insights to share, we encourage you to visit the website for more information: https://nps.edu/web/ccht/ forthcoming-call-for-papers We express our sincere appreciation to all special issue contributors, including the editorial board, the CTX team, and our dedicated readers."
The full PDF version is available here: https://nps.edu/documents/110773463/165192597/CTX-EAG-Special-Issue-2026.pdf