Chilean Astronomer Dismisses UFOs as “Absurd” at Congressional Hearing
Alien Life & UFO/UAPs
Friday 4th, April 2025
3 minute read.
Santiago, Chile - A recent Chilean Congressional hearing took an unexpected turn when a question about unidentified flying objects (UFOs) was posed to a renowned astronomer. The inquiry prompted a strong response, with the scientist dismissing the idea of extraterrestrial visitors as "absurd".
The exchange took place late last month during a meeting of Chile's Chamber of Deputies Committee on the Environment. The primary focus of the hearing was the potential impact of an industrial project on a nearby observatory. However, Deputy Cristóbal Martínez took the opportunity to ask astronomer José Maza about the UFO phenomenon.
Martínez acknowledged the unconventional nature of his question, stating with a laugh that "everyone wants to know" the truth about UFOs. He then asked, "have you ever seen, I don't know how to say it, a flying saucer?" However, Maza did not share the amusement of those present.
"We have never seen anything", the astronomer responded, firmly rejecting the notion of extraterrestrial visitors. He described the idea as "a joke".
Maza explained that the vast distances between planets made interstellar travel unfeasible. He cited the example of Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth, which is approximately 38 trillion kilometres away. According to Maza, a journey to Alpha Centauri using current technology would take around 40,000 years.
His comments quickly gained attention on social media in Chile, a country where interest in UFOs remains high. Despite the viral reaction, Maza later clarified that he was not annoyed by the question but found it surprising in such a formal setting.
Maza reiterated his firm stance on UFOs, expressing his concern about widespread misinformation on the subject. "You actually see so much, so much, both in all the media about UFOs, tarot, numerology," he said. "For me, it was an opportunity, being able to be in a very important place to make us see that we don't really know anything about UFOs, because they don't exist, period."
The astronomer's remarks have reignited debate on the subject in Chile, where the government has previously investigated reports of unidentified aerial phenomena. While Maza remains steadfast in his scepticism, UFO enthusiasts continue to argue that unexplained sightings warrant further scientific inquiry.
The exchange took place late last month during a meeting of Chile's Chamber of Deputies Committee on the Environment. The primary focus of the hearing was the potential impact of an industrial project on a nearby observatory. However, Deputy Cristóbal Martínez took the opportunity to ask astronomer José Maza about the UFO phenomenon.
Martínez acknowledged the unconventional nature of his question, stating with a laugh that "everyone wants to know" the truth about UFOs. He then asked, "have you ever seen, I don't know how to say it, a flying saucer?" However, Maza did not share the amusement of those present.
"We have never seen anything", the astronomer responded, firmly rejecting the notion of extraterrestrial visitors. He described the idea as "a joke".
Maza explained that the vast distances between planets made interstellar travel unfeasible. He cited the example of Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth, which is approximately 38 trillion kilometres away. According to Maza, a journey to Alpha Centauri using current technology would take around 40,000 years.
"It's absurd that aliens would make such an arduous journey simply to scare someone and leave," he remarked. To further emphasise his scepticism, Maza compared belief in UFOs to "the fantastical tales of Santa Claus' flying reindeer and Peter Pan."
His comments quickly gained attention on social media in Chile, a country where interest in UFOs remains high. Despite the viral reaction, Maza later clarified that he was not annoyed by the question but found it surprising in such a formal setting.
"I was a little surprised that in the formality of a meeting of a committee of the Chamber of Deputies, they asked me the question," he said. However, he stated that in a more casual setting, such an inquiry would have been "absolutely natural."
Maza reiterated his firm stance on UFOs, expressing his concern about widespread misinformation on the subject. "You actually see so much, so much, both in all the media about UFOs, tarot, numerology," he said. "For me, it was an opportunity, being able to be in a very important place to make us see that we don't really know anything about UFOs, because they don't exist, period."
The astronomer's remarks have reignited debate on the subject in Chile, where the government has previously investigated reports of unidentified aerial phenomena. While Maza remains steadfast in his scepticism, UFO enthusiasts continue to argue that unexplained sightings warrant further scientific inquiry.
