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While the vast majority of UFO sightings are debunked as man-made objects, lens flares, and even simple motes of dust, there remain some otherworldly sightings that leave even impartial investigators scratching their heads.

In order to shed light on mysteries that have gripped the public’s imagination for decades, a team of investigators has compiled a number of images of inexplicable orbs of light and metallic objects seen in skies across the planet.

Aerial Phenomenons Investigation (API) is a worldwide UFO investigation team that probes unidentified aerial phenomena, known as UAPs or UFOs.

A statement on their website reads: "After excluding incorrect reports, it is acknowledged that at least 5% of reported UFO sightings remain unexplained, and as such can be classified as unidentified in the strictest sense.

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"Here is a collection of classic UFO photos taken over the last few decades. Are they extraterrestrial?

"Are they an elaborate hoax? You decide.”

One of the most striking images was taken in September 1957 by a test pilot near Edwards Air Force Base in California.

To the top right of the still a UFO is seen flying close to a B-47 jet

Author, journalist and TV personality Nick Pope used to run the British Government's UFO project at the Ministry of Defence.

He said: "Around 80% of UFO sightings could be explained as misidentifications of something ordinary, such as aircraft lights, satellites, airships, weather balloons or planets.

"In around 15% of cases there was insufficient information to draw any firm conclusions.

"Approximately 5% of sightings seemed to defy conventional explanation."