SkyUnknown

UFO sightings by period

UFO sightings in the 1980s: 478 reports

SkyUnknown lists 478 UFO sightings in the 1980s worldwide, drawn from official records: GEIPAN (CNES) for 379 cases, Aeronautica Militare (Italie) for 97, and PURSUE (gouvernement des États-Unis) for 2. The busiest year was 1980, with 137 cases.

Of the 478 cases with a conclusion from their source, 43% are explained (with certainty or probably), 33% lack the data to conclude, and 114 remain unidentified. The most frequent identified causes: planets (18); re-entries (17); meteors and fireballs (13).

Most frequently named places: Rentree Atmospherique — National (5), La Foa (3), Le Loroux-Bottereau (2), Saint-Denis (2), and Martigues (2).

cases
478
unidentified
114
period
1980–1989
sources
3
Map of the cases

Notable cases

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

All decades

Sightings by year

137
8063
8135
8251
8335
8445
8524
8616
8741
8831
89

Identified causes

For cases explained with certainty or probably.

By country

The 200 most recent sightings (out of 478)

DatePlaceStatus
December 17, 1989Milano MarittimaUnexplained
November 25, 1989Le Havre · Seine-MaritimeInsufficient data
November 23, 1989Isola Di GiannutriUnexplained
November 22, 1989Mirecourt · VosgesExplained
November 4, 1989BertinoroUnexplained
November 1989Dieppe · Seine-MaritimeInsufficient data
October 27, 1989« le Trou Normand » Brix · MancheProbably explained
October 26, 1989Benagues · AriègeProbably explained
October 25, 1989Châtel-de-Neuvre · AllierInsufficient data
October 15, 1989BiancavillaUnexplained
October 14, 1989Saint-Priest · ArdècheInsufficient data
October 12, 1989Pleuneuf Val Andre · Côtes-d'ArmorProbably explained
October 9, 1989Plan-d'Aups-Sainte-Baume (83) 0Insufficient data
October 1989La Rochelle · DoubsInsufficient data
September 4, 1989« les Tuiles » Bertre · TarnUnexplained
August 19, 1989Le Conquet · FinistèreInsufficient data
July 18, 1989« Lac d'Opale (le) » Estaing · Hautes-PyrénéesProbably explained
June 28, 1989Les Sables-d'Olonne · VendéeProbably explained
June 1989Meaux · Seine-et-MarneProbably explained
May 30, 1989La Neuvelle-lès-Lure · Haute-SaôneUnexplained
May 8, 1989Chanac · LozèreProbably explained
March 13, 1989Aurore Boreale — Saint-Pierre-Quiberon · MorbihanExplained
March 12, 1989Firmi · AveyronProbably explained
March 3, 1989Mayet · SartheUnexplained
February 7, 1989Ballaison · Haute-SavoieProbably explained
February 6, 1989Sud OuestProbably explained
January 27, 1989CreuseExplained
January 15, 1989Saint-André-de-l'Eure · EureProbably explained
January 12, 1989Ponza (40 Mn A Sud)Unexplained
January 12, 1989Reggio Calabria (30 Mn A Sud- Est)Unexplained
January 12, 1989Saint-Martin-de-Boscherville · Seine-MaritimeUnexplained
December 21, 1988Debris Spatiaux (retombee) — NationalExplained
December 18, 1988Montdardier · GardExplained
December 16, 1988Les Rues-des-Vignes · NordUnexplained
December 4, 1988Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu · Loire-AtlantiqueInsufficient data
December 1988Noisy-le-Sec · Seine-Saint-DenisInsufficient data
December 1, 1988Saint-Michel-de-Villadeix · DordogneProbably explained
October 22, 1988Nuku-HivaExplained
October 20, 1988Sisteron · Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceProbably explained
October 19, 1988Pissos · LandesInsufficient data
October 13, 1988Saint-Sulpice-le-Dunois · CreuseInsufficient data
October 6, 1988Gannat · AllierExplained
September 22, 1988Loperhet · FinistèreInsufficient data
September 17, 1988TorrigliaUnexplained
September 7, 1988Seloncourt · DoubsProbably explained
September 6, 1988Tournai-sur-Dive (61) · OrneExplained
September 5, 1988ParisProbably explained
September 4, 1988Bourgogne SeptembreProbably explained
August 19, 1988San Piero In BagnoUnexplained
August 17, 1988Brignoles · VarProbably explained
August 17, 1988GenovaUnexplained
August 17, 1988MilanoUnexplained
August 17, 1988VeneziaUnexplained
August 13, 1988Maisons-Alfort · Val-de-MarneProbably explained
August 11, 1988Morez · JuraProbably explained
August 9, 1988Nontron · DordogneProbably explained
August 6, 1988Sainte-Maxime · VarInsufficient data
July 30, 1988Revigny-sur-Ornain · MeuseInsufficient data
July 18, 1988Brommat · AveyronProbably explained
July 3, 1988Gioia Del ColleUnexplained
June 28, 1988Hulluch · Pas-de-CalaisProbably explained
June 10, 1988VillafrancaUnexplained
May 4, 1988Rochefort sur Mer · Charente-MaritimeInsufficient data
April 24, 1988RenonUnexplained
April 21, 1988Nancy · Meurthe-et-MoselleProbably explained
April 13, 1988Marines · Val-d'OiseInsufficient data
March 12, 1988Valensole · Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceInsufficient data
March 10, 1988DecimomannuUnexplained
February 6, 1988Givry · Saône-et-LoireInsufficient data
February 5, 1988Calais · Pas-de-CalaisInsufficient data
January 26, 1988Port-la-Nouvelle · AudeUnexplained
January 17, 1988Hayange · MoselleInsufficient data
December 12, 1987Moussan · AudeInsufficient data
December 8, 1987Tourcoing · NordInsufficient data
December 3, 1987Volo Az 142- Dc9 Isola D’ElbaUnexplained
November 27, 1987Montfort-sur-Meu · Ille-et-VilaineExplained
October 4, 1987Gueutteville-les-Grès · Seine-MaritimeProbably explained
October 2, 1987Vernoux-en-Vivarais · ArdècheExplained
September 29, 1987Arras · Pas-de-CalaisProbably explained
September 7, 1987Nort-sur-Erdre (44) 07.09.1987 « Joe le Taxi »Explained
September 1, 1987Rentree Atmospherique — NationalExplained
August 18, 1987(dep) Cher · CherInsufficient data
July 29, 1987Toulon-sur-Arroux · Saône-et-LoireUnexplained
July 9, 1987Landser · Haut-RhinInsufficient data
March 12, 1987Seloncourt · DoubsInsufficient data
March 8, 1987(dep) Corse-du-Sud · Corse-du-SudExplained
January 25, 1987Madonna Della Pace - SubiacoUnexplained
January 6, 1987Dreux · Eure-et-LoirProbably explained
December 20, 1986AscianoProbably explained
December 20, 1986Castel BuonoUnexplained
December 20, 1986San Mauro Castelnuovo E Geraci SiculoUnexplained
December 18, 1986Località Montagna Spaccata GaetaUnexplained
December 7, 1986Bellaria IgeaUnexplained
November 24, 1986GrossetoUnexplained
November 12, 1986Vendin-le-Viel (62) Henin-Beaumont · Pas-de-CalaisExplained
November 4, 1986Costa Adriatica (Forlì, Pesaro, Ancona)Unexplained
October 28, 1986ViareggioUnexplained
October 20, 1986Cachan · Val-de-MarneInsufficient data
October 6, 1986Villemomble · Seine-Saint-DenisInsufficient data
September 15, 1986Vélizy-Villacoublay · YvelinesExplained
September 6, 1986Ivry-sur-Seine · Val-de-MarneProbably explained
August 1986Noyon · OiseInsufficient data
July 28, 1986Cazals · Tarn-et-GaronneInsufficient data
June 15, 1986San Vittoria In MatenanoUnexplained
June 1986Pré-en-Pail · MayenneInsufficient data
May 20, 1986New MexicoUnexplained
April 17, 1986Massy · EssonneInsufficient data
April 14, 1986Mulhouse · Haut-RhinInsufficient data
March 22, 1986Vers Sarrancolin · Hautes-PyrénéesProbably explained
March 17, 1986Saussay · Eure-et-LoirInsufficient data
March 1, 1986Maisonnais-sur-Tardoire · Haute-VienneExplained
January 3, 1986Vannaire · Côte-d'OrInsufficient data
December 13, 1985SorrentoUnexplained
December 2, 1985Villers-Bocage · SommeProbably explained
November 16, 1985Fresnes · Val-de-MarneProbably explained
October 28, 1985Costiola Di CecinaUnexplained
October 20, 1985Barjac · ArdècheInsufficient data
October 8, 1985Dannemarie · Haut-RhinInsufficient data
October 5, 1985Cahors · LotProbably explained
September 17, 1985ImperiaUnexplained
September 16, 1985Marseille · Bouches-du-RhôneProbably explained
September 15, 1985AostaUnexplained
September 14, 1985Reventin-Vaugris · IsèreInsufficient data
September 12, 1985Dole · JuraInsufficient data
September 8, 1985CarbonaraUnexplained
September 3, 1985Rentree Atmospherique · RhôneProbably explained
August 18, 1985PontiniaUnexplained
August 6, 1985Saint-Pierre · La RéunionInsufficient data
August 1, 1985Barras · Alpes-de-Haute-ProvenceInsufficient data
July 22, 1985Ploemeur · MorbihanInsufficient data
July 22, 1985Ploërmel · MorbihanProbably explained
July 20, 1985Saint-Germain · AubeProbably explained
June 26, 1985Mouchy-le-Châtel · OiseInsufficient data
June 5, 1985Gan · Pyrénées-AtlantiquesInsufficient data
May 25, 1985Saint-Malo-des-Trois-Fontaines · MorbihanProbably explained
April 30, 1985Corigliano CalabroUnexplained
April 8, 1985Grandrieu · LozèreExplained
March 23, 1985TarantoUnexplained
March 8, 1985Nanterre · Hauts-de-SeineProbably explained
March 6, 1985Montpellier · HéraultExplained
March 2, 1985Saint-Seine-l'Abbaye · Côte-d'OrInsufficient data
February 25, 1985Saint-Sulpice-de-Royan · Charente-MaritimeExplained
February 24, 1985Falaise · CalvadosExplained
February 22, 1985Abondance · Haute-SavoieExplained
February 21, 1985Bais · MayenneProbably explained
February 17, 1985Ouzouer-sur-Loire · LoiretExplained
February 14, 1985Tourcoing · NordInsufficient data
February 13, 1985Lannilis · FinistèreInsufficient data
February 2, 1985Urepel · Pyrénées-AtlantiquesExplained
February 1, 1985Pralognan-la-Vanoise · SavoieInsufficient data
January 26, 1985Moirans-en-Montagne · JuraProbably explained
January 24, 1985LotExplained
January 24, 1985Papua New GuineaUnexplained
January 24, 1985Prusly-sur-Ource · Côte-d'OrInsufficient data
January 21, 1985Cosne-d'Allier · AllierInsufficient data
January 14, 1985Bédoin · VaucluseExplained
January 6, 1985Val-de-Reuil · EureInsufficient data
December 14, 1984Villers-lès-Luxeuil · Haute-SaôneExplained
December 5, 1984Isola D’ElbaUnexplained
December 5, 1984LadispoliUnexplained
December 5, 1984VentimigliaUnexplained
November 30, 1984Azzano DecimoUnexplained
November 12, 1984Saint-Denis les Bains · La RéunionProbably explained
October 25, 1984Montpont-en-Bresse · Saône-et-LoireProbably explained
October 22, 1984Le Luc · VarExplained
October 9, 1984PolcantoUnexplained
October 8, 1984Pratola SerraUnexplained
October 2, 1984Saint-Cricq-Chalosse · LandesInsufficient data
September 28, 1984Comines · NordExplained
September 12, 1984CapriUnexplained
September 3, 1984Le Coudray-Saint-Germer · OiseExplained
September 2, 1984VicenzaUnexplained
August 31, 1984Coulaines · SartheInsufficient data
August 25, 1984StornarellaUnexplained
August 2, 1984Sollières-Sardières · SavoieInsufficient data
July 29, 1984Tournus · Saône-et-LoireProbably explained
July 13, 1984Parco Del CirceoUnexplained
June 23, 1984CagliariUnexplained
April 27, 1984IsèreInsufficient data
March 24, 1984Boulaur · GersInsufficient data
March 5, 1984La FoaExplained
March 2, 1984La FoaInsufficient data
March 1984La FoaInsufficient data
February 21, 1984Vers Saint-Medard-en-Jalles · GirondeInsufficient data
February 17, 1984TorinoUnexplained
February 12, 1984Saint-Loup-Lamairé · Deux-SèvresProbably explained
February 5, 1984Plouguenast · FinistèreProbably explained
February 1, 1984Baia DomiziaUnexplained
February 1, 1984Moreuil · SommeProbably explained
January 19, 1984Atripalda AvellinoUnexplained
January 5, 1984Nîmes · GardInsufficient data
January 5, 1984Nîmes · GardExplained
December 8, 1983Yerres · EssonneInsufficient data
December 1, 1983Sarreguemines · MoselleInsufficient data
November 26, 1983Brive-la-Gaillarde · CorrèzeProbably explained
November 18, 1983MoselleProbably explained
November 17, 1983Hombourg-Haut · MoselleProbably explained
November 17, 1983Rentree Atmospherique — NationalProbably explained
November 15, 1983Rentree Atmospherique — NationalProbably explained
October 31, 1983Ambernac (16) 31.10.1983 « Peuplier»Probably explained
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The figures on this page are computed from the official records cited on each case. See sources and method