Drone - Possible Other Causes

Pictures of drones at night often show red and green lights, which are used for navigation. However, planes can also have four lights, and they can sometimes be mistaken for drones. 

What drones look like at night

• Hobbyist drones: Have four navigational lights, two red and two green 

• Commercial drones: Have powerful strobe lights that can be seen from up to three miles away 

• Law enforcement drones: Have red and green navigation lights, strobe lights, and powerful spotlights 

What planes look like at night 

• Have four lights spread across the nose, tail, and wings.  Plane lights are typically white.  

How to tell the difference between drones and planes at night

• Listen: Drones make a characteristic buzzing or humming sound 

• Look for anti-collision lights: Drones are usually not allowed to fly at night unless they have anti-collision lights visible for at least three miles 

Consider apps like Starwalk II, Google Sky Map, and others to understand what you may (or may not) be seeing.