What the bright lights in the sky could really be

Over the past week, numerous strange lights have been spotted in the skies across the northeastern United States, particularly in New Jersey, but also in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts and even Ohio. Some of these mysterious flying objects are probably drones. Many will be airplanes. Other satellites.

Are there heavenly explanations? Possibly yes – and more than one. Here are a few culprits you might unwittingly see in the US this week that could easily be mistaken for something mysterious…perhaps even the original source of the “Star of Bethlehem” or “Christmas Star” story.

Drones from New Jersey: Satellites?

When: One hour after or before sunset or sunrise

The mysterious flying objects in the sky are often satellites and not drones. If you see a constant white light across the sky, it could well be a satellite. It’s shocking for many people when they look outside at night and see the hundreds of satellites for the first time. Many are SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, launched in recent years to provide broadband internet service. Satellites do not have red flashing taillights like airplanes typically do. Instead, you see a constant white light, especially an hour after or before sunset or sunrise, when the satellite’s solar panels capture sunlight.

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Drones from New Jersey: “Shooting stars”?

When: Directly above, just before sunset and sunrise

December is a great time to see fast-moving shooting stars – meteors that crash into Earth’s atmosphere. Three major annual meteor showers begin or peak in December. The Geminids – the most productive of the year – arrived overnight on the 13th/14th. December peaks and will continue to produce bright “balls of fire” through December 20th. The Ursids meteor shower runs from December 13th to 24th and the Quadrantids meteor shower runs from December 13th to 24th Jan 12th.

Drones from New Jersey: Jupiter?

Where: In the east after dark, moving over the south and setting in the west at sunrise

The largest planet in the solar system is currently as bright and dominant as it gets. Still twinkling since its annual opposition – astronomically speaking, because it is closest to Earth – on Saturday, December 7, Jupiter displays its entire disk and rises opposite sunset as it makes its closest approach to Earth. This means that it is light in the east immediately after dark – easily visible to everyone outside as it gets dark. It remains a very bright light in the night sky until mid-January.

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Drones from New Jersey: Venus?

Where: Set in the west after sunset

The brightest object in the night sky is currently setting shortly after dark, but is already shining very brightly beforehand. It is no coincidence that the number of UFO sightings increases when Venus is in its so-called “evening star” phase – like now. As Venus becomes brighter and sets later as it approaches Earth, expect it to become even more dominant in February, potentially causing even more confusion.

Drones from New Jersey: Mars?

Where: Rising in the east about 90 minutes after sunset, moving further south

Mars will enter opposition on January 16, which only happens once every 26 months as it approaches Earth. That’s why it’s already so bright and golden, making it an unusually colorful sight in the sky. It also rises just after dark in the east behind Jupiter, making it ready to be spotted in the evening. This week Mars is in the constellation Gemini very close to Pollux and Castor, another reason Mars could be mistaken for a drone.

I wish you clear skies and big eyes.