Description:

    This is an object of technology developed by an alien civilization.  It could be an ancient artifact far in advance of any civilization currently extant, or it could be the leftovers from one of your current competitors.  Each alien artifact is different, and thus each one provides data for development in different categories, and has different limitations.  It is not always necessary to examine such an artifact in-situ; the smaller ones (small enough that you're able to transport it on a space ship) can be taken to an established research facility and add the Alien Artifact trait and one particular alien artifact to the facility.
    It is quite possible to capture alien hardware to examine.  For example, after a battle between ships, there might be some pieces of the losing ship left over to be taken onboard by the winner and brought to a research facility to be examined.