How To Increase Your Odds of Spotting a UFO in Pennsylvania

According to the Pew Research Centre, around two-thirds (65%) of Americans believe in some form of alien life, with leading speculation pointing towards intelligent life on other planets. 

In Pennsylvania alone, there have been an astonishing 4,772 total reported sightings since records began. This places the state as the sixth most paranormal of all US states, with more sightings than nearby New Jersey and Maryland combined. 

But how can you increase your odds of spotting a UFO in Pennsylvania? And what dates and times offer the greatest opportunity?

To work this out, we analyzed every UFO sighting reported to National UFO Reporting Center, breaking down the time and date of each sighting. We were then able to reveal when you have the best odds of seeing an UFO in each city across Pennsylvania.

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When Do You Have the Best Chance of Seeing a UFO in Pennsylvania?

Of the 4,772 total UFO sightings in Pennsylvania, they’re most commonly reported at 9 p.m. (285 sightings), followed by 8 p.m. (204), 11 p.m. (179), 9:30 p.m. (152), and 10:30 p.m. (112), while 6 p.m. (81) ranks just outside the top five. 

By date, the most common day of the year for an alien sighting is July 4, with a total of 95 reports, while July 1 (39) ranks fifth behind June 15 (47), Sept. 19 (45), and June 1 (43). Interestingly, Halloween doesn’t even rank among the 20 most common days for UFO sightings in Philadelphia, with just 17 on Oct. 31. 

So, in short, you have the best odds of catching a glimpse of a UFO at 9 p.m. on July 4 — happy Independence Day! And just so you know what to look out for, the most commonly reported alien representations in Pennsylvania are clear light (915), fireballs (399), circles (537), and triangles (453).

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When Do You Have the Best Chance of Seeing a UFO By City?

We’ve looked at your odds of spotting an alien in Pennsylvania, but how about each of the state’s top cities?

Philadelphia — 225 UFO Sightings

Philadelphia has recorded a total of 225 UFO sightings, with your greatest odds of catching sight of alien life being 8 p.m. (17 sightings) on July 4 (6).  

Meanwhile, 9 p.m. (8) is when you’ll have the second-best chance of seeing a UFO, followed by 6 p.m. (7), 9:30 p.m. (7), and 11 p.m. (6). 

By date, the rest of the top five likeliest days of the year to spot an alien are July 5 (4), June 25 (4), June 30 (3), and July 1 (3). On the other hand, there has never been an alien sighting on Halloween in Philadelphia.

Pittsburgh — 224 UFO Sightings

There have been 224 UFO sightings in Pittsburgh, with your best chance of spotting an alien here coming at 9 p.m. (15) on Jan. 1 (5). Eleven o'clock (11) is when you have the second-best odds of seeing a UFO in Pittsburgh, followed by 8 p.m. (9), 9:30 p.m. (6) and 7:30 p.m. (6). 

Meanwhile, July 4, Oct. 1, Aug. 8, and July 6 are the dates with the joint-second-most sightings (4), well ahead of the spookiest night of the year: Halloween (1).

Allentown — 73 UFO Sightings

There have been 73 UFO sightings in Allentown, with your best odds of spotting alien life being July 6, Sept. 8, Dec. 27, Aug. 14, or Feb. 12 (2) at 9 p.m. (6). The next-likeliest times include 11 p.m. (3), 8 p.m. (3), 9:30 p.m. (3), and 8:45 p.m. (3). 

Finally, just like other cities across the state, Halloween is remarkably un-spooky when it comes to UFO sightings, with no Oct. 31 reports in Allentown.

Reading — 86 UFO Sightings

Reading has seen the third-most UFO sightings of all cities we’ve looked at, with 86 recorded reports of alien life. For the best chance of seeing an alien here, head outside at 9 p.m. (5) on Sept. 8, July 4, Nov. 6, July 5, or Jan. 10 (2). 

Meanwhile, Halloween is a no-go, with zero sightings in Reading on Oct. 31. 

Failing that, you have the next-best odds of catching sight of extra-terrestrial life at 8 p.m. (4), 11 p.m. (3), 8:45 p.m. (2) or 9:50 p.m. (2). 

Erie — 69 UFO Sightings

There have only been 69 reported UFO sightings in Erie, so your odds of catching sight of alien life here are slim. However, your chance is greatest if you head out at 8 p.m. or 11 p.m. (4) on July 4, Aug. 1, Aug. 23, or Aug. 18 (3).  

The next-likeliest times of day are 10:30 p.m. (3), 9:30 p.m. (3), and 6 a.m. (2), while the next best date to go alien spotting is Jan. 10 (2), with Halloween seeing half as much UFO action (1).

Keep Your Head Up!

While we might have gone past the time of year that gives you the best odds of catching a UFO sighting, there’s no harm in keeping an eye out as we work our way through the autumn months. 

In the meantime, remember that PennStakes.com will keep you up to date on betting news in the state as well as provide PA sportsbook promo codes.

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The experts at PennStakes who bring you the latest updates in Pennsylvania sports betting and online casinos. We pull together decades of experience to give you analysis as well as comparisons of the best PA online gambling apps.

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