Tuesday 28 October 2025 11:43 GMT Japan’s Hayabusa2 capsule carrying asteroid samples returns to Earth A new study has established a strong link between mysterious "star-like" flashes observed in 1950s sky surveys and above-ground nuclear weapons testing. Researchers analysed historical photographs from the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS-I), taken between 1949 and 1957, prior to the launch of Sputnik . The study found that these transient flashes were 45 per cent more likely to be observed on dates within a day of a nuclear weapons test. The number of these transient flashes also increased in correlation with independent reports of unidentified flying object ( UFO ) sightings. Scientists suggest that undocumented atmospheric phenomena, potentially triggered by nuclear detonations or related fallout, could be responsible for these flashes and serve as a stimulus for some UAP reports. In full Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/space-1950s-ufo-mystery-light-b2853658.html