Six mysterious metal orbs that washed up on an Australian beach are likely space junk that rained down from outside of the earth’s atmosphere, experts said.
Queensland beachgoers were mystified by the beach ball-sized spheres that came ashore last week, with some suspecting extraterrestrial origins.
Experts said they are likely rocket parts from a recent launch by another nation that didn’t burn up when re-entering the atmosphere.
“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 in a July 5 Facebook post.
“Queensland emergency responders have assessed and recovered the objects and determined them to be safe,” the agency said.
ASA has reached out to other agencies to formally confirm the details of the launch, officials said.
There are more than 30,000 manmade objects in orbit — and around half of them are out-of-control space junk, according to a recent report from engineering supply firm Accu.
Space objects often fall back to earth, but most land in a controlled location or burn up in the atmosphere, the ASA said.
But if you happen upon junk from the stars — steer clear.
“Never touch, move or recover suspected space debris and assume it to be hazardous until advised otherwise. Move away and contact emergency services,” the agency warned.
