Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 13
August 10, 2023
August 9, 2023
5 Things We Can’t Stop Thinking About Following the UFO Hearings
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Unless you were living under a rock, you probably know how groundbreaking July was surrounding the conversation of life outside of our planet. Retired military veterans testified before Congress to discuss unidentified flying objects (UFOs), dubbed unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) by the U.S. government. The public hearing featured striking testimony from retired Major David Grusch.
In 2019, Grusch was working for the National Reconnaissance Office, which is responsible for spy satellites. He testified that he was asked to lead a government task force on UAP sightings, according to Time.
Following the hearing, there seemed to be more questions than answers about a potential cover-up of extraterrestrial life. Below are five things that we can’t stop thinking about following the earth-shattering hearing.
1. The Government Takes UAP Sightings Very SeriouslyThe government does not take sightings of UAPs lightly due to their potential impact on national security. Some concerns arise that these sightings may involve unknown aerial surveillance technology developed for spying purposes.
Navy pilots and other American military forces have reported hundreds of occurrences of flying objects moving in unusual ways, just in the past few years! This includes making directional changes in a manner that current technology does not support. It also includes stopping so abruptly that the g-forces involved would be lethal to any humans on board. Three years ago, the Pentagon released video evidence of three Navy sightings of UAPs, acknowledging the existence of these unusual flying objects.
2. “Non-Human” Activity for Nearly a Century?!During the hearing, Grusch revealed that he was told about a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse engineering program. As for whether the government knew of the existence of extraterrestrial life, Grusch said the United States has known about “non-human” activity since the 1930s. However, he also said that he was “denied access” to the actual program.
3. The Pentagon Denies a Cover UpIn response to Grusch’s claims, Sue Gough from the Department of Defense said the Pentagon has not found “any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently.”
She added, “The Department is fully committed to openness and accountability to the American people… DoD is also committed to timely and thorough reporting to Congress.”
4. What Were Those “Brutal” Retaliatory Tactics?When Grusch decided to make the information public, he asserted that he faced punishment for being a whistleblower but refrained from disclosing specific details about the retaliatory actions taken against him. He testified: “It was very brutal and very unfortunate, some of the tactics they used to hurt me both professionally and personally.”
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'_pAQRdWOS_t-tRWWKHXKqg',sig:'Bod9ecyNWmN5_TtX9-N5qXrSZ6lrRPVswpVhphYV3A8=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1556766003',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});Rep. Burchett asked Grusch if he knew anyone who had possibly been harmed in their efforts to conceal knowledge of alien technology. Grusch stated he knew “multiple colleagues” who were injured in relation to UAP activities.
5. Congress May Also be in the DarkGrusch, who was under oath, did not reveal detailed information during the hearing because he said the information was classified. However, he insisted the government was concealing UAP information from Congress as well as the general public.
Still itching for more UFO content? Be sure to checkout out our UFO Roundup for some of the most out-of-this-world stories of 2023!
By Noelle Talmon, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!Source: 5 Things We Can’t Stop Thinking About Following the UFO Hearings
August 8, 2023
Is This Whale The Heaviest Animal Ever?
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
It is an oft-repeated and well-known fact that blue whales are the largest animal in the world — but a recent discovery in Peru means they may possibly no longer be the heaviest.
Here’s everything you need to know about the prehistoric whopper that dwarfs modern-day cetaceans (at least in bulk).
How Big Are Blue Whales?In the waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, adult blue whales can grow up to 90 feet long and weigh more than 100,000 pounds! And these aren’t even the biggest ones. Individuals in the Antarctic measure upwards of 110 feet and pack 330,000 pounds. Such massive animals also enjoy long lives, boasting lifespans of 80 to 90 years.
That said, history tells of record-breaking outliers, including one blue whale that came in at a mind-boggling 418,878 pounds. Gargantuan? Absolutely! But even this record-breaker has nothing on an ancient whale recently discovered in the Peruvian desert.
The Colossal Whale From PeruMore than a decade ago, Mario Urbina of the University of San Marcos’ Natural History Museum in Lima stumbled upon a jaw-dropping find. An animal with such behemoth bones that it took scientists years to excavate and remove them. The steep, rugged slopes of the Ica Desert did little to aid this endeavor.
Why dig in a desert for marine animal bones? Because once upon a time, the area sat submerged beneath the waves of an ancient ocean still revealing surprising marine fossils. After researchers finished their excavation, they realized they had something huge on their hands — literally.
An ancient whale from Peru, known as Perucetus colossus, could be the largest animal ever recorded, scientists say https://t.co/z61W607g1F pic.twitter.com/uL7KJkwTQM
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 3, 2023
Urbina and his team recovered 13 of the whale’s vertebrae, a hip bone, and four rib bones. The vertebrae tipped the scales at roughly 220 pounds each, and the ribs measured approximately five feet long!
Researchers waited until this year to officially release information about the new species. Christened Perucetus colossus, the scientific moniker translates as “the colossal whale from Peru.”
“Different From Anything We Know”As for its description, Hans Thewissen of Northeast Ohio Medical University sums it up best: “It’s just exciting to see such a giant animal that’s so different from anything we know.” Alberto Collareta of Italy’s University of Pisa seconds Thewissen’s sentiments, noting, “[The bones] are unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
Of course, these declarations beg the question. With only a handful of bones to its name, how do scientists “know” so much about the Perucetus colossus?
How Did Scientists Measure the Extinct Animal?It took creative investigative work. For starters, they used a 3D scanner to peer beneath the surface of the bones, providing valuable insights.
Next, they relied on comparisons of modern mammal anatomy and scale ratios to estimate its ultimate weight and size. What did they discover? A mighty big critter! Their calculations pointed to an animal that weighed approximately 188,000 pounds at its low end. In other words, the smallest examples of Perucetus colossus were around the same weight as today’s blue whales.
But when it comes to the really big ones? There’s nothing comparable on the planet today. At the high end of the scale, the “colossal whale from Peru” weighed 750,000 pounds. That’s more than twice as heavy as the extra-large blue whales found in the Antarctic, or the equivalent of around 63 African elephants at 12,000 pounds apiece.
Where the Ancient Whale Falls ShortDespite its insane girth, Perucetus colossus can’t compare to blue whales in one major area: length. Unlike today’s giants, the ancient whale stretched just 66 feet, meaning blue whales are still the planet’s longest animal.
What are some other differences worth noting? P. colossus’s bones proved far denser than those of blue whales, hence the tremendous weight. This suggests the animal stayed close to the seafloor, where it scavenged for food, not unlike contemporary manatees.
Credit: SpinoDragon145 Via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
What Did the Heaviest Animal Ever Eat?While the bones indicate the animal stuck to shallow coastal waters, it’s hard to say exactly what it ate. Why? Because researchers have yet to uncover a skull. Although some scientists speculate it may have devoured tons of krill (like blue whales) and other miniature sea creatures, not everyone’s convinced.
Thewissen elaborates, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing actually fed in a totally different way that we would never imagine.” When will we find out more about this hefty manatee-style cetacean? That depends on what the fossil record divulges in the coming years.
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait to learn more about today’s marine animals. Find a Ripley’s Aquarium near you and dive into adventure.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
August 7, 2023
August 6, 2023
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August 4, 2023
Ripley’s Round Trip: The Pyramid Puzzle
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
It’s no secret that the Egyptian pyramids of Giza are world-famous and beloved by all. But did you know that there are other pyramids around the world in places like Sudan or Mexico?
Today, we’re embarking on a thrilling round trip across the globe to explore this pyramid enigma plus some of the theories behind their construction.
Perplexing PyramidsEgypt is a treasure trove of pyramid wonders! Apart from the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Step Pyramid of Joser, there are several others that showcase the architectural mastery of ancient Egyptians.
Take, for instance, the Red Pyramid, built by Pharaoh Sneferu around 2600 BCE. This striking structure, named after the reddish hue of its limestone, is the third-largest pyramid in Egypt. It represents an early attempt at constructing a true smooth-sided pyramid. Then there’s the Bent Pyramid, also built by Sneferu and is believed to be the result of either an architectural miscalculation or an intentional design to ensure the pyramid’s stability.
The famous Bent Pyramid. Dahshur, Egypt
While there are many more Egyptian pyramids, we’re going to head south to the Nubian pyramids of Sudan. Believe It or Not! There are more pyramids in Sudan than there are in Egypt. The remarkable pyramids of Sudan showcase a distinct style. They have steep sides and smaller bases, setting them apart from their famous Egyptian neighbors. Each pyramid is adorned with intricate hieroglyphics and artwork, revealing the rich culture and history of the Kushite civilization.
Magnificent MesoamericaCrossing the ocean, we arrive in Mesoamerica, where the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations built awe-inspiring pyramids as well. Pyramids such as Chichen Itza in Yucatan peninsula or the Pyramid of the Sun and the Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacan. These colossal structures form the heart of lost cities, hiding secrets of a long-forgotten past.
The purpose of the pyramids at Teotihuacan is still a topic of debate among historians and archaeologists. It’s believed that they served as religious and ceremonial centers for the city’s inhabitants. The city was a hub of trade and commerce, with a thriving economy and a diverse population that included people from all over Mesoamerica.
Panorama of Pyramid of the Sun.
When you venture into the jungles of Guatemala, you’ll most likely discover the Tikal Temple Complex. Surrounded by lush rainforests, this site was once the thriving capital of a powerful Maya kingdom. Among the towering pyramids, is the Temple IV, the tallest structure in Tikal, standing at a whopping 213 feet. As you explore these giant pyramids rising above the canopy, you’ll feel like a true explorer.
Endless TheoriesWhat about the theories behind the emergence of pyramids all over the world? Well, there are some ideas that simply suggest that different cultures came up with pyramid-like structures on their own, based on their unique needs, resources, and styles. It’s like an ancient case of great minds thinking alike!
Another theory believes that pyramid-building spread from one civilization to another through trade, migration, or cultural exchange which you can think of as an ancient game of architectural telephone! Some theories focus on symbolism and religious beliefs and many ancient cultures have linked pyramids with a connection to the heavens or the divine.
And now, for the most out-of-this-world theory – aliens! Some believe that extraterrestrials were involved in pyramid construction, providing advanced technology or knowledge to the builders below. While it’s a fun and entertaining idea, there’s no credible evidence to support this claim. But hey, it makes for a great sci-fi story! Tell us your pyramid theories in the comments below.
Well, that’s a wrap on our epic pyramid excursion! We hoped you enjoyed learning that there are many different pyramids all over the world and perhaps more just waiting to be discovered so stay curious, and happy adventuring!
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
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