Italian Ufologist Captures Fleet of 38 UFOs Near the Moon: Starlink Satellites or Alien Armada?
If you thought UFO sightings were limited to Earth’s atmosphere, think again. Recently, an Italian ufologist—scanning the night sky from a rooftop in Rome—caught an astonishing parade of 38 unidentified flying objects gliding past the Moon’s face. The viral video, tagged MUFON case #257854, has ignited debate across YouTube and specialized forums. Are these extraterrestrial vessels swarming our nearest celestial neighbor, or simply a batch of Earth-launched satellites caught in lunar silhouette? Let’s dive into the footage, dissect expert analyses, and explore the most plausible explanations.
The Viral Moon Fleet Video: What Netizens Are Watching
In late March 2025, the Rome‐based ufologist uploaded a time-lapse sequence recorded through a consumer‐grade telescope pointed at the waxing gibbous Moon. Over the span of four minutes, dozens of tiny, dark dots traced uniform arcs across the lunar disc, creating an almost choreographed effect. The observer exclaims, “Look at that! The entire Moon looks like it’s crawling with fleas!” With over 500,000 YouTube views and growing, the clip has become a must-see for amateur astronomers and UFO enthusiasts alike.

Subheading: Understanding MUFON Case #257854
The Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), a leading civilian UFO research organization, officially logged the sighting under code 257854. According to the case file, the Italian investigator provided:
- Date & Time: March 25, 2025, 22:15–22:20 local time
- Location: Rome city center, unobstructed southern sky
- Equipment: Celestron 130EQ Newtonian telescope + smartphone adapter
- Description: Thirty-eight disc-shaped objects moving in 6–8 evenly spaced formations
- Witness Report: Objects maintained constant speed and altitude; no sound observed
MUFON assigns field investigators to collect supplementary reports, analyze video metadata, and cross-reference satellite launch logs. While the case remains open, initial commentary suggests terrestrial rather than alien origins.
Subheading: How the Video Was Captured—Technology Meets Curiosity
To capture the Moon, the ufologist used a 130 mm reflector telescope with a 650 mm focal length—common gear for backyard astronomers. The smartphone adapter held a modern 12-megapixel camera steady, producing 1080p at 30 fps. After stacking and stabilizing frames in free software like RegiStax, the observer enhanced contrast to reveal the dark specks. This careful processing underscores two points:
- Accessibility: Anyone with a modest budget can record celestial phenomena, democratizing sky-watching.
- Artifacts: Image stacking and contrast boosting can exaggerate visual noise—sometimes mistaking sensor artifacts for real objects.
Nonetheless, the uniformity of motion across multiple frames makes a strong case for genuine objects rather than random noise.

Subheading: Natural Explanations—From Satellites to Space Debris
Before invoking alien fleets, consider the most logical candidates:
- Starlink and Other Satellite Constellations
- SpaceX’s Starlink network has already launched over 5,000 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. Many follow similar orbital planes, producing train-like sightings from Earth. On certain dates, dozens cross the lunar background in tight formations.
- Rocket Body Debris
- Spent upper stages and debris from recent launches can clump in similar trajectories. They often appear darker than stars when silhouetted against the Moon.
- High-Altitude Balloons
- Although rare near the Moon’s apparent position, scientific balloons can drift at 30 km altitude, reflecting sunlight in odd ways.
Cross-checking launch schedules for March 2025 reveals a batch of 60 Starlink satellites deployed just two days earlier—timing that matches the Italian sighting.
Subheading: Alien Armada or Earthly Engineering?
Despite the plausible satellite theory, UFO groups stress anomalies:
- Speed & Uniformity: The objects appeared to maintain exact spacing and speed, unlike most satellite trains that can stretch out due to orbital dispersion.
- Shape & Opacity: They look perfectly round and opaque against the bright Moon, whereas most satellites appear point-like or diffuse.
- Resistance to Light Scatter: Unlike flaring satellites that glint intermittently, these shapes remained consistently visible.
Proponents argue such precision hints at intelligent control—fueling speculation about extraterrestrial craft deployed in stealth mode near Earth’s celestial satellite.

Subheading: Expert Opinions—Astronomers Weigh In
Leading amateur astronomers and astrophotographers have chimed in:
“This is almost certainly a Starlink train. The orbital geometry on March 25 favorably placed the train directly in front of the Moon. The uniform silhouettes are just multiple satellites passing in quick succession.”
— Dr. Elena Caruso, Astroimaging Specialist, Naples Observatory
“It’s a nice catch, but optical aberrations and point-spread function can make small reflections look like solid disks. Until we get radar returns or multi-angle confirmation, we can’t call this alien.”
— Prof. Marco Santini, University of Palermo, Department of Physics
Their consensus: extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence—more data than a single, uncorroborated video.
Subheading: The Broader UFO Context—Fleets, Formations, and Folklore
Fleet sightings aren’t new in ufology:
- 1977 Tehran Incident: Multiple navy jets tracked a large formation of lights over Iran’s airspace.
- Los Angeles UFO Flap (2004): Military pilots intercepted numerous unknown objects off the coast, described as triangle formations.
- Belgian Wave (1989-1990): Hundreds reported triangular UFO fleets over Brussels, prompting official investigations.
Each case blends eyewitness zeal with limited hard data—fueling public fascination while frustrating scientific validation.
Conclusion: Moon Fleas or Martian Flyers?
The Italian ufologist’s video of 38 UFOs near the Moon has rekindled the age-old debate: are we observers of advanced extraterrestrial technology or witnesses to our own creations lighting up the night sky? While the timing of recent Starlink deployments and expert analyses point toward Earth-made satellites, the allure of a cosmic fleet dances at the edge of belief. In the end, this single clip reminds us that every pixel of our universe harbors wonders—whether born from human ingenuity or the thrilling possibility of life beyond our world.