Mysterious celestial phenomena
Number of UFO sightings reaches record high – that’s what’s behind it
01/06/2025 – 3:34 p.mReading time: 2 min.
The UFO reporting center in Hesse reports that calls have doubled in the past year. What does that mean?
Aliens in flying saucers or just familiar objects in the night sky? The Central Research Network for Extraordinary Celestial Phenomena (Cenap) in the Odenwald reports an increase in UFO reports last year compared to previous years.
Cenap leader Hansjürgen Köhler said 1,084 UFO sightings were reported in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2024. In previous years there were an average of 600 to 800 reports.
But there were no alien spaceships last year either, says Köhler. Instead, as in previous years, the alleged saucers turned out to be familiar objects in the sky.
According to Köhler, bright planets such as Venus, Jupiter and Saturn left many observers puzzled. But the Starlink satellites from Musk’s company SpaceX also unsettled some people – 176 sightings were reported in 2024.
“Some observers submitted photos and videos with strange points of light,” said Köhler. During an examination, these usually turned out to be “lens reflections and, in the close range of the camera, insects or birds that were out of focus.”
Other reports have been identified as LED balloons, industrial drones or bright meteors. Helicopters and lighting effects devices at events also triggered calls to the Cenap’s 24-hour hotline.
The private organization was founded in 1973. Since then, people from Germany, Austria and Switzerland have been able to contact the Cenap if they have sighted objects they do not know.
Information about the date, time and location of the alleged UFO sighting is helpful, among other things. Video and photo recordings are also helpful, says Cenap.
Its founder Köhler generally recommends installing free astronomy apps on your smartphone. The applications showed the user whether the supposed UFO was actually a planet or a bright star.