CHATHAM, N.J. — There’s a peculiar buzz echoing across New Jersey, leaving many to wonder if it’s drones or some other airborne phenomenon. The increasing nighttime sightings have sparked a whirlwind of speculation, conspiracy theories, and curiosity as people gaze upward.
Since around Thanksgiving, reports of these mysterious flying objects have captivated local news and social media. This week, the discussion intensified as state lawmakers began pressing federal and state officials for answers. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has reached out to President Joe Biden for clarity, while newly-elected Senator Andy Kim took to the skies in northern New Jersey to investigate the reports firsthand and shared his experience on social media.
Similar drone sightings have also emerged in New York City, prompting Mayor Eric Adams to launch an investigation in collaboration with New Jersey and federal authorities. Adding to the drama, President-elect Donald Trump expressed his belief on social media that the government knows more about the situation than it has disclosed, even suggesting that aggressive action should be taken if clarity is not provided: “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”
The rumors surrounding these flying objects have generated an astonishing array of conspiracy theories, with no input from federal or state officials corroborating these claims. While locally they are commonly referred to as drones, there remains uncertainty about whether these sightings actually involve unmanned aerial vehicles or potentially something different entirely.
Some theories suggest the drones may be linked to an Iranian operation, while others speculate they are related to the Secret Service ensuring the safety of President-elect Trump’s property in Bedminster. Concerns about potential involvement from China and even hints of a so-called “deep state” have not been spared.
In light of the rising speculation and confusion, local residents have turned to social media for answers. A Facebook group named New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it has rapidly gained traction, growing to nearly 44,000 members from just 39,000 earlier this week. Participants share photos and videos of their sightings for others to analyze, leading to varied interpretations. One video depicted a pale light in the night sky, prompting some commenters to claim it was an extraterrestrial object, while others suggested it might simply be an aircraft or a satellite. Some have even proposed hunting the drones down, though experts caution against shooting at anything in the air.
Trisha Bushey, a 48-year-old resident of Lebanon Township near Round Valley Reservoir, shared her own experiences after witnessing several sightings. Initially perplexed, she has come to believe the objects are drones after observing their movements and consulting flight tracking data which indicated no planes were in the vicinity. Now, she finds herself engrossed in the Mystery Drones Facebook page, often prioritizing it over her holiday shopping and household chores.
“I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she explained, expressing skepticism over Governor Murphy’s reassurances that these sightings do not endanger public safety. He cited that both the Federal Homeland Security Department and the FBI have stated there’s no evidence that these sightings pose a threat, whether to national security or public safety. “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she argued, highlighting the discomfort many feel amid the ongoing uncertainty.
Additionally, there’s the chance that some of the sightings may not be what people think. William Austin, president of Warren County Community College which offers a drone technology program and is based in a sighting hotspot, pointed out that misidentifications may be occurring. He suggests downloads of flight and drone tracking applications to help residents better discern the nature of what they are observing, citing an optical effect known as parallax that can cause objects to appear differently from various angles.
Still, the speculation continues. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin commented. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials seem to agree with his assessment that many sightings are likely attributed to piloted aircraft, such as planes and helicopters, rather than drones, though this viewpoint does little to quell lingering discontent.
People beyond New Jersey have also reported similar sightings, prompting citizens like Seph Divine, a 34-year-old from Eugene, Oregon, to feel the need for civic investigation. He aims to maintain a balanced approach, urging others to verify their information while still questioning the situation. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he remarked.
