Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • Give to Trent
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • The Colleges of Trent
  • Alumni
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore
Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events
  3. Do UFOs really exist? Trent Research Scientist Helps Provide an Answer

Do UFOs really exist? Trent Research Scientist Helps Provide an Answer

January 14, 2015
Share This Story

Dr. R. Bastian Georg appears in an upcoming episode of new documentary series UFOs Declassified

Do UFOs really exist? Trent Research Scientist Helps Provide an Answer

To help solve a mystery for an episode of UFOs Declassified, show producers came to Trent University to speak with Dr. R. Bastian Georg, a senior research scientist at Trent’s world-class Water Quality Centre.

UFOs Declassified, a new documentary series that recently debuted on the History Channel, investigates former classified top secret files on unexplained UFO sightings and alien encounters, using hard scientific evidence to try to establish what really happened.

Dr. Georg is a specialist in the analysis of trace metal concentrations and isotopic ratios in environmental, biological, and geological samples. He was approached by the show’s producers to help identify two pieces of newly-found debris from an alleged UFO crash site.

“An initial analysis of the material indicated that magnesium was part of the chemical composition,” Dr. Georg explains. “Magnesium has three stable isotopes, whose proportion can potentially tell us whether the material is terrestrial or whether it comes from outer space.”

“The show’s producers hoped that measuring the isotope composition would prove whether or not the artifacts were of extraterrestrial origin,” Dr. Georg said. “They were aware that I have experience doing this type of research including the analysis of meteorites from space.”

The episode casts a spotlight on Trent’s acclaimed Water Quality Centre. “The Water Quality Centre has an impressive array of instruments that allowed us to do the very specific and very accurate analysis that was required,” Dr. Georg said, pointing out that the name of the centre is misleading because “we can analyze almost anything: rock samples, mineral samples, biological tissue samples, even meteorites.”

As for the results of his analysis, Dr. Georg is being coy. “I can tell you it’s not a soda or beer can, but whether or not it’s extraterrestrial, well, you’ll have to wait until the episode airs to find out.”

The UFOs Declassified episode featuring Dr. Georg and Trent University’s Water Quality Centre is scheduled to air on the History Channel at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30.

Find other stories about: Research, Sciences, Water Quality Centre

Share This Story

You Might Also Like

Photo of two women sitting at high table in dining hall

Business, Forensics Joint Major Student Wins National Fessenden-Trott Scholarship

Group of varsity lacrosse players wearing white jerseys celebrate on field.

Four Trent Excalibur Lacrosse Players Named Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association All-Canadians

Fish forever video title

Trent Researchers, First Nations Investigate ’Forever Chemicals’ in Freshwater, Food

Trent University Logo

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishnaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

The Campaign For
Momentous
Action Research Leadership Debate Performance Connection Discovery Ideas Places Stewardship Support Possiblity

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • @ Copyright 2025 Trent University