The Pentagon has released its second batch of declassified UFO files, including audio recordings of Apollo 12 astronauts describing unexplained 'streaks of light' they observed during their 1969 mission. The files, part of the Department of War's Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE), were released on May 22, following an earlier tranche on May 8.
Core Facts
The newly declassified materials include audio from a post-mission medical debrief where Apollo 12 crew members—Commander Charles 'Pete' Conrad, Command Module Pilot Richard 'Dick' Gordon, and Lunar Module Pilot Alan L. Bean—discussed flashes and streaks of light they saw while trying to sleep in the darkened spacecraft. The astronauts described the phenomena as appearing in their peripheral vision, with some suggesting the lights were internal rather than external. The files also include other UAP-related documents, such as videos of a UAP shootdown over the Great Lakes and reports from Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who described similar flashes during his mission.
Deeper Context
The Department of War, in collaboration with the Director of National Intelligence, has been leading the effort to declassify UAP-related records under a directive from President Donald Trump. The latest release includes over 60 items, ranging from documents to military videos and transcribed accounts. The files aim to provide transparency on unresolved UAP encounters and historical documents.
Scientific Explanations
Scientists later ruled that the flashes observed by the Apollo 12 crew were likely caused by cosmic rays striking the retina or internal eye phenomena, rather than external light sources. This explanation aligns with similar observations made by Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission, where mission doctors considered cosmic rays as a potential cause for the flashes he reported.
Broader Implications
The release of these files has sparked renewed interest in UAP encounters and the government's role in investigating them. While some reports suggest the phenomena may have extraterrestrial origins, the declassified materials primarily focus on unexplained but potentially natural or human-made anomalies. The Pentagon's efforts to declassify these records reflect a broader trend toward transparency in UAP investigations.