Here’s a simplified and rewritten version of the article:
CHATHAM, N.J. — There’s a lot of buzz in New Jersey about mysterious flying objects. People aren’t sure if they’re drones or something else, but they’re definitely sparking a lot of talk, wild theories, and people looking up at the night sky.
The story of these drones started gaining attention around Thanksgiving, appearing on local news and social media. Now it’s become a big deal.
Recently, the issue has caught the attention of lawmakers. They are asking federal and state authorities for explanations, but haven’t received any yet. Governor Phil Murphy has even written to President Joe Biden seeking answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent a night searching for drones in northern New Jersey and shared his experience online.
More sightings have been reported in New York City, prompting Mayor Eric Adams to start an investigation in cooperation with New Jersey and federal officials. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that the government knows more than it’s revealing and called for transparency or even drastic measures.
The most surprising part is the explosion of conspiracy theories, even though officials have not confirmed any. People call these flying objects drones, but there’s still uncertainty about what they really are.
Some believe the drones might be from an Iranian mothership, others think they could be the Secret Service protecting Trump’s property, while some fear involvement from China or other shadowy entities.
In response to the mystery, people have turned to social media. A Facebook page named “New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it” has attracted nearly 44,000 members. People share photos and videos, and discussions follow.
One video shows a light in the sky, and opinions vary on whether it’s a UFO, a plane, or a satellite. Some suggest shooting them down, but experts advise against this.
Trisha Bushey from Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near a hotspot for sightings. She initially shared photos online, thinking they were drones based on their movements and lack of nearby planes on tracking sites. Now, she’s closely following the Facebook group.
“I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said.
She questions the governor’s assurance that the drones aren’t a safety risk. Governor Murphy told Biden that residents need answers. The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI have stated that the sightings don’t pose a national security threat.
“How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.”
Some people might be misidentifying regular aircraft as drones. William Austin, president of Warren County Community College, which offers a drone technology degree, says that planes are often mistaken for drones due to optical illusions. He suggests using flight tracker apps for clarity.
Despite these explanations, many continue to form their own theories.
“It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.”
Federal officials agree with Austin that many sightings are actually planes or helicopters mistaken for drones.
However, this doesn’t satisfy many people, as reports of sightings extend beyond New Jersey and the East Coast.
Seph Divine, a member of the drone hunting group from Eugene, Oregon, feels that citizens need to solve the mystery. He encourages people to verify information and asks critical questions.
“My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said.
“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 added.
Golden reported from Seattle.
