Alien Sightings: Analyzing the Surge in UFO Reports

For centuries, people have been reporting sightings of mysterious objects in the sky — unidentified flying objects (or UAP, as it’s now commonly known). These events continue to captivate the public's imagination. In April 2023, alien sightings gained traction on social media after a Las Vegas family contacted emergency services, claiming a UFO had crashed near their home, and two aliens were spotted hiding in the shadows. However, the authenticity of their report remains unverified, which is a typical scenario.

In reality, no UFO sighting has ever been conclusively proven to involve aliens. So, if these objects aren't from another planet, what exactly are people seeing in the skies, and might tracking the locations of frequent sightings offer us any answers?

That's exactly what Matt, Ben, and Noel from "Stuff They Don't Want You To Know" asked themselves, which led them to explore it in this episode. Let’s take a closer look.

What Are These Aerial Phenomena Like?

UFOs frequently appear as aerial phenomena that challenge simple explanation. Descriptions vary, with many reports highlighting objects shaped like saucers with brilliant lights or glowing orbs. Witnesses often describe strange flight patterns and remarkable speeds during their encounters.

Here are some common descriptions of these mysterious objects.

Flying Discs

Flying saucers, a classic and widely recognized phenomenon, are typically described as having a flat, disc-shaped or oval form, resembling two pie plates stacked together. These objects are often associated with a metallic or glowing surface that reflects sunlight in a way that makes them highly noticeable.

Reports of sightings sometimes describe rotating sections, a pulsating bright light, or an otherworldly aura that moves at astonishing speeds.

Cigar-Shaped UFOs

These UFOs are usually long and cylindrical, often compared to airships but without any traditional means of propulsion. Observers frequently note their steady, unchanging motion, with some reports claiming that they hover silently at times. Their lack of wings, propellers, or visible engines tends to leave witnesses puzzled.

Triangular UFOs

Recognized for their unique three-cornered shape, these UFOs are often described as black or dark in hue, making them highly noticeable against the backdrop of the night sky.

Many reports describe their movement as silent, with slow and deliberate navigation. Lights, usually white or red, are often reported at the corners, occasionally pulsating or changing intensity.

Spherical/Orb UFOs

Spherical UFOs are typically recognized for their simple, yet mysterious, ball-like form, often emitting light. These objects are frequently observed to move in erratic patterns, abruptly stopping, starting, and changing direction.

Some reports describe them displaying playful behavior, darting away when approached.

Coordinated Light Patterns

This involves several lights, often of different colors, moving in synchronized formations across the sky. Observers sometimes report these lights creating shapes, splitting apart, or merging, indicating a possible level of coordinated behavior.

They frequently defy conventional flight patterns, adding to their enigmatic nature.

Earliest UFO Sightings

The accounts of the first UFO sightings in North America are unclear. Some sources suggest the first mysterious aerial craft appeared in Portland, Oregon, in 1905, while others point to Massachusetts Bay Colony founder John Winthrop describing UFOs above 17th-century Boston.

One thing is clear: The UFO phenomenon shows no signs of fading. Over 120,000 sightings have been reported since the early 1900s, as recorded by the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC), with a significant increase in reports since the 1980s. In that decade, there were roughly 5,000 reports; by 2010, the number had surged to 45,000.

To date, more than 170,000 UFO reports have been filed since NUFORC's inception in 1974.

What could explain such a dramatic rise? And more importantly, where are these sightings taking place? It turns out that UFO sightings are notably more frequent in the United States and Canada, with 2,500 sightings reported per 10,000 people. The highest concentration is in California, which reported 16,000 sightings between 2001 and 2017.

The California Connection

Why California? Could it be because the renowned alien enthusiast Tom DeLonge from Blink-182 resides there? Perhaps, but more likely, it's due to the state's vast size; with 38 million people, it is so large that proposals to split it into two or even three new states have been floated several times.

California also features an expansive coastline, perfectly positioned to spot unusual lights or objects suspended over the ocean. (Perhaps intelligent beings from other planets are just as captivated by the ocean as we are?)

In addition to its geographic advantages, California holds significant connections to the U.S. government (and we all know how secretive Big Brother can be, particularly when it comes to alien research). The state is home to 41 known military installations, and likely even more covert ones. Plus, it shares a border with Nevada, where the government controls vast tracts of land for testing purposes.

Mistaking UFOs for New Tech

Could it be that some — or perhaps all — of these sightings are simply the result of secret military or private-sector technology tests?

And on the subject of technology, we are surrounded by gadgets these days. Is it possible that something as commonplace as a drone could be mistaken for a UFO? With blinking lights, some drones can reach altitudes of 70,000 feet (21,336 meters).

In 2020, U.S. dealers purchased more than $1.25 billion worth of consumer drones, making them a significant factor to consider when examining UFO reports.

These theories may offer some potential answers to a perplexing question, but UFO sightings have been recorded since ancient times, and there’s still a lot we don’t understand. Could these objects just be advanced government technology like stealth bombers, high-altitude reconnaissance planes, or even zeppelins? Or are they simply airborne "crafts" such as hot-air balloons or Chinese lanterns?

If that's not the case, could these sightings actually be extraterrestrial visitors trying to reach out? You’ll need to listen to the podcast to hear what the hosts think.

Unidentified Flying Objects Get a Government Rebrand

The term "UFO" has been in use since the 1950s to label sightings of unexplained objects in the sky. The U.S. government and various agencies frequently utilized this term in their reports and investigations into such occurrences.

In recent years, particularly around 2017, a secret Pentagon initiative investigating UFO sightings was unveiled, and a shift in terminology emerged, with the term "UAP" (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) gaining prominence.

This new term aimed to offer a more neutral, scientifically broad description, moving away from the extraterrestrial and speculative connotations often tied to the word "UFO."

In December 2022, the term evolved again, this time to "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena." This broadened the scope even further, now covering unexplained events not only in Earth's atmosphere but also in outer space and marine settings, signaling a more holistic approach to studying these enigmas.