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'Has to be aliens': Memes galore as US shoots down another 'high-altitude object' over Alaska

The object was first detected by ground radar on Thursday, February 9, leading the military to dispatch fighter jets to observe it from above

WASHINGTON, DC: Six days after a fighter jet destroyed a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina, the US downed another high-altitude "object" over the waters around Alaska on Friday afternoon, according to the White House. President Joe Biden declared the operation to be "a success."

According to a Pentagon spokesperson Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the most recent object, which had been discovered within the last 24 hours, was shot down at 1.45 pm on Joe Biden's orders. According to Ryder, the US has not yet established the object's "capabilities, purpose, or origin." Following its recovery and analysis, officials aim to provide answers to those queries, as reported by ABC News.

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Another 'high altitude object' shot down from US skies after spy balloon

MEAWW earlier reported a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon was detected moving over the northern section of the country, according to US officials. The balloon sighting occurred just days before Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to visit Beijing. The balloon was as big as three buses and has been nicknamed a 'technology bay'. Meanwhile, surveillance balloons have been detected over the country before; nevertheless, this balloon has been staying for longer than usual. However, upon hearing the news, the Internet was flooded with memes and jokes.

When the information was communicated with Joe Biden, he advised that the high-altitude balloon be shot down. It was reported and spotted by civilians on a commercial airliner. 

US still gathering info on new object: John Kirby

During a White House briefing, White House national security spokeswoman John Kirby informed reporters that the object "posed a reasonable threat to the safety of civilian flight" at 40,000 feet. The object detected Friday, February 10, unlike the first, did not appear to have the same "maneuverable capability" and moved "virtually at the whim of the wind."

“It was much, much smaller than the spy balloon that we took down last Saturday,” he said. “The way it was described to me was roughly the size of a small car, as opposed to a payload that was like two or three buses sized … no significant payload if you will," per reported by New York Post.

Kirby said it's unclear whether the device has surveillance capabilities. Despite the fact that the surveillance balloon was launched by China last week, the US has not contacted Beijing to inquire whether the new object was theirs.

“We’re calling this an object because that’s the best description we have right now. We do not know who owns it,” the NSC spokesman said. “… We do expect to be able to recover the debris since it fell not only within our territorial space but on what we believe is frozen water.”

Object’s origin unknown: Pentagon

The United States is unsure of the origin of the most recent object and hesitated to call it a balloon since it was so little, "about the size of a small car" and so unlike the high-altitude surveillance balloon that was brought down off the coast of South Carolina. Ryder said he did not want to "characterize" it before it is found and examined. Ryder noted that NORTHCOM has started recovery operations, per reports from News10.

Republicans in particular criticized Biden for delaying shooting down the Chinese balloon last week, saying Beijing was able to gather intelligence that could have been useful in the interim. In an interview on Thursday, the president minimized the potential consequences on U.S.-China ties and stated that he did not consider the Chinese balloon's entrance to be a "major breach."

In contrast, Ryder reiterated that the latest object's lower altitude posed a greater risk to air traffic than the spy balloon, which flew at about 60,000 feet or roughly double that of the typical jetliner. Ryder denied that congressional criticism affected the quick decision regarding the latest object. Additionally, according to Ryder, recovery resources are en route to the scene, including an HC-130, a search-and-rescue version of the C-130 plane, as well as HH-60 and CH-47 planes.

'Shot down Harry Potter on his way to Hogwarts!'

People posted multiple funny reactions on social media, with one saying, "Oh god! They shot down Harry Potter on his way to Hogwarts! NOOOO!" Another tweeted, "It has to be Aliens. That’s the only part we’re missing at this point." A third chimed in, "LOL apparently it’s been open season for floating shit over the US for decades but now we’re cracking down." "Right before the Super Bowl. If I lose my bet bc of intergalactic war I’ll be so upset," said a fourth. A fifth tweeted, "Sorry Mr Kirby, I'm gonna need that size reference in either boulders or giraffes." Another posted, "Yes, we do sell our toys in Alaska. Why do you ask?" A seventh said, "Breaking news kid says United States government shutdown his balloon more at 9:00."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.