While classic disc-shaped UFOs dominated mid-20th century sightings, orb-shaped UAP have emerged as one of the most frequently reported modern phenomena on Enigma. Often spotted at high altitudes near sensitive infrastructure, these orbs are described as hovering silently or darting across the sky at seemingly impossible speeds. Reports come from civilians, pilots, and military personnel alike. Consistently seen across the globe, the orbs typically lack visible propulsion systems or control surfaces.

Source: IFL Science

What makes these orbs especially compelling isn't just how often they appear, but where and how they operate. They are frequently observed in restricted airspace, near nuclear facilities, and have even been tracked on radar or captured by high-resolution infrared systems. As governments around the world ramp up investigations into UAPs, through public hearings, declassified documents, and specialized task forces, orb sightings remain among the most persistent and perplexing. Common descriptions include: smooth metallic surfaces, silent movement, no visible propulsion, rapid acceleration, and the ability to hover. Some witnesses report strange effects such as telepathic impressions, electromagnetic interference, or time distortion.

This report is part of our new feature, Collections. Learn how we connect sightings like these here .

Historical Context During WWII, Allied pilots coined the term 'foo fighters' to describe glowing spheres trailing their aircraft, assumed to be German secret weapons, though this was never confirmed.

Foo Fighters spotted trailing Ally aircraft in WW2 (Source: The Debrief)

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Defense has documented several metallic orbs as part of its All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) investigations. In 2023, Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick, then-head of AARO, presented video of a metallic sphere flying over the Middle East, describing it as a "typical" case of an unresolved UAP. These sightings often occur without transponders, audible sound, or heat signatures—leaving both military analysts and physicists puzzled.

U.S. MQ-9 drone footage captures a metallic orb over the Middle East, July 2022, classified by the DoD as a UAP.

Some fascinating cases include:

• MQ-9 Observed Metallic Orb : On July 12, 2022, a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone recorded a metallic orb gliding over open desert terrain in the Middle East. The Department of Defense classified the object as a UAP, noting it exhibited no visible propulsion and behaved in ways inconsistent with known aircraft. AARO Director Dr. Sean Kirkpatrick later described this type of spherical object as "a typical example of the thing we see most of" in military UAP cases.
• The "Mosul Orb" : A U.S. MC-12 surveillance aircraft captured footage of a metallic sphere flying over Mosul, Iraq during a combat operation. The object appears to maintain altitude and move erratically, with no visible means of propulsion. The now-declassified video was released through the Freedom of Information Act request and has become one of the most widely cited pieces of UAP military footage to date.
• Near-Miss with Two Metallic Orbs : While piloting his private plane at 9,000 feet, former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao had a close encounter with two smooth, metallic spheres flying in tight formation. Each orb measured roughly three feet in diameter, showed no visible means of propulsion, and went undetected by both radar and air traffic control. The incident remains unexplained.

Theories A common thesis around metallic orbs is that they are surveillance devices, possibly launched by non-human intelligences to collect data without making direct contact. These autonomous probes from advanced civilizations could be interstellar or even interdimensional.

Others believe they are linked to classified government projects, operated by the U.S. or foreign adversaries such as China or Russia. Their small size, agile movement, and ability to evade radar could be consistent with next-generation drone technology.

Some skeptics argue metallic orbs may be misunderstood weather balloons, optical illusions, or rare atmospheric conditions (like ball lightning). And others maintain that they are a psychological manifestation, projected by the human mind during altered states or high-stress moments.

Despite official statements and competing theories, their origin and purpose remain unknown.

Enigma Insights From December 2022 to June 2025, the Enigma network recorded over 8,000 orb sightings across the United States, including more than 500 that referenced metallic orbs. Of these, 422 were specifically described as “metallic,” “metal,” or “silver.” Roughly 70% of all reports met our quality standards for publication. While California and Texas accounted for the highest volumes, sightings have been documented nationwide, often near military bases, critical infrastructure, and naval vessels.

Enigma's metallic orb reports across the U.S.

Below are highlights from the community's eyewitness accounts. Several reports come from aviation professionals and military veterans, describing glowing, silver or metallic spherical objects that appear spinning or in formations, hover for extended periods, and move with precision near restricted airspace and defense sites.

Quotes Swipe to explore select eyewitness testimony:

Enigma ran a statistical analysis across the community’s accounts:

Of the 422 metallic orb sightings, we see a concentration occurring just after midnight from 1–4 AM

More than 360 metallic orb sightings have been reported near U.S. military bases. Below, we highlight reports collected within a five-mile radius of three locations: Papago Military Reserve, Los Angeles Air Force Base, and Fort Hamilton.

Papago Military Reserve

• Enigma #295014 - Shiny Oval Metallic Object Hovers Over Desert (2023, June 19)
• Enigma #291747 - Bright moving object (2022, November 19)
• Enigma #278191 - Three matte metallic orbs hovering (2023, July 7)

Los Angeles Air Force Base

• Enigma #296651 - Shining spinning sphere makes erratic fast movements (2024, July 27)
• Enigma #302213 - Metallic balloon shapes moving slowly (2024, May 31)
• Enigma #294347 - Metallic orb hovering (2024, June 8)

Fort Hamilton

• Enigma #294143 - Metallic orbs spotted during Fleet Week (2024, May 28)
• Enigma #308027 - Shiny silver rotating orb moving against wind (2024, October 14)
• Enigma #306646 - Two metallic liquid objects hovering (2025, June 15)