Alien encounters, abductions and sightings are very much out of the picture since they were milked for televisual success by the popular series The X-Files in the 1990s. This diminution of media coverage for UFOs and suchlike could of course be part of the very elaborate cover-up by the US government, which obviously has to be in cahoots with the more ominous races of aliens currently running the show in Area 51.
That doesn’t prevent the brave J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies from Chicago from publishing a map of UFO sightings in the US. It indicates the number of UFO reports per 100.000 people by county in the continental US. Some observations:
• There is a marked difference in levels of UFO visitation between the eastern and western halves of the continental US. Apparently, extraterrestrials like it out west.
• Marked exceptions to this rule is a hotspot in northern Minnesota, several others spread out mainly in Missouri and Illinois and a small area in the Florida panhandle.
• Aliens like the west, but generally don’t care for Dixie: the south is remarkably UFO-free.
• Preferred landing spots of UFOs are concentrated in the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, the three coastal states and Nevada – with a spike around, of course, Area 51.
The map was sent in by nonie3234 and can be found here on www.scifi.com.
If a big saucer hovered over Manhattan would that count as a single event or a million individual sightings? The high rates per population correlate with areas of low population density. Modulo my Manhattan query, this suggests a constant rate per land-area: is there a raw dot-plot of sightings somewhere? So either the aliens are surveying the land with no special interest in humans, or else the optical illusions are not climate-dependent.
Comment by mollymooly — November 1, 2007 @ 10:22 pm
The relative sizes of the red areas in this map are meaningless. The map is divided into county areas. Counties in the west are typically much larger than the east.
Comment by Ray — November 1, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
The real problem with the map is that it doesn’t take the denominator into account. Northern MN is sparsely populated, so that a single sighting might lead to being in the highest category for sightings per 100,000. The same is true for most counties in all of the the states between North Dakota and Texas and east of the Pacific coast. An adjustment for the denominators would be useful; statisticians have several ways of doing this. My intuition is that after such an adjustment, the standouts would be in New Mexico, California, and Missouri/Illinois.
Comment by Ken Kleinman — November 1, 2007 @ 11:23 pm
Heh. That spot on the panhandle of florida is interesting. It’s exactly where Eglin AFB is. Eglin is one of or the HQs for airborne special operations groups in the US. Not saying there’s alien activity, mind you. Just the opposite. I wonder how many sightings of “UFO’s” were actually of low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The closer jets and helicopters get to the ground, of course, the more erratic and startling their movements seem relative to a ground observer, especially if they’re only visible by their collision lights or moonlight, for example.
It’s also next door to Pensacola, which has a very large naval and aviation presence… might also account for some of the sightings.
It’s the only reason i can think of that that particular (and, i might add, relatively desolate) part of florida would see such a spike.
Neat.
Comment by jdub — November 2, 2007 @ 1:25 am
Trust no one. Deny everything.
Nice map!
Comment by The Hazean — November 2, 2007 @ 1:46 am
No E.T. love in La. :(
Comment by Boznia — November 2, 2007 @ 3:29 am
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Pingback by Wo man UFOs in den Vereinigten Staaten finden kann… « Sehnsucht nach Deutschland — November 2, 2007 @ 9:58 am
I agree with Ken and mollymooly – it looks like there is an inverse correlation between population density and sitings. I’d like to see the map corrected for that.
Another couple of reasons that population density could be a factor:
Light pollution and air traffic near densely populated cities would acclimatize people to random moving lights in the sky.
A person who sees something unusual in the city would be more likely to get an explanation from friends or media, or keep quiet if no one else saw the phenomenon.
Comment by Zyada — November 2, 2007 @ 11:22 am
[...] “UFO Hotspots Map (Strange Maps) [...]
Pingback by Josh Tinley.com — November 2, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
[...] 2nd, 2007 · No Comments The Strange Maps blog has found another wonderful oddity. This map shows “… the number of UFO reports per 100,000 people by county in the continental [...]
Pingback by Do UFOs like your state? « The Short Fat Kid — November 2, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
[...] From Strange Maps. [...]
Pingback by UFO Hotspots Map - Right Mind — November 2, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
Only 0-4 in my area- those aliens are gipping us!
Comment by totaltransformation — November 2, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
[...] which I take funny map and try to make a stupid point Posted on November 2, 2007 by Mike F. Check out this UFO hotspot map of the United States. Then ask yourself two questions. 1) Why is there a stereotype that it’s only dumb [...]
Pingback by UFO Hotspots; or, in which I take funny map and try to make a stupid point « life in mordor :: mike frizzell’s blog — November 2, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Say what you will about Atlanta, at least we’re safely in the lighter yellow shades!
That could be because most UFO sightings are not in BBQ restaurants and chicken shacks. Wait, did I just say that out loud? ;)
Comment by Brian — November 2, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
That map is so cool. Some hot spots in texas. That might explain some political questions that i have.
Comment by cyclepromo — November 2, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
Do you know how big texas is, you idiot? For being geographically larger and having a higher population than most european COUNTRIES. I would have to say Texas looks downright sparse. The hotspot down in the southwest corner is by Marfa, home of the ‘Marfa lights’. Google it. They are still unexplained to this day. I have been there a few times myself, and honestly don’t know WHAT to think. (except for the fact that CYCLEPROMO is a massive moron)
Comment by Guy — November 2, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
I agree that the statistical observations made early in the thread make this map pretty suspect.
BUT, an open-minded scan of the databases on some of the more sober sites like nuforc.org is hardly supportive of the idea that ufos are only seen by kooks, or that most could easily be mis-identified meteors, aircraft, or weather phenomenon. It is the conventional wisdom, but it just ain’t so.
I am a pilot and an astronomer, and it’s pretty easy to tell the ones that are mistakes, and there are plenty that are. But there are hundreds more that clearly are not.
Not many people know that the term “flying saucer” was based on a misreporting of what famous witness Kenneth Arnold actually said. He said the objects he saw “skipped like saucers would through water”, NOT that they were shaped like saucers! When he described the SHAPE, he said they were more like crescents or deltas.
If you want a surprise, go to nuforc.org, and select from their database by shape = triangle. Be sure you have set aside a few evenings to read them all. Then tell me those are all meteors and aircraft!
Comment by sherlock — November 2, 2007 @ 11:44 pm
Mash that map with per capita consumption of alcohol, and you’ll find a pretty good overlap with the, er, ‘high’ UFO zones.
Comment by Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) — November 3, 2007 @ 12:20 am
[...] yes, let us not forget Dennis Kucinich. (yes, I know that he was being very literal; by UFO he really meant a flying object that he [...]
Pingback by Democratic Horse Race: current state « blueollie — November 3, 2007 @ 2:46 am
The alcohol theory is certainly busted when I again point out the lack of E.T.s in Louisiana. :)
Comment by Boznia — November 3, 2007 @ 2:48 am
That’s cool. I just wish I lived in more of a hotspot. I want to see one.
Comment by Voodoo Who Do — November 3, 2007 @ 4:30 am
The above-mentioned theory about population density may be significant except when you look at the Southeast. It’s pretty much a uniform low rate whether you look at the big cities (New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte, etc) vs the rural areas. (Not counting that red spot in FL panhandle or one red spot in south-central TN).
Either aliens don’t visit the south much…or southerners are more likely to think those lights in the sky are something else entirely. Perhaps angels, it is the bible belt afterall. ;)
Comment by RaleighRob — November 3, 2007 @ 4:32 am
[...] A map of UFO sightings in the US Extraterrestrials seem to like the west. (tags: maps ufos) [...]
Pingback by maxpagels.com » links for 2007-11-03 — November 3, 2007 @ 6:43 am
ROFL, hicks who see jets in the distance for the first time.
“Uhm…y’know, it wuz like…cerculer? like a berd?”
Comment by Angry Chinese Driver — November 3, 2007 @ 6:53 am
A fascinating map.
Comment by Barry Mitchell — November 3, 2007 @ 11:00 am
Nice to know the places to avoid while dodging alien anal probings.
Comment by purefnevyl — November 3, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
Did Dennis Kucinich bring this on?
Maybe he could run for Mayor of Area 51!
RWD
BTW – Great map!
Comment by rightwingdog — November 3, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
It gets pretty boring in the desert. After a while, you start seeing things…
:-P
Comment by A.R.Yngve — November 4, 2007 @ 1:13 am
The most notable correlation I see on the map is “Big Sky” areas, where moving lights in the sky would be highly visible. Not much vegetation in the West to block your view, and people tend to be out at night looking at the sky. They can tell the difference between “normal” and “abnormal” lights.
The Bible Belt is heavily forested, so the view of the sky would be somewhat obstructed.
One standard means of debunking sightings is to ridicule the reporter. It works in politics too. If you can’t defeat his legitimate argument or position, ridicule the person.
It’s generally referred to as a “coward’s attack.”
Comment by irisatrx — November 4, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
[...] That doesn’t prevent the brave J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies from Chicago from publishing a map of UFO sightings in the US. It indicates the number of UFO reports per 100.000 people by county in the continental US. [link] [...]
Pingback by Weird Daily » Blog Archive » UFO Hotspots Map — November 4, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
That is an awesome map! So now if I want to see a UFO all I have to do is move to one of the nearest hot spots.
Comment by UFO Archive — November 4, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
[...] http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/196-ufo-hotspots-map/#comment-48518 [...]
Pingback by Sightings Bullettin - November 2007 « — November 5, 2007 @ 9:44 am
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Pingback by Okfuture.net » UFO Sighting Hotspots Map — November 5, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
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Pingback by Ori Oren’s Blog » על סדר היום — November 5, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
It would be interesting to see an overlay of gravimetric anomolies,EM map,military bases,nuclear plants per state as well.Add Ley lines to that. Also a frequency of sightings based on numbers during the day,weeks,months and years could also be of import.
These UFO’s what ever their origin seem to be interested in our military and energy generation infrastructure.
I agree with Dr. Vallee that our clandestine services have used such anomolies as cover. Some are probably UAV’s there are many types including the very stable saucer shape.Making in harder to identifie. See Project Aurora.
These and other anomolies,strange animals,hauntings et al occure in what John Keel called ‘window areas’ what the ancients refurred to as permiable areas where unnatural things happened year in, year out.
Comment by Randall Besch — November 5, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
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Pingback by DeLoucos.com » Blog Archive » Avistamento de OVNIS - UFO Sights Map - OVNI carte — November 6, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
[...] was perusing Strange Maps this morning and found a map of UFO sightings by county. As you might expect, the extraterrestrials dig the West, which had most of the [...]
Pingback by Anonymous Communist » Blog Archive » The truth is out there, here — November 6, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Yeah, the most interesting thing about this map is that the Southeast, the cultural/historic South, is relatively low in UFO sightings. I wonder why that is?
I’d speculate that alien sightings stand in as a replacement for conventional religiosity, except that other areas that are quite religious (the plains, Utah) see UFOs at the non-Southern rate.
Something specific to Southern Baptists and similar evangelical groups, maybe–I’ve certainly heard people insist that there are no aliens on theological grounds. Or maybe it has nothing to do with that at all.
Comment by Matt McIrvin — November 7, 2007 @ 3:49 am
I saw two UFO’s over Orange County, CA. Nothing we have ever created could move like the objects I had seen. I have never seen a simulation of it in film, animation, or anywhere. They are beyond our imaginations at this time.
Comment by Vic — November 7, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
[...] Link Share This Close [...]
Pingback by fullyGeek.com » UFO sightings hotspots map of the USA — November 11, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Well, the Northern MN ones are probably Aurora Borealis, right? Campers in the boundary waters who haven’t seen it before could easily think that was a UFO.
Comment by Susie Q — November 12, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
[...] Map From Strange Maps [...]
Pingback by UFO map of the United States — November 16, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
The observations about population density affecting the maps are thoughtful ones. I would like to see a map adjusted for this. However, the Sea-Tac area is densely populated but still has a relatively dark color. Ditto the Denver (especially) and Albuquerque (to a lesser extent) areas. There seem to be some other areas that defy the dense / sparse population argument as well.
The observation about “big sky” versus forested areas is also an interesting one although I don’t know if it can be proven to be a factor. I notice that “upstate” NY (just north of NYC) have a relatively dark color even though they are densely populated and heavily forested.
Comment by kmd — November 25, 2007 @ 5:36 am
Portland, Oregon has a fair share of sightings but I think many in Oregon DO NOT REPORT them for what ever reason.
Comment by CindyPDX — November 25, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
A lot of the sightings in New Mexico area could be the sighting of F117’s during the 70’s and 80’s. They do not look like aircraft and civilian radar would not pick them up. That matches many of the reputable descriptions. Nellis AFB is out that way.
Comment by cargosquid — December 8, 2007 @ 2:10 am
someone is badly informed south ga and north fla has been a hot bed for over 40 years so has penn and ohio river valley area. billy j rachels researcher/investigator
Comment by billy j rachels — January 9, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
No vegetation in the west?? Have you seen pictures of the Pacific Northwest? Try another theory. Perhaps more frequent incidences of cloud cover?
Comment by John — January 21, 2008 @ 5:50 am
had CLOSE ENCOUNTER FEET- NOT YARDS, NOT MILES-FEET- TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT. I COULD HAVE REACH OUT AND TOUCHED IT.I KNOW WHAT I SAW.GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by ted — January 25, 2008 @ 4:00 am
Before MIB movie came out- after close encounter- had DAYTIME visitation by 2 guys suits no coats, ties and darksun glasses -answered my front door and remember nothing after that-weird- try and explain THAT!P.S>Iworked around nuclear weapons for years.Any connection?
Comment by ted — January 25, 2008 @ 4:13 am
Close encounter(refer 48 and49)by Ted-1988 U.P. of Michigan- I have worked on aircraft for 16+ yrs days and nights. Never seen anything that i even guestioned what anything in the sky was-never.We were in a truck cresting a slight hill( the trees cover the road from the air in this area)I think we surprised the object. when a soft white light hit us.We woke up blinking at aech other hunched over slightly.We looked out the front, these RED lights- Not bright- soft glowing slowly crawled across the front windsheild. MY FRIEND FREAKED OUT!!!I got out of the truck and saw nothing(trees and leaves a few feet all around the area-FEET above us.) I saw Nothing>It was beautiful dusk- summertime-no wind and there was no lights no odject no leaves moving no sound-NoTHING. It was feet away crossing the windsheild-Close enough for you.I dont tell stories only facts.I DID NOT BELEIVE BERORE BUT NOW I HAVE A CLOSE ENCOUNTER-youtell me.I have talked to people and they said if they saw an odject right in front of them (close minded)they still would not beleive it or say anything to anyone. Can alot of sightings be explained-Yes. Can this encounter-I dought it.What ever it was it had mind control capabilities.That explains why there isnt any clear and concrete pictures or why meeting are rare or non existant.You know the peoplethat try and explain what i saw(the experts)Good Luck.I KNOW WHAT I SAW!
Comment by ted — January 25, 2008 @ 5:04 am
Every Bible-Bumping Moron I know will believe some story about some guy floating in the sky, walking on water, he died for us……ok. They only believe thing within there grasp. I Can tell you this if humans 2000 yrs ago had a book called “THE CLOSE ENCOUNTER” the earth would be a better world-Wake up morons we are not alone. HIGHER POWER-you better believe it.
Comment by ted — January 25, 2008 @ 5:34 am
Reference #35 on list-The object was on a high voltage power line when it encountered us and I did work in close guarters with nuclear weapons. I told someone about my close encounter and he though there was a connection between nukes and encounters.Hey, John Keel I found an open
‘Window Area” nice try, window closed.
Comment by ted — January 25, 2008 @ 6:04 am
I’ve lived in western Nebraska, and have seen UFOs, and no, they weren’t satellites or Air Force, unless the Air Force has the ability to keep something stationary in the air, then do a circle in the sky, then disappear and reappear on the other side in the blink of an eye. The night sky is incredibly dark in the western expanses, likingly explaining why there aren’t that many reports in the east or south. They are there, go to the Pine Ridge on a moonless night. People in the east would probably have an anxiety attack from the dark solitude.
Comment by Alex — January 29, 2008 @ 2:18 am
Reasons we have failed to contact or have any solid evidence of advance life forms are many.We have our selves just emerged from the dark ages. They are in a different demension, giving us only glimses of their intelligence.By now we should have something, not just distant sightings of objects and lights.The human race will go extinct before they ever give up their secrets.
Comment by ted — January 29, 2008 @ 3:02 am
Refer number 48- Why is it everytime I say the Identified Object was feet from us- someone starts with the far off sightings-wake up – you know what go read your Bibles. Stick your faces in the pages, close your eyes and pray, pray, pray…..stay indoors and close your minds to the possibilities. I cant wait till my next close encounter.
Comment by ted — January 29, 2008 @ 3:29 am
fun map!
i wish it had one more level of break-down: 90-1000 and 1001-2900.
a thought i’ve often had: when people see phenomena on this earth, why do they often assume it originated somewhere from outside our planet?
thanks,
paul
Comment by adopted — March 26, 2008 @ 3:32 am
this is a great website you have going here. keep up the good work!
Comment by Monica — April 6, 2008 @ 11:35 am
Concur that a sightings-per-population *map* is pointless and misleading, especially spaced by counties which vary in size.
The map should show absolute numbers of sightings, on an evenly spaced grid (Cartesian or hexagonal) reflecting equal areas. Then we’d get a real idea of geographical “hot spots”.
For the hypothesis that UFOs prefer low-population areas, do a scatter graph, population as Y-axis, incidents as X-axis, and see whether a high negative correlation results, i.e. clustering around a diagonal line from high left to low right.
There’s been plenty of silliness in both sightings and debunkings.
I’ve seen a hot-air balloon get reported as a UFO. The reports accurately described the colors (top, bottom, and equatorial band) of the balloon, yet somehow omitted the basket hanging underneath.
On the other hand, reports of a bright light moving about overhead at midnight were dismissed the next day by a radio newscast cheerily explaining, “Don’t worry, folks, it was only Venus.”
Right. Venus. Overhead. At midnight. “Don’t worry” — as if a planet sent hurtling from an inner solar orbit to outside the Earth’s orbit wouldn’t be far more newsworthy than any mere alien spacecraft.
I carefully explained this, with diagrams, to the radio newscasters. Their reply was that they were only reporting what they were told. They had no recollection of who’d told them that, and were utterly incurious about the whole matter.
Comment by Pyre — June 4, 2008 @ 8:21 am
[...] Et pour finir, un dernière exemple avec la répartition géographique des apparitions des soucoupes volantes aux USA. [...]
Pingback by Strange Maps « Webophilie — June 10, 2008 @ 5:32 am
Many of the western sites with high sighting rates are near lesser known military test sites like Nellis, White Sands, Yuma, etc. These are places where all sortsof weird testing goes on.
One of the charaterists of UFO’s it they appear on radar,and move at high rates of speed and then stop or disappear. No one ever seems to mention that radar spoofing systems can make that apparent motion easily.
It all boils down to what you want to believe.
My atitude is if they can come here and we can;t go there, we need ot be VERY nice.
Comment by Al Pergande — June 10, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
[...] Strangemaps vom J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO [...]
Pingback by Wo die Ausserirdischen wohnen at Svenster.BLOG — June 18, 2008 @ 11:30 am
If there is an inverse correlation between population density and UFO sightings it is because you don’t really want people to see our secret airplanes…er…I mean the aliens don’t want to be spotted.
Comment by Doubter — August 14, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
Northwest Kansas! that is really interesting as well, a perfect blend of trees and open pasture with hills and valleys that they could disappear in between and its quite sparsely populated but with plenty growing and been raised to eat.
Comment by Alex — October 15, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
This is a really useful exercise. Taking UFO/Alien sightings as a few scattered events doesn’t tell us much other than the cases themselves. This however, shows us some common trends in regards to locations and specific events by which further analysis can be undertaken. Popular beliefs by individuals within towns and cities may play a part in these results given the varying religious undertakings by population mass. After all, singular religious beliefs can and will dictate what we believe in, which in turn can impact what we actually see.
Comment by Alien Sightings — January 9, 2009 @ 6:51 pm
Interesting that there is a ’spike’ around Area 51 don’t you think? This really correlates to the fact that a renowned UFO location will always appear to induce sightings given the knowledge of the location. Some interesting stuff around this infamous location though which in time may be released to the world under the new Obama government.
Comment by UFO Sightings — February 4, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Dont diss the Bible, its real. It is just missing quite a few facts that speak of ‘God and Gods’. Read Von Daniken. Ties things nicely together with FACTS and DATING. The Government will NEVER TELL because it would completely destroy the societal infrastucture (religion specifically). But yes, they are here and have always been here. I just want to go somewhere other than OBAMANATION….
Comment by CAZ — April 20, 2009 @ 3:55 am
thank you
Comment by Tony — May 4, 2009 @ 3:13 am
It’s quite interesting that I have lived in Colorado all my life and didn’t know of anybody seeing UFOs until the year 2004! I started researching and then just asking people I worked with if they had seen any. Sure enough! Two co-workers spoke up and also one of my friend’s parents. (They are the least likely to have made this stuff up.) Then in 2007 I saw one in Hooper, Colorado at the UFO Seminar, me and several other people. I believe.
Comment by Kathy Townsend — June 18, 2009 @ 11:19 pm
Vielen Dank
Comment by moon — July 3, 2009 @ 4:56 am