A still image from video released by the Department of Defense shows a an unknown object as seen from a Navy F/A-18F fighter jet.

What we know from decades of UFO government investigations

Mysterious flying objects. Claims of crashed alien spacecrafts. The U.S. has spent decades inquiring into the unknown—here's what they've learned.

This image released by the U.S. Department of Defense shows a 2004 encounter between two Navy fighter jets and an unknown object near San Diego. But are UFO sightings like this one a sign of extraterrestrial life, spies from a rival nation—or just weird weather? 
Photograph by DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/The New York Times/Redux

There’s something strange going on in the sky, but what?

Unidentified flying objects are much in the news lately after a whistleblower claimed that the United States had discovered the remains of a crashed alien spacecraft

The Pentagon denied the report, but the U.S. Congress remained interested—and, in June, the House Oversight Committee announced it will hold a hearing on UFOS—or as the U.S. government calls them, “Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” (UAPs).  “In addition to recent claims by a whistleblower,” a committee spokesperson said, “reports continue to surface regarding unidentified anomalous phenomena.”

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Sign In or Sign Up to Continue Reading

Enjoy a free account—no credit card required. Get Nat Geo newsletters plus unlimited access to free content. To continue, enter your email below.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

How to prepare for heat waves
This place may have the highest density of great white sharks
Colossal gravitational waves found for the first time

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet