Everyone is looking up this season. Before you call it anything, sort it.
What Was That?Odd light in the sky, sorted into everyday suspects.
Pick what you noticed. The radar puts the best-fitting suspects nearest the centre and pushes the ruled-out ones to the rim.
1 What you saw
Leave anything you are unsure of on "not sure". At least 4 details are needed.
2 The radar free
The fit table
3 Ask the sky-watcher
One run gives the verdict by the page's rule and explains the top 3 suspects both ways - what fits, what argues against - with a check for next time. The page re-checks the reply.
The sky-watcher's reply - none yet
-Top suspects
Check from where you stand: never look at the sun, and never chase, approach or shine a light at anything you see.
Both ways
The page's check
4 Saved sightings
How the verdict is decided
Each suspect has details that fit it and details that rule it out; anything else leaves it open. The page ranks suspects by fewest details against, then most that fit, then a fixed order (aircraft first, reflection last). Then a fixed rule, in order: if even the top suspect has a detail against it, still open; if the runner-up has nothing against it and fits at most 1 detail fewer, toss-up; if the top suspect fits 6 or more details, solved; otherwise likely. It is a rule of thumb, not an official finding.
Safety: never look at or near the sun, with or without binoculars; never shine a torch or laser at an aircraft; keep well clear of any drone, and remember sky lanterns are a fire risk where they land. If you see an aircraft in trouble or a fire, call your local emergency number. Not professional advice.