The first sighting was at a military site in New Jersey, then the phenomenon spread into neighboring states. Government assurances that most “drones” were not drones at all have not tamped down curiosity.

The media has taken up the cause and the story has gone mainstream, with baffled officials furnishing no unified explanation - and President elect Trump weighing in.

Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy has sent a drone unit out to scout the sky for unidentified aircraft.