For thousands of years humans have been asking questions about the Universe. Apparently the Universe has a few questions for Earth too! Recently the James Webb Space Telescope photographed a giant question mark in space. But what does it mean?

According to an interview with the European Space Agency in Space.com, the photo shows two young stars forming, “1,470 light-years from Earth in the Vela Constellation. In the image, the stars, named Herbig-Haro 46/47, are surrounded by a disk of material that ‘feeds’ the stars as they grow for millions of years.” However, it is the shape spotted below it that is raising questions. There appears to be a giant question mark in space! A representative of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which manages the telescope, said, “It is probably a distant galaxy, or potentially interacting galaxies.” Scientists explain that it probably is a coincidence that it is shaped like a question mark. Some even speculate that it is a case of pareidolia, which is the human ability to perceive specific shapes in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.

However, this Dog Ufologist has my own theories as to what the reason is behind the galactic question mark! Although various marks have been used as punctuation through time to indicate what was written as a question, historians believe that the question mark as we recognize it today started to be used regularly in the 13th century. Now the James Webb Space Telescope is often referred to as a “time machine” because of its ability to look billions of years into the past. Remember, depending on where a star is located, it can take billions of years for its light to reach the Earth. So perhaps this is a message sent long ago by Ancient Aliens? The television series by that same name shares many theories on how early humans were helped by extraterrestrials. Maybe a group of extraterrestrials wanted to send 13th century humans a message, and used a symbol that they would recognize, not realizing the intergalactic messaging service would take so long to send it?

Or maybe it isn’t a question at all. Maybe they are surprised that after centuries of trying, humans have finally created something that, if only vaguely, matches their technology? The James Webb Telescope took over two decades to build, using a process filled with trial and error. After all, this is the first satellite to survive the trip this far out in the universe that can capture such clear images. Maybe the extraterrestrials are surprised that we are finally somewhat catching up to them?

Or perhaps, the reason for this question mark in a galaxy far, far away is a lot more relatable than we realize? Humans are always wondering why UFOs are visiting our planet. Perhaps the extraterrestrials who sent this question mark are a bit put off that we’ve turned the tables and are now spying on them! I don’t blame them. We get a little unnerved when we see UFOs darting across the sky and wonder what they are up to. Why would aliens be any different? They could be concerned about our intrusion into their space with the James Webb Telescope.

Or even more radical theory is what if we are wrong and the extraterrestrials don’t have all the answers? What if they are looking to us for the answers to their questions?

Regardless of which of my theories are true, this is an exciting time to be a Dog Ufologist, because maybe someday my questions will be answered! After all, this is only the first year of the James Webb Space Telescope. I look forward to seeing what other images the telescope sends back on its 20 year mission 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away from Earth.

Image of the question mark taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, J. DePasquale (STScI), CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)

I do hope the extraterrestrials aren’t waiting for an answer. Because if they are waiting for one from me, it may take awhile to figure out their question!