Out of this world: Mystery space orbs found on beach
The Australian Space Agency has identified the “likely source” of mysterious silver orbs that washed up on a Queensland beach over the weekend.
Suspected space debris has been found on Australian shores for a third day as authorities work to remove the mysterious and potentially hazardous metallic objects.
Queensland authorities have set up exclusion zones around Forrest Beach, north of Townsville in the state’s north, after passers-by found six unidentified metallic balls scattered around the area.
Queensland Fire and Rescue is working with agencies such as police and Australia’s national space agency to safely remove the objects.
Several objects washed up over multiple days. Photo: AAP
Emergency services were first alerted to the strange discovery of three suspected bits of space debris, some resembling shiny orbs, on Friday. A fourth was found on Saturday.
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Fire crews on Sunday confirmed two more had been found.
Five of the objects have been secured into drums, with specialist scientists working to secure the final one.
A 50-metre exclusion zone remains active in the area.
“The recovered objects appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle. The agency has identified the likely source. The objects’ location and characteristics are consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere from orbit,” the Australian Space Agency said later on Monday.
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“The agency is continuing to engage with international authorities to formally confirm the launch vehicle and launching state.”
Locals have been reassured there is no danger to the community and police are not investigating the incident.
However, people have been urged to immediately call triple zero if more objects turn up unannounced.
“Further debris may be found. Never touch, move or recover suspected space debris and assume it to be hazardous until advised otherwise. Move away and contact emergency services,” the ASA said.
Most space debris either lands on Earth in a controlled manner or burns up on re-entry into the atmosphere. But the ASA said it sometimes survived an uncontrolled return, making it difficult to predict where it would end up.
The items could come from a variety of space objects, including satellites or launch vehicles.
Similar looking balls have previously appeared on Australian shores, with one found in far north Queensland in 2023. Another fell from the sky onto remote grassland in Namibia in 2011.
Anyone who discovers space debris is advised to contact local authorities.
-AAP
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