Unusual lights and objects in the sky are reported more often in specific areas of the US. The number of reports tends to be higher in places with large populations, clear skies, and lots of air or military traffic. Also, cities with astronomy clubs and media that cover unusual sky events often receive more reports from people who have seen something strange.
This list highlights major cities and regional centers known for a high number of reported sightings over time. For each location, we explain the reasons behind these reports and what makes stargazing particularly common or interesting there.
Phoenix, Arizona
I live in Phoenix, and it’s an amazing place for spotting things in the night sky! We have so many clear nights here because of the desert climate, making it easy to see and capture anything unusual. Plus, the city is surrounded by wide-open spaces and protected areas where people love to stargaze. Of course, we also have a lot of planes flying overhead – it’s a major flight path for commercial airlines and military training.
Because of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and military training nearby, people in the area often see planes and bright flares, which sometimes lead to reports. Plus, the city has a history of interesting events that get residents looking up at the night sky and sharing their observations.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Because Las Vegas is surrounded by desert, light pollution decreases rapidly as you move away from the bright lights of the Strip. This dark backdrop makes moving lights very noticeable. The area also has a lot of air traffic, with frequent flights coming and going from Harry Reid International Airport, and regular training exercises happening in the skies to the north and west.
Nevada is famous for its military testing and training areas, so people often see aircraft flying at strange heights or speeds. Plus, with lots of tourists spending time outside at night, there’s a greater chance of getting photos or videos of unusual sightings.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is known for its incredibly busy skies. With several airports – including LAX, Burbank, Long Beach, and Van Nuys – and a constant flow of planes, helicopters, private jets, and military aircraft, the area is filled with lights that are hard to miss.
Weather near the coast often causes unusual light patterns, like reflections and distortions, which people across the area report seeing. Because this region has a lot of aviation history and a large population, there are many potential observers who share detailed descriptions of these sights from various locations like beaches, hills, and canyons.
San Diego, California
People in San Diego often see a variety of aircraft in the sky, including commercial planes, military jets, and aircraft practicing offshore. The many Navy and Marine bases in the area mean there’s consistently activity over the water, easily visible from the coastline.
When the skies are clear near cliffs and beaches, people love to look at the stars, and local groups frequently host stargazing events with telescopes and binoculars. Because of the consistent sea breeze, bright stars, and planes flying over the water, residents in coastal areas often report unusual sightings.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle summers are known for their long, clear evenings and stunning views of Puget Sound, as well as the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Because the city is built on hills and has many waterfront parks, it’s easy to enjoy the lights reflecting on the water and the beautiful mountain scenery.
The Seattle area’s airspace is busy with traffic from Boeing Field, Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, and seaplanes. Plus, local tech and photography enthusiasts frequently share time-lapse videos and photos of the sky, meaning any unusual sightings are quickly noticed and shared online.
Portland, Oregon
People in Portland frequently enjoy expansive views of the sky above the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, especially between storms. The city’s bridges and parks offer clear, unobstructed views, making it easy to watch things like planes or lights moving across the sky.
Portland International Airport is located near a major flight path used by both regular planes and military aircraft. Because the area is popular with amateur astronomers who travel to dark locations on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains to observe the night sky, any unusual aerial activity is more likely to be noticed and documented.
Denver, Colorado
Denver’s high altitude and dry air often create clear, crisp nights with great views. Because of the surrounding landscape, people have wide-open views of both the plains and mountains, making lights in the sky seem to move more noticeably.
Denver’s airspace is very busy with planes taking off and landing at Denver International Airport and Buckley Space Force Base. Because of the high altitude and clear air, aircraft lights often seem brighter and can be seen from far away, leading to many reports from people in different neighborhoods.
Chicago, Illinois
Because Chicago is mostly flat and sits on the large Lake Michigan, lights from far away are easily visible. People often watch the traffic going to and from the city’s airports, O’Hare and Midway, and can see the unique patterns planes make while circling to land.
Because so many people live in the city, there are a lot of potential witnesses to unusual events, resulting in more reports being filed. When local news covers strange sightings near the airport or lakefront, it encourages more people to look up and share information, which helps confirm what others have seen.
New York City, New York
New York City has a complex network of air routes for planes and helicopters, stretching over its rivers and harbor. Because of haze or humidity, the lights from these aircraft and ferries can sometimes look strange as the light bends and distorts.
Popular spots like rooftops, parks by the water, and bridges often attract people at night. Because so many people are outside and have smartphones, any unusual lights in the sky are quickly filmed from different viewpoints, resulting in numerous reports and videos.
Houston, Texas
The Houston area has a lot of air traffic, with planes constantly taking off and landing at Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports. Because of the flat landscape, you can often see airplane lights for several minutes as they come and go.
Because this area has a strong connection to engineering and aerospace, people are naturally interested in what happens in the sky. Local astronomy clubs frequently organize viewing events in places with minimal light pollution. Plus, the mild weather keeps people outdoors for much of the year, making it more likely that they’ll spot and record anything unusual.
Miami, Florida
People in Miami frequently see lights dancing over the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, with the water creating beautiful reflections. The city’s airports and seaplanes contribute to the busy activity in the sky and across the water.
Because of consistently clear skies and plenty of outdoor activities, more people in coastal areas watch the sky than in many inland cities. However, differences in temperature and humidity near the coast can distort light, making planes or satellites seem to move erratically, which often leads to reports of unusual sightings.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is located in the flatlands of central Florida, offering wide-open views and, on clear nights, glimpses of rockets launching from the nearby Space Coast. When visibility is good, you can often see bright lights moving eastward towards the ocean.
The area’s popularity with tourists and the presence of theme parks mean there are often many people outside at night, potentially increasing the number of people who might see something unusual. Additionally, airports and training flights create lights at various heights, and local media often publicize times for visible aircraft or launches, naturally drawing people’s attention to the sky.
Tampa, Florida
Tampa Bay’s waterfront offers unobstructed views, and at night, you can see lights twinkling from far away. Residents often enjoy watching the activity from nearby beaches and causeways, including planes taking off and landing at MacDill Air Force Base and Tampa International Airport.
The combination of humidity and sea breezes can make lights seem to shimmer or grow in size, and people often discuss these effects online. Because many homes face the bay, residents frequently notice and report similar patterns of lights at roughly the same times from different locations.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque’s dry, high-desert climate and location in the Rio Grande Valley, nestled against the Sandia Mountains, create exceptionally clear nighttime viewing conditions. This makes it easy to spot moving lights against the horizon.
Kirtland Air Force Base and the thriving aerospace industry in the area contribute to the frequent sightings of lights in the sky, especially at night. Local residents enjoy activities like ballooning and stargazing, and they often share advice – including camera settings and the best times to look – which results in many well-recorded observations.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio’s airspace is busy with both regular airline flights and military training exercises from Joint Base San Antonio. People in the nearby Hill Country often enjoy watching the planes come and go from higher vantage points.
When the weather is nice, people tend to stay outdoors later, and they often share what they see in the sky online, including the time and direction. This constant stream of observations creates a lot of reports with similar details, allowing sightings from different locations to be connected and verified.
Share which city you think deserves a closer look in the comments.
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2025-10-12 11:46