UFO Sightings Linked with Nuclear Weapons Testing (United States Study)

📍 Location

📝 Description

A 2025 peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports analyzed 2,718 days of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS-I) data (November 19, 1949 – April 28, 1957) and found statistically significant associations between transient star-like photographic plate features, nuclear weapons testing, and unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) reports. The researchers report that transients are 45% more likely to occur within ±1 day of an above-ground nuclear test (relative risk 1.45, p = 0.008). On days with at least one transient, the total number of transients is higher on dates with more UAP reports (an 8.5% increase in transients for every additional UAP reported on that date; p = 0.015), and there are small but significant associations between the number of nuclear tests and the number of UAP reports (p = 0.008). The strongest timing signal is that transients are more likely to appear the day after a nuclear test (18.5% of such days vs 11.0% on other days). The dataset covers 124 nuclear test days (4.6%) and 2,428 days with at least one UAP report (89.3%). Transients on POSS-I plates are described as short-lived, star-like objects lasting less than one exposure time (about 50 minutes) and not consistently present across adjacent plates. The findings suggest associations beyond chance and may contribute to empirical understanding of UAP phenomena, while not implying a specific extraterrestrial origin. The study situates its analysis in the United States context (POSS-I plates from Palomar Observatory, California) and references contemporaneous UAP accounts and nuclear testing activity.

🔍 Circumstances

Analysis of POSS-I photographic plates (1949–1957) for transient events, cross-referenced with public records of above-ground nuclear tests and the UFOCAT/UAP witness reports database; statistical tests considered timing windows around nuclear tests and the relationship between transient counts and UAP reports.

👤 Physical Description

Transient star-like occurrences on photographic plates; described as short-lived point sources lasting less than one 50-minute exposure; not directly observed as physical objects in real time, but recorded on historical plates.

ℹ️ Additional Details

Data sources include POSS-I transients (n = 2,718 days) and UFOCAT UAP reports; 124 nuclear test days; 2,428 days with at least one UAP report; observed associations persist after controlling for multiple comparisons; the work is framed as preliminary empirical testing within the VASCO tradition and discusses potential atmospheric or instrumental explanations as well as the possibility of UAP-related reflections or other effects.

🔗 Sources (4)

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