How many UFOS are seen each year?

Summary

Who Smarted? Podcast Summary

Episode Title: How many UFOS are seen each year?
Release Date: January 5, 2026
Host: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Who Smarted?" takes listeners on a fun and educational journey into the world of UFOs. The show playfully explores the history and mystery behind unidentified flying objects, focusing on the famous 1947 Kenneth Arnold sighting, the resulting UFO craze, and how UFOs have been woven into both science and pop culture. All discussions are grounded in critical thinking, with plenty of jokes, interactive questions for listeners, and memorable references to history and media.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The 1947 Kenneth Arnold UFO Sighting

• Setting the Scene:
  • The episode opens by flying back to 1947 with Kenneth Arnold, over Mount Rainier, Washington ([00:42]).
  • Kenneth Arnold describes a “bright flash” and then nine shiny objects flying in a diagonal (echelon) formation, moving with incredible speed and acrobatics.
    • Notable quote:

      “There were shiny objects flying in the sky. Nine of them in an echelon formation, which means diagonally.” — Kenneth Arnold ([05:27])

  • Arnold describes what he saw as “crescent shaped objects moving across the sky like saucers skipping on water” ([06:49]).
  • Media misquoted him — coining the now-famous term “flying saucers.”
    • Notable quote:

      “The media misquoted me and came up with flying saucers.” — Kenneth Arnold ([06:49])

2. UFO Definitions and Sighting Facts

• UFO terminology:
  • Pop quiz for listeners: What does UFO stand for? (Answer: Unidentified Flying Object) ([04:26]).
  • Fun joke answer: “Unethical Farting Ostrich.”
• UFO Sightings per Year:
  • In the United States alone, tens of thousands of UFO sightings are reported each year.
    • Notable quote:

      “Would you say there are more or less than 10,000 UFOs reported each year? If you said more, you’re right!” — Host ([05:02])

3. The UFO Craze and Roswell

• Kenneth Arnold’s sighting triggers national UFO hysteria and makes him a celebrity ([07:33]).
• Reference to the 1947 Roswell incident:
  • News reports claimed a “flying disc” crashed in Roswell, NM, but the more likely explanation is a downed weather balloon ([08:17]).
  • Public skepticism and conspiracy theories persist despite official explanations.
    • Notable quote:

      “Nope, it was definitely aliens.” — Conspiracy Theorist ([08:30])

4. Government Investigations and Explanations

• The US government investigates thousands of UFO sightings:
  • Over 90% of sightings are ultimately explained by mundane causes like weather, aircraft, or astronomical events ([08:33]).
• Less than 10% remain unidentified but are not necessarily proof of alien life.

5. UFOs in Popular Culture

• Pop culture explodes with UFO stories in the 1950s and beyond:
  • References to sci-fi classics like The War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and modern films/TV: Thor, Marvel movies, Sonic, and more ([09:15]).
  • Many people’s belief in aliens likely influenced by media portrayals.

6. What People Believe

• About half the world believes in intelligent extraterrestrial life (based on a referenced survey) ([10:07]).
• However, far fewer believe that aliens have actually visited Earth.

7. Area 51 and Conspiracy Theories

• Interactive segment: Listeners asked to name the top secret base tied to UFOs (answer: Area 51) ([13:13]).
• Reference to Area 51’s real use as a military test base ([15:07]) and the ongoing secrecy surrounding it feeding speculation.
• Famous conspiracy theorist claims by Robert Lazar discussed and debunked ([14:45]).
• The show distinguishes between science, secrecy, and speculation.
  • Notable quote:

    “Smartypants. That right there is what’s known as a conspiracy theory. It’s not based on facts, just what some people believe.” — Host ([14:21])

8. Congressional Hearings & Ongoing Mysteries

• US Congress has recently discussed UFOs (referred to as “UAPs” in some reports) ([15:38]).
• Emphasizes the lack of current scientific evidence for extraterrestrial spacecraft, but acknowledges ongoing mystery and intrigue.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Kenneth Arnold, on what he saw:

  “There were shiny objects flying in the sky. Nine of them in an echelon formation, which means diagonally. They were moving faster than any plane I’d ever seen before. And they were doing all kinds of acrobatic stuff. Flipping, weaving, banking. It was even crazier than Top Gun.” — ([05:27])

• On the media misunderstanding ‘flying saucers’:

  “I said I saw crescent shaped objects moving across the sky like saucers skipping on water. The media misquoted me and came up with flying saucers.” — ([06:49])

• About the Roswell incident:

  “The less exciting and more probably true explanation was that the wreckage came from a weather balloon. But people didn’t want to believe that.” — Host ([08:17])

• Defining conspiracy theory:

  “Smartypants. That right there is what’s known as a conspiracy theory. It’s not based on facts, just what some people believe.” — Host ([14:21])

• Conspiracy Theorist’s comic relief:

  “Nope, it was definitely aliens.” ([08:30])
  “Only have they visited, the aliens are still here.” ([10:19])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:42 – Episode opens: Flying with Kenneth Arnold in 1947.
• 03:13 – The big question: What did Kenneth Arnold see?
• 05:02 – How many UFO sightings per year?
• 06:49 – “Flying saucers” term origin explained.
• 07:33 – The Roswell incident and media response.
• 08:33 – Government investigations: 90%+ of UFO sightings explained.
• 09:15 – UFOs invade pop culture and movies.
• 10:07 – Public beliefs about aliens and extraterrestrial life.
• 13:13 – The “secret base” game (Area 51).
• 14:45 – Robert Lazar’s claims about Area 51.
• 15:38 – Congressional hearings on UFO sightings.

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Tone and Style

• The episode is lively, humorous, and inviting, with running jokes (“Unethical Farting Ostrich” for what UFO means; “Nope, that’s just Chet Nickerson playing Frisbee”), direct questions to listeners (“Go ahead, shout out your answers”), and lighthearted comic characters.
• Throughout, listeners are encouraged to think critically while having fun and to not just accept wild stories at face value.

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Summary Takeaway

The "Who Smarted?" episode offers an engaging primer on UFOs, skillfully blending genuine history, scientific thinking, and playful storytelling. Listeners learn how the UFO phenomenon exploded after the Kenneth Arnold 1947 sighting, why so many sightings have mundane explanations, how pop culture fuels our imaginations, and why skepticism and critical thinking matter in separating facts from fiction. For curious kids and families, it provides both answers and more questions to ponder about the mysteries in our skies.

Transcript

[Snoop]

Hello, dear listeners. I'm Snoop, a top notch dog detective from London, now stationed in the quaint town of Pflugerville to mentor Sniffy, a promising puppy recruit. Our mission is to keep Pflugerville crime free, and so far, Sniffy and I have a 100% success rate. Crime never sleeps. So Sniffy and I are always looking for new junior detectives. So come on, join us in solving mysteries and having a lot of fun by listening to Snoop and Sniffy on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator / Host]

And now it's time for who's Smarted?

[Chet Nickerson]

Psst.

[Narrator / Host]

Hey, smarty pants. Listen up. Right now, we're in the year 1947 on a small plane piloted by a businessman named Kenneth Arnold. We're flying in the northwestern United States above Washington State, near Mount Rainier.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Wow.

[Kenneth Arnold]

Wow, did I sure luck out. It's a beautiful day, visibility is great. I can literally see for miles and there's hardly any wind. A perfect day for flying.

[Narrator / Host]

It sure is. I mean, was. After all, we're visiting from the future. And why have we gone back to this particular day and this particular flight? Well, it's because something extraordinary is about to happen. Something that will grip the imagination of people everywhere for years to come.

[Chet Nickerson]

Really?

[Kenneth Arnold]

I thought I was just going to an air show in Oregon.

[Narrator / Host]

Yes, yes, that's what you planned to do, Kenneth. But what you're about to see along the way will influence some of the greatest minds in science and science fiction and will lead to numerous investigations, including some top level US Congressional hearings.

[Kenneth Arnold]

Oh, I don't suppose you're talking about the cool things I'm going to see at the air show?

[Narrator / Host]

No, no, it has not to do with the air show. But you do become a national celebrity because of what you see along the way.

[Kenneth Arnold]

What I see along the way? You mean down below?

[Chet Nickerson]

No.

[Kenneth Arnold]

In the air? Yes, something like that.

[Narrator / Host]

No, that's just a goose.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

I.

[Kenneth Arnold]

Yes, but how about that?

[Narrator / Host]

That's just another plane.

[Kenneth Arnold]

Ah, right. Then maybe the thing I see is over there.

[Narrator / Host]

Over where?

[Snoop]

There.

[Kenneth Arnold]

That triangle thing.

[Narrator / Host]

Triangle thing?

[Kenneth Arnold]

More like a trapezoid, really. That thing with the snow all over it.

[Narrator / Host]

You mean Mount Rainier? No, you don't get famous for seeing Mount Rainier from an airplane.

[Kenneth Arnold]

Then what can you possibly be getting at? I have flown for thousands of miles and I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary that could.

[Chet Nickerson]

Oh, my.

[Narrator / Host]

So, smarty pants, what do you think Kenneth Arnold saw during his flight in 1947? I heard some of you say it. It's something that came to be known as a U. UFO. So what exactly are UFOs? What do we know about them? Could they really be visitors from outer space? Get ready for an unidentified flying whiff of history and science. On who smarted?

[Chet Nickerson]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who's smart and.

[Narrator / Host]

Smartypants. Do you believe in space aliens? If you do, you're not alone. Since ancient times, the people of Earth have seen things in the sky they don't recognize. And many have believed we are not alone and that intelligent life, or just any life, might exist somewhere else in the universe. I believe the truth is out there. That belief has only grown stronger ever since Kenneth Arnold claimed to see a UFO back in 1947. But first, smarty pants, do you know what UFO stands for? Is it A Ultra Fast Orbiter, B Unidentified Flying Object? Or C Unethical Farting Ostrich? If you guessed B Unidentified Flying object, you're right. And if you said see an unethical farting ostrich, you're my kind of smarty pants. Believe it or not, UFO sightings happen all the time. Smarty pants. Would you say there are more or less than 10,000 UFOs reported each year? If you said more, you're right. In fact, tens of thousands of UFOs are reported each year in the United States alone.

[Chet Nickerson]

Whoa.

[Narrator / Host]

So what exactly started all of this?

[Kenneth Arnold]

Hey, Was it me?

[Narrator / Host]

It might have been. So what exactly did Kenneth Arnold see?

[Kenneth Arnold]

Well, I'll tell you what I saw. There was a bright flash at first. At first I thought it was the sun reflecting off a military plane. But the more I looked, the more I realized it was something unusual. There were shiny objects flying in the sky. Nine of them in an echelon formation, which means diagonally. They were moving faster than any plane I'd ever seen before. And they were doing all kinds of acrobatic stuff. Flipping, weaving, banking. It was even crazier than Top Gun.

[Narrator / Host]

Smarty pants, do you know what these particular objects came to be known as? Is it A, TIE Fighters, B Spaceballs? Or C Flying saucers? If you said flying saucers, you're right.

[Kenneth Arnold]

Except I didn't call them flying saucers.

[Narrator / Host]

You didn't?

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Nah.

[Kenneth Arnold]

I said I saw crescent shaped objects moving across the sky like saucers skipping on water. The media misquoted me and came up with flying saucers.

[Chet Nickerson]

This is Chet Nickerson defending the news media by Reporting that Kenneth Arnold in later interviews called what he saw pie pans, discs, and yes, even saucers. In fact, didn't you co write a book called the Coming of the Saucers?

[Kenneth Arnold]

No comment.

[Narrator / Host]

Moving on. What Kenneth Arnold saw is still a mystery to this day. Investigators found Arnold credible, but believed his eyes had played tricks on him and that he didn't actually see spaceships. Regardless, the event and news coverage that followed triggered a bit of a UFO madness in the United States. Arnold became a celebrity overnight, and suddenly people everywhere were reporting UFO sightings.

[Chet Nickerson]

This is Chet Nickerson reporting a rash of UFO sightings taking place across the nation. Wait, this was just handed to me. It seems a flying disc allegedly crashed near Roswell, New Mexico in July of 1947. Could it be a UFO?

[Narrator / Host]

The truth is out there. Um, not likely. The less exciting and more probably true explanation was that the wreckage came from a weather balloon. But people didn't want to believe that.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Nope, it was definitely aliens.

[Narrator / Host]

All this commotion led the US Government, among others, to investigate thousands of UFO sightings. Smartypants, can you guess how many of these sightings are no longer a mystery? A, less than half of them. B, half of them. Or C, more than half. The answer is C, more than half. Way more. In fact, over 90%, or 90 out of every 100 reported UFO sightings have been caused by atmospheric activity, human made objects, or astronomical phenomena such as meteors. But that hasn't stopped people's imaginations.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Are the flying sauces real? What are they? Where do they come from?

[Narrator / Host]

In the 1950s, our friends in Hollywood also went UFO crazy with science fiction movies such as Flying Saucers, the War of the Worlds, and the Day the Earth Stood Still. And really hasn't stopped since. Smarty pants, have you seen any movies recently with aliens from another planet in them? Go ahead, shout out your answers. Let's see, I heard Thor, Transformers, Sonic the Hedgehog, the new Avatar movie, not to mention the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but there are lots more. Not to mention TV shows, books and video games. With all that sci fi out there, it's no wonder many people believe that space aliens really exist. Smarty pants, about how many people do you think believe in intelligent life on other planets? Half the world's population? Less than half or more than half. According to a recent survey. The answer is about half the world. Whoa. But when asked if aliens have actually visited Earth, the answer is.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Are you kidding? Of course not. Only have they visited, the aliens are still here.

[Narrator / Host]

Okay, not everyone believes that. And there's been no Proof.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

No proof.

[Narrator / Host]

Ha.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

You know where they're hiding all the proof?

[Narrator / Host]

Well, there is a location in the United States that's long been a mystery.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Go on, say it.

[Narrator / Host]

And it's been a part of science fiction for years as a top secret base connected to UFOs appearing in movies and shows like Independence Day, Doctor who, several Marvel features, and a cool TV show called the X Files. The truth is out there.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

It sure is. Agent Mock's folder. Go ahead, trustee, say it.

[Narrator / Host]

Hang on. The US government didn't even acknowledge this place existed until 2013.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Well, I always believed it, smarty pants.

[Narrator / Host]

Do you know what this mysterious place is called? The answer is yes. Coming up right after this quick break.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

I don't believe it.

[Narrator / Host]

This show is sponsored by ixl. You know that as the trusty narrator, I'm always eager to learn new things, even if I prefer to do it from the comfort of my own home. That's why I'm excited to share a fantastic resource for homeschool families looking to start the new year with confidence. Ixl. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that adapts to each child's level, making it the perfect companion for homeschooling. With interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade, IXL offers a personalized and flexible learning experience. What I love most about IXL is how it keeps kids motivated. With challenges, awards and moments of celebration. Plus the real time feedback and progress tracking give parents peace of mind knowing their children are learning effectively. My niece used it to stay on top of subjects that she found challenging and it was incredibly helpful to her. So if you're looking to make an impact on your child's learning this year, get IXL now. And as a special offer for our listeners, you can get an exclusive 20% off an IXL membership when you sign up [e-mail] smarted that's 20% off an IXL [e-mail] smarted now back to who's smarted? So, smartypants, what do you think are UFOs? Alien spacecraft? Or just other objects and phenomena that can be explained with a little bit of science?

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Oh, oh, I know. Alien spaceships. And you know exactly where they're hiding them.

[Narrator / Host]

And by they, I'm guessing you mean the government.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Who else? They don't want us knowing the truth.

[Narrator / Host]

Okay, smarty pants, it's time to name the secret location in America that's been connected to UFOs. Is it A, Area 51? B, Fort Knox? C, Cape Canaveral or D, Springfield. If you guessed C, you're close. Cape Canaveral has its own spaceships, but they're made by humans and launched from there. The place associated with UFOs is a Area 51. It's a military base located in Nevada, about 120 miles, or 200 kilometers northwest of Las Vegas.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

And that's where they hide the aliens?

[Narrator / Host]

According to the some people remember that.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Crash in Roswell, New Mexico.

[Narrator / Host]

You mean the weather testing machine with high tech sensors?

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Mm, that's what they want you to believe. But I know it was a flying saucer. No, not a saucer for a teacup. A real life flying saucer. Alien spaceship. The US military recovered the spaceship and brought it to Area 51.

[Narrator / Host]

Smarty pants. That right there is what's known as a conspiracy theory. It's not based on facts, just what some people believe.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Um, how do you explain the guy who worked there and said he saw photos of alien bodies inside Area 51? He even worked on technology from outer space.

[Narrator / Host]

Right, smartypants, back in 1989, a man named Robert Lazar made those very claims, but he didn't provide much proof. He was also accused of lying about his own background. And he got caught up in some illegal activity. There's a good chance he might have lied about Area 51 too.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

But if he was lying, why is the base still so secretive?

[Narrator / Host]

Good question, Smartypants. Any ideas? The truth is area 51 had been used as a testing site for spy planes. And the US Military, like every country's military, doesn't want its enemies knowing what it's doing. Thus the secrecy. But people love a good mystery. And even though most of the scientific community doesn't believe the claims about Area 51, it's certainly a favorite subject of the science fiction community.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

False UFOs are real. Congress even had a hearing on them this year.

[Narrator / Host]

That's true. The United States Congress did listen to the US military's reports of UFOs. Simply put, there's still a lot of mystery surrounding what Kenneth Arnold and others have seen in the skies. But it's hard to prove anything. Many people believe the flying objects that remain unidentified must come from another world. Smartypants, do you think UFOs are alien spaceships? As for whether scientists actually believe in visitors from outer space, well, search our whosmarted library for the episode on space aliens to find out.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Look in the sky. A ufo.

[Narrator / Host]

That thing over there.

[Conspiracy Theorist / Enthusiast]

Yes, it's a spaceship.

[Narrator / Host]

Nope, that's just Chet Nickerson playing Frisbee. With his dog.

[Chet Nickerson]

Yes. Great catch Thor. We'll have you playing ultimate Frisbee in no time.

[Narrator / Host]

A sky high shout out to Miles Eden and Indy in Bend, Oregon. According to my sources, you love all the funny jokes, your favorite episode is about elves and you want to learn about Mayan culture. We love that curiosity. Keep laughing, learning and looking up. This episode UFOs was written by Dave Beamia Beaudry and voiced by Bo Spaceman Marie, Adam E.T. davis, Max the Martian Kamasky and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Jovian Hahn who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our Associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Saucer Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.