During the first week of 2012, UFO reports streamed in from around the world as numerous eyewitnesses described and videotaped strange things in the sky.
Whether they were balloons, conventional aircraft or misidentified astronomical objects, the new year of UFO sightings is off and running as the worldwide proliferation of digital video cameras and phone cams makes it easier than ever to photograph unusual sights in the sky above us.
The Colorado-based Mutual UFO Network, the largest UFO investigative organization in the world, received many reports of UFOs during the first week of the year from eyewitnesses in 36 out of 50 states.
The 14 states that haven't reported in so far are Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming -- but the year is young.
WHAT'S THIS OBJECT THAT SLOWLY FELL OUT OF THE SKY IN JAPAN?
"For the entire month of January 2011, MUFON recorded around 500 reports, and we're already up to 233 after just the first week of 2012," said MUFON international director Clifford Clift.
"For December, we had 810, compared to about 500 in December 2010," Clift told The Huffington Post.
"Last year, we averaged over 6,000 total sightings, and if it continues at this pace, we'll be up 50 percent, with about 10 percent of those reports ending up as unexplained after our investigation," he said.
According to New Zealand's WeatherWatch.co.nz, in the first 24 hours of the new year, it received "almost 80 reports and they're still flooding in at about 10 an hour."
"Many people around the world have been outside celebrating the new year. In the U.S., where most of the sightings came from, conditions were fairly mild and dry in many areas, so more people were outside to see things," weather analyst Philip Duncan said in a statement.
WATCH THESE UNUSUAL OBJECTS IN THE SKY OVER CAMPINAS, BRAZIL ON JAN. 3:
A group of twinkling cylindrical lights was videotaped over Campinas, Brazil, on Jan. 3, according to latestufosightings.net, which keeps track of on-going UFO reports, including the following:
Jan. 3: Two slow-moving, bright flying objects were recorded over Sinaloa, Mexico.
Jan. 4: The skies above North Carolina were the subject of videotape of unexplained bright objects.
Jan. 5: A white-colored globe was captured on video over Mesa, Ariz.
Jan. 6: A strange, bright object was videotaped as it fell out of the sky over Wakayama, Japan.
Jan. 7: Some high-altitude glowing orbs were caught on videotape over San Antonio, Texas.
Jan. 7: On the other side of the world, two bright objects were videotaped above Minsk, Belarus.
WeatherWatch suggests that what people are seeing are either meteorites, slow-moving, orange-colored Chinese lanterns or normal aircraft.
Most UFOs turn out to be explainable objects, but with the ever-present small remainder of the unexplained, MUFON's Clift is optimistic about how the rest of the year may unfold.
"One reason why I think it's going to be a good year is because people are looking at the sky a lot more and now they know where to report UFOs, and they're reporting them like crazy," he explained.
UFOS ARE OFTEN MISIDENTIFIED OBJECTS LIKE THESE:
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Lanterns
These candle-lit Chinese lanterns can rise high into the sky and are often mistaken for UFOs.
Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 2013
This is a composite image of how three alleged UFOs maneuvered about in the sky over Melbourne, Australia, in early February, 2013. The final verdict isn't in yet on whether they're birds, aircraft, balloons, bugs or something truly unidentified.
Exploding Weather Balloons, Not UFOs
On Dec. 20, 2012, a bright, circular object (pictured at the top of this composite image) was videotaped exploding in the skies above Sacramento, Calif. It wasn't immediately identified, resulting in speculation that it was either an alien spacecraft, military top secret weapon, runaway planet, North Korean satellite, among others. Within a short period of time, it became apparent that this was a weather balloon. The bottom part of this image shows such a balloon as it ascended over Tampa Bay, Fla., on July 2, 2012, and exploded in an identical manner as the Sacramento object, probably much to the dismay of all true ET believers out there.
Boomerang UFO composite images -- 10-5-12
This is a composite of images shot by two eyewitnesses of a boomerang-shaped UFO they reported seeing over their Burbank, Calif., home on Oct. 5, 2012. Mutual UFO Network photo/video analyst Marc Dantonio concluded the object was likely "a balloon, floating on the wind that has collapsed in half."
Changing UFO Pattern -- Warren, Mich. 1-10-13
This four-image series of lights in the sky was recorded over Warren, Mich., on Jan. 10, 2013. The lights were seen changing into several patterns. The most logical explanation for these types of UFOs is a series of balloons or lanterns.
UFOs Over Earth
This composite image shows four different times that alleged UFO were photographed above Earth by either space shuttles or the International Space Station. The big question is whether or not they are truly unidentified objects or if they are more likely reflections from spacecraft windows, meteors or fast-moving spacecraft-generated debris.
Pink UFOs Or Lens Flares?
What appear to be pink-red UFOs are actually lens flares from the Google Earth street view camera as it snapped images in Texas (left) and New Mexico (right).
Lens flares Arizona
These two flying saucer-shaped, pink-colored lens flares were created by the Google Maps camera as it drove through locations in Sedona, Ariz. (left) and Flagstaff, Ariz. (right). The images were snapped in April 2009. Submitted to HuffPost by trenna.
Lens flare Whiteriver, Ariz.
This skybound lens flare was created by a Google Maps camera in June 2008 over Whiteriver, Ariz. Submitted to Huffington Post by Cheryl Weeks.
Lens flare Gulfport, Miss.
This very Earthbound lens flare was created by a Google Maps camera in November 2007 at Gulfport, Miss. Submitted to Huffington Post by Jenni Parker.
Lens flare Eureka Springs, Ark.
This seemingly grounded lens flare was created by a Google Maps camera in January 2008 at Eureka Springs, Ark. Submitted to Huffington Post by SE.
Lens flare Escanaba, Mich.
This lens flare appears to be following a car. The Google Maps image was created in October 2008 at Escanaba, Mich. Submitted to Huffington Post by Mary Robinson.
Cincinnati Skydivers NOT UFOs Sept. 28, 2012
On the night of Sept. 28, 2012, a group of strange-looking lights appeared in the sky near Cincinnati, Ohio. First there was one, then, two, then three lights, slowly descending. It turns out, however, that these lights were originating from a group of skydivers performing a pyrotechnics jump at the La Salle High School homecoming event.
Weather Phenomenon
Some UFO sightings may be due to a natural phenomenon known as sprites, like this one shown from 2006. "Lightning from [a] thunderstorm excites the electric field above, producing a flash of light called a sprite," said geophysicist Colin Price.
Clouds
Clouds: Saucer-shaped or "lenticular" clouds that form at high altitudes have been confused with UFOs.
Blimps or Advertising Balloons
Blimps or advertising balloons: These can look like flying saucers from some angles, especially at night.
Sunken Ship in the Baltic Sea
On June 19th the Swedish-based diving company Ocean Explorer discovered something they've never quite seen before. They were exploring in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland looking for sunken treasures when a very unusual image suddenly appeared on the sonar. A 197 feet diameter cylinder shaped object was discovered at the depth of approximately 275 feet which resembles the Millennium Falcon from the movie Star Wars.
Baltic Sea UFO 1
An image released on June 15, 2012, shows a close-up view of the unidentified object sitting on the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Baltic Sea UFO 2
Close-up of rock bed that forms the Baltic Sea UFO, which still mystifies researchers.
Baltic Sea UFO 3
One of several odd stone circle formations, sitting on top of the unidentified object at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Antarctic UFO -- Aug. 10, 2012
A circular UFO hovers above the Neumayer-Station III research facility in Antarctica on Aug. 10, 2012. Theories ranging from a simple weather balloon to a more elaborate ship from another planet have run the Internet gamut. The next slide shows a closeup of the object.
Antarctic UFO Closeup -- Aug. 10, 2012
This is a closeup of the UFO from the previous slide. No official explanation has been offered about the object.
Manufactured UFO -- 2011
Pictured is a quad copter -- a deliberately manufactured UFO created by special effects wizard Marc Dantonio for a National Geographic special, "The Truth Behind: UFOs," which aired in December 2011. On the left is what the small device looks like resting on the ground, measuring 4 feet in circumference. At right, is how it appeared behind a tree in the night sky.
Police Dashboard Camera In Texas
In February of 2012, this fireball was captured by a Texas police chief's A dashboard camera. F.A.A. say this was probably a meteor, falling to Earth. .
Meteors
Meteors: Space debris can create a spectacular light show when it burns through the Earth's atmosphere, and sometimes reported as UFOs.
Civilian or Military Aircraft
Civilian or military aircraft: Planes can look mysterious at night or in certain light conditions, thus confusing an observer.
During the first week of 2012, UFO reports streamed in from around the world as numerous eyewitnesses described and videotaped strange things in the sky.
Whether they were balloons, conventional ai...
During the first week of 2012, UFO reports streamed in from around the world as numerous eyewitnesses described and videotaped strange things in the sky.
Whether they were balloons, conventional ai...
During the first week of 2012, UFO reports streamed in from around the world as numerous eyewitnesses described and videotaped strange things in the sky.
Whether they were balloons, conventional ai...
During the first week of 2012, UFO reports streamed in from around the world as numerous eyewitnesses described and videotaped strange things in the sky.
Whether they were balloons, conventional ai...
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Photographer Jonathan Selwood-Hogg thinks it looks like a UFO from Flight Of The Navigator. His son, William Selwood-Hogg thinks it looks like a humpback whale....
I just saw two objects in western WA that I can't explain. One had two pointed halves that arced up, like two crescent moons. The other looked like a comet with a small trail. Both were moving, but MUCH too slowly for an asteroid or meteorite. Just wanted to share. I wonder if others saw them...
Ethan_Warner: I just saw two objects in western WA that I
This is the right site for anyone who really wants to understand this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic which has been written about for decades. Excellent stuff, just great!
Fiv_Meter_Scrum: This is the right site for anyone who really wants
Collectively speaking we suck as a species. A consumer based petro-chemical nuclear Industrial age? U.A.E. Saudi Arab petro-chemical wealth at the expense of pollution of our own planet? Toxic carcinogenic radio-active waste pollution? Come one serious we suck and totally deserve to go extinct. My theory is we are some kind of hybrid inferior species created by these offworld extraterrestrials and we will be exterminated by them most likely. Certianly they will prevent us from colonizing any other planets?
babylonJOHN: Collectively speaking we suck as a species. A consumer based
I totally agree, as a species humans are the the worst, in light of recent events(school killings) it makes you embarresed to admit that you are one of them.Hopefully when they re-appear they will take into account individual deeds and not judge us as a collective.
I for one would be really really happy to watch this planet fade in the distance out the rear view window.
Scott_Cameron4: babylonJOHN, I totally agree, as a species humans are the
While there are millions and hundreds of millions of stars are we the only special being in the un-ending universe huh small minds are small people with small lives.
Terry_Rhyne: While there are millions and hundreds of millions of stars
I've seen two UFO's - one was in the daytime, it was very bright, and blinked on and off most of the time I saw it, but sometimes it was a steady bright white. It moved around the sky for a bit, moving from overhead to a southern position then over to the western horizon. Just before it moved too far down the horizon, two fighter jets in formation flew out, following the exact path of the object.
The second was at night - I was laying down in the park listening to music, and I saw 5 pairs of rectangular bars. They (or it) were very high up and large. The pairs of bars moved together as if they were connected, but you could see stars between the rectangles and you could see stars through the rectangles, so it was partly transparent. The bars didn't have lights on them, but they were themselves "made of light," so to speak. The bars were a dim orange light that were uniformly bright across each structure. No other details were visible is far as structure, but it was large for the distance it was at, so if other details were there, they would've been visible. It made no noise and moved fairly fast for how high it was. Hard to describe, but if you had seen it, I'm sure you would've been as stunned as I was. Very strange.
General_Hermes: I've seen two UFO's - one was in the daytime,
My take? They are watchers. When man is about to destroy himself, they bring signs of revelation. They wake the forgetful who where first and who will be last. ~xx~
aforbes808: My take? They are watchers. When man is about to
I have seen a UFO here on the coast here in NW Florida back in 2004. Large, triangular with glowing red lights hovering along the Gulf horizon. The take from seeing one is that you begin to realize how un-evolved we are at this point, on so many levels. Knowing there are infinite possibilities and more intelligent life forms, than ourselves, out in the Universe is actually a calming comfort. A comfort in knowing some of the paths we are on right now spiritually, environmentally, and scientifically are just "mere" human baby steps, and that there are many more possibilities, paths to take, and possibly many more "matured" outlooks.. out there.
Henry_Nooe: I have seen a UFO here on the coast here
Check out this link it is a live cam and also recorded over the past 2 days. Something appears tobe following the sun through the sky over a two day period.!
i was on my job at the cooperstown dreams parking...patrolling the camp at night. it was a clear night. i looked up, this bright light, sorta like a glowing orb persay, was flying real fast across the sky perpendicular to me. it was going way to fast for any plane you'd see and there was no blinking lights. as it was going across the sky, you'd think it was a meteor, but it wasn't fading out. so moving across the sky, the bright light curved dramaticly, and dissapearing in the way distance....
I have never seen an UFO, I think there are creatures living on other planets than planet earth. It could also be that the government uses the rumours about UFO's to scare us.
sanne123: I have never seen an UFO, I think there are
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First Posted: 01/10/12 11:23 AM ET Updated: 01/10/12 11:24 AM ET