The Top 5 U.S. States with the Most UFO Sightings

  State UFO Sightings
1 California 23,940
2 Florida 12,181
3 Washington 8,328
4 Texas 8,153
5 New York 7,624
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 Special Report

Every Day There is a UFO Sighting in the United States

Polls by both professional and lay organizations have shown that approximately 12% of all North Americans believe they have seen a UFO. Given the population data available, this implies a very large number of UFO reports coming from all over the U.S.. UFO sightings are normally reported to MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) at Seguin, TX, and CUFOS (J. Allen Center for UFO Studies) in Chicago, IL, by a broad spectrum of the public, particularly through local law enforcement agencies. UFOs themselves, although officially a mystery, are reported by many highly responsible people, such as military and civilian pilots, air traffic controllers, law enforcement agents and scientists. In general, the public equates UFOs with alien visitation. However, there is no incontrovertible proof as of 2023 that there is a real connection as of yet. (a).

There are Plenty of Credible UFO Sightings but Most are Identifiable

Studies of UFO data routinely include reports of meteors, fireballs and other conventional objects. In many instances, observers fail to recognize stars, aircraft and bolides, and therefore report them as UFOs. Witnesses often report watching mysterious stationary flashing lights low on the horizon for hours and never conclude they are observing a star or planet. (a). Of all of the reported sightings however, between 5 and 25% (depending on the sample) remain unidentifiable to expert examination and these are the sightings that can be classified as true "Unidentified Flying Objects". (b).

In cases where colours of an object were reported by witnesses, the most common colour in 2008 was white. The next most common colour was multicoloured. Next in order were orange, yellow and red. Since most UFOs are nocturnal star-like objects, the abundance of white objects is not surprising. Colours such as red, orange, blue and green often are associated with bolides (fireballs). The multicoloured designation is problematic in that it literally covers a wide range of possibilities. This label has been used, for example, when witnesses described their UFOs as having white, red and green lights. Many of these are certainly stars or planets, which flash a variety of colours when seen low on the horizon. Aircraft also frequently are described as having more than one colour of light, such as flashing coloured wing lights. However, seen from a distance, aircraft will often be visible only as a moving white light. (a).

The best scientifically accepted definition of a UFO is probably that provided by the late astronomer J. Allen Hynek, who said that the UFO is simply "the reported perception of an object or light seen in the sky or upon the land the appearance, trajectory, and general dynamic and luminescent behavior of which do not suggest a logical, conventional explanation and which is not only mystifying to the original percipients but remains unidentified after close scrutiny of all available evidence by persons who are technically capable of making a common sense identification, if one is possible." (c).

“They [the flying saucers] were described as being circular in shape with raised centers, approximately 50 feet in diameter. Each one was occupied by three bodies of human shape but only three feet tall, dressed in metallic cloth of a very fine texture. Each body was bandaged in a manner similar to the blackout suits used by speed fliers and test pilots.” From the Guy Hottel memo (3-2-1950) found in the FBI Records: The Vault. (d).

The Most Intriging UFO Sightings in the United States

Unidentified flying objects,UFOs, or UAPs as it's now trendy to call them, have been a topic of fascination for decades or at least since we've had media available to report them to the masses. While many sightings can be explained as natural phenomena or aircraft, there are a number of cases that remain unexplained. Here are some of the most interesting UFO sightings in the US:

The Roswell Flying Disc Incident

The Roswell case is without a doubt the most famous UFO incident in the United States,and arguably the most famous incident throughout the whole world. In 1947, an object crashed near Roswell, New Mexico, and the military after claiming it had captured a "flying disk" bit then eventually changed the story to a weather balloon. However, many people believe that the object was actually a spacecraft and that the government covered it up. The Roswell incident has become a cultural phenomenon, with numerous books, documentaries, and even a TV series exploring the topic. Over the years, numerous credible witnesses have come forward claiming to have seen, been involved in, or investigated the Roswell incident. One of the most prominent of these people was Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist and UFO researcher who conducted extensive interviews with witnesses and investigated the incident in depth.

Friedman's interviews with witnesses were crucial in shedding light on the events that occurred in Roswell. He spoke with dozens of witnesses, including military personnel, scientists, and civilians who claimed to have seen or been involved in the recovery of the crashed spacecraft and the bodies of its occupants.

Friedman conducted numerous interviews with witnesses to the Roswell incident over the course of several decades. Friedman's interviews with Roswell witnesses began in the late 1970s, when he first became interested in the case. He continued to conduct interviews with witnesses well into the 2000s, and his research was instrumental in bringing attention to the Roswell incident and shaping public perceptions of the event.

Some of the key witnesses that Friedman interviewed included Jesse Marcel, who was a military officer stationed at Roswell Army Air Field at the time of the incident, and Glenn Dennis, a mortician who claimed to have seen alien bodies at the base. Friedman also spoke with numerous other military personnel, government officials, and civilians who claimed to have information about the Roswell incident.

Friedman's interviews with witnesses were a critical component of his research into the Roswell incident, and helped to establish the story of a crashed UFO and a government cover-up as a prominent and enduring UFO story. Friedman passed away in 2019, but his work on the Roswell incident and other UFO-related topics continues to be influential in the field of ufology.

Many of the witnesses described the recovered debris as being unlike any material they had ever seen before, with some claiming that it was indestructible and could not be burned, cut, or scratched. Others claimed to have seen the bodies of the alien occupants, which they described as being small, humanoid, and with large heads and eyes.

Friedman's interviews with witnesses helped to build a compelling case for the existence of extraterrestrial life and the government's cover-up of the Roswell incident. His work also helped to establish the Roswell incident as a seminal moment in UFO research and a touchstone for believers in the existence of alien life.

Despite the compelling testimony of witnesses like those interviewed by Friedman, the government has continued to deny any knowledge or involvement in the Roswell incident. However, the incident remains an important and fascinating moment in US history, and continues to capture the public's imagination decades after it occurred.

It Was a Flying Disk, Until Then It Wasn't

The press release issued by the US military following the Roswell incident has become one of the most controversial aspects of the event. On July 8th, 1947, the military issued a statement claiming that a "flying disc" had been recovered from a ranch near Roswell. The statement was widely reported in the media, sparking intense public interest in the incident.

However, just a few hours later, the military issued a second statement claiming that the debris was actually from a weather balloon, not a flying disc. The conflicting reports have led many to speculate that the government was involved in a cover-up, and that the true nature of the debris recovered at the crash site was being kept secret.

One piece of evidence that has been cited in support of this theory is a photograph that allegedly shows an officer holding a piece of debris with strange markings on it. The photograph, which was taken in the aftermath of the Roswell incident, has become a crucial piece of evidence for UFO researchers and enthusiasts.

The markings on the debris in the photograph have been the subject of intense speculation and analysis, with many suggesting that they are similar to those found on the Roswell Ramey memo. Some have suggested that the markings represent an extraterrestrial language or code, while others have proposed more mundane explanations, such as the debris being from a weather balloon or some sort of secret military project.

Despite years of analysis and debate, the true meaning of the markings on the debris in the photograph remains a mystery. Some skeptics have suggested that the photograph is a hoax or a misidentification, and point out that there is no concrete evidence linking it to the Roswell incident.

The Roswell Deathbed Confessions

In recent years, several individuals have come forward claiming to have inside knowledge of the Roswell incident, and have provided what are known as "deathbed confessions." These individuals, often former military or government personnel, claim to have been involved in the recovery and cover-up of the Roswell crash, and provide a wealth of new information about the event.

One of the most famous deathbed confessions came from a man named Walter Haut, who was a public information officer at the Roswell Army Air Field at the time of the incident. In a sworn affidavit signed shortly before his death in 2005, Haut claimed that the military had recovered a crashed UFO and the bodies of several extraterrestrial beings. He also claimed that he had been instructed by his superiors to issue the press release claiming that the debris was from a weather balloon, in order to cover up the true nature of the incident.

Other deathbed confessions have provided similar accounts of the Roswell incident, including claims of alien bodies being recovered and transported to secret military facilities. While skeptics have dismissed these confessions as the ramblings of elderly individuals seeking attention or notoriety, others have taken them seriously and used them as the basis for further investigation.

Despite the many unanswered questions surrounding the Roswell incident, it remains one of the most fascinating and enduring mysteries in UFO lore. The press release and the photograph of the debris with strange markings continue to capture the public's imagination, and to inspire new generations of UFO researchers and enthusiasts.

The Phoenix Lights

On March 13, 1997, residents of Phoenix, Arizona, reported seeing a series of lights in the sky that formed a V-shape. The lights appeared to be moving slowly and silently across the sky, and many witnesses claimed that they were not from any known aircraft. While the military later claimed that the lights were flares, many people remain skeptical and believe that the Phoenix Lights were a genuine UFO sighting. The lights were described as a V-shaped formation of bright, glowing orbs, which appeared to hover in the air before slowly disappearing from sight. Thousands of people witnessed the event, including police officers, military personnel, and even the governor of Arizona, Fife Symington.

Initially, the government and military denied any involvement or knowledge of the incident. However, in 2007, Symington revealed that he had personally witnessed the Phoenix Lights and believed that they were not of this world. He stated that the object was "bigger than anything [he] had ever seen" and that it "had a sort of a delta shape to it."

Symington's comments sparked renewed interest in the Phoenix Lights incident and put pressure on the government to release more information about the event. In response, the Air Force released a statement claiming that the lights were likely caused by flares dropped during a military training exercise.

However, many UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists remain unconvinced by this explanation, and believe that the government has covered up the true nature of the incident. Some have suggested that the Phoenix Lights were evidence of extraterrestrial life, while others have speculated that they were part of a secret government experiment.

The Lubbock Lights

The Lubbock Lights is a term used to describe a series of unusual sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) that occurred in Lubbock, Texas in August and September of 1951. The sightings were witnessed by numerous people, including professors and students from Texas Tech University.

The objects were described as being roughly the size of a dinner plate and having a bluish-green glow. They flew in a V-shaped formation and made no sound. Some witnesses reported seeing them change direction suddenly and move at incredible speeds.

The sightings received significant media attention at the time and were investigated by the US Air Force. The Air Force ultimately concluded that the objects were likely birds illuminated by city lights, but this explanation has been widely disputed by UFO enthusiasts and skeptics alike.

The Lubbock Lights remain one of the most famous UFO sightings in American history and continue to be a subject of fascination and debate among those interested in the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

The Kecksburg Incident

In 1965, a metallic object crashed in a wooded area near Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. Witnesses reported seeing a glowing object in the sky before it crashed, and many believe that it was a spacecraft. The military arrived on the scene and took the object away, but never explained what it was. The Kecksburg incident remains a popular topic among UFO enthusiasts, and many believe that the government covered up the true nature of the object. It took place on December 9, 1965, in the small town of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. That evening, numerous witnesses reported seeing a large, glowing object streaking across the sky and crashing into a wooded area just outside of town.

On the night of December 9th, 1965, something strange happened in the small town of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a bright object falling from the sky and crashing into the woods outside of town. What followed was a series of strange events that continue to capture the attention of UFO enthusiasts and researchers to this day.

One of the most interesting witnesses to the Kecksburg Incident was a local priest named Father William Brinegar. Brinegar was driving near the crash site when he saw the object fall from the sky and crash into the woods. Curious about what had happened, Brinegar drove to the scene of the crash and began to investigate. He was reportedly one of the first people on the scene, and witnessed military personnel already present and working to remove the object from the crash site.

Brinegar described the object as acorn-shaped, about the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, with a bronze, metallic appearance. He also reported seeing strange markings on the object, similar to hieroglyphics.

Brinegar wasn't the only witness to the incident, however. Several other locals reported seeing the object fall from the sky and crash in the woods, including several children who claimed to have seen the object up close. One of these children, Bill Weaver, has gone on record stating that he saw the object up close and that it was definitely not a meteor or any other natural phenomenon.

Another key witness was a reporter named John Murphy, who was working for the Tribune-Review newspaper at the time. Murphy arrived at the crash site shortly after the object had been removed, but he was able to interview several witnesses who had seen it up close. According to Murphy, many of these witnesses reported seeing strange markings on the object, similar to hieroglyphics.

Despite the accounts of multiple witnesses, the military and other authorities involved in the incident maintained that it was simply a meteor that had crashed in the woods. However, many people remain skeptical of this explanation, citing the strange circumstances surrounding the incident and the level of secrecy and intimidation used by military personnel at the scene.

Complicating matters further is the fact that the object was quickly removed from the crash site and taken away, leading many to speculate about where it was taken and what happened to it. Some researchers believe that it was taken to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, which has long been rumored to be a storage site for crashed UFOs and other mysterious objects.

Recently, there has been renewed interest in the Kecksburg Incident, thanks in part to new eyewitness accounts and leaked documents. In 2019, an eyewitness named Stan Gordon came forward with a new account of the incident. According to Gordon, he was contacted by a man who claimed to have been a military photographer at the scene of the crash. The photographer reportedly showed Gordon a series of photographs that he had taken of the object, which were later confiscated by military personnel.

In addition to these new eyewitness accounts, leaked documents have also shed new light on the incident. In 2020, a document was released by the Defense Intelligence Agency that appeared to confirm the presence of military personnel at the Kecksburg crash site. While the document does not provide any details about what was found at the site, it has given hope to those who believe that the truth about the Kecksburg Incident is still out there waiting to be discovered.

Despite years of investigation and speculation, the truth about what really happened that night in Kecksburg remains elusive. Theories and rumors continue to circulate.

The Battle of Los Angeles

The Battle of Los Angeles, also known as the Great Los Angeles Air Raid, is an event that occurred during World War II on February 24-25, 1942. In the early hours of February 25, a large number of anti-aircraft artillery batteries in the Los Angeles area began firing at what were believed to be enemy aircraft.

The event was prompted by a false alarm and reports of a possible Japanese attack following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Despite numerous eyewitness accounts of enemy planes in the skies over Los Angeles, no aircraft were ever confirmed and no bombs were dropped.

The event caused widespread panic and confusion in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, and resulted in significant damage from friendly fire. In total, over 1,400 rounds of anti-aircraft ammunition were fired during the incident, with several people killed and many more injured as a result of the barrage.

Following the incident, the US government initially claimed that a Japanese aircraft had indeed been sighted over Los Angeles and that the barrage had been successful in shooting it down. However, this explanation was later retracted, and the official position became that the incident was a false alarm caused by war nerves and a weather balloon.

The Battle of Los Angeles remains a subject of fascination and debate among historians and UFO enthusiasts. Some have suggested that the incident was evidence of extraterrestrial activity, while others have speculated that it was a cover-up for a more sinister government operation.

Many people have reported seeing unidentified flying objects in the skies over Los Angeles during the incident, adding to the speculation that the event involved more than just a false alarm. Some eyewitnesses claimed that the objects they saw were much larger and faster than any known aircraft of the time, and that they appeared to be unaffected by the barrage of anti-aircraft fire.

Despite the many theories and speculation surrounding the incident, however, the true cause of the event remains unclear. It is possible that the barrage was simply the result of a false alarm and wartime jitters, or it may have been a more complex event with hidden motivations and agendas.

One of the most iconic images associated with the Battle of Los Angeles is a photograph that appeared in the Los Angeles Times the day after the incident. The photograph, which shows a searchlight beam focused on a mysterious object in the night sky, quickly became a symbol of the confusion and fear that characterized the event.

The photograph was taken by a Times photographer named Tom Kelley and was widely circulated in newspapers and magazines across the country. While the object in the photograph has been described as everything from a Japanese bomber to a UFO, its true identity remains a mystery.

Some experts have suggested that the object may have been a weather balloon or other type of experimental aircraft, while others have pointed to the possibility of optical illusions or other atmospheric phenomena. However, despite extensive investigation and analysis, no conclusive explanation for the object in the photograph has ever been reached.

The UFO speculation surrounding the Battle of Los Angeles has continued to capture the public imagination for decades. While it may not provide definitive evidence of extraterrestrial activity or government cover-ups, it remains an important symbol of the fear and confusion that characterized the event and the wider social and cultural context of World War II.

The Stephenville Lights

In 2008, residents of Stephenville, Texas, reported seeing a series of bright lights in the sky that they described as being "bigger than a football field." The lights appeared to be moving quickly and silently, and many witnesses claimed that they were not from any known aircraft. The sightings were investigated by the military, but no explanation was ever given. The Stephenville Lights remain one of the most intriguing UFO sightings of the 21st century.

The Washington Sightings

In 1952, a series of UFO sightings occurred in Washington, DC. The sightings were reported by both civilians and military personnel, and even the White House was reportedly briefed on the incidents. The military responded by sending fighter jets to investigate the objects, but they were unable to catch them. While the military later claimed that the objects were weather balloons or a temperature inversion, many people remain skeptical and believe that the Washington sightings were a genuine UFO encounter. The Washington sightings, also known as the Washington flap, took place over several consecutive nights in July 1952. The events were witnessed by many people, including pilots, air traffic controllers, and military personnel. The sightings began on the night of July 12, 1952, when an air traffic controller at Washington National Airport spotted several unidentifiable objects on his radar screen. The objects were moving too fast and erratically to be conventional aircraft, and several pilots in the area reported seeing bright lights in the sky.

Over the next few nights, more sightings were reported, with witnesses describing seeing up to seven objects in the sky at one time. The objects were described as large, glowing, and disc-shaped. They appeared to hover in the air, and then suddenly accelerate and disappear from sight.

The sightings gained national attention, and the US Air Force launched an official investigation into the events. The investigation, known as Project Blue Book, concluded that the sightings were likely caused by a combination of temperature inversions and misidentified aircraft. However, many UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists believe that the government covered up the true nature of the sightings, and that they were, in fact, evidence of extraterrestrial life.

The Washington sightings are important because they represent one of the most well-documented and widely reported UFO sightings in US history. The events were covered extensively in the media and sparked a national debate about the existence of UFOs and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The government's response to the sightings, including the launch of Project Blue Book, also highlighted the tension and mistrust between the public and the government during the Cold War era.

The Westall Incident

Okay, so this one isn't from the United States but it is an interesting one. In 1966, students and teachers at Westall High School in Melbourne, Australia, witnessed a UFO sighting that has become known as the Westall Incident. The object was described as a silver, disc-shaped craft that landed in a nearby field. Dozens of witnesses reported seeing the object and some claimed to have seen beings moving around outside the craft. Despite an official investigation, the incident remains unexplained and is considered one of the most significant UFO sightings in Australian history.

So Are We Alone?

Probably not. These are just a few of the many intriguing UFO sightings that have occurred in the US over the years. While some sightings can be explained as natural phenomena or misidentified aircraft, there are a number of cases that remain unexplained and continue to fascinate people around the world. Whether you believe in UFOs or not, there's no denying that these sightings have captured the public's imagination and sparked countless debates and discussions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Top 5 facts sources:
  1. Dittman, G., Rutkowski, C. (2008) "The 2008 CANADIAN UFO SURVEY: an analysis of UFO reports in Canada". Retrieved July 5th, 2013.
  2. Cashman, M. (1997). "Summary Of The UFO Phenomenon". Retrieved July 5th, 2013.
  3. Stacy, D. "A Short Introduction to Ufology". Retrieved July 5th, 2013.
  4. Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013). "Guy Hottel, part 1 of 1. Retrieved July 5th, 2013 from: http://vault.fbi.gov/hottel_guy/Guy%20Hottel%20Part%201%20of%201/view
Tags: Space & The Universe, Top 5 Most, The United States

Sources:  National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC). Latest available data as of April 2023.

List Notes: Data is U.S. states with the most Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings from the years 1994 to 2021. UFO is defined by the Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary as: "any unexplained moving object observed in the sky, especially one assumed to be of extraterrestrial origin."
U.S. States with the Most UFO Sightings

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