What is The Phenomenon?

UAP stands for "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena". It's a term used to describe objects detected in the air, sea, and space that defy easy explanation. The acronym stood for "unidentified aerial phenomena" until December 2022, when the Pentagon updated its terminology to encompass "submerged and trans-medium objects".

By definition, unidentified anomalous phenomena are just that — unidentified. But generally, the term refers to objects spotted by pilots or detected by sensors that cannot be immediately explained. Hundreds of military and commercial pilots have reported UAP encounters. Many end up having prosaic explanations —they turn out to be weather balloons, drones, or small aircraft— while others remain shrouded in mystery. UAPs are the modern-day equivalent of what was previously known as UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects). They encompass phenomena that cannot be readily explained by conventional means and continue to intrigue both scientists and the public alike. Some UAPs defy conventional flight dynamics and remain unidentified even after close scrutiny by experts.

The U.S. government currently has two entities dedicated to UAP (or UFO) data collection and analysis: NASA's UAP independent study team and the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. 

It's important to note that while UAPs often spark discussions about extraterrestrial life, the Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study group found no evidence that UAPs are "extraterrestrial," but said a small subset of reported encounters still defy explanation.