The question of whether humanity is alone in the universe has fascinated scientists for generations, but few have pursued an answer as publicly or as controversially as Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb. While most researchers argue that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, Loeb believes advanced alien civilisations may already have left technological traces in our cosmic neighbourhood and that scientists should investigate those possibilities with an open mind rather than dismiss them outright.

A polarizing Harvard astronomer has been appointed to lead a White House panel studying UFOs

Avi Loeb, a cosmologist who studied black holes and served as head of Harvard’s astronomy department until 2020, has been appointed to lead a White House panel studying UFOs.