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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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· 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 Pearland
The appointment of Avi Loeb to lead the new White House UFO council may have implications for the Houston area, given the region's strong connection to the aerospace industry. As home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston has a high concentration of scientists and engineers who may be interested in Loeb's work on unidentified anomalous phenomena. The city's proximity to military bases and defense contractors may also make it a hub for discussions about the national security risks posed by UFOs. Additionally, the presence of top-ranked universities in the area, including the University of Houston and Rice University, could provide a pool of local experts who may be called upon to contribute to Loeb's research or provide alternative perspectives on his findings. As Loeb's team begins its work, it will be worth watching to see how his efforts are received by the local scientific community and whether his research has any tangible impacts on the Houston area.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Collin Binkley, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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