From iconic saucer photos to controversial close-up images, this gallery brings together some of the most famous UFO photographs ever taken. Watch closely, follow the evidence, and step deeper into the mystery.
Photographs have played a major role in shaping the history of UFOs. Some images became world famous almost overnight. Others remained obscure for years before being rediscovered by researchers, archivists, and enthusiasts. Together, they form a visual record of how the phenomenon has been seen, debated, and interpreted across different eras.
The UFO Photos page at UFO Timeline Project is designed as a visual archive of notable UFO images — from classic mid-20th-century sightings to modern photographs tied to well-known cases. Some of these images are regarded by believers as compelling evidence. Others are heavily disputed, explained, or still unresolved. Our goal is not to force a conclusion, but to place each photograph in context and let visitors explore the wider timeline for themselves.
Here you’ll find famous UFO photographs linked to witness accounts, case summaries, historical background, and, where relevant, skeptical explanations. In some cases, the image became more important than the event itself. In others, the photograph is just one piece of a much larger story involving radar reports, multiple witnesses, military interest, or long-running controversy.
Whether you are looking for the most iconic UFO pictures ever published, rare historical images, or photographs tied to famous cases, this page is meant to serve as both an archive and a starting point for deeper research.
Explore the images below and discover the stories behind some of the most discussed UFO photographs in history.
Research context: Some of these images remain unexplained; others are disputed or widely considered hoaxes. Their place in this gallery reflects their historical influence, not a verdict on what they show.
The Verg Media Matrix (VMM)
Photographic credibility needs more than a real-or-fake label. VMM examines provenance, original negatives or files, camera optics, color and infrared film, hand processing and digital changes. A separate assessment asks how well a named conventional explanation fits the image.
The framework is in development. All 19 images remain Pending: no scores have been issued, and an authentic photograph would not by itself establish an extraterrestrial subject.
Explore the VMM framework
Oldest Known UFO Photo (1870-71, Mount Washington, USA)
If you look closely at this old stereoscopic image, you can see a dark, cigar-shaped object that seems to be flying in the clouds over Mount Washington.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Bonilla observation UFO Photo (1883, Mexico)
In 1883, Mexican astronomer José Bonilla was observing the Sun from the observatory in Zacatecas when he noticed something unusual.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
McMinnville UFO Photos (1950, Oregon, USA)
Among the most famous and widely discussed UFO photographs ever taken. Photographed by Paul and Evelyn Trent, these images remain central to serious UFO photo debates.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Mariana / Great Falls UFO Film Still (1950, Montana, USA)
The Mariana UFO incident taken in 8/ 1950 in Great Falls, Montana. The sighting, filmed by local baseball coach Nick Mariana, is believed to be among the first ever motion picture footage of a UFO.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Lubbock Lights UFO Photo (1951, Texas, USA)
A formation of lights seen over the city of Lubbock, Texas in August and September 1951. The Lubbock Lights incident got national publicity as a UFO sighting, and was investigated by the U.S. Air Force.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Washington, D.C. UFO Flap Photo (1952, USA)
Over a period of two weeks, UFOs were sighted by air traffic controllers at Washington National airport and separately by an airline captain over the city of Washington, DC.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
New Jersey Turnpike Photos (1952, USA)
Connected to a famous flap year and allegedly seen by multiple witnesses, including officials. Useful for the historical timeline and media context.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Rex Heflin Santa Ana Photo (1965, California, USA)
UFO photo taken by Rex Heflin, August 3, 1965, near Santa Ana, Calif. Heflin is an Orange County highway department investigator.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Woonsocket, Rhode Island UFO photo (1967, USA)
UFO hovering over power lines before the city had a blackout. Trudel shot several photos of the saucer craft, some of the most famous UFO photos ever published. *We use it as our icon/ logo.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Billy Meier Photos (1970s, Switzerland)
Some of the most famous UFO images ever published. Highly influential because of their impact on UFO culture, even though the case is heavily disputed. We use this image in our Youtube Channel.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Costa Rica Lake Cote / Aerial Survey Photo (1971, Costa Rica)
One of the most respected UFO photos in the archive world. Taken accidentally during an aerial mapping mission, often treated as one of the strongest unexplained photographic cases.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Gulf Breeze Photos (1987–1988, Florida, USA)
On November 11, 1987, Ed Walters, a contractor in Gulf Breeze, Florida, was allegedly immobilized “briefly by a blue beam”, after which he took five Polaroids of an object in the sky outside his home.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Petit-Rechain Photo (1989–1990, Belgium)
Reports were filed weeks after the events. Most reports related a large object flying at low altitude. Some reports also stated that the craft was of a flat, triangular shape, with lights underneath.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Calvine UFO Photo (1990, Scotland)
The alleged snaps were taken by two hikers in the area who saw the diamond shaped aircraft speed off into the distance after RAF jets were scrambled to the area.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Nuevo León UFO (1994, Mexico)
UFO in Ejido El Terrero Montemorelos NL by Mr. José Martínez. Photo taken with a Kodak 35mm The original image can be seen on display at the "El Charro" restaurant in El Álamo Nuevo León México
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Phoenix Lights UFO (1997, Arizona, USA)
Over 20,000 people saw lights over Phoenix. One of the eyewitnesses was actor Kurt Russell: "I saw six lights over the airport in absolute uniform, in a V-shape, and I reported it," Russell said.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Westall UFO photo (April 2nd, 1966)
The Westall UFO Photo taken just days before the famous mass sighting at a school where 400+ students saw UFOs circle around their school. Melbourne, Australia, 1966.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Fritz Van Nest UFO (1968,Utah USA)
Adamski-type UFO allegedly photographed by Fritz Van Nest near Kanab, Utah in full daylight March 21, 1968. Was found in an attic box.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
William Rhodes UFO (1947,Phoenix Arizona, USA)
The sighting occurred at Dusk on Monday July 7, 1947. William snapped 2 photos of the object before it zipped off into the dusk sky. This sighting is part of the 1947 UFO Wave, see Keneth Arnold Sighting.
VMM: (Verg Media Matrix): Pending
Want more than just the image? Each photo can connect to a larger case file, timeline entry, map location or companion video. Explore the sightings, compare the claims, and decide for yourself what still holds up.