Five years ago, we created the first version of our UFO Sighting Map, and at the beginning of 2024, we updated the map visualization a bit. Since then, a lot of people interested in UFO sightings have seen the map.
This time, we want to guide you through the surprisingly simple process of creating the map. We believe that with our guidance, you'll be amazed at how easy it can be to create a similar map.
But before that, let’s get some interesting facts on the World UFO Day.
Quick Facts on World UFO Day
If you quickly search online, you’ll find that World UFO is marked on June 24 or July 2.
Let’s get the right facts.
June 24, 1947 - The Flying Saucers
On June 24, 1947, the American pilot Kenneth Arnold spotted nine dazzling blue-white objects near Mount Rainier in Washington. He described the objects flying in a perfect "V" formation at an estimated speed of 1,700 mph (2,735 km/h).
It was the newspapers that played a crucial role in shaping the public's perception of these unidentified objects. When they began reporting Arnold's sighting, they mistakenly described the objects as being shaped like saucers, which led to the term 'flying saucer.' (History.com, 2010)
July 2, 1947 – The Roswell Incident
On July 2, 1947, a significant event unfolded when Mac Brazel discovered a mysterious debris near his sheep pasture. Unable to identify the objects, he reported the situation to Roswell’s sheriff, who then called officials at the nearby Roswell Army Air Force base for further investigation.
Image credits, smithsonianmag.com
Within days, the quiet town of Roswell was thrust into the spotlight as the news of the mysterious debris found by Mac Brazel became the talk of the town and the headline of the Roswell Daily Record.
July 2, 2001 - The World UFO Day
Fast-forward to July 2001, when UFO researcher Haktan Akdogan established the Roswell incident date as World UFO Day.
From there, many organizations, like World UFO Day, have worked to spread awareness about the phenomenon of unidentified flying objects.
Building our interactive map: outlining the project.
Here’s a simple process to recreate the interactive map.
Step 1: Define Your Purpose
What is the goal of the project?
Our goal with this project is to engage users interested in UFOs and allow them to discover the phenomenon in the United States.
What’s in the scope?
This interactive story map shows all UFO sightings, UFO sightings by shape, and UFO sightings by State (US).
Who is this project for?
People interested in the UFO phenomenon who want to discover sightings in the US.
Other considerations
Where does the data come from? The dataset comes from the National UFO Reporting Center, a reputable source that collects and maintains records of UFO sightings. It covers UFO sightings from 2013 to 2023, providing a comprehensive view of the phenomenon over the past decade.
Step 2: Choose Your Mapping Tool
For this project, we’ll be working with CartoVista, which allows us to quickly import the dataset in CSV or .xlsx format to our map and add the layers and visualization features.
We've also included the steps to create some elements on Google Maps.
Step 3: Collect and Organize Your Data
We'll start with a single state since our UFO sightings map dataset can become very large.
Then, we need to verify that the datasets contain the following data:
- Addresses or coordinates.
- Labels and descriptions for each point.
- Any relevant data overlays (in this case, the shape of the UFO is the overlay we’ll be using).
Follow the step-by-step video on how to prepare your data.
More resources for you:
Link to the spreadsheet with sample data as seen in the video.
Step 4: Build Your Interactive Map
In the following video, I show you how to create your UFO interactive map on CartoVista and Google Maps.
Keep in mind the following:
After uploading your dataset, you'll need to work on the map experience.
Selecting the right colors and shapes for the map elements will help you deliver the message and create a nice experience for your viewers.
More resources for you:
Sample color palette for you using the website coolors.co
- Alien Silver #C5C6C7
- Midnight Sky #2C3E50
- Ethereal Glow #9AE3D4
- Nebula Purple #5B5E9A
- Space Dust Grey #6E6F72
Step 5: Preview Your Map
Interactive Map Layer - All UFO Sightings
Imagine a map that traces the footsteps of extraterrestrial encounters across the United States. The “All UFO Sightings” theme offers a glimpse into this fascinating world. It presents a science-fiction-inspired design that lists cities where UFO sightings have been observed.
Cities where more sightings have been reported are emphasized by their size. The theme goes further by providing the date and time of these enigmatic encounters. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, exploring this theme will pique your curiosity about the cosmic mysteries that have unfolded over the years.
Interactive Map Layer - UFO Sightings by Shape
One of the most perplexing aspects of UFO sightings is the diversity of shapes these unidentified flying objects take. The “Most Observed Shape” theme is an intriguing journey into the various forms witnesses report.
These sightings have been meticulously classified into multiple distinct shapes. The map pinpoints the locations and employs futuristic icons to represent the most observed shape for each city.
Interactive Map Layer - UFO Sightings by County
The final theme on CartoVista’s UFO map offers a unique perspective by displaying the distribution of UFO sightings by county.
This theme provides valuable insights into the regions where these encounters are more prevalent, allowing enthusiasts and researchers to analyze patterns and trends. Interestingly, the county with the most sightings reported is Maricopa, Arizona, with 1,154 reports.
Key Takeaways
Purpose and Audience Clarity: start by defining your audience and the message you want to communicate. This will help you create and maintain a nice user experience in the interactive map.
Data Source and Tool Selection:
When faced with too much data, start small. Find sources with accurate information and the right datasets to support your message.
Pay special attention to your location data; if you decide to use an address, start with specific to general (street, city, state/region, country).