Nine of the most baffling UFO sightings in 2016, from aliens invading Turkey to a flying cigar above Manchester
Strange sightings have been recorded all over the world this year, with many of them sparking debate as to the existence of extraterrestrial life
IT'S been an odd year in many ways, with a bumper crop of UFO sightings adding to the madness.
From 'aliens invading Turkey' to a flying cigar above Manchester, these strange experiences have sparked real debate as to the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Here we look back at nine of the most baffling UFO sightings of 2016.
1. Turkey being 'invaded by aliens'
Earlier this month a spate of sightings of mysterious lights in the night skies over Turkey had some believers in extraterrestrial life terrified that a UFO invasion was imminent.
One worried observer tweeted: “So are we just going to ignore the UFO that was seen by millions in Turkey last night?” before adding: “This world needs aliens more than ever right now…give me something. @NASA ???”
2. 'Blinking lights' in Canada and Mexico
Last month strange flashing spots of light in the night skies above Canada and Mexico sparked yet more fears of an alien invasion.
Footage taken on a mobile phone revealed one man believed he was followed by UFOs along a 12-mile stretch of motorway.
3. UFO 'shot down' in Rajistan
At the beginning of the year we told how an airforce fighter jet shot down a UFO after picking it up on their radar.
Officials from the Indian military announced it had brought down an ‘unidentified balloon-shaped’ object over Barmer, Rajistan.
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4. Aliens 'watching the football' in Geneva
In October, a strange disc-shaped object was spotted hovering near the Stade de Geneve in the suburb of Praille.
It came months after a satanist ritual involving cloaked men was filmed at Geneva's CERN nuclear laboratory.
A witness said: "It was about 20:30, the phenomenon lasted about twenty seconds and the object departed at once, as if it was burning."
5. UFOs running amok in Derbyshire
In the same month, two strange lights in the sky over Chesterfield moving in synchronised rhythm were spotted and shared online.
Many suggested the orbs of light were aliens, with witness Fiona Jordan explaining: "They were like little cloudy lights in the sky. They were dancing about."
6. Huge UFO freaks out New York residents
Across the pond, a potential UFO sighting was recorded in the summer.
Residents of New York were left baffled as a large black object in the sky was filmed by numerous motorists hovering over the city.
7. Mum spies flying saucer
Over in Bristol, a sighting of a UFO was captured on camera by mum Fiona Powell, 41.
She told how she was walking along the promenade on Severn Beach when she decided to snap a picture of the view - and spotted the flying saucer-shaped object.
Fiona explained: "I’m undecided whether I believe in aliens or not, but this photo certainly meets the criteria of a UFO."
8. Brazilian fisherman spooked by UFO
These fisherman got the shock of their lives while on a twilight trawl of the ocean when they spotted the silhouette of a UFO on the horizon.
They shared a clip of the spooky moment online, where viewers were impressed with the footage, shot near Sao Paolo, Brazil.
9. 'Flying cigar' spotted above Manchester
With Manchester being named the UFO capital of Britain earlier this year, it's perhaps unsurprising that one of 2016's top sightings occurred in the city.
In footage shot in June, a small, cigar-shaped object is seen descending to earth in Denton.
It's a break from the usual disc-shaped UFO, with its cylinder form and flashing lights that change from white, to blue, to purple.
The man who took the video posted it on social media, writing: “Knowing how high it appeared in the sky, I’m guessing its size was massive."