The recent sightings of mysterious drones in New Jersey skies have sparked widespread interest and concern, but one aspect of this phenomenon has gone largely unnoticed: the poor quality of photos taken of these drones. Despite the fact that nearly everyone carries a high-quality camera in their pocket, images of the drones are often grainy, blurry, and lacking in detail. So, what's behind this phenomenon?

According to Sten Odenwald, an astronomer and educator at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the limitations of smartphone cameras are a major factor. "Phone cameras are no better than the human eye in terms of their ability to gather light," Odenwald explains. "Their lenses are designed that way, to be basically electronic eyeballs. So what the smartphone sees is basically what you see, with no added amplification." This means that even the most advanced smartphone cameras are not equipped to capture high-quality images of distant, low-light objects like the New Jersey drones.

Another challenge is the drones themselves, which are designed to be stealthy and avoid detection. "They don't carry their own lighting system with them, so they're basically dark against the dark sky," Odenwald notes. While some drones may have LED navigation lights, these are not designed to illuminate the entire machine, making it even harder to capture a clear image.

So, what can be done to improve the quality of drone photos? Odenwald recommends using a dedicated camera, such as a DSLR or ILC, with a good lens. "What you need is the largest aperture you can get, because you're going to be limited by the faintness of the drone even though it's not more than maybe a few hundred meters up." A tripod is also essential, as is a healthy dose of good luck. "These things are not on any schedule, so it's kind of like meteor photography — where the meteor is trying not to be detected."

The difficulties of capturing quality images of the New Jersey drones highlight the challenges of documenting and understanding these mysterious aerial objects. While the lack of clear photos may frustrate those seeking answers, it also underscores the complexity of the issue and the need for more sophisticated approaches to tracking and monitoring these drones.

As the situation in New Jersey continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether better photos of the drones will emerge. However, one thing is clear: the limitations of smartphone cameras and the design of the drones themselves make it a daunting task to capture high-quality images of these elusive objects.