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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sarah Lumley & Jacob Farr

Edinburgh named as UK UFO capital with residents topping poll for close encounters

New data has revealed that Edinburgh is the most common city in the UK for residents believing they have spotted a UFO.

A study of 2,000 adults discovered that 18 per cent of those in the capital are convinced that they have spotted a strange object in the skies.

The same research found that Edinburgh residents are also very likely to believe that there is extraterrestrial life out there in the universe even if they have not seen a UFO themselves.

READ MORE: Edinburgh double killer dies in hospital after battle with dementia

Across the UK, just under half of those surveyed believe that aliens exist whilst 10 per cent think that they have witnessed something out of the ordinary, the Daily Record reports.

59 per cent of those believe that what they witnessed could be alien life or technology.

National Geographic carried out the research ahead of their new documentary TV series ‘ UFOs: Investigating the Unknown, which airs on the channel on Tuesday May 2 at 8pm.

Nick Pope, who investigated UFOs for the Ministry of Defence, said: “UFOs are big news now, and a lot of people are reporting – and sometimes filming – extraordinary things. While many people are convinced these sightings involve alien life, most cases turn out to be misidentifications.

“The chances are there’s intelligent life elsewhere in the universe and even though the vast distances make direct contact a challenge, encountering an alien civilization would be the biggest story in human history.”

Three in 10 of all adults polled believe humankind will at some point make contact with aliens from another planet. Of those who do believe in UFOs, 26 per cent just have a “gut feeling” telling them it’s so.

The study found cities in the north were more likely to harbour UFO spotters – with just Bristol and London appearing in the top 10 from down south. Glasgow rounded out the 10.

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