Germany / 1990 / EXPLAINED

Greifswald lights

Large lights filmed near Greifswald became a notable European UFO video case.

Localized image or video-frame material from YouTube / public video upload for Greifswald lights. It is used as archive media context; object identity and evidentiary weight still depend on the case notes and source record.

CredibilityB

StatusEXPLAINED

Evidence types2

Official sources0

Last reviewed2026

Archive assessment

This archive treats the case as explained or substantially resolved by conventional evidence.

Documentation: Limited documentation
Primary location: Greifswald
Source base: 2 linked records
Research use: Comparison case

Case dossier

Greifswald lights is a notable UFO/UAP report from Greifswald. The case is tracked as part of the launch archive because it is searchable, source-linked, and useful for comparison across countries, eras, evidence types, and explanations.

Timeline

1990-08-24Greifswald lights is reported in Greifswald.
1990The case enters public UFO/UAP discussion through reports, archives, or later summaries.
Archive reviewThe case is indexed with sources, evidence notes, and skeptical context.

Evidence matrix

Reported evidencevideo

Reported evidencemultiple witnesses

Evidence assessment

Reported evidence includes video, multiple witnesses.

videomultiple witnesses

Official context

The lights have been widely explained as military flares.

Skeptical notes

Flares and visual distance misjudgment are the leading explanation.

Sources

News reportThe mysterious lights of the Greifswald UFO incidentYouTube / public video upload
News reportVon Ufos und Ifos: Lichter über der OstseeARD / Das Erste