A study of unidentified flying objects in Canada shows a record high number of sightings in 2011, prompting researchers to suggest further studies into the subject.

Ufology Research, which has recorded UFO sightings in Canada since 1989, said there were 986 sighting reports in 2011. This figure is close to the 1,004 sightings recorded in 2008.

Ontario has the most number of sightings, with 406.

The study notes only 11 per cent of the sightings could not be explained. The rest were determined to be regular lights in the sky.

"Results of this study show many people continue to report unusual objects in the sky, and some of these objects do not have obvious explanations. Many witnesses are pilots, police and other individuals with reasonably good observing capabilities and good judgement," the study notes.

However, none of these sightings were linked to alien contacts.

"Popular opinion to the contrary, there is no incontrovertible evidence that some UFO cases involve extraterrestrial contact."

The study recommends a deeper look into the UFO phenomenon by social, medical and physical scientists.

UFO sightings in Australia

In Australia, there also appears to be an increase in UFO sightings. Fifty-one-year old Jane Pooley is one of the latest UFO witnesses to come out in the news.

For his part, Australian UFO investigator Doug Moffett says people should see the scientific possibility of alien UFOs. He laments that many people typically deem UFO sightings to be unworthy of further studies.

At least one of the June 2012 sightings in Australia remains inexplicable.

UFO confusion and hoaxes

Some UFO observations are misidentified conventional objects or natural phenomena, according to studies. Aircraft, balloons, noctilucent clouds, nacreous clouds often create illusions to the naked eye, making one believe that a strange unidentified object is flying across the sky.Meteors and bright planets are also mistaken for UFOs. On top of these typical mistakes, there are people deliberately creating UFO hoaxes for attention and publicity.