What UFOs turn out to be
UFO hoaxes
A small share of investigated cases turn out to be hoaxes: a model hung from a thread, a retouched photo, an edited video or a false account. Investigators spot them through image analysis, inconsistencies in the story or confessions.
They remain rare in official records, where the vast majority of witnesses are acting in good faith and really did see something.
SkyUnknown lists 9 UFO sightings explained as a hoax, from 1960 to 2015, drawn from official records: GEIPAN (CNES).
- cases
- 9
- unidentified
- 0
- period
- 1960–2015
- source
- 1
Notable cases
The most complete records: account of the sighting, conclusion of the official investigation.
- ExplainedMay 12, 2015
Albi
Tarn, Occitanie, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- ExplainedDecember 16, 2014
Saint-Nolff
Morbihan, Bretagne, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- ExplainedOctober 27, 2014
Alençon
Orne, Normandie, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- Probably explainedOctober 16, 2013
Vienne-en-Arthies
Val-d'Oise, Île-de-France, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- ExplainedAugust 20, 2011
Chamalières
Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- ExplainedSeptember 7, 1987
Nort-sur-Erdre (44) 07.09.1987 « Joe le Taxi »
France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- ExplainedJanuary 21, 1980
Nançay
Cher, Centre-Val de Loire, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- ExplainedApril 5, 1976
Pont-Sainte-Maxence
Oise, Hauts-de-France, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
- Probably explainedNovember 13, 1960
La Londe
Seine-Maritime, Normandie, France
→ Hoaxes
GEIPAN (CNES)
Other explanations
- Sky lanterns418
- Aircraft288
- Balloons197
- Meteors and fireballs130
- Ground lights and lasers130
- Planets109
- Satellites98
- Re-entries87
- Space station (ISS)86
- Stars85
- Birds, insects, nature52
- Reflections and photo artefacts44
- Moon41
- Weather and storms31
- Optical phenomena23
- Drones19
- Fireworks and flares12
- Other explanations9
All sightings
| Date | Place | Status | Identified cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2015 | Albi · Tarn | Explained | Hoaxes |
| December 16, 2014 | Saint-Nolff · Morbihan | Explained | Hoaxes |
| October 27, 2014 | Alençon · Orne | Explained | Hoaxes |
| October 16, 2013 | Vienne-en-Arthies · Val-d'Oise | Probably explained | Hoaxes |
| August 20, 2011 | Chamalières · Puy-de-Dôme | Explained | Hoaxes |
| September 7, 1987 | Nort-sur-Erdre (44) 07.09.1987 « Joe le Taxi » | Explained | Hoaxes |
| January 21, 1980 | Nançay · Cher | Explained | Hoaxes |
| April 5, 1976 | Pont-Sainte-Maxence · Oise | Explained | Hoaxes |
| November 13, 1960 | La Londe · Seine-Maritime | Probably explained | Hoaxes |
The figures on this page are computed from the official records cited on each case. See sources and method