How to Evaluate a UFO Video Without Fooling Yourself

Published August 7, 2026 · Reviewed against primary scientific and government sources

A practical checklist for assessing UFO and UAP videos responsibly.

ZORG-7 reality check: ZORG-7 is fictional. The factual material on this page is written to distinguish confirmed evidence, unresolved questions and speculation.

Start with provenance

Find the earliest available upload or original file. Reposted, cropped or recompressed video may remove metadata and visual context.

Collect context

Time, location, viewing direction, weather, nearby airports, satellite passes and witness position can transform an apparent mystery into a testable event.

Understand the camera

Autofocus, digital zoom, stabilization, infrared glare and motion parallax can make ordinary targets look unusual.

Compare hypotheses

Test aircraft, balloons, birds, stars, planets, satellites, drones, reflections and sensor artifacts. Do not choose an explanation only because it is exciting.

Know when to stop

Sometimes the evidence is too weak for a conclusion. “Insufficient information” is more accurate than forcing either a mundane or extraterrestrial answer.

Sources and further reading

UFOUAPspace sciencealien life

Keep exploring

Read more in the ZORG-7 Learning Library, or ask the fictional alien guide a question on the homepage.