[stouset]

Exactly. Zero of the GPs objections are inconsistent with this explanation. The carrier group tracked an unknown object and scrambled fighters to investigate. The pilots may have visually observed the object, but it would have been too far away to really ascertain any visual detail. Instead they relied on infrared sensors which… suffered from glare, and so rendered incorrect visuals for the object. Its strange shape and rotational behavior are now explained.

What remains is still an unidentified flying object, but one whose behavior is reasonably mundane and doesn't require advanced technology to explain.

[adriand]

We also need to be really honest about what we want this to be, and how that desire influences what we believe about it. I personally want this to be an alien spacecraft, because that's super interesting and exciting. I think the same is true of lots of other people. Unfortunately, there are much more mundane explanations which fit the evidence much better.

[birdyrooster]

Why do you want it to be alien spacecraft? Are you some sort of glutton for punishment?

[RobertMiller]

If we're not dead already, how bad could they be?

[bentobean]

I, for one, welcome our new alien overlords.

[astrange]

The investors in Tom DeLonge's aliens startup would probably like to make a profit.

[sterlind]

if the aliens don't annihilate us, maybe they'd be willing to teach us some physics?

[mark-r]

If there really are aliens out there, wouldn't you like to have some proof of it?

[JaimeThompson]

Given how horribly interactions between more technologically advanced and lesser technologically advanced societies seem to harm the lesser ones I'm not sure it would turn out well for humanity.

[discardedrefuse]

A civilization capable of interstellar space travel has probably overcome "The Great Filter". I like to think there's a decent chance they're enlightened; instead of conquerors. But even if they are here to conquer, we may be better off for it. I mean, it doesn't really look like humanity is going to make it past the filter on their own.

[earthboundkid]

Any civilization sophisticated enough to make a boat that can cross the Atlantic Ocean has got to have its stuff together or else they would have just mutinied on the journey over, right?

[sswaner]

To play on earthboundkid’s comment, some “enlightened” explorers traveled in advanced craft from the Old World to the New World. They brought genocide and near total devastation on every society they encountered. 1492. Columbus. But the literal and figurative descendants of those aliens put up a statue of him in New York and called him a hero.

[mkr-hn]

This was basically the plot of Falling Skies. The invaders justified the invasion with humanity's own history.

[blenderdt]

Indeed. It could be something simple as a gas bubble.

It is now understood that all those weird stories about the Bermuda Triangle are caused by gas. But still people want to believe in other, more exciting stories because that is what we want it to be.

Edit: even the gas theory of the Bermuda Triangle is just that: a theory. The best explanation is probably nothing much is going on there.

[shadowgovt]

And in the realm of mundane objects that may create very strange radar and visual patterns, we have our choice.

Space Data Corporation was operating as early as 1997. Their product is radio communications provided by balloon. IIUC, normally those balloons are tethered, but if a tether snapped and one got away and was caught in a high-altitude crosswind, you'd have a mostly-metal object catching sunlight and throwing it in weird ways as it tumbled.