AARO's Supplement to ORNL's Analysis of a Metallic Specimen

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All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office
Supplement to Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Analysis of a Metallic Specimen
July 2024
Overview
In 2022, The All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) contracted with Oak Ridge
National Laboratory (ORNL) to conduct materials testing on a magnesium (Mg) alloy specimen.
This specimen has been publicly alleged to be a component recovered from a crashed
extraterrestrial vehicle in 1947, and purportedly exhibits extraordinary properties, such as
functioning as a terahertz waveguide to generate antigravity capabilities. In April 2024, ORNL
produced a summary of findings documenting the laboratory’s methodology to assess this
specimen’s elemental and structural characteristics, available on AARO’s website.
ORNL assessed this specimen to be terrestrial in origin and that it does not meet the theoretical
requirements to function as a terahertz (THz) waveguide. AARO concurs with ORNL’s
assessment and provides this supplementary material to add historical context to account for its
likely origin. The specimen’s characteristics are consistent with Mg alloy research and
development projects and experimental manufacturing methods in the mid-20th century.
ORNL Materials Testing
AARO contracted with ORNL to conduct materials measurements to determine:
• Whether this specimen is of terrestrial origin.
• Whether this specimen could serve as a THz waveguide.
ORNL measured the isotopic ratios of Mg and lead (Pb) in the specimen and compared the
values against mass standards. A material’s isotopic composition can provide valuable
information about its origin and history. The specimen’s Mg isotopic composition falls within
the expected values for a terrestrial material that has undergone kinetic fractionation, suggesting
likely terrestrial origin. Its Pb isotopic ratio is consistent with ratios found in terrestrial lead,
further supporting this conclusion. ORNL found the isotopic composition of this material to be
unremarkable. The specimen’s Mg and Pb ratios fall within the standard values for
manufactured materials, indicating that it is not a unique or unusual material.
Elemental and structural analysis can help determine whether a structure has the characteristics
of a waveguide. A waveguide is a structure that bounds and directs the propagation of waves.
Waveguides are instrumental to many technologies. ORNL measured the specimen’s top layer’s
elemental composition and crystal structure and found bismuth (Bi) colocated with nearly equal
parts Pb. High-resolution elemental mapping shows repeating layers of Bi and Pb banding
throughout the specimen and zinc (Zn) concentration varying from 1-4 wt%. Structural analysis
shows columnar Mg grains perpendicular to the Bi and Pb banding.