The Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched an X-Files-style probe after the Echo reported that dozens of our readers had spotted UFOs floating over Sunderland and Seaham 10 days ago.
But the truth is out there now. Seaham couple Paul McKinney and Emma Henfrey have revealed what was really in the sky that night.
Paul, 28, and Emma, 30, celebrated moving into their new home in Wycliffe Road, Westlea, by holding a party for friends and set floating lanterns, bought by neighbour Quentin Carr, into the air.
But the orbs, which glowed bright orange then silvery white, caused a real stir and some stargazers thought they were seeing extraterrestrial spaceships overhead.
Paul was going to remain tight-lipped about the prank, but when he heard the MoD was investigating, the systems analyst contacted the Echo.
He said: "It was an awesome experience to watch these lanterns float up and away and we never though for a second that people would think that they were aliens.
"I wasn't going to say anything because I thought it was quite funny, but then my cousin saw something in the Echo about the MOD investigating so I thought I better tell.
"I thought, with all that's happening in the world at the minute and the increased terrorism level in the UK I should put people's minds at rest."
He added: "Maybe there are extraterrestrials out there, but they did not visit Seaham on July 29, I can assure you."
The lanterns party-goers set off that night are on sale on the internet for about £10 and carry a manufacturers' warning that they have been mistaken for UFOs.
They can fly up to 1,000ft high in the sky and look just like hot air balloons – they are made from a plastic bag, copper wire and paraffin cube which glows as the fuel burns slowly propelling the device into the air.
Witnesses who spotted the lanterns over our coast were convinced they were seeing UFOs.
Harry McCall, 67, and his wife Elizabeth of Stockton Road, Seaham, reported seeing the lights.
Mr McCall said: "I said they were UFOs until I was convinced otherwise, and now I have been.
"It is quite funny to find out and it's good to know an explanation."
The balloons were also spotted floating over the skies of Wheatley Hill.
Ian Craggs, 50, his wife Melanie, 39, caught them on film for eight minutes. Stills of these images have been taken by the Echo.