What the heck’s going on? Almost 2000 UFO sightings — and that’s just over Maryland

A significant number of 1,923 reports have been made by individuals claiming to have spotted unidentified flying objects (UFOs) in Maryland, according to the National UFO Reporting Center. The UFOs, also known as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) by NASA, were reported in various shapes including circles, ovals, triangles and diamonds, and were often described as emitting lights or flashes.

Among US states, Maryland ranks 25th in terms of the number of UFO sightings since data collection began in 1946. California holds the top spot with 16,084 reports. The past decade has seen a substantial increase in sightings, a trend attributed to the topic’s growing exposure on social media.

Public interest in UAPs was also sparked by the display of alleged “alien corpses” at the Mexican Congress in September, which was met with skepticism by the scientific community. In July, Congress held a hearing where former military personnel testified about their firsthand experiences with UAPs and potential security risks associated with these unidentified phenomena.

NASA’s Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Independent Study Team released a 36-page report in September, urging more comprehensive research into the various reported sightings. NASA administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the need to shift the conversation from sensationalism to science, stating that while no evidence of extraterrestrial origin was found, the nature of these UAPs remains unknown.

Despite some reports being explained as balloons, aircraft, or natural phenomena, NASA lacks a detailed database to aid in UAP investigations. Peter Davenport, NUFORC’s director, expressed optimism about the increasing number of reports and official acknowledgment of UAPs, but remained cautious about potential government secrecy.

NUFORC’s chief technology officer, Christian Stepien, stated that while most UAP sightings can be scientifically explained, there are still inexplicable reports. He asserted that the evidence over the past 70 years is undeniable, indicating that anomalous craft are freely flying in our airspace, and should be of extreme interest to the government and the public. He also suggested that while the government is aware of the public’s interest in UAPs, it has opted to keep the details hidden.