Overview
A video posted by the New York Post on March 13 shows three luminous objects moving in tight formation above Manhattan, appearing to follow one another in a pattern that some observers have described as “chasing.” The clip, captured by a resident of Queens, quickly spread across social‑media platforms, prompting a wave of speculation about the nature of the phenomena. While the footage has reignited public interest in unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) over major U.S. cities, no federal or local agency has confirmed an active investigation into the sighting.
Video Details
The short clip, recorded at approximately 5:30 p.m. local time, displays three bright, disc‑shaped orbs hovering at roughly the same altitude before accelerating in a coordinated, zig‑zag motion across the skyline. The objects remain visible for about 30 seconds, during which they seem to change direction in unison, giving the impression that they are “chasing” each other. The video’s metadata indicates it was taken with a consumer‑grade smartphone, and the uploader has not provided any additional technical information such as GPS coordinates or exact altitude.
Official Response
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, “We have not received any formal report concerning unusual aerial activity over New York City on the date in question.” Similarly, the Department of Defense’s Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, which monitors UAP incidents of potential national‑security relevance, declined to comment on the specific video but reiterated that it “continues to evaluate reports submitted through established channels.” New York City’s Office of Emergency Management also confirmed that no emergency calls or air‑traffic disruptions were logged during the timeframe of the recording.
Expert Commentary
UFO researcher Dr. Laura Miller of the Center for Aerial Phenomena Studies cautioned against jumping to conclusions, noting that “many visual anomalies over dense urban environments can be attributed to atmospheric optics, drones, or even reflections from glass façades.” She added that “the lack of corroborating radar data makes it difficult to assess whether these objects represent a genuine aerial platform or a visual artifact.” Conversely, former Navy pilot Cmdr. James Harper, who served on the Pentagon’s UAP task force, emphasized that “multiple, independent sightings—especially those captured on video—are valuable data points, even if they ultimately prove mundane.”
Historical Context and Next Steps
New York City has a documented history of UAP reports dating back to the 1950s, with occasional spikes in public attention following high‑profile incidents such as the 2009 “Hudson River lights” and the 2022 “Times Square hover.” The recent video adds to that archive, but without corroborating evidence from radar, aviation logs, or additional eyewitness accounts, it remains an unverified observation. Analysts suggest that any credible investigation would require a formal submission to the FAA’s UAP reporting portal or the All‑Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Until such a report is filed and examined, the trio of glowing orbs will likely remain a topic of online debate rather than an officially recognized incident.
