Chilean Astronomer's UFO Rant Sparks Global Debate: Fairy Tales or Fact?
- Cristina Gomez
- Apr 5
- 4 min read
In an unexpected clash between established astronomy and unexplained phenomena, Chilean scientist José Maza Sancho has ignited a firestorm of debate after publicly dismissing the existence of UFOs during a Chilean congressional environmental hearing.
Chilean Astronomer Mocks UFOs
José Maza Sancho, a prominent Chilean astronomer often compared to Neil deGrasse Tyson in South America, sparked controversy during what was meant to be a routine environmental Chilean hearing before the Chamber of Deputies Committee on the Environment on February 27, 2025. The decorated scientist, who holds a doctorate in astrophysics from the University of Toronto and has been a professor at the University of Chile since 1968, responded dismissively when Deputy Cristóbal Martínez unexpectedly asked whether the Las Campanas Observatory had ever observed a “flying saucer.”
Maza’s response was unequivocal. “No, we have never seen anything. In reality, that’s a joke,” he stated before elaborating on the vast distances between Earth and the nearest planets, explaining that reaching even Alpha Centauri would take humans thousands of years. He then compared belief in UFOs to children’s fairy tales: “It’s a joke, absurd. Now I don’t know, this is like a fairy tale. Santa Claus with the reindeer flying. Flying reindeer!”
The exchange quickly went viral across Chilean media outlets including T13 and BioBio. In a subsequent interview with Mega on March 27, Maza attempted to clarify his position, expressing surprise that such a question would be posed during a formal congressional committee meeting. “If they had asked me that question in a hallway, it would have seemed absolutely natural to me,” he explained, adding that he viewed the moment as “an opportunity” to express his belief that UFOs “don’t exist.”
This wasn’t Maza’s first dismissal of UFO evidence. When previously asked about the significant U.S. congressional hearings of July 2023, the astronomer had questioned why David Grusch was permitted to testify, suggesting that “Superman and Santa Clause are concepts much more real than an alien series.”
Many observers find Maza’s position increasingly outdated in 2025, as governments worldwide actively investigate unexplained aerial phenomena with military footage, radar data, and multiple sensor confirmations documenting objects performing physics-defying maneuvers. Critics point out the irony that Maza — author of a book titled “We Are Stardust” who studies phenomena including dark energy and cosmic expansion — seems unwilling to consider concepts like wormholes or technologies beyond current human comprehension.
Defense Against Drones Act
Meanwhile, in the United States, Representative Tim Burchett has introduced the Defense Against Drones Act, legislation that would grant Americans legal authority to neutralize drones flying below 200 feet over their property using legally registered shotguns. The bill includes a mandatory reporting requirement to the Federal Aviation Administration within 60 days of any successful drone neutralization.
Burchett’s proposal comes in response to constituent reports of unauthorized drone surveillance over private residences in East Tennessee, coinciding with Tennessee National Guard documentation of similar aerial incursions over military installations. The legislation intersects with Burchett’s established advocacy for UAP disclosure and government transparency.
Recent events in New Jersey have highlighted regulatory gaps between local law enforcement capabilities and federal aviation regulations. Sheriffs in Morris and Somerset Counties have documented large-scale drones operating in coordinated V-formations during early morning hours near critical infrastructure, including military facilities, Morris County Airport, and former President Trump’s Bedminster golf course. Local law enforcement has found itself constrained by federal regulations, unable to take action without explicit FAA authorization — a limitation that has generated anxiety, especially after incidents where medical helicopters faced landing delays due to unidentified craft.
The drone industry has responded critically to Burchett’s proposal. Casie Ocaña of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International points to documented misidentification of conventional aircraft as drones in New Jersey, while DRONELIFE editor-in-chief Miriam McNabb emphasizes drones’ vital roles in emergency medical deliveries, utility inspections, and law enforcement operations.
Texas Real Estate Company Investigates UFOs
Meanwhile, Austin-based Bramlett Real Estate recently analyzed 6,000 UFO reports submitted to the National UFO Reporting Center since 1995, finding that Houston leads Texas with 472 documented cases, followed by Austin with 378 reports and San Antonio with 312 sightings. At the county level, Harris County tops the list with 541 reported sightings.
Despite expectations that populated urban areas would see more activity than rural regions, West Texas emerged as a significant UFO hotspot, likely due to its exceptionally dark skies and minimal light pollution. Communities surrounding military installations like the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Tarrant County also reported substantial UFO activity, many later identified as experimental aircraft or military drones.
The real estate company’s research serves multiple purposes, demonstrating their deep knowledge of Texas communities while generating social media attention and tapping into a unique marketing angle — some property buyers apparently consider UFO activity when choosing where to live.
The divide between Maza’s scientific dismissal and growing documentation of aerial anomalies reflects a broader tension in how we approach the unexplained. As military sensors capture objects performing impossible maneuvers and legislators draft new airspace protections, the question isn’t just about what flies above us — it’s about institutional willingness to investigate phenomena that don’t fit neatly into current understanding. The coming years will likely determine whether established science can adapt to mounting evidence or if progress will come from outside traditional academic circles entirely.
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