State Profile

Alaska UFO Sightings

RANK #42 NATIONALLY — 1,046 REPORTED SIGHTINGS

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1,046
Total reported sightings
#42
National ranking
1 in 700
Approx. per capita rate
2000s
Peak reporting decade

About Alaska UAP sightings

Alaska presents unique observation conditions: vast wilderness, extreme latitude producing unusual atmospheric lighting phenomena, and significant military presence. The combination of aurora activity and low population density makes credible report filtering challenging.

Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base near Anchorage and Eielson AFB near Fairbanks contribute to a substantial military aviation footprint over the state. The Aleutian Island chain generates marine reports from fishing vessels that rarely make it to civilian databases.

Alaska's proximity to Russian airspace and its strategic importance in the Cold War-era defense network have historically generated classified flight activity that may account for some anomalous observations.

Contributing factors

  • Elmendorf-Richardson Joint Base
  • Eielson AFB near Fairbanks
  • Aurora borealis misidentification factor
  • Extensive remote wilderness
  • Aleutian Island chain marine reports

Shape breakdown — Alaska

Consistent with national patterns, Alaska witnesses most frequently report orb and light phenomena, followed by triangular and disc-shaped objects.

Orb / Light
38%
Explore →
Triangle
16%
Explore →
Disc
14%
Explore →
Cigar
8%
Other
24%

Recent UAP news — Alaska

Multiple witnesses in Alaska file reports with NUFORC — pattern under review
NUFORC — 2026
Trump declassification order expected to surface files related to Alaska military installations
Defense reporting — March 2026
AARO database includes cases from Alaska in latest review cycle
Pentagon AARO — 2025

Frequently asked questions — Alaska

Alaska has 1,046 reported UFO and UAP sightings on record, ranking #42 nationally. The data is sourced from peer-reviewed academic research geocoding historical NUFORC reports through 2023. This represents reported sightings, not verified encounters.
Alaska has produced notable sighting reports over the decades. The state's military installations and geographic characteristics have contributed to a consistent and varied reporting history. See the contributing factors section above for details specific to Alaska.
Sightings from Alaska can be reported to NUFORC at nuforc.org or MUFON at mufon.com. Both maintain state-level investigators. See our reporting guide for more information.

Witnessed something unexplained in Alaska?

Report your sighting to an established civilian organization. Your report contributes to the public record.

Report to NUFORC → Report to MUFON →