Silver Orb Hanging in the Daytime Sky? It Might Be a Balloon
A bright silver or white sphere seen in daylight, drifting slowly or apparently hanging still, is often a balloon. Party balloons, weather balloons launched twice a day around the world, and high-altitude research balloons all catch the sunlight.
What it looks like
- A round, silvery or white object in daylight.
- Drifting slowly, or seeming to hang still for a long time.
- Silent.
- Sometimes moving against the wind at ground level, because winds higher up blow in a different direction.
How to check
- Weather services launch balloons at fixed times (around 00:00 and 12:00 UTC) from known sites.
- Watch for a long time: a balloon drifts steadily and slowly with the upper winds.
- Binoculars may show a shape, a payload or a string.
Questions
How high do weather balloons go?
They typically rise to around 30 kilometres before bursting, high enough to catch sunlight after it is dark on the ground.
Why does a balloon seem to move against the wind?
Winds at different heights blow in different directions, so a high balloon can travel the opposite way to the breeze you feel.