Overview

• Reports of unidentified flying objects began in New Jersey in mid-November and have since spread to other states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
• Federal agencies, including the FAA and Department of Defense, attribute most sightings to drones, planes, helicopters, or misidentified stars, and have found no evidence of a national security threat.
• Experts note that night skies can cause optical illusions, making it difficult to distinguish drones from airplanes or other objects, especially during busy holiday travel periods.
• Lawmakers and the public have expressed frustration over the lack of concrete explanations, with some officials calling for better drone detection technology and clearer communication.
• Drone experts caution against overreaction, emphasizing that most drones are recreational or lawful, and urge people to use tools like flight-tracking apps to verify sightings before reporting them.