Last year, an unidentified object flew dangerously close to a SpaceX Crew capsule. Some experts said it must have been ice from liquid oxygen in the rocket, but SpaceX or Nasa never gave a confirmation. Photo: SpaceX
Last year, an unidentified object flew dangerously close to a SpaceX Crew capsule. Some experts said it must have been ice from liquid oxygen in the rocket, but SpaceX or Nasa never gave a confirmation. Photo: SpaceX
Earlier this week, China said its enormous Sky Eye telescope may have received signals from “alien civilisations”, but then later deleted the report. Photo: China news service Qu Honglun
Earlier this week, China said its enormous Sky Eye telescope may have received signals from “alien civilisations”, but then later deleted the report. Photo: China news service Qu Honglun
Last month, social media was abuzz with news that a Nasa rover had found an “alien door” on Mars. But, experts said the formation was a narrow, naturally-occurring crevice in the rocky, barren terrain. Photo: Nasa / Curiosity rover
Last month, social media was abuzz with news that a Nasa rover had found an “alien door” on Mars. But, experts said the formation was a narrow, naturally-occurring crevice in the rocky, barren terrain. Photo: Nasa / Curiosity rover
Earlier this year, images of a “mystery hut” on the Moon’s far side went viral. Photo: CNSA
Earlier this year, images of a “mystery hut” on the Moon’s far side went viral. Photo: CNSA
They were taken by China’s Yutu 2, a robotic lunar rover that landed on the Moon in early 2019. The structure certainly had a strange shape and baffled many social media users. Photo: CNSA
They were taken by China’s Yutu 2, a robotic lunar rover that landed on the Moon in early 2019. The structure certainly had a strange shape and baffled many social media users. Photo: CNSA
But, after driving for two weeks, the rover got close enough to the mystery object to take clearer images of it. Turns out, it was just a rabbit-shaped rock. Photo: CNSA
But, after driving for two weeks, the rover got close enough to the mystery object to take clearer images of it. Turns out, it was just a rabbit-shaped rock. Photo: CNSA

Weekend

Five space mysteries, from UFOs to ‘alien door on Mars’

People are often puzzled by mysterious sightings in the sky, but experts say there is often a simple explanation

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

June 17, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The mysteries of space have confounded and astounded humankind throughout history.

The relentless search for answers to the secrets in the skies has inspired the world to put feet on the Moon and continue to embark on journeys into space to deepen our understanding of the universe around us.

The thirst for knowledge was further fuelled by sightings of flying objects and what appeared to be messages from other galaxies.

Earlier this week, China claimed to have received mysterious signals from what could be an “alien civilisation”, but then deleted the report.

Recently, Nasa formed an independent team of researchers that will study sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena, a term now used by the space agency to refer to UFOs (unidentified flying objects).

Thousands of UFO reports are filed each year from people around the world, although Nasa has never referred to any of these sightings as “aliens”.

Scientists say these sightings often have a simple explanation. But for some, incidents are still an enigma.

The National lists five of the strangest space mysteries reported over the years.

Unidentified object flies past SpaceX crew capsule

Last year, an unidentified object flew dangerously close to a SpaceX Crew Capsule.

The object streaked past the spacecraft only minutes after it had separated from its Falcon 9 rocket booster.

The unusual event was caught on camera and took the internet by storm, with many users spooked by the incident.

Some experts said it must have been ice from liquid oxygen in the rocket, but neither SpaceX or Nasa confirmed this assertion.

Minutes before the object flew past their capsule, astronauts on the spacecraft were asked to put their suits on immediately and secure themselves into their seats.

China receives signals from 'alien civilisation'

Earlier this week, China said its enormous Sky Eye telescope may have received signals from “alien civilisations”.

A report was published by China’s Science and Technology Daily on June 14, which was later deleted without explanation.

But the news quickly went viral and was trending on Twitter, with news organisations around the world reporting the findings.

The signals were picked up by China’s Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope, also called Sky Eye, the largest radio telescope in the world.

It has been searching for extraterrestrial life since 2019 by scanning for radio signals in deep space.

Zhang Tongjie, head scientist at China Extraterrestrial Civilisation Research Group, said that the signals could have been some kind of radio interference, and that more research was needed.

A ‘doorway’ on Mars?

Last month, social media was abuzz with news that a Nasa rover had found an “alien door” on Mars.

Some of the pictures that were circulating online were very convincing, but they were zoomed in significantly, which made the “door” appear larger than it is.

Last month, social media was abuzz with news that a Nasa rover had found an 'alien door' on Mars. Photo: Nasa / Curiosity rover
Last month, social media was abuzz with news that a Nasa rover had found an 'alien door' on Mars. Photo: Nasa / Curiosity rover

Experts said the formation was a narrow, naturally occurring crevice in the rocky, barren terrain, according to AP.

The images were taken by the Curiosity rover, which was investigating a region on Mount Sharp on Mars, an area that could hold further evidence that shows the planet was once wet and then dried out.

Nasa’s Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars last year, is searching for signs of ancient life.

‘Mystery hut' on the Moon

Earlier this year, images of a “mystery hut” on the Moon’s far side went viral.

They were taken by China’s Yutu 2, a robotic lunar rover that landed on the Moon in early 2019.

The structure certainly had a strange shape and baffled many social media users.

But after driving for two weeks, the rover got close enough to the mystery object to take clearer images of it.

Turns out it was only a rabbit-shaped rock.

The rover’s team described it as a ‘jade rabbit’, a figure from Chinese mythology that lives on the Moon.

Mysterious radio signals from centre of our galaxy

Last year, scientists were puzzled after unknown radio signals were being received from the centre of the Milky Way.

There were several signals recorded in the past year, but astronomers were unable to find the source.

A study in the Nature Journal suggests that they could have been coming from hidden planets.

Exoplanets: 10 terrifying worlds in our galaxy — in pictures

WASP-12b is a planet that will be destroyed by its parent star in 10 million years. The star is so hot that it is tearing apart the planet’s atmosphere, with the extreme gravity causing giant tidal forces that are stretching the planet into the shape of an egg. All photos: Nasa
WASP-12b is a planet that will be destroyed by its parent star in 10 million years. The star is so hot that it is tearing apart the planet’s atmosphere, with the extreme gravity causing giant tidal forces that are stretching the planet into the shape of an egg. All photos: Nasa
AU Microscopii b is constantly blasted with deadly X-rays and other radiation from its star. The gas giant exoplanet takes 8.5 days to complete one orbit around its star. It was discovered in 2020.
AU Microscopii b is constantly blasted with deadly X-rays and other radiation from its star. The gas giant exoplanet takes 8.5 days to complete one orbit around its star. It was discovered in 2020.
KELT-9b was discovered in 2017 and has a mass nearly three times bigger than Jupiter, but is only half as dense as the planet. It has a dayside temperature of more than 4,315°C and orbits a star (pictured) that is almost twice as large and hot as the Sun, which blasts the planet with high levels of ultraviolet radiation.
KELT-9b was discovered in 2017 and has a mass nearly three times bigger than Jupiter, but is only half as dense as the planet. It has a dayside temperature of more than 4,315°C and orbits a star (pictured) that is almost twice as large and hot as the Sun, which blasts the planet with high levels of ultraviolet radiation.
Kepler 16b is a rocky planet that orbits two stars. It lies in a habitable zone, where liquid water could exist.
Kepler 16b is a rocky planet that orbits two stars. It lies in a habitable zone, where liquid water could exist.
PSR B1257+12 b was discovered in 1994 and is described by scientists as “one of the creepiest ones”. It orbits a pulsar – a rapidly rotating neutron star, which is the dense core of a massive star that exploded. The planet, like any other the orbits a pulsar, is inhospitable and is bombarded with constant radiation from its star.
PSR B1257+12 b was discovered in 1994 and is described by scientists as “one of the creepiest ones”. It orbits a pulsar – a rapidly rotating neutron star, which is the dense core of a massive star that exploded. The planet, like any other the orbits a pulsar, is inhospitable and is bombarded with constant radiation from its star.
GJ 504 b is four times the size of Jupiter and is 57 light-years away from Earth. Nasa reports that this world is still glowing from the heat of its formation and its colour would appear as a dull magenta.
GJ 504 b is four times the size of Jupiter and is 57 light-years away from Earth. Nasa reports that this world is still glowing from the heat of its formation and its colour would appear as a dull magenta.
TYC 8998-760-1 b is a brown dwarf that was formed so recently, its powerful glow can be detected by ground-based telescope. Nasa classifies this planet as a brown dwarf, meaning it is considered neither a star or a planet, and somewhere in between.
TYC 8998-760-1 b is a brown dwarf that was formed so recently, its powerful glow can be detected by ground-based telescope. Nasa classifies this planet as a brown dwarf, meaning it is considered neither a star or a planet, and somewhere in between.
55 Cancri e is a lava planet. Its surface is uninhabitable as it is covered in molten lava. The sky in this world sparkles when the surface lava reflects on the dark side of the planet. Only one side of the planet faces the star, the other is completely dark.
55 Cancri e is a lava planet. Its surface is uninhabitable as it is covered in molten lava. The sky in this world sparkles when the surface lava reflects on the dark side of the planet. Only one side of the planet faces the star, the other is completely dark.
TOI-849 b was discovered in 2020. The planet’s atmosphere is being stripped away because it is so close to its parent star. It is 40 times the mass of Earth and has little or no atmosphere. Surface temperature on the planet is about 1,500°C.
TOI-849 b was discovered in 2020. The planet’s atmosphere is being stripped away because it is so close to its parent star. It is 40 times the mass of Earth and has little or no atmosphere. Surface temperature on the planet is about 1,500°C.
Kepler-10b is another lava world, which orbits too closely to its star. Daytime temperatures on this planet are more than 1,371°C – hotter than the lava on Earth.
Kepler-10b is another lava world, which orbits too closely to its star. Daytime temperatures on this planet are more than 1,371°C – hotter than the lava on Earth.
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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

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MWTC

Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.

While you're here
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%E2%80%9D%20flexible%20Amoled%2C%202412%20x%201080%2C%20394ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%20Corning%20Gorilla%20Glass%205%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MediaTek%20Dimensity%207200%20Pro%2C%204nm%2C%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2014%2C%20Nothing%20OS%202.5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2050MP%20main%2C%20f%2F1.88%20%2B%2050MP%20ultra-wide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3B%20OIS%2C%20EIS%2C%20auto-focus%2C%20ultra%20XDR%2C%20night%20mode%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2030fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2060fps%3B%20slo-mo%20full-HD%20at%20120fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%3B%2050%25%20in%2030%20mins%20w%2F%2045w%20charger%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Google%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fingerprint%2C%20face%20unlock%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP54%2C%20limited%20protection%20from%20water%2Fdust%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual-nano%20SIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%2C%20milk%2C%20white%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nothing%20Phone%20(2a)%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%2C%20pre-applied%20screen%20protector%2C%20SIM%20tray%20ejector%20tool%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%20(UAE)%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh1%2C199%20(8GB%2F128GB)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C399%20(12GB%2F256GB)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars

While you're here
Match info

Uefa Champions League Group H

Juventus v Valencia, Tuesday, midnight (UAE)

No Shame

Lily Allen

(Parlophone)

'Panga'

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

South Africa squad

: Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.

STAR%20WARS%20JEDI%3A%20SURVIVOR
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Respawn%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electronic%20Arts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20Playstation%205%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20X%20and%20S%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
the pledge

I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance

I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice

I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own

I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself

I pledge to live in harmony with my community

I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness

I pledge to do my part to create peace for all

I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community

I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity

Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL

Al Nasr 2

(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)

Shabab Al Ahli 1

(Jaber 13)

All%20The%20Light%20We%20Cannot%20See%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

Interview
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Try out the test yourself

Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).

'Jurassic%20World%20Dominion'
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Colin%20Trevorrow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Sam%20Neill%2C%20Laura%20Dern%2C%20Jeff%20Goldblum%2C%20Bryce%20Dallas%20Howard%2C%20Chris%20Pratt%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

Opening weekend Premier League fixtures

Weekend of August 10-13

Arsenal v Manchester City

Bournemouth v Cardiff City

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Huddersfield Town v Chelsea

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester United v Leicester City

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Southampton v Burnley

Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Updated: March 10, 2023, 7:43 AM`
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