From mysterious lights to unexplained aircraft, the Empire State becomes a hotbed of aerial anomalies.
Look up at the New York sky lately? You might want to start. A stunning wave of 66 UFO sightings has swept across the Empire State, from the bustling streets of Manhattan to quiet upstate towns. Witnesses are reporting everything from glowing orbs to silent triangular craft defying physics. What’s behind this unprecedented surge in unexplained aerial activity?
1. Commercial pilots spotted mysterious lights climbing to 80,000 feet near Ithaca in January 2024
A commercial pilot and first officer observed strange lights while flying at 28,000 feet near Ithaca on January 14, 2024. The lights, described as white and yellow, rapidly climbed, descended, and changed direction, with some reaching estimated altitudes of 80,000 feet. Multiple pilots in the area reported similar sightings, making this incident particularly credible due to the professional aviation witnesses.
Despite reports to air traffic control, no objects were detected on radar. The fact that experienced pilots couldn’t identify these objects, combined with their impossible flight characteristics, makes this one of the most compelling recent sightings in New York state.
2. A boomerang-shaped craft silently glided over treetops in DeWitt, New York
Two witnesses observed a large, dark grey, boomerang-shaped object silently flying low across the sky near a busy commercial area in DeWitt in early 2024. The object had no visible lights or sound and appeared low enough to nearly touch treetops. This type of triangular or boomerang-shaped craft has become increasingly common in UFO reports across the country.
One witness saw it light up and rapidly ascend into the sky before disappearing. The object’s ability to suddenly illuminate and shoot upward defies conventional aircraft capabilities. Similar boomerang-shaped objects have been reported in multiple states, suggesting a pattern of sightings.
3. A needle-like object with multicolored lights traveled silently over Central New York
A witness observed a vertical, needle-like object with bright red, blue, and white lights traveling west in March 2024. The object had a wider top with red and blue lights, while numerous white lights ran down its shaft. The unusual vertical orientation and light pattern don’t match any known aircraft designs.
It made no sound and showed no visible wings or blades. The witness ruled out the International Space Station, which was not scheduled to appear until the following morning. The witness’s attention to detail and knowledge of scheduled satellite passes adds credibility to their account.
4. Multiple glowing orbs performed complex maneuvers over Burlington Flats farmland on April 17, 2024
A witness observed multiple small orbs moving in groups of three, followed by a large bright orb that traveled across the street and hovered atop a hill for several minutes. The coordinated movement of multiple objects suggests intelligent control rather than natural phenomena like ball lightning or atmospheric effects.
The orb emitted a bright light, illuminating the hill, and transformed into a round shape with a spinning ring and arm-like extensions resembling machinery. The witness reported unusual exhaustion for several days afterward, a symptom that appears in other UFO encounter reports worldwide.
5. A meteorologist’s security camera captured four lights in square formation over their property in May 2024
A meteorologist observed four lights in a square formation via a security camera, which changed shapes and hovered around their barnyard. Having a trained weather professional as a witness adds significant weight to this sighting, as meteorologists are skilled at identifying atmospheric phenomena and aircraft.
The object moved near the chicken coop, appeared to “face” different directions, and disappeared after brief Wi-Fi issues. Neighboring dogs were also agitated during the sighting. The electromagnetic interference and animal reactions are consistent with other documented UFO encounters worldwide.
6. Twin reports from Harpursville documented the same glowing orb from different perspectives on July 26, 2024
While sitting by a fire, witnesses observed a glowing orb at airplane altitude moving steadily from southeast to due east. The orb appeared to emit a pulsating energy when zoomed in. Having two separate witnesses file independent reports about the same object provides valuable corroboration for this incident.
A second witness reported during stargazing that the bright glowing orb moved at satellite speed but at plane-like altitude. Zoomed video footage suggested a larger craft with a reddish glow, possibly resembling wings or propulsion systems. The multiple angles and video evidence make this case particularly well-documented.
7. A witness near Griffiss Air Force Base reported an extraordinary close encounter in September 2024
A witness near Griffiss Air Force Base reported finding a tiny, metallic object on their arm around 5 a.m., emitting a faint blue light. Upon closer inspection, they claimed to see four small beings inside the object. While this account sounds incredible, the proximity to a military installation makes it noteworthy given historical UFO activity near defense facilities.
The object then lifted from their palm, made a sharp turn, and exited the room, leaving the witness shaken. This represents one of the most unusual close encounter reports from New York, involving alleged direct physical contact with an unidentified object.
8. New York state recorded over 100 UFO sightings in 2024 according to national database
In 2024 alone, over 100 sightings were documented in the state of New York. This represents a significant increase in reported incidents, though it’s unclear whether more events are occurring or people are simply more willing to report them. The National UFO Reporting Center has been collecting these accounts since 1974.
There’s been a dramatic collective shift in the general public’s attitude toward Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon. Skeptics now find themselves in the minority, and the stigma attached to reporting a sighting has largely diminished. Today, with a smartphone in every pocket, capturing unusual activity is easier than ever.
9. Government agencies have documented over 1,600 UFO reports nationwide as stigma decreases
The Pentagon, working with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other government agencies, has received over 1,600 reports to date according to their latest annual report. This includes 757 new reports between May 2023 and June 2024. This official acknowledgment represents a dramatic shift from decades of denial.
Even the U.S. government, after decades of denial and dismissal, has acknowledged the existence of intelligence beyond our comprehension. The combination of government transparency and smartphone technology has created an environment where more people feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
10. Recent drone activity over New Jersey has heightened awareness of unexplained aerial phenomena
The first reported drone sighting occurred at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, New Jersey on November 13, 2024. By November 18, additional sightings were reported in Morris County and neighboring Somerset County. While these incidents involved drone-like objects rather than traditional UFOs, they’ve increased public attention to unexplained aerial activity in the tri-state area.
The proximity of these mysterious drone swarms to New York has led to increased vigilance among residents and officials. Many wonder whether some of the objects reported as UFOs might actually be advanced drone technology, while others question whether the drones themselves might be connected to the broader UFO phenomenon.