Could aliens reach Earth? This is what physics says

Jun 1, 2026 | 13:06 IST

Imagery likely derived from an infrared sensor aboard a US military platform operating within the US Central Command area of responsibility in 2023

The Pentagon’s UFO files have reignited interest in strange sightings and interstellar travel

On May 22, 2026, the Pentagon released a second batch of declassified photos and videos showing what appear to be unexplained flying objects. But to assess the plausibility of alien visitors, it’s necessary to understand the obstacles that an extraterrestrial vessel would need to overcome to reach Earth.

There is no evidence of alien life in our solar system. So visitors would likely have to come from another star system in the Milky Way. Proxima Centauri, the star closest to our Sun, is about 4.25 lightyears away. Since only a fraction of stars are thought to host intelligent life, the nearest alien civilization — if one exists — is surely much farther away than Proxima.

TOI

TOI

Could aliens reach Earth? This is what physics says

The Pentagon’s UFO files have reignited interest in strange sightings and interstellar travel

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TOI

Could aliens reach Earth? This is what physics says

The Pentagon’s UFO files have reignited interest in strange sightings and interstellar travel

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