For a few days, social media was ablaze. Internet users around the world thought they had uncovered long-awaited proof of extraterrestrial life after a Google Maps image began circulating — what looked like a flying saucer appeared to be partially buried in the sands of the Sahara, not far from the small town of Bordj Omar Driss in southern Algeria.
The story was first launched by well-known UFO researcher Scott Waring. Scanning satellite images of this remote desert region, he came across a circular structure that he immediately interpreted as a crashed spaceship resting some ten meters underground. Soon enough, the rumor gained momentum: forums and specialized pages shared the image, fueling the idea of a forgotten alien craft hidden beneath the dunes.
But the mirage was quickly shattered. Upon closer inspection of the surrounding area, another researcher spotted an identical structure nearby, this one topped with a tower under construction. It turned out to be nothing more than the concrete base of a wind turbine — a perfectly ordinary round foundation in the eyes of engineers.
This mix-up is yet another reminder of the dangers of jumping to conclusions in the world of UFO research. In the age of the internet, a single intriguing image is enough to fire up the collective imagination. Yet, more often than not, the reality is far less mysterious than fiction: before seeing a flying saucer in the desert, it’s usually wise to consider whether it’s simply an ordinary human project after all.
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