The European and Australian space agencies announced Tuesday that the strange object that washed up on Australia’s west coast was likely from outer space.

The copper-coloured cylinder washed up on the coast of Greenhead, 255 miles north of Perth. according to to CNN. According to CNN, amid a flurry of speculation online, the Australian Space Agency said “the object could be from a foreign space launch vehicle”, while Western Australian Police said the object was “space junk”. He admitted to the Space Agency’s suspicions that there was a high possibility that there was. .

We are currently making inquiries regarding this object on a beach near Jurien Bay, Western Australia.

The object may be from a foreign space launch vehicle and we are in contact with global counterparts who may be able to provide further information.

[More in comments] pic.twitter.com/41cRuhwzZk

— Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) July 17, 2023

Both agencies have warned citizens to stay away from the object, and police have promised to protect it until it is removed, CNN reports. “Because the object’s origin is unknown, the community should avoid handling or attempting to move the object,” said the Australian Space Agency. Said on Twitter. (Related: ‘The Cover-Up Is Over’: House Oversight Committee to Hold Hearings on UFOs)

Local residents reportedly pulled the object out of the water. “Sometime yesterday, I spotted a local woman and her partner floating in the water and dragged her out in a 4×4,” said local resident Garth Griffiths. Said Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The European Space Agency said the object likely fell from an Indian rocket launching a satellite. “Given its shape and size, we are confident that this is the upper stage engine of an Indian rocket used for various missions,” said Andrea Boyd, an engineer at the European Space Agency. Said Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

He also said the build-up of barnacles on the rocket meant it was probably not from this year, but from about 20 years ago.