CENAP investigates 14,000 UFO sightings in Germany

The Central Research Network for Extraordinary Celestial Phenomena (CENAP), based in Hesse, Germany, has investigated approximately 14,000 cases of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) as of August 2026. CENAP director Hansjürgen Köhler reports a significant increase in activity, noting that the center receives between three and six reports daily, making it the busiest reporting hub in the German-speaking world.

Köhler, an amateur astronomer, stated that the center aims to provide scientific explanations for aerial observations. He noted that many reported phenomena are actually natural occurrences, a finding consistent with research dating back to the 1970s when microfilms from the Second World War era were examined.

The renewed interest in the subject is partly driven by the release of files from the U.S. Pentagon regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). In 2020, the Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of three military recordings from 2004 and 2015. To manage these investigations, the U.S. Department of Defense established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) in December 2022 to analyze UAP reports and assess potential national security risks.