UFOs, or unidentified flying objects, have stirred our imagination for generations.
Sightings of these alleged interstellar visitors to Earth have been chronicled throughout history. However, the mania for UFOs shifted into hyperdrive in 1947, when flying saucer enthusiasts believed the remains of an otherworldly spacecraft, and even the corpse of an alien, were discovered in Roswell, New Mexico. The U.S. government said in 1994 that the remains were debris from a neoprene balloon used in a top-secret government surveillance project.
Many people who report a UFO sighting have reported the object without the use of viewing apparatus such as a telescope. Weather, among other variables, can trick an observer into thinking he or she has seen something unusual. There are thousands of UFO sightings reported every year, including several made by airline pilots and astronauts. These are 30 special skills you need to become an astronaut.
Many sightings are compiled by the National UFO Reporting Center, which disseminates what it calls credible UFO reports.
UFO reporting levels vary by state. In states with cold winters, sightings increase dramatically during summer months, when more residents are spending their leisure time outdoors. The five states with the most reported UFO sightings per 100,000 people are all northern states, and three of them — Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine — are located in New England. By comparison, UFO reports don’t fluctuate much during the year in southern states, where weather and daylight conditions don’t vary as much.
Click here to see states with the most UFO sightings
Methodology
To determine the states with the most UFO sightings, 24/7 Tempo reviewed 2001-2015 sightings per 100,000 people with data from Cheryl Costa’s “UFO Sightings Desk Reference: United States of America 2001-2015: Unidentified Flying Objects Frequency–Distribution–Shapes.” 2001-2015 total sightings also came from the same source. Sightings per 100,000 was calculated using the 2001-2015 raw sightings figures and the 2017 American Consumer Survey 1-Year population estimates. Population density figures were calculated using 2017 population estimates and 2010 land area in square miles — both from the U.S. Census Bureau. The share of households without internet is from the 2017 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Consumer Survey. One of the reasons reports of UFO sightings surged at the turn of the last century was the significant increase in broadband internet access made reporting considerably easier.
Source: Courtesy of Whatknot via Flickr
50. Mississippi
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 21.3
> Total sightings: 636 (10th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 64 (19th fewest)
> Households without internet: 23.1% (the highest)
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Source: dragontw / Flickr
49. Louisiana
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 23.3
> Total sightings: 1,090 (18th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 108 (24th most)
> Households without internet: 20.7% (2nd highest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: dragontw / Flickr
48. Georgia
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 24.5
> Total sightings: 2,550 (17th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 181 (17th most)
> Households without internet: 14.2% (18th highest)
Source: Philip J. Hohle, Ph.D. / Getty Images
47. Texas
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 24.9
> Total sightings: 7,058 (3rd most)
> Population per sq. mile: 108 (25th most)
> Households without internet: 14.0% (19th highest)
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Source: Courtesy of Brocken Inaglory via Wikimedia Commons
46. Alabama
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 25.1
> Total sightings: 1,224 (21st fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 96 (24th fewest)
> Households without internet: 18.6% (6th highest)
Source: kevin-prichard / Flickr
45. New York
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 25.9
> Total sightings: 5,141 (6th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 421 (7th most)
> Households without internet: 13.5% (25th highest)
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Source: kenlund / Flickr
44. Maryland
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 27.2
> Total sightings: 1,646 (24th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 623 (5th most)
> Households without internet: 10.0% (7th lowest)
Source: melissaclark / Flickr
43. Virginia
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 27.7
> Total sightings: 2,348 (18th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 214 (14th most)
> Households without internet: 12.1% (15th lowest)
Source: JMichl / Getty Images
42. North Dakota
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 28.2
> Total sightings: 213 (the fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 11 (4th fewest)
> Households without internet: 12.7% (20th lowest)
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Source: atramos / Flickr
41. New Jersey
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 28.5
> Total sightings: 2,567 (16th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 1,225 (the most)
> Households without internet: 10.6% (9th lowest)
Source: nagasakiosada / Flickr
40. Tennessee
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 31.6
> Total sightings: 2,125 (20th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 163 (20th most)
> Households without internet: 17.7% (8th highest)
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Source: dpriddy / Flickr
39. Massachusetts
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 32.2
> Total sightings: 2,208 (19th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 879 (3rd most)
> Households without internet: 10.9% (11th lowest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: 44350910@N07 / Flickr
38. North Carolina
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 32.7
> Total sightings: 3,359 (11th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 211 (15th most)
> Households without internet: 15.2% (14th highest)
Source: 11375428@N04 / Flickr
37. Minnesota
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 32.7
> Total sightings: 1,825 (23rd most)
> Population per sq. mile: 70 (21st fewest)
> Households without internet: 10.8% (10th lowest)
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Source: chicagozen / Flickr
36. Illinois
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 32.7
> Total sightings: 4,191 (8th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 231 (12th most)
> Households without internet: 13.3% (25th lowest)
Source: fieldmuzick / Flickr
35. Arkansas
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 33.1
> Total sightings: 995 (16th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 58 (17th fewest)
> Households without internet: 20.5% (3rd highest)
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Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images
34. South Dakota
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 33.2
> Total sightings: 289 (2nd fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 11 (5th fewest)
> Households without internet: 15.7% (11th highest)
Source: Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images
33. Delaware
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 34.3
> Total sightings: 330 (3rd fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 494 (6th most)
> Households without internet: 9.8% (5th lowest)
Source: Julia / Wikimedia Commons
32. Nebraska
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 34.4
> Total sightings: 660 (11th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 25 (8th fewest)
> Households without internet: 12.9% (21st lowest)
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Source: pjnelson / Flickr
31. Wisconsin
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 34.5
> Total sightings: 1,998 (21st most)
> Population per sq. mile: 107 (25th fewest)
> Households without internet: 13.5% (24th highest)
Source: 133042043@N04 / Flickr
30. Ohio
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 35.3
> Total sightings: 4,115 (10th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 285 (10th most)
> Households without internet: 13.9% (21st highest)
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Source: dragontw / Flickr
29. Kentucky
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 35.6
> Total sightings: 1,587 (25th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 113 (22nd most)
> Households without internet: 17.8% (7th highest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: iluvrhinestones / Flickr
28. Oklahoma
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 35.8
> Total sightings: 1,408 (23rd fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 57 (16th fewest)
> Households without internet: 17.3% (9th highest)
Source: Courtesy of blueskygirl via Flickr
27. Iowa
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 36.8
> Total sightings: 1,158 (20th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 56 (15th fewest)
> Households without internet: 14.4% (17th highest)
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Source: Silver and Chalk Images / Getty Images
26. South Carolina
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 37.0
> Total sightings: 1,859 (22nd most)
> Population per sq. mile: 167 (19th most)
> Households without internet: 16.9% (10th highest)
Source: elzey / Flickr
25. Florida
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 37.1
> Total sightings: 7,787 (2nd most)
> Population per sq. mile: 391 (8th most)
> Households without internet: 12.6% (19th lowest)
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Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images
24. Utah
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 37.3
> Total sightings: 1,158 (20th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 38 (11th fewest)
> Households without internet: 7.5% (the lowest)
Source: Meindert van der Haven / Getty Images
23. Kansas
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 37.3
> Total sightings: 1,088 (17th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 36 (10th fewest)
> Households without internet: 13.6% (23rd highest)
Source: belindah / Flickr
22. Hawaii
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 37.7
> Total sightings: 538 (8th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 222 (13th most)
> Households without internet: 12.1% (17th lowest)
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Source: dogen / Flickr
21. California
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 40.1
> Total sightings: 15,836 (the most)
> Population per sq. mile: 254 (11th most)
> Households without internet: 9.8% (6th lowest)
Source: josephleenovak / Flickr
20. Pennsylvania
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 40.4
> Total sightings: 5,176 (5th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 286 (9th most)
> Households without internet: 15.5% (13th highest)
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Source: Courtesy of high247 via Flickr
19. Connecticut
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 41.2
> Total sightings: 1,478 (24th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 741 (4th most)
> Households without internet: 11.6% (12th lowest)
Source: rkramer62 / Flickr
18. Michigan
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 41.8
> Total sightings: 4,160 (9th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 176 (18th most)
> Households without internet: 13.9% (22nd highest)
Source: Courtesy of Indiana Ivy Nature Photographer via Flickr
17. Indiana
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 43.5
> Total sightings: 2,897 (15th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 186 (16th most)
> Households without internet: 15.5% (12th highest)
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Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from USA / Wikimedia Commons
16. West Virginia
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 45.2
> Total sightings: 821 (12th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 76 (22nd fewest)
> Households without internet: 19.9% (5th highest)
Source: Iri_sha / Getty Images
15. Missouri
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 47.5
> Total sightings: 2,902 (14th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 89 (23rd fewest)
> Households without internet: 15.1% (16th highest)
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Source: danlogan / Getty Images
14. Rhode Island
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 49.3
> Total sightings: 522 (7th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 1,025 (2nd most)
> Households without internet: 12.1% (16th lowest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: atbaker / Flickr
13. Nevada
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 52.8
> Total sightings: 1,583 (25th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 27 (9th fewest)
> Households without internet: 13.0% (22nd lowest)
Source: carolannie / Flickr
12. Colorado
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 57.0
> Total sightings: 3,197 (12th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 54 (14th fewest)
> Households without internet: 9.0% (4th lowest)
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Source: Courtesy of jodene e via Flickr
11. Idaho
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 57.0
> Total sightings: 979 (15th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 21 (7th fewest)
> Households without internet: 14.0% (20th highest)
Source: Courtesy of stevesanterre via Flickr
10. Wyoming
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 58.2
> Total sightings: 337 (4th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 6 (2nd fewest)
> Households without internet: 12.2% (18th lowest)
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Source: Courtesy of HosiZin via Flickr
9. Montana
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 58.7
> Total sightings: 617 (9th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 7 (3rd fewest)
> Households without internet: 15.2% (15th highest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: mscornelius / Getty Images
8. Alaska
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 64.1
> Total sightings: 474 (5th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 1 (the fewest)
> Households without internet: 11.6% (13th lowest)
Source: ikewinski / Flickr
7. New Mexico
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 67.1
> Total sightings: 1,402 (22nd fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 17 (6th fewest)
> Households without internet: 20.0% (4th highest)
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Source: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA / Wikimedia Commons
6. Arizona
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 67.4
> Total sightings: 4,726 (7th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 62 (18th fewest)
> Households without internet: 11.7% (14th lowest)
Source: dragontw / Flickr
5. New Hampshire
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 69.4
> Total sightings: 932 (13th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 150 (21st most)
> Households without internet: 8.5% (3rd lowest)
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Source: shanecotee / Getty Images
4. Washington
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 70.6
> Total sightings: 5,226 (4th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 111 (23rd most)
> Households without internet: 8.4% (2nd lowest)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Courtesy of smilla4 via Flickr
3. Maine
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 71.0
> Total sightings: 949 (14th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 43 (13th fewest)
> Households without internet: 13.2% (24th lowest)
Source: Dustin Johnsen / Getty Images
2. Oregon
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 72.7
> Total sightings: 3,013 (13th most)
> Population per sq. mile: 43 (12th fewest)
> Households without internet: 10.2% (8th lowest)
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Source: Courtesy of Bre LaRow via Flickr
1. Vermont
> 2001-2015 sightings per 100K: 80.8
> Total sightings: 504 (6th fewest)
> Population per sq. mile: 68 (20th fewest)
> Households without internet: 13.0% (23rd lowest)
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