The night skies over Manitoba were apparently busier than usual last month.
Nearly triple the average number of UFO sightings were reported, according to Chris Rutkowski, research coordinator for Ufology Research of Manitoba, a Winnipeg-based independent centre that investigates and researches Canadian UFO sightings.
"It's significantly above what we normally get," said Rutkowski, adding 11 sightings in Manitoba were submitted in September.
The monthly average is about three or four, he said.
Ufology Research is concerned that most of the sightings were not reported to investigators in Manitoba but were instead submitted to websites around the globe.
That makes it difficult for researchers here to speak to witnesses, collect further information and potentially rule out objects as planets or stars instead of UFOs.
"Every year, it's whittled down to about 3% to 5% that don't have an easy explanation," said Rutkowski.
Among the UFOs sightings reported last month, one came from a witness parked near Headingley about 2 a.m. on Sept. 10.
The man claims he heard a humming sound and then saw a light in the northern sky. He turned and saw a "floating disc" land in a field. Scared, he jumped in his car and drove away. In his rearview mirror, the witness said he saw the object rise from the ground and race across the sky before vanishing.
As for the rise in UFO sightings last month, Rutkowski said it's possible there's something out there or that "people are paying more attention to their surroundings."
UFO Sightings Increase Over Manitoba
UFO Sightings Increase Over Manitoba