Reports of unidentified flying objects are increasing in the northeastern U.S., particularly in New York and New Jersey. Despite growing concerns among residents, officials have yet to provide clear answers about these mysterious drones.
Strange, bright flying objects have been spotted in the night skies over northern New Jersey, leaving people puzzled. While these objects are believed to be drones, no one has clear answers about what’s really going on.
In the past few weeks, there have been more and more reports of mysterious aircraft, some described as being as big as a car. Witnesses have seen both rotorcraft (helicopter-like drones) and fixed-wing aircraft. Some drones flew erratically on their own, while others moved in neat formations. All of them were bright and easy to spot. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said on social media that authorities are taking the sightings seriously but assured the public there’s “no known threat.”
Where Are These Drones Being Seen?
Most of the sightings started in Morris County, New Jersey, over places like rivers, reservoirs, and even military sites like the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal. Recently, reports have come from nearby counties and as far south as Philadelphia. These drone sightings also come at a time when strange drone activity has been reported near U.S. military bases in the U.K. and Virginia.
What Are Authorities Doing?
Officials at all levels are investigating. Around 20 Morris County officials sent a letter to federal agencies asking for action. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has temporarily banned drones from flying over Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. The FBI, New Jersey State Police, and the state’s Homeland Security office have asked people to report sightings through a hotline or online.
Local news outlets and a tech start-up called Enigma Labs are also collecting reports. Enigma Labs, which uses a smartphone app to track unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), has received dozens of reports from the region in the past three weeks. According to Christine Kim, the company’s marketing head, they are encouraging people to film and share what they see to help solve the mystery.
What Are People Reporting?
The descriptions of the drones are very different. Some people say they’ve seen a triangular craft with three bright lights, while others describe smaller, fast-moving objects with varying brightness. Some photos and videos seem to show regular airplanes or helicopters, which experts are debunking.
Could It Be a Mistake?
Mick West, a skeptic and UAP investigator, shared a video of what looked like a drone near his California home. Using flight-tracking data, he confirmed it was a normal aircraft. He suggests many of the New Jersey sightings might also be cases of mistaken identity. Poor smartphone cameras and the difficulty of judging size and distance in the sky could be causing confusion.
What’s Next?
Even though some sightings might be explainable, not all can be dismissed so easily. Law enforcement agencies are treating this seriously, and investigations are ongoing. For now, something unusual is happening in the skies over New Jersey, but we’ll have to wait to find out what it is.
