SkyUnknown

What UFOs turn out to be

Stars mistaken for UFOs (Sirius, Capella)

Near the horizon, a bright star's light passes through a thick layer of turbulent air: it twinkles strongly and breaks into red, green and blue flashes. Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and Capella are the most often reported.

Through binoculars or a phone camera, the shimmering image seems to change shape, adding to the impression of an object. Like a planet, the star keeps its place among the others and sets slowly.

SkyUnknown lists 85 UFO sightings explained as a bright star, from 1973 to 2025, drawn from official records: GEIPAN (CNES) for 84 cases and Aeronautica Militare (Italie) for 1. The busiest year was 2015, with 11 cases.

cases
85
unidentified
0
period
1973–2025
sources
2
Map of the cases

Notable cases

The most complete records: account of the sighting, conclusion of the official investigation.

Other explanations

Sightings by decade

2
1970s6
1980s3
1990s4
2000s52
2010s18
2020s

By country

All sightings

DatePlaceStatus
December 10, 2025San-Gavino-di-TendaExplained
September 4, 2025Dommartin-lès-Toul · Meurthe-et-MoselleExplained
March 6, 2025Vicq · Haute-MarneExplained
December 12, 2024Entremont-le-Vieux · SavoieExplained
September 23, 2024Banne · ArdècheExplained
September 20, 2024Saint-Urcize · CantalExplained
February 14, 2023Tours · Indre-et-LoireExplained
August 16, 2022Solomiac · GersExplained
March 21, 2022Le Thieulin · Eure-et-LoirExplained
March 3, 2022Saussines · HéraultExplained
November 26, 2021Villeneuve-d'Ascq · NordExplained
August 13, 2021Martigues · Bouches-du-RhôneExplained
March 24, 2021Thaon-les-Vosges · VosgesExplained
November 11, 2020Carlux · DordogneExplained
August 12, 2020Panzoult · Indre-et-LoireExplained
May 20, 2020Chartèves · AisneProbably explained
March 23, 2020Tournon-Saint-Pierre · Indre-et-LoireExplained
March 14, 2020Rustrel · VaucluseExplained
September 17, 2019Auxerre · YonneExplained
September 2, 2019Fabrègues · HéraultExplained
August 8, 2019Landouzy-la-Ville · AisneExplained
April 8, 2019Cléden-Cap-Sizun · FinistèreExplained
February 24, 2019Semuy · ArdennesExplained
February 16, 2019Chavanges · AubeExplained
January 17, 2019Les Abymes · GuadeloupeExplained
January 2, 2019Teloché · SartheExplained
October 31, 2017Toutlemonde · Maine-et-LoireExplained
August 27, 2017Puymoyen · CharenteExplained
June 10, 2017Poliénas · IsèreExplained
May 25, 2017Albon · DrômeExplained
January 21, 2017Espédaillac · LotExplained
December 27, 2016Crozon · FinistèreProbably explained
November 11, 2016Villeneuve-les-Bordes · Seine-et-MarneExplained
September 2, 2016Châteauneuf-de-Galaure · DrômeExplained
August 22, 2016Émanville · EureProbably explained
July 13, 2016Saintes · Charente-MaritimeExplained
May 22, 2016Le Conquet · FinistèreExplained
April 17, 2016Grand-Couronne · Seine-MaritimeExplained
April 3, 2016Plouescat · FinistèreExplained
March 5, 2016Estandeuil · Puy-de-DômeExplained
December 13, 2015Bonnes · CharenteExplained
November 7, 2015Luant · IndreProbably explained
November 1, 2015Bordeaux-Saint-Clair · Seine-MaritimeExplained
October 7, 2015Évron · MayenneExplained
August 10, 2015Saint-Michel-sur-Orge · EssonneExplained
May 26, 2015Saint-Pabu · FinistèreProbably explained
April 21, 2015Marnaz · Haute-SavoieExplained
April 13, 2015Albi · TarnProbably explained
March 7, 2015Joué-lès-Tours · Indre-et-LoireExplained
February 9, 2015Varès · Lot-et-GaronneExplained
January 8, 2015Parempuyre · GirondeExplained
December 18, 2014Les Arcs · VarProbably explained
November 10, 2014Sainte-Catherine · Pas-de-CalaisExplained
July 3, 2014Chécy · LoiretExplained
June 6, 2014Biars-sur-Cère · LotProbably explained
May 15, 2014Lyon · RhôneExplained
December 10, 2013Camaret-sur-Aigues · VaucluseProbably explained
November 6, 2013Tallard · Hautes-AlpesExplained
October 20, 2013Nantes · Loire-AtlantiqueExplained
June 21, 2013Massac-Séran · TarnExplained
March 3, 2013Sidiailles · CherExplained
July 28, 2012Carentan · MancheExplained
March 26, 2012Ploeren · MorbihanProbably explained
November 20, 2011Montgras · Haute-GaronneProbably explained
October 23, 2011Val-de-Reuil · EureProbably explained
September 13, 2011Chanousse · Hautes-AlpesExplained
March 20, 2011Chardogne · MeuseExplained
November 1, 2010Mailly-le-Camp · AubeProbably explained
April 14, 2010Escource · LandesExplained
February 22, 2010Coulounieix-Chamiers · DordogneExplained
December 31, 2009Mamoudzou · MayotteExplained
March 17, 2009Saint-Égrève · IsèreExplained
April 12, 2008Montégut-en-Couserans · AriègeProbably explained
January 16, 2001Biarritz · Pyrénées-AtlantiquesExplained
August 13, 1998Saint-Chamond · LoireExplained
March 17, 1997Montpellier · HéraultExplained
August 6, 1991Saint-Lary · GersExplained
January 27, 1989CreuseExplained
February 2, 1985Urepel · Pyrénées-AtlantiquesExplained
January 5, 1984Nîmes · GardExplained
December 21, 1981Caudan · MorbihanProbably explained
November 22, 1981Lhuis · AinExplained
January 29, 1981Dry · LoiretExplained
February 25, 1975Vernoux-en-Vivarais · ArdècheExplained
July 20, 1973OtrantoExplained
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The figures on this page are computed from the official records cited on each case. See sources and method