During the past week, various cities in the United States, especially on the East Coast, have been the scene of multiple reports of unidentified flying objects. These observations, which some describe as «large drones,» have sparked speculation about their origin and purpose. However, experts and authorities have indicated that most of these sightings could be manned aircraft, operating entirely legally.
Another night, another drone sightings
This time its a triangular drone over NJ
Join for more -> https://t.co/048Oxh7AgL pic.twitter.com/HcEi2tE0F1
— DronesUS (@DronesUSX) December 14, 2024
According to statements by John Kirby, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, a significant portion of the recent sightings correspond to manned aircraft that have been mistakenly identified as drones or strange objects. Furthermore, analyses conducted by aviation experts, such as former Representative Adam Kinzinger, indicate that the lights observed in the night skies are consistent with normal patterns of commercial or private aircraft.
William Austin, a drone specialist, reviewed images and testimonies of the sightings in New Jersey and concluded that many of these cases are explained by conventional aircraft, telecommunications tower lights, or even small drones used by individuals.
Navigation lights: a key to identifying aircraft
Aircraft, whether commercial, private, or drones, are equipped with navigation lights and anti-collision lights that fulfill a crucial purpose in air safety. These lights help identify the position, direction, and movement of an aircraft, especially during nighttime operations.
- Position lights: These are located on the tips of the wings and the tail. The red light is on the left wing, the green on the right wing, and the white on the tail. These help determine the aircraft’s direction: if the red light is seen on the right and the green on the left, the plane is approaching; if reversed, it is moving away.
- Anti-collision lights: These include flashing red lights on the top and bottom of the fuselage, as well as white strobe lights on the tips of the wings or the tail. Their purpose is to increase the aircraft’s visibility.
Although drones may also be equipped with similar lights, the intensity and placement of these often vary, which could cause confusion among observers.
What does this tell us about the sightings?
The evidence suggests that many of the reported objects are nothing more than manned aircraft seen from unusual angles or under low-visibility conditions. The standard characteristics of navigation and anti-collision lights are consistent with the patterns observed in the testimonies.
Authorities have urged the public to report any sightings and provide additional evidence to continue the investigations. For now, most reports appear to be explained as legally operating aircraft in flight, rather than extraterrestrial phenomena or drones of unknown origin.
