What Do UFO Witnesses Hear?
People who report UFOs often describe more than lights in the sky. A recurring feature in many sightings is sound: humming, buzzing, clicking, roaring, whistling, metallic vibrations, low-frequency droning and, in some cases, complete silence where noise would normally be expected.
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Introduction
The difficulty is that sound is one of the hardest parts of a UFO report to verify. Visual evidence can sometimes be photographed, radar data can occasionally be obtained, but many unusual sounds leave no recording and no measurable trace. As a result, UFO noises remain one of the most intriguing and least conclusive parts of the broader UFO phenomenon. [The National Archives]nationalarchives.gov.ukThe National ArchivesUFO reportsUFO reports. Sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have been reported over our skies for decade…
What UFO Witnesses Commonly Hear
Across decades of reports, certain descriptions appear repeatedly.
Witnesses often describe:
- A low humming or vibrating sound, similar to distant machinery.
- A buzzing noise, sometimes compared to electrical equipment.
- A high-pitched whine or flute-like tone.
- A rushing or whooshing sound.
- Pulsing vibrations felt as much as heard.
- Sudden explosive booms.
- Total silence despite apparent high speed or large size.
The consistency of some descriptions is notable. Researchers and UFO catalogues have documented reports in which witnesses independently describe a similar buzzing or humming quality. In some cases, the sound is reported before the object is seen; in others, people report feeling vibration through the ground or their bodies. [Reddit]reddit.comRedditWha is the significance of the buzzing or flute sound…February 27, 2023 — Wha is the significance of the buzzing or flute sound…
A key complication is that human memory often reconstructs sensory experiences after unusual events. Sound descriptions can therefore become more dramatic over time, particularly when witnesses discuss incidents with others or consume media about UFO encounters.
The Hum, Sky Trumpets and Other Sounds Linked to UFO Theories
Some mysterious sound phenomena are not UFO sightings themselves but are frequently connected to UFO speculation.
The Taos Hum
One of the most famous examples is the Taos Hum in New Mexico. Since at least the early 1990s, some residents have reported hearing a persistent low-frequency droning noise. People describe it as resembling a distant diesel engine, industrial machinery or a vehicle idling far away. Investigations have failed to identify a single clear source. [Discovery UK]discoveryuk.comDiscovery UKThe Taos Hum: New Mexico's Unexplained AcousticDecember 14, 2023 — 14 Dec 2023 — The Taos Hum phenomenon is not just a local curiosity, but one of several unexplained hums heard in var… [thrillist]thrillist.comtaos hum mysteryInvestigating the Mystery of the Taos Hum29 Jun 2023 — The low buzz ranging from 30 to 80 Hz that had been reportedly heard by a small pe… The Taos case became influential because it demonstrated how difficult low-frequency sound can be to track. Not everyone hears it, recordings are inconsistent, and environmental measurements have not produced a universally accepted explanation. This uncertainty has encouraged some people to associate the phenomenon with secret technology, underground activity or UFOs. [Discovery UK]discoveryuk.comDiscovery UKThe Taos Hum: New Mexico's Unexplained AcousticDecember 14, 2023 — 14 Dec 2023 — The Taos Hum phenomenon is not just a local curiosity, but one of several unexplained hums heard in var… [The Guardian]theguardian.comThe Guardian Can you hear the Hum?The mystery noise that says a lot…Jul 8, 2021 — Maybe you hear it. A low frequency hum, almost a vibration, just on the threshold of h…
“Sky Trumpets”
Internet videos have popularised reports of loud metallic groans, trumpet-like blasts and other strange sounds apparently coming from the sky. These recordings are often labelled “sky trumpets”.
Most investigated cases have conventional explanations, including industrial machinery, construction activity, atmospheric acoustics, trains, aircraft and audio manipulation. Yet the dramatic nature of the sounds has made them a frequent component of UFO and paranormal discussions. [Instagram]instagram.comInstagramFrom the “Taos hum” to “sky trumpets,” people around…From the “Taos hum” to “sky trumpets,” people around the world are heari…
Why These Sounds Become Associated with UFOs
Several factors encourage a UFO interpretation:
- The source appears invisible.
- The sound seems to come from above.
- The noise occurs at night. [reddit.com]reddit.comWhats your current viewpoint on the UFO phenomenon?Read more…
- Recordings are unclear.
- The event feels unusual or emotionally intense.
When a sound lacks an obvious origin, people often fill the gap with explanations that match existing beliefs, whether extraterrestrial, supernatural or conspiratorial.
Famous UFO Cases Involving Sound
Buzzing and Vibrating Objects
Many classic UFO reports include descriptions of buzzing or vibrating sounds. Witnesses frequently compare them to transformers, electrical substations or swarms of insects. In some accounts, the sound is said to fluctuate as the object changes altitude or direction. [Reddit]reddit.comtown of Taos, New Mexico, and in other locations around the world.Read more…
One reason these descriptions attract attention is that they differ from the familiar sound profile of conventional aircraft. Helicopters produce rhythmic rotor noise, jets create distinctive turbine sounds and propeller aircraft generate recognisable engine patterns. Witnesses who insist the sound was unlike any known aircraft often view that difference as evidence of something unusual.
Reports of Silence
Just as common are reports of complete silence.
Many witnesses claim that large objects passed overhead without audible engines. This feature appears repeatedly in military and civilian UFO accounts. Some reports describe objects apparently accelerating rapidly while remaining silent. [HowStuffWorks]science.howstuffworks.comHow Stuff Works The 10 Most Legitimate Cases of U.F.OSightings27 Feb 2024 — Over the past decades, UFO sightings became synonymous with aliens. Reports from pilots, military personnel, and c…
From a conventional standpoint, silence can result from distance, atmospheric conditions, misjudged size or mistaken estimates of speed. A bright light seen at night may appear closer and larger than it actually is. Even so, the repeated appearance of “silent flight” in UFO testimony has become one of the most discussed characteristics of alleged unidentified craft.
Sonic Booms and the Lack of Them
One recurring theme in UFO discussions is the apparent absence of sonic booms.
Objects travelling faster than sound normally produce shock waves that are heard as sonic booms. Yet some witnesses report observing rapid movement without hearing any boom at all. Former intelligence officials and military-related discussions surrounding modern UAP reports have occasionally highlighted this puzzle. [Space]space.comSpaceTo be declassified: UFO broke sound barrier with no sonic…24 Mar 2021 — To be declassified: UFO broke sound barrier with no sonic…
Sceptics note that accurately judging speed and distance is extremely difficult during brief aerial observations. If the object was farther away than assumed, the apparent contradiction may disappear. Nonetheless, the claimed absence of expected acoustic effects remains a central feature of many UFO narratives.
What Science Says About Unusual Sky Sounds
Atmospheric Acoustics Can Be Strange
Sound does not always travel in straightforward ways.
Temperature inversions, wind layers and humidity can bend sound over long distances. Industrial machinery, explosions, trains and aircraft may seem to originate from unexpected directions. In some conditions, sounds can appear to come directly from the sky. [The Guardian]theguardian.comThe Guardian Can you hear the Hum?The mystery noise that says a lot…Jul 8, 2021 — Maybe you hear it. A low frequency hum, almost a vibration, just on the threshold of h…
This helps explain why witnesses sometimes struggle to identify the source of a noise even when the underlying cause is ordinary.
Infrasound
Infrasound refers to sound below the normal range of human hearing.
Natural events such as storms, earthquakes, volcanic activity and meteor entries can generate infrasonic waves. These frequencies can create sensations of pressure, unease or vibration without producing a clearly audible sound. Researchers studying aerial phenomena increasingly monitor infrasonic frequencies because they can reveal activity invisible to ordinary microphones. [arXiv]arxiv.orgarXiv Multi-Band Acoustic Monitoring of Aerial SignaturesarXivMulti-Band Acoustic Monitoring of Aerial SignaturesMay 29, 2023…
Some scientists have suggested that certain reports of mysterious humming or physical sensations may involve infrasound rather than conventional audible noise.
Human Perception Is Imperfect
Psychologists have long noted that perception is not a simple recording process.
Stress, darkness, surprise and expectation can alter how people interpret sounds. A witness who already believes an unusual light is extraterrestrial may pay heightened attention to ambiguous noises occurring at the same time. Conversely, a startling sound can make a normal aerial object seem more mysterious.
This does not mean witnesses are dishonest. It means that extraordinary experiences often combine real sensory input with interpretation.
Modern Efforts to Record UFO Noises
For most of UFO history, investigators depended almost entirely on witness testimony. That is beginning to change.
Projects studying unidentified aerial phenomena increasingly deploy acoustic sensors alongside cameras, radar and other instruments. Researchers involved in efforts such as the Galileo Project have developed systems capable of monitoring audible, ultrasonic and infrasonic signatures from aerial objects. The goal is to distinguish known aircraft, environmental phenomena and genuinely unidentified events using measurable data rather than anecdotal descriptions. [arXiv]arxiv.orgarXiv Multi-Band Acoustic Monitoring of Aerial SignaturesarXivMulti-Band Acoustic Monitoring of Aerial SignaturesMay 29, 2023…
Acoustic monitoring is particularly useful because many aerial objects leave characteristic sound signatures. Even when visual evidence is poor, sound data can help identify aircraft, drones, atmospheric events or other known sources.
The challenge is that background noise is everywhere. Wind, traffic, animals, industry and weather can all contaminate recordings. Researchers therefore need large datasets and careful analysis before drawing conclusions from unusual sounds.
Why UFO Noises Remain Unresolved
The strongest pattern in UFO noise reports is not a specific sound but the lack of reliable evidence.
Many witnesses describe similar humming, buzzing or vibrating sensations. Some reports involve silence where noise seems expected. Others feature mysterious booms or droning sounds that remain unexplained. Yet very few cases include high-quality recordings, multiple independent sensors and enough contextual information to determine exactly what happened. [The National Archives]nationalarchives.gov.ukThe National ArchivesUFO reportsUFO reports. Sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have been reported over our skies for decade… [HowStuffWorks As a result]science.howstuffworks.comHow Stuff Works The 10 Most Legitimate Cases of U.F.OSightings27 Feb 2024 — Over the past decades, UFO sightings became synonymous with aliens. Reports from pilots, military personnel, and c…, UFO noises occupy an unusual middle ground. They are common enough to form a recurring feature of UFO lore, but rarely documented well enough to establish a definitive explanation. Some cases likely involve aircraft, atmospheric effects, industrial noise or perceptual errors. A smaller number remain genuinely unidentified, not because they prove an extraterrestrial origin, but because the available evidence is too limited to reach a confident conclusion. [Discovery UK]discoveryuk.comDiscovery UKThe Taos Hum: New Mexico's Unexplained AcousticDecember 14, 2023 — 14 Dec 2023 — The Taos Hum phenomenon is not just a local curiosity, but one of several unexplained hums heard in var… [The Guardian]theguardian.comThe Guardian Can you hear the Hum?The mystery noise that says a lot…Jul 8, 2021 — Maybe you hear it. A low frequency hum, almost a vibration, just on the threshold of h…
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Further Reading
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UFOs
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Endnotes
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/HighStrangeness/comments/11dfo6h/wha_is_the_significance_of_the_buzzing_or_flute/Source snippet
RedditWha is the significance of the buzzing or flute sound...February 27, 2023 — Wha is the significance of the buzzing or flute sound...
Published: February 27, 2023
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Source: discoveryuk.com
Title: Discovery UKThe Taos Hum: New Mexico’s Unexplained Acoustic
Link: https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/the-taos-hum-new-mexicos-unexplained-acoustic-phenomenon/Source snippet
December 14, 2023 — 14 Dec 2023 — The Taos Hum phenomenon is not just a local curiosity, but one of several unexplained hums heard in var...
Published: December 14, 2023
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Source: thrillist.com
Title: taos hum mystery
Link: https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/taos-hum-mysterySource snippet
Investigating the Mystery of the Taos Hum29 Jun 2023 — The low buzz ranging from 30 to 80 Hz that had been reportedly heard by a small pe...
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Source: instagram.com
Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWpOD7AkkVP/?hl=enSource snippet
InstagramFrom the “Taos hum” to “sky trumpets,” people around...From the “Taos hum” to “sky trumpets,” people around the world are heari...
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Source: science.howstuffworks.com
Title: How Stuff Works The 10 Most Legitimate Cases of U.F.O
Link: https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/the-10-most-legitimate-cases-of-u-f-o-sightings.htmSource snippet
Sightings27 Feb 2024 — Over the past decades, UFO sightings became synonymous with aliens. Reports from pilots, military personnel, and c...
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Source: space.com
Link: https://www.space.com/declassified-ufo-sightingsSource snippet
SpaceTo be declassified: UFO broke sound barrier with no sonic...24 Mar 2021 — To be declassified: UFO broke sound barrier with no sonic...
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Source: arxiv.org
Title: arXiv Multi-Band Acoustic Monitoring of Aerial Signatures
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.18551Source snippet
arXivMulti-Band Acoustic Monitoring of Aerial SignaturesMay 29, 2023...
Published: May 29, 2023
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Source: arxiv.org
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.03119 -
Source: arxiv.org
Title: arXiv The New Science of Unidentified Aerospace-Undersea Phenomena (UAP)
Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.06794 -
Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/znpqmv/the_taos_hum_is_a_mysterious_lowfrequency_humming/Source snippet
town of Taos, New Mexico, and in other locations around the world.Read more...
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Source: reddit.com
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/c0oe1c/why_ufos_dont_make_sonic_booms/Source snippet
Whats your current viewpoint on the UFO phenomenon?Read more...
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Source: instagram.com
Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXjHxlKjLCK/Source snippet
de Recordings Without Answers: Audio so bizarre...
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Source: nationalarchives.gov.uk
Link: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/explore-by-time-period/postwar/ufo-reports/Source snippet
The National ArchivesUFO reportsUFO reports. Sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) have been reported over our skies for decade...
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Source: theguardian.com
Title: The Guardian Can you hear the Hum?
Link: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/07/the-hum-mystery-noise-says-a-lot-about-modern-lifeSource snippet
The mystery noise that says a lot...Jul 8, 2021 — Maybe you hear it. A [low frequency hum]({{ 'low-hums-06eda3/' | relative_url }}), almost a vibration, just on the threshold of h...
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e early 1990s...
Additional References
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Link: https://www.history.co.uk/articles/history-s-most-famous-ufo-sightingsSource snippet
History's most famous UFO sightingsHere are some of the more noteworthy historical UFO sightings: A UFO hovering in the night sky. Read m...
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Source: Wikipedia
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_reported_UFO_sightingsSource snippet
List of reported UFO sightingsAlthough often viewed as abnormal, UFO sightings are reported frequently.... During the United States'...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML0eB3HFagM -
Source: spyscape.com
Link: https://spyscape.com/article/alaska-object-isnt-the-only-mysterious-ufo-top-10-sightingsSource snippet
rop circles or sightings that began in 1992 when a motorist reported a craft...Read more...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/posts/hundreds-of-people-reported-feeling-the-sudden-jarring-rumble-the-us-geological-/1350357886958182/Source snippet
as confirmed the loud boom heard Tuesday morning in parts...Read more...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/NYPost/videos/what-are-these-mystery-sounds-in-the-sky/947662304828895/Source snippet
eepy sounds coming from above. Are they signs of the Apocalypse...
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Link: https://www.facebook.com/WLTXNews19/posts/two-bases-say-it-wasnt-them-nasa-reported-no-meteor-a-leading-theory-an-aircraft/1469088085246128/Source snippet
ircraft went supersonic, and the sound bounced for miles...
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Source: artsandculture.google.com
Link: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/10-ufo-sightings-around-the-world/BwVRe1UdReh-_w?hl=enSource snippet
google.com10 UFO Sightings Around the World10 UFO Sightings Around the World. Join us on a journey around the world, to discover 10 of th...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveryUK/videos/oregon-ufo-recording-ufos-the-lost-evidence/414160445972251/Source snippet
Oregon UFO Recording - UFOs The Lost Evidence...
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Source: buriedsecretspodcast.com
Title: hallucinatory ufos and sound
Link: https://www.buriedsecretspodcast.com/hallucinatory-ufos-and-sound/Source snippet
12 Jul 2023 — Hallucinatory UFOs and sound · Sound in UFO encounters · The Estes Method, the Double-Blind Ghost Box, and strange sounds ·...
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