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List: 29 UFO Sightings That Have Been Reported In North Carolina This Year

Dictionary.com defines the term UFO as “unidentified flying object: any unexplained moving object observed in the sky, especially one assumed by some observers to be of extraterrestrial origin”. So while we…

UFO Sightings North Carolina

HIKO, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 20: People gather at a UFO-themed mural before the start of a ‘Storm Area 51’ spinoff event called ‘Area 51 Basecamp’ on September 20, 2019 in Hiko, Nevada. The event is a spinoff from the original ‘Storm Area 51’ Facebook event which jokingly encouraged participants to rush the famously secretive Area 51 military base in order to ‘see them aliens’. Two tiny desert towns not far from from the once-secret Area 51 are hosting related events this weekend. The military has warned attendees not to approach the protected Area 51 military installation.

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Dictionary.com defines the term UFO as "unidentified flying object: any unexplained moving object observed in the sky, especially one assumed by some observers to be of extraterrestrial origin". So while we typically think of UFOs as aliens they can be anything unexplained in the sky. Many people every year claim to see UFOs and many believe they are in fact seeing something extraterrestrial. These sightings take place across the country so of course, there have been some UFO sightings in North Carolina. In fact yesterday we told you about one in Charlotte that happened this week. 

Many people take to social media to share their sightings but I recently learned there is actually a reporting index for UFO sightings. It's called the National UFO Reporting Center. And in 47 years they have received over 150,000 reports of sightings. You can view photos and videos people submit, or view sightings by date, shape, or location.

The NUFORC self describes in the following way:

The National UFO Reporting Center was founded in 1974 by noted UFO investigator Robert J. Gribble. The Center’s primary function over the past four decades has been to receive, record, and to the greatest degree possible, corroborate and document reports from individuals who have been witness to unusual, possibly UFO-related events.  Throughout its history, the Center has processed over 150,000 reports, and has distributed its information to thousands of individuals.

The principal means used by the Center to receive sighting reports is this website, which has operated continuously since 1994.   Prior to that period, the telephone hotline and the U.S. mail were the primary means of taking reports.

The other unique thing is that all data is made available to the public unlike with the Federal Government. Out of curiosity, I pulled the report for UFO sightings in North Carolina, and while it wasn't been updated since the end of April there are still 29 reported sightings in 2022. Keep reading to see each sighting as well as the date, location, length, and description. It's interesting to read. Especially interesting on a couple of instances where there are multiple sightings in nearby areas on the same day.

January 1, 2022 Manteo, NC

Duration: 10–15 min.

Shape: Sphere

Description: Series of 4 red-orange spheres moving SW–NE

January 2, 2022 Surf City, NC

Duration: 2 minutes

Shape: Star

Description: Large glowing yellow round star shape floating and moving above the beach and shore.

January 3, 2022 Asheville

Duration: 10 minutues

Shape: Unknown

Description: Saw a bright blue light three times, each one getting closer and brighter, and heard "wom wom" when the light flashed.

January 4, 2022 Kitty Hawk, NC

Duration: 1 minute

Shape: Oval

Description: I actually took a photo of the crescent moon and didn’t notice the ufo until later

January 10, 2022 Edenton, NC

Duration: 8-10 minutes

Shape: Cigar

Description: Two cigar shaped objects, no wings, lights, contrails or sound

January 15, 2022 Raleigh, NC

Duration: 25 seconds +

Shape: Circle

Description: This was caught on my RING camera but I can only seem to get 2 seconds of about 25++ seconds downloaded

January 16, 2022 Wilmington, NC

Duration: 2 minutes

Shape: Light

Description: Orb ball of light night sky stationary then started moving low altitude

January 19, 2022 Navassa, NC

Duration: 1-2 minutes

Shape: other

Description: I witnessed a craft in extremely close proximity.

January 23, 2022 Charlotte, NC

Duration: A few minutes

Shape: Disk

Description: Saw a floating disk with a light and aura out of my plane window. ((NUFORC Note: Possibly a reflection of reading lights? )

January 28, 2022 Surga Grove, NC

Duration: 10 minutes

Shape: Circle

Description: It was round but had little windows on the sides then later we had an orb about 30 foot off ground

January 31, 2022 North Topsail Beach, NC

Duration: Sphere

Shape: 10-15 minutes

Description: 2 white orb/spheres in the sky with white cloud mist

January 31, 2022 Swansboro, NC

Duration: Unknown

Shape: Unknown

Description: Objects coming out of a luminous cloud

January 31, 2022 Marshall, NC

Duration: 2.5 Minutes

Shape: light

Description: Looked like an out-of-focus moon moving slowly from northeast to west.

February 6, 2022 Candor, NC

Duration: 30min

Shape: Star

Description: Could reapper in a diff spot or move slow

February 9, 2022 Shelby, NC

Duration: about an hour

Shape: light

Description: I worked 3rd shift when I came home it was there

February 12, 2022 Elizabethtown, NC

Duration: 15-20 Seconds

Shape: unknown

Description: Chemtrails without aircraft leading it

February 19, 2022 Kings Mountain, NC

Duration: Several hours

Shape: light

Description: Bright dodging light

February 28, 2022 Burgaw, NC

Duration: 10 seconds

Shape: Triangle

Description: The craft was extremely shiny and looked as to be a triangle.

March 9, 2022 Johnsonville, NC

Duration: 15 minutes

Shape: Sphere

Description: Bright Orange light over Johnsonville/Cameron area.

March 17, 2022 Winston-Salem, NC

Duration: 4 minutes

Shape: Diamond

Description: There was a large plane flying over maybe a 747. Tt wasn't very high maybe taking off. There was an object above it.

March 22, 2022 Asheville, NC

Duration: 1 minute

Shape: Triangle

Description: Low flying triangle craft with red, white, and blue flashing light on corners.

March 24, 2022 Green Mountain, NC

Duration: 60 seconds

Shape: Light

Description: Bright light woke me up at 5:54am.

March 24, 2022 Franklin, NC

Duration: Triangle

Shape: Approximately 8 seconds

Description: Saw a white triangle flying through blue sky and clouds making no sound.

March 25, 2022 Gastonia, NC

Duration: Everyday

Shape: Light

Description: A bright moving light in the sky-light has blue and pink hue. Moves fast in the video

March 26, 2022 Roxboro, NC

Duration: 1-2 minutes

Shape: sphere

Description: I thought it was Jupiter but it was so bright and low in the horizon. Then it started to move, slowly but clearly moving towards me

March 31, 2022 Hickory, NC

Duration: 2 minutes

Shape: light

Description: Light saw making a circular rotation repeatedly. You could see half of the circle being made then the other half would disappear.

April 2, 2022 Sherrills Ford, NC

Duration: circle

Shape: 45 minutes +

Description: 3 then 4 stars in a configuration hovering above trees

April 3, 2022 Garner, NC

Duration: Unknown

Shape: Triangle

Description: My wife and I were on our porch looking at stars. Saw craft heading northward. no sound. 3 lights, non blinking. Faded away quickly.

April 10, 2022 Flat Rock, NC

Duration: 1-2 minutes

Shape: unknown

Description: Large, silent object

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.