Mystery Drone Sightings: What’s Really Going on?
Over the past few months, public curiosity—and concern—has surged over mysterious drone sightings. As a subject matter expert in unmanned aerial systems (otherwise known as drones), I’ve been inundated with questions from friends, family, and colleagues seeking answers. While I initially didn’t have a clear explanation, I dedicated myself to researching the phenomenon, and what I’ve uncovered may help shed light on this mysterious trend.
Let’s start at the beginning.
The Rise of Unexplained Drone Sightings
It all started with scattered reports of drones appearing over the Northeast. While federal authorities assured the public that there was no reason for alarm, the lack of clear explanations fueled speculation. Soon, theories emerged—ranging from foreign espionage to secret government experiments and even alien technology.
The Role of Social Media in Fueling Theories
Social media thrives on emotion, particularly fear and intrigue. This environment has given rise to theories suggesting that these drones are:
- Searching for radioactive materials
- Part of clandestine government programs
- Extraterrestrial in origin
However, many descriptions of these sightings align with standard FAA-mandated drone lighting: red and green lights on opposite sides with a strobe for visibility. Unless extraterrestrials conveniently comply with U.S. aviation regulations, the truth is likely far less sensational.
The Challenge of Investigating Drone Sightings
Identifying and tracking drones isn’t as simple as it seems. Investigations require coordination between local, state, and federal agencies, often complicated by unclear jurisdictional boundaries. Even when authorities confirm a sighting, determining the drone’s origin remains a significant challenge.
A prime example is the December 2018 Gatwick Airport incident in the UK, where drone sightings led to major flight disruptions. Despite extensive investigations, authorities struggled to pinpoint the source, highlighting the logistical difficulties of tracking unidentified drones.
How Human Vision Can Play Tricks on Us
A critical yet overlooked factor in these sightings is the science of human vision under low-light conditions. During my Navy service aboard an aircraft carrier, I experienced firsthand the challenges of nighttime observation. These experiences brought me back to a phenomenon called Averted Vision, which explains how our eyes perceive objects in dim lighting. This physiological effect can significantly influence how we interpret objects in the night sky, leading to misidentifications of drones, aircraft, or even hypothetical alien spacecraft.
The Physiology of Averted Vision
- Photoreceptors in the Retina: The retina has two types of photoreceptors: rods and cones.
- Rods are susceptible to low light but cannot perceive color or fine detail. They are concentrated in the peripheral retina.
- Cones function best in bright light and provide color vision and sharp detail. They are densely packed in the central retina, known as the fovea.
Why It Matters
In low-light conditions, relying on direct vision (fovea-dominated) limits the ability to detect faint objects, as cones are less effective in dim light. By looking slightly away from an object, light falls on the peripheral retina, where rods dominate, enhancing sensitivity to faint light sources.
Mechanisms Behind Averted Vision
- Increased Rod Sensitivity: Rods detect motion and faint light more effectively. This adaptation stems from their higher concentration of the “rhodopsin” photopigment, which is highly sensitive to photons.
- Peripheral Vision Advantage: By averting your gaze, the light from faint objects bypasses the fovea and is captured by rod-dense peripheral regions, enhancing the detection of dim or distant objects.
- Photochemical Recovery: Rods recover sensitivity more quickly than cones after exposure to light. This dynamic allows them to remain functional in fluctuating low-light conditions.
Implications for Nighttime Observations
These physiological factors explain why drones and aircraft can appear distorted at night:
- Perception of Shape and Movement: Objects viewed through peripheral vision appear less detailed and can seem blurry or distorted. Combined with motion, this can create the illusion of erratic or unnatural behavior, such as a hovering or zigzagging drone.
- Brightness and Flickering Lights: Peripheral vision is particularly sensitive to flickering or flashing lights. This can exaggerate the movement or brightness of drones with LED indicators, creating an impression of something extraordinary.
- Speed and Direction Perception: Averted vision improves the detection of moving objects in low light but can also lead to optical illusions. For example, a slow-moving drone may appear to accelerate or change direction unexpectedly.
- Color Distortion: Rods are color-blind, meaning that faint, colored lights viewed through peripheral vision may appear monochromatic or washed out, further complicating identification.
Human Bias and Interpretation
When we see something unclear, our brain naturally fills in the gaps. And what we “see” is often shaped by what we already know—like how movies and TV have influenced our ideas of UFOs. That’s why, in low-light conditions, a drone or aircraft might look like an alien spaceship to some people. It’s our brains just trying to connect the dots in familiar ways!
Real World Examples
- Aircraft misidentifications: Drones and planes often have distinctive light patterns, but these patterns can blur into something unrecognizable under low light. Peripheral vision amplifies these distortions, leading to UFO reports.
- Illusions of non-human craft: The inability to resolve fine details in dim light can transform a mundane object into something extraordinary. A drone with unusual flight patterns might be interpreted as alien technology.
- Reports of impossible speeds: Optical illusions caused by low-light perception often led to descriptions of impossible speeds, sudden stops, or direction changes—all hallmarks of UFO sightings.
Conclusion: Bridging Science and Public Perception
The mystery of drone sightings reveals the fascinating interplay between human perception and technology. Averted Vision helps explain why so many people mistake ordinary drones for something extraordinary.
By blending scientific insight with careful investigation, we can separate fact from fiction. As drone technology evolves, it’s up to us to ensure curiosity leads to clarity—not confusion.
