Photos: Mysterious metallic spheres washing up on Australian beach identified
Residents were warned to stay away from any spheres that may wash up and report them to authorities immediately.
FILE: Space debris washes ashore an Australian beach
The Australian Space Agency said after an extensive analysis it believes the giant metallic object is a solid rocket motor casing.
QUEENSLAND, Australia– The mysterious silver spheres that have been washing up on a beach in Australia recently were identified, after concern spread that the objects could be dangerous.
The objects first started appearing on Forrest Beach in North Queensland, prompting the Queensland Fire Department to tell Australians that they were working with partner agencies to identify the spheres.
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One of the silver spheres found on Forrest Beach in north Queensland.
(Queensland Fire Department/X / FOX Weather)
The fire department said a specialist science team had already secured "a number" of the mystery spheres through the weekend, and put a 50-meter exclusion zone around them.
Residents were warned to stay away from any spheres that may wash up and report them to authorities immediately.
The Australian Space Agency came forward on Sunday, alerting Queensland officials that the silver spheres were harmless space debris.
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"The recovered objects appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle," Australian Space Agency said in a social media post. "The objects’ location and characteristics are consistent with debris from a foreign rocket body that recently re-entered the atmosphere from orbit."
The spheres were determined to come from a space launch vehicle.
(Queensland Fire Department/X)
The agency said they were working with international authorities to confirm which launch vehicle the debris came from.
Australian Space Agency said the objects were deemed safe, but more debris may wash up on shore.
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If it does wash up, the agency said to not touch, move or take the object and assume it to be hazardous until proven otherwise.
The spheres were identified as space debris.
(Queensland Fire Department/X / FOX Weather)
The agency said to follow these steps when space debris is found:
- Do not handle the debris. Space objects are built from a range of materials that may be hazardous. They should only be handled by appropriately trained and equipped professionals.
- Contact the local authorities. If the situation is potentially urgent (e.g. there is a life-threatening situation), contact 000. Otherwise, contact the 24/7 Police Assistance Line for further advice.
- Notify the Australian Space Agency, who may support authorities with technical expertise, liaise with foreign counterparts and operators, and advise on our treaty obligations.
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