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Fact check: Antarctic UFO images are modern digital art, not old photos

The claim: Images show UFOs in Antarctica

An Instagram video shows two images of what appear to be saucer-shaped structures frozen in icy landscapes.

"Two photos taken of an alleged non-human ship captured in Antarctica between 1945-1950 have been leaked, no further information," reads the caption in the Feb. 15 post (direct link, archive link).

The post garnered more than 14,000 likes in two weeks.

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Our rating: False

The images were created by a modern digital artist using an artificial intelligence program.

Images are modern digital art, created with AI program

In a direct message, artist Zach Heishman told USA TODAY that he created the images.

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"I created them using an AI program," he said. "My work is focused on sci-fi, dark art and horror."

AI art programs create new images based on text and other inputs by a user.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT

Higher resolution versions of the Instagram images can be found on Heishman's portfolio page, along with other works featuring UFO and alien themes.

Heishman also posted the images on Facebook.

Fact check: Video of UFO being shot down is from a video game

USA TODAY reached out to the Instagram user who shared the post for comment.

Reuters also debunked the claim.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Frozen UFOs are digital art, not old Antarctic photos