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Harvard professor with polarizing alien theories is picked to lead new White House UFO council
By Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 30, 2026
· 5 min read
A polarizing Harvard astronomer known for splashy theories about alien visits has been tapped by the White House to lead a team of outside scientists to study the national security risks posed by UFOs.Avi Loeb, a cosmologist who studied black holes and served as head of Harvard’s astronomy depart...
Key takeaway It's part of President Donald Trump's push to declassify more information about the issue.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents with ties to the military may be particularly interested in the work of Avi Loeb, the Harvard astronomer tapped to lead the new White House UFO council. As home to several major military installations, including Lackland Air Force Base and Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio has a significant population of active and retired military personnel who may have encountered unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP, during their service. Loeb's team will be investigating the origins of these mysterious orbs and other objects reported by military personnel in recent years, which could have implications for national security and the safety of local military personnel. The fact that Loeb's team will be reporting to a new White House panel focused on UFOs suggests that the federal government is taking a more serious look at the issue, which could lead to increased transparency and disclosure about UAP sightings in the San Antonio area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A polarizing Harvard astronomer known for splashy theories about alien visits has been tapped by the White House to lead a team of outside scientists to study the national security risks posed by UFOs.Avi Loeb, a cosmologist who studied black holes and served as head of Harvard’s astronomy depart...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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