IM1 'BeLaU' spherules expedition.
disputedscientific_anomalyScientific Instrumentation & Sensor Data
2023 Pacific seafloor recovery of ~700 sub-mm spherules; Loeb claims 5 'BeLaU' (Be-La-U) ones are extrasolar. Heavily disputed as cosmic/terrestrial/coal-ash.
In June 2023 a Loeb-led team aboard the Silver Star (funded ~$1.5M by Charles Hoskinson) used a magnetic sled to recover ~700 spherules near Papua New Guinea. Five showed an unusual beryllium-lanthanum-uranium ('BeLaU') pattern claimed as likely extrasolar. Critics counter the pattern matches ordinary cosmic spherules, Antarctic micrometeorites, and coal fly-ash, and a 2025 study attributed the locating seismic signal to a passing truck. Loeb's peer-reviewed version softened 'extrasolar' to 'unknown origin.'. **Replication status:** contested · rebutted 4 ways — Loeb 'BeLaU' spherules (Chemical Geology 2024) rebutted independently: seismic signal was a truck (Fernando, GJI); Fe isotopes = Solar System >99.995% (Desch); Be/La/U = coal fly ash (Gallardo); no spatial correlation with the bolide. Consensus skeptical.