Local experts weigh in on 'unidentified objects' after 4th shot down over Lake Huron

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Four "unidentified objects" have been shot down by the US in North America this month -- the closest to us so far, shot down over Lake Huron by pilots flying out of Madison.

While the first object, called a "Chinese spy balloon" by US officials, has been claimed by China as "weather equipment," these other objects, including the one on Sunday, haven't been claimed by anyone.

Some experts say after the initial incident, these objects could really be anything, but they're erring on the side of a simpler explanation.

"For the ones that have come since then, hard to say, because weather balloons are out there all over the place," said Bart Adrian, UW-Milwaukee atmospheric science senior lecturer.

He says most weather balloons, which look like this, are released twice a day all around the world.

According to Adrian, not all of them are the same, and many are released by individuals and organizations like universities.

While he isn't saying they're "just weather balloons," he says after the initial "Chinese spy balloon," there's more focus on objects that may have been there a while.

"Objects that have now been spotted have been common up there before, and it's just that our antenna are up there now, really watching, looking carefully for them," said Adrian.

Bestselling author and expert on the Roswell incident, Donald Schmitt, agrees with Adrian.

In fact, U.S. Defense Officials even say they're paying closer attention now.

Schmitt says he's concerned these incidents will be used to bolster spending on military equipment to take out these things they aren't telling us much about.

"They will now call for increased revenue," said Schmitt. "That we have to step up our systems or radar."

For Schmitt, he just wants transparency as to what these are, something he says the government has a poor track record on.

He thinks showing us what it is would help change that.

"Have the balloon scattered on the floor so the press and everyone can see it, can handle it, and end of story," said Schmitt.

National security officials have said they don't think people need to worry about aliens causing these, and aren't saying these objects are a threat, but they say they are taking it seriously.