On July 11, 1991, a total solar eclipse occurred over the Pacific Ocean, moving across Mexico and Central America[1][5]. In Mexico City, this celestial event coincided with what has been called one of the largest mass UFO sightings ever recorded[1][2]. Thousands of people observed and, thanks to the rise of consumer video technology, captured footage of a strange object in the sky, leading to a surge of UFO interest throughout the country[3][4].
The Eclipse and the Sightings
The solar eclipse on July 11, 1991, was a significant event, with a magnitude of 1.08 and a duration of 6 minutes and 53 seconds at its peak[5]. It was the largest total solar eclipse of Solar Saros series 136 and the most central total eclipse in 800 years[5]. This eclipse was visible in a narrow path that included central Mexico, drawing millions of eyes to the sky[4][5].
During the eclipse, numerous individuals reported seeing a stationary, white, metallic-looking object hovering in the sky[2][4][6]. These sightings occurred in Mexico City, as well as in other cities such as Tepeji del Río and Puebla[3][4].
Eyewitness Accounts and Video Evidence
The availability of consumer video cameras at the time allowed many Mexicans to record the eclipse, and, unintentionally, the object that appeared alongside it[4][6]. These videos became central to the UFO flap that followed.
* Guillermo Arragin: A television executive, Arragin, was videotaping the eclipse from a rooftop in Mexico City when he noticed an unusual object overhead[3]. This footage was later broadcast by Jaime Maussan, a respected television journalist in Mexico, on a special UFO broadcast[2][3].
* Erick Aguilar: A 19-year-old university student, Erick Aguilar, was setting up to film the eclipse from a rooftop when he spotted something unusual in the sky and recorded it[3].
* Luis Lara: A businessman located 60 miles from Mexico City, Luis Lara, also videotaped a similar object[3].
* The Breton Family: The Breton family in Puebla, a city 80 miles east of Mexico City, captured video footage of an object during the eclipse[3]. Magnification of their video revealed a wave-like disturbance behind the object, possibly an energy trail[3].
Jaime Maussan and the Aftermath
Jaime Maussan, a respected television journalist in Mexico, played a significant role in publicizing the sightings[2][3]. He presented the Arragin footage on his show “Sesenta Minutos” (“60 Minutes”) just eight days after the eclipse[2][3]. The broadcast triggered a massive response, with the network receiving thousands of calls from viewers claiming to have seen the same thing[2][3].
Maussan also enhanced the Arragin footage and compared it to the Breton tape, noting the similarities between the objects despite being photographed nearly 100 miles apart[3]. This coverage led to a surge of interest in UFOs throughout Mexico[3][4].
Skeptical Explanations
Despite the widespread sightings and video evidence, skeptical explanations have been offered[2]. One common suggestion is that many witnesses mistook the planet Venus for a UFO[2][4]. Venus was visible during the eclipse, and its bright appearance could have been misinterpreted, despite being in a different position than the UFOs in the tapes[4].
Another theory suggests that some sightings may have been due to a high-altitude weather balloon[2].
The Legacy
The 1991 Mexico City UFO flap remains one of the most well-documented mass UFO sightings in history[2][6]. The event captured the imagination of a nation, fueled by the shared experience of witnessing a rare celestial event and the proliferation of video technology[3][4]. While skeptical explanations exist, the numerous eyewitness accounts and video recordings continue to intrigue and spark debate about the possibility of extraterrestrial visitors[3][6].
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[1] https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2072479_2072478_2072471,00.html
[2] https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reported_UFO_sightings_and_close_encounters_in_Mexico
[3] https://unsolved.com/gallery/mexico-ufo/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elnQ5XBYItA
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_11,_1991
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzJH0JSrqKQ
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFO_sightings_in_Mexico