Part of a sequence from Russia shows several UFOs or glowing orbs moving slowly behind a house to form changing patterns in the sky. This is one of the orbs.
Armed with millions of available cell phone cameras and digital cameras, people are looking to the skies around the world, and posting images of apparent UFOs on YouTube every day.
It's about time the FBI helped out with sifting through it all. Or at least former FBI Special Agent Ben Hansen, who now makes a living uncovering the truth behind strange and bizarre sightings.
"I think that having a background in formal investigation helps in a logistical part of how to manage a case, and also gathering information," Hansen told The Huffington Post.
As the lead host and investigator of the Syfy Channel's "Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files" series, Hansen, seen at right, uses his FBI-trained skills to debunk fake material and search for the truth. He says most UFO sightings are easily explained.
"It probably falls in the range of about 95 percent. When you actually have a photo or video, I would say the percentage of the unexplained increases a little bit. However, the biggest factor, I think, in the increase [of claimed UFO videos] is due to the availability of computer graphic software."
Hansen looked carefully at several videos for HuffPost Weird News and offered his expertise on whether they're fact or faked.
One video shows three lights in a triangular pattern over an east London power station in August. The lights appear to merge then suddenly vanish in a bright flash.
"The guy who took the video admits in his comments that there are some video cuts, because of his swearing and bad camera work," Hansen noted. "When I go frame-by-frame on this, it's only one frame that flashes out, and it's very easy to replicate just by doing a little artwork around the clouds.
"I give a bit of attention to people's reaction -- they react to different situations in a whole myriad of ways. But I do feel this was a little underwhelming to them. It didn't feel very congruent. When you see something flash out like that, I would be screaming, myself.
"I would give it a 95 percent probability that this has been computer generated," Hansen concluded.
The next item is a video from Russia titled "Shockingly real!" It allegedly shows a group of glowing orbs over a house while other individual orbs move through the sky. They seem to pass behind trees and a power line.
"The title itself is interesting to me," Hansen explained. "There's a tendency for people who lie to over-compensate when presenting a story. By using just the words 'shockingly real,' they're more concerned in convincing you that something is real, rather than just presenting the facts to you."
The former FBI agent points out that one of the orbs in the Russian video actually appears to pass in front of the power line in the picture, rather than behind it. He calls this technique rotoscoping.
"In rotoscoping, what the editor has to do is to basically trace an outline for an object, and they extract that object to another layer of the video. You tell the program, 'I'm extracting this part of the power line,' so when the animated light comes by, I tell the program that this is now a second layer, and it will go behind the power line."
But because Hansen thinks this video didn't quite get it right, what's his "Fact or Faked" legitimacy percentage?
"I'd say this is 98 percent faked. I also really don't like when people put music and theatrical editing behind a video. All I want to see is the raw footage.
"And the other thing about this is that it's pretty typical of some objects that we see, like sky lanterns. What I always tell people is if you've gotten as far as you can with the video or the evidence and you can't figure out the story, figure out the storyteller."
Hansen also likes to remind people that, with sufficient experience, a 14-year-old can turn out work that's comparable to a professional, using the same software.
In the following compilation video, Hansen suggests that the camera movements in some of the examples "are more difficult to replicate and the reactions seem a little more genuine."
Finally, Hansen offers advice to those who continue to fake UFO pictures or videos.
"For the hoaxers, it's fine with me to demonstrate your skills, if you want to take on the UFO or paranormal subjects, but do it ethically.
"The fact is, this phenomenon is real -- it's really happening, and new technology helps us sometimes to get closer to it. But because of the ease of which we're able to now create things ourselves, it's also hindering the field."
Most UFOs can be easily explained. Take a look:
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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.
Armed with millions of available cell phone cameras and digital cameras, people are looking to the skies around the world, and posting images of apparent UFOs on YouTube every day.
It's about time ...
Armed with millions of available cell phone cameras and digital cameras, people are looking to the skies around the world, and posting images of apparent UFOs on YouTube every day.
It's about time ...
Oh good grief. Anything in the sky that isn't ID'd is technically a UFO. People that think there are aliens from afar visiting the earth..., how could they?
shimmer_me_timbers: Oh good grief. Anything in the sky that isn't ID'd
I can explain a couple of "strange" situations that have happened to me and my daughter.
1. While in the military I was assigned to an Admiral's Staff for several years and we would "stand duty" for a 24 hour period about once or twice a month. Well this was right after Iraqi Freedom 1991 - 1992, or thereabouts. The command had about 10 - 15 pilots at the time. I was reading abook called "GulfBreeze Sightings", so I asked a pilot who happened to come into the building at, 1900/7:00 p.m. after everyone was gone, if he had ever witnessed strange lights while on a mission? After he told me his story I was in shock, but I did not question him or ask anymore questions.
2. My daughter and boyfriend said they watched a strange bluish/florescent light go straight up to the sky from the ground/woods. This was during a bad storm at 9:00 p.m. in a forest of about 200 acres, and hardly any traffic on the roads.
FMF_2401: I can explain a couple of "strange" situations that have
I know you are asking what the LT said, quote as much as I can remember over 15 yrs ago. "Well we picked up an object on radar, tracked it, traced it, however it went from 25,000 ft, to 3,500 ft in seconds and by the time the Navy pilots went to 6,000 ft, the object went by them like they were sitting still??
FMF_2401: I know you are asking what the LT said, quote
I've seen many UFO's in my life. I've only seen one that was a space ship. With that said, I think the aliens don't come here because Chuck Norris told them not to. Intelligent life elsewhere? More than here I say.
Mouse223: I've seen many UFO's in my life. I've only seen
If it's real it's real, if it's fake, it's fake. In the end it really doesn't matter so much does it? We are all still going to wake up in the morning and go to work and live our lives. As far as I'm concerned, sure 'space crafts' and 'aliens' could exist, but until we figure out everything that lives on our own planet, maybe we should slow our roll and focus on Earth before deciding to venture out.
You_Are_Not_Just_Wrong: If it's real it's real, if it's fake, it's fake.
seen them in 64 and 68 .....none looked like these pics..period..My own opinion is they are indeed real and watching our every move..In each case i had witnesses with me as well..And in each case it was like they were interdimensional capeable of being here and then simply evaporating into another dimension,,as well..but trust me.. yes they are real,,,
Dan_Crabtree: seen them in 64 and 68 .....none looked like these
If you believe that they are U.F.O.s, then that's what they are. If you believe there are time travelers among us , then they're here. U.F.O.s and time travelers have been with us for a long time, in fact there is no such thing as time.
albalatrv: If you believe that they are U.F.O.s, then that's what
the dumbest thing is that these hoaxers always use the typical "lights from the close encounters of the third kind movie" as a common frame of reference... A real UFO would more than likely resemble some sort of constructed craft, not some ball of light... Nothing that's going to be artificial and intelligent is going to be formed of or emit intense light from it's entire structure...
jragga: the dumbest thing is that these hoaxers always use the
I don't know if there are u.f.o's that are something other worldly or inner dimensional, but it sure is fun to talk about. There isn't a lot hate, just a quest for answers.
Bletcherstonerson: I don't know if there are u.f.o's that are something
Posted: 09/08/2012 9:44 am Updated: 09/08/2012 2:45 pm