List of reported UFO sightings

This is a list of notable reported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related claims of close encounters or abductions. UFOs are generally considered to include any perceived aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified or explained. Upon investigation, most UFOs are identified as known objects or atmospheric phenomena, while a small number remain unexplained.^[2]^[3]^[4] UFOs have been referred to using a range terms including the more specific "flying saucer" and the more general "unidentified anomalous phenomena" (UAP). The term "UAP" is sometimes used to avoid cultural associations with UFO conspiracy theories.^[5]^[6]^[7]

^
- NUFORC has collected over 100,000 UFO reports spanning decades. The most common description was of "lights" in the sky, and many UFOs were of an "unknown" or "unspecified" shape. Others included: cubes (16), cones (600), crosses (491), teardrops (1221), and stars (138).
- Arranz, Adolfo (24 December 2017). "Are we alone?". South China Morning Post. Infographics by Pablo Robles. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- "UFO Report Index by Shape of Craft". National UFO Reporting Center. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
^ Prothero, Donald; Callahan, Timothy (10 August 2017). UFOs, Chemtrails, and Aliens: What Science Says. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0253026927. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
^ Sheaffer, Robert (8 September 1998). UFO Sightings: The Evidence. Prometheus Books. ISBN 978-1573922135. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
^ Barnes, Julian E. (28 October 2022). "Many Military U.F.O. Reports Are Just Foreign Spying or Airborne Trash". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
^ Becket, Stefan (14 September 2023). "What are UAPs, and why do UFOs have a new name? - CBS News". CBS News. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
^ "UFOs or UAPs: What's the difference and why are people talking about them?". BBC Newsround. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
^ Markham, Devan (12 January 2024). "UFO vs. UAP: What's the difference?". News Nation. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

[1] 
NUFORC has collected over 100,000 UFO reports spanning decades. The most common description was of "lights" in the sky, and many UFOs were of an "unknown" or "unspecified" shape. Others included: cubes (16), cones (600), crosses (491), teardrops (1221), and stars (138).
Arranz, Adolfo (24 December 2017). "Are we alone?". South China Morning Post. Infographics by Pablo Robles. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
"UFO Report Index by Shape of Craft". National UFO Reporting Center. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.

[2] NUFORC has collected over 100,000 UFO reports spanning decades. The most common description was of "lights" in the sky, and many UFOs were of an "unknown" or "unspecified" shape. Others included: cubes (16), cones (600), crosses (491), teardrops (1221), and stars (138).

[3] Arranz, Adolfo (24 December 2017). "Are we alone?". South China Morning Post. Infographics by Pablo Robles. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.

[4] "UFO Report Index by Shape of Craft". National UFO Reporting Center. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.

[Prothero-2] Prothero, Donald; Callahan, Timothy (10 August 2017). UFOs, Chemtrails, and Aliens: What Science Says. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0253026927. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.

[Scheaffer-3] Sheaffer, Robert (8 September 1998). UFO Sightings: The Evidence. Prometheus Books. ISBN 978-1573922135. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.

[Barnes-4] Barnes, Julian E. (28 October 2022). "Many Military U.F.O. Reports Are Just Foreign Spying or Airborne Trash". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.

[5] Becket, Stefan (14 September 2023). "What are UAPs, and why do UFOs have a new name? - CBS News". CBS News. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

[6] "UFOs or UAPs: What's the difference and why are people talking about them?". BBC Newsround. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

[7] Markham, Devan (12 January 2024). "UFO vs. UAP: What's the difference?". News Nation. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]