Introduction

The mysterious phenomenon of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) has piqued human curiosity for decades. UFO sightings, often recorded as mere anecdotes, can be given a spatial dimension when plotted on a map. This project aims to represent UFO sightings across the USA by county, offering a visual perspective on an otherworldly subject.

The Maps

The map showcases UFO sightings for each county in the United States, rooted in data from the year 2016. For clarity and distinction, the boundaries of the USA states are also depicted. The lime-green color scheme, reminiscent of popular UFO depictions, has been used to highlight the frequency and distribution of these sightings.

Methodology

The map was crafted using three primary data sources: the USA Counties - Generalized, which was transformed into polygons to depict each county accurately; the UFO_Sightings_In_the_US_2016, initially feature classes, which were converted to points representing individual UFO sightings; and the USA States Generalized Boundaries that provide an overarching context to the county-level data. An essential step in the map creation was the joining of the UFO sighting points to their corresponding counties, ensuring a detailed county-wise representation of sightings.

Implications and Future Work

While the map provides an intriguing snapshot of 2016's UFO activity, it also opens the door for a myriad of potential studies. There's room to delve deeper into seasonal patterns, correlations with local events, or even potential hoax hotspots. Comparing sightings over multiple years can help detect patterns or spikes in activity. A more extensive dataset, possibly including descriptions or timestamps, could further enrich the analysis. This project, begun as a light-hearted exploration, has the potential to evolve into a more in-depth spatial study of UFO sightings.

Conclusion

Mapping UFO sightings by county offers a fresh lens through which to view a timeless mystery. While the lime-green hues capture the imagination, the real story lies in the patterns and frequencies scattered across the counties. This project, though embarked upon for leisure, underscores the fascinating intersections between spatial data and popular culture. Whether one is a skeptic or a believer, the map stands testament to the numerous encounters Americans reported in 2016.

Data Sources

• USA Counties Generalized Boundaries (2022) [Feature layer] Esri on ArcGIS Online. URL: https://services.arcgis.com/P3ePLMYs2RVChkJx/arcgis/rest/services/USA_Counties_Generalized_Boundaries/FeatureServer

• UFO_Sightings_in_the_US_2016 (2020) [Feature layer] Esri on ArcGIS Online. URL: https://services1.arcgis.com/aT1T0pU1ZdpuDk1t/arcgis/rest/services/UFO_Sightings_in_the_US_2016/FeatureServer

• USA States Generalized Boundaries (2022) [Feature layer] Esri on ArcGIS Online. URL: https://services.arcgis.com/P3ePLMYs2RVChkJx/arcgis/rest/services/USA_States_Generalized_Boundaries/FeatureServer