The National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC) has identified several phenomena that are frequently mistaken for UFOs. Understanding these common misidentifications is important for accurate reporting and scientific study of genuine Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).
Starlink Satellites
One of the most frequently misidentified phenomena in recent years are Starlink satellites. These appear as:
- A line of lights moving slowly across the sky
- A straight line of individual dots
- A blurry white line in the night sky
Starlink satellites typically move in a consistent direction and may disappear overhead or at the horizon. To verify Starlink sightings, NUFORC recommends using the Starlink tracker at findstarlink.com.
Rocket Launches
Rocket launches, particularly visible to residents near major launch sites, are often mistaken for UFOs. These sightings can manifest as:
- Spectacular blazing lights with long glowing trails
- Fuzzy dots in the night sky
- Strange swirling auras
To confirm recent launches, NUFORC advises checking the Launch Schedule at RocketLaunch.Live.
Planets
Bright planets, especially Venus and Jupiter, are commonly reported as UFOs. Their characteristics include:
- Venus: An intensely silver-white, stationary object near the horizon
- Jupiter: A bright object, often higher in the sky than Venus
For accurate identification of celestial bodies, NUFORC suggests using apps like SkyView or websites such as The Sky Live.
Photographic Artifacts
Objects appearing in photos or videos but not visible to the naked eye are often camera anomalies. These can include:
- Lens flares
- Dust particles on the camera lens
- Digital artifacts from image processing
Video Distortions
Cell phone videos of lights in the night sky may show pulsating effects due to the camera’s focusing mechanism. NUFORC cautions against reporting such phenomena unless they were observed with the naked eye.
Fast-Moving Objects in Videos
Small objects moving quickly through video frames are frequently misidentified as UFOs. These are often:
- Birds passing in the foreground
- Insects flying close to the camera lens
Summary
By understanding these commonly misidentified phenomena, individuals can better distinguish between natural or man-made objects and genuine UAPs. This knowledge contributes to more accurate reporting and enhances the quality of data available for scientific study of UFO phenomena.
