Would NASA Conceal an Extragalactic Life Discovery?

One person can keep a secret. Anymore than that and it will get out. Could NASA, with a global audience and vast resources, choose to hide such a monumental discovery without undermining its own credibility? The answer is likely a resounding no.

How NASA Handles Discoveries

NASA has a history of not hiding its discoveries, especially ones that capture the public's imagination. Imagine the prizes, books, congressional funding, and media exposure that such a revelation would bring. NASA would shout it from the rooftops, not just because of the accolades but also to secure continued funding and public support.

Consider the case of the SOHO UFOs. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) takes photos of our sun every 12 minutes. In the 1980s, strange shapes resembling giant winged forms and large “craft” were observed. Instead of openly discussing these sightings, NASA initially downplayed their significance and compared it to the Pentagon's previous stance on UFOs. Whistleblowers later brought to light the Pentagon's ongoing research into UFOs, which further emphasized the futility of attempting to conceal such information.

The Public and Extraterrestrial Life

The public's trust in NASA is already questionable due to other controversies, making it even less likely for them to hide a potential find. NASA is a publicly funded governmental organization, and any significant discovery must be released to the public within 24 hours, unless it pertains to national security. For example, they recently released a statement about detecting ammonia in the upper atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan. This is an indicator of possible bacterial life, but NASA's cautious approach is typical of their protocols.

It's important to note that "life" can mean many things. It doesn't exclusively imply little green men with tentacles. Bacterial life, for instance, would be a significant discovery that could rewrite our understanding of biology and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.

Security and Public Perception

Some might argue that immediate public disclosure could cause chaos or panic. However, NASA has never denied the possibility of extraterrestrial life. They continue their research, fostering a culture of scientific exploration and discovery. Gemini-tailed comets, ammonia in the upper atmosphere of Titan, and other discoveries have already been released, setting a precedent for transparency.

So, if the James Webb Telescope discovers extragalactic life, it is highly unlikely that NASA would attempt to hide the information. The societal and scientific benefits of revealing such a discovery far outweigh any potential risks, especially given NASA's history of transparency and public engagement.