About this episode
Linda Moulton Howe returns to discuss the scientific analysis of the mysterious "Arts Parts" allegedly from the 1947 Roswell crash. The materials, submitted anonymously to Art Bell, undergo rigorous testing at a major Western university using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The investigation reveals perfect squares measuring exactly six millimeters by six millimeters, each weighing precisely 160 milligrams, composed of what appears to be greater than 99% pure aluminum. However, a significant weight discrepancy emerges when metallurgist calculations suggest the pieces should weigh only 97 milligrams, indicating the presence of additional material. Silicon granules embedded in the aluminum surface raise questions about manufacturing processes or impact damage. While the testing cannot confirm extraterrestrial origins, the uniformity and precision of the samples challenge conventional explanations for scrap metal. The mystery deepens as scientists prepare for additional analysis to determine what accounts for the unexpected weight.